Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 11:33

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Christ did not answer Mary, as He had her sister, on account of the people present. In condescension to them He humbled Himself, and let His human nature be seen, in order to gain them as witnesses to the miracle: When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in His spirit, and was troubled. (Hom. lxiii. 1) He did not wish to thrust the miracle upon them, but to make them ask for it, and thus do away with all suspicions. (Hom. lxiii. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

Now since Christ was not only God by Nature, but; also Man, He suffers in common with the rest that which is human; and when grief begins somehow to be stirred within Him, and His Holy Flesh now inclines to tears, He does not allow It to indulge in them without restraint, as is the custom with us. But He groans in the spirit, that is, in the power of the Holy Spirit He reproves in some way His Own Flesh: and That, not being able to endure the action of the Godhead united with It, trembles and presents the appearance of trouble. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 7 (Fragments) ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since Mary and those who came with her were weeping, human nature was disposed to tears and was troubled. But the Lord suppresses the agitation in spirit, that is, by the Spirit He restrains the disturbance and holds it back, and asks a question, not at all revealing tears. But since the Lord was grieving, for He was truly Man and wished to confirm the reality of His human nature, He allowed it to do its own. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping, who were with her, He groaned in the spirit, and troubled Himself, and said, Where have ye laid him?" Something there is, did we but know it, that He has suggested to us by groaning in the spirit, and troubling Himself. For who could trouble Him, save He Himself? Therefore, my brethren, first give heed here to the power that did so, and then look for the meaning. Thou art troubled against thy will; Christ was troubled because He willed. …

Tractates on John 49 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

1531 Next (v 33), Christ's feelings are presented. Christ did not answer Mary in the same way that he answered Martha; because of the crowd which was present he did not say anything, but showed his power by his actions. First, we see Christ's affection for Mary; secondly, the remarks of the Jews about Christ's affection (v 36). Concerning the first, the Evangelist does three things. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

This virtue gives nobility to the soul. But because at times a man may be indignant at another, there is need for gentleness, which is the remedy against irascibility and anger—not that man should never be angry at all, but that he should be so only in the right circumstances of place and time. Hence, he must have both the face of a man and the face of a lion. At times, however, you believe a man to be kind when he remains silent while knowing of another's sin. Such is not kindness. …

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 5 ↗