Fragments on Matthew

1The deceitful do not approach to learn, and it is untimely to unfold the deeper things (Mt 21:23). A man had two sons, the first representing the Gentiles, whom God, the common Father, called first. For He gave them the teachable and natural law, sowing it in their minds, and gave them preachers of the things seen, but their orderliness of soul was mixed with wood and stones; for they said to the wood, 'You are my Father' (Mt 21:31). Therefore, they did not endure, saying they did not know the Lord (Mt 21:30). These, then, repented later and went to the vineyard. The first son, representing the Gentiles, refused, and the Father approached the second son, that is, Israel, who…

2Being called through Moses, he said, 'All that God spoke, we will do and hear' (Mt 21:28–32). However, they did not do or hear or repent later, whom the prostitutes and the tax collectors condemned, that is, the nations.

3Prostitutes who have repented and done what is pleasing to God are justified by John, having been persuaded by him, even though at first they disobeyed the law, but rather obeyed God.

But those who claim to keep the law, the Pharisees, in mere words only, are rejected by God.

4For the kingdom of heaven is not in words, but in deeds; the doer of the law is righteous, not the hearer. Those who promise to go to the vineyard to work but do not go are like others who make promises to God but do not fulfill them.