Mateus 3
Remigius of Rheims
Mateus 3:1
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] In these words (ver. 1.) we have not only time, place, and person, respecting St. John, but also his office and employment. First the time, generally; In those days. The man is mentioned in the words came John, that is, showed himself, having abode so long in obscurity. (ap. Anselm.) His office; the Baptist; in this he prepared the way of the Lord, for had not men been used to be baptized, they would have shunned Christ's baptism. His employment; Preaching; The place; the desert of Judæa. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:2
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] The Kingdom of Heaven has a fourfold meaning. It is said, of Christ, as The Kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21.) Of Holy Scripture, as, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Mat. 21:43.) Of the Holy Church, as, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto ten virgins. (Mat. 25.) Of the abode above, as, Many shall come from the East and the West, and shall sit down in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Mat. 8:11.) And all these significations may be here understood. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:3
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Though as far as historical fact is concerned, he chose the desert, to be removed from the crowds of people. What the purport of his cry was is insinuated, when he adds, Make ready the way of the Lord. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:3
In these words we have not only time, place, and person, respecting St. John, but also his office and employment. First the time, generally; "In those days.". The man is mentioned in the words "came John," that is, showed himself, having abodeso long in obscurity. ap. Anselm: His office; "the Baptist;" in this he prepared the way of the Lord, for had not men been used to be baptized, they would have shunned Christ'sbaptism.His employment; "Preaching.". The place; "the desert of Judaea."Maximus, Hom. in Joan. Bap. nat. 1: Where neithera noisy mob would interrupt his preaching, and whither no unbelieving hearer would retire; but those only would hear, who sought to his preaching from motives of divine worship. "The Kingdom of Heaven" has a fourfold meaning. It is said, of Christ, as "The Kingdom of God is within you." And all these significations may be here understood. Though as far as historical fact is concerned, he chose the desert, to be removed from the crowds of people. What the purport of his cry was is insinuated, when he adds, "Make ready the way of the Lord."
Mateus 3:4
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] In this clothing and this poor food, he shows that he sorrows for the sins of the whole human race. In John (which name is interpreted 'the grace of God,') is figured Christ who brought grace into the world; in his clothing, the Gentile Church. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:5-6
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] The baptism of John bare a figure of the catechumens. As children are only catechized that they may become meet for the sacrament of Baptism; so John baptized, that they who were thus baptized might afterwards by a holy life become worthy of coming to Christ's baptism. He baptized in Jordan, that the door of the Kingdom of Heaven might be there opened, where an entrance had been given to the children of Israel into the earthly kingdom of promise. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:7
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] The manner of Scripture is to give names from the imitation of deeds, according to that of Ezekiel, Thy father was an Amorite; (Ezek. 16:3.) so these from following vipers are called generation of vipers. When then he asks, who will show you to flee from the wrath to come,—'except God' must be understood. But if we read, shall show, in the future, this is the meaning, 'What teacher, what preacher, shall be able to give you such counsel, as that ye may escape the wrath of everlasting damnation?' — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:9
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] There is a tradition, that John preached at that place of the Jordan, where the twelve stones taken from the bed of the river had been set up by command of God. He might then be pointing to these, when he said, Of these stones. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:11-12
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] There are five points in which Christ comes after John, His birth, preaching, baptism, death, and descent into hell. A beautiful expression is that, mightier than I, because he is mere man, the other is God and man. This His floor, to wit, the Church, the Lord cleanses in this life, both when by the sentence of the Priests the bad are put out of the Church, and when they are cut off by death. The unquenchable fire is the punishment of eternal damnation; either because it never totally destroys or consumes those it has once seized on, but torments them eternally; or to distinguish it from purgatorial fire which is kindled for a time and again extinguished. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:13
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] In this verse is contained person, place, time, and office. Time, in the word Then. The Persons are described in the words, came Jesus to John; that is, God to man, the Lord to His servant, the King to His soldier, the Light to the lamp. The Place, from Galilee to Jordan. Galilee means 'transmigration.' Whoso then will be baptized, must pass from vice to virtue, and humble himself in coming to baptism, for Jordan means 'descent.' The office to be performed; that He might be baptized of him; not baptism to the remission of sins, but to leave the water sanctified for those after to be baptized. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:15
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or thus; It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, that is, to give an example of perfect justification in baptism, without which the gate of the kingdom of heaven is not opened. Hence let the proud take an example of humility, and not scorn to be baptized by My humble members when they see Me baptized by John My servant. That is true humility which obedience accompanies; as it continues, then he suffered Him, that is, at last consented to baptize Him. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:16
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or thus; It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, that is, to give an example of perfect justification in baptism, without which the gate of the kingdom of heaven is not opened. Hence let the proud take an example of humility, and not scorn to be baptized by My humble members when they see Me baptized by John My servant. That is true humility which obedience accompanies; as it continues, then he suffered Him, that is, at last consented to baptize Him. But was this then the first time that the heavens were opened to Him according to His human nature? The faith of the Church both believes and holds that the heavens were no less open to Him before than after. It is therefore said here, that the heavens were opened, because to all them who are born again the door of the kingdom of heaven is opened. As to all those who by baptism are born again, the door of the kingdom of heaven is opened, so all in baptism receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Mateus 3:17
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or if it be referred to the human nature of Christ, the sense is, I am pleased in Him, whom alone I have found without sin. Or according to another reading, It hath pleased me to appoint Him, by whom to perform those things I would perform, i. e. the redemption of the human race. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas