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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom267Ver. 3 . 2100 “That where I am, there ye may be also.” “So earnest have I been concerning thismatter, 2101 that I should already have been given up to it, 2102 had not preparation been made longago for you.” Showing them that they ought to be very bold and confident. Then that He may notseem to speak as though enticing them, but that they may believe the thing to be so, He addeth,[2.] Ver. 4 . “And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”Seest thou that He giveth them proof that these things were not said without a meaning? AndHe used these words, because He knew in Himself that their souls now desired to learn this. ForPeter said what he said, not in order to learn, but that he might follow. But when Peter had beenrebuked, and Christ had declared 2103 that to be possible which for the time seemed impossible, 2104and when the apparent impossibility led him to desire to know the matter exactly, therefore Hesaith to the others, “And the way ye know.” For as when He hath said, “Thou shalt deny Me,”before any one spake a word, searching into their hearts, He said, “Be not troubled,” so here alsoby saying “Ye know,” He disclosed the desire which was in their heart, and Himself giveth theman excuse for questioning. Now the, “Whither goest Thou?” Peter used from a very loving affection,Thomas from cowardice.Ver. 5 . “Lord, 2105 we know not whither Thou goest.” 2106“The place,” he saith, “we know not, and how shall we know the way leading thither?” Andobserve with what submissiveness he speaks; he saith not, “tell us the place,” but, “we know notwhither Thou goest”; for all had long yearned to hear this. If the Jews questioned among themselveswhen they heard (of His departure), although desirous to be rid of Him, much more would thosedesire to learn, who wished never to be separated from Him. They feared therefore to ask Him, butyet they asked Him, from their great love and anxiety. What then saith Christ?Ver. 6 . “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but byMe.”“Why then, when He was asked by Peter, ‘Whither goest Thou,’ did He not say directly, ‘I goto the Father, but ye cannot come now’? Why did He put in a circuit of so many words, placingtogether questions and answers? With good reason He told not this to the Jews; but why not tothese?” He had indeed said both to these and to the Jews, that He came forth from God, and wasgoing to God, now He saith the same thing more clearly than before. Besides, to the Jews He spakenot so clearly; for had He said, “Ye cannot come to the Father but by Me,” they would straightwayhave deemed the matter mere boasting; but now by concealing this, He threw them 2107 into perplexity.“But why,” saith some one, “did He speak thus both to the disciples and to Peter?” He knew hisgreat forwardness, and that he would by reason of this 2108 the more press on and trouble Him; inorder therefore to lead him away, He hideth the matter. Having then succeeded in what He wishedby the obscurity and by veiling His speech, He again discloseth the matter. After saying, “Where2100Ver. 3 . “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where, ” &c. N.T.2101i.e. the preparing a place for disciples.2102ἤ δη ἄν τούτου ἐγενόμην2103al. “ had showed. ”2104i.e. that the disciples should follow.2105“ Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, ” &c.2106“ and how shall we know the way? ” N.T.2107or, “ these ” (the disciples).2108i.e. if He had so spoken.403