Loading…
VRSZ
This sets the art on your cards and whose commentary you read on each verse. You can change it later in settings.
Translation
Loading…
What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
The world means here the crowd. This seems to be the speech of that part who were sound in their faith, but dared not profess it. They try to deter the rest by exposing the insuperable difficulties they would have to contend with.
Cyril of Alexandria
They say this, finding fault with themselves because they had not put both Jesus and Lazarus to death a long time ago, wishing they had murdered them then. They were angry concerning the "believing multitude," as though they [as the people's leaders] were being deprived of their special possessions comprised of those who really belonged to God.
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Pharisees who say "do you see that you are gaining nothing" say this not out of malice, for they were not among those who plotted against the Savior, but they appear well-disposed, only secretly, because they do not dare openly oppose those raging against the Lord. They attempt to calm them by pointing to the consequences of the matter, saying in effect: "What benefit is it to you that you devise so many plots against this Man? …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Then when the Evangelist says, The Pharisees then said to one another, he describes the reaction of the Pharisees, who were enraged because their plans had been frustrated. Thus they say, You see that you can do nothing. The Pharisees said this out of envy, as if to say: "We are not having any effect, that is, in our evil intentions; we have failed to check him. But why were they maddened at the blind crowd? Because the world has gone after him through whom the world was made. …
Bonaventure
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves. Here the fourth point is touched upon, namely the obstinacy of the Pharisees from envy: therefore they were saying among themselves: See, we are gaining nothing, namely as long as he lives; 2 Timothy 3: "They resist the truth, men corrupt in mind, reprobate concerning the faith, but they shall advance no further." And after: Behold, the whole world has gone after him. …
Translation