Matthew 5:8 (WEB)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Catechism · 3
Our Vocation to Beatitude
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:3-12.
“The New Testament uses several expressions to characterize the beatitude to which God calls man: - the coming of the Kingdom of God; - the vision of God: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:8; cf. 1 Jn 2; 1 Cor 13:12.
The Ninth Commandment
“The sixth beatitude proclaims, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:8.
Fathers and councils · 80
Augustine of Hippo
““Blessed,” however, “are they of a pure heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8
Read the whole comment“And Alypius, beginning again to hear me, was involved in the same superstition as I was, loving in the Manichæans that ostentation of continency which he believed to be true and unfeigned.” — editor's note: Augustin, in book v. sec. 9, above, refers to the reputed sanctity of Manichæus, and it may well be questioned whether the sect deserved that unmitigated…
Read the whole comment“…us, that we may be poor in spirit, and meek, and mourners, and hungering and athirst after righteousness, and merciful, and pure in heart, and peacemakers.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–9.
Read the whole comment“…they that mourn, blessed they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, blessed the merciful, blessed the pure in heart, blessed the peacemakers.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–9.
Read the whole comment“It is said to me plainly, directly, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 6, 8.
Read the whole comment“For “Blessed” (He saith) “are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Our “houses” are our hearts: therein gladly dwell they that are blessed with pure heart.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.…In the vision of the Father there is also the vision of the Son: and in the vision of the Son there is also the vision of the Father.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God: then shall the righteous be filled with that blessing for which they hunger and thirst now, while, walking in faith, they are absent from the Lord.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8, 6.
Read the whole comment“For this do we cleanse our countenance, that we may rejoice in His Countenance.…Because too, “blessed are the poor in heart, for they shall see God;” He gave the Form of Man both to good and evil, the Form of God He preserved for the pure and good, that we may rejoice in Him, and it may be well with us for…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Therefore, we are to see a certain vision, my brethren, “which neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man:” a certain…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Hear the Gospel: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit;” imitate Him, Who, whereas “He was rich, was made poor for your sakes.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–10
Read the whole comment“And that our hearts are to be purified for this contemplation, is proved above all by this text, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8
Read the whole comment“For they are not pure in heart; and “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8
Read the whole comment“…and to perceive God, as He can be beheld and perceived, which is permitted to the pure in heart; for “blessed are the pure in heart. for they shall see God;” except He is loved by faith, it will not be possible for the heart to be cleansed, in order that it may be apt and meet to see Him.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8
Read the whole comment“If it is wisdom through which the peacemakers are blessed, inasmuch as they shall be called the children of God; let us pray that we may be freed from evil, for that very freedom will make us free, i.e. sons of God, so that we may cry in the spirit of adoption, “Abba, Father.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–9.
Read the whole comment““Blessed,” therefore, “are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“On the words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, “Blessed are the poor in spirit:” etc., but especially on that, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Philip might of course have answered and said, “Lord, lo, I see Thee; is the Father such as I see Thee to be? forasmuch as Thou hast said, ‘He who hath seen Me, hath seen the Father also’?”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For “blessed are the clean in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“It remained that in the Judgment the Form of the servant should be manifested both to good and bad, the Form of God be reserved for the good alone.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“He does not say what we shall see; but what but God, that the promise in the Gospel may be fulfilled in us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God?”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“But that God shall be seen with these eyes no Christian doubts who believingly accepts what our God and Master says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For “Blessed are the pure in heart, because they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Interrogate the Gospel: “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“But because the judgment is to be of the just and of the unjust, and that it is not permitted to the wicked to see God,—for “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,”—such a Judge will appear as may be seen by those whom He is about to crown, and by those whom He is about to condemn.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For anyhow, if they see their gods with their eyes, we too have other eyes with which to see our God: for “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment““But this,” saith the servant, as if disputing with the Lord, “Thou didst not express, when Thou didst say, ‘The righteous shall go into life eternal;’ Thou didst not say, They shall go to see me in the form of God, and to see the Father, with whom I am equal.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“…to the sacraments of Christ, which no man taketh worthily except he that is pure: of such it is said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For “blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God;” and “He purifieth their hearts by faith.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God: and because the wicked are not pure in heart, therefore they shall not see.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Origen
- Origen, Against Celsus VI.4Book VI
“For, according to the declaration of our Jesus, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Cf. Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment - Origen, Against Celsus VII.33Book VII
“Wherefore it is said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment - Origen, Against Celsus VII.43Book VII
“…the Creator and Father of the universe; but it is possible to see Him in the way thus referred to, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God;” and not only so, but also in the sense of the words of Him “who is the image of the invisible God;” “He who hath seen Me hath seen the Father who sent Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment “Here, if any one lay before us the passage where it is said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” from that very passage, in my opinion, will our position derive additional strength; for what else is seeing God in heart, but, according to our exposition as…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Irenaeus of Lyons
“…that which is perfect is come, we shall not see another Father, but Him whom we now desire to see (for “blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”); neither shall we look for another Christ and Son of God, but Him who [was born] of the Virgin Mary, who also suffered, in whom too we trust, and whom we…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“The prophets, then, indicated beforehand that God should be seen by men; as the Lord also says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Athanasius of Alexandria
“…of the knowledge of the Father, may also hear the words, ‘Blessed are the undefiled in the Way,’ and ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’” — editor's note: Ps. cxix. 1; Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“But the saints, and they who truly practise virtue, ‘mortify their members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness passions, evil concupiscence;’ and, as the result of this, are pure and without spot, confiding in the promise of our Saviour, who said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Jerome
“For example:“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” and“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Once more, this fair white sheet which in his vision was taken up again was a symbol of the church which carries believers from earth to heaven, an assurance that the Lord’s promise should be fulfilled: “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Catena Aurea on John
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
“Now it is said, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God; (Matt. 5:8) and again, When He shall appear, we shall be like unto Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
“(Matt. 5:8)” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on Mark
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Mark
“For the vision of the Son of Man is shewn even to the bad, but the vision of the form of God to the pure in heart alone, “for they shall see God.” [Matt 5:8] And because the wicked cannot see the Son of God, as He is in the form of God, equal to the Father, and at the same time both just and wicked are to…” — the author cites it
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John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X I.10Conference I
“…they have laid aside corruption, and when they come to that promise of the Lord the Saviour, which says “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9Conference XIV
“…being made better men, you are first inflamed with the longing for that blessedness, of which we read: “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God,” that you may also attain to that of which the angel said to Daniel: “But they that are learned shall shine as the splendor of the firmament: and they that…” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, The Institutes VIII.20Book VIII
“Wherefore if we wish to gain the substance of that divine reward of which it is said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” we ought not only to banish it from our actions, but entirely to root it out from our inmost soul.” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 8.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“…they would now exhibit to God a heart clean and pure, following the evangelical word which says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Blessed are they of a pure heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Ambrose of Milan
“And the Lord Himself in the Gospel has revealed it, stating: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“…soul, trained in good thoughts, and with a pure heart, first, may see what is true and virtuous (for “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”), and may decide that only to be good which is virtuous; and, next, may never be disturbed by business of any kind, nor get tossed about by any desires.” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 8.
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John Chrysostom
“And again, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” ( Matt. v. 8.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“As when He saith, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” ( Matt. v. 8 ), He means that intellectual vision which is possible to us, and the having God in the thoughts; so in the case of angels, we must understand that…” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the merciful.” ( Matt. v. 3, 8, 7.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“He is wont elsewhere to put “sight” for “knowledge”; as when He saith, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” ( Matt. v. 8.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“For, “Blessed,” saith He, “are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Basil the Great
“For, it is said, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Hilary of Poitiers
“The just shall shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father, and the Son shall deliver to the Father, as His Kingdom, those whom He has called into His Kingdom, to whom also He has promised the blessedness of this Mystery, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — editor's note: St. Matt. v. 8.
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Leo the Great
“A Homily on the Beatitudes, St. Matt. v. 1–9” — the author cites it
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Clement of Alexandria
“For out of the heart proceed thoughts.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“And he who possesses such a heart is so blessed, that “he shall see God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8. [On the Beatitudes, see book iv. cap. 6, infra.]
Read the whole comment“And since there are two paths of reaching the perfection of salvation, works and knowledge, He called the “pure in heart blessed, for they shall see God.”” — editor's note: [Matt. v. 8. S.]
Read the whole comment“But “the pure in heart shall see God,” when they arrive at the final perfection.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
Read the whole comment“…God,” in the Church far on high, in which are gathered the philosophers of God, “who are Israelites indeed, who are pure in heart, in whom there is no guile;” who do not remain in the seventh seat, the place of rest, but are promoted, through the active beneficence of the divine likeness, to the heritage of…” — editor's note: John i. 47; Matt v. 8.
Read the whole comment“Such is the vision attainable by “the pure in heart.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 8.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Matthew
The merciful loses the benefit of his mercy, unless he shews it from a pure heart; for if he seeks to have whereof to boast, he loses the fruit of his deeds; the next that follows therefore is, “Blessed are the pure…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Purity of heart comes properly in the sixth place, because on the sixth day man was created in the image of God, which image was shrouded by sin, but is formed anew in pure hearts by grace. It follows rightly the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
By the pure are here meant those who possess a perfect goodness, conscious to themselves of no evil thoughts, or again those who live in such temperance as is mostly necessary to seeing God according to that of St.…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
The pure is known by purity of heart, for the temple of God cannot be impure.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He who in thought and deed fulfils all righteousness, “sees God” in his heart, for righteousness is an image of God, for God is righteousness. So far as any one has rescued himself from evil, and works things that…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
They are foolish who seek to see God with the bodily eye, seeing He is seen only by the heart, as it is elsewhere written, “In singleness of heart seek ye Him;” the single heart is the same as is here called the pure…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if spiritual eyes in the spiritual body shall be able only to see so much as they we now have can see, undoubtedly God will not be able to be seen of them.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
This seeing God is the reward of faith; to which end our hearts are made pure by faith, as it is written, “cleansing their hearts by faith;” [Acts 15:9] but the present verse proves this still more strongly.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
No one seeing God can be alive with the life men have on earth, or with these our bodily senses. Unless one die altogether out of this life, either by totally departing from the body, or so alienated from carnal…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
The reward of these is greater than the reward of the first; being not merely to dine in the King’s court, but further to see His face.
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Cross-references · 57
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Against Celsus VII.33.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in Against Celsus VII.33 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Mark 13:21–27 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.3 and 1 other place.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.20.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:8 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in The Institutes VIII.20.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.3.
Cited together in Against Celsus VI.4.
Cited together in Against Celsus VI.4.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in Catechism §1720 and 2 other places.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity VIII.4.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.20.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.3.
Cited together in Against Celsus VII.43 and 1 other place.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.20.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.3.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity VIII.4.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.20.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews III.80.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews III.80.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 1:18 (2) (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.38.
Cited together in Against Celsus VII.33.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.3.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9.
Cited together in Confessions VI.7.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.11.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9.
Cited together in The Institutes VIII.20.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.9.
Cited together in Catechism §1720.