The interpretation timeline

Tob 13:21

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Tob 13:21 · Douay-Rheims
“The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones.”
Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900
1849
A.D.
1774–1849
“Emerald. Greek adds, “and precious stone: thy walls, and towers, and battlements, of pure gold. And the streets of Jerusalem shall be strewed with beryl and carbuncle, and stone from Soupheir.” (Haydock) — This description resembles that of Isaias, (liv. 11.) who lived a little before. St. John (Apocalypse xxi.10.) represents the church in the same ornaments, denoting the merits of Christ and the virtues of his saints. All are convinced that such expressions are not to be taken in the literal sense. (Calmet)”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.