Cyril of Alexandria

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

“The Lord mentioned persecution already, even before the apostles had been sent on their mission. The Gospel anticipated what would happen. So he forewarns them for their benefit, that even the assault of things grievous to bear will bring its reward and advantage to them.”

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap.

“He has given us full assurance that God, who gives all things abundantly to those who love him, shall reward us with bountiful hand. He said, "Good measure, and squeezed down, and running over shall they give into your bosom."”

Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

“The Lord added to what had gone before a very necessary parable, as it is said, And he spake a parable to them, for His disciples were the future teachers of the world, and it therefore became them to know the way of a virtuous…”

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit.

“Each man's life also will be a criterion of his character. For not by extrinsic ornaments and pretended humility is the beauty of true happiness discovered, but by those things which a man does; of which he gives an illustration, adding, For of thorns men…”

But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation.

“Or they build upon the earth without foundation, who upon the quicksand of doubt, which relates to opinion, lay the foundation of their spiritual building, which a few drops of temptation wash away.”

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.

“Observe how he joins miracle to miracle. In the former instance, the healing of the centurion's servant, he was present by invitation, but here he draws near without being invited.”

A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”

“Let it be known to people everywhere that the Lord is God, and even though he appeared in a form like us, yet has he given us the indications of a godlike power and majesty on many occasions and in a multitude of ways.”

So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the…

“Here see I pray the beautiful art of the Saviour's management. For He does not simply say, I am; though had He so spoken, it would have been true: but He rather leads them to the proof given by the works themselves, in order that…”

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

“But where could they point out the Lord as gluttonous? For Christ is found every where repressing excess, and leading men to temperance. But He associated with publicans and sinners.”

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told them this parable:

“The Sower, He says, went out to "sow his seed, and so forth." Concerning whom then did He thus speak? Evidently concerning Himself.”

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured…

“For every way side is in some measure dry and uncultivated, because it is trodden down by all men, and no seed gains moisture on it. So the divine warning reaches not the unteachable heart, that it should bring forth the praise of virtue.”

Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.

“There are again some who bear faith about them, as if it consisted in the nakedness of words; their faith is without root, of whom it is added, And some fell upon a rock, and as soon as it sprung up, it withered away, because…”

Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I…

“The word of the Savior, so to speak, is constantly hidden. The blessed psalmist has also brought him before us saying, "I will open my mouth in parables." See what he spoke in olden times happened.”

The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root.

“For when they enter the Church they gladly wait on the divine mysteries, but with infirmity of purpose. But when they leave the Church they forget the sacred discipline, and as long as Christians are undisturbed, their faith is lasting; but when persecution harasses, their…”

The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life…

“"Those that fell among the thorns are they who have heard, and go, and are choked by cares and wealth and pleasures of the world, and yield no fruit." The Savior scatters the seed that acquired a firm hold in the souls that received it.”

But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.

“This good seed is worthy of admiration. Rich and well-productive land brings forth fruit a hundredfold. They say that the best soils sometimes under cultivation produce a hundredfold, so this is a mark of every fertile and productive spot.”

One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So He got into a boat with them and set out.

“When the disciples saw that all men received help from Christ, it seemed fitting that they themselves also should in turn rejoice in the benefits of Christ. For no one regards that which happens in the person of another equally with that to himself.”

“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

“There is also much in this for the admiration and improvement of those who hear. Creation is obedient to whatever Christ chooses to command. What excuse can help us if we do not submit to do the same?”

When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High…

“Mark here the combination of fear with boldness and great desperation, for it is a sign of devilish despair to speak out boldly, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high?”

“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

“Christ asked him and commanded him to tell what his name was. He said, "Legion," because many devils had entered him. Did Christ ask this because he did not know it, and like one of us, wished to learn something that had escaped him?”

Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

“But the Lord granted them permission, that this might be among other things to us an occasion of benefit, and the confidence of our safety. It follows, And he suffered them.”

She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

“What made that sick woman wish to remain hidden? The law of wise Moses imputed impurity to any woman who was suffering from a flow of blood and everywhere called her unclean.”

But Jesus declared, “Someone touched Me, for I know that power has gone out from Me.”

“That woman was delivered, being saved from a state of suffering thus bitter and incurable; and thereby we again obtain the firm assurance, that the Emmanuel is very God. How and in what manner?”

As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions.

“For, as has been said, they sought to be healed of different diseases, and because the disciples saw that what they sought might be accomplished by His simple assent, they say, Send them away, that they be no more distressed.”

One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?”

“You see the skillfulness of the question. He did not at once say, "Who do you say that I am?" He refers to the rumor of those that were outside their company.”