Origen of Alexandria : I will yet set down one testimony concerning stones, since indeed in the canticle of Exodus it is written: "let them be turned into stones, until your people pass over, O Lord, until this your people pass over, whom you have possessed". And so God is asked that for a little while the Gentiles be turned into stones—for the Greek word sounds this more pointedly, "ἀπολιθούντωσαν" (let them be petrified)—"until the people" of the Jews "pass over". There is no doubt that, after those have passed over, the Gentiles will cease to be stony and, in place of a hard heart, will receive in Christ a human and rational nature: to whom is glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen. — HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF Luke 22