Loading…
VRSZ
This sets the art on your cards and whose commentary you read on each verse. You can change it later in settings.
Translation
Loading…
What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Our fathers worshiped in this mountain," (meaning Abraham and his family, for thither they say that he led up his son,) "and how say ye that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship?" Seest thou how much more elevated in mind she has become? She who was anxious that she might not be troubled for thirst, now questions concerning doctrines. What then doth Christ? …
Cyril of Alexandria
Conceiving that the Lord is in truth a Prophet and a Jew, she boasts exceedingly of the customs of her country, and asserts that the Samaritans are far superior in wisdom to the Jews. For the Jews admitting too gross notions of the Divine and Incorporeal Nature, contended that in Jerusalem alone, or its neighbour Sion, ought the God over all to be worshipped, as though the whole Ineffable and Incomprehensible Nature had once for all there taken abode, and was enclosed in temples made with hands. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
She says this about Abraham and his successors. "For here," they say, "Isaac was offered by him as a sacrifice." "How is it then," she says, "that you say one must worship in Jerusalem?" Do you see how she rose higher? Shortly before this she was concerned about not suffering from thirst, but now she asks about doctrine (dogmas).
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
And she begins enquiries on a subject that perplexed her; Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. This was a great dispute between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Jews worshipped in the temple built by Solomon, and made this a ground of boasting over the Samaritans. The Samaritans replied, Why boast ye, because ye have a temple which we have not? Did our fathers, who pleased God, worship in that temple? …
Thomas Aquinas
Then she asks her question about prayer, saying: Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you people claim that Jerusalem is the place where men must worship God. Here we should admire the woman's diligence and attention: for women are considered curious and unproductive, and not only unproductive, but also lovers of ease (1 Tim 5), whereas she did not ask Christ about worldly affairs, or about the future, but about the things of God, in keeping with the advice, "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Mt 6:33). …
Bonaventure
"Our fathers worshipped on this mountain," namely Abraham and Jacob — "and you say that Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." If, therefore, the fathers are to be imitated, how then do you say this, as though despising the custom of the fathers? …
Translation