Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 8
Passages · 88
Mark 8:1–9
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:1–9 — After the Lord had performed the former miracle concerning the multiplication of the loaves, now again, a fitting occasion presents itself, and He takes the opportunity of working a similar miracle. Wherefore it is…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:1–9 — Why they who came from afar hold out for three days, Matthew says more fully: “And He went up into a mountain, and sat down there, and great multitudes came unto Him, having with them many sick persons, and cast them…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:1–9 (2) — The disciples did not yet understand, nor did they believe in His virtue, notwithstanding former miracles; wherefore it continues, “And His disciples said unto Him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread…vatican.va
- Remigius of Auxerre on Mark 8:1–9 — Ignorance was not His reason for asking them, but that from their answering, “seven,” the miracle might be noised abroad, and become more known in proportion to the smallness of the number. It goes on: “And He…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:1–9 (2) — In this passage then we should notice, in one and the same, our Redeemer, a distinct operation of Divinity and of Manhood; thus the error of Eutyches [ed. note: i.e. the Monothelites], who presumes to lay down the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:1–9 (3) — The multitudes who ate and were filled did not take with them the remains of the loaves, but the disciples took them up, and they did before the baskets. In which we learn according to the narration, that we should…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:1–9 (3) — The typical difference between this feeding and the other of the five loaves and two fishes, is, that there the letter of the Old Testament, full of spiritual grace, is signified, but here the truth and grace of the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:1–9 (4) — Or by those who wait for three days, He means the baptized; for baptism is called illumination, and is performed by true immersion.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on Mark 8:1–9 — He does not however wish to dismiss them fasting, lest they should faint by the way; for it is necessary that men should find in what is preached the word of consolation, lest hungering through want of the food of…vatican.va
- Ambrose of Milan on Mark 8:1–9 — The good Lord indeed whilst He requires diligence, gives strength; nor will He dismiss them fasting, “lest they faint by the way,” that is, either in the course of this life, or before they have reached the…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:1–9 (4) — But they who return to repentance after the crimes of the flesh, after thefts, violence, and murders, come to the Lord from afar; for in proportion as a man has wandered farther in evil working, so he has wandered…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:1–9 (5) — Further, the seven loaves are spiritual discourses, for seven is the number, which points out the Holy Ghost, who perfects all things; for our life is perfected in the number of seven days. [ed. note: The number…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:1–9 — Or else, the seven loaves are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fragments of the loaves are the mystical understanding of the first week.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:1–9 (5) — For our Lord’s breaking the bread means the opening of mysteries; His giving of thanks shews how great a joy He feels in the salvation of the human race; His giving the loaves to His disciples that they might set…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:1–9 (2) — The small fishes blessed are the books of the New Testament, for our Lord when risen asks for a piece of broiled fish. Or else, in these little fishes, we receive the saints, seeing that in the Scriptures of the New…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:1–9 (6) — Again, what was over and above, after the multitude was refreshed, the Apostles take up, because the higher precepts of perfection, to which the multitude cannot attain, belong to those whose life transcends that of…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:1–9 (3) — Again, the seven baskets are the seven Churches. By the four thousand is meant the year of the new dispensation, with its four seasons. Fitly also are there four thousand, that in the number itself it might be taught…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:1–9 (6) — Or there are four thousand, that is, men perfect in the four virtues; and for this reason, as being more advanced, they ate more, and left fewer fragments. For in this miracle, seven baskets full remain, but in the…vatican.va
Mark 8:10–21
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 — After that our Lord had worked the miracle of the loaves, He immediately retires into another spot, lest on account of the miracle, the multitudes should take Him to make Him a king. Wherefore it is said, “And…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 8:10–21 — Now in Matthew we read that He entered into the parts of Magdala [ed. note: Magedam]. But we cannot doubt that it is the same place under another name; for several manuscripts even of St. Mark have only Magdala. It…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:10–21 — The Pharisees, then, seek a sign from heaven, that He, Who had for the second time fed many thousands of men with a few loaves of bread, should now, after the example of Moses, refresh the whole nation in the last…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 (2) — Or they seek for a sign from heaven, that is, they wish Him to make the sun and moon stand still, to bring down hail, and change the atmosphere; for they thought that He could not perform miracles from heaven, but…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:10–21 (2) — When, as related above, He was about to refresh the believing multitude, He gave thanks, so now, on account of the foolish petition of the Pharisees, He groans; because, bearing about with Him the feelings of human…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on Mark 8:10–21 (2) — Let no one, however, be perplexed that the answer which Mark says was given to them, when they sought a sign from heaven, is not the same as that which Matthew relates, namely, that concerning Jonah. He says that the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 (3) — Now, the reason why the Lord did not listen to them was, that the time of signs from heaven had not arrived, that is, the time of the second Advent, when the powers of the heaven shall be shaken, and the moon shall…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:10–21 (3) — For a sign from heaven was not to be given to a generation of men, who tempted the Lord; but to a generation of men seeking the Lord, He shews a sign from heaven, when in the sight of the Apostles He ascended into…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 (4) — The Lord indeed quits the Pharisees, as men uncorrected; for where there is a hope of correction, there it is right to remain; but where the evil is incorrigible, we should go away. There follows: “Now they had…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:10–21 (4) — Some may ask, how they had no bread, when they had filled seven baskets just before they embarked in the ship. But Scripture relates that they had forgotten to take them with them, which is a proof how little care…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 (5) — By a special providence also the disciples forgot to take bread, that they might be blamed by Christ, and thus become better, and arrive at a knowledge of Christ’s power. For it goes on, “And He charged them, saying,…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:10–21 — Matthew says, “of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees;” Luke, however, of the Pharisees only. All three, therefore, name the Pharisees, as being the most important of them, but Matthew and Mark have each…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 (6) — He means by leaven their hurtful and corrupt doctrine, full of the old malice, for the Herodians were the teachers, who said that Herod was the Christ.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:10–21 (5) — Or, the leaven of the Pharisees is making the decrees of the divine law inferior to the traditions of men, preaching the law in word, attacking it in deed, tempting the Lord, and disbelieving His doctrine and His…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:10–21 (7) — But the disciples themselves thought that the Lord spoke of the leaven of bread. Wherefore it goes on, “And they reasoned amongst themselves, saying, it is because we have no bread;” and this they said, as not…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:10–21 (6) — Taking occasion then from the precept, which He had commanded, saying, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod,” our Saviour teaches them what was the meaning of the five and the seven…vatican.va
Mark 8:22–26
- Glossa Ordinaria on Mark 8:22–26 — After the feeding of the multitude, the Evangelist proceeds to the giving sight to the blind, saying, “And they came to Bethsaida, and they bring a blind man to Him, and besought Him to touch him.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:22–26 — Knowing that the touch of the Lord could give sight to a blind man as well as cleanse a leper. It goes on, “And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town.”vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:22–26 — For Bethsaida appears to have been infected with much infidelity, wherefore the Lord reproaches it, “Woe to thee, Bethsaida, for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:22–26 — He spat indeed, and put His hand upon the blind man, because He wished to shew that wonderful are the effects of the Divine word added to action; for the hand is the symbol of working, but the spittle, of the word…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:22–26 (2) — Seeing indeed the shapes of bodies amongst the shadows, but unable to distinguish the outlines of the limbs, from the continued darkness of his sight; just as trees standing thick together are wont to appear to men…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:22–26 (2) — But the reason why he did not see at once perfectly, but in part, was, that he had not perfect faith; for healing is bestowed in proportion to faith.vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:22–26 (2) — From the commencement, however, of the return of his senses, He leads him to apprehend things by faith, and thus makes him see perfectly; wherefore it goes on, “After that, He put His hands again upon his eyes, and…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:22–26 (3) — These precepts He gave him, because they were unfaithful, as has been said, lest perchance he should receive hurt in his soul from them, and they by their unbelief should run into a more grievous crime.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:22–26 (3) — Or else, He leaves an example to His disciples that they should not seek for popular favour by the miracles which they did.vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:22–26 — Mystically, however, Bethsaida is interpreted, ‘the house of the valley’, that is, the world, which is the vale of tears. Again, they bring to the Lord a blind man, that is, one who neither sees what he has been,…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:22–26 (4) — For the Lord touches us, when He enlightens our minds with the breath of His Spirit, and He stirs us up that we may recognise our own infirmity, and be diligent in good actions. He takes the hand of the blind man,…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:22–26 (2) — And He brings him out of the town, that is, out of the neighborhood of the wicked; and He puts spittle into his eyes, that he may see the will of God, by the breath of the Holy Ghost; and putting His hands upon him,…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:22–26 (5) — Or else, putting spittle into the eyes of the blind man, He lays His hands upon him that he may see, because He has wiped away the blindness of the human race both by invisible gifts, and by the Sacrament of His…vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:22–26 (3) — Or else, he sees men as trees, because he thinks all men higher than himself. But He put His hands again upon his eyes, that he might see all things clearly, that is, understand invisible things by visible, and with…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:22–26 (4) — Or else, after He has healed him, He sends him to his home; for the home of every one of us is heaven, and the mansions which are there.vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:22–26 (4) — And He says to him, “If thou enter into the town, tell it not to any one,” that is, relate continually to thy neighbours thy blindness, but never tell them of thy virtue.vatican.va
Mark 8:27–33
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 — After taking His disciples afar from the Jews, He then asks them concerning Himself, that they might speak the truth without fear of the Jews. Wherefore it is said, “And Jesus entered, and His disciples, into the…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:27–33 — Philip was that brother of Herod, of whom we spoke above, who in honour of Tiberius Caesar called that town, which is now called Paneas, Caesarea Philippi. It goes on, “And by the way He asked His disciples, saying…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:27–33 — He asks the question with a purpose, for it was right that His disciples should praise Him better than the crowd.vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:27–33 (2) — Wherefore He first asks what is the opinion of men, in order to try the faith of the disciples, lest their confession should appear to be founded on the common opinion. It goes on, “And they answered, saying, ‘Some…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 (2) — For many thought that John had risen from the dead, as even Herod believed, and that he had performed miracles after his resurrection. After however having enquired into the opinion of others, He asks them what was…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:27–33 — From the manner, however, itself of the question, He leads them to a higher feeling, and to higher thoughts, concerning Him, that they might not agree with the multitude. But the next words shew what the head of the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 (3) — He confesses indeed that He is the Christ announced by the Prophets; but the Evangelist Mark passes over what the Lord answered to his confession, and how He blessed him, lest by this way of relating it, he should…vatican.va
- Origen on Mark 8:27–33 — Or else, Mark and Luke, as they wrote that Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ,” without adding what is put down in Matthew, “the Son of the living God,” so they omitted to relate the blessing which was conferred on…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 (4) — For He wished in the meantime to hide His glory, lest many should be offended because of Him, and so earn a worse punishment.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:27–33 (2) — Or else, that He might wait to fix the pure faith in their minds, till the Crucifixion, which was an offence to them, was over, for after it was once perfected, about the time of His ascension, He said unto the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 (5) — But after the Lord had accepted the confession of the disciples, who called Him the true God, He then reveals to them the mystery of the Cross. Wherefore it goes on, “And He began to teach them that the Son of man…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:27–33 (3) — The reason, however, why the Lord told them this, was to shew, that after His cross and resurrection, Christ must be preached by His witnesses. Again, Peter alone, from the fervour of his disposition, had the…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:27–33 (3) — This, however, he speaks with the feelings of a man who loves and desires; as if he said, This cannot be, neither can mind ears receive that the Son of God is to be slain.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:27–33 (4) — But how is this, that Peter, gifted with a revelation from the Father, has so soon fallen, and become unstable? Surely, however, it was not wonderful that one who had received no revelation concerning the Passion…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 (6) — For the Lord, wishing to shew that His Passion was to take place on account of the salvation of men, and that Satan alone was unwilling that Christ should suffer, and the race of man be saved, called Peter Satan,…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:27–33 (2) — But He saith not to the devil, when tempting Him, “Get thee behind me,” but to Peter He saith, “Get thee behind me,” that is, follow Me, and resist not the design of My voluntary Passion. There follows, “For thou…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:27–33 (7) — He says that Peter savours the things which be of men, in that he in some way savoured carnal affections, for Peter wished that Christ should spare Himself and not be crucified.vatican.va
Mark 8:34–38
- Bede on Mark 8:34–38 — After shewing to His disciples the mystery of His passion and resurrection, He exorts them, as well as the multitude, to follow the example of His passion. Wherefore it goes on, “And when He had called the people…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 — As is He would say to Peter, Thou indeed dost rebuke Me, who am willing to undergo My passion, but I tell thee, that not only is it wrong to prevent Me from suffering, but neither canst thou be saved unless thou…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:34–38 — For a man who denies another, be it brother or father, does not sympathize with him, nor grieve at his fate, though he be wounded and die; thus we ought to despise our body, so that if it should be wounded or hurt in…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 (2) — But He says not, a man should not spare himself, but what is more, that he should deny himself, as if he had nothing in common with himself, but face danger, and look upon such things as if another were suffering;…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:34–38 (2) — For at that time the cross appeared shameful, because malefactors were fixed to it.vatican.va
- Jerome on Mark 8:34–38 — Or else, as a skilful pilot, foreseeing a storm in a calm, wishes his sailors to be prepared; so also the Lord says, “If any one will follow me, &c.”vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:34–38 (2) — For we deny ourselves, when we avoid what we were of old, and strive to reach that point, whither we are newly called. And the cross is taken up by us, when either our body is pained by abstinence, or our soul…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:34–38 (3) — But because after the cross we must have a new strength, He adds, “and follow me.”vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 (3) — And this He says, because it may happen that a man may suffer and yet not follow Christ, that is, when he does not suffer for Christ’s sake; for he follows Christ, who walks after Him, and conforms himself to His…vatican.va
- Remigius of Auxerre on Mark 8:34–38 — And life is to be taken in this place for the present life, and not for the substance itself of the soul.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 (4) — And therefore He had said, “For whomsoever will save his life shall lose it,” lest any one should suppose this loss to be equivalent to that salvation, He adds, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:34–38 (3) — Or else He says this, because in time of persecution, our life is to be laid aside, but in time of peace, our earthly desires are to be broken, which He implies when He says, “For what shall it profit a man, &c.” But…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:34–38 (4) — For that faith which only remains in the mind is not sufficient, but the Lord requires also the confession of the mouth; for when the soul is sanctified by faith, the body ought also to be sanctified by confession.vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 — He then who has learned this, is bound zealously to confess Christ without shame. And this generation is called adulterous, because it has left God the true Bridegroom of the soul, and has refused to follow the…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:34–38 (5) — Him then who shall leave confessed that his God was crucified, Christ Himself also shall confess, not here, where He is esteemed poor and wretched, but in His glory and with a multitude of Angels.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on Mark 8:34–38 — There are however some, who confess Christ, because they see that all men are Christians; for if the name of Christ were not at this day in such great glory, the Holy Church would not have so many professors. The…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on Mark 8:34–38 (6) — But because He had spoken of His glory, in order to shew that His promises were not vain, He subjoins, “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here who shall not taste of death, till they have…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:34–38 (4) — Truly it was done with a loving foresight, in order that they, having tasted for a brief moment the contemplation of everlasting joy, might with the greater strength bear up under adversity.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 (5) — And He did not declare the names of those who were about to go up, lest the other disciples should feel some touch of human frailty, and He tells it to them beforehand, that they might come with minds better prepared…vatican.va
- Bede on Mark 8:34–38 (5) — Or else the present Church is called the kingdom of God; and some of the disciples were to live in the body until they should see the Church built up, and raised against the glory of the world; for it was right to…vatican.va
- Pseudo-Chrysostom on Mark 8:34–38 (2) — But in a mystical sense, Christ is life, and the devil is death, and he tastes of death, who dwells in sin; even now every one, according as he has good or evil doctrines, tastes the bread either of life or of death.…vatican.va