Chapter 203

19:21. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not: The King of the Jews. But that he said: I am the King of the Jews.

19:22. Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written.

19:23. The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

19:24. They said then one to another: Let us not cut it but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these things.

19:25. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.

19:26. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.

19:27. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

19:28. Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst.

19:29. Now there was a vessel set there, full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth.

19:30. Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.

19:31. Then the Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day (for that was a great sabbath day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken: and that they might be taken away.

19:32. The soldiers therefore came: and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him.

19:33. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

19:34. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side: and immediately there came out blood and water.

19:35. And he that saw it hath given testimony: and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true: that you also may believe.

19:36. For these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him.

19:37. And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.

19:38. And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews), besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore and took away the body of Jesus.

19:39. And Nicodemus also came (he who at the first came to Jesus by night), bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

19:40. They took therefore the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

19:41. Now there was in the place where he was crucified a garden: and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had been laid.

19:42. There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus: because the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

John Chapter 20

Christ’s resurrection and manifestation to his disciples.

20:1. And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre: and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

20:2. She ran therefore and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre: and we know not where they have laid him.

20:3. Peter therefore went out, and that other disciple: and they came to the sepulchre.

20:4. And they both ran together: and that other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulchre.

20:5. And when he stooped down, he saw the linen cloths lying: but yet he went not in.

20:6. Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulchre: and saw the linen cloths lying,

20:7. And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place.

20:8. Then that other disciple also went in, who came first to the sepulchre: and he saw and believed.

20:9. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

20:10. The disciples therefore departed again to their home.

20:11. But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre,

20:12. And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

20:13. They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord: and I know not where they have laid him.

20:14. When she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing: and she knew not that it was Jesus.

20:15. Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, thinking that it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him: and I will take him away.

20:16. Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master).

20:17. Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me: for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.

20:18. Mary Magdalen cometh and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord; and these things he said to me.

20:19. Now when it was late the same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them: Peace be to you.

The doors were shut.... The same power which could bring Christ’s whole body, entire in all its dimensions, through the doors, can without the least question make the same body really present in the sacrament; though both the one and the other be above our comprehension.

20:20. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.

20:21. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.

20:22. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

20:23. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Whose sins, etc.... See here the commission, stamped by the broad seal of heaven, by virtue of which the pastors of Christ’s church absolve repenting sinners upon their confession.

20:24. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

20:25. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

20:26. And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said: Peace be to you.

20:27. Then he said to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither thy hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing.

20:28. Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God.

20:29. Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and have believed.

20:30. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

20:31. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.

John Chapter 21

Christ manifests himself to his disciples by the sea side and gives Peter the charge of his sheep.

21:1. After this, Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner.

21:2. There were together: Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples.

21:3. Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth and entered into the ship: and that night they caught nothing.

21:4. But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

21:5. Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

21:6. He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship; and you shall find. They cast therefore: and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes.

21:7. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea.

21:8. But the other disciples came in the ship (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes.

21:9. As soon then as they came to land they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread.

21:10. Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught.

21:11. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken.

21:12. Jesus saith to them: Come and dine. And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him: Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord.

21:13. And Jesus cometh and taketh bread and giveth them: and fish in like manner.

21:14. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.

21:15. When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.

21:16. He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.

21:17. He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.

Feed my sheep.... Our Lord had promised the spiritual supremacy to St. Peter; St. Matt. 16. 19; and here he fulfils that promise, by charging him with the superintendency of all his sheep, without exception; and consequently of his whole flock, that is, of his own church.

21:18. Amen, amen, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not.

21:19. And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me.

21:20. Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper and said: Lord, who is he that shall betray thee?

21:21. Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus: Lord, and what shall this man do?

21:22. Jesus saith to him: So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou me.

21:23. This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: He should not die; but: So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee?

21:24. This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things and hath written these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

21:25. But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

This Book, which, from the first ages, hath been called, THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, is not to be considered as a history of what was done by all the Apostles, who were dispersed into different nations; but only a short view of the first establishment of the Christian Church. A part of the preaching and action of St. Peter are related in the first twelve chapters; and a particular account of St. Paul’s apostolical labours in the subsequent chapters. It was written by St. Luke the Evangelist, and the original in Greek. Its history commences from the Ascension of Christ our Lord and ends in the year sixty-three, being a brief account of the Church for the space of about thirty years.

Acts Chapter 1

The ascension of Christ. Matthias is chosen in place of Judas.

1:1. The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach,

1:2. Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.

1:3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.

1:4. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.

1:5. For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.

1:6. They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?

1:7. But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power:

1:8. But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

1:9. And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.

1:10. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.

1:11. Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven.

1:12. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day’s journey.

1:13. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Jude the brother of James.

1:14. All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

1:15. In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty):

1:16. Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:

1:17. Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

1:18. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out.

1:19. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

1:20. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take.

1:21. Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

1:22. Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection.

1:23. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

1:24. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the heart of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

1:25. To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.

1:26. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Acts Chapter 2

The disciples receive the Holy Ghost. Peter’s sermon to the people. The piety of the first converts.

2:1. And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place:

2:2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

2:3. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them.

2:4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

2:5. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

2:6. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue.

2:7. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans?

2:8. And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born?

2:9. Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

2:10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome,

2:11. Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.

2:12. And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another: What meaneth this?

2:13. But others mocking, said: These men are full of new wine.

2:14. But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and with your ears receive my words.

2:15. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day:

2:16. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel:

2:17. And it shall come to pass, in the last days, (saith the Lord), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

2:18. And upon my servants indeed and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit: and they shall prophesy.

2:19. And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke.

2:20. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord shall come.

2:21. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2:22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him, in the midst of you, as you also know:

2:23. This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain.

By the determinate, etc.... God delivered up his Son; and his Son delivered up himself, for the love of us, and for the sake of our salvation; and so Christ’s being delivered up was holy, and was God’s own determination. But they who betrayed and crucified him, did wickedly, following therein their own malice and the instigation of the devil; not the will and determination of God, who was by no means the author of their wickedness; though he permitted it; because he could, and did draw out of it so great a good, viz., the salvation of man.

2:24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it.

Having loosed the sorrow, etc.... Having overcome the grievous pains of death and all the power of hell.

2:25. For David saith concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved.

2:26. For this my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

2:27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.

2:28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life: thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

2:29. Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David: that he died and was buried; and his sepulchre is with us to this present day.

2:30. Whereas therefore he was a prophet and knew that God hath sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne.

2:31. Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell: neither did his flesh see corruption.

2:32. This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses.

2:33. Being exalted therefore by the right hand of God and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear.

2:34. For David ascended not into heaven; but he himself said: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand,

2:35. Until I make thy enemies thy footstool.

2:36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know most certainly that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified.

2:37. Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren?

2:38. But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2:39. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.

2:40. And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation.

2:41. They therefore that received his word were baptized: and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

2:42. And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles and in the communication of the breaking of bread and in prayers.

2:43. And fear came upon every soul. Many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem: and there was great fear in all.

2:44. And all they that believed were together and had all things common.

2:45. Their possessions and goods they sold and divided them to all, according as every one had need.

2:46. And continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart:

2:47. Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved.

Acts Chapter 3

The miracle upon the lame man, followed by the conversion of many.

3:1. Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.

3:2. And a certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple.

3:3. He, when he had seen Peter and John, about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.

3:4. But Peter with John, fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us.

3:5. But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them.

3:6. But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.

3:7. And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up: and forthwith his feet and soles received strength.