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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"The officers," saith the Evangelist, "came, and the Pharisees said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?" To "come" was a far greater deed than to have remained, for in the latter case they would have been rid of the annoyance of these men, but now they become heralds of the wisdom of Christ, and manifested their boldness in greater degree. And they say not, "We could not become of the multitude, for they gave heed unto Him as unto a prophet"; but what? …
Cyril of Alexandria
They who had been sent to hunt our Lord, availing to accomplish nought of what had been commanded them took themselves again to the rulers. And they are troubled exceedingly at the arrival of the officers, not seeing them bring Him Who was sought. And believing that what they suspected had already happened, they are smitten with no small fear. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Let us see what the officers, sent to bring Him, answer the Pharisees. They are very sensible. The Pharisees considered themselves wise, read the Scripture, and saw miracles, yet they rise up against the Lord and, like robbers, ask: "Why have you not brought Him?" But the officers were convinced by His teaching alone, without signs. So readily inclined were they toward the good. And that they were captivated not by signs but by teaching alone (which is more important) is evident from what follows.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
But they who had been sent to take Him returned clear of the crime and full of admiration. For they even gave witness to His divine doctrine, when those by whom they had been sent asked, "Why have ye not brought him?" They answered that they had never heard a man so speak: "For not any man so speaks." But He spake thus, because He was God and man. But the Pharisees, repelling their testimony, said to them: "Are ye also deceived?" We see, indeed, that you also have been charmed by his discourses. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then we see the dissension of the leaders of the people: first, their disagreement with their officers; and secondly, the disagreement among themselves (v 50). He does three things about the first: first, he shows the leaders rebuking their officers; secondly, the testimony the officers gave about Christ; and thirdly, we see the leaders reprimanding their own officers. As to the first, let us note the evil of the leaders, that is, the chief priests and Pharisees, when they say to their officers, Why have you not brought him? …
Bonaventure
Here the rebuke of the returning officers is noted, because they had done nothing of what they had been sent to do; therefore the Pharisees demand the reason from them, so as to reproach them. Therefore he says: "The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees," yet they did not bring him along: "and they said to them: Why have you not brought him?" For you were sent for this purpose: thus you have failed.
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