Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

John 10:41

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Therefore they sought again to take Him, but He escaped out of their hands, and went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John at first baptized. And many resorted unto Him, and said, John did no miracle, but all things that John spake of this man were true." When He hath uttered anything great and sublime, He quickly retireth, giving way to their anger, so that the passion may abate and cease through His absence. And thus He acted at that time. But wherefore doth the Evangelist mention the place? …

Homily on the Gospel of John 61 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

That His stay here benefited many is evident from the fact that the Evangelist adds: "Many came to Him and, remembering this place, said that John performed no miracle." Their words have this meaning: if we believed him (John), even though he performed no miracle, then all the more should we believe This One (Jesus), since He performed so many miracles. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Did not cast out devils, did not give sight to the blind, did not raise the dead.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

He was followed there by many: And many resorted unto Him, and said, John did no miracle.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The effect of this turning away was that many were converted to the faith. Three points are made about this conversion. First, many imitated his works; so he says, and many came to him, namely, by imitating his works: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). Secondly, many professed him in word, and they said, John did no sign. By this they profess Christ's superiority to John. …

Commentary on John ↗