ACC ~ John 11 v34

JESUS ASKS NOT OUT OF IGNORANCE

CHROMATIUS OF AQUILEIA When therefore the Lord comes to Mary and Martha the sisters of Lazarus, seeing the crowd of the Jews, he says, “Where have they laid him?” But could the Lord truly be ignorant of where the body of Lazarus was placed, who while being absent at the death of Lazarus had already announced his death and who in his divine majesty was everywhere? But this the Lord did out of ancient custom. For to Adam he had similarly said, “Where are you, Adam?” [1] This was not because he was ignorant of where Adam was but that he might therefore question him so that Adam would openly confess his sin… It is the same here. He does not ask because he is ignorant of Lazarus’s whereabouts [2] but so that the crowd of the Jews would follow him to Lazarus’s tomb so that, seeing the divine power of Christ exhibited in the resurrection of Lazarus, they might be exposed as his enemies if they did not believe this display of his power. For the superior Lord said to them, “If you do not believe me, believe the works and know that the Father is in me and I in him.” [3] SERMON 27.3. [4]

[1] Gen 3:9.

[2] This is a common emphasis in patristic commentary that seeks to emphasize that Christ was all-knowing as God.

[3] Jn 10:38.

[4] CCL 9A:125-26.

THEY THOUGHT JESUS CAME TO MOURN

CHRYSOSTOM Jesus had not yet raised anyone from the dead and seemed as if he came to mourn, not to resurrect him. For the Jews seem to indicate that he was coming to mourn, not to raise him. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 63.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:232**.

SEEING, HE PITIES

AUGUSTINE When the Lord sees, he pities, as we read, “Look upon my adversity and misery, and forgive me all my sin.” [1] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 49.20. [2]

[1] See Ps 51:1 (50:3 LXX, Vg).

[2] CCL 36:430; NPNF 1 7:277**.