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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Cyril of Alexandria
He makes no clearer revelation of what He was, or whence He came, or Who was His Father. Nor, indeed, does He suffer us to waste the word of revelation, by giving it to ears that are estranged, saying: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Lord, bringing down his arrogance, says: "You would have no authority over Me if it had not been given to you from above." For I do not simply die, but am accomplishing something mysterious, and this has been predetermined from above for the common salvation. But lest you, having heard "given from above," should think that Pilate bears no responsibility before God, He adds: "Greater sin is on him who delivered Me to you." By this He shows that Pilate too is guilty of sin, though a lesser one. …
Cyprian
Now power is given against us in two modes: either for punishment when we sin, or for glory when we are proved, as we see was done with respect to Job; as God Himself sets forth, saying, "Behold, all that he hath I give unto thy hands; but be careful not to touch himself." And the Lord in His Gospel says, in the time of His passion, "Thou couldest have no power against me unless it were given thee from above." But when we ask that we may not come into temptation, we are reminded of our infirmity and weakness in that we thus ask, lest …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered: Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." Here, you see, He replied; and yet wherever He replied not, it is not as one who is criminal or cunning, but as a lamb; that is, in simplicity and innocence He opened not His mouth. …
Thomas Aquinas
2394 Pilate was boasting about his power, "Men who... boast of the abundance of their riches" (Ps 49:6). So our Lord curbs him, saying, You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above. It was like Augustine said: "When Christ was silent, it was like a lamb; when he spoke, he taught as a shepherd." So, first Christ teaches Pilate about the source of his power; secondly, about the greatness of his sin. 2395 In regard to the first he says, You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above. …
Bonaventure
Jesus answered: Thou wouldest have no power over me, unless it were given thee from above: Augustine: From above, that is, from God, according to that passage in Romans 13: "There is no power but from God." But according to this exposition, what follows seems to have no logical connection: Therefore he who delivered me to thee etc.; hence Victor expounds: From above, that is, from Caesar: and because you exercise power out of fear, he who delivered me to thee hath the greater sin: because he sins more who acts from malice than he who …
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