Catena Aurea on Luke
Prologue
Isaiah 50:3-4
I will clothe the heavens with darkness, and place a sack as their covering. The Lord gave me an erudite tongue, so that I can sustain the fallen by my word. He awakens me in the morning; in the morning he awakens my ear, that I may hear him as my teacher.
GlossAmong the mysteries of the incarnation of Christ, which Isaiah diligently and openly foretold, he says: "I will clothe the heavens" etc. From these words we can gather, for the Gospel according to Luke, the matter, the manner of writing, the purpose and the condition of the writer.
Augustine, On the consistency of the Gospel: For Luke seems preoccupied with the priestly lineage and person of the Lord. Therefore he is typified by the bull, because it is the chief victim of the priest.
Ambrose, on Luke: For the priestly bull is the victim; therefore this Gospel book fits the bull well, because it starts from priests and finishes in the bull who took the sins of all and was sacrificed for the life of the world. And Luke gave a fuller treatment to the immolation of the bull.
GlossBecause Luke principally intended to treat of the passion of Christ, the matter of this Gospel can be represented by the statement: "I will clothe the heavens with darkness, and place a sack as their covering," for in the passion of Christ darkness literally took place, and the faith of the disciples was darkened.
Jerome, on Isaiah: Christ was despised and without honor when he hung on the cross. His face was hidden and despised, so that the divine power would be hidden by a human body.
Jerome, on illustrious men: Luke's narration, both in the Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles, is refined and full of secular eloquence. Therefore Isaiah adds: "The Lord gave me an eloquent tongue."
Ambrose, on Luke: Although Scripture defeats human wisdom, which relies more on a rich vocabulary than on reality, nevertheless, if anyone looks in divine Scripture for what they think should be imitated, he will find it. For St. Luke held to an historical order, and made known to us very many miracles worked by the Lord. At the same time the historical narration of this Gospel embraces all the powers of wisdom. For what could surpass natural wisdom more than that he brought into play the Holy Creator Spirit also for the Lord's incarnation. He teaches morals in the same book, such as that I must love my enemy. He also teaches reasonable things, as when I read that he who is faithful in little things, will be faithful in great things.
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History: From Antiochene stock, he was a medical practitioner, according to the medicine that he learned from the company of the apostles or from tradition. He left us two medical books, where he explained how not bodies, but souls are cured. Therefore, Isaiah continues: "so that I can sustain the fallen by my word."
Jerome, on Isaiah: He says that he received from the Lord his account on how to raise up a falling and erring people, and call them back to salvation.
A Greek expositor: Since Luke was well endowed and could work hard, he acquired Greek learning. He fully mastered grammar, poetry, rhetoric and the ability to persuade, nor did he lack philosophical talent. Lastly, he acquired medical science, and since by natural precocity he tasted his full of human wisdom, he flew to a higher level. So he hurried to Judaea, and went to Christ, seeing him and hearing him. Since he knew the truth, he became a true disciple of Christ, staying with his Master for a long time.
GlossThere follows: "He awakens me in the morning," that is, from his youth with secular wisdom. He awakens me to divine things, so that I may hear him as a Master, that is, Christ himself.
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History: The tradition is that he wrote his Gospel from the mouth of Paul, as Mark wrote what Peter preached.
Chrysostom, on Matthew: Each of them imitated their master, Luke imitating Paul, who flowed on like rivers, Mark imitating Peter who kept to brief speech.
Augustine, on the consistency of the Gospels: At that time they wrote, they received the approbation not only of the Church of Christ, but also of the apostles who were still living.
And this suffices as an introduction.