He threateneth the Jews to be soon forsaken unless they do penance, 10. and confoundeth them for maligning him for his miraculous good-doing on the Sabbaths. 18. but his Kingdom (the Church) as contemptible as it seemeth to them now in the beginning, shall spread over all the world, 20. and convert all, 23. and what an heart-sore it shall be to them at the last day to see themselves excluded from the glory of this Kingdom, and the Gentiles admitted in their place. 31. He foretelleth that it is not Galilee that he feareth, but that obstinate & reprobate Jerusalem will needs murder him, as also his messengers afore and after him.He threatneth the Iewes to be soone forsaken vnles they doe pennance, 10. and consoundeth them for maligning him for his miraculous good-doing on the Sabboths. 18. but his Kingdom (the Church) as contemptible as it seemeth to them now in the beginning, shal spread ouer al the world, 20. and conuert al, 23. and what an hart-sore it shal be to them at the last day to see them selues excluded from the glorie of this Kingdom, and the Gentils admitted in their place. 31. He foretelleth that it is not Galilee that he feareth, but that obstinate & reprobate Hierusalem wil needes murder him, as also his messengers afore and after him.✦

And there were certain present at that very time telling him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices.And there were certain present at that very time telling him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices.AND there vvere certaine present at that very time telling him of the Galilaeans, vvhose bloud Pilate mingled vvith their sacrifices.Aderant autem quidam ipso in tempore, nuntiantes illi de Galilæis, quorum sanguinem Pilatus miscuit cum sacrificiis eorum.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

Whose blood Pilate mingled. That is, whom while they were sacrificing in Mount Gerizim in Samaria, Pilate slew. He slew them that their blood might be mingled with the blood of their victims. Josephus relates the whole at length (Antiq., book xviii. chap. 7), as also does Hegesippus on the destruction of Jerusalem Josephus says, “A certain impostor incited the people to assemble on Mount Gerizim, a mountain which they held very sacred, by the promise of shewing them certain vessels which Moses had deposited there and he had dug up. They credulously took arms and occupied the village Tirathaba, awaiting the arrival of others that they might ascend the mountain in force. But Pilate seized it before them, and held it with cavalry and foot soldiers. These attacked the Samaritans in the village, killing some and putting the rest to flight. He also took many prisoners, the chief and most powerful of whom he put to death.”

It may be said, “Josephus asserts them to have been Samaritans; how then does Christ call them Galileans?” The answer is, “They were called Samaritans from their country and nation, but Galileans from their sect and heresy.” So says Baronius. To explain the matter, observe that Judas of Galilee, as St. Luke says, Acts 5:37, was the author of the sect of Galileans who rebelled against Cæsar, saying that it was not lawful for the Jews, who were a faithful people, and worshipped the true God, to be subject to Cæsar, a Gentile, and an idolater, and to give him tribute; for they ought to acknowledge and obey no other lord but God. So S. Cyril in the Catena, Theophylact, Euthymius, and Titus. Hence Pilate sent a force and destroyed them. This sect arose about the time of Christ. Hence Christ and the Apostles, being Galileans by nation, were accused of the same, and they therefore carefully taught in opposition that tribute ought to be given to kings and to Cæsar, even if Gentiles. Francis Lucas thinks that these Galileans were slain by Pilate in Jerusalem, when they were sacrificing in the Temple, because Pilate was Procurator of Judæa and not of Samaria. But Josephus plainly says that they were killed in Mount Gerizim, which is in Samaria. The Samaritans, moreover, were a schism from the Jews, and would not go into the Temple at Jerusalem, but built another in their own power on Mount Gerizim, as we find from S. John 4:20. Pilate therefore attacked these Samaritans as rebels, and put them to death in Samaria, as open enemies to Cæsar.

When the slaughter of the Samaritans was frequently repeated, there were different opinions on the subject, many affirming that they were wicked men and hated by God; their sacrifices not only being rejected but also mixed with their blood. They related this to Christ and asked His opinion of the matter, but Christ made a wise use of this occasion, and drew from it an argument to rouse them to repentance, lest a similar vengeance should fall upon them. The preacher should follow this example, and when public slaughter, pest, famine, or wars befall, exhort his people to repentance, that they may escape such inflictions and, with them, the torments of Gehenna.

2And he answering said to them, Think you that these Galileans were sinners more than all the Galileans that they suffered such things?And he answering said to them, Think you that these Galileans were sinners more than all the Galileans that they suffered such things?And he ansvvering said to them, Thinke you that these Galileans vvere sinners more then al the Galilaeans that they suffred such things?Et respondens dixit illis : Putatis quod hi Galilæi præ omnibus Galilæis peccatores fuerint, quia talia passi sunt ?¶✦

3No, I say to you: but unless you have , you shall all likewise perish.No, I say to you: but unless you have , you shall all likewise perish.No, I say to you: but vnles you haue penance, you shal al likewise perish.Non, dico vobis : sed nisi pœnitentiam habueritis, omnes similiter peribitis.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. “Likewise”—that is, by a similar death, none excepted, says Maldonatus; and so Wisdom 6:8: “He hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike. For He cares for all without exception, though for some more and for others less.” Secondly, and more simply, You shall equally perish, though by another kind of death, by an eternal instead of a temporal one, or even by a temporal. Thirdly, and properly, Jansenius says, “By a similar death; the destruction and vengeance of God.” For the Jews were besieged by Titus at the time of the Passover, when they were sacrificing; and, when the city was taken, many were slain in the temple, where they were sacrificing, and accustomed to sacrifice. So Euthymius, S. Thomas, Hugo, N. de Lyra, S. Cyril in the Catena.

Observe that Christ here teaches us, in like calamities, to give our minds to the thought of our sins, and to repentance, that we fall not into the like punishments of God.

Symbolically, Bede says that Pilate means, the mouth of the hammerer, (os malleatoris) that is, the Devil, who is always ready to destroy. “Blood”—that is, sin and concupiscence. The sacrifices are good actions which the Devil, either for the delight of the flesh, or from the ambition of human praise, or some other evil motive, pollutes.

4As those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you that they also were debtors above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?As those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you that they also were debtors above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?As those eightene vpon vvhom the toure fel in Silóe, and slevv them: thinke you that they also vvere detters aboue al the men that dvvel in Hierusalem?Sicut illi decem et octo, supra quos cecidit turris in Siloë, et occidit eos : putatis quia et ipsi debitores fuerint præter omnes homines habitantes in Jerusalem ?✦

Cornelius a Lapide

Or of those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell. There was a fountain, or rather pool, near Jerusalem of which Isaiah speaks, “This people refuses the waters of Shiloah that go softly,” 8:6. Near this fountain was a tower also called Siloë, from it, which in the time of Christ fell down, either from the force of the wind, or from lightning, or an earthquake, or some other like cause, and destroyed eighteen persons who were either in it, or standing near. This, if we only regard secondary causes, may have happened by chance; but if we consider the one primary one, that is, God, it was done by His appointed Providence, who determines to punish some and to terrify others. For with God nothing is fortuitous, but everything is certainly foreseen and prepared, that nothing in His Kingdom should, as Boethius says, be ascribed to chance or temerity. God, then, orders these events for the chastisement and correction of man, that others, seeing their neighbours killed by the fall of a tower or some other sudden accident, may fear lest something similar happen to themselves, and so may repent and reconcile themselves to God, lest they be overwhelmed by His judgments and condemned to Gehenna. This is what God said by the prophet Amos, “Shall there be evil in the city, and the Lord hath not done it?” 3:6; and by Isaiah, “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create evil” 45:7. The poets and philosophers saw the same through a shade:

—O qui res hominumque Deumque, Æternis regis imperiis, et fulmine terres.

“O Thou who dost the affairs Of men and gods, by laws eternal rule, And by thy lightning fierce dost terrify.”

And Plutarch (In Moral.), “As if a blind man should fall against a person, and call that person blind for not avoiding him, so we make Fortune blind, whereas we stumble against her from our own want of sight. For this very ‘Fortuna fortunans,’ which is, in truth, no other than God Himself, and the Providence of God is most keen of sight, and has many more eyes than Argus.”

Symbolically. “The tower,” says Bede, “is Christ, Siloë, that is, He who is sent by the Father into the world, and who crushes to powder all the wicked upon whom He falls, through the sentence of His condemnation.”

Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? “Sinners”—the Arabic has culpabiles; the Chaldaic, charebim, i.e. debtors (for a debtor owes his soul, that is 10,000 talents, S. Matt, 18:24, to God). Christ shows clearly that these eighteen who were killed by the fall of the tower of Siloam, were sinners, though not, perhaps, the worst and greatest that were in Jerusalem.

5No, I say to you: but if you have not , you shall all likewise perish.No, I say to you: but if you have not , you shall all likewise perish.No, I say to you: but if you haue not penance, you shal al likevvise perish.Non, dico vobis : sed si pœnitentiam non egeritis, omnes similiter peribitis.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. “This shows,” says S. Chrysostom, “that these eighteen were appointed as an example and terror to the others; though each was punished for his own sins. This was made wholesome matter for others, that the fool might be made wiser by the event. For God does not punish all here, but He leaves a time for repentance. Again, he does not leave all for a future punishment, lest many should deny His Providence.”

Verses 6, 7.—He spake also this parable. “Cumbereth”—the Greek is κατάργει, that is, loads with a useless burthen, nay, renders the ground barren and fruitless, as well by its shade as by its roots, which keep the earth’s moisture from the other trees. The Syriac says, “keeps it idle;” for ἄργον, is idle, inert, devoid of strength.

In the letter the fig-tree represents the synagogue of the Jews, which God planted through Moses; to which Christ came by the Incarnation, to cultivate it by His preaching. Christ, therefore, is the keeper of the vine, that is, of the synagogue, to whom God said, “Cut it down, for now for three years in which Thou hast preached to it, I have looked for the fruit of faith and good works, and I find none, from the unbelief, perverseness, and malice of the Jews.” Christ intercedes for it, that the Father would allow Him to tend it by His preaching for one year more, or, at least, for half an one; and then, if it gave no fruit, it might be cut down. So it came to pass: for the Jews, in the fourth year of Christ’s preaching, at the Passover, adding sin to sin, and becoming more and more perverse, crucified Him; so that, a few years after, Titus was sent by God as His avenger, and took Jerusalem, and destroyed all Judæa. What remains are additions belonging to the finish of the parable, which it is unnecessary to apply to what is signified by it.

S. Ambrose observes, that the fig-tree is an apt symbol of the Synagogue: first, because it was a tree with abundance of leaves, but which disappointed its owner in his hope of fruit. Secondly, while the doctors of the Synagogue were fruitless of good works and boasted only of words like redundant leaves, the vain shadow of the law flourished exuberantly, but the false hope of the expected produce deceived the prayers of the people.

Secondly, as the fig puts out a green, that is an immature, fig (grossum) instead of blossoms, which soon falls, and then produces a savoury and solid fruit, so the Synagogue firstly put forth the Jews, like green and evanescent fruit, and then, through Christ, gave Christians, like mature and savoury figs. So Pliny, vii. 7, “Figs are produced late, if the green fruit, when exceeding the size of a bean, are taken away, for then are produced figs that ripen later.”

Tropologically. The fig is any individual person, especially a believer; the gardener is Christ, the Apostles, and the like; the Lord is God the Father, or the Holy Trinity. Our own Salmeron (tom. vii., tract 21), gives various reasons and analogies, why the faithful are compared to a fig. 1. The fig produces sweet fruit, which seems to be purses of honey and sugar, and the righteous produce the like. 2. As the fig tree increases little in height but is always short, so the righteous cast themselves down, and humble themselves. 3. The fig, instead of blossoms, gives fruit, and that twice; namely, the early ripe in the summer, and in the autumn the later—for the fig bears twice a year, as the righteous is ever plentifully bringing forth the fruit of good works. 4. As the fig makes a shade with its ample leaves, so the righteous defends and protects others by his charity. 5. The fig is never grafted into another tree, because of its exceeding sweetness, which cannot leave it. So the righteous rests in no man, but in God alone and his own conscience. 6. The fig tree, if stripped of its bark, gives no fruit, but withers away; and the righteous, unless protected by the bark of honest conversation, modesty, and outward decency, will bring no fruit with his neighbours. 7. The fig has medical properties, and heals diseases, as Isaiah healed Hezekiah by means of a fig (Isa. 38:21). Pliny also says that the fig alone, of trees, has medical virtues. So the righteous, because he is perfect and mature in virtue, ministers to the infirmities of others, by teaching, advising, and living holily. He adds that lopping and pruning it remedies its too great luxuriousness; as the righteous by circumcising and cutting off the desire of honour above, and the appetites of the senses below, by meditations on death and burial, is rendered fruitful in virtue and good works, and converts many of his neighbours to God.

Behold these three years I come seeking fruit. This alludes to the nature of the fig tree, which sometimes gives fruit in its third year. If not then, it commonly does not give it at all.

Symbolically, these three years, according to Euthymius, signify the three policies or political status of the Jews, under the Judges, Kings, and the High Priests, namely the Maccabees. St. Ambrose says “He came to Abraham, He came to Moses, He came to Mary; that is, He came in circumcision, He came in the Law, He came in the body. We acknowledge His Advent from His benefits to us. In the first, Purification; in the second, Sanctification; in the third, Justification—Circumcision purified, the Law sanctified, Grace justified—one in all, and all in one; no one can be cleansed but one who fears God: no one deserves to receive the Law but one who is purified from sin: no one comes to Grace but he who knows the Law.” So also St. Cyril: “God sought the nature of the human race before the Law, under the Law, and under Grace by waiting, admonishing, visiting; but some are not corrected by the natural law, nor taught by precept, nor converted by miracle.”

Tropologically, these three years, says Theophylact, are the three ages of man—childhood; full manhood; and old age. For every one ought at all times to bring forth the fruits of virtue to God, as is fitting and proportionate to every age. God, who would have no age of man idle, requires these of every one.

And He, namely, the dresser of the Vine, Christ and the Apostles, answering said unto him. Christ and the Apostles, says the Interlineator, knowing that some of the Jews could be saved, pray God to delay the avenging of the Lord’s cross, that is, the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus.

And if it bear fruit. Understand, “It shall be well, it shall be safe, and it shall be saved.” It is an aposiopesis. The Arabic adds, “For it has brought forth fruit.” The Synagogue formerly gave fruit under Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and others.

And if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. As God cut down the Jews by the Romans.

Mystically, S. Augustine (De Verb. Dom.) says: “He who intercedes is all holy; who, within the Church, prays for those who are without.” To dig about the conscience is to teach humility and patience, and to engraft on the mind the consideration of heaven and heavenly things, lest, as S. Ambrose says, the heap overwhelm the root of earthly wisdom and of earthly desires and hide it from view.

And dung it. This is, as S. Ambrose says, the feeling of humility, and S. Augustine (De Verb. Dom.): “Dung is filth, but it causes fruitfulness. The filth of the vine-dresser is the grief of the sinner.” And S. Gregory, “Dung is the sins of the flesh, from which the mind is roused to good works.”

6And he said this similitude, A certain man had a fig planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking for fruit on it, and found not.And he said this similitude, A certain man had a fig planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking for fruit on it, and found not.And he said this similitude, A certaine man had a figtree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking for fruite on it, and found not.Dicebat autem et hanc similitudinem : Arborem fici habebat quidam plantatam in vinea sua, et venit quærens fructum in illa, et non invenit.

7And he said to the of the vineyard, Lo it is three years since I come seeking for fruit upon this fig: and I find not. Cut it down therefore: whereto it also occupy the ground?And he said to the of the vineyard, Lo it is three years since I come seeking for fruit upon this fig: and I find not. Cut it down therefore: whereto doth it also occupy the ground?And he said to the dresser of the vineyard, Loe it is three yeres since I come seeking for fruite vpon this figtree: and I finde not. Cut it dovvne therfore: vvhereto doth it also occupie the ground?Dixit autem ad cultorem vineæ : Ecce anni tres sunt ex quo venio quærens fructum in ficulnea hac, et non invenio : succide ergo illam : ut quid etiam terram occupat ?

8But he answering to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.But he answering saith to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.But he answering saith to him, Lord, let it alone this yere also, vntil I digge about it, and dung it.At ille respondens, dicit illi : Domine dimitte illam et hoc anno, usque dum fodiam circa illam, et mittam stercora,

9And if it yield fruit: but if not, hereafter cut it down.And if it yield fruit: but if not, hereafter thou shalt cut it down.and if happily it yeld fruite: but if not, hereafter thou shalt cut it dovvne.et siquidem fecerit fructum : sin autem, in futurum succides eam.

10And he was teaching in their synagogue on the Sabbaths.And he was teaching in their synagogue on the Sabbaths.And he vvas teaching in their synagogue on the Sabboths.Erat autem docens in synagoga eorum sabbatis.✦

11And behold a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and she was crooked neither could she look upward at all.And behold a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and she was crooked neither could she look upward at all.And behold a vvoman that had a spirit of infirmitie eightene yeres: and she vvas crooked neither could she looke vpvvard at al.Et ecce mulier, quæ habebat spiritum infirmitatis annis decem et octo : et erat inclinata, nec omnino poterat sursum respicere.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

And behold there was a woman. “The spirit of infirmity, that is, an infirmity sent by the evil one,” says de Lyra. Euthymius, “The devil of weakness not suffering her to live.” The Arabic reads, “With whom was a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and she was bowed together and was not able to stand up by any means.” This infirmity was a curving and bending of the whole body, so that the woman was compelled always to walk bent and stooping. Observe that diseases are often sent by the devils, through the permission of God, for sins or other reasons. Ver. 16 shows the cause of this infirmity, “This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound.” Thus the devil afflicted Job with various diseases, chap. 2. The same is seen in Ps. 78:49, and Matt. 9:23. The devil, therefore, made this woman crooked and bent, to compel her always to look down upon the earth.

Eighteen years. It was, therefore, an inveterate and incurable disease, and as such could not be healed by the physicians.

And was bowed together. Looking towards the ground, (cernua) crooked, with her head and back bent downwards—nay, she was less able even than a beast to look up at the sun and heavens, but must always look down at the rocks and the earth. For at the creation (Gen. 1.)

Os homini sublime dedit, cœlumque tueri

“God gave to man a lofty countenance, And to regard the heavens commanded him.

Jussit, et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus,—

Bade him to lift his form erect, and gaze Upon the starry host,”—

that he might look up at the sun and the heavens, and, by a heavenly life, journey towards God on high, and be received into heaven and there enjoy the blessedness of the divine vision; for, as S. Basil says in the Catena, “We should seek heavenly things, and rise above those of earth.” The devil, then, to turn men from heaven, makes them look downwards, so that they see, love, and pursue only earthly things.

12Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him, and said to her, Woman, delivered from infirmity.Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him, and said to her, Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity.VVhom when IESVS savv, he called her vnto him, and said to her, Woman, thou art deliuered from thy infirmitie.Quam cum videret Jesus, vocavit eam ad se, et ait illi : Mulier, dimissa es ab infirmitate tua.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

And when Jesus saw her (the Arabic has “Jesus looked upon her;” with the eyes, that is, of both body and mind; with the eyes of grace, pity, and mercy), He called her to Him, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed, &c. “Loosed,” that is, thou shalt be dismissed; thou art healed; healed by Me, through the laying on of My hands, as followed. For Christ seems to have done two things at the same time: to have laid His hands upon her, and so healed her, and to have said, Thou art loosed. He said, “Thou art loosed,” and not “I loose thee,” to sharpen the woman’s faith. For Christ often ascribes healing and salvation to His touch, to show the virtue of His word and contact, for in the same moment in which He touched this woman, He healed her. “There was a divine virtue,” says S. Cyril in the Catena, “in the flesh of Christ, by which in an instant He worked great and wonderful miracles. As when He said ‘This is My Body,’ He transmuted the bread into His Body, as He transubstantiates it daily in the Mass. For, to have said, This is My body, is to have made it so; as in the words, ‘He spake and it was done.’ ” Hence, Titus, “By a word, assuredly most divine, and by a most perfect heavenly power, He removed the infirmity of this woman.” Lastly, the words “Thou art loosed,” that is, thou art freed, shows that the woman had been bound by Satan, constrained, kept down, as by a chain, so that her head appeared fixed to her knees and thighs. This bond Christ loosed, and thus made her erect. For Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.

13And he imposed hands upon her, and forthwith she was made straight and glorified God.And he imposed hands upon her, and forthwith she was made straight and glorified God.And he imposed hands vpon her, and forthvvith she vvas made straight and glorified God.Et imposuit illi manus, et confestim erecta est, et glorificabat Deum.✦

14And the Archisynagogue answering (because he had indignation that Jesus had cured on the Sabbath) said to the multitude, Six days there are you ought to work, In them therefore come, and be cured: and not in the Sabbath day.And the Archisynagogue answering (because he had indignation that Jesus had cured on the Sabbath) said to the multitude, Six days there are wherein you ought to work, In them therefore come, and be cured: and not in the Sabbath day.And the Archsynagogue ansvvering (because he had indignation that IESVS had cured on the Sabboth) said to the multitude, Sixe daies there are vvherein you ought to vvorke, in them therfore come, and be cured: and not in the Sabboth day.Respondens autem archisynagogus, indignans quia sabbato curasset Jesus, dicebat turbæ : Sex dies sunt in quibus oportet operari : in his ergo venite, et curamini, et non in die sabbati.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation. With indignation, because he envied Jesus the glory of a miracle by which He had shown Himself, before the whole synagogue and people, to be greater than the ruler. This man made religion and zeal for the observation of the Sabbath the cloak of his feeling. He is therefore called a hypocrite by Christ. So S. Cyril in the Catena. “When the ruler of this ungrateful synagogue saw the woman made suddenly erect by a mere touch, and celebrating the great acts of God, he sullied his zeal for the glory of the Lord with envy, and censured the miracle as if he would show himself solicitous for the Sabbath.” Observe the word “ungrateful.” He ought to have been grateful to Christ and to have given Him thanks for having honoured himself and the synagogue, and distinguished it by this miracle. But envy had so blinded him, that he thought the glory of Christ his own dishonour and disgrace, for he was unable to perform such and so great acts, himself. So Saul ought to have given thanks to David for slaying Goliath, the dread of himself and of all Israel. But envy made him so perverse that he thought the glory of David his own ignominy, imagining that David was preferred to himself, and that he himself, though the king, was placed below him. This is the living image of envy—the mask of religion—veiled and cloaked.

15And our Lord answering to him, said, Hypocrite, not every one of you upon the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the manger, and them to water?And our Lord answering to him, said, Hypocrite, doth not every one of you upon the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the manger, and leadeth them to water?And our Lord ansvvering to him, said, Hypocrite, doth not euery one of you vpon the Sabboth loose his oxe or his asse from the manger, and leadeth them to vvater?Respondens autem ad illum Dominus, dixit : Hypocritæ, unusquisque vestrum sabbato non solvit bovem suum, aut asinum a præsepio, et ducit adaquare ?✦

Cornelius a Lapide

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite. Hypocrites who feign sanctity abroad, when within they are full of envy and malice. S. Chrysostom in the Catena: “Christ rightly called him a hypocrite, because he had the face of one who observed the law carefully, but the mind of cunning and envy. He was not disturbed for the Sabbath and its violation, but because of Christ, because He obtained glory.” I have treated the subject at length, Ecclus. 1:29, on the words ne fueris, and 2:14, Væ duplici.

This daughter of Abraham. The argument of Christ is most applicable and forcible, showing that the healing was not a servile act, but one liberal and divine, and therefore, not only not unworthy, but rather most worthy, of the Sabbath—for the Sabbath, nay, even God Himself, the author of it, was wonderfully sanctified and made glorious, as S. Irenæus shows when he says that, “Christ, in healing the sick on the Sabbath day, acted not contrarily but according to the law.” Christ then compares, opposes, and prefers the bond and release of the woman to the bond and release of the ox and ass.

Again, every word contains a pregnant antithesis. In the first Christ compares, and prefers the woman, as a daughter of Abraham, to the ox or ass. 2. He compares and prefers the spiritual bond and deliverance of the woman to those of the ox and ass. 3. The woman had suffered this bondage for eighteen years. The ox had borne its tether, and therefore its thirst, only an hour or two. 4. The setting of the ox free was a long and troublesome work, but the healing of the woman was the act of a moment, in which the obligation of the Sabbath could in no way be violated. 5. By this release the woman was restored to perfect health and sanctity, but the ox only drank a little draught of water. Lastly, He convicts the ruler and the Pharisees of inhumanity, because, in the words of Bede, “he postponed the healing of a human being to care of cattle.”

The glorious things that were done by Him. The Syraic—In all the miracles which were done by His hand.

16But this daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound, lo, these eighteen years, ought not she to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?But this daughter of Abraham whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, ought not she to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?But this daughter of Abraham vvhom Satan hath bound, loe, these eightene yeres, ought not she to be loosed from this bond on the Sabboth day?Hanc autem filiam Abrahæ, quam alligavit Satanas, ecce decem et octo annis, non oportuit solvi a vinculo isto die sabbati ?¶

17And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the People rejoiced in all things that were gloriously done of him.And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the People rejoiced in all things that were gloriously done of him.And vvhen he said these things, al his aduersaries vvere ashamed: and al the people reioyced in al things that vvere gloriously done of him.Et cum hæc diceret, erubescebant omnes adversarii ejus : et omnis populus gaudebat in universis, quæ gloriose fiebant ab eo.

18He said therefore, Whereunto is the Kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I esteem it like?He said therefore, Whereunto is the Kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I esteem it like?He said therfore, VVherevnto is the kingdom of God like, and vvherevnto shal I esteeme it like?Dicebat ergo : Cui simile est regnum Dei, et cui simile æstimabo illud ?✦

19It is like to a mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden, and it grew: and became a great tree, and the fowls of the air rested in the boughs thereof.It is like to a mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden, and it grew: and became a great tree, and the fowls of the air rested in the boughs thereof.It is like to a mustard seede, vvhich a man tooke and cast into his garden, and it grevv: and became a great tree, and the foules of the aire rested in the boughes thereof.Simile est grano sinapis, quod acceptum homo misit in hortum suum, et crevit, et factum est in arborem magnam : et volucres cæli requieverunt in ramis ejus.

20And again he said, Like to what shall I esteem the Kingdom of God?And again he said, Like to what shall I esteem the Kingdom of God?And againe he said, Like to vvhat shal I esteeme the kingdom of God?Et iterum dixit : Cui simile æstimabo regnum Dei ?

21It is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.It is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.It is like to leauen, vvhich a vvoman tooke and hid in three measures of meale, til the vvhole vvas leauened.Simile est fermento, quod acceptum mulier abscondit in farinæ sata tria, donec fermentaretur totum.

22And he went by cities and towns teaching, and making his journey unto Jerusalem.And he went by cities and towns teaching, and making his journey unto Jerusalem.And he vvent by cities and tovvnes teaching, and making his iourney vnto Hierusalem.Et ibat per civitates et castella, docens, et iter faciens in Jerusalem.

23And a certain man said to him, Lord, be they few that are saved? But he said to them,And a certain man said to him, Lord, be they few that are saved? But he said to them,And a certaine man said to him, Lord, be they fevv that are saued? But he said to them,Ait autem illi quidam : Domine, si pauci sunt, qui salvantur ? Ipse autem dixit ad illos :¶✦

Cornelius a Lapide

Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved? Christ answered in the affirmative that few should be saved, as S. Luke signifies and S. Matt, plainly states, 7:14. Isaiah speaks to the same effect, 10:22; 24:13. Understand “few” by a comparison of all the inhabitants of the whole world; or of the faithful with the unbelieving, for all the latter are condemned for their unbelief, and equally many of the faithful for their wicked lives. The faithful alone are saved, and not all of these. But whether the greater number of them are saved or lost is the question. Some think that the greater number are saved, through the holy sacraments (which very many of them only receive at the end of their lives). Others think that most are lost because they live in a state of mortal sin. The rule of S. Augustine is that as men have lived, so they die. Of these opinions I have shown which is the true one, on S. James 2:13, on the words “Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” The judgment of S. Chrysostom, Homily xl. to the Antiochenes, who numbered 100,000 or more, is formidable. “In our city,” he says, “among so many thousands, scarcely can 100 be found who will be saved, for in the youngers is great wickedness, and in the elders deadness.” And S. Augustine (Bk. iv. ch. 53, against Dresconius) compares the Church to a threshing-floor, on which there is much more chaff than grain, i.e. more reprobate than elect.

24Strive to enter by the narrow gate: because many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able.Strive to enter by the narrow gate: because many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able.Striue to enter by the narrow gate: because many, I say to you, shal seeke to enter, and shal not be able.Contendite intrare per angustam portam : quia multi, dico vobis, quærent intrare, et non poterunt.¶

25But when the good- of the house shall enter in, and shut the door, and you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying, Lord open to us: and he answering shall say to you, I know you not you are:But when the good- of the house shall enter in, and shut the door, and you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying, Lord open to us: and he answering shall say to you, I know you not whence you are:But vvhen the good man of the house shal enter in, and shut the doore, and you shal begin to stand vvithout, and knocke at the doore, saying, Lord open to vs: and he ansvvering shal say to you, I knovv you not vvhence you are:Cum autem intraverit paterfamilias, et clauserit ostium, incipietis foris stare, et pulsare ostium, dicentes : Domine, aperi nobis : et respondens dicet vobis : Nescio vos unde sitis :

26then you shall begin to say, We did eat before and drink, and in our streets teach.then you shall begin to say, We did eat before thee and drink, and in our streets didst thou teach.then you shal begin to say, VVe did eate before thee and drinke, and in our streates didst thou teach.tunc incipietis dicere : Manducavimus coram te, et bibimus, et in plateis nostris docuisti.¶

27And he shall say to you, I know you not you are, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity.And he shall say to you, I know you not whence you are, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity.And he shal say to you, I knovv you not vvhence you are, depart from me al ye vvorkers of iniquite.Et dicet vobis : Nescio vos unde sitis : discedite a me omnes operarii iniquitatis.

28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth: when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and you to be thrust out.There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth: when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and you to be thrust out.There shal be vveeping and gnashing of teeth: vvhen you shal see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob, and al the Prophets in the kingdom of God, and you to be thrust out.Ibi erit fletus et stridor dentium : cum videritis Abraham, et Isaac, et Jacob, et omnes prophetas in regno Dei, vos autem expelli foras.

29And there shall come from the East and the West and the North and the South: and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God.And there shall come from the East and the West and the North and the South: and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God.And there shal come from the East and the West and the North and the South: and shal sit dovvne in the kingdom of God.Et venient ab oriente, et occidente, et aquilone, et austro, et accumbent in regno Dei.

30And behold, they are last that shall be first, and they be first that shall be last.And behold, they are last that shall be first, and they be first that shall be last.And behold, they are last that shal be first, and they be first that shal be last.Et ecce sunt novissimi qui erunt primi, et sunt primi qui erunt novissimi.

31The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying to him, Depart and get hence, because Herod will kill .The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying to him, Depart and get thee hence, because Herod will kill thee.The same day there came certaine of the Pharisees, saying to him, Depart and get the hence, because Herod vvil kil thee.In ipsa die accesserunt quidam pharisæorum, dicentes illi : Exi, et vade hinc : quia Herodes vult te occidere.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying, Herod will kill Thee, as he slew John Thy forerunner. Christ seems not to have preached in Galilee at this time, as He had previously left it (Matt. 19), but in Peræa in Judæa, for Herod ruled over Peræa as well as Galilee. So thinks F. Lucas. Maldonatus and others, however, suppose that these things were done in Galilee, that S. Luke may now insert by recapitulation what had been done there previously, as we find in ver. 24 and chap. 9:51.

Moreover the Pharisees, by this falsehood, pretended that Herod was hostile to Christ, that they might banish Him from among them, or at least that they might test His freedom and conscience and depress Him by implanting in his mind the fear of Herod, and might thus drive Him out of their country. “Lest,” says Euthymius, “by His presence and miracles He might gain fame and attract a multitude.” And perhaps, when going from Peræa to Judæa, He might fall into the hands of the chief Priests, whom they knew to be contriving His death, as is plain from S. John 7:20, 25. Herod, indeed, was not opposed to Christ, for he desired to see Him and His miracles, as in chap. 9:9; nay, he would not condemn Christ when Christ was sent to him by Pilate, but sent Him back to Pilate clad in a white (alba, Vulg., λαμπρος, Greek) robe, as if He were worthy of ridicule and not death, chap. 23. So Jansenius, Maldonatus, F. Lucas and others.

32And he said to them, Go, and tell that fox, Behold I cast out Devils, and cures this day and to morrow, and the third day I am .And he said to them, Go, and tell that fox, Behold I cast out Devils, and cures this day and to morrow, and the third day I am .And he said to them, Goe, and tel that foxe, Behold I cast out deuils, and perfite cures this day and to morovv, and the third day I am consummate.Et ait illis : Ite, et dicite vulpi illi : Ecce ejicio dæmonia, et sanitates perficio hodie, et cras, et tertia die consummor.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

And He said to them. Christ answered the Pharisees freely and loftily when they brought up the fear of Herod. He said that He feared neither Herod, nor the Pharisees, nor the rulers, but He would continue to preach, though against the will of them all, until the day appointed by the Father for His death. He called Herod “a fox,” because he was cunning, crafty, (versipellis) and false, for he killed John the Baptist by fraud and falsehood. Such are heretics the type of whom was Herod, for they seek to kill those who believe, in Christ.

But Christ here rather addresses the Pharisees, and calls them all foxes because they would have instilled a false fear of Herod into His mind, that in flying from Judæa He might be taken by the rulers and put to death. Titus says that “He appears, as some think, to direct the whole force of His words against Herod alone, but He turns them against the wickedness of the Pharisees rather than Herod, for He did not say ‘that fox,’ but ‘this fox.’ ” In fact, to show that the Pharisees resembled foxes by their pretended fraud, He carefully used a middle term, and, as S. Theophylact says, “with intention,” for by saying “fox” in the singular He made them think that He meant Herod, but by the addition of the demonstrative pronoun “this,” He signified that they themselves were the crafty ones.

Thus Emmanuel Sà: “The word ‘that’ may apply either to Herod or to him who invented the falsehood that Herod wished to kill Christ; and who must have been one of the Pharisees, the enemies of Christ. The meaning then is, You Pharisees, like crafty and deceitful foxes, would fill Me with the fear of Herod, that I may no longer preach among you; but I forewarn you that I fear neither you nor Herod, nor will I, for any reason, cease to preach; for I am sure that my Father will not suffer Me to be taken and put to death before the day appointed by Him shall have arrived.”

Behold, I cast out devils—I proceed to perform my work against the will not only of Herod but of you—to-day and to-morrow, that is, for some time yet, and the third day, that is, in a short time, when I shall have finished my ministry and preaching, I shall be perfected, i.e. “I shall receive my consummation in a glorious death on the cross, undergone by me willingly and courageously for the salvation of men,” as the Apostle says, Hebrews 11.

Observe the Hebraism by which an indefinite time is put for a definite, as in Hosea 6:2. So S. Cyril and Theophylact. Euthymius says, “To-day; and therefore to-morrow; that is, for some time yet, though a short one, that is about three months,” for Christ appears to have said this a little before the Feast of Dedication, which is kept upon the 25th of the month Casleu, which answers to part of our November and December, and He was crucified in the following March.

Christ therefore boldly said this to the Pharisees to show, 1. That He feared not death but sought it. 2. To show His Divine Power, by which He would live among then, and teach them, even against their will, as long as the Father and Himself pleased and determined. 3. To increase the vexation of the perverse Pharisees, for they already wished for His destruction.

Christ also calls His death “a consummation,” because in it and by it He consummated the whole œconomy of His Incarnation, and the whole work of the mission on which He was sent by the Father, that is, the expiation of all sins, the redemption of the human race, the salvation of the elect; as in Hebrews 10:14.

33But yet, I must walk this day and to morrow and the day following, because it cannot be that a Prophet perish out of Jerusalem.But yet, I must walk this day and to morrow and the day following, because it cannot be that a Prophet perish out of Jerusalem.But yet, I must vvalke this day and to morovv and the day folovving, because it cannot be that a Prophet perish out of Hierusalem.Verumtamen oportet me hodie et cras et sequenti die ambulare : quia non capit prophetam perire extra Jerusalem.✦

Cornelius a Lapide

Nevertheless I must walk. “Must,” says S. Bonaventure, “not from compulsion but from Divine decree.” So S. Cyril, and Titus. Christ repeats this (which He had said in the preceding verse) to show that He was constant in fearing neither Herod nor the Pharisees, and in His determination to preach, against their will, for a short time still, to the day appointed by the Father. The meaning is: “To-day and to-morrow, and the third day following I must walk in the towns and villages, and preach, and on that third day following, that is soon after, be perfected by death on the cross, as I have already said. I now add that on the third day I shall do the same, for although I shall be perfected on this day, yet on this day also I must walk. All the time of my life, even to my death, I must walk in this country, and preach, and work cures, and cast out devils, because I have consecrated my whole life to holy actions, and my death to generous suffering; for I have offered myself to God as a holocaust.” In Hebrew “to walk” is taken for “to work;” S. John 8:12, 12:35; Ps. 1:1, and elsewhere. The Syriac has, “I must walk to-day and to-morrow, and on the third day I shall make my journey,” i.e. I shall set out to Jerusalem to my death, and thence to Heaven from which I came.

Morally, the faithful, and especially the apostolic man, may learn to labour strenuously in the Lord’s vineyard even to death and martyrdom, like SS. Peter, Paul, Chrysostom, Athanasius and others. So our own Father Canisius, though worn out by many and great labours, yet ceased not from them until his seventy-seventh year, when he was released at once from them and from his life.

These were his words. “To the soldiers of Christ,” their term of service (stipendia) is not finished till the end of their lives. When they have ended then they begin: death alone gives them their discharge. There is one abode for those who have merited it, heaven. So our own Sacchinus in Bk. iii. of his life: “Let us labour therefore even to death, that after death we may rest for ever in a blessed felicity; for earth is the course (stadium) of a little labour, heaven is the seat of eternal repose.”

For it cannot be that a prophet should perish out of Jerusalem. In the Greek οὐκ ἐνδέχεται; that is, it is not fitting, it does not happen. “It cannot be done” is read by the Syriac. It is a hyperbole. It means, “Such is the wickedness and barbarity of Jerusalem, that it seems proper to her that the prophets should be killed by herself, nay, she will not suffer this to be done by any other, but takes it amiss if it be. I do not fear Herod therefore, whom you cast up to Me, because I shall not be put to death by him now in Galilee, but some months hence in Jerusalem, the murderess of the prophets, where, not by Herod, but by yourselves, O Pharisees, I shall be crucified and slain.” “For they were accustomed,” says S. Theophylact, “to pour out the blood of the servants, even as they poured out that of the Lord Himself.” So Titus, Jansenius, Maldonatus, and F. Lucas. The last named says: “It cannot be that a prophet should be slain outside Jerusalem, he must be slain within it; not because none were slain outside, for Jezebel slew many in Samaria, 1 Kings 18:13, 19:10, but as it was most usual for their slaughter to take place within the walls. For the kings had their abode there, and the rulers, the nobles, the scribes, the wise men, and the Pharisees, holy in their own eyes, who, like the people, would not endure the rebukes and admonitions of the prophets; so that the city was changed from the house of God, into the slaughter-house of the prophets, and professed to be, as it were, their place of torture. We read, 2 Kings 21:16, “Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.”

In like manner at Rome, in various places, and especially at the Ursus Pileatus, where is now the Church of S. Bibiana, a great number of Christians were slain by the unbelieving Emperors: so that the place obtained the vulgar name of “The Shambles of the Martyrs.” Thus it might then have been said with truth, “It is not possible that a Pope should be killed out of Rome, for almost all the Popes, from S. Peter to Silvester, for 300 years, were put to death by the Emperors at Rome for the faith of Christ.”

34Jerusalem, Jerusalem which the Prophets, and them that are sent to , how often would I gather children as the bird her brood under her wings, and not?Jerusalem, Jerusalem which killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee, how often would I gather thy children as the bird doth her brood under her wings, and thou wouldest not?Hierusalem, Hierusalem vvhich killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent to thee, hovv often vvould I gather thy children as the bird doth her brood vnder her vvings, and thou vvouldest not?Jerusalem, Jerusalem, quæ occidis prophetas, et lapidas eos qui mittuntur ad te, quoties volui congregare filios tuos quemadmodum avis nidum suum sub pennis, et noluisti ?

35Behold your house shall be left to you. And I say to you, that you shall not see me till it come when you shall say, Blessed is he that in the name of our Lord.Behold your house shall be left to you. And I say to you, that you shall not see me till it come when you shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of our Lord.Behold your house shal be left desert to you. And I say to you, that you shal not see me til it come vvhen you shal say, Blessed is he that commeth in the name of our Lord.Ecce relinquetur vobis domus vestra deserta. Dico autem vobis, quia non videbitis me donec veniat cum dicetis : Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament

2Those Galileans. It is God's mercy that he straight punisheth not all offenders, but for some few a warning to all: as that for Schism he striketh not all such as have forsaken the Church and the lawful Priests, as he did Core and his complices: that for spoil of Churches he revengeth not all, as he did Heliodorus: and all that vow and revoke their guilts to God, as Ananias and Sapphira. Some few therefore for their just deserts, be so handled for example, to provoke all others guilty of the same crimes to do penance. Which if they do not in this life, they shall all assuredly perish in the next world. Optatus li. 1 cont. Parmen. sub finem.Those Galilæans. ) It is Gods mercie that he straight punisheth not al offenders, but for some few a warning to al: as that for Schisme he striketh not al such as haue forsaken the Church and the lawful Priests, as he did Core and his complices: that for spoile of Churches he reuengeth not al, as he did Heliodorus: and al that vow and reuoke their guiltes to God, as Ananias and Sapphira. Some few therfore for their iust deserts, be so handled for example, to prouoke al others guilty of the same crimes to doe penance. Which if they doe not in this life, they shal al assuredly perish in the next world. Optatus li. 1 cont. Parmen. sub finem.

Nu. 16. 2. Mac. 3. Act. 5.

Some punished for example.Numbers 16. 2 Machabees 3. Acts 5.

Some punished for example.

16This daughter. We may see that many diseases which seem natural, do proceed of the Devil by God's permission, either for sin, or for probation: and both these kinds natural Christ specially cured, for that no natural medicines could cure them, and specially because he came to dissolve the works of Satan both in body and soul.This daughter. ) We may see that many diseases which seeme natural, doe proceed of the Diuel by Gods permission, either for sinne, or for probation: and both these kindes natural Christ specially cured, for that no natural medecins could cure them, and specially because he came to dissolue the workes of Satan both in body and soul.

Diseases not of the Devil.

Diseases not of the Diuel.

23By the narrow. Our Lord is not contrary to himself in that he answereth, the gate to be strait, and few to be saved, whereas elsewhere he said, that many should come from the East & West etc. & joy with Abraham in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 8, 11. For though they be few in respect of the wicked of all sorts, yet they be many in themselves and in the society of Angels. The wheat corns are scarce seen at the threshing, when they are mingled with the chaff, but when the little are removed, the whole barn of Heaven shall be filled. So saith St Aug. Ser. 32. de verbis Do.By the narrow. ) Our Lord is not contrarie to himself in that he answereth, the gate to be straite, and few to be saued, whereas els where he said, that many should come from the East & West &c. & ioy with Abraham in the Kingdom of Heauen. Mat. 8, 11. For though they be few in respect of the wicked of al sortes, yet they be many in them selues and in the societie of Angels. The wheate comes are scarce seen at the threshing, when they are modled with the chaffe, but when the litle are remoued, the whole barne of Heauen shal be filled. So saith S. Aug. Ser. 32. de verbis Do.

24Shall seek. Many would be saved and look to be saved, but cannot, because they will not take pains to enter in as to obtain a passage, that is to say, to fast much, pray often, do great penance for their sins, live in holy Churches discipline, abstain from the pleasures of this world, and suffer persecution and loss of their goods and lives for Christ's sake.Shal seeke. ) Many would be saued and looke to be saued, but can not, because they wil not take paines to enter in as to obtaine a passage, that is to say, to fast much, pray often, doe great penance for their sinnes, liue in holy Churches discipline, abstaine from the pleasures of this world, and suffer persecution and losse of their goods and liues for Christes sake.

Penance.

26Eat before thee. It is not enough to feed with Christ in his Sacraments, or to challenge Heaven thereby, unless we live in unity of the Catholic Church. So St Augustine applieth this against the Donatists, that had the very same service and Sacraments which the Catholic Church had, but yet severed themselves from other Christian countries by Schism.Eate before thee. ) It is not enough to feed with Christ in his Sacraments, or to challenge Heauen thereby, vnlesse we liue in vnitie of the Catholike Church. So S. Augustine applieth this against the Donatistes, that had the very same seruice and Sacraments which the Catholike Church had, but yet seuered them selues from other Christian countries by Schisme.

Cont. lit. Petil. li. 2. c. 55.

Schism.

Schisme.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Also available: 1582 first edition, Plantin Louvain (Latin).

Cornelius a Lapide’s commentary on Luke 13 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 13 of 24

Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament