Mateus 2
Glossa Ordinaria
Mateus 2:1-2
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (ord. Josh. 19:15.) There are two Bethlehems; one in the tribe of Zabulon, the other in the tribe of Judah, which was before called Ephrata. These Magi were kings, and though their gifts were three, it is not to be thence inferred that themselves were only three in number, but in them was prefigured the coming to the faith of the nations sprung from the three sons of Noah. Or, the princes were only three, but each brought a large company with him. They came not after a year's end, for He would then have been found in Egypt, not in the manger, but on the thirteenth day. To show whence they came it is said, from the East. Or, they had dromedaries and Arabian horses, whose great swiftness brought them to Bethlehem in thirteen days. (interlin.) 'His star,' i. e. the star He created for a witness of Himself. (ord.) To the Shepherds, Angels, and the Magians, a star points out Christ; to both speaks the tongue of Heaven, since the tongue of the Prophets was mute. The Angels dwell in the heavens, the stars adorn it, to both therefore the heavens declare the glory of God. (ord.) In the east. It seems doubtful whether this refers to the place of the star, or of those that saw it; it might have risen in the east, and gone before them to Jerusalem. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:3
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (ord.) The King, he is called, though in comparison with him whom they are seeking he is an alien and a foreigner. (ord.) Perhaps he was troubled not on his own account, but for fear of the displeasure of the Romans. They would not allow the title of King or of God to any without their permission. (ord.) Jerusalem was troubled with him, as willing to favour him whom it feared; the vulgar always pay undue honour to one who tyrannizes over it. Observe the diligence of his enquiry. If he should find him, he would do to him as he showed afterwards his disposition; if he should not, he would at least be excused to the Romans. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:5
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (ord.) He quotes this prophecy as they quote who give the sense and not the words. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:6
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (non occ.) This latter half of the prophecy the Jews dropped; and other parts they altered, either through ignorance, (as was said above,) or for perspicuity, that Herod who was a foreigner might better understand the prophecy; thus for Ephrata, they said, land of Judah; and for little among the thousands of Judah, which expresses its smallness contrasted with the multitude of the people, they said, not the least among the princes, willing to show the high dignity that would come from the birth of the Prince. As if they had said, Thou art great among cities from which princes have come. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:7-8
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (non occ.) According to others, the star was first seen on the day of the nativity, and having accomplished its end, ceased to be. Thus Fulgentius says, "The Boy at His birth created a new star." (Serm. de Epiph.) Though they now knew both time and place, he still would not have them ignorant of the person of the Child, Go, he says, and enquire diligently of the young Child; a commission they would have executed even if he had not commanded it. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:9
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (Anselm.) It is evident that the star must have been in the air, and close above the house where the Child was, else it would not have pointed out the exact house. (ord.) Or, the star is the illumination of faith, which leads him to the nearest aid; while they turn aside to the Jews, the Magi lose it; so those who seek counsel of the bad, lose the true light. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:10-11
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (ord.) Or, the star is the illumination of faith, which leads him to the nearest aid; while they turn aside to the Jews, the Magi lose it; so those who seek counsel of the bad, lose the true light. This service of the star is followed by the rejoicing of the Magi. (ord.) He rejoices indeed who rejoices on God's account, who is the true joy. With great joy, he says, for they had great cause. (Anselm.) In these offerings we observe their national customs, gold, frankincense, and various spices abounding among the Arabians; yet they intended thereby to signify something in mystery. (Anselm.) The three men who offer, signify the nations who come from the three quarters of the earth. They open their treasures, i. e. manifest the faith of their hearts by confession. Rightly in the house, teaching that we should not vain-gloriously display the treasure of a good conscience. They bring three (vid. sup. note g, p. 18.) gifts, i. e. the faith in the Holy Trinity. Or opening the stores of Scripture, they offer its threefold sense, historical, moral, and allegorical; or Logic, Physic, and Ethics, making them all serve the faith. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:12
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (Anselm.) The three men who offer, signify the nations who come from the three quarters of the earth. They open their treasures, i. e. manifest the faith of their hearts by confession. Rightly in the house, teaching that we should not vain-gloriously display the treasure of a good conscience. They bring three (vid. sup. note g, p. 18.) gifts, i. e. the faith in the Holy Trinity. Or opening the stores of Scripture, they offer its threefold sense, historical, moral, and allegorical; or Logic, Physic, and Ethics, making them all serve the faith. (ord.) This warning is given by the Lord Himself; it is none other that now teaches these Magi the way they should return, but He who said, I am the way. (John 14.) Not that the Infant actually speaks to them, that His divinity may not be revealed before the time, and His human nature may be thought real. But he says, having received an answer, for as Moses prayed silently, so they with pious spirit had asked what the Divine will bade. By another way, for they were not to be mixed up with the unbelieving Jews. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:17-18
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (ord.) She will not be comforted in this present life, for that they are not, but transfers all her hope and comfort to the life to come. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:21
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Joseph was not disobedient to the angelic warning, but he arose, and took the young Child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. The Angel had not fixed the particular place, so that while Joseph hesitates, the Angel returns, and by the often visiting him confirms his obedience. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:22
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] (ord.) But then we might ask, why was he not afraid to go into Galilee, seeing Archelaus ruled there also? He could be better concealed in Nazareth than in Jerusalem, which was the capital of the kingdom, and where Archelaus was constantly resident. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 2:23
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] To this he adds the Prophet's testimony, saying, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, &c. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas