Matthew 5:45 (WEB)
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Catechism · 3
The Fifth Commandment
“"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:44-45.
In the Fullness of Time
“…Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:23-24, 44-45; 6:7, 14-15, 21, 25, 33.
The Seven Petitions
“"He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:45.
Fathers and councils · 85
Tertullian
“…of which causes them to overflow even to the profane, since God, with grand impartiality, “sends His showers and sunshine on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“The law has found more than it has lost, while Christ says, “Love your personal enemies, and bless your cursers, and pray for your persecutors, that ye may be sons of your heavenly Father.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.
Read the whole comment“…on a general condition once for all made to man, “sending rain on the good and on the evil, and making His sun to shine on the just and on the unjust!”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…refuse to acknowledge to be in one and the same Deity, “raining on the just and on the unjust, and making His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,”—a bounty which no other god at all exercises.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45. T. predicts this (by the word pluentem) strictly of the “goodness” of God, the quam.
Read the whole comment“Now, undoubtedly, He is the good God who “sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, and maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good;” sustaining and nourishing and assisting even Marcionites themselves!” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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Origen
- Origen, Against Celsus IV.28Book IV
“…Lord is upon all flesh;” and that God, being good, “maketh His sun to arise upon the evil and the good, and sendeth His rain upon the just and the unjust;” and that He encourages us to a similar course of action, in order that we may become His sons, and teaches us to extend the benefits which we enjoy, so far as…” — editor's note: Cf. Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment - Origen, Against Celsus VIII.35Book VIII
“…be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.
Read the whole comment - Origen, De Principiis II.4Book II
“…even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect; for He commands His sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust,” most evidently suggests even to a person of feeble understanding, that He is proposing to the imitation of His disciples no other God than the maker of heaven…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 48, 45.
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Irenaeus of Lyons
“…Him, styling Him the Creator, and an angel, not to mention that all the Scriptures call out [to the same effect], and the Lord teaches us of this Father who is in heaven, and no other, as I shall show in the sequel of this work.” — editor's note: Comp. e.g., Matt. v. 16, Matt. v. 45, Matt. vi. 9, etc.
Read the whole comment“For the year has passed, and the day of retribution has not yet come; but He still “makes His sun to rise upon the good and upon the evil, and sends rain upon the just and unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“The God, therefore, who does benevolently cause His sun to rise upon all, and sends rain upon the just and unjust, shall judge those who, enjoying His equally distributed kindness, have led lives not corresponding to the dignity of…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…thy kind offices, assimilating thyself to the Father, “who maketh His sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“For He gives existence to all; He, “who maketh His sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“And as we are His members, we are also nourished by means of the creation (and He Himself grants the creation to us, for He causes His sun to rise, and sends rain when He wills).” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…regard to all things, and exercises a providence over all, “making His sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sending rain upon the just and unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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Cyril of Jerusalem
“…and to-morrow is cast into the furnace of fire; and, Who maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences XI–XVII XI.9Conference XI
“…ye may be,” says He “sons of your Father which is in heaven, Who maketh His sun to rise on the good and evil, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust:” and this feeling the blessed John knew that he had attained when he said: “that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is so are we also…” — editor's note: Ib. 45.
Read the whole comment “…inquisitiveness, so he admonishes those who are in good health neither to restrain that kindness which the Lord’s command bids us show to the good and evil, even if some bad men will not turn to sound doctrine; nor to desist from doing good and encouraging them both by words of consolation and by rebuke as well as…” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 43–45.
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Augustine of Hippo
“He then who repayeth not them that recompense evil, is perfect.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43, 45.
Read the whole comment““He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Shall not He have a care for thee, who “maketh His sun rise on the good and on the evil, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust”? …” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“For, “Be ye,” he saith, “perfect, even as your Father, which is in the heavens, who maketh His sun to rise on the good and evil.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 48, 45.
Read the whole comment“Not that which together with thee see both beasts and insects, and good men and evil men: because “He maketh His sun to rise upon good men and evil men.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“For at first they may be understood according to that which is written in the Gospel, “that ye may be like your Father who is in the Heavens, who maketh His sun to rise upon good men and evil men, and raineth upon just men and unjust men.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…set before us the example of our Father, who is in Heaven, “who maketh His sun to rise upon good men and evil men, and raineth upon just men and unjust men:” doth He yet therefore not chasten even by temporal correction, or not condemn at the last the obstinately hardened?” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…overflowing of His goodness: who also “maketh His sun to rise upon the good and the evil, and causeth it to rain upon the righteous and upon the sinners.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“But the sun is meant in a spiritual, not a bodily sense, as that which shines from Heaven, which He maketh to rise upon the just and unjust.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Do the righteous only see this sun, when He maketh it rise over the just and unjust, and raineth upon the just and unjust?” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Because He maketh His sun to rise over the good and the bad, and sendeth rain upon the just and the unjust.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Men sin and live; sins are added on, life continueth: men blaspheme daily, and “He maketh His sun to rise over the good and the wicked.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Thence is that long-suffering, whereby “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“When the Lord hath come, and our Sun is risen, not the sun which is seen with the eye, and “riseth upon the good and the evil,” but That whereof is said, To you that hear God, “the Sun of Righteousness shall rise, and healing in His wings;” and of whom the proud and wicked shall…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“The Lord in the Gospel saith, “If ye love them that love you, what reward shall ye have? do not the publicans this?”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44–46.
Read the whole comment“But this bread, Dearly beloved, by which our body is filled, by which the flesh is recruited day by day; this bread, I say, God giveth not to those only who praise, but to those also who blaspheme Him; “Who maketh His sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“That Sun riseth upon the righteous only; but this sun which we see, God “maketh,” daily “to rise upon the good and evil.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“The good see them, the bad see them; for He “maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Why, but because it was the mercy of Him who daily “maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…bestowed on the good and bad, according as it is written, “Who maketh His sun to rise on the good and the evil, and giveth rain to the just and the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Yet in this anger God does not forget to be gracious, causing His sun to shine and His rain to descend on the just and the unjust; and thus He does not in His anger cut short His tender mercies, and especially in what the Psalmist speaks of in the words, “Now I begin: this change is from…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment““That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; who maketh His sun to rise on the good and on the evil, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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John Chrysostom
““For He maketh His sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” ( Matt. v. 45.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““Be ye,” It saith, “like to My Father which is in heaven, for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” ( Matt. v. 45.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“For, “pray,” it saith, “for them, that despitefully use you—that ye may be like unto your Father which is in Heaven.” ( Matt. v. 44, 45.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“That ye may become likeyour Father which is in Heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43–45. [The briefer form of verse 44 is now accepted by critical editors (so Vulgate). The longer reading is from Luke vi. 27, 28. Comp. R.V.—R.]
Read the whole comment“Forasmuch then as He had made much discourse about almsgiving, and brought forward God, “Who maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good,”and by motives from all quarters had urged them on to this, and had persuaded them to exult in the abundance of their giving; He finishes by taking away also…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“…the world, to Him again He attributes it all, saying, “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Nay, in respect of this most of all lament and grieve for him that hath done the wrong, but for thyself rather rejoice, because thou art become like God, “Who maketh the sun to rise upon evil and good.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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Catena Aurea on Mark
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Mark
Or, ‘the mouth of a lamp,’ that is, one who can throw light by his mouth upon what he has conceived in his heart, to whom the Lord gave the opening of a mouth, which diffused light. We know that this mode of speaking…
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Theodoret of Cyrus
“This is the way in which they have wished to become imitators of our Father in heaven “Who maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45
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Cyprian of Carthage
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them which persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven, who maketh His sun to rise on the good and on the evil, and sendeth rain upon the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43–45.
Read the whole comment“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43–48.
Read the whole comment“Also according to Matthew: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh His sun to rise upon the good and the evil, and giveth rain upon the righteous and the unrighteous.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.
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Ambrose of Milan
“This we are bound to do, if we would be perfect as our Father Who is in heaven; Who bids the sun to shed his rays over the evil and the good, and makes the lands of the whole universe fertile with rain and dew without any distinction.” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 45.
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Clement of Alexandria
“In addition to these, again He says, “My Father makes His sun to shine on all.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment““Love your enemies,” it is said, “bless them who curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you,” and the like; to which it is added, “that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven,” in allusion to resemblance to God.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.
Read the whole comment“Since also “the rain” of the divine grace is sent down “on the just and the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment“Do you see that “He who sendeth His rain on the just and on the unjust” by the subject powers is the one God?” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
Read the whole comment““For God makes His sun to shine on the just and on the unjust,” and sent the Lord Himself to the just and the unjust.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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Hippolytus of Rome
“One is good, my Father which is in the heavens, who causeth His sun to rise upon the just and unjust, and sendeth rain upon saints and sinners.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 45.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
The Lord has taught above that we must not resist one who offers any injury, but must be ready even to suffer more; He now further requires us to shew to them that do us wrong both love and its effects. And as the…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
That by the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour,” all mankind were intended, the Lord shewed in the parable of the man who was left half dead, which teaches us that our neighbour is every one who may happen at…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
That there were degrees in the righteousness of the Pharisees which was under the old Law is seen herein, that many hated even those by whom they were loved. He therefore who loves his neighbour, has ascended one…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
I ask the Manichaeans why they would have this peculiar to the Mosaic Law, that was said by them of old time, “thou shalt hate thy enemy?” Has not Paul said of certain men that they were hateful to God? We must…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
But it should be known, that in the whole body of the Law it is no where written, Thou shalt hate thy enemy. But it is to be referred to the tradition of the Scribes, who thought good to add this to the Law, because…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
As that, Thou shalt not lust, was not spoken to the flesh, but to the spirit, so in this the flesh indeed is not able to love its enemy, but the spirit is able; for the love and hate of the flesh is in the sense, but…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Love to an enemy is then observed when we are not sorrowful at his success, or rejoice in his fall. We hate him whom we wish not to be bettered, and pursue with ill-wishes the prosperity of the man in whose fall we…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
They who stand against the Church oppose her in three ways; with hate, with words, and with bodily tortures. The Church on the other hand loves them, as it is here, “Love your enemies;” does good to them, as it is,…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Many measuring the commandments of God by their own weakness, not by the strength of the saints, hold these commands for impossible, and say that it is virtue enough not to hate our enemies; but to love them is a…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
These indeed are examples of the perfect sons of God; yet to this should every believer aim, and seek by prayer to God, and struggles with himself to raise his human spirit to this tempter. Yet this so great blessing…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Here arises a question, that this commandment of the Lord, by which He bids us pray for our enemies, seems opposed by many other parts of Scripture. In the Prophets are found many imprecations upon enemies; such as…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
And the souls of them that are slain cry out to be avenged; as the blood of Abel cried out of the ground not with a voice, but in spirit [margin note: ratione]. As the work is said to laud the workman, when he…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Note through what steps we have now ascended hither, and how He has set us on the very pinnacle of virtue. The first step is, not to begin to do wrong to any; the second, that in avenging a wrong done to us we be…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
For whoso keeps the commandments of God is thereby made the son of God; he then of whom he here speaks is not by nature His son, but by his own will.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
After that rule we must here understand of which John speaks, “He gave them power to be made the sons of God.” One is His Son by nature; we are made sons by the power which we have received; that is, so far as we…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the sun and rain have reference to the baptism with water and Spirit.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or we may take it of this visible sun, and of the rain by which the fruits are nourished, as the wicked mourn in the book of Wisdom, “The Sun has not risen for us.” [Wis 5:6] And of the rain it is said, “I will…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
But as we laud Him for His gifts, let us also consider how He chastises those whom He loves. For not every one who spares is a friend, nor every one who chastises an enemy; it is better to love with severity, than to…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He was careful to say, “On the righteous and the unrighteous;’ for God gives all good gifts not for men’s sake, but for the saints’ sake, as likewise chastisements for the sake of sinners. In bestowing His good…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
For the good man is not puffed up by worldly goods, nor broken by worldly calamity. But the bad man is punished in temporal losses, because he is corrupted by temporal gains. Or for another reason He would have good…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
To love one that loves us is of nature, but to love our enemy of charity. “If ye love them who love you, what reward have ye?” to wit, in heaven. None truly, for of such it is said, “Ye have received your reward.”…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
If then sinners be led by nature to shew kindness to those that love them, with how much greater shew of affection ought you not to embrace even those that do not love you? For it follows, “Do not even the publicans…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if you only pray for them that are your kinsfolk, what more has your benevolence than that of the unbelieving? Salutation is a kind of prayer.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Ethnici, that is, the Gentiles, for the Greek word ἔθνος is translated ‘gens’ in Latin; those, that is, who abide such as they were born, to wit, under sin.
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
Because the utmost perfection of love cannot go beyond the love of enemies, therefore as soon as the Lord has bid us love our enemies, He proceeds, “Be ye then perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For as our sons after the flesh resemble their fathers in some part of their bodily shape, so do spiritual sons resemble their father God, in holiness.
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Cross-references · 82
Cited together in Catechism §2608.
Cited together in Catechism §2608.
Cited together in Catechism §2608.
Cited together in Catechism §2608.
Cited together in Catechism §2608.
Cited together in Catechism §2608.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Letters Letter 141.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews III.50.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.27.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 18.
Cited together in Against Heresies II.9 and 1 other place.
Cited together in The City of God I.8.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 26.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 26.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies IV.13.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies IV.13.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.2.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.2.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.2.
Cited together in Against Heresies II.9.
Cited together in Against Heresies V.2.
Cited together in Jerome on Mark 3:13–19 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Heresies V.2.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (5) (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 26.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion II.17.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.3.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.3.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.3.
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 5:43–48 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion II.17.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion II.17.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.3.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.
Cited together in Against Celsus VIII.35.
Cited together in Against Celsus VIII.35.
Cited together in Against Celsus IV.28.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.3.
Cited together in Jerome on Mark 3:13–19 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 26.
Cited together in Catechism §2828.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in Against Heresies III.25.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in Against Heresies III.25.
Cited together in Against Celsus IV.28.
Cited together in Against Celsus IV.28.
Cited together in Against Celsus IV.28.
Cited together in Against Celsus IV.28.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies V.3.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 26.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (8) (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.3.
Cited together in Against Heresies II.9.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 26.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 47.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion II.17.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 47.
Cited together in The Five Books Against Marcion II.17.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.