Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Matthew 11:1

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

That is, after He had sent them, He proceeded to withdraw Himself, to give them room and opportunity to do what He had enjoined. For while He was present and healing, no one would be willing to approach them.

Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 36 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

When He had sent the disciples, He Himself was quiet, not working miracles but only teaching in the synagogues. For if He Himself were present healing the sick, no one would have approached the disciples. Therefore He departed so that they would have opportunity to heal.

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Chapter 11, Verses 1-2. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. It is not as if He was unaware and asking; for He had already shown the others who were unaware, saying: Behold, the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and He had heard the voice of the Father, thundering: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Thomas Aquinas

After these words the Lord went on from there to teach and preach; and this for three reasons. One reason was to show by example what he had taught: "Jesus began to do and to teach" (Acts 1:1). Secondly, to show that even the wicked should be preached to: "I am a debtor to the wise and unwise" (Rom 1:14). Thirdly, to give others the opportunity to preach: "If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent" (1 Cor 14:30).

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Remigius of Rheims

He well passes from the special teaching which He had delivered to His disciples, to the general which He preached in the cities; passing therein as it were from heaven to earth, that He might give light to all. By this deed of the Lord, all holy preachers are admonished that they should study to benefit all.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗