Cassiodorus

6th century · AD 585 · Western · 453 passages

In his own words on Acts

Acts 1:1
"The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach," etc. Having completed the treatise of the Gospel, which Luke says he did after the Lord's Resurrection, he declares, writing to Theophilus, that he has also collected the Acts of the Apostles, so that the undoubted perfection of the Christian faith may be made apparent by the most reliable witness accounts. Luke starts by saying that Jesus Christ, when he was about to ascend to the Father, commanded his disciples that they should not depart from Jerusalem, so that, although they had been baptized, they should be filled with the fullness of the Holy Ghost.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 1:6-7
People did not realize what they should not know, and the Son of God was not in any sense unaware of this through weakness of the flesh. But if we were to suspect that the divine Majesty cloaked ignorance (a thing it would be irreverent to say), then that ignorance would be found stronger than the divine nature, and could—to speak foolishness—bring down the providence by which all things were created. But since we are taught that this is quite ridiculous, we must believe that the whole Trinity, whose nature is one and all-powerful, has always an unfailing knowledge of all things.
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS 9.39
Acts 1:6
"They therefore who were come together, asked him," etc. He says that the Lord Christ was asked by them who were come together if the restoration of the Israelite kingdom, which he promised was to come, would take place at that time. It is evident that an indication of the precise time was withheld for our greater benefit; but, instead, he foretold them that on the fiftieth day they would receive the power of the Holy Ghost, so that they might bear witness throughout the earth to the wonderful works of perfect faith.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 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," etc. Luke declares that, with those words which he said above, while the apostles looked on, the Lord suddenly ascended to heaven; and, lest anyone should think that such a miracle was a figment of imagination, he says that angels of God stood by them, saying: "Why do ye wonder at these things? He will so come for the Judgement as he was manifestly taken from the midst of you." Then Luke says that the apostles returned from Mount Olivet, where all this took place, to Jerusalem, and entered an upper room, where eleven men, whose names he gives, were staying together. They were persevering in their prayers with holy women, and Mary the Lord's mother and his brothers, so that he who was seen to have been taken up should not go away from them.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 1:15
"And in those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said, "etc. At that moment blessed Peter, quoting Psalm 108, said in the midst of the brethren, who were about a hundred and twenty in number: "Now that Judas the traitor is gone, we must think of the twelfth apostle," for the perfect number to be completed. Then, having placed Joseph and Matthias in the middle and said a prayer, they cast lots, and the election fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered as the twelfth apostle.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:1
"When the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place," etc. When fifty days had passed, as the Lord Christ had promised them, there was suddenly a mighty sound from heaven as the Holy Ghost came, and heavenly fire appeared above the heads of all who were sitting in the house, and they began to speak the tongues of various nations. As the news spread, men from various peoples who had gathered in Jerusalem came and wondered at them who, being Galileans, spoke of the wonderful works of God in the tongues of the peoples. Some, looking at the phenomenon reasonably, thought rightly that it had been granted by a gift of God; others, stupidly mocking, rather ascribed it to drunkenness.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:4
"He heard a tongue which he knew not." We must interpret tongue here as the precepts of the New Testament, for if you understand it as "language," how did the Jewish people hear a tongue that they did not know, when we are sure that the Lord Christ spoke in Hebrew? So the passage means that in the gospel they heard a tongue or precepts that their earlier knowledge did not embrace; alternatively it refers to the time when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in unknown and varied tongues.
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS 80.6
Acts 2:14
"But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them," etc. But blessed Peter, standing up with the eleven apostles, spoke with a loud voice, saying that, seeing it was but the third hour of the day, they were not, as some thought, drunk with must, but rather filled with the honor of the Holy Ghost. He also supported this claim with a quote from the prophet Joel, so as to declare to them that the knowledge exhibited by the disciples was not to be ascribed to intoxication but truly to divine mercy. Then, he condemned the wickedness of the Jews, who chose to crucify the Lord Christ, whom God, loosing the laws of hell, raised up from the dead. This is also supported by an example from Psalm 15.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:25
I foresaw the Lord always in my sight: He passes on to the unique remedy by which to avoid sins, for the person who with the mental eye always gazes on the Lord in no way turns to sins. for he is at my right hand, so that I may not be moved: It was fitting for Him to speak of the Lord as being at His right hand, for if the Lord does not occupy that place the Devil will at once seize it for ambush. As was written of Judas, Set the sinner over him, and let the Devil stand at his right hand (Ps. 109:6).
Acts 2:26
Because implies that the Lord stood at his right hand, and He testifies that delight has arisen in His thoughts and joy on His tongue. Perfect joy is that which is both conceived in a joyful heart and brought forth in eager speech. Just as He used the word moreover of His evils, so he repeated the word of His blessings, so that humanity might be thought to have received heavenly joys according to the measure of His human troubles. For He says that His joy has welled over His gladness because the suffering flesh which He took up for the salvation of all of us has corruption.
Acts 2:27
nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption: For it happened on the third day that His flesh was given fresh life, it was demonstrated that it could not have suffered corruption.
Acts 2:28
He overcame the opposition of the world because he moved not an inch from contemplation of the Father. There He has laid aside the hardships of this world; and His humanity is filled with the glorification of His whole majesty and rules united to the Word with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever.
Acts 2:29
"Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David," etc. And since the apostle Peter had mentioned David, who was regarded by the Jews as a venerable prophet, Peter, taking from David an opportunity for his preaching, showed that David had nonetheless died, and said that his sepulcher was with them while David himself had prophesied that the Lord Christ's flesh would never be subject to corruption. For God raised him again from the dead, and he received the Father's promises in the fullest truth. Peter asserted that the gift which was seen to have been granted had come from the Lord Christ, for it was proven by the example of David's Psalm 109 that he was the Lord. Luke declares that three thousand men, moved to compunction by this preaching, made penance and were baptized.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:42
"And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles," etc. As those who had converted continued devoutly in the doctrine that they had embraced, and as the apostles frequently performed great miracles, the fear of the Lord and the number of the faithful people increased daily. There was great concord among the believers, such that everyone would sell their own possessions and a brother would unfailingly be provided with whatever he stood in need of. Great also was their devotion to meeting in the temple. They would, too, take their food in simplicity of heart and with thanksgiving. That is why the Lord, favorably inclined towards them, always increased their number. Once, when Peter and John went up to the temple for prayer, they took the hand of a man who had been lame from his mother's womb and made him walk with firm steps. The people, seeing this, were filled with inexpressible wonder, and their eagerness to see more grew greater and greater, with vehement devotion.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 3:12
It is through the saints' preaching that God's might and the glory of the kingdom are made known, in case they might be perhaps less sought if people did not know of them. His might was also made known when Peter and John made the man lame from birth walk, and they said, "Men of Israel, why marvel at this, as if by our strength or devotion we had made this man to walk?" And a little later they say that he was made whole in the name of Christ Jesus. The might of the Lord was also made known when the apostles invoked his name and made manifest diverse powers.
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS 144.12
Acts 3:12
"But Peter seeing, made answer to the people," etc. The apostle Peter, seeing religious zeal roused among the people, said that they ought not to look upon him himself for such actions, but they ought to glorify the Lord Christ, whom they had decided to crucify. Blaming them for all the other things they did in the Lord's passion, he said that the Lord was the one who had enabled things that clearly exceeded human power. He urged them to convert to the Lord before the time of Judgement in order to gain forgiveness for their error, for the Lord must be obeyed in all things, as Peter proved with Moses's testimony: it was promised that from Abraham's seed would come the Lord, who would be able to save every man from his own wickedness.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 4:1
"And as they were speaking these words to the people," etc. The princes and the priests, and the rest of the high-ranking men among the Jews, seeing that about five thousand men had believed the apostles, decided to jail them, to prevent the whole crowd believing them. On the next day, they brought the apostles before the council and asked them by what power or by what name they had been able to perform such miracles. The apostle Peter, as usual, declared out loud that the miracle had been performed by the name of Christ, who is the "corner stone", as can be read in Psalm 117, whom the Jews thought should be crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. Then the council wondered at the confidence of the apostles, who they did not know were literate; and they knew, too, that they had been with Christ. Perturbed by the truth itself, they ordered them no more to preach in the name of Jesus Christ.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 4:19
"But Peter and John answering, said," etc. Peter and John replied to the priests and the whole council that they ought to obey the Lord's commandments rather than men's threats. On account of the people, whom they had rendered favorable by their deed, they were sent away from the council; and, coming to their own company, they informed them of what had happened to them. Then, giving glory to God, they said with a loud voice that which is written in Psalm 2, "Why have the Gentiles raged", etc. They confirmed that the things that had been written had come to pass in Jerusalem according to God's counsels, and they asked for a greater grace of preaching and of miracles to be granted to them. After this prayer, they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and were preaching the word of the Lord with unrelenting strength. And all the believers had but one heart and one soul, so that no one among them was afflicted by any want, but those who possessed something gladly gave what would be useful to everyone collectively.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 4:36
"And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas," etc. Here are given examples of faithful and of deceitful people: Joseph, who was surnamed Barnabas, went away unhurt, because he brought the entire price; Ananias, on the other hand, and his wife Saphira, who kept back by fraud the price of the land they had sold, were cursed, and gave up their unfortunate souls in front of everyone; and the same people carried out the husband and later his lifeless wife. After this event, everyone's fear and faith increased, and the apostles' preaching kept intensifying. None of their opponents dared to join them, since the people's favor towards them kept growing, when sick people were cured by a word from the apostles and by Peter's shadow as he passed by. Not only the people of that city, but also people from neighboring cities would try this with growing faith.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 5:17
"Then the high priest rising up, and all they that were with him," etc. Having learned of those events, the high priest and the rest of the heresy of the Sadducees were filled with great envy and, detaining the apostles, they threw them into the common prison, setting guards at the door. But an angel of the Lord opened the doors and led them out, telling them to teach the people in the temple in their usual manner. Unaware of this, the princes and priests sent ministers to the common prison on the following day. These found the prison carefully guarded, yet none of those whom they had thrown into it on the previous day were inside. They found out by others' report that the men whom they were looking for were in the temple preaching the wonderful works of the Lord to the people. Then the officer, going to the synagogue, brought them without any violence before the council, and they tried a second time to forbid them from their habitual preaching. Then Peter and the apostles, filled with confidence, persisted in proclaiming the word of the Lord. Greatly angered by this, they plotted to kill them; they plotted secretly, because the people were to be feared.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 5:34
"But one in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, said. "Gamaliel, whom the apostle Paul also praises, spoke publicly to persuade them that they should desist from persecuting the apostles, saying: "If their preaching be from men, it will undoubtedly fail, as did that of Theodas and of Judas of Galilee; if, on the other hand, it be from God, it cannot possibly be destroyed by any power." Then they scourged the apostles and let them go, charging them that they should no longer be involved in such preachings; but they kept preaching the word to the nations. Meanwhile, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks, saying that their widows were treated with despicable contempt in the daily ministration. Because of this matter, seven chosen men were appointed as deacons so that they should manage matters of this sort with moderate authority, while the apostles should devote themselves only to preaching. This office was also consecrated on them by the imposition of hands. A multitude of the priests, too, hastened at that time to obey the Lord.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 6:7
"A great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith," etc. One of those who had been chosen for the management of tables, one called Stephen, did great signs and wonders by the power of the Lord Christ; and since none of the unfaithful could withstand his preachings, false witnesses were brought against him to say that he had spoken words of blasphemy against God and Moses. Setting him before the council, they tried to inquire about such statements. Then he, having found an opportunity, narrated the sequence of events in the Old Testament that pertained to the Lord Savior, expounding the truth.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 7:54
"Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth. "The unbelieving, unable to tolerate Stephen's preaching, were hastening unanimously to effect his death. Stephen, raising his eyes to heaven, saw the Son standing on the right hand of the Father. When he said this in pure truth, the crowd of madmen ran violently upon him and, having cast him out of the city, pelted him with stones. But Stephen, dying, prayed for them that this crime might not weigh down his persecutors. Paul too consented to his death, and he raised a great persecution against the church established in Jerusalem; for, after Stephen's body was buried with pious lamentation, this Paul made a havoc of the church with a hatred as great as the affection with which he would later defend it. Meanwhile Philip the deacon, another one of the seven, going down to the city of Samaria, earnestly preached the word of the Lord and performed by the power of Christ many miracles on the people who desired it, and the city was filled with great joy as a result.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 8:9
"Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city," etc. As many became believers, Simon, a magician altogether famous for devilish crafts, seeing such great miracles, speedily desired to be baptized as well; but when the devout in Samaria were receiving the Holy Ghost by the imposition of the apostles Peter and John's hands, Simon offered them money so that they might grant him, too, the power to make people receive the grace of the Holy Ghost by the imposition of his hand. Peter rebuked him as he deserved, saying that he had no part with the faithful, since he imagined the Holy Ghost could be acquired with money. Condemned by such a rejection, Simon asked them with his lips to pray for him, while he did not have it in his heart. As for the apostles, they kept preaching the word of the Lord in many towns of Samaria.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 8:21
We must, I think, investigate the fact that often in the divine Scriptures heart stands for understanding.… It may be clear to all without doubting that the source of our thoughts is there, and that good and evil are drawn from there. The seat of thought is that tiny part of the body with the appearance of fire, so that it is rightly placed in the position from which good counsel can come to us.
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS 50.19
Acts 8:26
"Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying," etc. An angel told Philip to go to the way where queen Candace's eunuch was about to pass. The eunuch, returning from Jerusalem, where he had come to adore on account of the devotion of his mind, was sitting in his chariot, reading the passage in the prophet Isaiah where he says: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer, he did not open his mouth", etc. Then Philip said to him: "Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?" And the eunuch made him mount the chariot and reveal to him the secrets of the Scriptures. Having received these with a faithful mind, he caught sight of some water on the way and, kindled with fervor of mind, asked to be baptized on the spot. When that was done, the Holy Ghost fell upon the eunuch, and Philip, being suddenly transported, vanished; and he was found in Azotus spreading the word of the Lord with his habitual preaching.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 9:1-2
Often the merciful Lord does not allow us to perpetrate evil deeds so that pricked by remorse we should prostrate ourselves for our sins, just as Saul was checked when he was sent by the priests to Damascus to ravage the church of Christ with the most savage persecution. He was not permitted to attain great success, for that could have been the cause of his receiving eternal punishment.
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS 53.9
Acts 9:1
"And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," etc. Paul, still meaning harm to the Lord's faithful, asked the high priest for letters, so that, if he found any preachers of Christ, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. This proved without a doubt rather to be his own release from bonds, for just as he was on his journey the Lord said to him: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Trembling at these words, he fell on his face and, having become blind, he entered Damascus led by others' hands. There was in that city the disciple Ananias, who was told to go to Paul and give him back his sight by the imposition of his hand. Ananias, however, remembering the past, replied to the Lord that Paul was a persecutor of the Church, so much so that, having recently received from the chiefs the authority to do so, he bound the Lord's faithful in chains; but the divine mercy replied to Ananias that he whom he knew to have previously been filled with criminal iniquity had been made into a vessel of election.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 9:17
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and laid his hand upon him, and said." Walking in to Paul, Ananias cleansed his eyes by the imposition of his hand, causing scales to fall off. Paul was baptized in the name of Christ, and was also reinvigorated by the taking of food, for he had been weakened by a three-day fast. Then, having been looked upon by heavenly kindness, growing strong in the Christian doctrine, he preached the word of the Lord in the synagogues: he had been changed for the better. Now after several days, a plot was hatched among the Jews against him too. He was placed in a basket by the disciples and secretly let down from the wall by a rope, and then came to Jerusalem. Having been brought by Barnabas before the apostles, he told them all that had happened to him by a gift of the Lord. Then, joined to them in the most loving fellowship, he preached together with them the Lord Christ whom he had previously thought worthy of persecution. As a result, the unbelieving hurriedly sought to have him killed, but the apostles decided, by a holy arrangement, to send him away to Tarsus. Meanwhile, the whole of Judea and Samaria had peace and grew in the splendor of the Lord.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 9:32
"And it came to pass that Peter, as he passed through, visiting all, came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda," etc. When Peter came to Lydda, he found there a man named Aeneas who, being ill of the palsy, had kept his bed for eight years. Peter said to him: "The Lord Jesus Christ healeth thee", and he was immediately cured. When they saw this miracle, all the people - all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron - converted to God. Then Dorcas, a woman devoted to almsdeeds and holy works who lived in Joppe, was deprived of life. Peter was sent for so that he should come there and show the wonderful works of God. A crowd of poor people, whom Dorcas had been supplying with clothes, were begging Peter that the mother of the poor be given back to them. Then Peter knelt down and prayed, saying: "Arise, in the name of Jesus Christ;" and he presented her alive to the people, after having summoned them. A large number of people believed in the power of the Lord as a result of this event; whereupon it came to pass that Peter stayed many days with one Simon, a tanner.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 10:1
"And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius," etc. Cornelius, a Gentile living in Caesarea, devoted to almsdeeds and prayers, saw in a vision an angel of God saying to him: "Thy prayers and almsdeeds have reached the sight of the Lord: send men to Joppe to Peter, who lodgeth at the house of Simon the tanner, and have him come quickly to save thee." Meanwhile, as Peter in that house, about the sixth hour of the day, was hungry and desirous to taste somewhat, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind; and he saw a vessel like a white linen sheet, in which were all four-footed beasts, creeping things and fowls, be let down from heaven; and there came a voice to him: "Arise, Peter; kill and eat;" and a little later: "That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call unclean." This was done three times, and we know the vessel was taken back up to heaven. It signified, indeed, that nations all around the world would believe in the Lord Christ.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 10:17
"Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself, what the vision that he had seen should mean," etc. As Peter thought in bewilderment about the above-mentioned vision, the Holy Ghost said to him: "Behold, men seek thee; Cornelius hath sent them. Arise and go with them, for they were sent at my behest to seek thee." When Peter had gone down to them without hesitation, they explained to him, in order, the reason why they were sent. Peter lodged them and, on the next day, he hastened to Cornelius with them. When Cornelius saw him, he fell at his feet and adored. Peter, retaining his humility, stopped Cornelius from it, asking him - even though he had been informed of it - for what reason he had had him called. Cornelius explained to him what he had been told by the angel when praying, and waited with the rest to hear from Peter what things might conduce to the salvation of all.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 10:34
"And Peter opening his mouth, said," etc. Peter said: "In very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but that a man who worketh justice in any nation becometh pleasing to him." Then, continuing with words of the right faith, he preached to them that Jesus Christ was the Lord of all things, whom the Jews had decided to crucify and who, rising again from the dead, had stayed with his disciples for forty days, and all else that the doctrine of the Christian faith required. As he spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on the believers, and those who had come with Peter were overjoyed to see such gifts granted among the Gentiles as well. He then ordered them to obtain the grace of baptism in the name of Christ. As the news spread, the brethren who were in Judea were filled with the greatest joy. Peter, going to Jerusalem, kept preaching the word of the Lord with continued devotion.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 11:2
"And when he was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him." When Peter was come up to Jerusalem, faithful Jews contended with him as to why he had gone in to men uncircumcised and had eaten with them. But he related truthfully by what vision he had been warned and what injunction he had received from the Divinity. Having heard that, all the people gave thanks to God because the Lord Christ had granted life-giving repentance and the gifts of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles too.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 11:19
"Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose," etc. They who had been dispersed after Stephen's passion went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none but the Jews only. But there were nonetheless some among them who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke words of preaching to the Gentiles, and a great number of the people believed them, and tidings of the matter reached Jerusalem. Barnabas, sent by the apostles, found what had been said about them to be true. He rejoiced greatly and exhorted many people to continue in their undertaken purpose. Hearing, too, that Saul was in Tarsus, Barnabas went to him and, bringing him to Antioch, he is known to have preached with him in the church for a whole year, and is shown to have converted many people. It was there that disciples were first named "Christians". And in these days there came prophets to announce the future famine that came to pass under the emperor Claudius. Mention is made of the disciples sending what they could find to the brethren who dwelt in Judea, by the hands of Barnabas and Paul.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 12:1
"And at the same time, Herod stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. "King Herod, with wicked presumption, murdered John's brother James, who was preaching the word of the Lord. Seeing that he had pleased the Jews in so doing, he sent Peter to prison as well, setting sixteen soldiers to guard him with great care. Prayer was being incessantly poured out for him throughout the church. On the night before the day appointed for his trial, he is known to have been visited by an angel and freed both from the bonds of chains and from the dangers of guards, all in such a way that, though it was truly happening, he thought it was taking place in a dream. When he came to himself, however, the truth was manifest, and he realized that the Lord had thought fit to free him through his angel. Coming to the house of Mary the mother of John, where a multitude of faithful were praying for him, he knocked at the door repeatedly and finally came in. He then told them how an angel had come to release him from the bonds of custody, and he ordered this to be told to James and to the other brethren.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 12:18
"Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers," etc. Now when day was come, a great argument arose among the prison guards as to how Peter had escaped so many watches of men and so many chains. When Peter could not be found, Herod became violently angry with the guards, whom he ordered to be put on trial. Herod himself went down to Caesarea and Judea. He was angry with the people, but they managed to placate him with great supplication, rescuing Blastus the chamberlain. There Herod, sitting on the judgement seat in kingly apparel, spoke overproud words against the Lord; therefore an angel of the Lord struck him because he had not given glory to God; and Herod, swarming with worms, gave up the ghost. With such things being seen by people, faith in the Lord was everywhere on the rise. Barnabas and Saul, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark, left Jerusalem for Antioch, where one could see a blessed group of prophets and doctors. The Holy Ghost told these not to detain Barnabas and Saul, but to let them perform the task for which they were seen to have been chosen. Barnabas and Saul, coming to Salamina, preached throughout the island all the way to Paphos the word that the Lord had thought fit to entrust to them. Meanwhile they found a false prophet, a Jew named Bar-jesu. This man tried to oppose Barnabas and Saul when they were with the proconsul Sergius and Paulus, a prudent man; but, subdued by the Lord's power, he achieved nothing.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 13:9
"Then Saul, otherwise Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, said. "This continues what started above. While Sergius the proconsul and Paulus the prudent man listened, the apostle Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, vigorously reproved Bar-jesu the false prophet; and to show that his invective had been for the love of the Lord, he said to him: "Thou shalt be blind, and shalt not see the sun at all for a time." Then a dark mist coming upon him shut up his natural sight in such a way that he sought someone else's hands to help him leave. The performance of this miracle being ascertained, the judges who saw it were converted, believing that a doctrine proven to be displayed by such miracles was truly that of the supreme God.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 13:13
"Now when Paul and they that were with him had sailed from Paphos," etc. When Paul and Barnabas had sailed from Paphos with the rest who had come with them, they came to Perge in Pamphilia, and passed through it. John, departing from them at Perge, returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas, walking through Perge, came to Antioch in Pisidia. Entering the synagogue there, they listened to a reading of the prophets and the law. The rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying that, if any one of them had a word of exhortation, he should speak, just as they did in other cities, where the truth they spoke was believed. Then Paul, having obtained silence with a gesture of his hand, preached the Lord Christ's doctrine to the people, explaining what was said with the testimonies of the prophets in order to bring the people to the fullest faith by revealing the truth; assuring them that the Lord Christ was the only one who justified the severity of the law by the gift of his grace; telling them they should be careful, as the Scripture warns, not to refuse to believe what the truth itself was known to tell them.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 13:42
"And as they went out, they desired them, that on the next sabbath, they would speak unto them the words of God." As Paul and Barnabas went out of the synagogue, a crowd of Jews begged them to speak their words about the Lord Christ again on the following sabbath. On the next sabbath, as the people had very eagerly come together to hear them, some of the Jews, moved with great envy, tried to contradict them. Paul and Barnabas replied to them: "It indeed behoved us first to speak the word of God to you; but because you have rejected it, we turn to the Gentiles as we have been commanded." At these words, the Gentiles rejoiced and received the Christian doctrine most readily. But the disappointed contradictors stirred up honorable women and the chief men of the city, and expelled Barnabas and Paul from their territory. Barnabas and Paul, coming to Iconium, converted many people to the Lord; and an uproar arose against them again, stirred up by their adversaries; but it was immediately calmed with the help of the Lord. It came to pass under these circumstances that some people sided with the apostles while others sided at all costs with the Jews.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 14:5
"And when there was an assault made by the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers," etc. When the people in the uproar that had been stirred up in Iconium tried to kill Paul and Barnabas, they fled to Lystra and Derbe and other regions of Lycaonia, and all the people there were converted to the Christian religion. In Lystra lay a certain man impotent in his feet from his mother's womb, to whom Paul, looking upon him, enjoined with a loud voice in front of everyone, in the name of Jesus Christ: "Stand on thy feet a healthy man." When the crowd in Lycaonia saw this, thinking that they were not men, but gods, they hastened to offer them sacrifices of cattle in their ancestral manner. Then Barnabas and Paul, rending their clothes, affirmed in every way that they were mortals like them, but that it was the Lord Christ who performed those things by his power, he who made the heaven, and the earth, and all things that are contained within their circumference. Calmed by means of this speech, the people were scarce stopped from the sacrifice that they had intended.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 14:18
"And as they stayed there and taught, there came thither certain Jews from Antioch," etc. As Paul and Barnabas were staying in Lystra surrounded by great devotion from the citizens, there came some utterly wicked Jews, who, persuading the multitude, pelted Paul with stones and drew him out of the city, as if he were dead. But he rose and, with his disciples, entered safe and sound and with unconquered confidence the city from which he had been expelled. On the next day, he departed with Barnabas to Derbe, where, preaching the word, he converted many people to the Lord. From there they returned again to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, confirming the spirits of disciples, so that they should continue resolutely in the rules they had been taught. Then, ordaining priests to them, they prayed with fasting and left them to the Lord, entrusting them to him in a holy way.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 14:23
"And passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia," etc. It is related that, preaching in like manner through various cities, they departed for Antioch. There, they told the assembled faithful what great things the Lord had granted the Gentiles; how, opening the door of faith, he had thought fit to show them the truth in its fullest extent. But, when they had been staying there for a while, some false counselors persuaded the Gentiles, who had already received the preaching and believed, that they could not be saved unless they underwent circumcision, as the Lord commanded through Moses. The matter caused dissension among the people. It was then decided that those who were in Jerusalem should be consulted about this question, so that by their agreement an end might be put to the dispute that had arisen. On the way, they told through peoples, cities and individual regions what great things the Lord had granted the Gentiles, and great joy grew daily among the brethren as a result.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 15:4
"And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were splendidly received by the church." When Paul and Barnabas were come to Jerusalem with the brethren because of the question that was being inquired into, they were received with great joy by the whole church. There again, there was much disputing between the Pharisees who had already converted and the apostles about circumcision. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, explained that the Gentiles were not to be purified by circumcision, but by faith. James the bishop, who was called the Lord's brother, also followed this view and supported it with great reasonings and with a prophet's testimony, saying that Moses was content with his name being uttered with reverence in the synagogue on every sabbath.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 15:22
"Then it pleased the apostles, and the ancients, and the whole church, to choose men and to send to Antioch." It pleased the apostles and the ancients who dwelt in Jerusalem to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch Judas, who is surnamed Basabas, and Silas, through whom they sent a letter to this effect: they should not believe that the law of circumcision was necessary for them, but they should only abstain from idols, fornication and strangled blood, and trust that they were in a good position if they persevered in the grace of the Lord.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 15:30
"They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch," etc. When they came to Antioch, the above-mentioned Barnabas and Silas, gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle to the brethren. Upon reading it, they rejoiced that the cause of scandal had been removed. Furthermore, Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, disposed the hearts of all to the same will. After staying there for some time, they were let go by the brethren to return to those who had sent them; but Silas remained there, while Judas returned alone to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch, assiduously teaching the word of God; but after a few days, reminded of fatherly duties, they decided to travel again through those regions where the word of the Lord had been spread far and wide. Then, a dissension having arisen regarding John, alias Marcus, Barnabas, taking John, sailed to Cyprus, while Paul, taking Silas, departed for Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, so that they should continue in the teachings of the fathers with strength of mind.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 16:1
"And when they had gone round these nations, he came to Derbe and Lystra." When Paul had gone round the above-mentioned nations, he came to Derbe and Lystra, and there found a certain Timothy, a disciple born of a Gentile father. Wishing to take him with him, he circumcised him in order subtly to cut short any uproar from the Jews. As he passed through the cities that he had intended, he delivered to them the Christian decrees that had been established by the rest of the apostles in Jerusalem. As they tried to go to various cities, the Holy Ghost barred them from some places and told them to go elsewhere. For when they came to Troas, Paul saw in a dream a Macedonian saying: "Pass over into Macedonia, and help us". Then they all understood as a fact that their journey had been divinely ordained, and they could only do gladly what the Divinity had thought fit to command.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 16:11
"And sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia. "After sailing from Troas, Paul and Silas, walking through some cities, came to Philippi, "which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony." There a certain woman, Lydia, a seller of purple, converted to Christ, and with her entire household obtained the grace of baptism. The apostles, at her request, stayed at her house for the night. On the next day, as they went to prayer, there came upon them a girl having a pythonical spirit, who brought much gain to her masters by selling divination to the people. While she importunately followed the apostles, Paul commanded the unclean spirit to go out from the girl who was under his control. Then her masters, for whom her madness was a source of profit, incited the magistrates and the people to mistreat Paul. They beat the apostles with rods and, handing them over to guards, bound them with prison bonds.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 16:25
"And at midnight, Paul and Silas praying, praised the Lord." When Paul and Silas, thrown into custody, were chanting praises to the Lord at midnight, suddenly there was a great earthquake, such that the foundations of the prison were shaken. All the doors were opened, and the bonds of all the bound prisoners were loosed. When the keeper of the prison realized this, he drew his sword and would have killed himself; but Paul cried out to him with a loud voice not to lay violent hands on himself, since the prisoners entrusted to his charge could be found right there. The keeper, having kindled a light, indeed found there all the men that he sought. Then, falling down at the feet of the apostles, he implored to be saved. Hearing the word of the Lord, he believed, and he is known to have been baptized with his entire household. He brought the apostles to his own dwelling, smeared their stripes with ointment and refreshed them with a table laid for them; and he was overjoyed to have, with his entire household, obtained the grace of Christ. The magistrates too were perturbed by the earthquake, and commanded that the apostles be let out of custody. Paul replied: "Since we are Romans and, though innocent, are suffering the bonds of prison, we cannot come out secretly, unless they who commanded such injustices come themselves to throw us out."
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 16:38
"And the serjeants told these words to the magistrates," etc. When they heard the words of the apostles, the magistrates were very afraid, because the apostles had called themselves innocent Romans sent to prison. Going to the apostles, they besought them to depart unhurt out of their city. Having done so, the apostles came to Lydia and told their brethren, in order, what great things the Lord had granted them. Moving on from there, they came to Thessalonica, where, entering the synagogue, Paul explained to them that, according to the holy Scriptures, the Lord Christ was to suffer for our salvation and quickly to rise again after three days. Many among the people and several noble women, believing in this, are shown to have joined the apostles' faith. The Jews, under the influence of envy, stirred up an uproar and expelled them. Coming to the synagogue, they discussed in their usual manner. The noble people there examined the divine Scriptures very carefully, and a great part of them believed in the Lord Christ.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 17:13
"And when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was also preached at Berea." When the Thessalonian Jews had knowledge that the apostles were preaching about Christ in Berea, they came there and stirred up the people with constant uproar, saying that they should beware of those men who threw the world into confusion with new preaching. Then the brethren saw fit to send Paul over to Athens, while keeping Silas and Timothy there for a time. Coming to Athens, Paul disputed vigorously in every single place, seeing the city wholly given to idolatry. As the news spread, some citizens seized him and brought him to the Areopagus, where a gathering of philosophers was assembled. Some called him a word sower, others a preacher of new gods. Then the wise, having set Paul in the middle, desired to hear the doctrine that he was spreading far and wide.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 17:22
"But Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said," etc. Paul, set in the midst of the Areopagus, poured out the honey of heavenly philosophy, starting his speech beautifully with the fact that among their various idols he had found an inscription that read "to the unknown god". He said that they should, therefore, seek the one whom they themselves declared to be unknown to them. He preached, in order, the Lord Christ, who with all his power made the heaven and the earth and all things in them, and he showed to them that even examples from their own authors made it clear that, being the "offspring of God," they should not worship things made with hands. When they heard, among other things, about the resurrection of the dead, many believed it, while others thought it was a lie. After these things, going down from Athens, he came to Corinth, where, preaching the Lord Savior to Jews and Greeks, he taught the dogmas of the Christian religion.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 18:5
"And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, they were earnest that Paul's preaching," etc. When Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia to Corinth, where Paul was, he was earnestly teaching the word of the Lord; but as some Jews would not listen, he shook his garments and said to them: "Let the Lord Christ's blood that was shed weigh you down; for my part I will, as I have been commanded, go forthwith to instruct the Gentiles. "And departing for the house of a certain Titus, he then taught the ruler of the synagogue, Crispus, and the latter received the commandments of the Christian faith along with all his house and many other people. One night, the Lord said to Paul in a dream: "Do not fear the wishes of contradictors; I am with thee, and I permit no man to overcome thee. "This reminder gave him strength, and he stayed for a year and six months in the same city, teaching confidently. Because of his new preaching, he was brought by the Jews to the judgement seat of proconsul Gallio. But Gallio, saying that questions of divine law did not concern him, turned them out of doors and sent them away. After several days, Paul took leave of the brethren and came to Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla. There, though many people begged him to stay, he could not remain very long, as he was hastening towards Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 18:21
"And Paul departed from Ephesus and went down to Caesarea," etc. Walking out of there, Paul came down to Caesarea, where he saluted the congregation of the church. Then he left for Antioch and, after staying there for some time, traveled through the countries of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples, so that they should continue in the rules they had received. A certain Apollo, an Alexandrian-born Jew, who was an eloquent man and fervent in spirit, came to Ephesus. There, as he spoke boldly with the Jews in the synagogue, Aquila and Priscilla took him to them and taught him the Lord's Scriptures more diligently, revealing the truth. And as he was desirous to go to Achaia, they wrote that the devout people should receive him confidently. It then came to pass that he convinced the Jews confidently and decisively.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 19:1
"And it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul having passed through the upper coasts, came," etc. While Apollo was at Corinth, it came to pass that Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, where, having found certain disciples, he asked if they had received the grace of the Holy Ghost when they were baptized. They declared that they were entirely ignorant of that name, but had been consecrated in John's baptism. Paul baptized them while invoking the Trinity, and the Holy Ghost came upon them, making them able to prophesize in various tongues. Paul, staying there for three months, preached about the Lord Christ in his customary manner.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 19:9
"But when some were hardened, and believed not," etc. When some of the Ephesians, stubborn-willed, believed not, he separated his disciples from them and discussed daily in Tyrannus's school for two years, performing many miracles, so that his handkerchiefs were laid on sick people and they were restored to their former health. There were, however, seven deceitful brothers, the sons of the chief of the synagogue, who would say to demoniacs: "I conjure you by Jesus Christ, whom Paul preacheth, to go out quickly." But the wicked spirit would answer to them: "Jesus I know" "indeed, and Paul I know; but who ye are, I know not." And the possessed would fight against them tenaciously. When that became known, a great multitude of the people converted. Then people who had been following curious arts of the world brought their books and, judging them superfluous, consumed them with fire. Those books had been bought for as much as fifty thousand pieces of silver. After all this was done, Paul sent two men, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, and himself remained in Asia for a time.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 19:23
"Now at that time there had arisen no small disturbance about the way of the Lord," etc. An uproar about the Christian religion arose likewise in Ephesus. There was a certain Demetrius who made silver shrines in Diana's temple. He used to bring no small wages to the craftsmen. This man, seeing that the observance of rites risked complete extinction because of Paul's preachings, he violently stirred up the above-mentioned craftsmen against the apostles and his disciples. Having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's companions, they dragged them from the theatre, where they were preaching the word of the Lord, to the judges, to be heard by them. When Paul would have entered to the people, his disciples and friends did not let him (for there was great confusion throughout the city), for fear that all the people's rage would turn on him, whom they knew to be the initiator of the preaching that was detrimental to them.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 19:33
"Alexander therefore, beckoning with his hand for silence, would have given the people satisfaction. "Alexander, one of Paul's disciples, having obtained silence by a gesture of his hand, would have given satisfaction to the furious people. As soon as they perceived him to be a Jew, to stop him from saying anything against Diana, they proclaimed with a loud voice for two hours that great was Diana of the Ephesians. The town clerk, fearing that such a great uproar would throw the city into confusion, obtained silence and persuaded the people that, if Demetrius and his craftsmen raised a matter against any people, they should be heard by calm judges. Innocent men, who had not spoken anything against Diana, should not be put in danger of death. This reasoning was accepted and the whole uproar calmed. Then Paul, taking his leave of the disciples, set forward for Macedonia. After teaching numerous people there, he came to Greece. From there, walking through the neighboring countries, he came to Troas with his disciples, where they are known to have abided for seven days.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 20:7
"And on the first day of the week, when they were assembled to break bread." On the day before his departure from Troas, Paul, continuing his speech until midnight, was teaching very earnestly and pleasantly, when it came to pass that one of the young men present, overcome by sleep, fell from the loft and was in danger of death. Paul, embracing him with religious affection, gave him back safe and sound to the people present. Then, having refreshed himself with bread and preached to the people until daylight, he departed for Assos by land. His disciples, traveling by ship as he had told them to, met Paul in the above-mentioned city. From there, they departed together for Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Miletus; for Paul had determined to leave Ephesus unvisited, so as to reach Jerusalem on Pentecost day.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 20:17
"And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church." Sending from Miletus to Ephesus, the apostle Paul summoned the bishops of the church, and there retraced for them his story with great affection, reminding them of the moderation and humility with which he had behaved among them, above all bringing to their notice the word of the Lord so that false preachers, when they came, might not overturn their hearts, and that they might not make the too dangerous mistake of deviating from established rules. He mentioned, too, that he had been a financial burden to no one; on the contrary, giving them the affection of a spiritual father, he had fed himself and his colleagues with his own hands, since it was, as everyone knew, a more blessed thing to give than to receive. He said that, after taking leave, he would depart and never see their faces again. When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with all the people, and everyone's weeping sounded loudly, and, kissing his neck, they cried with profuse tenderness because he had told them they would not see him again.
Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles

Quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations of the fathers — Aquinas's Catena Aurea, the Ante-Nicene and Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers, and related editions. Each quotation links to its source.