Lucas, Franciscus

Lucas, Franciscus (BRUGIESIS), one of the ablest of the Roman Catholic theologians of the 16th century, was born at Bruges in 1549. He studied theology at Louvain, and became at once celebrated for his knowledge of the sacred languages and their cognate dialects. In 1562 he was appointed archdeacon and dean of the cathedral of St. Omer, and there he remained until his death, February 19, 1619. As the fruits of his great scholarship he has left us mainly works of value in Biblical theology. The following deserve special mention: (1) the edition of the Biblia Regia (brought out by Plantin, the famous printer of Antwerp, under the auspices of Philip II of Spain), which Lucas superintended. But the work by which he is principally known is (2) his Commentarius in Quatuor Evangelia (Antw. 1606), which was completed by Supplementum Commnentar. in Luc. et Joann. (Antw. 1612, 1616), a commentary of no ordinary merit. "Entirely passing by, or alluding in the briefest manner to the mystical sense, and omitting all doctrinal discussions, he explains clearly and concisely the literal meaning, illustrating it frequently from the Greek and Latin fathers, as well as from later writers of authority, though never burdening his pages with lists of conflicting authorities. His plan is a simple one, and judiciously carried out. He chooses one sense, and that the one which the sacred writer appeared to have had in view, and briefly expounds and illustrates that, never distracting his readers with varying interpretations only mentioned to be rejected. Lucas had no mean critical ability, and his knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, and Syriac was exact and trustworthy. A truly devotional spirit breathes through the whole." (3) Notationes in Sacr. Bibl. (Antw. 1580- 83), with a careful summary of the various readings, which were also appended to the edition of the Vulgate that appeared from the press of Plantin with Emman. Sa's notes (Antw. 1624), under the title Fr. Lucre, Roman. correct. in Bibl. Latin. loc. insigniora. (4) Sacrorum Bibliorum Vulgatae editionis Concordantiae (Antw. 1606, 5 volumes, fol.; best ed. Antw. 1642). See Fabricius, Hist. Biblioth. page 1 and 3; Dupin, Auteurs Ecclesiast. du dix-septienze Siecle, col. 1572; Simon, l'Hist. Crit. des Versions du Nouv. Test. chapter 3; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, volume 32, s.v.; Kitto, Cyclop. Bibl. Lit. volume 2, s.v.