The healings at Gennesaret (Matt 14:34–36; Mark 6:53–56)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Homily 50 (on Matthew 14:34–36) Source: trans. Sir George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle, in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf110.iii.L.html

On the higher faith of these people, who no longer sought a touch of His hand but only of His garment:

For neither did they approach Him as before, dragging Him into their houses, and seeking a touch of His hand, and directions from Him in words; but in a far higher strain, and with more of self-denial, and with a more abundant faith did they try to win themselves a cure; for she that had the issue of blood taught them all to be severe in seeking wisdom.

On the hem of His garment, and the yet greater gift of His whole body:

Let us also then touch the hem of His garment, or rather, if we be willing, we have Him entire. For indeed His body is set before us now, not His garment only, but even His body; not for us to touch it only, but also to eat, and be filled. Let us now then draw near with faith, every one that hath an infirmity. For if they that touched the hem of His garment drew from Him so much virtue, how much more they that possess Him entire?

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Theophylact of Ohrid (c. 1055–1107)

Explanation of the Gospel of Mark (on Mark 6:53–56) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Mark. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena2.iii.vi.html

On the people of the country recognising Him as soon as He landed:

The Lord remained at the above-mentioned place for some time. Therefore the Evangelist subjoins, “And when they had come out of the ship, straightway they knew Him,” That is, the inhabitants of the country.

On their bringing the sick to Him, taught by the healing of the woman with the issue of blood:

For they did not call Him to their houses that He might heal them, but rather the sick themselves were brought to Him. Wherefore it also follows: “And whithersoever He entered into villages, or cities, or country, &c.” For the miracle which had been wrought on the woman with an issue of blood, had reached the ears of many, and caused in them that great faith, by which they were healed.

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St. Jerome (c. 347–420)

Commentary on Matthew (on Matthew 14:34–36) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.xiv.html

On the name Gennesaret, and the Church guided to shore:

If we knew what the word Gennezareth would convey in our tongue, we might understand how under the type of the Apostles and the boat, Jesus guides to shore the Church when He has delivered it from the wreck of persecution, and makes it to rest in a most tranquil harbour.

On the hem of the garment:

Or, by the hem of the garment understand His least commandment, which whosoever transgresses, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; or, again, His assumption of the body, by which we come to the Word of God.

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St. Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310–367)

Commentary on Matthew (on Matthew 14:34–36) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.xiv.html

On the believers who met Him when the times of the Law were ended, and on the virtue that flows from the whole garment to the Apostles:

When the times of the Law were ended, and five thousand out of Israel were entered within the Church, it was then that the people of believers met Him, then those that were saved out of the Law by faith set before the Lord the rest of their sick and weak; and they that were thus brought sought to touch the hem of His garment, because through their faith they would be healed. And as the virtue of the hem proceeded from the whole garment, so the virtue of the grace of the Holy Spirit went forth from our Lord Jesus Christ, and imparted to the Apostles, who proceeded as it were from the same body, administers salvation to such as desire to touch.

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St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735)

Commentary on Mark (on Mark 6:53–56) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Mark. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena2.iii.vi.html

On how they knew Him, and on the faith that would not keep the cure to itself:

But they knew Him by report, not by His features; or through the greatness of His miracles, even His person was known to some. See too how great was the faith of the men of the land of Gennesaret, so that they were not content with the healing of those who were present, but sent to other towns round about, that all might hasten to the Physician;

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St. Rabanus Maurus (c. 780–856)

Commentary on Matthew (on Matthew 14:34–36) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.xiv.html

On the name of the land:

The land of Gennezar, by the lake of Gennezareth, takes its name from a natural power which it is said to have of spontaneously modulating its waters so as to excite a breeze; the Greek words importing, ‘creating for itself the breeze.’

On its meaning, and the rest that awaits us at the end:

Genezar is interpreted, ‘rise,’ ‘beginning.’ For then will complete rest be given to us, when Christ shall have restored to us our inheritance of Paradise, and the joy of our first robe.