Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 8:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

In this place He draweth on Nicodemus, and bringeth him in as having spoken very boldly, and praiseth the servants who had also done so. For to "cry aloud," is the act of one desirous to cause that they also should hear. At the same time He hinteth at these who were secretly contriving treacheries, being both in darkness and error, but that they should not prevail over the light. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 52 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

Again therefore spake Jesus unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world. As we said that Jesus had made His Discourse in accordance with what was written of the feast, when at its last day He was standing crying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink, because the oracle of Moses had made mention of the brook: so now too does He make His explanation most seasonable, and due to the nature of things. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since they constantly reproached Christ with Galilee and took Him to be one of the prophets, He shows them that He is not one of the prophets. "I," He says, "am the Light of the world, light in the proper sense, not a prophetic light, that is, incomplete and feeble, but the true light, not confined to the boundaries of Galilee or Palestine, but the Light of the world and the Master of all people. I am the One of whom the prophet said: 'I have set Thee for a light of the Gentiles' (Isa. 42:6). …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

There were left however two, the pitiable and the pitiful, And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst: the woman, you may suppose, in great alarm, expecting punishment from one in whom no sin could be found. But He who had repelled her adversaries with the word of justice, lifted on her the eyes of mercy, and asked; When Jesus had lifted Himself up, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are these thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

Where it is to be observed, He does not say, I am the light of Angels, or of heaven, but the Light of the world, i. e. of mankind who live in darkness, as we read, To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. (Luke 1:79)

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The Evangelist has presented Christ as teaching; now he shows, first, the power which this teaching has to give light, and secondly, what Christ himself said about it (v 13). With respect to the first he does three things: first, he states Christ's prerogative concerning spiritual light; secondly, the effect of this prerogative, Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness; and thirdly, its fruit, but he will have the light of life. …

Commentary on John ↗