Matthew 2:12 (WEB)
Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Catechism · 1
- §486Paragraph 2 · "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"Read at vatican.va
“The Father's only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is "Christ", that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 1:20; 2:1-12; Lk 1:35; 2:8-20; Jn 1:3 1-34; 2:11.
Fathers and councils · 15
Tertullian
“Let those Eastern magi be believed, dowering with gold and incense the infancy of Christ as a king; and the infant has received “the power of Damascus” without battle and arms.” — editor's note: See Matt. ii. 1–12.
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Theodoret of Cyrus
“And He is Father from the continual presence of the Son, on account of whom He is called Father.” — editor's note: χρηματίζω = (i) to have dealings with; (ii) to deal with an oracle or divine power; (iii) to get a name for dealing, and so to be called. Cf. Matt. ii. 12;…
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Augustine of Hippo
“Thus, too, Herod, who himself also was a king, is [said there to be] afraid of the royal child, and to put so many little children to death in order to make sure that the one might be slain.” — editor's note: Matt. ii. 1–18.
Read the whole comment“And in this manner the account goes on, down to the passage where of these magi it is written that, “being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”” — editor's note: Matt. ii. 12.
Read the whole comment“Afterwards, when the things which had been done and said in the temple were made quite public, Herod perceived that he had been mocked; and then, in his desire to get at the death of Christ, he slew the multitude of children, as Matthew records.” — editor's note: Matt. ii. 3–16.
Read the whole comment“Accordingly, as the Magi did when warned of God, whom the star led to adore the low estate of the Lord; so we also ought to return to our country, not by the way by which we came, but by another way which the lowly King has taught, and which the proud king, the adversary of that lowly King, cannot block up.” — editor's note: Matt. ii. 12
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John Chrysostom
““And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother.”” — editor's note: [The entire verse is given in Field’s Greek text; the Homily covers verses 11–15.—R.]
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Leo the Great
“Although I know, dearly-beloved, that you are fully aware of the purpose of to-day’s festival, and that the words of the Gospel have according to use unfolded it to you, yet that nothing may be omitted on our part, I shall venture to say on the subject what the Lord has put in my…” — editor's note: Secundum consuetudinem evangelicus sermo reseraverit. The Roman Gospel for the day was apparently then, as now with us, S. Matt. ii. 1–12: but the…
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
The wicked Herod, now made cruel by fear, will needs do a deed of horror. But how could he ensnare him who had come to cut off all fraud? His fraud is escaped as it follows, “And being warned.”
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
They had offered gifts to the Lord, and receive a warning corresponding to it. This warning (in the Greek ‘having received a response’) is given not by an Angel, but by the Lord Himself, to shew the high privilege…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
This warning is given by the Lord Himself; it is none other that now teaches these Magi the way they should return, but He who said, “I am the way.” [John 14:6] Not that the Infant actually speaks to them, that His…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
See the faith of the Magi; they were not offended, nor said within themselves, What need now of flight? or of secret return, if this Boy be really some great one? Such is true faith; it asks not the reason of any…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Had the Magi sought Christ as an earthly King, they would have remained with Him when they had found Him; but they only worship, and go their way. After their return, they continued in the worship of God more…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
We may learn much from this return of the Magi another way. Our country is Paradise, to which, after we have come to the knowledge of Christ we are forbidden to return the way we came. We have left this country by…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
It was impossible that they, who left Herod to go to Christ, should return to Herod. They who have by sin left Christ and passed to the devil, often return to Christ; for the innocent, who knows not what is evil, is…
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Cross-references · 7
Cited together in Glossa Ordinaria on Matthew 2:12 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity IV.12.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity IV.12.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity IV.12.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity IV.12.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity IV.12.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity IV.12.