Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 20
Passages · 100
John 20:1–9
- John Chrysostom on John 20:1–9 — The Sabbath being now over, during which it was unlawful to be there, Mary Magdalene could rest no longer, but came very early in the morning, to seek consolation at the grave: The first day of the week cometh Mary…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 — Mary Magdalene, undoubtedly the most fervent in love, of all the women that ministered to our Lord; so that John deservedly mentions her only, and says nothing of the others who were with her, as we know from the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (2) — Una sabbati is the day which Christians call the Lord’s day, after our Lord’s resurrection. Matthew calls it prima sabbati.vatican.va
- Bede on John 20:1–9 — Una sabbati, i. e. one day after the sabbath.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:1–9 — Or thus: The Jews called the days of the week sabbath, and the first day, one of the sabbaths, which day is a type of the life to come; for that life will be one day not cut short by any night, since God is the sun…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (3) — What Mark says, Very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun (Mark 16:1), does not contradict John’s words, when it was yet dark. At the dawn of day, there are yet remains of darkness, which disappear as the…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:1–9 — It is well said, When it was yet dark: Mary was seeking the Creator of all things in the tomb, and because, she found Him not, thought He was stolen. Truly it was yet dark when she came to the sepulchre. And seeth…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (4) — Now took place what Matthew only relates, the earthquake, and rolling away of the stone, and fright of the guards.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:1–9 (2) — Our Lord rose while the stone and seal were still on the sepulchre. But as it was necessary that others should be certified of this, the sepulchre is opened after the resurrection, and so the fact confirmed. This it…vatican.va
- Glossa Ordinaria on John 20:1–9 — And therefore she ran to tell the disciples, that they might seek Him with her, or grieve with her: Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (5) — This is the way in which he usually mentions himself. Jesus loved all, but him in an especial and familiar way. And saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:1–9 (2) — She puts the part for the whole; she had come only to seek for the body of our Lord, and now she laments that our Lord, the whole of Him, is taken away.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (6) — Some of the Greek copies have, taken away my Lord, which is more expressive of love, and of the feeling of an handmaiden. But only a few have this reading.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:1–9 (3) — The Evangelist does not deprive the woman of this praise, nor leaves out from shame, that they had the news first from her. As soon as they hear it, they hasten to the sepulchre.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:1–9 (3) — But Peter and John before the others, for they loved most; Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:1–9 (2) — But how came they to the sepulchre, while the soldiers were guarding it? an easy question to answer. After our Lord’s resurrection and the earthquake, and the appearance of the angel at the sepulchre, the guards…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (7) — After saying, came to the sepulchre, he goes back and tells us how they came: So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre; meaning himself, but he always speaks…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:1–9 (4) — On coming he sees the linen clothes set aside: And he slooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying. But he makes no further search: yet went he not in. Peter on the other hand, being of a more fervid…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:1–9 (8) — i. e. That Jesus had risen again, some think: but what follows contradicts this notion. He saw the sepulchre empty, and believed what the woman had said: For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that He must rise…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:1–9 (4) — But this account of the Evangelist1 must not be thought to be without some mystical meaning. By John, the younger of the two, the synagogue; by Peter, the elder, the Gentile Church is represented: for though the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:1–9 (3) — Or thus: Peter is practical and prompt, John contemplative and intelligent, and learned in divine things. Now the contemplative man is generally beforehand in knowledge and intelligence, but the practical by his…vatican.va
John 20:10–18
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 — Mary Magdalene, who had been the sinner in the city, and who had washed out the spots of her sins by her tears, whose soul burned with love, did not retire from the sepulchre when the others did: Then the disciples…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 — i. e. To the place where they were lodging, and from which they had ran to the sepulchre. But though the men returned, the stronger love of the woman fixed her to the spot. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (2) — i. e. Outside of the place where the stone sepulchre was, but yet within the garden.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 — Be not astonished that Mary wept for love at the sepulchre, and Peter did not; for the female sex is naturally tender, and inclined to weep.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (3) — The eyes then which had sought our Lord, and found Him not, now wept without interruption; more for grief that our Lord had been removed, than for His death upon the cross. For now even all memorial of Him was taken…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (4) — She then saw, with the other women, the Angel sitting on the right, on the stone which had been rolled away from the sepulchre, at whose words it was that she looked into the sepulchre. (Mat. 28:5.)vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (2) — The sight of the sepulchre itself was some consolation. Nay, behold her, to console herself still more, stooping down, to see the very place where the body lay: And as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (2) — For to have looked once is not enough for love. Love makes one desire to look over and over again.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (5) — In her too great grief she could believe neither her own eyes, nor the disciples’. Or was it a divine impulse which caused her to look in?vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (3) — She sought the body, and found it not; she persevered in seeking; and so it came to pass that she found. Her longings, growing the stronger, the more they were disappointed, at last found and laid hold on their…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (3) — As her understanding was not so raised as to be able to gather from the napkins the fact of the resurrection, she is given the sight of Angels in bright apparel, who sooth her sorrow.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (6) — But why did one sit at the head, the other at the feet? To signify that the glad tidings of Christ’s Gospel was to be delivered from the head to the feet, from the beginning to the end. The Greek word Angel means one…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (4) — The Angel sits at the head when the Apostles preach that in the beginning was the Word: he sits, as it were, at the feet, when it is said, The Word was made flesh. By the two Angels too we may understand the two…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (4) — The Angels who appear say nothing about the resurrection; but by degrees the subject is entered on. First of all they address her compassionately, to prevent her from being overpowered by a spectacle of such…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (5) — The very declarations of Scripture which excite our tears of love, wipe away those very tears, by promising us the sight of our Redeemer again.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (7) — But she, thinking that they wanted to know why she wept, tells them the reason: She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord. The lifeless body of her Lord, she calls her Lord, putting the part for the…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (5) — As yet she knew nothing of the resurrection, but thought the body had been taken away.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (8) — Here the Angels must be understood to rise up, for Luke describes them as seen standing.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (9) — The hour was now come, which the Angels announced, when sorrow should be succeeded by joy: And when she had thus said, she turned herself back.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (6) — But why, when she is talking to the Angels, and before she has heard any thing from them, does she turn back? It seems to me that while she was speaking, Christ appeared behind her, and that the Angels by their…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (6) — We must observe that Mary, who as yet doubted our Lord’s resurrection, turned back to see Jesus. By her doubting she turned her back, as it were, upon our Lord. Yet inasmuch as she loved, she saw Him. She loved and…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (7) — To the Angels He appeared as their Lord, but not so to the woman, for the sight coming upon her all at once, would have stupified her. She was not to be lifted suddenly, but gradually to high things.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (7) — Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? He asks the cause of her grief, to set her longing still more. For the mere mentioning His name whom she sought would inflame her love for Him.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (8) — Because He appeared as a common person, she thought Him the gardener: She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if Thou have borne Him hence, tell me where Thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:10–18 — She was afraid that the Jews might vent their rage even on the lifeless body, and therefore wished to remove it to some secret place.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (8) — Perhaps, however, the woman was right in believing Jesus to be the gardener. Was not He the spiritual Gardener, who by the power of His love had sown strong seeds of virtue in her breast? But how is it that, as soon…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (9) — Just as He was sometimes in the midst of the Jews, and they did not know Him till He pleased to make Himself known. But why does she turn herself, when she had turned herself before? It seems to me that when she…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (10) — Or she first turned her body, but thought Him what He was not; now she was turned in heart, and knew who He was. Let no one however blame her, because she called the gardener, Lord, and Jesus, Master. The one was a…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (9) — The Evangelist does not add what she did upon recognising Him, but we know from what our Lord said to her: Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not. Mary then had tried to embrace His feet, but was not allowed. Why not?…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (11) — But if standing upon the earth, He is not touched, how shall He be touched sitting in heaven? And did He not before His ascension offer Himself to the touch of the disciples: Handle Me and see, for a spirit hath not…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (12) — Touch is as it were the end of knowledge1; and He was unwilling that a soul intent upon Him should have its end, in thinking Him only what He seemed to be.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:10–18 (10) — Mary wished to be as familiar with Christ now, as she was before His Passion; forgetting, in her joy, that His body was made much more holy by its resurrection. So, Touch Me not, He says, to remind her of this, and…vatican.va
- Hilary of Poitiers on John 20:10–18 — Heretics, among their other impieties, misinterpret these words of our Lord’s, and say, that if His Father is their Father, His God their God, He cannot be God Himself. But though He remained in the form of God, He…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (13) — He does not say, Our Father, but, My Father and your Father: Mine therefore and yours in a different sense; Mine by nature, yours by grace. Nor does He say, Our God, but, My God—under Him I am man—and your God;…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (14) — She then went away from the sepulchre, i. e. from that part of the garden before the rock which had been hollowed out, and with her the other women. But these, according to Mark, were seized with trembling and…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:10–18 (10) — So the sin of mankind is buried in the very place whence it came forth. For whereas in Paradise the woman gave the man the deadly fruit, a woman from the sepulchre announced life to men; a woman delivers the message…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:10–18 (15) — While she was going with the other women, according to Matthew, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. (Matt 28:9) So we gather that there were two visions of Angels; and that our Lord too was seen twice, once when Mary…vatican.va
- Bede on John 20:10–18 — Mystically, Mary, which name signifies, mistress, enlightened, enlightener, star of the sea, stands for the Church, which is also Magdalen, i. e. towered, (Magdalen being Greek for tower,) as we read in the Psalms,…vatican.va
John 20:19–25
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 — The disciples, when they heard what Mary told them, were obliged either to disbelieve, or, if they believed, to grieve that He did not count them worthy to have the sight of Him. He did not let them however pass a…vatican.va
- Bede on John 20:19–25 — Wherein is shewn the infirmity of the Apostles. They assembled with doors shut, through that same fear of the Jews, which had before scattered them: Came Jesus, and stood in the midst. He came in the evening, because…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:19–25 — Or because He waited till all were assembled: and with shut doors, that he might shew how that in the very same way he had risen again, i. e. with the stone lying on the scpulchre.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 — Some are strongly indisposed to believe this miracle, and argue thus: If the same body rose again, which hung upon the Cross, how could that body enter through shut doors? But if thou comprehendest the mode, it is no…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 (2) — The shut door did not hinder the body, wherein Divinity resided. He could enter without open doors, who was born without a violation of His mother’s virginity.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (2) — It is wonderful that they did not think him a phantom. But Mary had provided against this, by the faith she had wrought in them. And He Himself too shewed Himself so openly, and strengthened their wavering minds by…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:19–25 — And because their faith wavered even with the material body before them, He shewed them His hands and side: And when He had said this, He shewed them His hands and His side.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 (3) — The nails had pierced His hands, the lance had pierced His side. For the healing of doubting hearts, the marks of the wounds were still preserved.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (3) — And what He had promised before the crucifixion, I shall see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, is now fulfilled: Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 (4) — The glory, wherewith the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father, i. e. in Christ’s body, we must believe to have been rather veiled than not to have been there at all. He accommodated His…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (4) — All these things brought them to a most confident faith. As they were in endless war with the Jews, He says again, Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you.vatican.va
- Bede on John 20:19–25 (2) — A repetition is a confirmation: whether He repeats it because the grace of love is twofold, or because He it is who made of twain one.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (5) — At the same time He shews the efficacy of the cross, by which He undoes all evil things, and gives all good things; which is peace. To the women above there was announced joy; for that sex was in sorrow, and had…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:19–25 (2) — The Father sent the Son, appointed Him to the work of redemption. He says therefore, As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you; i. e. I love you, now that I send you to persecution, with the same love wherewith…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 (5) — We have learnt that the Son is equal to the Father: here He shews Himself Mediator; He Me, and I you.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (6) — Having then given them confidence by His own miracles, and appealing to Him who sent Him, He uses a prayer to the Father, but of His own authority gives them power: And when He had said thus, He breathed on them, and…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 (6) — That corporeal breath was not the substance of the Holy Ghost, but to shew, by meet symbol, that the Holy Ghost proceeded not only from the Father, but the Son. For who would be so mad as to say, that it was one…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:19–25 (3) — But why is He first given to the disciples on earth, and afterwards sent from heaven? Because there are two commandments of love, to love God, and to love our neighbour. The spirit to love our neighbour is given on…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (7) — Some say that by breathing He did not give them the Spirit, but made them meet to receive the Spirit. For if Daniel’s senses were so overpowered by the sight of the Angel, how would they have been overwhelmed in…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:19–25 (7) — The love of the Church, which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, remits the sins of those who partake of it; but retains the sins of those who do not. Where then He has said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost,…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:19–25 (4) — We must understand that those who first received the Holy Ghost, for innocence of life in themselves, and preaching to a few others, received it openly after the resurrection, that they might profit not a few only,…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (8) — A priest though he may have ordered well his own life, yet, if he have not exercised proper vigilance over others, is sent to hell with the evil doers. Wherefore, knowing the greatness of their danger, pay them all…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 20:19–25 — Didymus, double or doubtful, because he doubted in believing: Thomas, depth, because with most sure faith he penetrated into the depth of our Lord’s divinity.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:19–25 (5) — It was not an accident that that particular disciple was not present. The Divine mercy ordained that a doubting disciple should, by feeling in his Master the wounds of the flesh, heal in us the wounds of unbelief.…vatican.va
- Bede on John 20:19–25 (3) — But why does this Evangelist say that Thomas was absent, when Luke writes that two disciples on their return from Emmaus found the eleven assembled? We must understand that Thomas had gone out, and that in the…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:19–25 (9) — As to believe directly, (ἁπλῶς) and any how, is the mark of too easy a mind, so is too much enquiring of a gross one: and this is Thomas’s fault. For when the Apostle said, We have seen the Lord, he did not believe,…vatican.va
John 20:26–31
- John Chrysostom on John 20:26–31 — Consider the mercy of the Lord, how for the sake of one soul, He exhibits His wounds. And yet the disciples deserved credit, and He had Himself foretold the event. Notwithstanding, because one person, Thomas, would…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:26–31 — You ask; If He entered by the shut door, where is the nature of His body? (ubi est modus corporis.) And I reply; If He walked on the sea, where is the weight of His body? The Lord did that as the Lord; and did He,…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:26–31 (2) — Jesus then comes Himself, and does not wait till Thomas interrogates Him. But to shew that He heard what Thomas said to the disciples, He uses the same words. And first He rebukes him; Then saith He to Thomas, Reach…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:26–31 (2) — He might, had He pleased, have wiped all spot and trace of wound from His glorified body; but He had reasons for retaining them. He shewed them to Thomas, who would not believe except he saw and touched; and He will…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:26–31 (3) — We are, as I know not how, afflicted with such love for the blessed martyrs, that we would wish in that kingdom to see on their bodies the marks of those wounds which they have borne for Christ’s sake. And perhaps we…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:26–31 — Our Lord gave that flesh to be touched which He had introduced through shut doors: wherein two wonderful, and, according to human reason, contradictory things appear, viz. that after the resurrection He had a body…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:26–31 (2) — Our body also in that resurrection to glory will be subtle by means of the action of the Spirit, but palpable by its true nature, not, as Eutychius says, impalpable, and subtler than the winds and the air.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:26–31 (4) — Thomas saw and touched the man, and confessed the God whom he neither saw nor touched. By means of the one he believed the other undoubtingly: Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:26–31 — He who had been before unbelieving, after touching the body shewed himself the best divine; for he asserted the twofold nature and one Person of Christ; by saying, My Lord, the human nature, by saying, My God, the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:26–31 (5) — He saith not, Hast touched me, but, hast seen me; the sight being a kind of general sense, and put in the place often of the other four senses; as when we say, Hear, and see how well it sounds; smell, and see how…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 20:26–31 (3) — But when the Apostle says, Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, (Heb. 11:1) it is plain that things which are seen, are objects not of faith, but of knowledge. Why then is it…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 20:26–31 (6) — He uses the past tense, the future to His knowledge having already taken place by His own predestination.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:26–31 (3) — If any one then says, Would that I had lived in those times, and seen Christ doing miracles! let him reflect, Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 20:26–31 (2) — Here He means the disciples who had believed without seeing the print of the nails, and His side.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 20:26–31 (4) — John having related less than the other Evangelists, adds, And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. Yet neither did the others relate all, but only…vatican.va
Scripture cited · 7 verses
Genesis 3:16 · Psalm 61:3 · Matthew 28:5 · Matthew 28:9 · Mark 16:1 · Luke 24:39 · Hebrews 11:1