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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom“If,” it saith, “they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not containthe books.” ( c. xxi. 25 .) Whence it is clear, that What they have mentioned they wrote not fordisplay, but only for the sake of what was useful. For how could they who omitted the greater part,write these others 2581 for display? But why went they not through them all? Chiefly on account oftheir number; besides, they also considered, that he who believed not those they had mentioned,would not give heed to a greater number; while he who received these, would have no need ofanother in order to believe. And here too he seems to me to be for the time speaking of the miraclesafter the Resurrection. Wherefore He saith,“In the presence of His disciples.” 2582For as before the Resurrection it was necessary that many should be done, in order that theymight believe that He was the Son of God, so was it also after the Resurrection, in order that theymight admit that He had arisen. For another reason also he has added, “In the presence of Hisdisciples,” because He conversed with them alone after the Resurrection; wherefore also He said,“The world seeth Me no more.” ( c. xiv. 19 .) Then, in order that thou mayest understand thatwhat was done was done only for the sake of the disciples, he added,Ver. 31 . “That believing ye might have life in His Name.” 2583Speaking generally to mankind, and showing that not on Him who is believed on, but onourselves, he bestows a very great favor. “In His Name,” that is, “through Him”; for He is the Life.Chap. xxi. ver. 1 . “After these things, Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the seaof Tiberias.” 2584Seest thou that He remaineth not with them continually, nor as before? He appeared, for instance,in the evening, and flew away; then after eight days again once, and again flew away; then afterthese things by the sea, and again with great terror. But what is the, “showed”? From this it is clearthat He was not seen unless He condescended, because His body was henceforth incorruptible, andof unmixed purity. 2585 But wherefore hath the writer mentioned the place? To show that he hadnow taken away the greater part of their fear, so that they now ventured forth from their dwelling,and went about everywhere. For they were no longer shut up at home, but had gone into Galilee,avoiding the danger from the Jews. Simon, therefore, comes to fish. For since neither was He withthem continually, nor was the Spirit yet given, nor they at that time yet entrusted with anything,having nothing to do, they went after their trade.Ver. 2 . “There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, 2586 and Nathanael,” 2587 (he that wascalled by Philip,) “and the sons of Zebedee, and two others.” 25882581According to Savile’s conject. and two mss. πῶς ἂν ταῦτα for πῶς ἐνταῦθα2582“ of His disciples, which are not written in this book, ” N.T.2583Ver. 31 . “ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, ” &c. N.T.2584“ of Tiberias; and on this wise showed He Himself, ” N.T.2585ἀ κήρατον2586“ Thomas, called Didymus. ”2587“ Nathanael of Cana in Galilee. ”2588“ two other of His disciples, ” N.T.491