Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 18:31

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Seest thou that they everywhere avoid a direct accusation, and that they can say nothing? That Annas questioned Him about His doctrine, and having heard Him, sent Him to Caiaphas; and he having in his turn questioned Him, and discovered nothing, sent Him to Pilate. Pilate saith, "What accusation bring ye against this man?" Nor here have they anything to say, but again employ certain conjectures. At which Pilate being perplexed saith, "Take ye him and judge him according to your law. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 83 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

Pilate therefore said unto them, Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your Law. I should not do justice, he says, if I were to subject to legal penalties a Man Who has been convicted of no wrong, and Whose doom you left undecided; but judge Him, rather, according to your Law, if, indeed, he says, it has ordained that the Man Who is wholly without guilt deserves chastisement. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since they bring forward no accusation, he says, "Take Him yourselves." Since you claim the right of judgment for yourselves and boast that you would never act unjustly (for they say, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you"), then take Him yourselves and judge Him. But if you have brought Him to me and give His case the appearance of a trial (a legal form), then it is necessary to state what this Man is guilty of. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death." What is this that their insane cruelty saith? Did not they put Him to death, whom they were here presenting for the very purpose? Or does the cross, forsooth, fail to kill? Such is the folly of those who do not pursue, but persecute wisdom. What then mean the words, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death"? If He is a malefactor, why is it not lawful? …

Tractates on John 114 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

2338 The Evangelist now mentions Pilate's generous concession (v 31): first, we see this concession; secondly, the Jews refuse it; and thirdly, we see the reason for their refusal (v 32). 2339 Pilate said, Take him yourselves, intending to do them a favor. Festus did the same to Paul: "But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, 'Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on these charges before me?'" (Acts 25:9). …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

"Pilate therefore said to them." Here the third point is noted, namely the deceitfulness of the Jews, because they wanted to pour the blame onto another; but Pilate refuses to judge him, not seeing that they had a proper case; whence: "Pilate therefore said to them: Take him yourselves and judge him according to your Law," which says in Exodus twenty-two: "You shall not suffer sorcerers to live." But the Jews on the contrary show that he himself must judge, because the case is one of death, and it was not lawful for them to put …

Commentary on John, Chapter 18 ↗