Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 6
Augustine — Sermon on the Mount & Gospel Harmony
SECTION 121
Chapter XVII.--Of the Harmony of the Four Evangelists in Their Notices of the Draught of Vinegar.
Chapter XVII.--Of the Harmony of the Four Evangelists in Their Notices of the Draught of Vinegar. 54. Matthew proceeds in the following terms: "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." [1436] The same fact is attested by two others of the evangelists. [1437] Luke adds, however, a statem…
2,315 wordsSECTION 122[1454] Matt. xxvii. 51-53.
[1454] Matt. xxvii. 51-53. [1455] Matt. xxvii. 54. [1456] Mark xv. 39. [1457] Luke xxiii. 47. Chapter XXI.--Of the Women Who Were Standing There, and of the Question Whether Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Who Have Stated that They Stood Afar Off, are in Antagonism with John, Who Has Mentioned that One of Them Stood by the Cross. …
1,304 wordsSECTION 123Chapter XXIII.--Of the Question Whether the First Three Evangelists are Quite in Harmony with John in the Accounts Given of His Burial.
Chapter XXIII.--Of the Question Whether the First Three Evangelists are Quite in Harmony with John in the Accounts Given of His Burial. 60. Matthew proceeds thus: "And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great s…
2,879 wordsSECTION 12466. For the space of three days, which elapsed between the Lord's death and resurrection, cannot be correctly understood except in the light
66. For the space of three days, which elapsed between the Lord's death and resurrection, cannot be correctly understood except in the light of that form of expression according to which the part is dealt with as the whole. [1495] For He said Himself, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall t…
1,839 wordsSECTION 12569. This being the case, therefore, let us, so far as the Lord may help us, take all these incidents, which took place about the time of the
69. This being the case, therefore, let us, so far as the Lord may help us, take all these incidents, which took place about the time of the Lord's resurrection, as they are brought before us in the statements of all the evangelists together, and let us arrange them in one connected narrative, which will exhibit them precisely a…
1,903 wordsSECTION 12670. We must take up the consideration of the manner in which the Lord showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection, and that with
70. We must take up the consideration of the manner in which the Lord showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection, and that with the view not only of bringing out clearly the consistency of the four evangelists with each other on these subjects, but also of exhibiting their agreement with the Apostle Paul, who discour…
2,570 wordsSECTION 12773. Besides, it is necessary to believe that these were the same persons to whom Mark also refers. For he informs us, that they went and tol
73. Besides, it is necessary to believe that these were the same persons to whom Mark also refers. For he informs us, that they went and told these things to the rest: just as Luke states, that the persons in question rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with…
2,323 wordsSECTION 12876. But, again, a difficulty may also be felt in understanding how Mark says that the Lord appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, if th
76. But, again, a difficulty may also be felt in understanding how Mark says that the Lord appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, if the time referred to is really the beginning of the night of that Lord's day, as is indicated by Luke and John. For John, indeed, tells us plainly that the Apostle Thomas was not with them on …
2,494 wordsSECTION 12981. In the first place, however, we must also consider the question of the time at which He may thus have shown Himself in bodily form in Ga
81. In the first place, however, we must also consider the question of the time at which He may thus have shown Himself in bodily form in Galilee, according to the statement given by Matthew in these terms: "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them; and when they saw Him, th…
2,834 wordsSECTION 130Book IV.
[1518] Some editions read undecim = the eleven. [1519] 1 Cor. xv. 3-8. [1520] [Tu solus peregrinus es, agreeing with the Greek text: "Art thou the only sojourner," etc. But comp. Revised Version.--R.] [1521] Another reading occurs here, non invenerunt = Him they found not. [1522] Luke xxiv. 13-24. [1523] [Luke xxiv. 12 is o…
2,382 wordsSECTION 131[1598] Mark v. 21-vi. 30.
[1598] Mark v. 21-vi. 30. [1599] Mark vi. 31-vii. 37. [1600] John ii. 24, 25. [1601] The text gives simply: futuram Petro prænuntiavit, to which cogitationem has to be supplied. Some editions insert negationem = his future denial. [1602] Matt. xxvi. 33-35. Chapter V.--Of the Statement Which John Made Concerning the Man Who …
2,225 wordsSECTION 132Chapter VIII.--Of Luke's Gospel, and Specially of the Harmony Between Its Commencement and the Beginning of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.
[1616] Mark x. 1-xii. 44. [1617] Luke xxi. 1-4. Chapter VIII.--Of Luke's Gospel, and Specially of the Harmony Between Its Commencement and the Beginning of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. 9. Next in succession, therefore, let us now go over the Gospel of Luke in regular order. We shall omit, however, those passages whic…
1,381 wordsSECTION 133Chapter X.--Of the Evangelist John, and the Distinction Between Him and the Other Three.
Chapter X.--Of the Evangelist John, and the Distinction Between Him and the Other Three. 11. John remains, between whom and others there is left no comparison to be instituted. For, however the evangelists may each have reported some matters which are not recorded by the others, it will be hard to prove that any question involv…
2,398 wordsSECTION 13418. Next, after telling the story of the giving of sight to the man who was blind from his birth, John tarries for a space over the copious
18. Next, after telling the story of the giving of sight to the man who was blind from his birth, John tarries for a space over the copious discourse to which that incident gave occasion, on the subject of the sheep, and the shepherd, and the door, and the power of laying down His life and taking it again, wherein He gave token …
2,222 wordsSECTION 135St. AUGUSTIN:
[1642] John vii. 6, 7. [1643] Jer. xvii. 16. [1644] John viii. 56. [1645] John vii. 34. [1646] John vii. 28. [1647] John vii. 28. [1648] Luke x. 20. [1649] Se esse principium quod et loqueretur eis, as the rendering of the ten archen ho ti kai lalo humin in John viii. 25. [1650] Matt. v. 14, 15. [1651] John v. 35. [165…
2,414 wordsSECTION 1363. That our Lord Jesus Christ might do this He became the Son of man by being born of a woman. But now, "would He have been any less a man,
3. That our Lord Jesus Christ might do this He became the Son of man by being born of a woman. But now, "would He have been any less a man, if He had not been born of the Virgin Mary" one may say. "He willed to be a man; well and good; He might have so been, and yet not be born of a woman; for neither did He make the first man w…
2,297 wordsSECTION 1379. This also which follows they like to laugh at, whose wish it is to destroy the authority of the Evangelical books, that they may show as
9. This also which follows they like to laugh at, whose wish it is to destroy the authority of the Evangelical books, that they may show as it were that we have without any good reason believed what is said, "When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost. Th…
2,445 wordsSECTION 13816. They have another cavil. "The generations of Christ," say they, "are numbered through Joseph, and not through Mary." Attend awhile, holy
16. They have another cavil. "The generations of Christ," say they, "are numbered through Joseph, and not through Mary." Attend awhile, holy brethren. "It ought not to be," they say, "through Joseph." And why not? Was not Joseph the husband of Mary? "No," they say. Who says so? For the Scripture saith by the authority of the Ang…
2,540 wordsSECTION 13923. So then, my brethren, give heed. Those famous men who marry wives only for the procreation of children, such as we read the Patriarchs t
23. So then, my brethren, give heed. Those famous men who marry wives only for the procreation of children, such as we read the Patriarchs to have been, and know it, by many proofs, by the clear and unequivocal testimony of the sacred books; whoever, I say, they are who marry wives for this purpose only, if the means could be gi…
2,684 wordsSECTION 14029. Added to this; there is another way peculiar to the Jews, in which a man might be the son of another of whom he was not born according t
29. Added to this; there is another way peculiar to the Jews, in which a man might be the son of another of whom he was not born according to the flesh. For kinsmen used to marry the wives of their next of kin, who died without children, to raise up seed to him that was deceased. [1787] So then he who was thus born was both his …
2,339 wordsSECTION 14135. So, then, seven times eleven, that is, as has been explained, the transgression of righteousness, which has regard only to the sinner hi
35. So, then, seven times eleven, that is, as has been explained, the transgression of righteousness, which has regard only to the sinner himself, make up the number seventy-seven, in which it is signified, that all sins which are remitted in Baptism are contained. And hence it is that Luke ascends up through seventy-seven gener…
2,254 wordsSECTION 1425. What then, brethren? "All things were made by Him." We understand then by this that the whole creation which was made by the Son, the Fat
5. What then, brethren? "All things were made by Him." We understand then by this that the whole creation which was made by the Son, the Father made by His Word--God, by His Power and Wisdom. Shall we then say, "All things" indeed when they were created, "were made by Him," but now the Father doeth not all things by Him? God for…
2,379 wordsSECTION 14315. I wish to say something further, and here ask sincerely both for your more earnest attention, and your devotion to Godward. For none but
15. I wish to say something further, and here ask sincerely both for your more earnest attention, and your devotion to Godward. For none but bodies are held or contained in places suited to the nature [1863] of bodies. The Divinity is beyond all such places: let no one seek for it as though it were in space. It is everywhere inv…
2,507 wordsSECTION 14421. See then, henceforth I speak in all security of that which you have already understood; I am inculcating no unknown lesson, but am only
21. See then, henceforth I speak in all security of that which you have already understood; I am inculcating no unknown lesson, but am only conveying to you by recapitulation what you have already received. Now, of these three things, one only has been yet named and expressed; "Memory" is the name of one only of those three, yet…
2,608 wordsSECTION 1457. Let no thought be entertained here of a bodily face. For if enkindled by the desire of seeing God, thou hast made ready thy bodily face t
7. Let no thought be entertained here of a bodily face. For if enkindled by the desire of seeing God, thou hast made ready thy bodily face to see Him, thou wilt be looking also for such a face in God. But if now thy conceptions of God are at least so spiritual as not to imagine Him to be corporeal (of which [1897] subject I trea…
2,349 wordsSECTION 14614. See, thou hast drawn the figure and lineaments of the members of God from a human body. And perhaps it has occurred to thee to think, th
14. See, thou hast drawn the figure and lineaments of the members of God from a human body. And perhaps it has occurred to thee to think, that it is according to the body that we were made after the Image of God. I will admit this idea for a time to be considered, and canvassed, and examined, and by disputation to be thoroughly …
2,625 wordsSECTION 1474. They who are such, neither do they account their righteousness as their own, but His, by the faith of whom they live (whence also the Apo
4. They who are such, neither do they account their righteousness as their own, but His, by the faith of whom they live (whence also the Apostle says, "That I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by …
2,207 wordsSECTION 1481. The blessed Apostle, to show that those times when it should come to pass that all the nations should believe in Christ had been foretold
1. The blessed Apostle, to show that those times when it should come to pass that all the nations should believe in Christ had been foretold by the Prophets, produced this testimony where it is written, "And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved." [1966] For before time the name of the Lo…
2,318 wordsSECTION 1499. "Give us this day our daily bread." [1984] Now here it is manifest, that it is for ourselves we pray. When thou sayest, "Hallowed be Thy
9. "Give us this day our daily bread." [1984] Now here it is manifest, that it is for ourselves we pray. When thou sayest, "Hallowed be Thy Name," it requires explanation how it is that it is for thyself thou prayest, not for God. When thou sayest, "Thy will be done;" here again is there need of explanation, lest thou think that…
2,383 wordsSECTION 15015. But still ye are saying, Who can do, who has ever done this? May God bring it to effect in your hearts! I know as well as you, there are
15. But still ye are saying, Who can do, who has ever done this? May God bring it to effect in your hearts! I know as well as you, there are but few who do it; great men are they and spiritual who do so. Are all the faithful in the Church who approach the altar, and take the Body and Blood of Christ, are they all such? And yet t…
2,266 wordsSECTION 1513. We have heard whom we ought to call upon, and with what hope of an eternal inheritance we have begun to have a Father in heaven; let us n
3. We have heard whom we ought to call upon, and with what hope of an eternal inheritance we have begun to have a Father in heaven; let us now hear what we must ask of Him. Of such a Father what shall we ask? Do we not ask rain of Him, to-day, and yesterday, and the day before? This is no great thing to have asked of such a Fath…
2,345 wordsSECTION 15210. "Deliver us from evil," may belong to the same sentence. Therefore, that thou mayest understand it to be all one sentence, it runs thus,
10. "Deliver us from evil," may belong to the same sentence. Therefore, that thou mayest understand it to be all one sentence, it runs thus, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Therefore he added "but," to show that all this belongs to one sentence, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Ho…
2,247 wordsSECTION 1535. There follows next, "Give us this day our daily bread." [2045] It may be understood simply that we pour forth this prayer for daily suste
5. There follows next, "Give us this day our daily bread." [2045] It may be understood simply that we pour forth this prayer for daily sustenance, that we may have abundance: or if not that, that we may have no want. Now he said "daily," for as long as it is called "to-day." [2046] Daily we live, and daily rise, and are daily fe…
2,371 wordsSECTION 15411. Therefore when we have said, "Lead us not into temptation," there follows, "But deliver us from evil." Now whoso wishes to be delivered
11. Therefore when we have said, "Lead us not into temptation," there follows, "But deliver us from evil." Now whoso wishes to be delivered from evil, bears witness that he is in evil. And thus saith the Apostle, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." [2077] But who is there "that wisheth for life, and loveth to see go…
2,264 wordsSECTION 155[2083] Rom. x. 14.
[2083] Rom. x. 14. [2084] Sententiarum. [2085] Ps. xviii. 5, Sept. (xix. 4, English version). [2086] Matt. vi. 9. [2087] Matt. vi. 9. [2088] Matt. vi. 10. [2089] Matt. vi. 10. [2090] Matt. vi. 11. [2091] Exhibitionem. [2092] Ructuant. [2093] Ps. lxxxiv. 4. [2094] Matt. vi. 12. [2095] Matt. vi. 13. Sermon X. [LX. Be…
2,350 wordsSECTION 1567. Therefore, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth;" whether ye have found by experience how what is laid up in the earth is lost,
7. Therefore, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth;" whether ye have found by experience how what is laid up in the earth is lost, or whether ye have not so experienced it, yet do ye too fear lest ye should do so. Let experience reform him whom words will not reform. One cannot rise up now, one cannot go out, but all to…
2,490 wordsSECTION 157[2096] Salvatorem.
[2096] Salvatorem. [2097] Convivio. [2098] Gen. i. 27. [2099] Detrivimus. [2100] St. Ambrose, ad loc., observes that Dei is not in the Greek but explains "in imagine" in the same sense, as does St. Augustin, ad loc., where he had not "Dei." It seems a sort of gloss. It occurs in Cassiod. Anon. de Trin. ap. St. Ambrose. [210…
2,498 wordsSECTION 15810. What follows then? "Having food and covering, let us be therewith content; for they who wish to be rich fall into temptation, and many a
10. What follows then? "Having food and covering, let us be therewith content; for they who wish to be rich fall into temptation, and many and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For avarice is the root of all evil, which some following after, have erred from the faith." [2152] Now consider what they hav…
2,217 wordsSECTION 1593. The Lord then sat down in the house of a certain proud Pharisee. He was in his house, as I have said, and was not in his heart. But into
3. The Lord then sat down in the house of a certain proud Pharisee. He was in his house, as I have said, and was not in his heart. But into this centurion's house He entered not, yet He possessed his heart. Zacchæus again received the Lord both in house and heart. [2169] Yet the centurion's faith is praised for its humility. For…
2,587 wordsSECTION 16010. It is no god, you will say; because it is the tutelary genius of Carthage. As though if it were Mars or Mercury, it would be a god. But
10. It is no god, you will say; because it is the tutelary genius of Carthage. As though if it were Mars or Mercury, it would be a god. But consider in what light it is esteemed by them; not what it is in itself. For I know also as well as thou, that it is but a stone. If this "genius" be any ornament, let the citizens of Cartha…
2,254 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.