Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 5:45

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?" What He saith is of this kind: "It is Moses who has been insulted more than I by your conduct towards Me, for ye have disbelieved him rather than Me." See how in every way He hath cast them out from all excuse. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 41 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

Having said that the Pharisees cared more to live vain-gloriously than piously, and having taught that hence they turned aside to unmeasured unbelief, He says that they were accused by Moses himself, of whom it was their custom to boast very vehemently. And indeed when the man who was blind from his birth once said to them of Christ, Will YE also be His disciples? immediately they cry out and say openly, THOU art His disciple, but WE are Moses disciples. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 3 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since they constantly appealed to Moses, the Lord says that he will accuse you, because he wrote about Me. Where did he write about Him? In many places. Thus the saying "The Lord will raise up a Prophet for you" referred to Christ, and many other things, partly in words, partly in signs and symbols. For example, the miracle of the bush (Exod. 3:2). …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then (v 45), he shows that they do not have zeal for Moses. First, how Moses was against them. Secondly, he gives the reason for this opposition (v 46). As to the first he does two things. First, he rejects their false zeal; secondly, he shows them true zeal, The one who accuses you is Moses. As to the first he says: Do not think that I will accuse you before my Father. There are three reasons for his saying this. First, the Son of God did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

Here the fourth point is touched upon, namely the defect of faith among the Jews, not only for believing Christ, but also Moses: on account of which they were accused not only by Christ, but also by Moses. "Do not think that I shall accuse you before the Father": because I did not come to accuse, but to pardon. …

Commentary on John, Chapter 5 ↗