most commentators take the view of Bede, namely that Jesus did not disdain the provisions of the law; rather, he submitted to it “not because of necessity but for the sake of example,” even as he submitted in an analogous way to the waters of baptism (Homilies on the Gospels 1.11). Cyril of Alexandria draws out the theological application by way of picking up the Torah theme of ransom in what will become New Testament terms: “God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem