Chapter 17

22:47. As he was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus, for to kiss him.

22:48. And Jesus said to him: Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss?

22:49. And they that were about him, seeing what would follow, said to him: Lord, shall we strike with the sword?

22:50. And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

22:51. But Jesus answering, said: Suffer ye thus far. And when he had touched his ear, he healed him.

22:52. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple and the ancients, that were come unto him: Are ye come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs?

22:53. When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me: but this is your hour and the power of darkness.

22:54. And apprehending him, they led him to the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off.

22:55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them.

22:56. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him.

22:57. But he denied him, saying: Woman, I know him not.

22:58. And after a little while, another seeing him, said: Thou also art one of them. But Peter said: O man, I am not.

Another, etc. . .Observe here, in order to reconcile the four Evangelists, that divers persons concurred in charging Peter with being Christ's disciple; till at length they brought him to deny him thrice. 1. The porteress that let him in, and afterwards seeing him at the fire, first put the question to him; and then positively affirmed that he was with Christ. 2. Another maid accused him to the standers by; and gave occasion to the man here mentioned to renew the charge against him, which caused the second denial. 3. Others of the company took notice of his being a Galilean; and were seconded by the kinsman of Malchus, who affirmed he had seen him in the garden. And this drew on the third denial.

22:59. And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean.

22:60. And Peter said: Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew.

22:61. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny thrice.

22:62. And Peter going out, wept bitterly.

22:63. And the men that held him mocked him and struck him.

22:64. And they blindfolded him and smote his face. And they asked him saying: Prophesy: Who is it that struck thee?

22:65. And blaspheming, many other things they said against him.

22:66. And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people and the chief priests and scribes came together. And they brought him into their council saying: If thou be the Christ, tell us.

22:67. And he saith to them: If I shall tell you, you will not believe me.

22:68. And if I shall also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go.

22:69. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God.

22:70. Then said they all: Art thou then the Son of God? Who said: You say that I am.

22:71. And they said: What need we any further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth.

Luke Chapter 23

The continuation of the history of the passion.

23:1. And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate.

23:2. And they began to accuse him, saying: We have found this man perverting our nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar and saying that he is Christ the king.

23:3. And Pilate asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, said: Thou sayest it.

23:4. And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: I find no cause in this man.

23:5. But they were more earnest, saying: He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.

23:6. But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee?

23:7. And when he understood that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem in those days.

23:8. And Herod seeing Jesus, was very glad: for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some sign wrought by him.

23:9. And he questioned him in many words. But he answered him nothing.

23:10. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing him.

23:11. And Herod with his army set him at nought and mocked him, putting on him a white garment: and sent him back to Pilate.

23:12. And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day: for before they were enemies one to another.

23:13. And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the magistrates and the people,

23:14. Said to them: You have presented unto me this man as one that perverteth the people. And behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man, in those things wherein you accuse him.

23:15. No, nor Herod neither. For, I sent you to him: and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him.

23:16. I will chastise him therefore and release him.

23:17. Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day.

23:18. But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

23:19. Who, for a certain sedition made in the city and for a murder, was cast into prison.

23:20. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus.

23:21. But they cried again, saying: Crucify him, Crucify him.

23:22. And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore and let him go.

23:23. But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.

23:24. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

23:25. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired. But Jesus he delivered up to their will.

23:26. And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

23:27. And there followed him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented him.

23:28. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves and for your children.

23:29. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren and the wombs that have not borne and the paps that have not given suck.

23:30. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us. And to the hills: Cover us.

23:31. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

23:32. And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death.

23:33. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

23:34. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots.

23:35. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God.

23:36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,

23:37. And saying: If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

23:38. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

23:39. And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

23:40. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing; thou art under the same condemnation?

23:41. And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done no evil.

23:42. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.

23:43. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.

In paradise. . .That is, in the happy state of rest, joy, and peace everlasting. Christ was pleased, by a special privilege, to reward the faith and confession of the penitent thief, with a full discharge of all his sins, both as to the guilt and punishment; and to introduce him immediately after death into the happy society of the saints, whose limbo, that is, the place of their confinement, was now made a paradise by our Lord's going thither.

23:44. And it was almost the sixth hour: and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

23:45. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

23:46. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost.

23:47. Now, the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man.

23:48. And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight and saw the things that were done returned, striking their breasts.

23:49. And all his acquaintance and the women that had followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.

23:50. And behold there was a man named Joseph who was a counsellor, a good and a just man,

23:51. (The same had not consented to their counsel and doings) of Arimathea, a city of Judea: who also himself looked for the kingdom of God.

23:52. This man went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

23:53. And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid.

23:54. And it was the day of the Parasceve: and the sabbath drew on.

Parasceve. . .That is, the eve, or day of preparation for the sabbath.

23:55. And the women that were come with him from Galilee, following after, saw the sepulchre and how his body was laid.

23:56. And returning, they prepared spices and ointments: and on the sabbath day they rested, according to the commandment.

Luke Chapter 24

Christ's resurrection and manifestation of himself to his disciples.

24:1. And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared.

24:2. And they found the stone rolled back from the sepulchre.

24:3. And going in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

24:4. And it came to pass, as they were astonished in their mind at this, behold, two men stood by them, in shining apparel.

24:5. And as they were afraid and bowed down their countenance towards the ground, they said unto them: Why seek you the living with the dead?

24:6. He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spoke unto you, when he was yet in Galilee,

24:7. Saying: The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again.

24:8. And they remembered his words.

24:9. And going back from the sepulchre, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

24:10. And it was Mary Magdalen and Joanna and Mary of James and the other women that were with them, who told these things to the apostles.

24:11. And these words seemed to them as idle tales: and they did not believe them.

24:12. But Peter rising up, ran to the sepulchre and, stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid by themselves: and went away wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

24:13. And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus.

24:14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

24:15. And it came to pass that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also, drawing near, went with them.

24:16. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him.

24:17. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk and are sad?

24:18. And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days?

24:19. To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people.

24:20. And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death and crucified him.

24:21. But we hoped that it was he that should have redeemed Israel. And now besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done.

24:22. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us who, before it was light, were at the sepulchre,

24:23. And not finding his body, came, saying that they had all seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive.

24:24. And some of our people went to the sepulchre and found it so as the women had said: but him they found not.

24:25. Then he said to them: O foolish and slow of heart to believe in all things, Which the prophets have spoken.

24:26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and so, to enter into his glory?

24:27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things that were concerning him.

24:28. And they drew nigh to the town whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther.

24:29. But they constrained him, saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them.

24:30. And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread and blessed and brake and gave to them.

24:31. And their eyes were opened: and they knew him. And he vanished out of their sight.

24:32. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in the way and opened to us the scriptures?

24:33. And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were with them,

24:34. Saying: The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon.

24:35. And they told what things were done in the way: and how they knew him in the breaking of bread.

24:36. Now, whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them and saith to them: Peace be to you. It is I: Fear not.

24:37. But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit.

24:38. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

24:39. See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have.

24:40. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet.

24:41. But while they yet believed not and wondered for joy, he said: Have you here any thing to eat?

24:42. And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish and a honeycomb.

24:43. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them.

24:44. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms, concerning me.

24:45. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

24:46. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, the third day:

24:47. And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

24:48. And you are witnesses of these things.

24:49. And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high.

The promise of my Father. . .that is, the Holy Ghost, whom Christ had promised that his Father and he would send, John 14. 26, and 17. 7.

24:50. And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them.

24:51. And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them and was carried up to heaven.

24:52. And they adoring went back into Jerusalem with great joy.

24:53. And they were always in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN

St. John the Apostle and Evangelist was the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother to James the Greater. He was called the Beloved disciple of Christ and stood by at his Crucifixion. He wrote the Gospel after the other Evangelists, about sixty-three years after our Lord's Ascension. Many things that they had omitted were supplied by him. The original was written in Greek; and by the Greeks he is titled: The Divine. St. Jerome relates that, when he was earnestly requested by the brethren to write the Gospel, he answered he would do it, if by ordering a common fast, they would all put up their prayers together to the Almighty God; which being ended replenished with the clearest and fullest revelation coming from Heaven, he burst forth into that preface: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD.

John Chapter 1

The divinity and incarnation of Christ. John bears witness of him. He begins to call his disciples.

1:1. In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God: and the Word was God.

1:2. The same was in the beginning with God.

1:3. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.

1:4. In him was life: and the life was the light of men.

1:5. And the light shineth in darkness: and the darkness did not comprehend it.

1:6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

1:7. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him.

1:8. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.

1:9. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.

1:10. He was in the world: and the world was made by him: and the world knew him not.

1:11. He came unto his own: and his own received him not.

1:12. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.

1:13. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1:14. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

1:15. John beareth witness of him and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me is preferred before me: because he was before me.

1:16. And of his fulness we all have received: and grace for grace.

1:17. For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

1:18. No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the Bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

1:19. And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou?

1:20. And he confessed and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ.

1:21. And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No.

1:22. They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?

1:23. He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.

1:24. And they that were sent were of the Pharisees.

1:25. And they asked him and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?

1:26. John answered them, saying: I baptize with water: but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not.

1:27. The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.

1:28. These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

1:29. The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him; and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who taketh away the sin of the world.

1:30. This is he of whom I said: After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me.

1:31. And I knew him not: but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

1:32. And John gave testimony, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven; and he remained upon him.

1:33. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

1:34. And I saw: and I gave testimony that this is the Son of God.

1:35. The next day again John stood and two of his disciples.

1:36. And beholding Jesus walking, he saith: Behold the Lamb of God.

1:37. And the two disciples heard him speak: and they followed Jesus.

1:38. And Jesus turning and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him: Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?

1:39. He saith to them: Come and see. They came and saw where he abode: and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about the tenth hour.

1:40. And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard of John and followed him.

1:41. He findeth first his brother Simon and saith to him: We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

1:42. And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona. Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.

1:43. On the following day, he would go forth into Galilee: and he findeth Philip, And Jesus saith to him: follow me.

1:44. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

1:45. Philip findeth Nathanael and saith to him: We have found him of whom Moses, in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus the son of Joseph of Nazareth.

1:46. And Nathanael said to him: Can any thing of good come from Nazareth? Philip saith to him: Come and see.

1:47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.

1:48. Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

1:49. Nathanael answered him and said: Rabbi: Thou art the Son of God. Thou art the King of Israel.

1:50. Jesus answered and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see.

1:51. And he saith to him: Amen, amen, I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

John Chapter 2

Christ changes water into wine. He casts the sellers out of the temple.

2:1. And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there.

2:2. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage.

2:3. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.

2:4. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come.