Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 18:11

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Christ's bidding is fraught with the enactment of life according to the Gospel, and the spirit, not of the Mosaic Law revealed to the men of old time, but of the dispensation of Christ; which so dissuades us from using the sword, or offering resistance, that if a man choose to smite us on one cheek, and then to demand the other to be smitten, we ought to turn to him the other also; cutting out, as it were, by the roots the human weakness of our hearts. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Lord restrains Peter and says with a threat: "Put your sword into its sheath." At the same time He also comforts, saying: "Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given Me?" For by this He shows that the sufferings depend not on their power, but on His own consent, and that He is not an opponent of God, but fulfills the will of the Father even unto death. By calling the sufferings a "cup," He indicates that death for the salvation of mankind is pleasant and desirable.

Commentary on John ↗

Dionysius of Alexandria

Now, to drink the cup was to discharge the ministry and the whole divine plan of trial with fortitude. It meant to follow and fulfill the Father's determination and to surmount any apprehension. And the exclamation "Why have you forsaken me?" fits in with the requests he had previously made. In other words, Why is it that death has been with me all along up until now, but I have not yet borne the cup? This I judge to have been the Savior's meaning in this concise utterance.

On Luke XXII. 42, Etc. ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

2291 Now we see the zeal of Peter being restrained. First, we see Peter's zeal; secondly, the reason it was restrained (11b). 2292 The Evangelist says that Peter drew his sword, and our Lord said to him, Put your sword into its sheath. It was like saying that it was not defense that was needed, but patience, and that he was not allowed to use a material sword: "Ah, sword of the Lord! How long till you are quiet?" (Jer 47:6). …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

"Jesus therefore said to Peter: Put your sword into its sheath." Victor: "Let vengeance cease, let patience be shown," according to that saying in Matthew five: "I say to you, do not resist evil, but if anyone strikes you on one cheek, offer him the other." And he gives the reason: "The chalice which the Father has given me, do you not wish that I drink it?" As if to say: if you think rightly, you must will what the Father wills. …

Commentary on John, Chapter 18 ↗