Part 651 (1/2)
15:36. And taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples gave to the people.
15:37. And they did all eat, and had their fill. And they took up seven baskets full, of what remained of the fragments.
15:38. And they that did eat, were four thousand men, beside children and women.
15:39. And having dismissed the mult.i.tude, he went up into a boat, and came into the coasts of Magedan.
Matthew Chapter 16
Christ refuses to shew the Pharisees a sign from heaven. Peter's confession is rewarded. He is rebuked for opposing Christ's pa.s.sion. All his followers must deny themselves.
16:1. And there came to him the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting: and they asked him to shew them a sign from heaven.
16:2. But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.
16:3. And in the morning: To day there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky: and can you not know the signs of the times?
16:4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.
16:5. And when his disciples were come over the water, they had forgotten to take bread.
16:6. Who said to them: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
16:7. But they thought within themselves, saying: Because we have taken no bread.
16:8. And Jesus knowing it, said: Why do you think within yourselves, O ye of little faith, for that you have no bread?
16:9. Do you not yet understand, neither do you remember the five loaves among five thousand men, and how many baskets you took up?
16:10. Nor the seven loaves, among four thousand men, and how many baskets you took up?
16:11. Why do you not understand that it was not concerning bread I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?
16:12. Then they understood that he said not that they should beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
16:13. And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?
16:14. But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
16:15. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
16:16. Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living G.o.d.
16:17. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
16:18. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of h.e.l.l shall not prevail against it.
Thou art Peter, etc... As St. Peter, by divine revelation, here made a solemn profession of his faith of the divinity of Christ; so in recompense of this faith and profession, our Lord here declares to him the dignity to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, St. John 1.
42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of the building of the church; in which building he should be, next to Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief pastor, ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of ecclesiastical power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven.