The Interpretations of the Parable of Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) by Cardinal Hugh of St. Cher (†1263) and Cardinal Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (†1274)

Abstract

In three previous articles² I have investigated St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio's dependence on and independence from Hugh of St. Cher in his Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. I concluded that Bonaventure creatively borrowed from Hugh.³ In those studies I began with Bonaventure's text and looked backwards at the commentary of his older contemporary. In this study I begin with Hugh's commentary and see what Bonaventure creatively adapted, abridged or omitted from it. From many possible texts in Luke's Gospel I have selected Luke 16:19-31, the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, which by the 13^th century had a rich interpretive tradition. For example, Gregory the Great had dedicated his fortieth homily to it. John Chrysostom had preached seven homilies on it. For his part Peter of Ravenna preached four fifteen-minute homilies on it. Although Hugh does not explicitly quote his homily, he seems to be aware of the unique interpretation of Gottfried of Autun (d. 1165).⁴ [End Page 67]