His brethren… These were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas, sister to our Blessed Lady, (St. Matt. 27. 56; St. John 19. 25,) and therefore, according to the usual style of the Scripture, they were called brethren, that is, near relations to our Saviour.
13:56. And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all these things?
13:57. And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
13:58. And he wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
Matthew Chapter 14
Herod puts John to death. Christ feeds five thousand in the desert. He walks upon the sea, and heals all the diseased with the touch of his garment.
14:1. At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus.
Tetrarch… This word, derived from the Greek, signifies one that rules over the fourth part of a kingdom: as Herod then ruled over Galilee, which was but the fourth part of the kingdom of his father.
14:2. And he said to his servants: This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him.
14:3. For Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife.