While almost all of the works in this vault use Victorian translations, due to the only English translation of this commentary being in copyright, it was machine-translated (by Claude, 2026) from the public-domain Latin. It has not been checked by a human translator.
Hilary, bishop of Poitiers, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, written about 353–356, before his exile to the East. Chapter 30: On the first day of unleavened bread, on which the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
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Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? and the rest. The disciples are bidden go to a certain man and tell him that the Lord wishes to keep the passover at his house with His disciples. They obeyed the commands, and made ready the passover. But they ought to have known where they were going, and to have been told the man’s name. Otherwise, uncertain to whom they were being sent, how could they, being sent, carry out what they had been commanded? But the word of prophecy is mingled with the working of present events. For He does not name the man with whom He was to keep the passover. For the honour of the Christian name had not yet been granted to believers, who truly behold God with the eyes of mind and faith: so that we might know that the apostles were preparing the Lord’s passover with him to whom, in the Lord’s time, a new name was to be added.
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After this Judas the traitor is pointed out, and without him the passover is completed, the cup being taken and the bread broken: for he was not worthy of communion in the eternal sacraments. For it is understood from this that he went out at once, that he is shown coming back with the crowds. Nor indeed could he drink with the Lord, who was not to drink in the kingdom: since He promised that all who then drank of the fruit of this vine would afterwards drink with Him. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount: that is, all the powers of the divine mysteries having been accomplished, they are lifted up, with common joy and exultation, into heavenly glory.
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He warned them also of the weakness to come, and that that same night all would be troubled with fear and unbelief. And the truth of this was contained also in the authority of an ancient prophecy, that when the shepherd was smitten the sheep would be scattered; yet that He, rising again, would go before them into Galilee: so that He might comfort their weakness by the promise of His return. But Peter, in the warmth of his faith, answered that though the others should be offended, he would never be offended. For he was so carried away by his feeling and love for Christ that he did not consider either the weakness of his flesh or the truth of the Lord’s words: as though what He said were not to come to pass. To him He says, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. But both he and the rest promise that not even for fear of death would they depart from the confession of His name: for they had strengthened themselves, with the fearless will of faith, for every constancy of their ministry.