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Matthew 18
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206 ST. JEROME what was found in its mouth, that is, in its confession, was paid for Peter and for the Lord.106 And it is beautifully said that a price is indeed given, but it is divided. For the price was paid for Peter, as for a sinner, but our Lord committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.107 A stater is worth two didrachmas . Thus the likeness of flesh is shown,108 seeing that both the Lord and his servant are delivered by the same price. But even the literal understanding edifies the hearer, namely, the point that the Lord was a man of such great poverty that he had no means of rendering the tribute for himself and the apostle. But if someone wants to object: But how is it that Judas carried money in a purse?109 We will respond that [Judas] thought it a crime to convert for private use what was meant for the poor,110 and likewise he set an example for us.111 Chapter 18 18.1. At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: “Who do you think is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” What I have often warned about should be observed here as well. Reasons need to be inquired into for each of the Lord’s statements and deeds. What does this sudden question of the apostles mean to them, since it comes after the finding of the stater and the payment of the tribute? It says: “At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying : ‘Who do you think is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’” Here is my answer. They had seen that the same tribute was given for Peter and for the Lord. Because of the equality of price, they thought that Peter had been put ahead of all the apostles. For it was he who had been compared with the Lord in the payment of the tribute. Therefore, they ask who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And when Jesus sees their thoughts and discerns the reasons for their error, he wants to heal their desire for glory by a competition for humility. 18.2. And summoning a small child, Jesus set him in their midst. 106. Cf. Origen, fragm. 373. 107. Cf. Is 53.9; 1 Pt 1.22. 108. Cf. Rom 8.3. 109. Cf. Jn 13.29. 110. Cf. Jn 12.6–7. 111. Cf. Jn 13.15. BOOK THREE (16.13–22.40) 207 He may have set a small child in their midst simply in order to make an inquiry about its age and to demonstrate an image of innocence;112 or at least he did this to give them an example of humility, namely, that of himself, who had come not to be served but to serve.113 Others114 interpret the child as the Holy Spirit, whom he put into the hearts of the disciples that they might exchange their arrogance with humility. 18.3. “Amen I say to you: Unless you are converted so that you become as little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The apostles are not being commanded to have the age of little children, but to possess their innocence by means of their own diligent effort, an innocence that children possess because of their years. Thus they become children not in respect to wisdom , but to malice.115 18.4. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Just as this little child, whose example I offer to you, does not persist in wrath, does not remember injuries, is not enticed when it looks upon a beautiful woman, does not think one thing and say something else, so also you. For unless you have such innocence and purity of heart, you will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. Here is another interpretation: “Whoever humbles himself as this little child, he is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” That is to say, the one who imitates me and humbles himself through my example, so that he lowers himself as much as I have lowered myself when I “took the form of a servant,”116 he will enter the kingdom of heaven. 18.5. “And he who receives one such little child in my name receives me.” He who becomes the kind of person who imitates the humility and innocence of Christ...