Matthew 24:23–31

Verse 23. Lo, here is Christ. These words are very aptly applied by Catholics to the conventicles of heretics; and would Christians attend to the injunctions of their divine Master, Go ye not out:—believe it not, we should not see the miserable confusion occasioned in the Catholic Church, by unsteady Christians; who are guilty of schism, in forsaking the one true fold, and one shepherd, to follow their blind and unauthorized leaders. E.

Verse 26. Behold he is in the desert. This prediction of false Christs, may be understood before the destruction of Jerusalem, but chiefly before the end of the world.5.

Verse 28. Wheresoever the body, [3] and so forth This seems to have been a proverb or common saying among the Jews. Several of the ancient interpreters, by this body, understand Christ himself, who died for us; and they tell us, that at his second coming the angels and saints, like eagles, with incredible swiftness, will join him at the place of judgment. Witham.—When he shall come to judgment, all, as it were by a natural instinct, shall fly to meet him, and receive their judgment. S. Hilary understands this literally; that where his body shall hang upon the cross, there will he appear in judgment, that is near the valley of Josaphat; in which place the prophet Joel (chapter 3 verse 2,) declares, that the general judgment shall take place. Tirinus.

or, eagles

Verse 29. The sun shall be darkened, and so forth These seem to be the dreadful signs that shall forerun the day of judgment.—The stars shall fall, not literally, but shall give no light. Witham.—According to Saint Augustine, by the sun is meant Jesus Christ; by the moon, the Church, which will appear as involved in darkness.

or, oppression

Verse 30. The sign of the Son of man, and so forth The Fathers generally expound this of the cross of Christ, that shall be seen in the air. Witham.—This sign is the cross, much more resplendent than the sun itself. Therefore the sun hides its diminished head, whilst the cross appears in glory; because the great standard of the cross, excels in brightness all the refulgent rays that dart from the meridian sun. Saint John Chrysostom hom. lxxvii.—The Jews, looking upon him whom they had pierced, now coming in the clouds of heaven with power and exceedingly great glory, shall have great lamentations. Bitterly will they weep over their misery, in having despised and insulted him on a cross, who ought to have been the object of their veneration, adoration, and love. Saint John Chrysostom hom. lxxvii.