Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 10
Chrysostom — Homilies on Matthew
SECTION 161
Homily LXI.
Homily LXI. Matt. XVIII. 21. "Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but, Until seventy times seven." [2349] Peter supposed he was saying something great, wherefore also as aiming at gre…
2,214 wordsSECTION 162But none of these things do they consider. Wherefore now it were seasonable to bring forward the prophet and say, "Be astonished, O Heaven,
But none of these things do they consider. Wherefore now it were seasonable to bring forward the prophet and say, "Be astonished, O Heaven, and be horribly afraid, O earth," [2361] to what great brutality hath the race of man been madly carried away! [2362] But these things I say, not blaming crafts, nor husbandry, nor military…
2,264 wordsSECTION 163Homily LXII.
And if these things are not sufficient for thee, consider that even thy Lord [2373] was evil reported of both by Satan and by men, and that to those most loved by Him; and His Only-Begotten the same again. Wherefore He said, "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more shall they call them of His household."…
2,298 wordsSECTION 164"But I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife except it be for fornication, and marry another, committeth adultery." [2383] For sin
"But I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife except it be for fornication, and marry another, committeth adultery." [2383] For since he had stopped their mouths, He then gives the law with His own authority, like as touching the meats, like as touching the Sabbath. For with regard to the meats likewise, when He had ov…
2,241 wordsSECTION 1656. Such is the nature of envy, it is ever plotting against its own honors, and wasting him that hath it, and encompassing him with countless
6. Such is the nature of envy, it is ever plotting against its own honors, and wasting him that hath it, and encompassing him with countless calamities. And that miserable man, for instance, until David departed, burst not forth into that piteous cry, bewail ing himself and saying, "I am sore distressed, and the Philistines make…
1,112 wordsSECTION 166Homily LXIII.
Homily LXIII. Matt. XIX. 16. "And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, by doing what, shall I inherit eternal life?" Some indeed accuse this young man, as one dissembling and ill-minded, and coming with a temptation to Jesus, but I, though I would not say he was not fond of money, and under subjection to his weal…
2,254 wordsSECTION 167But this itself, by what means will it be done? one may say. If thou consider, that whilst rich, thou wilt never cease thirsting, and pining
But this itself, by what means will it be done? one may say. If thou consider, that whilst rich, thou wilt never cease thirsting, and pining with the lust of more; but being freed from thy possessions, thou wilt be able also to stay this disease. Do not then encompass thyself with more, lest thou follow after things unattainable…
1,779 wordsSECTION 168Homily LXIV.
Homily LXIV. Matt. XIX. 27. "Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?" All which? O blessed Peter; the rod? the net? the boat? the craft? These things dost thou tell me of, as all? Yea, saith he, but not for display do I say these things, but in orde…
2,201 wordsSECTION 169What then is the meaning of the parable? For it is necessary to make this first clear, and then we shall clear up that other point. By a vin
What then is the meaning of the parable? For it is necessary to make this first clear, and then we shall clear up that other point. By a vineyard He meaneth the injunctions of God and His commandments: by the time of laboring, the present life: by laborers, them that in different ways are called to the fulfillment of the injunct…
2,294 wordsSECTION 170Why! have I been thy benefactor? Why! did I redeem thee, that thou lookest to me? It is another who hath bestowed these things on thee. Why
Why! have I been thy benefactor? Why! did I redeem thee, that thou lookest to me? It is another who hath bestowed these things on thee. Why dost thou let go thy Master, and look unto thy fellow-servant? Heardest thou not Him saying, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart?" [2450] And again, "He that would be first amongs…
925 wordsSECTION 171Homily LXV.
Homily LXV. Matt. XX. 17-19. "And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the Scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and t…
2,237 wordsSECTION 172How then saith He, "To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give," as though there are some that should sit there? Not as thou
How then saith He, "To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give," as though there are some that should sit there? Not as though there are; far from it; but He makes answer to the thoughts of them who ask the favor, condescending to their understanding. For neither did they know that lofty throne, and His sitting a…
2,211 wordsSECTION 173The boaster then desires to be greater than all, and affirms no one to be equal in worth with him; and how much soever honor he may obtain,
The boaster then desires to be greater than all, and affirms no one to be equal in worth with him; and how much soever honor he may obtain, he sets his heart on more and claims it, and accounts himself to have obtained none, and treats men with utter contempt, and yet seeks after the honor that comes from them; than which what c…
1,530 wordsSECTION 174Homily LXVI.
Homily LXVI. Matt. XX. 29, 30. "And as they departed from Jericho, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, Thou Son of David." See whence He passed unto Jerusalem, and where He abode before this, with r…
2,200 wordsSECTION 1753. But see the baseness of the Jews. He had wrought so many miracles, and never were they thus amazed at Him; but when they saw a multitude
3. But see the baseness of the Jews. He had wrought so many miracles, and never were they thus amazed at Him; but when they saw a multitude running together, then they marvel. "For all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? But the multitudes said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." [2507] And when they thought…
2,280 wordsSECTION 176Homily LXVII.
[2497] John iv. 1, and x. 40-42. [2498] paesan bou. Claim of access on account of good life. [2499] Matt. xx. 32, 33. [2500] The words, "and to show them to be much greater than they are," are rejected by Montfaucon on the authority of two mss., but defended by Mr. Field. [They are found in all the mss. collated by the latter…
2,275 wordsSECTION 1773. And that this might be done, He makes trial of the accusation in the person of an other. For since they were not willing to confess direc
3. And that this might be done, He makes trial of the accusation in the person of an other. For since they were not willing to confess directly, He by a parable drives them on to what He desired. But when, not understanding His sayings, they had delivered the judgment, He unfolds His concealed meaning after this, and saith, "Pu…
2,226 wordsSECTION 178Homily LXVIII.
For he that despises money even here already receives his reward, being freed from anxiety, from rivalry, from false accusation, from plotting from envy. He that is temperate, and lives orderly, even before his departure, is crowned and lives in pleasure, being delivered from unseemliness, ridicule, dangers of accusation, [2551]…
2,263 wordsSECTION 179With this Stephen also upbraids them, which thing most of all stung them, that having enjoyed always much providential care, they requited t
With this Stephen also upbraids them, which thing most of all stung them, that having enjoyed always much providential care, they requited their benefactor with the contraries, which very thing itself was a very great sign, that not the punisher, but the punished, were the cause of the vengeance brought upon them. This here lik…
2,344 wordsSECTION 180But not when singing only, and praying, but also when riveted to their books, they are a pleasing spectacle to the beholders. For after they
But not when singing only, and praying, but also when riveted to their books, they are a pleasing spectacle to the beholders. For after they have ended the choir, one takes Isaiah and discourses with him, another converses with the apostles, and another goes over the labors of other men, and seeks wisdom concerning God, concerni…
1,224 wordsSECTION 181Homily LXIX.
Homily LXIX. Matt. XXII. 1-14. "And Jesus answered and spake again [2583] in parables. The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage [2584] for his son; and sent forth his servants to call them which were bidden to the wedding; and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tel…
2,219 wordsSECTION 182For do not now, on hearing of darkness, suppose he is punished by this, by sending into a place where there is no light only, but where "the
For do not now, on hearing of darkness, suppose he is punished by this, by sending into a place where there is no light only, but where "there is" also "weeping and gnashing of teeth." [2602] And this He saith, indicating the intolerable pains. Hear ye, as many as having partaken of the mysteries, and having been present at the…
2,256 wordsSECTION 183Homily LXX.
A king is nothing amongst them, a governor is nothing; but like as we, when children are playing at these things, laugh; so do they also utterly spurn the inflamed pride of them who strut without. And this is evident from hence, that if any one would give them a kingdom to possess in security, they would never take it; yet they …
2,262 wordsSECTION 184And wherefore did they not feign two or three, but seven? In order the more abundantly to bring derision, as they thought, upon the resurrec
And wherefore did they not feign two or three, but seven? In order the more abundantly to bring derision, as they thought, upon the resurrection. Wherefore they further say, "they all had her," as driving Him into some difficulty. What then saith Christ? He replies unto both, as taking His stand not against the words, but the p…
2,236 wordsSECTION 185Homily LXXI.
Let us go away therefore unto those men. Thence we shall learn with how many bonds we are encompassed. Thence shall we learn to set before ourselves a table full of countless blessings, most sweet, without cost, delivered from care, free from envy and jeal ousy and every disease, and full of good hope, and having its many trophi…
2,227 wordsSECTION 186And this was no little advantage to the multitude. [2651] Therefore also unto them doth He henceforth direct His word, having removed the wo
And this was no little advantage to the multitude. [2651] Therefore also unto them doth He henceforth direct His word, having removed the wolves, and having repulsed their plots. For those men gained nothing, taken captive by vainglory, and having fallen upon this terrible passion. For terrible is this passion and many-headed, …
1,938 wordsSECTION 187Homily LXXII.
Homily LXXII. Matt. XXIII. 1-3. "Then spake Jesus to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying, The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you do, that do; [2655] but do not after their works." Then. When? When He had said these things, when He had stopped their mouths; when He had b…
2,239 wordsSECTION 188But I should be glad to ask here, what they would say, who are repeatedly applying the term one, one, to the Father alone, to the rejection
But I should be glad to ask here, what they would say, who are repeatedly applying the term one, one, to the Father alone, to the rejection of the Only-begotten. Is the Father guide? All would declare it, and none would gainsay it. And yet "one," He saith, "is your guide, even Christ." For like as Christ, being called the one gu…
1,729 wordsSECTION 189Homily LXXIII.
Homily LXXIII. Matt. XXIII. 14. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: therefore ye shall receive greater damnation." [2676] After this, next He derides them for gluttony: and the grievous thing was, that not from rich men's goods, but from the poo…
2,240 wordsSECTION 190And how dost thou even dare to set foot in the churches of God, and in holy temples, having within thee the savor of so much abomination? Fo
And how dost thou even dare to set foot in the churches of God, and in holy temples, having within thee the savor of so much abomination? For if one bearing a dead body into the king's courts and burying it would have suffered the utmost punishment, thou setting thy foot in the sacred courts, and filling the house with so much i…
1,913 wordsSECTION 191Homily LXXIV.
Homily LXXIV. "Woe unto you, because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish their sepulchers, [2696] and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets." Not because they build, nor because they blame the others, doth He say, woe, but because, wh…
2,291 wordsSECTION 192"But ye would not," He saith. "Behold your house is left desolate," [2718] stripped of the succor which cometh from me. Surely it was the sa
"But ye would not," He saith. "Behold your house is left desolate," [2718] stripped of the succor which cometh from me. Surely it was the same, who also was before protecting them, and holding them together, and preserving them; surely it was He who was ever chastening them. And He appoints a punishment, which they had ever drea…
2,204 wordsSECTION 193Homily LXXV.
[2696] [There are two variations in the text of verse 29: the omission of "Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" and the substitution of "their" for "of the righteous."--R.] [2697] Luke xi. 47, 48. [2698] Matt. xxiii. 33. [2699] Matt. xxiii. 32. [2700] kataphoriktr . [2701] Matt. xxiii. 33. [R.V., "judgment of hell . Greek, G…
2,226 wordsSECTION 194For He brought in also a prophecy, to confirm their desolation, saying, "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by D
For He brought in also a prophecy, to confirm their desolation, saying, "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, let him that readeth understand." [2758] He referred them to Daniel. And by "abomination" He meaneth the statue of him who then took the city, …
2,608 wordsSECTION 195Seest thou of one sin how many different forms? one that before the law, another that after the law, another that of him who bears the pries
Seest thou of one sin how many different forms? one that before the law, another that after the law, another that of him who bears the priest's office; that of the rich woman, and that of the poor woman, of her that is a catechumen, and of the believing woman, of the daughter of the priest. And from the knowledge again great is…
886 wordsSECTION 196Homily LXXVI.
Homily LXXVI. Matt. XXIV. 16-18. "Then let them which be in Judæa flee into the mountains. And let him that is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. Neither let him which is in his field return back to take his clothes." [2777] Having spoken of the ills that were to overtake the city, and of the tri…
2,223 wordsSECTION 1973. Having told them how Antichrist cometh, as, for instance, that it will be in a place; He saith how Himself also cometh. How then doth He
3. Having told them how Antichrist cometh, as, for instance, that it will be in a place; He saith how Himself also cometh. How then doth He Himself come? "As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there also will the eag…
2,250 wordsSECTION 198Hath not every art an end? It is surely plain to every one. Do thou also show the end of thy worldly eagerness. But thou canst not; for, "va
Hath not every art an end? It is surely plain to every one. Do thou also show the end of thy worldly eagerness. But thou canst not; for, "vanity of vanities, all is vanity." [2804] Let us go to the tombs; show me thy father; show me thy wife. Where is he that was clad in raiment of gold? he that rode in the chariot? he that had …
777 wordsSECTION 199Homily LXXVII.
Homily LXXVII. Matt. XXIV. 33, 34. "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." [2806] Forasmuch as He had said, "Immediately after the tribulation of tho…
2,211 wordsSECTION 200After this again, that they may not ask about it, He added, "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." [2830] He said
After this again, that they may not ask about it, He added, "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." [2830] He said not, "I know not," but, "ye know not." For when He had brought them well nigh to the very hour, and had placed them there, again He deters them from the inquiry, from a desire that they sho…
2,262 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.