Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 12
Passages · 76
Mark 12:1–12
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:1–12 — After the Lord had closed the mouths of His tempters by a wise question, He next shews their wickedness in a parable. Wherefore it is said: “And He began to speak unto them by parable. A certain man planted a vineyard.”vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:1–12 — God the Father is called a man by a human conception. The vineyard is the house of Israel; the hedge is the guardianship of Angels; the winefat is the law, the tower is the temple, and the husbandmen, the priests.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 — Or else, the hedge is the wall of the city, the winefat is the altar, or those winefats, by which three psalms receive their name.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:1–12 — Or, the hedge is the law, which prohibited their mingling with strangers. There follows: “And went into a far country.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (2) — Not by any change of place, but He seemed to go away from the vineyard, that He might leave the husbandmen to act on their own freewill. It goes on: “And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:1–12 (2) — The servants who were sent were the prophets, the fruit of the vineyard is obedience; some of the prophets were beaten, others wounded, others slain. Wherefore it goes on: “And they caught him, and beat him, and sent…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (3) — By the servant who was first sent we must understand Moses, but they beat him, and sent him away empty, because “they angered Moses in the tents.” [Ps 106:6] There follows: “And again he sent unto them another…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:1–12 (2) — Or else, by the first servant, understand the prophets who lived about the time of Elias, for Zedekiah the false prophet beat Micaiah [2 Chron. 18:23]; and by the second servant whom they wounded in the head, that…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:1–12 (3) — The well-beloved son and the last is the Only-begotten; and in that He says, “They will reverence my son,” He speaks in irony.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (4) — Or else, this is not said in ignorance, but God is said to doubt, that freedom of will may be left to man.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:1–12 (3) — Or else, He said this not as thought He were ignorant of what was to happen, but to shew what it was right and fitting that they should do. “But those husbandmen said amongst themselves, This is the heir, come, let…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (5) — The Lord proves most clearly that the chiefs of the Jews did not crucify the Son of God through ignorance, but through envy; for they understood that this was He to whom it was said, “I will give thee the heathen for…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:1–12 (4) — That is, without Jerusalem, for the Lord was crucified out of the city.vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:1–12 (4) — Or else, they case Him out of the vineyard, that is, out of the people, saying “Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil.” [John 8:48]vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (6) — Or, as far as in them lay, they cast Him out of their own borders, and gave Him up to the Gentiles that they might receive Him. There follows: “What then will the Lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 12:1–12 — Matthew indeed subjoins that they answered and said, “He will miserably destroy those wicked men,” [Matt 21:41] which Mark here says was not their answer, but that the Lord after putting the question, as it were…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:1–12 (5) — The Lord of the vineyard then is the Father of the Son who was slain, and the Son Himself is He who was slain, who will destroy those husbandmen, by giving them up to the Romans, and who will give the people to other…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:1–12 (5) — Or else, the vineyard is given to others, that is, to those who come from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from the north, and who sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (7) — But that this was done by Divine interposition He affirms, by immediately afterwards adding, “And have ye not read this Scripture, The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone in the corner?” As if He…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:1–12 (6) — The stone then which the builders refused, the same has become the head-stone of the corner, that is, of the Church. For the Church is, as it were, the corner, joining together Jews and Gentiles; and this corner has…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:1–12 (6) — This rejected stone, which is borne by that corner where the lamb and the bread met in the supper, ending the Old and beginning the New Testament, does things marvellous in our eyes [Ps 118:23] as the topaz.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:1–12 (8) — But the Chief Priests shewed that those things which the Lord had spoken were true; which is proved from what follows: “And they sought to lay hold on him;” for He Himself is the heir, whose unjust death He said was…vatican.va
Mark 12:13–17
- Bede on Mark 12:13–17 — The Chief Priests though they sought to take Him, feared the multitude, and therefore they endeavored to effect what they could not do of themselves, by means of earthly powers, that they might themselves appear to…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:13–17 — We have said elsewhere of the Herodians, that they were a certain new heresy, who said that Herod was the Christ, because the succession of the kingdom of Judah had failed. Others however say that the Herodians were…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:13–17 — For they questioned Him with honied words, and they surrounded Him as bees, who carry honey in their mouth, but a sting in their tail.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:13–17 (2) — But this bland and crafty question was intended to induce Him in His answer rather to fear God than Caesar, and to say that tribute should not be paid, so that the Herodians immediately on hearing it might hold Him…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:13–17 (2) — So that thou wilt not honour Caesar, that is, against the truth. Therefore they add, “But teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?” For…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:13–17 (3) — A denarius was a piece of money, accounted equal to ten smaller coins, and bearing the image of Caesar; wherefore there follows: “And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:13–17 (3) — As if He had said, Give what bears an image to him whose image it bears, that is, the penny to Caesar; for we can both pay Caesar his tribute, and offer to God what is His own.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:13–17 (4) — That is, tithes, first-fruits, oblations, and victims. In the same way as He gave tribute both for Himself and Peter, He also gave to God the things that are God’s, doing the will of his Father.vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:13–17 (2) — Render to Caesar the money bearing his image, which is collected for him, and render yourselves willingly up to God, for the light of thy countenance, O Lord [Ps 4:6], and not of Caesar’s, is stamped upon us.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:13–17 (4) — The inevitable wants of our bodies is as Caesar unto each of us; the Lord therefore orders that there should be given to the body its own, that is, food and raiment, and to God the things that are God’s. It goes on:…vatican.va
Mark 12:18–27
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:18–27 — After that our Lord has prudently escaped the crafty temptation of the Pharisees, it is shewn how He also confounds the Sadducees, who tempt Him. Wherefore it is said: “Then come unto Him the Sadducees, which say…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:18–27 — A certain heretical sect of the Jews called Sadducees denied the resurrection, and said that there was neither angel nor spirit. These then coming to Jesus, craftily proposed to Him a certain tale, in order to shew…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:18–27 — And fitly do they frame such a fable in order to prove the madness of those who assert the resurrection of the body. Such a thing however might really have happened at some time or other among them.vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:18–27 — But in a mystical sense: what can this woman, leaving no seed to seven brothers, and last of all dying, mean except the Jewish synagogue, deserted by the seven-fold Spirit, which filled those seven patriarchs, who…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:18–27 (2) — As if He had said, Ye understand not what sort of a resurrection the Scriptures announce; for ye believe that there will be a restoration of our bodies, such as they are now, but it shall not be so. Thus then ye know…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:18–27 (2) — We must here consider that the Latin custom does not answer to the Greek idiom. For properly different words are used for the marriage of men, and that of women; but here we may simply understand that, “marry,” is…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:18–27 (2) — Thus then they do not understand the Scripture, in that in the resurrection, men shall be as the Angels of God, that is, no man there dies, no one is born, no infant is there, no old men.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:18–27 (3) — In another way also they are deceived, not understanding the Scriptures; for if they had understood them, they should also have understood how by the Scriptures the resurrection of the dead may be proved. Wherefore…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:18–27 (3) — But I say, “in the bush,” which is an image of you; for in it the fire was kindled, but it did not consume its thorns; so my words set you on fire, but do not burn off your thorns, which have grown under the curse.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:18–27 (4) — But I say, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” As if He had said, “The God of the living,” wherefore He adds, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living;” for He did not say, I…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:18–27 (3) — Or else; because after proving that the soul remained after death, (for God could not be God of those who did not exist at all,) the resurrection of the body also might be inferred as a consequence, since it had done…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:18–27 (4) — But when He says, “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;” by naming God thrice, He implied the Trinity. But when He says, “He is not the God of the dead,” by naming again the One God, He implies…vatican.va
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:18–27 (2) — That is, because they contradicted the Scriptures, and derogated from the power of God.vatican.va
Mark 12:28–34
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:28–34 — After that the Lord confuted the Pharisees, and the Sadducees, who tempted Him, it is here shewn how He satisfied the Scribe who questioned Him. Wherefore it is said, “And one of the scribes came, and having heard…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:28–34 — This question is only that which is a problem common to all skilled in the law, namely, that the commandments are differently set forth in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. Wherefore He brought forward not one but…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:28–34 — See how He has enumerated all the powers of the soul; for there is a living power in the soul, which He explains, when He says, “With all thy soul,” and to this belong anger and desire, all of which He will have us…vatican.va
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:28–34 (2) — The words which are added, “And with all thy strength,” may be referred to the bodily powers. It goes on: “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:28–34 (2) — He says that it is like, because these two commandments are harmonious one with the other, and mutually contain the other. For he who loves God, loves also His creature; but the chief of His creatures is man,…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:28–34 — He shews when he says, “this is greater than all sacrifices,” that a grave question was often debated between the scribes and Pharisees, which was the first commandment, or the greatest of the Divine law; that is,…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:28–34 (3) — By which He shews that he was not perfect, for He did not say, Thou art within the kingdom of heaven, but, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:28–34 (2) — But the reason why he was not far from the kingdom of God was, that he proved himself to be a favourer of that opinion, which is proper to the New Testament and to Gospel perfection.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 12:28–34 — Nor let it trouble us that Matthew says, that he who addressed this question to the Lord tempted Him; for it may be that though he came as a tempter, yet he was corrected by the answer of the Lord. Or at all events,…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:28–34 (2) — Or else, he is not far who comes with knowledge; for ignorance is farther from the kingdom of God than knowledge; wherefore He says above to the Sadducees, “Ye err, not knowing the Scriptures, or the power of God.”…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:28–34 (3) — For since they were confuted in argument, they ask Him no further questions, but take Him without any disguise, and give Him up to the Roman power. From which we understand that the venom of envy may be overcome, but…vatican.va
Mark 12:35–37
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:35–37 — Because Christ was coming to His Passion, He corrects a false opinion of the Jews, who said that Christ was the Son of David, not his Lord. Wherefore it is said, “And Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:35–37 — That is, He openly speaks to them of Himself, that they may be inexcusable. For it goes on: “How say the Scribes that Christ is the Son of David?”vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:35–37 (2) — But Christ shews Himself to be the Lord, by the words of David. For it goes on: “For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on My right hand;” as if He had said, Ye cannot say that…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:35–37 — But the putting down of His enemies by the Father, does not shew the weakness of the Son, but the unity of nature, by which One works in the Other; for the Son also subjects the Father’s enemies, because He glorifies…vatican.va
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:35–37 — Thus then Lord concludes from what has gone before the doubtful questions. For from the foregoing words of David it is proved that Christ is the Lord of David, but according to the saying of the Scribes, it is proved…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:35–37 (2) — The question of Jesus is useful for us even now against the Jews; for they, acknowledging that Christ is to come, assert that He is a mere man, a holy Person descended from David. Let us then ask them, as our Lord…vatican.va
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 12:35–37 (2) — Namely, because they saw that He answered and put questions wisely.vatican.va
Mark 12:38–40
- Jerome on Mark 12:38–40 — After confuting the Scribes and Pharisees, He burns up as a fire their dry and withered examples. Wherefore it is said, “And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:38–40 — To walk in long clothing is to go forth into public clad in garments too much ornamented, in which amongst other things, that rich man, who fared sumptuously every day, is said to have sinned.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:38–40 — But they used to walk in honourable garments, because they wished to be highly esteemed for it, and in like manner they desired other things, which lead to glory. For it goes on: “And love salutations in the…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:38–40 (2) — We must observe that He does not forbid that those, to whom it falls by the rule of their office, should be saluted in the marketplace, or have chief seats and places at feasts, but He teaches that those who love…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:38–40 (2) — He also especially teaches the Apostles, not to have any communication with the scribes, but to imitate Christ Himself; and in ordaining them to be masters in the duties of life, He places others under them. [ed.…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:38–40 (3) — But they do not only seek for praise from men, but also for gain. Where there follows, “Which devour widows’ houses, under the pretence of long prayers.” For there are men who pretending to be just hesitate not to…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:38–40 (3) — But the Scribes used to come to women, who were left without the protection of their husbands, as though they were their protectors; and by a pretence of prayer, a reverend exterior and hypocrisy, they used to…vatican.va
Mark 12:41–44
- Bede on Mark 12:41–44 — The Lord, who had warned them to avoid the desire of high place and vain glory, now distinguishes by a sure test those who brought in gifts. Wherefore it is said, “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:41–44 — Now there was a praiseworthy custom amongst the Jews, that those who were able and willing should put something into the treasury, for the maintenance of the priests, the poor, and the widows. Wherefore there is…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:41–44 (2) — Reckoners use the words “quadrans” for the fourth part of any thing, be it place, money, or time. Perhaps then in this place is meant the fourth part of a shekel, this is, five pence. It goes on: “And He called unto…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 12:41–44 — But in a mystical sense, they are rich, who bring forth from the treasure of their heart things new and old, which are the obscure and hidden things of Divine wisdom in both testaments; but who is the poor woman, if…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 12:41–44 (2) — Or else; that widow is the soul of man, which leaving Satan to which it had been joined, casts into the temple two mites, that is, the flesh and the mind, the flesh by abstinence, the mind by humility, that so it may…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 12:41–44 (3) — Again, in an allegorical way, the rich men, who cast gifts into the treasury, point out the Jews puffed up with the righteousness of the law; the poor widow is the simplicity of the Church: poor indeed, because she…vatican.va
Scripture cited · 12 verses
2 Kings 12:9 · 2 Chronicles 18:23 · Psalm 2:8 · Psalm 4:6 · Psalm 106:6 · Psalm 118:23 · Ecclesiastes 6:7 · Isaiah 4:1 · Matthew 21:41 · Luke 24:44 · John 8:20 · John 8:48