But because someone could say, Why do you say spare us? Are you our lord? He removes this, saying, not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy. As if to say: I do not say this as a lord, but as a helper: "Not as those domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock" (1 Pet. 5:3). A helper, I say, for your joy,…

But he answering said to one of them. Here the reproof is set forth. And first, he shows his justice and his mercy; secondly, the equity of the remuneration. Regarding the first, three things. First, he denies injustice; secondly, he adduces the agreement; thirdly, he adduces the retribution that was made. He says, therefore, but he answering said to one…

And as to knowledge: the things that were first, etc., below: I foretold you of old (Isa 48:5). They also refer this to Darius.

Then Christ's answer is given. First, he mentions that the time was not appropriate for going to Jerusalem; secondly, the reason for this (v 7); and thirdly, we see Christ deciding not to go (v 8). We should note that all of the following text is explained differently by Augustine and by Chrysostom. Augustine says that the brethren of our Lord were…

And when Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished. There were three types of men who followed the Lord Jesus: some were astonished and scandalized, as the Pharisees, about whom below (c. 15). Some were astonished, but not scandalized, as the crowds. But some, as the perfect, were not astonished. But we must inquire about his saying, the…

2410 Then the Evangelist mentions the consent of Pilate to the killing of Christ, Then he handed him over to them, to the Jews, who had been subject to the power and the will of the Romans, to be crucified. This was against the advice of Exodus (23:2): "You shall not follow a multitude to do evil." "The earth is given into the hand of the wicked" (Job…

As to his blood relatives or who depend on him in any way he says, "My relatives abandoned me," not bringing me any aid. As for those, however, with whom he had been associated once he says, "and those who knew me," that is, once as an intimate friend, now in trial, "have forgotten me," namely, do not care for me.

"Therefore we will not fear." Ps. 26: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" As if to say: I will fear no one. And rightly, because he himself is "our God, a refuge and strength, a helper in the tribulations that have found us exceedingly." Second, he shows what things are to be feared. But two things are to be feared: namely, general…

Therefore he adds: What man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? By bread is understood Christ: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven" (Jn 6:51). It is also sacred doctrine: "I will feed him with the bread of life and understanding" (Sir 15:3); and it is charity: "The produce of the ground will be rich and plenteous"…

Having set forth the doctrine, he adds the admonition, the reason for which is taken from the doctrine mentioned. In regard to this he does two things: first, he gives the admonition on the man's part; secondly, on the woman's (v. 5). First, therefore, he says: It has been stated that the head of the woman is the man, but any man praying or prophesying…

Above it was shown how one must come to eternal life by the common way; here he teaches how one must come by the way of perfection, which is treated with respect to two things: with respect to continence, and with respect to voluntary poverty. Regarding the first he does two things. First he treats of the arrival; secondly of continence, at his disciples…

"In his snare." Here two things are set forth. And first, to what their effort leads. Second, the cause, at "he said." For the effort of the sinner, according to his intention, leads to the prostration of the poor; hence, "in his snare." But according to God's ordering, it leads first to the emptying of his power; hence, "he bowed himself down." For it…