Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom172neither Paul of Samosata, 1348 nor Marcion, 1349 nor those affected with their maladies, might haveanything to say. By this then he stoppeth all 1350 their mouths.“After these things was the Jews’ feast of tabernacles.” The words, “after these things,” meanonly, that the writer has here been concise, and has passed over a long interval of time, as is clearfrom this circumstance. When Christ sat 1351 on the mountain, he saith, that it was the feast of thePassover; 1352 while here the writer mentions the “feast of tabernacles,” and during the five monthshath neither related or taught us anything else, except the miracle of the loaves, and the sermonmade to those who ate them. Yet He ceased not to work miracles, and to converse, both in the day,and in the evening, and oftentimes at night; at least, it was thus that He presided over His disciples,as all the Evangelists tell us. Why then have they omitted that interval? Because it was impossibleto recount everything fully, and moreover, because they were anxious to mention those points whichwere followed 1353 by any fault-finding or gainsaying of the Jews. There were many circumstanceslike those which here are omitted; for that He raised the dead, healed the sick, and was admired,they have frequently recorded; 1354 but when they have anything uncommon to tell, when they haveto describe any charge seemingly put forth against Him, these things they set down; such as thisnow, that “His brethren believed Him not.” For a circumstance like this brings with it no slightsuspicion, and it is worth our while to admire their truth-loving disposition, how they are notashamed to relate things which seem to bring disgrace upon their Teacher, but have been even moreanxious to report these than other matters. For instance, the writer having passed by many signsand wonders and sermons, has sprung at once to this.Ver. 3–5 . For, saith he, “His brethren said unto Him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, thatThy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest; for there is no man that doeth anything insecret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. Show thyself to the world. For neither did Hisbrethren believe in Him.”[2.] What unbelief, saith some one, is here? They exhort 1355 Him to work miracles. It is greatdeed; for of unbelief come their words, and their insolence, and their unseasonable freedom ofspeech. For they thought, that owing to their relationship, it was lawful 1356 for them to address Himboldly. And their request seems forsooth to be that of friends, but the words were those of greatmaliciousness. 1357 For in this place they reproach Him with cowardice and vainglory: since to say,“no man doeth anything in secret,” is the expression of persons charging Him with cowardice, andsuspecting the things done by Him as being not really done; and to add, that “he seeketh to beknown,” was to accuse Him of vainglory. But observe, I pray you, the power of Christ. Of thosewho said these things, one became first Bishop of Jerusalem, the blessed James, of whom Paulsaith, “Other of the Apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord’s brother” ( Gal. i. 19 ); and Judas1348p. 30.1349p. 30.1350al. “ both. ”1351al. “ when he showed Him sitting. ”1352“ The Passover was nigh, ” c. vi. 41353al. “ to be followed. ”1354al. “ we have often heard. ”1355al. “ what a word of unbelief, spake they, exhorting. ”1356al. “ was fitting. ”1357al. “ bitterness. ”263