THIRD CONVERSATION. Another reason why the genealogy of Joseph is given, and not of Mary. - Why the Evangelist does not mention Esau. - The mention of vicious ancestors serves to glorify the Incarnate One more, teaches us not to be ashamed of the wickedness of our ancestors, if we are virtuous, destroys the pride of the Jews, who boasted of being descended from Abraham, and shows the necessity of the coming of Christ. - Phares and Zarah serve as an image of the Jewish people and the Church of Christ. - Rahab and Ruth also serve as an image of the latter. - One should not boast not only of one's ancestors, but also of one's own merits. - The virtue of each person is insignificant in comparison with his sins. - Forgetting good deeds is their safest storehouse. - Confession of sins is the best way to propitiate and thank God. - Humility is the beginning of all wisdom and the mother of all good. - David can serve as an example of humility.

CONVERSATION FOUR. Explanation 1:17-21. Why is the genealogy divided into three parts? - Why is the genealogy omitted in Mark, but in Luke - Why does Matthew count the number of generations before Christ? - Why conception did not take place before betrothal - The incomprehensibility of birth. - Christ was indeed born of a Virgin and has the same flesh as us. - The Virtue and Wisdom of Joseph. - Why does the angel announce to him the conception not from the very beginning, as he did to the Virgin? - How does the Angel assure him of the truth of conception by the Holy Spirit? - The greatness of Christ's gift of remission motivates believers to live worthy of that gift. - A believer must differ from an unbeliever in his good life, as well as in all his outward behavior. - The ugliness of the soul can be seen as in a mirror, studying the lives of holy men. - A man who gives free rein to his passions is worse than a beast. - Whoever seeks external glory dishonors himself. - Piety gives true glory. - The example of the three youths teaches us to prefer poverty to the charms of wealth. - Exhortation to do almsgiving.

CONVERSATION FIVE. Explanation 1:22-25. Listening to a sermon is beneficial when what is heard is remembered and discussed at home. - The meaning of the expression: this is all to be. - Why the angel reminds Joseph of the prophecy of Isaiah. - Why Christ is called Emmanuel. - The objection of the Jews to the virginity of Mary is refuted by the translation of the 70, just as it has no support in other translations. - Mary remained a virgin even after her birth. - The example of Christ's brothers in the flesh shows that kinship with a righteous person is not useful if there is no virtue of one's own. - The prayers of the righteous cannot save those who do not care about salvation themselves. - Alms, given even from unrighteously acquired property, propitiates God. - Crime and the harm of usury.

SIXTH DISCOURSE. Explanation 2:1-3. The star that appeared at the birth of Christ does not serve as a justification for the teaching of astrologers. - She was an invisible force that took the form of a star; - four proofs of this. - The purpose of the appearance of the star and the coming of the Magi. - God in the dispensation of the economy is applied to the state and ordinary views of people. - Why does the Evangelist indicate the time and place of birth? - Who prompted the Magi to travel. - God does not violate free will. - Why were the Jews troubled when they heard about the birth of Christ? - Exhortation to listeners to cultivate in themselves love for spiritual things and contrition for sins. - Tears of repentance cleanse the soul in the same way as baptism. - Laughter is condemned by the Scriptures; it comes from the suggestion of the devil, as well as from the spectacle. - Great harm caused by spectacles.

SEVENTH DISCOURSE. Explanation 2:4-10. By the appearance of the Magi and other events that accompanied the birth of Christ, the Jews could know the truth. - Why the dignity of Christ is not so clearly revealed at His birth as afterwards. - Herod's malice and madness. - Why did the star disappear and reappear? - The adoration of the Magi refutes the teaching of Marcion and Paul of Samosata. - It signified the calling of the Gentiles. - Exhortation to imitate the Magi through the service of Christ. - Rebuke of those who leave Christ for the sake of shameful spectacles. - Chastity is the duty of every Christian.

CONVERSATION EIGHT. Explanation 2:11-15. What prompted the Magi to worship the Child. - Why do they go to Persia? - In order to achieve His goals, God sometimes allows His enemies to fall into error. - Why Christ is sent to Egypt. - The prophecy of Hosea 11:1 is properly fulfilled in Christ. - The change that has taken place in Egypt shows the power of Christ. - Wilderness life in Egypt. - Glory of the great Anthony. - Life in the world cannot serve as an obstacle to imitation by monastics.

DISCOURSE NINE. Explanation 2:16-23. Why did God allow the slaughter of the innocents? - Sufferings and calamities endured unjustly either atone for our sins or serve to obtain great rewards in heaven. - In human life, everything is done by the action of God. Fishing. - As a proof of His power, God fulfills His purposes by means contrary. - Why Joseph comes to Nazareth. - The prophetic writings are not all preserved by the Jews. - One should not be proud of one's fatherland, or ancestors, or wealth, or other external advantages. - Wealth does not bring security and leads to the destruction of the soul.

DISCOURSE TEN. Explanation 3:1-6. What time is meant by the expression "in the days of ona". - Why Christ was baptized at the age of thirty. - The difference between the baptism of John and the baptism given by Christ. - The purpose of John's coming. - The appearance and activity of John were foretold by the prophets. - John's Way of Life. - Exhortation to imitate John. - The nearness of judgment and the need for repentance. - Repentance consists not only in abandoning evil deeds, but also in replacing them with good deeds. - Why God does not quickly fulfill our requests. - The Benefits of Temptation.

CONVERSATION ELEVEN. Explanation 3:7-12. The unbelief of the Pharisees who came to John. - John's denunciation of the Pharisees did not deprive them of the hope of salvation through repentance. - It does not take a long time to repent. - The superiority of the baptism of Christ over the baptism of John. - Why does John speak of the gift of the Holy Spirit, keeping silent about the previous works of Christ? - Baptism alone is not enough for salvation; a virtuous life is also required. - You need to benefit from the sermon. - Virtue must be learned gradually, moving from the easiest to the most difficult. - The benefits of epitimias. - Acquisition of skill in virtue.

DISCOURSE TWELVE. Explanation 3:13-17. The baptism of John did not despise Christ. - Christ was baptized to fulfill the entire law. - Why did the Holy Spirit descend? after baptism to Jesus. - Why the Jews, who saw the descent of the Spirit, did not believe in Christ. - On everyone who is baptized, even now, the Holy Spirit descends. - Why the Holy Spirit. descended in the form of a dove. - The Holy Spirit. not inferior in dignity to the Son of God. - Having fulfilled the baptism of the Jews, Christ opened the door to the baptism of the New Testament. - A Christian must lead a life worthy of the gift of baptism. - A believer must justify his teaching before the pagans in practice and serve as an example for them.

DISCOURSE THIRTEEN. Explanation 4:1-11. Why did Christ endure temptations in the wilderness? - The Benefits of Temptation. - You should not seek temptations yourself. - Fasting is a weapon against the devil. - Why Christ fasted for 40 days. - The meaning and significance of the three temptations. - By his example, Christ teaches how to defeat the devil. - The variety of means used by the devil for seduction. - You should not strenuously seek a quiet life. - Prosperous sinners will be subjected to the heaviest punishment. - Certainty of future judgment and retribution; proof of this.

CONVERSATION FOURTEEN. Explanation IV, 12-24. Why does Christ retire to Galilee? - What is Galilee. - Why Christ begins preaching after John. - The Calling of Peter and Andrew. - An example of obedience to Christ, shown by them. - Why Christ worked miracles at the beginning of the sermon. - Even now Christ heals spiritual illnesses - the source of bodily illnesses. - In order to ask for absolution of sins, you need to feel your sins. - Impenitence angers God most of all. - After death, a sinner cannot receive forgiveness.

CONVERSATION FIFTEEN. Explanation 5:1-16. By His example, Christ teaches not to do anything for show. - Addressing His speech to His disciples, Christ speaks through them to all people. - Who is meant by the poor in spirit. Humility is the beginning of all piety. - Weeping over sins frees you from addiction to earthly things. - The consolation given by God helps to overcome everything. - By the earth, promised to the meek, we also mean sensual blessings. - Who is meant by those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and exiles for the sake of righteousness, and what is their reward? - Not all reproach makes people blessed. - The Kingdom of Heaven is not promised by the poor in spirit alone. - Why the last commandment is addressed directly to the disciples. - To endure backbiting is a greater feat than to endure danger. - The commandments pave the way for one another. - What is the meaning of the expressions: "you are the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world". - The power of preaching shows the power of Christ. - Virtue cannot hide. "She's the only one who makes you happy. - Those who slander inwardly praise virtue. - The life of a Christian must justify the teaching. - Rebuke to those who pursue gain, give alms out of vanity, amuse themselves with the quarrels of others, and exhort them not to stir up strife and quarrels, and to forgive offenses.

CONVERSATION SIXTEEN. Explanation 5:17-26. Why does Christ say that He does not destroy the law? - Why does He say and do some things with authority, other things with humility and with prayer to God? - How Christ fulfilled the law and the prophets. - The commandments that filled in the old law are already given in the preceding Beatitudes. - Why Christ calls His commandments small. - Your own affairs must precede learning. - The Old Testament truth is akin to the New Testament. - Why great feats are required in the New Testament. - The commandments of Christ affirm and complete the commandments of the Old Testament. - The Old Testament law testifies to the goodness of the Lawgiver. - The lawgiver of the Old and New Testaments is one. - Not all anger is forbidden by Christ. - Why Christ threatens hell for insulting with words. - Reconciliation with a brother is a true sacrifice to God. - Why is it commanded to make peace with the rival soon? - Slowness in doing good deeds is the cause of great evils. - The motivation for virtue should be the thought that we do everything for God. - God's help makes everything easy. - Virtue seems difficult for a person as long as he is in sin.