Bonaventure

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

“As for the division of the priesthood, there is added: Under the high priests Annas and Caiaphas, who, moved by ambition, as Bede says, were purchasing the high priesthood from the Romans.”

and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

“On account of aid however in adversity, he adds: And that in their hands they shall bear you up, as bearers, according to how it is read that an Angel carried Habakkuk, in the last chapter of Daniel.”

And the news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding region.

“And because this was great and unusual, it was not to be kept silent but was to be spread abroad with reverence: therefore there follows: And the fame of him spread into every place of the region.”

And He continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.

“Fourth, respect of persons is excluded in that which follows: And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee, namely to all without distinction: Matthew 9: "Jesus went about all the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues."”

They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed.

“As for the inciting causes, it is added: Who had come to hear him, as regards the illumination of truth in the mind, and to be healed of their infirmities, as regards the cure of health in the flesh.”

Meanwhile, those who had seen it reported how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

“To this he adduces sure testimony, therefore he adds: And those who had seen it reported to them, namely the herdsmen. For such persons ought to bear witness; John 19: "And he who saw it bore witness."”

“Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him.

“Moreover, he dismissed him in peace; whence he adds: Saying: Return to your house, that you may rest there, whence the demons had expelled you. Ecclesiasticus 32: "Hasten first to your house, and there withdraw, and there play, and pursue your intentions."”

And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.

“But because "the natural man does not perceive the things that are of God," First Corinthians two: therefore it is added: And they derided him, knowing that she was dead.”

Her spirit returned, and at once she got up. And He directed that she be given something to eat.

“Secondly, as regards the subsequent efficacy, it is added: And her spirit returned, through intimate union, according to what is said in Third Kings 17: "The soul of the child returned into him, and he revived"; and she arose immediately, through vital operation.”

“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.

“Now the third end was the arousing of those conferring to wonder; with respect to which there follows: And Herod said: John I have beheaded, as a mortal and passible man.”

But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

“On that passage in Luke 9: Let the dead bury their dead; the Gloss says: "The Lord teaches that lesser goods are to be passed over for the advantage of greater ones; for it is greater to raise the souls of the dead by preaching…”

Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

“The person moreover passing by with hardness was legal justice, which bestowed neither mercy nor medicine.”

The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is…

“Thirdly, the generation of the Jews is reproved, because it was cold toward repenting, when he adds: The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: and this on account of their repentance and the impenitence of…”

And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is.

“And when you see the south wind blowing, you say: There will be heat, and so it happens: Job thirty-seven: "Are not your garments hot, when the earth has been blown through by the south wind?"”

No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

“Third, as regards the conclusion of the necessity of penance, it is added: But if you do not do penance, you shall all likewise perish: likewise, not as regards corporal punishment, but as regards spiritual and gehennial punishment.”

After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.

“And after he had consumed all things, etc. After describing the insolence of the prodigal son, here he describes his misery and want, and this with respect to three things, namely with respect to the hardship of famine, with respect to the disgrace of servitude…”

So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.

“Third, as regards the generosity of the adjudged paternal benefit, he adds: And he called one of the servants and asked what these things were.”

‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’

“And since the true preacher is the chief announcer of divine mercy, he therefore adds: And he said to him: Your brother has come, through the humility of penance; Isaiah twenty-one: "If you seek, seek: be converted and come"; and chapter sixty: "Your sons shall…”

The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

“And because the just man, presuming upon his own merits, does not accept this justice, but rather is indignant against the mercy of God, as though he acts unjustly by rendering good things for evil, therefore he adds: But he was indignant and would not…”

But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

“He also placates by approving the mercy bestowed, when he adds: But it was fitting to feast and rejoice, namely because charity urges it, for it is charity that compels one to rejoice over what is good.”

yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’”

“Yet, because this widow troubles me, through the persistence of prayer, which conquers all things, according to that passage in Judges fourteen concerning the wife of Samson, who "wept before him during the seven days of the feast, and at length on the seventh day…”

will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

“Thirdly, as to the enrichment of poverty through grace, it is added: And not receive much more in this time: which is not to be understood of temporal things, so that he would have many more wives, or children, or carnal brothers, but it is…”

He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.

“Third, as to the bitterness of the punishment, he adds: For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, as a stranger, according to what is foretold by David in the Psalm: "I was delivered up and did not go forth."”

When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

“Second, as regards the importunity of the petitioner, it is added: And when he heard the crowd passing by; in which is explained the importunity of the blind man praying and giving us an example of prayer: he seeks, asks, and knocks, according to that…”

His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

“Second, with regard to the acceptance of the heavenly judgment, he adds: And he said to him: Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in a little.”