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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Great is the recompense of care bestowed upon the servants of God, and of itself it yieldeth to us its fruits. For, "he that receiveth you," it saith, "receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me." Now what can be equal to the receiving Christ and His Father? But what kind of connection hath this with what was said before? What hath it in common with that which He had said, "If ye do these things happy are ye," to add, "He that receiveth you"? A close connection, and very harmonious. Observe how. …
Cyril of Alexandria
Having previously shown in a manner suitable to the occasion that He is the Christ, and having indicated the means by which the traitor was meditating his grievous outrage against Him, He now devises another very effectual method for overthrowing his evil designs. And now again His discourse seems to be marked by a certain want of distinctness: for He is still trying to conceal the daring deed, and as yet does not openly say who is about to betray Him. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
What is the connection of the present words with the preceding ones? For until now He was speaking about the betrayer, and now He adds "he who receives whomever I send receives Me"? The connection exists, and it is the closest one. The Lord said that He would be betrayed; He spoke of how He would leave them, that they would afterwards scatter, be dispersed, and endure many afflictions; therefore He comforts them in two ways. First, through Himself. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
The Arians, when they hear this passage, appeal immediately to the gradations in their system, that as far as the Apostle is from the Lord, so far is the Son from the Father. But our Lord hath left us no room for doubt on this head; for He saith, I and My Father are one. (supr. 10:30) But how shall we understand those words of our Lord, He that receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent Me? …
Thomas Aquinas
Next (v 20), he confirms his conclusion from the dignity of those whose feet he washed. For their dignity was so great that services performed for them seemed in a way to rebound to God, although according to a certain progression: because things done for the faithful through Christ rebound to God the Father. First, he shows how those things done for the disciples of Christ flow back or rebound to Christ. Regarding this he says, Truly, truly, I say to you. …
Bonaventure
Amen, amen, I say to you. Here, thirdly, he exhorts them to imitate him in honoring his servants by consideration of the greatness of merit. For great merit belongs to the one who honors the Lord, and the Lord himself reckons honor done to a servant as his own: and thus great merit belongs to the one who honors Christ's servant. …
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