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Saint John Chrysostom (mosaic), Byzantine mosaicist

Catena Aurea on John 5:31–40: 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 5:31–40

How then says Moses, Ask—whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is: did ever people hear the voice of God, speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard and seen? (Deut. 4:32, 33) Isaiah too, and many others, are said to have seen Him. So what does Christ mean here? He means to impress upon them the philosophical doctrine, that God has neither voice, or appearance, or shape; but is superior to such modes of speaking of Him. For as in saying, Ye have never heard His voice, He does not mean to say that He has a voice, only not an audible one to them; so when He says, Nor have even His shape, no tangible, sensible, or visible shape is implied to belong to God: but all such mode of speaking is pronounced inapplicable to God.

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

Also cites: Hom. xl. 3

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