THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW
Saint Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, who from being a
publican, that is, a taxgatherer, was called by our Saviour
to the Apostleship: in that profession his name is Levi.
(Luke 5.27, and Mark 2.14.) He was the first of the
Evangelists that wrote the Gospel, and that in Hebrew or
Syro-Chaldaic which the Jews in Palestine spoke at that
time. The original is not now extant; but it was translated
in the time of the Apostles into Greek, that version was of
equal authority. He wrote about six years after the Lord's
Ascension.
Matthew Chapter 1
The genealogy of Christ: he is conceived and born of a
virgin.
1:1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of
David, the son of Abraham:
1:2. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob
begot Judas and his brethren.
1:3. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares
begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram.
1:4. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson.
And Naasson begot Salmon.
1:5. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of
Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse.
1:6. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king
begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias.
1:7. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And
Abia begot Asa.
1:8. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And
Joram begot Ozias.
1:9. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And
Achaz begot Ezechias.
1:10. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon.
And Amon begot Josias.
1:11. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the
transmigration of Babylon.
1:12. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias
begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel.
1:13. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim.
And Eliacim begot Azor.
1:14. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And
Achim begot Eliud.
1:15. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan.
And Mathan begot Jacob.
1:16. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom
was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
The husband of Mary... The Evangelist gives us rather the
pedigree of St. Joseph, than that of the blessed Virgin, to
conform to the custom of the Hebrews, who in their
genealogies took no notice of women; but as they were near
akin, the pedigree of the one sheweth that of the other.
1:17. So all the generations from Abraham to David, are
fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration
of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the
transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen
generations.
1:18. Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When
as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came
together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
1:19. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her
away privately.
1:20. But while he thought on these things, behold the
Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying:
Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy
Ghost.
1:21. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call
his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their
sins.
1:22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled
which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:
1:23. Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth
a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us.
1:24. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of
the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
1:25. And he knew her not till she brought forth her first
born son: and he called his name Jesus.
Till she brought forth her firstborn son... From these
words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred
that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides
Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that
this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking
usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only
what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is
said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven,
which went forth, and did not return till the waters were
dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more.
Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who
dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the
first book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount
Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because
not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace.
That is, not one was slain before or after they had
returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand
till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no
longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all
eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples,
that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or
first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn
males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me,
saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among
the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.
Matthew Chapter 2
The offerings of the wise men: the flight into Egypt: the
massacre of the Innocents.
2:1. When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in
the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from
the East to Jerusalem,
2:2. Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For
we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore
him.
2:3. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him.
2:4. And assembling together all the chief priests and the
scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ
should be born.
2:5. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it
is written by the prophet:
2:6. And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least
among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth
the captain that shall rule my people Israel.
2:7. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned
diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to
them;
2:8. And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and
diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found
him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore
him.
2:9. Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold
the star which they had seen in the East, went before them,
until it came and stood over where the child was.
2:10. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding
great joy.
2:11. And entering into the house, they found the child
with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and
opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
2:12. And having received an answer in sleep that they
should not return to Herod, they went back another way into
their country.
2:13. And after they were departed, behold an angel of the
Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take
the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there
until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that
Herod will seek the child to destroy him.
2:14. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by
night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the
death of Herod:
2:15. That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by
the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
2:16. Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise
men, was exceeding angry: and sending killed all the
menchildren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders
thereof, from two years old and under, according to the
time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
2:17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias
the prophet, saying:
2:18. A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great
mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not.
2:19. But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord
appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,
2:20. Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and
go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought
the life of the child.
2:21. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and
came into the land of Israel.
2:22. But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the
room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and
being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee.
2:23. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that
it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That
he shall be called a Nazarene.
Matthew Chapter 3
The preaching of John: Christ is baptized.
3:1. And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in
the desert of Judea.
3:2. And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand.
Do penance... Paenitentiam agite. Which word, according to
the use of the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not
only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also
punishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential
exercises.
3:3. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the
prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
3:4. And the same John had his garment of camel's hair, and
a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts
and wild honey.
3:5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all
the country about Jordan:
3:6. And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing
their sins.
3:7. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming
to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who
hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?
Pharisees and Sadducees... These were two sects among the
Jews: of which the former were for the most part notorious
hypocrites; the latter, a kind of freethinkers in matters
of religion.
3:8. Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
3:9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have
Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of
these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
3:10. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.
Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall
be cut down, and cast into the fire.
3:11. I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he
that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I
am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy
Ghost and fire.
3:12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly
cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but
the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
3:13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto
John, to be baptized by him.
3:14. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized
by thee, and comest thou to me?
3:15. And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so
now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he
suffered him.
3:16. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the
water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw
the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon
him.
3:17. And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew Chapter 4
Christ's fast of forty days: He is tempted. He begins to
preach, to call disciples to him, and to work miracles.
4:1. Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to
be tempted by the devil.
4:2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights,
afterwards he was hungry.
4:3. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son
of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4:4. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread
alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from
the mouth of God.
4:5. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set
him upon the pinnacle of the temple,
4:6. And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast
thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his
angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear
thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
4:7. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not
tempt the Lord thy God.
4:8. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain,
and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory
of them,
Shewed him, etc... That is, pointed out to him where each
kingdom lay; and set forth in words what was most glorious
and admirable in each of them. Or also set before his eyes,
as it were in a large map, a lively representation of all
those kingdoms.
4:9. And said to him: All these will I give thee, if
falling down thou wilt adore me.
4:10. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is
written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only
shalt thou serve.
4:11. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and
ministered to him.
4:12. And when Jesus had heard that John was delivered up,
he retired into Galilee:
4:13. And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in
Capharnaum on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and
of Nephthalim;
4:14. That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias
the prophet:
4:15. Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, the way of
the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
4:16. The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great
light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of
death, light is sprung up.
4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do
penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
4:18. And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two
brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his
brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were
fishers).
4:19. And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will
make you to be fishers of men.
4:20. And they immediately leaving their nets, followed
him.
4:21. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren,
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship
with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he
called them.
4:22. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and
followed him.
4:23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom: and
healing all manner of sickness and every infirmity, among
the people.
4:24. And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they
presented to him all sick people that were taken with
divers diseases and torments, and such as were possessed by
devils, and lunatics, and those that had the palsy, and he
cured them:
4:25. And much people followed him from Galilee, and from
Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from
beyond the Jordan.
Matthew Chapter 5
Christ's sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.
5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain,
and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
5:2. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:
5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit... That is, the humble; and they whose
spirit is not set upon riches.
5:4. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
5:5. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted.
5:6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice:
for they shall have their fill.
5:7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
5:8. Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called
the children of God.
5:10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice'
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:11. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and
persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you,
untruly, for my sake:
5:12. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in
heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were
before you.
5:13. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose
its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for
nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by
men.
5:14. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a
mountain cannot be hid.
5:15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a
bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all
that are in the house.
5:16. So let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
5:17. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or
the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
To fulfil... By accomplishing all the figures and
prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.
5:18. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass,
one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all
be fulfilled.
Amen... That is, assuredly of a truth... This Hebrew word,
amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all
the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong
asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.
5:19. He therefore that shall break one of these least
commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the
least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and
teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
5:20. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more
than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter
into the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and Pharisees... The scribes were the doctors
of the law of Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of
men, making profession of a more exact observance of the
law: and upon that account greatly esteemed among the
people.
5:21. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou
shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in
danger of the judgment.
Shall be in danger of the judgment... That is, shall
deserve to be punished by that lesser tribunal among the
Jews, called the Judgment, which took cognizance of such
crimes.
5:22. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his
brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever
shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the
council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in
danger of hell fire.
Raca... A word expressing great indignation or contempt.
Shall be in danger of the council... That is, shall deserve
to be punished by the highest court of judicature, called
the Council, or Sanhedrim, consisting of seventy-two
persons, where the highest causes were tried and judged,
which was at Jerusalem. Thou fool... This was then looked
upon as a heinous injury, when uttered with contempt,
spite, or malice: and therefore is here so severely
condemned. Shall be in danger of hell fire... literally,
according to the Greek, shall deserve to be cast into the
Gehenna of fire. Which words our Saviour made use of to
express the fire and punishments of hell.
5:23. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and
there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against
thee;
5:24. Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go
first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou
shalt offer thy gift.
5:25. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst
thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to
the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
5:26. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence
till thou repay the last farthing.
5:27. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou
shalt not commit adultery.
5:28. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a
woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery
with her in his heart.
5:29. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out
and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that
one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole
body be cast into hell.
Scandalize thee... That is, if it be a stumblingblock, or
occasion of sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the
immediate occasions of sin, though they be as dear to us,
or as necessary as a hand or an eye.
5:30. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off,
and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that
one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy
whole body go into hell.
5:31. And it hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his
wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.
5:32. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his
wife, excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to
commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put
away, committeth adultery.
5:33. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old,
thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy
oaths to the Lord.
5:34. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by
heaven for it is the throne of God:
Not to swear at all... It is not forbid to swear in truth,
justice and judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or
neighbour's just defence: but only to swear rashly, or
profanely, in common discourse, and without necessity.
5:35. Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:
5:36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou
canst not make one hair white or black.
5:37. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that
which is over and above these, is of evil.
5:38. You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an
eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
5:39. But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one
strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:
Not to resist evil, etc... What is here commanded, is a
Christian patience under injuries and affronts, and to be
willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge
the desire of revenge: but what is further added does not
strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did
Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John 18.,
and Acts 23.
5:40. And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and
take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.
5:41. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him
other two.
5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that
would borrow of thee turn not away.
5:43. You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy.
5:44. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them
that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and
calumniate you:
5:45. That you may be the children of your Father who is in
heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad,
and raineth upon the just and the unjust.
5:46. For if you love them that love you, what reward shall
you have? do not even the publicans this?
The publicans... These were the gatherers of the public
taxes: a set of men, odious and infamous among the Jews,
for their extortions and injustice.
5:47. And if you salute your brethren only, what do you
more? do not also the heathens this?
5:48. Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly
Father is perfect.
Matthew Chapter 6
A continuation of the sermon on the mount.
6:1. Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to
be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of
your Father who is in heaven.
Your justice... that is, works of justice; viz., fasting,
prayer, and almsdeeds; which ought to be performed not out
of ostentation, or a view to please men, but solely to
please God.
6:2. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, sound not a
trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen
I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:3. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know
what thy right hand doth.
6:4. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who
seeth in secret will repay thee.
6:5. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites,
that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners
of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to
you, they have received their reward.
6:6. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber,
and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and
thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
6:7. And when you are praying, speak not much, as the
heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they
may be heard.
6:8. Be not you therefore like to them for your Father
knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.
6:9. Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in
heaven, hallowed be thy name.
6:10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is
in heaven.
6:11. Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.
Supersubstantial bread... In St. Luke the same word is
rendered daily bread. It is understood of the bread of
life, which we receive in the Blessed Sacrament.
6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our
debtors.
6:13. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from
evil. Amen.
Lead us not into temptation... That is, suffer us not to be
overcome by temptation.
6:14. For if you will forgive men their offences, your
heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences.
6:15. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your
Father forgive you your offences.
6:16. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For
they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men
to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their
reward.
6:17. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash
thy face;
6:18. That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy
Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in
secret, will repay thee.
6:19. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where
the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break
through, and steal.
6:20. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where
neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves
do not break through, nor steal.
6:21. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.
6:22. The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be
single, thy whole body shall be lightsome.
6:23. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be
darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness:
the darkness itself how great shall it be!
6:24. No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate
the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one,
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Mammon... That is, riches, worldly interest.
6:25. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your
life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall
put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body
more than the raiment?
6:26. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow,
nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly
Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than
they?
6:27. And which of you by taking thought, can add to his
stature one cubit?
6:28. And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the
lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not,
neither do they spin.
6:29. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his
glory was arrayed as one of these.
6:30. And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and
to morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how
much more you, O ye of little faith?
6:31. Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we
eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be
clothed?
6:32. For after all these things do the heathens seek. For
your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.
6:33. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his
justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
6:34. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the
morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the
day is the evil thereof.
Matthew Chapter 7
The third part of the sermon on the mount.
7:1. Judge not, that you may not be judged.
7:2. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged:
and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you
again.
7:3. And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's
eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
7:4. Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the
mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?
7:5. Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own
eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of
thy brother's eye.
7:6. Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye
your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them
under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.
7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall
find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.
7:8. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that
seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be
opened.
7:9. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son
shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?
7:10. Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a
serpent?
7:11. If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children: how much more will your Father who is in
heaven, give good things to them that ask him?
7:12. All things therefore whatsoever you would that men
should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law
and the prophets.
7:13. Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many
there are who go in thereat.
7:14. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that
leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!
7:15. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the
clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
7:16. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
7:17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit,
and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7:18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither
can an evil tree bring forth good fruit.
7:19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall
be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.
7:20. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
7:21. Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will
of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven.
7:22. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not
we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name,
and done many miracles in thy name?
7:23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, you that work iniquity.
7:24. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and
doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his
house upon a rock,
7:25. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds
blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for
it was founded on a rock.
7:26. And every one that heareth these my words and doth
them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house
upon the sand,
7:27. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds
blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great
was the fall thereof.
7:28. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these
words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine.
7:29. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not
as the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew Chapter 8
Christ cleanses the leper, heals the centurion's servant,
Peter's mother-in-law, and many others: he stills the storm
at sea, drives the devils out of two men possessed, and
suffers them to go into the swine.
8:1. And when he was come down from the mountain, great
multitudes followed him:
8:2. And behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord,
if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
8:3. And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched him,
saying: I will, be thou made clean. And forthwith his
leprosy was cleansed.
8:4. And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go,
shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses
commanded, for a testimony unto them.
8:5. And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to
him a centurion, beseeching him,
8:6. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the
palsy, and is grievously tormented.
8:7. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.
8:8. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not
worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say
the word, and my servant shall be healed.
8:9. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under
me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to
another Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this,
and he doeth it.
8:10. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them
that followed him. Amen I say to you, I have not found so
great faith in Israel.
8:11. And I say to you that many shall come from the east
and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac
and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:
8:12. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out
into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
8:13. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast
believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed
at the same hour.
8:14. And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw
his wife's mother lying, and sick of a fever;
8:15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and
she arose and ministered to them.
8:16. And when evening was come, they brought to him many
that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the
spirits with his word: and all that were sick he healed:
8:17. That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the
prophet Isaias, saying: He took our infirmities, and bore
our diseases.
8:18. And Jesus seeing great multitudes about him, gave
orders to pass over the water.
8:19. And a certain scribe came and said to him: Master, I
will follow thee whithersoever thou shalt go.
8:20. And Jesus saith to him: The foxes have holes, and the
birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where
to lay his head.
8:21. And another of his disciples said to him: Lord,
suffer me first to go and bury my father.
8:22. But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead
bury their dead.
8:23. And when he entered into the boat, his disciples
followed him:
8:24. And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that
the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep.
8:25. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord,
save us, we perish.
8:26. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of
little faith? Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and
the sea, and there came a great calm.
8:27. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is
this, for the winds and the sea obey him?
8:28. And when he was come on the other side of the water,
into the country of the Gerasens, there met him two that
were possessed with devils, coming out of the sepulchres,
exceeding fierce, so that none could pass by that way.
8:29. And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do
with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to
torment us before the time?
8:30. And there was, not far from them, a herd of many
swine feeding.
8:31. And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us
out hence, send us into the herd of swine.
8:32. And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into
the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a
steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters.
8:33. And they that kept them fled: and coming into the
city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been
possessed by the devils.
8:34. And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and
when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart
from their coast.
Matthew Chapter 9
Christ heals one sick of palsy: calls Matthew: cures the
issue of blood: raises to life the daughter of Jairus:
gives sight to two blind men: and heals a dumb man
possessed by the devil.
9:1. And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and
came into his own city.
9:2. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy
lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the
man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are
forgiven thee.
9:3. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves:
He blasphemeth.
9:4. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you
think evil in your hearts?
9:5. Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee:
or to say, Arise, and walk?
9:6. But that you may know that the Son of man hath power
on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of
the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
9:7. And he arose, and went into his house.
9:8. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God
that gave such power to men.
9:9. And when Jesus passed on from thence, he saw a man
sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to
him: Follow me. And he arose up and followed him.
9:10. And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the
house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down
with Jesus and his disciples.
9:11. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples:
Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?
9:12. But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health
need not a physician, but they that are ill.
9:13. Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have
mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the
just, but sinners.
9:14. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why
do we and the Pharisees, fast often, but thy disciples do
not fast?
9:15. And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the
bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken
away from them, and then they shall fast.
Can the children of the bridegroom... This, by a Hebraism,
signifies the friends or companions of the bridegroom.
9:16. And nobody putteth a piece of raw cloth unto an old
garment. For it taketh away the fulness thereof from the
garment, and there is made a greater rent.
9:17. Neither do they put new wine into old bottles.
Otherwise the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and
the bottles perish. But new wine they put into new bottles:
and both are preserved.
9:18. As he was speaking these things unto them, behold a
certain ruler came up, and adored him, saying: Lord, my
daughter is even now dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her,
and she shall live.
9:19. And Jesus rising up followed him, with his disciples.
9:20. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of
blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of
his garment.
9:21. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only
his garment, I shall be healed.
9:22. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good
heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the
woman was made whole from that hour.
9:23. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler,
and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rout,
9:24. He said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but
sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
9:25. And when the multitude was put forth, he went in, and
took her by the hand. And the maid arose.
9:26. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that
country.
9:27. And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him
two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O
Son of David.
9:28. And when he was come to the house, the blind men came
to him. And Jesus saith to them, Do you believe, that I can
do this unto you? They say to him, Yea, Lord.
9:29. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your
faith, be it done unto you.
9:30. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly
charged them, saying, See that no man know this.
9:31. But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all
that country.
9:32. And when they were gone out, behold they brought him
a dumb man, possessed with a devil.
9:33. And after the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke,
and the multitudes wondered, saying, Never was the like
seen in Israel.
9:34. But the Pharisees said, By the prince of devils he
casteth out devils.
9:35. And Jesus went about all the cities and towns,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of
the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every
infirmity.
9:36. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them:
because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that
have no shepherd.
9:37. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is
great, but the labourers are few.
9:38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he
send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew Chapter 10
Christ sends out his twelve apostles, with the power of
miracles. The lessons he gives them.
10:1. And having called his twelve disciples together, he
gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and
to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of
infirmities.
10:2. And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The
first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,
10:3. James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother,
Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican,
and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,
10:4. Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also
betrayed him.
10:5. These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go
ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of
the Samaritans enter ye not.
10:6. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel.
10:7. And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is
at hand.
10:8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,
cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.
10:9. Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your
purses:
10:10. Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor
shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat.
10:11. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter,
inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till you go
thence.
10:12. And when you come into the house, salute it, saying:
Peace be to this house.
10:13. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come
upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return
to you.
10:14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your
words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the
dust from your feet.
10:15. Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than
for that city.
10:16. Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.
Simple... That is, harmless, plain, sincere, and without
guile.
10:17. But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in
councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
10:18. And you shall be brought before governors, and
before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to
the Gentiles:
10:19. But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought
how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that
hour what to speak:
10:20. For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your
Father that speaketh in you.
10:21. The brother also shall deliver up the brother to
death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise
up against their parents, and shall put them to death.
10:22. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's
sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be
saved.
10:23. And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee
into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all
the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.
10:24. The disciple is not above the master, nor the
servant above his lord.
10:25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his
master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called
the good man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of
his household?
10:26. Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that
shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known.
10:27. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the
light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon
the housetops.
10:28. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not
able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy
both soul and body in hell.
10:29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not
one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father.
10:30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
10:31. Fear not therefore: better are you than many
sparrows.
10:32. Every one therefore that shall confess me before
men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in
heaven.
10:33. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also
deny him before my Father who is in heaven.
10:34. Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I
came not to send peace, but the sword.
10:35. For I came to set a man at variance against his
father, and the daughter against her mother, and the
daughter in law against her mother in law.
I came to set a man at variance, etc... Not that this was
the end or design of the coming of our Saviour; but that
his coming and his doctrine would have this effect, by
reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make,
and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him.
10:36. And a man's enemies shall be they of his own
household.
10:37. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not
worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than
me, is not worthy of me.
10:38. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth
me, is not worthy of me.
10:39. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that
shall lose his life for me, shall find it.
10:40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that
receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
10:41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a
prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that
receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall
receive the reward of a just man.
10:42. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these
little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a
disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward.
Matthew Chapter 11
John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews
for their incredulity, and calls to him such as are
sensible of their burdens.
11:1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of
commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to
teach and to preach in their cities.
11:2. Now when John had heard in prison the works of
Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
11:3. Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?
11:4. And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate
to John what you have heard and seen.
11:5. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have
the gospel preached to them.
11:6. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in
me.
Scandalized in me... That is, who shall not take occasion
of scandal or offence from my humility, and the disgraceful
death of the cross which I shall endure.
11:7. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to
the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the
desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
11:8. But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft
garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments,
are in the houses of kings.
11:9. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell
you, and more than a prophet.
11:10. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send
my angel before my face, who shall prepare thy way before
thee.
11:11. Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them
that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet
he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater
than he.
11:12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the
kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear
it away.
Suffereth violence, etc... It is not to be obtained but by
main force, by using violence upon ourselves, by
mortification and penance, and resisting our perverse
inclinations.
11:13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until
John:
11:14. And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to
come.
He is Elias, etc... Not in person, but in spirit. St. Luke
1. 17.
11:15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
11:16. But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be
like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.
11:17. Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to
you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you
have not mourned.
11:18. For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they
say: He hath a devil.
11:19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they
say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a
friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by
her children.
11:20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were
done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done
penance.
11:21. Woe thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if
in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have
been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in
sackcloth and ashes.
11:22. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for
Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
11:23. And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to
heaven? thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom
had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in
thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day.
11:24. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.
11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to
thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast
revealed them to little ones.
11:26. Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy
sight.
11:27. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no
one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one
know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall
please the Son to reveal him.
11:28. Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and
I will refresh you.
11:29. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I
am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to
your souls.
11:30. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
Matthew Chapter 12
Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees, and
confutes their attributing his miracles to Satan.
12:1. At that time Jesus went through the corn on the
sabbath: and his disciples being hungry, began to pluck the
ears, and to eat.
12:2. And the Pharisees seeing them, said to him: Behold
thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the
sabbath days.
12:3. But he said to them: Have you not read what David did
when he was hungry, and they that were with him:
12:4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the
loaves of proposition, which it was not lawful for him to
eat, nor for them that were with him, but for the priests
only?
The loaves of proposition... So were called the twelve
loaves which were placed before the sanctuary in the temple
of God.
12:5. Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath
days the priests in the temple break the sabbath, and are
without blame?
12:6. But I tell you that there is here a greater than the
temple.
12:7. And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy,
and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the
innocent.
12:8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath.
12:9. And when he had passed from thence, he came into
their synagogues.
12:10. And behold there was a man who had a withered hand,
and they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the
sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
12:11. But he said to them: What man shall there be among
you, that hath one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit
on the sabbath day, will he not take hold on it and lift it
up?
12:12. How much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore it
is lawful to do a good deed on the sabbath days.
12:13. Then he saith to the man: Stretch forth thy hand;
and he stretched it forth, and it was restored to health
even as the other.
12:14. And the Pharisees going out made a consultation
against him, how they might destroy him.
12:15. But Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many
followed him, and he healed them all.
12:16. And he charged them that they should not make him
known.
12:17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
Isaias the prophet, saying:
12:18. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in
whom my soul hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit
upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
12:19. He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any
man hear his voice in the streets.
12:20. The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking
flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment
unto victory.
12:21. And in his name the Gentiles shall hope.
12:22. Then was offered to him one possessed with a devil,
blind and dumb: and he healed him, so that he spoke and
saw.
12:23. And all the multitudes were amazed, and said: Is not
this the son of David?
12:24. But the Pharisees hearing it, said: This man casteth
not out devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
12:25. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said to them:
Every kingdom divided against itself shall be made
desolate: and every city or house divided against itself
shall not stand.
12:26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against
himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?
12:27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do
your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your
judges.
12:28. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then
is the kingdom of God come upon you.
12:29. Or how can any one enter into the house of the
strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the
strong? and then he will rifle his house.
12:30. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that
gathereth not with me, scattereth.
12:31. Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy
shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit
shall not be forgiven.
The blasphemy of the Spirit... The sin here spoken of is
that blasphemy, by which the Pharisees attributed the
miracles of Christ, wrought by the Spirit of God, to
Beelzebub the prince of devils. Now this kind of sin is
usually accompanied with so much obstinacy, and such wilful
opposing the Spirit of God, and the known truth, that men
who are guilty of it, are seldom or never converted: and
therefore are never forgiven, because they will not repent.
Otherwise there is no sin, which God cannot or will not
forgive to such as sincerely repent, and have recourse to
the keys of the church.
12:32. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak
against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him
neither in this world, nor in the world to come.
Nor in the world to come... From these words St. Augustine
(De Civ. Dei, lib. 21, c. 13) and St. Gregory (Dialog., 4,
c. 39) gather, that some sins may be remitted in the world
to come; and, consequently, that there is a purgatory or a
middle place.
12:33. Either make the tree good and its fruit good: or
make the tree evil, and its fruit evil. For by the fruit
the tree is known.
12:34. O generation of vipers, how can you speak good
things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh.
12:35. A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth
good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things.
12:36. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men
shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day
of judgment.
Every idle word... This shews there must be a place of
temporal punishment hereafter where these slighter faults
shall be punished.
12:37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy
words thou shalt be condemned.
12:38. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him,
saying: Master, we would see a sign from thee.
A sign... That is, a miracle from heaven. St. Luke 11. 16.
12:39. Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous
generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given
it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
12:40. For as Jonas was in the whale's belly three days and
three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of
the earth three days and three nights.
Three days, etc... Not complete days and nights; but part
of three days, and three nights taken according to the way
that the Hebrews counted their days and nights, viz., from
evening to evening.
12:41. The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance
at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas
here.
12:42. The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with
this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came
from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and behold a greater than Solomon here.
12:43. And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he
walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none.
12:44. Then he saith: I will return into my house from
whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept,
and garnished.
12:45. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other
spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and
dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse
than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked
generation.
12:46. As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his
mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to
him.
12:47. And one said unto him: Behold thy mother and thy
brethren stand without, seeking thee.
12:48. But he answering him that told him, said: Who is my
mother, and who are my brethren?
Who is my mother?... This was not spoken by way of
slighting his mother, but to shew that we are never to
suffer ourselves to be taken from the service of God, by
any inordinate affection to our earthly parents: and that
which our Lord chiefly regarded in his mother, was her
doing the will of his Father in heaven. It may also further
allude to the reprobation of the Jews, his carnal kindred,
and the election of the Gentiles.
12:49. And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples,
he said: Behold my mother and my brethren.
12:50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that
is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew Chapter 13
The parables of the sower and the cockle: of the
mustardseed, etc.
13:1. The same day Jesus going out of the house, sat by the
sea side.
13:2. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him,
so that he went up into a boat and sat: and all the
multitude stood on the shore.
13:3. And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying:
Behold the sower went forth to sow.
13:4. And whilst he soweth some fell by the way side, and
the birds of the air came and ate them up.
13:5. And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had
not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because
they had no deepness of earth.
13:6. And when the sun was up they were scorched: and
because they had not root, they withered away.
13:7. And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up
and choked them.
13:8. And others fell upon good ground: and they brought
forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and
some thirty fold.
13:9. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
13:10. And his disciples came and said to him: Why speakest
thou to them in parables?
13:11. Who answered and said to them: Because to you it is
given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but
to them it is not given.
13:12. For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he
shall abound: but he that hath not, from him shall be taken
away that also which he hath.
13:13. Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because
seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do
they understand.
13:14. And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who
saith: By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand:
and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.
13:15. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and
with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their
eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with
their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
13:16. But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and
your ears, because they hear.
13:17. For, amen, I say to you, many prophets and just men
have desired to see the things that you see, and have not
seen them: and to hear the things that you hear and have
not heard them.
13:18. Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.
13:19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and
understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and
catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he
that received the seed by the way side.
13:20. And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is
he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with
joy.
13:21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a
time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution
because of the word, he is presently scandalized.
13:22. And he that received the seed among thorns, is he
that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the
deceitfulness of riches choketh up the word, and he
becometh fruitless.
13:23. But he that received the seed upon good ground, is
he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth
fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another
sixty, and another thirty.
13:24. Another parable he proposed to them, saying: The
kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed
in his field.
13:25. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and
oversowed cockle among the wheat and went his way.
13:26. And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought
forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle.
13:27. And the servants of the good man of the house coming
said to him. Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy
field? Whence then hath it cockle?
13:28. And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And
the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather
it up?
13:29. And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the
cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it.
13:30. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the
time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up
first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the
wheat gather ye into my barn.
13:31. Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The
kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which
a man took and sowed in his field.
13:32. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it
is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a
tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the
branches thereof.
13:33. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of
heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in
three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.
13:34. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the
multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them.
13:35. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will
utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
13:36. Then having sent away the multitudes, he came into
the house, and his disciples came to him, saying: Expound
to us the parable of the cockle of the field.
13:37. Who made answer and said to them: He that soweth the
good seed is the Son of man.
13:38. And the field is the world. And the good seed are
the children of the kingdom. And the cockle are the
children of the wicked one.
13:39. And the enemy that sowed them, is the devil. But the
harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers are the
angels.
13:40. Even as cockle therefore is gathered up, and burnt
with fire: so shall it be at the end of the world.
13:41. The Son of man shall send his angels, and they shall
gather out of his kingdom all scandals, and them that work
iniquity.
13:42. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:43. Then shall the just shine as the sun, in the kingdom
of their Father. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
13:44. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden
in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy
thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth
that field.
13:45. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant
seeking good pearls.
13:46. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went
his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it.
13:47. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast
into the sea, and gathering together of all kinds of
fishes.
13:48. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and
sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels,
but the bad they cast forth.
13:49. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels
shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the
just.
13:50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:51. Have ye understood all these things? They say to
him: Yes.
13:52. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed
in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a
householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new
things and old.
13:53. And it came to pass: when Jesus had finished these
parables, he passed from thence.
13:54. And coming into his own country, he taught them in
their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: How came
this man by this wisdom and miracles?
13:55. Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother
called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon,
and Jude:
His brethren... These were the children of Mary the wife of
Cleophas, sister to our Blessed Lady, (St. Matt. 27. 56;
St. John 19. 25,) and therefore, according to the usual
style of the Scripture, they were called brethren, that is,
near relations to our Saviour.
13:56. And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence
therefore hath he all these things?
13:57. And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus
said to them: A prophet is not without honour, save in his
own country, and in his own house.
13:58. And he wrought not many miracles there, because of
their unbelief.
Matthew Chapter 14
Herod puts John to death. Christ feeds five thousand in the
desert. He walks upon the sea, and heals all the diseased
with the touch of his garment.
14:1. At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of
Jesus.
Tetrarch... This word, derived from the Greek, signifies
one that rules over the fourth part of a kingdom: as Herod
then ruled over Galilee, which was but the fourth part of
the kingdom of his father.
14:2. And he said to his servants: This is John the
Baptist: he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty
works shew forth themselves in him.
14:3. For Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put
him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife.
14:4. For John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to
have her.
14:5. And having a mind to put him to death, he feared the
people: because they esteemed him as a prophet.
14:6. But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias
danced before them: and pleased Herod.
14:7. Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her
whatsoever she would ask of him.
14:8. But she being instructed before by her mother, said:
Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist.
14:9. And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath,
and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to
be given.
14:10. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
14:11. And his head was brought in a dish: and it was given
to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.
14:12. And his disciples came and took the body, and buried
it, and came and told Jesus.
14:13. Which when Jesus had heard, he retired from thence
by a boat, into a desert place apart, and the multitudes
having heard of it, followed him on foot out of the cities.
14:14. And he coming forth saw a great multitude, and had
compassion on them, and healed their sick.
14:15. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him,
saying: This is a desert place, and the hour is now passed:
send away the multitudes, that going into the towns, they
may buy themselves victuals.
14:16. But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go:
give you them to eat.
14:17. They answered him: We have not here, but five
loaves, and two fishes.
14:18. Who said to them: Bring them hither to me.
14:19. And when he had commanded the multitude to sit down
upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes,
and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave
the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the
multitudes.
14:20. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took
up what remained, twelve full baskets of fragments.
14:21. And the number of them that did eat, was five
thousand men, besides women and children.
14:22. And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up
into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he
dismissed the people.
14:23. And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a
mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was
there alone.
14:24. But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with
the waves: for the wind was contrary.
14:25. And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to
them walking upon the sea.
14:26. And they seeing him walking upon the sea, were
troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out
for fear.
14:27. And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of
good heart: it is I, fear ye not.
14:28. And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou,
bid me come to thee upon the waters.
14:29. And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the
boat walked upon the water to come to Jesus.
14:30. But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when
he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me.
14:31. And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took
hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why
didst thou doubt?
14:32. And when they were come up into the boat, the wind
ceased.
14:33. And they that were in the boat came and adored him,
saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God.
14:34. And having passed the water, they came into the
country of Genesar.
14:35. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him,
they sent into all that country, and brought to him all
that were diseased.
14:36. And they besought him that they might touch but the
hem of his garment. And as many as touched, were made
whole.
Matthew Chapter 15
Christ reproves the Scribes. He cures the daughter of the
woman of Canaan: and many others: and feeds four thousand
with seven loaves.
15:1. Then came to him from Jerusalem scribes and
Pharisees, saying:
15:2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the
ancients? For they wash not their hands when they eat
bread.
15:3. But he answering, said to them: Why do you also
transgress the commandment of God for your tradition? For
God said:
15:4. Honour thy father and mother: And: He that shall
curse father or mother, let him die the death.
15:5. But you say: Whosoever shall say to father or mother,
The gift whatsoever proceedeth from me, shall profit thee.
The gift, etc... That is, the offering that I shall make to
God, shall be instead of that which should be expended for
thy profit. This tradition of the Pharisees was calculated
to enrich themselves; by exempting children from giving any
further assistance to their parents, if they once offered
to the temple and the priests, that which should have been
the support of their parents. But this was a violation of
the law of God, and of nature, which our Saviour here
condemns.
15:6. And he shall not honour his father or his mother: and
you have made void the commandment of God for your
tradition.
15:7. Hypocrites, well hath Isaias prophesied of you,
saying:
15:8. This people honoureth me with their lips: but their
heart is far from me.
15:9. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines
and commandments of men.
Commandments of men... The doctrines and commandments here
reprehended are such as are either contrary to the law of
God, (as that of neglecting parents, under pretence of
giving to God,) or at least are frivolous, unprofitable,
and no ways conducing to true piety, as that of often
washing hands, etc., without regard to the purity of the
heart. But as to the rules and ordinances of the holy
church, touching fasts, festivals, etc., these are no ways
repugnant to, but highly agreeable to God's holy word, and
all Christian piety: neither are they to be counted among
the doctrines and commandments of men; because they proceed
not from mere human authority; but from that which Christ
has established in his church; whose pastors he has
commanded us to hear and obey, even as himself. St. Luke
10. 16; St. Matt. 18. 17.
15:10. And having called together the multitudes unto him,
he said to them: Hear ye and understand.
15:11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man:
but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Not that which goeth into, etc... No uncleanness in meat,
nor any dirt contracted by eating it with unwashed hands,
can defile the soul: but sin alone; or a disobedience of
the heart to the ordinance and will of God. And thus when
Adam took the forbidden fruit, it was not the apple, which
entered into the mouth, but the disobedience to the law of
God which defiled him. The same is to be said if a Jew, in
the time of the old law, had eaten swine's flesh; or a
Christian convert, in the days of the apostles, contrary to
their ordinance, had eaten blood; or if any of the faithful
at present should transgress the ordinance of God's church,
by breaking the fasts: for in all these cases the soul
would be defiled; not indeed by that which goeth into the
mouth; but by the disobedience of the heart, in wilfully
transgressing the ordinance of God, or of those who have
their authority from him.
15:12. Then came his disciples, and said to him: Dost thou
know that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were
scandalized?
15:13. But he answering, said: Every plant which my
heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
15:14. Let them alone: they are blind, and leaders of the
blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the
pit.
15:15. And Peter answering, said to him: Expound to us this
parable.
15:16. But he said: Are you also yet without understanding?
15:17. Do you not understand, that whatsoever entereth into
the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the
privy?
15:18. But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come
forth from the heart, and those things defile a man.
15:19. For from the heart come forth evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false
testimonies, blasphemies.
15:20. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat
with unwashed hands doth not defile a man.
15:21. And Jesus went from thence, and retired into the
coast of Tyre and Sidon.
15:22. And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those
coasts, crying out, said to him: Have mercy on me, O Lord,
thou son of David: my daughter is grievously troubled by a
devil.
15:23. Who answered her not a word. And his disciples came
and besought him, saying: Send her away, for she crieth
after us:
15:24. And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the
sheep, that are lost of the house of Israel.
15:25. But she came and adored him, saying: Lord, help me.
15:26. Who answering, said: It is not good to take the
bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs.
15:27. But she said: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of
the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.
15:28. Then Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is
thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt: and her
daughter was cured from that hour.
15:29. And when Jesus had passed away from thence, he came
nigh the sea of Galilee: and going up into a mountain, he
sat there.
15:30. And there came to him great multitudes, having with
them the dumb, the blind, the lame, the maimed, and many
others: and they cast them down at his feet, and he healed
them:
15:31. So that the multitudes marvelled seeing the dumb
speak, the lame walk, the blind see: and they glorified the
God of Israel.
15:32. And Jesus called together his disciples, and said: I
have compassion on the multitudes, because they continue
with me now three days, and have not what to eat, and I
will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the
way.
15:33. And the disciples say unto him: Whence then should
we have so many loaves in the desert, as to fill so great a
multitude?
15:34. And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you?
But they said: Seven, and a few little fishes.
15:35. And he commanded the multitude to sit down upon the
ground.
15:36. And taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and
giving thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, and the
disciples gave to the people.
15:37. And they did all eat, and had their fill. And they
took up seven baskets full, of what remained of the
fragments.
15:38. And they that did eat, were four thousand men,
beside children and women.
15:39. And having dismissed the multitude, he went up into
a boat, and came into the coasts of Magedan.
Matthew Chapter 16
Christ refuses to shew the Pharisees a sign from heaven.
Peter's confession is rewarded. He is rebuked for opposing
Christ's passion. All his followers must deny themselves.
16:1. And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees
tempting: and they asked him to shew them a sign from
heaven.
16:2. But he answered and said to them: When it is evening,
you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.
16:3. And in the morning: To day there will be a storm, for
the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern
the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the
times?
16:4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a
sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of
Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.
16:5. And when his disciples were come over the water, they
had forgotten to take bread.
16:6. Who said to them: Take heed and beware of the leaven
of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
16:7. But they thought within themselves, saying: Because
we have taken no bread.
16:8. And Jesus knowing it, said: Why do you think within
yourselves, O ye of little faith, for that you have no
bread?
16:9. Do you not yet understand, neither do you remember
the five loaves among five thousand men, and how many
baskets you took up?
16:10. Nor the seven loaves, among four thousand men, and
how many baskets you took up?
16:11. Why do you not understand that it was not concerning
bread I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and Sadducees?
16:12. Then they understood that he said not that they
should beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine
of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
16:13. And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea
Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men
say that the Son of man is?
16:14. But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some
Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
16:15. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
16:16. Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the
Son of the living God.
16:17. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou,
Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed
it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
16:18. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon
this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.
Thou art Peter, etc... As St. Peter, by divine revelation,
here made a solemn profession of his faith of the divinity
of Christ; so in recompense of this faith and profession,
our Lord here declares to him the dignity to which he is
pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom he had already
given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, St. John 1. 42,
should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the
support of the building of the church; in which building he
should be, next to Christ himself, the chief foundation
stone, in quality of chief pastor, ruler, and governor; and
should have accordingly all fulness of ecclesiastical
power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Upon
this rock, etc... The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in
the vulgar language of the Jews which our Lord made use of,
were the same as if he had said in English, Thou art a
Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church. So that,
by the plain course of the words, Peter is here declared to
be the rock, upon which the church was to be built: Christ
himself being both the principal foundation and founder of
the same. Where also note, that Christ, by building his
house, that is, his church, upon a rock, has thereby
secured it against all storms and floods, like the wise
builder, St. Matt. 7. 24, 25. The gates of hell, etc...
That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do,
either by himself, or his agents. For as the church is here
likened to a house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the
adverse powers are likened to a contrary house or fortress,
the gates of which, that is, the whole strength, and all
the efforts it can make, will never be able to prevail over
the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully
assured, that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious
error whatsoever shall at any time prevail over the church
of Christ.
16:19. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it
shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
Loose on earth... The loosing the bands of temporal
punishments due to sins, is called an indulgence; the power
of which is here granted.
16:20. Then he commanded his disciples, that they should
tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
16:21. From that time Jesus began to shew to his disciples,
that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from
the ancients and scribes and chief priests, and be put to
death, and the third day rise again.
16:22. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying:
Lord, be it far from thee, this shall not be unto thee.
And Peter taking him... That is, taking him aside, out of a
tender love, respect and zeal for his Lord and Master's
honour, began to expostulate with him, as it were to rebuke
him, saying, Lord, far be it from thee to suffer death; but
the Lord said to Peter, ver. 23, Go behind me, Satan. These
words may signify, Begone from me; but the holy Fathers
expound them otherwise, that is, come after me, or follow
me; and by these words the Lord would have Peter to follow
him in his suffering, and not to oppose the divine will by
contradiction; for the word satan means in Hebrew an
adversary, or one that opposes.
16:23. Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan,
thou art a scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the
things that are of God, but the things that are of men.
16:24. Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me.
16:25. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and
he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.
16:26. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole
world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange
shall a man give for his soul?
16:27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his
Father with his angels: and then will he render to every
man according to his works.
16:28. Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand
here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of
man coming in his kingdom.
Matthew Chapter 17
The Transfiguration of Christ: He cures the lunatic child:
foretells his passion; and pays the didrachma.
17:1. And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and
James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a
high mountain apart:
17:2. And he was transfigured before them. And his face did
shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.
17:3. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias
talking with him.
17:4. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good
for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three
tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elias.
17:5. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud
overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying:
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye
him.
17:6. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and
were very much afraid.
17:7. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them:
Arise, and fear not.
17:8. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only
Jesus.
17:9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus
charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the
Son of man be risen from the dead.
17:10. And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the
scribes say that Elias must come first?
17:11. But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall
come, and restore all things.
17:12. But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and
they knew him not, But have done unto him whatsoever they
had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.
17:13. Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to
them of John the Baptist.
17:14. And when he was come to the multitude, there came to
him a man falling down on his knees before him saying:
Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic, and
suffereth much: for he falleth often into the fire, and
often into the water.
17:15. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could
not cure him.
17:16. Then Jesus answered and said: O unbelieving and
perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long
shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me.
17:17. And Jesus rebuked him, and the devil went out of
him, and the child was cured from that hour.
17:18. Then came the disciples to Jesus secretly, and said:
Why could not we cast him out?
17:19. Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For,
amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, you shall say to this mountain: Remove from hence
hither, and it shall remove: and nothing shall be
impossible to you.
As a grain of mustard seed... That is, a perfect faith;
which in its properties, and its fruits, resembles the
grain of mustard seed, in the parable, chap. 13. 31.
17:20. But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and
fasting.
17:21. And when they abode together in Galilee, Jesus said
to them: The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of
men:
17:22. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall
rise again. And they were troubled exceedingly.
17:23. And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that
received the didrachmas, came to Peter, and said to him:
Doth not your master pay the didrachma?
The didrachmas... A didrachma was half a sicle, or half a
stater; that is, about 15d. English: which was a tax laid
upon every head for the service of the temple.
17:24. He said: Yes. And when he was come into the house,
Jesus prevented him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon?
The kings of the earth, of whom do they receive tribute or
custom, of their own children, or of strangers?
17:25. And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then
the children are free.
17:26. But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea,
and cast in a hook: and that fish which shall first come
up, take: and when thou hast opened it's mouth, thou shalt
find a stater: take that, and give it to them for me and
thee.
Matthew Chapter 18
Christ teaches humility, to beware of scandal, and to flee
the occasions of sin: to denounce to the church
incorrigible sinners, and to look upon such as refuse to
hear the church as heathens. He promises to his disciples
the power of binding and loosing: and that he will be in
the midst of their assemblies. No forgiveness for them
that will not forgive.
18:1. At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying:
Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of
heaven?
18:2. And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him
in the midst of them.
18:3. And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted,
and become as little children, you shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven.
18:4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.
18:5. And he that shall receive one such little child in my
name, receiveth me.
18:6. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones
that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone
should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be
drowned in the depth of the sea.
Shall scandalize... That is, shall put a stumblingblock in
their way, and cause them to fall into sin.
18:7. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must
needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that
man by whom the scandal cometh.
It must needs be, etc... Viz., considering the wickedness
and corruption of the world.
18:8. And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it
off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go
into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two
feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.
Scandalize thee... That is, cause thee to offend.
18:9. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and
cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to
enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell
fire.
18:10. See that you despise not one of these little ones:
for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see
the face of my Father who is in heaven.
18:11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was
lost.
18:12. What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and
one of them should go astray: doth he not leave the
ninety-nine in the mountains, and goeth to seek that which
is gone astray?
18:13. And if it so be that he find it: Amen I say to you,
he rejoiceth more for that, than for the ninety-nine that
went not astray.
18:14. Even so it is not the will of your Father, who is in
heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
18:15. But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go,
and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear
thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.
18:16. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or
two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may stand.
18:17. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And
if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the
heathen and publican.
18:18. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon
earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you
shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.
18:19. Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent
upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask,
it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven.
18:20. For where there are two or three gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
There am I in the midst of them... This is understood of
such assemblies only as are gathered in the name and
authority of Christ; and in unity of the church of Christ.
St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae.
18:21. Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often
shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till
seven times?
18:22. Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven
times; but till seventy times seven times.
18:23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a
king, who would take an account of his servants.
18:24. And when he had begun to take the account, one as
brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents.
Talents... A talent was seven hundred and fifty ounces of
silver, which at the rate of five shillings to the ounce is
a hundred and eighty-seven pounds ten shillings sterling.
18:25. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord
commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
18:26. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying:
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
18:27. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity,
let him go and forgave him the debt.
18:28. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of
his fellow-servants that owed him an hundred pence: and
laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou
owest.
Pence... The Roman penny was the eighth part of an ounce,
that is, about sevenpence half-penny English.
18:29. And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him,
saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
18:30. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison,
till he paid the debt.
18:31. Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were
very much grieved, and they came, and told their lord all
that was done.
18:32. Then his lord called him: and said to him: Thou
wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou
besoughtest me:
18:33. Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on
thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee?
18:34. And his lord being angry, delivered him to the
torturers until he paid all the debt.
18:35. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you
forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
Matthew Chapter 19
Christ declares matrimony to be indissoluble: he recommends
the making one's self an eunuch for the kingdom of heaven;
and parting with all things for him. He shews the danger of
riches, and the reward of leaving all to follow him.
19:1. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words,
he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea,
beyond Jordan.
19:2. And great multitudes followed him: and he healed them
there.
19:3. And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him,
saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for
every cause?
19:4. Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that
he who made man from the beginning, made them male and
female? And he said:
19:5. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother,
and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one
flesh.
19:6. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What
therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
19:7. They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a
bill of divorce, and to put away?
19:8. He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the
hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your
wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
19:9. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his
wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry
another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her
that is put away, committeth adultery.
Except it be, etc... In the case of fornication, that is,
of adultery, the wife may be put away: but even then the
husband cannot marry another as long as the wife is living.
19:10. His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man
with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry.
19:11. Who said to them: All men take not this word, but
they to whom it is given.
All men take not this word... That is, all receive not the
gift of living singly and chastely, unless they pray for
the grace of God to enable them to live so, and for some it
may be necessary to that end to fast as well as pray: and
to those it is given from above.
19:12. For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their
mothers womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by
men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves
eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let
him take it.
There are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs, for
the kingdom of heaven... This text is not to be taken in
the literal sense; but means, that there are such, who have
taken a firm and commendable resolution of leading a single
and chaste life, in order to serve God in a more perfect
state than those who marry: as St. Paul clearly shews. 1
Cor. 7. 37, 38.
19:13. Then were little children presented to him, that he
should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples
rebuked them.
19:14. But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children,
and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of
heaven is for such.
19:15. And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed
from thence.
19:16. And behold one came and said to him: Good master,
what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting?
19:17. Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good?
One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep
the commandments.
19:18. He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do
no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not
steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.
19:19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself.
19:20. The young man saith to him: All these have I kept
from my youth, what is yet wanting to me?
19:21. Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell
what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
19:22. And when the young man had heard this word, he went
away sad: for he had great possessions.
19:23. Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to
you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
19:24. And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to
pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of heaven.
19:25. And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered
much, saying: Who then can be saved?
19:26. And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is
impossible: but with God all things are possible.
19:27. Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have
left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore
shall we have?
19:28. And Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you, that you
who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of
man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall
sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
19:29. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or
sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and
shall possess life everlasting.
19:30. And many that are first, shall be last: and the last
shall be first.
Matthew Chapter 20
The parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The ambition
of the two sons of Zebedee. Christ gives sight to two blind
men.
20:1. The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who
went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his
vineyard.
20:2. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a
day, he sent them into his vineyard.
20:3. And going out about the third hour, he saw others
standing in the marketplace idle.
20:4. And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard,
and I will give you what shall be just.
20:5. And they went their way. And again he went out about
the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner.
20:6. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found
others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here
all the day idle?
20:7. They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He
saith to them: Go ye also into my vineyard.
20:8. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard
saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their
hire, beginning from the last even to the first.
20:9. When therefore they were come that came about the
eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
20:10. But when the first also came, they thought that they
should receive more: And they also received every man a
penny.
20:11. And receiving it they murmured against the master of
the house,
20:12. Saying: These last have worked but one hour. and
thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden
of the day and the heats.
20:13. But he answering said to one of them: friend, I do
thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?
20:14. Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give
to this last even as to thee.
20:15. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is
thy eye evil, because I am good?
What I will... Viz., with my own, and in matters that
depend on my own bounty.
20:16. So shall the last be first and the first last. For
many are called but few chosen.
20:17. And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve
disciples apart and said to them:
20:18. Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man
shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes: and
they shall condemn him to death.
20:19. And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked
and scourged and crucified: and the third day he shall rise
again.
20:20. Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee
with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.
20:21. Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him:
say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right
hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.
20:22. And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you
ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say
to him: We can.
20:23. He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink;
but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to
you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.
20:24. And the ten, hearing it, were moved with indignation
against the two brethren.
20:25. But Jesus called them to him and said: You know that
the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and that
they that are the greater, exercise power upon them.
20:26. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever is the
greater among you, let him be your minister.
20:27. And he that will be first among you shall be your
servant.
20:28. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered
unto, but to minister and to give his life a redemption for
many.
20:29. And when they went out from Jericho, a great
multitude followed him.
20:30. And behold two blind men sitting by the way side
heard that Jesus passed by. And they cried out, saying: O
Lord, thou son of David, have mercy on us.
20:31. And the multitude rebuked them that they should hold
their peace. But they cried out the more, saying: O Lord,
thou son of David, have mercy on us.
20:32. And Jesus stood and called them and said: What will
ye that I do to you?
20:33. They say to him: Lord, that our eyes be opened.
20:34. And Jesus having compassion on them, touched their
eyes. And immediately they saw and followed him.
Matthew Chapter 21
Christ rides into Jerusalem upon an ass. He casts the
buyers and sellers out of the temple, curses the fig tree
and puts to silence the priests and scribes.
21:1. And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem and were come to
Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two
disciples,
21:2. Saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over
against you: and immediately you shall find an ass tied and
a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me.
21:3. And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye that
the Lord hath need of them. And forthwith he will let them
go.
21:4. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
21:5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh
to thee, meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt, the foal
of her that is used to the yoke.
21:6. And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them.
21:7. And they brought the ass and the colt and laid their
garments upon them and made him sit thereon.
21:8. And a very great multitude spread their garments in
the way: and others cut boughs from the trees and strewed
them in the way.
21:9. And the multitudes that went before and that followed
cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he
that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the
highest.
21:10. And when he was come into Jerusalem, the whole city
was moved, saying: Who is this?
21:11. And the people said: This is Jesus, the prophet from
Nazareth of Galilee.
21:12. And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out
all them that sold and bought in the temple and overthrew
the tables of the money changers and the chairs of them
that sold doves.
21:13. And he saith to them: It is written, My house shall
be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den
of thieves.
21:14. And there came to him the blind and the lame in the
temple: and he healed them.
21:15. And the chief priests and scribes, seeing the
wonderful things that he did and the children crying in the
temple and saying: Hosanna to the son of David, were moved
with indignation,
21:16. And said to him: Hearest thou what these say? And
Jesus said to them: Yea, have you never read: Out of the
mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected
praise?
21:17. And leaving them, he went out of the city into
Bethania and remained here.
21:18. And in the morning, returning into the city, he was
hungry.
21:19. And seeing a certain fig tree by the way side, he
came to it and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he
saith to it: May no fruit grow on thee henceforward for
ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away.
21:20. And the disciples seeing it wondered, saying: How is
it presently withered away?
21:21. And Jesus answering, said to them: Amen, I say to
you, if you shall have faith and stagger not, not only this
of the fig tree shall you do, but also if you shall say to
this mountain, Take up and cast thyself into the sea, it
shall be done.
21:22. And all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer
believing, you shall receive.
21:23. And when he was come into the temple, there came to
him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of
the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these
things? And who hath given thee this authority?
21:24. Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you
one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you
by what authority I do these things.
21:25. The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or
from men? But they thought within themselves, saying:
21:26. If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why
then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from
men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a
prophet.
21:27. And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also
said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do
these things.
21:28. But what think you? A certain man had two sons: and
coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my
vineyard.
21:29. And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards,
being moved with repentance, he went.
21:30. And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And
he answering said: I go, Sir. And he went not.
21:31. Which of the two did the father's will? They say to
him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you that
the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of
God before you.
21:32. For John came to you in the way of justice: and you
did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots
believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards
repent, that you might believe him.
21:33. Hear ye another parable. There was a man, an
householder, who planted a vineyard and made a hedge round
about it and dug in it a press and built a tower and let it
out to husbandmen and went into a strange country.
21:34. And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent
his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the
fruits thereof.
21:35. And the husbandmen laying hands on his servants,
beat one and killed another and stoned another.
21:36. Again he sent other servants, more than the former;
and they did to them in like manner.
21:37. And last of all he sent to them his son, saying:
They will reverence my son.
21:38. But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among
themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we
shall have his inheritance.
21:39. And taking him, they cast him forth out of the
vineyard and killed him.
21:40. When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come,
what will he do to those husbandmen?
21:41. They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an
evil end and let out his vineyard to other husbandmen that
shall render him the fruit in due season.
21:42. Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the
Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same
is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this has been
done; and it is wonderful in our eyes.
21:43. Therefore I say to you that the kingdom of God shall
be taken from you and shall be given to a nation yielding
the fruits thereof.
21:44. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be
broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him
to powder.
21:45. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard
his parables, they knew that he spoke of them.
21:46. And seeking to lay hands on him, they feared the
multitudes, because they held him as a prophet.
Matthew Chapter 22
The parable of the marriage feast. Christ orders tribute to
be paid to Caesar. He confutes the Sadducees, shews which
is the first commandment in the law and puzzles the
Pharisees.
22:1. And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them,
saying:
22:2. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a
marriage for his son.
22:3. And he sent his servants to call them that were
invited to the marriage: and they would not come.
22:4. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that
were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves
and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come ye
to the marriage.
22:5. But they neglected and went their ways, one to his
farm and another to his merchandise.
22:6. And the rest laid hands on his servants and, having
treated them contumeliously, put them to death.
22:7. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry: and
sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burnt
their city.
22:8. Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is
ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.
22:9. Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you
shall find, call to the marriage.
22:10. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered
together all that they found, both bad and good: and the
marriage was filled with guests.
22:11. And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw
there a man who had not on a wedding garment.
22:12. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in
hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent.
22:13. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands
and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness. There
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
22:14. For many are called, but few are chosen.
22:15. Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves
how to insnare him in his speech.
22:16. And they sent to him their disciples with the
Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true
speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither
carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the
person of men.
The Herodians... That is, some that belonged to Herod, and
that joined with him in standing up for the necessity of
paying tribute to Caesar, that is, to the Roman emperor.
Some are of opinion that there was a sect among the Jews
called Herodians, from their maintaining that Herod was the
Messias.
22:17. Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful
to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
22:18. But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you
tempt me, ye hypocrites?
22:19. Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered
him a penny.
22:20. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription
is this?
22:21. They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them:
Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's;
and to God, the things that are God's.
22:22. And hearing this, they wondered and, leaving him,
went their ways.
22:23. That day there came to him the Sadducees, who say
there is no resurrection; and asked him,
22:24. Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no
son, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up issue to
his brother.
22:25. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first
having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his
wife to his brother.
22:26. In like manner the second and the third and so on,
to the seventh.
22:27. And last of all the woman died also.
22:28. At the resurrection therefore, whose wife of the
seven shall she be? For they all had her.
22:29. And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not
knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
22:30. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor
be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven.
22:31. And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have
you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you:
22:32. I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the
God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the
living.
22:33. And the multitudes hearing it were in admiration at
his doctrine.
22:34. But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the
Sadducees, came together.
22:35. And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him,
tempting him:
22:36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
22:37. Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy
whole mind.
22:38. This is the greatest and the first commandment.
22:39. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself.
22:40. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law
and the prophets.
22:41. And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus
asked them,
22:42. Saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is he?
They say to him: David's.
22:43. He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call
him Lord, saying:
22:44. The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand,
until I make thy enemies thy footstool?
22:45. If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
22:46. And no man was able to answer him a word: neither
durst any man from that day forth ask him any more
questions.
Matthew Chapter 23
Christ admonishes the people to follow the good doctrine,
not the bad example of the scribes and Pharisees. He warns
his disciples not to imitate their ambition and denounces
divers woes against them for their hypocrisy and blindness.
23:1. Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his
disciples,
23:2. Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on
the chair of Moses.
23:3. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to
you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye
not. For they say, and do not.
23:4. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens and lay
them on men's shoulders: but with a finger of their own
they will not move them.
23:5. And all their works they do for to be seen of men.
For they make their phylacteries broad and enlarge their
fringes.
Phylacteries... that is, parchments, on which they wrote
the ten commandments, and carried them on their foreheads
before their eyes: which the Pharisees affected to wear
broader than other men; so to seem more zealous for the
law.
23:6. And they love the first places at feasts and the
first chairs in the synagogues,
23:7. And salutations in the market place, and to be called
by men, Rabbi.
23:8. But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master:
and all you are brethren.
23:9. And call none your father upon earth; for one is your
father, who is in heaven.
Call none your father - Neither be ye called masters,
etc... The meaning is that our Father in heaven is
incomparably more to be regarded, than any father upon
earth: and no master to be followed, who would lead us away
from Christ. But this does not hinder but that we are by
the law of God to have a due respect both for our parents
and spiritual fathers, (1 Cor. 4. 23:15,) and for our
masters and teachers.
23:10. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your
master, Christ.
23:11. He that is the greatest among you shall be your
servant.
23:12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled:
and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
23:13. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for you
yourselves do not enter in and those that are going in, you
suffer not to enter.
23:14. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
because you devour the houses of widows, praying long
prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment.
23:15. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
because you go round about the sea and the land to make one
proselyte. And when he is made, you make him the child of
hell twofold more than yourselves.
23:16. Woe to you, blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall
swear by the temple, it is nothing; but he that shall swear
by the gold of the temple is a debtor.
23:17. Ye foolish and blind: for whether is greater, the
gold or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
23:18. And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is
nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon
it is a debtor.
23:19. Ye foolish and blind: for whether is greater, the
gift or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
23:20. He therefore that sweareth by the altar sweareth by
it and by all things that are upon it.
23:21. And whosoever shall swear by the temple sweareth by
it and by him that dwelleth in it.
23:22. And he that sweareth by heaven sweareth by the
throne of God and by him that sitteth thereon.
23:23. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;
because you tithe mint and anise and cummin and have left
the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and
faith. These things you ought to have done and not to leave
those undone.
23:24. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a
camel.
23:25. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;
because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the
dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness.
23:26. Thou blind Pharisee, first make clean the inside of
the cup and of the dish, that the outside may become clean.
23:27. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites;
because you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly
appear to men beautiful but within are full of dead men's
bones and of all filthiness.
23:28. So you also outwardly indeed appear to men just: but
inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
23:29. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, that
build the sepulchres of the prophets and adorn the
monuments of the just,
Build the sepulchres, etc... This is not blamed, as if it
were in itself evil to build or adorn the monuments of the
prophets: but the hypocrisy of the Pharisees is here taxed;
who, whilst they pretended to honour the memory of the
prophets, were persecuting even unto death the Lord of the
prophets.
23:30. And say: If we had been in the days of our fathers,
we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of
the prophets.
23:31. Wherefore you are witnesses against yourselves, that
you are the sons of them that killed the prophets.
23:32. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
23:33. You serpents, generation of vipers, how will you
flee from the judgment of hell?
23:34. Therefore behold I send to you prophets and wise men
and scribes: and some of them you will put to death and
crucify: and some you will scourge in your synagogues and
persecute from city to city.
23:35. That upon you may come all the just blood that hath
been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just,
even unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom
you killed between the temple and the altar.
That upon you may come, etc... Not that they should suffer
more than their own sins justly deserved; but that the
justice of God should now fall upon them with such a final
vengeance, once for all, as might comprise all the
different kinds of judgments and punishments, that had at
any time before been inflicted for the shedding of just
blood.
23:36. Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon
this generation.
23:37. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets
and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I
have gathered together thy children, as the hen doth gather
her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldst not?
23:38. Behold, your house shall be left to you, desolate.
23:39. For I say to you, you shall not see me henceforth
till you say: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord.
Matthew Chapter 24
Christ foretells the destruction of the temple, with the
signs that shall come before it and before the last
judgment. We must always watch.
24:1. And Jesus being come out of the temple, went away.
And his disciples came to shew him the buildings of the
temple.
24:2. And he answering, said to them: Do you see all these
things? Amen I say to you, there shall not be left here a
stone upon a stone that shall not be destroyed.
24:3. And when he was sitting on mount Olivet, the
disciples came to him privately, saying: Tell us when shall
these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming
and of the consummation of the world?
24:4. And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no
man seduce you.
24:5. For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ.
And they will seduce many.
24:6. And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See
that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to
pass: but the end is not yet.
24:7. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom: And there shall be pestilences and famines
and earthquakes in places.
24:8. Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.
24:9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and
shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all
nations for my name's sake.
24:10. And then shall many be scandalized and shall betray
one another and shall hate one another.
24:11. And many false prophets shall rise and shall seduce
many.
24:12. And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of
many shall grow cold.
24:13. But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be
saved.
24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in
the whole world, for a testimony to all nations: and then
shall the consummation come.
24:15. When therefore you shall see the abomination of
desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him
understand.
24:16. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the
mountains:
24:17. And he that is on the housetop, let him not come
down to take any thing out of his house:
24:18. And he that is in the field, let him not go back to
take his coat.
24:19. And woe to them that are with child and that give
suck in those days.
24:20. But pray that your flight be not in the winter or on
the sabbath.
24:21. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as
hath not been from the beginning of the world until now,
neither shall be.
24:22. And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh
should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days
shall be shortened.
24:23. Then if any man shall say to you, Lo here is Christ,
or there: do not believe him.
24:24. For there shall arise false Christs and false
prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch
as to deceive (if possible) even the elect.
24:25. Behold I have told it to you, beforehand.
24:26. If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in
the desert: go ye not out. Behold he is in the closets:
believe it not.
24:27. For as lightning cometh out of the east and
appeareth even into the west: so shall also the cowling of
the Son of man be.
24:28. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the
eagles also be gathered together.
Wheresoever, etc... The coming of Christ shall be sudden,
and manifest to all the world, like lightning: and
wheresoever he shall come, thither shall all mankind be
gathered to him, as eagles are gathered about a dead body.
24:29. And immediately after the tribulation of those days,
the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her
light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers
of heaven shall be moved.
The stars... Or flaming meteors resembling stars.
24:30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in
heaven. And then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and
they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of
heaven with much power and majesty.
The sign, etc... The cross of Christ.
24:31. And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a
great voice: and they shall gather together his elect from
the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to
the utmost bounds of them.
24:32. And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the
branch thereof is now tender and the leaves come forth, you
know that summer is nigh.
24:33. So you also, when you shall see all these things,
know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors.
24:34. Amen I say to you that this generation shall not
pass till all these things be done.
24:35. Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not
pass.
Shall pass... Because they shall be changed at the end of
the world into a new heaven and new earth.
24:36. But of that day and hour no one knoweth: no, not the
angels of heaven, but the Father alone.
24:37. And as in the days of Noe, so shall also the coming
of the Son of man be.
24:38. For, as in the days before the flood they were
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even
till that day in which Noe entered into the ark:
24:39. And they knew not till the flood came and took them
all away: so also shall the coming of the Son of man be.
24:40. Then two shall be in the field. One shall be taken
and one shall be left.
24:41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall
be taken and one shall be left.
24:42. Watch ye therefore, because you know not what hour
your Lord will come.
24:43. But this know ye, that, if the goodman of the house
knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly
watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open.
24:44. Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour
you know not the Son of man will come.
24:45. Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them
meat in season?
24:46. Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall
come he shall find so doing.
24:47. Amen I say to you: he shall place him over all his
goods.
24:48. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My
lord is long a coming:
24:49. And shall begin to strike his fellow servants and
shall eat and drink with drunkards:
24:50. The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he
hopeth not and at an hour that he knoweth not:
24:51. And shall separate him and appoint his portion with
the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.
Matthew Chapter 25
The parable of the ten virgins and of the talents. The
description of the last judgment.
25:1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten
virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the
bridegroom and the bride.
25:2. And five of them were foolish and five wise.
25:3. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did
not take oil with them.
25:4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with the
lamps.
25:5. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and
slept.
25:6. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the
bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him.
25:7. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
25:8. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your
oil, for our lamps are gone out.
25:9. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not
enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell
and buy for yourselves.
25:10. Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and
they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And
the door was shut.
25:11. But at last came also the other virgins, saying:
Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you
not.
25:13. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor
the hour.
25:14. For even as a man going into a far country called
his servants and delivered to them his goods;
25:15. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two,
and to another one, to every one according to his proper
ability: and immediately he took his journey.
25:16. And he that had received the five talents went his
way and traded with the same and gained other five.
25:17. And in like manner he that had received the two
gained other two.
25:18. But he that had received the one, going his way,
digged into the earth and hid his lord's money.
25:19. But after a long time the lord of those servants
came and reckoned with them.
25:20. And he that had received the five talents coming,
brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst
deliver to me five talents. Behold I have gained other five
over and above.
25:21. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful
servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy
of thy lord.
25:22. And he also that had received the two talents came
and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me. Behold
I have gained other two.
25:23. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful
servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy
of thy lord.
25:24. But he that had received the one talent, came and
said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest
where thou hast not sown and gatherest where thou hast not
strewed.
25:25. And being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the
earth. Behold here thou hast that which is thine.
25:26. And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and
slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not
and gather where I have not strewed.
25:27. Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money
to the bankers: and at my coming I should have received my
own with usury.
25:28. Take ye away therefore the talent from him and give
it him that hath ten talents.
25:29. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he
shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which
he seemeth to have shall be taken away.
25:30. And the unprofitable servant, cast ye out into the
exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.
25:31. And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty,
and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the
seat of his majesty.
25:32. And all nations shall be gathered together before
him: and he shall separate them one from another, as the
shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats:
25:33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but
the goats on his left.
25:34. Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his
right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
25:35. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was
thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and
you took me in:
25:36. Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me:
I was in prison, and you came to me.
25:37. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when
did we see thee hungry and fed thee: thirsty and gave thee
drink?
25:38. Or when did we see thee a stranger and took thee in?
Or naked and covered thee?
25:39. Or when did we see thee sick or in prison and came
to thee?
25:40. And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say
to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least
brethren, you did it to me.
25:41. Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his
left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting
fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels.
25:42. For I was hungry and you gave me not to eat: I was
thirsty and you gave me not to drink.
25:43. I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and
you covered me not: sick and in prison and you did not
visit me.
25:44. Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when
did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or
sick or in prison and did not minister to thee?
25:45. Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen: I say to
you, as long as you did it not to one of these least,
neither did you do it to me.
25:46. And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but
the just, into life everlasting.
Matthew Chapter 26
The Jews conspire against Christ. He is anointed by Mary.
The treason of Judas. The last supper. The prayer in the
garden. The apprehension of our Lord. His treatment in the
house of Caiphas.
26:1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these
words, he said to his disciples:
26:2. You know that after two days shall be the pasch: and
the Son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified.
26:3. Then were gathered together the chief priests and
ancients of the people, into the court of the high priest,
who was called Caiphas:
26:4. And they consulted together that by subtilty they
might apprehend Jesus and put him to death.
26:5. But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps
there should be a tumult among the people.
26:6. And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon
the leper,
26:7. There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of
precious ointment and poured it on his head as he was at
table.
26:8. And the disciples seeing it had indignation, saying:
To what purpose is this waste?
26:9. For this might have been sold for much and given to
the poor.
26:10. And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you
trouble this woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon
me.
26:11. For the poor you have always with you: but me you
have not always.
Me you have not always... Viz., in a visible manner, as
when conversant here on earth; and as we have the poor,
whom we may daily assist and relieve.
26:12. For she in pouring this ointment on my body hath
done it for my burial.
26:13. Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be
preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done
shall be told for a memory of her.
26:14. Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas
Iscariot, to the chief priests.
26:15. And said to them: What will you give me, and I will
deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces
of silver.
26:16. And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray
him.
26:17. And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples
came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for
thee to eat the pasch?
Azymes... Feast of the unleavened bread. Pasch... The
paschal lamb.
26:18. But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man
and say to him: The master saith, My time is near at hand.
With thee I make the pasch with my disciples.
26:19. And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them:
and they prepared the pasch.
26:20. But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve
disciples.
26:21. And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to
you that one of you is about to betray me.
26:22. And they being very much troubled began every one to
say: Is it I, Lord?
26:23. But he answering said: He that dippeth his hand with
me in the dish, he shall betray me.
26:24. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of
him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be
betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been
born.
26:25. And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it
I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.
26:26. And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and
blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take
ye and eat. This is my body.
This is my body... He does not say, This is the figure of
my body - but This is my body. (2 Council of Nice, Act. 6.)
Neither does he say in this, or with this is my body; but
absolutely, This is my body: which plainly implies
transubstantiation.
26:27. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to
them, saying: Drink ye all of this.
Drink ye all of this... This was spoken to the twelve
apostles; who were the all then present; and they all drank
of it, says St. Mark 14. 23. But it no ways follows from
these words spoken to the apostles, that all the faithful
are here commanded to drink of the chalice; any more than
that all the faithful are commanded to consecrate, offer
and administer this sacrament; because Christ upon this
same occasion, and at the same time, bid the apostles do
so; in these words, St. Luke 22. 19, Do this for a
commemoration of me.
26:28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which
shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
Blood of the new testament... As the old testament was
dedicated with the blood of victims, by Moses, in these
words: This is the blood of the testament, etc., Heb. 9.
20; so here is the dedication and institution of the new
testament, in the blood of Christ, here mystically shed by
these words: This is the blood of the new testament, etc.
26:29. And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth
of this fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink
it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.
Fruit of the vine... These words, by the account of St.
Luke 26:22. 18, were not spoken of the sacramental cup, but
of the wine that was drunk with the paschal lamb. Though
the sacramental cup might also be called the fruit of the
vine, because it was consecrated from wine, and retains the
likeness, and all the accidents or qualities of wine.
26:30. And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount
Olivet.
26:31. Then Jesus saith to them: All you shall be
scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will
strike the shepherd: and the sheep of the flock shall be
dispersed.
Scandalized in me, etc... Forasmuch as my being apprehended
shall make you all run away and forsake me.
26:32. But after I shall be risen again, I will go before
you into Galilee.
26:33. And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall
be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized.
26:34. Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee that in this
night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.
26:35. Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with
thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner said all the
disciples.
26:36. Then Jesus came with them into a country place which
is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit you
here, till I go yonder and pray.
26:37. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of
Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.
26:38. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even
unto death. Stay you here and watch with me.
26:39. And going a little further, he fell upon his face,
praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this
chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as
thou wilt.
26:40. And he cometh to his disciples and findeth them
asleep. And he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch
one hour with me?
26:41. Watch ye: and pray that ye enter not into
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is
weak.
26:42. Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying:
My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must
drink it, thy will be done.
26:43. And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for
their eyes were heavy.
26:44. And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the
third time, saying the selfsame word.
26:45. Then he cometh to his disciples and said to them:
Sleep ye now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at
hand: and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands
of sinners.
26:46. Rise: let us go. Behold he is at hand that will
betray me.
26:47. As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve,
came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs,
sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people.
26:48. And he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying:
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Hold him fast.
26:49. And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi.
And he kissed him.
26:50. And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou
come? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and held
him.
26:51. And behold one of them that were with Jesus,
stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking
the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.
26:52. Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into
its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with
the sword.
26:53. Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he
will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels?
26:54. How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so
it must be done?
26:55. In that same hour, Jesus said to the multitudes: You
are come out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs
to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the
temple: and you laid not hands on me.
26:56. Now all this was done that the scriptures of the
prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples, all
leaving him, fled.
26:57. But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high
priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled.
26:58. And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court
of the high priest, And going in, he sat with the servants,
that he might see the end.
26:59. And the chief priests and the whole council sought
false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to
death.
26:60. And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had
come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses:
26:61. And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy
the temple of God and after three days to rebuild it.
26:62. And the high priest rising up, said to him:
Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness
against thee?
26:63. But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said
to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us
if thou be the Christ the Son of God.
26:64. Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless
I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man
sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming in
the clouds of heaven.
26:65. Then the high priest rent his garments, saying: He
hath blasphemed: What further need have we of witnesses?
Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy.
26:66. What think you? But they answering, said: He is
guilty of death.
26:67. Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him. And
others struck his face with the palms of their hands,
26:68. Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ. Who is he that
struck thee?
26:69. But Peter sat without in the court. And there came
to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus
the Galilean.
26:70. But he denied before them all, saying: I know not
what thou sayest.
26:71. And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw
him; and she saith to them that were there: This man also
was with Jesus of Nazareth.
26:72. And again he denied with an oath: I know not the
man.
26:73. And after a little while, they came that stood by
and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them. For
even thy speech doth discover thee.
26:74. Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not
the man. And immediately the cock crew.
26:75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had
said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And
going forth, he wept bitterly.
Matthew Chapter 27
The continuation of the history of the passion of Christ.
His death and burial.
27:1. And when morning was come, all the chief priests and
ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that
they might put him to death.
27:2. And they brought him bound and delivered him to
Pontius Pilate the governor.
27:3. Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was
condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty
pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients,
27:4. Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.
But they said: What is that to us? Look thou to it.
27:5. And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple,
he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter.
27:6. But the chief priests having taken the pieces of
silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the
corbona, because it is the price of blood.
Corbona... A place in the temple where the people put in
their gifts or offerings.
27:7. And after they had consulted together, they bought
with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for
strangers.
27:8. For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that
is, the field of blood, even to this day.
27:9. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias
the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of
silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized
of the children of Israel.
27:10. And they gave them unto the potter's field, as the
Lord appointed to me.
27:11. And Jesus stood before the governor, and the
governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews?
Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it.
27:12. And when he was accused by the chief priests and
ancients, he answered nothing.
27:13. Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how
great testimonies they allege against thee?
27:14. And he answered him to never a word, so that the
governor wondered exceedingly.
27:15. Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed
to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would.
27:16. And he had then a notorious prisoner that was called
Barabbas.
27:17. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said:
Whom will you that I release to You: Barabbas, or Jesus
that is called Christ?
27:18. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
27:19. And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his
wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that
just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a
dream because of him.
27:20. But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the
people that they should ask Barabbas and make Jesus away.
27:21. And the governor answering, said to them: Whether
will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said:
Barabbas.
27:22. Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with
Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be
crucified.
27:23. The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he
done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be
crucified.
27:24. And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but
that rather a tumult was made, taking water washed his
hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood
of this just man. Look you to it.
27:25. And the whole people answering, said: His blood be
upon us and upon our children.
27:26. Then he released to them Barabbas: and having
scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.
27:27. Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into
the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band.
27:28. And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about
him.
27:29. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his
head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee
before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the
Jews.
27:30. And spitting upon him, they took the reed and struck
his head.
27:31. And after they had mocked him, they took off the
cloak from him and put on him his own garments and led him
away to crucify him.
27:32. And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named
Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.
27:33. And they came to the place that is called Golgotha,
which is the place of Calvary.
27:34. And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall.
And when he had tasted, he would not drink.
27:35. And after they had crucified him, they divided his
garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments
among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
27:36. And they sat and watched him.
27:37. And they put over his head his cause written: THIS
IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27:38. Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the
right hand and one on the left.
27:39. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging
their heads,
27:40. And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of
God and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self.
If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
27:41. In like manner also the chief priests, with the
scribes and ancients, mocking said:
27:42. He saved others: himself he cannot save. If he be
the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross:
and we will believe him.
27:43. He trusted in God: let him now deliver him if he
will have him. For he said: I am the Son of God.
27:44. And the selfsame thing the thieves also that were
crucified with him reproached him with.
27:45. Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the
whole earth, until the ninth hour.
27:46. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud
voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? That is, My God,
My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
27:47. And some that stood there and heard said: This man
calleth Elias.
27:48. And immediately one of them running took a sponge
and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave
him to drink.
27:49. And the others said: Let be. Let us see whether
Elias will come to deliver him.
27:50. And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up
the ghost.
27:51. And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two
from the top even to the bottom: and the earth quaked and
the rocks were rent.
27:52. And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the
saints that had slept arose,
27:53. And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection,
came into the holy city and appeared to many.
27:54. Now the centurion and they that were with him
watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things
that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was
the Son of God.
27:55. And there were there many women afar off, who had
followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
27:56. Among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of
James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
27:57. And when it was evening, there came a certain rich
man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a
disciple of Jesus.
27:58. He went to Pilate and asked the body of Jesus. Then
Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered.
27:59. And Joseph taking the body wrapped it up in a clean
linen cloth:
27:60. And laid it in his own new monument, which he had
hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the
door of the monument and went his way.
27:61. And there was there Mary Magdalen and the other
Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
27:62. And the next day, which followed the day of
preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came
together to Pilate,
The day of preparation... The eve of the sabbath; so
called, because on that day they prepared all things
necessary; not being allowed so much as to dress their meat
on the sabbath day.
27:63. Saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer
said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise
again.
27:64. Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until
the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal
him away and say to the people: He is risen from the dead.
And the last error shall be worse than the first.
27:65. Pilate saith to them: You have a guard. Go, guard it
as you know.
27:66. And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing
the stone and setting guards.
Matthew Chapter 28
The resurrection of Christ. His commission to his
disciples.
28:1. And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn
towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and
the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.
28:2. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel
of the Lord descended from heaven and coming rolled back
the stone and sat upon it.
28:3. And his countenance was as lightning and his raiment
as snow.
28:4. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with
terror and became as dead men.
28:5. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not
you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
28:6. He is not here. For he is risen, as he said. Come,
and see the place where the Lord was laid.
28:7. And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is
risen. And behold he will go before you into Galilee.
There you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you.
28:8. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with
fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples.
28:9. And behold, Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But
they came up and took hold of his feet and adored him.
28:10. Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my
brethren that they go into Galilee. There they shall see
me.
28:11. Who when they were departed, behold, some of the
guards came into the city and told the chief priests all
things that had been done.
28:12. And they being assembled together with the ancients,
taking counsel, gave a great sum of money to the soldiers,
28:13. Saying: Say you, His disciples came by night and
stole him away when we were asleep.
28:14. And if the governor shall hear of this, we will
persuade him and secure you.
28:15. So they taking the money, did as they were taught:
and this word was spread abroad among the Jews even unto
this day.
28:16. And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the
mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
28:17. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted.
28:18. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power
is given to me in heaven and in earth.
All power, etc... See here the warrant and commission of
the apostles and their successors, the bishops and pastors
of Christ's church. He received from his Father all power
in heaven and in earth: and in virtue of this power, he
sends them (even as his Father sent him, St. John 20. 21)
to teach and disciple, not one, but all nations; and
instruct them in all truths: and that he may assist them
effectually in the execution of this commission, he
promises to be with them, not for three or four hundred
years only, but all days, even to the consummation of the
world. How then could the Catholic Church ever go astray;
having always with her pastors, as is here promised, Christ
himself, who is the way, the truth, and the life. St. John
14.
28:19. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost.
28:20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even
to the consummation of the world.
The text in this file was taken with permission from Catholic Software's Douay Bible program, a complete multimedia Bible for the PC. The complete product description follows:
Douay Bible ME: A multimedia Bible. Text and footnotes are from the 1899 version of the Douay-Rheims Bible. Supports unlimited cut and paste as well as searches. It also has a concordance, topical index, and maps. These features make it powerful and easy to use. Music and color photography make it a visual and auditory feast. However, if your computer doesn't support multimedia, you can suppress these features at installation time. Available for DOS, Windows, or Windows 95. $85.00. Order from: Catholic Software, P.O. Box 1914, Murray, KY 42071. Phone: 1-502-753-8198.
