Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Revelation 14:3

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

And, he says, no one was able to learn the song except the hundred forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. But I suppose that no one could hear the mysteries of the new song except those who were deemed worthy to sing them; for knowledge is to each according to the proportion of purity; for the Lord says many dwelling places, namely rewards of good things, from my Father. (Jn. 14:2)

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Western Saints

Bede

And they sang as it were a new song before the throne. The old song was: Blessed is he who has his seat in Zion and his household in Jerusalem. The new song is: Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear (Galatians IV). And also, The Lord says, I will give to eunuchs a place and a name better than sons and daughters, in my house and within my walls (Isaiah LVI).

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Bonaventure

On account of the prerogative of dignity, by which to follow Christ wherever he goes and to sing the new song is proper to virgins, there will be a singular glory among virgins, according to what blessed John says in the fourteenth chapter of the Apocalypse. Whence Augustine, in the book On Virginity: "Go forward, holy ones of God, boys and girls, men and women, celibates and unmarried, go forward perseveringly unto the end. …

Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 3 ↗