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Saint Thomas Aquinas, Carlo Crivelli

John 6

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Thomas Aquinas · Catena Aurea · Chapter 6

Passages · 211

John 6:1–14

  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 — As missiles rebound with great force from a hard body, and fly off in all directions, whereas a softer material retains and stops them; so violent men are only excited to greater rage by violence on the side of their…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 — This sea hath different names, from the different places with which it is connected; the sea of Galilee, from the province; the sea of Tiberias, from the city of that name. It is called a sea, though it is not salt…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 — He goes from place to place to try the dispositions of people, and excite a desire to hear Him: And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased.vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (2) — viz. His giving sight to the blind, and other like miracles. And it should be understood, that all, whom He healed in body, He renewed likewise in soul.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (2) — Though favoured with such teaching, they were influenced less by it, than by the miracles; a sign of their low state of belief: for Paul says of tongues, that they are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (2) — The persecutions of the Jews gave Him reason for retiring, and thus setting aside the Law. The truth being now revealed, types were at an end, and He was under no obligation to keep the Jewish feasts. Observe the…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:1–14 — If we compare the accounts of the different Evangelists, we shall find very clearly, that there was an interval of a year between the beheading of John, and our Lord’s Passion. For, since Matthew says that our Lord,…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (3) — Nor did He only sit with His disciples, but conversed with them familiarly, and gained possession of their minds. Then He looked, and saw a crowd advancing. But why did He ask Philip that question? Because He knew…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 — One kind of temptation leads to sin, with which God never tempts any one; (James 1:13.) and there is another kind by which faith is tried. (Deut. 13:3.) In this sense it is said that Christ proved His disciple. This…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (3) — He asks him this question, not for His own information, but in order to shew His yet unformed disciple his dulness of mind, which he could not perceive of himself.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (3) — Or to shew others it. He was not ignorant of His disciple’s heart Himself.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (2) — But if our Lord, according to John’s account, on seeing the multitude, asked Philip, tempting him, whence they could buy food for them, it is difficult at first to see how it can be true, according to the other…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (4) — Or they are two different occasions altogether.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (4) — Thus tried by our Lord, Philip was found to be possessed with human notions, as appears from what follows, Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (4) — Wherein he shews his dulness: for, had he perfect ideas of his Creator, he would not be thus doubting His power.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (3) — The reply, which is attributed to Philip by John, Mark puts in the mouth of all the disciples, either meaning us to understand that Philip spoke for the rest, or else putting the plural number for the singular, which…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (5) — Andrew is in the same perplexity that Philip is; only he has rather higher notions of our Lord: There is a lad here which hath five burley loares and two small fishes.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (5) — Probably He had some reason in his mind for this speech. He would know of Elijah’s miracle, by which a hundred men were fed with twenty loaves. This was a great step; but here he stopped. He did not rise any higher.…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (6) — This passage confounds the Manicheans, who say that bread and all such things were created by an evil Deity. The Son of the good God, Jesus Christ, multiplied the loaves. Therefore they could not have been naturally…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (4) — Andrew’s suggestion about the five loaves and two fishes, is given as coming from the disciples in general, in the other Evangelists, and the plural number is used.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (6) — And let those of us, who are given to pleasure, observe the plain and abstemious eating of those great and wonderful menb. He made the men sit down before the loaves appeared, to teach us that with Him, things that…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (5) — Sit down, i. e. lie down, as the ancient custom was, which they could do, as there was much grass in the place.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (7) — i. e. green grass. It was the time of the Passover, which was kept the first month of the spring. So the men sat down in number about five thousand. The Evangelist only counts the men, following the direction in the…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (7) — But why when He is going to heal the impotent, to raise the dead, to calm the sea, does He not pray, but here does give thanks? To teach us to give thanks to God, whenever we sit down to eat. And He prays more in…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on John 6:1–14 — Five loaves are then set before the multitude, and broken. The broken portions pass through into the hands of those who break, that from which they are broken all the time not at all diminishing. And yet there they…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (5) — He multiplied in His hands the five loaves, just as He produces harvest out of a few grains. There was a power in the hands of Christ; and those five loaves were, as it were, seeds, not indeed committed to the earth,…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (8) — Observe the difference between the servant and the lord. The Prophets received grace, as it were, by measure, and according to that measure performed their miracles: whereas Christ, working this by His own absolute…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:1–14 (8) — We learn too from this miracle, not to be pusillanimous in the greatest straits of poverty.vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:1–14 (2) — When the multitude saw the miracle our Lord had done, they marvelled; as they did not know yet that He was God. Then those men, the Evangelist adds, i. e. carnal men, whose understanding was carnal, when they had…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (6) — Their faith being as yet weak, they only call our Lord a Prophet, not knowing that He was God. But the miracle had produced considerable effect upon them, as it made them call our Lord that Prophet, singling Him out…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (6) — Christ is a Prophet, and the Lord of Prophets; as He is an Angel, and the Lord of Angels. In that He came to announce something, He was an Angel; in that He foretold the future, He was a Prophet; in that He was the…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:1–14 (9) — Their expression, that should come into the world, shews that they expected the arrival of some great Prophet. And this is why they say, This is of a truth that Prophet: the article being put in the Greek, to shew…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (7) — But let us reflect a little here. Forasmuch as the Divine Substance is not visible to the eye, and the miracles of the divine government of the world, and ordering of the whole creation, are overlooked in consequence…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (7) — Mystically, the sea signifies this tumultuous world. In the fulness of time, when Christ had entered the sea of our mortality by His birth, trodden it by His death, passed over it by His resurrectionf, then followed…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:1–14 (3) — Our Lord went up to the mountain, when He ascended to heaven, which is signified by the mountain.vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (8) — His leaving the multitude below, and ascending the heights with His disciples, signifies, that lesser precepts are to be given to beginners, higher to the more matured. His refreshing the people shortly before the…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (8) — The five barley loaves signify the old law; either because the law was given to men not as yet spiritual, but carnal, i. e. under the dominion of the five senses, (the multitude itself consisted of five thousand:) or…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:1–14 (4) — Barley is the food of cattle and slaves: and the old law was given to slaves and cattle, i. e. to carnal men.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (9) — The two fishes again, that gave the pleasant taste to the bread, seem to signify the two authorities by which the people were governed, the Royal, viz. and the Priestly; both of which prefigure our Lord, who…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:1–14 (5) — Or, by the two fishes are meant the saying or writings of the Prophets, and the Psalmist. And whereas the number five refers to the five senses, a thousand stands for perfection. But those who strive to obtain the…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (10) — The boy who had these is perhaps the Jewish people, who, as it were, carried the loaves and fishes after a servile fashion, and did not eat them. That which they carried, while shut up, was only a burden to them;…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:1–14 (6) — And well is it said, But what are these among so many? The Law was of little avail, till He took it into His hand, i. e. fulfilled it, and gave it a spiritual meaning. The Law made nothing perfect. (Heb. 7:19)vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (11) — By the act of breaking He multiplied the five loaves. The five books of Moses, when expounded by breaking, i. e. unfolding them, made many books.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (12) — Our Lord by breaking, as it were, what was hard in the Law, and opening what was shut, that time when He opened the Scriptures to the disciples after the resurrection, brought the Law out in its full meaning.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (13) — Our Lord’s question proved the ignorance of His disciples, i. e. the people’s ignorance of the Law. They lay on the grass, i. e. were carnally minded, rested in carnal things, for all flesh is grass. (Isa. 40:6) Men…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:1–14 (14) — And what are the fragments, but the parts which the people could not eat? An intimation, that those deeper truths, which the multitude cannot take in, should be entrusted to those who are capable of receiving them,…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:1–14 (9) — Baskets are used for servile work. The baskets here are the Apostles and their followers, who, though despised in this present life, are within filled with the riches of spiritual sacraments. The Apostles too are…vatican.va

John 6:15–21

  • Bede on John 6:15–21 — The multitude concluding, from so great a miracle, that He was merciful and powerful, wished to make Him a king. For men like having a merciful king to rule over them, and a powerful one to protect them. Our Lord…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:15–21 — This is not at all inconsistent with what we read, that He went up into a mountain apart to pray: (Mat. 14:23) the object of escape being quite compatible with that of prayer. Indeed our Lord teaches us here, that…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:15–21 (2) — Yet He who feared to be made a king, was a king; not made king by men, (for He ever reigneth with the Father, in that He is the Son of God,) but making men kings: which kingdom of His the Prophets had foretold.…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:15–21 — See what the belly can do. They care no more for the violation of the Sabbath; all their zeal for God is fled, now that their bellies are filled: Christ has become a Prophet, and they wish to enthrone Him as king.…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:15–21 (3) — The Evangelist now returns to explain why they went, and relate what happened to them while they were crossing the lake: And it was dark, he says, and Jesus was not come to them.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:15–21 (2) — The mention of the time is not accidental, but meant to shew the strength of their love. They did not mate excuses, and say, It is evening now, and night is coming on, but in the warmth of their love went into the…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:15–21 (2) — The way of speaking we use, when we are in doubt; about five and twenty, we say, or thirty.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:15–21 (3) — And at last He appears quite unexpectedly: They see Jesus walking upon the sea, drawing nigh. He reappears after His retirement, teaching them what it is to be forsaken, and stirring them to greater love; His…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:15–21 (3) — He does not say, I am Jesus, but only I am. He trusts to their easily recognising a voice, which was so familiar to them, or, as is more probable, He shews that He was the same who said to Moses, I am that I am…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:15–21 (4) — He appeared to them in this way, to shew His power; for He immediately calmed the tempest: Then they wished to receive Him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land, whither they went. So great was the…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:15–21 — Observe the three miracles here; the first, His walking on the sea; the second, His stilling the waves; the third, His putting them immediately on shore, which they were some distance off, when our Lord appeared.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:15–21 (5) — Jesus does not shew Himself to the crowd walking on the sea, such a miracle being too much for them to hear. Nor even to the disciples did He shew Himself long, but disappeared immeditately.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:15–21 (4) — Mark’s1 account does not contradict this. He says indeed that our Lord told the disciples first to enter the ship, and go before Him over the sea, while He dismissed the crowds, and that when the crowd was dismissed,…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:15–21 (6) — Or take another explanation. This miracle seems to me to be a different one, from the one given in Matthew: for there they do not receive Him into the ship immediately, whereas here they doh: and there the storm…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:15–21 (5) — There is a mystical meaning in our Lord’s feeding the multitude, and ascending the mountain: for thus was it prophesied of Him, So shall the congregation of the people come about Thee: for their sake therefore lift…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:15–21 (2) — When either men or devils try to terrify us, let us hear Christ saying, It is I, be not afraid, i. e. I am ever near you, God unchangeable, immoveable; let not any false fears destroy your faith in Me. Observe too…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:15–21 (4) — This ship, however, does not carry an idle crew; they are all stout rowers; i. e. in the Church not the idle and effeminate, but the strenuous and persevering in good works, attain to the harbour of everlasting…vatican.va

John 6:22–27

  • John Chrysostom on John 6:22–27 — Our Lord, though He did not actually shew Himself to the multitude walking on the sea, yet gave them the opportunity of inferring what had taken place; The day following, the people which stood on the other side of…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:22–27 — Knowledge of the miracle was conveyed to them indirectly. Other ships had come to the place where they had eaten bread; in these they went after Him; Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:22–27 (2) — Yet after so great a miracle, they did not ask Him how He had passed over, or shew any concern about it: as appears from what follows; And when they had found Him on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:22–27 (2) — So He Who had fled to the mountain, mixes and converses with the multitude. Only just now they would have kept Him, and made Him king. But after the sacrament of the miracle, He begins to discourse, and fills their…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:22–27 — i He who set an example of declining praise, and earthly power, sets teachers also an example of deliverance in preaching.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:22–27 (3) — Kindness and lenity are not always expedient. To the indolent or insensible disciple the spur must be applied; and this the Son of God does. For when the multitude comes with soft speeches, Rabbi, when earnest Thou…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:22–27 (3) — As if He said, Ye seek Me to satisfy the flesh, not the spirit.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:22–27 (4) — After the rebuke, however, He proceeds to teach them: Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life; meaning, Ye seek for temporal food, whereas I only fed your…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:22–27 (2) — Bodily food only supports the flesh of the outward man, and must be taken not once for all, but daily; whereas spiritual food remaineth for ever, imparting perpetual fulness, and immortality.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:22–27 (4) — Under the figure of food He alludes to Himself. Ye seek Me, He saith, for the sake of something else; seek Me for My own sake.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:22–27 (5) — But, inasmuch as some who wish to live in sloth, pervert this precept, Labour not, &c. it is well to notice what Paul says, Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his hands the…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:22–27 (5) — As He told the woman of Samaria above, If thou knewest Who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. (c. 4) So He says here, Which the Son…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:22–27 (3) — When, through the hand of the priest, thou receivest the Body of Christ, think not of the priest which thou seest, but of the Priest thou dost not see. The priest is the dispenser of this food, not the author. The…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on John 6:22–27 — A seal throws out a perfect impression of the stamp, at the same time that it takes in that impression. This is not a perfect illustration of the Divine nativity: for sealing supposes matter, different kinds of…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:22–27 (6) — Or sealed, i. e. sent Him for this purpose, viz. to bring us food; or, sealed, was revealed the Gospel by means of His witness.vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:22–27 (4) — To take the passage mystically: on the day following, i. e. after the ascension of Christ, the multitude standing in good works, not lying in worldly pleasures, expects Jesus to come to them. The one ship is the one…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:22–27 (6) — How many there are who seek Jesus, only to gain some temporary benefit. One man has a matter of business, in which he wants the assistance of the clergy; another is oppressed by a more powerful neighbour, and flies…vatican.va
  • Gregory the Great on John 6:22–27 — In their persons too our Lord condemns all those within the holy Church, who, when brought near to God by sacred Orders, do not seek the recompense of righteousness, but the interests of this present life. To follow…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:22–27 — They too seek Jesus, not for Jesus’ sake, but for something else, who ask in their prayers not for eternal, but temporal blessings. The mystical meaning is, that the conventicles of heretics are without the company…vatican.va

John 6:28–34

  • Alcuin of York on John 6:28–34 — They understood that the meat, which remaineth unto eternal life, was the work of God: and therefore they ask Him what to do to work the work of God, i. e. obtain the meat: Then said they unto Him, What shall we do…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:28–34 — i. e. By keeping what commandments shall we be able to fulfil the law of God?vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:28–34 — But they said this, not that they might learn, and do them, but to obtain from Him another exhibition of His bounty.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:28–34 — Christ, though He saw it would not avail, yet for the good of others afterwards, answered their question; and shewed them, or rather the whole world, what was the work of God: Jesus answered and said unto them, This…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:28–34 — He does not say, That ye believe Him, but, that ye believe on Him. For the devils believed Him, and did not believe on Him; and we believe Paul, but do not believe on Paul. To believe on Him is believing to love,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:28–34 (2) — To eat then that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, is to believe on Him. Why dost thou make ready thy tooth and thy belly? Only believe, and thou hast eaten already. As He called on them to believe, they…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:28–34 (2) — Nothing can be more unreasonable than their asking for another miracle, as if none had been given already. And they do not even leave the choice of the miracle to our Lord; but would oblige Him to give them just that…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:28–34 (2) — And to exalt the miracle of the manna, they quote the Psalm, As it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:28–34 (3) — Whereas many miracles were performed in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the desert, they remembered this one the best of any. Such is the force of appetite. They do not mention this miracle as the work either of God,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:28–34 (3) — Or thus; Our Lord sets Himself above Moses, who did not dare to say that He gave the meat which perisheth not. The multitude therefore remembering what Moses had done, and wishing for some greater miracle, say, as it…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:28–34 (4) — Our Lord might have replied, that He had done miracles greater than Moses: but it was not the time for such a declaration. One thing He desired, viz. to bring them to taste the spiritual meat: then Jesus said unto…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:28–34 (4) — As if He said, That manna was the type of this food, of which I just now spoke; and which all my miracles refer to. You like my miracles, you despise what is signified by them. This bread which God gives, and which…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:28–34 (2) — Not to the physical world, but to men, its inhabitants.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:28–34 (2) — He calls Himself the true bread, because the only-begotten Son of God, made man, was principally signified by the manna. For manna means literally, what is this? The Israelites were astonished at first on finding it,…vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:28–34 (3) — Who by the humanity, which was assumed, came down from heaven, and by the divinity, which assumed it, gives life to the world.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:28–34 (3) — But this bread, being essentially life, (for He is the Son of the living Father,) in quickening all things, does but what is natural to Him to do. For as natural bread supports our weak flesh, so Christ, by the…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:28–34 (5) — Not only to the Jews, but to the whole world. The multitude, however, still attached a low meaning to His words: Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. They say, Give us this bread, not, Ask Thy…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:28–34 (5) — As the woman of Samaria, when our Lord told her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall never thirst, thought He meant natural water, and said, Sir, give me this water, that she might never be in want of it again: in…vatican.va

John 6:35–40

  • John Chrysostom on John 6:35–40 — Our Lord now proceeds to set forth mysteries; and first speaks of His Divinity: And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. He does not say this of His body, for He speaks of that at the end; The bread that I…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:35–40 — He does not say, I am the bread of nourishment, but of life, for, whereas all things brought death, Christ hath quickened us by Himself. But the life here, is not our common life, but that which is not cut short by…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 — He that cometh to Me, i. e. that believeth on Me, shall never hunger, has the same meaning as shall never thirst; both signifying that eternal society, where there is no want.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:35–40 (2) — Or, shall never hunger or thirst, i. e. shall never be wearied1 of hearing the word of God, and shall never thirst as to the understanding: as though He had not the water of baptism, and the sanctification of the Spirit.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (2) — Ye desire bread from heaven: but, though you have it before you, you eat it not. This is what I told you: But I said unto you, that ye also have seen Me, and believe not.vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:35–40 — As if He said, I did not say what I did to you about the bread, because I thought you would eat it, but rather to convict you of unbelief. I say, that ye see Me, and believe not.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:35–40 (2) — Or, I said to you, refers to the testimony of the Scriptures, of which He said above, They are they which testify of Me; and again, I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not. That ye have seen Me, is a…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (3) — But, because ye have seen Me, and believed not, I have not therefore lost the people of God: All that the Father giveth Me, shall come unto Me; and him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:35–40 — All, He saith, absolutely, to shew the fulness of the number who should believe. These are they which the Father gives the Son, when, by His secret inspiration, He makes them believe in the Son.vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:35–40 (2) — Whomsoever therefore the Father draweth to belief in Me, he, by faith, shall come to Me, that he may be joined to Me. And those, who in the steps of faith and good works, shall come to Me, I will in no wise cast out;…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (4) — That inner place, whence there is no casting out, is a great sanctuary, a secret chamber, where is neither weariness, or the bitterness of evil thoughts, or the cross of pain and temptation: of which it is said,…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:35–40 (3) — The expression, that the Father giveth Me, shews that it is no accident whether a man believes or not, and that belief is not the work of human cogitation, but requires a revelation from on high, and a mind devout…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (5) — This is the reason why He does not cast out those who come to Him. For I came down from heaven not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. The soul departed from God, because it was proud. Pride casts…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on John 6:35–40 — Not that He does what He does not wish. He fulfils obediently His Father’s will, wishing also Himself to fulfil that will.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (6) — For this very reason therefore, I will not cast out Him that cometh to Me; because I came not to do Mine own will. I came to teach humility, by being humble Myself. He that cometh to Me, is made a member of Me, and…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (7) — They therefore who by God’s unerring providence are foreknown, and predestined, called, justified, glorified, even before their new birth, or before they are born at all, are already the sons of God, and cannot…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:35–40 (4) — I should lose nothing; He lets them know, he does not desire his own honour, but their salvation. After these declarations, I will in no wise cast out, and I should lose nothing, He adds, But should raise it up at…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:35–40 (8) — See how the twofold resurrection is expressed here. He who cometh to Me, shall forthwith rise again; by becoming humble, and a member of Me. But then He proceeds; But I will raise him up at the last day. To explain…vatican.va

John 6:41–46

  • John Chrysostom on John 6:41–46 — The Jews, so long as they thought to get food for their carnal eating, had no misgivings; but when this hope was taken away, then, we read, the Jews murmured at Him because He said, I am the bread which came down…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 — But they were far from being fit for that heavenly bread, and did not hunger for it. For they had not that hunger of the inner man.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:41–46 (2) — It is evident that they did not yet know of His miraculous birth: for they call Him the Son of Joseph. Nor are they blamed for this. Our Lord does not reply, I am not the Son of Joseph: for the miracle of His birth…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (2) — He took man’s flesh upon Him, but not after the manner of men; for, His Father being in heaven, He chose a mother upon earth, and was born of her without a father. The answer to the murmurers next follows: Jesus…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:41–46 (3) — But here the Manichees attack us, asserting that nothing is in our own power. Our Lord’s words however do not destroy our free agency, but only shew that we need Divine assistance. For He is speaking not of one who…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (3) — Now if we are drawn to Christ without our own will, we believe without our own will; the will is not exercised, but compulsion is applied. But, though a man can enter the Church involuntarily, he cannot believe other…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (4) — Or the Father draws to the Son, by the works which He did by Him.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:41–46 (4) — Great indeed is the Son’s dignity; the Father draws men, and the Son raises them up. This is no division of works, but an equality of power. He then shews the way in which the Father draws. It is written in the…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (5) — Or thus; When a schoolmaster is the only one in a town, we say loosely, This man teaches all here to read; not that all learn of him, but that he teaches all who do learn. And in the same way we say that God teaches…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (6) — All the men of that kingdom shall be taught of God; they shall hear nothing from men: for, though in this world what they hear with the outward ear is from men, yet what they understand is given them from within;…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:41–46 — He uses the plural, In the Prophets, because all the Prophets being filled with one and the same spirit, their prophecies, though different, all tended to the same end; and with whatever any one of them says, all the…vatican.va
  • Glossa Ordinaria on John 6:41–46 — These words are not found in Joel, but something like them; Be glad then ye children of Sion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for He hath given you a Teacher. (Quia dedit nobis lectorem justitiæ. Vulg.) And more…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:41–46 (5) — An important distinction. All men before learnt the things of God through men; now they learn them through the Only Son of God, and the Holy Spirit.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (7) — All that are taught of God come to the Son, because they have heard and learnt from the Father of the Son: wherefore He proceeds, Every man that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh to Me. But if every…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:41–46 (8) — Behold then how the Father draweth; not by laying a necessity on man, but by teaching the truth. To draw, belongeth to God: Every one that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh to Me. What then? Hath…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:41–46 (6) — We are all from God. That which belongs peculiarly and principally to the Son, He omits the mention of, as being unsuitable to the weakness of His hearers.vatican.va

John 6:47–51

John 6:51

  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:51 — Our Lord pronounces Himself to be bread, not only in respect of that Divinity, which feeds all things, but also in respect of that human nature, which was assumed by the Word of God: And the bread, He says, that I…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:51 — This bread our Lord then gave, when He delivered to His disciple the mystery of His Body and Blood, and offered Himself to God the Father on the altar of the cross. For the life of the world, i. e. not for the…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:51 — Which I shall give: this shews His power; for it shews that He was not crucified as a servant, in subjection to the Father, but of his own accord; for though He is said to have been given up by the Father, yet He…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:51 (2) — But when does flesh receive the bread which He calls His flesh? The faithful know and receive the Body of Christ, if they labour to be the body of Christ. And they become the body of Christ, if they study to live by…vatican.va

John 6:52–54

  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:52–54 — The Jews not understanding what was the bread of peace, strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat? Whereas they who eat the bread strive not among themselves, for God makes them to…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:52–54 — The Jews thought that our Lord would divide His flesh into pieces, and give it them to eat: and so mistaking Him, strove.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:52–54 — As they thought it impossible that He should do as He said, i. e. give them His flesh to eat, He shews them that it was not only possible, but necessary: Then said Jesus unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:52–54 (2) — As if He said, The sense in which that bread is eaten, and the mode of eating it, ye know not; but, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:52–54 (2) — And that this might not seem addressed to them alone, He declares universally, Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:52–54 (3) — And that they might not understand him to speak of this life, and make that an occasion of striving, He adds, Hath eternal life. This then he hath not who eateth not that flesh, nor drinketh that blood. The temporal…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:52–54 — For it is not the flesh of man simply, but of God: and it makes man divine, by inebriating him, as it were, with divinity.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:52–54 (4) — There are some who promise men deliverance from eternal punishment, if they are washed in Baptism and partake of Christ’s Body, whatever lives they live. The Apostle however contradicts them, where he says, The works…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:52–54 (5) — By this meat and drink then, He would have us understand the society of His body, and His members, which is the Church, in the predestined, and called, and justified, and glorified saints and believers. The Sacrament…vatican.va

John 6:55–59

  • Bede on John 6:55–59 — He had said above, Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life: and now to shew the great difference between bodily meat and drink, and the spiritual mystery of His body and blood, He adds, For My…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:55–59 — i. e. this is no enigma, or parable, but ye must really eat the body of Christ; or He means to say that the true meat was He who saved the soul.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:55–59 — Or thus: Whereas men desire meat and drink to satisfy hunger and thirst, this effect is only really produced by that meat and drink, which makes the receivers of it immortal and incorruptible; i. e. the society of…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:55–59 (2) — Or, having given a promise of eternal life to those that eat Him, He says this to confirm it: He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:55–59 (2) — As for those, as indeed there are many, who either eat that flesh and drink that blood hypocritically, or, who having eaten, become apostates, do they dwell in Christ, and Christ in them? Nay, but there is a certain…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:55–59 (3) — That is to say, such an one eateth the body and drinketh the blood of Christ not in the sacramental sense, but in reality.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:55–59 (3) — And because I live, it is manifest that he will live also: As the living Father hath sent Me, and I lice by the Father, even so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. (Aug. de Verb. Dom. [Nic.]). As if He said,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:55–59 (4) — He saith not, As I eat the Father, and live by the Father, so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. For the Son does not grow better by partaking of the Father, as we do by partaking of the Son, i. e. of His…vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on John 6:55–59 — Of the truth then of the body and blood of Christ, no room for doubting remains: for, by the declaration of our Lord Himself, and by the teaching of our own faith, the flesh is really flesh, and the blood really…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:55–59 (5) — That we who cannot obtain eternal life of ourselves, might live by the eating that bread, He descended from heaven: This is the bread which cometh down from heaven.vatican.va
  • Hilary of Poitiers on John 6:55–59 (2) — He calls Himself the bread, because He is the origin of His own body. And lest it should be thought that the virtue and nature of the Word had given way to the flesh, He calls the bread His flesh, that, inasmuch as…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:55–59 — For we do not eat God simply, God being impalpable and incorporeal; nor again, the flesh of man simply, which would not profit us. But God having taken flesh into union with Himself, that flesh is quickening. Not…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:55–59 (2) — And to shew the wide interval between the shadow and the light, the type and the reality, He adds, Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:55–59 (6) — The death here meant is death eternal. For even those who eat Christ are subject to natural death; but they live for ever, because Christ is everlasting life.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:55–59 (4) — For if it was possible without harvest or fruit of the earth, or any such thing, to preserve the lives of the Israelites of old for forty years, much more will He be able to do this with that spiritual food, of which…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:55–59 (3) — Mystically, Capernaum, which means beautiful town, stands for the world: the synagogue, for the Jewish people. The meaning is, that our Lord hath, by the mystery of the incarnation, manifested Himself to the world,…vatican.va

John 6:60–71

  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 — Such is our Lord’s discourse. The people did not perceive that it had a deep meaning, or, that grace went along with it: but receiving the matter in their own way, and taking His words in a human sense, understood…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 — i. e. difficult to receive, too much for their weakness. They thought He spoke above Himself, and more loftily than He had a right to do; and so said they, Who can bear it? which was answering in fact for themselves,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (2) — And if His disciples thought that saying hard, what would His enemies think? Yet it was necessary to declare a thing, which would be unintelligible to men. God’s mysteries should draw men’s attention, not enmity.vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:60–71 — When you hear, however, of His disciples murmuring, understand not those really such, but rather some who, as far as their air and behaviour went, seemed to be receiving instruction from Him. For among His disciples…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (3) — They spoke, however, so as not to be heard by Him. But He, who knew what was in them, heard within Himself: When Jesus knew within Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you?vatican.va
  • Alcuin of York on John 6:60–71 — i. e. that I said, you should eat My flesh, and drink My blood.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (2) — The revelation however of these hidden things was a mark of His Divinity: hence the meaning of what follows; And if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before; supply, What will ye say? He said the…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (4) — Or, these words are an answer to their mistake. They supposed that He was going to distribute His body in bits: whereas He tells them now, that He should ascend to heaven whole and entire: What and if ye shall see…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:60–71 (2) — Do not suppose from this that the body of Christ came down from heaven, as the heretics Marcion and Apollinarius say; but only that the Son of God and the Son of man are one and the same.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (3) — He tries to remove their difficulties in another way, as follows, It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: that is to say, You ought to understand My words in a spiritual sense: he who…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (5) — Or thus, the flesh profiteth nothing. They had understood by His flesh, as it were, of a carcase, that was to be cut up, and sold in the shambles, not of a body animated by the spirit. Join the spirit to the flesh,…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (6) — For the flesh does not cleanse of itself, but by the Word who assumed it: which Word, being the principle of life in all things, having taken up soul and body, cleanseth the souls and bodies of those that believe. It…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (4) — i. e. are spiritual, have nothing carnal in them, produce no effects of the natural sort; not being under the dominion of that law of necessity, and order of nature established on earth.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (7) — If then thou understandest them spiritually, they are life and spirit to thee: if carnally, even then they are life and spirit, but not to thee. Our Lord declares that in eating His body, and drinking His blood, we…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (5) — Having spoken of His words being taken carnally, He adds, But there are some of you that believe not. Some, He says, not including His disciples in the number. This insight shews His high nature.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (8) — He says not, There are some among you who understand not; but gives the reason why they do not understand. The Prophet said, Except ye believe, ye shall not understanda. (Is. 7:9) For how can he who opposes be…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (6) — To let you know that it was before these words, and not after, that the people murmured and were offended, the Evangelist adds, For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that believed not, and who should…vatican.va
  • Theophylact of Ohrid on John 6:60–71 (3) — The Evangelist wishes to shew us, that He knew all things before the foundation of the world: which was a proof of His divinity.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (9) — And after distinguishing those who believed from those who did not believe, our Lord gives the reason of the unbelief of the latter, And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (7) — As if He said, Men’s unbelief does not disturb or astonish Me: I know to whom the Father hath given to come to Me. He mentions the Father, to shew first that He had no eye to His own glory; secondly, that God was His…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (10) — So then (our) faith is given to us: and no small gift it is. Wherefore rejoice if thou believest; but be not lifted up, for what hast thou which thou didst not receive? (1 Cor. 4:7.) And that this grace is given to…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (8) — He does not say, withdrewb, but went back, i. e. from being good hearers, from the belief which they once had.vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (11) — Being cut off from the body, their life was gone. They were no longer in the body; they were created among the unbelieving. There went back not a few, but many alter Satan, not alter Christ; as the Apostle says of…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (9) — But it may be asked, what reason was there for speaking words to them which did not edify, but might rather have injured them? It was very useful and necessary; for this reason, they had been just now urgent in…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (12) — And perhaps this took place for our consolation; since it sometimes happens that a man says what is true, and what He says is not understood, and they which hear are offended and go. Then the man is sorry he spoke…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:60–71 — Our Lord knew well the intentions of the other disciples which stayed, as to staying or going; but yet He put the question to them, in order to prove their faith, and hold it up to imitation: Then said Jesus unto the…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (10) — This was the right way to retain them. Had He praised them, they would naturally, as men do, have thought that they were conferring a favour upon Christ, by not leaving Him: by shewing, as He did, that He did not…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (13) — As if he said, Thou castest us from Thee: give us another to whom we shall go, if we leave Thee.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (11) — A speech of the greatest love: proving that Christ was more precious to them than father or mother. And that it might not seem to be said, from thinking that there was no one whose guidance they could look to, he…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (14) — For we believed, in order to know. Had we wished first to know, and then to believe, we could never have been able to believe. This we believe, and know, that Thou art the Christ the Son of God; i. e. that Thou art…vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (12) — Peter however having said, We believe, our Lord excepts Judas from the number of those who believed: Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? i. e. Do not suppose that, because…vatican.va
  • Bede on John 6:60–71 (2) — Or we must say, that He elected the eleven for one purpose, the twelfth for another: the eleven to fill the place of Apostles, and persevere in it unto the end; the twelfth to the service of betraying Him, which was…vatican.va
  • Augustine of Hippo on John 6:60–71 (15) — He was elected to be an involuntary and unconscious instrument of producing the greatest good. For as the wicked turn the good works of God to an evil use, so reversely God turns the evil works of man to good. What…vatican.va
  • Gregory the Great on John 6:60–71 — One of you is a devil: the bodyb is here named after its head.vatican.va
  • John Chrysostom on John 6:60–71 (13) — Mark the wisdom of Christ: He neither, by exposing him, makes him shameless and contentious; nor again emboldens him, by allowing him to think himself concealed.vatican.va

Scripture cited · 42 verses

Exodus 3:14 · Exodus 20:12 · Deuteronomy 13:3 · Deuteronomy 22:7 · 1 Kings 3:14 · Psalm 21:4 · Psalm 84:6 · Proverbs 3:2 · Song of Songs 1:4 · Isaiah 7:9 · Isaiah 40:6 · Isaiah 54:13 · Joel 2:23 · Matthew 6:12 · Matthew 7:28 · Matthew 10:22 · Matthew 10:28 · Matthew 14:13 · Matthew 14:23 · Matthew 16:23 · Matthew 18:3 · Matthew 18:14 · Matthew 22:13 · Matthew 25:16 · Matthew 26:22 · Luke 13:33 · Romans 3:28 · Romans 4:17 · Romans 5:5 · Romans 10:4 · 1 Corinthians 1:9 · 1 Corinthians 4:7 · 1 Corinthians 11:29 · 1 Corinthians 12:12 · 1 Corinthians 14:22 · 1 Corinthians 15:24 · Galatians 5:19 · Philippians 2:21 · 1 Timothy 5:15 · Hebrews 7:19 · James 1:13 · 1 John 2:9

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