6. The leaders in this life are the publicans, fishermen, and skin-makers, who did not live for a short time, but always live, so that even after their death they can render the greatest help to their followers. Those who struggle in this life will have to fight not with people, but with demons and bodiless forces. That is why their leader is not some man, not an angel, but God Himself. And the weapons of these warriors correspond to the nature of the battle: they are made not of leather and iron, but of truth, righteousness, faith and every kind of wisdom. It is also written about this very life in the Gospel of Matthew, of which we now have to speak. And so, let us listen carefully to the clear words of the Evangelist about it. Everything he says is not his words, but Christ Himself, Who legitimized this life. Let us be attentive, so that we too may be worthy to be inscribed in this life and shine together with those who have already passed through it and received unfading crowns. For many, we note, this book seems easy to understand in comparison with the prophets, who are difficult to understand. But this is said by people who do not know the depth of the thoughts hidden here. Therefore, I ask you to follow me with all zeal, so that we may enter into the very depths of the Scriptures; and Christ Himself will be our guide on this journey. And in order that our word may be more comprehensible, we beseech and persuade you (as we did in the explanation of the other Scriptures) to re-read in advance that part of the book which we will explain; let understanding be preceded by reading, as was the case with the eunuch (Acts 2:11). VIII, 28 d.); This will give us great relief. In fact, questions arise here in great numbers at every step. Look, for example, how many perplexities arise immediately at the very beginning of the Gospel.

Then, if he so judged, why did he not enumerate all the wives, but, keeping silent about the glorious ones, as, for example.

And yet the Evangelist, omitting all the others, placed only these women in the genealogy. If it was necessary to mention wives, then it was necessary to mention all; but if not of all, but only of some, then of those who are famous for their virtues, and not for their vices. You see how much attention we need at the very beginning of the Gospel, although for some this beginning seems clearer than anything else, and for many it is even superfluous, because it is only a simple enumeration of names. Further, it is also worth investigating why Matthew kept silent about the three kings. If he had kept silent about them as too wicked, he would not have had to mention others like them. Here is another question: why did the Evangelist, dividing the genealogy into parts of fourteen generations each, not observe this number in the third part? Then: why did Luke mention other names, and not only not all those that Matthew has, but also indicated many more, and Matthew gave fewer and other names, although he also ended with Joseph, on whom Luke also stopped genealogy. See how much vigilance we need, not only to resolve perplexities, but also to find out what needs to be solved. It is not an unimportant thing to be able to find perplexing questions. For example, there is another perplexing question: how could Elizabeth, who came from the tribe of Levi, be a relative of Mary?

7. But in order not to burden your memory with a multitude of questions, let us stop here. To arouse your attention, it is sufficient if you only know what questions are presented here. But if you wish to know the solution, then this too will depend on yourselves before our instruction. If I see in you attention and a desire to learn, then I will try to offer a solution, but if I notice laziness and inattention, then I will not show either the questions themselves or their solution, following the divine commandment, which says: "Do not give the holy one to a dog, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample on their feet" (Matt. VII, 6). Who is this trampler? He who does not consider the Scriptures precious and important. But who, you will say, is so unhappy as not to consider it important and most precious? Someone who does not devote as much time to it as he spends for promiscuous women on satanic spectacles. Many spend whole days there, completely neglect household chores for the sake of such a useless pastime, and what they hear there, they try to remember with accuracy and preserve for the destruction of their souls, but here, where God Himself speaks, they do not want to stay even a little time. That is why we have nothing in common with heaven, and our (heavenly) life is only in words. However, for this, God threatens us with hell – not in order to plunge us into it, but in order to give us the opportunity to escape this grievous punishment. And we do the opposite, and every day we strive on the path that leads to hell: God commands not only to hear, but also to do what is said to us, and we do not even want to listen. When, tell me, will we begin to do what we are commanded, when we set to work, if we do not even want to hear about them, if we are indignant and vexed even at the shortest stay in the temple? When, talking about worthless subjects, we notice inattention in our interlocutors, we consider it an offense to ourselves. Do we not think that we offend God when He speaks to us about such important things, and we disregard His words and look away? An old man who has traveled many lands tells us with all accuracy about the distances and the position of the cities, about their views, harbors, squares (and we listen to him with pleasure), and yet we ourselves do not know how far we are from the heavenly city. Otherwise, if we knew this distance, we would try to shorten the path. If, after all, we are careless, then the distance of this city from us is not only the same as that between heaven and earth, but even much greater; on the contrary, if we make an effort, we can reach its gates in an instant, because this distance is determined not by the extension of space, but by the state of our morality.

8. You know very well the affairs of this life, both new and old, and ancient, and you can enumerate the commanders for whom you used to serve in the army, and the masters of the games, and the victors in them, and the leaders, from which it is of no use to you. And who is the ruler in the heavenly city, who is the first, who is the second, who is the third, how long each has served and what glorious things have been done, you have never dreamed of this. Of the laws which govern this city, you do not wish to listen attentively when others speak of them. Tell me, how, then, do you hope to receive the promised blessings, if you do not want to heed when they speak of them? But if we didn't care about it before, we'll at least try to do it now. Here we intend to enter, if God wills, into the golden city, and even the most precious of all gold. Let us consider its bases and gates, made of sapphire and margaritas. Our best leader is Matthew. Through His door we enter now; only great effort is needed on our part, because in whom he does not see zeal, he expels him from the city. This is a royal and glorious city; there is no division of the market from the royal palaces, as in our cities; in it is all the king's palace. And so, let us open the doors of the mind, let us open our ears, and approaching with great trembling the threshold of this palace, let us worship the King who dwells in it, because even the first step can strike the spectator with fear. The gates are now still closed for us; but when we see them opened (i.e., when perplexing questions are resolved), then we will see within him a great light. Enlightened by the spirit, this publican promises to show you everything: where the King sits, and what kind of soldiers stand before Him, where are the angels and where are the archangels; what place is assigned in this city for new citizens, what path leads there; what lot was received by those who entered it first, what lot was received by those who entered it second, what lot was received by those who entered it later; how many ranks among the citizens there, how many councils, and how different are the virtues. And so, let us enter this city not with noise and confusion, but with reverent silence. If the royal letters are read in the theater when complete silence falls, then all the more so in this city should everyone calm down and stand with a tense soul and hearing, because here the commands will be read, not of the earthly king, but of the Lord of the angels. If we dispose ourselves in this way, then the grace of the Spirit itself will most surely show us the way, and we will come to the very Royal Throne and receive all the blessings, according to the grace and love of mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

[1] The Prytaneion was a building where ceremonial dinners were given in honor of honored citizens.

CONVERSATION 2

ТВОРЕНИЯсвятого отца нашего Иоанна Златоуста, архиепископа Константинопольского

Толкование на святого Матфея Евангелиста

БЕСЕДА II.

Книга родства Иисуса Христа, сына Давидова, сына Авраамля (Матф. I, 1).