Matthew 12:45

“Then he saith, I will return to my house from whence I came out: and coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished: then he goeth and taketh seven other spirits worse than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xii. 43–45.

“(Matt. 12:45.)” — the author cites it

“…other spirits more wicked than himself; and returning and finding the house empty, he dwelt there, and the last state of that man was worse than the first.’” — editor's note: Ib. xii. 43–45.

“And that paragraph is followed up by Matthew with these words: “While He yet talked to the people, behold, His mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him.”” — editor's note: Matt. xii. 39–46.

“Then sin will reign in the mortal body of man to obey its desires; then will it yield its members weapons of unrighteousness unto sin: and the last state of that man shall be worse than the former.” — editor's note: Matt. xii. 45

“Hence in the preaching of the Truth Himself (Matth. xii. 44, 45) the house is said indeed to be clean when one spirit has gone out; but, when empty, it is taken possession of by his returning with many more.” — the author cites it

The Lord had said to the Jews, “The men of Nineveh shall rise in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it;” that they should not therefore be careless, He tells them that not only in the world to come…

Some suppose that this place is spoken of heretics, because the unclean spirit who dwelt in them before when they were Gentiles, is cast out before the confession of the true faith; when after they went over to…

He calls the hearts of the Gentiles, “dry places,” as lacking all the moisture of wholesome waters, that is of the holy Scriptures, and of spiritual gifts, and strangers to the pouring in of the Holy Spirit.

Or, the “dry places” are the hearts of the faithful, which after they have been purged from the weakness of loose thoughts, the crafty lier-in-wait tries if by any means he may fix his footsteps there; but lying from…

The Devil supposed he should have rest for ever among the Gentiles, but it is added, “and findeth none,” because when the Son of God appeared in the mystery of His Incarnation, the Gentiles believed.

And when they believed on the Lord, the Devil, finding no place among the nations, said, “I will return into my house whence I came out;” I have the Jews from whom I formerly departed. “And when he is come, he…

Or, herein He may be shewing forth their punishment. As when daemoniacs have been loosed from their infirmity, if they after become remiss, they draw upon themselves more grievous illusions, so shall it be among you…

For when any one is converted to the faith, the Devil is cast out of him in Baptism, who driven thence wanders up and down through the dry places, that is, the hearts of the faithful.

The dry places where no water is are the hearts of the righteous, which by the power of discipline are dried from all humours of carnal lust. The wet places are the minds of worldly men, which the humour of carnal…

And returning to his house whence he had gone out, “he findeth it empty,” of good works through slothfulness, “swept,” that is, of its old vices by Baptism, and “garnished” with feigned virtues through hypocrisy.

So that in these words the Lord signifies that some shall so believe as not to have strength for the work of continence, and shall return to the world. “He taketh unto him other seven,” is to be understood that when…

For it often happens that the soul in the commencement of its progress is lifted up, and prides itself on its virtues, that it opens an entrance to the adversary who is raging against it, and who shews himself the…

Matthew 12:45 and Luke 11:26 share the same wording (29 words).

Cited together in Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 11:24–26 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 11:24–26 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 11:24–26 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 12:43–45 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in On Continence Chapter 31.

Cited together in On Continence Chapter 31.

Cited together in On Continence Chapter 31.

Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.16.

Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.16.

Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.16.

Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.16.

Cited together in Conferences I–X V.25.

Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.16.

Cited together in The Book of Pastoral Rule III.16.

Cited together in On Continence Chapter 31.