Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 5:11

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

The sentence is replete with wisest meaning and repulsive of the stubbornness of the Jews. For in that they say that it is not lawful on the sabbath day to take up his bed and go home, devising an accusation of breaking the law against him that was healed, needs does he bring against them a more resolved defence, saying that he had been ordered to walk by Him, Who was manifested to him as the Giver of health, all but saying something of this sort, Most worthy of honour (sirs) do I say that He is, even though He bid me violate the …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

One must marvel at the boldness of this man before the Jews. They insistently say to him: "You must not carry your bed on the Sabbath"; but he boldly proclaims his benefactor to them: "He who healed me, He told me." He speaks as if to say: "You are mad to command me not to listen to the One who healed me from an illness so prolonged and difficult."

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

He shields himself under the authority of his Healer: He that made me whole, the Same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk: meaning, Why should not I receive a command, if I received a cure from Him?

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then (v 11), we see the man who was healed defending himself. His defense is wisely taken: for a doctrine is never so well proved to be divinely inspired as by miracles which can be accomplished only by divine power: "Going out, they preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed" (Mk 16:20). Thus he argued with those who were defaming the one who healed him, saying: He who cured me said to me. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

"He answered them." Here the second point is touched upon, namely the devolution of the calumny upon the healer, because that healed sick man excuses himself by the command of the healer. Therefore he says: "He who made me well," by his power, "he said to me: Take up your mat and walk," commanding by his own authority. …

Commentary on John, Chapter 5 ↗