ACC ~ John 11 v22

MARTHA TRUSTS THAT JESUS KNOWS WHAT IS BEST

AUGUSTINE She does not say to him, “Bring my brother to life again.” For how could she know that it would be good for him to come to life again? She says, I know that you can do so, if you want to, but what you will do is for your judgment, not for my presumption, to determine. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 49.13. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:275**; CCL 36:427.

JESUS LEADS MARTHA TO HIGHER TRUTHS

CHRYSOSTOM He leads her to the knowledge of higher truths. Even though she had been inquiring only about the resurrection of Lazarus, he tells her of a resurrection in which both she and those with her would share. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:229**.

MARTHA IS TRYING TO BELIEVE

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS This woman does not believe, but she is trying to believe, while her unbelief is disturbing her belief. “Whatever you ask of God… .” God gives of his own accord; he does not ask of himself. Why, woman, do you delay in making your request when the one to grant it stands before you? Woman, he is the Judge himself whom you desire merely as an advocate. In him there is the power to give, not the need to make any request. “I know,” she says, “that whatever you ask of God, he will give you.” Woman, to believe this means that you do not believe. To know this means that you do not know. The apostle has indicated this, that the moment when a person thinks that he knows something, he does not know it. [1] SERMON 63.3. [2]

[1] See 1 Cor 8:2.

[2] FC 109:253*.