ACC ~ John 1 v7

THE NEED FOR TWO OR THREE WITNESSES

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Since, according to what was said by God through Moses, “At the mouth of two and three witnesses shall every word be established,” [1] wisely does [John the Evangelist] bring in addition to himself the blessed Baptist. … For he did not suppose that he ought, even if of gravest weight, to demand of the readers in his book concerning our Savior credence above that of the law, and that they should believe him by himself when declaring things above our understanding and sense. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.7. [2]

[1] Deut 19:15.

[2] LF 43:69-70*.

PROPHECIES AND MIRACLES TESTIFY TO CHRIST

ORIGEN: Some try to undo the testimonies of the prophets to Christ by saying that the Son of God had no need of such witnesses…. To this we may reply that where there are a number of reasons to make people believe, persons are often impressed by one kind of proof and not by another.

And with respect to the doctrine of the incarnation, it is certain that some have been forced by the prophetical writings into an admiration of Christ by the fact of so many prophets having, before his advent, fixed the place of his birth [and by other proofs of the same kind]….

It is to be remembered too, that, though the display of miraculous powers might stimulate the faith of those who lived in the same age with Christ, they might, in the lapse of time, fail to do so; as some of them might even get to be regarded as fabulous. Prophecy and miracles together are more convincing than simply past miracles by themselves…. We must remember too that people receive honor themselves from the witness that they bear to God….

He, therefore, who maintains that there is no need for the prophetic witness to Christ deprives the choir of prophets of their greatest gift. For what would prophecy, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit, have that is so great, if one exclude from it those matters related to the dispensation of our Lord?… John, too, therefore came to bear witness concerning the light. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.199, 202-4, 206, 208, 212. [1]

[1] FC 80:149-52**; SC 120:344-48, 352.

JOHN’S HUMAN VOICE FOR HUMAN LISTENERS

CHRYSOSTOM: He could have proven that he had no need of that [herald’s] testimony by showing himself in his unveiled essence, had he so chosen, and that would have confounded them all. But he did not do this because he would have annihilated everybody since no one could have endured the encounter of that unapproachable light. This is why he put on flesh and entrusted the witness [of himself] to one of our fellow servants, since everything he did was for the salvation of men and women, looking not only to his own honor but also to what might be more readily received by and profitable to his hearers. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:26**.