Homilies on Matthew — Homily 45

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3

[[Matthew 13.10]]-11.

And the disciples came and said to Him, Why do You speak unto them in parables? He answered and said to them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given.

We have good cause to admire the disciples, how, longing as they do to learn, they know when they ought to ask. For they do it not before all: and this Matthew shows by saying, And they came. And, as to this assertion not being conjecture, Mark has expressed it more distinctly, by saying, that they came to Him privately. [[Mark 4.10]] This then His brethren and His mother should also have done, and not have called Him out, and made a display.

But mark their kindly affection also, how they have much regard for the others, and seek their good first, and then their own. For why, it is said, do You speak unto them in parables? They did not say, why do you speak unto us in parables? Yea, and on other occasions also their kindliness towards men appears in many ways; as when they say, Send the multitude away; [[Luke 9.12]] and, Do you know that they were offended? [[Matthew 15.12]]

What then says Christ? Because it is given unto you, so He speaks, to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given. But this He said, not bringing in necessity, or any allotment made causelessly and at random, but implying them to be the authors of all their own evils, and wishing to represent that the thing is a gift, and a grace bestowed from above.

It by no means follows, however, because it is a gift, that therefore free will is taken away; and this is evident from what comes after. To this purpose, in order that neither the one sort may despair, nor the other grow careless, upon being told that it is given, He signifies the beginning to be with ourselves.

For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away, even that which he seems to have.

And although the saying be full of much obscurity, yet it indicates unspeakable justice. For what He says is like this: When any one has forwardness and zeal, there shall be given unto him all things on God's part also: but if he be void of these, and contribute not his own share, neither are God's gifts bestowed. For even what he seems to have, so He says, shall be taken away from him; God not so much taking it away, as counting him unworthy of His gifts. This we also do; when we see any one listening carelessly, and when with much entreaty we cannot persuade him to attend, it remains for us to be silent. For if we are still to go on, his carelessness is aggravated. But him that is striving to learn, we lead on, and pour in much.

And well said He, Even that which he seems to have. For he has not really even this.

Then He also made what He had said more distinct, pointing out the meaning of, To him that has, shall be given, but from him that has not, even that which he seems to have, shall