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Saint John Chrysostom (mosaic), Byzantine mosaicist

Catena Aurea on John 2:5–11: John Chrysostom

Byzantine mosaicist, Saint John Chrysostom (mosaic), 9th century · Hagia Sophia, Constantinople · Public domainByzantine mosaicist, Saint John Chrysostom (mosaic), 9th century, Hagia Sophia, Constantinople

CommentJohn ChrysostomPublic domainJohn 2:5–11

Our Lord wished the power of His miracles to be seen gradually; and therefore He did not reveal what He had done Himself, nor did the ruler of the feast call upon the servants to do so; (for no credit would have been given to such testimony concerning a mere man, as our Lord was supposed to be,) but He called the bridegroom, who was best able to see what was done. Christ moreover did not only make wine, but the best wine. And (the ruler of the feast) saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now. The effects of the miracles of Christ are more beautiful and better than the productions of nature. So then that the water was made wine, the servants could testify; that it was made good wine, the ruler of the feast and the bridegroom. It is probable that the bridegroom made some answer; but the Evangelist omits it, only mentioning what it was necessary for us to know, viz. the water being made wine. He adds, This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee. (Hom. xxiii. 1.). It was very necessary to work miracles just then, when His devoted disciples were all collected, and present at the place, attending to what was going on.

Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).

Also cites: Hom. xxii. 2, 3

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