John Chrysostom

What sort of "country" was this? Was it that which they had left? By no means. For what hindered them if they wished, from returning again, and becoming citizens? But they sought that which is in Heaven. Thus they desired their departure hence, and so they pleased God; for "God was not ashamed to be called their God."

Homily on Hebrews 24 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

So let us see what kind of homeland they seek: an earthly one, which they left, as Abraham left Mesopotamia? But he could have returned there.

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"And if they had been." For that they sought the one in heaven is clear from this. For if they sought their own from which God had expelled them, they had the strength to return. For they had time for this to return to their own. But now, seeking a homeland, not returning from which they went out, it is clear that they desire something better and heavenly.

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Thomas Aquinas

598. – But because someone might say that it is true that they were pilgrims in the land of the Philistines and Canaanites, among whom they dwelt, but they intended to return to the land they had left; he rejected this when he says, If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had time to return, because it was nearby. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗