Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

John 6:70

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" For since Peter said, "We believe," Jesus excepteth Judas from the band. In the other place Peter made no mention of the disciples; but when Christ said, "Whom say ye that I am?" he replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God"; but here, since he said, "We believe," Christ with reason admitteth not Judas into that band. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 47 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

He continues His reproach, and clenches them with severer words, cutting off that which is slack and fallen into negligence in their desire to be wise. For He almost seems to say somewhat of this sort, "O My disciples, this is the time for heed and wit and a mind braced unto the desire of salvation. For most slippery is the way of perdition, which drags downwards not only the feeble mind, but also that which already thinketh it standeth fast. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What then does Christ say? Does He approve Peter, as He did on another occasion (Matt. 16:17)? Not at all, so as not to appear to be flattering him for having remained with Him. What then does He say to Peter? "I chose you twelve, yet not all of you are worthy of this choosing, but one of you is a devil." This can be understood in two ways: either he is a devil because even now he perverts everything of Mine and accepts nothing of it, or because he will slander Me. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

He was elected to be an involuntary and unconscious instrument of producing the greatest good. For as the wicked turn the good works of God to an evil use, so reversely God turns the evil works of man to good. What can be worse than what Judas did? Yet our Lord made a good use of his wickedness; allowing Himself to be betrayed, that He might redeem us. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

One of you is a devil: the bodyb is here named after its head.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

Or we must say, that He elected the eleven for one purpose, the twelfth for another: the eleven to fill the place of Apostles, and persevere in it unto the end; the twelfth to the service of betraying Him, which was the means of saving the human race.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗