1 In the fiftenthe yeer of the empire of Tiberie, the emperoure, whanne Pilat of Pounce gouernede Judee, and Eroude was prince of Galilee, and Filip, his brothir, was prince of Iturye, and of the cuntre of Tracon, and Lisanye was prince of Abilyn,
Clement of Alexandria · AD 215 And our Lord was born in the twenty-eighth year, when first the census was ordered to be taken in the reign of Augustus. And to prove that this is true, it is written in the Gospel by Luke as follows: "And in the fifteenth year, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias." And again in the same book: "And Jesus was coming to His bap…
Cyril of Alexandria · AD 444 The blessed Isaiah was not ignorant of the scope of John's preachings, but of old, even long before the time, bearing witness of it, he called Christ Lord and God: but John he styled His minister and servant, and said that he was a lamp advancing before the true light, the morning star heralding the sun, foreshowing the coming of the day that was about to shed its rays upon us:…
Ancient Greek Expositor · AD 1274 (Metaphrastes) For the emperor Augustus being dead, from whom the Roman sovereigns obtained the name of "Augustus," Tiberius being his successor in the monarchy, was now in the 15th year of his receiving the reins of government.
2 vndir the princis of prestis Annas and Caifas, the word of the Lord was maad on Joon, the sone of Zacarie, in desert.
Josephus · AD 100 But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus.
Bede · AD 735 During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the desert. Both indeed, at the beginning of John's prophecy, that is, Annas and Caiaphas were the chief priests; but Annas held the office for that year, while Caiaphas administered it in the year when the Lord ascended the cross, and indeed with three others in betwee…
Bonaventure · AD 1257 As for the division of the priesthood, there is added: Under the high priests Annas and Caiaphas, who, moved by ambition, as Bede says, were purchasing the high priesthood from the Romans.
3 And he cam in to al the cuntre of Jordan, and prechide baptym of penaunce in to remyssioun of synnes.
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 But he was the forerunner of Christ, "the voice of one crying in the desert," to a soul not at war; and not just then, but even now the first "burning and shining lamp" comes "preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins," then after him comes "the true light," about which the lamp says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." "And he went into all the region…
Cyril of Alexandria · AD 444 Moreover, the fruit of repentance is, in the highest degree, faith in Christ. Next to it is the evangelic mode of life, and in general terms the works of righteousness as opposed to sin, which the penitent must bring forth as fruits worthy of repentance.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 As for the ministry of humble obedience, it is added: And he came into the whole region of the Jordan. Whence Chrysostom says: "John came as the preparer and faithful herald of the great King." And then was fulfilled that passage of Malachi 3: "Behold, I send my Angel, and he will prepare your way." And he says pointedly: Into the whole region, to signify true obedience, which…
4 As it is wrytun in the book of the wordis of Isaye, the prophete, The voice of a crier in desert, Make ye redi the weie of the Lord, make ye hise pathis riyt.
Tertullian · AD 220 The law, indeed, had to be overthrown, from the moment when John "cried in the wilderness, Prepare ye the ways of the Lord," that valleys and hills and mountains may be filled up and levelled, and the crooked and the rough ways be made straight and smooth -in other words, that the difficulties of the law might be changed into the facilities of the gospel.
Prudentius · AD 410 As messenger of God, who was about to come, He faithfully observed this law, constructing well, That every hill might low become and tough ways plain, Lest when the truth should glide from heaven down to earth It then would find a barrier to its swift approach.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 As it is written etc. Here the authority of John is commended from the prophetic attestation, in which John preaching is shown to have the office of arousing, admonishing, and consoling.
5 Ech valey schal be fulfillid, and euery hil and litil hil schal be maad lowe; and schrewid thingis schulen ben in to dressid thingis, and scharp thingis in to pleyn weies;
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 For when Jesus had come and sent His Spirit, every valley was filled with good works, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which if thou hast, thou wilt not only cease to become a valley, but will begin also to be a mountain of God. Or you may understand the mountains and hills to be the hostile powers, which have been overthrown by the coming of Christ.
Gregory the Dialogist · AD 604 (ubi sup.) But the crooked places are become straight, when the hearts of the wicked, perverted by a course of injustice, are directed to the rule of justice. But the rough ways are changed to smooth, when fierce and savage dispositions by the influence of Divine grace return to gentleness and meckness.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 It is also shown thirdly to have the office of consoling through promise, when it is added: Every valley etc.; in which he foretells the effect of Christ's coming with respect to the humble just, with respect to sinners, and with respect to all.
6 and euery fleisch schal se the heelthe of God.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 The expression of Scripture, "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God," may without difficulty be understood as if it were said, "And every man shall see the Christ of God." And He certainly was seen in the body, and shall be seen in the body when He judges quick and dead.
Bede · AD 735 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Because "all flesh" is understood as every human being, but not every human being could see Christ, the salvation of God, in this life. So where does the prophet direct the prophetic eye in this sentence if not toward the day of the final judgment?
Bonaventure · AD 1257 He will illuminate all who approach: on account of which he adds: And all flesh shall see the salvation of God, that is, from every kind of flesh, as the distribution gives for the classes of individuals, according to that of the Psalm: "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." In Isaiah forty, after the aforementioned words, it is added: "And all flesh to…
7 Therfor he seid to the puple, which wente out to be baptisid of hym, Kyndlyngis of eddris, who schewide to you to fle fro the wraththe to comynge?
Clement of Alexandria · AD 215 Denunciation is vehement speech. And He employs denunciation as medicine, by Isaiah, saying, "Ah, sinful nation, lawless sons, people full of sins, wicked seed!" And in the Gospel by John He says, "Serpents, brood of vipers."
Cyril of Alexandria · AD 444 WE affirm therefore that the blessed Baptist, as being full of the Holy Ghost, was not ignorant of the daring acts that Jewish wickedness would venture against Christ.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 He said therefore to the crowds etc. Here the preaching of John is commended for the severity of his zeal. And because piety ought to be joined to severity, therefore first a rebuke is set forth; second, an exhortation is added, at the words: Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance; third, a threat is subjoined, at the words: For now the axe is laid to the root etc.
8 Therfor do ye worthi fruytis of penaunce, and bigynne ye not to seie, We han a fadir Abraham; for Y seie to you, that God is myyti to reise of these stoonys the sones of Abraham.
Irenaeus · AD 202 If, then, God promised him the inheritance of the land, yet he did not receive it during all the time of his sojourn there, it must be, that together with his seed, that is, those who fear God and believe in Him, he shall receive it at the resurrection of the just.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 In a word, therefore, let us all listen, and seriously reflect what great merit there is in having fed Christ when he was hungry—and what sort of a crime it is to have ignored Christ when he was hungry. Repentance for our sins does indeed change us for the better. But even repentance will not appear to be of much use to us if works of mercy do not accompany it.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance, etc. Here is set forth an exhortation concerning two things, namely concerning the humility of satisfaction and concerning caution against presumption.
9 And now an axe is sett to the roote of the tree; and therfor euery tre that makith no good fruyt, schal be kit doun, and schal be cast in to the fier.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 All things, therefore, he says, when unbegotten, are in us potentially, not actually, as the grammatical or geometrical (art).
Philoxenus of Mabbug · AD 523 And He shall come of Whom it is said, "He holdeth His fan in His hand and He will purify His threshing-floors; and He will gather His wheat into the garner, but the straw He will burn up with unquenchable fire." And the Husbandman who planted in the world the tree of our mankind will shew Himself to be the Judge, and He will hold in His hand the axe for cutting down, and every…
Bonaventure · AD 1257 For now the axe is laid to the root of the tree. Here thirdly is added a threat, which is twofold, namely concerning the present and concerning the future. — As to the threat concerning the present it is said: For now the axe is laid to the root of the tree.
10 And the puple axide hym, and seiden, What thanne schulen we do?
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 Three classes of men are introduced as enquiring of John concerning their salvation, one which the Scripture calls the multitude, another to which it gives the name of Publicans, and a third which is noticed by the appellation of soldiers.
Gregory the Dialogist · AD 604 From these words of John the Baptist it is clear that the hearts of the hearers were disturbed, since it is immediately added: "And the crowds asked him, saying: 'What then shall we do?'" For they had been struck with terror who were seeking counsel.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 And the crowds asked him etc. After the Evangelist commended the preaching of the precursor in general, here he commends it in particular according to the instruction with respect to special persons of the people.
11 He answeride, and seide to hem, He that hath twei cootis, yyue to hym that hath noon; and he that hath metis, do in lijk maner.
Irenaeus · AD 202 And therefore has the Lord said: "Judge not, that ye be not judged: for with what judgment ye shall judge, ye shall be judged." [The meaning is] not certainly that we should not find fault with sinners, nor that we should consent to those who act wickedly; but that we should not pronounce an unfair judgment on the dispensations of God, inasmuch as He has Himself made provision…
Ambrose of Milan · AD 397 For other commands of duty have reference only to individuals, mercy has a common application. It is therefore a common commandment to all, to contribute to him that has not.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 And because they put forward a humble question, therefore they hear a useful response, when it is added: He who has two tunics, let him give one to him who has none.
12 And pupplicans camen to be baptisid; and thei seiden to hym, Maister, what schulen we do?
Tertullian · AD 220 But how will a Christian man war, nay, how will he serve even in peace, without a sword, which the Lord has taken away? For albeit soldiers had come unto John, and had received the formula of their rule; albeit, likewise, a centurion had believed; still the Lord afterward, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier.
Bede · AD 735 Then publicans also came to be baptized and said to him: Master, what shall we do? And he said to them: Do nothing more than what is appointed to you. The great power that the word of the blessed Baptist had and how much it stirred the minds of the hearers is proven here, as it compelled even the publicans and soldiers to seek counsel for their salvation.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 Secondly, to the publicans seeking instruction, he gives a lesson about keeping the laws, when it is added: And the publicans also came to him, to be baptized. "Publicans were those who collected public taxes, or who were contractors of the revenues of the treasury, or of public affairs," or who received the royal taxes in a lump sum.
13 And he seide to hem, Do ye no thing more, than that that is ordeyned to you.
Apostolic Constitutions · AD 380 For I Matthew, one of those twelve which speak to you in this doctrine, am an apostle, having myself been formerly a publican, but now have obtained mercy through believing, and have repented of my former practices, and have been vouchsafed the honour to be an apostle and preacher of the word.
Bede · AD 735 He commands them therefore that they exact no more than what was presented to them, as it follows, And he said unto them, Do no more than what is appointed to you. But they are called publicans who collect the public taxes, or who are the farmers of the public revenue or public property?
Bonaventure · AD 1257 And because they ask with discernment, therefore they are fruitfully instructed, when it is added: And he said to them: Do nothing more than what has been appointed for you — appointed, I say, according to divine law: Deuteronomy four: "You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you diminish from it: keep the commandments of your God." Thus the Lord answer…
14 And knyytis axiden hym, and seiden, What schulen also we do? And he seide to hem, Smyte ye wrongfuli no man, nethir make ye fals chalenge, and be ye apayed with youre sowdis.
Hippolytus of Rome · AD 235 Then shall the holy angels run on their commission to gather together all the nations, whom that terrible voice of the trumpet shall awake out of sleep.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 (cont. Faust. lib. xxii c. 74.) For he knew that soldiers, when they use their arms, are not homicides, but the ministers of the law; not the avengers of their own injuries, but the defenders of the public safety. Otherwise he might have answered, "Put away your arms, abandon warfare, strike no one, wound no one, destroy no one." For what is it that is blamed in war?
Bonaventure · AD 1257 Third, to the soldiers who were inquiring, he gives instruction about avoiding plunder, as is added: And the soldiers also asked him, saying: What shall we also do? And rightly so, according to the counsel of Tobit chapter four: "Always seek counsel from a wise person." And in this a great power appears in John's preaching, that he draws to himself men who seem most worldly.
15 Whanne al the puple gesside, and alle men thouyten in her hertis of Joon, lest perauenture he were Crist,
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 It was meet that more deference should be paid to John than to other men, for he lived such as no other man. Wherefore indeed most rightly did they regard him with affection, only they kept not within due bounds; hence it is said, But while the people were expecting whether he were the Christ. But love is dangerous when it is uncontrolled.
Gregory the Dialogist · AD 604 The people, seeing that John the Baptist himself was endowed with wonderful holiness, believed him to be that singularly lofty and solid mountain of which it is written: "In the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of the mountains." For they thought he was Christ, as it is said through the Gospel: "And as the people were in expectation,…
Ancient Greek Expositor · AD 1274 (Metaphrastes.) And hence John gloried not in the estimation in which all held him, nor in any way seemed to desire the deference of others, but embraced the lowest humility. Hence it follows, John answered.
16 Joon answeride, and seide to alle men, Y baptize you in watir; but a stronger than Y schal come aftir me, of whom Y am not worthi to vnbynde the lace of his schoon; he schal baptize you in the Hooli Goost and fier.
Clement of Alexandria · AD 215 As a witness for simplicity in shoes let John suffice, who avowed that "he was not worthy to unloose the latchet of the Lord's shoes." For he who exhibited to the Hebrews the type of the true philosophy wore no elaborate shoes.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 (de Cons. Evang. lib. ii. 12.) Matthew says, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. If therefore it is worth while to understand any difference in these expressions, we can only suppose that John said one at one time, another at another, or both together, To bear his shoes, and to loose the latchet of his shoes, so that though one Evangelist may have related this, the others that…
Bonaventure · AD 1257 Regarding the confession of truth in John, it is added: John answered, saying to all, that is, publicly, because all were in error: I indeed baptize you with water, and "only, as Ambrose says, I immerse bodies"; and therefore I am not the savior of souls, whom you think me to be.
17 Whos `wynewyng tool in his hond, and he schal purge his floor of corn, and schal gadere the whete in to his berne; but the chaffis he schal brenne with fier vnquenchable.
Irenaeus · AD 202 ...all the prophets announced His two advents: the one, indeed, in which He became a man subject to stripes, and knowing what it is to bear infirmity, and sat upon the foal of an ass, and was a stone rejected by the builders, and was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and by the stretching forth of His hands destroyed Amalek; while He gathered from the ends of the earth into His…
Philoxenus of Mabbug · AD 523 And since the building itself is fixed in the ground every man can build and raise upon it whatsoever he pleaseth, until the day which shall decide is revealed, and He shall come of Whom it is said, "He holdeth His fan in His hand and He will purify His threshing-floors; and He will gather His wheat into the garner, but the straw He will burn up with unquenchable fire." And the…
Ancient Greek Expositor · AD 1274 (ubi sup.) By these words then, He shall baptize with the Holy Spirit, He signifies the abundance of His grace, the plenteousness of His mercy; but lest any should suppose that while to bestow abundantly is both in the power and will of the Creator, He will have no occasion to punish the disobedient, he adds, whose fan is in his hand, showing that He is not only the rewarder of…
18 And many othere thingis also he spak, and prechide to the puple. But Eroude tetrark, whanne he was blamed of Joon for Erodias,
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 The one teaching the word of the Gospel does not evangelize one thing but many, for the proclamation has a mind that "many" things are evangelized. "Many other things" John also evangelized, but it is not written, because, since it was likely something greater than the writing, Luke remained silent.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Good teaching is truly consolation and is rightly called the Gospel.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 Exhorting many other things indeed, he preached the good news, etc. Above he commended the preaching of John in comparison to the need of the people and the excellence of Christ; in this part he commends it in comparison to the perfidy of the tyrant, in which patience is praised, because, Proverbs nineteen, "the learning of a man is known through his patience." In this part, th…
19 the wijf of his brother, and for alle the yuelis that Eroude dide,
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 But we marvel at John, because among them that are born of women there was not a greater than he, for by his good deeds he had been exalted to so high a fame for virtue, that by many he was supposed to be Christ. But what is much more marvellous he feared not Herod, nor dreaded death, as it follows, But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him.
Bede · AD 735 However, Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother, and concerning all the evil deeds which Herod had done, added this above all, and shut John up in prison. These matters are more fully recounted by Matthew and Mark, who narrate that John, by the schemes of Herodias, was not only bound but also beheaded.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 As regards the rebuke of the transgressing ruler, it is added: But Herod the tetrarch, about whom it was treated above in the same chapter, when he was rebuked by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother: Matthew fourteen: "John said to Herod: It is not lawful for you to have her." And concerning all the evils which Herod had done.
20 encreside this ouer alle, and schitte Joon in prisoun.
Origen of Alexandria · AD 253 Notice that even while in prison he is teaching. For he also had his disciples in that place. Why did they stay there, unless John exercised the office of teacher even in prison and taught them with divine words? In the course of these words, a question about Jesus arose.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 As regards the endurance of the persecuting adversary, it is added concerning Herod: He added this also above all and shut John up in prison.
Glossa Ordinaria · AD 1274 (ordin.) For before that Luke relates any of the acts of Jesus, he says that John was taken by Herod, to show that he alone was in an especial manner going to describe those of our Lord's acts, which were performed since the year in which John was taken or put to death.
21 And it was don, whanne al the puple was baptised, and whanne Jhesu was baptised, and preiede, heuene was openyd.
Tertullian · AD 220 In fact, they say that Jesus Christ descended, that is, that the dove came down on Jesus; and, since the dove is styled by the Greek name peristera/-(peristera), it has in itself this number DCCCI.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 But it is most strange that He should receive the Spirit when He was thirty years old. But as without sin He came to baptism, so not without the Holy Spirit. For if it was written of John, He shall be filled with the Spirit from his mother's womb, (Luke 1:15.) what must we believe of the man Christ, the very conception of whose flesh was not carnal but spiritual.
Glossa Ordinaria · AD 1274 (ordin.) For before that Luke relates any of the acts of Jesus, he says that John was taken by Herod, to show that he alone was in an especial manner going to describe those of our Lord's acts, which were performed since the year in which John was taken or put to death.
22 And the Hooli Goost cam doun in bodili licnesse, as a dowue on hym; and a vois was maad fro heuene, Thou art my derworth sone, in thee it hath plesid to me.
Clement of Alexandria · AD 215 God here assumed the "likeness" not of a man, but "of a dove," because He wished, by a new apparition of the Spirit in the likeness of a dove, to declare His simplicity and majesty.
Bede · AD 735 And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased. Rightly John is second to none among those born of women, to whom Christ showed himself to be baptized, the invisible Spirit appeared to be seen, and the Father commended his Son from heaven.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 Again, to designate the person of the Holy Spirit, it is added: The Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon him; John 1: "Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending and remaining, he it is who baptizes." — Now he descended in the form of a dove by reason of signification, because, as Chrysostom says, "this bird above all others is the greatest cultivator of cha…
23 And Jhesu hym silf was bigynninge as of thritti yeer, that he was gessid the sone of Joseph, which was of Heli,
Irenaeus · AD 202 They, however, that they may establish their false opinion regarding that which is written, "to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord," maintain that He preached for one year only, and then suffered in the twelfth month.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 (ubi sup. c. 4.) Matthew indeed wished to set forth God descending to our mortality; accordingly at the beginning of the Gospel he recounted the generations from Abraham to the birth of Christ in a descending scale.
Pseudo-Augustine · AD 1274 (Aug. Quæst. Nov. ac Vet. Test. 56.) Or in another way; Matthew descends from David through Salomon to Joseph: but Luke beginning from Eli, who was in the line of our Saviour, ascends through the line of Nathan the son of David, and joins the tribes of Eli and Joseph, showing that they are both of the same family, and thereby that the Saviour was not only the Son of Joseph, but…
24 which was of Mathath, which was of Leuy, which was of Melchi, that was of Jamne,
25 that was of Joseph, that was of Matatie, that was of Amos, that was of Naum, that was of Hely, that was of Nagge,
26 that was of Mathath, that was of Matatie, that was of Semei, that was of Joseph, that was of Juda, that was of Johanna,
27 that was of Resa, that was of Zorobabel, that was of Salatiel,
28 that was of Neri, that was of Melchi, that was of Addi, that was of Cosan, that was of Elmadan, that was of Her,
29 that was of Jhesu, that was of Eleasar, that was of Jorum, that was of Matath,
30 that was of Leuy, that was of Symeon, that was of Juda, that was of Joseph, that was of Jona, that was of Eliachym,
31 that was of Melca, that was of Menna, that of Mathatha, that was of Nathan,
Gregory of Nazianzus · AD 390 (Carm. 18.) But some say that there is one succession from David to Joseph, which each Evangelist relates under different names. But this is absurd, since at the beginning of this genealogy, two brothers come in Nathan and Salomon, from whom the lines are carried in different ways.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 (Retract. i. c. 26.) But it must be confessed that a prophet of this same name reproves David, that he might be thought to be the same man, whereas he was different.
Glossa Ordinaria · AD 1274 (ubi sup.) David is interpreted, "with a mighty arm, strong in fight." Obith, i. e. "slavery." Booz, i. e. "strong." Salmon, i. e. "capable of feeling, or peace-making." Naasson, i. e. "augury, or belonging to serpents." Aminadab, "the people being willing." Aram, i. e. "upright, or lofty." Esrom, i. e. "an arrow." Phares, i. e. "division." Judah, i. e.
32 that was of Dauid, that was of Jesse, that was of Obeth, that was of Boz, that was of Salmon, that was of Nason,
Bede · AD 735 Who was (he says) Mathan, who was David, who was Jesse. This number which Luke follows certainly indicates the abolition of sins, about which you will see in its place.
33 that was of Amynadab, that was of Aram, that was of Esrom, that was of Fares,
34 that was of Judas, that was of Jacob, that was of Isaac, that was of Abraham, that was of Tare, that was of Nachor,
Glossa Ordinaria · AD 1274 (ubi sup.) Which is interpreted, "finding out," or "wickedness." Nachor, i. e. "the light rested." Sarug, i. e. "correction," or "holding the reins," or "perfection." Ragan, i. e. "sick," or "feeding." Phares, i. e. "dividing," or "divided." Heber, i. e. "passing over." Sala, i. e. "taking away." Canaan, i. e. "lamentation," or "their possession."
35 that was of Seruth, that was of Ragau, that was of Faleth, that was of Heber,
36 that was of Sale, that was of Chaynan, that was of Arfaxath, that was of Sem, that was of Noe, that was of Lameth,
Bede · AD 735 Who was Sela, who was Cainan, who was Arphaxad. The name and generation of Cainan, according to Hebrew truth, is found neither in Genesis nor in the Words of the Days; but it is claimed that Arphaxad begat Sela or Sale as a son without any intermediary; for it is written: Now Arphaxad lived thirty years and begot Sale (Gen. XI).
Glossa Ordinaria · AD 1274 (ubi sup.) i. e. "humility, or striking, or struck, or humble." Who was the son of Mathusalem, i. e. "the sending forth of death," or "he died," also "he asked."
37 that was of Matussale, that was of Enok, that was of Jareth, that was of Malaliel, that was of Cainan, that was of Enos,
Bede · AD 735 But rightly rising up from the baptized Son of God to God the Father, he places Enoch in the seventy-seventh step, who, having put off death, was translated unto Paradise, that he might signify that those, who by the grace of adoption of sons are born again of water and the Holy Spirit, are in the mean time (after the dissolution of the body) to be received into eternal rest, f…
Glossa Ordinaria · AD 1274 Enoch is interpreted "dedication." Jared, i. e. descending or "holding together." Malaleleel, i. e. "the praised of God," or" praising God." Cainan, as above. Enos, i. e. "man," or "despairing," or "violent." Seth, i. e.
38 that was of Seth, that was of Adam, that was of God.
Ambrose of Milan · AD 397 What could better agree than that the holy generation should commence from the Son of God, and be carried up even to the Son of God; and that he who was created should precede in a figure, in order that he who was born might follow in substance, so that he who was made after the image of God might go before, for whose sake the image of God was to descend.
Bede · AD 735 Who was Seth, who was Adam, who was of God. Because no iniquity of Christ, who had none, is of course joined with the iniquities of men, which he took upon himself in his flesh; therefore, the number according to Matthew, except for Christ, is forty.