Origen of Alexandria — Commentary on Scripture

Luke 1:1

(Hom. i. in Luc.) The effect upon his own mind, St. Luke explains by the expression, of the things which have been fully accomplished among us, i. e. have had their full manifestation among us, (as the Greek word peplerophoremenon signifies, which the Latin cannot express in one word,) for he had been convinced of them by sure faith and reason, and wavered not in any thing.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:1

With respect to the New Testament also "many have tried" to write Gospels, but not all found acceptance. You should know that not just four Gospels, but very many, were composed. The Gospels we have were chosen from among these Gospels and passed on to the churches. We know this from Luke's own prologue, which begins this way: "Because many have tried to compose an account." The words "have tried" imply an accusation against those who rushed into writing gospels without the grace of the Holy Spirit. Matthew, Mark, John and Luke did not "try" to write. They wrote their Gospels when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Hence, "many have tried to compose an account of the events that are clearly known among us." …Our doctrines about the person of our Lord and Savior should be drawn from these approved Gospels. I know one gospel called "According to Thomas," and another "According to Matthias." We have read many others, too, so that we do not appear to be ignorant of anything, because of those people who think they know something if they have examined these gospels. But in all of these…

With respect to the New Testament also "many have tried" to write Gospels, but not all found acceptance. You should know that not just four Gospels, but very many, were composed. The Gospels we have were chosen from among these Gospels and passed on to the churches. We know this from Luke's own prologue, which begins this way: "Because many have tried to compose an account." The words "have tried" imply an accusation against those who rushed into writing gospels without the grace of the Holy Spirit. Matthew, Mark, John and Luke did not "try" to write. They wrote their Gospels when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Hence, "many have tried to compose an account of the events that are clearly known among us." …Our doctrines about the person of our Lord and Savior should be drawn from these approved Gospels. I know one gospel called "According to Thomas," and another "According to Matthias." We have read many others, too, so that we do not appear to be ignorant of anything, because of those people who think they know something if they have examined these gospels. But in all of these questions we approve of nothing but that which the church approves, namely, only four canonical Gospels.…
Luke makes his intention known by the word he uses; that is, "that have been clearly shown to us," a concept that the Latin language cannot express in one word. It means that Luke knew by firm faith and by careful consideration and did not waver on any point, wondering whether it should be this way or that.

HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 1.1-3

Luke 1:2

It is plain that of one kind of knowledge, the end is in the knowledge itself, as in geometry; but of another kind, the end is counted to be in the work, as in medicine; and so it is in the word of God, and therefore having signified the knowledge by the words were themselves eyewitnesses, he points out the work by what follows, and were ministers of the word.

It is written in Exodus, The people saw the voice of the Lord. (Exod. 20:18.) Now a voice is rather heard than seen. But it was so written, to show us that men see the voice of the Lord with other eyes, which they only have who are worthy of them. Again in the Gospel, it is not the voice that is perceived, but the Word, which is more excellent than the voice.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:3

"It seemed right for me, too, following the same course from the beginning." He makes his point and repeats it. He did not learn from rumors what he is going to write. He himself has grasped it from the beginning. Hence, the apostle Paul praises him deservedly when he says, "He is praised for his Gospel throughout all the churches." Scripture says this about no one else. It uses the expression only for Luke. "It seemed right for me, too, following the same course from the beginning, carefully to write down all those events for you in order, most excellent Theophilus." Someone might think that Luke addressed the Gospel to a specific man named Theophilus. But, if you are the sort of people God can love, then all of you who hear us speaking are Theophiluses, and the Gospel is addressed to you. Anyone who is a Theophilus is both "excellent" and "very strong." This is what the Greek word υεοφιλος [Theophilos] actually means. No Theophilus is weak. Scripture says of the people of Israel, when they were going out from Egypt, "There was no weakling in their tribes." I could say boldly that e…

"It seemed right for me, too, following the same course from the beginning." He makes his point and repeats it. He did not learn from rumors what he is going to write. He himself has grasped it from the beginning. Hence, the apostle Paul praises him deservedly when he says, "He is praised for his Gospel throughout all the churches." Scripture says this about no one else. It uses the expression only for Luke. "It seemed right for me, too, following the same course from the beginning, carefully to write down all those events for you in order, most excellent Theophilus." Someone might think that Luke addressed the Gospel to a specific man named Theophilus. But, if you are the sort of people God can love, then all of you who hear us speaking are Theophiluses, and the Gospel is addressed to you. Anyone who is a Theophilus is both "excellent" and "very strong." This is what the Greek word υεοφιλος [Theophilos] actually means. No Theophilus is weak. Scripture says of the people of Israel, when they were going out from Egypt, "There was no weakling in their tribes." I could say boldly that everyone who is a Theophilus is robust. He has vigor and strength from both God and his Word. He can recognize the "truth" of those "words, by which he has been instructed" and understand the Word of the gospel in Christ—to whom is glory and power for ages of ages. Amen.

HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 1.6

Luke 1:3

St. Luke hereby explains to us the source of his writing; seeing that what things he wrote, he gained not from report, but had himself traced them up from the beginning. Hence it follows, It seemed good to me also, having carefully investigated every thing from the very first, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:7

Consider why many holy women in the Scriptures are said to have been barren, as Sarah herself, and now Rebecca. Also Rachel, Israel's beloved, was barren. Hannah also, the mother of Samuel, is recorded to have been barren. Also in the Gospels, Elizabeth is said to have been barren. In all these instances this term is used, for after sterility they all gave birth to a holy person.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 12.1

Luke 1:11

And we speak thus not only of the present time, but also of the future. When we shall have passed from the world, God will not appear unto all men, nor will the angels, but unto him only who has a clean heart. The place will neither hinder nor serve any one.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:12-13

A new face suddenly presenting itself to the human eye, troubles and startles the mind. The angel knowing this to be the nature of man, first dispels the alarm, as it follows, But the angel said unto him, Fear not.

The angel not only soothes his fears, but gladdens him with good tidings, adding, For thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:14

For when a just man is born into the world, the authors of his birth rejoice; but when one is born who is to be as it were an exile to labour and punishment, they are struck with terror and dismay.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:16

John indeed turned many, but it is the Lord's work to turn all to God their Father.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:17

In the spirit and power of Elijah.—He says not, in the mind of Elijah, but in the spirit and power. For the spirit which was in Elijah came upon John, and in like manner his power.

This sacrament of preparation is even now fulfilled in the world, for even now the spirit and power of John must come upon the soul, before it believes in Jesus Christ.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:18-22

This sacrament 2 of preparation is even now fulfilled in the world, for even now the spirit and power of John must come upon the soul, before it believes in Jesus Christ.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:22

When the priest Zechariah offers incense in the temple, he is condemned to silence and cannot speak. Or better, he speaks only with gestures. He remains unable to speak until the birth of his son, John. What does this mean? Zechariah's silence is the silence of prophets in the people of Israel. God no longer speaks to them. His "Word, which was with the Father from the beginning, and was God," has passed over to us. For us Christ is not silent.…Christ ceased to be in them. The Word deserted them. What Isaiah wrote was fulfilled: "The daughter of Zion will be deserted like a tent in the vineyard or like a hut in the cucumber patch. She is as desolate as a plundered city." The Jews were left behind, and salvation passed to the Gentiles.

HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.1, 4

Luke 1:24

And therefore he says, Five months, that is, until Mary should conceive, and her babe leaping with joy should prophesy.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:27

For if she had had no husband, soon would the thought have stolen into the Devil's mind, how she who had known no man could be pregnant. It was right that the conception should be Divine, something more exalted than human nature.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:28

The angel greeted Mary with a new address, which I could not find anywhere else in Scripture. I ought to explain this expression briefly. The angel says, "Hail, full of grace." … I do not remember having read this word elsewhere in Scripture. An expression of this kind, "Hail, full of grace," is not addressed to a male. This greeting was reserved for Mary alone.

HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.7

Luke 1:29

For if Mary had known that similar words had been addressed to others, such a salutation would never have appeared to her so strange and alarming.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:30

For if Mary had known that similar words had been addressed to others, such a salutation would never have appeared to her so strange and alarming.
When the angel saw that she was troubled at this unusual salutation, calling her by her name as if she was well known to him, he tells her she must not fear, as it follows; And the angel said, Fear not, Mary.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:32

See then the greatness of the Saviour, how it is diffused over the whole world. Go up to heaven, see there how it has filled the heavenly places; carry thy thoughts down to the deep, behold, there too He has descended. If thou seest this, then, in like manner, beholdest thou fulfilled in very deed, He shall be great.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Luke 1:39

For Jesus who was in her womb hastened to sanctify John, still in the womb of his mother. Whence it follows, with haste.

(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274) Catena Aurea by Aquinas