ACC ~ John 11 v51

WHETHER CAIAPHAS UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE SAID

ORIGEN I think we learn from this that we say some things on our own, by ourselves, where there is no power that inspires us to speak. But there are other things that we say when some power prompts us (as it were), dictating what we say, even if we do not fall completely into a trance and lose full possession of our own faculties, but seem to understand what we say. Now, it is possible for us, while we understand what we say on our own, not to understand the meaning of the words that are spoken. This is what happened in the case of Caiaphas the high priest. He did not speak on his own, by himself, nor did he understand the meaning of what he said, since it was a prophecy that was spoken. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 28.171-72. [1]

[1] FC 89:327-28**; SC 385:144-46.

CAIAPHAS WAS UNWORTHY OF THE OFFICE HE OCCUPIED

CHRYSOSTOM Do you see the great power in the high priest’s authority? … Even though he was unworthy of the office of the high priest, he prophesied, although he did not know what he was saying. Divine grace merely made use of his mouth, without touching his corrupt heart. … See how great the power of the Spirit is. It was able to bring forth a marvelous prophecy even from an evil imagination. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 65.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:241**.

THE OFFICE, NOT THE PERSON, PROPHESIED

AUGUSTINE We are here taught that the Spirit of prophecy used the agency even of wicked people to foretell the future. The Evangelist, however, attributes this power to the divine sacramental fact that he was pontifex, that is, the high priest. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 49.27. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:278*.