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Patristic Gospel commentary

Catena Aurea

A chained commentary on the four Gospels that gathers interpretations from Church Fathers.

Date

1263-1268

Why it matters

It shows Aquinas as a reader of Scripture within the patristic tradition, not only as a scholastic system-builder.

How to read it

  1. 1Read it as curated tradition rather than a modern running commentary.
  2. 2Watch which Fathers are placed beside each Gospel passage.
  3. 3Use it to see Aquinas's respect for inherited interpretation.