Mark 6:1
After the miracles that Christ had performed, though he was not ignorant how much they despised him, yet that there might be no excuse for their disbelief, he condescended to return to them. (Theophylactus)... [ Continue Reading ]
After the miracles that Christ had performed, though he was not ignorant how much they despised him, yet that there might be no excuse for their disbelief, he condescended to return to them. (Theophylactus)... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Matthew relates that they asked: _Is not this the son of the carpenter? It is not improbable that both questions were asked; it was certainly very natural to take him for a carpenter, who was the son of one. (St. Augustine) --- They were scandalized at his lowly birth and humble parentage. Hence... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he could not [1] do any miracle there.]_ [BIBLIOGRAPHY] in Scripture, is divers times the same as _nolle. So Genesis xxxvii, it is said of Joseph's brothers, they could not, ( non poterant) i.e. would not, speak to him peaceably. See John xii. 39, &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
It was usual for the Jews to prescribe oil as a proper thing to anoint the sick; but its virtue in the present instance, when used by the apostles, was not natural but supernatural, and was derived from him who sent them; because this unction always produced a certain and constant cure in those who... [ Continue Reading ]
The Herod here mentioned was the son of Herod, from whom St. Joseph fled with Jesus and Mary into Egypt. (St. John Chrysostom, hom. xlix. in Matt.) --- How great was the envy of the Jews, is easily to be conceived from this passage. The can believe that John is risen from the dead, and appeared in p... [ Continue Reading ]
_Herod, [2] &c. The sense both of the Latin and Greek text seems to be, that Herod entertained and shewed a particular respect and value for John the Baptist: yet some expound it, that he had a watchful eye over him, and sought only for an occasion to take him off. (Witham)_ [BIBLIOGRAPHY] Custodi... [ Continue Reading ]
It is customary, in Scripture, to give the generally prevailing sentiment at the time; thus Joseph is called by the blessed Virgin, the father of Jesus; so now Herod is said to be stricken with sadness, because he appeared to be so to the company at table, though within his own breast, he secretly r... [ Continue Reading ]
Church history informs us, that the Christians were accustomed to frequent this tomb with great piety and respect, til the reign of Julian the apostate, at which time the pagans, through hatred for Christianity, broke open his tomb, and dispersed his bones; but immediately after, thinking it better... [ Continue Reading ]
_For two hundred pence. See Matthew xviii. 28. The apostles seem to speak these words ironically, to signify that they had not so much money as could procure a mouthful for each of them. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostles were in a desert place belonging to Bethsaida, which probably was divided from it by some bay or creek, that ran into the land; and Christ only ordered them to pass over this to the city, where he might afterwards have joined them, when he had sent away the people. But in their passage... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus the divine mercy often seems to desert the faithful in the height of tribulation, but God only acts thus, that he may try their patience, and reward them more abundantly. (Nicholas of Lyra)... [ Continue Reading ]
_They understood not concerning the loaves; [3] i.e. they did not reflect how great a miracle that was which Christ had lately wrought, otherwise they would not have been so much surprised at his walking upon the sea. (Witham)_ [BIBLIOGRAPHY] Non intellexerunt de panibus, _Greek: ou gar sunekan ep... [ Continue Reading ]