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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Then, that they might know that the penalty is not limited to their being cast out, He added the punishments also, saying, "Every one that falleth on this stone, shall be broken; but upon whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder." He speaks here of two ways of destruction, one from stumbling and being offended; for this is, "Whosoever falleth on this stone:" but another from their capture, and calamity, and utter destruction, which also He clearly foretold, saying, "It will grind him to powder." By these words He darkly …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Those who stumble against the Rock of Christ and take offence at Him will not only be crushed at the second coming, but already here in this life they have been scattered like powder by Christ. They have been scattered over all the earth, as we now see the pitiable Jews to be. Understand that he who is "crushed to powder to be scattered" is dispersed abroad and scattered in diaspora.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Or, Those that fall upon Him, are those that despise and afflict Him. These do not perish utterly, but are broken so that they walk not upright. But upon these He shall fall when He shall come from above in judgment with a punishment of destruction, and thence He says, Shall grind them to powder, because the wicked are like the dust which the wind scattereth abroad on the face of the earth. (Ps. 1:4.).
Jerome
And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. It is one thing to offend Christ through evil works, another to deny Him. Whoever is a sinner, yet believes in Him, falls indeed on the stone and is broken, but is not utterly crushed; for he is preserved through repentance for salvation. …
Thomas Aquinas
He presents a twofold punishment: "and whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken." This is explained according to Jerome thus: he falls upon the stone Christ who holds the faith concerning him, i.e., concerning Christ, but falls through the sin which he commits against him. Therefore sinners fall, because they do not have charity. "But on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder." Christ falls upon the unbelieving. …
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