And he said unto them,
How is it that you do not understand?
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
De Con. Evan., 2, 51: Now in Matthew we read that He entered into the parts of Magdala .But we cannot doubt that it is the same place under another name; for several manuscripts even of St. Mark have only Magdala.It goes on, “And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with Him, seeking of Him a sign from heaven, tempting Him.”.
Let no one, however, be perplexed that the answer which Mark says was given to them, when they sought asign from heaven, is not the same as that which Matthew relates, namely, that concerning Jonah. He says that the Lord’s answer was, that no sign should be given to it; by which we must understand such an one as they asked for, that is, one from heaven; but he has omitted to say, what Matthew has related.
When, as related above, He was about to refresh the believing multitude, He gave thanks, so now, on account of the foolish petition of the Pharisees, He groans; because, bearing about with Him the feelings of human nature, as He rejoices over the salvation of men, so He grieves over their errors. Wherefore it goes on, “And He groaned inspirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you, If a sign shall be given to this generation. "That is, no sign shall be given; as it is written in the Psalms, “I have sworn once by my holiness, if I shall fail David,” that is, I will not fail David.
For a sign from heaven was not to be given to a generation of men, who tempted the Lord; but to a generation of men seeking the Lord, He shows a sign from heaven, when in the sight of the Apostles He ascended into heaven. It goes on, “And He left them, and entering into a ship again, He departed to the other side.”.
Or, the leaven of the Pharisees is making the decrees of...
Can you hear the intense displeasure in his voice? For nowhere else does he appear to have rebuked them so strongly. Why now? In order to cast out their prejudices aboutclean foods. … For not everywhere is permissiveness a good thing. As he earlier had allowed them to speak freely, now he reproves them…. He even reminds them of the specific numbers of loaves and of persons fed, both to bring them to recall the past, and to make them more attentive to the future. Gospel of St. Matthew, Homily
Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc. Matthew says, “of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees;” Luke, however, of the Pharisees only. All three, therefore, name the Pharisees, as being the most important of them, but Matthew and Mark have each mentioned one of the secondary sects; and fitly has Mark added “of Herod,” as a supplement to Matthew's narrative, in which they were left out. But in saying this, He by degrees brings the disciples to understanding and faith.
After that our Lord had worked the miracle of the loaves, He immediately retires into another spot, lest on account of the miracle, the multitudes should take Him to make Him aking.Wherefore it is said, “And straightway He entered into a ship with His disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.”.
Or they seek for a sign from heaven, that is, they wish Him to make the sun and moon stand still, to bring down hail, and change the atmosphere; for they thought that He could not perform miracles from heaven, but could only in Beelzebub perform a sign onearth.
Now, the reason why the Lorddid not listen to them was, that the time of signs from heaven had not arrived, that is, the time of the second Advent, when the powers of the heaven shall be shaken, and the moon shall not give her light. But in the time of the first Advent, all things are full of mercy, and such things do not take place.
The Lord indeed quits the Pharisees, as men uncorrected; for where there is a hope of correction, ...
