Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsMark 6

The carpenter.

As his country-folks seeing him not only to be a poor man, but also knowing (as they thought) his whole parentage to be but vulgar, not reaching to his Godhead and divine generation, did take offence or scandal of him: so do the Heretics take like offence at his person in the B. Sacrament, saying, why, this is not God: for it is bread made of corn by such a baker, of the same mould that such a loaf is: not marking that it was not made Christ by baking, but by Consecration, and the virtue of Christ's words.

They were scandalized.

^[1] This scandal rose partly of envy of his equals by birth, who reputing themselves as good as he, took scorn to be taught of him. Whereupon Christ saith, A Prophet is not without honour but in his own country: signifying (as it is plain in S. Luke ^[2] ) the malice and envy of the Jews his country men in refusing him (Io. 1.) and that the Gentiles would more esteem of him.

• 1 Chrys. ho. 49. in Mt.
• 2 Lu. 4, 25.

He could not.

It is said that he could not work miracles there, not meaning that he was not able, but that on their part there wanted apt disposition to receive them. And therefore he would not of congruity work there, where their incredulity was so great, that it would not have profited them. And for this cause he saith ^◦ elsewhere to them that will see and enjoy his miracles, Only believe.

• ◦ Marc. 5. 36.

Not two coats.

He forbiddeth superfluities, and too careful provision of bodily things, when they are about God's service in gaining souls. And for the contrariety that seemeth here and in S. Matthew ^◦, understand that there he forbiddeth them to carry rod or staff to defend themselves, here he permitteth a walking rod or staff to lean and stay upon: there he forbiddeth shoes to cover all the foot, such as we wear: here he permitteth sandals, that is such as had soles only, which the poor commonly wear in Jewry, and now some religious men. See S. Augustine's opinion li. 2. c. 30. de consensu Evang. to. 4.

• ◦ Mt. 10.

With oil.

In the words of the commission oil is not mentioned, and yet it is certain by this their using of oil, that either Christ did then appoint them to use it, or they might take it up of themselves, by virtue of the general commission.

With oil.

By this it is clear that not only the Apostles or other may have power to work miracles, by their only word and invocation of Christ's name, but also by application of creatures: which creatures also have a miraculous medicinal virtue to heal diseases.