To his Disciples he preacheth against ambition the mother of Schism. 7. foretelling both the author whosoever he be, and also his followers, of their woe to come. 10. and shewing on the contrary side, how precious Christian souls are to their Angels, 15. charging us then sore to forgive our brethren, when also we have just cause against them, be it never so often, and to labour their salvation by all means possible.To his Disciples he preacheth against ambition the mother of Schisme. 7. foretelling both the authour whosoeuer he be, and also his folowers, of their woe to come. 10. and shewing on the contrary side, how precious Christian soules are to their Angels, 15. charging vs then sore to forgiue our brethren, when also we haue iust cause against them, be it neuer so often, and to labour their saluation by al meanes possible.
That hour the Disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?THAT houre the Disciples came to Iesvs, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the Kingdom of Heauen?In illa hora accesserunt discipuli ad Jesum, dicentes : Quis, putas, major est in regno cælorum ?
2And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,And Iesvs calling vnto him a litle child, set him in the middes of them,Et advocans Jesus parvulum, statuit eum in medio eorum,
3and said: Amen I say to you, unless you be conversi: turned, changed, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.and said: Amen I say to you, vnles you be conuerted, and become as litle children, you shal not enter into the Kingdom of Heauen.et dixit : Amen dico vobis, nisi conversi fueritis, et efficiamini sicut parvuli, non intrabitis in regnum cælorum.
4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.Whosoeuer therfore shal humble himself as this litle child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heauen.Quicumque ergo humiliaverit se sicut parvulus iste, hic est major in regno cælorum.
5And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.And he that shal receaue one such litle child in my name, receaueth me.Et qui susceperit unum parvulum talem in nomine meo, me suscipit :
6And he that shall scandalizaverit: shock, outrage one of these little ones that believe in me, it is expedient for him that a millstone be hanged about his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.And * he that shal scandalize one of these litle ones that beleeue in me, it is expedient for him that a milstone be hanged about his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.qui autem scandalizaverit unum de pusillis istis, qui in me credunt, expedit ei ut suspendatur mola asinaria in collo ejus, et demergatur in profundum maris.
7Woe be to the world for scandals. For it is necessary that scandals do come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.Woe be to the world for scandals. For it is necessarie that scandals do come: but neuerthelesse woe to that man by whom the scandal commeth.Væ mundo a scandalis ! Necesse est enim ut veniant scandala : verumtamen væ homini illi, per quem scandalum venit.
8And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is good for thee to go into life maimed or lame, rather then having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.And * if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it of, and cast it from thee. It is good for thee to goe into life maimed or lame, rather then hauing two hands or two feet, to be cast into euerlasting fire.Si autem manus tua, vel pes tuus scandalizat te, abscide eum, et projice abs te : bonum tibi est ad vitam ingredi debilem, vel claudum, quam duas manus vel duos pedes habentem mitti in ignem æternum.
9And if thine eye scandalize thee, pluck him out, and cast him from thee: It is good for thee having one eye to enter into life, rather then having two eyes to be cast into the Hell of fire.And if thine eye scandalize thee, pluck him out, and cast him from thee: It is good for thee hauing one eye to enter into life, rather then hauing two eyes to be cast into the Hel of fire.Et si oculus tuus scandalizat te, erue eum, et projice abs te : bonum tibi est cum uno oculo in vitam intrare, quam duos oculos habentem mitti in gehennam ignis.
10See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their Angels in Heaven always do see the face of my Father which is in Heaven.See that you despise not one of these litle ones: for I say to you, that their Angels in Heauen alwaies do see the face of my Father which is in Heauen.Videte ne contemnatis unum ex his pusillis : dico enim vobis, quia angeli eorum in cælis semper vident faciem Patris mei, qui in cælis est.
11The Son of man is come to save that which was perierat: lost, gone astray.* The Sonne of man is come to saue that which was perished.Venit enim Filius hominis salvare quod perierat.
12How think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be astray: doth he not leave ninety nine in the mountains, and goeth to seek that which is strayed?How thinke you? If a man haue an hundred sheep, and one of them be astray: doth he not leaue ninetie nine in the mountaines, and goeth to seek that which is straied?Quid vobis videtur ? si fuerint alicui centum oves, et erravit una ex eis : nonne relinquit nonaginta novem in montibus, et vadit quærere eam quæ erravit ?
13And if it chance that he find it: Amen I say to you, that he rejoiceth more for that, then for the ninety nine that were not astray.And if it chance that he find it: Amen I say to you, that he reioyceth more for that, then for the ninetie nine that were not astray.Et si contigerit ut inveniat eam : amen dico vobis, quia gaudet super eam magis quam super nonaginta novem, quæ non erraverunt.
14Even so it is not the will of your Father, which is in Heaven, that one perish of these little ones.Euen so it is not the wil of your Father, which is in Heauen, that one perish of these litle ones.Sic non est voluntas ante Patrem vestrum, qui in cælis est, ut pereat unus de pusillis istis.
15But if thy brother shall peccaverit: insult, displease against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.But if thy brother shal offend against thee, goe, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he heare thee, thou shalt gaine thy brother.Si autem peccaverit in te frater tuus, vade, et corripe eum inter te, et ipsum solum : si te audierit, lucratus eris fratrem tuum.
16And if he will not hear thee, join with thee besides, one or two: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.And if he wil not heare thee, ioyne with thee besides, one or two: that in the mouth of * two or three witnesses euery word may stand.Si autem te non audierit, adhibe tecum adhuc unum, vel duos, ut in ore duorum, vel trium testium stet omne verbum.
17And if he will not hear them, tell the Church. And if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the Heathen and Publican.And if he wil not heare them, tel the Church. And if he wil not heare the Church, let him be to thee as the Heathen and Publican.Quod si non audierit eos : dic ecclesiæ. Si autem ecclesiam non audierit, sit tibi sicut ethnicus et publicanus.
18Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in Heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in Heaven.Amen I say to you, whatsoeuer you shal bind vpon earth, shal be bound also in Heauen: and whatsoeuer you shal loose vpon earth, shal be loosed also in Heauen.Amen dico vobis, quæcumque alligaveritis super terram, erunt ligata et in cælo : et quæcumque solveritis super terram, erunt soluta et in cælo.
19Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning every thing whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them of my Father which is in Heaven.Againe I say to you, that if two of you shal consent vpon earth, concerning euery thing whatsoeuer they shal aske, it shal be done to them of my Father which is in Heauen.Iterum dico vobis, quia si duo ex vobis consenserint super terram, de omni re quamcumque petierint, fiet illis a Patre meo, qui in cælis est.
20For where there be two or three gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.For where there be two or three gathered in my name, there am I in the middes of them.Ubi enim sunt duo vel tres congregati in nomine meo, ibi sum in medio eorum.
21Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?Then came Peter vnto him and said: * Lord, how often shal my brother offend against me, & I forgiue him? vntil seauen times?Tunc accedens Petrus ad eum, dixit : Domine, quoties peccabit in me frater meus, et dimittam ei ? usque septies ?
22Jesus said to him: I say not to thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven times.Iesvs said to him: I say not to thee * vntil seauen times, but vntil seauentie times seauen times.Dicit illi Jesus : Non dico tibi usque septies : sed usque septuagies septies.
23Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened to a man being a King, that would make an account with his servants.Therfore is the Kingdom of Heauen likened to a man being a King, that would make an account with his seruants.Ideo assimilatum est regnum cælorum homini regi, qui voluit rationem ponere cum servis suis.
24And when he began to make the account, there was one presented unto him that owed him ten thousand talenta: abilities, natural gifts.And when he began to make the account, there was one presented vnto him that owed him ten thousand talents.Et cum cœpisset rationem ponere, oblatus est ei unus, qui debebat ei decem millia talenta.
25And having not wherewith to repay it, his Lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and it to be repaid.And hauing not wherewith to repay it, his Lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and al that he had, and it to be repaied.Cum autem non haberet unde redderet, jussit eum dominus ejus venundari, et uxorem ejus, et filios, et omnia quæ habebat, et reddi.
26But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience toward me, and I will repay thee all.But that seruant falling downe, besought him, saying: Haue patience toward me, and I wil repay thee al.Procidens autem servus ille, orabat eum, dicens : Patientiam habe in me, et omnia reddam tibi.
27And the Lord of that servant moved with pity, dismissed him, and the debt he forgave him.And the Lord of that seruant moued with pitie, dismissed him, and the debt he forgaue him.Misertus autem dominus servi illius, dimisit eum, et debitum dimisit ei.
28And when that servant was gone forth, he found one of his fellow-servants that did owe him an hundred pence: and laying hands upon him suffocavit: seized by the throat, strangled him, saying: Repay that thou owest.And when that seruant was gone forth, he found one of his felow-seruants that did owe him an hundred pence: and laying hands vpon him thratled him, saying: Repay that thou owest.Egressus autem servus ille invenit unum de conservis suis, qui debebat ei centum denarios : et tenens suffocavit eum, dicens : Redde quod debes.
29And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience toward me, and I will repay thee all.And his felowseruant falling downe, besought him, saying: Haue patience toward me, and I wil repay thee al.Et procidens conservus ejus, rogabat eum, dicens : Patientiam habe in me, et omnia reddam tibi.
30And he would not: but went his way, and cast him into prison, till he repaid the debt.And he would not: but went his way, and cast him into prison, til he repayed the debt.Ille autem noluit : sed abiit, et misit eum in carcerem donec redderet debitum.
31And his fellow-servants seeing what was done, were very sorry, and they came, and told their Lord all that was done.And his felow-seruants seeing what was done, were very sorie, and they came, and told their Lord al that was done.Videntes autem conservi ejus quæ fiebant, contristati sunt valde : et venerunt, et narraverunt domino suo omnia quæ facta fuerant.
32Then his Lord called him, and said unto him: Thou nequam: lacking charm or courtesy, rude servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:Then his Lord called him, and said vnto him: Thou vngratious seruant, I forgaue thee al the debt, because thou besoughtest me:Tunc vocavit illum dominus suus : et ait illi : Serve nequam, omne debitum dimisi tibi quoniam rogasti me :
33oughtest not thou therefore also to have mercy upon thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy upon thee?oughtest not thou therfore also to haue mercie vpon thy felow-seruant, euen as I had mercie vpon thee?nonne ergo oportuit et te misereri conservi tui, sicut et ego tui misertus sum ?
34And his Lord being angry delivered him to the tortoribus: torturers, jailers, until he repaid all the debt.And his Lord being angrie deliuered him to the tormentors, vntil he repayed al the debt.Et iratus dominus ejus tradidit eum tortoribus, quoadusque redderet universum debitum.
35So also shall my Heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.So also shal my Heauenly Father doe to you, if you forgiue not euery one his brother from your harts.Sic et Pater meus cælestis faciet vobis, si non remiseritis unusquisque fratri suo de cordibus vestris.
Annotations
1Who is the greater. The occasion of this question, and of their contention for Superiority, among the rest of their infirmities, which they had before the coming of the Holy Ghost, was (as certain holy Doctors write) upon emulation toward Peter, whom only they saw preferred before the rest, in the payment of the tribute, be these words of our Saviour: Give it them for me and thee. St. Chrysostom hom. 59. St. Jerome in Matth. Upon this place.
7Scandals. The simple be most annoyed by taking scandal of their Preachers, Priests, and elders' ill life: and great damnation is to the guides of the People, whether they be temporal or spiritual, but specially to the spiritual, if by their ill example and scandalous life, the People be scandalized.
8Hand, foot, eye. By these parts of the body so necessary and profitable for a man, is signified, that whatsoever is nearest and dearest to us, wife, children, friends, riches, all are to be contemned and forsaken for to save our soul.
10Their Angels. A great dignity, and a marvelous benefit, that every one hath from his Nativity an Angel for his custody and patronage, against the wicked, before the face of God. St. Jerome upon this place. And the thing is so plain, that Calvin dare not deny it, and yet he will needs doubt of it. lib. 1 Inst. cap. 14. § 7.
17Tell the Church. Not only Heretics, but any other obstinate offender that will not be judged nor ruled by the Church, may be excommunicated, and so made as the Heathen or Publican was to the Jews, by the discipline of the same, casting him out of the fellowship of Catholics. Which Excommunication is a greater punishment, then if he were executed by sword, fire, and wild beasts. St. Augustine cont. Adv. leg. li. 1 c. 17. And again here, he saith: Man is more sharply and pitifully bound by the Church's Keys, then with any iron or adamantine manacles or fetters, in the world. St. Augustine ibidem.
17Heathen. Heretics therefore because they will not hear the Church, be no better nor no otherwise to be esteemed of Catholics, then Heathen men and Publicans were esteemed among the Jews.
18You shall bind. As before he gave this power of binding and loosing over the whole, first of all and principally to Peter, upon whom he builded his Church; so here he giveth it not only to Peter, and in him to his successors, but also to the other Apostles, and in them to their successors, every one in their charge. St. Jerome ib. 1 c. 14 adv. Jovin. and Epist. ad Heliod. St. Cyprian de unit. Eccl. nu. 3.
18Shall loose. Our Lord giveth no less right and authority to the Church to loose, then to bind, as St. Ambrose writeth against the Novatians, who confessed that the Priests had power to bind, but not to loose.
20In the midst of them. Not all assemblies may challenge the presence of Christ, but only such as be gathered together in the unity of the Church, and therefore no conventicles of Heretics directly gathering against the Church, are warranted by this place. St. Cyprian de un. Eccl. nu. 8.
22Seventy times seven. There must be no end of forgiving them that be penitent, either in the Sacrament by absolution, or one man an other their offences.