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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
They who come to the divine preaching and give heed to the faith, must manifest the desire of thirsty men for water, and kindle in themselves a similar longing; so will they be able also very carefully to retain what is said. For as thirsty men, when they have taken a bowl, eagerly drain it and then desist, so too they who hear the divine oracles if they receive them thirsting, will never be weary until they have drunk them up. …
Cyril of Alexandria
The feast of the tabernacles signified the thrice longed for time of the resurrection [For its observance, God specified] the taking of boughs and mentioned the fruit of a good tree and other things besides in order to indicate the recovery of Paradise that was about to be given to us again through Christ. But since [Leviticus] specifies at the end that one should take everything out of the brook and rejoice again, we say that our Lord Jesus Christ was compared to a brook in whom we shall find all delight and enjoyment in hope. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The first day of the feast and the last, or seventh, were called great, because the Law also called the last day of the feast a solemn day, holy (Lev. 23:35–36). Following this, the Evangelist also calls the last day great. Rightly He addresses the people with a speech on the last day, and thereby, as it were, sends them off on their journey home. For to speak to those who in the middle of the day were given over to merriment would have been untimely. They would not have listened. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Among the dissensions and doubtings of the Jews concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, among other things which He said, by which some were confounded, others taught: "On the last day of that feast" (for it was then that these things were done) which is called the feast of tabernacles; that is, the building of tents, of which feast you remember, my beloved, that we have already discoursed, the Lord Jesus Christ calls, not by speaking in any way soever, but by crying aloud, that whoso thirsts may come to Him. …
Thomas Aquinas
After our Lord told them about the origin of his doctrine and of the teacher, as well as his end, he now invites them to accept his teaching itself. First, we see Christ's invitation; secondly, the dissension among the people (v 40). He does three things about the first. First, he tells us the manner of this invitation; secondly, we see the invitation itself (v 37); and thirdly, he explains what it means (v 39). …
Bonaventure
Here the invitation to faith is set forth, by whose merit wisdom and understanding are given. Therefore he says: "On the last day of the great feast" — this was the eighth and final day, which was solemn — "Jesus stood and cried out." "He stood," through immutability: Malachi 3: "I am the Lord and I do not change"; "he cried out," through charity: Psalm: "I have labored crying out," in order to rouse them to come: "Let him come and drink," according to my bounty. …
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