Rabanus Maurus — Commentary on Scripture

Matthew 4:12-16

Matthew having related the forty days' fast, the temptation of Christ, and the ministry of Angels, proceeds, Jesus having heard that John was cast into prison. (ap. Anserm.) In allegory, John and the rest of the Prophets were the voice going before the Word. When prophecy ceased and was fettered, then came the Word, fulfilling what the Prophet had spoken of it, He departed into Galilee, i. e. from figure to verity. Or, into the Church, which is a passing from vice to virtue. Nazareth is interpreted 'a flower,' Capernaum, 'the beautiful village;' He left therefore the flower of figure, (in which was mystically intended the fruit of the Gospel,) and came into the Church, which was beautiful with Christ's virtues. It is by the sea-coast, because placed near the waves of this world, it is daily beaten by the storms of persecution. It is situated between Zabulon and Naphtali, i. e. common to Jews and Gentiles. Zabulon is interpreted, 'the abode of strength;' because the Apostles, who were chosen from Judæa, were strong. Nephtali, 'extension,' because the Church of the Gentiles was extend…

Matthew having related the forty days' fast, the temptation of Christ, and the ministry of Angels, proceeds, Jesus having heard that John was cast into prison.

(ap. Anserm.) In allegory, John and the rest of the Prophets were the voice going before the Word. When prophecy ceased and was fettered, then came the Word, fulfilling what the Prophet had spoken of it, He departed into Galilee, i. e. from figure to verity. Or, into the Church, which is a passing from vice to virtue. Nazareth is interpreted 'a flower,' Capernaum, 'the beautiful village;' He left therefore the flower of figure, (in which was mystically intended the fruit of the Gospel,) and came into the Church, which was beautiful with Christ's virtues. It is by the sea-coast, because placed near the waves of this world, it is daily beaten by the storms of persecution. It is situated between Zabulon and Naphtali, i. e. common to Jews and Gentiles. Zabulon is interpreted, 'the abode of strength;' because the Apostles, who were chosen from Judæa, were strong. Nephtali, 'extension,' because the Church of the Gentiles was extended through the world.

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

Matthew 4:17

In this He further teaches that none should despise the words of a person inferior to Him; as also the Apostle, If any thing be revealed to him that sits, let the first hold his peace. (1 Cor. 14:30.)

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

Matthew 4:18-22

The sea of Galilee, the lake of Gennesareth, the sea of Tiberias, and the salt lake, are one and the same.

The two vessels signify the two Churches; the one was called out of the circumcision, the other out of the uncircumcision. Any one who believes becomes Simon, i, e. obedient to God; Peter by acknowledging his sin, Andrew by enduring labours manfully, James by overcoming vices,

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

Matthew 4:22

The sea of Galilee, the lake of Gennesaret, the sea of Tiberias, and the salt lake, are one and the same.
The two vessels signify the two Churches; the one was called out of the circumcision, the other out of the uncircumcision. Any one who believes becomes Simon, i.e. obedient to God; Peter by acknowledging his sin, Andrew by enduring labours manfully, James by overcoming vices,

Matthew 4:23-25

Syria here is all the region from Euphrates to the Great sea, from Cappadocia to Egypt, in which is the country of Palestine, inhabited by Jews.

Paralytics are those whose bodies have their nerves slackened or resolved from a Greek word, signifying this.

crowds that followed Him consisted of four sorts of men, some followed for the heavenly teaching as disciples, some for the curing of their diseases, some from the reports concerning Him alone, and curiosity to find whether they were true; others from envy, wishing to catch Him in some matter that they might accuse Him. Mystically, Syria is interpreted 'lofty,' Galilee, 'turning:' or 'a wheel;' that is, the Devil and the world; the Devil is both proud and always turned round to the bottom; the world in which the fame of Christ went abroad through preaching: the dæmoniacs are the idolaters; the lunatics, the unstable; the paralytics, the slow and careless.

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

Matthew 5:1-3

Mystically, this sitting down of Christ is His incarnation; had He not taken flesh on Him, mankind could not have come unto Him.

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

Matthew 5:11-12

The preceding blessings were general; He now begins to address His discourse to them that were present, foretelling them the persecutions which they should suffer for His name.

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

Matthew 5:17-19

He fitly mentions the Greek iota, and not the Hebrew jod, because the iota stands in Greek for the number ten, and so there is an allusion to the Decalogue of which the Gospel is the point and perfection.

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

Matthew 5:19

He fitly mentions the Greek iota, and not the Hebrew job, because the iota stands in Greek for the number ten, and so there is an allusion to the Decalogue of which the Gospel is the point and perfection.

Matthew 5:20-22

The Saviour here names the torments of hell, Gehenna, a name thought to be derived from a valley consecrate to idols near Jerusalem, and filled of old with dead bodies, and defiled by Josiah, as we read in the Book of Kings.

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

Matthew 5:33-37

Having forbidden swearing, He instructs us how we ought to speak, Let your speech be yea, yea; nay, nay. That is, to affirm any thing it is sufficient to say, 'It is so:' to deny, to say, 'It is not so.' Or, yea, yea; nay, nay, are therefore twice repeated, that what you affirm with the mouth you should prove in deed, and what you deny in word, you should not establish by your conduct.

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

Matthew 5:43-48

If then sinners be led by nature to show kindness to those that love them, with how much greater show of affection ought you not to embrace even those that do not love you? For it follows, Do not even the publicans so? The publicans are those who collect the public imposts; or perhaps those who pursue the public business or the gain of this world.

Ethnici, that is, the Gentiles, for the Greek word ἔθνος is translated 'gens' in Latin; those, that is, who abide such as they were born, to wit, under sin.

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

Matthew 6:14-15

By the word Amen, He shows that without doubt the Lord will bestow all things that are rightly asked, and by those that do not fail in observing the annexed condition, For if ye forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you your sins.

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

Matthew 6:19-21

(ap. Anselm.) Here are three precepts according to the three different kinds of wealth. Metals are destroyed by rust, clothes by moth; but as there are other things which fear neither rust nor moth, as precious stones, He therefore names a common damage, that by thieves, who may rob wealth of all kinds. a

Allegorically; Rust denotes pride which obscures the brightness of virtue. Moth which privily eats out garments, is jealousy which frets into good intention, and destroys the bond of unity. Thieves denote heretics and demons, who are ever on the watch to rob men of their spiritual treasure.

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

Matthew 6:31-33

It should be observed that He does not say, Do not ye seek, or be thoughful for, food, drink, and raiment, but what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed. Wherein they seem to me to be convicted, who, using themselves the usual food and clothing, require of those with whom they live either greater sumptuousness, or greater austerity in both.

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

Matthew 7:6

Or; The dogs are returned to their vomit; the swine not yet returned, but wallowing in the mire of vices.

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

Matthew 7:9-11

Or; bread which is the common food signifies charity, without which the other virtues are of no avail. The fish signifies faith, which is born of the water of baptism, is tossed in the midst of the waves of this life and yet lives. Luke adds a third thing, an egg, (Luke 11:12.) which signifies hope; for an egg is the hope of the animal. To charity, He opposes a stone, that is, the hardness of hatred; to faith, a serpent, that is, the venom of treachery; to hope, a scorpion, that is, despair, which stings backward, as the scorpion.

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

Matthew 7:15-20

And man is denominated a good tree, or a bad, after his will, as it is good or bad. His fruit is his works, which can neither be good when the will is evil, nor evil when it is good.

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

Matthew 7:24-27

Or the great ruin is to be understood that with which the Lord will say to them that hear and do not, Go ye into everlasting fire. (Mat. 25:41.)

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

Matthew 7:28-29

This ending pertains both to the finishing the words, and the completeness of the doctrines. That it is said that the multitude wondered, either signifies the unbelieving in the crowd, who were astonished because they did not believe the Saviour's words; or is said of them all, in that they reverenced in Him the excellence of so great wisdom.

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