By the Word that [Jesus] was, he could have easily plunged his tempter into the abyss. But he did not reveal the power of his might, but he only brought forth the precepts [teachings] of Scripture. This was to give us an example of his patience, so that as often as we suffer something from vicious persons we should be aroused to teach rather to exact revenge.

—Gregory the Great, Forty Gospel Homilies, 16.2