Lucas 16
Ephrem the Syrian · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Lucas 16:1-9
He told another parable of the steward, who was accused in the presence of his master. The shrewdness of this unjust steward was praised in the presence of his master. He unjustly wasted the initial treasures and then unjustly and cunningly cancelled the later debts. He was praised because he acquired what was to be his by what was not his, namely, his friends and supporters. Through what was not his, Adam got something that was not his, namely, thorns and pains. O children of Adam, buy for yourselves those things that do not pass away, by means of those temporary things that are not yours! — COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 14.21
Lucas 16:16-17
The Law and the Prophets reached as far as John did, but the Messiah is the beginning of the New Testament. Through baptism, the Lord assumed the justice of the Old Testament in order to receive the perfection of the anointing and to give it in its fullness and entirety to his disciples. He ended John's baptism and the law at the same time. He was baptized in justice, because he was sinless, but he baptized in grace because all others were sinners. Through his justice, he dispensed from the law, and through his baptism, he abolished baptism [of John]. — COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 4.2
Lucas 16:23-25
The Lord compared the priests of the people with him who was clothed in purple. Nothing is more honored than purple clothing. He compared the disciples of the cross with Lazarus. There were none more lowly than Lazarus was. He revealed the name of his beloved ones through Lazarus, his beloved one. He also wished to reveal the name of his enemies through the words, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets." It is not the case that all those living are alive, or that all those buried are dead.See, the more the rich man lived sumptuously, the more Lazarus was humbled! The more Lazarus was made low, the greater was his crown. Why should he have seen Abraham above all the just, and Lazarus in his bosom? He saw him because Abraham loved the poor and so that we might learn that we cannot hope for pardon at the end, unless the fruits of pardon can be seen in us. If Abraham, who was friendly to strangers and had mercy on Sodom, was not able to have mercy on the one who did not show pity to Lazarus, how can we hope that there will be pardon for us? That man called him "my father," and Abraham called him "my son," but he was not able to help him. "Remember, my son, that you received good things during your life and Lazarus evil things." — COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 15.12-13
Lucas 16:24-26
This place, despised and spurned By the denizens of paradise, Those who burn in Gehenna hungrily desire; Their torment doubles At the sight of its fountains, They quiver violently As they stand on the opposite side; The rich man, too, begs for succor But there is no one to wet his tongue, For fire is within them, While the water is opposite them. — HYMNS ON PARADISE 1.17