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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
But what is, "being High Priest that year"? This matter as well as the rest had become corrupt; for from the time that offices became matters of purchase, they were no longer priests for the whole period of their lives, but for a year. Notwithstanding, even in this state of things the Spirit was still present. But when they lifted up their hands against Christ, then It left them, and removed to the Apostles. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Observe the power of the high priestly dignity, how it is full of the grace of the Spirit, even though those who bear it are unworthy. And I ask you, honor the high priests according to the dignity of the grace dwelling in them, and not according to their own will. Not only Caiaphas prophesies, but many other unworthy men also knew the future—for example, Pharaoh concerning the abundance and famine (Gen. 45:17–32), Nebuchadnezzar concerning the kingdoms and Christ (Dan. 2:28–45), and Balaam concerning Christ (Num. 24:17). …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
We learn hence that even bad men may foretell things to come by the spirit of prophecy, which power the Evangelist ascribes to a divine sacrament, he being Pontifex, i. e. High Priest.
Thomas Aquinas
1576 But the Evangelist explains this another way, saying, He did not say this of his own accord. He mentions three things: first, the author of these words; secondly, their correct meaning (v 51b); and thirdly, the Evangelist adds to the words of Caiaphas (v 52). 1577 In regard to the first we should note that because one might suppose that Caiaphas spoke these words by his own impulse, the Evangelist rejects this, saying, He did not say this of his own accord. …
Bonaventure
But he did not say this of himself, that is, by his own invention, but by divine inspiration; wherefore he says: But since he was the high priest of that year, he prophesied. He attributes the prophetic Spirit to the sacerdotal honor. In this it is evident that the Holy Spirit works many noble works even through wicked priests; whence they are to be held in reverence. …
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