Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 7:40

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Astonishment-stricken are they at His confidence as being God-befitting, and seeing that His words no longer suit the measures of man, they betake themselves to memory of the Law, as having already fore-declared of Christ, and saying that a Prophet should be raised up like to the all-wise Moses who should interpret to Israel the words from God. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Shamed by the boldness of His speech, some from the people — not from the rulers (for the rulers out of envy were always against Him) — confess that He is that Prophet whom they await.

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

You remember, my beloved, that in the last discourse, by occasion of the passage of the Gospel read, we spoke to you concerning the Holy Spirit. When the Lord had invited those that believe on Him to this drinking, speaking among those who meditated to lay hold of Him, and sought to kill Him, and were not able, because it was not His will: well, when He had spoken these things, there arose a dissension among the multitude concerning Him; some thinking that He was the very Christ, others saying that Christ shall not arise from Galilee.

Tractates on John 33 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The Evangelist, having shown us Christ's invitation to a spiritual drink, now presents the disagreement of the people. First, the disagreement among the people themselves; secondly, that of their leaders (v 45). He does two things about the first. First, he states what those who disagreed said; secondly, he states the fact that there was a disagreement (v 43). What the people said varied according to their different opinions about Christ. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

Here the dissension of the multitude on account of the teaching of Christ is intimated: wherefore he says: "From that crowd, when they had heard these words of his," some, enlightened on account of hearing the teaching of Christ, "were saying: This is truly the Prophet," because he spoke so wisely.

Commentary on John, Chapter 7 ↗