Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 23:29

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Tears bring consolation not to those who suffer willingly, but to those who suffer unwillingly. Therefore He forbids them to weep for Him, and urges them to turn their attention to the future calamities and to weep over those calamities, when women without pity will boil their own children, and the womb that bore them will, sadly, receive back into itself that which was born from it.

Commentary on Luke ↗

Western Saints

Bede

By these days He signifies the time of the siege and captivity which was coming upon them from the Romans, of which He had said before, Woe to them that are with child, and give suck in those days. It is natural, when captivity by an enemy is threatening, to seek for refuge in fastnesses or hidden places, where men may lie concealed. And so it follows, Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bonaventure

Fourth, as regards the prediction of imminent calamities, he adds: For behold, the days shall come in which they shall say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not nursed. And this can be referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, on account of which it is stated above in chapter 21: "Woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse in those days!" And again in the same chapter below: "There shall be great distress and wrath upon this people, and they shall fall by the edge of the …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 23 ↗