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

NPNF (V1-14)St. ChrysostomBut how after having said, “When thou wast young,” doth He again say, “When thou art old”?For this is the expression of one declaring that he was not then young; (nor was he; nor yet old, buta man of middle age. 2623 ) Wherefore then did He recall to his memory his former life? Signifying,that this is the nature of what belongeth to Him. In things of this life the young man is useful, theold useless; “but in Mine,” He saith, “not so; but when old age hath come on, then is excellencebrighter, then is manliness more illustrious, being nothing hindered by the time of life.” This Hesaid not to terrify, but to rouse Him; for He knew his love, and that he long had yearned for thisblessing. At the same time He declareth the kind of death. For since Peter ever desired to be in thedangers which were for His sake, “Be of good cheer,” He saith, “I will so satisfy thy desire, that,what thou sufferedst not when young, thou must suffer when thou art old.” Then the Evangelist,to rouse the hearer, has added,Ver. 19 . “This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God.”He said not, “Should die,” but, “Should glorify God,” that thou mayest learn, that to suffer forChrist, is glory and honor to the sufferer.“And when He had spoken this, He saith, 2624 Follow Me.”Here again He alludeth to his tender carefulness, and to his being very closely attached toHimself. And if any should say, “How then did James receive the chair at Jerusalem?” I wouldmake this reply, that He appointed Peter 2625 teacher, not of the chair, but of the world.Ver. 20, 21 . “Then Peter turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; whoalso leaned on His breast at supper; and saith, 2626 Lord, and what shall this man do?”[2.] Wherefore hath he reminded us of that reclining? Not without cause or in a chance way,but to show us what boldness Peter had after the denial. For he who then did not dare to questionJesus, but committed the office to another, was even entrusted with the chief authority over thebrethren, and not only doth not commit to another what relates to himself, but himself now puts aquestion to his Master concerning another. John is silent, but Peter speaks. He showeth also herethe love which he bare towards him; for Peter greatly loved John, as is clear from what followed,and their close union is shown through the whole Gospel, and in the Acts. When therefore Christhad foretold great things to him, and committed the world to him, and spake beforehand of hismartyrdom, and testified that his love was greater than that of the others, desiring to have John alsoto share with him, he said, “And what shall this man do?” “Shall he not come the same way withus?” And as at that other time not being able himself to ask, he puts John forward, so now desiringto make him a return, and supposing that he would desire to ask about the matters pertaining tohimself, but had not courage, he himself undertook the questioning. What then saith Christ?Ver. 22 . “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” 2627Since he spake from strong affection, and wishing not to be torn away from him, 2628 Christ, toshow that however much he might love, he could not go beyond His love, saith, “If I will that hetarry—what is that to thee?” By these words teaching us not to be impatient, nor curious beyond2623lit. “ a perfect man. ”2624“ saith unto him, ” N.T.2625lit. “ this man. ”2626“ at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth Thee? Peter seeing him saith. ” N.T.2627“ to thee? Follow thou Me. ” N.T.2628i.e. St. John.497