Commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Part II, Chapters 9 - 16

LUKE 13

LUKE 13 Luke 13:1–9 CENSURE OF NEGLIGENCE IN DOING PENANCE 1. Now there came in that very time some who, etc. Above he censured negligence relative to acknowledging grace. Here he rebukes negligence relative to engaging in the work of repentance. And he does this in a threefold manner. First, through the example he has heard about. Second, through the example he has seized upon where verse 4 reads: like those eighteen, etc. Finally, through the example he had invented or thought up where verse 6 has: But he spoke this parable. Luke 13:1–3 CENSURE OF SUCH NEGLIGENCE THROUGH AN EXAMPLE CHRIST HAS HEARD ABOUT In developing the example he had heard about, he proceeds in this fashion. First, the cruelty of the punishment is proposed. Second, the enormity of their sins is ne- ST. BONAVENTURE’S COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 1232 gated. Third, he draws a conclusion about the necessity of repenting. 2. (Verse 1). Thus, the narrative of a cruel punishment is mentioned: Now there came at that very time some who told him about the Galileans, namely, harsh and terrible things, which they were especially prone to recite . Wherefore, the text adds: whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, according to history. Josephus narrates that there was a certain person in Galilee who gave himself out to be the Messiah promised in the Law. And many of the Galileans were following him. He had indicated to them a day on which he would ascend into heaven from Mount Gerizim while they looked on. But Pilate, seeing that he had seduced many from the tetrarchy of Herod, feared lest after these he would lead astray many from his own tetrarchy. Therefore, when the day had been indicated and those whom he had led astray were worshipping him and offering sacrifices to him, Pilate quickly intervened and killed them in the midst of their sacrifices. And among those he killed was the person who was giving himself off as the Christ.1 So 1 On p. 336, n. 5 QuarEd have a long footnote on this passage. The basis in Josephus for Bonaventure’s commentary is Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities XVIII 4.1 (#85–87). LCL translates the Greek, which seems to be faithfully followed by the Latin translation QuarEd provide : “The Samaritan nation too was not exempt from disturbance. For a man who made light of mendacity and in all his designs catered to the mob, rallied them, bidding them go in a body with him to Mount Gerizim, which in their belief is the most sacred of mountains. He assured them that on their arrival he would show them the sacred vessels which were buried there, where Moses had deposited them... .Many prisoners were taken, of whom Pilate put to death the principal leaders and those who were most influential among the fugitives.” Obviously, this passage has nothing to do with Galileans, the supposed Messiah and his ascension, and blood mingled with sacrifices. At the end of their note QuarEd simply note: “St. Bonaventure, Cardinal Hugo, and Blessed Albert base their narration CHAPTER THIRTEEN 1233 from this can be understood what Acts 5:36–37 says: “Some time ago there rose up Theudas, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all his followers were dispersed ....After him rose up Judas the Galilean...and he drew people after him. He, too, perished, and all his followers were scattered abroad.” And the punishment was indeed harsh, because they were delivered over to an horrendous death quickly, violently, and in numbers. 3. (Verses 2–3). Secondly, relative to negating that their sin was of greater enormity, the text adds: And he answered and said to them: Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, beon Peter Comestor, Historia scholastica, In Evangelia, chapter 94.” See PL 198:1585D: “For a certain person, saying that he was the Son of God, had seduced many of the Galileans. After he had led them to Gerizim, he told them that he would ascend into heaven in their presence. While they were making sacrifices to him, Pilate intervened, slew him and everyone else, for he feared that he would also lead astray the Judeans.” Bonaventure’s summary of Josephus is very similar to that of Cardinal Hugh. See Hugh of...