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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain." Wonderful! How great is the tyranny of gluttony, how great the fickleness of men's minds! No longer do they vindicate the Law, no longer do they care for the violation of the Sabbath, no longer are they zealous for God; all such considerations are thrown aside, when their bellies have been filled; He was a prophet in their eyes, and they were about to choose Him for a king. But Christ fleeth. …
Cyril of Alexandria
Most praiseworthy judgment would one give, and full rightly, to those who had been easily brought by the great miracle to believe, that it was indeed befitting that their very choicest should be Christ's, and their chiefest offered to Him as an honour. For what else but this does their desire to choose Him for their King signify to us? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
But He withdraws, teaching us to despise worldly honors. He withdraws to the mountain alone, not taking any of the disciples with Him, in order to test their love, depending on whether they would endure His absence.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
But such a king they wished to make Him, as could be made by men: Jesus would not be; for He was such a king as even Himself to make men. He was of another order, who came for this purpose to the world. What, then, is it, that He would not be made a king? He would not be made the king that would make the felicity of men to consist in that sort of happiness that is earthly. Let them conceive this, who are rejoicing to have made a king for themselves, not out of Christ's flock, but out of the goats. …
Ambrose of Milan
If these acts looked like tyranny, that I had arms, but only in the Name of Christ, that I had the power of offering my own body. Why, I said, did he delay to strike, if he thought me a tyrant? That by ancient right imperial power had been given by bishops, never assumed, and it was commonly said that emperors had desired the priesthood, rather than priests the imperial power. That Christ withdrew lest He should be made a king. That we had our own power; for the power of a bishop was his weakness. …
Bede
The multitude concluding, from so great a miracle, that He was merciful and powerful, wished to make Him a king. For men like having a merciful king to rule over them, and a powerful one to protect them. Our Lord knowing this, retired to the mountain: When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone. …
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