Christ heals the dropsical man. The parable of the supper. The necessity of renouncing all to follow Christ.
By occasion of dining with a Pharisee, 2 after that he hath againe confounded them for maligning him for his miraculous good doing on the Sabboth. 7 he teacheth them humilitie, seing their ambition, 1• and in their workes to seeke retribution not of men in this worlde, but of God in the world to come: 16 foretelling also that the Iewes for their worldly excuses shal not tast of the Supper, but the Gentils in their place, 〈◊〉 Yea that so far must men be from al worldlines, that they must earnestly bethinke them before they enter into his Church, and be ready to forgot all: 34 specially considering they must be the salt of others also.
1And it came to pass, when Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the sabbath day, to eat bread, that they watched him.E avvenne, che essendo Gesù entrato in giorno di sabato nella casa di uno de' principali Farisei per ristorarsi, questi gli tenevano gli occhi addosso.AND it came to passe vvhen IESVS entred into the house of a certaine Prince of the Pharisees vpon the Sabboth to eate bread, and they vvatched him.Et factum est cum intraret Jesus in domum cujusdam principis pharisæorum sabbato manducare panem, et ipsi observabant eum. 2And behold, there was a certain man before him that had the dropsy.Ed eccoti che un certo uomo idropico se gli pose davanti.And behold there vvas a certaine man before him that had the dropsie.Et ecce homo quidam hydropicus erat ante illum. 3And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?E Gesù prese a dire, ai dottori della legge, e ai Farisei: E egli lecito di risanare in giorno di sabato?And IESVS ansvvering, spake to the Lavvyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it Lavvful to cure on the Sabboth?Et respondens Jesus dixit ad legisperitos et pharisæos, dicens: Si licet sabbato curare ? 4But they held their peace. But he taking him, healed him and sent him away.Ma quegli si tacquero. Ed egli toccatolo lo risanò, e rimandollo:But they held their peace, but he taking him, healed him, and sent him avvay.At illi tacuerunt. Ipse vero apprehensum sanavit eum, ac dimisit. 5And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit and will not immediately draw him out, on the sabbath day?E soggiunse, e disse loro: Chi di voi, se gli è caduto l'asino, o il bue nel pozzo, non lo trae subito fuora in giorno di sabato?And ansvvering them he said, Vvhich of you shal haue an asse or an oxe fallen into a pit: and vvil not incontinent dravv him out on the Sabboth day?Et respondens ad illos dixit: Cujus vestrum asinus, aut bos in puteum cadet, et non continuo extrahet illum die sabbati ? 6And they could not answer him to these things.Né a tali cose potevano replicargli.And they could not ansvver him to these things.Et non poterant ad hæc respondere illi. 7And he spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them:Disse ancora a' convitali una parabola, osservando com'ei si pigliavano i primi posti, dicendo loro:And he spake to them also that vvere inuited a parable, marking hovv they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them,Dicebat autem et ad invitatos parabolam, intendens quomodo primos accubitus eligerent, dicens ad illos:
8When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honourable than thou be invited by him:Quando sarai invitato a nozze, non ti mettere a sedere nel primo posto, perché a sorte non sia stato invitato da lui qualcheduno più degno di te;when thou art inuited to a mariage, sit not dovvne in the first place, lest perhaps a more honorable then thou be inuited of him:Cum invitatus fueris ad nuptias, non discumbas in primo loco, ne forte honoratior te sit invitatus ab illo. 9And he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee: Give this man place. And then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place.E quegli, che ha invitato te, e lui, venga a dirti: Cedi a questo il luogo: onde allora tu cominci a star con vergogna nell'ultimo posto:and he that bade thee and him, come and say to thee, Giue this man place: and then thou begin vvith shame to take the last place.Et veniens is, qui te et illum vocavit, dicat tibi: Da huic locum: et tunc incipias cum rubore novissimum locum tenere. 10But when thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee: Friend, go up higher. Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at table with thee.Ma quando sarai invitato, va a metterti nell'ultimo luogo: affinchè venendo, chi ti ha invitato, ti dica: Amico, vieni più in su. Ciò allora ti sia d'onore presso tutti i convitati:But vvhen thou art bidden, goe, sit dovvne in the lovvest place: that vvhen he that inuited thee, commeth, he may say to thee, Frende, sit vp higher: then shalt thou haue glorie before them that sit at table vvith thee.Sed cum vocatus fueris, vade, recumbe in novissimo loco: ut, cum venerit qui te invitavit, dicat tibi: Amice, ascende superius. Tunc erit tibi gloria coram simul discumbentibus: 11Because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Imperocché chiunque si innalza, sarà umiliato: e chi si umilia, sarà innalzato.because euery one that exalteth him self, shal be humbled: and he that humbleth him self, shal be exalted.quia omnis, qui se exaltat, humiliabitur: et qui se humiliat, exaltabitur. 12And he said to him also that had invited him: When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends nor thy brethren nor thy kinsmen nor thy neighbours who are rich; lest perhaps they also invite thee again, and a recompense be made to thee.Diceva di più a colui, che lo aveva invitato: Quando farai qualche pranzo, o cena, non invitare i tuoi amici, né i tuoi fratelli, né i parenti, né i ricchi vicini: perché a sorte ancor essi non invitino te, e ti sia renduto il contraccambio:And he said to him also that had inuited him, Vvhen thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy frendes, nor thy brethrē, nor kinsmen, nor thy neighbours that are riche: lest perhaps they also inuite thee againe, and recompense be made to thee.Dicebat autem et ei, qui invitaverat: Cum facis prandium, aut cœnam, noli vocare amicos tuos, neque fratres tuos, neque cognatos, neque vicinos divites: ne forte te et ipsi reinvitent, et fiat tibi retributio;
13But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind.Ma quando fai qualche festino, chiama i poveri, gli stroppiati, gli zoppi, e ciechi:But vvhen thou makest a feast, cal the poore, feeble, lame, and blinde,sed cum facis convivium, voca pauperes, debiles, claudos, et cæcos: 14And thou shalt be blessed, because they have not wherewith to make thee recompense: for recompense shall be made thee at the resurrection of the just.E sarai fortunato, perché non hanno da renderti il contraccambio: conciossiaché il contraccambio ti sarà reso alla risurrezione de' giusti.and thou shalt be blessed, because they haue nor to recōpense thee: for recompense shal be made thee in the resurrection of the iust.et beatus eris, quia non habent retribuere tibi: retribuetur enim tibi in resurrectione justorum. 15When one of them that sat at table with him had heard these things, he said to him: Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.Udito questo, dissegli uno de' convitati: Beato colui, che si reficierà nel regno di Dio.Vvhen one of them that sate at the table vvith him, had heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shal eate bread in the kingdom of God.Hæc cum audisset quidam de simul discumbentibus, dixit illi: Beatus qui manducabit panem in regno Dei. 16But he said to him: A certain man made a great supper and invited many.Ma egli rispose a lui: Un uomo fece una gran cena, e invitò molta gente.But he said to him, A certaine man made a great supper, and called many.At ipse dixit ei: Homo quidam fecit cœnam magnam, et vocavit multos. 17And he sent his servant at the hour of supper to say to them that were invited, that they should come: for now all things are ready.E all'ora della cena mandò un suo servo a dire a' convitati, che andassero, perché tutto era pronto.And he sent his seruant at the houre of supper to say to the inuited, That they should come, because novv al things are ready.Et misit servum suum hora cœnæ dicere invitatis ut venirent, quia jam parata sunt omnia. 18And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm and I must needs go out and see it. I pray thee, hold me excused.E principiarono tutti d'accordo a cullarsi. Il primo dissegli: Ho comprato un podere, e bisogna, che vada a vederlo: di grazia compatiscimi.And they began al at once to make excuse. The first said to him, I haue bought a farme, and I must needes goe forth and see it, I pray thee hold me excused.Et cœperunt simul omnes excusare. Primus dixit ei: Villam emi, et necesse habeo exire, et videre illam: rogo te, habe me excusatum.
19And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to try them. I pray thee, hold me excused.E un altro disse: Ho comprato cinque gioghi di buoi, e vo a provarli: di grazia compatiscimi.And an other said, I haue bought fiue yoke of oxen, and I goe to proue them, I pray thee, hold me excused.Et alter dixit: Juga boum emi quinque, et eo probare illa: rogo te, habe me excusatum. 20And another said: I have married a wife; and therefore I cannot come.E un altro disse: Ho preso moglie, e perciò non posso venire.And an other said, I haue maried a vvife, and therfore I can not come.Et alius dixit: Uxorem duxi, et ideo non possum venire. 21And the servant returning, told these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city; and bring in hither the poor and the feeble and the blind and the lame.E tornato il servo, riferì queste cose al suo padrone. Allora sdegnato il padre di famiglia, disse al suo servo: Va' tosto per le piazze, e per le contrade della città: e mena qua dentro i mendici, gli stroppiati, i ciechi, e gli zoppi.And the seruant returning told these things to his lord. Then the maister of the house being angrie, said to his seruant, Goe forth quickly into the streates and lanes of the citie, and the poore and feeble and blinde and lame bring in hither.Et reversus servus nuntiavit hæc domino suo. Tunc iratus paterfamilias, dixit servo suo: Exi cito in plateas et vicos civitatis: et pauperes, ac debiles, et cæcos, et claudos introduc huc. 22And the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded; and yet there is room.E disse il servo: Signore, si è fatto, come hai comandato, ed evvi ancora luogo.And the seruant said, Lord, it is done as thou didst commaunde, and yet there is place.Et ait servus: Domine, factum est ut imperasti, et adhuc locus est. 23And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.E disse il padrone al servo: Va' per le strade, e lungo le siepi: e sforzagli a venire, affinchè si riempia la mie casa.And the lord said to the seruant, Goe forth into the waies and hedges: and compel them to enter, that my house may be filled.Et ait dominus servo: Exi in vias, et sæpes: et compelle intrare, ut impleatur domus mea. 24But I say unto you that none of those men that were invited shall taste of my supper.Imperocché vi dico, che nessuno di coloro, che erano stati invitati, assaggerà la mia cena.But I say to you, that none of those men that vvere called, shal tast my supper.Dico autem vobis quod nemo virorum illorum qui vocati sunt, gustabit cœnam meam.
25And there went great multitudes with him. And turning, he said to them:E andava con lui turba grande di popolo: e si rivolse, e disse loro:And great multitudes vvent vvith him: and turning, he said to them,Ibant autem turbæ multæ cum eo: et conversus dixit ad illos: 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.Se uno vien da me, e non odia il padre suo, e la madre, e la moglie, e i figliuoli, e i fratelli, e le sorelle, e fin l'anima sua, non può essere mio discepolo.If any man come to me and hateth not his father and mother, and vvife and children, and brethren and sisters, yea and his ovvne life besides: he can not be my disciple.Si quis venit ad me, et non odit patrem suum, et matrem, et uxorem, et filios, et fratres, et sorores, adhuc autem et animam suam, non potest meus esse discipulus. 27And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.E chi non porta la sua croce, e mi siegue, non può essere mio discepolo.And he that doth not beare his crosse and come after me: cannot be my disciple.Et qui non bajulat crucem suam, et venit post me, non potest meus esse discipulus. 28For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:Imperocché chi di voi fabbricar volendo una torre, non fa prima a tavolino i conti delle spese, che vi vorranno, e se abbia con che finirla;For, vvhich of you minding to build a toure, doth not first sit dovvne and recken the charges that are necessarie, vvhether he haue to finish it:Quis enim ex vobis volens turrim ædificare, non prius sedens computat sumptus, qui necessarii sunt, si habeat ad perficiendum, 29Lest, after he hath laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him,Affinchè, dopo gettate le fondamenta non potendo egli terminarla, non comincino tutti que', che veggono, a burlarsi di lui,lest, after that he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, al that see it, begin to mocke him,ne, posteaquam posuerit fundamentum, et non potuerit perficere, omnes qui vident, incipiant illudere ei, 30Saying: This man began to build and was not able to finish.Dicendo: Costui ha principiato a fabbricare, e non ha potuto finire?saying, That this man began to build, and he could not finish it?dicentes: Quia hic homo cœpit ædificare, et non potuit consummare ? 31Or, what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him?Ovvero qual è quel re, che stando per muover guerra a un altro re non consulti prima a tavolino, se possa con diecimila uomini andar incontro ad uno, che gli vien contro con ventimila?Or vvhat king about to goe to make vvare against an other king, doth not first sit dovvne and thinke vvhether he be able vvith ten thousands to meete him that vvith tvventie thousands commeth against him?Aut quis rex iturus committere bellum adversus alium regem, non sedens prius cogitat, si possit cum decem millibus occurrere ei, qui cum viginti millibus venit ad se ?
32Or else, while the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace.Altrimenti mentre questi è tuttora lontano, gli spedisce ambasciadori, e lo prega di pace.Othervvise vvhiles he is yet farre of, sending a legacie he asketh those things that belong to peace.Alioquin adhuc illo longe agente, legationem mittens rogat ea quæ pacis sunt. 33So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth cannot be my disciple.Così adunque chiunque di voi non rinunzia a tutto quel, che possiede, non può essere mio discepolo.So therfore euery one of you that doth not renounce al that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.Sic ergo omnis ex vobis, qui non renuntiat omnibus quæ possidet, non potest meus esse discipulus. 34Salt is good. But if the salt shall lose its savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?Buona cosa è il sale: ma se il sale diventa scipito, con che condirassi?Salt is good. But if the salt leese his vertue, vvherevvith shal it be seasoned?Bonum est sal: si autem sal evanuerit, in quo condietur ? 35It is neither profitable for the land nor for the dunghill: but shall be cast out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.Non è a proposito né per la terra né per letame: ma sarà gettato via. Chi ha orecchie da intendere, intenda.It is profitablè neither for the ground, nor for the dunghil, but it shal be cast forth. He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.Neque in terram, neque in sterquilinium utile est, sed foras mittetur. Qui habet aures audiendi, audiat.
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Calmet
This was the Hebrew expression for taking a meal; their frugality probably suggested this method of expression, bread being the principal part of their repast. (Calmet)
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St. Cyril
Our divine Saviour, regardless of the wicked designs which these Pharisees meditated to destroy him, cures the sick man, who did not dare to ask the favour of him, for fear of the Pharisees. He could only persuade himself to stand in his presence, hoping that Christ would at length cast a compassionate look upon him: who being well pleased with him, did not demand of him if he wished to be cured, but without demur proceeded to work this stupendous miracle in his behalf. (St. Cyril)
Theophylactus
In which Christ did not so much consider whether the action would give scandal to the Pharisees, as whether it would afford the sick man comfort; intimating, that we ought ever to disregard the raillery of the fools, and the scandal which men of this world may take at our actions, as often as they are for the honour of God, and the good of our neighbour. (Theophylactus)
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Witham
Is it lawful? Jesus knew their thoughts, and that they would blame him as a sabbath-breaker: yet he healed the man, and confounded them by the example and common practice of pulling an ass out of a pit on the sabbath-day. (Witham)
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Ven. Bede
By this example Christ convicts his adversaries, as guilty of sordid avarice, since, in delivering beasts from the danger of perishing on the sabbath-day, they consult only their own advantage, whilst he was only employed in an act of charity towards his neighbour; an action they seemed so warmly to condemn. (Ven. Bede)
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Calmet
A parable. What parable? In the text there is no parable, but only instruction. Maldonatus thinks that our Saviour spoke a parable on this occasion, which St. Luke has omitted, giving us only the moral and the substance of the instruction conveyed by it. (Calmet)
St. Basil
To take the lowest place at a feast, according to our Saviour's injunctions, is certainly very becoming; but imperiously to insist upon it, is far from acting according to our Saviour's wishes, particularly when it is destructive of regularity, and productive of discord and contention. (St. Basil)
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Witham
The lowest place. A person of the first quality is not to do this literally, which would be preposterous; but it is to teach every on humility of heart and mind. (Witham)
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Calmet
Christ does not here forbid the invitation of friends and relatives, since that would be acting directly contrary to his own maxims and spirit, which breathe nothing but charity and union. He merely wishes to purify our motives in the disposal of our charity, by insinuating that there is more merit in giving to the indigent, from whom we can expect no remuneration. (Calmet)
It is only an effect of avarice, to be liberal to those who will repay us, says St. Ambrose. It is our duty as acknowledged even by heathens (Cicero de Off. lib. i.) to assist those who stand most in need of it; but our practice says the same author, is to be most obsequious to those from whom we expect most, though they want our services the least. St. Ambrose, Ven. Bede, and St. Chrysostom are of the same opinion.
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St. Augustine
By this man we are to understand Christ Jesus, the great mediator between God and man. He sent his servants, at supper-time, to say to them that were invited, that they should come; that is he sent his apostles to call the people of Israel, who had been invited to his supper on almost innumerable occasions: but they not only refused the invitation, but also murdered the Lord who had invited them. We may remark, that the three different excuses exactly agree with what St. John says: All that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh, and concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life. The one says, I have married a wife, by which may be understood the concupiscence of the flesh; another says, I have bought five yoke of oxen, by which is denoted the concupiscence of the eyes; and the pride of life is signified by the purchase of the farm, which the third alleges in his justification. (St. Augustine, de verb. Dei.)
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Haydock
Compel them to come in. This is almost the only expression in the New Testament, which can give to the intolerant a plea for persecution. The spirit of the gospel is the spirit of mildness, and the compulsion which it authorizes to bring infidels or heretics into the Church, is such as we use towards our friends, when we press them to accept of our hospitality. The great pope, St. Gregory, forbade the Jews to be persecuted in Rome, who refused to receive the faith of Christ. "That is a new and unheard of kind of preaching," says he, "which demands assent by stripes." (Haydock)
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Challoner
Hate not, etc. The law of Christ does not allow us to hate even our enemies, much less our parents: but the meaning of the text is, that we must be in that disposition of soul so as to be willing to renounce and part with every thing, how near or dear soever it may be to us, that would keep us from following Christ. (Challoner)
Witham
The word hate is not to be taken in its proper sense, but to be expounded by the words of Christ, (Matthew 10:37.) that no man must love his father more than God, etc. (Witham)
St. Gregory
Christ wishes to shew us what dispositions are necessary in him who desires to become his disciple; (Theophylactus) and to teach us that we must not be discouraged, if we meet with many hardships and labours in our journey to our heavenly country. (St. Gregory)
St. Ambrose
And if for our sakes, Christ even renounced his own mother, saying, Who is my mother, and who are my brethren? why do you wish to be treated more delicately than your Lord? (St. Ambrose)
He wished also to demonstrate to us, that the hatred he here inculcates, is not to proceed from any disaffection towards our parents, but from charity for ourselves; for immediately he adds, and his own life also. From which words it is evident, that in our love we must hate our brethren as we do ourselves.
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Tirinus
For which of you, etc. The similitude, which our divine Saviour makes us of, represents the offices and duty of a true Christian, for he has to build within himself and conduct others by his example to war with the devil, the world, and the flesh; and he has to season, purify, and keep all his actions free from corruption by the spiritual salt of mortification and prayer. (Tirinus)
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Tirinus
Lest after, etc. Here he wishes to shew us, that we are not to embrace any state of life, particularly that of an ecclesiastic, without previous and serious consideration, whether we shall be able to go through with the difficulties and dangers which will inevitably befall us: lest afterwards we find ourselves constrained to yield to our enemies, who will deride us, and say: This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Tirinus)
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Ven. Bede
But if the salt, etc. Man, after he has once been illumined with the light of faith, should he be so unfortunate as to fall into the sink of his former evil habits, what remedy is there remaining for him? He is, as our Saviour says, neither profitable for the land nor for the dunghill, but shall be cast out. (Luke 14:35.) (Ven. Bede)
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Hate not, etc.... The law of Christ does not allow us to hate even our enemies, much less our parents: but the meaning of the text is, that we must be in that disposition of soul, as to be willing to renounce, and part with every thing, how near or dear soever it may be to us, that would keep us from following Christ.
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In the liturgy The Gospel vpō the 16 Sūday after Pentecost.
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Reward for charitable deedes, and that they may be done for reward, against our Aduersaries.
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In the liturgy The Gospel vpō the 2 Sunday after Pentecost.
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Worldlines, wealth, and voluptuousnes, are the things that specially hinder men from God.
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2•. Compel them.) The vehement persuasion that God vseth both externally by force of his vvord and miracles, Free-vvil. and internally by his grace, to bring vs vnto him, is called compelling: not that he forceth any to come to him against their owne willes, but that he can alter and mollifie an hard hart, ep. 50 pa• lo post princip. & ep. 204. & li. 1 cont. ep. Gaudent. 6. 25. and make him vvilling that before vvould not. S. Augustine also referreth this compelling to the penal lawes which Catholike Princes do iustly vse against Heretikes and Schismatikes, prouing that they who are by their former professiō in Baptisme subiect to the Catholike Church, Heretikes may by penal lawes be cōpelled to the Catholike faith. and are departed from the same after Sectes, may and ought to be compelled into the vnitie and societie of the vniuersal Church againe. and therfore in this sense, by the two former partes of the parable, the Ievves first, and secondly the Gentils, that neuer beleeued before in Christ, vvere inuited by faire svveete meanes onely: but by the third, such are inuited as the Church of God hath power ouer, because they promised in baptisme, and therfore are to be reuoked not onely by gentle meanes, but by iust punishment also.
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In the liturgy The Gospel for a Martyr that is a Bishop. And for S. Basil Iun. 14.
Concordance Mt. 10, 37.
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No creature so deere vnto vs, vvhich vve must not hate or forsake, if it hinder vs, and in that respect that it hindereth vs from Christ, or his Church, & our Saluation.
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He that is a right Christian man, must make his account that if he be put to it (as he often may be in times of persecution) he must renoū ce al that euer he hath, rather then forsake the Catholike faith.
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Concordance Mt. 5, 13.
Concordance Mar. 9, 50.
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Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 29
… But [Arabic, p. 114] they were silent. So he took him, and healed him, and sent him away. [47] And he said unto them, Which of you shall have his son or his ox fall on the sabbath day into a well, and not lift him up straightway, and draw water for [48] him? And they were not able to answer him a word to that.
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Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 29
[43] And when Jesus entered into the house of one of the chiefs of the Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, and they were watching him to see what he would [44, 45] do,
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Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 29
[43] And when Jesus entered into the house of one of the chiefs of the Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, and they were watching him to see what he would [44, 45] do, and there was before him a man which had the dropsy,
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Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 29
[43] And when Jesus entered into the house of one of the chiefs of the Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, and they were watching him to see what he would [44, 45] do, and there was before him a man which had the dropsy, Jesus answered and [46] said unto the scribes and the Pharisees, Is it lawful on the sabbath to heal?
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Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 29
… But [Arabic, p. 114] they were silent. So he took him, and healed him, and sent him away. [47]
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Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 29
… But [Arabic, p. 114] they were silent. So he took him, and healed him, and sent him away. [47] And he said unto them, Which of you shall have his son or his ox fall on the sabbath day into a well, and not lift him up straightway, and draw water for [48] him?
14:7
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… But when thou art invited, go and sit last; so that when he that invited thee cometh, he may say unto thee, My friend, go up higher: and [5] thou shalt have praise before all that were invited with thee. For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and every one that abaseth himself shall be exalted.
St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 On the Decease of His Brother Satyrus 2.81
… He raised the young man again, moved by the tears of his widowed mother, when He came and touched the bier, and said: “Young man, I say unto thee, arise, and he that was dead sat up and began to speak.”
14:8
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
[1] And he spake a parable unto those which were bidden there, because he saw [2] them choose the places that were in the highest part of the sitting room:
14:9
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
[1] And he spake a parable unto those which were bidden there, because he saw [2] them choose the places that were in the highest part of the sitting room: When a man invites thee to a feast, do not go and sit at the head of the room; lest there [3] be there a man more honourable than thou,
St Jerome † AD 420 Against Jovinianus 2.10
… The secret is disclosed in the Gospel: “Whosoever shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall teach, and not do, shall be least.”
14:10
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… When a man invites thee to a feast, do not go and sit at the head of the room; lest there [3] be there a man more honourable than thou, and he that invited you come and say unto thee, Give the place to this man: and thou be ashamed when thou risest and [4] takest another place.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 14.9
… Amos was stripping mulberry bushes when, in a moment, he was made a prophet. David was only a shepherd when he was chosen to be king. And the least of His disciples was the one whom Jesus loved the most. My brother, sit down in the lower room, that when one less honorable comes you may be bidden to go up higher.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 58.1
1. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things,” and “every tree is known by his fruit.” You measure me by the scale of your own virtues and because of your own greatness magnify my littleness. You take the lowest room at the banquet that the goodman of the house may bid you to go up higher.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Expositions on the Book of Psalms 84.15
… A good word is this, a word to rejoice in, a word to be chosen. He himself chose to be cast away in the house of the Lord; but He who invited him to the feast, when he chose a lower place calleth him to a higher one, and saith unto him, “Go up higher.”
14:11
St Ignatius of Antioch † AD 108 Epistle to the Magnesians: Shorter and Longer Versions 12
… And David says, “Who am I before Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast glorified me hitherto?” And Moses, who was “the meekest of all men,” saith to God, “I am of a feeble voice, and of a slow tongue.” Be ye therefore also of a humble spirit, that ye may be exalted; for “he that abaseth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased.”
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… and thou be ashamed when thou risest and [4] takest another place. But when thou art invited, go and sit last; so that when he that invited thee cometh, he may say unto thee, My friend, go up higher: and [5] thou shalt have praise before all that were invited with thee.
Origen † AD 254 Origen De Principiis 3.1-2.12
… And this imagination, producing also vanity, will be the cause of a downfall: which, we conceive, was the case with the devil, who attributed to himself the priority which he possessed when in a state of sinlessness. “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased,” and “every one that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 The Epistles of Cyprian 5.3
3. These several matters, I pray you, suggest to our brethren. And as “he who humbleth himself shall be exalted,”
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews 3.6
… “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Of this same thing, too, according to Luke: “He that shall be least among you all, the same shall be great.” Also in the same place: “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be made low, and whosoever abaseth himself shall be exalted.”
Aphrahat † AD 346 Aphrahat: Select Demonstrations 5.2
2. Therefore because it is the time of the Evil One, hear in mystery that which I am writing for thee. For thus it is written:— Whatsoever is exalted amongst men is despicable before God . And again it is written:— Everyone who exalteth himself shall be abased, and everyone who humbleth himself shall be exalted .
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on First Corinthians 1
… and stepping upon things low in themselves, turns out a tall person. Such is the case with many men who mount themselves up on wealth and glory; which is not exaltation, for he is exalted who wants none of these things, but despises them, and has his greatness from himself. Let us therefore become humble that we may become exalted; (St.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 66.6
… Surely it is no small thing for a man of birth, eloquence, and wealth to avoid the company of the powerful in the streets, to mingle with the crowd, to cleave to the poor, to associate on equal terms with the untaught, to cease to be a leader and to become one of the people. The more he humbles himself, the more he is exalted.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 3.1
… Wouldest thou that the kingdom of heaven should be thine hereafter? Look well to thyself whose thou art now. Be poor in spirit. You ask me, perhaps, “What is to be poor in spirit?” No one who is puffed up is poor in spirit; therefore he that is lowly is poor in spirit. The kingdom of heaven is exalted; but “he who humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 32.6
6. But men are easy and ready enough to inflict injuries, and hard to seek for reconciliation. Ask pardon, says one, of him whom thou hast offended, of him whom thou hast injured. He answers, “I will not so humble myself.” But now if thou despise thy brother, at least give ear to thy God. “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 87.12
… whence they wish to be named from their way. They who are not in unity are of another way, and by this way they go up, that is, are lifted up, and wish to spoil the sheep. Now mark how they go up. “It is we,” they say, “who sanctify, we justify, we make righteous.” See whither they have got up. “But he that exalteth himself, shall be abased.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. John 4
… “He it is who cometh after me, who is made before me” (that is, as we have already said, is “preferred before me”), whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” How greatly did he humble himself! And therefore he was greatly lifted up; for he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Expositions on the Book of Psalms 71.26
… What is this “again”? Thou hast fallen from a high place, O man, disobedient slave, O thou proud against thy Lord, thou hast fallen. There hast come to pass in thee, “every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled:” may there come to pass in thee, “every one that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Expositions on the Book of Psalms 83.3
… therefore, then begin to hate, but “they that hate Thee” will then “lift up the head.” And not “heads,” but “head;” since they are to come even to that point, that they shall have that head, which “is lifted up above all that is called God, and that is worshipped;” so that in him especially is to be fulfilled, “He that exalteth himself shall be abased;”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Expositions on the Book of Psalms 119.7
51. “The same is my comfort in my humiliation” ( ver. 50 ). Namely, that hope which is given to the humble, as the Scripture saith: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Whence also our Lord Himself saith with His own lips, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Expositions on the Book of Psalms 119.20
… “O consider my humiliation, and deliver me: for I forget not Thy law” ( ver. 153 ). In this place we cannot understand any law of God so suitably, as that whereby it is immutably determined that “every one that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and every one that humbleth himself; shall be exalted.”
Pope St Leo I the Great † AD 461 Letters 19
… For you were not unaware that the Lord had said that “he that humbleth himself shall be exalted: but he that exalteth himself shall be humbled
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 5.18
… iv. 6 ). Hence, again, it is said, Whoso exalteth his heart is unclean before God ( Prov. xvi. 5 ). Hence, against the man that is proud it is written, Why is earth and ashes proud ( Ecclus. x. 9 )? Hence the Truth in person says, Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased (
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 5.20
… But should he persist any longer in his present contention, we hold this sentence of the Truth to be already made good; Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled (
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 7.27
… And, not to speak of the injury done to your dignity, if one bishop is called Universal, the Universal Church comes to ruin, if the one who is universal falls. But far, far be this levity from my ears. Yet I trust in Almighty God that what He has promised He will soon fulfil; Whosoever exalteth himself shall be humbled (
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 7.33
… Nor is it by dissimilar pride that he is led into error; for, as that perverse one wishes to appear as above all men, so whosoever this one is who covets being called sole priest, he extols himself above all other priests. But, since the Truth says, Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled (
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 8.2
… For we know who said, That every one that exalteth himself shall be abased (
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 9.122
… It is the duty, then, of your Excellency, with regard to this so great gift which you have received in the conversion of the nation subject to you, to keep with all your might, first humility of heart, and secondly cleanness of body. For where it is written, Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted (
14:12
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… and blessed art thou, since they have not the means to reward [9] thee; that thy reward may be at the rising of the righteous. And when one of them that were invited heard that, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Against Heresies 5.33.2
… But call the lame, the blind, and the poor, and thou shall be blessed, since they cannot recompense thee, but a recompense shall be made thee at the resurrection of the just.”
Tertullian † AD 220 The Five Books Against Marcion 4.31
What kind of persons does He bid should be invited to a dinner or a supper?
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews 3.2
… lest haply they also invite thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a banquet, call the poor, the weak, the blind, and lame: and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not the means of rewarding thee: but thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.”
St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 On the Duties of the Clergy 2.25
… Is it that he is more ready to repay one who loves him? For we generally show favour to those from whom we expect to receive a return of favour. But we ought to think far more of the weak and helpless, because we hope to receive, on behalf of him who has it not, a recompense from the Lord Jesus, Who in the likeness of a marriage feast
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on Philippians 1
… And wherefore? Because Christ too so willeth, as when He saith, “If thou make a supper or a dinner, call not thy friends, neither thy kinsmen, but the maimed, the lame, the blind, that cannot recompense thee.” (
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on Colossians 1
Let us then follow after these friendships which are of the Spirit, for they are strong, and hard to be dissolved, and not those which arise from the table, for these we are forbidden to carry in Thither. For hear Christ saying in the Gospel, Call not thy friends nor thy neighbors, if thou makest a feast, but the lame, the maimed. (
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on First Thessalonians 11
… lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the Resurrection of the just.” (
John Cassian † AD 435 The Conferences of John Cassian 3.4
… For on entering a church he there heard in the Gospel the Lord saying: “Whoever hateth not father and mother and children and wife and lands, yea and his own soul also, cannot be my disciple;” and “if thou wilt be perfect, go sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me:”
Pope St Gregory I the Great † AD 604 The Book of Pastoral Rule 3.20
… but, when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they have not whereof to recompense thee (
14:13
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
[6] And he said also to him that had invited him, When thou makest a feast or a banquet, do not invite thy friends, nor even thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy [7] rich neighbours; lest haply they also invite thee, and thou have this reward.
14:14
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
[6] And he said also to him that had invited him, When thou makest a feast or a banquet, do not invite thy friends, nor even thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy [7] rich neighbours; lest haply they also invite thee, and thou have this reward. But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, and those with withered hand, and the [8] lame, and the blind:
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Against Heresies 5.36.3
3. John, therefore, did distinctly foresee the first “resurrection of the just,”
Tertullian † AD 220 On the Resurrection of the Flesh 33
… “It shall be more tolerable,” He says, “for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you .” And “Tell them that the kingdom of God is at hand.” And again, “It shall be recompensed to you at the resurrection of the just.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 The Confessions 9.3
… Nor, he declared, did he wish to be a Christian on any other terms than those that were impossible. However, he invited us most courteously to make use of his country house so long as we should stay there. Thou, O Lord, wilt “recompense” him for this “at the resurrection of the just,”
14:15
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… lest haply they also invite thee, and thou have this reward. But when thou makest a feast, invite the poor, and those with withered hand, and the [8] lame, and the blind: and blessed art thou, since they have not the means to reward [9] thee; that thy reward may be at the rising of the righteous.
St Athanasius of Alexandria † AD 373 Festal and Personal Letters of Athanasius 6
… But as Israel, when going up to Jerusalem, was first purified in the wilderness, being trained to forget the customs of Egypt, the Word by this typifying to us the holy fast of forty days, let us first be purified and freed from defilement , so that when we depart hence, having been careful of fasting, we may be able to ascend to the upper chamber
St Athanasius of Alexandria † AD 373 Festal and Personal Letters of Athanasius 7
… For they delight themselves not with that food which is cast out, but with that which produces life everlasting. Who then shall be deemed worthy of that assembly? Who is so blessed as to be called, and accounted worthy of that divine feast? Truly, ‘blessed is he who shall eat bread in Thy kingdom
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 62.5
5. But whence arose an occasion, so to say, to the Lord, to speak of this supper? One of them that sat at meat with Him (for He was at a feast, whither He had been invited), had said, “Blessed are they who eat bread in the kingdom of God.”
14:16
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
[10, 11] Jesus answered again in parables, and said,
Tertullian † AD 220 The Five Books Against Marcion 4.31
… Now, since Christ forbids the recompense to be expected now, but promises it “at the resurrection,” this is the very plan of the Creator, who dislikes those who love gifts and follow after reward. Consider also to which deity is better suited the parable of him who issued invitations: “A certain man made a great supper, and bade many.”
St Gregory of Nazianzus † AD 389 Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen 3
… you were all scattered and dispersed, caring little for the Bridechamber and the Bridegroom.
St Gregory of Nazianzus † AD 389 Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen 40
… and they shall weep sore when all too late they learn the penalty of their slothfulness, when the Bride-chamber can no longer be entered by them for all their entreaties, for they have shut it against themselves by their sin, following in another fashion the example of those who missed the Wedding feast
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Commentary on Galatians 2
… Truly the Sacrifice was offered for all mankind, and was sufficient to save all, but those who enjoy the blessing are the believing only. Nevertheless it did not deter Him from His so great condescension, that not all would come; but He acted after the pattern of the supper in the Gospel, which He prepared for all, (
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 The Harmony of the Gospels 2.71
… Luke also records something which resembles it. But that is really a different passage, as the order itself sufficiently indicates, although there is some similarity between the two.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 62.0
On the words of the Gospel, Luke xiv. 16 , “A certain man made a great supper,” etc.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 62.1
… In the Psalm we have said, “O God of hosts, turn us, and show us Thy Face, and we shall be saved.” In the Gospel we have been called to a supper; yea, rather others have been called, we not called, but led; not only led, but even forced. For so have we heard, that “a certain Man made a great supper.”
14:17
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
[10, 11] Jesus answered again in parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven hath been likened [Arabic, p. 115] to a certain king, which made a feast for his son, and prepared a [12] great banquet, and invited many: and he sent his servants at the time of the feast to inform them that were invited,
14:18
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… 115] to a certain king, which made a feast for his son, and prepared a [12] great banquet, and invited many: and he sent his servants at the time of the feast to inform them that were invited, Everything is made ready for you; come. And [13] they would not come, but began all of them with one voice to make excuse.
Tertullian † AD 220 The Five Books Against Marcion 4.31
… only then inviting, when already compelling to his banquet; appointing one and the same hour both for the supper and the invitation. But when invited, they excuse themselves.
Aphrahat † AD 346 Aphrahat: Select Demonstrations 6.1
… Let us prepare the marriage-gift for His bridal day, and let us go forth to meet Him with joy. Let us put on holy raiment, that we may recline in the chief place of the elect. Whosoever puts not on wedding raiment, they cast him out into outer darkness. Whosoever excuses himself from the wedding shall not taste the feast.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 62.2
2. They who would not come made excuses. And how did they excuse themselves? There were three excuses: “One said, I have bought a farm, and I go to see it; have me excused. Another said, I have bought five pairs of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. A third said, I have married a wife, have me excused; I cannot come.”
14:19
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… and he sent his servants at the time of the feast to inform them that were invited, Everything is made ready for you; come. And [13] they would not come, but began all of them with one voice to make excuse. And the first said unto them, Say to him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out [14] to see it:
John Cassian † AD 435 The Conferences of John Cassian 3.9
… and so he was condemned to the unbearable flames and everlasting heat of hell-fire.
14:20
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… And the first said unto them, Say to him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out [14] to see it: I pray thee to release me, for I ask to be excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them: I pray thee [15] to release me, for I ask to be excused.
14:21
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… come to the feast. But they made light of it, and [18] went, one to his field, and another to his merchandise: and the rest took his [19] servants, and entreated them shamefully, and killed them.
Tertullian † AD 220 The Five Books Against Marcion 4.31
… “Yet my people hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck.” This was reported to the Master of the family. Then He was moved (He did well to be moved; for, as Marcion denies emotion to his god, He must be therefore my God), and commanded them to invite out of “the streets and lanes of the city.”
St Ambrose of Milan † AD 397 Concerning Repentance 1.7
… Novatian held back Thy servants by whom he was invited, treated them contemptuously and slew them, polluting them with the stain of a reiterated baptism. Send forth, therefore, into the highways, and gather together good and bad,
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on First Corinthians 10
… But seeing that they are not our’s but our Master’s, it were right to expend them upon our fellow-servants. It is worth considering that the omission of this was the charge brought against that rich man: and against those also who had not given food to the Lord. (St.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Letters of St. Augustin 173.10
… “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
14:22
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… Then he said to his servants, The feast is prepared, but those [22] that were invited were not worthy. Go out quickly into the markets and into the partings of the ways of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and those with pains, and the lame, and the blind. And the servants did as the king commanded them. [23]
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 The Correction of the Donatists 6
… for on His servants making answer to Him, "Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room," He said to them, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in."
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 62.8
… they came at the hour, they entered in from the streets and lanes of the city. And the servant “who had been sent,” brought answer, “Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.” “Go out,” saith He, “into the highways and hedges, and compel those whom thou shalt find to come in.”
14:23
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 30
… Go out quickly into the markets and into the partings of the ways of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and those with pains, and the lame, and the blind. And the servants did as the king commanded them. [23] And they came, and said unto him, Our lord, we have done all that thou commandedst [24] us, and there is here still room.
Tertullian † AD 220 The Five Books Against Marcion 4.31
… “Have I been a wilderness to the house of Israel, or a land left uncultivated?” That is to say: “Then have I none whom I may call to me; have I no place whence I may bring them?” “Since my people have said, We will come no more unto thee.” Therefore He sent out to call others, but from the same city.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on First Corinthians 2
[9.] But some man will say, “He ought to bring men in, even against their will.” Away with this. He doth not use violence, nor compel;
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Letters of St. Augustin 93.5
5. You are of opinion that no one should be compelled to follow righteousness; and yet you read that the householder said to his servants, “Whomsoever ye shall find, compel them to come in.”
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Letters of St. Augustin 208.7
… But God, who is rich in mercy, has done in regard to you that which is written in the gospel: when the invited guests excused themselves to the master of the feast, he said to the servants, “Go ye, therefore, into the highways and hedges, and as many as ye shall find compel them to come in.”
14:25
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… And if he is not able, he sendeth unto him while he is afar [50] off, and seeketh peace. So shall every man of you consider, that desireth to be a disciple to me; for if he renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be a disciple to me.
14:26
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
[42] And while great multitudes were going with him, he turned, and said unto them, [43]
Tertullian † AD 220 On Idolatry 12
… “But I was under contract.” “None can serve two lords.” If you wish to be the Lord’s disciple, it is necessary you “take your cross, and follow the Lord:” your cross ; that is, your own straits and tortures , or your body only, which is after the manner of a cross . Parents, wives, children, will have to be left behind, for God’s sake.
Tertullian † AD 220 Scorpiace 11
In the same manner, therefore, we maintain that the other announcements too refer to the condition of martyrdom. “He,” says Jesus, “who will value his own life also more than me, is not worthy of me,”
Origen † AD 254 Origen's Commentary on Matthew 13.25
… But even if the wife of our bosom, or a friend who is kindred in soul, become stumbling-blocks to us, let us not spare them, but let us cut them out from ourselves, and cast them outside of our soul, as not being truly our kindred but enemies of our salvation; for “whosoever hates not his father, and mother,”
St Basil the Great † AD 379 The Letters 42.3
3. You will not love your kinsfolk more than the Lord. “He that loveth,” He says, “father, or mother, or brother, more than me, is not worthy of me.”
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom 35
… For indeed it is a sacred duty to render them all other honors: but when they demand more than is due, one ought not to obey. For this reason Luke saith, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple;”
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom 38
And how, some one may say, is the burden light, when He saith, “Except one hate father and mother;” and, “Whosoever taketh not up his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me:” and, “Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple:”
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 19
… you are stunned; you are struck all of a heap, unable to hold up your heads. “Good news” should have nothing in it of a duty to be done, but rather should counsel what is good: whereas these “Gospels” have endless duties to be done. And again, to mention other things, as for instance, Except a man hate father and mother, he is not worthy of Me” (
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on Ephesians 20
Yet how strange! for how then is it, that it is said elsewhere, “If one bid not farewell both to wife and to husband, he cannot follow me”? (
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 38.5
… The publican stood up from the receipt of custom and followed the Saviour once for all. And when a disciple wished to return home, that he might take leave of his kinsfolk, the Master’s voice refused consent. A son was even forbidden to bury his father, as if to show that it is sometimes a religious duty to be undutiful for the Lord’s sake.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 117.4
… When men blame a maid of God not for self-indulgence but only for insensibility to affection, what they condemn as callous disregard of a parent is really a lively devotion towards God. For you prefer to your mother Him whom you are bidden to prefer to your own soul.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 145
… Rather, if you can, imitate Joseph and leave your garment in the hand of your Egyptian mistress, that naked you may follow your Lord and Saviour. For in the gospel He says: “Whosoever doth not leave all that he hath and bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
St Jerome † AD 420 Against the Pelagians 2
xiv. 26, 27 . The commands to forsake all and take up the cross are not easy.
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 The Confessions 8.6
… and this, from this hour, in this place, I enter upon. If thou art reluctant to imitate me, hinder me not.” The other replied that he would cleave to him, to share in so great a reward and so great a service. Thus both of them, being now Thine, were building a tower at the necessary cost,
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount 1.15
… “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
John Cassian † AD 435 The Conferences of John Cassian 21.9
… “He that hateth not father and mother and children and brothers and sisters and wife and lands, yea and his own soul also, cannot be My disciple.”
John Cassian † AD 435 The Conferences of John Cassian 24.2
… “He who doth not leave (or hate) father and mother and children and brethren cannot be My disciple.”
14:27
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
[42] And while great multitudes were going with him, he turned, and said unto them, [43] Whosoever cometh unto me, and hateth not his father, and his mother, and his brethren, and his sisters, and his wife, and his children, and himself also, cannot [44] [Arabic, p. 61] be a disciple to me.
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Against Heresies 1.3.5
… and in so far as he supports and sustains, he is Stauros, while in so far as he divides and separates, he is Horos. They then represent the Saviour as having indicated this twofold faculty: first, the sustaining power, when He said, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross (Stauros), and follow after me, cannot be my disciple;”
St Basil the Great † AD 379 The Letters 42.3
3. You will not love your kinsfolk more than the Lord. “He that loveth,” He says, “father, or mother, or brother, more than me, is not worthy of me.” What is the meaning of the Lord’s commandment? “He that taketh not up his cross and followeth after me, cannot be my disciple?”
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews 25
… How so? “In the world” (He says), “ye shall have tribulation.” ( John xvi. 33 .) “He that taketh not his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.” ( Matt. x. 38 .) “He that hateth not his life shall not find it.” ( John xii. 25 .) And, “He that forsaketh not all that he hath, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.” (
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 127.6
… She often quoted with approval Plato’s saying that philosophy consists in meditating on death. A truth which our own apostle indorses when he says: “for your salvation I die daily.” Indeed according to the old copies our Lord himself says: “whosoever doth not bear His cross daily and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
14:28
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… 61] be a disciple to me. And whosoever doth not take his cross, and follow [45] me, cannot be a disciple to me.
Tertullian † AD 220 On Idolatry 12
In vain do we flatter ourselves as to the necessities of human maintenance, if—after faith sealed —we say, “I have no means to live?” For here I will now answer more fully that abrupt proposition. It is advanced too late . For after the similitude of that most prudent builder,
Origen † AD 254 Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John 6.1
… About the time of Ezra, also, when “truth conquers wine and the hostile king and women,” the temple of God is restored again. All this is said by way of apology to you, reverend Ambrosius. It is at your sacred encouragement that I have made up my mind to build up in writing the tower of the Gospel; and I have therefore sate down to count the cost,
St Basil the Great † AD 379 The Letters 42.1
… Of these, moreover, the Lord says, who wishing to build a house “sitteth not down first and counteth the cost whether he have sufficient to finish it? lest haply after he hath laid the foundation and is not able to finish it,” the passers-by “begin to mock him saying,” this man laid a foundation “and was not able to finish.”
St Gregory of Nazianzus † AD 389 Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen 2.101
… On the contrary, a man of low estate may with safety assume a light burden, and escape the risk of the ridicule and increased danger which would attend him if he attempted a task beyond his powers. For, as we have heard, it is not seemly for a man to build a tower, unless he has sufficient to finish it.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Treatise Concerning the Christian Priesthood 4
… What ludicrous nonsense! worthy of the extremest punishment. For this reason also the Lord counsels the man who wishes to build a tower, not to lay the foundation before he has taken his own ability to build into account, lest he should give the passers by innumerable opportunities of mocking at him.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 14.9
… Paul and Peter now reign with Christ, and it is not easy to take the place of the one or to hold the office of the other. There may come an angel to rend the veil of your temple, and to remove your candlestick out of its place. If you intend to build the tower, first count the cost.
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 66.14
… Indeed, the number of monks who flock here from all quarters of the world is so overwhelming that I can neither desist from my enterprise nor bear so great a burthen. The warning of the gospel has been all but fulfilled in me, for I did not sufficiently count the cost of the tower I was about to build;
John Cassian † AD 435 The Conferences of John Cassian 9.2
… And so we shall not be able either to treat properly of the effect of prayer, or in a rapid discourse to penetrate to its main end, which is acquired by labouring at all virtues, unless first all those things which for its sake must be either rejected or secured, are singly enumerated and discussed, and, as the Parable in the gospel teaches,
14:29
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… 61] be a disciple to me. And whosoever doth not take his cross, and follow [45] me, cannot be a disciple to me. Which of you desireth to build a tower, and doth not sit down first and reckon his expenses and whether he hath enough to [46] complete it?
Aphrahat † AD 346 Aphrahat: Select Demonstrations 6.1
… Whosoever prepares himself for the supper, let him not excuse himself, nor be a merchant. Whosoever he be on whom the good seed falls, let him not allow the Evil One to sow tares in him. Whosoever has begun to build a tower, let him count up all the cost thereof.
14:30
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… And whosoever doth not take his cross, and follow [45] me, cannot be a disciple to me. Which of you desireth to build a tower, and doth not sit down first and reckon his expenses and whether he hath enough to [46] complete it? lest when he hath laid the foundations, and is not able to finish, all that [47] behold him laugh at him, and say,
14:31
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… Which of you desireth to build a tower, and doth not sit down first and reckon his expenses and whether he hath enough to [46] complete it? lest when he hath laid the foundations, and is not able to finish, all that [47] behold him laugh at him, and say, This man began to build, and was not able to [48] finish.
John Cassian † AD 435 The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults 7.15
… And so they are bidden to withdraw from the battle and return to their homes, because a man cannot fight the Lord’s battle with a double heart. For “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” And thinking, according to that Parable in the Gospel,
14:32
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… lest when he hath laid the foundations, and is not able to finish, all that [47] behold him laugh at him, and say, This man began to build, and was not able to [48] finish. Or what king goeth to the battle to fight with another king, and doth not consider first whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh to him [49] with twenty thousand?
14:33
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 15
… Or what king goeth to the battle to fight with another king, and doth not consider first whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh to him [49] with twenty thousand? And if he is not able, he sendeth unto him while he is afar [50] off, and seeketh peace.
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 On the Lord's Prayer 19
19. But it may also be thus understood, that we who have renounced the world, and have cast away its riches and pomps in the faith of spiritual grace, should only ask for ourselves food and support, since the Lord instructs us, and says, “Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.”
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus 7
… “And let him that is in the field not return back. Remember Lot’s wife.” And lest any one should be retarded by any covetousness of wealth or attraction of his own people from following Christ, He adds, and says: “He that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.”
St Cyprian of Carthage † AD 258 Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews 3.12
… Blessed are those servants, whom their lord, when he cometh, shall find watching.” Of this same thing in Matthew: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where He may lay His head.” Also in the same place: “Whoso forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.”
Archelaus † fl. AD 278 The Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes 40
… so that I verily believe he has that serpent as his helper, who is ever our adversary. Well, he declared that there in the law God said, “I make the rich man and the poor man;” while here in the Gospel Jesus called the poor blessed, and added, that no man could be His disciple unless he gave up all that he had.
Archelaus † fl. AD 278 The Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes 42
… and in that offering verily something is exhibited that goes beyond what Moses prescribed on the subject of the receipt of moneys. For he received gifts from those who had; but Jesus receives them even from those who have not. But this man says, further, that it is written, that “except a man shall forsake all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on Philippians 6
… but when it departs elsewhere, and is seized by the fever, and is engaged in the pleasure of the thing, it hath not its perception clear, it hath not its tribunal uncorrupt. Christ says, “Whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple” (
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on Philippians 9
But as I said, no one searches out these things, no one busies himself about these things, no one communes with himself on any of these things. Would ye that I should add still more? “Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, saith the Christ, is not worthy of Me.” (
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Homilies on Titus 5
… But he everywhere condemns him that is fond of money. Concerning wealth also Christ often commanded that we should avoid the corruption of it, but He says nothing about abstaining from a wife. For hear what He says concerning money; “Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath” (
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. John 74
… But the desire of wealth is neither natural nor necessary, but superfluous; and if we choose we need not admit its beginning. At any rate, Christ speaking of virginity saith, “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.” ( Matt. xix. 12 .) But concerning riches not so, but how? “Except a man forsake all that he hath, he is not worthy of Me.” (
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 14.5
… Consider well, my brother; nothing is yours to keep. “Whosoever he be of you,” the Lord says, “that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
St Jerome † AD 420 The Life of S. Hilarion 3
… above all he was mindful of the Lord’s words,
14:34
Tatian † AD 180 The Diatessaron 25
… where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched. Every [24] one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. How good [25] is salt! but if the salt also be tasteless, wherewith shall it be salted?
Origen † AD 254 Origen Against Celsus 8.70
… For men of God are assuredly the salt of the earth: they preserve the order of the world; and society is held together as long as the salt is uncorrupted: for “if the salt have lost its savour, it is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill; but it shall be cast out, and trodden under foot of men. He that hath ears, let him hear”
14:35
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 125.1
… Yet love for women made even him foolish. Salt is good, and every offering must be sprinkled with it. Wherefore also the apostle has given commandment: “let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt.” But “if the salt have lost his savour,” it is cast out. And so utterly does it lose its value that it is not even fit for the dunghill,
14:1
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
Although our Lord knew the malice of the Pharisees, yet He became their guest, that He might benefit by His words and miracles those who were present. Whence it follows, And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him; to see whether He would despise the observance of the law, or do any thing that was forbidden on the sabbath day. When then the man with the dropsy came into the midst of them, He rebukes by a question the insolence of the Pharisees, who wished to detect Him; as it is said, And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, &c.
St Bede † AD 735
When it is said that Jesus answered, there is a reference to the words which went before, And they watched him. For the Lord knew the thoughts of men.
Theophylact † 1107
But by His question He exposes their folly. For while God blessed the sabbath, (Gen. 2:1.) they forbade to do good on the sabbath; but the day which does not admit the works of the good is accursed.
St Bede † AD 735
But they who were asked, are rightly silent, for they perceived that whatever they said, would be against themselves. For if it is lawful to heal on the sabbath day, why did they watch the Saviour whether He would heal? If it is not lawful, why do they take care of their cattle on the sabbath? Hence it follows, But they held their peace.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
Disregarding then the snares of the Jews, He cures the dropsical, who from fear of the Pharisees did not ask to be healed on account of the sabbath, but only stood up, that when Jesus beheld him, He might have compassion on him and heal him. And the Lord knowing this, asked not whether he wished to be made whole, but forthwith healed him. Whence it follows; And he took him, and healed him, and let him go. Wherein our Lord took no thought not to offend the Pharisees, but only that He might benefit him who needed healing. For it becomes us, when a great good is the result, not to care if fools take offence.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
But seeing the Pharisees awkwardly silent, Christ baffles their determined impudence by some important considerations. As it follows; And he answered and said unto them, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
Theophylact † 1107
As though He said, If the law forbids to have mercy on the sabbath-day, have no care of thy son when in danger on the sabbath-day. But why speak I of a son, when thou dost not even neglect an ox if thou seest it in danger?
St Bede † AD 735
By these words He so refutes His watchers, the Pharisees, as to condemn them also of covetousness, who in the deliverance of animals consult their own desire of wealth. How much more then ought Christ to deliver a man, who is much better than cattle!
St Augustine † AD 430 de Quæst. Evan. lib. 2. cap. 29.
Now He has aptly compared the dropsical man to an animal which has fallen into a ditch, (for he is troubled by water,) as He compared that woman, whom He spoke of as bound, and whom He Himself loosed, to a beast which is let loose to be led to water.
St Bede † AD 735
By a suitable example then He settles the question, shewing that they violate the sabbath by a work of covetousness, who contend that he does so by a work of charity. Hence it follows, And they could not answer him again to these things. Mystically, the dropsical man is compared to him who is weighed down by an overflowing stream of carnal pleasures. For the disease of dropsy derives the name from a watery humour.
St Augustine † AD 430 ubi sup.
Or we rightly compare the dropsical man to a covetous rich man. For as the former, the more he increases in unnatural moisture the greater his thirst; so also the other, the more abundant his riches, which he does not employ well, the more ardently he desires them.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 14 Mor. c. 6.
Rightly then is the dropsical man healed in the Pharisees’ presence, for by the bodily infirmity of the one, is expressed the mental disease of the other.
St Bede † AD 735
In this example also He well refers to the ox and the ass; so as to represent either the wise and the foolish, or both nations; that is, the Jew oppressed by the burden of the law, the Gentile not subject to reason. For the Lord rescues from the pit of concupiscence all who are sunk therein.
The Latin text
Cyrillus
Quamvis dominus malitiam Pharisaeorum cognosceret, tamen eorum fiebat conviva, ut prodesset praesentibus per verba et miracula; unde subditur et factum est cum introisset Iesus in domum cuiusdam principis Pharisaeorum sabbato manducare panem, et ipsi observabant eum: si scilicet reverentiam legis contemneret, et an quicquam prohibitorum faceret in die sabbati. Itaque hydropico veniente in medium, interrogatione reprehendit insolentiam Pharisaeorum, eum arguere volentium; unde dicitur et ecce homo quidam hydropicus erat ante illum. Et respondens Iesus dixit ad legisperitos et Pharisaeos, si licet sabbato curare
Beda
Quod dicitur respondisse Iesus, ad hoc respicit quod praemissum est: et ipsi observabant eum: dominus enim novit cogitationes hominum
Theophylactus
In sua autem interrogatione deridet eos, sicut amentes: Deo enim benedicente sabbatum, ipsi prohibent operari bona in eo; dies autem quae bonorum operam non admittit, maledicta est
Beda
Sed merito interrogati tacent, quia contra se dictum, quicquid dixerit, vident. Nam si licet sabbato curare, quare salvatorem an curet observant? Si non licet, quare ipsi sabbato pecora curant? Unde sequitur at illi tacuerunt
Cyrillus
Neglectis igitur Iudaeorum insidiis, liberat a morbo hydropicum: qui metu Pharisaeorum remedia non postulabat propter sabbatum, sed solum astabat, ut ex aspectu misertus eius salvaret eum: quod dominus cognoscens, non postulat ab eo si vellet salvus fieri; sed protinus eum sanavit; unde sequitur ipse vero apprehensum sanavit eum ac dimisit
Theophylactus
In quo non hoc prospexit dominus, ne scandalizaret Pharisaeos; sed ut benefaciat egenti remediis: decet enim nos, cum magna resultat utilitas, non curare si stulti scandalizentur
Cyrillus
Sed quia Pharisaei inepte tacuerunt, solvit Christus inflexibilem eorum impudentiam, considerationibus seriis ad hoc utens; unde sequitur et respondens ad illos dixit: cuius vestrum asinus aut bos in puteum cadet, et non continuo extrahet illum die sabbati?
Theophylactus
Quasi dicat: si prohibuit lex misereri in sabbato, ne curam habeas filii tui periclitantis in sabbato; sed quid dico, filii, quando nec bovem praeteris, si periclitantem videris?
Beda
In quo sic observatores suos Pharisaeos convincit, ut eosdem etiam avaritiae condemnet, qui in liberatione animalis suae avaritiae consulebant. Quanto ergo magis Christus hominem, qui multo melior est pecore, debuit liberare?
Augustinus de quaest. Evang
Congruenter autem hydropicum animali quod cecidit in puteum comparavit, humore enim laborabat; sicut illam mulierem quam alligatam dixerat, et ipse solvebat, comparavit iumento, quod solvitur ut ad aquam ducatur
Beda
Competenti ergo exemplo solvit quaestionem, ut ostendat eos violare sabbatum in opere cupiditatis qui eum violare arguerunt in opere caritatis; unde sequitur et non poterant ad haec respondere illi. Mystice autem hydropicus comparatur ei quem fluxus carnalium voluptatum exuberans aggravat: hydropicus enim morbus ab aquoso humore vocabulum trahit
Augustinus de quaest. Evang
Vel hydropicum recte comparamus diviti avaro: sicut enim ille quanto magis abundat humore inordinato, tanto amplius sitit; sic et iste quanto est copiosior divitiis, quibus non bene utitur, tanto ardentius talia concupiscit
Gregorius Moralium
Recte ergo hydropicus ante Pharisaeum curatur: quia per alterius aegritudinem corporis, in altero exprimitur languor, seu aegritudo cordis et mentis
Beda
Bene autem in exemplo bovem et asinum nominat, ut vel sapientes et hebetes, vel utrumque populum significet, scilicet Iudaeum iugo legis pressum, et gentilem nulla ratione domitum: omnes enim a puteo concupiscentiae demersos dominus extrahit
14:7
St Ambrose † AD 397
First the dropsical man is cured, in whom the abundant discharges of the flesh crushed down the powers of the soul, quenched the ardour of the Spirit. Next, humility is taught, when at the nuptial feast the desire of the highest place is forbidden. As it is said, And he spake, Sit not down in the highest room.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
For to rush forward hastily to honours which are not fitting for us, indicates rashness and casts a slur upon our actions. Hence it follows, lest a more honourable man than thou be invited, &c.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 non occ.
And so the seeker of honour obtained not that which he coveted, but suffered a defeat, and busying himself how he might be loaded with honours, is treated with dishonour. And because nothing is of so much worth as modesty, He leads His hearer to the opposite of this seeking; not only forbidding him to seek the highest place, but bidding him search for the lowest. As it follows; But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
For if a man wishes not to be set before others, he obtains this honour according to the divine word. As it follows; That when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher. In these words He does not harshly chide, but gently admonishes; for a word of advice is enough for the wise. And thus for their humility men are crowned with honours; as it follows, Then shall thou have worship.
St Basil the Great † AD 379 in reg. fus. ad inter. 12.
To take then the lowest place at a feast, according to our Lord’s command, is becoming to every man, but again to rush contentiously after this is to be condemned as a breach of order and cause of tumult; and a strife raised about it, will place you on a level with those who dispute concerning the highest place. Wherefore, as our Lord here says, it becomes him who makes the feast to arrange the order of sitting down. Thus in patience and love should we mutually bear ourselves, following all things decently according to order, not for external appearance or public display; nor should we seem to study or affect humility by violent contradiction, but rather gain it by condescension or by patience. For resistance or opposition is a far stronger token of pride than taking the first seat at meat, when we obtain it by authority.
Theophylact † 1107
Now let no one deem the above precepts of Christ to be trifling, and unworthy of the sublimity and grandeur of the Word of God. For you would not call him a merciful physician who professed to heal the gout, but refused to cure a scar on the finger or a tooth-ache. Besides, how can that passion of vainglory appear slight, which moved or agitated those who sought the first seats. It became then the Master of humility to cut off every branch of the bad root. But observe this also, that when the supper was ready, and the wretched guests were contending for precedency before the eyes of the Saviour, there was a fit occasion for advice.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
Having shewn therefore from so slight an example the degradation of the ambitious and the exaltation of the humbleminded, He adds a great thing to a little, pronouncing a general sentence, as it follows, For every one who exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. This is spoken according to the divine judgment, not after human experience, in which they who desire after glory obtain it, while others who humble themselves remain inglorious.
Theophylact † 1107
Moreover, he is not to be respected in the end, nor by all men, who thrusts himself into honours; but while by some he is honoured, by others he is disparaged, and sometimes even by the very men who outwardly honour him.
St Bede † AD 735
But as the Evangelist calls this admonition a parable, we must briefly examine what is its mystical meaning. Whosoever being bidden has come to the marriage feast of Christ’s Church, being united to the members of the Church by faith, let him not exalt himself as higher than others by boasting of his merits. For he will have to give place to one more honourable who is bidden afterwards, seeing that he is overtaken by the activity of those who followed him, and with shame he occupies the lowest place, now that knowing better things of the others he brings low whatever high thoughts he once had of his own works. But a man sits in the lowest place according to that verse, The greater thou art, humble thyself in all things. (Eccles. 3:18.) But the Lord when He cometh, whomsoever He shall find humble, blessing him with the name of friend, He will command him to go up higher. For whoever humbleth himself as a little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. But it is well said, Then shalt thou have glory, that thou mayest not begin to seek now what is kept for thee in the end. It may also be understood, even in this life, for daily does God come to His marriage feast, despising the proud; and often giving to the humble such great gifts of His Spirit, that the assembly of those who sit at meat, i. e. the faithful, glorify them in wonder. But in the general conclusion which is added, it is plainly declared that the preceding discourse of our Lord must be understood typically. For not every one who exalts himself before men is abased; nor is he who humbleth himself in their sight, exalted by them. But whoever exalteth himself because of his merits, the Lord shall bring low, and him who humbleth himself on account of his mercies, shall He exalt.
The Latin text
Ambrosius
Prius curatus est hydropicus, in quo fluxus carnis exuberans, animae gravabat officia, spiritus extinguebat ardorem: deinde docetur humilitas, dum in convivio nuptiali appetentia loci superioris arcetur; unde dicitur dicebat autem ad invitatos parabolam, intendens quomodo primos accubitus eligerent, dicens ad illos: cum invitatus fueris ad nuptias, non discumbas in primo loco
Cyrillus
Prosilire enim prompte ad honores qui nobis non conveniunt, indicat nos temerarios esse, et nostra facta vituperio replet; unde sequitur ne forte honoratio te sit invitatus ab illo, et veniens is qui te et illum vocavit, dicat tibi: da huic locum; et tunc incipias cum rubore novissimum locum tenere
Chrysostomus
Et sic quod concupivit, nequaquam obtinuit ambitiosus honoris, sed passus est repulsam; et satagens qualiter abundet honoribus, non honoratur. Et quia nihil est aequipollens modestiae, auditorem ad oppositum ducit. Non solum prohibet ambire primatum, sed et venari iubet ultima; unde sequitur sed cum vocatus fueris, vade, recumbe in novissimo loco
Cyrillus
Si enim aliquis non vult aliis praelocari, nanciscitur hoc ex divina sententia; unde sequitur ut cum venerit qui te invitavit, dicat tibi: amice, ascende superius. Haec dicens, non graviter obiurgat, sed leniter iniungit: sufficit enim monitio apud discretos; et sic pro humilitate aliquis coronatur honore; unde sequitur tunc erit tibi gloria coram simul discumbentibus
Basilius
Occupare igitur locum ultimum in conviviis, iuxta mandatum dominicum, conveniens est, sed rursum in hunc contentiose irruere reprobatum tamquam interemptorium ordinis et causativum tumultus: et de eo mota contentio aequiparabit vos litigantibus de primatu. Quapropter, sicut hic dominus dicit, expedit convivium facienti committere accubitus ordinem. Sic et in patientia nos mutuo sustinebimus honeste, et secundum ordinem omnia prosequentes, non ad apparentiam plurium; nec videbimur humilitatem pertractare per vehementem contradictionem; magis autem humilitatem per patientiam obtineremus: maius est enim ex repugnantia superbiae indicium quam ex primo accubitu, quando eum cum imperio obtinemus
Theophylactus
Nemo autem putet praemissam Christi doctrinam modicam esse, et indignam culminis Dei verbi; non enim pium dices esse medicum pollicitum sanare podagram, ictum vero digiti vel dentis dolorem nolentem curare. Porro quomodo parva passio vanae gloriae, quae versabat primos perquirentes accubitus? Decebat igitur humilitatis magistrum omnem ramum pravae radicis amputare. Sed et illud considera, quia praesto coena, et passione primatus coram salvatore vexante miseros, opportunitatem habebat monitio
Cyrillus
Ostenso igitur tam modico exemplo ambitiosorum contemptu, et non ambitiosorum exaltatione adicit magnum parvo, generalem sententiam proferens, cum subditur quia omnis qui se exaltat, humiliabitur; et qui se humiliat, exaltabitur: quod dicitur secundum divinum iudicium, non secundum humanam consuetudinem, secundum quam plures concupiscentes honorem consequuntur, alii vero se humiliantes inglorii remanent
Theophylactus
Porro non finaliter nec omnibus hominibus est reverendus qui se honoribus ingerit; sed dum a quibusdam honoratur, alii detrahunt ei, et quandoque etiam ipsi honorantes
Beda
Sed quoniam hanc admonitionem Evangelista parabolam vocat, breviter intuendum quid mystice significet. Quisquis nuptias Christi et Ecclesiae invitatus adierit, membris Ecclesiae per fidem coniunctus, non se extollat, quasi sublimior ceteris, de meritis gloriando: dabit enim locum honoratiori post invitato, cum illorum qui se in Christo secuti sunt agilitate praeitur, et cum rubore novissimum locum tenet, quando de aliis meliora cognoscens, quicquid de sua operatione celsum sentiebat humiliat. Sed recumbit aliquis in novissimo loco, secundum illud: quanto magnus es, humilia te in omnibus. Veniens autem dominus, quem humilem invenerit, amici nomine beatificans, ascendere superius praecipiet: quicumque enim humiliaverit se sicut parvulus, hic est maior in regno caelorum. Pulchre autem dicitur tunc erit tibi gloria, ne nunc quaerere incipias quod tibi servatur in fine. Potest etiam et hoc in hac vita intelligi; quia quotidie dominus suas nuptias intrat, superbos despiciens, et humilibus saepe tanta sui spiritus dona praestans, ut discumbentium, idest fidelium, coetus, eos admirando glorificet. Ex conclusione vero generali, quae subditur, manifeste claret praecedentem domini sermonem typice intelligendum. Neque enim omnis qui se coram hominibus exaltat, humiliatur; aut qui se in conspectu hominum humiliat, exaltatur ab eis: sed qui se de meritis elevat, humiliabitur a domino; et qui se de beneficiis humiliat, exaltabitur ab eo
14:12
Theophylact † 1107
The supper being composed of two parties, the invited and the inviter, and having already exhorted the invited to humility, He next rewards by His advice the inviter, guarding him against making a feast to gain the favour of men. Hence it is said, Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Hom. 1, 3. in ep. Col.
Many are the sources from which friendships are made. Leaving out all unlawful ones, we shall speak only of those which are natural and moral; the natural are, for instance, between father and son, brother and brother, and such like; which He meant, saying, Nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen; the moral, when a man has become your guest or neighbour; and with reference to these He says, nor thy neighbours.
St Bede † AD 735
Brothers then, and friends, and the rich, are not forbidden, as though it were a crime to entertain one another, but this, like all the other necessary intercourse among men, is shewn to fail in meriting the reward of everlasting life; as it follows, Lest perchance they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. He says not, “and sin be committed against thee.” And the like to this He speaks in another place, And if ye do good to those who do good to you, what thank have ye? (Luke 6:33.) There are however certain mutual feastings of brothers and neighbours, which not only incur a retribution in this life, but also condemnation hereafter. And these are celebrated by the general gathering together of all, or the hospitality in turn of each one of the company; and they meet together that they may perpetrate foul deeds, and through excess of wine be provoked to all kinds of lustful pleasure.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407
Let us not then bestow kindness on others under the hope of return. For this is a cold motive, and hence it is that such a friendship soon vanishes. But if you invite the poor, God, who never forgets, will be your debtor, as it follows, But when ye make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Hom. 45. in Act.
For the humbler our brother is, so much the more does Christ come through him and visit us. For he who entertains a great man does it often from vainglory. And elsewhere, But very often interest is his object, that through such a one he may gain promotion. I could indeed mention many who for this pay court to the most distinguished of the nobles, that through their assistance they may obtain the greater favour from the prince. Let us not then ask those who can recompense us, as it follows, And thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee. And let us not be troubled when we receive no return of a kindness, but when we do; for if we have received it we shall receive nothing more, but if man does not repay us, God will. As it follows, For thou shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
St Bede † AD 735
And though all rise again, yet it is called the resurrection of the just, because in the resurrection they doubt not that they are blessed. Whoever then bids the poor to his feast shall receive a reward hereafter. But he who invites his friends, brothers, and the rich, has received his reward. But if he does this for God’s sake after the example of the sons of Job, God, who Himself commanded all the duties of brotherly love, will reward him.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407
But thou sayest, the poor are unclean and filthy. Wash him, and make him to sit with thee at table. If he has dirty garments, give him clean ones. Christ comes to thee through him, and dost thou stand trifling?
St Gregory of Nyssa † AD 395
Do not then let them lie as though they were nothing worth. Reflect who they are, and thou wilt discover their preciousness. They have put on the image of the Saviour. Heirs of future blessings, bearing the keys of the kingdom, able accusers and excusers, not speaking themselves, but examined by the judge.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 Hom. 45. in Act.
It would become thee then to receive them above in the best chamber, but if thou shrinkest, at least admit Christ below, where are the menials and servants. Let the poor man be at least thy door keeper. For where there is alms, the devil durst not enter. And if thou sittest not down with them, at any rate send them the dishes from thy table.
Origen † AD 253
But mystically, he who shuns vain-glory calls to a spiritual banquet the poor, that is, the ignorant, that he may enrich them; the weak, that is, those with offended consciences, that he may heal them; the lame, that is, those who have wandered from reason, that he may make their paths straight; the blind, that is, those who discern not the truth, that they may behold the true light. But it is said, They cannot recompense thee, i. e. they know not how to return an answer.
The Latin text
Theophylactus
Ex duabus partibus coena composita, scilicet ex vocantibus et vocatis, partem vocatorum ad humilitatem iam monuerat; consequenter vocantem monendo remunerat, retrahens eum ne gratia hominum convivaret; unde dicitur dicebat autem ei qui se invitaverat: cum facis prandium aut coenam, noli vocare amicos tuos neque fratres neque cognatos neque vicinos neque divites
Chrysostomus
Multae causae sunt quibus amicitiae foedus contrahitur; et illicitas quidem praetermittimus, proponemus autem naturales et morales: naturales quidem, puta patris ad filium, fratris ad fratrem, et aliorum huiusmodi; quod significat dicens neque fratres neque cognatos; morales autem: puta conviva factus est, aut convicinus est; et quantum ad hos dicit neque vicinos
Beda
Fratres igitur et amicos et divites alterutrum convivia celebrare non quasi scelus interdicit; sed, sicut cetera necessitatis humanae commercia, ad promerenda vitae caelestis praemia, nil valere ostendit; unde subdit ne forte et ipsi te reinvitent, et fiat tibi retributio. Non ait: et fiet tibi peccatum. Cui simile est id quod alibi dicit: et si bene feceritis his qui vobis bene faciunt, quae vobis est gratia? Sunt tamen quaedam mutua fratrum vicinorumque convivia, quae non solum in praesenti retributionem, sed et damnationem percipiunt in futuro; quae aut collatione omnium celebrantur; aut vicibus solent a contubernalibus exhiberi: in quibus ad hoc convenitur ut foeda gerantur, et ex copia incitetur libidinis diversa voluptas
Chrysostomus
Non igitur hac spe aliis beneficia conferamus ut nobis retribuant; haec enim frigida est intentio: unde talis amicitia celerius evanescit. Si vero pauperem vocaveris, Deum numquam obliviscentem habebis debitorem; unde sequitur sed cum facis convivium, voca pauperes, debiles, claudos et caecos. Quanto enim minor est frater, tanto magis per eum Christus accedit et visitat. Nam qui magnum suscipit, saepe propter vanam gloriam facit: sed et utilitas pluries quaeritur, ut promoveatur per illum. Possem quidem plures proponere ob hoc celeberrimos senatorum colentes, ut illis mediantibus ampliorem gratiam obtineant principum. Non igitur illos quaeramus qui nobis retribuere possunt; sequitur enim et beatus eris, quia non habent retribuere tibi. Non ergo turbemur cum non recipimus beneficii recompensationem, sed cum receperimus: quoniam si receperimus, non amplius recipiemus illic; sed si minime retribuat homo, tunc ibi Deus retribuet; unde sequitur retribuetur enim in resurrectione iustorum
Beda
Et si omnes resurgunt, iustorum tamen resurrectio dicitur, quia in hac resurrectione beatos se esse non dubitant; ergo qui pauperes ad convivium vocant, in futuro praemia recipient; qui autem amicos, fratres et divites vocat, recepit mercedem suam. Sed si hoc propter Deum facit in exemplum filiorum Iob, sicut cetera fraternae dilectionis officia, ipse qui iussit remunerat
Chrysostomus
Sed dicitis: immundus est pauper et sordidus. Lava eum, et fac tecum in mensa sedere. Si vestes sordidas habet, mundum indumentum exhibeas. Christus accedit per eum, et tu frivola loqueris?
Gregorius Nyssenus
Non ergo negligas iacentes, quasi nullo sint digni; cogita qui sint, et pretiositatem eorum invenies. Salvatoris induerunt imaginem, futurorum bonorum heredes, regni clavigeri, accusatores et excusatores idonei, non loquentes, sed inspecti a iudice
Chrysostomus
Decet ergo eos sursum in solario suscipere; si non placet, saltem deorsum, ubi sunt subiugalia et famuli, Christum suscipias: fiat saltem pauper aedituus: ubi enim est eleemosyna, non audet intrare Diabolus: et si non secum consedeas, mitte saltem eis de mensa fercula
Origenes
Mystice vero qui vanam gloriam vitat, vocat ad spirituale convivium pauperes, idest imperitos, ut ditet; debiles, hoc est laesam conscientiam habentes, ut sanet; claudos, idest declinantes a ratione, ut rectas semitas faciant; caecos, idest qui carent contemplatione veritatis, ut veram lucem videant. Quod autem dicitur non possunt retribuere tibi, idest non noverunt responsum proferre
14:15
Eusebius † AD 339
Our Lord had just before taught us to prepare our feasts for those who cannot repay, seeing that we shall have our reward at the resurrection of the just. Some one then, supposing the resurrection of the just to be one and the same with the kingdom of God, commends the above-mentioned recompense; for it follows, When one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
That man was carnal, and a careless hearer of the things which Christ delivered, for he thought the reward of the saints was to be bodily.
St Augustine † AD 430 Serm. 112.
Or because he sighed for something afar off, and that bread which he desired lay before him. For who is that Bread of the kingdom of God but He who says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven? (John 6:51.) Open not thy mouth, but thy heart.
St Bede † AD 735
But because some receive this bread by faith merely, as if by smelling, but its sweetness they loathe to really touch with their mouths, our Lord by the following parable condemns the dulness of those men to be unworthy of the heavenly banquet. For it follows, But he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
This man represents God the Father just as images are formed to give the resemblance of power. For as often as God wishes to declare His avenging power, He is called by the names of bear, leopard, lion, and others of the same kind; but when He wishes to express mercy, by the name of man. The Maker of all things, therefore, and Father of Glory, or the Lord, prepared the great supper which was finished in Christ. For in these latter times, and as it were the setting of our world, the Son of God has shone upon us, and enduring death for our sakes, has given us His own body to eat. Hence also the lamb was sacrificed in the evening according to the Mosaic law. Rightly then was the banquet which was prepared in Christ called a supper.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 Hom. 36. in Evan.
Or he made a great supper, as having prepared for us the full enjoyment of eternal sweetness. He bade many, but few came, because sometimes they who themselves are subject to him by faith, by their lives oppose his eternal banquet. And this is generally the difference between the delights of the body and the soul, that fleshly delights when not possessed provoke a longing desire for them, but when possessed and devoured, the eater soon turns from satiety to loathing; spiritual delights, on the other hand, when not possessed are loathed, when possessed the more desired. But heavenly mercy recalls those despised delights to the eyes of our memory, and in order that we should drive away our disgust, bids us to the feast. Hence it follows, And he sent his servant, &c.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
That servant who was sent is Christ Himself, who being by nature God and the true Son of God, emptied Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant. But He was sent at supper time. For not in the beginning did the Word take upon Him our nature, but in the last time; and he adds, For all things are ready. For the Father prepared in Christ the good things bestowed upon the world through Him, the removal of sins, the participation of the Holy Spirit, the glory of adoption. To these Christ bade men by the teaching of the Gospel.
St Augustine † AD 430 ubi sup.
Or else, the Man is the Mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus; He sent that they who were bidden might come, i. e. those who were called by the prophets whom He had sent; who in the former times invited to the supper of Christ, were often sent to the people of Israel, often bade them to come at supper time. They received the inviters, refused the supper. They received the prophets and killed Christ, and thus ignorantly prepared for us the supper. The supper being now ready, i. e. Christ being sacrificed, the Apostles were sent to those, to whom prophets had been sent before.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604
By this servant then who is sent by the master of the family to bid to supper, the order of preachers is signified. But it is often the case that a powerful person has a despised servant, and when his Lord orders any thing through him, the servant speaking is not despised, because respect for the master who sends him is still kept up in the heart. Our Lord then offers what he ought to be asked for, not ask others to receive. He wishes to give what could scarcely be hoped for; yet all begin at once to make excuse, for it follows, And they all began with one consent to make excuse. Behold a rich man invites, and the poor hasten to come. We are invited to the banquet of God, and we make excuse.
St Augustine † AD 430 ubi sup.
Now there were three excuses, of which it is added, The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it. The bought piece of ground denotes government. Therefore pride is the first vice reproved. For the first man wished to rule, not willing to have a master.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 ubi sup.
Or by the piece of ground is meant worldly substance. Therefore he goes out to see it who thinks only of outward things for the sake of his living.
St Ambrose † AD 397
Thus it is that the worn out soldier is appointed to serve degraded offices, as he who intent upon things below buys for himself earthly possessions, can not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Our Lord says, Sell all that thou hast, and follow me. It follows, And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them.
St Augustine † AD 430 Serm. 112.
The five yoke of oxen are taken to be the five senses of the flesh; in the eyes sight, in the ears hearing, in the nostrils smelling, in the mouth taste, in all the members touch. But the yoke is more easily apparent in the three first senses; two eyes, two ears, two nostrils. Here are three yoke. And in the mouth is the sense of taste which is found to be a kind of double, in that nothing is sensible to the taste, which is not touched both by the tongue and palate. The pleasure of the flesh which belongs to the touch is secretly doubled. It is both outward and inward. But they are called yoke of oxen, because through those senses of the flesh earthly things are pursued. For the oxen till the ground, but men at a distance from faith, given up to earthly things, refuse to believe in any thing, but what they arrive at by means of the five-fold sense of the body. “I believe nothing but what I see.” If such were our thoughts, we should be hindered from the supper by those five yoke of oxen. But that you may understand that it is not the delight of the five senses which charms and conveys pleasure, but that a certain curiosity is denoted, he says not, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and go to feed them, but go to prove them.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. 36. in Ev.
By the bodily senses also because they cannot comprehend things within, but take cognizance only of what is without, curiosity is rightly represented, which while it seeks to shake off a life which is strange to it, not knowing its own secret life, desires to dwell upon things without. But we must observe, that the one who for his farm, and the other who to prove his five yoke of oxen, excuse themselves from the supper of their Inviter, mix up with their excuse the words of humility. For when they say, I pray thee, and then disdain to come, the word sounds of humility, but the action is pride. It follows, And this said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
St Augustine † AD 430 ubi sup.
That is, the delight of the flesh which hinders many, I wish it were outward and not inward. For he who said, I have married a wife, taking pleasure in the delights of the flesh, excuses himself from the supper; let such a one take heed lest he die from inward hunger.
St Basil the Great † AD 379
But he says, I cannot come, because that the human mind when it is degenerating to worldly pleasures, is feeble in attending to the things of God.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 Hom. 36.
But although marriage is good, and appointed by Divine Providence for the propagation of children, some seek therein not fruitfulness of offspring, but the lust of pleasure. And so by means of a righteous thing may not unfitly an unrighteous thing be represented.
St Ambrose † AD 397
Or marriage is not blamed; but purity is held up to greater honour, since the unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in body and spirit, but she that is married careth for the things of the world. (1 Cor. 7:34.)
St Augustine † AD 430 ubi sup.
Now John when he said, all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, (1 John 2:16.) began from the point where the Gospel ended. The lust of the flesh, I have married a wife; the lust of the eyes, I have bought fire yoke of oxen; the pride of life, I have bought a farm. But proceeding from a part to the whole, the five senses have been spoken of under the eyes alone, which hold the chief place among the five senses. Because though properly the sight belongs to the eyes, we are in the habit of ascribing the act of seeing to all the five senses.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
But whom can we suppose these to be who refused to come for the reason just mentioned, but the rulers of the Jews, whom throughout the sacred history we find to have been often reproved for these things?
Origen † AD 253
Or else, they who have bought a piece of ground and reject or refuse the supper, are they who have taken other doctrines of divinity, but have despised the word which they possessed. But he who has bought five yoke of oxen is he who neglects his intellectual nature, and follows the things of sense, therefore he cannot comprehend a spiritual nature. But he who has married a wife is he who is joined to the flesh, a lover of pleasure rather than of God. (1 Tim. 3:4.)
St Ambrose † AD 397
Or let us suppose that three classes of men are excluded from partaking of that supper, Gentiles, Jews, Heretics. The Jews by their fleshly service impose upon themselves the yoke of the law, for the five yoke are the yoke of the Ten Commandments, of which it is said, And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. (Deut. 4:13.) That is, the commands of the Decalogue. Or the five yoke are the five books of the old law. But heresy indeed, like Eve with a woman’s obstinacy, tries the affection of faith. And the Apostle says that we must flee from covetousness, lest entangled in the customs of the Gentiles we be unable to come to the kingdom of Christ. (Eph. 5:3, Col. 3:5, Heb. 13:5, 1 Tim. 6:11.) Therefore both he who has bought a farm is a stranger to the kingdom, and he who has chosen the yoke of the law rather than the gift of grace, and he also who excuses himself because he has married a wife. It follows, And the servant returned, and told these things to his Lord.
St Augustine † AD 430 in Gen. ad lit. c. 19.
Not for the sake of knowing inferior beings does God require messengers, as though He gained aught from them, for He knows all things stedfastly and unchangeably. But he has messengers for oursakes and their own, because to be present with God, and stand before Him so as to consult Him about His subjects, and obey His heavenly commandments, is good for them in the order of their own nature.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
But with the rulers of the Jews who refused their call, as they themselves confessed, Have any of the rulers believed on him? (John 7:48.) the Master of the household was wroth, as with them that deserved His indignation and anger; whence it follows, Then the master of the house being angry, &c. PSEUDO-BASIL. (app. Hom. in Ps. 37.) Not that the passion of anger belongs to the Divine substance, but an operation such as in us is caused by anger, is called the anger and indignation of God.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
Thus it was that the master of the house is said to have been enraged with the chiefs of the Jews, and in their stead were called men taken from out of the Jewish multitude, and of weak and impotent minds. For at Peter’s preaching, first indeed three thousand, then five thousand believed, and afterwards much people; whence it follows, He said unto his servant, Go out straightway into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (Acts 2:41, 44.
St Ambrose † AD 397
He invites the poor, the weak, and the blind, to shew that weakness of body shuts out no one from the kingdom of heaven, and that he is guilty of fewer sins who lacks the incitement to sin; or that the infirmities of sin are forgiven through the mercy of God. Therefore he sends to the streets, that from the broader ways they may come to the narrow way. Because then the proud refuse to come, the poor (Greg. Hom. 36.) are chosen, since they are called weak and poor who are weak in their own judgment of themselves, for there are poor, and yet as it were strong, who though lying in poverty are proud; the blind are they who have no brightness of understanding; the lame are they who have walked not uprightly in their works. But since the faults of these are expressed in the weakness of their members, as those were sinners who when bidden refused to come, so also are these who are invited and come; but the proud sinners are rejected, the humble are chosen. God then chooses those whom the world despises, because for the most part the very act of contempt recals a man to himself. And men so much the sooner hear the voice of God, as they have nothing in this world to take pleasure in. When then the Lord calls certain from the streets and lanes to supper, He denotes that people who had learnt to observe in the city the constant practice of the law. But the multitude who believed of the people of Israel did not fill the places of the upper feast room. Hence it follows, And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. For already had great numbers of the Jews entered, but yet there was room in the kingdom for the abundance of the Gentiles to be received. Therefore it is added, And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. When He commanded His guests to be collected from the wayside and the hedges, He sought for a rural people, that is, the Gentiles.
St Ambrose † AD 397
Or, He sends to the highways and about the hedges, because they are fit for the kingdom of God, who, not absorbed in the desire for present goods, are hastening on to the future, set in a certain fixed path of good will. And who like a hedge which separates the cultivated ground from the uncultivated, and keeps off the incursion of the cattle, know how to distinguish good and evil, and to hold up the shield of faith against the temptations of spiritual wickedness.
St Augustine † AD 430 Serm. 112.
The Gentiles came from the streets and lanes, the heretics come from the hedges. For they who make a hedge seek for a division; let them be drawn away from the hedges, plucked asunder from the thorns. But they are unwilling to be compelled. By our own will, say they, will we enter. Compel them to enter, He says. Let necessity be used from without, thence arises a will.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. 36.
They then who, broken down by the calamities of this world, return to the love of God, are compelled to enter. But very terrible is the sentence which comes next. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. Let no one then despise the call, lest if when bidden he make excuse, when he wishes to enter he shall not be able.
The Latin text
Eusebius
Docuerat supra dominus praeparare convivium rependere nequeuntibus, cum sit recompensandum in resurrectione iustorum: et ideo quidam intelligens unum et idem esse resurrectionem iustorum et regnum Dei, recompensationem praedictam commendat; sequitur enim haec cum audisset quidam de simul discumbentibus, dixit illi: beatus qui manducabit panem in regno Dei
Cyrillus
Homo iste animalis erat, non diligenter percipiens ea quae Christus protulerat: putavit enim corporeas esse remunerationes sanctorum
Augustinus de Verb. Dom
Vel quia in longinqua iste suspirabat, et panis iste quem desiderabat, ante illum discumbebat. Quis enim est panis regni Dei, nisi qui dicit: ego sum panis vivus, qui de caelo descendi? Nolite parare fauces, sed cor
Beda
Sed quia nonnulli hunc panem fidetenus odorando percipiunt, dulcedinem vero eius attingere veraciter gustando fastidiunt; subiecta parabola dominus talium torporem caelestibus epulis dignum non esse redarguit; sequitur enim at ille dixit ei: homo quidam fecit coenam magnam, et vocavit multos
Cyrillus
Homo iste Deus pater est, secundum quod imagines ad similitudinem veritatis figurantur
Chrysostomus
Quoties enim punitivam suam virtutem indicare vult Deus, ursa, pardus, leo et huiusmodi nuncupatur, quando vero misericordiam exprimere vult, dicitur homo
Cyrillus
Hic ergo conditor omnium, atque gloriae pater, paravit coenam magnam in Christo peractam. In novissimis enim temporibus, et quasi in occasu nostri saeculi, illuxit nobis Dei filius; et mortem pro nobis sustinens, dedit nobis proprium corpus comedere: unde et agnus in vespere immolabatur iuxta legem Mosaicam. Merito igitur in coena dictum est paratum in Christo convivium
Gregorius in Evang
Vel fecit coenam magnam, quia satietatem nobis dulcedinis aeternae praeparavit: qui vocavit multos, sed pauci veniunt: quia nonnunquam ipsi qui ei per fidem subiecti sunt, aeterno eius convivio vivendo contradicunt. Hoc autem distare inter delicias corporis et cordis solet, quod corporales deliciae cum non habentur, grave in se desiderium accedunt; cum vero habitae eduntur, comedentem protinus in fastidium per satietatem vertunt; at contra, spiritales deliciae cum non habentur, in fastidio sunt; cum vero habentur, in desiderio. Sed superna pietas contemptas illas delicias ad memoriae nostrae oculos revocat, atque ut fastidium nostrum repellere debeamus invitat: unde sequitur et misit servum suum hora coenae dicere invitatis ut venirent
Cyrillus
Iste servus qui missus est, ipse Christus est, qui cum esset naturaliter Deus, et verus Dei filius, exinanivit seipsum formam servi accipiens. Missus est autem hora coenae: non enim a principio verbum patris nostram naturam suscepit, sed in novissimo tempore. Subdit autem quia parata sunt omnia; paravit enim pater in Christo bona collata mundo per ipsum, peccatorum amotionem, spiritus sancti participationem, adoptionis splendorem; ad hoc vocavit Christus per evangelica documenta
Augustinus de Verb. Dom
Vel aliter. Homo iste mediator est Dei et hominis Christus Iesus. Misit ut venirent invitati, idest per missos vocati prophetas. Qui olim invitabant ad coenam Christi, saepe missi sunt ad populum Israel, saepe vocaverunt ut ad horam coenae venirent: illi invitantes acceperunt, coenam repudiarunt; prophetas legerunt, et Christum occiderunt; et tunc nobis coenam nescientes paraverunt. Parata iam coena, idest immolato Christo, missi sunt apostoli ad quos missi fuerant ante prophetae
Gregorius
Per hunc ergo servum qui a patrefamilias ad invitandum mittitur, praedicatorum ordo significatur. Saepe autem solet evenire ut persona potens famulum habeat despectum; cumque per eum dominus aliquid mandat, non despicitur persona loquentis servi, quia servatur in corde mittentis reverentia domini. Offert ergo Deus quod rogari debuit, non rogare: dare vult quod vix sperari poterat; et tamen simul omnes excusant; sequitur enim et coeperunt omnes simul excusare. Ecce homo dives invitat, et pauperes occurrere festinant; ad Dei invitamur convivium, et nos excusamus
Augustinus de Verb. Dom
Tres autem fuerunt excusationes, de quibus subditur primus dixit ei: villam emi, et necesse habeo exire, et videre illam. Rogo te, habe me excusatum. In villa empta dominatio notatur: ergo superbia castigatur vitium primum: primus enim homo dominari voluit, qui dominium habere noluit
Gregorius
Vel per villam terrena substantia designatur. Exit ergo videre illam qui sola exteriora cogitat propter substantiam
Ambrosius
Sic igitur emeritae militiae viro contemnendarum stipendium praescribitur facultatum, quod neque ille qui studiis intentus inferioribus possessiones sibi terrenas coemit, regnum caeli possit adipisci, cum dominus dicat: vende omnia tua, et sequere me. Sequitur et alter dixit: iuga boum emi quinque, et eo probare illa
Augustinus de Verb. Dom
Quinque iuga boum sensus carnis huius quinque numerantur. In oculis visus est, in auribus auditus, in naribus odoratus, in faucibus gustus, in omnibus membris tactus. Sed quia iuga sunt, in tribus prioribus sensibus facilius apparet: duo sunt oculi, duae aures, geminae nares: ecce tria iuga: et in faucibus, idest sensu gustandi, geminatio quaedam invenitur, quia nihil gustando sapit nisi lingua et palato tangatur: voluptas carnis, quae ad tactum pertinet, occulte geminatur: est et forinsecus et intrinsecus. Dicuntur autem iuga boum, quia per sensus istos carnis terrena requiruntur: boves enim terram versant; homines autem remoti a fide, terrenis dediti, nolunt credere aliquid nisi ad quod sensu corporis perveniunt quinquepartito. Non, inquit, ego credo, nisi quod video. Si talia cogitaremus, quinque illis iugis boum a coena impediremur. Ut noveritis autem istorum quinque sensuum, non delectationem quae mulcet et ingerit voluptatem, sed curiositatem quamdam notatam fuisse, non ait quinque iuga boum emi, eo pascere illa, sed eo probare illa
Gregorius in Evang
Corporales etiam sensus, quia interna comprehendere nequeunt, sed sola exteriora agnoscunt, recte per eos curiositas designatur; quae dum alienam quaerit vitam discutere, semper sua intima nesciens studet exteriora cogitare. Sed notandum, quod is qui propter villam, et is qui propter probanda iuga boum a coena sui invitatoris se excusat, humilitatis verba permiscet; dum enim dicit rogo, et venire contemnit, humilitas sonat in voce, superbia in actione. Sequitur alius dixit: uxorem duxi, et ideo non possum venire
Augustinus de Verb. Dom
Ista est voluptas carnis, quae multos impedit: utinam foris, et non intus. Qui enim dixit uxorem duxi, carnem amplexatur, carnis voluptatibus iucundatur, a coena excusatur: observet ne fame interna moriatur
Basilius
Dicit autem non possum venire, eo quod intellectus humanus vergens ad mundanas illecebras debilis est ad agendum
Gregorius
Quamvis autem bonum sit coniugium, atque ad propagandam sobolem divina providentia constitutum, nonnulli tamen per hoc non fecunditatem prolis, sed desideria expetunt voluptatis: et idcirco per rem iustam significari potest non incongrue iniusta
Ambrosius
Vel coniugium non reprehenditur, sed ad maiorem honorem vocatur integritas: quoniam mulier innupta cogitat quae sunt domini, ut sit sancta corpore et spiritu: quae autem nupta est, cogitat quae sunt mundi
Augustinus
Ioannes autem dicens: omne quod est in mundo, concupiscentia carnis est, et concupiscentia oculorum, et ambitio saeculi, inde coepit ubi Evangelium terminum posuit. Concupiscentia carnis, uxorem duxi; concupiscentia oculorum, quinque iuga boum emi; ambitio saeculi, villam emi. A parte autem in totum commemorati sunt quinque sensus per solos oculos, quorum est in quinque sensibus principatus: propterea cum proprie ad oculos pertineat visus, ipsum videre per omnes quinque sensus solemus appellare
Cyrillus
Quos autem intelligemus fuisse eos qui renuerunt praedictorum causa venire, nisi praesides Iudaeorum, quos per totam sacram paginam de his redargutos esse videmus?
Origenes
Vel aliter. Hi qui villam emerunt, et refutant coenam sunt qui receperunt alia dogmata divinitatis, nec experti sunt verbum quod possidebant. Is autem qui quinque paria boum emit, est qui naturam intellectualem contemnit, et sensibilia sequitur: unde incorpoream naturam comprehendere non potest. Qui autem uxorem duxit, est qui coniunctus est carni, voluptatum magis amator quam Dei
Ambrosius
Vel tria genera hominum a consortio istius coenae aestimemus excludi, gentilium, Iudaeorum et haereticorum. Iudaei corporali ministerio iuga sibi legis imponunt. Quinque autem iuga sunt verborum decem, vel quinque libri veteris legis. At vero haeresis velut Eva femineo rigore fidei tentat affectum. Et apostolus dicit avaritiam esse fugiendam, ne impediti more gentili ad regnum Christi pervenire nequeamus. Ergo et ille qui villam emit, alienus a regno est, et ille qui iugum potius legis quam gratiae munus elegit, et ille qui se propter ducendam excusat uxorem. Sequitur et reversus servus nuntiavit haec domino suo
Augustinus super Gen
Non propter inferiorum scientiam Deus nuntiis indiget, quasi per eos fiat scientior; sed novit omnia stabiliter atque incommutabiliter. Habet autem nuntios propter nos, et propter ipsos; quia illo modo Deo parere et assistere, ut eum de inferioribus consulant, eiusque supernis iussis obtemperent, bonum est eis in ordine propriae naturae
Cyrillus
Iudaeorum autem primatibus vocationem renuentibus, sicut ipsi dicebant: numquid aliquis principum credidit in eum? Indignatus est paterfamilias, quasi eis dignis indignatione et ira; unde sequitur tunc iratus paterfamilias
Basilius
Non quod irae passio divinae substantiae accidat; sed talis operatio, quae in nobis ab ira fit, Dei ira et indignatio dicitur
Cyrillus
Sic ergo indignatus dicitur paterfamilias in principes Iudaeorum, et vocati sunt loco eorum, qui erant de multitudine Iudaeorum, fragilem et impotentem mentem habentes. Loquente enim Petro, primo quidem tria millia, deinde quinque millia crediderunt, et postmodum plurimus populus; unde dicitur dixit servo suo: exi cito in plateas et vicos civitatis, et pauperes ac debiles, caecos et claudos introduc huc
Ambrosius
Invitat autem pauperes, debiles et caecos, ut ostendatur quod nullum debilitas corporis excludit a regno, rariusque delinquat cui desit illecebra peccandi; vel quod infirmitas peccatorum per misericordiam domini remittatur; unde mittit ad plateas, ut de latioribus vicis ad angustam venirent viam
Gregorius in Evang
Quia ergo venire superbi renuunt, pauperes eliguntur: dicuntur enim debiles et pauperes qui iudicio suo apud semetipsos infirmi sunt: nam pauperes et quasi fortes sunt qui positi in paupertate superbiunt; caeci sunt qui nullius ingenii lumen habent; claudi sunt qui rectos gressus in operatione non habent. Sed dum horum vitia in membrorum debilitate significantur, sicut illi peccatores fuerunt qui vocati venire noluerunt, ita hi quoque qui invitantur et veniunt; sed peccatores superbi respuuntur, humiles eliguntur. Hos itaque elegit Deus quos despicit mundus: quia plerumque ipsa despectio hominem revocat ad semetipsum; et tanto celerius vocem Dei aliqui audiunt, quanto in hoc mundo non habent unde delectentur. Cum ergo de vicis et plateis ad coenam quosdam dominus vocat, illum populum designat qui tenere legis urbanam conversationem noverat. Sed multitudo quae ex Israel populo credidit, locum superni convivii non implevit; unde sequitur et ait servus: domine, factum est ut imperasti, et adhuc locus est. Intravit enim iam frequentia Iudaeorum; sed adhuc locus vacat in regno, ubi suscipi debeat numerositas gentium; unde subditur et ait dominus servo: exi in vias et sepes, et compelle intrare, ut impleatur domus mea. Cum convivas suos colligi ex viis et sepibus praecipit, agrestem populum, idest gentilem, quaerit
Ambrosius
Vel mittit ad vias et circa sepes, quia hi apti sunt regno caelorum qui nullis praesentium cupiditatibus occupati ad futura festinant, in quodam bono voluntatis tramite constituti; et qui modo sepis, quae ab incultis culta secernat, et incursus arceat bestiarum, norit bona malaque distinguere, et adversus tentamenta nequitiae spiritualis, fidei munimen praetendere
Augustinus de Verb. Dom
Venerunt de plateis et vicis gentes, veniunt de sepibus haeretici: nam sepes qui construunt, divisiones quaerunt. Abstrahantur a sepibus, evellantur a spinis. Sed cogi nolunt: voluntate, inquiunt, nostra intremus. Non hoc dominus imperavit: coge, inquit, intrare. Foris inveniatur necessitas, nascitur inde voluntas
Gregorius
Qui ergo huius mundi adversitatibus fracti ad Dei amorem redeunt, compelluntur intrare. Sed valde tremenda est sententia quae subinfertur dico autem vobis, quod nemo virorum illorum qui vocati sunt, gustabit coenam meam. Nemo ergo contemnat; ne dum vocatus excusat, cum voluntatem habuerit, intrare non valeat
14:25
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. 37. in Ev.
The mind is kindled, when it hears of heavenly rewards, and already desires to be there, where it hopes to enjoy them without ceasing; but great rewards cannot be reached except by great labours. Therefore it is said, And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned to them, and said, &c.
Theophylact † 1107
For because many of those that accompanied Him followed not with their whole heart, but lukewarmly, He shews what kind of a man his disciple ought to be.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. ut sup.
But it may be asked, how are we bid to hate our parents and our relations in the flesh, who are commanded to love even our enemies? But if we weigh the force of the command we are able to do both, by rightly distinguishing them so as both to love those who are united to us by the bond of the flesh, and whom we acknowledge our relations, and by hating and avoiding not to know those whom we find our enemies in the way of God. For he is as it were loved by hatred, who in his carnal wisdom, pouring into our ears his evil sayings, is not heard.
St Ambrose † AD 397
For if for thy sake the Lord renounces His own mother, saying, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (Matt. 12:48, Mark 3:33.) why dost thou deserve to be preferred to thy Lord? But the Lord will have us neither be ignorant of nature, nor be her slaves, but so to submit to nature, that we reverence the Author of nature, and depart not from God out of love to our parents.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. ut sup.
Now to shew that this hatred towards relations proceeds not from inclination or passion, but from love, our Lord adds, yea, and his own life also. It is plain therefore that a man ought to hate his neighbour, by loving as himself him who hated him. For then we rightly hate our own soul when we indulge not its carnal desires, when we subdue its appetites, and wrestle against its pleasures. That which by being despised is brought to a better condition, is as it were loved by hatred.
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
But life must not be renounced, which both in the body and the soul the blessed Paul also preserved, that yet living in the body he might preach Christ. But when it was necessary to despise life so that he might finish his course, he counts not his life dear unto him. (Acts 20:24.)
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. ut sup.
How the hatred of life ought to be shewn He declares as follows; Whosoever bears not his cross, &c.
St John Chrysostom † AD 407
He means not that we should place a beam of wood on our shoulders, but that we should ever have death before our eyes. As also Paul died daily and despised death. (1 Cor. 15:31.)
St Basil the Great † AD 379
By bearing the cross also he announced the death of his Lord, saying, The world is crucified to me, and I to the world, (Gal. 6:14.) which we also anticipate at our very baptism, in which our old man is crucified, that the body of sin may be destroyed.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. 37. in Ev.
Or because the cross is so called from torturing. In two ways we bear our Lord’s cross, either when by abstinence we afflict our bodies, or when through compassion of our neighbour we think all his necessities our own. But because some exercise abstinence of the flesh not for God’s sake but for vain-glory, and shew compassion, not spiritually but carnally, it is rightly added, And, cometh after me. For to bear His cross and come after the Lord, is to use abstinence of the flesh, or compassion to our neighbour, from the desire of an eternal gain.
The Latin text
Gregorius in Evang
Ad audita caelestia praemia inardescit animus, iamque illic cupit assistere ubi se sperat sine fine gaudere. Sed ad magna praemia perveniri non potest nisi per magnos labores; unde dicitur ibant autem turbae multae cum eo, et conversus dixit ad illos: si quis venit ad me, et non odit patrem suum et matrem et uxorem et filios et fratres et sorores, adhuc autem et animam suam, non potest esse meus discipulus
Theophylactus
Quia enim multi comitantium ipsum non ex toto affectu, sed tepide sequebantur, ostendit qualem deceat esse suum discipulum
Gregorius
Sed percunctari libet: quomodo parentes et carnaliter propinquos praecipimur odisse, qui iubemur et inimicos diligere? Sed si vim praecepti perpendimus, utrumque agere per discretionem valemus: ut eos qui nobis carnis cognatione coniuncti sunt, et quos proximos novimus, diligamus; et quos adversarios in via Dei patimur, odiendo et fugiendo nesciamus. Quasi enim per odium diligitur qui carnaliter sapiens, dum prava nobis ingerit, non auditur
Ambrosius
Etenim si propter te dominus suae renuntiat matri, dicens: quae est mater mea et qui fratres mei? Cur tu domino tuo cupias anteferri? Sed neque ignorare naturam, neque saevire dominus iubet; sed ita indulgere naturae ut venereris auctorem, nec a Deo parentum amore desistas
Gregorius
Ut autem dominus demonstraret hoc erga proximos odium non de affectione procedere, sed de caritate, addidit dicens adhuc autem et animam suam. Constat ergo quia amando debet odisse proximum qui sic eum odit sicut seipsum: seipsum: enim bene animam nostram odimus, cum eius carnalibus desideriis non acquiescimus, cum eius appetitum frangimus, eius voluptatibus reluctamur. Quae ergo contempta ad melius ducitur, quasi per odium amatur
Cyrillus
Non est autem fugienda vita qua in corpore vivitur, sed servanda, sicut et Paulus servavit, ut Christum adhuc vivens in corpore praedicaret; sed ubi oportebat vitam contemnere ut cursum consummaret, nec animam pretiosam sibi esse fatetur
Gregorius
Hoc autem animae odium qualiter exhiberi debeat, manifestat subdens qui non baiulat crucem suam et venit post me, non potest meus esse discipulus
Chrysostomus
Non autem hoc dicit ut trabem super humeros apponamus, sed ut semper mortem prae oculis nostris habeamus; sicut et Paulus moriebatur quotidie, et mortem contemnebat
Basilius
Crucem etiam tollens, mortem domini annuntiabat, dicens: mihi mundus crucifixus est, et ego mundo; quod etiam nos in ipso Baptismate anticipamus, ubi vetus homo noster crucifixus est, ut destruatur corpus peccati
Gregorius
Vel quia crux a cruciatu dicitur, duobus modis crucem domini baiulamus; cum aut per abstinentiam carnem affligimus, aut per compassionem proximi, necessitatem illius nostram putamus. Sed quia nonnulli carnis abstinentiam non pro Deo, sed pro inani gloria exhibent, et compassionem non spiritualiter sed carnaliter impendunt, recte additur et venit post me. Baiulare enim crucem, et post dominum ire est vel carnis abstinentiam, vel compassionem proximorum pro studio aeternae intentionis exhibere
14:28
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 37. in Ev.
Because He had been giving high and lofty precepts, immediately follows the comparison of building a tower, when it is said, For which of you intending to build a tower does not first count &c. For every thing that we do should be preceded by anxious consideration. If then we desire to build a tower of humility, we ought first to brace ourselves against the ills of this world.
St Basil the Great † AD 379 in Esai. 2.
Or the tower is a lofty watch-tower fitted for the guardianship of the city and the discovery of the enemy’s approach. In like manner was our understanding given us to preserve the good, to guard against the evil. For the building up whereof the Lord bids us sit down and count our means if we have sufficient to finish.
St Gregory of Nyssa † AD 395 lib. de Virg. 17.
For we must be ever pressing onward that we may reach the end of each difficult undertaking by successive increases of the commandments of God, and so to the completion of the divine work. For neither is one stone the whole fabric of the tower, nor does a single command lead to the perfection of the soul. But we must lay the foundation, and according to the Apostle, thereupon must be placed store of gold, silver, and precious stones. (1 Cor. 3:12.) Whence it is added, Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, &c.
Theophylact † 1107
For we ought not to lay a foundation, i. e. begin to follow Christ, and not bring the work to an end, as those of whom St. John writes, That many of his disciples went backward. (John 6:66.) Or by the foundation understand the word of teaching, as for instance concerning abstinence. There is need therefore of the above-mentioned foundation, that the building up of our works be established, a tower of strength from the face of the enemy. (Ps. 61:3.) Otherwise, man is laughed at by those who see him, men as well as devils.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 ubi sup.
For when occupied in good works, unless we watch carefully against the evil spirits, we find those our mockers who are persuading us to evil. But another comparison is added proceeding from the less to the greater, in order that from the least things the greatest may be estimated. For it follows, Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consultelh whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
St Cyril of Alexandria † AD 444
For we fight against spiritual wickedness in high places; (Eph. 6:12.) but there presses upon us a multitude also of other enemies, fleshly lust, the law of sin raging in our members, and various passions, that is, a dreadful multitude of enemies.
St Augustine † AD 430
Or the ten thousand of him who is going to fight with the king who has twenty, signify the simplicity of the Christian about to contend with the subtlety of the devil.
Theophylact † 1107
The king is sin reigning in our mortal body; (Rom. 6:12.) but our understanding also was created king. If then he wishes to fight against sin, let him consider with his whole mind. For the devils are the satellites of sin, which being twenty thousand, seem to surpass in number our ten thousand, because that being spiritual compared to us who are corporeal, they are come to have much greater strength.
St Augustine † AD 430 ut sup.
But as with respect to the unfinished tower, he alarms us by the reproaches of those who say, The man began to build, and was not able to finish, so with regard to the king with whom the battle was to be, he reproved even peace, adding, Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace; signifying that those also who forsake all they possess cannot endure from the devil the threats of even coming temptations, and make peace with him by consenting unto him to commit sin.
St Gregory the Great † AD 604 in Hom. ut sup.
Or else, in that awful trial we come not to the judgment a match for our king, for ten thousand are against twenty thousand, two against one. He comes with a double army against a single. For while we are scarcely prepared in deeds only, he sifts us at once both in thought and deed. While then he is yet afar off, who though still present in judgment, is not seen, let us send him an embassy, our tears, our works of mercy, the propitiatory victim. This is our message which appeases the coming king.
St Augustine † AD 430
Now to what these comparisons refer, He on the same occasion sufficiently explained, when he said, So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. The cost therefore of building the tower, and the strength of the ten thousand against the king who has twenty thousand, mean nothing else than that each one should forsake all that he hath. The foregoing introduction tallies then with the final conclusion. For in the saying that a man forsakes all that he hath, is contained also that he hates his father and mother, his wife and children, brothers and sisters, yea and his own wife also. For all these things are a man’s own, which entangle him, and hinder him from obtaining not those particular possessions which will pass away with time, but those common blessings which will abide for ever.
St Basil the Great † AD 379
But our Lord’s intention in the above-mentioned example is not indeed to afford occasion or give liberty to any one to become His disciple or not, as indeed it is lawful not to begin a foundation, or not to treat of peace, but to shew the impossibility of pleasing God, amidst those things which distract the soul, and in which it is in danger of becoming an easy prey to the snares and wiles of the devil.
St Bede † AD 735
But there is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things. For it is the way of few perfect men to leave all things, that is, to cast behind them the cares of the world, but it is the part of all the faithful to renounce all things, that is, so to hold the things of the world as by them not to be held in the world.
The Latin text
Gregorius in Evang
Quia sublimia praecepta data sunt, protinus comparatio aedificandae sublimitatis adiungitur cum dicitur quis enim ex vobis volens turrim aedificare, nonne prius sedens computat sumptus qui necessarii sunt, si habeat ad perficiendum? Omne enim quod agimus, praevenire per studium considerationis debemus. Si igitur humilitatis turrim construere cupimus, prius nos praeparare ad adversa huius saeculi debemus
Basilius
Vel turris est alta speculatio ad custodiam civitatis et perceptionem hostilium occursuum apta: ad huius instar nobis datus est intellectus conservativus bonorum, praemeditativus contrariorum; ad huius aedificationem praecipit dominus sedentes ponere calculum, si suppetat facultas ad finem
Gregorius Nyssenus
Insistendum est enim ut cuiuslibet ardui propositi terminus attingatur variis augmentis mandatorum Dei, consummando opus divinum; nam neque lapis unus est tota turris fabrica, neque unicum mandatum ducit ad animae perfectionem; sed fundamentum oportet subsistere, et secundum apostolum insuper apparatus est auri, et argenti, et pretiosorum lapidum apponendus; unde subditur ne posteaquam posuerit fundamentum, et non potuerit perficere, omnes qui viderint, incipiant illudere ei dicentes, quia hic homo coepit aedificare, et non potuit consummare
Theophylactus
Non enim debemus ponere fundamentum, idest sequi Christi initium, et finem non imponere, sicut illi de quibus Ioannes dicit quod multi ex discipulis eius abierunt retrorsum. Vel fundamentum intellige doctrinalem sermonem, puta de abstinentia. Opus est igitur praedicto fundamento operationis aedificium, ut perficiatur nobis turris fortitudinis a facie inimici. Alioquin deridetur homo a videntibus eum, tam hominibus quam Daemonibus
Gregorius
In bonis enim operationibus intenti, nisi contra malignos spiritus sollicite vigilemus, ipsos irrisores patimur, quos ad malum persuasores habemus. Sed ex minori ad maius similitudo subditur, ut ex rebus minimis maiora pensentur; nam sequitur aut quis rex iturus committere bellum adversus alium regem, nonne prius sedens cogitat si possit cum decem millibus occurrere ei qui cum viginti millibus venit ad se?
Cyrillus
Incumbit enim nobis praelium contra spiritalia nequitiae in caelestibus; urget autem nos et aliorum hostium multitudo, carnale flagitium, lex saeviens in membris nostris, et variae passiones, hoc est dira hostium multitudo
Augustinus de quaest. Evang
Vel decem millia praeliaturi cum rege qui habet viginti millia, significant simplicitatem Christiani hominis, dimicaturi cum duplicitate Diaboli
Theophylactus
Est autem rex peccatum regnans in nostro mortali corpore; sed et noster intellectus creatus est rex. Ergo si repugnare velit peccato, toto animo cogitet secum: nam Daemones sunt peccati satellites, qui videntur viginti millium numero praecellere decem millia nostra: quia cum incorporei sint, nobis comparati corporeis, multo maiorem fortitudinem habere censentur
Augustinus
Sicut autem de turri non perfecta per opprobrium deterruit dicentium quia hic homo coepit aedificare, et non potuit consummare; sic in rege cum quo dimicandum est, ipsam pacem accusavit, cum subdit alioquin, adhuc illo longe agente, legationem mittens, rogat ea quae pacis sunt: significans etiam minas imminentium tentationum a Diabolo non sustinere eos qui non renuntiant omnibus quae possident, et pacem cum eo facere, consentiendo illi ad committendum peccata
Gregorius
Vel aliter. In illo tremendo examine cum rege nostro ex aequo ad iudicium non venimus; decem millia quippe ad viginti millia, simplum ad duplum sunt. Cum duplo ergo exercitu contra simplum venit, quia nos vix in solo opere praeparatos simul de opere et cogitatione discutit. Dum ergo adhuc longe est, quia adhuc praesens per iudicium non videtur, mittamus ad eum legationem lacrymas nostras, misericordiae opera, hostias placationis; haec est nostra legatio, quae regem venientem placat
Augustinus ad Laetam
Quomodo autem pertineant istae similitudines, ipsa conclusione satis aperuit, dicens sic ergo omnis ex vobis qui non renuntiat omnibus quae possidet, non potest meus esse discipulus. Itaque sumptus ad turrim aedificandam, et valentia decem millium adversus regem qui viginti millia habet, nihil aliud est, quam ut renuntiet unusquisque omnibus quae sunt eius. Praelocutio autem superior cum extrema locutione concordat: in eo enim quod aliquis renuntiat omnibus quae sunt eius, etiam illud continetur ut oderit patrem suum, et matrem, et uxorem, et filios, et fratres, et sorores, adhuc et animam suam. Omnia enim haec propria alicuius sunt, quae plerumque implicant et impediunt ab obtinenda non ista propria temporaliter transitura, sed in aeternum mansura communia
Basilius
Est autem intentio domini per exempla praedicta non utique praebere potestatem eius discipulum fieri vel non fieri, sicut licet vel non inchoare fundamentum vel tractare pacem; sed ostendere impossibilitatem divini beneplaciti observandi inter distrahentia animam, inter quae periclitatur facta venalis ab astutiis Daemonis
Beda
Distat autem inter renuntiare omnibus et relinquere omnia: paucorum enim perfectorum est relinquere omnia, hoc est curas mundi postponere; cunctorum autem fidelium est renuntiare omnibus, hoc est sic tenere quae mundi sunt, ut tamen per ea non teneantur in mundo
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St Bede † AD 735
He had said above that the tower of virtue was not only to be begun, but also to be completed, and to this belongs the following, Salt is good. It is a good thing to season the secrets of the heart with the salt of spiritual wisdom, nay with the Apostles to become the salt of the earth. (Matt. 5:14.) For salt in substance consists of water and air, having a slight mixture of earth, but it dries up the fluent nature of corrupt bodies so as to preserve them from decay. Fitly then He compares His disciples to salt, inasmuch as they are regenerated by water and the Spirit; and as living altogether spiritually and not according to the flesh, they after the manner of salt change the corrupt life of men who live on the earth, and by their own virtuous lives delight and season their followers.
Theophylact † 1107
But not only those who are gifted with the grace of teachers, but private individuals also He requires to become like salt, useful to those around them. But if he who is to be useful to others becomes reprobate, he cannot be profited, as it follows, But if the salt has lost his savour, where-with shall it be seasoned?
St Bede † AD 735
As if He says, “If a man who has once been enlightened by the seasoning of truth, falls back into apostacy, by what other teacher shall he be corrected, seeing that the sweetness of wisdom which he tasted he has cast away, alarmed by the troubles or allured by the attractions of the world; hence it follows, It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill, &c. For salt when it has ceased to be fit for seasoning food and drying flesh, will be good for nothing. For neither is it useful to the land, which when it is east thereon is hindered from bearing, nor for the dunghill to benefit the dressing of the land. So he who after knowledge of the truth falls back, is neither able to bring forth the fruit of good works himself, nor to instruct others; but he must be cast out of doors, that is, must be separated from the unity of the Church.
Theophylact † 1107
But because His discourse was in parables and dark sayings, our Lord, in order to rouse His hearers that they might not receive indifferently what was said of the salt, adds, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, that is, as he has wisdom let him understand. For we must take the ears here as the perceptive power of the mind and capacity of understanding.
St Bede † AD 735
Let him hear also not by despising, but by doing what he has learnt.
The Latin text
Beda
Dixerat superius turrim virtutum non solum inchoandam, sed etiam consummandam: ad quod pertinet quod dicitur bonum est sal. Bonum est sal sapientiae spiritualis cordis arcana condire, immo cum apostolis sal terrae fieri
Eusebius
Sal enim secundum substantiam quidem ex aqua constat et spiritu, modicum quid terrestreitatis participans. Desiccat autem fluidam naturam corruptorum corporum, ut mortua corpora conservet. Merito igitur discipulos suos comparat sali, eo quod ipsi regenerati sunt per aquam et spiritum. Cumque toti spiritualiter viverent, et non secundum carnem, ad modum salis corruptam vitam hominum in terra degentium convertebant, et virtuosa vita suos sequaces oblectando condiebant
Theophylactus
Non solum autem eos qui donati sunt magistrali gratia, sed etiam idiotas exposcit ad modum salis fieri utiles proximis. Si vero qui futurus est utilis aliis, fiat reprobus, iuvari non poterit; unde sequitur si autem sal evanuerit, in quo condietur?
Beda
Quasi dicat: si quis semel condimento veritatis illuminatus ad apostasiam redierit, quo alio doctore corrigetur? Qui scilicet eam quam ipse gustavit sapientiae dulcedinem, vel adversis saeculi perterritus, vel illecebris illectus abiecit; unde sequitur neque in terram, neque in sterquilinium utile est; sed foras mittetur. Sal enim cum ad condiendos cibos carnesque siccandas valere desierit, nulli iam usui aptum erit: neque enim in terram utile est, cuius iniectu germinare prohibetur, neque in sterquilinium agriculturae profuturum: sic qui post agnitionem veritatis retrocedit, neque ipse fructum boni operis ferre, nec alios excolere valet; sed foras mittendus est, hoc est ab Ecclesiae unitate secernendus
Theophylactus
Verum, quia sermo parabolicus et obscurus erat, excitans dominus auditores, ne qualitercumque acciperent quod dictum est de sale, subdit qui habet aures audiendi, audiat; hoc est, si cui sapientia inest, intelligat: aures enim hic cognoscitivam vim animae et aptitudinem intelligendi accipere debemus
Beda
Audiat etiam non contemnendo, sed obediendo, et faciendo quae dicit
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Ver. 1. And it came to pass that He went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees. "To do them service," says Titus, "Christ makes Himself their friend, and, as it were, one of their household," for "although He knew the malice of the Pharisees, yet He became their guest that He might benefit by His words and miracles those who were present, and teach them the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath, and the respective duties of entertainers and guests."
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Ver. 2. And behold there was a certain man before Him which had the dropsy. This man seems to have been a friend of the Pharisee, who perhaps had invited Jesus in order that He might heal him. Certainly, as S. Cyril and Euthymius say, the suiterer presented himself of his own accord to Jesus, silently pleading that he might be restored to health. But the Pharisees sought His presence for another purpose, in order that they might see whether Christ would heal him on the Sabbath day, and thus show that He was not in truth a prophet sent by that God who had sanctified the rigid observance of the seventh day.
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Ver. 3. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees. Answering their thoughts and not their inquiry, for they had asked no question, but thought in their hearts that Christ would be acting unlawfully if He healed on the Sabbath day.
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Ver. 4. And He had took him, and touched him, and ley him go (ε̉πιλαβόμενος, "when he had ouched him." apprehensum, Vulg.) He heals by His touch the dropsical man who, from fear of the Pharisees, did not ask to be healed on account of the Sabbath, but only stood up, that when Jesus beheld him He might have compassion on him and heal him. S. Cyril. Mystically. S. Gregory (lib. xiv. Moral.) observes: "The sick of the dropsy is healed in the Pharisee's presence, for by the bodily infirmity of the one is expressed the mental disease, i.e. the avarice and covetousness, of the other." "For," says Bede, "the dropsical man represents one who is weighed down by an overflowing stream of carnal pleasures." S. Augustine adds, "We, lightly compare one sick of the dropsy to a covetous rich man, who, the more he abounds in riches, the more ardently desires them. Avarice and covetousness, then, are very similar to the dropsy, and as this dire disease is best remedied by abstaining from drinking, so the remedy for unlawful desire is mortification, abstinence, and continence, all of which wither and drive out virtuous habits."
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Ver. 5. And He answered them, saying, Which of you, &c. "If," says Bede, "ye hasten on the Sabbath to pull an ox or an ass out of the pit into which he has fallen, consulting not the good of the animal, but your own avarice, how much more ought I to deliver a man who is much better than a beast?" He adds also, "they were not to violate the Sabbath by a work of covetousness, who were arguing that He did so by a work of charity." And again, in a mystical sense, the ox and the ass represent the wise and the foolish, or the Jew oppressed by the burden of the Law and the Gentile not subject to reason. For the Lord rescues from the pit of concupiscence all who are sunk therein." S. Augustine also (Lib. ii., Quæst. Evang.) says, "He has aptly compared the dropsical man to an animal which has fallen into a ditch (for he is troubled by water), as He compared that woman whom He loosed, to a beast which is let loose to be led to water."
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Ver. 6. And they could not answer Him again to these things. Because they were convinced by the truth of His reasoning. Yet privately they murmured amongst themselves, and afterwards openly clamoured amongst the people. "This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day," S. Joh 9:16. Although Jesus knew this, He healed the man, and permitted their malice and obstinacy to gather force, so that the cross ordained for Him by God might be prepared for the salvation of men. "Caring nought," says Theophylact, "for the offence given to the Pharisees" For when a great good is the result, we must not care if the foolish are offended.
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Ver. 7. And He put forth a parable to those which were bidden, i.e. He taught, under the similitude of a man seeking the highest place at a feast, that we must beware of every kind of ambition. For sin continues to be sin, although the manner of sinning be changed. " When He marked how they chose out the chief rooms." For as teachers of the Law, they considered themselves entitled to the highest honour, and fought for precedence as eagerly as now-a-days ladies of rank and men of small brains. This is a kind of introduction to the parable, and indicates the occasion on which it was spoken, and the persons against whom it was directed.
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Ver. 8. When thou art bidden... sit not down in the highest room. For when the master of the house takes your place from you to give it to a more honourable guest, those who sit next in order will not give way to your ambition, and you will begin with shame to go down from the highest to the lowest room. Do not unduly exalt thyself, lest some one, offended by thy insolence, humble it and lay it low.
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Ver. 10. Go and sit down in the lowest room. The master of the house usually assigned to each guest his place at the table, a duty formerly discharged by the "ruler of the feast," regard being had to each one's age and social standing. Thus Joseph's brethren "sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth" Gen 43:33. In this verse, Christ makes evident allusion to the saying of Solomon, "Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king," &c. (Pro 25:6-7). Titus very justly remarks, that "a wise man, however deserving he may be of the highest place, so little affects it, as to give it up to others of his own accord. Wherefore a mind modest and content with its own lot is a great and a glorious gift."
Then shalt thou have worship. Christ teaches that if we would acquire glory and greatness, we must fly from them and be humble; for men hate the proud and seek to humiliate them, but make much of the modest and meek; the true glory is that which is given, not that which is sought: furthermore, God has decreed by an eternal law that the humble should be exalted, but that the mighty should be put down from their seat. Wherefore, the proud, if they are wise, will humble themselves, that they may have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with them. Knowing that if they seek the most honourable places, they will excite envy, and men will strive, whether rightly or wrongly, to humiliate them. Hear what the wise man says, "The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord." (Ecclus 3:20.) This precept of Christ, or rather this wise dogma, was recognised and taught by the Gentile philosophers. So Plutarch introduces Thales thus sharply rebuking the pride of Alexidemus, who, because he was the son of Thrasybulus had rushed from the banqueting hall at seeing others seated above him: "Fearest thou lest thy place at table shall bring thee glory or obscurity after the manner of the stars, which, as the Egyptians say, wax and wane according to the places wherein they rise or set? Thou art not so wise as the man, who, when the leader assigned him the lowest place in a chorus, said, Thou hast done well in having discovered a means of making even a position such as this honourable. For he was of opinion that a man is not distinguished by his position, but rather the position by the man." Honour, like the shadow cast by the body, follows him that flee from it, but flees from him that follows it. Symbolically. Members of religious orders, according to the words of Christ, "sit down in the lowest room." For they who have kept nothing, but given up all, even their very will, have no lower place to which they can betake themselves. Here they are at rest, for their humility is not limited, like that of other men, to this or that action, but is life-long; for it is a part of their profession which embraces their whole life.
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Ver. 11. For whosoever exalleth himself shall be abased, &c., both by God and man, often in this life, always in the life to come. This verse explains the meaning and scope of the parable. See S. Mat 23:12.
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Ver. 12. Then said He also unto him that bade Him, i.e. to the chief Pharisee mentioned in the first verse, whose hospitality Christ recompensed by the spiritual banquet of ghostly counsel and advice. This man, says the Gloss, seems to have invited his guests in order that he in turn might be entertained by them. " Call not thy friends." Christ counselled this as the more perfect way. He did not command it as of necessity. For it is lawful, nay, meritorious, for us to invite our friends, if it be done out of friendship and kindness. Whence Bede says, "Brethren then, and friends, and the rich are not forbidden, as though it were a crime, to entertain one another, but this, like all the other necessary intercourse among men, is shown to fail in meriting the reward of ever lasting life," unless, as I have said, such entertainment springs from a higher motive of brotherly love or charity. " Lest they also bid thee again." Like worldly men are wont to do from gratitude or else avarice, for "to be hospitable to those who will make a return, is," says S. Ambrose, "but a form of avarice." " And a recompence be made thee " by man, and this prove worthless and transient. If you regard this alone, you exclude the spiritual recompense from God and deprive yourself of it; if you look for both you will receive both, but both lessened, for the one lessens and as it were interferes with the other; but if you regard the divine alone, and only admit or rather bear with the human recompence because it is offered you, you will receive the divine whole and undiminished.
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Ver. 13. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. "The maimed," α̉ναπήζους, the cripple, the mutilated, i.e. those wanting in body or mind. S. Chrysostom assigns the reason. "If ye invite the poor, God will be your debtor. For the humbler the brother is, so much the more does Christ come through him and visit us. For he who entertains a great man does it often from an interested motive or from vainglory. But thou sayest, the poor man is unclean and filthy. Wash him and make him sit with thee at table. If he has dirty garments, give him clean ones. If thou will not receive him in a quiet chamber, at least admit him where thy servants are. If thou art not willing that he should sit at meat with thee, send him a dish from thy table." Following this counsel, S. Gregory had often twelve beggars at his table, and therefore was rewarded by receiving Christ. Himself in the guise of a poor man. S. Louis of France also, not content with entertaining 120 beggars at his table daily, and on feast days 200, frequently waited upon them himself, and even washed their feet. In like manner acted S. Louis the Minorite, Bishop of Toulouse, following the example of his uncle S. Louis; S. Hedwig, Duchess of Poland, and her niece S. Elizabeth, the daughter of Andrew king of Hungary, who fed 900 poor every day, receiving a rich reward in divine favour and grace. Mystically. Origen says, "He who shuns vainglory calls to a spiritual banquet the poor, that is, the ignorant, that he may enrich them; the weak, that is, those with offended consciences, that he may heal them; the lame, that is, those who have wandered from reason, that he may make their paths straight; the blind, that they may discern the truth."
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Ver. 14. And thou shalt be blessed, for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just, when, says the Interlinear, the entertainers of the poor will enter into blessedness. The neediness of the guests purifies the intention of the host, who expects no return from them, but acts solely out of love to God. Wherefore God, who considers that what is done to the poor is done unto Him, will grant him a bounteous reward, even the everlasting delights of the heavenly banquet, according to the promise, "and I appoint unto you... that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom." S. Luke xxii. 29. Hence S. Chrysostom says, "Let us be troubled not when we receive no return of a kindness, but when we do; for if we have received it, we shall receive nothing more; but if man does not repay us, God, out of love for whom we have acted, will be our recompense." Ver. 15. Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God; i.e., in the resurrection of the just, of which Christ had made mention in the preceding verse. S. Cyril in the Catena, says, "This man was carnal, for he thought the reward of the saints was to be bodily." He must therefore have been one of the Pharisees, for they believe in the resurrection, which the Sadducces deny. Act 23:8. For in heaven God feeds, satisfies, and fills (inebriat) the blessed with all delights. So the Psalmist: "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." Psa 17:15. And again, "They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of Thy house, and Thou shalt give them drink of Thy pleasures as out of the river." Psa 36:8. This joy S. Augustine describes at length in his Soliloquies and Meditations. Mystically. "He was sighing for something which was afar off, and the bread itself was lying before him. For who is that Bread of the kingdom of God but He who says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven." S. Joh 5:51.
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Ver. 16. Then He said unto him, A certain man made a great supper. This parable is very similar to that recorded by S. Matthew. See commentary on S. Mat 22:2. But you will ask, What was this supper? 1.Some understand by it, the incarnation of the Word of God, the preaching of His Gospel, and the redemption wrought by Him. For this is the great supper to which Christ, when He became incarnate, invited us. S. Matthew calls it a dinner. It is a dinner as regards the Church Militant; a supper with respect to the Church Triumphant. In this sense Leonidas addressed his comrades before the battle. "Let us dine, fellow-soldiers, for we shall sup in the nether (or rather the upper) world." For the Church Militant here on earth is striving eagerly to attain the Church Triumphant in Heaven. 2. S. Cyril, in the Catena, understands the Eucharist by the supper. "The man," he says, "is God the Father, who has prepared for us a great supper in Christ, for He has given us His own body to eat. Whence the Church makes choice of this parable for the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament." 3. But in its literal sense, the supper is the happiness and glory of heaven. It is called a supper, because it will be given in the evening, i.e. at the end of the world, when life and its troubles are over: because, also, it will be our only and everlasting refreshment. The great supper, says S. Gregory (Hom. 36), is the full enjoyment of eternal sweetness; for after it no guest is cast out.
A great. For nothing greater than it can be imagined, since God Himself will be our food and feast. Hence, Euthymius says, "Hereby is signified the unspeakable fruition of God, who will fulfil the utmost expectations of the blessed. For 'eye hath not seen, nor car heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.'" 1Co 2:9. And bade many: e.g., the whole nation of the Jews, who were the Church and the chosen people of God, and specially their rulers, who were bidden to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." S. Mat 3:2.
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Ver. 17. And sent his servants, &c., i.e., sent the Apostles after the resurrection to say that all things were ready for the heavenly feast.
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Ver. 18. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, &c. The Scribes and Pharisees, and the chief Priests are here clearly indicated; for they, invited by Christ to the Gospel feast, made light of it, because they were so intent on their farms, i.e. their worldly possessions, that they had neither time nor inclination to think about the salvation of their souls. "God," says S. Gregory (Hom. 36 in Evang.), "offers what ought to have been asked. Unasked, He is ready to give, what we could scarcely dare hope for. He announces that the delights of the eternal feast are ready, and with one consent they make excuse." "They say, I pray thee, and then disdain to come. The word sounds of humility, but the action is pride." S. Bernard rightly calls men who seek wealth, pleasure, honour and the like, lunatics. "I once" says he, "saw five men: why should I not look on them as lunatics? For the first, with swollen cheeks, was chewing the sand of the sea-shore. The second, standing by a lake of sulphur, was endeavouring to inhale the foul and noxious vapour which arose therefrom. The third, leaning over a blazing furnace, was enjoying the burning sparks which he received within his gaping jaws. The fourth, seated on a pinnacle of a temple, was drawing in with open mouth the light breezes, and if they seemed to flow less freely he fanned himself, as if in hope of inhaling the whole atmosphere. The fifth, standing aside, was laughing at the others, although himself the most deserving of ridicule, for he was busily engaged in sucking his own flesh, applying now his hands, now his arms, now one part of his body, now another to his mouth." By these figures S. Bernard pictures the various kinds of sin. The first represents the greedy, the second the lustful, the third those prone to anger, the fourth the ambitious, and the fifth those who boast themselves over much of their possessions and are self-satisfied, who are never content, but ever thirsting for the good things of this world.
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Ver. 19. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them, &c. Another kind of avarice is here described, viz, the desire of possessing oxen, and animals for tillage, or food, or some other purpose; for the riches of the patriarchs lay in their herds. So think Theophylact and Titus. S. Gregory, however (Hom. 36), says, "What are we to understand by the five yoke of oxen but the five senses? which are rightly called yokes, because they are double in the two sexes."
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Ver. 20. And another said, I have married a wife, &c. What, asks S. Gregory, are we to understand by a wife but carnal gratifications? The Pharisees, like many at the present time, were ensnared by avarice and luxury. These are the thorns which choke the word of God. S. Luk 8:14. Let us all then give heed to the warning of S. Paul, and remember that "the fashion of this world passeth away" (1Co 7:31). "For the 'res temporalis' consists in possession, and 'res eterna' in expectation," S. Gregory (Hom. 36). Not that marriage is censured here (save so far as it interferes with the work of salvation), says S. Ambrose, but purity is held up to greater honour, for "the love of the things of this world is a fetter to (viscus est) the wings of the spirit." Gloss. In carnal things, desire begets satiety, and satiety disgust; but in spiritual things, satiety provokes desire. S. Gregory. S. Augustine (serm. 33, De Verb. Domini) explains and applies somewhat differently the excuses of the invited guests: "The piece of ground which was bought denotes government. Therefore pride is the first vice reproved. "The five yoke of oxen are taken to be the five senses, by means of which earthly things are pursued. For the oxen till the ground; but men at a distance from faith, given up to earthly things, are occupied with carnal matters. "'Love not the world, therefore, neither the things that are in the world,' for 'the world passeth away, and the lust thereof' 1Jn 2:15-17. Away then with wicked and vain excuses, and let us come to the supper wherewith we may be inwardly nourished. Let not the lifting up of pride hinder us, neither let lawless curiosity fright us, and turn us away from God. Let not the pleasures of the flesh keep us from the pleasure of the heart. Let us come and be filled." Ver. 21. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things, &c. We are here taught that Christ chose the outcasts and poor in place of the Priests and Pharisees who had made light of His gospel. According to that which is written, "The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." S. Matt. xxi. 31. And again, "Many that are first shall be last: and the last shall be first." S. Mat 19:30. For albeit that Christ preached from the commencement of His ministry both to the Pharisees and to the multitude, yet the Pharisees, as of higher rank, were the first invited; to preserve the unity of the parable; and also because Christ would have the scribes first, by reason of their position, acknowledge Him, and then be His witnesses amongst the people. But the contrary came to pass. "They," says Euthymius, "who refused to acknowledge Him, were the chief Priests and rulers of the people, and these, who were chosen in their stead, were the humble and the outcasts of the nation." For of a truth "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1Co 1:27. Symbolically. S. Augustine says (serm. 34 De Verb. Dom.): Who were those that came, but the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind? Those who absented themselves were those who thought themselves rich, and robust; who, as it were, could walk well, and see clearly, the hopelessness of whose state was proportionate to their pride. Let the beggars come to the feast at the invitation of Him who made Himself poor that we might become rich. Let the weak come, for the physician has no need of those that are whole, but of those that are sick. Let the lame come and say, "Order my steps in Thy word." Let the blind come and say, "Lighten Thou mine eyes, that I sleep not in death." These poor and miserable creatures teach us: 1. That none are to be despised, but that salvation in Christ is to be offered to all. 2. That it is easier for the poor to obey the gospel precepts, and therefore to be saved, than for the rich. 3. That we must despair of no one's salvation, however wretched, blind, or perverse he may be. Ver. 22. And the servant said, Yet there is room. The number of the elect is not yet complete. Heaven is not yet filled with those who are to obtain salvation. Learn to imitate the zeal of this servant who rejected no one, however blind, deformed, or maimed, but busied himself in summoning and saying more and more.
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Ver. 23. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the high-ways and hedges, &c.. Go forth, without the city-without Jerusalem, and beyond Judæa, and call the Gentiles to Christ.
Into the highways. "The partings of the highways" (S. Mat 22:9), i.e. into the roads which lead to all nations and to the ends of the earth.
And hedges. The hamlets and villages, which were surrounded not by walls but by hedges. Hence we are taught that the Gospel is to be preached by the Apostles and their successors, even to savage and uncivilised nations; a duty which is recognised more and more by the followers of Christ. Hence the servant does not say, as he added of the Jews in the 22nd verse, "it is done as thou hast commanded;" because the work is not yet finished among the Gentiles; it is being done more fully from day to day, to be completed at the end or the world. "The meaning of this verse," says Titus, "is, that after the Israelites had been gathered in, the people of the Gentiles were also to be called, i.e. men who, as being born and brought up in the country, in the highways and hedges without the city, were entirely uncivilised." Or, as Theophylact interprets it, "The Israelites were within the city, having received the law, and having been granted a more civilised lot in life; but the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, and without God in the world." (Eph 2:12.)
Compel them to come in. Many of the Gentile nations were wholly given up to idolatry and evil living. Hence they were to be compelled to salvation by the burning zeal and energy of the preacher, by miracles, even by the scourge and judgments of God sent upon them "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1Co 2:4). For "our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." 1Th 1:5. "Therefore," says Suarez, "compel them to come in, either by afflicting them with labour and sorrows, or by converting them, as it were, miraculously, by a mighty effort and powerful call."
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Ver. 24. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper, because they made light of my invitation. So the Pharisees and the rulers of the Jews, given up to earthly enjoyments, are to be excluded from the heavenly feast because, called by Christ to accept the teaching of His gospel, they refused the invitation. "Because I have called and ye refused, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh." Pro 1:24. Then shall they, too late, repent of their ingratitude and folly, and shall say, "What hath pride profited us, or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? For those things are passed away like a shadow." Wisdom 5:8. So far Christ had said all these things in the house of the Pharisee, whose invitation He had accepted, in order that He might instruct him and his friends. Let all those, therefore, who are followers of Christ, imitate His example, and not take part in any entertainment unless it be for the purpose of reaping spiritual fruit. Ver. 26. If any man come to Me, &c. That having left all (ver. 33) he may, with the Apostles and the seventy disciples, follow Me, the Master and Teacher of perfection. All these things are of evangelical counsel, and not of precept although they may be said in a measure to extend to all Christians, inasmuch as they are bound to hate their parents, i.e. to give up the love of their friends and relations even the love of life, if such love oppose itself to the law of Christ. Hence Maldonatus thinks this to be of precept; Jansenius, of counsel. But see S. Mat 10:37. Suarez (lib. ii. De Concurs. Dom.) says, "to hate" signifies the same as "to love less," in which sense it is written, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Rom 9:13.
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Ver. 28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, &c. By means of this parable Christ would teach us with what prudence we ought to test our bodily, and above all our spiritual strength, as well as such gifts of grace as we may possess, before we attempt to build the lofty tower of evangelical perfection, and declare war against ourselves our passions, our friends and the whole world; lest afterward, recoiling from so great an undertaking, we incur the loss of all our outlay, and also the reproach of having rashly commenced a building which we were unable to finish, and of having entered upon a war in which we were worsted. "He counts the cost," says the Gloss, "who perceives that money will have to be spent, i.e. that the heart must be weaned from corrupt desires, and the soul prepared for adversity." Symbolically. Salmeron (tom. vii. tract 24) says, "Christ puts forth two parables to teach the rulers of the Church that they must be skilled both in action and in contemplation, the one about building a tower, which is a symbol of contemplative life, for a tower commands an extensive prospect; the other, about engaging in war against a hostile king, which is significative of the active life. "For those who are novices in the way of God, and are learning, as it were, the first elements of the perfect life, are called upon to battle with their enemies, and to fight against their vices and evil passions. "By the tower therefore we may understand the religious state, which is coupled to the contemplative life. "1. Because as a tower overtops all other buildings, so does a life of religion excel all other vocations and callings. "2. As a tower gives grace to a city, so is the religious life an ornament to the Church. "3. As a tower is a look-out, to discover the movements of the enemy, so in the contemplative life we look forth on the wiles of our adversary, and on the good and evil laid up in futurity. "4. As a tower is a protection to them that dwell therein, so is a life of religion a defence against the world, the flesh and the devil, and a safe storehouse for the fruits of good works. So it is written, Son 4:4, 'Thy neck is like the tower of David,... whereon hang a thousand bucklers,' i.e. the bucklers of holy vows, holy examples, and holy observances. "5. As every one ought to count the cost before he commences to build a tower, so a year is given a novice in order that he may make trial of his fitness for the religious life. For he whose heart is fixed on heaven looks down as from a lofty tower upon the world which lies beneath, and counts it worthless." So S. Chrysostom (hom. 15 ad. Pop.), says: "Just as to those who look back from the highest mountain tops, not only men and trees but even entire cities look small, and great armies seem to be creeping about like ants, so to those whose minds are uplifted by the constant contemplation of heavenly things, all human affairs, power, glory, riches, and the like, seem minute and worthless: unworthy of the greatness of the immortal soul." Hear also the lament of S. Gregory, when he was called from a religious order to be the Pope: "Seeking nothing, in this world, and fearing, nothing, I seemed to stand on a certain eminence, so that I thought that the promise of God, 'I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth' (Isa 58:14), had well-nigh been fulfilled in me. For he rides upon the high places of the earth, who despises and treads under feet all that this world counts great and glorious. But suddenly cast down from this eminence, and plunged into the whirl of temptation, I have became a prey to terror and affright, for although I fear nothing for myself, I fear much for those committed to my charge" (Lib. 1, epist. 5 and 6).
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Ver. 31. Or what king, going to make war against another king, &c. By this, says Titus, we are given to understand that we have a war to wage against the hostile powers of Satan and that law which, reigning in our members, is continually the cause of inward perturbation and strife. So also S. Cyril: "The ten thousand of him who is going to fight with the king who has double the number, signify the simplicity of the Christian about to contend with the subtlety of the devil." And Theophylact: "The king is sin, and devils are his satellites, who, compared to us, are considered to have greater strength." But S. Gregory (Hom.37) gives another interpretation. "The king that is about to come against us is Christ, who will come with a double army against a single one. For while we are scarcely prepared in deeds only, He will discomfit us at once, both in thought and deed. Let us send Him therefore an embassy; our tears, our works of mercy, and propitiatory victim." Ver. 32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, &c. This verse gives completeness to the parable, but is not to be taken as the teaching of Christ, for we may not bargain with either the evil spirits or our vices; against these we must wage άσπονδον πόλεμον, an irreconcilable war. This verse may however be interpreted in this way "He that desires to follow me perfectly in poverty and in the preaching of the gospel, must make an entire surrender of self, and give up parents, friends, and possessions, thus making them enemies. "But if he see that he has not strength enough for this, let him make conditions of peace with them, and bind himself by the gospel precepts only, leaving for others the counsels of poverty, obedience, and the preaching of salvation. For this is that which Christ would teach, as is clear from the following verse; hence he makes mention of two armies, two leaders, and two banners, one His own, and the other that of Lucifer. Wherefore the Apostles and their successors have need to bear in mind that they are engaged in actual warfare against the devil and his angels." S. Cyril.
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Ver. 33. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, &c. This is the post-parable, and sums up the teaching of the parable itself. "He who refuseth to give up all, in order that he may live a life of evangelical perfection, cannot be My disciple as the Apostles were." And again, It would he better for him who is unwilling to give up all, when persecution or necessity demand it and will not submit to the loss of possessions, family, and even life itself for the gospel's sake, not to take My yoke upon him, rather than having begun to lead a Christian life, to fall away and apostatise from the faith. For such an one adds the sin of apostasy to that of unbelief, according to the Scripture: "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." 2Pe 2:21. Christ here teaches us that to become a disciple is no child's play, but a work for men, needing great gifts of grace, and much strength of purpose and much vigour of mind. The Christians of the first three centuries, particularly those of Rome, in time of persecution, cheerfully made sacrifice of their fortunes, their liberty and their lives, for the gospel's sake. "Few," says Bede, "are wishing to leave all and give up earthly cares; but it is for every one who is faithful to renounce all, i.e. so to hold the things that are of the world, that he may not be held in the world." Hear also S. Gregory (hom. 36): I "would advise you to leave all, but I dare not. But if you are not able to give up all, be masters of your earthly possessions; let them not gain the mastery over you."
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Ver. 34. Salt is good, but if the salt have lost his savour, &c. Salt is good as long as it retains its peculiar properties. So also ye who are my Apostles, as long as ye preserve your spiritual powers, will be useful to the world to season it with the salt of gospel faith and wisdom. But if ye lose your savour, ye will be good for nothing but to be despised and trodden under feet of men, for there is no one to season or correct you. Bede. See also Comment. on S. Mat 5:13, and S. Mar 9:50. This parable applies not only to the Apostles, but in a measure to all Christians. For they ought, by the innocence of their lives and their good example, to season unbelievers who are, as it were, unsalted. Ver. 35. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Let him hear and meditate on what I say and teach. Our Lord calls attention to the seriousness and the difficulty of the matter about which He has been teaching. See Comment. on S. Mat 13:9-13.
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1. et factum est cum intraret Iesus in domum cuiusdam principis pharisaeorum zwes coy zoyévzwy cuiusdam ex iis pharisaeis qui inter eos magna auctoritate et dignitate pollebant et ex familia nobiliore genus ducebant, qui itaque tamquam sectae capita et duces considerari poterant; eo nomine v. g. designari poterunt celebres illi Hillel, Schammai, Gamaliel (cf. Schegg, Schanz, Fil. Weiss, Keil); cum assessores synedrii etiam goyovtes VOcentur (Luc. 23,13.35; 24,20. loan. 3,1; 7,26. Act. 3,17 etc.), aliqui suspicati sunt eum fuisse unum ex lis pharisaeis qui synedrio adscripti erant. Sed cum non in urbe hahitaret, id non videtur probabile. Notant eum ut animis utilitatem afferret domum esse ingressum (Theoph. Euth.), « sciebat qui in eo convivio futuri essent quamque faciendi miraculi in pharisaeorum oculis ac die sabbati occasionem esset habiturus » (Mald.); sabbato manducare panemi. e. cibum capere, prandere, uti on) 5ON; pro sabbato cibos die praecedente oportebat parare, Gade naasnevt 3 et pst observabant eum, insidiose in eum invigilabant, num quid quod reprehenderent in elus sermone vel modo agendi reperirent. Advertit S. Bon. : « in hoe quod intravit domum alienam, commendatur Christi humilitas; in hoe quod in domum pharisaei, caritas; in hoc quod manducavit panem alienum, ipsius Christi paupertas ». Censent aliqui hominem hydropicum consulto a pharisaeis esse adductum , ut‘viderent sanaretne eum Christus die sabbati (ef. Jans. Keil, Godet, Sp.)
Evangelista iam supra 6,6 seq. et 13,10 seq. sanationes sabbato a Iesu factas et contra superstitionem pharisaicam vindicatas retulit. Tertiam hic narrat, dum Matthaeus 12,9 et Marcus 3,1 unam illam de homine aridam manum habente commemorant. Cur Lucas complures afferat, Schegg haud improbabiliter in eo reponit quod Iudaeo-christiani inter neophytos ex gentibus degentes observationi sabbati more pharisaico nimium tribuerent; unde Lucam exemplum et doctrinam Christi repetito proferre. Atque notandum est tria haec exempla quae tamen ad unum doctrinae caput spectant non uno narrari loco sed aliis rebus sat multis inter se separari. Unde disci potest illud ex ordine x202&%- 1,3 non dicere ordinem rerum;.v.
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v. 2 et ecce homo quidam hydropicus erat ante ee , ex modo narrandi colligi tamen nequit quod illi volunt; quare alii rectius dicere videntur, hominem sua sponte intrasse, cum eiusmodi convivia ianuis apertis et multis spectantibus celebrari non esset inusitatum (cf. Mald. Schegg, Schanz, Fil.). Laborabat homo aqua intercute. Adstat tacens coram Domino, sed satis ipso morbo efflagitans misericordiam et opem; nam, ut aliqui opinantur, pharisaeos veritus non audet petere medelam sabbato, sed solum coram Iesu consistit, ut visu commotus curaret (S. Cyr. Huth. Cai.);
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v. 3 et respondens Iesus « signanter dicit respondens, quia respondebat ad eorum cogitationes quas videbat et audiebat » (S. Bon.), loquendi occasionem capiens ex conditione rerum, dixzt ad legisperitos et pharisaeos dicens : st licet sabbato curare? Higowital annon? vide lect. var., quaerit, ut pravam illorum errorem corrigat, ut ad sanandum hominem viam sibi paret, denique ut hac praeoccupatione excludat calumniam qua miraculum arrosissent observatoresinvidi, si ipsis praesentibus qui omnium se magistros profitebantur contemptis aut neglects hydropidomus, ne quid faciat in sua domo quod ille forte illicitum censeat Sphegay:
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v. 4 at wl tacuerunt; « silentium illorum pro se accipiens tamquam quod faveret parti ba ridenti. facit quod suum est Servator » (Luc.). Doctores illi suo silentio se misere gerunt : non audent negare, quia Domini confutationem timent et sentiunt ab ipso populo eiusmodi negationem repudiari; nolunt affirmare ne suae auctoritati derogent, cum sanationes sabbato factas saepius antea reprehenderint. Et tamen cum sint doctores legis, rogati liceatne sabbato,, respondere debebant. Quare hic omnino valet : qui tacet consentire videtur. Ergo illi quoque qui pharisaica superstitione imbuti erant ex populo debebant concludere doctores legis non prohibere quominus fiat sanatio. Christus autem de industria utitur attactu manus, ut aliquid faceret quo pharisaeis insulsis sabbatum violatum videri poterat (Luwc.) ; épse vero apprehensum sanavit eum ac dimesit ; dein merito castigantur et de silentio obstinato et de superstitione absurda
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v. 5 et resnondens ad illos dixit - curus vestrum asinus aut bos in puteum cadit (in cisternam, Mald.) et non continuo extrahet illum de sabbati? lectio communis graeca : vide; neque ea spernenda, cum in lege quoque sabbati homines et iumenta coniunctim efferantur (Ex. 20,10. Deut. 5,14);
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v. 6 et non poterant ad haec respondere ilk; si enim non solum filum, hominem, sed etiam iumentum ex periculo et molestia liberant die sabbati, cur de Iesu indignantur qui a molestia morbi hominem liexprobrant verbum sanationis prolatum aut attactum manus, qui labor cum illo ne in comparationem quidem venire potest? Notant S. Aug. (quaest. evang. 2,29) et Beda : « congruenter hydropicum animali quod cecidit in puteum comparavit; humore enim laborabat; sicut illam mulierem quam decem et octo annis alligatam dixerat et ab eadem alligatione solvebat, comparavit iumento quod solvitur ut ad aquam ducatur ». ! Postquam confutavit observantes , hic secundo informat convivantes » (S. Bon.)
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v. 7 dicebat autem et ad invitatos parabolam in- -tendens éxéywv observans, Euth. pzyesyeves, quomodo primos accubitus eligerent; cum convivium apud nobilem pharisaeum celebraretur, unusquisque honorem appetebat quam. proxime accumbendi prope nobilem illum; fortasse praeter pharisaeos et legis peritos alii quoque invitati crant et pharisaei sibi honorem: vindicabant prae aliis primos accubitus habendi; id quod ad eorum superbiam et eloriae desiderium omnino congruit; oh Matth. 23,5 seq. Marc. 12,38. 39. Cum de para- ‘bola mentio fiat, suspicatur Ma/d., Christum aliquam veram proposuisse parabolam : aliquem magnum instruxisse convivium, unum ex invitatis primum quo fuisset indignus occupasse locum, alium qui meliore dignus esset ultimum ete., deinde Christum parabolam ad utilitatem auditorum accommodasse, quam accommodationem praetermissa ipsa parabola evangelista vocaverit parabolam; similiter Wezss existimat (qui practerea perperam censet istud apud ‘pharisaeum convivium ab evangelista esse confictum quo aptius eam induceret parabolae doctrinam). Verum minime ea sententia opus est. Cum enim Christus non docere velit quid humana vel prudentia vel ambitio suadeat, sed veram animi demissionem coram Deo commendare, hic habemus exemplum vel similitudinem, cuius ope doctrina vel praeceptum aliquod illustratur et suadetur. Iam ab hac notione zaoaéohh non est aliena; cf. 5,36; 6,39. Mare. 3,23; neque raro habet significationem 5wi2; dicens ad illos :
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v. 8 cum invitatus fueris ad nuptias , non discumbas in primo loco, ne forte honoratior te sit invitatus ab illo; invitari ad nuptias honorificentius videbatur quam ad prandium et coenam (Ewth.), et sermonem ad nuptias, ad aliam prorsus occasionem transferens et ita admonitionem contexens efficit, né statim praesentes redarguere videatur, qui utique absque invidia per parabolam arguuntur (ef. Euth.);
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v. 9 et veniens tis qui te et illum vocavit dicat tibt : da hute locum! et tune incipies cum rubore novissimum locum _tenere; Vv.
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10 sed cum vocatus fueris, vade, recumbe in novissimo loco, ut cum venerit qui te invitavit dicat tibi : amice, ascende superius ! nota discrimen allocutionis, qua et heri indignatio de illius arrogantia et approbatio modestiae huius bene exprimitur; iva... épet, iva iungi cum indicativo futuri, vide Winer § 44 b 1. b, Buttmann p. 202; tunc ertt tht gloria coram simul discumbentibus; cf. Prov. 25,7 melius est enim, ut dicatur tibi: ascende huc quam et humilieris coram pune cipe. Quia Dominus nuptias commemorat, aliqui parabolam de nuptiis messianis, de regno coelorum accipiunt (S. Bon. Alb. Schegg, Rerschi) ; « quisquis Keclesiae se membris fidei gratia coniunxerit, non discumbat in primo loco, hoc est, non se de meritis Dae quasi ceteris sublimior extollat; honoratiori locum dat ille qui de longae suae conversationis confidentia securior factus cita illorum qui se in Christo secuti sunt agilitate praeitur, et cam rubore novissimum locum tenet, quando de aliis meliora cognoscens quidquid de sua operatione celsum sentiebat humiliat » (Beda); alii parabolam ad pharisaeos applicant qui in regno messiano sibi primas sedes et dignitates deberi existimaverint (cf. Gramm, Kinheit der Evangelien p. 440) et Schegq censet cum rubore novissimum locum tenere esse idem atque ex regno messiano excludi. Qua tamen acceptione i ipsa parabola relinquitur. Quare satius est sistere in ea parabolae significatione quam ipse Dominus exprimit
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v. 14 gaa omnis qui se exaltat humilabitur, et gui se humiliat exaltabitur, quod tamen ut S. Cyr. advertit, ex divini norma iudicii ‘dicitur, nullatenus vero semper secundum hominum consuetudinem fit. Esse autem eam apud Deum normam multis s. Scripturae locis ostendi S. Bon. docet; cf. Is. 2,11 seq.; 14,12. Ez. 21,16; 28,7 seq. Eadem oceasione greune Christus convivia pauperibus parata ex genere suo meritoria esse vitae aeternae, quod ea Dei intuitu eis parentur qui hic retribuere nequeunt, pro quibus proinde Deus suo tempore mercedem sit repensurus (Jans.);
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v. 12 dicebat autem et ei gui sé movitaverat : cum facis prandium aut coenam, noli vocare amicos tuos neque fratres tuos neque Cognatos neque vicinos divites, ne forte te et ipsi remoitent et fiat tibt retributio ; uti Bed. Bon. Ians. Schegg monent, sensus est idem quem alibi legimus expressum : si benefeceritis his qui vobis benefaciunt, quae vobis est gratia? siquidem et peccatores hoc faciunt (6,33) et: si diligitis eos qui vos diligunt, quam mercedem habehbitis? nonne et publicani hoc faciunt (Matth.
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5 »46)? v. 13 sed cum facis convivium, voca pauperes, debiles, claudos et caecos, avanhoous (avarctoous quam falsam dicunt chee ex itacismo ortam) membris captos, laesos aut aliquo corporis membro carentes ; atque: cur id commendet, exponit
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v. 14 et beatus eris, quia non habent retribuere tibt; retribuetur enim tibt in resurrectione tustorum, et retri-. buetur longe plenius in vitae aeternae praemio, quam hisce in terris ditissimus quisque retribuere possit. Sicut in sententtis similibus certe non prohibetur benefacere lis qui nobis benefaciunt, aut diligere e€0s qui nos diligunt, ita planum est non interdici ne amici etc. invitentur; sed summa eius quod hic docet Christus est, ut eleemosynam et beneficentiam in pauperes ef miseros commendet et ut doceat ne secundum vulgi existimationem satis humanos et benignos nos arbitremur, si humanitatem erga eos demonstraverimus, qui paria nobiscum faciunt (Jans.). Resurrectio iustorum periphrasis est vitae aeternae, quae ut a resurrectione demum perfecta erit, ita et a resurrectione demum perfecta erit retributio tam corpore quam anima recipienda (Luc.). Qua admonitione certe maxime commendatur cura pauperum, quam Ecclesia semper habuit carissimam; verum longius abest. quod Grimm |. ¢. explicat voluisse Christum adumbrare et intelligendam proponere legem illam secundum quam fiat invitatio ad coeleste convivium, ne Israelitae iam gentes utpote pauperes et caecos ab eo arcendas esse arbitrentur. Sed, ut alia mittam, Deus tamen amicos suos, Christus fratres suos eosque solum vocat ad coeleste convivium. — om omnes; peto a te, excusa me; idem in v. 19;
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v. 15 haec cum audisset quidam de simul discumbentibus dixit ili : beatus qui manducabit panem, mensae accumbet, in regno Dei; familiare erat Iudaeis, uti Matth. 8,10 quoque supponitur, imagine convivil regnum Dei concipere. Quaerunt quo animo haee dixerit. Non desunt qui eum vocent hominem Yvy.xév quippe qui delicias eiusmodi corporales solum exspectet et appetat (cf. S. Cyr. cat. Cr. Theoph. Alb. Calm.), vel qui simulata pietate talem gemitum coram emittat (cf. Schegg), dum.alii eum serio et vera pietate ad regni Dei participationem suspirasse arbitrantur (cf. Ews. Jans. Schanz). Non est abs re quod monet Jans. : non est quod hunc quis culpet tamquam existimantem ex verbis Christi corporeas fore sanctorum remunerationes, cum sequenti parabola Dominus huiusmodi errorem non corrigat, sed potius confirmasset, si in illo talis error fuisset ». Unde ex modo loquendi vix poterit ille accusari. Alii censent eum tali suspirio voluisse Domini sermonem interrumpere eumque quippe qui praesentes videretur accusare ad aliud deflectere argumentum, et cum pharisaeus edat istud suspirium, ex generali pharisaeorum indole posse inferri affectatam pietatem et ostentationem (cf. F7/.). Sed cum non soli pharisaei adessent (v. 3), dubium est fueritne ille guidam pharisaeus. Christus ei dicit parabolam sequentem. Unde si quid ad animum illius colligi poterit diiudicandum, ex parabolae argumento id erit desumendum. Inde autem sequi videtur, ne pharisaei et legis doctores, principes synagogae, falso sibi propter suam dignitatem partem in regno Dei promittant quasi iure sibi debitam, cum ab iis adhortatio ad poenitentiam spernatur. Qui itaque revera ad regnum Dei admittantur, Christus parabola declarat
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v. 16 at tpse dixit ec : homo quidam fecit coenam magnam et vocavit multos, ex more orientali invitatio fit praevia aliquo tempore antea; dein iterato coena instante; unde
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v. 17 ef misit servum suum hora coenae dicere tnvitatis, ut venwrent, quia iam parata sunt omnia; ‘sensus est obvius. Homo iste vel ut postea v. 21 vocatur paterfamilias est Deus Pater; coena magna sunt bona regni messiani; bene dicitur magna, quia haec bona tandem nos ad ipsamDei fruitionem perducunt. Ad hoc autem regnum eiusque bona olim invitati et praeparati erant. Iudaei; prior haec vocatio fiebat tempore anteacto; sed cum instaret hora coenae i. €. regni messiani cum suis bonis instituendi tempus, misit servum suum, Filium hominis, Christum, qui ut servus Iahve iam apud prophetam Isaiam descriptus erat. (42,4 seq. 52,13 etc.) et qui invitatis dicit : appropinquavit regnum coelorum, qui eos ad poenitentiam et ad fidem adhortatur, ut regni Dei fieri possint consortes, Ita servum longe plerique de Christo interpretantur (cf. S. Cyr. cat. Cr. Theoph. Euth. Ipr. Lamy, Bisp. Schegg, Schanz, Fil. Keil, Weiss). Alii in homine qui fecit coenam cernunt Christum (cf. Eus. Aug. serm. 112; M. 38,643, Bon. Caz. Ians.), in servo autem ordinem praedicatorum (cf. S. Greg. hom. in ev. 36, Bed, Alb. Luc.). Et revera explicatio de servo Christo accurate nequit Hines: per totam parabolam, uti patet Vv. 2i°seq.3 proinde simul cum Christo eos oportebit i intelligere qui missi a Christo eius nomine et auctoritate invitant, pro. boribus deest (2 Cor. 5,20. Col. 1,24). Quae parata sit coena, explicat S. Cyr. peceatorum veniam, Spiritus sancti participationem, coelorum regnum; « ad haec vocavit Christus per evangelicam legem ante om-. synagogae eam repudiant
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v. 18 ef coeperunt simul omnes excusare, Z ‘ , iy ee a oad \ Luc. 14,18-24, | Z 433 ; | one pues 1. @. 26 Evdg ouvOratog (S. Cyr.), una quasi inter se conspiratione facta, and yas covOqxqs, dua, nowee (Euth.); alii supplent youre, PVs, Yoyiis, aitiac, Bovrys etc.; primus. dixtit et : villam emt, xy Ody, agrum vel praedium, e¢ necesse habeo exire et videre illam; non quasi agrum emerit antequam eum videret, sed ut dispiceret quomodo optime coli posset et quid de eo famulis esset praescribendum; et cum necessitatem praetendat, suo iure se posse subiungere censet : rogo te, habe me excusatum *yz ys habe me tamquam qui excusatus sit i. e. accipe et approba quod venire recusem ; non opus est in ea dictione videre latinismum (cf. 2 Mach. 15,36; Wedss);
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v. 19 e¢ alter dizit : 1uga boum emt quinque et eo probare illa, experiri, explorare; videtur ea emisse ea lege, ut ea experiretur et si sibi placuissent, tunc pretium persolveret (cf. Western, Schanz). Hic non se excusat necessitate, sed ei sufficit dicere zopedoya: iam in eosum ut abeam; rogo te, habe me excusatum; alius demum non omnino rogat, ut se habeat excusatum, possum venire ; neque excusationis loco afferri potest Deut. 24,5. ‘Homines utique honesto quodam praetextu se excusant a convivio , quo tamen ea significantur quibus retinentur a regno Dei. Atque ea seliguntur in parabola quae honeste ac licite fieri possunt; nemo ex iis vacabat malo operi (ef. Caz. Luc.). Unde gravis continetur admonitio atque documentum, posse quemquam humanis negotiis in se licitis ita se implicare et addicere, ut Deo vocanti surdas praebeat aures et invitationem ad regnum Dei quaerendum negligat et spernat. Cernitur in istis tribus id quod 8,14 dictum est ; a sollicitudinibus et divitiis et voluptatibus vitae suffocantur et non referunt fructum. avaritiae et voluptati vel nimiae rerum temporalium curae. Ideoque ad pharisaeos et scribas designandos apte proferuntur, quorum mores iis vitiis esse corruptos, vide Matth. 23,14. 25. 27. Mare. 12,40. Lue 11,39. 4%. Atque Christi praedicationem apud principes et duces synagogae fere omni fructu caruisse satis constat : numquid ex principibus aliquis credidit in eum aut ex pharisaeis? sed turba haec quae non novit legem, maledicti sunt (Ioan. 7,48. 49) et nihil apud eos praedicatione Christi esse effectum maxime ostenditur eo quod synedristae Christum turpissimo supplicio crucis addixerunt. Solum losephus et Nicodemus e nobilioribus recensentur eius discipuli. Invitationem frustra esse factam servus hero renuntiat v.21, ¢unc iratus paterfamilias dixit servo suo + ext cito, coena enim iam parata est; ergo cito convivae convocandi sunt, in plateas et vicos civetatis et pauperes et debiles avaneipovg, of.
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v. 20 uxorem duxi; non possum venire; v. 21 pauperes et pauperes (sic) et claudos et aegros et caecos; v. 22 est locus in accubitu). Parabola haec magnam habet similitudinem cum illa apud Matth. 22,1- 14; quare aliqui putant eandem omnino esse (ef. Wald. Schanz, Weiss; Calm, eam vocat eandem re), ita ut Lucas solum eam suo proposito magis accommodaverit omittens v. g. quae apud Matthaeum eversionem urbis indicent. At alii tamen merito asserere videntur non esse eandem parabolam. Et diversitatis rationes iam bene collegit Hus. : « ibi enim rex nuptiaeque filii regis et vocatores multi sunt et vocati non iverunt, quin immo servos contumeliis affectos occiderunt et exercitus commovetur in servorum interfectores et quidam ob vestem sordidam nuptiali convivio expellitur. Hic autem unus homo introducitur et coena privata et unus vocator mittitur et vocati deprecantur tantummodo invitationem, occupationes suas praetendentes. Sed quod praecipuum est, illain templo dicta fuit apud pontifices senioresque populi, haec in Galilaea (? in Peraea potius, vel saltem extra urbem) in domo cuiusdam principis pharisaei ». Etsi non omnia quae F£us. commemorat, verum constituant discrimen (v. g. quae de rege, nuptiis dicit, cum hic homo et coena nominetur), tamen sat multa sunt et gravia quibus parabolam similem quidem, attamen aliam et distinctam constitui iure existimaveris. Argumentum quidem fere idem est, si solummodo generatim spectatur; at si accuratius inspicitur, in ipso iam argumento aliquid discriminis deprehenditur, vide ad v. 24, in quo ex plebe iudaica paupere haud pauci ad coenam introducuntur; nihil tale apud Matthaeum. Christus de retributione in resurrectione iustorum sermonem intulit:
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13, ef caecos et claudos introduc huc ; in. locum nobilium qui recusarunt vocantur pauperes et miseri; cum isti in civitate eadem cum nobilibus illis versentur, pauper plebsiudaica Calm. Bisp. Schanz, Fil.); ex turba enim multi Iesum sequebantur, populus miracula eius admirabatur, saepe studio omnino laudabili eius audiebat doctrinam. Et cum parabola in universum delineet quae sit et futura sit sors praedicationis evangelii, etiam addere oportet misso Spiritu sancto eos qui crediderint Iudaeos plerumque ex plebe fuisse paupere, pro qua eleemosynae colligebantur (cf. Rom. 15,25 seq. 1 Cor. 16,1 seq. Gal. 2,10), ita ut ad ecclesiam quoque hierosolymitanam congruat quod apostolus de corinthiaca scribit ({ Cor. 1,26-29). sacerdotum (Act. 6,7); sed nihilominus maior pars Iudaeorum repudiavit vocationem ad regnum messianum, uti ex Act. et epist. paul. satis patet. Quare in parabola
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v. 22 azt servus - domine; factum est, ut imperastt i. e. introducti sunt pauperes civitatis quotquot volebant introduci, et adhuc locus est ita modeste petit pro iis quoque qui extra civitatem, extra populum iudaicum, extra limitem veteris theocratiae versantur; adhuc locus est, est enim coena magna, regnum Dei omnibus propositum. Iam gentes Christus non per se in vita sua publica vocayit. Pro iis tamen etiam opus redemptionis peregit, ad gentes docendas et in Eeoves habeo quae non sunt ex hoc ovili e¢ z/las oportet me adducere et vocem meam audient (loan. 10,16). Quare in parabola merito idem servus describi potest qui etiam alienigenas ad coenam compellere iubetur; v.23 e¢ ait dominus servo : exit in vias et sepes ; proin in regionem extra civitatem sitam, ad eos qui non sunt ex hoc ovili, e¢ compelle mtrare ut impleatur domus mea; sunt scil. gentes positae extra foedus israeliticum, sunt alienati a conversatione Israel, hospites E¢vo. testamentorum (Eph. 2,12; Theoph. Luc. Ipr.); sed servus lahve datur in lucem gentium (Is. 49,6) et regnum Dei a maiore parte synagogae repudiatum datur gentibus (cf. Matth. 8,11; 21,43. Act. 13,46. Rom. 11,12 etc.). Quod autem dicit : compelle intrare, significatur ex parte ardens patrisfamilias desiderium et summa. liberalitas cupientis suas delicias quam plurimis communicare, altera ex parte futuram ingentem vim praedicationis evangelicae (Luc.). Compelle etiam ad parabo- Jam apte dicitur, ne scil. illi qui pauperes in regione vagantur pudore quodam vereantur domum illam ncbilem ingredi, urgendi sunt. Ceterum ea voce commendatur id quoque quod apostolus monet : praedica verbum, insta opportune, importune, argue, obsecra, increpa in omni patientia et doctrina. Maximum itaque studium postulatur a servo, ut omnibus utatur subsidiis ad. illosintroducendos. Compelli eos jussit, non quod violentiam inferri lusserit, sed indicans iis oportere adhiberi vehementiorem ac constantiorem praedicationem (S. Cyr. Theoph. Euth. Ians.). Eiusmodi quasi compulsionem a Christo adhibitam aliqui illustrant exemplo conversionis S. Pauli (Caz.); generatim autem compulsio ista fit, ut A/b. ait, virtute veritatis in ostensione probationis et in virtute exempli, cui Deus quandoque addit virtutem miraculorum. Bene notat Mald. (ad Matth. 22,12) : « quod autem dicit compelle intrare, non significat ad fidem cogendos esse homines, sed adeo rogandos, adeo incitandos, ut quodammodo compelli videantur ». Explicat quidem S. Aug. et approbat cogendos esse intrare legibus ac poenis ab imperatoribus statutis eos qui inveniantur in viis ac sepibusi. e, in haeresibus et schismatibus (cf. epist. 185,6. 24; M. 33,804) et Luc. quoque ait non sermone solum, sed etiam verberibus aliisque poenis eos ab itineris ducibus cogi posse, ut iter semel ingressi rectum iter constanter teneant; « praecipiuntur enim compelli donec intrarent ad coenam, daturque intelligendum quod multi non intrarent nisi compellerentur ». Sed merito contra eiusmodi explanationem coactionis et compulsionis notant Jans. Calm. parabolam auctoritate Ecclesiae cognita, sed agere de lis qui ad Ecclesiam adducendi sunt. Varia est huius parabolae applicatio ulterior. Facile enim transferri potest, ut cernatur invitatio ad aeternam felicitatem, quae eo ipso habetur, quia coena haec sunt bona messiana. Sicut una est Ecclesia militans in terris et triumphans in coelis, et vita aeterna quae post hanc vitam perficitur, _hic incipit per fidem, ita unum quodammodo est convivium quo pascitur militans et quo triumphans Ecclesia, quandoquidem unus est Deus quo hic fruimur per fidem et illic per speciem (/ans.). Deum quadruplicem nobis coenam facere prosequitur A/d. scil. in refectione doctrinae, in refectione virtutis et gratiae, in refectione eucharistiae, in refectione gloriae. Frequens est applicatio ad s. eucharistiam (cf. cat. Cr. Theoph. Jans.) eo magis quia in s. liturgia intra octavam festi Corporis Christi haec parabola in lectione evangelica decantatur. In tribus illis excusationibus aliqui dicunt adumbrari triplicem concupiscentiam (de qua 1 Ioan. 2,16) concupiscentiam oculorum seu avyaritiam, superbiam, concupiscentiam carnis (cf. S. Aug. serm. 112; M. 38,644 seq. Bon.) vel generatim omnia illa quibus homines yetineantur a studio pietatis, praesertim avaritiam, sollicitudinem rerum temporalium, voluptatem, contemptum bonorum divinorum. . Et quoties et quam sedulo Deus nos yocet, eleganter pertractat Beda : ecce per se vocat, per angelos vocat, per Patres vocat, plerumque per miracula vocat, plerumque per flagella vocat, aliquando per mundi huius prospera, aliquando per adversa; nemo contemnat, ne dum vocatus excusat, cum voluerit intrare, non valeat ». Concluditur parabola severa comminatione in illos qui vocati noluerunt venire, ergo contra nobiles illos amicos heri quos primo loco invitaverat
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v. 24 dico autem vobis quod nemo virorum illorum qua vocatr sunt gustabit coenam meam; qui vocati renuerunt, excluduntur a coena, excluduntur a bonis messianis; ergo interitui aeterno sese manciparuat. Ita Christus denuo falsam illam pharisaeorum fiduciam, quasi filii Abraham et primores synagogae et duces populi electi non possent non admitti in regnum Dei, graviter convellit; eo modo respondet ei qui supra v. 15 ei parabolae occasionem dedit. Quaerunt sintne haec verba adhuc verba patrisfamilias an ipsius Christi. Cum dicatur coenam meam, ad patremfamilias erunt referenda; sed cum habeatur quoque dico vobis, simul statuendum erit Christum iam sub-
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v. 25 zbant autem turbae multae cum eo et conversus dinit ad illos, ex comitatu quo eum sequuntur pedibus occasionem imaginemque petens
habet aures audiendi, audiat. a&xnovewy &xovétw, Cur multi renuant in regnum messianum ingredii. e. sequi Christum, in hac parte explicatur. Ut quis enim Christo nomen det eique: fideliter ac constanter adhaereat, multa opus est animi fortitudine, multa sui abnegatione, multa contra potestates adversarias lucta. Quae Christus postulat, etiam clarissime ostendunt regnum messianum nullatenus esse in dominatione quadam terrena, in pompa et fastu imperii terreni constituendum. Atque de vera regni sui indole iterum turbas docet;
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v. 26 sz quis venit ad me et non odit patrem suum et matrem et uxorem et filios et fratres et sorores, adhuc autem et animam suam, vitam suam, non potest meus esse discipulus ; cur ita loquatur, ratio iam supra reddita est 12,51-53; fiet enim Christi causa magna quaedam separatio, ita ut pater sit contra filium etc. ; proinde qui Christo adhaerere vult, debet amorem illum quo eum pater vel mater vel uxor a Christo retinere et separare tentant, fortiter spernere et superare ; eos scil. quos adversarios in via Dei experimur, odiendo et fugiendo nesciamus oportet (S. Greg. hom. 37, Beda); et pro Christi causa tuenda parati simus necesse est ipsam vitam profundere. Alia vide ad Matth. 10,37. Praeter hance animi fortitudinem qua omnem affectum Christi causae contrarium negligimus et conculcamus et vitam nostram ipsam temporalem libenter devovemus opus est alia fortitudine quae in vitae quotidianae usu et exercitio demonstranda est
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v. 27 ef gui non baiulat crucem suam et venit post me, non potest meus esse discipulus ; vitam itaque non iucundam, sed laboribus plenam Christus suis proponit; en quam efficaciter notionem regni messiani temporalis evertit et plane destruit; ceterum vide ad 9,23 et Matth. 10,38. Eandem doctrinam saepius inculcat. Qui itaque Christo adhaerere vult, debet ita esse animo paratus, ut neque amore propinquorum neque timore molestiarum unquam a Christo recedat. Quare opus est ut maxima animi firmitate et constantia se Christo addicat, ne oborta tentatione turpiter a proposito recedat et ignaviae ignominiam apud omnes incurrat. Hane animi et propositi firmitatem ut bene sibi acquirant, monet Christus duabus parabolis :
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v. 28 ques enim ex vobts volens turrim aedificare = upyey vel generatim grande palatium, aedificium alte assurgens, non prius sedens quieta et attenta consideratione eaque longiore computat sumptus qui necessariw sunt, si habeat ad perficiendum?
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v. 29 ne posteaquam posuerit fundamentum et non potuerit per ficere, omnes qui vident incipiant illudere et,
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V. 30 dicentes : quia hic homo coepit aedificare et non poturt consummare; simili modo irrisioni erit ipsis inimicis Christi is qui Christo nomen dedit, verum postea timore adversitatum , persecutionum , impugnationum causam eius derelinquit et fit apostata. Melius enim est opus non aggredi quam non perficere postquam inchoaveris (Ewth.). Turpe enim est et damnosum ab incepto desistere. Valet illud : melius erat illis non cognoscere viam iustitiae quam post agnitionem retrorsum converti ab eo quod illis traditum est sancto mandato (2 Petr. 2,21; Mald. Luc.). Declarat itaque unumquemque debere expendere robur animi, sitne paratus ad omnia illa pro Christi causa toleranda rit, etin graviorem ignominiam apud Deum et angelos et in maius salutis damnum incidat (Jans.). Ea itaque similitudine, ut S. Cyr. ait, ad invictam fortitudinem nos acuit et nobilem vigorem nos concipere vult. Oportet scil. bene expendere incommoda et pericula quae professionem doctrinae Christi comitari possunt, offensas propinquorum, iacturam bonorum, vitae discrimen, ne magis feriant tela improvisa, atque ita quod quis aggressus est magno suo malo deserat (Lamy). Ad idem inculcandum tendit altera parabola
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v. 34 aut quis rex tiurus cum viginti millibus venit ad se?
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v. 32 alioguin adhuc illo longe agente legationem mittens rogat ea quae pacis sunt; itaque antequam quis negotium gravissimum etalea plenum epeteuinar bene expendere oportet subsidia, ne maius damnum incurrat. Et quid Christus postulet, ut unusquisque sedens secum perpendat, declarat
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v. 33 sic ergo, en haec consequuntur ex exemplis allatis, omnis ex vobis qui non renuntiat omnibus quae possidet non potest meus esse discipulus, qui non ita renuntiat sibi et affectibus suis, ut paratus sit duo illa in v. 26 et 27 praestare, non potest esse Christi discipulus. Cum Christus gladium attulerit. et separationem , paratus esse quisque debet qui vult eum sequi, ut aequo animo sustineat iacturam bonorum, ut incurrat odium propinquorum et vitam ipsam perdat. Sine tali toners animi non est tutus. 410 CGE! NABI G1 7 nuerit pwexv%, sifatuum vel insipidum factum fuerit , si vim et saporem perdiderit, 7m quo condietur, quo alio sale vel qua alia re poterit iterum ad suam pristinam acrimoniam et vim revocari? plane inutile evadit;
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v. 35 neque in terram neque in sterquilinium utile est, neque humum neque fimum reddit meliorem; aliae res corruptae in sterquilinium proiectae utiles sunt; verum « sal neque in terram utile est, cuius iniectu germinare prohibetur, neque in sterquilinium agriculturae profuturum, quod vivacibuslicet glebis immistum non fetare semina frugum, sed exstinguere solet » (Beda), sed foras mittitur, ut scil. sicut lutum conculcetur. En haec est sors discipuli Christi qui « post agnitam veritatem retro redit neque ipse fructum boni operis ferre neque alios excolere valet » (Beda). Eodem modo de apostatis sermo fit Hebr. 6,4 seq. 10,26 seq. ; quid illis contingat qui post agnitionem retrorsum -convertuntur, exponit S. Petrus : canis reversus ad suum vomitum et sus lota in volutabro luti (2 Petr. 2,22). Quarum parabolarum vim et significationem ut bene secum expendant monet : qui habet awres audiendt audiat; ne itaque haec leviter transeant! Ceterum de sale vide ad Matth. 5,13 et Marc. 9,49; rem autem magni momenti Iesus ea formula: é Zywy dra etc. inculcare solet; cf. Matth. 11,15; 13,9. 43. Marc. 4,9. 23; 7,16. Luc. 8,8.
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Sur le caractère sémitique du débuts cf. Introd. p. c, cix, ex. On tri traduire : comme il entrait, ou : après qu'il fut entré; l'important était d'indiquer la circonstance (B. Weiss, cf. 11, 24). Cet ἄρχων est un membre influent du parli, car les Pharisiens n'étant pas un corps officiel n'avaient pas de chefs permanents à l'instar du sacerdoce. — Le sabbat est souligné à cause de ce qui va suivre. C’est la troisième guérison de cette sorte (νι, 6; x, 44), la cinquième en comptant ce qui se passa à Capharnaüm sans être relevé (#, 31. 38). — φαγεῖν ἄρτον, locution traduite del'hébreu, mn 95x, ef. Me. τι, 20; Mt. xv, 2. Et sans doute on était obligé ce jour-là de manger froid, puisque la cuisine devait être faite la veille, mais on ne s’en tenait pas au pain; même le repas avait une certaine solennité (Tob. ἡ, 1); à Rome on mangeait beaucoup de poisson (Perse, v, 176 ss.), comme c'est encore l'usage à Jérusalem. — καὶ αὐτοῖ commence la phrase principale. Luc la place en avant, non sans art. On croit voir des groupes formés qui se tiennent là (ἦσαν) pour observer. En disant αὐτοί, Le. n’a pas exclu l'amphitryon, mais il ne l’a pas nommé non plus. Rien ne prouve un complot. D'après Loisy (x, 129 n. 3), ce trait est emprunté à νι, 7 et « arrive trop tôt ». Luc n'aurait pas su se copier!
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xai ἰδού d’après quelques-uns exclut le complot (Ρέ. W. Kn.), parce que ἰδού indique quelque chose de nouveau (cf. Introd. p. xax). En Orient, entre qui veut. Voulant être guéri, l'hydropique devait se placer devant le Maître. — D'autre part on ne dit pas qu'il soit entré, et ἰδού peut signifier seulement qu’on l’aperçoit soudainement. — ὑδρωπιχός est ici un pur adjectif; les médecins le prennent ainsi, mais plutôt comme substantif,
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Jésus répond à la question que se posaient les hôtes en la leur adressant ouvertement. Cette question se trouve plus développée dans Me. m, ἀ et Le. l'avait reproduite presque textuellement (vi, 9). On ne peut vraiment pas supposer qu’il a été l’emprunter à cette circonstance précédente. Il était convaincu d'après ses autorités que Jésus l'avait redite dans une circonstance semblable. Rien de plus naturel d'ailleurs, et ce cas nous montre qu'il ne faut pas hésiter à penser que Jésus ait prononcé plusieurs fois des paroles assez semblables. Les mêmes attitudes amènent les mêmes chocs d'idées. Les docteurs de la Loi étaient ordinairement du parti des Pharisiens; ils sont mis en vedette, parce qu'ils étaient spécialement compétents.
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ἡσύχασαν n'est pas tout à fait synonyme de ἐσιώπων employé par Me. nr, 4, et omis par Le. dans le récit parallèle. Peut-être Le. a-t-il voulu mettre un peu de variété dans ses deux récits, soit en anticipant l'observation, soit en notant expressément que les adversaires se tinrent cois; trait qui convient bien à leur dessein de prendre sans être pris. — ἐπιλαδόμενος, donc guérison par contact, action extérieure dans le but de guérir (cf, χα, 45). Jésus ne se laisse pas intimider par un silence de mauvais augure; l'homme guéri, il le renvoie; soit qu'il ail été apporté, soit qu'il soit venu de lui-même, il n’a plus rien à faire dans cette réunion. Mais Jésus l'aurait-il guéri, s'il eût été un compère complaisant des Pharisiens? -5) Cf. Mt. x, 14. L’anacoluthe est plus sensible dans Le. L'hypothèse suppose une citerne éventrée et qui n'a pas été réparée, ou un très large puits comme on en rencontre encore beaucoup, avec des margelles très basses, et vers lesquels on conduit les troupeaux. Un homme peut tomber en se penchant pour remonter le seau, ou une bête à la suite d’une poussée du troupeau vers les auges à boire. Dans un cas de nécessité, pour sauver une vie, il était permis d'agir. Le sabbat doit donc céder à une loi plus haute. Ce peut être ici la leçon ‘donnée par le Maitre. Cependant l'interrogalion met les auditeurs tellement en vedette qu'il a peut-être voulu comparer leur empressement (εὐθέως) à trouver une solution quand il s’agit de ce qui est à eux, et leur froide réserve quand il s'agit d'un étranger. De cette façon l'association de υἱός et de βοῦς n’est pas trop étonnante : votre fils, cela va de soi, mais même votre bœuf.
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υἱὸς (ΤῊ V) plutôt que ovos (8).
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Cf. xx, 26, Les Pharisiens n’'essayent pas de répondre et se tirent d'embarras en cherchant de bonnes places. — ἀνταποχρίνεσθαι, Rom. 1x, 20 ἜΝ, T.
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παραδολήν au sens général qui vient d'être indiqué, ce qui est parfaitement en harmonie avec la nature assez vague du mdchäl hébreu (ΕΒ. 1909, p. 351 ss.). — ἐπέλων, c'est-à-dire τὸν νοῦν, cf. Act. τη, ὃ; 1 Tim. τν, 16; Eceli. xxxr, 2; ἯΙ Macch. 1x, 25. — ἐχλέγεσθαι toujours employé dans le N. T. (sauf peut-être Act. vi, 5; xv, 22, 25) avec le sentiment de sa valeur comme verbe à la voix moyenne, mais jamais aussi énergiquement qu'ici « choisir pour soi Jésus ne tient pas ce discours à propos des invités, maïs bien directement aux invités (πρός répété deux fois); or précisément pour qu'ils puissent l'entendre il faut supposer que déjà les convives sont installés. En pareil cas, si chacun cherche la meilleure place, c'est qu'il estime y avoir droit; la même vanilé qui l'y ἃ poussé l’inclinera à croire que la morale est faite à son voisin. Sur le goût des scribes pour ces places, cf. xx, 46. — Le thème de la recherche des places avec les risques qu’elle comporte était bien connu, Prov. xxv, 7.
14:8
γάμοι « festin », dans Esth. 1x, 22, ici festin à l’occasion d'une noce. Dans une occasion aussi solennelle on veille plus strictement à ce que chacun soit à sa place. — L’amphitryon ne peut s’excuser sur ce que chacun s’est placé à son gré, comme il y invite parfois dans des réunions plus familières. Et de cette façon Jésus évitait de donner une lecon trop dirécte et ménageait l’amour-propre de ses auditeurs (Kn.). Il semble aussi que dans ce cas il y avait une place d'honneur tout à fait hors rang (ef. Jos. Ant. xv, τι, # προχατακλίγων), réservée à l'hôte distingué dont chaque famille se fait honneur.
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καὶ ἐλθών ne commence pas une nouvelle phrase, car le futur ἐρεῖ peut très bien se souder au subjonctif ἢ qui suit comme toujours μή ποτε dans le N. T.; Cf. ἵνα καρπὸν... φέρητε καὶ γενήσεσθε Jo. xv, 8, etc. (Deb. ὃ 369). — Le maitre de la maison aurait pu hésiter s'il avait été question de plus ou de moins dans les rangs : mais l'invité principal doit avoir sa place, et, comme toutes les autres sont prises, l'intrus devra passer au dernier rang. Ἶ
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Dans cet autre cas, il s'agit seulement de monter plus haut en s'approchant (προσανάδηθι), peut-être pour se mettre à une place encore inoccupée mais c’est toujours une distinction qui honore celui qui en est l'objet. {va avec À le fut. indic., comme x, 58; xx, 40. Mais ici ce n'est pas le sens final (contre ἢ Schanz); le Sauveur eût-il conseillé de prendre une place en bas afin de. L monter plus haut?
14:11
Maxime répétée dans xvn, 14 encore avec ὅτι, car dans les deux cas table avec toi. li Car quiconque s'élève sera abaïissé, et celui φι s’abaisse sera élevé. » 1211 disait aussi à celui qui l'avait invité : « 7 tu donnes à elle ressort très naturellement du cas posé. Dans Mt. xx, 12, elle est appliquée à la situation, aussi débute-t-elle par ὅστις. Il n’en est pas toujours ainsi sur' la terre, hélas! mais cela arrive encore assez souvent, et le public y prend {ant de plaisir que la formule passerait ais*ment pour un proverbe. Les faits auraient pu être présentés cn parabole; l’apostrophe directe donne à la comparaison le ton d'un avis, mais cet avis, par la conclusion qui en résulte, devient une lecon générale d'humilité, Car le Sauveur n'a pas conseillé cette humilité « à crochets » qui s’abaisse pour se faire remarquer. 11 avait donc plutôt en vue cette appréciation suprême de Dien qui mettra enfin chacun à sa place, et les humbles à la première.
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ἄριστον à côté de δεῖπνον fournit la nuance entre le déjeuner et le diner. — φώνει au lieu de κάλει (v. 13) indique peut-être plus de solennité, une invitation qu'on va faire personnellement. Toutes ces invitations se justifient par les bonnes relations et par l'usage; sp les « voisins riches » suggèrent déjà que trop souvent les diners élaient des politesses intéressées. D'ailleurs Jésus note simplement qu'on est payé de sa politesse par une autre politesse. En pareil cas on suppose que l’amphitryen n'a obéi qu'à des raisons naturelles. Il est payé de sa monnaie. — ἀδελφούς semble désigner, à la manière sémitique, les parents les plus rapprochés, car on n'a pas toujours « des frères
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δογήν v, 29. Un riche peut être boiteux... mais l'énumération met sous . nos yeux la troupe des miséreux groupés pour demander l’aumône, tons pauvres, et quelques-uns en plus estropiés. Alors — et aujourd'hui encore — en Orient les estropiés portaient la besace du mendiant, d'où le jeu de mots de Diogène : ἀναπήρους ἔλεγεν οὐ tabs χωφοὺς χαὶ τυφλοὺς ἀλλὰ τοὺς μὴ ἔχοντας πήραν (Diog. Laere. vu, 33). Pour cette association de mots cf. Ρκματ. Οὐδ. 53 À οἱ χωλοέ τε καὶ τυφλοὶ χαὶ οἱ ἄλλοι ἀνάπηροι,
14:14
Au lieu de déerire la joie des pauvres à cet appel inattendu, Jésus déclare heureux celui qui les recoit. Il y ἃ quelqu'un qui rendra à leur plaec. La résnrrection est celle des justes, puisqu'il s'agit d’une récompense; cf. xx, 35.
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Le lien du contexte est très serré; la réflexion du convive est suggérée par les paroles de Jésus. La résurrection, c'était le début de la phase détinilive du royaume de Dieu, que les Juifs comparaient à une salle de festin (xx, 37). La réflexion est pieuse, mais il semble d’après la réponse de Jésus qu’elle émanait de cette piété facile qu'ont quelques personnes après un bon repas ou quand tout va bien. Favorisées de Dieu elles se croient déjà dans son royaume, alors qu'étant satisfaites des biens présents, elles n’apprécient guère ce que demande son appel. L'interlocuteur, probablement Pharisien, croyait sans doute que sa place était réservée à la table du Seigneur. — φάγεται au lieu de ἔδεται, futur formé par analogie de l'aor. ἔφαγον.
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L'homme n'est pas qualifié autrement, ce qui ne favorise guère l'interprétation allégorique; s’il figurait Dieu on s'attendrait à ce qu'il soit nommé roi (comme dans Mt. xx, 2) ou du moins riche. I} l'était cependant en fait puisqu'il fait un grand festin, et qu’il invite beaucoup de monde, mais c'est bien le moins pour un festin comparé tacitement au royaume de Dieu.
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εὔχεσθε (T Η V) platôt que ἐρ εσθαι (8) ; — ἐστιν (Η ΥἹ ou εἰσιν (TS). -
Dans Mt. les serviteurs, insultés et mis à mort, figurent les prophètes. On prétend que l'unique serviteur est dans la parabole de Le. un trait invraisemblable, et qui n’a été adopté que pour y faire entrer la figure du Christ (Loisy etc.). Mais Le. ne dit pas que le maitre n'eût que ce serviteur; il y en avait bien d'autres occupés à préparer le grand repas, les places, etc. C'est le serviteur de confiance (x, 45), ou spécialement celui qui était chargé de faire les invitations. Un roi ou un empereur avaient naturellement plusieurs vocatores (Pian. H. N. XXXV, x, 89; Suér. Cal. XXXIX), mais un particulier n'en avait qu'un (Séx. de ira ΠῚ, xxxvir, 4). En Orient, comme l'a déjà noté Tristram (Eastern Customs p. 82), on rappelle au dernier moment l'invitation faite un certain temps d'avance. C'est ce que suppose Le.; le trait est donc naturel, ce n'est point une allésorie de l'imminence de la parousie; il était d’ailleurs nécessaire pour mettre en scène les excuses, beaucoup plus offensantes au dernier moment, puisque les invités avaient d'abord accepté et que tout était prêt. ΠῚ serait étrange que le serviteur représentât le Christ. Luc a pu le comparer à un maître de maison qui se fait le serviteur (xt, 37), rôle que le Christ déclare être le sien (Mc. x, 6), et on peut parler de sa forme de serviteur quand on parle en même temps de sa forme divine (Phil. τι, 7), mais un évangéliste n'eût pas eu l'idée de donner au Christ un rôle aussi insignifiant. Dans la parabole des vignerons, Lc. distingnera le fils des serviteurs envoyés (xx, 13). Ce n'est donc pas lui qui aurait allégorisé dans ce sens, et il n'ya pas iei d'allégorie.
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Au lieu de grouper dans une période de style indirect les’ différentes excuses, Le. les présente successivement dans le style direct, ce qui donne beaucoup de vivacité à l'expression et fait ressortir la responsabilité individuelle plus encore que Mt. — ἀπὸ μιᾶς n'indique pas un complot, dont il n'y a pas trace, mais les mêmes dispositions. On dirait familièrement : comme un seuil homme. Cela est suffisamment clair, quoiqu'on puisse hésiter sur le mot à suppléer. On exclura ὥρας, car ils ne s’excusent pas en même temps, et l’on choisira entre ὁδοῦ et φωνῆς où γνώμης, le dernier suggéré par PriLox, de spec. legg. 11, p. 314 : ἀπὸ μιᾶς καὶ τῆς αὐτῆς γνώμης (PL). — Le premier est celui qui s'excuse le plus poliment; il allègue la nécessité. Mais puisque l'émsfiaitie est assurée, rien ne-pressait.
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La raison du second n'est guère meilleure, bou" ait éprouvé de l'impatience à s'assurer s'il ne s'était pas trompé.
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La troisième réponse est la plus sèche, soit que tmdl ait paru évidente, d'après les principes mondains, soit que le nouveau marié se soucie peu de l'invitation. De ce dernier il n’est pas suggéré qu'il [ἀΐ riche; mais, comme les autres, il met ses convenances personnelles au-dessus de ce qu'il devait. à un ami et à la politesse. Comme les autres il appartenait au monde de celui qui a fait l'invitation. C'est pourquoi il la refuse au dernier moment sans se gêner.
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L'opposition de δοῦλος et de κύριος ne permet pas d'admettre que le δοῦλος représente allégoriquement celui que Lc. nomme plusieurs fois ὁ κύριος. L'irritaion du maître se comprend. On ne voit pas qu'il agisse par miséricorde (contre Schanz) dans le sens du v. 13 ss., mais plutôt, d'après le v. 24, pour montrer à ses iavités qu'il n’est pas embarrassé de leur trouver des remplaçants, qui, eux, ne refuseront pas. Ce sont les miséreux groupés naturellement où se {iennent les mendiantis. [l n’est pas question de les inviter, mais de les amener, comme des gens qui seront trop heureux de la bonne aubaine. — On a fait de ces pauvres gens le type des Juifs convertis, publicains et pécheurs. Mais c’est - à la condition que le serviteur soit le Christ. S'il y a allégorie, elle doit être cohérente. Où voit-on que Jésus ail invité les Pharisiens, non seulement les premiers, mais les seuls, pour amener ensuite les autres? N'a-t-il pas prèché à la foule avant d'entrer en contact avec les Pharisiens ct les Scribes? N'est-il pas venu spécialement pour appeler les pécheurs plutôt que les jusles (v, 32)? D'ailleurs il n’y ἃ pas la moindre allusion à une infirmit* morale, mais une copieuse description des misères physiques. Et ceux-là ne refusent pas, sans doute parce qu'ils ne sont pas absorbés par la gestion de leurs affaires ou par les convenances mondaines.
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1] reste de la place, et il ne faut pas qu'il en reste, car le maitre de maison entend prouver à ses invilés qu'il sait se passer d'eux.
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IL faut donc aller plus loin οἱ par là mème descendre d’un degré dans l'échelle de la misère, car les pauvres qu'on trouvera le long des routes et des buissons, qui n'ont même pas pu sc trainer jusqu'en ville, sont encore plus misérables. On croit y reconnaitre les gentils, parce qu'ils étaient en dehors de la ville, et les Juifs dedans. C'est bien le cas en fait, mais l'expression « en dehors » n’y est pas, et elle serait nécessaire pour servir d'appui à l'allégorie. ‘Certes il est assez étrange que le serviteur soit obligé de s'y prendre à deux fois, mais c'est bien là-dessus que porte l'accent, non pas sur la place différente des pauvres. Aussi le maitre dit-il expressément : « force-les d'entrer ». Il faut absolument en finir, le maitre veut avoir sa maison pleine afin de refuser l'entrée à un invité qui changerait d'avis. Dans le système de l'allégorie, ce trait devrait convenir aux gentils. Maïs ont-ils été contraints d'entrer ou même pressés d'entrer plus que les Juifs? — Le compelle intrare n'eùt pas dù être cité à propos des infidèles, puisque jamais l'Église n'a admis qu'on les amenât au baptême par la violence. Augustin et beaucoup d'autres après lui l'ont appliqué aux hérétiques. Mais dans aucun système exégétique il n'est plus ici question des hérétiques (Kn.).
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Ce verset est étroitement uni au précédent par yép. C'est donc le même qui continue à parler, celui qui a fait les invitations. Il tenait à manifester sa résolution inébranlable, et à la rendre publique. Et c'est pourquoi il s'adresse à toutes les personnes présentes, ὑμῖν (Schanz, PI. Hahn.). On sent encore ici quelque ébranlement de sa colère ; tout est très naturel. IL est done vraiment étrange que pour introduire l'allégorie sous la plume de Lc. on suppose que Jésus parle ici pour son comple (les Weiss, Kn.). Mais on oublie qu'on en avait fait le serviteur, qui ne saurait parler de son repas. Et l'on ne peut alléguer aucune raison. Dans χι, 8; xv, 7. 40; χνὶ, 9; xvin, 44; Mt. xx, 43, il est aussi clair que Jésus prend la parole pour son compte avec λέγω ὑμῖν (d'ailleurs sans γάρ) qu'il est clair ici que ce dernier mot est prononcé par le maitre dans le sens de la parabole. — Jülicher (p. 416) reconnait (de même Holtz. Loisy) que c'est le maître de maison qui parle, mais Luc n'aurait pas trouvé ce ton solennel si Dieu n'entrait en scène comme Seigneur du festin, de sorte que le v. 24 assure à toute la péricope le caractère d’une allégorie! Mais nous savions bien que la péricope est relative au royaume de Dieu; la question est de savoir si c'est une parabole ou une allégorie, et le ton solennel, expression ici d'un sentiment de colère, en somme peu édifiant, serait plutôt une raison en faveur d'une pure parabole. Nous devons maintenant répondre aux questions posées au début. Il n’y ἃ point dans Le. l'allégorie qu’on y a vue. «) Le Sauveur n’est pas le serviteur, comme nous l'avons assez dit. ὃ) Les invités ne sont pas les Pharisiens. Si par impossible le serviteur était le Christ, ce ne sont pas les Pharisiens qu'il a invités de préférence, mais. les pécheurs (v, 32). D'ailleurs les Pharisiens se distinguaient-ils des publicains et des pécheurs par une préoccupation plus dominante des choses terrestres? Ils avaient bien des vices, mais incontestablement le zèle des choses religieuses, à tout le moins en apparence. Tous les Juifs avaient reçu la prédication des prophètes, de Jean-Baptiste et de Jésus, et non pas les Pharisiens spécialement. Les miséreux pourraient être les pécheurs et les publicains, si ces derniers n'avaient élé invités dès le début par le Christ, comme par Jean-Baptiste luimême, qui accueillit beaucoup mieux les publicains et les soldats que ceux qui se disaient fils d'Abraham (im, 41 οἱ 8). Entre les Juifs, même pécheurs, et les gentils, il y avait une différence d'appel qui serait très insuffisamment rendue par la nuance des vv. 21 et 22 entre les places et les routes, d'autant que ces routes sont censées faire partie de la banlieue de la ville. Or si Luc n’a pas alégorisé, il n’y a pas lieu de distinguer son sens de celui de Jésus. Cependant nous sommes très disposé à croire qu'il peut y avoir un moyen terme entre une pure parabole el une allégorie. On pourrait donc se demander si du moins les appelés ne figurent pas les Juifs. En effet les invités forment une catégorie très nettement distincte des autres qui ne sont pas invités, mais amenés. Or lorsqu'il s'agit de l'appel de Dieu, on pense aussitôt aux Juifs qui ont été pendant longtemps seuls mis dans la confidence de Dieu οἱ invités aux félicilés messianiques. Cette solution nous paraît probable. De celle façon, la parabole de Le. rejoindrait pour le sens celle de Mt., et peut-être Jésus ne l’aurait-il prononcée qu'une fois. Cependant, dans Mt. la situation est plus tragique, la parabole est plus accentuée et complétée. Même avec cette explication on préférerait supposer que Jésus a repris son thème pour l'approprier à la situation des derniers une νι que μ᾿ “" transformation à la tradition. ι Au surplus il ne semble pas que la μιν Φ ΥΝΝΝ une allusion ie rique directe aux Juifs, comme si tous avaient refusé l'appel, et qu'aucun ne dût être sauvé. Puisque cette application n'est pas faite par le Sauveur, mieux vaut laisser un certain vague sur ce point. La parabole parle d'invités favorisés par l'amitié d’un homme, qui se montrent indifférents à ses bons procédés et qui sont remplacés par d’autres, de telle sorte qu'ils sont définitivement exclus. Dans l’ordre religieux, il y a des hommes qui croient, comme le Pharisien, être dans l'intimité de Dieu, et qui sont largement pourvus des biens de la fortune. Ils sont tellement absorbés par ces soins qu'ils négligent de penser au royaume de Dieu. Qu'ils prennent bien garde d'en venir à mépriser ses appels! Mieux vaudrait être de ces gens pauvres et disgraciés par la nature qui ne sont pas tentés de faire mauvaise fignre à ses avances. Les Juifs pouvaient et devaient prendre cette leçon pour eux, s'ils se commparaient aux gentils, les Pharisiens, s'ils se mettaient au-dessus des autres, les riches, s'ils iguoraient encore que l'attachement aux biens de la terre rend insensible aux promesses de la vie future. A l'exclamation du Pharisien, Jésus répond que ceux-là seuls mangeront du pain dans le royaume de Dieu qui auront été dociles à son appel, et qu'on ἃ peu de chance de s'y rendre si l’on croit pouvoir s’en passer, ou y avoir toujours droit. La Jecon est assez riche pour motiver une parabole spéciale. Peut-être y a-t-il profit pour des religieux et des prêtres à se Ge sens cst d'autant plus vraisemblable que, dans l'opinion de l'allégorie, Lc. aurait présenté ici une simple variation de la parabole de la porte étroite et du festin (xut, 22 ss.}. Or il n'aime pas à se répéter. Dans Mt. qui n'a pas réuni en une parabole la porte fermée et l'exclusion du festin, cet inconvénient ne se rencontre pas. Entendue de la sorte, la parabole de Le. n’a pas la même pointe que celle de Mt., οἱ l'on doit conclure à deux paraboles distinctes. Harnack estime que l'original commun à Mt. et à Le., s'il a existé, ne faisait pas partie de la source Ὁ. Et en effet les différences entre Le. et Mt. sont telles 25 Συγεπορεύοντο ὃὲ αὐτῷ ἔχλοι πολλοί, καὶ στραφεὶς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς 26 Li me ΡΝ πρὸς pe nat οὐ ὠισεῖ τὸν πατέρα ἑαυτοῦ χαὶ τὴν μητέρα χαὶ. τὴν γυναῖχα χαὶ τὰ τέχνα χαὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς χαὶ τὰς ἀδελφάς, ἔτι τε χαὶ τὴν
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συνπορεύομα:, déjà vis, 11 (cf. Me. x, 1). Les foules se joignent au Sauveur pour cheminer avec lui (xxiv, 15). Cela est dit ici avec d'autant plus d’accent que Jésus se tourne vers les foules pour leur demander de bien penser à ce qu'elles font en le suivant. Cette introduction remplace le contexte de ML. x, 36, lequel est excellent, indiquant que dans la dissension générale il faut prendre parti pour Jésus.
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ψυχὴν εαυτου ΤΡ ΟἹ ε. ἂν, (T 3 va — εἰναι ἣν" δ “4 put ὡς = εἰναι (S) ou - pou pa θητὴς εἰναι DL Ji δὲ : ᾿ ᾿ sm τ qu'elles excluent une dépendance littéraire. Spécialement on ne comprendrait pas que Le. ait changé le roi el son fils « avec ses mins, en un homme avce :son serviteur, etc. M. riltiiliie ἑ
ἔρχεται πρός με est général et s'adresse à tous ceux qui veulent embrasser la cause de Jésus, comme ὀπίσω μον ἕργεσθαι (v. 27 el 1x, 23), ou même ἀκολουθεῖν (rx, 89), car il n’y ἃ pas entre ces mots de différence essentielle (Holtz contre Sehanz). Les mêmes conditio 15 sont posées à tous. Le détachement des liens de famille était déjà imposé aux Lévites (Dt. xxxur, 9 5.). Mt. exprime la même penste sous une forme adoucie : « aimer plus que moi » au lieu de haïr. Luc ajoute la femme, les frères et sœurs et mème la vie. Sa formule ἃ donc quelque chose de plus général, ce qui est dans ses habitudes, mais on ne saurait dire que cetie fois il ait nuancé celle que lui transmettait la tradition. Ces paroles sont de celles qu'on atténue plus volontiers qu'on ne les exagère. Il faut se souvenir’ d'ailleurs que dans Mt. explicitement et dans Le. implicitement, Jésus ἃ en vue les persécutions ou la grande crise dans laquelle il faudra choisir entre ses parents ou sa vie et la résolulion qui assure le salut. Il en est encore de même aujourd'hui où ce détachement de la famille re s'impose d'ordinaire que dans certaines circonstances solennelles où les proches se trouveraient être un obstacle. C'est alors qu'il faut les « hair c'est-à-dire les regarder comme des ennemis de la cause de Dieu; μισεῖν traduit ordinairement l'hébreu N3® employé selon la rigueur sémitique de l'opposition où nous dirions : « dédaigner » Gen. xxix, 31. 33; Dt. xx, 15-17; Is. Lx, 15; Prov. xxx, 23. — ἔτι τε καί style de Le., Act. xxr, 28. — ψυχή est ici la vie, cf. 20. χη, 25. Dans Mt. : « n'est pas digne de moi » deux fois, v. 37 οἱ 38; dans Le. deux fois « ne peut être mon disciple ». Luc eût pu avoir ses raisons pour faire ce changement, mais comme il s'agit d’une parole de Jésus qui sùrement se transmettait isolément de bouche en bouche, il n’y a pas lieu d'affirmer que Lc. suivait ici la même source que Mt. De même pour le v. suivant.
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ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω (Mt.) est, d'après Harnack (Sprüche. 63), un pléonasme sémilique. Mais les Sémites (hébreux ou araméens) n’ont pas de mot pour suivre, et disent : venir après, exactement comme Le. — Sur la pensée, el. 1x, 23 et Mc. Holtzmann (ef. Loisy) a noté avec raison que la personne de Jésus remplace ici le règne de Dieu. Être son disciple ou entrer dans le royaume de Dieu, sont deux expressions qui se valent. En fait el pratiquement, ἢ] est le centre, c'est en s’attachant à lui qu'on arrive au royaume, et on ne peut le suivre qu'en renonçant même à la vie et en portant sa croix. — δαστάζειν de la croix, comme Jo. xx, 17. Le sacrifice de la vice doit être accepté si sérieusement que chacun doit sc regarder comme portant déjà sa croix; cf. Arlem. τι, 56 : ἔοικε ὁ σταυρὸς θανάτῳ, καὶ ὃ μέλλων αὐτῷ προσηλοῦσθαι πρότερον αὐτὸν δαστάζει (cité par Jul. 207). Dans ce passage, Artémidore {ue siècle ap. J.-C.), païen, suppose qu'on a rêvé de porter quelqu'un des démons infernaux, ce qui présagerait à un malfaiteur « porter une croix », c'est-à-dire mourir. L'expression était donc courante et les critiques peuvent se dispenser de l’attribuer à la tradition qui l'aurait d'avance prêtée à Jésus d’après son supplice (cf. sur Me. vur, 34).
14:28
Le γάρ est très important. Les deux paraboles sont donc données comme une preuve de ce qui précède. Elles sont comme encadrées entre deux refrains : « il ne peut être mon disciple », et se rattachent aux conditions imposées à qui veut être disciple, plutôt qu'aux ressources d'âme qu'il faudrait posséder. — Le personnage mis en seène n'est pas encore un roi, mais ce n'est pas non plus le premier venu, car l'œuvre entreprise est de conséquence. Aussi la our n’est pas une tour de vigne (Jülicher, Holtz., Loisy), la plus élémentaire des constructions et qui n'exige aucune dépense, mais un palais; cf. pauperum tabernas, regumque turres (Horace), et surtout Jos. Bell. ,V, 1v, 3 : ὡς μηδὲν ἐνδέοι τῷ πύργῳ βασίλειον δοχεῖν. Naiurellement toutes les tours des riches n'étaient pas aussi grandioses. Depuis quelques années les enrichis de Bethléem se sont mis à bâtir les édifices les plus coûteux; quelques-uns sont demeurés inachevés; il pouvait se trouver de ces riches dans l'auditoire. — Ce mot καθίσας répété au v. 31 est justifié dans les deux cas : on s'assied pour écrire et pour tenir conseil; il n’en est pas moins caractéristique; il faut éludier sérieusement [65 conditions du problème, les chances de succès, d’abord objectivement, τὴν δαπάνην, puis conditionnellement (εἰ) dans la situation personnelle. ψηφίζειν compter, de ψῆφος caillou. Aujourd'hui encore — c'est même une méthode nouvelle, — on apprend aux enfants à compter avec de petites boules enfilées. — ἔχει, sous-entendu : « de quoi
14:29
ἵνα est inutile. Le gén. absolu n'est pas correct, puisque la personne en question reparaît comme régime dans la phrase, et c'est pourquoi D a écril ἵνα μήποτε θεὶς θεμέλιον x. +. Ë. — ἄρξωνται fréquent dans Le. (cf. Infrod. p. cvu),
14:30
οὗτος avec une nuance de mépris. On ne connaît pas l'homme, mais on se moque de son échec. ἤρξατο a ici toute sa valeur. — Sur ce, la parabole laisse ouvertes deux hypothèses : ou bien renoncer à l'entreprise, ou envisager les sacrifices nécessaires.
14:31
Cette fois c'est un roi, il s'agit d'une guerre. Elle est même commencée, et il semble que le pays du roi est envahi. C'est un devoir sacré de le défendre, et l'héroïsme suppléera peut-être au nombre, mais c’est ce qu'il faut mûrement considérer. Il est assez vain de chercher dans les livres si cette comparaison ἃ été suggérée à Jésus par un événement contemporain, comme serait la guerre d'Arétas contre Hérode (Jos. Ant. XVIII, v, 1). — εἰς πόλεμον est ici pour εἰς μάχην, car la guerre est déjà engagée, comme dans I Macch. 1v, 13; x, 78, dans le sens de Jos. Ant. ΧΙ, 1v, 9 : συμθαλόντων δ᾽ αὐτῷ τῶν ἀδελφῶν εἰς μάχην. La Κρ. suggère que le roi va commencer la guerre, ce qui n’est pas le sens.
14:32
τα a. προς (T S V) et non om. (H).
τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην les condilions qu'il imposera pour accorder la paix; cf. Test. des ΧΙ Patr, Jud. 1x, 7 : τότε αἰτοῦσιν ἡμῖν τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην. Si τά est supprimé, on demande simplement la paix. 1] va sans dire qu'elle ne sera pas accordée sans de lourds sacrifices de la “απ de celui qui se sent vaincu d'avance, οἱ 4 Ὶ devra accepter. . Dans les deux paraboles, le sens fondamental est qu’ ‘il faut éludier strieusement les conditions d’une entreprise dans laquelle on doit s'engager ou dans laquelle on est engagé, sans quoi on s'expose au déshonneur ou à la ruine. Très naturellement on en déduit : ou bien qu'il vaudrait mieux ne pas s'engager ou bien qu'il faut s'en tirer en faisant des sacrifices. Mais est-on libre de choisir? Dans la première parabole cela parait aisé, mais non dans la seconde. Εἰ si c'était impossible dans l'application? . En d'autres termes, le problème a deux faces : dans la facon qui est celle d'Épictète, comme on est libre d'avancer ou non, on considère surtout les ressources qu'on ἃ en soi; d'une autre façon, comme on doit bon gré mal gré subir l'épreuve, on envisage résolument la situation et l'on fait ce qu'il faut faire. On ne peut nier que même dans le cas où il ne reste pour vaincre qu'un « beau désespoir », il n’est pas indifférent de connaître la condition du suceès.
14:33
C'est de cette seconde facon que Lc. ἃ compris les paraboles (Mald.). Jülicher reconnait qu’ « il ne les a pas mal interprétées, mais qu'il a mis en relief exclusivement une pensée qu'elles avaient en commun avec ce qui précédait, non pas ce qu’elles ajoutaient de spécial au v. 26 » (p. 209). Ce n'est plus que la question de savoir si Jésus balançait exactement ses paraboles pour en tirer tout ce qu'elles contenaient selon les règles de la logique stricte, ou s’il les adaptait aux lois de l’objet auquel elles étaient appliquées. Nous avons déjà vu des exemples semblables (vur, #7; x, 36); il paraît juste d'attribuer cette prétendue inconcinnitas au Maitre qui enseignait avec autorité οἱ ne πὸ servait de comparaisons que pour aider ses auditeurs à pénétrer sa pensée, plutôt qu'à un écrivain qui aurait eu le loisir de les accommoder plus exactement au goût de son public hellénistique. — Avant de serrer de trop près la logique des paraboles, il faut suivre la logique de tout le passage. Pour ètre disciple de Jésus, il faut être prèt à sacrifier sa vie, et Jésus n’admet pas qu'on recule devant ce sacrifice dans certains cas (ΙΧ, 24 s.). D'autre part, si on affronte même la mort, on est assuré du succès; les ressources personnelles, les forces dont parle Jülicher n'entrent pas en ligne, mais plutôt le renoncement (sv, 26). C'est précisément le renoncement qui revient ici et qui permet d'essayer l'entreprise. — Ce qu'il y a de plus étonnant dans le v. 33, c’est que l'adieu soit dit (ἀποτάσσεται cf. 1x, 61) seulement aux biens de la fortune, selon le sens constant de τὰ ὑπάρχοντα dans Le. On dirail que la pensée descend d’un degré, par rapport au v. 26. Les critiques n’ont pas rendu compte de cette nouvelle inconcinnitas. Elle ne s'explique pas dans le sens qu'ils donnent aux paraboles. Pour nous la conclusion sur les richesses était amenée par à parabole sur les dépenses, et même par la seconde, car la paix n'allait pas sans uu tribut auquel le roi devait se résigner d'avance, comme dans le passage cité du Test. des XII Patr. (Jud. 1x, 8). Et c’est sans doute de cette façon que la conclusion suivait, non pas dans l'hypothèse d'un recul, exclue d'avance pour les âmes de bonne volonté, mais par l'idée qu'elles suggéraient d'un sacrifice d'argent qui sauvait la situation. — Quoi qu’il en soit, personne ne se préoccupe plus de transformer ces paraboles en allégories.
14:34
Καλὸν τὸ ἅλας comme dans Me.; οἵ. χαλόν τι ἐλευθερία ἐστί (Épict. 1, χα, 12, Jül.); en ajoutant οὖν Le. lie à ce qui précède. On en conelut que le sel devient ainsi la figure de l'esprit de sacrifice (B. Weiss, PI.). Mais il est plutôt comparé à la qualité de disciple (Schanz, Hahn, Jül.), non point extérieure, mais consistant dans une énergie qui améliore le milieu où 6116 agit, manière énigmatique de dire ce que ME. a mis en clair : « Vous êtes le sel de la terre » (MEL v, 13). Le sel a deux usages : assaisonner (Job. vi, 6) et conserver les aliments. 11 est donc très précieux, et on peut le regarder, surtout dans le premier usage, comme ayant une supériorité sur l'objet auquel il communique sa vertu. Mais si cette vertu s’affadit, on ne trouvera nulle part d'agent plus actif qui puisse la lui rendre. Ainsi le disciple, s’il venait à se décourager.
14:35
Comme le sel n'était pas recherché pour lui-même, mais pour sa vertu, une fois affadi il n’a plus aucune utilité, même comme engrais, soit qu'on le mette directement en terre, soit qu'on le fasse macérer. Ce trait est omis dans Mt, mais il suppose lui aussi que le sel est jeté dehors. M. Perles (Znt W, 1920, p. 96) a rappelé le dicton : « Quand le sel est mauvais (ἐξ, puant) avec quoi le salera-t-on »? (ὁ. Bekorot 8"), el a proposé comme original de οὔτε εἰς γῆν οὔτε εἰς χοπρίαν εὔθετόν ἐστιν l’araméen 7% N9239 ἔν Ν 305 9, « It n'est bon ni pour assaisonner, ni pour fumer ». Mais il serait étrange qu'on eùt pris le verbe nban pour le mot 52m. Et si élégant que paraisse le jeu de mot, il joindrait deux idées bien disparates : assaisonner (la nourriture) et fumer (la terre). — A la fin un avertissement aux auditeurs, comme dans Me. 1v, 23. Cet appel à l’attention suggère que les paroles de Jésus sont particulièrement importantes, n’imposent nullement la recherche des sens allégoriques. Mais si disposé qu’on soit à traiter la parabole en pure parabole, il y a un rapprochement qui s’impose entre le sel et les disciples. Les disciples qui renoncent ne valent pas mieux que le sel affadi. C'était déjà une note sévère. Si Jésus ajoute qu'on jette le sel dehors, il faut entendre que les disciples dans ce cas ne feront plus partie du groupe de ceux qui suivent Jésus. En tout cas il est vraiment étrange qu'on ait appliqué en même temps la petite parabole aux disciples et aux chefs du Judaïsme qui étaient le sel de l'humanité, mais qui, indociles au Christ, se sont affadis et ne servent plus à rien. « Par cette interprétation. le discours sur le renoncement se trouve subordonné à l'idée qui domine les récits et les discours précédents, à savoir la réprobation d'Israël οἱ la vocation des Gentils » (Loisy, π, 437). Mais une interprétation contestable n'autorise pas une interprétalion aussi violente que celle-là. J. Weiss qui l'avait proposée (Comm. Mayer 8° éd.) semble. y avoir renoncé dans les Schriften. CHAPITRE XV Caaprrne xv. — Tout ce chapitre est consacré à la bonté de Dieu pour les 1 pécheurs ; il les invite à la pénitence et se réjouit de leur conversion. Et c'est pourquoi Jésus accueille les publicains et les pécheurs. Le thème est traité d'une double manière. D'abord l'introduction (xv, 1-2), puis deux paraboles accouplées (xv, 3-10). Comme celles du sénevé et du levain (x, 18-21), de la tour et de la guerre (xiv, 28-32) elles procèdent par comparaisons, selon le genre propre des paraboles. Mais ni la brebis, ni la drachme ne peuvent mettre en lumière les sentiments humains du pécheur. La psychologie de la conversion, comme on dit aujourd'hui, est réservée à un récit qu'on est convenu de nommer la parabole de l'enfant prodigue. XV, 4-2, ENTRODUCTION AU THÈME DU PARDON DIVIN. Cette mise en scène, comme la précédente {xiv, 25), est empruntée aux dispositions de la foule, mais elle est parallèle plutôt que coordonnée. Rien n'indique que des publicains et des pécheurs aient fait partie en grand nombre de la foule qui a entendu les sévères conditions exigées de ceux qui veulent suivre Jésus. Cependant des Pharisiens (v. 2} avraient pu en prendre prétexte pour s'étonner que Jésus imposêt un programme pareil à de pareilles gens, ou pour le railler de mêler tant d’austérité à tant d’indulgence. Quoi qu'il en soit, c'est ici un autre aspect de la doctrine du salut. Le pécheur converti ne scra peut-être pas le moins généreux à suivre Jésus, mais il faut d’abord qu'il sache avec quelle bonté il sera accueilli par le Père qui l'attend et le cherche même sans qu'il s'en doute. d
14:1
… 5-13; Lk. 7, 1-10), of the paralytic of Capernaum (Mt. 9, 1-8), of the two blind men (ibid. 9, 27-31), of the deaf-mute (Mk. 7, 31-37), of the blind man of Jericho (ibid. 10, 46-52), of the paralytic of Jerusalem (Jn. 5, 1 ff.), of the man with dropsy (Lk. 14, 1-4), of the man born blind (Jn. 9, 1 ff.).
sees, against whom Jesus often rose up (cf. Mt. 12:1 ff.; Lk. 13:10 ff.; 14:1-6; Jn. 5:8 ff.; 9:14 ff., etc.), who declares that the sabbath is for men, not these slaves of it (Mk. 2:27). The height of meticulousness is reached in the Mishnah, which contains an …
14:2
EUSEBIUS of VERCELLI, saint - Codex Evangeliorum (cod. a), probably an autograph of St. E.: 1st and 2nd col.: Lk. 14:2-8; 2nd and 4th col.: Lk. 13:21 ff. - Vercelli, chapter archive of the Cathedral.
14:7
… Jesus' teaching bears particularly on humility, which forbids exalting oneself above others and makes relations with one's neighbor easy and loving (Mt. 22:2-12; Lk. 14:7-11). Humility attracts the benevolent gaze of the Lord (Lk. 18:9-14) and makes one avoid ostentation in the fulfillment of the duties of prayer, penance and almsgiving (Mt. 6:3-18). St. …
14:8
Agraphon (Greek: "Unwritten Thing"; plural Agrapha)
… D (cf. A. Merk, Novum Test. gr., 4th ed., Rome 1942, pp. 69, 212) the phrase of Jesus to the Sabbath-breaker (in place of Lk. 6, 5) must be a later invention against the Judaizers, modeled on Mk. 3, 27, and the addition to Mt. 20, 28 is a parallel to Lk. 14, 8-10.
… and moral doctrine of the New Testament; for which reason 25:21 is cited (Rom. 12:20) with regard to certain acts of courtesy to be performed even toward the enemy, whose misfortune one must not rejoice in (24:17 f.). A free use of 25:6 f. is found in Lk. 14:8 ff. Prov. 20:22 (cf. 24:29) forbids returning evil for evil: once the law of retaliation is surpassed, it approaches that of charity (cf. Rom. 12:17; I Thess. 5:15; I Pt. 3:9). The motive …
14:11
… Its classic example is that given in the gatherings of the primitive community of Jerusalem (Acts 2:46-47), free from every favoritism (James 2:1-4), from every egoistic contrast (1 Cor. 11:20-22), from every hidden calculation (Luke 14:11-14), indeed from every bustling about (Luke 10:41-42). Of such simplicity in living together, all modest welcome and frankness, the city of Siena in
14:12
… Once the free communication is completed, the benefactor, as such, has a right, not to a reciprocal gift (which would amount to a veiled commerce: Lk. 14:12), but to the remembrance of his gift, to the "acknowledgment" of his benevolence, to an affection of "gratitude" on the part of the recipient, ready to express his thanksgiving and …
14:14
… Jesus, having refuted the error of the Sadducees (Mt. 22:23-33), amply confirmed the teaching of the Pharisees (cf. IV Esd. 7:32) and of the best Israelites (Mt. 10:28; 14:2; Lk. 9:8; 14:14), above all in the conversation with Martha: "Your brother will rise again. …
14:15
… f.; Mic. 5, 5; Ez. 34, 25 f.; etc.; the abundance of spiritual goods, expressed symbolically with the most vivid images of an extraordinary fertility: Is. 7, 21 f.; 9, 3, 6; 32, 1-5.15-18; Ez. 47, 1-12; etc. (cf. the image of the table set: Mt. 22, 4; Lk. 14, 15-24). To the reborn Israel, the assistance of Yahweh (Is. 40-66) assures the triumph over present enemies (Ez. 35-36) and future ones (Ez. 38-39; Dan. 7-12) and every prosperity (Is. 31, …
… which happens slowly and without anyone noticing (Mt. 13:31-33; Mk. 4:26-29; Lk. 17:20; Is. 18:36); present, or in gestation, the kingdom is nevertheless future, especially as eternal reward for individual faithful at their death (Mt. 22:1-44; Lk. 14:15-24; 16:19-31). And, in connection with the mysterious advent of the Kingdom, Jesus announces his future p., determinable neither in time nor in space (Mt. 24:25-36); it is not calculable …
14:16
… That is, men must not devote themselves to temporal activities so totally and exclusively as to neglect the contemplation of supernatural ends and goods (Lk. 14:16 ff.). …
14:21
… wretched, exploited and deluded by the cunning and greedy minorities of the powerful (Is. 29:20 f.). Since the rich, militant slaves of triumphant matter, have formed for themselves a kingdom and a happiness here below, Jesus elects the derelict (cf. Lk. 14:21) relegated to the margins of society, without means and without human help, glorifies the poor man who suffers all the consequences of poverty: abuses, insults, deceits. …
14:23
them was becoming ever more clearly formulated, with the application of the compelle intrare (Lk. 14, 23), several returned to the Catholic Church, others took refuge in clandestinity; but examples were not lacking either of fanaticism or of violence.
14:24
… "outer darkness" (Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30) where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mt. 13:42, 50; 24:51) because they are excluded from the Kingdom of God (Lk. 13:28) for having rejected the invitation of God (Mt. 24:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk. 14:24) and of neighbor (Mt. 25:41-45); cf. II Thess. 1:9. Into the dark underworld (ὁ ἕδρος τοῦ ἀκόνους, II Pt. 2:17; Jude 13) the smoke of the torments of the wicked will rise …
14:25
All the faithful are called to holiness, at least in a general way. This truth is established by Sacred Scripture (Mt. 5:48; Lk. 14:25; Phil. 4:8; I Cor. 7:29-31; Eph. 1:4; II Tim. 3:10; I Pt. 1:15; I Io. 2:15; Apoc. 22:11), by the holy Fathers (St. Augustine, Sermo 96, 7; PL. 38, 588; St. Basil, Sermo de renunciatione …
14:26
Characteristic of evangelical a. is self-denial (v.), in the cheerful acceptance of purifying suffering, preferring Christ to the dearest persons (Mt. 10:37; Lk. 9:23; 14:26), sacrificing oneself and one's own members and life itself for Him, amid the continuous persecutions that await his followers (Mt. 10:16 ff.; Mk. 8:35). Continuous vigilance is therefore …
… Even more clearly in Lk. 14:26: "Whoever comes to me and does not hate... himself, cannot be my disciple."
Renunciation, an exercise of the evangelical "hatred" (Lk. 14:26), does not imply contempt for the proper value of created goods, but spiritual indifference (v.) of the will regarding them in comparison with the will of God loved "above all things," …
14:27
… 2:19; Apoc. 7:17; 21:4). The Messiah comes to console the afflicted (Is. 61:2 nāḥam, Septuagint τοὺς πενθοῦντας; cf. Is. 25:8). As a condition of eternal happiness, the cross of Christ already brings "peace and joy" (cf. Mt. 10:38; 16:24; Lk. 9:23; 14:27; I Cor. 1:17 ff.; Gal. 6:14).
… Besides this fundamental duty, there are degrees of greater perfection, when one accepts suffering with explicit conformity to the divine will, in imitation of the Savior, who asserted that "he who does not carry his cross cannot be his disciple" (Lk. 14:27). The highest is when one not only accepts suffering with full dedication, but embraces it with joy for love of the Lord.
14:33
Christ does not condemn earthly goods as intrinsically perverse, but imposes total detachment, albeit by degrees, on whoever wishes to follow him (Lk. 14:33), and calls riches obstacles to the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 19:23-24;
In evangelical doctrine, self-denial (v.) is a fundamental requirement (Mt. 16:24): renunciation, a preliminary requirement, is its indispensable propaedeutic; whoever wavers before the renunciations demanded by Grace will not succeed in following Christ on the path of self-denial (Lk. 14:33; 9:57-62). Indeed, self-denial, a "refusal" (ἀπόρνησις), opposed to the very person of the ascetic, that is, to his own will, to the desire for natural satisfaction, an entirely interior …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Rheims 1582), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.