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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostombut cutteth off the spirit of contradiction engendered by it. “For if thou lovest, thou oughtest to obeyHim who is beloved. I said 2092 to thee and to those with thee, ‘Thou canst not’; why art thoucontentious? Knowest thou what a thing it is to contradict God? But since thou wilt not learn inthis way that it is impossible that what I say should not come to pass, thou shalt learn 2093 it in thedenial.” And yet this appeared to thee to be much more incredible. For this thou did not evenunderstand, but of that thou hadst the knowledge 2094 in thy heart. Yet still that came to pass whichwas not even 2095 expected.“I will lay down my life for Thee.” For since he had heard, “Greater love than this hath, noman,” 2096 he straightway sprang forward, insatiably eager and desirous to reach even to the highestpitch of virtue. But Christ, to show that it belonged to Himself alone to promise these things withauthority, saith,Ver. 38 . “Before the cock crow.” 2097That is, “now”; there was but a little interval. He spake when it was late at night, and the firstand second watch was past.Chap. xiv. ver. 1 . “Let not your heart be troubled.”This He saith, because it was probable that when they heard they would be troubled. For if theleader of their band, one so entirely fervent, was told that before the cock crew he should thricedeny his Master, it was likely that they would expect to have to undergo some great reverse, sufficientto bend even souls of adamant. Since then it was probable that they considering these things wouldbe astounded, see how He comforteth them, saying, “Let not your heart be troubled.” By this firstword showing the power of His Godhead, because, what they had in their hearts He knew andbrought to light.“Ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” That is, “All dangers shall pass you by, for faith inMe and in My Father is more powerful than the things which come upon you, and will permit noevil thing to prevail against you.” Then He addeth,Ver. 2 . “In My Father’s house are many mansions.”As He comforteth Peter when bewildered 2098 by saying, “but thou shalt follow afterwards,” soalso He gives this glimpse of hope to the others. For lest they should think that the promise wasgiven to him alone, He saith, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.”“If it were not so I would have said to you, I go 2099 to prepare a place for you.”That is, “The same place which receiveth Peter shall receive you.” For a great abundance ofdwellings is there, and it may not be said that they need preparation. When He said, “Ye cannotfollow Me now,” that they might not deem that they were finally cut off, He added,2092in the Greek, “ He said. ”2093al. “ shalt know. ”2094al. “ the consciousness. ”2095al. “ was not. ”2096the words occur later, c. xv. 132097“ Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for Me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow tillthou hast denied Me thrice. ” N.T.2098ἀ λύοντα2099al. “ shall go. ”402