The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 47: Matthew

U >> Unknown >> The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 47: Matthew

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

15:20. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed
hands doth not defile a man.

15:21. And Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coast of Tyre
and Sidon.

15:22. And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying
out, said to him: Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my
daughter is grievously troubled by a devil.

15:23. Who answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought
him, saying: Send her away, for she crieth after us:

15:24. And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the sheep, that are
lost of the house of Israel.

15:25. But she came and adored him, saying: Lord, help me.

15:26. Who answering, said: It is not good to take the bread of the
children, and to cast it to the dogs.

15:27. But she said: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs
that fall from the table of their masters.

15:28. Then Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is thy faith:
be it done to thee as thou wilt: and her daughter was cured from that
hour.

15:29. And when Jesus had passed away from thence, he came nigh the sea
of Galilee: and going up into a mountain, he sat there.

15:30. And there came to him great multitudes, having with them the
dumb, the blind, the lame, the maimed, and many others: and they cast
them down at his feet, and he healed them:

15:31. So that the multitudes marvelled seeing the dumb speak, the lame
walk, the blind see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

15:32. And Jesus called together his disciples, and said: I have
compassion on the multitudes, because they continue with me now three
days, and have not what to eat, and I will not send them away fasting,
lest they faint in the way.

15:33. And the disciples say unto him: Whence then should we have so
many loaves in the desert, as to fill so great a multitude?

15:34. And Jesus said to them: How many loaves have you? But they said:
Seven, and a few little fishes.

15:35. And he commanded the multitude to sit down upon the ground.

15:36. And taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he
brake, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave to the people.

15:37. And they did all eat, and had their fill. And they took up seven
baskets full, of what remained of the fragments.

15:38. And they that did eat, were four thousand men, beside children
and women.

15:39. And having dismissed the multitude, he went up into a boat, and
came into the coasts of Magedan.

Matthew Chapter 16

Christ refuses to shew the Pharisees a sign from heaven. Peter's
confession is rewarded. He is rebuked for opposing Christ's passion. All
his followers must deny themselves.

16:1. And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting: and
they asked him to shew them a sign from heaven.

16:2. But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, It
will be fair weather, for the sky is red.

16:3. And in the morning: To day there will be a storm, for the sky is
red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky: and
can you not know the signs of the times?

16:4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a
sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he
left them, and went away.

16:5. And when his disciples were come over the water, they had
forgotten to take bread.

16:6. Who said to them: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:7. But they thought within themselves, saying: Because we have taken
no bread.

16:8. And Jesus knowing it, said: Why do you think within yourselves, O
ye of little faith, for that you have no bread?

16:9. Do you not yet understand, neither do you remember the five loaves
among five thousand men, and how many baskets you took up?

16:10. Nor the seven loaves, among four thousand men, and how many
baskets you took up?

16:11. Why do you not understand that it was not concerning bread I said
to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

16:12. Then they understood that he said not that they should beware of
the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:13. And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he
asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?

16:14. But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and
others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

16:15. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?

16:16. Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the
living God.

16:17. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my
Father who is in heaven.

16:18. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Thou art Peter, etc... As St. Peter, by divine revelation, here made a
solemn profession of his faith of the divinity of Christ; so in
recompense of this faith and profession, our Lord here declares to him
the dignity to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom
he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, St. John 1.
42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of
the building of the church; in which building he should be, next to
Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief pastor,
ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of
ecclesiastical power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Upon this rock, etc... The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the
vulgar language of the Jews which our Lord made use of, were the same as
if he had said in English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock I will
build my church. So that, by the plain course of the words, Peter is
here declared to be the rock, upon which the church was to be built:
Christ himself being both the principal foundation and founder of the
same. Where also note, that Christ, by building his house, that is, his
church, upon a rock, has thereby secured it against all storms and
floods, like the wise builder, St. Matt. 7. 24, 25. The gates of hell,
etc... That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do,
either by himself, or his agents. For as the church is here likened to a
house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the adverse powers are likened
to a contrary house or fortress, the gates of which, that is, the whole
strength, and all the efforts it can make, will never be able to prevail
over the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully assured,
that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious error whatsoever shall
at any time prevail over the church of Christ.

16:19. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And
whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in
heaven.

Loose on earth... The loosing the bands of temporal punishments due to
sins, is called an indulgence; the power of which is here granted.

16:20. Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one
that he was Jesus the Christ.

16:21. From that time Jesus began to shew to his disciples, that he must
go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes
and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again.

16:22. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying: Lord, be it
far from thee, this shall not be unto thee.

And Peter taking him... That is, taking him aside, out of a tender love,
respect and zeal for his Lord and Master's honour, began to expostulate
with him, as it were to rebuke him, saying, Lord, far be it from thee to
suffer death; but the Lord said to Peter, ver. 23, Go behind me, Satan.
These words may signify, Begone from me; but the holy Fathers expound
them otherwise, that is, come after me, or follow me; and by these words
the Lord would have Peter to follow him in his suffering, and not to
oppose the divine will by contradiction; for the word satan means in
Hebrew an adversary, or one that opposes.

16:23. Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan, thou art a
scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God,
but the things that are of men.

16:24. Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

16:25. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall
lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

16:26. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and
suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for
his soul?

16:27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his
angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.

16:28. Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that
shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his
kingdom.

Matthew Chapter 17

The Transfiguration of Christ: He cures the lunatic child: foretells his
passion; and pays the didrachma.

17:1. And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John
his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

17:2. And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the
sun: and his garments became white as snow.

17:3. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with
him.

17:4. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be
here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee,
and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

17:5. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed
them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.

17:6. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much
afraid.

17:7. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear
not.

17:8. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus.

17:9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them,
saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the
dead.

17:10. And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say
that Elias must come first?

17:11. But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and
restore all things.

17:12. But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him
not, But have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son
of man shall suffer from them.

17:13. Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John
the Baptist.

17:14. And when he was come to the multitude, there came to him a man
falling down on his knees before him saying: Lord, have pity on my son,
for he is a lunatic, and suffereth much: for he falleth often into the
fire, and often into the water.

17:15. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17:16. Then Jesus answered and said: O unbelieving and perverse
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?
Bring him hither to me.

17:17. And Jesus rebuked him, and the devil went out of him, and the
child was cured from that hour.

17:18. Then came the disciples to Jesus secretly, and said: Why could
not we cast him out?

17:19. Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to
you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this
mountain: Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove: and nothing
shall be impossible to you.

As a grain of mustard seed... That is, a perfect faith; which in its
properties, and its fruits, resembles the grain of mustard seed, in the
parable, chap. 13. 31.

17:20. But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.

17:21. And when they abode together in Galilee, Jesus said to them: The
Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

17:22. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again.
And they were troubled exceedingly.

17:23. And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that received the
didrachmas, came to Peter, and said to him: Doth not your master pay the
didrachma?

The didrachmas... A didrachma was half a sicle, or half a stater; that
is, about 15d. English: which was a tax laid upon every head for the
service of the temple.

17:24. He said: Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus
prevented him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the
earth, of whom do they receive tribute or custom, of their own children,
or of strangers?

17:25. And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the children
are free.

17:26. But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a
hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast
opened it's mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to
them for me and thee.

Matthew Chapter 18

Christ teaches humility, to beware of scandal, and to flee the occasions
of sin: to denounce to the church incorrigible sinners, and to look upon
such as refuse to hear the church as heathens. He promises to his
disciples the power of binding and loosing: and that he will be in the
midst of their assemblies. No forgiveness for them that will not
forgive.

18:1. At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest
thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?

18:2. And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst
of them.

18:3. And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become
as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

18:4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he
is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

18:5. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name,
receiveth me.

18:6. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe
in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about
his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Shall scandalize... That is, shall put a stumblingblock in their way,
and cause them to fall into sin.

18:7. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that
scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal
cometh.

It must needs be, etc... Viz., considering the wickedness and corruption
of the world.

18:8. And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it off, and
cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame,
than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.

Scandalize thee... That is, cause thee to offend.

18:9. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than
having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

18:10. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to
you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is
in heaven.

18:11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

18:12. What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them
should go astray: doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains,
and goeth to seek that which is gone astray?

18:13. And if it so be that he find it: Amen I say to you, he rejoiceth
more for that, than for the ninety-nine that went not astray.

18:14. Even so it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that
one of these little ones should perish.

18:15. But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him
between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy
brother.

18:16. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more:
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.

18:17. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not
hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

18:18. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be
bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall
be loosed also in heaven.

18:19. Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth,
concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them
by my Father who is in heaven.

18:20. For where there are two or three gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.

There am I in the midst of them... This is understood of such assemblies
only as are gathered in the name and authority of Christ; and in unity
of the church of Christ. St. Cyprian, De Unitate Ecclesiae.

18:21. Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my
brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

18:22. Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till
seventy times seven times.

18:23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would
take an account of his servants.

18:24. And when he had begun to take the account, one as brought to him,
that owed him ten thousand talents.

Talents... A talent was seven hundred and fifty ounces of silver, which
at the rate of five shillings to the ounce is a hundred and eighty-seven
pounds ten shillings sterling.

18:25. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he
should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and
payment to be made.

18:26. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

18:27. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go
and forgave him the debt.

18:28. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-
servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he
throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest.

Pence... The Roman penny was the eighth part of an ounce, that is, about
sevenpence half-penny English.

18:29. And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

18:30. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid
the debt.

18:31. Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much
grieved, and they came, and told their lord all that was done.

18:32. Then his lord called him: and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I
forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:

18:33. Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow
servant, even as I had compassion on thee?

18:34. And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he
paid all the debt.

18:35. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not
every one his brother from your hearts.

Matthew Chapter 19

Christ declares matrimony to be indissoluble: he recommends the making
one's self an eunuch for the kingdom of heaven; and parting with all
things for him. He shews the danger of riches, and the reward of leaving
all to follow him.

19:1. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed
from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan.

19:2. And great multitudes followed him: and he healed them there.

19:3. And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, saying: Is it
lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

19:4. Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made
man from the beginning, made them male and female? And he said:

19:5. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh.

19:6. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God
hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

19:7. They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of
divorce, and to put away?

19:8. He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your
heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it
was not so.

19:9. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except
it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and
he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

Except it be, etc... In the case of fornication, that is, of adultery,
the wife may be put away: but even then the husband cannot marry another
as long as the wife is living.

19:10. His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be
so, it is not expedient to marry.

19:11. Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it
is given.

All men take not this word... That is, all receive not the gift of
living singly and chastely, unless they pray for the grace of God to
enable them to live so, and for some it may be necessary to that end to
fast as well as pray: and to those it is given from above.

19:12. For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb:
and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs,
who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can
take, let him take it.

There are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs, for the kingdom of
heaven... This text is not to be taken in the literal sense; but means,
that there are such, who have taken a firm and commendable resolution of
leading a single and chaste life, in order to serve God in a more
perfect state than those who marry: as St. Paul clearly shews. 1 Cor. 7.
37, 38.

19:13. Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose
hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.

19:14. But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid
them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.

19:15. And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence.

19:16. And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall
I do that I may have life everlasting?

19:17. Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good,
God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

19:18. He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder,
Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not
bear false witness.

19:19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.

19:20. The young man saith to him: All these have I kept from my youth,
what is yet wanting to me?

19:21. Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and
come, follow me.

19:22. And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for
he had great possessions.

19:23. Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich
man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

19:24. And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through
the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of
heaven.

19:25. And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered much,
saying: Who then can be saved?

19:26. And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible:
but with God all things are possible.

19:27. Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all
things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?

19:28. And Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you, that you who have
followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the
seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.

19:29. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

19:30. And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be
first.

Matthew Chapter 20

The parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The ambition of the two
sons of Zebedee. Christ gives sight to two blind men.

20:1. The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out
early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

20:2. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent
them into his vineyard.

20:3. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the
marketplace idle.

20:4. And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give
you what shall be just.

20:5. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and
the ninth hour, and did in like manner.

20:6. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing,
and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle?

20:7. They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them:
Go ye also into my vineyard.

20:8. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his
steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the
last even to the first.

20:9. When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour,
they received every man a penny.

20:10. But when the first also came, they thought that they should
receive more: And they also received every man a penny.

20:11. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

20:12. Saying: These last have worked but one hour and thou hast made
them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7