Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 9:25

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Seeing then the cymbals and the multitude, He put them all out, and in the presence of the parents works the miracle; not introducing another soul, but recalling the same that had gone out, and awakening her as it were out of a sleep. And He holds her by the hand, assuring the beholders; so as by that sight to make a way for the belief of her resurrection. …

Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 31 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"But when the people were put forth, He went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land." Where there are crowds and distractions, Christ does not perform miracles. He takes her by the hand, thus imparting strength. And you, O reader, who are dead in sins, He will also resurrect when He puts outside the crowd and its tumult and takes you by the hand so that you might act.

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

They that had mocked the Reviver were not worthy to behold the mystery of the revival; and therefore it follows, And when the multitude was put forth, he entered, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. He took her by the hand, and the maid arose; because if the hands of the Jews which are defiled with blood be not first cleansed, their synagogue which is dead shall not revive.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

The multitude are put forth that the damsel may be raised; for unless the multitude of worldly cares is first banished from the secrets of the heart, the soul which is laid dead within, cannot rise again.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

And when the crowd had been put out, he went in. The crowd is the Jews, who are not converted. And morally, in order that the soul be restored, it is required that the crowd of thoughts be expelled. Then the Lord enters. He went in and took her by the hand: "The right hand of the Lord has shown power" (Ps 118:16). He takes the hand of the sinner, when he offers him help. And the girl arose, namely, to life; and so do we from sin by God's help.

Commentary on Matthew ↗