The more obvious
interpretation of ἐσφράγισεν
in John vi.
27, would be
sealed with a mark of approval, as in the miracle just
performed. cf. Bengel, “sigillo id
quod genuinum est commendatur, et omne quod non genuinum est
excluditur.” But St. Basil explains
“sealed” by “stamped with the image of His
Person,” an interpretation which Alfred rejects. St.
Basil at the end of Chapter xxvi. of this work, calls our Lord
the χαρακτὴρ
καὶ
ἰσότυπος
σφραγίς,
i.e., “express image and seal graven to the
like” of the Father. St. Athanasius (Ep. i. ad Serap.
xxiii.) writes, “The seal has the form of Christ the
sealer, and in this the sealed participate, being formed
according to it.” cf. Gal.
iv. 19, and 2 Pet. i. 4.