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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom308These are not the words of one speaking arrogantly, but of one confiding in the truth of whatHe had said. What therefore He said at the beginning, “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness isnot true” ( c. v. 31 ), this He now implieth, desiring to render His testimony abundantly credible.For when Annas mentioned the disciples, 2409 what saith He? “Dost thou ask Me concerning Mine?Ask Mine enemies, ask those who have plotted against Me, who have bound Me; let them speak.”This is an unquestionable proof of truth, when one calls his enemies to be witnesses to what hesaith. What then doth the high priest? When it would have been right thus to have made the enquiry,that person did not so.Ver. 22 . “And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by smote Him withthe palm of his hand.” 2410What could be more audacious than this? Shudder, O heaven, be astounded, O earth, at thelong-suffering of the Lord, and the senselessness of the servants! Yet what was it that He said? Hesaid not, “Why askest thou Me,” as if refusing to speak, but wishing to remove every pretext forsenseless behavior; and being upon this buffeted, though He was able to shake, to annihilate, or toremove all things, He doth not any one of these, but speaketh words able to relax any brutality.Ver. 23 . “And He saith, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil.” 2411That is, “If thou canst lay hold on My words, declare it; but if thou canst not, why strikest thouMe?” Seest thou that the judgment-hall is full of tumult, and trouble, and passion, and confusion?The high priest asked deceitfully and treacherously, Christ answered in a straightforward manner,and as was meet. What then was next to be done? Either to refute, or to accept what He said. Thishowever is not done, but a servant buffets Him. So far was this from being a court of justice, andthe proceedings those of a conspiracy, and a deed of tyranny. Then not having even so made anyfarther discovery, they send Him bound to Caiaphas. 2412Ver. 25 . “And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.”Wonderful, by what a lethargy 2413 that hot and furious one was possessed, when Jesus wasbeing led away! After such things as had taken place, he doth not move, but still warms himself,that thou mayest learn how great is the weakness of our nature if God abandoneth. And, beingquestioned, he denies again. 2414Ver. 26 . Then saith “the kinsman 2415 of him whose ear Peter cut off, (grieving at what hadtaken place,) Did I not see thee in the garden?” 2416But neither did the garden bring him to remember what had taken place, 2417 nor the greataffection which Jesus there had shown by those words, but all these from pressure of anxiety hebanished from his mind. But why have the Evangelists with one accord written concerning him?2409al. “ the disciples as disciples. ”2410“ Of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? ” N.T.2411“ of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me? ” N.T.2412Ver. 24 . “ Annas sent ( ἀ πέστειλεν ) Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. ” St. C. makes this the order of thenarrative, but most commentators refer the words to an earlier period.2413κάρῳ2414Part of ver. 25 . “ They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I amnot. ”2415Ver. 26 . “ one of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman, ” &c., “ saith. ” N.T.2416“ in the garden with him? ” ver. 27 . “ Peter then denied again; and immediately the cock crew. ” N.T.2417al. “ had been said. ”463