Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Revelation 21:15

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

The reed with which he measured the holy city was geometric; and it was golden because of the preciousness of both the measuring angel and the city being measured.

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Western Saints

Bede

And the one who spoke with me, etc. Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1), reaching from end to end mightily and ordering all things sweetly (Wis. 8), measures the holy city. For, establishing all things in number, measure, and weight, he distributes the gifts of graces to each of the faithful. The teachers of the Church can also be understood as being fragile in body but heavenly in mind, who carefully examine the merits of each person.

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Alcuin of York

QUESTION: And he that spoke with me, had a measure of a reed of gold. ANSWER: Christ, who is the Father's wisdom, measures the holy city, because he distributes the gifts of spiritual graces to every one of the faithful while ordering all things in number, and measure, and weight. [Wis. 11:21] We may also understand it to mean the teachers of the Church, fragile in body but heavenly in mind, who cleverly examine the merits of everyone.

Questions And Answers Manual On Revelation ↗