Discourses on the Gospel of Matthew

“Conversations on the Gospel of Matthew” (90 conversations) delivered by St. John Chrysostom around 390 in Antioch. In addition to the interpretation of the Gospel text, the saint touches on the peculiarities of all four Gospels and the differences between them (Conversation 1). He talks about ways of interpreting the Holy Scriptures, emphasizing the unity of the Old and New Testaments in spite of the Manichaeans (for example, Conversations 1:28). In conversation 1, the saint teaches that the Son of God has the same divine nature as the Father. In conversation 54 he uses the term “consubstantial.” In his opinion, all three Divine Persons possess not only one knowledge, but also one will, one power, one action, one glory, one power and one grace (Conversations 24,55,56). Proving that the Son is equal to the Father, and interpreting the self-deprecating expressions of Christ from the point of view of the economy of the Incarnation, St. John denounces the Arians. In conversation 12, he especially emphasizes that Christ had the same human nature with all its natural properties and states. In Christ the restoration and glorification of human nature took place: through Him the adoption of people to God was accomplished (Conversation 2). The conversations set forth the teaching about the mutual communion of two natures in Christ (Conversations 67.77), about the method of their union (Conversation 4), to describe which the saint often uses such images as God’s clothing in the “clothing” of flesh (Conversation 44) or His dwelling in it as in a “church” (Conversation 4). St. John teaches about the seedless and virgin conception and birth of Christ by the Blessed Virgin (Conversation 2), about the ever-virginity of the Mother of God (Conversation 4). He describes the interaction of human efforts and divine grace (Conversation 45), raises questions of eschatology (Conversations 23.76) - the coming of the Antichrist, the general resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment. The foundation of the Church, according to St. John, is the Apostle Peter’s confession of firm faith in the divinity of Christ and His equality and consubstantiality with the Father (Conversations 32,54,82). The conversations also talk about the Church Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist) (Conversations 11,50,82), the validity of which does not depend on the personal merits or shortcomings of the priest (Conversation 40). St. John calls to remember that it is important for Christians not only to maintain the correctness of the faith, but first of all to lead a righteous life (Conversation 64). He criticizes the people's passion for theatrical performances and praises monasticism and Christian virtues. *The title of the work in Greek is ῾Υπόμνημα εἰς τὸν ἅϒιον Ματθαίον τὸν Εὐαϒϒελιστήν. *The title of the work in Latin is In Matthaeum homiliae 1-90. Why was the sacred given? Scripture • When and how the Old Law and the New Testament were given • Why Matthew called his work the gospel • Why the gospel was written by four • Minor disagreements in the evangelists’ narratives serve as evidence of their truth • In the main and essential things the gospels are completely in agreement • The difference in the purposes of writing the four gospels • The agreement of the evangelists is confirmed by the affinity of each part of their writings with the whole, as well as the acceptance of their preaching by the entire universe • Truth evang. sermon is proven by its superiority over the teaching of philosophers and its acceptability for people of every rank and age • Erroneous opinion about the simplicity and ease of exposition of the Gospel of Matthew • Indication of the perplexities presented at the very beginning of the Gospel • Admonishment to listeners to be attentive to the explanation, to diligently visit the church instead of spectacles, to study things related to heavenly life and to observe silence and silence in the church. On Mt. I, 1. Repetition of the exhortation given at the end of the previous conversation • Description of the heavenly city • The inexplicability of the birth of the Son of God, both heavenly and earthly • The greatness of the incarnation • The Son of God became incarnate to make man the son of God • Christ united the old covenant with the new • The meaning of the name “Jesus”; its Old Testament prototype • Why Matthew called his gospel “the book of the kinship of J. Christ” • Why does he place David before Abraham • Evidence of the descent of Joseph and the Virgin from David • Why is the genealogy of Joseph, and not Mary, given • An exhortation to engage in spiritual teaching • Reading the Holy. The Scriptures are necessary especially for those living in the world, as a medicine against idle talk and foul language • The effect of the word of God on man • And only listening to the Scriptures is useful. Another reason why the genealogy of Joseph and not Mary is given • Why the Evangelist does not mention Esau • The mention of vicious ancestors serves to greater glorify the Incarnate One, teaches us not to be ashamed of the evil behavior of our ancestors if we are virtuous, overthrows the pride of the Jews, who were proud of their descent from Abraham, and shows the necessity of the coming of Christ • Peres and Zara serve as an image of the Jewish people and the Church of Christ • Rahab and Ruth also serve as an example of the latter • One should not boast not only of ancestors, but also of one’s own merits • The virtue of each person is insignificant compared to his sins • Forgetting good deeds is their safest repository • Confession of sins • the best way to appease and thank God • Humility is the beginning of all wisdom and the mother of all blessings • David can serve as an example of humility. On Mt. I, 17–21. Why is the genealogy divided into three parts • Why is the genealogy omitted in Mark, but is there in Luke • Why does Matthew count the number of generations before Christ? • Why the conception did not take place before the betrothal • The incomprehensibility of birth • Christ was really born of a Virgin and has the same flesh as us • The virtue and wisdom of Joseph • Why the angel does not announce the conception to him from the very beginning, like the Virgin • How the Angel assures him of the truth of conception from the Holy Spirit • The greatness of the gift of remission of sins brought by Christ encourages believers to live worthy of this gift • The believer must be different from an unbeliever with his good life, • as well as with all his external behavior • The ugliness of the soul can be seen as in a mirror, studying the life of holy men • A person who gives free rein to his passions is worse than a beast • He who seeks external glory dishonors himself • True glory is given by piety • The example of the three youths teaches to prefer poverty to the delights of wealth • An exhortation to give alms. On Mt. I, 22–25. Listening to a sermon is beneficial when what is heard is remembered and discussed at home • The meaning of the expression: all this happened • Why does the angel remind Joseph of the prophecy of Isaiah • Why is Christ called Emmanuel • The Jewish objection to the virginity of Mary is refuted by the translation of the 70, just as it has no support in other translations • Mary remained a virgin even after birth • The example of Christ’s brothers according to the flesh shows that kinship with a righteous man does not bring benefit if there is no own virtue • The prayers of the righteous cannot save those who are negligent about salvation themselves • Alms given from unjustly acquired property appeases God • Crime and harm of usury. On Mt. II, 1–3. The star that appeared at the birth of Christ does not justify the teachings of astrologers • It was an invisible force that took the form of a star; • four proofs of this • The purpose of the appearance of the star and the coming of the Magi • God in the dispensation of the economy is applied to the state and ordinary views of people • Why does the evangelist indicate the time and place of birth • Who prompted the Magi to travel • God does not violate free will • Why were the Jews confused when they heard about the birth of Christ • An exhortation to the listeners to cultivate in themselves love for the spiritual and contrition for sins • Tears of repentance so they cleanse the soul, just like baptism • Laughter is condemned by Scripture; it comes from the suggestion of the devil, like spectacles • Great harm caused by spectacles. On Mt. II, 4–10. By the appearance of the Magi and other events that accompanied the birth of Christ, the Jews could know the truth • Why the dignity of Christ is not as clearly revealed at His birth as later • The malice and madness of Herod • Why the star disappeared and appeared again • The worship of the Magi subverts the teaching of Marcion and Paul of Samosata • It marked the calling of the pagans • An exhortation to imitate the Magi through the service of Christ • Reproof for those who leave Christ for the sake of shameful spectacles • Chastity • the duty of every Christian. On Mt. II, 11–15. What prompted the Magi to worship the Child • Why do they retire to Persia • God, in order to achieve his goals, sometimes allows His enemies to fall into error • Why is Christ sent to Egypt • The prophecy of Hosea XI, 1 receives proper fulfillment in Christ • The change that happened to Egypt shows the power of Christ • Desert living in Egypt • The glory of the great Anthony • Life in the world cannot serve as an obstacle to imitation by monastics. On Mt. II, 16–23. Why did God allow the beating of infants • Suffering and disasters suffered unjustly either atone for our sins, or serve to receive great rewards in heaven • In human life, everything is accomplished by the action of God. Providence • As a proof of His power, God fulfills His intentions by opposite means • Why Joseph comes to Nazareth • Prophetic writings are not all preserved by the Jews • One should not be proud of one’s fatherland, one’s ancestors, one’s wealth, or other external advantages • Wealth does not bring security and leads to the destruction of the soul. On Mt. III, 1–6. What time is meant by the expression “in those days” • Why Christ was baptized for thirty years • The difference between the baptism of John and that given by Christ • The purpose of John’s coming • The appearance and activity of John were predicted in advance by the prophets • John’s lifestyle • An exhortation to imitate John • The proximity of judgment and the need for repentance • Repentance consists not only in abandoning bad deeds, but also in replacing them with good deeds • Why God does not quickly fulfill our petitions • Benefits temptations. On Mt. III, 7–12. The unbelief of the Pharisees who came to John • The reproof of the Pharisees by John did not deprive them of the hope of salvation through repentance • Repentance does not require a long time • The superiority of the baptism of Christ over the baptism of John • Why does John talk about the gift of the Holy Spirit, being silent about the previous works of Christ • Baptism alone is not enough for salvation; a virtuous life is also required • One must benefit from preaching • Virtue must be learned gradually, moving from the easiest to the more difficult • The benefits of penances • Acquiring skill in virtue. On Mt. III, 13–17. The baptism of John did not humiliate Christ • Christ was baptized to fulfill the whole law • Why did the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus after baptism • Why did the Jews, who saw the descent of the Spirit, not believe in Christ • The Holy Spirit now descends on everyone who is baptized • Why the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove • The Holy Spirit is not inferior in dignity to the Son of God • Having fulfilled the baptism of the Jews, Christ opened the door to baptism New Testament • A Christian must lead a life worthy of the gift of baptism • A believer must actually justify his teaching before the pagans and serve as an example for them. On Mt. IV, 1–11. Why Christ endured temptations in the desert • The benefits of temptations • One should not seek temptations oneself • Fasting • a weapon against the devil • Why Christ fasted for 40 days • The meaning and significance of the three temptations • By his example, Christ teaches how to defeat the devil • A variety of means used by the devil for seduction • One should not intensely seek a quiet life • Prosperous sinners will be subjected to the most severe punishment • The certainty of future judgment and retribution; evidence of this. On Mt. IV, 12–24. Why does Christ retire to Galilee • What is Galilee • Why does Christ begin preaching after John • The calling of Peter and Andrew • The example of obedience to Christ shown by them • Why Christ performed miracles at the beginning of his sermon • Christ still heals mental illnesses • the source of bodily illnesses • To ask for remission of sins, you need to feel your sins • Unrepentance most of all angers God • After death, a sinner cannot receive forgiveness. On Mt. V, 1–16. By his example, Christ teaches not to do anything for show • Addressing his speech to the disciples, Christ speaks through them to all people • Who is meant by the poor in spirit. Humility • the beginning of all piety • Crying for sins frees you from addiction to earthly things • The consolation given by God helps to overcome everything • Under the earth promised to the meek, we also mean sensual blessings • Who is meant by those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, by the merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and those who are exiled for the sake of righteousness, and what is their reward • Not all reproaches make people blessed • The Kingdom of Heaven promised by more than one poor spirit • Why is the last commandment addressed directly to the disciples • To endure slander • is a greater feat than to endure danger • The commandments pave the way for one another • What do the expressions mean: “you are the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” • The power of preaching shows the power of Christ • Virtue cannot hide • It alone makes you happy • Those who slander inwardly praise virtue • The life of a Christian must justify teaching • Reproof for those who pursue profit, give alms out of vanity, and amuse themselves with the quarrels of others, and an admonition not to start strife and quarrels and to forgive insults. On Mt. V, 17–26. Why does Christ say that He does not destroy the law • Why does He say and do other things with authority, others with humility and prayer to God • How Christ fulfilled the law and the prophets • The commandments that completed the Old Law were already given in the previous beatitudes • Why Christ calls his commandments small • One’s own deeds must precede teaching • The Old Testament truth is akin to the New Testament • Why the new Testament requires large ones exploits • The commandments of Christ confirm and fulfill the commandments of the Old Testament • The Old Testament law testifies to the goodness of the Lawgiver • There is only one legislator of the Old and New Testaments • Not all anger is forbidden by Christ • Why does Christ threaten Gehenna for insults with a word • Reconciliation with a brother is a true sacrifice to God • Why is it commanded to make peace with an opponent quickly • Slowness in doing good deeds can be the cause of great evil • The motivation for virtue should be the thought that we do everything for God • God's help makes everything easy • Virtue seems difficult for a person as long as he remains in sins. On Mt. V, 27–37. Why does Christ begin His teaching not with the commandment about monotheism • What desire does Christ prohibit • Why is the very view of a woman prohibited • Reproaching women who love dresses • One must move away from those who seduce, even close people • Why the law allowed divorce • Why marriage with a woman who has been released is prohibited • Restriction of freedom of divorce • Prohibition of oaths • For one who fulfills the commandments of Christ there can be no need for an oath • Why divorce and oaths were allowed in the Old Testament • One and the same thing, depending on the time, can be both good and bad • Higher perfection is required from a person in the new Testament than in the Old • How can one get behind the habit of swearing. On Mt. V, 38–48. Why was the law given, an eye for an eye • What does it mean not to resist evil • The command to turn the other cheek to the one who struck him expresses the general law of kindness • Evil is defeated by patience • The commandments of non-resistance are easy to fulfill • Fulfilling them benefits those who offend him • One must endure even suffering without resistance • Nine degrees of kindness • The highest degree of virtue • prayer for enemies • An example of kindness given Christ • An admonition to treat those who are angry as if they were sick, to warn each other with greetings and to be prepared for all sorts of insults and contempt • for God. Explanation VI, 1–15. Vanity imperceptibly attaches itself to virtue • God looks at the intention of the one doing good deeds • How one should do alms and prayer • The Savior’s commandment does not prohibit prayer in church • Decency should be observed in church during prayer • What is required from the person praying is not a loud cry, but heartfelt contrition • Consistency in prayer • Why we need to pray if God knows our needs • Calling God Father contains the teaching about every virtue • An explanation of the Lord's Prayer • Forgiveness of offenses is primarily commanded by Christ • It most of all likens a person to God • Prayer for vengeance on enemies angers God • Remembering your own sins • the best way to learn forgiveness of offenses. On Mt. VI, 16–23. Those who pretend to be fasting deserve special condemnation • The deception of the hypocrite is exposed both in the present life and in the future • Virtue must be revered for its own sake • Christ gradually destroys the passion of greed • Double incentive to give alms • Wealth enslaves the soul • What the eye is to the body, the mind is to the soul • Wealth does not deliver what a person expects from it • It makes him incapable of anything truly useful • How the lust for wealth can be destroyed • The remoteness of reward should not serve as an obstacle to collecting treasures in heaven. On Mt. VI, 24–27. The double harm of wealth • You can be rich, but not serve mammon • Why is wealth called mammon • Christ forbids caring for everyday needs • The ease of fulfillment of the commandment • Why this commandment seems impossible to fulfill • Generous alms • the path to complete non-covetousness. On Mt. VI, 28–34. Why, speaking about care regarding clothing, Christ gives the example of the lily • God's providence for man • Why Christ assimilates providence to God the Father • Faith in providence frees us from useless worries and cowardice • The search for heavenly blessings also gives earthly blessings • Everything we do, we do with the help of God. -What does the expression mean: his anger prevails throughout the day • Sincere desire makes every commandment easily fulfilled • There is no sin that is not blotted out by repentance • God does not save a person against his will • Strong prayer is always heard • God cannot be man’s enemy • Prayer is always timely and pleasing to God. On Mt. VII, 1–20. The commandment of non-judgment does not command all sins not to judge and does not prohibit everyone from judging • One must correct those who sin with love • One who has not corrected oneself must not condemn another • One must not reveal the teachings of Christ to people who are unable to accept it • The Gospel commandments are easily fulfilled with the help of God given through prayer • One must not despair of receiving what one asks for • What one should pray for • Along with prayer, a good life is also necessary • What makes the difficult path leading to life easy • It is necessary to recognize and avoid those who hide behind the mask of virtue • A hypocrite can be easily recognized by his deeds • Deprivation of the heavenly glory and love of Christ is harder than Gehenna itself • The life of people devoted to worldly concerns is like a child’s play • He who squanders his wealth to help the needy is worthy of more respect than the one who collects; humbled • more than honored. On Mt. VII, 21–27. Neither right faith nor the gift of miracles bring any benefit in the absence of virtue • Grace often works in the unworthy for the benefit of others • Virtue alone brings security in the present life • No one can harm the righteous • Numerous works do not bring any benefit to the vicious • The example of the apostles and Jews shows the power of virtue and the powerlessness of vice • Vice is powerless against virtue • The life of the vicious is filled with sorrows and fear. On Mt. VII, 28-VIII, 4. The power of Christ's teaching • Why the teaching is followed by the performance of miracles • Why does Christ heal a leper with the touch of his hand • We must have God in our thoughts not only during illness, but also in health • Why does Christ sometimes keep the law, sometimes not • Christ does everything for his part to attract to faith • Gratitude to God is the best way to maintain His favor • We must thank God for the blessings given not only to us, but also to others • Everyone the gift of God is great • God often does good against the will of the person himself • Humility makes one grateful to God. On Mt. VIII, 5–13. Christ praises those who had a high opinion of Him • Matthew and Luke talk about the same miracle, mutually replenishing each other • The height of the centurion’s faith and virtue • Christ proclaims the doctrine of justification by faith and the calling of the Gentiles • It is possible for the virtuous to fall, so for the wicked to be corrected • The example of David teaches how constant vigilance is necessary for the virtuous, and how easy it is to rise after a fall. On Mt. VIII, 14–22. With what speed were healings performed by Christ • Physical illnesses are the consequences of sins • Christ did nothing out of vanity • Christ attracted the people not only by working miracles, but also by the pleasantness of his appearance • Christ gave answers to those who asked according to their inner disposition • Concerns about the spiritual should be preferred to everything else • Those living in sins are worse than the dead. On Mt. VIII, 23–34. Why Christ took only the disciples and allowed them to be overwhelmed by the waves • The difference between the miracle of Christ and the miracle of Moses • Demons confess the deity of Christ • The agreement of the evangelists in the story of the healing of the demoniac • Why the demoniac lived in tombs • The soul that leaves the body does not remain on earth • God provides for every person • Why did Christ allow the demons to drown the pigs • Money lovers suffer a more serious illness than the possessed • Image of a lover of money • Love of money harms the very acquisition of wealth. On Mt. IX, 1–8. Matthew and John speak of two different paralytics • Christ confirms his divine dignity and equality with the Father through the remission of sins, revealing the secret thoughts of his enemies and healing the paralytic • Enemies of the truth must be corrected with meekness. On Mt. IX, 9–17. Why Matthew is called after others • The power of Christ and the obedience of Matthew • The reliability of the gospels • Why Christ shared a meal with Matthew and other sinners • The treatment of sinners and their correction is preferred to sacrifices • Those who are not approved should not be burdened with heavy commandments • In the correction of others we must imitate Christ, starting with the easiest • Instructions on how to correct wives who love to adorn themselves. On Mt. IX, 18–26. Request from the head of the synagogue for the healing of his daughter • Why the bleeding woman secretly approached Christ, and why did He discover her • The superiority of the bleeding woman over the head of the synagogue • Christ teaches not to fear death • The truth of the resurrections performed by Christ is confirmed by previous and subsequent circumstances • Faith in the resurrection and the future blessed life prohibits crying for the dead • Crying for the dead comes from perverted love for them • Death frees us from earthly disasters. On Mt. IX, 27-X, 15. Why does Christ require confession of faith from those being healed • and forbids talking about healing • The actions of Christ are opposite to the actions of the devil • He who does good for God must respond to slander with good deeds • The image and purpose of the embassy of the disciples • The peace promised by Christ is given in the church through the primates • Those who reject this peace are threatened with severe punishment. The exhortation to be reverent in church and to show love to both the preacher and one another • Should not require miracles from the preacher • Virtue is higher than miracles and brings more benefits. On Mt. X, 16–22. The new law of warfare given to the apostles • The meek overcome by the power of grace, although they must also provide their assistance • What is meant by the wisdom of the serpent • The ease of fulfillment of the commandment of Christ is confirmed by the example of the apostles • The obedience of the apostles to Christ • The work of the apostles, both in the conditions of its accomplishment and in its greatness, immeasurably surpasses the works of pagan philosophers and famous men • The reason for the success of their preaching • The example of the apostles deprives those who fall and are exhausted of excuses in peacetime • One must be accustomed to exploits before they occur • The example of Job. On Mt. X, 23–33. Christ consoles the disciples with the promise of his speedy coming, the example of his own suffering, the hope of future blessings and the success of preaching • Contempt of death delivers from true death • To confess Christ, the help of grace is needed • Why, in addition to heartfelt faith, oral confession is also required • One should not be afraid of death • One should rejoice that the body is decaying • How many bad consequences would the incorruption of bodies have • The beauty of the soul imparts beauty to the body • One must love and seek the beauty of the soul. On Mt. X, 34–42. Unity of mind is not always useful • The reason for the warfare carried out by Christ is human malice • Unity and agreement of the Old and New Testaments • Must obey parents in that which is not contrary to piety • For the sake of Christ must be ready for any death • Reward for those who receive the apostles • Must accept anyone in need of help • Should not reproach the one asking for alms • Need excuses the shamelessness of the one asking • He who reproaches a beggar shows greater shamelessness • Reproach to those who refuse alms out of laziness and pride. On Mt. XI, 1–6. The purpose of John's embassy to Christ • Christ's answer to John's disciples • Refuting erroneous opinions about the purpose of the embassy: John, like other prophets, knew about the suffering and death of Christ; the forerunner's preaching about Christ was not needed in hell • Those who lived virtuously before the coming of Christ will enjoy all the benefits • The existence of future punishments does not violate the truth of God. On Mt. XI, 7–24. How Christ defends John against the suspicions of the people • Why John is called a great prophet • Christ cannot be compared with John • The cessation of the appearance of the prophets proves that Jesus is the Messiah • John and Christ walked on opposite paths to the same goal • The unbelief of the Jews in John and Christ cannot be justified • An exhortation to hospitality • Against shameful songs and stories • The harm caused to family and public life by spectacles • Where to look for the pure pleasures. On Mt. XI, 25–30. The variety of means used by Christ to arouse faith in the Jews • Humility makes a person worthy of revelation • The oneness of the Son with the Father • The impossibility of full knowledge of the Father and the Son • Humility • the mother of all wisdom • The yoke of vice is heavier than the yoke of virtue • Confirmation of this truth by the example of people who loved poverty, and the rich, gentle and angry. On Mt. XII, 1–8. Christ did not break the Sabbath without a reason • How He defends the disciples from the Pharisees accusing them of breaking the Sabbath • The purpose of the Old Testament law on the Sabbath • Its uselessness in the new covenant • The true holiday consists in avoiding all evil • Grace makes it easy to fulfill the commandments when we make our own efforts. On Mt. XII, 9–24. The mercy of the Lord and the inhumanity and malice of the Jews • The benefits provided by Christ especially aroused the hatred of the Jews against Him • Envy • the worst of evils • Means of liberation from envy: awareness of its great sinfulness, the harm it causes to the envier himself and the insignificance of external advantages that arouse envy. On Mt. XII, 25–32. Refutation of the slander of the Pharisees and its purpose • In what sense is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit not forgiven • Self-condemnation and heartfelt contrition • the path to perfection and deliverance from punishment. On Mt. XII, 33–37. The purpose of rebuking the Pharisees • Why Christ calls them brood of vipers • Expressed in words, • whether good or bad, • there is only an excess of the internal • Everyone will be judged by his own words • He who offends is more unhappy than the offended; examples confirming this • One should not disclose the sins of others, even obvious ones • One should engage in testing one’s own conscience • Time and place for such a test • Carelessness and laziness • the reason for the inaccessibility of virtues. On Mt. XII, 38–45. Why did the Pharisees ask for a sign • The calamities that befell the Jews are a sign of the power of Christ • The reality of the death of Christ • The justice of the punishments suffered by the Jews after the death of Christ • He who is freed from evils, but has not become more prudent, is subject to a more severe punishment • Severe suffering is not alleviated by the sight of the suffering of others • The benefit of a reminder of Gehenna • An exhortation to correct one’s life. The conditions of social and family life do not serve as an obstacle to virtue. On Mt. XII, 46-XIII, 9. The purpose of the rebuke made by Christ to his mother and brothers • Kinship in the flesh does not bring any benefit if there is no kinship in the spirit • Explanation of the parable of the sower • The seed perishes not through the fault of the sower • Destruction and fruitfulness depend on the will of the recipient • For salvation, one virtue is not enough • Harm caused to the body and soul by satiety. On Mt. XIII, 10–23. Prudence of the disciples • Grace does not destroy freedom • The Jews themselves were the reason that they did not understand the teachings of Christ • Christ wanted their conversion and salvation • Sin is not a matter of nature or necessity • The variety of ways of salvation • An exhortation to almsgiving and compassion for the poor. On Mt. ХIII, 24–33. Difference between the parable and the previous one • The devil gives error the semblance of truth • The need for constant vigil • One should not kill heretics; it is not forbidden to curb them. The action and power of the apostolic preaching • It was not miracles, but virtues that made the apostles and other saints great • The grace of miracles is attracted by a virtuous life, and is given for the correction of others • What a truly good life consists of. On Mt. ХIII, 34–52. Why Christ taught in parables • Parables should not be taken literally • The importance and value of preaching • Renunciation of everything worldly is not a loss, but a gain • Faith alone is not enough for salvation. -The harm of negligence in reading Scripture • Chapter and members of virtue • Ev. Matthew, as an example of virtue • Without alms salvation is impossible • The superiority of the soul of the arbitrarily poor over the soul of the rich. On Mt. XIII, 53-XIV, 11. The ignorance of the origin of Christ should have caused greater surprise to His teaching • Why in His fatherland Christ performed few miracles. Herod's opinion about Christ • The crime of Herodias and Herod • What was the law broken by Herod • The harm of dancing and feasts • The suffering inflicted on the righteous increases his reward • Debauchery is the cause of many crimes • Sin is covered not by the addition of sin, but by repentance • One should not ridicule, but cover up the sins of neighbors • The crime of feasts arranged for parasites • Parasites must be corrected, using them in the service of good deeds. On Mt. XIV, 13–32. Why does Christ, after the news of the death of John, retire into the desert • The people's attachment to Christ • The imperfection of the faith of the disciples • Why did Christ perform some miracles by his own authority, others in the name of the Father • The multiplication of loaves testifies that Christ is the Creator of everything visible • The method of performing a miracle and its purpose • One should not seek human glory • One should prefer spiritual goods to sensual ones • Mercy is superior to all arts • Every art is worthy of its name until serves to satisfy the necessary • Against luxury in shoes and clothing. On Mt. XIV, 23–36. Why does Christ allow his disciples to be overwhelmed by waves and fear? • God sends the strongest test when he wants to deliver them from dangers • The power of Peter’s love for Christ; his lack of faith • The effect of the miracle on the disciples and the people • Christ still offers Himself to everyone in the Eucharist • The Eucharist is no different from the supper performed by Christ Himself • The Eucharist requires perfect purity from those who approach it • Alms are more pleasing to God than rich offerings to the church. On Mt. ХV, 1–20. The Jewish priests were guilty of introducing new decrees and preferring them to the commandments of God • Why did the disciples of Christ eat with unwashed hands • The Pharisees taught, under the guise of piety, to despise the commandments of the law • Christ rejects the decrees about food and • covertly • all other ritual prescriptions • Christ does not condemn the law • A person is defiled by uncleanness of the heart • One must approach prayer with clean lips and a free heart from anger • One should not pray against enemies • The one who offends only harms himself. On Mt. XV, 21–31. Christ opens the door to the pagans • The power of faith and humility of the Canaanite woman • Why Christ delayed in fulfilling her request • Alms are valued not by the quantity given, but by the strength of the disposition • The superiority of alms over all other arts • The inclination to mercy is inherent in nature itself • Mercy is a distinctive feature of man • A predator cannot receive the fruit of alms. On Mt. XV, 32-XVI, 12. The certainty of the miraculous saturation • The imperfection of the faith of the disciples • Their wisdom • Why Christ did not give a sign to the Jews who asked • The seemingly small miracles of Christ surpassed the great ones in their power • Severity can be as useful as leniency • Real life is a change of joys and sorrows • Nothing brings greater joy than virtue • The memory of good deeds serves as a great consolation in the hour of death. On Mt. ХVI, 13–23. Why does Christ ask the disciples in advance about the people’s opinion about Him • In what sense did Peter confess Christ as the Son of God • Christ being one in essence with the Father • Why, before suffering, the Savior forbade to disclose that He is Christ • The mystery of the cross and resurrection was unknown to the apostles • One should not be ashamed of the cross of Christ • With what thoughts and dispositions should one perform the sign of the cross • The power of the cross • A Christian should have nothing to do with the earth • Ease of fulfillment of the commandments. On Mt. XVI, 24–27. Following the example of Christ, one must always be ready to die • Why Christ does not force, but invites to follow Him • What it means to deny oneself • To what extent self-denial should extend • Not all suffering is following Christ • What is the true salvation and true destruction of the soul • Equality and consubstantiality of the Son with the Father • Praise for the life of monks • Explanation of the prayer they use after eating food • Exhortation imitate the way of life of the monks. On Mt. ХVI, 28-XVII, 9. Why Christ speaks more about rewards than he threatens with punishments • Why do Moses and Elijah appear at the transfiguration • Greater perfection is required from Christ’s disciples than Moses and Elijah showed • Peter’s love for Christ • The equality of the Son with the Father • Why Christ forbade the disclosure of His transfiguration before suffering • The glory of the future coming of Christ • Virtue is easy, vice painful • Against usury. On Mt. XVII, 10–21. The double coming of Christ • Elijah • the forerunner of the second coming • Why John is called Elijah • A miracle can be performed both by the faith of the mediator and by the power of the miracle worker alone • Lack of faith of the father of the demon-possessed youth • Why the possessed are called lunatics • The apostles were not always equally perfect • Fasting combined with prayer is necessary to drive out demons • Luxury and drunkenness are the source of all evil • It is not wine that must be condemned, but drunkenness • The harmful effects of drunkenness. On Mt. XVII, 22-XVIII, 6. The meaning of the death of Christ and the resurrection were incomprehensible to the disciples • What is the didrachm that was asked of Christ • Christ • the true Son of God and the ruler of the universe • The passion of vanity was not alien to the disciples • By the example of a youth, Christ teaches humility and simple-heartedness • The greatness of reward and punishment for those who despise humble people • Arrogance makes a person insane • Nobility of origin does not give any real advantage • Wealth deprives nobility and freedom • Honors do not benefit the body and harm the soul. On Mt. XVIII, 7–14. Why does Christ speak about the coming of temptations • The immutability of prophecy does not destroy free will • Destruction does not depend on temptations • The benefits of temptations • Everyone can be virtuous or vicious according to his own will • Evil is not a co-eternal principle with God • Evil is disobedience to God, resulting from carelessness • The path for avoiding temptations indicated by Christ • One must care about the salvation of one’s neighbors • Piety alone must affirm the bonds of friendship • One must be patient in caring for the salvation of one’s neighbors • One’s own virtue is not enough for salvation • An exhortation to take care of the proper upbringing of young men. On Mt. XVIII, 15–20. How one should reprove those who sin • Why does the Savior send the offended person to the offender and commands him to reprove him, and not anyone else • The purpose of reproof • Why the prayer of those who live in agreement is not always heard • Love for neighbors must have Christ as its basis • The fickleness of love stemming from worldly benefits, and the firmness of love for the sake of Christ. On Mt. ХVIII, 21–35. Forgiveness of offenses • our always duty • How great is the difference between sins against God and against man • The greatness of God’s blessings aggravates the severity of sins against God • Exposing the vices of warriors, artisans, landowners • Explaining the parable of a forgiven and turned out to be an ungrateful debtor • The benefits of uncomplainingly bearing insults • We must grieve for those who cause us harm. On Mt. XIX, 1–15. The malice and deceit of the Pharisees • The indissolubility of marriage • Christ teaches to prefer virginity to marriage • Cutting off members is the work of the devil • The need for grace-filled help for those who choose virginity • Must be like children in spiritual properties • The gentle is stronger than the evil • Examples of David and Saul • Passions cause harm to those possessed by them in the present life. On Mt. XIX, 16–26. The intention of the questioning young man • The meaning and purpose of Christ's answer • The increase in wealth strengthens the passion for it • Special help from grace is needed in order to live piously with wealth • Christ does not assign the work of salvation to God alone • How should the passion for wealth be weakened • Wealth can be the cause of disasters in this life • Thinking about the disasters and dangers associated with wealth protects against the deception of it. On Mt. XIX, 27-XX, 16. Poverty does not prevent one from being perfect • The promises of God are conditional • In what sense is the judgment of the twelve tribes promised to the apostles • The meaning and purpose of the parable of the husbandman and the laborers • Vocation depends on a person’s willingness to obey God • Right faith and a virtuous life are needed for salvation • Neglect of any one virtue leads to destruction • Charity makes the soul invincible for the devil • One should not be tempted by the example of the lazy. On Mt. XX, 17–28. Why does Christ speak to his disciples in private • The apostles did not have clear knowledge about the mystery of suffering and the resurrection • What and with what intention did the sons of Zebedee ask • How Christ corrects their request • The degree of glorification is determined by the dignity of the deeds • The degree of perfection of the apostles before and after the descent of the Holy Spirit • Humility multiplies glory • There is nothing higher than humility and lower than pride • Proof of the superiority of the humble over proud. On Mt. XX, 29-XXI, 11. Persistent prayer bows to God • The mercy of Christ extended only to the worthy • What is taught by the event of the unquestioning giving of the donkey • The life of Christ should be an example for us • The educational significance of Christ’s entry on the donkey • An exhortation to alms • The insufficiency of alms given in comparison with the wealth of the city (Antioch) • The inexcusability of excuses for refusing alms • Alms are the best acquisition. On Mt. XXI, 12–32. The bitterness of the Jews • The meaning of the praise of the youths • Why is the fig tree cursed • Why does Christ not tell the Jews about the right of His power • Christ forces them to condemn themselves • Why does he present them with harlots and tax collectors as an example • No sinner should despair of correction, just as a virtuous person should not indulge in carelessness • The superiority of work for virtue over worldly labors. On Mt. XXI, 33–46. Interpretation of the parable of the vineyard • Christ predicts the rejection of the Jews and the acceptance of the pagans • The Jews themselves are guilty of their own destruction • Future blessings should be preferred to the present • Monastic life is more desirable than worldly life • Description of the way of life of the monks • Comparison of the pleasures given by the theater and the monastery • An exhortation to learn about life among the monks. On Mt. XXII, 1–14. Similarities and differences between the parables of the vineyard and the wedding feast • Why the kingdom of heaven is called marriage • Three guilts of the Jews • God's care for the Jews and their lack of appreciation • Rejection of the Jews and the calling of the pagans • Calling is by grace; must correspond to grace with obedience • Must take care of the clothing of the soul, not the body • Pointing to the example of the hermits • Simplicity of the monks’ home and meals • Serenity of their life • Contempt for earthly virtues and distinctions. On Mt. XXII, 15–33. The intention of the Jews to convict Christ of rebellion against the authorities • How Christ denounces them • Who were the Sadducees • The fictionality of their story about a wife who had seven husbands • The properties and reality of the future resurrection • The depiction of the battles, exploits and victories of the hermits over drunkenness and gluttony • Comparison of the meal of the sensualists and the hermits. On Mt. XXII, 34–46. The connection of the commandments about love for God and neighbor • For which Christ praised the questioning lawyer • Christ affirms the doctrine of His Divinity • Vanity turns both good and bad deeds into its food • Against those who are vain in giving alms • Alms must be secret • He who seeks glory through alms brings upon himself condemnation and disgrace. On Mt. XXIII, 1–13. The agreement of Christ with the Father • One must listen to teachers, even if they are corrupt • A teacher who breaks the law deserves special condemnation • The cruelty and vanity of the Pharisees • What are storehouses and openings • The teacher must be an example in everything • Christ protects from covetousness and inspires humility • Hermits show an example of humility • The lifestyle of hermits removes them from pride • Public life cannot serve an apology for pride. On Mt. XXIII, 14–28. He who covers up evil deeds with the guise of piety deserves severe punishment • The Pharisees were the destroyers of those who wanted salvation • The purpose of the old economy. prescriptions for external cleansing • Virtues that purify the soul: truth, philanthropy, truth • Against those who do not care about spiritual purity • Against looking out for beautiful women in the church • Comparison of the morals of the apostolic time with modern ones • Against women’s clothing, marriage for money, corrupting sayings. On Mt. XXIII, 29–39. Why does Christ condemn the Pharisees for building the tombs of the prophets • The Pharisees feignedly condemned their fathers and surpassed them in wickedness • Those who do not understand by punishing others bear the heaviest punishment • Christ’s love for the Jews and execution for rejecting it • The later repentance of the Jews will not bring them any benefit • An exhortation to take care of the soul and treat mental illnesses • in particular, the love of money • among spiritual doctors. On Mt. XXIV, 1–15. Fulfillment of the prophecy about the destruction of the church • Prophecy about the disasters of the Jews and the temptations of the apostles • Christ corrects the opinion of the disciples about the time of the end of the world • Why the destruction of Jerusalem took place after the spread of the preaching of the Gospel • The proof of the power of Christ is the difficult conditions under which the victory of the sermon took place • Against the doctrine of the rotation of times and the influence of the stars on the fate of man • Good ignorance is better than bad knowledge • The severity of sin decreases or increases depending from the circumstances and person of the sinner. On Mt. XXIV, 16–31. The severity of the disasters of the Jews according to the prophecy of Christ and according to the testimony of Josephus (Flavius) • The cause of the disasters • Which elect is Christ speaking about • The time and image of the second coming • Why the cross will appear • We must voluntarily for the sake of Christ do what happens to us out of necessity • In Christ the satisfaction of all our desires and needs • The vanity and perniciousness of worldly cares • The need for future judgment and punishment. On Mt. XXIV, 32–51. Why does Christ give the example of the fig tree • In what sense is the expression this generation used • The truth of the prophecies of Christ • Christ knew the day of the end of the world • The suddenness of the second coming • Why the day of judgment and death of every person is left unknown • Examples of expressions of Christ and God the Father showing Their ignorance • Why does God speak in this way • Prudence and faithfulness are required for the proper use of the gift • The benefit of the unknown of the day of judgment • About the proper use of wealth • Must be primarily concerned about virtues that benefit others • Prayer, fasting and virginity borrow strength from alms • Concern for the salvation of others is inseparable from concern for one’s own salvation. On Mt. XXV, 1–30. The difference between the parable of the virgins and other similar parables • Virginity, devoid of works of mercy, is condemned on a par with adultery • Nothing can save us except our own works • Correction after death brings no benefit • The difference between the parable of the talents, set out in Matthew, and that set out in Luke • Explanation of the parable • All the gifts of God must be used for the benefit of others • On the proper use of the tongue • Exhortation imitate the example of Christ in the use of language. On Mt. XXV, 31 -XXVI, 5. Description of the Last Judgment • The death of Christ is a triumph and the deliverance of the universe from evil • How many high priests there were • The love of Christ • An exhortation to imitate His example • On the forgiveness of offenses • Remembrance of malice is prohibited in the Old Testament • A good person cannot suffer any harm from offenses. On Mt. XXVI, 6–16. The three evangelists talk about a different wife than John • Why is Simon's leprosy mentioned and the name of the city mentioned • What was the wife looking for • Why did Christ allow the anointing with myrrh • High deeds should not be demanded from weak people from the very beginning • The true love of the evangelists • The malice of Judas • The love of money • the most terrible of passions • The image of a money lover • No one can harm the virtuous • Poverty enriches the soul, wealth makes you poor. On Mt. XXVI, 17–25. What is meant by the first day of unleavened bread • Why does Christ send to an unknown person • The image and work of rebuking Judas • Judas was not a minister of the economy of salvation • Why does God allow one to be born evil • It is not birth, but carelessness that makes one evil • How great is the evil of the love of money • Judas’ flight • Money lovers cause themselves and others more harm than the possessed • He who is not freed from the love of money cannot overcome other passions • At every age the corresponding passions must be suppressed. On Mt. XXVI, 26–35. Blinding the traitor • Why Christ performed the sacrament of the Eucharist during Easter • The meaning of the sacrament • Why Christ ate and drank after the resurrection • By his example, Christ teaches to begin and end a meal with prayer • Fear and flight of the disciples serve as proof of the death of the Savior • Why Christ allowed the fall of Peter • For salvation, both grace-filled help and one’s own diligence are necessary • How one should look at the sacrament • In the Eucharist, the tasting of Christ is given • Greatness the benefits of the sacrament require an appropriate disposition from those approaching • An admonition to the ministers of the sacrament to test the dignity of those receiving communion. On Mt. XXVI, 36–50. The image and purpose of the Savior's prayer • The suffering of Christ is not a consequence of His guilt or necessity, but a matter of divine providence • The condescension and meekness of Christ strengthens the guilt of the traitor • The love of money exposes to dangers and sorrows, deprives of pleasures and intensifies illnesses of body and soul • What is the true decoration and true ugliness of the house. On Mt. XXVI, 51–66. Why did Christ command the disciples to have swords and fur • Why did He forbid the disciples to defend themselves • Evidence of voluntary betrayal • The lawlessness of the trial of Christ • Why did they want to betray Christ to public death • Deceit exposes itself • One should not always seek victory • True victory is given by patience • The example of Joseph. On Mt. XXVI, 67 – XXVII, 10. The immensity of the crime of those who mocked Christ • The suffering of the Savior • our praise • The reason for Peter’s denial • The agreement of the narratives of Matthew and Mark about this event • The futility of Judas’ repentance • The consciousness of the crime deprives those who condemned Christ of justification • The crime of those who condemned is exposed by their own actions • Against the mercy brought from gains of covetousness • The preacher's grief over the need for church ministers to engage in worldly concerns for the sake of works of mercy. On Mt. XXVII, 11–26. In what sense does Christ confess himself to be a king • Why did He not answer the slander of his accusers • The guilt of Pilate and the people • Vices must be eradicated at the very beginning • Small sins require more labor and diligence than large ones • Despair destroys more than sin • Sin sometimes covers itself with the guise of piety • Knowledge of Scripture • a means for protecting from the paths of destruction. On Mt. XXVII, 27–44. The severity of the insults suffered by Christ • The benefits of public and private reading of the history of the sufferings of Christ • The efforts of the Jews to discredit the glory of Christ and his failure • By the example of his sufferings, Christ teaches long-suffering • The benefits obtained from insults • How one can learn to endure insults calmly • One should not be angry with those who offend, but grieve for them • He who respects himself cannot be dishonored by anyone. On Mt. XXVII, 45–61. The greatness of the heavenly sign revealed at the cross • The darkness at the crucifixion was not the result of an ordinary eclipse • Why this miracle had no effect on the pagans • The signs of power and strength shown by Christ at death • The courage of the women and Joseph • The alms given to the poor are given to Christ • Why the preacher often talks about alms • Why he does not talk about the fight against the enemies of the faith • The virtues of Christians • are better than weapons against non-believers • Against those making noise and talking in the church. On Mt. XXVII, 62-XXVIII, 10. The sealing of the tomb serves as indisputable proof of the resurrection • The disciples could neither steal the bodies nor invent the resurrection • Why the resurrection had to take place within three days • Circumstances surrounding the resurrection • The appearance of the Risen One to the wives • Exhortations to imitate the myrrh-bearers • Against addiction to expensive clothes and jewelry • Jewelry • a reason for dishonor and sorrow • Wearing jewelry should be avoided especially in church • Love for jewelry turns away from alms and causes debauchery in husbands. On Mt. XXVIII, 11–20. The improbability of the theft of Christ's body is proven by the presence of guards at the tomb, the timidity of the disciples and the cloth remaining in the tomb • The truth of the resurrection is confirmed by the testimony of the enemies about the empty tomb • The appearance of the Risen One in Galilee • The meaning of the promise given by Christ • The ease of fulfilling the commandments of Christ • The prevalence and severity of the disease of love of money • Wealth does not provide security • Poverty is not evil • The superiority of poverty over wealth • It is not miracles, but the contempt of wealth that brings glory. The question is being resolved why St. Matthew counts from David to the Babylonian captivity and from the captivity to Christ fourteen genera, whereas in the first case there were seventeen, in the second • twelve. The Gospel of Matthew is the first canonical Gospel. It is divided into 28 chapters and is structured as a coherent story, into which several (5 or, according to other estimates, 7) large speeches of the Lord are inserted. The chronological framework of the Gospel of Matthew is from the Nativity to the last appearance of the Risen One in Galilee. The author does not directly say anything about himself in the text. You might be interested in: