ACC ~ John 11 v27

ASKED ONE THING, ANSWERS ANOTHER

CHRYSOSTOM Martha seems not to have understood his words, that is, she saw that he meant something great but did not see what that was. She is asked one thing and answers another. Yet for a while at least she had this in her favor, that she moderated her grief. Such was the power of the words of Christ. This is why Martha went out first and Mary followed. For their affection for their teacher did not allow them to feel their present sorrow so strongly, so that the minds of these women were truly wise as well as loving. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:230**.

MARTHA CONFESSES CHRIST

TERTULLIAN Martha confesses him to be the Son of God, being no more astray than Peter and Nathanael, though even if she had been astray she should at once have learned [the truth]. For the Lord, for the raising up of her brother from the dead, looked up to heaven and to the Father and said, “Father”—evidently a son [speaks]—“I thank you that you hear me always: for the sake of these multitudes that stand by, I said it that they may believe that you have sent me.” [1] AGAINST PRAXEAS 23. [2]

[1] Jn 11:41-42.

[2] TTAP 165.

BELIEF IN THE SON IS BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION

AUGUSTINE When I believed [that you were the Son of God], I believed that you were the resurrection, that you were life and that he that believes in you, though he were dead, shall live. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 49.15. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:275**; CCL 36:428.