Commentary on Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, Homilies 1–47

Homily 42

HOMILIES 423 who make God their enemy, opening the mouths of countless accusers, gaining a reputation for wickedness in the present life, and preparing for themselves severe punishment in the life to come. In like manner, they who suffer wrong and nobly bear all injuries have God pitying them, and also all men sympathizing with them, and praising them and approving them. Such as these will enjoy, even in the present life, much honorable repute, since they are giving an outstanding example of wisdom; and in the life to come they will share in the everlasting blessings. May we all obtain these by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom glory be to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen. Homily 42 (John 6.1-15) 'After this Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. And there followed him a great crowd because they were witnessing the signs he worked on those who were sick. Jesus therefore went up the mountain, and was sitting there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.'l Let us not take issue with wicked men, beloved, but let us learn to give way to their evil designs, when such conduct does not work any harm to our virtue. In this way their aggressiveness is altogether checked. Just as when javelins strike against a taut and hard surface they are very forcefully directed back again at those who have shot them, but when the furious speed of the shot meets with no resistance it is quickly exhausted and spent, so it is with aggressively wicked men. When we contend with them they become more aggressive, but when we are calm and withdraw we easily cause the tension of their fury to relax entirely. I John 6.1-4. 424 SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM It was for this reason that, when Christ learned that the Pharisees had heard that He was making more disciples and baptizing more than John, He went to Galilee, by His departure quenching the fire of their envy and calming the indignation which was likely to have been engendered by these reports. Moreover, in going away once more into Galilee He did not visit the same places, for He did not go into Cana, but to the other side of the sea. Therefore, great crowds followed Him to witness the signs He worked.2 What sort of signs were these? Why did he not mention them and specify what kind they were? Because this Evangelist sought to devote most of his book to discussions and discourses . Notice, indeed, how in one entire year, or, rather, how even here at the feast of the Pasch, he gave us no more information, with regard to signs, than that He cured one paralytic and the ruler's son. He did not try to give an account of all the miracles, since in any case he could not, but only of a few of the many great ones. 'And there followed him a great crowd, because they were witnessing the signs he worked.' Their following Him was not an indication of a very stable mental attitude. Though they had enjoyed the benefit of such sound teaching, they were led on rather by signs, a fact which was indicative of a somewhat coarse mind. 'Signs,' Scripture says, 'are intended not to believers but to unbelievers.'3 However, that crowd which is mentioned in Matthew was not like this one. Listen to what it was like: 'All were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one having authority.'4 Why was it that on this occasion He went to the mountain and sat there with His disciples? Because of the miracle that 2 The Evangelist mentioned that these miracles were worked 'on those who were sick,' but did not go into further detail. However, he gave a detailed account of the miracle of the loaves because it provided a basis for the discourse on the Eucharist to follow. 3 I Cor. 14.22. 4 Matt. 7.28,29. HOMILIES 425 was going to take place. Moreover, the fact that only His disciples went up is an indictment of the crowd because they did not follow Him. However, He did not do thisnamely , go to the mountain...