Volume 13a

House Postil,

Published anew on behalf of the Ministry of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States.

Preface.

Plochmann provides the best information about the origin of the Hauspostille in the preface to the first edition of the Erlangen edition. The historical notes are more clearly arra

Table of Contents.

Preface by Dr. Martin Luther to this House Postilla XVI

Dr. Martin Luther's preface to this house postils.

I have preached these sermons in my house in the presence of my servants, so that I, as a householder, might also do my part to teach my servants to lead a Christian life. If God w

M. Veit Dietrich's letter.

My commanding and favorable lords. Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our Father and our Lord

Dr. Martin Luther's Home Postil.

In order that we may render service to our dear Lord God today and, according to His command, sanctify the holiday, that is, spend it with God's Word, which alone is holy and sanct

On the first Sunday of Advent.*)

Now when they were come near Jerusalem to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, and said unto them: Go into the village which is before you, and soo

On the second Sunday of Advent. *)

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth men shall be afraid, and shall tremble; and the sea and the waves shall roar. And men sha

On the third Sunday of Advent. *)

And when John heard the works of Christ in prison, he sent two of his disciples, saying, Art thou he that should come, or shall we wait for another? Jesus answered and said unto th

On the fourth Sunday of Advent. *)

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed: I am not Chr

On the holy day of Christ. *)

And it came to pass at that time, that a commandment went forth from the emperor Augustus, that all the world should be appraised. And this valuation was the very first, and came t

On Christmas Day.

What the angels told the shepherds about this Your love has heard the story of this day, how Christ Jesus, the Son of God, was born into this world, and what we are to learn from i

On the second day of Christ. *)

So far, your love has heard how God has made His angels, the dear princes, preachers, and has made them shepherds, poor beggars, or otherwise unsightly people. sent to sing to them

On the Sunday before the new year's day. *)

And his father and mother marveled at the things spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this man is set for a fall and a rising of many in I

On the new year's day. *)

Of the circumcision of Christ and the Jews. And when eight days were expired for circumcising the child, his name was called Jesus, which was called of the angel before he was conc

On Colonel's Day above Feast of the Apparition. *)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, the wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is the newborn King of t

On the Colonel's Day or Feast of the Apparition.

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John rebuked him, saying: I have need that I should be baptized of thee, and thou comest unto

On the first Sunday after Epiphany. *)

And his parents went up to Jerusalem every year for the feast of Easter. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And when

The next Sunday after Epiphany. *)

And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of JEsu was there. JEsu and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. And when there was no wine,

On the third Sunday after Epiphany.*)

And when he was come down from the mountain, much people followed him. And, behold, a leper came and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus

On the fourth Sunday after Epiphany. *)

And he entered into the ship, and his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, so that the little ship also was covered with waves; and he slept.

On the fifth Sunday after Epiphany.

He set before them another similitude, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that sowed good seed in his field. But while the people slept, his enemy came and sowed tare

On the Sunday of Septuagint. *)

The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day's wages, he se

On Sexagesimä Sunday. *)

And when there were many people together, and they hasted to him out of the cities, he said by a parable, There went out a sower to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the

On the day of the Purification of Mary. *)

And when the days of their purification came according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him unto the Lord: as it is written in the law of the Lord, Ev

On the day of the Purification of Mary.

This is a very good history together with a beautiful sermon and prophecy, which the old father Simeon publicly gave about the child Jesus in the temple. It is one of the other rev

On Sunday Estomihi. *)

And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of ma

On Sunday Invocavit. *)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, that he might be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he hungered. And the tempter came u

On the Sunday Reminiscere. *)

And Jesus went out from thence, and escaped into the region of Tyro and Sidon. And, behold, a Canaanite woman went out of that border, and cried after him, saying, Lord, thou Son o

On Sunday Oculi. *)

And he cast out a devil, which was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was cast out, that the dumb man spake. And the people marveled. But some of them said: He casts out dev

On Sunday Lätare. *)

After this Jesus departed over the sea at the city of Tiberias in Galilee. And great multitudes followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on them that were sick. And JE

On the Sunday of Judica. *)

Which of you can accuse me of sin? But if I tell you the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears the word of God. Therefore you do not hear, for you are not of God

Palm Sunday.

Now when they were come near Jerusalem to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, and said unto them: Go into the place which is before you, and soon

On the day of the Last Supper of Christ.*)

I have received it from the Lord, which I have given you. For the Lord Jesus, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and said, Take, eat; thi

On the day of the supper of Christ.

Whosoever therefore eateth unworthily of this bread, or drinketh of the cup of the Lord, is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him

Green Thursday.

Before the feast of Easter, when Jesus knew that his time was come to depart out of this world unto the Father; as he had loved his own which were in the world, so loved he them un

Passion Sermons.

Preface to the Sermon on the Passion. (1) Since it is the season of the year, when the suffering of our dear Lord Jesus Christ is sung and preached in the church, let us leave it a

Passion or History of the Passion of Christ our Savior.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here until I go there and pray. And took unto him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and beg

The other sermon.

And while he yet spake, stand, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, of the chief priests and elders of the people. And the betrayer

The third sermon.

And, behold, one of them that were with JEsu put forth his hand, and drew out his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Pu

The fourth sermon.

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him unto Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders were gathered together. And Peter followed him afar off unto the palace of t

The fifth sermon.

But Peter was outside in the palace; and a maid came to him, saying, And thou also wast with JEsu of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest. An

The sixth sermon.

How Christ is delivered to Pilate, and Judas hangs himself, and the chief priests buy a field for the burial of the pilgrims for the thirty pieces of silver. On the morrow all the

The seventh sermon.

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the king of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest so. And when he was accused by the chie

The eighth sermon.

(1) In this part of the history of the Lord Christ there are many fine comforting points of Christian doctrine; but because it is too much for one sermon, and the history itself is

The ninth sermon.

And as they led him away, they took hold of one, Simon of Cyrene, who came from the field, and laid the cross upon him, that he might bear the cross after Jesus. And there followed

The tenth sermon.

And when they came to the place called Golgotha, that is, the place of the skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mixed with gall: and when he tasted it, he would not drink. And whe

The eleventh sermon.

And there were also brought two other malefactors, that they might be taken away with him. And when they were come to the place which is called the place of the skull, there they c

Good Friday. *)

And there were also brought two other malefactors, that they might be taken away with him. And when they were come to the place which is called the place of the skull, there they c

The twelfth sermon.

How the Lord Christ John commanded his mother, and the soldiers did not break the legs of the Lord Christ, but opened his side with a spear, and at the same time blood and water fl

The thirteenth sermon.

In the evening there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that i

On the holy day of Easter.

Now in the evening of the Sabbath, which dawns on the morning of the first feast of the Sabbaths, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was

Of the fruit of Christ's resurrection.

Because today's feast holds before us the comforting and joyful article of our faith, in that we confess that Christ rose again from the dead on the third day, it is necessary firs

On the holy day of Easter.

1. your love has heard about the resurrection of Christ, how it is done, why it is done, and how we should use and enjoy it. Of such use of the resurrection this gospel also teache

Easter Tuesday.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them: Peace be with you! And they were afraid, and thought that they saw a spirit. And he said unto t

On the second Sunday after Easter, Misericordias Domini. *)

I am a good shepherd; a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. But a hireling that is not a shepherd, that owneth not the sheep, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the she

On the third Sunday after Easter, Jubilate.

Over a little one ye shall not see me; but over a little one ye shall see me: for I go unto the Father. Then said some of his disciples one to another, What is this that he saith u

On the fourth Sunday after Easter, Cantate.

But now I go unto him that sent me: and none of you asked me, Whither goest thou? but because I spake these things unto you, your heart was filled with sorrow. But I tell you the t

On the fifth Sunday after Easter, Rogate. *)

Verily, verily, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your

On the day of the Ascension of Christ. *)

And he led them out unto Bethany, and lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, as he blessed them, he departed from them, and ascended into heaven. And they wors

On the holy day of Pentecost.

And when the day of Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all with one accord. And there came a swift sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house wher

On the holy day of Pentecost

Jesus answered and said unto him, He that loveth me shall keep my word; and my Father shall love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. But he that loveth me

On Pentecost assembly. *)

Thus God loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the wo

On the Sunday of Trinity.

(1) There is much to preach about today's feast. For first of all, the gospel is very rich in itself and teaches us of great things; so necessity also requires that we say somethin

On the first Sunday after Trinity. *)

Now there was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and lived all his days gloriously and joyfully. But there was a poor man named Lazarus, who lay at his door full

On the second Sunday after Trinity. *)

And he said unto him, There was a man that made a great supper, and invited many. And sent forth his servant at the hour of supper, to say unto them that were bidden: Come, for eve

On the third Sunday after Trinity.

And all the publicans and sinners came near to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying: This man accepts sinners and eats with them. And he said unto them this lik

On the fourth Sunday after Trinity. *)

Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Gi

On the youngest Sunday after Trinity. *)

And it came to pass, when the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, that he stood by the sea of Galilee, and saw two ships standing by the sea; and the fishermen were go

Appendix to the sermon on the fifth Sunday after Trinity.*)

But now God has made his word available to us in abundance, so that we can easily and without any effort put all our works, doings and non-doings into it. For he who believes, that

On the sixth Sunday after Trinity. *)

For I say unto you, Except your righteousness be better than that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said unto t

On the seventh Sunday after Trinity. *)

At that time, when there was a great crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them: For they have tarried with me three days, and have nothi

On the eighth Sunday after Trinity. *)

Beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits ye shall know them. Can you also gather grapes from thorns,

On the ninth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward, which was reproached before him, as if he had destroyed his goods. And he challenged him, an

On the tenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And when he was come nigh, he looked upon the city, and wept over it, and said, If thou knewest, thou wouldest consider in this thy time what is for thy peace. But now it is hid fr

On the eleventh Sunday after Trinity. *)

Now he said to some who presumed themselves to be pious, and despised others, the like: Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a publican. The Pharisee

On the twelfth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And going out again from the borders of Tyri and Sidon, he came to the Sea of Galilee, in the midst of the border of the ten cities. And they brought unto him a dove that was dumb,

On the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And he turned to his disciples, and said in particular, Blessed are the eyes which see that ye see. For I say unto you, That many prophets and kings would see that ye see, and have

On the fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And it came to pass, as he journeyed toward Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And when he was come into a market, ten leprous men met him, which stood

On the fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will cling to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you,

On the sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And it came to pass afterward, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. And when he was come nigh unto the gate of the city,

On the seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And it came to pass, that he entered into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees, on a sabbath day to eat bread; and they kept watch over him. And, behold, there was a man

On the eighteenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

But when the Pharisees heard that he had shut the Sadducees' mouths, they gathered together. And one of them, a scribe, tempted him, saying, Master, which is the chief commandment

On the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. *)

Then he got into the ship and crossed over again and came to his city. And, behold, they brought unto him a sick of the palsy, lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said t

On the twentieth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a king that made a marriage for his son: and he sent forth his servants to call

On the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

There was a king whose son was sick in Capernaum. And when he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea of Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal

On the twenty-second Sunday after Trinity.

Then Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how often must I forgive my brother who sins against me? Is it enough seven times? Jesus said to him, "I tell you, not seven times, but seve

On the twenty-third Sunday after Trinity. *)

Then the Pharisees went and held a council, as they caught him in his speech; and they sent unto him their disciples, with Herodi's servants, saying: Master, we know that thou art

On the twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity. *)

And when Jesus was come over again in a ship, much people gathered unto him, and were by the sea. And, behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, named Jairus. And when

On the twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, that it shall stand in the holy place, then let him that is in the land of Jud

On the twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity.

After this, Jesus sailed across the sea from the city of Tiberias in Galilee. And great multitudes followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were sick.

On the twenty-seventh Sunday after Trinity.

And when he saw the people, he went up into a mountain, and sat down; and his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are they which are

Evangelion explanation

Open this section of Luther's works.

Festtheil der Hauspostille.

We have kept the order with the festivals in this postilla, as it is customary according to Brandenburg and Nuremberg order, since also the apostles' festivals are not included wit

St. Andrew's Day.

The next day John stood again, and two of his disciples. And when he saw JEsu walking, he said, Behold, this is the Lamb of God. And two of his disciples heard him speak, and follo

St. Thomas Day.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called a twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Then said the other disciples unto him, We have seen the Lord. And he said unto them: Unless

On Christmas Day.

For there shall be another trouble that shall trouble them, as in the former time, when it was easy in the land of Zebulun, and in the land of Naphtali, and afterward it was harder

On the day of Stephani.

In the days when the disciples were many, a murmur arose among the Greeks against the Eberians, because their widows were overlooked in the daily giving of hands. Then the twelve c

From the innocent little children.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and tarry t

On the Colonel's Day or Feast of the Apparition.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, the wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is the newborn King of t

On the day of the conversion of St. Paul. *)

And Saul, while he yet spake evil against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and besought him to send letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that, if he found an

On the day of Mattiä

At that time Jesus answered and said: I praise you, Father and Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babe

On the day of the Annunciation. *)

And in the sixth moon the angel Gabriel was sent by God into a city of Galilee, which is called Nazareth, unto a virgin, which was trusted unto a man, whose name was Joseph, of the

On the day of Philippi and Jacobi.

And he said to his disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. If you believe in God, you also believe in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would

On the day of St. John the Baptist. *)

And Elizabeth's time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and friends heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with he

On the day of Peter and Paul.

Then came Jesus into the region of the city Caesarea Philippi, and asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? They said: Some say that thou art John the Ba

On the day of the Visitation of Mary.

You will find the Gospel on the day of the Visitation of Mary on the feast of the Assumption of Mary.

On the day of Magdalene.

But one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner. When sh

St. James Day.

Then Jacob and John, the sons of Zebedee, went to him and said: Master, we would that thou wouldest do unto us whatsoever we shall ask of thee. He said to them: What would ye that

On the day of the Visitation of Mary,

And Mary arose in those days, and went up into the mountains to the end of the city of Jude, and came into the house of Zacharias, and greeted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, when

On the day of the Visitation of Mary.

Your dear ones have heard why we keep this feast, firstly, so that we may take heed of the great miracles of God and the glorious revelation of our dear Lord Christ while he was st

On the day of Bartholomew the Apostle. *)

There was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be considered the greatest. But he said to them: The worldly kings reign, and the mighty are called gracious lords; b

On the day of the beheading of John.

The gospel on the day of the beheading of John you will find on the feast of John the Baptist. [See above Col. 1158 ff.]

On the day of St. Matthew. *

And as Jesus departed from thence, he saw a man sitting at the receipt of custom, whose name was Matthew, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came t

St. Michael's Day.

(1) The feast of the angels was instituted in the Church for the sake of the young people, or, if I may say so, for the sake of all Christians, so that they might learn to remember

On the day of Simonis and Jude.

This I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are no

On the day of the consecration of the church.

And he went in, and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man called Zacchaeus, which was a ruler of publicans, and was rich; and desired to see JEsum, who he was, and c

A wedding sermon.

Marriage shall be kept honest among all, and the marriage bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (1) Marriage has always been considered an honest and praise

A brief exhortation to the married couple on how to conduct themselves in matrimony.

1. You know from the word of God where the marriage state has its origin, namely: that it is an order of God that man and woman should dwell with each other and spend their lives t

The first funeral sermon.

1 St. Paul says in Romans 15:4 that the Scriptures are for our learning, so that we may have hope through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures. Since it is natural for us to

The other funeral sermon.

Your beloved ones have heard how Christians, for the sake of the hope they have, do not want to mourn and weep so miserably, and how they want to care for the dead as the pagans do

A common form of exhorting the audience to common prayer at the end of the sermon.

Since we are now gathered in the name of our dear Lord Christ, and have orders to pray, and promise: what we ask in the name of Christ JEsu, that our gracious Father in heaven may