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
"If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing." What say the heretics here? That He heard the question, "Art thou greater than our father Abraham?" and dared not to say to them, "Yea, I am greater," but did so in a covert manner. What then? Is His honor "nothing"? With respect to them it is nothing. And as He said, "My witness is not true," with reference to the opinion they would form of it, so also doth He speak here. …
Cyril of Alexandria
Jesus answered, If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing, The whole aim of the discourse looks in the direction of blessed Abraham and the Prophets, but the Saviour persuasively transforms to Himself what is expressed, not ignorant that prone to anger, even without any plea inviting thereto, is the Pharisee, and that he takes every one of the things uttered by Him, as an additional reason for more fiercely plotting His murder. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
For had they known the Father really, they would have reverenced the Son. But they even despise God, who in the Law forbad murder, by their clamours against Christ. Wherefore He says, Ye have not known Him. Having that knowledge by nature; for as I am, so is the Father also; I know Myself, and therefore I know Him. And He gives the proof that He knows Him: And I keep His saying, i. e. His commandments. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me." He said this on account of their saying, "Whom makest thou thyself?" For He refers His glory to the Father, of whom it is that He is God. From this expression also the Arians sometimes revile our faith, and say, See, the Father is greater; for at all events He glorifies the Son. Heretic, hast thou not read of the Son Himself also saying that He glorifies His Father? …
Thomas Aquinas
Then (v 54), our Lord's answer is given. First, he answers the second question; secondly, the first question (v 56). As to the first, the Lord does three things: first, he rejects their error; secondly, he teaches them a truth which they did not know (v 54); and thirdly, he clarifies both of these things (v 55). He says: You ask me, Who do you claim to be? As if I am usurping a glory that I do not have. …
Bonaventure
To this attack the Lord responds, showing his excellence in relation to Abraham. Before, however, he declares his excellence, he avoids arrogance, lest he seem to say this through boasting: therefore in responding he asserts that he does not seek his own glory. …
Translation