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Saint Thomas Aquinas, Carlo Crivelli

Matthew 24

Carlo Crivelli, Saint Thomas Aquinas, 1476 · National Gallery, London · Public domainCarlo Crivelli, Saint Thomas Aquinas, 1476, National Gallery, London

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Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 24

Passages · 195

Matthew 24:2

  • Origen on Matthew 24:2 — Christ, when He had foretold all that should come upon Jerusalem, “went forth out of the temple,” He, who while He was in it, had upheld the temple that it should not fall. And so each man, being the temple of God by…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:2 — The historical sense is clear, that in the forty-second year after the Lord’s passion, the city and temple were overthrown under the Roman Emperors Vespasian and Titus.vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:2 — So it was ordained of God, that as soon as the light of grace was revealed, the temple with its ceremonies should be taken out of the way, lest any weakling in the faith, beholding all the things instituted of the…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:2 — How means He Hom. this, “that one stone shalt not be left upon another?” Either as conveying the notion of its utter overthrow; or with respect to the place in which it stood, for its parts were broken up to its very…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:2 — Figuratively; When the Lord departed from the temple, all the buildings of the Law and the structure of the Commandments were so overthrown, that none of them could be fulfilled by the Jews, but, the Head being taken…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:2 (2) — Every man also, who, by taking into him the word of God, is become a temple, if after sinning be yet retains in part the traces of faith and religion, his temple is in part destroyed, and in part standing. But he who…vatican.va

Matthew 24:3–5

  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:3–5 — The Lord continuing His walk arrives at Mount Olivet, having by the way foretold the destruction of the temple to those disciples who had shewn and commended the buildings. When they had reached the Mount they came…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:3–5 — They asked Him in private, because they were great things about which they were going to ask Him. They wished to know the day of His coming, for the vehement desire they had to see His glory.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:3–5 — They ask Him three things. First, The time of the destruction of Jerusalem, saying, “Tell us when shall these things be?” Secondly, The time of Christ’s coming, saying, “And what shall be the sign of Thy coming?”…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:3–5 (2) — Luke speaks of one enquiry, that concerning Jerusalem, as though the disciples supposed that Christ’s coming should be then, and the end of the world should be when Jerusalem should be destroyed. Whereas Mark does…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:3–5 — I think Mount Olivet to be a mystery of the Church out of the Gentiles.vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:3–5 (2) — For Mount Olivet has no unfruitful trees, but olives, which supply light to dispel darkness, which give rest to the weary, health to the sick. And sitting on Mount Olivet over against the temple, the Lord discourses…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:3–5 (2) — For the husbandman dwelling on Mount Olivet is the word of God confirmed in the Church, that is, Christ, who ever grafts the branches of the wild olive on the good olive tree of the Fathers. They who have confidence…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:3–5 — And because the questions of the disciples are threefold, they are separated by different times and meanings. That concerning the destruction of the city is first answered, and is then confirmed by truth of doctrine,…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:3–5 (3) — His first answer is neither concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, nor concerning His second coming, but concerning the evils which were to be immediately encountered.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:3–5 (2) — One of them of whom He speaks was Simon of Samaria, of whom we read in the Acts of the Apostles, that he gave himself out to be the great Power, leaving these things written in his works [ed. note: “The followers of…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:3–5 (3) — They that are deceived are many, because “wide is the gate that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” [Matt 7:13] This one thing is enough to detect the Antichrists and seducers, that they…vatican.va

Matthew 24:6–8

  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:6–8 — To this enquiry of the disciples the Lord makes answer, declaring all things which were to come to pass from that time forwards, whether relating to the destruction of Jerusalem, which had given occasion to their…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:6–8 — Here He speaks of the battles which should be fought at Jerusalem; when He says, “Ye shall hear wars, and rumours of wars.”vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:6–8 — To hear the shouts raised in the battles, is to “hear wars;” to hear “rumours of wars,” is to hear accounts of wars waged afar off.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:6–8 (2) — And because this might alarm the disciples, He continues, “See that ye be not troubled.” And because they supposed that the end of the world would follow immediately after the war in which Jerusalem should be…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:6–8 — That is, Think not that the day of judgment is at hand, but that it is reserved against another time; the sign of which is plainly put in what follows, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:6–8 (3) — And to shew that He also should fight against the Jews, He tells them not only of wars, but of calamities inflicted by Providence, “And there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in divers places.”vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:6–8 — “Nation shall rise against nation,” shews the disquietude of men’s minds; “pestilences,” the affliction of their bodies; “famines,” the barrenness of the soil; “earthquakes in divers places,” wrath from heaven above.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:6–8 (4) — And these things shall not happen according to the order of nature before established among men, but shall come of wrath from heaven, and therefore He said not that they should come only, or come suddenly, but adds…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:6–8 (2) — Or otherwise; As the body sickens before the death of the man, so it must needs be that before the consummation of this world the earth should be shaken, as though it were palsied, with frequent earthquakes, the air…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:6–8 (2) — Figuratively; Kingdom rising against kingdom and pestilence of that discourse which spreadeth, as a plague-spot, and hunger of hearing the word of God, and commotion throughout the earth, and separation from the true…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:6–8 (3) — This must come to pass before we can see the perfection of that wisdom which is in Christ; but not yet shall be that end which we seek, for a peaceful end is far from those men.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:6–8 (3) — “These all are the beginnings Of sorrows,” is better understood of pains of labour, as it were the conception of the coming of Antichrist, and not of the birth.vatican.va

Matthew 24:9–14

  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:9–14 — For what desert so many evils are to be brought upon Jerusalem, and the whole Jewish province the Lord shews, when He adds, “Then shall they deliver you up, &c.”vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:9–14 — Or otherwise; The disciples when they heard these things which were spoken of Jerusalem might suppose that they should be beyond reach of harm, as though what they now heard was the sufferings of others, while they…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:9–14 — But how should the people of Christ be hated by the nations who dwelt in the uttermost parts of the earth? But one may perhaps say, that in this place all is put hyperbolically for many. But this that He says, “Then…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:9–14 (2) — Having named two sources of opposition, that from seducers, and that from enemies, He adds a third, that from false brethren; “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:9–14 — As the capture of Jerusalem approached, many rose up, calling themselves Christians, and deceived many , such Paul calls “false brethren,” John “Antichrists.”vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:9–14 — Such Was Nicolaus, one of the seven deacons, who led astray many by his pretences. And Simon Magus who, armed with diabolic works and words, perverted many by false miracles.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:9–14 (3) — And He adds, what is still more cruel, that such false Prophets shall have no alleviation in charity; “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:9–14 (2) — That is, true love towards God and our neighbour, in proportion as each surrenders himself to iniquity, in that proportion will the flame of charity in his heart be extinguished.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:9–14 — Observe, He says, “the love of many,” not ‘of all,’ for in the Apostles, and those like them, love would continue, as Paul speaks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” [Rom 8:35]vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:9–14 (3) — “Whoso shall endure unto the end,” i.e. to the end of his life; for whoso to the end of his life shall persevere in the confession of the name of Christ, and in love, he shall be saved.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:9–14 (4) — Then that they should not say, How then shall we live among so many evils? He promises not only that they should live, but that they should teach every where. “And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:9–14 (4) — For the Lord knew that the hearts of the disciples would be made sad by the destruction of Jerusalem, and overthrow of their nation, and He therefore comforts them with a promise that more of the Gentiles should…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:9–14 (5) — That before the taking of Jerusalem the Gospel was preached every where, hear what Paul says, “Their sound is gone out into all the earth;” [Rom 10:18] and see himself travelling from Jerusalem into Spain. And if one…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:9–14 (5) — But the whole passage might be referred to the end of the world. For then “shall many be offended,” and depart from the faith, when they see the numbers and wealth of the wicked, and the miracles of Antichrist, and…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:9–14 (2) — And the sign of the Lord’s second coming is, that the Gospel shall be preached in all the world, so that all may be without excuse.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:9–14 (2) — And that, “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake,” might be then applied thus; That indeed at this time all nations are conspired together against the Christians, but that when the things foretold by Christ…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:9–14 — But that this preaching “the Gospel of the kingdom in all the world” was accomplished by the Apostles, we have not any certain evidence, to prove. There are numberless barbarous nations in Africa, among whom the…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:9–14 (3) — When every nation shall have heard the preaching of the Gospel, then shall come the end of the world. For at this time there are many nations, not of barbarians only, but of our own, who have not yet heard the word…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:9–14 (4) — Morally; He who shall see that glorious second coming of the word of God into his soul, must needs suffer in proportion to the measure of his proficiency assaults of opposing influences, and Christ in him must be…vatican.va

Matthew 24:15–22

  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 — As above He had obscurely intimated the end of Jerusalem; He now proceeds to a more plain announcement of it, citing a prophecy which should make them believe it.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:15–22 — That, “Let him that readeth understand,” is said to call us to the mystic understanding of the place. What we read in Daniel is this; “And in the midst of the week the sacrifice and the oblation shall be taken away,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 — Luke, in order to shew that the abomination of desolation foretold by Daniel had reference to the time of the siege of Jerusalem, repeats these words of our Lord, “When ye shall see Jerusalem encompassed by armies,…vatican.va
  • Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 — Whence I think that by the abomination of desolation, He means the army by which the city of the holy Jerusalem was desolated.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:15–22 (2) — Or it may be understood of the statue of Caesar, which Pilate set up in the temple; or of the equestrian statue of Adrian, which stood to the present time in the very Holy of Holies. For, according to the Old…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 (2) — Or because he who desolated the city and the temple placed his statue there. He says, “When ye shall see,” because these things were to happen while some of them were yet alive. Wherein admire Christ’s power, and the…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:15–22 — And this we know was so done when the fall of Jerusalem drew near; for on the approach of the Roman army, all the Christians in the province, warned, as ecclesiastical history tells us, [marg. note: Euseb., H. E.,…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 (3) — Then to shew how inevitable the evils that should come upon the Jews, and how infinite their calamity, He adds, “And let him which is on the housetop, not come down to take any thing out of his house,” for it was…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:15–22 — Or because that will not be a time of shewing pity, neither upon them who are with child, nor upon them who are suckling, nor upon their infants. And as speaking to Jews who thought they might travel no more upon the…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:15–22 (3) — Because in the one the severity of the cold prevents your flight to the deserts, and your lurking in mountains and wilds; in the other, you must either transgress the Law, if you will fly, or encounter instant death…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (2) — In Luke it is thus read, “There shall be great distress upon the earth, and wrath upon this people, and they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations.” [Luke 21:23] And so…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 (4) — I ask the Jews, whence came upon them so grievous wrath from heaven more woeful than all that had come upon them before? Plainly it was because of the desperate crime [τολμήμα] and the denial of the Cross. But He…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (3) — Indeed some persons seem to me not unfitly to understand by “these days” the evils themselves, as in other places of divine Scripture evil days are spoken of; not that the days themselves are evil, but the things…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 (5) — But that the Jews should not say that these evils came because of the preaching and the disciples of Christ, He shews them that had it not been for His disciples, they would have totally perished, “but for the…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (4) — For we ought not to doubt that when Jerusalem was overthrown, there were among that people elect of God who had believed out of the circumcision, or would have believed, elect before the foundation of the world, for…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:15–22 (4) — Not remembering that which is written. “The day continues according to thy ordinances.” [Ps 119:91] We must understand it of their being shortened not in measure, but in number, lest the faith of believers should be…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (5) — For let us not suppose that the computation of Daniel’s weeks was interfered with by this shortening of those days, or that they were not already at that time complete, but had to be completed afterwards in the end…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:15–22 (6) — Observe this economy of the Holy Spirit in this, that John wrote nothing of all this, that he might not seem to be writing a history after the event; for he survived sometime the taking of Jerusalem. But these who…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:15–22 — Or otherwise; It is a sign of His future coming that the Lord gives, when He says, “When ye shall see the abomination.” For the Prophet spoke this of the times of Antichrist; and he calls abomination that which…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (6) — For in tribulations we must beware of coming down from the spiritual heights, and yielding ourselves to the carnal life; or of failing and looking behind us, after having made some progress forwards.vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:15–22 (2) — That which is said, “Woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck,” is not to be taken literally as an admonition to women pregnant, but as a description of souls burdened with the weight of sin,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (7) — Or, “They that are with child,” are they who covet what belongs to others; “they that give suck,” are they who have already forcibly taken that which they coveted; to them shall be “woe” in the day of judgment. “Pray…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:15–22 (8) — that no one be found in that day in either joy or sorrow for temporal things.vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:15–22 (3) — Or; That we be not taken in the frost of sins., or in discontinuance of good works, because of the soreness of the affliction; notwithstanding that for the sake of God’s elect, those days shall be shortened, that the…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:15–22 (2) — Mystically; In the holy place of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, Antichrist, that is, false word, has often stood; let those who see this flee from the Judaea of the letter to the high mountains of truth.…vatican.va

Matthew 24:23–28

  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:23–28 — When the Lord had finished all that related to Jerusalem, He came in the rest to His own coming, and gives them signs thereof, useful not for them only, but for us and for all who shall be after us. As above, the…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 — Wherein He shews that His second coming shall be not in lowliness as His first, but in glory; and therefore it is folly to seek in places little and obscure for Him who is the Light of the whole world. [marg note:…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:23–28 — Notwithstanding, by reason of the great tribulation in which men shall be cast, false prophets promising to shew aid present from Christ, will falsely affirm that Christ is present in divers places, that they may…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:23–28 (2) — He speaks here of Antichrist, and of certain his ministers, whom He calls false Christs and false prophets, such as were many in the time of the Apostles; but before Christ’s second coming there shall come others…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:23–28 — Here the Lord forewarns us that even wicked men shall do some miracles which the saints cannot do, yet are they not therefore to be thought to have a higher place in the sight of God. For the Egyptian magi were not…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:23–28 (2) — Yet are we not therefore to think that this visible material world attends the nod of the disobedient angels, but rather the power is given them of God. Nor are we to suppose that such evil angels have creative…vatican.va
  • Gregory the Great on Matthew 24:23–28 — When then Antichrist shall have wrought wonderful prodigies before the eyes of the carnal, he shall draw men after him, all such as delight in present goods, surrendering themselves irrevocably to his sway, “Insomuch…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:23–28 — That, “If it were possible,” is spoken hyperbolically; not that the elect can be led astray, but He wishes to shew that the discourse of heretics is often so persuasive, as to have force to prevail even with those…vatican.va
  • Gregory the Great on Matthew 24:23–28 (2) — Or, because the heart of the elect is assailed with fearful thoughts, yet their faithfulness is not shaken, the Lord comprehends both under the same sentence, for to waver in thought is to err. He adds, “If it were…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:23–28 — He says not this because it is possible for the divine election to be defeated, but because they, who to men’s judgment seemed elect, shall be led into error.vatican.va
  • Gregory the Great on Matthew 24:23–28 (3) — And as darts, when foreseen, are less likely to hit, He adds, “Lo, I have told you.” Our Lord announces the woes which are to precede the destruction of the world, that when they come they may alarm the less from…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:23–28 (2) — The false prophets, of whom He had spoken above, shall say of Christ one while, “Lo, He is in the desert,” in order that they may cause men to wander astray; another while, “Lo, He is in the secret chambers,” that…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:23–28 (3) — As He had above described in what guise Antichrist should come, so here He describes how He Himself shall come. For as the lightning needeth none to herald or announce it, but is in an instant of time visible…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 (2) — By an instance from nature, which we daily see, we are instructed in a sacrament of Christ. Eagles and vultures are said to scent dead bodies even beyond sea, and to flock to feed upon them. If then birds, not having…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:23–28 (3) — That we might not be ignorant of the place in which He should come, He adds this, “Wheresoever the carcase, &c.” He calls the Saints “eagles,” from the spiritual flight of their bodies, and shews that their gathering…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:23–28 (2) — And observe, He says not vultures or crows, but “eagles,” shewing the lordliness and royalty of all who have believed in the Lord’s passion.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 (3) — They are called eagles whose youth is renewed as the eagle’s, and who take to themselves wings that they may come to Christ’s passion. [marg. note: Ps 103:5, Isa 40:31]vatican.va
  • Gregory the Great on Matthew 24:23–28 (4) — We may understand this, “Wheresoever the carcase is,” as meaning, I who incarnate sit on the throne of heaven, as soon as I shall have loosed the souls of the elect from the flesh, will exalt them to heavenly places.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 (4) — Or otherwise ; This may be understood of the false prophets. At the time of the Jewish captivity, there were many leaders who declared themselves to be Christs, [marg. note: Josephus, B. J., v. 1] so that while the…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:23–28 (3) — The genus of Antichrist is one, the species many, just as all lies are of one sort. As all the holy Prophets were Prophets of the true Christ, so understand that each false Christ shall have his own false Prophets,…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 (5) — If then any one assert to you that Christ tarries in “the desert” of the Gentiles, or in the teaching of the Philosophers, or in “the secret chambers” of the heretics, who promise the hidden things of God, believe…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:23–28 (3) — By the “east” and “west,” He signifies the whole world, throughout which the Church should be. In the same way as He said below, “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man coming in the clouds, of heaven,” [Matt 26:64]…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 (6) — Or by this, “in the desert,” or “in the secret chambers,” He means that in times of persecution and distress, the false Prophets always find place for deceiving.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:23–28 (4) — Or, when they allege secret and before unpublished Scriptures, in proof of their lie, they seem to say, Lo, the word of truth is in the desert. But when they produce canonical Scripture in which all Christians agree,…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:23–28 (7) — We are invited to flock to Christ’s passion wheresoever in Scripture it read of, that through it we may be able to come to God’s word.vatican.va

Matthew 24:29–30

  • Glossa Ordinaria on Matthew 24:29–30 — As soon as the Lord has fortified the believers against the arts of Antichrist and his ministers, by shewing that His coming would be public, He proceeds to shew the order and method of His coming.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:29–30 — By the tribulation, He means the times of Antichrist and the false Prophets; for when there are so many deceivers, the tribulation will be great. But it shall not extend through any great length of time. For if for…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:29–30 — The darkening of the sun, the failing of the moon, and the fall of the stars, indicate the glories of His coming.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:29–30 — One will say, As at the breaking out of great conflagrations, great darkness is at the first caused by the smoke, so when the world shall be consumed by fire, which shall be kindled, even the great luminaries shall…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:29–30 — These things, therefore, shall not come to pass by any diminution of light, for in another place we read that the light of the sun shall be sevenfold; but by comparison with real light, all things shall seem dim.vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:29–30 — But nothing hinders our supposing that the sun and moon with the other stars shall for a time lose their light, as we know did the sun at the time of the Lord’s passion; as Joel also says, “The sun shall be turned…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:29–30 (2) — “By the powers of heaven,” we understand the bands of the Angels.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:29–30 (2) — Very fitly shall they be shaken and dismayed, seeing so mighty a change being wrought, their fellow-servants punished, and the universe standing before a terrible tribunal.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:29–30 (2) — But as, at the dispensation of the Cross, the sun was eclipsed, and darkness was spread over the earth; so when the sign of the Son of Man appears in heaven, the light of the sun, moon, and stars, shall fail, as…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:29–30 (3) — But because the sun will be darkened, the cross would not be seen, if it were not far brighter than the rays of the sun. That the disciples might not be ashamed, and grieve over the cross, He speaks of it as a sign,…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:29–30 (3) — Rightly does He say, “the tribes of the earth,” for they shall mourn who have no citizenship in heaven, but are written in earth. [Jer 17:13]vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:29–30 (3) — Morally, one may say that the sun, which shall be darkened, is the Devil, who shall be convicted in the end of the world, that whereas he is darkness, he has feigned himself to be the sun; the moon, which seems to…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:29–30 — Or, the Church is the sun, moon, and stars, to which it is said, “Fair as the moon, bright as the sun. Then shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,” [Song of Songs 6:10] because in that…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:29–30 (4) — He adds this, that having heard of the cross, they should not now imagine a similar degradation.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:29–30 (2) — The first and most apparent meaning of this is of that time when He shall come to judge the quick and the dead in His body — that body in which He sits at the right hand of the Father, in which He died and rose again…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:29–30 (4) — Therefore shall they see with the bodily eyes the Son of Man, coming in human shape, “in the clouds of heaven,” that is, on high. As at the transfiguration, a voice came out of the cloud, so when He shall come again…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:29–30 (3) — But because the Scriptures are to be searched, and we are not to content ourselves with the surface of them, let us look closely at what follows, “When ye see all these things come to pass, know that he is near even…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:29–30 (5) — Or He comes every day “with great power” to the mind of the believer in the clouds of prophecy, that is, in the Scriptures of the Prophets and the Apostles, who utter the word of God with a meaning above human…vatican.va

Matthew 24:31

  • Origen on Matthew 24:31 — Because He had spoken of mourning, which shall be only that they may bear witness against themselves and condemn themselves, that none should suppose that that mourning will end their woes, He now adds, “And he shall…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:31 — Here we are not to think of a real trumpet, but of the voice of the archangel, which shall be so loud that at its sound all the dead shall rise out of the dust of the earth.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:31 — The sound of the trump refers to the resurrection, and the rejoicing, and to represent the astonishment which shall be then, and the woe of those that shall be left, and shall not be snatched up into the clouds.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:31 (2) — It is written in Numbers, that the Priests shall summon by the sound of the trumpet from the four winds those who are of the camp of Israel [Num 10:3], and it is in allusion to this that Christ speaks here of the…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:31 (2) — That is, from the four quarters of the world, north, south, east, and west.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:31 (3) — Some of little discernment think, that only those who shall then be found in the body shall be gathered together, but it is better to say that the Angels of Christ shall then gather together not only all who from the…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:31 (3) — Or otherwise; Lest any one should suppose that they should be gathered only from the four quarters of the world, and not from the middle regions, He adds this, “And from one end of heaven to the other.” By the…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:31 (2) — That the Lord calls His elect by His Angels pertains to the honour of the elect; and Paul also says “that they shall be caught into the clouds;” [1 Thes 4:17] that is, the Angels shall gather together those that have…vatican.va

Matthew 24:32–35

  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:32–35 — Because He had said that these things should come to pass “immediately after the tribulation of those days,” they might ask, How long time hence, He therefore gives them an instance in the fig.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:32–35 — As much as to say, When the tender shoots first shew themselves in the stem of the fig tree, and the bud bursts into flower, and the bark puts forth leaves, ye perceive the approach of summer and the season of spring…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:32–35 (2) — He shews that the interval of time shall not be great, but that the coming of Christ will be presently. By the comparison of the tree He signifies the spiritual summer and peace that the just shall enjoy after their…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:32–35 — As the fig has its vital powers torpid within it through the season of winter, but when that is past its branches become tender by those very powers and put forth leaves; so the world and all those who are saved had…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:32–35 (3) — This analogy also adds credit to His foregoing discourse; for wherever He speaks of what must by all means come to pass, Christ ever brings forward parallel physical laws.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:32–35 — That now from the Evangelic and Prophetic signs that we see come to pass, we ought to look that the Lord’s coming should be nigh, who is there that denies? For daily it draws ever more and more near, but of the exact…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:32–35 — Mystically; The Synagogue is likened to the fig tree; [ed. note: See above on chap xxi, 19] its branch is Antichrist, the son of the Devil, the portion of sin, the maintainer of the law; when this shall begin to…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:32–35 — Or, when this fig shall again bud, that is, when the synagogue shall receive the word of holy preaching, as the preaching of Enoch and Elias, then we ought to understand that the day of the consummation is at hand.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:32–35 (2) — Or, by the fig tree understand the human race, by reason of the temptations of the flesh. “When its branch is tender,” i.e. when the sons of men through faith in Christ have progressed towards spiritual fruits, and…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:32–35 (2) — To give sure credit to the things which should come to pass He adds, “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things be fulfilled.” By saying “Verily,” He gives asseveration to the…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:32–35 (2) — The uninstructed refer the words to the destruction of Jerusalem, and suppose them to have been said of that generation which saw Christ’s death, that it should not pass away before the city should be destroyed. But…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:32–35 (4) — All these things therefore mean what was said of the end of Jerusalem, of the false prophets, and the false Christs, and all the rest which shall happen down to the time of Christ’s coming, That He said, “This…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:32–35 (3) — Yet shall the generation of the Church survive the whole of this world, that it may inherit the world to come, yet it shall not pass away until all these things have come to pass. But when all these shall have been…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:32–35 (2) — Or, by “generation” here He means the whole human race, and the Jews in particular. And He adds, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away,” to confirm their faith in what has gone before;…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:32–35 (3) — For heaven and earth have in their constitution no necessity of existence, but Christ’s words derived from eternity have in them such virtue that they must needs abide.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:32–35 (3) — The heaven and the earth shall pass away by a change, not by annihilation; for how should the “sun be darkened, and the moon not give her light,” if earth and heaven in which these are should be no more?vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:32–35 — The heaven which shall pass away is not the starry [marg. note: sidereum] but the atmospheric [marg. note: aereum] heaven which of old was destroyed by the deluge.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:32–35 (5) — He brings forward the elements of the earth to shew that the Church is of more value than either heaven or earth, and that He is Maker of all things. [marg. note: 2 Pet 3:5]vatican.va

Matthew 24:36–41

  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:36–41 — The Lord having described all the tokens that shall precede His coming, and brought His discourse to the very doors, yet would not name the day; “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the Angels Of heaven, but…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:36–41 — In some Latin copies is added here, “neither the Son:” but in the Greek copies, and particularly those of Adamantius and Pierius, it is not found. [ed. note: The addition is found in a very few Greek MSS., and…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:36–41 — And Mark has the addition. [Mark 13:32]vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — Whereat Arius and Eunomius rejoice greatly; for say they, He who knows and He who is ignorant cannot be both equal. Against these we answer shortly; Seeing that Jesus, that is, The Word of God, made all times, (for…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:36–41 — And has indeed God the Father denied the knowledge of that day to the Son, when He has declared, “All things are committed to me of my Father?” [Luke 10:22] but if any thing has been denied, all things are not…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:36–41 (3) — Having then shewn that the Son of God cannot be ignorant of the day of the consummation, we must now show a cause why He should be said to be ignorant. When after the resurrection He is demanded concerning this day…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:36–41 — When He says here, “Knows not,” He means, ‘makes others not to know;’ i.e. He knew not then, so as to tell His disciples; as it was said to Abraham, “Now I know that thou fearest God;” [Gen 22:19] i.e. ‘Now have I…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — That He says that the “Father knoweth,” implies that in the Father the Son also knows. For what can there be in time which was not made by the Word, seeing that time itself was made by the Word!vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:36–41 (3) — That the Father alone knows may be well understood in the above-mentioned manner of knowing, that He makes the Son to know; but the Son is said not to know, because be does not make men to know.vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:36–41 — Otherwise; So long as the Church which is Christ’s body knows not that day and hour, so long the Son Himself is said not to know that day and hour. The word “know” is used according to its proper usual meaning in…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:36–41 — I have read also in some one’s book, that “the Son” here is not to be taken of the Only-begotten, but of the adopted, for that He would not have put the Angels before the Only-begotten Son, saying, “Not the Angels of…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:36–41 (4) — The Gospel then says, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man;” but you say, That neither the month nor the year of His coming can be known. This exactness of yours up to this point seems as if you meant that the year…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — That you may perceive that it is not owing to ignorance that He is silent of the day and hour of the judgment, He brings forward another token, “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall the coming of the Son of Man…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — Marriage and meats in themselves are not here condemned, as the error of Marcion and Manicheaus teaches; for in the one the continuation of the species, in the other that of life, depends; but what is reproved is all…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:36–41 (4) — It is asked here, how it was said above, “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, &c.” when here only tokens of peace are spoken of as what shall be then? We must suppose, that after the wars…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:36–41 (3) — Or, To such as are thoughtlessly disposed, it shall be a time of peace and enjoyment; as the Apostle said not, ‘When there shall be peace,’ but “When they shall say, Peace and safety,” shewing their insensibility to…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — Or, the two in the field, are the two people of believers and unbelievers, whom the day of the Lord shall overtake, as it were in the labours of this life. And they shall be separated, one being taken and the other…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:36–41 (5) — Or, “Two men in one field” shall be found performing the same labour, sowing corn together, but not reaping the same fruit of their labour. The two “grinding together” we may understand either of the Synagogue and…vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — Or, these words denote three orders in the Church. “The two men in the field” denote the order of preachers [marg. note: praedicatores], to whom is committed the field of the Church; by “the two grinding at the…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:36–41 (2) — Or otherwise; The body is laid as sick on the bed of carnal passions, the soul grinds in the mill of this world, and the bodily senses labour in the field of the world.vatican.va

Matthew 24:42–44

Matthew 24:45–51

  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:45–51 — Though the Lord had given above a general exhortation to all in common to unwearied vigilance, yet He adds a special charge to the rulers of the people, that is, the Bishops, of watchfulness in looking for His…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:45–51 — That He says, “Whom think ye is that faithful and wise servant,” does not imply ignorance, for even the Father we find asking a question, as that, “Adam, where art thou?” [Gen 3:9]vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:45–51 — Nor yet does it imply the impossibility of attaining perfect virtue, but only the difficulty.vatican.va
  • Glossa Ordinaria on Matthew 24:45–51 — For rare indeed is such “faithful” servant serving his Master for his Master’s sake, feeding Christ’s sheep not for lucre but for love of Christ, “skilled” to discern the abilities, the life, and the manner of those…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — He requires two things of such servant, fidelity and prudence; He calls him “faithful,” because be appropriates to himself none of his Lord’s goods, and wastes nought idly and unprofitably. He calls him “prudent,” as…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:45–51 — Or, he that makes progress in the faith, though he is not yet perfect in it, is ordinarily called “faithful,” and he who has natural quickness of intellect is called “prudent.” And whoever observes will find many…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:45–51 (3) — This parable may be also fitted to the case of secular rulers; for each ought to employ the things he has to the common benefit, and not to the hurt of his fellow-servants, nor to his own ruin; whether it be wisdom…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:45–51 — The “lord” is Christ, the “household” over which He appoints is the Church Catholic. It is hard then to find one man who is both “faithful and wise,” but not impossible; for He would not pronounce a blessing on a…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — That is, obedient to his Lord’s command, by the seasonableness of his teaching dispensing the word of life to a household which is to be nourished for the food of eternity.vatican.va
  • Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — It should be observed, that as there is great difference of desert between good preachers and good hearers, so is there great difference between their rewards. The good hearers, if He finds them watching He will make…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — That he may reign with Christ, to whom the Father has committed all that is His. And as the son of a good father set over all that is his, He shall communicate of His dignity and glory to His faithful and wise…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — Not that they only, but that they before others, shall be rewarded as well for their own lives as for their superintendence of the flock.vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on Matthew 24:45–51 (3) — Or, “shall set him over all his goods,” that is, shall place him in the glory of God, because beyond this is nothing better.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:45–51 (4) — And He instructs His hearer not only by the honour which awaits the good, but by the punishment which threatens the wicked, adding, “If that evil servant shall say in his heart, &c.”vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:45–51 — The temper of this servant is shewn in his behaviour, which is thus expressed by his good Master; his tyranny, “and shall begin to beat his fellow servants,” his sensuality, “and to eat and drink with the drunken.”…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:45–51 (3) — And every Bishop, who ministers not as a fellow servant, but rules by might as a master, and often an harsh one, sins against God; also if he does not cherish the needy, but feasts with the drunken, and is…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:45–51 (3) — Typically, we may understand his beating his fellow servants, of offending the consciences of the weak by word, or by evil example.vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:45–51 — “The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him,” is to rouse the stewards to watchfulness and carefulness. “He shall cut him in sunder,” is not to be understood of execution by the sword,…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:45–51 (4) — Or, “He shall cut him in sunder,” when his spirit, that is, his spiritual gift, shall return to God who gave it; but his soul shall go with his body into hell. But the righteous man is not cut in sunder, but his…vatican.va
  • Jerome on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — “And shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites,” with those, namely, that were in the field, and grinding at the mill, and were nevertheless left. For as we often say that the hypocrite is one who is one…vatican.va
  • Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 24:45–51 (4) — Or, “appoints him his portion with the hypocrites,” that is, a twofold share of punishment, that of fire and frost; to the fire belongs the “weeping,” to the frost the “gnashing of teeth.” [ed. note: See above on…vatican.va
  • Origen on Matthew 24:45–51 (5) — Or, there shall be “weeping” for such as have laughed amiss in this world, “gnashing of teeth” for those who have enjoyed an irrational peace. For being unwilling to suffer bodily pain, now the torture forces their…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 24:45–51 (2) — Putting aside this wicked servant, who, there is no doubt, hates his Master’s coming, let us set before our eyes these good servants, who anxiously expect their Lord’s coming. One looks for His coming sooner, another…vatican.va

Scripture cited · 51 verses

Genesis 2:7 · Genesis 3:9 · Genesis 22:19 · Numbers 10:3 · 1 Kings 17:1 · Psalm 19:4 · Psalm 24:6 · Psalm 42:2 · Psalm 103:5 · Psalm 119:91 · Proverbs 4:18 · Isaiah 30:26 · Isaiah 40:31 · Jeremiah 17:13 · Daniel 9:27 · Joel 2:31 · Zechariah 12:10 · Matthew 3:1 · Matthew 7:13 · Matthew 26:6 · Matthew 26:64 · Matthew 28:20 · Mark 13:25 · Mark 13:32 · Luke 10:22 · Luke 21:20 · Luke 21:23 · John 8:12 · John 8:56 · John 19:37 · Acts 1:7 · Acts 1:9 · Romans 8:35 · Romans 10:18 · Romans 13:11 · 1 Corinthians 1:27 · 1 Corinthians 2:6 · 1 Corinthians 2:9 · 1 Corinthians 9:14 · 2 Corinthians 7:5 · 2 Corinthians 11:13 · 2 Corinthians 11:26 · Colossians 1:6 · 1 Thessalonians 4:17 · 1 Thessalonians 5:3 · 2 Thessalonians 2:9 · 1 Timothy 6:20 · James 5:17 · James 5:18 · 1 John 1:3 · 1 John 2:18

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