But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Read Chapter 10
Bede
AD 735
And because it is not sufficient to have left all, he adds that which makes up perfection, “and have followedthee.” As if he said, We have done what Thou hast commanded. What reward therefore wilt Thou give us?.
Some, however, taking occasion from this saying, in which it is announced that he shall receive an hundredfold nowin this time, teach that Jewish fable of a thousand years after the resurrection of the just, when all that we have left for the Lord’s sake is tobe restored with manifold usury, besides which we are to receive the crown of everlasting life. These persons do no perceive, that although the promise inother respects be honourable, yet in the hundred wives, which the other Evangelists mention, its foulness is made manifest: particularly when the Lord testifies that there shall be not marriage in the resurrection, and asserts that those things which are put away from us for His sake are to be received again in this life with persecutions, which, as they affirm, will not ...
Because the youth, on hearing the advice of our Saviour concerning the casting away of his goods, had gone away sorrowful, the disciples of Christ, who had already fulfilled the foregoing precept, began to question Him concerning their reward, thinking that they had done a great thing, since the young man, who had fulfilled the commandments of the law, had not been able to hear it without sadness. Wherefore Peter questions the Lord for himself and the others, in these words, “Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo,we have left all, and have followed thee.”
Hom. in Matt., 64: But it seems tome that by these words He intended covertly to proclaim that there were to be persecutions, as it would come to pass that many fathers would allure their sons to impiety, and many wives their husbands.
Cat. in Marc. Oxon.: Again He delays not to say, “for my name’s sake and the Gospel’s” and Mark says, or “forthe kingdom of God,” as Luke says; the name of Christ is the power of the Gospel, and of His kingdom; for the Gospel is received in the name of Jesus Christ, and the kingdom is made known, and comes by His name.
This hundredfold reward therefore must be in participation, not in possession, for the Lord fulfilled this to them not carnally, but spiritually.
Although Peter had left but few things, still he calls these his all; for even a few things keep us by the bond of affection, so that he shall be beatified who leaves a few things.
