Luke § 22
Saturday of 21st Sunday
And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
τινὲς δὲ τῶν Φαρισαίων εἶπον αὐτοῖς· τί ποιεῖτε ὃ οὐκ ἔξεστι ποιεῖν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι;
Нѣ́цыи же ѿ фарїсє́й рѣ́ша и҆̀мъ: что̀ творитѐ, є҆гѡ́же не досто́итъ твори́ти въ сꙋббѡ̑ты;
But some of the Pharisees said to them: "What are you doing that is not lawful on the Sabbaths?" Other Evangelists narrate that this was rather objected to the Lord Himself. But whether these words were said to them, or to His disciples, or by many accusing both here and there (for no Evangelist could write falsely), nevertheless, because whatever is done by the disciples, reflects upon Him whose teaching they follow in acting, He immediately, according to what Isaiah says, "And He shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth" (Isa. XI), overcomes the false defenders of the law with true examples of the saints. For He says:
On the Gospel of LukeBut some say that these things were objected to our Lord Himself; they might indeed have been objected by different persons, both to our Lord Himself and His disciples, but to whomsoever the objection is made, it chiefly refers to Him.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThe perversity of the Pharisees brought forward the objection of accusation, by which they gladly assailed the disciples. Which he notes when he adds: But certain Pharisees said to them: Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbaths? Because it was commanded in the Law, in Exodus 16 and 35 and Leviticus 23, that the Sabbath be observed most diligently. And therefore they accused them as transgressors of the divine law, just as their Master: John 9: "This man is not from God, who does not keep the Sabbath." Whence they considered them worthy of death, because, according to that passage in Hebrews 10, "whoever violates the Law of Moses dies without any mercy under two or three witnesses," and especially with regard to the commandment concerning the Sabbath, which was to be observed above all: whence he who was found gathering wood on the Sabbath was killed, as is said in Numbers 15: "Let this man die the death; let the whole multitude overwhelm him with stones outside the camp."
Now this accusation came partly from ignorance of the Law, partly from pride of mind, partly from the pretense of hypocrisy, partly from the superstition of tradition. From ignorance of the Law, because what was prohibited was not the taking of what was necessary, but servile work. And therefore to such persons it is said in Matthew 22: "You err, knowing neither the Scriptures nor the power of God." From pride of mind, because they despised others, as is said below in chapter 18 concerning the Pharisee who boasted of himself: "I give you thanks, O God, that I am not like the rest of men"; Romans 10: "Being ignorant of the justice of God and seeking to establish their own, they are not subject to the justice of God." From the pretense of hypocrisy, according to that passage in Matthew 23: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who tithe mint and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law." From the superstition of tradition, in which they placed greater force than in the Law: whence it is said to them in Matthew 15: "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" Now this accusation came chiefly from ignorance of the Law, from which the perversity of the Pharisees was inflamed.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6But the Pharisees and Scribes not knowing the Holy Scriptures agreed together to find fault with Christ's disciples, as it follows, And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye, &c. Tell me now, when a table is set before you on the sabbath day; do you not break bread? Why then do you blame others?
Catena Aurea by Aquinas"Behold, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath." Our Lord had instructed them in advance and trained them in the truth of the just, so that whenever he dispensed from the law fully, they would not be alarmed. His Father had also dispensed from sabbaths to show that the sabbath was of his own making. He was also continuing to dispense from it that he might show that these were discerning remedies, proposed by the skilled physician for the pain which stretches from the sole of the foot to the head.
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 5.23And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς· οὐδὲ τοῦτο ἀνέγνωτε ὃ ἐποίησε Δαυῒδ ὁπότε ἐπείνασεν αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὄντες;
И҆ ѿвѣща́въ і҆и҃съ речѐ къ ни̑мъ: ни лѝ сегѡ̀ члѝ є҆стѐ, є҆́же сотворѝ дв҃дъ, є҆гда̀ взалка́сѧ са́мъ и҆ и҆̀же съ ни́мъ бѧ́хꙋ;
Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him, how he entered the house of God and took the showbread, and ate, and gave it to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone? The history of the Kings recounts that blessed David, avoiding Saul's traps, came to the priest Abimelech in Nob and asked for food for himself and his followers. But finding no common bread, and only after learning that the young men had been clean from women since the day before yesterday, the priest did not hesitate to give the consecrated bread, deeming it better, in the prophet's words: I desire mercy and not sacrifice (Matt. IX), to save men from the danger of hunger than to offer a sacrifice to God. For the sacrifice pleasing to God is the salvation of men. Therefore, the Lord opposes the calumniating Pharisees and says: If David is holy and Abimelech the high priest is not reproached by you, but each is excused with a plausible explanation for breaking the command of the law, and hunger is the reason, why do you not approve the same hunger in the apostles as you approve in others? Although there is much difference in this too, these rub the ears of grain with their hands on the Sabbath, those eat the Levitical bread and approached the Sabbath solemnity. For the showbread was baked before the Sabbath and laid on the sacred table on the Sabbath morning, twelve in pairs facing each other, with two golden bowls full of incense placed on top. They remained until the next Sabbath, and then others were brought in their place, and those were given to the priests. With the incense burned in the sacred fire where all holocausts used to be made, more incense was added on top of the other twelve loaves. Thus, when David arrived and took the consecrated loaves, it figuratively showed that the priestly food was to be transferred to the use of the people. Whether because we all ought to imitate the priestly life, or because all the children of the Church are priests. For we are anointed into a holy priesthood, offering ourselves as spiritual sacrifices to God.
On the Gospel of LukeNow the authority of Truth subjoined the confutation of the accusers, and he notes this when he adds: And Jesus answering them, said. Now Truth confounds the Pharisees and defends the disciples by the authority of Scripture and also by his own. By the authority of Scripture he shows that the commandment concerning the Sabbath did not bind in a case of necessity: and this he shows by the example of David, which he intimates when he says: Have you not read this? and if you have read it, you have not understood: Job 4: "Because no one understands, they perish forever"; or if you have read it, you have not remembered, according to that of Ezekiel 7: "The Law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from his elders," as if to say: you, who are zealots of the Law, ought to have read, not to be ignorant, lest that of John 3 could be said to you: "You are a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things"? And truly they ought to have read it, because the deed was very notable, namely what David did, when he himself was hungry and those who were with him.
But the contrary of this saying seems to appear in 1 Kings 21: "Why have you come alone, and no one is with you"? But it says that because he did not have a noble company, since he was "the king's son-in-law" and a great prince. Whence it is added in the same place that "the vessels of the young men were holy." Therefore he had company, although not so great or notable: and those were his companions in the deed, so that they cannot say that it was done on account of a special privilege.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6Now although David acted contrary to what the law approves, he is rightly and justly esteemed by us as worthy of all admiration because he was truly a saint and prophet. Since the law of Moses expressly commands justice and does not consider the person being judged, "how," he says, "do you condemn my disciples while you still admire as a saint and prophet the blessed David, although he did not keep Moses' command?"
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 21-22As if He said, Whereas the law of Moses expressly says, Give a righteous judgment, and ye shall not respect persons in judgment, (Deut. 1:16, 17.) how now do ye blame My disciples, who even to this day extol David as a saint and prophet, though he kept not the commandment of Moses?
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd again, the law did not forbid those who were hungry on the Sabbath-days to take food lying ready at hand: it did, however, forbid them to reap and to gather into the barn. And therefore did the Lord say to those who were blaming His disciples because they plucked and ate the ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands, "Have ye not read this, what David did, when himself was an hungered; how he went into the house of God, and ate the shew-bread, and gave to those who were with him; which it is not lawful to eat, but for the priests alone? " justifying His disciples by the words of the law, and pointing out that it was lawful for the priests to act freely. For David had been appointed a priest by God, although Saul persecuted him. For all the righteous possess the sacerdotal rank. And all the apostles of the Lord are priests, who do inherit here neither lands nor houses, but serve God and the altar continually. Of whom Moses also says in Deuteronomy, when blessing Levi, "Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not known thee; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, and he disinherited his own sons: he kept Thy commandments, and observed Thy covenant." But who are they that have left father and mother, and have said adieu to all their neighbours, on account of the word of God and His covenant, unless the disciples of the Lord? Of whom again Moses says, "They shall have no inheritance, for the Lord Himself is their inheritance." And again, "The priests the Levites shall have no part in the whole tribe of Levi, nor substance with Israel; their substance is the offerings (fructifications) of the Lord: these shall they eat." Wherefore also Paul says, "I do not seek after a gift, but I seek after fruit." To His disciples He said, who had a priesthood of the Lord, to whom it was lawful when hungry to eat the ears of corn, "For the workman is worthy of his meat." And the priests in the temple profaned the Sabbath, and were blameless. Wherefore, then, were they blameless? Because when in the temple they were not engaged in secular affairs, but in the service of the Lord, fulfilling the law, but not going beyond it, as that man did, who of his own accord carried dry wood into the camp of God, and was justly stoned to death. "For every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire;" and "whosoever shall defile the temple of God, him shall God defile."
Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapter 8)(ut sup.) And mark, that whenever the Lord speaks for His servants, (i. e. His disciples,) He brings forward servants, as for example David and the Priests; but when for Himself, He introduces His Father; as in that place, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. (John 5:17.)
Catena Aurea by AquinasHow he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
ὡς εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τοὺς ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως ἔλαβε καὶ ἔφαγε, καὶ ἔδωκε καὶ τοῖς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, οὓς οὐκ ἔξεστι φαγεῖν εἰ μὴ μόνους τοὺς ἱερεῖς;
ка́кѡ вни́де въ до́мъ бж҃їй, и҆ хлѣ́бы предложе́нїѧ взе́мъ, и҆ ꙗ҆дѐ, и҆ дадѐ и҆ сꙋ́щымъ съ ни́мъ, и҆́хже не досто́ѧше ꙗ҆́сти, то́кмѡ є҆ди̑нѣмъ і҆ере́ємъ;
Whence he adds: How he entered into the house of God, that is, into the tabernacle, because the house of God, that is, the temple, had not yet been built: 1 Chronicles 17: "You shall not build me a house to dwell in. For I have not remained in a house from the time I brought Israel out of Egypt even to this day." Nor did he merely enter into the house, that is, the tabernacle, but, what is more, he took the loaves of proposition, took them namely from the priest, and ate. And concerning these loaves, Exodus 25: "You shall set the loaves of proposition upon the table in my sight always," which are therefore called of proposition because on each Sabbath they were set upon the table.
And what is more: He himself ate and those who were with him, as it is said in 1 Kings 21: "The priest gave David hallowed bread; for there was no bread there but only the loaves of proposition," against the Law: whence he adds: Which it was not lawful to eat except for the priests alone; whence it is said in Leviticus 22, that "even the sojourner of a priest and a hireling were not to eat of the sanctified things." But in Leviticus 24 it is said concerning the loaves of proposition, that they were "for Aaron and his sons, that they might eat them in the holy place, because it is a most holy thing by an everlasting covenant." If therefore David did not sin, because necessity excused him from that precept, likewise also these who are compelled by necessity are not to be reproved, because they are excused by the necessity of hunger.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6There is clearly indicated to us by the loaves of the showbread the bread that comes down from heaven to be set upon the holy tables of the churches and all the furniture of the table. Bread used for the performance of its mystical service was a plain type of the divine treasures. Spiritually the bread signifies the twelve apostles, of whom we shall speak in due order when our comments reach the disciples themselves.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 21-22And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι κύριός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ τοῦ σαββάτου.
И҆ гл҃аше и҆̀мъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ госпо́дь є҆́сть сн҃ъ чл҃вѣ́ческїй и҆ сꙋббѡ́тѣ.
And he said to them, because the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath. If, he said, King David who was fed with priestly food is excusable, and according to the faith of another Gospel, the priests violating the Sabbath through temple service are without crime, how much more the Son of Man, who is the true King and true Priest, and therefore the Lord of the Sabbath, is not held liable for the offense of plucking ears of grain on the Sabbath.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd lest anything be lacking to the authority of Scripture, he subjoins his own authority, by which he both willed and was able to grant them a dispensation. Which he indicates when he adds: And he said to them, that the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. Now he calls himself the Son of man with respect to the humility of the humanity assumed, and he declares himself Lord of the Sabbath and of the Law with respect to the sublimity of the hidden Divinity: whence in Apocalypse 19 it is said that "he had on his garment and on his thigh written: King of kings and Lord of lords." And therefore it is said in the Psalm: "You have subjected all things under his feet"; this is said of the Son of man "made a little lower than the Angels" on account of the ignominy of the passion. And therefore as Lord he granted them a dispensation for a time, he who was afterwards to take away the observance of it.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6(ubi sup.) But Mark declares that He uttered this of our common nature, for He said, The sabbath was made for man, not, man for the sabbath. It is therefore more fitting that the sabbath should be subject to man, than that man should bow his neck to the sabbath.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWishing, therefore, to initiate them into this meaning of the law by the restoration of the withered hand, He requires, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath-days to do good, or not? to save life, or to destroy it? " In order that He might, whilst allowing that amount of work which He was about to perform for a soul, remind them what works the law of the Sabbath forbade-even human works; and what it enjoined-even divine works, which might be done for the benefit of any soul, He was called "Lord of the Sabbath," because He maintained the Sabbath as His own institution.
Against Marcion Book IVBut he reproves them in another way, as it is added, And he said unto them, that the So of man is Lord also of the sabbath. As if he said, I am the Lord of the sabbath, as being He who ordained it, and as the Legislator I have power to loose the sabbath; for Christ was called the Son of man, who being the Son of God yet condescended in a miraculous manner to be made and called for man's sake the Son of man.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
ἐγένετο δὲ καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ σαββάτῳ εἰσελθεῖν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν συναγωγὴν καὶ διδάσκειν· καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ἡ δεξιὰ ἦν ξηρά.
Бы́сть же и҆ въ дрꙋгꙋ́ю сꙋббѡ́тꙋ вни́ти є҆мꙋ̀ въ со́нмище и҆ ᲂу҆чи́ти: и҆ бѣ̀ та́мѡ человѣ́къ, и҆ рꙋка̀ є҆мꙋ̀ десна́ѧ бѣ̀ сꙋха̀.
The Lord now proceeds to another work. For He who had determined to make the whole man safe, was able to cure each member. Hence it is said, And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd it came to pass on another Sabbath, as he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man whose right hand was withered. The Lord taught particularly on the Sabbaths in the synagogue, and performed miracles, not only to insinuate the spiritual Sabbath, but also because of the more celebrated gathering of the people on that day. Then it was the custom from the ancient institution of the Fathers, which was commanded by the law to rest from labor, to give time to reading and listening to the Scriptures. According to what James speaks in the Acts of the Apostles. For Moses from ancient times has those who preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every Sabbath. For just as those whose art is hunting, where they have learned that wild animals, fish, and birds abound, they set their nets there the most: so also the Lord always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gathered, wishing all to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Surely the man who had the withered hand signifies the human race shriveled by the barrenness of good work, but cured by the Lord's mercy. Whose right hand, which in the first parent withered while plucking the fruit of the forbidden tree, is restored to the health of good works by the grace of the Redeemer, while he stretched his innocent hands on the tree of the cross. And it is well that the hand was withered in the synagogue, because where the gift of knowledge is greater, there the danger of the inexcusable sin is more serious.
On the Gospel of LukeHe chiefly heals and teaches on the sabbaths, not only to convey the meaning of a spiritual sabbath, but because of the more numerous assembly of the people.
Catena Aurea by AquinasIt came to pass on another Sabbath, etc. Above he defended the disciples as Master by the authority of Scripture or by testimony; here he defends as Lord by the power of might in a miracle, in which, by healing a man on the Sabbath, he showed that he is Lord of the Sabbath, and that it is not necessary to abstain from every work on the Sabbath, but only from evil. Concerning the description of this miracle, three things are intimated: the first is the opportunity of the miraculous work; the second is the sublimity of the wondrous worker; the third is the perversity of the wretched people. As for the opportunity of the miraculous work, it should be noted that it is gathered from three things, namely from the confirmation of his own doctrine, from the regard for human misery, and from the confutation of Jewish perfidy. The first belonged to wisdom, the second to clemency, the third to justice, which are in Christ the Almighty.
Therefore first his own doctrine was to be confirmed, which he was proclaiming on the Sabbaths: on account of which he says: And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: because, as John 18 says, "I have always taught in the synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together"; because that word of Isaiah 54 was to be fulfilled in Christ: "I will make all your children taught by the Lord." Whence this was the one of whom Ecclesiasticus 39 says: "He himself will make known the discipline of his doctrine and will glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord." For he was teaching justice, which is the common virtue; whence Hosea 10: "It is the time to seek the Lord, when he shall come who will teach you justice."
Human misery was to be relieved on account of the deprivation of infirmity, by reason of which he says: And there was a man there, and his right hand was withered: and thus he was unfit for all works, because he had lost his stronger hand and better member. Whence truly this man was that one of whom Job 14 says that "living for a short time, he is filled with many miseries." Whence already in this man was fulfilled that word of Zechariah 11: "His right arm shall be dried up with withering"; and therefore he could already groan and say to the Lord: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd"; and for this reason it was to be relieved through divine power.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6But He taught things far beyond their comprehension, and opened to his hearers the way to future salvation by Him; and then after having first taught them, He suddenly showed His divine power, as it follows, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
παρετήρουν δὲ οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι εἰ ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ θεραπεύσει, ἵνα εὕρωσι κατηγορίαν αὐτοῦ.
Назира́хꙋ же кни́жницы и҆ фарїсе́є, а҆́ще въ сꙋббѡ́тꙋ и҆сцѣли́тъ, да ѡ҆брѧ́щꙋтъ рѣ́чь на́нь.
But the scribes and Pharisees watched whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find something to accuse him of. Because the destruction of the Sabbath which they accused in his disciples, the teacher excused by a probable example, now they want to censure the teacher himself by observing him, that if he heals on the Sabbath, they might accuse him of transgression; if he does not heal, of cruelty or weakness.
On the Gospel of LukeBut since the Master had excused by an undeniable example the breach of the sabbath, with which they charged His disciples, their object is now by watching to bring a false accusation against the Master Himself. As it follows, And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him, if he would heal on the sabbath, that if He did not, they might accuse Him of cruelty or impotence; if He did, of violation of the sabbath. Hence it follows, that they might find an accusation against him.
Catena Aurea by AquinasNevertheless, Jewish perfidy was to be confuted on account of the observance of malice, by reason of which he says: But the scribes and Pharisees were watching whether he would heal on the Sabbath. Whence was fulfilled in them that word of the Psalm: "All their thoughts are unto evil; they shall dwell and hide themselves: they themselves shall watch my heel." This observation was insidious, which pertains to a malicious mind, according to that word of Jeremiah 9: "In his mouth he speaks peace with his friend, and secretly he lays snares for him." And therefore it is added: That they might find something of which to accuse him. Whence these men were saying that word of the Babylonians, Daniel 6: "We shall not find any occasion against this man unless perhaps in the law of his God." On this day therefore they were especially watching, as Bede says, "so that, if he did not heal, they might charge him with cruelty or weakness; but if he did heal, with transgression." But certainly they find neither, because when he heals, he shows himself merciful; and when he does not heal, just; whence John 9: "Unless this man were from God, he could do nothing." And therefore Jeremiah 2: "What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me?" as if to say: nothing, because he is the one of whom Isaiah 53 says: "He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth." Therefore he himself said, John 8: "Which of you shall convict me of sin? If I speak the truth to you, why do you not believe me?"
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6The miracle sometimes converts to faith those who had disbelieved the word, but the Pharisees watched him to see if he would heal on the sabbath. The nature of an envious person is such that he makes the praises of others food for his own disease and is wickedly maddened by their reputation.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23But because He did not directly defend His disciples, but excuses them; because He interposes human want, as if deprecating censure; because He maintains the honour of the Sabbath as a day which is to be free from gloom rather than from work; because he puts David and his companions on a level with His own disciples in their fault and their extenuation; because He is pleased to endorse the Creator's indulgence: because He is Himself good according to His example-is He therefore alien from the Creator? Then the Pharisees watch whether He would heal on the Sabbath-day, that they might accuse Him-surely as a violator of the Sabbath, not as the propounder of a new god; for perhaps I might be content with insisting on all occasions on this one point, that another Christ is nowhere proclaimed.
Against Marcion Book IVBut he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
αὐτὸς δὲ ᾔδει τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς αὐτῶν, καὶ εἶπε τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ ξηρὰν ἔχοντι τὴν χεῖρα· ἔγειρε καὶ στῆθι εἰς τὸ μέσον. ὁ δὲ ἀναστὰς ἔστη.
Ѻ҆́нъ же вѣ́дѧше помышлє́нїѧ и҆́хъ и҆ речѐ человѣ́кꙋ и҆мꙋ́щемꙋ сꙋ́хꙋ рꙋ́кꙋ: воста́ни и҆ ста́ни посредѣ̀. Ѻ҆́нъ же воста́въ ста̀.
(de Con. Ev. l. ii. c. 35.) But it may be questioned how Matthew came to say, that they asked the Lord, whether it was lawful to heal on the sabbath, when Luke in this place states that they rather were asked of the Lord. We must therefore believe that they first asked the Lord, and that then He understanding by their thoughts that they sought an opportunity to accuse Him, placed the man in the midst whom He was going to heal, and asked the question which Mark and Luke relate Him to have asked. It follows, And looking round about upon them all.
Catena Aurea by AquinasHe himself knew their thoughts, etc. This is what we read: The Lord knows the thoughts of men, that they are vain (Psalm XCIII). And what follows: Blessed is the man whom you instruct, Lord, and teach him out of your law (Ibid.). This is said about those who have learned that the law fulfilled through Christ, not to be a carnal commandment for us, but a spiritual Sabbath.
On the Gospel of LukeBut he himself knew their thoughts. After the opportunity of the miraculous work, there is added here the sublimity of the wondrous worker with respect to three things, namely with respect to the wisdom of discerning in the heart, the prudence of questioning in speech, and the efficacy of healing in deed. First therefore, through wisdom in the heart he apprehended their thoughts, which he notes when he says: But he himself knew their thoughts: and truly so, because the Lord is most wise; whence in the Psalm: "The Lord knows the thoughts of men, that they are vain." And therefore their thoughts were open to the eyes of God; on account of which Isaiah 1 says: "Take away the evil of your thoughts from before my eyes"; whence also John 16: "The disciples said to him: Now we know that you know all things, and there is no need for anyone to question you." Nor is this surprising, because he is the one of whom Jeremiah 17 says: "I the Lord, searching hearts and reins, who give to each one according to his way."
As testimony of this, to show himself the knower of hearts, he commands this man who is to be healed to rise into the midst, when he adds: And he said to the man who had the withered hand; on whose account they were thinking proud thoughts, so that there could be said to them that word of Ecclesiasticus 37: "O most wicked presumption! Whence were you created, to cover the dry land with malice?" Rise and stand in the midst, that is, in a conspicuous place, so that all might know that their thoughts had been detected, according to that word of Ecclesiasticus 1: "Do not approach him with a double heart"; "lest God reveal your hidden things and cast you down in the midst of the synagogue"; because, according to what is said in Proverbs 26, "he who covers hatred fraudulently, his malice shall be manifested in the assembly." And rising up, he stood, not fearing the indignation of the Pharisees. For he was saying within himself that word of Job 17: "Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone fight against me"; and again that word of the Psalm: "If armies should stand against me, my heart shall not fear"; whence, strengthened by the Lord's command, he stood secure. Nor is this strange, because to him can rightly be said that word of Job 4: "Behold, you have taught many and have strengthened weary hands"; whence he could say that word of Daniel 10: "And when he spoke to me, I recovered strength and said: Speak, my Lord, for you have strengthened me."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6Once more he spoke to this; "he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him." And why did he do this? Perhaps it might be to move the cruel and unpitying Pharisee to compassion. The man's malady [his withered hand] perhaps might shame them and persuade them to dispel the flames of their envy.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23For this is the way of the envious man, he feeds in himself his pang of grief with the praises of others. But the Lord knew all things, and searches the hearts; as it follows, But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand. And he arose, and stood forth, that perchance he might stir up the cruel Pharisees to pity, and allay the flames of their passion.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThen said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
εἶπεν οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πρὸς αὐτούς· ἐπερωτήσω ὑμᾶς τί ἔξεστι τοῖς σάββασιν, ἀγαθοποιῆσαι ἢ κακοποιῆσαι, ψυχὴν σῶσαι ἢ ἀποκτεῖναι;
Рече́ же і҆и҃съ къ ни̑мъ: вопрошꙋ̀ вы̀: что̀ досто́итъ въ сꙋббѡ̑ты, добро̀ твори́ти, и҆лѝ ѕло̀ твори́ти; дꙋ́шꙋ спⷭ҇тѝ, и҆лѝ погꙋби́ти; Ѻ҆ни́ же ᲂу҆молча́ша.
"Are you angry at me because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day?" In this place he revivified with the salutary strength of good works the hand which Adam stretched out to pluck the fruit of the forbidden tree. The hand which had withered through a crime was healed by good deeds. Christ thereby rebuked the Jews who violated the precepts of the law with evil interpretations. They thought that they should rest even from good works on the sabbath, since the law prefigured in the present the form of the future in which indeed the days of rest from evils, not from blessings, would come.
Commentary on LukeBut the law by things present prefigured the form of things future, among which surely the days of rest to come are to be not from good works but from evil. For although secular works may be given up, yet it is no idle act of a good work to rest in the praise of God.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAug. de Qu. Ev. l. iii. qu. 7.) But though our Lord was healing the body, He asked this question, "is it lawful to save the soul or to lose it?" either because He performed His miracles on account of faith in which is the salvation of the soul; or, because the cure of the right hand signified the salvation of the soul, which ceasing to do good works, seemed in some measure to have a withered right hand, i. e. He placed the soul for the man, as men are wont to say, "So many souls were there."
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut Jesus said to them: I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath? The Lord, anticipating the calumny of the Jews which they had prepared for him with a treacherous mind, reproached them because they violated the commandments of the law with a twisted interpretation, thinking that even good works should be refrained from on the Sabbath, whereas the law commands to abstain from evil works saying: You shall do no servile work on it (Levit. XXIII), that is, sin: For everyone who commits sin is a servant of sin (John VIII). By the same commandment, at the same time foreshadowing the form of the future age, where those who have done good through the six ages of this world, in the seventh rest, will have holidays only from evil, but not also from good. For although secular works rest, nevertheless the act of good work is not idle in resting in the praise of God.
On the Gospel of LukeTo save a soul, or to lose it? This is to care for a man, or not. It is the same as what was previously stated: To do good, or to do evil. Not that God, supremely good, could be the author of evil or destruction for us, but because His not saving, according to the custom of Scripture, is said to destroy. As it is said that He hardened Pharaoh's heart, not that He hardened a soft one, but that He, not mercifully softening what was already hardened by preceding merits. And when we pray, lead us not into temptation (Matthew 6), immediately adding: but deliver us from evil (ibid.), we are plainly taught that His not leading into temptation is nothing other than delivering from evil; His destroying a soul is not to save it from destruction. If anyone is moved by the question of why the Lord, when He was going to heal the body, asked about the salvation of the soul, let him understand either that the soul is put forth for the man by the manner of the Scriptures, as it is said: these are the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob (Exodus 1); or that those miracles were performed for the health of the soul, or that the healing of the hand itself signified the health of the soul, which seemed to have a certain dry right hand, ceasing from good works (as I have foretold).
On the Gospel of LukeBut the Lord anticipating the false charge which they were preparing against Him, reproves those who by wrongly interpreting the law thought that they must rest on the sabbath-day even from good works; whereas the law commands us to abstain from servile works, i. e. from evil, on the sabbath. Hence it follows, Then said Jesus unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath, &c.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSecondly, by prudence in speech he was turning aside their machinations; on account of which is added: And Jesus said to them: I ask you. But the contrary of this seems to be said in Matthew 12, where it is said that they were asking the Lord: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" To which Augustine responds, in On the Harmony of the Evangelists, that first they asked, and the Lord replied to them. Or it can be that the form of questioning follows the interior thought. Matthew understands that in the ears of God to think is to speak, and to doubt is to question.
And he poses a careful question: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil: to save a life, or to destroy it? He asks this not as something doubtful, but as something indubitably true, so that one part of the disjunction must be granted. For it is established that on the Sabbath it is lawful either to do good or not to do good; to save a life, or not to save, because between contradictory opposites there is no middle ground. But not to do good, when there is occasion and opportunity, is to neglect the good, and this is to do evil. Therefore this is a certain and true disjunction, of which it is necessary to grant one part; but they cannot grant this part: that it is lawful to do evil, or to destroy a life. It remains, therefore, that by this question they are refuted, namely that it is lawful on the Sabbath to do good and to heal a life; and thus they could not respond. Whence was fulfilled that word of Job 9: "If he should suddenly question, who will answer him? Or who can say to him: Why do you act thus?" And therefore Romans 9: "O man! Who are you to answer back to God?" Whence it is said in Job 9 that "he cannot answer him one thing out of a thousand." In Matthew 12, however, this disjunction is not proposed in this way, but the other part is sought and proved from the lesser through the freeing of a sheep from a pit; much more, therefore, must a man be freed, of whom it is said in the Psalm: "You have subjected all things under his feet," etc.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6This question is most wise indeed and a most suitable statement to meet their folly. If it is lawful to do good on the sabbath and nothing prevents the sick being pitied by God, cease picking up opportunities for fault-finding against Christ and bringing down on your own head the sentence which the Father has decreed against those who dishonor the Son. You have heard the Father where he says of the Son by the voice of David, "I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him." But if it is not lawful to do good on the sabbath and the law forbids the saving of life, you have made yourself an accuser of the law.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 23This is a very useful question, for if it is lawful to do good on the sabbath, and there is no reason why those who work should not obtain mercy from God, cease to gather up accusation against Christ. But if it be not lawful to do good on the sabbath, and the law prohibits the safety of life, thou art become the accuser of the law. For if we examine the very institution of the sabbath, we shall find it was introduced for an object of mercy, for God commanded to keep holy the sabbath, that may rest thy man servant and thy maid servant, and all thy cattle. (Exod. 20:23.) But he who has mercy on his ox, and the rest of his cattle, how much rather will he not have mercy on man troubled with a severe disease?
Catena Aurea by AquinasWishing, therefore, to initiate them into this meaning of the law by the restoration of the withered hand, He requires, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath-days to do good, or not? to save life, or to destroy it? " In order that He might, whilst allowing that amount of work which He was about to perform for a soul, remind them what works the law of the Sabbath forbade-even human works; and what it enjoined-even divine works, which might be done for the benefit of any soul, He was called "Lord of the Sabbath," because He maintained the Sabbath as His own institution.
Against Marcion Book IVAnd looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
καὶ περιβλεψάμενος πάντας αὐτοὺς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου. ὁ δὲ ἐποίησε, καὶ ἀποκατεστάθη ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡ ἄλλη.
И҆ воззрѣ́въ на всѣ́хъ и҆̀хъ, речѐ є҆мꙋ̀: прострѝ рꙋ́кꙋ твою̀. Ѻ҆́нъ же сотворѝ та́кѡ: и҆ ᲂу҆тверди́сѧ рꙋка̀ є҆гѡ̀ здра́ва ꙗ҆́кѡ дрꙋга́ѧ.
Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, "Stretch forth your hand." That is the common and universal remedy. You who think that you have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help your neighbor, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins. The hand is stretched forth; then it is healed. Jeroboam's hand withered when he sacrificed to idols; then it stretched out when he entreated God.
Commentary on LukeYou have heard then the words of Him who says, Stretch forth thy hand. That is a frequent and common cure, and thou that thinkest thy hand is whole, beware lest it be contracted by avarice or sacrilege. Stretch it forth oftener to help thy neighbour, to protect the widow, to save from injury him whom you see the victim of unjust attack; stretch it forth to the poor man who beseeches thee; stretch it forth to the Lord, to ask pardon of thy sins; as the hand is stretched forth so is it healed. (1 Kings 13:5, 6.)
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd looking around at all of them, He said to the man: Stretch out your hand. And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The dry hand to be healed is commanded to be stretched out, because the barrenness of an unfruitful soul is cured by nothing better than the generosity of almsgiving. Hence John the Baptist, when asked by the crowds what they should do so as not to be cast into fire like barren trees, only gave this command: He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise (Luke 3). And in Ecclesiasticus, it is said: Son, let not your hand be extended to receive, and shut when it should be giving (Ecclesiasticus 4). For in vain does one stretch out his hand to God to pray for sins, who does not extend it to bring benefit to a begging widow.
On the Gospel of LukeThe man represents the human race, withered by the unfruitfulness of good works, because of the hand in our first parent stretched forth to take the apple, which was healed by the innocent hand stretched forth on the cross. And rightly was the withered hand in the synagogue, because where there is the greater gift of knowledge, there the transgressor lies under the greater blame.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThird, through efficacy in deed he overthrew their presumptions; on account of which it is added: And looking around at all of them, as though already confounded, so that he could now say that word of Job 17: "Therefore turn and come, and I shall not find among you any wise man." And because no one could contradict, for the confirmation of the truth it is added: He said to the man: Stretch out your hand. And since "his word is full of power," as is said in Ecclesiastes 8, therefore it is added: And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored to health: in which the Lord showed that he is Lord of the Law and of the Sabbath. For he it was who healed the hand of Moses, in Exodus 4, by his command alone; he it was also who withered and again healed the hand of Jeroboam, the idolatrous king of Israel, as is told in 3 Kings 13; he, I say, is the one of whom it is said that "he wounds and he heals, he strikes, and his hands shall heal"; of whom it is said in the Psalm: "Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your infirmities"; and this by his word alone, so that it may be made manifest that he is the one of whom Wisdom 16 says: "Your word, O Lord, healed them, who heals all things." For just as the Father made all things through the uncreated Word, so through the incarnate Word, as Augustine says, he remade all things.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6Spiritually it is to be understood that dryness in the soul is a defect of vigor on account of the absence of grace, according to that passage in John 15: "If anyone does not abide in me, he shall be cast out like the branch and shall wither." But this dryness is introduced from seven causes according to the seven capital sins. Whence note that there is a dryness of pride, or arising from pride: Ecclesiasticus 10: "The Lord dried up the roots of proud nations." And of envy: James 1: "The sun rose with its burning heat and dried up the grass"; and in the Psalm: "Let them become like the grass of the housetops." And of wrath, concerning which Mark chapter nine says of the demoniac who "foams and gnashes his teeth and withers away." And of sloth: Proverbs chapter seventeen: "A sorrowful spirit dries up the bones"; Numbers chapter eleven: "Our soul is dried up," "it is nauseated by this most light food." And of avarice: Sirach chapter fourteen: "The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in the portion of iniquity; he shall not be satisfied until he consumes, withering his own soul." And of gluttony: Nahum chapter one: "The banquet of those drinking together shall be consumed like stubble full of dryness." And of lust: The Psalm: "My bones are burned as a hearth; I am struck like grass, and my heart has withered," etc.; "All flesh is grass," Isaiah chapter forty; and Job chapter thirty: "My skin is blackened upon me, and my bones are dried up."
Thus therefore from seven causes spiritual dryness is understood, which is also sevenfold: namely, dryness of the heart for thinking well: Isaiah chapter twenty-one: "My heart has withered; darkness has stupefied me." And dryness of the mouth for desiring: Judith chapter seven: "Our end will be brief by the mouth of the sword, which becomes longer in the dryness of thirst." And of the word for teaching: Hosea chapter nine: "Give them, O Lord, a womb without children and dry breasts." And dryness of the arm for working: Zechariah chapter eleven: "His arm shall be dried up with dryness." And dryness of the hand for giving generously: Job chapter fifteen: "Before his days are fulfilled, he shall perish, and his hand shall wither." And of the skin for conducting oneself: Job chapter seven: "My skin is dried up and shrunken." There is lastly dryness of strength for enduring; the Psalm: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue has cleaved to my jaws."
Now this sick man having a withered hand signifies the dryness of avarice, which is healed when by divine command the hand is extended to give alms generously, according to that passage in the last chapter of Proverbs: "She opened her hand to the needy and extended her palms to the poor." And that extension obtains the vigor of grace, according to that passage in Sirach chapter seventeen: "The alms of a man is as a purse with him, and it shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye." An example and proof of this appears manifestly in a certain king of England, who gave generous alms, whose hand and arm remains whole and incorrupt, since a certain bishop said to him one day, when he had extended his hand to give a poor person a silver dish that he had before him, that his hand would never wither — which word is said to have been fulfilled up to the present day.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6Thou perceivest, O Pharisee, a divine Worker, and Him Who delivers the sick by His heavenly power, and out of envy thou breathest forth death.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhen the eyes of all were, as it were, riveted together, and their minds also fixed upon the consideration of the matter, he said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand; I command thee, Who created man. But he who had the withered hand hears, and is made whole, as it follows, And he stretched it, and it was restored.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
AND it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν σαββάτῳ δευτεροπρώτῳ διαπορεύεσθαι αὐτὸν διὰ τῶν σπορίμων· καὶ ἔτιλλον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τοὺς στάχυας καὶ ἤσθιον ψώχοντες ταῖς χερσί.
[Заⷱ҇ 22] Бы́сть же въ сꙋббѡ́тꙋ второпе́рвꙋю и҆тѝ є҆мꙋ̀ сквозѣ̀ сѣ̑ѧнїѧ: и҆ восторга́хꙋ ᲂу҆чн҃цы̀ є҆гѡ̀ кла́сы, и҆ ꙗ҆дѧ́хꙋ, стира́юще рꙋка́ми.
The Lord Jesus begins to divest man [people] of the observation of the old law and clothes him with the new covering of grace not only through the understanding of words but also through the very usage and appearance of actions. Already on the sabbath, he leads him through the cornfields, that is, he brings him to what abounds in fruit. What the sabbath, the standing corn, and the ears mean to him is no small mystery. The field is this whole world, and the standing corn of the field is an abundant fruitfulness of saints in the sowing of the human race. The ears of the field are the fruits of the church that the apostles scattered with their works and on which they fed, sustaining themselves on our progress. The corn was already standing rich in abundant ears of virtues. The fruits of our merit are compared with these, because they also wither in a shower or are parched by the sun or soaked by the rain or shattered by storms or hoarded by the reapers in the storehouses of the blessed granaries. The earth has already received the Word of God, and the nourishing field sown with heavenly seed has brought forth abundant fruit. The disciples hungered for the salvation of humankind, and by the splendid miracles of their works they plucked as if from the husks of their bodies fruits of their minds to the light of faith. The Jews thought that this was not permitted on the sabbath, but Christ through the gift of new grace designated the idleness of the law as a work of grace.
Commentary on LukeNot only in the form of expression, but in His very practice and mode of action, did the Lord begin to absolve man from the observance of the old law. Hence it is said, And it came to pass that he went through the corn fields, &c.
But the Lord proves the defenders of the law to be ignorant of what belongs to the law, bringing the example of David; as it follows, And Jesus answering said to them, Have ye not read so much as this, &c.
But herein is a great mystery. For the field is the whole world, the corn is the abundant harvest of the saints in the seed of the human race, the ears of corn are the fruits of the Church, which the Apostles shaking off by their works fed upon, nourishing themselves with our increase, and by their mighty miracles, as it were out of the bodily husks, plucking forth the fruits of the mind to the light of faith.
Now the Jews thought this unlawful on the Sabbath, but Christ by the gift of new grace represented hereby the rest of the law, the work of grace. Wonderfully has He called it the second-first sabbath, not the first-second, because that was loosed from the law which was first, and this is made first which was ordained second. It is therefore called the second sabbath according to number, the first according to the grace of the work. For that sabbath is better where there is no penalty, than that where there is a penalty prescribed. Or this perhaps was first in the foreknowledge of wisdom, and second in the sanction of the ordinance. Now in David escaping with his companions, there was a foreshadowing of Christ in the law, who with His Apostles escaped the prince of the world. But how was it that the Observer and Defender of the law Himself both eat the bread, and gave it to those that were with Him, which no one was allowed to eat but the priests, except that He might show by that figure that the priests' bread was to come over to the use of the people, or that we ought to imitate the priests' life, or that all the children of the Church are priests, for we are anointed into a holy priesthood, offering ourselves a spiritual sacrifice to God. (1 Pet. 2:5.) But if the sabbath was made for men, and the benefit of men required that a man when hungry (having been long without the fruits of the earth) should forsake the abstinence of the old fast, the law is surely not broken but fulfilled.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd it happened on the second-first Sabbath, as he was passing through the cornfields, his disciples began to pluck the ears of corn, and rubbed them in their hands, and did eat. This is what Mark says, that because of the great number of those who came to be healed, the disciples did not even have time to eat, and thus were as hungry men. But that they plucked the ears of the crops with their hands, and comforted their hunger, is an indication of a more austere life, not seeking prepared feasts, but simple food. And note that the first apostles of the Savior break the letter of the Sabbath, against the Ebionites, who, while accepting the other apostles, reject Paul as a transgressor of the law. Wherefore Luke properly calls this day, when the letter of the Sabbath began to be dissolved, a second-first Sabbath, wishing to intimate that the observance of the legal Sabbath ought henceforth to cease, and the freedom of the natural Sabbath, which was similar to the other days up to the times of Moses, ought to be restored. So that just as the Church is saved not by circumcision or the ceremonies of the law, but by the faith of Abraham, who was justified while uncircumcised through love working, so also this ought to be commended as nothing other than a spiritual Sabbath, in which even Abraham always rested from servile, that is, sinful action, through the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit to God. Therefore, the Sabbath of this time, in which it is lawful to do useful things as on the other days, to distinguish it from the Jewish Sabbath, on which it was not allowed to travel, to gather wood, or to do other necessary things, is called second-first. Namely, this is preferred to the first in the order of time, because it was observed by the fathers in countless ages before the law, as it is now. Or certainly it signifies by the grace of the gift that nothing else is meant by second-first than that the superior Sabbath is understood to be above the inferior. For the first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven, heavenly. Nor is it wrong to call the Lord Jesus Christ the second-first Adam, who by merit and grace certainly preceded the first Adam by no human birth order, according to what his precursor said of him: "He who comes after me is preferred before me, for he was before me" (John 1). It can also be understood that the second-first Sabbath, the same Sabbath of the New Testament, is both the second and the first. Second, because it is observed by us after the legal Sabbath. First, because it was observed by the ancient just ones before the decrees of the law. Mystically, the disciples pass through the cornfields, those of which the Lord said, "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest, and he that reapeth receiveth wages" (John 4). And it is better to hunger for this than to understand it as the salvation of men, for whom the foremost of the reapers, once hungering in prayers, shortly heard, upon the dishes being shown which he desired, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat" (Acts 10). And the wonderful concord of the sacrament is that there, beasts are ordered to be killed and eaten, and here the ears of corn are reported to be rubbed and nonetheless eaten. This means: Mortify your members which are upon the earth, and put off the old man with his deeds (Col. 3). For no one otherwise transitions into the body of Christ, nor does a teacher otherwise feed on the fruits of his advancement. Thus, to pluck the ears of corn is to remove men from an earthly intention, where they had only fixed the root of their mind, as it were. To rub them with hands is to strip the purity of mind from carnal concupiscence, like husks and chaff. To eat the grains is for each person cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit to be incorporated into the members of the Church through the mouths of preachers. And it is well reported that the disciples did this before the Lord in Mark, preceding him, for it is necessary that the preacher's word precedes, and thus illuminates the heart of the listener by the grace of heavenly visitation.
On the Gospel of LukeFor His disciples having no opportunity for eating because the multitudes thronged so, were naturally hungry, but by plucking the ears of corn they relieved their hunger, which is a mark of a strict habit of life, not seeking for prepared meats, but mere simple food.
For they bruise the ears in their hands, because, when they wish to bring others over into the body of Christ, they mortify their old man with its acts drawing them away from worldly thoughts.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd it came to pass on a Sabbath. Above, the Evangelist treated of the calling of the disciples; in this part he treats of their defense, because it belongs to a good shepherd not only to gather the sheep, but also to defend them from wolves. And this part has two sections. In the first he defends them by the testimony of Scripture; in the second, by the miracle of power, at the passage: And it came to pass also on another Sabbath. For Christ himself is "the power of God and the wisdom of God"; whence the disciples called him "Master and Lord," John thirteen; and therefore he first defends as Master through authoritative testimony, and second, as Lord through a miraculous work. Concerning the first mode of defense, three things are introduced: the first is the occasion of accusing, the second is the opposition to the accusation, the third is the refutation of the accusers.
The occasion of accusing was given by the necessity of the disciples, on account of which they were plucking ears of grain on the Sabbaths. And he notes this when he says: It came to pass on the second-first Sabbath, that is, second from the first, that is, immediately following the preceding Sabbath, concerning which it was treated above in chapter four, on which he cured the demoniac. Or, as Chrysostom says, on the second-first Sabbath, that is, twice first or principal, on account of the double solemnity coinciding, because the Sabbath was in itself a solemnity, and also by reason of the New Moon, which was then occurring. Or according to Bede, second-first is one compound expression from a whole and a corrupted word, so that secondly first is said, that is, secondly preeminent, that is, higher and more worthy than that legal Sabbath, because already then the new Sabbath was beginning, on which one must rest from vices, not from necessary works.
And this is clear through the example of the disciples themselves, concerning whom it is added: As he passed through the grain fields: he was passing through, namely Christ himself, because he was a wayfarer: whence Acts 10: "He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed." Moreover, in his passing through he signifies that all these things are transitory, according to that word of Matthew 24: "Heaven and earth shall pass away." He was passing through, however, not remaining, and his disciples likewise, so that they too might acknowledge this, because "we have not here a lasting city," Hebrews last chapter. But because, in passing through these things, we ought not to linger, but need to be sustained, therefore he adds: His disciples were plucking ears of grain and eating them, rubbing them in their hands: they were plucking, that is, pulling off, tearing them from the stalk, according to what is said in Amos 7: "I am a herdsman, plucking sycamores." They were plucking, he says, not reaping, because the former was permitted according to the Law, the latter was forbidden: Deuteronomy 23: "If you enter the standing grain of your friend, you may break off the ears and rub them with your hands, but you shall not reap with a sickle." And indeed they were doing this, compelled by the necessity of hunger, just as, in Matthew 12, "his disciples, being hungry, began to pluck ears of grain and to eat." Nor is this surprising, because, Proverbs 27, "the hungry soul will take the bitter for sweet"; and Job 6: "The things which my soul refused to touch are now, because of distress, my food."
Whence human necessity excused them, which compelled them to do this; and Bede assigns this reason: "The disciples," he says, "not having opportunity to eat because of the pressing of the crowds, were hungry as men, but by plucking ears of grain they alleviated their hunger." Another reason is the necessity of assumed poverty, by which they were destitute, so that they did not even have bread in sufficient measure: whence the Apostle in Second Corinthians 11: "In hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness." The third reason is the example of austerity, by which they taught us, as Ambrose says, "to seek not prepared dishes, but simple foods"; Isaiah 30: "The Lord will give you bread of affliction and water of scarcity." The fourth is, that they might show that we ought to observe the legal Sabbath not according to the letter, but spiritually, against heretics who would come after: Hebrews 4: "There remains a sabbath rest for the people of God." The fifth reason is spiritual understanding. For by the Sabbath is understood the repose of divine contemplation: Isaiah 58: "You shall call the Sabbath of the Lord a delight." The ears of grain are foretastes of interior sweetness, which are mingled with hardships, and therefore they are rubbed in the hands, so that the pure grain may be extracted, just as Ruth, who "gathered the ears of grain remaining behind the backs of the reapers." The sixth reason is on the part of the sweetness of the word of Christ, by which, powerfully enticed, they forget to eat: whence the Psalm: "How sweet are your words to my palate, sweeter than honey to my mouth"; and John 6: "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 6(cont. Hær. l. i. Hær. xxx. 32.) On the sabbath day then they were seen passing through the corn fields, and eating the corn, showing that the bonds of the sabbath were loosened, when the great Sabbath was come in Christ, Who made us to rest from the working of our iniquities.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Isidore. l. i. Ep. 110.) He says, On the second-first, because it was the second day of the Passover, but the first of unleavened bread. Having killed the passover, on the very next day they kept the feast of unleavened bread. And it is plain that this was so from the fact, that the Apostles plucked ears of corn and ate them, for at that time the ears are weighed down by the fruit.
Catena Aurea by AquinasHe says, On the second-first, because it was the second day of the Passover, but the first of unleavened bread. Having killed the passover, on the very next day they kept the feast of unleavened bread. Andit is plain that this was so from the fact, that the Apostles plucked ears of corn and ate them, for at that time the ears are weighed down by the fruit.
(Hom. 39. in Matt.) For there was a double feast; one on the principal sabbath, another on the next solemn day succeeding, which was also called a sabbath.
Catena Aurea by AquinasFor from the Creator's Scripture, and from the purpose of Christ, there is derived a colourable precedent -as from the example of David, when he went into the temple on the Sabbath, and provided food by boldly breaking up the shew-bread. Even he remembered that this privilege (I mean the dispensation from fasting) was allowed to the Sabbath from the very beginning, when the Sabbath-day itself was instituted.
Against Marcion Book IVNow He says, on the second sabbath after the first, because the Jews called every feast a sabbath. For sabbath means rest. Frequently therefore was there feasting at the preparation, and they called the preparation a sabbath because of the feast, and hence they gave to the principal sabbath the name of the second-first, as being the second in consequence of the festival of the day preceding.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas