Origen Identifies Jesus as One of the Men at Sodom?

The interpretation of biblical texts has always been a complex and nuanced endeavor, with early Church Fathers offering various perspectives on scriptural passages. One such intriguing interpretation comes from Origen, one of the most influential theologians of the early Christian church. In his writings, Origen suggests a remarkable connection between Jesus and the events at Sodom, raising questions about divine intervention and the nature of Jesus’s divinity.

Origen's Commentary on Herod and Divine Providence

Origen, in his commentary, addresses the narrative of Herod's attempt to kill the infant Jesus. He explores the rationale behind divine actions, emphasizing the importance of free will and the subtlety of divine intervention. Origen argues that it was better for Jesus to flee to Egypt with His parents rather than for God to miraculously thwart Herod's plans in an overtly supernatural manner. This approach, according to Origen, would preserve the natural course of human events and free will.

The Homeric Helmet and Blindness of Sodom

Origen refers to the "helmet of Hades," a mythical artifact from Homeric poetry that renders its wearer invisible. He suggests that such a fantastical intervention or anything similar would have been inappropriate for Jesus. Instead, Origen compares this with the divine intervention at Sodom, where the men who sought to harm the angelic visitors were struck with blindness. He implies that employing such a miraculous defense for Jesus would have been counterproductive to the divine plan of revealing Jesus as a human endowed with divine qualities.

Jesus as a Divine Visitor in Sodom?

The most striking part of Origen’s commentary is his comparison of Jesus's situation to that of the angelic visitors at Sodom. He states that it would not have been beneficial for Jesus to be defended in an obviously miraculous way, like those who came to destroy Him being smitten with blindness, as happened in Sodom. This statement can be interpreted as Origen subtly identifying Jesus with the divine visitors in the Genesis account of Sodom.

This identification raises fascinating theological implications. It suggests that Origen saw Jesus as having a pre-incarnate presence and role in the Old Testament, appearing as one of the divine beings who visited Sodom. This aligns with the broader Christian belief in the pre-existence of Christ, where Jesus is seen as the eternal Word of God active throughout history.

Challenging Jewish Interpretations?

Origen's commentary can also be seen as a subtle critique of Jewish interpretations of Genesis. By comparing the divine intervention at Sodom with the protection of Jesus, Origen may be suggesting that the miraculous events described in the Hebrew Scriptures are not mere legends or fabrications but have deeper, Christological significance. He uses the familiar narrative of Sodom to illustrate a point about the nature of divine intervention and the revelation of Jesus's divinity.

Conclusion: A Complex Theological Perspective

Origen's identification of Jesus with the divine visitors at Sodom provides a rich and complex perspective on early Christian theology. It underscores the belief in Jesus's pre-existence and His active role in divine history. Additionally, it highlights the nuanced approach of early theologians like Origen, who sought to reconcile the human and divine aspects of Jesus's nature while engaging with Jewish scriptural interpretations. This interpretation invites readers to ponder the multifaceted ways in which early Christians understood the presence and mission of Jesus in both the Old and New Testaments.