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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"But I tell you the truth." Observe how He consoleth them again. "I speak not," He saith, "to please you, and although you be grieved ten thousand fold, yet must ye hear what is for your good; it is indeed to your liking that I should be with you, but what is expedient for you is different. …
Cyril of Alexandria
All His work on earth had indeed been accomplished, as we just now affirmed. It was however surely necessary that we should become partakers and sharers of the Divine Nature of the Word; or rather that, giving up the life that originally belonged to us, we should be transformed into another, and the very elements of our being be changed into newness of life well-pleasing to God. But it was impossible to attain this in any other way except by fellowship in, and partaking of, the Holy Spirit. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
But "I tell you the truth." See how He comforts them. "However much," He says, "you grieve, I am telling you what is beneficial for you. You wish that I would always be with you, but this is not beneficial for you. For if I do not go, the Comforter will not come to you. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
But our Lord saw what effect His words would produce upon their minds. Not having yet that inward consolation which the Holy Ghost was to impart, they were afraid to lose the outward presence of Christ, and so, when they could no longer doubt from His own words that they were going to lose Him, their human affections were saddened, for the loss of their visible object. Wherefore it follows; But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. …
Gregory the Dialogist
The appearance of the Invisible Creator, apart from every image of a bodily appearing, is found in the chamber of the heart. And hence 'Truth' saith to those same lovers of Him, "The kingdom of God is within you." [Luke 17, 21] And again, "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come." [John 16, 7] As if it were in plain words; 'If I do not withdraw My Body from the eyes of your fixed regard, I lead you not by the Comforter, the Spirit, to the perception of the unseen.'
Bede
It is evident, and there is no need of a lengthy explanation why he calls this Spirit "the Paraclete," that is, "the Consoler." [The Spirit's] coming consoled and refreshed the hearts of the disciples when [Christ's] departure had caused them to be sad. …
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