The Church Fathers on this verse
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Matthew 24:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together.

Douay-Rheims

οπου γαρ εαν η το πτωμα εκει συναχθησονται οι αετοι

Greek (Byzantine text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

18 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 35 commentaries

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

When the Lord had finished all that related to Jerusalem, He came in the rest to His own coming, and gives them signs thereof, useful not for them only, but for us and for all who shall be after us. As above, the Evangelist said, In those days came John the Baptist, (Mat. 3:1.) not implying immediately after what had gone before, but thirty years after; so here, when He says Then, He passes over the whole interval of time between the taking of Jerusalem and the beginnings of the consummation of the world. Among the signs which He gives of His second coming He certifies them concerning the place, and the deceivers.

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For it shall not be then as at His former coming, when He appeared in Bethlehem, in a corner of the world, unknown of any; but He shall come openly so as not to need any to announce His approach, wherefore, If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe not.

He speaks here of Antichrist, and of certain his ministers, whom He calls false Christs and false prophets, such as were many in the time of the Apostles; but before Christ’s second coming there shall come others more bitter than the former, And they shall shew great signs and wonders. (cf. 2 Thes. 2:8.)

As He had above described in what guise Antichrist should come, so here He describes how He Himself shall come. For as the lightning needeth none to herald or announce it, but is in an instant of time visible throughout the whole world, even to those that are sitting in their chambers, so the coming of Christ shall be seen every where at once, because of the brightness of His glory. Another sign He adds of His coming, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. The eagles denote the company of the Angels, Martyrs, and Saints.

Theophylact of Bulgaria

11th centuryChurch Father

As the birds of prey are drawn to a carcass, likewise, all the saints who rise in the heights of righteousness will gather to the location where Christ is present; they will ascend to the heavens like eagles. Here, the term "carcass" refers to Christ, who experienced death. Simeon remarks of Him, 'This one lies fallen.'

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

It may be questioned by some, "How does the Savior refer to His own body as a lifeless form?" He Himself states, "Wherever there is a corpse, there the eagles will be gathered." Our response is that while Christ did use this language regarding His own body, it was in a parabolic manner, symbolically indicating the future assembly of the faithful as He returns from heaven with the holy angels in the glory of His Father (Matt. 16:27). Just as predatory eagles flock swiftly to carcasses, so too will you be drawn to Me. This truth is articulated by Paul, who declares, "For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible" (1 Cor.

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15:52), and also notes, "We will be caught up in the clouds on the Lord’s Day to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17). Thus, the use of metaphors and comparisons does not undermine the authentic significance of the statement.

Augustine of Hippo

5th centuryChurch Father

Here the Lord forewarns us that even wicked men shall do some miracles which the saints cannot do, yet are they not therefore to be thought to have a higher place in the sight of God. For the Egyptian magi were not more acceptable to God than the people of Israel, because they could do what the Israelites could not; yet did Moses, by the power of God, work greater things. This gift is not bestowed on all the saints, lest the weak should be led astray by a most destructive error, supposing such powers to be higher gifts than those works of righteousness by which eternal life is secured.

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And though magi do the same miracles that the saints do, yet are they done with a different end, and through a different authority; for the one do them seeking the glory of God, the others seeking their own glory; these do them by some special compact or privilege1 granted to the Powers, within their sphere, those by the public dispensation and the command of Him to whom all creation is subject.f For it is one thing for the owner of a horse to be compelled to give it up to a soldier, another for him to hand it over to a purchaser, or to give or lend it to a friend; and as those evil soldiers, who are condemned by the imperial discipline, employ the imperial ensigns to terrify the owners of any property, and to extort from them what is not required by the public service; so some evil Christians, by means of the name of Christ, or by words or sacraments Christian, compel somewhat from the Powers; yet these, when thus at the bidding of evil men, they depart from their purpose, they depart in order to deceive men in whose wanderings they rejoice. It is one way then in which magi, another in which good Christians, another in which bad Christians, work miracles; the magi by a private compact, good Christians by the public righteousness, evil Christians by the signs of public righteousness. 1And we ought not to wonder at this when we believe not unreasonably that all that we see happen is wrought by the agency of the inferior powers of this air.

Yet are we not therefore to think that this visible material world attends the nod of the disobedient angels, but rather the power is given them of God. Nor are we to suppose that such evil angels have creative power, but by their spirituality they know the seeds of things which are hidden from us, and these they secretly scatter by suitable adaptations of the elements, and so they give occasion both to the whole being, and the more rapid increase of substances.

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For so there are many men who know what sort of creatures use to be generated out of certain herbs, meats, juices and humours, bruised and mingled together in a certain fashion; save only that it is harder for men to do these things, inasmuch as they lack that subtlety of sense, and penetrativeness of body in their limbs dull and of earthly mould.

By the east and west, He signifies the whole world, throughout which the Church should be. In the same way as He said below, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, (Mat. 26:64.) so now He likens His coming to lightning, which uses to flash out of the clouds. When then the authority of the Church is set up clear and manifest throughout the whole world, He suitably warns His disciples that they should not believe schismatics and heretics. Each schism and heresy holds its own place, either occupying some important position in the earth, or ensnaring men’s curiosity in obscure and remote conventicles. Lo, here is Christ, or lo, there, refers to some district or province of the earth; the secret chambers, or the desert, signify the obscure and lurking conventicles of heretics.

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The Lord referred to the adversaries that would attack this city, which is symbolically associated with a corpse, as eagles, as it is stated, ‘its horses are swifter than eagles’ (Jer. 4:13). This signifies the rapidity of their approach. Conversely, the faithful are represented as righteous eagles, characterized by the swiftness of their wings.

The owls will congregate around the lifeless, and the demons will assemble around the soul that is filled with despair, as it is written, ‘wherever there is a corpse, there shall the owls gather’.

Jerome of Stridon

5th centuryChurch Father

Wherein He shews that His second coming shall be not in lowliness as His first, but in glory; and therefore it is folly to seek in places little and obscure for Him who is the Light of the whole world. (John 8:12.)

By an instance from nature, which we daily see, we are instructed in a sacrament of Christ. Eagles and vultures are said to scent dead bodies even beyond sea, and to flock to feed upon them. If then birds, not having the gift of reason, by instinct alone find out where lays a dead body, separated by so great space of country, how much more ought the whole multitude of believers to hasten to Christ, whose lightning goeth forth out of the east, and shines even to the west? We may understand by the carcase here, or corpse1, which in the Latin is more expressively ‘cadaver,’ an allusion to the passion of Christ’s death.

They are called eagles whose youth is renewed as the eagle’s, and who take to themselves wings that they may come to Christ’s passion. (Ps. 103:5. Is. 40:31.)

Or otherwise; This may be understood of the false prophets. At the time of the Jewish captivity, there were many leaders who declared themselves to be Christs, (Joseph B.J. v. 1) so that while the Romans were actually besieging them, there were three factions within. But it is better taken as we expounded it above, of the end of the world. Thirdly, it may be understood of the warfare of the heretics against the Church, and of those Antichrists, who under pretext of false science, fight against Christ.

If then any one assert to you that Christ tarries in the desert of the Gentiles, or in the teaching of the Philosophers, or in the secret chambers of the heretics, who promise the hidden things of God, believe Him not, but believe that the Catholic Faith shines from east to west in the Churches.

Or by this, in the desert, or in the secret chambers, He means that in times of persecution and distress, the false Prophets always find place for deceiving.

We are invited to flock to Christ’s passion wheresoever in Scripture it is read of, that through it we may be able to come to God’s word.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

In the Holy Gospel, He referred to eagles as those who rise above the earth, having forsaken worldly attachments and attained a clarity of vision for their souls, longing to be part of the sacred Body. Regarding the saints, who are taken to heaven after the resurrection, He further stated: ‘Wherever there is a corpse, there the eagles will be gathered together.’

Euthymios Zigabenos

11th centuryCommentator

This statement pertains to those who would follow Him. He compared them to eagles, symbolizing their ascension to the heights of righteousness and glory, while He referred to Himself as a lifeless body, acting as the gatherer of these eagles and serving as their spiritual nourishment and eternal life. In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 17:37), the term used for corpse is πτωμα.

Origen of Alexandria

3rd centuryChurch Father

That, If it were possible, is spoken hyperbolically; not that the elect can be led astray, but He wishes to shew that the discourse of heretics is often so persuasive, as to have force to prevail even with those who act2 wisely.

And observe, He says not vultures or crows, but eagles, shewing the lordliness and royalty of all who have believed in the Lord’s passion.

The genus of Antichrist is one, the species many, just as all lies are of one sort. As all the holy Prophets were Prophets of the true Christ, so understand that each false Christ shall have his own false Prophets, who shall preach as true the false teachings of some Antichrist. When then one shall say, Lo, here is Christ, or lo, there, we need not look abroad out of the Scriptures, for out of the Law, the Prophets, and the Apostles, they bring the things which seem to favour their lie. Or by this, Lo, here is Christ, or lo, there, they shew that it was not Christ, but some impostor under the same title, such for example as Marcion, or Valentinus, or Basilides taught.

Or, when they allege secret and before unpublished Scriptures, in proof of their lie, they seem to say, Lo, the word of truth is in the desert. But when they produce canonical Scripture in which all Christians agree, they seem to say, Lo, the word of truth is in the chambers. Or wishing to point out such discourses as are altogether without Scripture, He said, If they shall say to you, Lo, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not. Truth is like the lightning that cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west. Or this may mean, that truth can be supported out of every passage of Scripture.

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The lightning of truth comes out of the east, that is, from the first beginnings of Christ, and shines throughout even to His passion, which is His setting; or from the very beginning of creation, to the last Scripture of the Apostles. Or, the east is the Law, the west is the end of the Law, and of John’s prophecy. The Church alone neither takes away word or meaning from this lightning, nor adds aught to its prophecy. Or He means that we should give no heed to those who say, Lo, here is Christ, but shew Him not in the Church, in which alone is the coming or the Son of Man, who said, Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. (Mat. 28:20.)

Hilarius of Poitiers

4th centuryChurch Father

Notwithstanding, by reason of the great tribulation in which men shall be cast, false prophets promising to shew aid present from Christ, will falsely affirm that Christ is present in divers places, that they may draw into the service of Antichrist men discouraged and distracted.

The false prophets, of whom He had spoken above, shall say of Christ one while, Lo, He is in the desert, in order that they may cause men to wander astray; another while, Lo, He is in the secret chambers, that they may enthral men under the dominion of Antichrist. But the Lord declares Himself to be neither lurking in a remote corner, nor shut up to be visited singly, but that He shall be exhibited to the view of all, and in every place, As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

That we might not be ignorant of the place in which He should come, He adds this, Wheresoever the carcase, &c. He calls the Saints eagles, from the spiritual flight of their bodies, and shews that their gathering shall be to the place of His passion, the Angels guiding them thither; and rightly should we look for His coming in glory there, where He wrought for us eternal glory by the suffering of His bodily humiliation.

Isidore of Pelusium

5th centuryChurch Father

The Creator and Sovereign granted us the paradise of Eden as a state of joyful existence, yet due to our will's tendency and the cunning of the tempter, we were exiled from it, thrust into a realm marked by toil and sorrowful wandering. Thus, for those who have taken up the spiritual struggle, who have departed from earthly existence, and have approached the heights of the celestial realm, the benevolent Christ assures us that He will restore them to their original place. This interpretation aligns with your inquiry regarding the phrase, "Where there is a corpse, there shall the eagles also be gathered together" (Matt. 24:28). This signifies that where there has been succumbing to excessive indulgence, there will also be triumph through fasting and self-denial, which resides within human nature.

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

And as darts, when foreseen, are less likely to hit, He adds, Lo, I have told you. Our Lord announces the woes which are to precede the destruction of the world, that when they come they may alarm the less from having been foreknown.

We may understand this, Wheresoever the carcase is, as meaning, I who incarnate sit on the throne of heaven, as soon as I shall have loosed the souls of the elect from the flesh, will exalt them to heavenly places.

When then Antichrist shall have wrought wonderful prodigies before the eyes of the carnal, he shall draw men after him, all such as delight in present goods, surrendering themselves irrevocably to his sway, Insomuch that if it were possible the very elect should be led astray.

Gregory II.

8th centuryChurch Father

People from every corner of the earth began to gather in Jerusalem, much like eagles drawn to a carcass, as the Lord stated in the Gospel: ‘But if there is a corpse, eagles will gather there.’ The corpse refers to Christ, while the eagles soaring above symbolize the faithful and those who love Christ.

Rabanus Maurus

9th centuryChurch Father

He says not this because it is possible for the divine election to be defeated, but because they, who to men’s judgment seemed elect, shall be led into error.

Theophan the Recluse

19th centuryChurch Father

This passage speaks of the return of Christ. Just as eagles are drawn to a lifeless body, all the saints will be drawn to the location of Christ's appearance, rising in the heights of righteousness and ascending to the heavens like eagles. The Saviour is compared to a lifeless body because He sacrificed Himself for us.

Apollinarius of Laodicea

4th centuryTeacher of the Church

This account serves as a parable. Just as carcasses attract eagles and other birds of prey that swoop down unexpectedly and without awareness to satisfy their hunger, so too will the return of the Son of Man occur (Matt. 24:27). When He manifests once more on this earth during His second glorious coming to execute judgment over all creation, the angelic hosts armed with lances will also emerge, and all the saints will be resurrected in an instant, at the sound of the last trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52). As the apostle indicates, this resurgence resembles certain rapid and soaring eagles, appearing suddenly and without known origin, as they embody thoughts of the divine and an existence befitting the heavenly kingdom.

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Some have sought to interpret this proclamation, suggesting that at the Lord's second coming, those who have lived faithfully—akin to eagles with elevated and celestial aspirations—will depart from paradise and convene at the site of Adam’s fall, where the disobedience that led to his sin occurred.

Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity

19th centuryCommentator

Wherever the dead body is, there will the eagles assemble. Just as voracious eagles flock to a lifeless body, so too will all the saints gather at the appearance of Christ, who sacrificed Himself for all, those who soar to the heights of righteousness, lifted by clouds high in heaven like eagles. The disciples listened to the teachings of the Lord with profound awe; not solely the twelve, but all of them had gathered and settled on the mountain beside Him. Occasionally, during His moments of silence, they would pose questions about the significant events that were to come, and He would continue His teaching, providing them with answers. The Holy Evangelists did not document these inquiries; only the Lord's words remain, making this dialogue recorded by them appear as a singular discourse.

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Therefore, in reading this discourse, one may notice a certain fragmentation, where distant occurrences seem intertwined, and responses to questions appear connected to preceding statements. For instance, this can be seen in the phrase: and suddenly.

In applying the Lord's prophecy regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, which serves as a foreshadowing of the end of the world, the terms “a corpse” and “eagles” may be interpreted in this way: just as relentless eagles descend upon a lifeless body, so will the Roman legions, symbolized by the eagles on their standards, hurry towards spiritually desolate Jerusalem. The phrase “and suddenly,” as noted by one interpreter, should not be taken literally; behind this prophetic declaration lie entire epochs—the vast expanse of time from Jerusalem's destruction to the world's conclusion, a period referred to by the Evangelist Luke as the time of the Gentiles.

Michail (Lusin)

19th centuryCommentator

“Wherever the body lies,” etc. Those who associate this saying with the second coming of the Lord interpret it in this manner: Just as lightning strikes suddenly and illuminates the skies, the return of Christ will be evident to all who inhabit the earth. Likewise, as hungry eagles quickly gather around a lifeless body, so too will all the saints, who rise through the heights of righteousness, ascend to the heavens like eagles to the presence of Christ. In a symbolic sense, Christ is referred to as a body due to His sacrifice for humanity.

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Alternatively, a body can represent those spiritually dead, who are susceptible to the judgment and retribution of the Messiah; the phrase “the eagles shall be gathered together” parallels Matthew 13:41, indicating that the angels dispatched by the Messiah will separate the deceitful and evildoers from His kingdom, casting them into the fiery furnace. Those who interpret this saying in light of the destruction of Jerusalem see the body as representing Jerusalem and the Jewish people, while the eagles symbolize the Roman forces that besieged and captured the city. Their understanding is that the Lord will arrive to bring judgment upon this sinful nation, and at His divine command, the Roman legions will descend like voracious eagles upon the fallen city and dismantle it completely.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

The original text

Greek text, 9 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.

  1. ὅπου
    hopou
    where
    G3699 · ὅπου
  2. ἐὰν
    ean
    if
    G1437 · ἐάν
  3. ᾖ
    ē
    I am
    G1510 · εἰμί
  4. τὸ
    to
    the
    G3588 · ὁ
  5. πτῶμα
    ptōma
    a carcass
    G4430 · πτῶμα
  6. ἐκεῖ
    ekei
    there
    G1563 · ἐκεῖ
  7. συναχθήσονται
    synachthēsontai
    I gather together
    G4863 · συνάγω
  8. οἱ
    hoi
    the
    G3588 · ὁ
  9. ἀετοί
    aetoi
    an eagle
    G105 · ἀετός