Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 3:32

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"And no man receiveth His testimony." Yet He had disciples, and many besides gave heed to His words. How then saith John, "No man"? He saith "no man," instead of "few men," for had he meant "no man at all," how could he have added, "He that hath received His testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true." Here he touches his own disciples, as not being likely for a time to be firm believers. …

Homily on the Gospel of John 30 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

And no man receiveth His testimony. Not as though no one receiveth the testimony, that Christ is God by Nature and, sprung from above and the Father, is above all, does the blessed Baptist say this (for many received, and have believed it, and before all Peter, saying, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God): but as having himself conceived of the great dignity of the Speaker more rightly than they all, does he all but shaking his head, and smiting with right hand on his thigh, marvel at the folly of them that disbelieve Him.

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He says that He saw and heard, that is, He speaks and testifies about what He heard from the Father and what He saw, that is, what He knows with precision. But no one among those who do not heed the truth accepts His testimony. When you hear that Christ speaks what He heard from the Father, do not think that He has need to learn knowledge from the Father, but since everything the Son knows by nature He has from the Father, as being consubstantial with Him, it is said that He heard from the Father what He knows. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"He that cometh from heaven is above all; and what He hath seen and heard, that He testifieth: and no man receiveth His testimony." Cometh from heaven, is above all, our Lord Jesus Christ; of whom it was said above, "No man hath ascended into heaven, but He that came down from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven." And He is above all; "and what He hath seen and heard, that He speaks." Moreover, He hath a Father, being Himself the Son of God; He hath a Father, and He also hears of the Father. …

Tractates on John 14 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Now he describes the doctrine of Christ. And he does three things. First, he shows its origin, which is heavenly; hence he says, The One who comes from heaven is above all things. For although the body of Christ was of the earth as regards the matter of which it was made, yet it came from heaven as to its efficient cause, inasmuch as his body was formed by divine power. It also came from heaven because the eternal and uncreated person of the Son came from heaven by assuming a body. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

"And what he has seen and heard, this he testifies," as one who is certain. "He saw," as the Wisdom of God, because he saw by himself: "he heard," as the Son receiving from the Father; in chapter 15: "All things whatsoever I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you." And although his doctrine is most excellent, nevertheless it is despised by the carnal. …

Commentary on John, Chapter 3 ↗