Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

John 1:41

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Andrew, after having tarried with Jesus and learned what He did, kept not the treasure to himself, but hastens and runs quickly to his brother, to impart to him of the good things which he had received. Observe what Andrew says to his brother; "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." You see how, as far as he had learned in a short time, he showed the wisdom of the teacher who persuaded them, and their own zeal, who cared for these things long ago, and from the beginning. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 19 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

They who even now received the talent, straightway make traffic of their talent, and bring it to the Lord. For such are in truth obedient and docile souls, not needing many words for profit, nor bearing the fruit of their instruction, after revolutions of years or months, but attaining the goal of wisdom along with the commencement of their instruction. For give, it says, instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Look, if you will, at his love for his brother, how he did not hide that good thing from his brother, but communicates to him about the treasure and with great joy says: we have found (probably they strongly desired and spent much time seeking the Messiah), and he does not simply say "Messiah," but with the article "that" Messiah, that very one who is truly Christ. For although many were called anointed ones and sons of God, the one awaited by them was one.

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

We have declared, then, why it was at the tenth hour. Let us see what follows: "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." Messias, in Hebrew; Christ, in Greek; in Latin, Anointed. Chrisma is anointing in Greek; Christ, therefore, is the Anointed. He is peculiarly anointed, pre-eminently anointed; wherewith all Christians are anointed, He is pre-eminently anointed. …

Tractates on John 7 ↗

Bede

This is truly to find the Lord; viz. to have fervent love for Him, together with a care for our brother's salvation.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The fruit begun by Andrew is mentioned when he says, The first thing he did was to look for his brother Simon. He first mentions the one for whom he bore fruit, that is, his brother, in order to mark the perfection of his conversion. For as Peter says, in the Itinerary of Clement, the evident sign of a perfect conversion of anyone is that, once converted, the closer one is to him the more he tries to convert him to Christ. …

Commentary on John ↗