ACC ~ John 1 v22 - 23

JEWISH LEADERS’ INSISTENCE ON AN ANSWER

CHRYSOSTOM: See how [the priests and Levites] press him more vehemently, repeatedly urging their questions on him without giving up. John for his part first removes their false assumptions about him and then sets before them what is true. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 16.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:56**.

THE VOICE CAME BEFORE THE WORD

AUGUSTINE: The voice came before the Word. How can the voice be before the Word?… We have heard that Christ is the Word; let us hear that John is the voice. When he was asked, “You then, who are you?” he answered, “I am the voice of one crying in the desert.” So if Christ is the Word, John the voice, John was taken over as the voice in order that the Word might be spoken to us. And that the Word might come to us, the voice preceded it. That is why it is both true that Christ was before John in eternity, and that all the same, he had not to be born first, unless John came to us before the Word as the voice. So there is going to be a time when we shall see the Word as he is seen by the angels; now, however, let us make progress in the Word, so that we may remain with him forever. SERMON 293A.5. [1]

[1] WSA 3 8:161-62*.

JOHN CRIES OUT TO HELP THE LOST

ORIGEN: But he cries and shouts that both those who are far off may hear him speaking and those who are hard of hearing may understand the greatness of what is said, since it is proclaimed with a loud voice, helping both those who have departed from God and those who have lost keenness of their hearing…. Now the necessity of the voice of one crying in the wilderness is that the soul—which is devoid of God and destitute of truth (for what other wilderness is harder to deal with than a soul that is bereft of God and of all virtue?)—might be exhorted to make straight the way of the Lord, because it is still going in a crooked manner and is in need of teaching. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.100, 102. [1]

[1] FC 80:196-97; SC 157:204-6.

JOHN THE BAPTIST INDICATES THAT CHRIST IS THE WAY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: I come, [John the Baptist] says nothing else than that the one you are looking for is finally at the doors. Indeed, the Lord is within the doors. Be ready to go whatever way he asks you. You have gone the way given you through Moses, [but now] take up the way of Christ. For this is what the choir of the holy prophets told you beforehand. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.10. [1]

[1] LF 43:127*.

THE PURPOSE BEHIND JOHN’S PREACHING

GREGORY THE GREAT: I have said before that the prophet called him a voice because he preceded the Word. What he was crying is disclosed to us, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” What else is anyone doing who is preaching the true faith and good works but preparing the way for the Lord to come to his hearers’ hearts so that the power of grace may enter them and the light of truth pervade them? He makes the Lord’s paths straight when he predisposes the mind for good thoughts by his good preaching. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 6. [1]

[1] CS 123:37.