Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 2
Passages · 59
Mark 2:1–12
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 — Because the compassion of God deserts not even carnal persons, He accords to them the grace of His presence, by which even they may be made spiritual. After the desert, the Lord returns into the city. Wherefore it is…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 2:1–12 — But Matthew writes this miracle as if it were done in the city of the Lord, whilst Mark places it in Capernaum, which would be more difficult of solution, if Matthew had also named Nazareth. But seeing that Galilee…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:1–12 — Or else, Matthew called Capernaum His city because He went there frequently, and there did many miracles. It goes on: “And it was noised that He was in the house, &c.” For the desire of hearing Him was stronger that…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (2) — It may indeed be seen how much each person’s own faith weighs with God, when that of another had such influence that the whole man at once rose up, healed body and soul, and by one man’s merit, another should have…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 — He saw the faith of the sick man himself, since he would not have allowed himself to be carried, unless he’d had faith to be healed.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (3) — Moreover, the Lord being about to cure the man of the palsy, first loosed the chains of his sins, in order to shew that he was condemned to the loosening of his joints, because of the bonds of his sins, and could not…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (4) — Who remits sin by those also to whom He has assigned the power of remitting, and therefore Christ is proved to be very God, for He is able to remit sins as God. The Jews then are in error, who although they hold the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 (2) — But though their thoughts were laid bare, still they remain insensible, refusing to believe that He who knew their hearts could forgive sins, wherefore the Lord proves to them the cure of the soul by that of the…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:1–12 (2) — And because it is easier to say than to do, there was still manifestly something to say in opposition, for the work was not yet manifested. Wherefore He subjoins, “But that ye may know, &c.” as if He said, Since ye…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 (3) — Again, He says, “Take up thy bed,” to prove the greater certainty of the miracle, shewing that it is not a mere illusion; and at the same time to shew that He not only healed, but gave strength; thus He not only…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (5) — A carnal sign therefore is given, that the spiritual sign may be proved, although it belongs to the same power to do away with the distempers of both soul and body. Whence it follows: “And immediately he arose, took…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 2:1–12 — Further, He first healed by the remission of sins that which He had come to seek, that is, a soul, so that when they faithlessly doubted, then He might bring forward a work before them, and in this way His word might…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (6) — We are also informed, that many sicknesses of body arise from sins, and therefore perhaps sins are first remitted, that the causes of sickness being taken away, health may be restored. For men are afflicted by…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 (4) — This is not however the paralytic, whose cure is related by John, [John 5] for he had no man with him, this one had four; he is cured in the pool of the sheep market, but this one in a house. It is the same man,…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (7) — Moreover, whilst the Lord is preaching in the house, there is not room for them, not even at the door, because whilst Christ is preaching in Judaea, the Gentiles are not yet able to enter to hear Him, to whom,…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 2:1–12 — Again, the palsy is a type of the torpor, in which man lies slothful in the softness of the flesh, though desiring health.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 (5) — If therefore I, having the powers of my mind unstrung, remain, whenever I attempt any thing good without strength, as a palsied man, and if I be raised on high by the four Evangelists, and be brought to Christ, and…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (8) — Or else, because there are four virtues, by which a man is through an assured heart exalted so that he merits safety; which virtues some call prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice. Again, they desire to bring…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 (6) — But how should I be borne to Christ, if the roof be not opened. For the roof is the intellect, which is set above all those things which are within us; here it has much earth about it in the tiles which are made of…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:1–12 (9) — Or else, the sick man is let down after the roof is opened, because, when the Scriptures are laid open to us we arrive at the knowledge of Christ, that is, we descend to His lowliness, by the dutifulness of faith.…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:1–12 (7) — It is necessary to take up also one’s bed, that is the body, to the working of good. For then shall we be able to arrive at contemplation, so that our thoughts should say within us, never have we seen in this way…vatican.va
Mark 2:13–17
- Bede on Mark 2:13–17 — After that the Lord taught at Capernaum, He went to the sea, that He might not only set in order the life of men in towns, but also might preach the Gospel of the kingdom to those who dwelt near the sea, and might…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:13–17 — Or else, after the miracle, He goes to the sea, as if wishing to be alone, but the crowd runs to Him again, that thou mightest learn, that the more thou fliest from glory, the more she herself pursues thee; but if…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 2:13–17 — Now this is the same publican who is named by all the Evangelists; Matthew by Matthew; simply Levi by Luke; and Levi, the son of Alphaeus, by Mark; for he was the son of Alphaeus. And you may find persons with two…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:13–17 (2) — So also the same person is called Levi and Matthew; but Luke and Mark, on account of their reverence and the honour of the Evangelist, are unwilling to put the common name, while Matthew is a just accuser of himself,…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:13–17 (2) — For he sat at the receipt of custom, either, as is often done, exacting from some, or making up accounts, or doing some actions of that sort, which publicans are wont to do in their abodes, yea this man, who was…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:13–17 (3) — Now to follow is to imitate, and therefore in order to imitate the poverty of Christ, in the feeling of his soul even more than in outward condition, he who used to rob his neighbour’s wealth, now leaves his own. And…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 2:13–17 — Thus then Levi, which means Appointed, followed from the custom-house of human affairs, the Word, Who says, “He who doth not quit all that he has, cannot be My disciple.”vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:13–17 (3) — But he who used to plot against others becomes so benevolent, that he invites many persons to eat with him. Wherefore it goes on: “And it came to pass, that as Jesus sat at meat in his house.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:13–17 (4) — The persons here called publicans are those who exact the public customs, or men who farm the customs of the exchequer or of republics; moreover, those also, who follow after the gain of this world by business, are…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:13–17 (4) — But the Pharisees blame this, making themselves pure. Whence there follows: “And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat, &c.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:13–17 (5) — If by the election of Matthew and calling of the publicans, the faith of the Gentiles is expressed, who formerly were intent on the gains of this world; certainly the haughtiness of the Scribes and Pharisees…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:13–17 (5) — Not indeed that they should continue sinners, but be converted to that repentance.vatican.va
Mark 2:18–22
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 2:18–22 — As above, the Master was accused to the disciples for keeping company with sinners in their feasts, so now, on the other hand, the disciples are complained of to the Master for their omission of fasts, that so matter…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:18–22 — For the disciples of John being in an imperfect state, continued in Jewish customs.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 2:18–22 — But it may be thought that He added Pharisees, because they joined with the disciples of John in saying this to the Lord, whilst Matthew relates that the disciples of John alone said it: but the words which follow…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 2:18–22 — The disciples of John, therefore, and of the Pharisees, being jealous of Christ, ask Him, whether He alone of all men with His disciples could, without abstinence and toil, conquer in the fight of the passions.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:18–22 — But John did not drink wine and strong drink, because he who has no power by nature, obtains more merit by abstinence. But why should the Lord, to whom it naturally belonged to forgive sins, shun those whom he could…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 2:18–22 (2) — Mark here calls them children of the nuptials, whom Matthew calls children of the bridegroom; for we understand the children of the nuptials to be not only those of the bridegroom, but also of the bride.vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:18–22 — He then calls Himself a bridegroom, as if about to be betrothed to the Church. For the betrothal is giving an earnest, namely, that the grace of the Holy Ghost, by which the world believed.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:18–22 (2) — He also calls Himself a bridegroom, not only as betrothing to Himself virgin minds, but because the time of His first coming is not a time of sorrow, nor of sadness to believers, neither does it bring with it toil,…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:18–22 (2) — But intercourse with Him, He says, is far removed from all sorrow, when He adds, “As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.” He is said, from whom some good is far removed; but he who has it…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:18–22 (3) — We must also understand that every man whose works are good is the son of the Bridegroom; he has the Bridegroom with him, even Christ, and fasts not, that is, does no works of repentance, because he does not sin: but…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:18–22 (2) — But in a mystical sense, it may thus be expressed; that the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, because every man who boasts of the works of the law without faith, who follows the traditions of men, and…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:18–22 (3) — As if He said, because these are preachers of the New Testament, it is not possible that they should serve old laws; but ye who follow old customs, fitly observe the fasts of Moses. But for these, who are about to…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:18–22 (3) — For He compares His disciples to old bottles, who would burst at spiritual precepts, rather than be held in restraint by them. But they will be new bottles, when after the ascension of the Lord, they are renewed by…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:18–22 (4) — Or else the disciples are likened to old garments on account of the infirmity of their minds, on which it was not fitting to impose the heavy command of fasting.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:18–22 (4) — Neither was it fitting to sew on a new piece; that is, a portion of doctrine which teaches a general fast from all the joy of temporal delights; for if this be done, the teaching is rent, and agrees not with the old…vatican.va
Mark 2:23–28
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:23–28 — The disciples of Christ, freed from the figure, and united to the truth, do not keep the figurative feast of the sabbath. Wherefore it is said, “And it came to pass, that He went through the corn fields on the…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:23–28 — We read also in the following part, that they who came and went away were many, and that they had not time enough to take their food, wherefore, according to man’s nature, they were hungry.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 2:23–28 — But being hungry, they ate simple food, not for pleasure, but on account of the necessity of nature. The Pharisees however, serving the figure and the shadow, accused the disciples of doing wrong. Wherefore there…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 2:23–28 — For it was a precept in Israel, delivered by a written law, that no one should detain a thief found in his fields, unless he tried to take something away with him. For the man who had touched nothing else but what he…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:23–28 (2) — But our Lord brings forward David, to whom it once happened to eat though it was forbidden by the law, when he touched the Priest’s food, that by his example, He might do away with their accusation of the disciples.…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:23–28 — For David, when flying from the face of Saul [1 Sam 21] went to the Chief Priest, and ate the shew-bread, and took away the sword of Goliath, which things had been offered to the Lord. But a question has been raised…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:23–28 (2) — There is, however, no discrepancy, for both were there, when David came to ask for bread, and received it: that is to say, Abimelech, the High Priest, and Abiathar his son; but Abimelech having been slain by Saul,…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 2:23–28 (3) — He calls himself properly, Lord of the sabbath, and Son of man, since being the Son of God, He deigned to be called Son of man, for the sake of men. Now the law has no authority over the Lawgiver and Lord, for more…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:23–28 (3) — But in a mystical sense the disciples pass through the corn fields, when the holy doctors look with the care of a pious solicitude upon those whom they have initiated in the faith, and who, it is implied, are…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 2:23–28 (2) — Or else, because when they have rest from their passions, then are they made doctors to lead others to virtue, plucking away from them earthly things.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 2:23–28 (4) — Again, they walk through the corn fields with the Lord, who rejoice in meditating upon His sacred words. They hunger, when they desire to find in them the bread of life; and they hunger on sabbath days, as soon as…vatican.va