Let us understand that the coin of God’s is us on whom the charity of the divine image is engraved.
Roman Rite
XXIX Sunday of Ordinary Time – October 22, 2017
Is 45.1.4-6; Ps 96; 1Thes 1.1-5; Mt 22: 15-21
Ambrosian Rite
Acts 10, 34-48a; Ps 96; 1Cor 1.17b-24; Lk 24, 44-49a
First Sunday after the Dedication – ‘The Missionary Mandate’
1) The taxes to the State, man to God.
The subject of this Sunday’s Gospel is the debate between Jesus, the Pharisees and the Herodians who want to trap him with a question about the tribute to be paid to the Romans. Under the appearance of fidelity to the law of God or to the Roman emperor, they seek reasons to accuse him. If, to the question «Is it lawful or not to pay the tribute to Caesar?” Jesus replies «You must pay,» they could, along with the people, accuse him of being a friend of the Romans. If the Messiah gives the answer «You do not have to pay,» they could report him to the Roman authorities accusing him of being a revolutionary. In short, the Pharisees want to put him in a situation they think is without exit. Instead, Christ finds a way out answering to the question regarding the tribute to Caesar with a striking political realism. The tax is paid to the emperor because the image on the coin is his, but every human being carries in himself the image of God and, therefore, belongs to Him, and to Him alone. It is to Him that everyone must «pay» the tribute because he or she owes it to God for his or her own existence.
In his answer «Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s», Christ does not remain only on the political level but clearly states that what matters most is the Kingdom of God. The words of Christ illuminate the line of the Christian’s conduct in the world. Faith does not require his detachment from temporal realities but becomes an incentive to be committed with laborious generosity to transform them from within, contributing to the establishment of the Kingdom of heaven.
If the first consideration that comes from today’s Gospel is that the Messiah does not oppose the State to God but affirms the duty to contribute to the common good also paying taxes, the second thought that comes to mind is that the sentence «Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what belongs to God» does not oppose Caesar to God ( man or God) neither juxtaposes Cesare to God (man and God), but it is as if to say «Give man what is his so that he may feel and live the joy of giving God what is God’s».
Referring to the image of Caesar imprinted on the coin, of which the Pharisees and the Herodians speak, Jesus reminds them and us that we are created in the image and likeness of God. If their tribute belongs to Caesar, their lives belong to God. Jesus starts from the duty to return the money to Caesar, whose image is imprinted on the coin, to get to the obligation of restoring man to God, whose image is «imprinted» in the human nature. It is fair to give back to Caesar the money with his image; it is right and proper to give back to God the man made in His image.
By proposing these reflections, I put myself on the path of the Church Fathers, one of whom wrote «The image of God is not imprinted on gold, but on mankind. Caesar’s coin is gold, that of God is humanity … Therefore, give your material riches to Caesar, but keep for God the unique innocence of your conscience, where God is contemplated … Caesar, in fact, demanded his image on every coin, but God chose the man he created to reflect his glory «(Anonymous, incomplete work on Matthew, Homily 42). St. Augustine has repeatedly used this reference in his homilies «If Caesar claims his image imprinted on the coin, would not God ask man for the divine image sculpted in him?» (Ennarrationes in Psalmos, Psalm 94, 2). And again «As the money is given back to Caesar, so the soul, enlightened and impressed by the light of his face, is given back to God… Christ in fact dwells in the inner man» (Ibidem, Psalm 4, 8). Man cannot be reduced only to materiality and spirituality is the prevailing dimension of every existence.
2) Returning man to God.
Commanding to pay the tribute to Caesar, Jesus Christ recognizes the civil power and his rights, but equally clearly recalls that God’s superior rights must be respected (cf. Dignitatis humanae, 8). Saying, «Give to God what is of God,» the Messiah clearly teaches that the most important thing is the Kingdom of God.
Thus, on the one hand, in the light of the Gospel that tells of this diatribe on the tribute to Caesar (see Mk 12, 13-17, Mt 22, 15-22, Lk 20, 20-26), the Christians recognize and respect the distinction and the autonomy of the state, considering it a great progress for humanity and a fundamental condition for the freedom of the Church and the fulfillment of its universal mission of salvation among all peoples. On the other hand, the believers in Christ take seriously the command of giving back to God what is God’s, namely all things, «because of the Lord is the earth and all that it contains» (1 Cor. 10:26). Let us return to God our loved ones, our neighbor, and all men honoring them in taking care of them as a precious treasure. Every woman and every man are golden talents offered to us for our good. They are, in the world, the real gold coins that carry engraved in them the image and the inscription of God.
A peculiar way of returning everything to God is the one of consecrated virgins who, thanks their consecration, are «human space inhabited by the Trinity» (VC 41). They testify how the total gift of self to this Love urges them «to take care of the divine image deformed in the faces of the brothers and sisters «(VC 75d) and thus reveal the Mystery of a God who is at the service of man.
The lives of these women are based on at least three pillars.
The first pillar is the «Consecration» itself, which is determined by the initiative of the free love of God who calls and by the faith in Him as a response to this call. Consecration is life centered on God, in total abandonment and loving confidence, life of gratuity and gratitude and of the special manifestation of the Mystery of God in a simple and humble person.
The second pillar is love for the brothers and the sisters from all over the world. The consecrated woman is called to share Love because the gift received is a gift to be given and shared in gratitude and love to God who first loved her. The gift made to her by God does not exclude others, but through her it is destined to circulate first and foremost among all those with whom she lives and works, and then to reach the whole world.
The third pillar, or rather, the goal of Consecrated Life is a mission to be done for the men and the women who live in this world of God «Go into all the world» (Mk 16:15). The Christian’s mission to go, enclosed in the heart of the Gospel and solemnly resonating on Pentecost, has a secret that is guarded as a precious pearl in the Gospel: Remain in my love. To go and to remain: these are the two evangelical coordinates in which the consecrated virgin moves, and from which she daily draws his lifeblood. This «going all over the world» is the continuation of self-giving to others, lived within the Churches. Then, from within the community, it extends to all the other human beings. In this gesture of donation, the others are also perceived as a gift of God for us. With them we must live and share the gifts we have received from the Lord. In this journey in the world, the fundamental commitments are the praise to God, the testimony of Jesus on a personal and community level, and the explicit announcement of His name to the nations by living a true missionary dimension and returning the world to God.
Patristic reading
Saint John Chrysostome (344/354 – 407)
Homily LXX. Matthew Chapter 22, Verse 15
“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk.”
Then. When? When most of all they ought to have been moved to compunction, when they should have been amazed at His love to man, when they should have feared the things to come, when from the past they ought to have believed touching the future also. For indeed the things that had been said cried aloud in actual fulfillment I mean, that publicans and harlots believed, and prophets and righteous men were slain, and from these things they ought not to have gainsaid touching their own destruction, but even to believe and to be sobered.
But nevertheless not even so do their wicked acts cease, but travail and proceed further. And forasmuch as they could not lay hands. on Him (for they feared the multitude), they took another way with the intention of bringing Him into danger, and making Him guilty of crimes against the state.
For “they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto C’sar or not?1
For they were now tributaries, their state having passed under the rule of the Romans. Forasmuch then as they saw that Theudas and Judas2 with their companies for this cause were put to death, as having prepared for a revolt, they were minded to bring Him too by these words into such a suspicion. Therefore they sent both their own disciples, and Herod’s soldiers, digging, as they thought, a precipice on either side, and in every direction setting the snare, so that, whatever He should say, they might lay hold of it; and if He should answer in favor of the Herodians, themselves might find fault with Him, but if in their favor, the others should accuse Him. And yet He had given the didrachmas, 3 but they knew not that.
And in either way indeed they expected to lay hold of Him; but they desired rather that He should say something against the Herodians. Wherefore they send their disciples also to urge. Him thereto by their presence, that they might deliver Him to the governor as a usurper. For this Luke also intimates and shows, by saying, that they asked also in the presence of the multitude, so that the testimony should be the stronger.
But the result was altogether opposite; for in a larger body of spectators they afforded the demonstration of their folly.
And see their flattery, and their hidden craft. “We know,” their words are, “that Thou art true.” How said ye then, “He is a deceiver,” and “deceiveth the people,” and “hath a devil,” and “is not of God?”4 how a little while before did ye devise to slay Him?
But they are at everything, whatsoever their craft against Him may suggest. For since, when a little before they had said in self will, “By what authority doest Thou these things?”5 they did not meet with an answer to the question, they look to puff Him up by their flattery, and to persuade Him to say something against the established laws, and opposed to the prevailing government.
Wherefore also they testify the truth unto Him, confessing what was really so, nevertheless, not with an upright mind, nor willingly; and add thereto, saying, “Thou carest not for any man.” See how plainly they are desiring to urge Him to these sayings, that would make Him both offend Herod, and incur the suspicion of being an usurper, as standing up against the laws, so that they might punish Him, as a mover of sedition, and an usurper. For in saying, “Thou carest not for any man,” and, “Thou regardest not the person of man,” they were hinting at Herod and Caesar, “Tell us therefore, what thinkest Thou?” Now ye honor Him, and esteem Him a Teacher, having despised and insulted Him oftentimes, when He was discoursing of the things that concern your salvation. Whence also they are become confederates.
And see their craftiness. They say not, Tell us what is good, what is expedient, what is lawful? But, “What thinkest Thou?” So much did they look to this one object, to betray Him, and to set Him at enmity with the rulers. And Mark declaring this, and more plainly discovering their self-will, and their murderous disposition, affirms them to have said, “Shall we give C’sar tribute, or shall we not give?”6 So that they were breathing anger, and travailing with a plot against Him, yet they feigned respect.
What then saith He? “Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?” Seest thou how He talks with them with more than usual severity? For since their wickedness was now complete and manifest, He cuts the deeper, first confounding and silencing them, by publishing their secret thoughts, and making it manifest to all with what kind of intent they are coming unto Him.
And these things He did, repulsing their wickedness, so that they might not suffer hurt in attempting the same things again. And yet their words were full of much respect, for they both called Him Master, and bore witness to His truth, and that He was no respecter of persons; but being God, He was deceived by none of these things. Wherefore they also ought to have conjectured, that the rebuke was not the result of conjecture, but a sign of His knowing their secret thoughts.
2. He stopped not, however, at the rebuke, although it was enough merely to have convicted them of their purpose, and to have put them to shame for their wickedness; but He stoppeth not at this, but in another way closes their mouths; for, “Shew me,” saith He, “the tribute money.” And when they had shown it, as He ever doth, by their tongue He brings out the decision, and causes them to decide, that it is lawful; which was a clear and plain victory. So that. when He asks, not from ignorance doth He ask, but because it is His will to cause them to be bound by their own answers. For when, on being asked, “Whose is the image?” they said, “C’sar’s;” He saith, “Render unto C’sar the things that are C’sar’s.”7 For this is not to give but to render, and this He shows both by the image, and by the superscription.
Then that they might not say, Thou art subjecting us to men, He added, “And unto God the things that are God’s.” For it is possible both to fulfill to men their claims and to give unto God the things that are due to God from us. Wherefore Paul also saith, “Render unto all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear.”8
But thou, when thou hearest, “Render unto C’sar the things which are Ct, “Ren’sar’s” know that He is speaking only of those things, which are no detriment to godliness; since if it be any such thing as this, such a thing is no longer C’sar’s tribute, but the devil’s.
When they heard these things, their mouths were stopped, and they “marveled” at His wisdom. Ought they not then to have believed, ought they not to have been amazed. For indeed, He gave them proof of His Godhead, by revealing the secrets of their hearts, and with gentleness did He silence them.
What then? Did they believe? By no means, but they “left Him, and went their way;” and after them, “came to Him the Sadducees.”
O folly! When the others had been put to silence, these made the attack, when they ought to have been the more backward. But such is the nature of rashness, shameless, and importunate, and attempting things impossible. Therefore the evangelist also, amazed at their folly, signified this very thing, by saying, “On that day came to Him.”9 On that day. On what day? In which He had convicted their craftiness, and put them to shame. But who are these? A sect of the Jews different from the Pharisees, and much worse than they, who said, “that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit.10 For these were some of a grosset sort, and eager after the things of the body. For there were many sects even amongst the Jews. Wherefore Paul also saith, “I am a Pharisee, of the strictest sec
t amongst us.”11
And they say nothing indeed directly about a resurrection; but they feign a story, and make up a case, which, as I suppose, never so much as had an existence; thinking to drive Him to perplexity, and desiring to overthrow both things, both the existence of a resurrection, and of such a resurrection.
And again, these too attack Him with a show of moderation, saying, “Master, Moses said, If a man die, not having children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased; and, having no issue, 12 left his wife unto his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven?”13
See Him answering these like a teacher. For though out of craft they came unto Him, yet was their question rather one of ignorance. Therefore neither doth He say unto them, “Ye hypocrites.”
Moreover, in order that He might not blame, saying, “Wherefore had seven one wife?” they add the authority of Moses; although, as I have said before, it was a fiction, in my judgment at least. For the third would not have taken her, when he saw the two bridegrooms dead; or if the third, yet not the fourth or the fifth; and if even these, much more the sixth or the seventh would not have come unto the woman, but have shrunk from her. For such is the nature of the Jews. For if now many have this feeling, much more then had they; when at least, even without this, they often avoided marrying in this way, and that when the law was constraining them. Thus, at any rate, Ruth, that Moabitish woman, was thrust off to him that was further off from her kindred; and Tamar too was thus compelled to obtain, by stealth, seed from her husband’s kinsman.
And wherefore did they not feign two or three, but seven? In order the more abundantly to bring derision, as they thought, upon the resurrection. Wherefore they further say, “they all had her,” as driving Him into some difficulty.
What then saith Christ? He replies unto both, as taking His stand not against the words, but the purpose, and on every occasion revealing the secrets of their hearts; and at one time exposing them, at another time leaving the refutation of them that question Him to their conscience. See, at any rate here, how He proves both points, as well that there will be a resurrection, as that it will not be such a resurrection as they suspect.
For what saith He? “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.”14 For since, as if they knew them, they put forward Moses and the law, He shows that this question is that of men very ignorant of the Scriptures. For hence also arose their tempting Him, from their being ignorant of the Scriptures, and from their not knowing the power of God as they ought.
“For what marvel then is it,” He saith, “if ye tempt me, who am as yet unknown to you, when at least ye know not so much as the power of God, of which ye have had so much experience, and neither from common sense nor from the Scriptures have become acquainted with it;” if indeed even common sense causes us to know this, that to God all things are possible. And in the first place He answers to the question asked. For since this was the cause for their not believing a resurrection, that they think the order of things is like this, He cures the cause, then the symptom also (for thence arose the disease too), and shows the manner of the resurrection. “For in the resurrection,” saith He, “they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels of God in Heaven.”15 But Luke saith, “As Sons of God.”16
If then they marry not, the question is vain. But not because they do not marry, therefore are they angels, but because they are as angels, therefore they do not marry. By this He removed many other difficulties also, all which things Paul intimated by one word, saying, “For the fashion of this world passeth away.”17
And by these words He declared how great a thing the resurrection is; and that moreover there is a resurrection, He proves. And indeed this too was demonstrated at the same time by what He had said, nevertheless over and above He adds again to His word by what He saith now. For neither at their question only did He stop, but at their thought. Thus when they are not dealing with great craft, but are asking in ignorance, He teaches even over and above, but when it is of wickedness only, not even to their question doth He answer.
And again by Moses doth He stop their mouths, since they too had brought forward Moses; and He saith, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”18 Not of them that are not His meaning is, and that are utterly blotted out, and are to rise no more. For He said not, I was, but, I am; of them that are, and them that live. For like as Adam, although he lived on the day that he ate of the tree, died in the sentence: even so also these, although they had died, lived in the promise of the resurrection.
How then doth He say elsewhere, “That He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living?”19 But this is not contrary to that. For here He speaks of the dead, who are also themselves to live. And moreover too, “I am the God of Abraham,” is another thing from, “That He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” He knew of another death too, concerning which He saith, “Let the dead bury their dead.”20
“And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.”21 Yet not even here the Sadducees; but these go away defeated, while the impartial multitude reap the benefit.
Since then the resurrection is like this, come let us do all things, that we may obtain the first honors there. But, if ye will, let us show you some even before the resurrection here pursuing and reaping these blessings, again having made our resort to the deserts. For again will I enter upon the same discourse, since I see you listening with more pleasure.
Let us behold then to-day also the spiritual camps, let us behold their pleasure unalloyed with fear. For not with spears are they encamped like the soldiers, for at this point I lately ended my discourse, neither with shields and breastplates; but bare of all these wilt thou see them, yet achieving such things, as not even with arms do they.
And if thou art able to observe, come and stretch forth thy hand to me, and let us go unto this war, both of us, and let us see their battle array. For these too fight every day, and slay their adversaries, and conquer all the lusts that are plotting against us; and thou wilt see these cast out on the ground, and not able so much as to struggle, but proving by very deed that saying of the apostle, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”22
Seest thou a multitude of dead lying there, slain by the sword of the Spirit? Therefore in that place is no drunkenness nor gluttony. And their table proves it, and the trophy that is set thereon. For drunkenness and gluttony lie dead, put to the rout by the drinking of water, though this be multiform, and a many-headed monster. For like as in the fabled Scylla and Hydra, so in drunkenness may one see many heads, on one side fornication growing up, on another wrath; on one hand sloth, on another lawless lusts; but all these things are taken away. And yet all those other armies, though they get the better in ten thousand wars, are taken captive by these; and neither arms, nor spears, nor whatever else there may be, is able to stand against these phalanxes; but the very giants, the heroes, those that do countless brave deeds, thou wilt find without bonds bound by sleep and drunkenness, without slaughter or wounds lying like the wounded, or rather in more grievous case. For those at least struggle; but thes
e do not even this, but straightway give up.
Seest thou that this host is greater and more to be admired? For the enemies that got the better of the others it destroys by its mere will. For they do so weaken the mother of all evils that she cannot even trouble them anymore; and the leader being overthrown, and the head removed, the rest of the body also lies still.
And this victory one may see each of them that abide there, achieving. For it is not as in these wars of ours, where, if any enemy hath received a blow from one, he is no more grievous to another, having been once overthrown; but it is necessary for all to smite this monster; and he that hath not smitten and overthrown her, is surely troubled by her.
Seest thou a glorious victory? For such a trophy as the hosts in all pans of the world having met together have not power to erect, this each one of those men erects; and all things that from the army of drunkenness lie mingled together wounded, delirious words of frenzy, insane thoughts, unpleasing haughtiness. And they imitate their own Lord, at whom the Scripture marveling saith, “He shall drink of the brook in the way, therefore shall He lift up the head.”23
Would ye see also another multitude of dead? Let us see the lusts that arise from luxurious living, those that are cherished by the makers of sauces, by the cooks, the furnishers of feasts, the confectioners. For I am ashamed indeed to speak of all; however, I will tell of the birds from Phasis, the soups that are mixed from various things: the moist, the dry dishes, the laws made about these things. For like as if ordering some city and marshaling hosts, even so these too make laws, and ordain such a thing first, and such a thing second, and some bring in first birds roasted on the embers, filled within with fish; and others make of other material the beginnings of these unlawful feasts; and them is much rivalry about these things, about quality, and about order, and about quantity; and they take a pride in the things, for which they ought to bury themselves for shame; some saying that they have spent the half of the day, some all of it, some that they have added the night too. Behold, O wretched man, the measure of thy belly, and be ashamed of thy unmeasured earnestness!
But there is nothing like this amongst those angels; but all these desires also are dead. For their meals are not unto fullness, and unto luxurious living, but unto necessity. No bird hunters are there, no fishermen, but bread and water. But this confusion, and the disturbance, and the turmoils, are all removed from thence, alike from the house and from the body, and great is the haven, but amongst these great the tempest.
Burst open now in thought the belly of them who feed on such things, and thou wilt see the vast refuse, and the unclean channel, and the whited sepulchre.
But what come after these I am even ashamed to tell, the disagreeable erucations, the vomitings, the discharges downwards and upwards.
But go and see even these desires dead there, and those more violent lusts that spring from these; I mean, those of impurity. For these too thou wilt see all overthrown, with their horses, with their beasts of burden. For the beast of burden, and the weapon, and the horse of a filthy deed, is a filthy word. But thou wilt see such like horse and rider together, and their weapons thrown down; but here quite the contrary, and souls cast down dead. But not at their meal only is the victory of these holy men glorious, but in the other things also, in money, in glory, in envy, in all diseases of the soul.
Surely does not this host seem to thee mightier than that, and the meal better? Nay, who will gainsay it? None, not even of those persons themselves, though he be very mad. For this guides us on to Heaven, that drags to hell; this the devil lays out, that Christ; for this luxury gives laws, and intemperance, for that self-denial and sobriety, here Christ is present, there the devil. For where there is drunkenness, the devil is there; where there are filthy words, where there is surfeiting, there the devils hold their choirs. Such a table had that rich man, therefore not even of a drop of water was he master.
But these have not such a table, but they already practice the ways of the angels. They marry not, they are not given in marriage, neither do they sleep excessively, nor live luxuriously, but except a few things they are even bodiless.
Now who is there that so easily overcomes his enemies as he that sets up a trophy while at his dinner? Therefore also the prophet saith, “Thou hast prepared a table before me, in the presence of them that trouble me.”24 One could not be wrong in repeating this oracle about this table. For nothing so troubles a soul as disorderly concupiscence, and luxury, and drunkenness, and the evils that spring from these; and this they know full well who have had experience thereof.
And if thou wast to learn also, whence this table is procured, and whence that; then thou wouldest see wall the difference between each. Whence then is this procured. From countless tears, from widows defrauded, from orphans despoiled; but the other from honest labor. And this table is like to a fair and wall-favored woman, needing nothing external, but having her beauty from nature; but that to some ugly and ill-favored harlot, wearing much paint, but not able to disguise her deformity, but the nearer she is, the more convicted. For this too, when it is nearer to him that is at it, then shows its ugliness more. For look not I tell thee, at the banqueters, as they come only, but also as they go away, and then thou wilt see its ugliness. For that, as being free, suffers them that come unto it to say nothing shameful; but this nothing seemly, as being a harlot, and dishonored. This seeks the profit of him that is at it that the hurt. And one not but that we must offend Him.
Let us go away therefore unto those men. Thence we shall learn with how many bonds we are encompassed. Thence shall we learn to set before ourselves a table full of countless blessings, most sweet, without cost, delivered from care, free from envy and jealousy and every disease, and full of good hope, and having its many trophies. No turmoil of soul there, no sorrow, no wrath; all is calm, all is peace.
For tell me not of the silence of them that serve in the houses of the rich, but of the clamor of them that dine; I mean, not that which they make one to another (for this too is worthy of derision), but that within, that in the soul, that brings on them a great captivity, the tumults of the thoughts, the sleet, the darkness, the tempest, by which all things are mingled and confused, and are like to some night battle. But not in the monks’ tents are such things as these; but great is the calm, great the quietness. And that table is succeeded by a sleep that is like death, but this by sobriety and wakefulness; that by punishment, this by the kingdom of heaven, and the immortal rewards.
This then let us follow, that we may enjoy also the fruits thereof; unto which God grant we may all attain, by the grace and love towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom be glory and might world without end. Amen.
1 Mt 22,16-17.
2 Ac 5,36-37.
3
4 Jn 7,12 Jn 8,48 Jn 9,16.
5 Mt 21,23.
6 Mc 12,15.
7 Mt 22,20-21. [Abridged.]
8 Rm 13, 7.
9 Mt 22, 22-23. [The article may not form part of the
citation. It does not occur in the New Testament passage.—R.]
10 Ac 23, 8.
11 Ac 23, 6, and Ac 26, 5.
12 [R. V., “seed.”]
13 . [With the trifling variations the Greek of these verses agrees with the received text.—R.]
14 Mt 22, 29.
15 Mt 22, 30. [The second verb is peculiar, but conveys the same sense as the received text.—R.]
16 Lc 20, 36.
17 1Co 7, 31.
18 Mt 22, 31-32. [In the last clause the text differs from the received, oJ qeov» being omitted (so Tischendorf). The R. V. follows a slightly different reading “God is; not the God,” etc.—R.]
19 Rm 14,9.
20 Mt 8,22.
21 Mt 22,33.
22 Ga 5,24.
23 Ps 110,7.
24 Ps 23,5. [LXX.]
JF
