Cassiodorus — Commentary on Scripture

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

"Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth. "The unbelieving, unable to tolerate Stephen's preaching, were hastening unanimously to effect his death. Stephen, raising his eyes to heaven, saw the Son standing on the right hand of the Father. When he said this in pure truth, the crowd of madmen ran violently upon him and, having cast him out of the city, pelted him with stones. But Stephen, dying, prayed for them that this crime might not weigh down his persecutors. Paul too consented to his death, and he raised a great persecution against the church established in Jerusalem; for, after Stephen's body was buried with pious lamentation, this Paul made a havoc of the church with a hatred as great as the affection with which he would later defend it. Meanwhile Philip the deacon, another one of the seven, going down to the city of Samaria, earnestly preached the word of the Lord and performed by the power of Christ many miracles on the people who desired it, and the city was filled with great joy as a result.

Acts 8:9

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

"Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city," etc. As many became believers, Simon, a magician altogether famous for devilish crafts, seeing such great miracles, speedily desired to be baptized as well; but when the devout in Samaria were receiving the Holy Ghost by the imposition of the apostles Peter and John's hands, Simon offered them money so that they might grant him, too, the power to make people receive the grace of the Holy Ghost by the imposition of his hand. Peter rebuked him as he deserved, saying that he had no part with the faithful, since he imagined the Holy Ghost could be acquired with money. Condemned by such a rejection, Simon asked them with his lips to pray for him, while he did not have it in his heart. As for the apostles, they kept preaching the word of the Lord in many towns of Samaria.

Acts 8:21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

We must, I think, investigate the fact that often in the divine Scriptures heart stands for understanding.… It may be clear to all without doubting that the source of our thoughts is there, and that good and evil are drawn from there. The seat of thought is that tiny part of the body with the appearance of fire, so that it is rightly placed in the position from which good counsel can come to us.

Acts 8:26

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

"Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying," etc. An angel told Philip to go to the way where queen Candace's eunuch was about to pass. The eunuch, returning from Jerusalem, where he had come to adore on account of the devotion of his mind, was sitting in his chariot, reading the passage in the prophet Isaiah where he says: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer, he did not open his mouth", etc. Then Philip said to him: "Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?" And the eunuch made him mount the chariot and reveal to him the secrets of the Scriptures. Having received these with a faithful mind, he caught sight of some water on the way and, kindled with fervor of mind, asked to be baptized on the spot. When that was done, the Holy Ghost fell upon the eunuch, and Philip, being suddenly transported, vanished; and he was found in Azotus spreading the word of the Lord with his habitual preaching.

Acts 9:1-2 · 2 passages

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Often the merciful Lord does not allow us to perpetrate evil deeds so that pricked by remorse we should prostrate ourselves for our sins, just as Saul was checked when he was sent by the priests to Damascus to ravage the church of Christ with the most savage persecution. He was not permitted to attain great success, for that could have been the cause of his receiving eternal punishment.

"And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," etc. Paul, still meaning harm to the Lord's faithful, asked the high priest for letters, so that, if he found any preachers of Christ, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. This proved without a doubt rather to be his own release from bonds, for just as he was on his journey the Lord said to him: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Trembling at these words, he fell on his face and, having become blind, he entered Damascus led by others' hands. There was in that city the disciple Ananias, who was told to go to Paul and give him back his sight by the imposition of his hand. Ananias, however, remembering the past, replied to the Lord that Paul was a persecutor of the Church, so much so that, having recently received from the chiefs the authority to do so, he bound the Lord's faithful in chains; but the divine mercy replied to Ananias that he whom he knew to have previously been filled with criminal iniquity had been made into a vessel of election.

Acts 9:17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and laid his hand upon him, and said." Walking in to Paul, Ananias cleansed his eyes by the imposition of his hand, causing scales to fall off. Paul was baptized in the name of Christ, and was also reinvigorated by the taking of food, for he had been weakened by a three-day fast. Then, having been looked upon by heavenly kindness, growing strong in the Christian doctrine, he preached the word of the Lord in the synagogues: he had been changed for the better. Now after several days, a plot was hatched among the Jews against him too. He was placed in a basket by the disciples and secretly let down from the wall by a rope, and then came to Jerusalem. Having been brought by Barnabas before the apostles, he told them all that had happened to him by a gift of the Lord. Then, joined to them in the most loving fellowship, he preached together with them the Lord Christ whom he had previously thought worthy of persecution. As a result, the unbelieving hurriedly sought to have him killed, but the apostles decided, by a holy arrangement, to…

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and laid his hand upon him, and said." Walking in to Paul, Ananias cleansed his eyes by the imposition of his hand, causing scales to fall off. Paul was baptized in the name of Christ, and was also reinvigorated by the taking of food, for he had been weakened by a three-day fast. Then, having been looked upon by heavenly kindness, growing strong in the Christian doctrine, he preached the word of the Lord in the synagogues: he had been changed for the better. Now after several days, a plot was hatched among the Jews against him too. He was placed in a basket by the disciples and secretly let down from the wall by a rope, and then came to Jerusalem. Having been brought by Barnabas before the apostles, he told them all that had happened to him by a gift of the Lord. Then, joined to them in the most loving fellowship, he preached together with them the Lord Christ whom he had previously thought worthy of persecution. As a result, the unbelieving hurriedly sought to have him killed, but the apostles decided, by a holy arrangement, to send him away to Tarsus. Meanwhile, the whole of Judea and Samaria had peace and grew in the splendor of the Lord.

Acts 9:32

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

"And it came to pass that Peter, as he passed through, visiting all, came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda," etc. When Peter came to Lydda, he found there a man named Aeneas who, being ill of the palsy, had kept his bed for eight years. Peter said to him: "The Lord Jesus Christ healeth thee", and he was immediately cured. When they saw this miracle, all the people - all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron - converted to God. Then Dorcas, a woman devoted to almsdeeds and holy works who lived in Joppe, was deprived of life. Peter was sent for so that he should come there and show the wonderful works of God. A crowd of poor people, whom Dorcas had been supplying with clothes, were begging Peter that the mother of the poor be given back to them. Then Peter knelt down and prayed, saying: "Arise, in the name of Jesus Christ;" and he presented her alive to the people, after having summoned them. A large number of people believed in the power of the Lord as a result of this event; whereupon it came to pass that Peter stayed many days with one Simon, a tanner.

Acts 10:1

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

"And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius," etc. Cornelius, a Gentile living in Caesarea, devoted to almsdeeds and prayers, saw in a vision an angel of God saying to him: "Thy prayers and almsdeeds have reached the sight of the Lord: send men to Joppe to Peter, who lodgeth at the house of Simon the tanner, and have him come quickly to save thee." Meanwhile, as Peter in that house, about the sixth hour of the day, was hungry and desirous to taste somewhat, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind; and he saw a vessel like a white linen sheet, in which were all four-footed beasts, creeping things and fowls, be let down from heaven; and there came a voice to him: "Arise, Peter; kill and eat;" and a little later: "That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call unclean." This was done three times, and we know the vessel was taken back up to heaven. It signified, indeed, that nations all around the world would believe in the Lord Christ.

Acts 10:17

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

"Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself, what the vision that he had seen should mean," etc. As Peter thought in bewilderment about the above-mentioned vision, the Holy Ghost said to him: "Behold, men seek thee; Cornelius hath sent them. Arise and go with them, for they were sent at my behest to seek thee." When Peter had gone down to them without hesitation, they explained to him, in order, the reason why they were sent. Peter lodged them and, on the next day, he hastened to Cornelius with them. When Cornelius saw him, he fell at his feet and adored. Peter, retaining his humility, stopped Cornelius from it, asking him - even though he had been informed of it - for what reason he had had him called. Cornelius explained to him what he had been told by the angel when praying, and waited with the rest to hear from Peter what things might conduce to the salvation of all.

Acts 10:34

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

"And Peter opening his mouth, said," etc. Peter said: "In very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but that a man who worketh justice in any nation becometh pleasing to him." Then, continuing with words of the right faith, he preached to them that Jesus Christ was the Lord of all things, whom the Jews had decided to crucify and who, rising again from the dead, had stayed with his disciples for forty days, and all else that the doctrine of the Christian faith required. As he spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on the believers, and those who had come with Peter were overjoyed to see such gifts granted among the Gentiles as well. He then ordered them to obtain the grace of baptism in the name of Christ. As the news spread, the brethren who were in Judea were filled with the greatest joy. Peter, going to Jerusalem, kept preaching the word of the Lord with continued devotion.

Acts 11:2

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

"And when he was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him." When Peter was come up to Jerusalem, faithful Jews contended with him as to why he had gone in to men uncircumcised and had eaten with them. But he related truthfully by what vision he had been warned and what injunction he had received from the Divinity. Having heard that, all the people gave thanks to God because the Lord Christ had granted life-giving repentance and the gifts of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles too.

Acts 11:19

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

"Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose," etc. They who had been dispersed after Stephen's passion went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none but the Jews only. But there were nonetheless some among them who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke words of preaching to the Gentiles, and a great number of the people believed them, and tidings of the matter reached Jerusalem. Barnabas, sent by the apostles, found what had been said about them to be true. He rejoiced greatly and exhorted many people to continue in their undertaken purpose. Hearing, too, that Saul was in Tarsus, Barnabas went to him and, bringing him to Antioch, he is known to have preached with him in the church for a whole year, and is shown to have converted many people. It was there that disciples were first named "Christians". And in these days there came prophets to announce the future famine that came to pass under the emperor Claudius. Mention is made of the disciples sending what they could find to the brethren who dwelt in Judea, by the hands of Bar…

"Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose," etc. They who had been dispersed after Stephen's passion went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none but the Jews only. But there were nonetheless some among them who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke words of preaching to the Gentiles, and a great number of the people believed them, and tidings of the matter reached Jerusalem. Barnabas, sent by the apostles, found what had been said about them to be true. He rejoiced greatly and exhorted many people to continue in their undertaken purpose. Hearing, too, that Saul was in Tarsus, Barnabas went to him and, bringing him to Antioch, he is known to have preached with him in the church for a whole year, and is shown to have converted many people. It was there that disciples were first named "Christians". And in these days there came prophets to announce the future famine that came to pass under the emperor Claudius. Mention is made of the disciples sending what they could find to the brethren who dwelt in Judea, by the hands of Barnabas and Paul.

Acts 12:1

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

"And at the same time, Herod stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. "King Herod, with wicked presumption, murdered John's brother James, who was preaching the word of the Lord. Seeing that he had pleased the Jews in so doing, he sent Peter to prison as well, setting sixteen soldiers to guard him with great care. Prayer was being incessantly poured out for him throughout the church. On the night before the day appointed for his trial, he is known to have been visited by an angel and freed both from the bonds of chains and from the dangers of guards, all in such a way that, though it was truly happening, he thought it was taking place in a dream. When he came to himself, however, the truth was manifest, and he realized that the Lord had thought fit to free him through his angel. Coming to the house of Mary the mother of John, where a multitude of faithful were praying for him, he knocked at the door repeatedly and finally came in. He then told them how an angel had come to release him from the bonds of custody, and he ordered this to be told to James and to the other…

"And at the same time, Herod stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. "King Herod, with wicked presumption, murdered John's brother James, who was preaching the word of the Lord. Seeing that he had pleased the Jews in so doing, he sent Peter to prison as well, setting sixteen soldiers to guard him with great care. Prayer was being incessantly poured out for him throughout the church. On the night before the day appointed for his trial, he is known to have been visited by an angel and freed both from the bonds of chains and from the dangers of guards, all in such a way that, though it was truly happening, he thought it was taking place in a dream. When he came to himself, however, the truth was manifest, and he realized that the Lord had thought fit to free him through his angel. Coming to the house of Mary the mother of John, where a multitude of faithful were praying for him, he knocked at the door repeatedly and finally came in. He then told them how an angel had come to release him from the bonds of custody, and he ordered this to be told to James and to the other brethren.

Acts 12:18

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

"Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers," etc. Now when day was come, a great argument arose among the prison guards as to how Peter had escaped so many watches of men and so many chains. When Peter could not be found, Herod became violently angry with the guards, whom he ordered to be put on trial. Herod himself went down to Caesarea and Judea. He was angry with the people, but they managed to placate him with great supplication, rescuing Blastus the chamberlain. There Herod, sitting on the judgement seat in kingly apparel, spoke overproud words against the Lord; therefore an angel of the Lord struck him because he had not given glory to God; and Herod, swarming with worms, gave up the ghost. With such things being seen by people, faith in the Lord was everywhere on the rise. Barnabas and Saul, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark, left Jerusalem for Antioch, where one could see a blessed group of prophets and doctors. The Holy Ghost told these not to detain Barnabas and Saul, but to let them perform the task for which they were seen to have been c…

"Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers," etc. Now when day was come, a great argument arose among the prison guards as to how Peter had escaped so many watches of men and so many chains. When Peter could not be found, Herod became violently angry with the guards, whom he ordered to be put on trial. Herod himself went down to Caesarea and Judea. He was angry with the people, but they managed to placate him with great supplication, rescuing Blastus the chamberlain. There Herod, sitting on the judgement seat in kingly apparel, spoke overproud words against the Lord; therefore an angel of the Lord struck him because he had not given glory to God; and Herod, swarming with worms, gave up the ghost. With such things being seen by people, faith in the Lord was everywhere on the rise. Barnabas and Saul, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark, left Jerusalem for Antioch, where one could see a blessed group of prophets and doctors. The Holy Ghost told these not to detain Barnabas and Saul, but to let them perform the task for which they were seen to have been chosen. Barnabas and Saul, coming to Salamina, preached throughout the island all the way to Paphos the word that the Lord had thought fit to entrust to them. Meanwhile they found a false prophet, a Jew named Bar-jesu. This man tried to oppose Barnabas and Saul when they were with the proconsul Sergius and Paulus, a prudent man; but, subdued by the Lord's power, he achieved nothing.

Acts 13:9

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

"Then Saul, otherwise Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, said. "This continues what started above. While Sergius the proconsul and Paulus the prudent man listened, the apostle Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, vigorously reproved Bar-jesu the false prophet; and to show that his invective had been for the love of the Lord, he said to him: "Thou shalt be blind, and shalt not see the sun at all for a time." Then a dark mist coming upon him shut up his natural sight in such a way that he sought someone else's hands to help him leave. The performance of this miracle being ascertained, the judges who saw it were converted, believing that a doctrine proven to be displayed by such miracles was truly that of the supreme God.

Acts 13:13

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

"Now when Paul and they that were with him had sailed from Paphos," etc. When Paul and Barnabas had sailed from Paphos with the rest who had come with them, they came to Perge in Pamphilia, and passed through it. John, departing from them at Perge, returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas, walking through Perge, came to Antioch in Pisidia. Entering the synagogue there, they listened to a reading of the prophets and the law. The rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying that, if any one of them had a word of exhortation, he should speak, just as they did in other cities, where the truth they spoke was believed. Then Paul, having obtained silence with a gesture of his hand, preached the Lord Christ's doctrine to the people, explaining what was said with the testimonies of the prophets in order to bring the people to the fullest faith by revealing the truth; assuring them that the Lord Christ was the only one who justified the severity of the law by the gift of his grace; telling them they should be careful, as the Scripture warns, not to refuse to believe what the truth itself was k…

"Now when Paul and they that were with him had sailed from Paphos," etc. When Paul and Barnabas had sailed from Paphos with the rest who had come with them, they came to Perge in Pamphilia, and passed through it. John, departing from them at Perge, returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas, walking through Perge, came to Antioch in Pisidia. Entering the synagogue there, they listened to a reading of the prophets and the law. The rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying that, if any one of them had a word of exhortation, he should speak, just as they did in other cities, where the truth they spoke was believed. Then Paul, having obtained silence with a gesture of his hand, preached the Lord Christ's doctrine to the people, explaining what was said with the testimonies of the prophets in order to bring the people to the fullest faith by revealing the truth; assuring them that the Lord Christ was the only one who justified the severity of the law by the gift of his grace; telling them they should be careful, as the Scripture warns, not to refuse to believe what the truth itself was known to tell them.

Acts 13:42

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

"And as they went out, they desired them, that on the next sabbath, they would speak unto them the words of God." As Paul and Barnabas went out of the synagogue, a crowd of Jews begged them to speak their words about the Lord Christ again on the following sabbath. On the next sabbath, as the people had very eagerly come together to hear them, some of the Jews, moved with great envy, tried to contradict them. Paul and Barnabas replied to them: "It indeed behoved us first to speak the word of God to you; but because you have rejected it, we turn to the Gentiles as we have been commanded." At these words, the Gentiles rejoiced and received the Christian doctrine most readily. But the disappointed contradictors stirred up honorable women and the chief men of the city, and expelled Barnabas and Paul from their territory. Barnabas and Paul, coming to Iconium, converted many people to the Lord; and an uproar arose against them again, stirred up by their adversaries; but it was immediately calmed with the help of the Lord. It came to pass under these circumstances that some people sided with…

"And as they went out, they desired them, that on the next sabbath, they would speak unto them the words of God." As Paul and Barnabas went out of the synagogue, a crowd of Jews begged them to speak their words about the Lord Christ again on the following sabbath. On the next sabbath, as the people had very eagerly come together to hear them, some of the Jews, moved with great envy, tried to contradict them. Paul and Barnabas replied to them: "It indeed behoved us first to speak the word of God to you; but because you have rejected it, we turn to the Gentiles as we have been commanded." At these words, the Gentiles rejoiced and received the Christian doctrine most readily. But the disappointed contradictors stirred up honorable women and the chief men of the city, and expelled Barnabas and Paul from their territory. Barnabas and Paul, coming to Iconium, converted many people to the Lord; and an uproar arose against them again, stirred up by their adversaries; but it was immediately calmed with the help of the Lord. It came to pass under these circumstances that some people sided with the apostles while others sided at all costs with the Jews.

Acts 14:5

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

"And when there was an assault made by the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers," etc. When the people in the uproar that had been stirred up in Iconium tried to kill Paul and Barnabas, they fled to Lystra and Derbe and other regions of Lycaonia, and all the people there were converted to the Christian religion. In Lystra lay a certain man impotent in his feet from his mother's womb, to whom Paul, looking upon him, enjoined with a loud voice in front of everyone, in the name of Jesus Christ: "Stand on thy feet a healthy man." When the crowd in Lycaonia saw this, thinking that they were not men, but gods, they hastened to offer them sacrifices of cattle in their ancestral manner. Then Barnabas and Paul, rending their clothes, affirmed in every way that they were mortals like them, but that it was the Lord Christ who performed those things by his power, he who made the heaven, and the earth, and all things that are contained within their circumference. Calmed by means of this speech, the people were scarce stopped from the sacrifice that they had intended.

Acts 14:18

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

"And as they stayed there and taught, there came thither certain Jews from Antioch," etc. As Paul and Barnabas were staying in Lystra surrounded by great devotion from the citizens, there came some utterly wicked Jews, who, persuading the multitude, pelted Paul with stones and drew him out of the city, as if he were dead. But he rose and, with his disciples, entered safe and sound and with unconquered confidence the city from which he had been expelled. On the next day, he departed with Barnabas to Derbe, where, preaching the word, he converted many people to the Lord. From there they returned again to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, confirming the spirits of disciples, so that they should continue resolutely in the rules they had been taught. Then, ordaining priests to them, they prayed with fasting and left them to the Lord, entrusting them to him in a holy way.