Matthew 13:54–58

Verse 55. Is not this the carpenter’s son? [1] I find carpenter in all translations, though the Greek word signifies, in general, a workman or craftsman. The Latin is also a general word, which of itself signifies no more a carpenter than a smith. But the common belief of the faithful is, that S. Joseph was a carpenter, which may be confirmed by what Theodoret relates (l. iii. Hist. c. xviii.) of one Libanius, under Julian the apostate, who asking scornfully of a holy man, what the carpenter’s son was doing at that time? the holy man made him this smart reply, that he was making a coffin for Julian; who was killed not long after. Witham.—O! how truly astonishing is the stupidity of the Nazareans! They wonder whence wisdom itself possesses wisdom, and virtue itself virtue. The reason is evident: they only considered him as the son of a carpenter. Saint Jerome—Was not David the son of an husbandman, and Amos a shepherd? They should then have honoured our Lord, when they heard him speak in this manner. What wonderful mildness in Christ! Though calumniated and reviled, he still answers with the greatest humility and charity, a prophet is not without honour, save in his own country. verse 57. Saint John Chrysostom ex D. Tho. Aquin.—His brethren. These were the children of Mary, the wife of Cleophas, sister of our blessed Lady; (Matthew 27:56. John 19:25) and therefore, according to the usual style of the Scripture, they were called brethren, that is, near relations to our Saviour. Challoner.

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