Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 11:50

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Behold, the very thing of which we were speaking, the very thing which the Jews were secretly exercising themselves to bring into effect, this their high priest openly counsels them to do, even to kill the Christ; saying that it would be for the nation, although the nation was unjust. And he makes a true statement, his words being verified not by the perversity of the people, but by the power and wisdom of God. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Whereas some merely proposed as an opinion to put Christ to death, the high priest was so bloodthirsty that he openly, with bared head and boldly, pronounces the sentence upon Christ. He even reproaches the others for not understanding what is proper and not taking care to discern what is expedient. "You," he says, "know nothing at all, nor do you wish to understand, nor do you consider that it is better that one man should die and the whole nation be saved." He said this with a malicious intent. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

1575 Next (v 49b), the Evangelist gives the words of the one making the decision, who first reproaches them for their sluggishness, saying, You know nothing at all; you do not understand. This was like saying: You are sluggish and you understand this affair even more sluggishly. And so, secondly, he reveals his wickedness, saying, it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people. These words have one meaning according to the intention of Caiaphas, and another according to the explanation of the Evangelist. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

Nor do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish. One: Romans five: "For if by the offense of one man many died, much more the grace of God and the gift in the grace of one man has abounded unto many." He did not give counsel that he should be killed on account of his own fault, because it would have had no force; but on account of the salvation of others, so that no one could now resist this on account of Christ's innocence. …

Commentary on John, Chapter 11 ↗