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
"Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." Why doth the Evangelist again remind us of his prophecy? To show that these things were done for our salvation. And such is the exceeding force of truth, that even enemies proclaimed these things beforehand. For lest the listener, hearing of bonds, should be confounded, he reminds him of that prophecy, that the death of Jesus was the salvation of the world.
Cyril of Alexandria
The sacred and holy Victim, then, that is, Christ, was captured by the malice of Annas and the services of his hirelings; and, ensnared within the net, was led to him that compassed and instigated the slaughter of the innocent. This was Caiaphas, and he was adorned with the office of the priesthood. And by his questions he seems to have begun the shedding of blood, as he also is convicted of having originated the impious enterprise. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Evangelist recalls the prophecy of Caiaphas (John 11:49–52) in order to show that this was accomplished for the salvation of the world, and that this truth is so important that even His very enemies foretold it. Therefore, lest you, having heard of the bonds, be troubled, he reminds you of the prophecy, namely that both the bonds and the death were salvific, and for this reason the Lord endured them.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
2298 He is described by the advice he gave: It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people (in 11:50). The Evangelist recalls this to prevent the hearts of the faithful from faltering. He shows that even by the prophecy of the enemy Christ was captured and killed, not because he was weak and lacked power, but for the salvation of the people, that is, so the entire nation would not perish. …
Bonaventure
"Now it was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews"; above in chapter 11: It is expedient that one man die for the people. Chrysostom: "Therefore he recalls that prophecy, because the salvation of the world was his death, and therefore the hearer, hearing of the bonds of Christ, ought not to be troubled."
Alcuin of York
Josephus relates that this Caiaphas bought the high priesthood for this year. No wonder then if a wicked high priest judged wickedly. A man who was advanced to the priesthood by avarice, would keep himself there by injustice.
Translation