Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 15:31

Western Saints

Jerome

And he healed them, so that the crowds marveled, seeing the mute speaking, the lame walking, the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Concerning the mute, he remained silent, for he had nothing to say in opposition. This is accomplished with one word. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Hilary of Poitiers

Remember that the context is the plea of the Canaanite woman. Remember that the Lord's silence with her had proceeded from a consideration of the gradual timing of revelation and not from any problem of her volition. So when he said, "O woman, great is your faith," she is now certain of being saved. Indeed, he also comes to the whole Gentile community, when those who accordingly believe will at once be freed like the girl from any power of the unclean spirits. And faith in the deed therefore follows. …

Commentary on Matthew 15.5 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

And there follows the admiration: so that the multitudes marveled seeing the dumb etc. Here the effect is set forth. This had been foretold in Isa. 35:5: then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped etc.; and in Ps. 138:3: wonderful are thy works. But it is asked: why does he make no mention of the feeble? Because there was no opposite act to which it could correspond. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗