Spitting In The Face

Quod dictum est, Exspuerunt in faciem ejus, significavit eos qui ejus praesentiam gratiae respuunt. Item tamquam colaphis cum caedunt, qui honores suos ei praeferunt: palmas in faciem ejus dant, qui perfidia caecati eum non venisse affirmant, tanquam praesentiam ejus exterminantes et repellentes. Sanctus Augustinus Hipponensi, Quaestiones in Evangelium Secundum Matthaeum, Liber Primus, XLIV Source: Migne PL 35.1332

The words: 'They spat in his face' 1 signify those who reject the presence of His grace. Likewise they who wound with blows are those who prefer their own honour to His, and they who strike their hands against His face are those who, blinded by faithlessness, affirm that Christ has not come, as men driving out and rejecting His presence. Saint Augustine of Hippo, Questions on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Book 1, 44 1 Mt 26.67