Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 17:14

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

When having become virtuous we are persecuted by the wicked, or when being desirous of virtue we are mocked at by them, let us not be distracted or angry. For this is the natural course of things, and everywhere virtue is wont to engender hatred from wicked men. For envying those who desire to live properly, and thinking to prepare an excuse for themselves if they can overthrow the credit of others, they hate them as having pursuits opposite to their own, and use every means to shame their way of life. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 82 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

He says that He Himself is not of the world, and that we are even as He is, since His Divine Word has taken up its abode in our hearts. Furthermore, He declares that as the world hated Him so will it also hate them. The world indeed hateth Christ, because it is in conflict with His words, and accepts not His teaching, men's minds being wholly yielded up to base desires; and even as the world hates our Saviour Christ, it hath hated also the disciples who carry through Him His message, as Paul also did, who said: We are ambassadors, …

Commentary on the Gospel of John - Book 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Imploring the Father for help for the apostles, He also states the reason why they are worthy of great care from the Father. For Thy word, which I delivered to them, they were hated. Therefore they are worthy to receive help from Thee, since those who are worldly-minded hated them for Thy sake. Wicked people hate them because they are "not of the world," that is, they are not attached to the world in their mind and do not exhaust their activity for it. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

They had not yet experienced these sufferings which they afterwards met with; but, after His custom, He puts the future into the past tense. Then He gives the reason why the world haled them; viz. Because they are not of the world. This was conferred upon them by regeneration; for by nature they were of the world. It was given to them that they should not be of the world, even as He was not of the world; as it follows; Even as I am not of the world. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Now we have another reason why they need protection, which is because of the hatred of the world. First he mentions the benefit he had given his disciples; secondly, the hatred of the world for them (v 14); and thirdly, he asks the Father's help to protect them (v 15). He says, I have given them your word, which I have received from you: "I have given them the words which you gave me" (17:7). …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

I have given them your word: above in the fourteenth chapter: "The word which you have heard is not mine, but the Father's who sent me." And from this they have incurred the hatred of the world; therefore he says: And the world has hated them. And the reason is that they themselves have left the world; therefore he says: Because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world, that is, separated from worldly conduct, just as I am; above in the fifteenth chapter: "If you were of the world, the world would love what was its …

Commentary on John, Chapter 17 ↗