Thomas Aquinas

Here he threatens punishment: and first the threat is set forth against the shepherds. "I will visit." Above, 21: "I will visit upon you according to the fruit of your studies." Second, the consolation of the scattered flock is set forth, "I will gather": where first he sets forth the gathering. Ezekiel 34: "I will lead them out from the peoples, and gather them from the lands," etc. And the prosperity of their state, "and they shall increase." Genesis 1: "Increase, and multiply, and fill the earth." Second, he promises them the amendment of their prelates: and first he promises them careful princes, setting forth the carefulness of the shepherds: "and I will raise up" — when you shall already have fallen away into nothing — "shepherds." Ezra, and others, according to some. But better, the apostles. Above, 3: "I will give you shepherds according to my heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine." And the usefulness of their carefulness, namely security: "they shall not fear" — as to the outward signs of fear — and "they shall not dread" — inwardly — "and none shall be missing out of their number," as if to say: none of the number of the Church shall fear, or fail through the negligence of the apostles. Or it is referred to the number of the predestined. John 17: "none of them has perished but the son of perdition." This security, however, is not perfected in this life, but will be perfected when perfect charity casts out fear: 1 John 4 — but it will be consummated in the future.

Second, he promises them a best king, showing the fitness of the time: "behold" — on account of certainty — "the days" — of grace. 2 Corinthians 6: "behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation." The condition of the coming king as to the nobility of his lineage: "and I will raise up to David a just branch." Below, 33: "I will make to spring up to David a branch of justice, and he shall do judgment and justice in the earth." As to the authority of his dignity: "and the king shall reign" — not only over the Jews, but also over all kings. Luke 1: "and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever." Daniel 7: "whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and obey." As to the wisdom of his heart: "and he shall be wise" — nay rather, wisdom itself. Corinthians 1: "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." And as to the execution of justice: "and he shall do judgment" — in the first coming, against the Devil, who was called the prince of the world: John 12: "now is the judgment of the world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out," namely, into the outer darkness; but in the second, against all, punishing by a general sentence. John 5: "the father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the son." And "justice," which he taught was to be kept. Matthew 5: "unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." And for fulfilling it, the help of grace: whence he sets forth the usefulness of his coming, as to salvation from punishment: "in those days it shall be saved": in the first coming, in part; in the second coming, universally, when all Israel shall be saved: Romans 11. Isaiah 10: "if the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be converted of it." And as to security: "and Israel shall dwell confidently." And this is to be expounded as above. Isaiah 32: "my people shall sit in the beauty of peace, in the tabernacles of justice, and in wealthy rest." He says "Judah" as to the two tribes; "Israel" as to the ten, to signify that in the faith of Christ they shall be in concord. Hosea 1: "and they shall appoint themselves one head," etc.