Matthew 10:4

(in Luc. 6.) He was not chosen among the Apostles unwittingly; for that truth is great, which cannot be harmed even by having an adversary in one of its own ministers.

After this, when he had said, "Philip, and Bartholomew," he added, "Thomas, and Matthew the Publican."

But Luke not so, but in the opposite order, and he puts him before Thomas.

Next, "James the son of Alphaeus." For there was, as I have already said, the son of Zebedee also. Then after having mentioned "Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus," and "Simon" Zelotes, whom he calls also "the Canaanite," he comes to the traitor. And not as a sort of enemy or foe, but as one writing a history, so hath he described him. He saith not, "the unholy, the all unholy one," but hath named him from his city, "Judas Iscariot." Because there was also another Judas, "Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus," who, Luke saith, was the brother of James, saying, "Judas the brother of James." Therefore to distinguish him from this man, it saith, "Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him." And he is not ashamed to say, "who also betrayed Him." So far were they from ever disguising aught even of those things that seem to be matters of reproach.

And first of all, and leader of the choir, is the "unlearned, the ignorant man."

(Verse 4.) Simon the Cananaean. He is the one who is referred to in another Gospel (Luke VI) as Zealot. For Chana means zeal. Thaddaeus the apostle is said in the Ecclesiastical History to have been sent to King Abgar of Edessa, who is called by the evangelist Luke Judas, the son of James; and elsewhere he is called Lebbaeus (Acts I), which means little heart. And it is believed that he had a triple name: just as Simon was also called Peter (Mark III); and the sons of Zebedee were called Boanerges (or Banerges), because of the firmness and greatness of their faith.



And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. He took his name either from the village or city where he was born, or from the tribe of Issachar, so that it was born by some prophecy into the condemnation of itself. For Issachar is interpreted as wages, to signify the price of the traitor.

Simon Chananæus is the same who in the other Evangelist is called Zelotes. Chana signifies 'Zeal.' Judas is named Scarioth, either from the town in which he was born, or from the tribe of Issachar, a prophetic omen of his sin; for Issachar means 'a booty,' thus signifying the reward of the betrayer.

Scarioth is interpreted 'The memory of the Lord,' because he followed the Lord; or 'The memorial of death,' because he plotted in his heart how he might betray the Lord to death; or 'strangling,' because he went and hanged himself. It should be known that there are two disciples of this name, who are types of all Christians; Jude the brother of James, of such as persevere in the confession of the faith; Jude Scarioth of such as leave the faith; and turn back again.

Simon Chananæus, and Judas Scarioth, who also betrayed him.

Also He willed to be betrayed by a disciple, that you when betrayed by your intimate might bear patiently that your judgment has erred, that your favours have been thrown away.

"James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him." See the humility of Matthew, how he ranked himself after Thomas. And when he came to Judas, he did not say, "the defiled, the enemy of God," but he named him Iscariot after his place of birth. For there was another Judas, who was also called Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus. So there are two James's, the son of Zebedee and the son of Alphaeus, and two Judas's, Thaddaeus and the betrayer. And three Simons, Peter, the Canaanite, and the betrayer; for Judas Iscariot was also called Simon.

Then Simon the Cananaean, from the village of Cana. And Judas Iscariot, to distinguish him from the other Jude; and it is taken either from the village or from the stock of the tribe of Issachar, who is called death. Who betrayed him. Why is he listed? To give an example that dignity of rank does not make a person holy. Another reason is to remind us that it scarcely happens that in a large group someone is not evil. Therefore, he is listed to show that good persons are sometimes not without wicked ones: "As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters" (S of S 2:2). Augustine: "My house is not better than the Lord's house."

(vid. Greg. Hom. in Ev. xvii. 1.) And this doubling seems to have some reference to the two precepts of charity, or to the two Testaments.

(non occ.) They are named two and two to express their union as yoke-fellows.