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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom240The dweller in Rome deemeth the Indians a member of himself. What is equal to this “gatheringtogether”? And the Head of all is Christ.Ver. 53 . “From that day forth the Jews 1837 took counsel to put Him to death.”And, in truth, had sought to do so before; for the Evangelist saith, “Therefore the Jews soughtto kill Him” ( c. v. 18 ); and, “Why seek ye to kill Me?” ( c. vii. 19 .) But then they only sought,now they ratified their determination, and treated the action as their business.Ver. 54 . “But Jesus walked no more openly in Jewry.” 1838[2.] Again He saveth Himself in a human manner, and this He doth continually. But I havementioned the reason for which He often departed and withdrew. And at this time He dwelt inEphratah, near the wilderness, and there He tarried with His disciples. How thinkest thou that thosedisciples were confounded when they beheld Him saving Himself after the manner of a man? Afterthis no man followed Him. For since the Feast was nigh, all were running to Jerusalem; but they,1839at a time when all others were rejoicing and holding solemn assembly, hide themselves, and arein danger. Yet still they tarried with Him. For they hid themselves in Galilee, at the time of thePassover and the Feast of Tabernacles; and after this again during the Feast, they only of all werewith their Master in flight and concealment, manifesting their good will to Him. Hence Lukerecordeth that He said, “I abode with you in temptations”; 1840 and this He said, showing that theywere strengthened by His influence. 1841Ver. 55 . 1842 “And many went up from the country to purify themselves.”Ver. 57 . “And the High Priests and Pharisees had commanded that they should lay hands onHim.”A marvelous purification, with a murderous will, with homicidal intentions, and bloodstainedhands!Ver. 56 . “And they said, Think ye that he will not come to the feast?”By means of the Passover they plotted against Him, and made the time of feasting a time ofmurder, that is, He there would fall into their hands, because the season summoned Him. Whatimpiety! When they needed greater carefulness, and to forgive those who had been taken for theworst offenses, then they attempted to ensnare One who had done no wrong. Yet by acting thusthey had already not only profited nothing, but become ridiculous. For this end coming amongthem continually He escapeth, and restraineth them when they take counsel 1843 to kill Him, andmaketh them to be in perplexity, desiring to prick them by the display of His power; that when theytook Him, they might know that what had been done was done, not by their power, but by His1837“ they, ” N.T.1838Ver. 54 . “ Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to thewilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. ” 55 . “ And the Jews’ Passover was nigh athand. ” N.T.1839i.e. the disciples.1840Luke xxii. 28 . “ Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations. ”1841ῥ οπῆς1842Ver. 55–57 . “ And many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. Thensought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves as they stood in the Temple, What think ye, that He will not come to thefeast? Now both the Chief Priests and Pharisees had given a commandment, that if any man knew where He were, he shouldshow it, that they might take Him. ” N.T.1843al. “ wish. ”363