Matthew 11:12 (WEB)
From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Fathers and councils · 37
Irenaeus of Lyons
“On this account, too, did the Lord assert that the kingdom of heaven was the portion of “the violent;” and He says, “The violent take it by force;” that is, those who by strength and earnest striving are on the watch to snatch it away on the moment.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
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Jerome
“And, “From the days of John the Baptist (who fasted and was a virgin) until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“As such he prophesied while still in his mother’s womb, and before the day of judgment won the commendation of the Judge.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 7–14. Jerome here borrows a phrase from Cyprian, de Op. et El. xv.
Read the whole comment““The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“For “from the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
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John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X VII.6Conference VII
“Moreover also: “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force,” for no virtue is acquired without effort, nor can anyone attain to that mental stability which he desires without great sorrow of heart, for “man is born to…” — editor's note: S. Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXIV.26Conference XXIV
“For, as the Lord says, “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xi. 12.
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Augustine of Hippo
“The unlearned start up and ‘take’ heaven, and we, with our learning, but wanting heart, see where we wallow in flesh and blood!” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“For it is written, “The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“Because “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“This whole section relating to John the Baptist, touching the message which he sent to Jesus, and the tenor of the reply which those whom he despatched received, and the terms in which the Lord spoke of John after the departure of these persons, is introduced also by Luke.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 1–19.
Read the whole comment“But how true it is, that “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and they that use violence take it by force!”” — editor's note: Matt xi. 12. Qui vim faciunt diripiunt illud; Vulgate, violenti rapiunt illud.
Read the whole comment“…the Physician replied to the madmen, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 11–13.
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Justin Martyr
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.’” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12–15.
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John Chrysostom
““The violent,” it saith, “take it by force.” ( Matt. xi. 12.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And all these things He saith, thoroughly to awaken our alacrity; even as elsewhere also He said, “Violent men take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12. [R.V., “men of violence,” etc.—R.]
Read the whole comment““And from the days of John the Baptist,” saith He, “until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12. [R.V., “men of violence.”]
Read the whole comment“Secondly,by saying, “The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force;” for this is the language of one who is pressing and urging them.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“Knowing then these things, let us lay aside all covetousness, and covet the things above, with great earnestness “taking the kingdom by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
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Ambrose of Milan
““The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xi. 12.
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Ephrem the Syrian
“Blessed be the watchful, that have taken by force from it the spoil of Life.” — editor's note: Mat. xi. 12.
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Tertullian
“Prayer is alone that which vanquishes God.” — editor's note: [A reference to Jacob’s wrestling. Also, probably, to Matt. xi. 12.]
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Gregory of Nyssa
- Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity On Virginity.18On Virginity
“The love of gain, which is a large, incalculably large, element in every soul, when once applied to the desire for God, will bless the man who has it; for he will be violent where it is right to be violent.” — editor's note: Gregory seems to allude to S. Matt. xi. 12.
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Gregory of Nazianzus
“Therefore do not delay in coming to grace, but hasten, lest the robber outstrip you, lest the adulterer pass you by, lest the insatiate be satisfied before you, lest the murderer seize the blessing first, or the publican or the fornicator, or any of these violent ones who take the Kingdom of heaven by force.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
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Clement of Alexandria
““For the violent that storm the kingdom” are not so in disputatious speeches; but by continuance in a right life and unceasing prayers, are said “to take it by force,” wiping away the blots left by their previous sins.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12.
Read the whole comment“Nor does the kingdom of heaven belong to sleepers and sluggards, “but the violent take it by force.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 12. [Elucidation III.]
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
That what He had last said should not lead any to suppose that John was an alien from the kingdom of heaven, He corrects this by adding, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
By the kingdom of heaven is meant the heavenly throne, wither when sinners defiled with any evil deed return in penitence, and amend themselves, they enter as sinners into the place of another, and take by violence…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Because John the Baptist was the first who preached repentance to the people, saying, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;” rightly therefore from that day forth it may be said, that “the kingdom of…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; The Lord bade His Apostles go “to the lost sheep of Israel,” but all their preaching conveyed profit to the publicans and sinners. Therefore “the kingdom suffers violence, and the violent take it by…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or; All who come thereto with haste take by force the kingdom of God through the faith of Christ; whence He says, “from the days of John until now,” and thus He brings them in haste to His faith, and at the same time…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Not that He cuts off all Prophets after John; for we read in the Acts of the Apostles that Agabus prophesied, and also four virgins daughters of Philip; but He means that the Law and the Prophets whom we have…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Then He adds another token of him, saying, “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias who was to come.” The Lord speaks in Malachias, “I will send you Elias the Tishbite;” [Mal 4:5] and of the same again, “Behold, I…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
John then is said to be Elias, not according to the foolish philosophers, and certain heretics who bring forward their metempsychosis, or passing of the soul from one body to another; but because (as it is in another…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“If ye will receive it,” shewing their freedom, and requiring of them a willing mind. John the Baptist is Elias, and Elias is John, because both were forerunners of Christ.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
That He says, “This is Elias,” is figurative, and needs to be explained, as what follows, shews; “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
As much as to say, whoso has ears of the heart to hear, that is, to understand, let him understand; for He did not say that John was Elias in person, but in the Spirit.
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Cross-references · 38
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXIV.26.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXIV.26.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in On the Sermon on the Mount I.15.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18 and 1 other place.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in On the Sermon on the Mount I.15.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 29.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 29.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 4.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 4.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 29.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 29.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 29.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.6.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.6.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.6.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.6 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXIV.26.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.6.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXIV.26.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.8.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXIV.26.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.18.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.8.