Philip Schaff: NPNF1-14. Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews - Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Philip Schaff: NPNF1-14. Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews - Christian Classics Ethereal Library Contents loading… NPNF (V1-14) Theme Font Aa Aa Text Size A A Bible Version Disable scripture popups New Revised Standard Version King James Version American Standard Version World English Bible Show footnotes When clicked On the bottom On the side Reader Width Tags: « Prev John 18.1 Next » Homily LXXXIII. John xviii. 1 “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered, and His disciples.” [1.] An awful thing is death, and very full of terror, but not to those who have learnt the true wisdom which is above. For he that knows nothing certain concerning things to come, but deems it23852385 i.e. death, lit. “the action.” to be a certain dissolution and end of life, with reason shudders and is afraid, as though he were passing into non-existence. But we who, by the grace of God, have learnt the hidden and secret things of His wisdom, and deem the action to be a departure to another place, should have no reason to tremble, but rather to rejoice and be glad, that leaving this perishable life we go to one far better and brighter, and which hath no end. Which Christ teaching by His actions, goeth to His Passion, not by constraint and necessity, but willingly. “These things,” it saith, “Jesus spake, and departed ‘beyond the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered, and His disciples.’” Ver. 2. “Judas also, which betrayed Him, knew the place; for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His disciples.” He journeyeth at midnight, and crosseth a 305 river, and hasteth to come to a place known to the traitor, lessening the labor to those who plotted against Him, and freeing them from all trouble; and showeth to the disciples that He came willingly to the action, (a thing which was most of all sufficient to comfort them,) and placeth Himself in the garden as in a prison. “These things spake Jesus unto them.” “What sayest thou?23862386 addressed to St. John. Surely He was speaking with the Father, surely He was praying. Why then dost thou not say that, ‘having ceased from the prayer,’ He came there?” Because it was not prayer, but a speech made on account of the disciples. “And the disciples entered into the garden.” He had so freed them from fear that they no longer resisted, but entered with Him into the garden. But how came Judas there, or whence had he gained his information when he came? It is evident from this circumstance, that Jesus generally23872387 τὰ πολλὰ passed the night out of doors.23882388 ἔ ξω For had He been in the habit of spending it at home, Judas would not have come to the desert, but to the house, expecting there to find Him asleep. And lest, hearing of a “garden,” thou shouldest think that Jesus hid Himself, it addeth, that “Judas knew the place”; and not simply so,23892389 or, “not once, but often,” &c. but that He “often resorted thither with His disciples.” For ofttimes He was with them apart, conversing on necessary matters, and such as it was not permitted to others to hear. And He did this especially in mountains and gardens, seeking a place free from disturbance, that their attention might not be distracted from listening. Ver. 3. “Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the Chief Priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons.” And these men had often at other times sent to seize Him, but had not been able; whence it is plain, that at this time He voluntarily surrendered Himself. And how did they persuade the band? They were soldiers,23902390 στρατιῶται, mercenaries. who had made it their practice to do anything for money. Ver. 4. “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said, Whom seek ye?” That is, He did not wait to learn this from their coming, but spake and acted without confusion, as knowing all these things. “But why come they with weapons, when about to seize Him?” They feared His followers, and for this reason they came upon Him late at night. “And He went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?” Ver. 5. “They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth.”23912391 Ver. 5, 6. “They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I Am. And Judas also which betrayed Him stood with them. As soon then as He had said unto them, I Am, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” N.T. Seest thou His invincible power, how being in the midst of them He disabled their eyes? for that the darkness was not the cause of their not knowing Him, the Evangelist hath shown, by saying, that they had torches also. And even had there been no torches, they ought at least to have known Him by His voice; or if they did not know it, how could Judas be ignorant, who had been so continually with Him? for he too stood with them, and knew Him no more than they, but with them fell backward. And Jesus did this to show, that not only they could not seize Him, but could not even see Him when in the midst, unless He gave permission. Ver. 7. “He saith again, Whom seek ye?”23922392 “Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.” N.T. What madness! His word threw them backward, yet not even so did they turn, when they had learnt that His power was so great, but again set themselves to the same attempt. When therefore He had fulfilled all that was His, then He gave Himself up. Ver. 8. “He answered, I told you that I Am.” ( Ver. 5. “And Judas also which betrayed Him stood with them.”) See the forbearance23932393 τὸ ἀνεπαχθὲς of the Evangelist, how he doth not insult over the traitor, but relates what took place, only desiring to prove one thing, that the whole took place with His own consent. Then, lest any one should say that He Himself brought them to this, by having placed Himself into their hands, and revealed Himself to them; after having shown to them all things which should have been sufficient to repulse them, when they persevered in their wickedness, and had no excuse, He put Himself in their hands, saying, “If therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way.” Manifesting until the last hour His lovingkindness towards them. “If,” He saith, “ye want Me, have nothing to do with these, for, behold, I give Myself up.” Ver. 9. “That the saying might be fulfilled which He spake, Of those which Thou gavest Me have I lost none.” By “loss”23942394 more exactly, “perdition.” He doth not here mean that which is of death, but that which is eternal; though the Evangelist in the present case includes the former also. And one might wonder why they did not seize them with Him, and cut them to pieces, especially when Peter had exasperated them by what he did to the servant. Who then restrained them? No other than that Power which cast them backward. And so the Evangelist, to show that it did not come to pass through their intention, but by the power and 306 decree of Him whom they had seized, has added, “That the saying might be fulfilled which He spake,” that “not one, &c.” ( c. xvii. 12.) [2.] Peter, therefore, taking courage from His voice, and from what had already happened, arms himself against the assailants,23952395 Ver. 10. “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” “And how,” saith some one, “doth he who was bidden not to have a scrip, not to have two coats, possess a sword?” Methinks he had prepared it long before, as fearing this very thing which came to pass. But if thou sayest, “How doth he, who was forbidden even to strike a blow with the hand, become a manslayer?” He certainly had been commanded not to defend himself, but here he did not defend himself, but his Master. And besides, they were not as yet perfect or complete. But if thou desirest to see Peter endued with heavenly wisdom, thou shalt after this behold him wounded, and bearing it meekly, suffering ten thousand dreadful things, and not moved to anger. But Jesus here also worketh a miracle, both showing that we ought to do good to those who do evil to us, and revealing His own power. He therefore restored the servant’s ear, and said to Peter, that “All they that take the sword shall perish by the sword” ( Matt. xxvi. 52 ); and as He did in the case of the basin, when He relaxed his vehemence23962396 lit. “tension.” by a threat, so also here. The Evangelist adds the name of the servant, because the thing done was very great, not only because He healed him, but because He healed one who had come against Him, and who shortly after would buffet Him, and because He stayed the war which was like to have been kindled from this circumstance against the disciples. For this cause the Evangelist hath put the name, so that the men of that time might search and enquire diligently whether these things had really come to pass. And not without a cause doth he mention the “right ear,” but as I think desiring to show the impetuosity of the Apostle, that he almost aimed at the head itself. Yet Jesus not only restraineth him by a threat, but also calmeth him by other words, saying, Ver. 11. “The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?”23972397 Ver 11. “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath; the cup,” &c. N.T. Showing, that what was done proceeded not from their power, but from His consent, and declaring that He was not one opposed to God but obedient to the Father even unto death. Ver. 12, 13. “Then Jesus was taken; and they bound Him, and led Him away to Annas.”23982398 Ver. 12, 13. “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him, and led Him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.” N.T. Why to Annas? In their pleasure they made a show of23992399 or, “made a show of Him in.” what had been done, as though forsooth they had set up a trophy. “And he was father-in-law to Caiaphas.” Ver. 14. “Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.” Why doth the Evangelist again remind us of his prophecy? To show that these things were done for our salvation. And such is the exceeding force of truth, that even enemies proclaimed these things beforehand. For lest the listener, hearing of bonds, should be confounded, he reminds him of that prophecy, that the death of Jesus was the salvation of the world. Ver. 15. “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple.”24002400 Ver. 15, 16. “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did that other disciple; that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.” N.T. Who is that other disciple? It is the writer himself. “And wherefore doth he not name himself? When he lay on the bosom of Jesus, he with reason concealed his name; but now why doth he this?” For the same reason, for here too he mentions a great good deed, that when all had started away,24012401 al. “retired.” he followed. Therefore he conceals himself, and puts Peter before him. He was obliged to mention himself, that thou mightest understand that he narrates more exactly than the rest what took place in the hall, as having been himself within. But observe how he detracts from his own praise; for, lest any one should ask, “How, when all had retreated, did this man enter in farther than Simon?” he saith, that he “was known to the high priest.” So that no one should wonder that he followed, or cry him up for his manliness. But the wonder was that matter of Peter, that being in such fear, he came even as far as the hall, when the others had retreated. His coming thither was caused by love, his not entering within by distress and fear. For the Evangelist hath recorded these things, to clear a way for excusing his denial; with regard to himself, he doth not set it down as any great matter that he was known to the high priest, but since he had said that he alone with Jesus went in, lest thou shouldest suppose that the action proceeded from any exalted feelings, he puts also the cause. And that Peter would have also entered had he been permitted, he shows by the sequel; for when he went out, and bade the damsel who kept the door bring in Peter, he straightway came in. But why did he not bring him in himself? He clung to Christ, and followed Him; on this 307 account he bade24022402 al. “gave in charge.” the woman bring him in. What then saith the woman? Ver. 17. “Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? And he saith, I am not.”24032403 Ver. 17. “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not,” &c. N.T. What sayest thou, Peter? Didst thou not declare but now, “If need be that I lay down my life for Thee, I will lay it down”? What hath happened then, that thou canst not even endure the questioning of a door-keeper? Is it a soldier who questions thee? Is it one of those who seized Him? No, it is a mean and abject door-keeper, nor is the questioning of a rough kind.24042404 θρασεῖα She saith not, “Art thou a disciple of that cheat and corrupter,” but, “of that man,” which was the expression rather of one pitying and relenting.24052405 lit. “bent,” κατακαμπτομένης But Peter could not bear any of these words. The, “Art not thou also,” is said on this account, that John was within. So mildly did the woman speak. But he perceived none of this, nor took it into his mind, neither the first time, nor the second, nor the third, but when the cock crew; nor did this even bring him to his senses, till Jesus gave him the bitter look. And he stood warming himself24062406 Ver. 18. “And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; and they warmed themselves; and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.” with the servants of the high priest, but Christ was kept bound within. This we say not as accusing Peter, but showing the truth of what had been said by Christ. Ver. 19. “The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine.” [3.] O the wickedness! Though he had continually heard Him speaking in the temple and teaching openly, he now desires to be informed. For since they had no charge to bring, they enquired concerning His disciples, perhaps where they were, and why He had collected them, and with what intention, and on what terms. And this he said, as desiring to prove Him to be a seditious person and an innovator, since no one gave heed to Him, except them alone, as though His were some factory of wickedness. What then saith Christ? To overthrow this, He saith, Ver. 20. “I spake openly to the world, (not to the disciples privately,) I taught openly in the temple.”24072407 “Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” N.T. “What then, said He nothing in secret?” He did, but not, as they thought, from fear, and to make conspiracies, but if at any time His sayings were too high for the hearing of the many. Ver. 21. “Why askest thou Me? Ask them which heard Me.”24082408 “which heard Me, what I have said unto them; behold, they know what I said.” N.T. These are not the words of one speaking arrogantly, but of one confiding in the truth of what He had said. What therefore He said at the beginning, “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true” ( c. v. 31 ), this He now implieth, desiring to render His testimony abundantly credible. For when Annas mentioned the disciples,24092409 al. “the disciples as disciples.” 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 he saith. 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 with the palm of his hand.”24102410 “Of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?” N.T. What could be more audacious than this? Shudder, O heaven, be astounded, O earth, at the long-suffering of the Lord, and the senselessness of the servants! Yet what was it that He said? He said not, “Why askest thou Me,” as if refusing to speak, but wishing to remove every pretext for senseless behavior; and being upon this buffeted, though He was able to shake, to annihilate, or to remove 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.”24112411 “of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me? ” N.T. That is, “If thou canst lay hold on My words, declare it; but if thou canst not, why strikest thou Me?” 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. This however is not done, but a servant buffets Him. So far was this from being a court of justice, and the proceedings those of a conspiracy, and a deed of tyranny. Then not having even so made any farther discovery, they send Him bound to Caiaphas.24122412 Ver. 24. “Annas sent (ἀ πέστειλεν) Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” St. C. makes this the order of the narrative, but most commentators refer the words to an earlier period. Ver. 25. “And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.” Wonderful, by what a lethargy24132413 κάρῳ that hot and furious one was possessed, when Jesus was being 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 308 our nature if God abandoneth. And, being questioned, he denies again.24142414 Part of ver. 25. “They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.” Ver. 26. Then saith “the kinsman24152415 Ver. 26. “one of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman,” &c., “saith.” N.T. of him whose ear Peter cut off, (grieving at what had taken place,) Did I not see thee in the garden?”24162416 “in the garden with him?” ver. 27. “Peter then denied again; and immediately the cock crew.” N.T. But neither did the garden bring him to remember what had taken place,24172417 al. “had been said.” nor the great affection which Jesus there had shown by those words, but all these from pressure of anxiety he banished from his mind. But why have the Evangelists with one accord written concerning him? Not as accusing the disciple, but as desiring to teach us, how great an evil it is not to commit all to God, but to trust to one’s self. But do thou admire the tender care of his Master, who, though a prisoner and bound, took great forethought for His disciple, raising Peter up, when he was down, by His look, and launching him into a sea of tears.24182418 &nb… truncated (18,753 more characters in archive)