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
"I, being God, needed not the witness of John which is man's witness, yet because ye gave more heed to him, believe him more trustworthy than any, ran to him as to a prophet, (for all the city was poured forth to Jordan,) and have not believed on Me, even when working miracles, therefore I remind you of that witness of his." "He was a burning and a shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." That they may not reply, "What if he did speak and we received him not," He showeth that they did receive John's …
Cyril of Alexandria
He likens the holy Baptist to a lamp, in that as far as appertains to the measure of man, he shone forth before His Coming, yet not with his own light: for not its own is the light in the lamp, but from without and bestowed and added: thus will you see in the saints also the illumination that is from Christ in the Spirit. Wherefore they both thinking and acting most wisely do themselves confess out of their own mouth, Of His fulness have all WE received. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He calls John a "burning lamp," because he had an earthly origin, and had his light not from himself, but from the grace of the Spirit, and "for a time"; but when the day of the Lord came, that is, His teaching, the lamp was hidden. Everything he said they accepted "for a time" and rejoiced in him, but then they forgot what he said about Me and remained in their former unbelief. For if you had once firmly believed him, he would soon have led you to faith in Me.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
He explains his statement, in order that you may be saved: that is, because I am appealing to testimony you have accepted. And so he mentions that John was accepted by them: He was a lamp, blazing and burning brightly. First, he states that John was a witness accepted on his own merits. Secondly, he mentions to what degree he was accepted by them (v 35b). Three things perfected John and show that he was a witness accepted in his own right. …
Bonaventure
"He was a burning lamp," through grace, "and shining," through doctrine: or: "burning," through interior charity, "shining," through exterior uprightness of life. Bernard: "To burn only is too little; to shine only is vain; but to shine and to burn is perfect." Therefore John was most fittingly signified by Elijah: Ecclesiasticus 48: "Elijah arose like fire, and his word burned like a torch." To such a one, therefore, shining so perfectly, faith ought to have been given, which the Jews did not do: whence He says: "But you were …
Alcuin of York
John was a candle lighted by Christ, the Light, burning with faith and love, shining in word and deed. He was sent before, to confound the enemies of Christ, according to the Psalm, I have ordained a lantern for Mine Anointed; as for His enemies, I shall clothe them with shame. (Ps. 131)
Translation