Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 11
Passages · 149
John 11:1–5
- Bede on John 11:1–5 — After our Lord had departed to the other side of Jordan, it happened that Lazarus fell sick: A certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany.In some copies the copulative conjunction precedes, to mark the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:1–5 — The resurrection of Lazarus is more spoken of than any of our Lord’s miracles. But if we bear in mind who He was who wrought this miracle, we shall feel not so much of wonder, as of delight. He who made the man,…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:1–5 — And as there were many women of this name, He distinguishes her by her well-known act: It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:1–5 — First we are to observe that this was not the harlot mentioned in Luke, but an honest woman, who treated our Lord with marked reverence.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:1–5 (2) — John here confirms the passage in Luke (Luke 7:38), where this is said to have taken place in the house of one Simon a Pharisee: Mary had done this act therefore on a former occasion. That she did it again at Bethany…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:1–5 (3) — A cruel sickness had seized Lazarus; a wasting fever was eating away the body of the wretched man day by day: his two sisters sat sorrowful at his bedside, grieving for the sick youth continually. They sent to Jesus:…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:1–5 (4) — They did not say, Come and heal; they dared not say, Speak the word there, and it shall be done here; but only, Behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick. As if to say, It is enough that Thou know it, Thou art not one to…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:1–5 (2) — They hope to excite Christ’s pity by these words, Whom as yet they thought to be a man only. Like the centurion and nobleman, they sent, not went, to Christ; partly from their great faith in Him, for they knew Him…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:1–5 — And because they were women, and it did not become them to leave their home if they could help it. Great devotion and faith is expressed in these words, Behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick. Such was their idea of our…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:1–5 (5) — When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death. For this death itself was not unto death, but to give occasion for a miracle; whereby men might be brought to believe in Christ, and so escape real…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:1–5 (3) — That here signifies not the cause, but the event. The sickness sprang from natural causes, but He turned it to the glory of God. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:1–5 (6) — He is sick, they sorrowful, all beloved. Wherefore they had hope, for they were beloved by Him Who is the Comforter of the sorrowful, and the Healer of the sick.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:1–5 (4) — Wherein the Evangelist instructs us not to be sad, if sickness ever falls upon good men, and friends of God.vatican.va
John 11:6–10
- Alcuin of York on John 11:6–10 — Our Lord heard of the sickness of Lazarus, but suffered four days to pass before He cured it; that the recovery might be a more wonderful one. When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:6–10 — To give time for his death and burial, that they might say, he stinketh, and none doubt that it was death, and not a trance, from which he was raised. Then after that saith He to His disciples, Let us go into Judæa…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:6–10 — Where He had just escaped being stoned; for this was the cause of His leaving. He left indeed as man: He left in weakness, but He returns in power.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:6–10 (2) — He had not as yet told His disciples where He was going; but now He tells them, in order to prepare them beforehand, for they are in great alarm, when they hear of it: His disciples say unto Him, Master, the Jews…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:6–10 (2) — When men presumed to give advice to God, disciples to their Master, our Lord rebuked them: Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? He shewed Himself to be the day, by appointing twelve disciples: i. e.…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:6–10 (3) — As if to say, The upright need fear no evil: the wicked only have cause to fear. We have done nothing worthy of death, and therefore are in no danger. Or, If any one seeth this world’s light, he is safe; much more he…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:6–10 — Some understand the day to be the time preceding the Passion, the night to be the Passion. In this sense, while it is day, would mean, before My Passion; Ye will not stumble before My Passion, because the Jews will…vatican.va
John 11:11–16
- John Chrysostom on John 11:11–16 — After He has comforted His disciples in one way, He comforts them in another, by telling them that they were not going to Jerusalem, but to Bethany: These things saith He: and after that He saith unto them, Our…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:11–16 — It was really true that He was sleeping. To our Lord, he was sleeping; to men who could not raise him again, he was dead. Our Lord awoke him with as much ease from his grave, as thou awakest a sleeper from his bed.…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:11–16 (2) — The disciples however wished to prevent Him going to Judæa: Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Sleep is a good sign in sickness. And therefore if he sleep, say they, what need to go and…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:11–16 (2) — The disciples replied, as they understood Him: Howbeit Jesus spake of his death; but they thought that He had spoken of taking rest in sleep.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:11–16 (3) — But if any one say, that the disciples could not but have known that our Lord meant Lazarus’s death, when He said, that I may awake him; because it would have been absurd to have gone such a distance merely to awake…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:11–16 (3) — He then declares His meaning openly: Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:11–16 (4) — But He does not add here, I go that I may awake him. He did not wish to anticipate the miracle by talking of it; a hint to us to shun vain glory, and abstain from empty promises.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:11–16 (4) — He had been sent for to restore Lazarus from sickness, not from death. But how could the death be hid from Him, into whose hands the soul of the dead had flown? And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:11–16 — Some have understood this place thus. I rejoice, He says, for your sakes; for if I had been there, I should have only cured a sick man; which is but an inferior sign of power. But since in My absence he has died, ye…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:11–16 (5) — The disciples all dreaded the Jews; and especially Thomas; Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. But he who was now the most weak and…vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:11–16 — The disciples, checked by our Lord’s answer to them, dared no longer oppose; and Thomas, more forward than the rest, says, Let us also go that we may die with him. What an appearance of firmness! He speaks as if he…vatican.va
John 11:17–27
- Alcuin of York on John 11:17–27 — Our Lord delayed His coming for four days, that the resurrection of Lazarus might be the more glorious: Then when Jesus came, He found that He had lain in the grave four days already.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 — Our Lord had stayed two days, and the messenger had come the day before; the very day on which Lazarus died. This brings us to the fourth day.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:17–27 — Of the four days many things may be said. They refer to one thing, but one thing viewed in different ways. There is one day of death which the law of our birth brings upon us. Men transgress the natural law, and this…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:17–27 (2) — The first sin was elation of heart, the second assent, the third act, the fourth habit. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (2) — Two miles. This is mentioned to account for so many coming from Jerusalem: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. But how could the Jews be consoling the beloved of…vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:17–27 — Our Lord had not yet entered the town, when Martha met Him: Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (3) — Martha does not take her sister with her, because she wants to speak with Christ alone, and tell Him what has happened. When her hopes had been raised by Him, then she went her way, and called Mary.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:17–27 — At first she does not tell her sister, for fear, if she came, the Jews present might accompany her. And she did not wish them to know of our Lord’s coming. Then saith Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here,…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (4) — She believed in Christ, but she believed not as she ought. She did not speak as if He were God: If Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:17–27 (2) — She did not know that He could have restored her brother as well absent as present.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (5) — Nor did she know that He wrought His miracles by His own independent power: But I know that even now, whatsoever Thou will ask of God, God will give it Thee. She only thinks Him some very gifted man.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:17–27 (2) — She does not say to Him, Bring my brother to life again; for how could she know that it would be good for him to come to life again; she says, I know that Thou canst do so, if Thou wilt; but what Thou wilt do is for…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (6) — But our Lord taught her the truths which she did not know: Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Observe, He does not say, I will ask God, that he may rise again, nor on the other hand does He say, I…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:17–27 (3) — Shall rise again, is ambiguous: for He does not say, now. And therefore it follows: Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day: of that resurrection I am certain; of…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (7) — She had often heard Christ speak of the resurrection. Jesus now declares His power more plainly: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He needed therefore none to help Him; for if He did, how could…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:17–27 (3) — I am the resurrection, because I am the life; as through Me he will rise at the general resurrection, through Me he may rise now.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (8) — To Martha’s, Whatsoever Thou shall ask, He replies, He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: shewing her that He is the Giver of all good, and that we must ask of Him. Thus He leads her to the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:17–27 (4) — He that believeth in Me, though he were dead: i. e. though his flesh die, his soul shall live till the flesh rise again, never to die more. For faith is the life of the soul. And whosoever liveth, in the flesh, and…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:17–27 (4) — Because He hath attained to the life of the Spirit, and to an immortal resurrection. Our Lord, from Whom nothing was hid, knew that she believed, but sought from her a confession unto salvation: Believest thou this?…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:17–27 (9) — She seems not to have understood His words; i. e. she saw that He meant something great, but did not see what that was. She is asked one thing, and answers another.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:17–27 (5) — When I believed that Thou wert the Son of God, I believed that Thou wert the resurrection, that Thou wert lifeb; and that he that believeth in Thee, though he were dead, shall live.vatican.va
John 11:28–32
- John Chrysostom on John 11:28–32 — Christ’s words had the effect of stopping Martha’s grief. In her devotion to her Master she had no time to think of her afflictions: And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:28–32 — Silently1, i. e. speaking in a low voice. For she did speak, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:28–32 (2) — She calls her sister secretly, in order not to let the Jews know that Christ was coming. (non occ.). For had they known, they would have gone, and not been witnesses of the miracle.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:28–32 (2) — We may observe that the Evangelist has not said, where, or when, or how, the Lord called Mary, but for brevity’s sake has left it to be gathered from Martha’s words.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:28–32 — Perhaps she thought the presence of Christ in itself a call, as if it were inexcusable, when Christ came, that she should not go out to meet Him.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:28–32 (3) — While the rest sat around her in her sorrow, she did not wait for the Master to come to her, but, not letting her grief detain her, rose immediately to meet Him; As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:28–32 (3) — So we see, if she had known of His arrival before, she would not have let Martha go without her. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:28–32 (4) — He went slowly, that He might not seem to catch at an occasion of working a miracle, but to have it forced upon Him by others asking. Mary, it is said, arose quickly, and thus anticipated His coming. The Jews…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:28–32 (4) — The Evangelist mentions this to shew how it was that so many were present at Lazarus’ resurrection, and witness of that great miracle. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:28–32 (5) — She is more fervent than her sister. Forgetful of the crowd around her, and of the Jews, some of whom were enemies to Christ, she threw herself at her Master’s feet. In His presence all earthly things were nought to…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:28–32 (2) — But her faith seems as yet imperfect: Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:28–32 — As if to say, Lord, while Thou wert with us, no disease, no sickness dared to shew itself, amongst those with whom the Life deigned to take up His abode.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:28–32 (5) — O faithless assembly! Whilst Thou art yet in the world, Lazarus Thy friend dieth! If the friend dies, what will the enemy suppose? Is it a small thing that they will not serve Thee upon earth? lo, hell hath taken Thy…vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:28–32 — Mary did not say so much as Martha, she could not bring out what she wanted for weeping, as is usual with persons overwhelmed with sorrow.vatican.va
John 11:33–41
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 — Christ did not answer Mary, as He had her sister, on account of the people present. In condescension to them He humbled Himself, and let His human nature be seen, in order to gain them as witnesses to the miracle:…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 — For who but Himself could trouble Him? Christ was troubled, because it pleased Him to be troubled; He hungered, because it pleased Him to hunger. It was in His own power to be affected in this or that way, or not.…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:33–41 — To prove His human nature He sometimes gives it free vent, while at other times He commands, and restrains it by the power of the Holy Ghost. Our Lord allows His nature to be affected in these ways, both to prove…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (2) — And said, Where have ye laid him? He knew where, but He asked to try the faith of the people.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 (2) — He did not wish to thrust the miracle upon them, but to make them ask for it, and thus do away with all suspicions.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (3) — The question has an allusion too to our hidden calling. That predestination by which we are called, is hidden; and the sign of its being so is our Lord asking the question: He being as it were in ignorance, so long…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 (3) — He had not yet raised any one from the dead; and seemed as if He came to weep, not to raise to life. Wherefore they say to Him, Come and see.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (4) — The Lord sees when He pities, as we read, Look upon my adversity and misery, and forgive me all my sin. (Ps. 24:18.) Jesus wept.vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:33–41 — Because He was the fountain of pity. He wept in His human nature for him whom He was able to raise again by His divine.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (5) — Wherefore did Christ weep, but to teach men to weep?vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:33–41 — It is customary to mourn over the death of friends; and thus the Jews explained our Lord’s weeping: Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (6) — Loved him. Our Lord came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And some of them said, Could not this Man which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? He was…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 (4) — It was His enemies who said this. The very works, which should have evidenced His power, they turn against Him, as if He had not really done them. This is the way that they speak of the miracle of opening the eyes of…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (7) — And do thou too groan in thyself, if thou wouldest rise to new life. To every man is this said, who is weighed down by any vicious habit. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. The dead under the stone is the guilty…vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:33–41 (2) — A cave is a hollow in a rock. It is called a monument, because it reminds us of the dead. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 (5) — But why did He not raise him without taking away the stone? Could not He who moved a dead body by His voice, much more have moved a stone? He purposely did not do so, in order that the miracle might take place in the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (8) — Take ye away the stone; mystically, Take away the burden of the law, proclaim grace.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (9) — Perhaps those are signified who wished to impose the rite of circumcision on the Gentile converts; or men in the Church of corrupt life, who offend believers.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (10) — Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, though they had often seen Christ raise the dead, did not fully believe that He could raise their brother; Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:33–41 (2) — Martha said this from weakness of faith, thinking it impossible that Christ could raise her brother, so long after death.vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:33–41 (3) — Or, these are not words of despair, but of wonder.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 (6) — Thus every thing tends to stop the months of the unbelieving. Their hands take away the stone, their ears hear Christ’s voice, their eyes see Lazarus come forth, they perceive the smell of the dead body.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:33–41 (3) — Christ reminds Martha of what He had told her before, which she had forgotten: Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:33–41 (7) — She did not remember what He said above, He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. To the disciples He had said, That the Son of God might be glorified thereby; here it is the glory of the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:33–41 (11) — Herein is the glory of God, that he that stinketh and hath been dead four days, is brought to life again. Then they took away the stone.vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:33–41 — The delay in taking away the stone was caused by the sister of the dead, who said, By this time he stinketh, for he hath been dead four days. If she had not said this, it would not be said, Jesus said, Take away the…vatican.va
John 11:41–46
- Alcuin of York on John 11:41–46 — Christ, as man, being inferior to the Father, prays to Him for Lazarus’s resurrection; and declares that He is heard: And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:41–46 — He lifted up His eyes; mystically, He lifted up the human mind by prayer to the Father above. We should pray after Christ’s pattern, Lift up the eyes of our heart, and raise them above present things in memory, in…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:41–46 — i. e. There is no difference of will between Me and Thee. Thou hast heard Me, does not shew any lack of power in Him, or that He is inferior to the Father. It is a phrase that is used between friends and equals. That…vatican.va
- Hilary of Poitiers on John 11:41–46 — He did not therefore need to pray: He prayed for our sakes, that we might know Him to be the Son: But because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me. His prayer did not…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:41–46 (2) — He did not say, That they may believe that I am inferior to Thee, in that I cannot do this without prayer, but, that Thou hast sent Me. He saith not, hast sent Me weak, acknowledging subjection, doing nothing of…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 — Christ went to the grave in which Lazarus slept, as if He were not dead, but alive and able to hear, for He forthwith called him out of his grave: And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus,…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:41–46 (3) — He does not say, Arise, but, Come forth, speaking to the dead as if he were alive. For which reason also He does not say, Come forth in My Father’s name, or, Father, raise him, but throwing off the whole appearance…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:41–46 — The voice which roused Lazarus, is the symbol of that trumpet which will sound at the general resurrection. (He spoke loud, to contradict the Gentile fable, that the soul remained in the tomb. The soul of Lazarus is…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:41–46 (2) — His cry and loud voice it was which awoke him, as Christ had said, I go to awake him. The resurrection of Lazarus is the work of the Father also, in that He heard the prayer of the Son. It is the joint work of Father…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:41–46 (4) — He came forth bound, that none might suspect that he was a mere phantom. Besides, that this very fact, viz. of coming forth bound, was itself a miracle, as great as the resurrection. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him,…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:41–46 (3) — Our Lord had said above, Because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me. It would have been ignorance of the future, if He had said this, and none believed, after all.…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (2) — Although according to the Gospel history, we hold that Lazarus was really raised to life, yet I doubt not that his resurrection is an allegory as well. We do not, because we allegorize facts, lose our belief in them…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (3) — Every one that sinneth, dies; but God, of His great mercy, raises the soul to life again, and does not suffer it to die eternally. The three miraculous resurrections in the Gospels, I understand to testify the…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 11:41–46 — The maiden is restored to life in the house, the young man outside the gate, Lazarus in his grave. She that lies dead in the house, is the sinner lying in sin: he that is carried out by the gate is the openly and…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (4) — Or, it is death within; when the evil thought has not come out into action. But if thou actually do the evil thing, thou hast as it were carried the dead outside the gate.vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 11:41–46 (2) — And one there is who lies dead in his grave, with a load of earth upon him; i. e. who is weighed down by habits of sin. But the Divine grace has regard even unto such, and enlightens them.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (5) — Or we may take Lazarus in the grave as the soul laden with earthly sins.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (6) — And yet our Lord loved Lazarus. For had He not loved sinners, He would never have come down from heaven to save them. Well is it said of one of sinful habits, that He stinketh. He hath a bad report1 already, as it…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (7) — Well may she say, He hath been dead four days. For the earth is the last of the elements. It signifies the pit of earthly sins, i. e. carnal lusts.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (8) — The Lord groaned, wept, cried with a loud voice. It is hard for Him to arise, who is bowed down with the weight of evil habits. Christ troubleth Himself, to signify to thee that thou shouldest be troubled, when thou…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 11:41–46 (3) — Lazarus is bid to come forth, i. e. to come forth and condemn himself with his own mouth, without excuse or reservation: that so he that lies buried in a guilty conscience, may come forth out of himself by confession.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (9) — That Lazarus came forth from the grave, signifies the soul’s deliverance from carnal sins. That he came bound up in grave clothes means, that even we who are delivered from carnal things, and serve with the mind the…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:41–46 (10) — Or thus: When thou despisest, thou liest dead; when thou confessest, thou comest forth. For what is to come forth, but to go out, as it were, of thy hiding place, and shew thyself? But thou canst not make this…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:41–46 (2) — Christ awakes, because His power it is which quickens us inwardly: the disciples loose, because by the ministry of the priesthood, they who are quickened are absolved.vatican.va
- Bede on John 11:41–46 — By those who went and told the Pharisees, are meant those who seeing the good works of God’s servants, hate them on that very account, persecute, and calumniate them.vatican.va
John 11:47–53
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:47–53 — Such a miracle as this should have drawn forth wonder and praise. But they make it a reason of plotting against His life: Then gathered the chief priests and Pharisees a council, and said, What do we?vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:47–53 — But they had no thought of believing. The miserable men only consulted how they might hurt and kill Him, not how themselves might be saved from death. What do we? for this Man doeth many miracles.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:47–53 — Him of whose divinity they had received such certain proofs, they call only a man.vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:47–53 — This speech is an evidence of their audacity and blindness: of their audacity, because they testified that He had done many miracles, and yet thought that they could contend successfully against Him, and that He…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:47–53 (2) — They say this to alarm the people; as if they were incurring the suspicion of setting up an usurper. If, say they, the Romans in crowds follow Him, they will suspect us of setting up a tyranny, and will destroy our…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:47–53 (2) — Or, they were afraid that, if all believed in Christ, none would remain to defend the city of God and the temple against the Romans: since they thought that Christ’s teaching was directed against the temple, and…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:47–53 (2) — Mystically: It was fit that the Gentiles should occupy the place of them of the circumcision; because by their fall salvation came to the Gentiles. (non occ.). The Romans represent the Gentiles, being the rulers of…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:47–53 (3) — When they hesitated, and asked, What do we? one of them gave most cruel and shameless advice, viz. Caiaphas, who was1 High Priest that same year.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:47–53 (3) — How is it that he is called the High Priest of that year, when God appointed one hereditary High Priest? This was owing to the ambition and contention of parties amongst the Jews themselves, which had ended in the…vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:47–53 — Of this Caiaphas Josephus relates, that he bought the priesthood for a year, for a certain sum.vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:47–53 (3) — a The character of Caiaphas is shewn by his being called the High Priest of that same year; the year, viz. in which our Saviour suffered. Being the High Priest that same year, he said unto them, Ye know nothing at…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:47–53 (2) — He said this with a bad intention, yet the Holy Spirit used his mouth as the vehicle of a prophecy: And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation.vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:47–53 (4) — Not every one that prophesieth is a prophet; as not every one that does a just action is just, he, for example, that does one for vainglory. Caiaphas prophesied without being a prophet, as did Balaam. Perhaps some…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:47–53 (4) — We learn hence that even bad men may foretell things to come by the spirit of prophecy, which power the Evangelist ascribes to a divine sacrament, he being Pontifex, i. e. High Priest.vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:47–53 (4) — See the great virtue of the Holy Spirit, in drawing forth a prophecy from a wicked man. And see too the virtue of the pontifical office, which made him, though an unworthy High Priest, unconsciously prophesy. Divine…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:47–53 (5) — Caiaphas prophesied of the Jewish nation alone; in which nation were the sheep, of which our Lord says, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matt. 15:34) But the Evangelist knew that there…vatican.va
- Gregory the Great on John 11:47–53 — His persecutors accomplished this wicked purpose, and put Him to death, thinking to extinguish the devotion of His followers; but faith grew from the very thing which these cruel and unbelieving men thought would…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:47–53 (5) — Inflamed by the speech of Caiaphas, they determined on killing our Lord: Then from that day forth they took counsel together to put Him to death. Was this then the work of the Holy Spirit, as well as the former, or…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:47–53 (5) — They sought before to kill Him; now their resolution was confirmed.vatican.va
John 11:54–57
- Origen on John 11:54–57 — After this resolution of the Chief Priests and Pharisees, Jesus was more cautious in shewing Himself among the Jews, and retired to remote parts, and avoided populous places: Jesus therefore walked no more openly…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:54–57 — Not that His power had failed Him; for, had He pleased, He might still have walked openly among the Jews, and they done nothing to Him. But He wished to shew the disciples, by His own example, that believers did not…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:54–57 (2) — It is praiseworthy, when struggles are at hand, not to avoid confession, or refuse to suffer death for the truth’s sake. And it is no less praiseworthy now to avoid giving occasion for such trial. Which we should…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:54–57 — How must it have troubled the disciples to see Him save Himself by merely human means? Whileall were rejoicing and keeping the feast, they remained hid, and in danger. Yet they continued with Him; as we read in Luke,…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:54–57 (3) — Mystically, Jesus walked openly among the Jews, when the Word of God used to come to them by the Prophets. But this Word ceased, i. e. Jesus went thence. (Is. 54:1) And He went to that town near the wilderness,…vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:54–57 (2) — He who came from heaven to suffer, wished to draw near the place of His Passion, His hour being now at hand: And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand. That passover they had resolved to celebrate by shedding our…vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:54–57 — They went up before the passover, to be purified. For whoever had sinned willingly or unwillingly could not keep the passover, unless they were first purified by washings, fastings, and shaving of the head, and also…vatican.va
- John Chrysostom on John 11:54–57 (2) — They lay in wait for Him at the passover, and made the feast time the time of His death.vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:54–57 (4) — Wherefore the Evangelist does not call it the Lord’s passover, but the Jews’ passover. For then it was that they plotted our Lord’s death.vatican.va
- Alcuin of York on John 11:54–57 — They sought Jesus with bad intent. We seek Him, standing in God’s temple, mutually encouraging one another, and praying Him to come to our feast, and sanctify us by His presence.vatican.va
- Theophylact of Ohrid on John 11:54–57 (2) — If the common people only had done these things, the Passion would have seemed owing to men’s ignorance; but the Pharisees it is, who order Him to be taken: Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a…vatican.va
- Origen on John 11:54–57 (5) — Observe, they did not know where He was; they knew that He had gone away. Mystically, they did not know where He was, because, in the place of the divine commandments, they taught the doctrines and commandments of men.vatican.va
- Augustine of Hippo on John 11:54–57 (3) — Let us at least shew the Jews where He is; O that they would hear, that they would come to the Church, and take hold of Him for themselves!vatican.va
Scripture cited · 12 verses
Isaiah 54:1 · Isaiah 58:9 · Matthew 7:23 · Matthew 15:34 · Matthew 18:18 · Luke 4:34 · Luke 7:38 · Luke 22:28 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13 · 1 Timothy 1:7 · 1 Timothy 4:10 · Hebrews 2:9
