ACC ~ John 11 v54 - 57

OVERVIEW:

John mentions that Jesus no longer went about openly because of opposition, which teaches Christians that it can be expedient to avoid opposition and unnecessary conflict, at times, in the face of martyrdom or unnecessary conflict (ORIGEN, CYRIL). And so Jesus retreats to the city of Ephrem, which means “fruitfulness,” indicative of the fruit Jesus will bring about in the church through his impending death (ORIGEN). While the Passover of the Jews is at hand, it is only a shadow of the reality of Christ (AUGUSTINE), the true Passover Lamb who purified us by taking away the sin of the world (ORIGEN) and giving us his flesh to eat (CYRIL). As the crowd awaited Jesus’ attendance at the festival (THEODORE), those who plot against him cannot find him then—or now (ORIGEN). If only the descendants of those who were looking for Jesus would still seek him. Let us at least for our part show the Jews where Christ can be found (AUGUSTINE).

11:54 | Restricting His Movements, Jesus Goes to Ephrem

AVOID MARTYRDOM

ORIGEN I think that these words and those like them have been recorded because the Word wishes to turn us back from rushing too hastily and irrationally to struggle unto death on behalf of the truth and to suffer martyrdom. For, on the one hand, it is right not to shun the confession or to hesitate to die for the truth if one has been caught in the struggle about confessing Jesus. But, on the other hand, it is no less right also not to provide an opportunity for such a great trial but to avoid it by every means, not only because the outcome of such an act is unclear to us but also so that we may not be responsible for causing those who would not, in actual fact, have become guilty of pouring out our blood, to have become more sinful and impious [by doing so], if we act in our own interest and take no thought for those who plot against us unto death. These people will experience greater and more serious punishment because of us if we are self-centered and do not consider the things of others and deliver ourselves to be killed when this necessity has not overtaken us. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 28.192-94. [1]

[1] FC 89:332-33; SC 385:156.

AVOIDING UNNECESSARY CONFLICT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA As God, Jesus knows the secret plans of the Jews even though no one reported them to him, and he withdraws, not because he is afraid but so that his presence might not irritate those who were already seeking to kill him. Here, he also teaches us to avoid stirring up the passions of those who are angry and not to thrust ourselves into dangers, not even when it may be for the sake of truth. When we are overtaken by dangers, he teaches us to stand firm, but when we see them coming, since it is unclear what the actual terms of the conflict will be, it is best for us to get out of their way. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7. [1]

[1] LF 48:135**.

EPHREM MEANS FRUITFULNESS

ORIGEN Mystically, these words mean that long ago Jesus walked boldly among the Jews when the Word of God dwelled among them through prophets. … But now Jesus no longer walks boldly among the Jews but has departed from there. … He then entered the country near the desert of which it is said, “Many are the children of the desolate, more than of her who has a husband.” [1] … Now Ephrem means “fruitfulness.” He was the brother of Manasseh, who stands for the elder people who were forgotten. For after the forgotten people were left behind, an abundant harvest from the Gentiles occurred. …

“Jesus,” therefore, “no longer walks openly among the Jews but has departed from there into the country” of the whole world, “near the desert” of the church, “into the city that is called Ephrem,” that is, “fruitful,” “and there he has remained with his disciples.” And up to this moment, Jesus is with his disciples near the desert in the city called Ephrem, for he is present in “fruitfulness.” And at the birth, indeed, of this Ephrem, our Lord, magistrate of the grain, [2] who begot him, who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death of the cross, [3] might say, “God increased me in the land of my humility.” [4] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 28.211-14, 221-23. [5]

[1] Is 54:1; Gal 4:27.

[2] See Gen 47:12.

[3] See Phil 2:8.

[4] See Gen 41:52.

[5] FC 89:335-37**; SC 385:162-68.

11:55 | Passover and Purification

THE TRUE PASSOVER AT HAND

AUGUSTINE “And the Jews’ Passover was near at hand.” They had resolved to celebrate that Passover by shedding our Lord’s blood, the blood that consecrated the Passover, the blood of the Lamb. There was a plot among the Jews to slay Jesus, and he who came from heaven to suffer wanted to draw near the place of his suffering because the hour of his passion was now at hand. Therefore “many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover to sanctify themselves.” The Jews did so, following the command of the Lord delivered by holy Moses in the Law, which commanded that on the feast day of the Passover everyone should come together from every part of the land and be sanctified in celebrating the services of the day. But that celebration was a shadow of the future. It was a prophetic intimation of the Christ to come, a prophecy of him who on that day was to suffer for us. The shadow would vanish, and the light would come. The sign would pass away, and the truth would remain. The Jews held their Passover in the shadows, we in the light. Otherwise, why was it necessary for the Lord to command them to slay a sheep on the very day of the feast unless it was only because of him that it was prophesied, “He is led as a sheep to the slaughter”? [1] Their posts were stained with the blood of a slain animal; our foreheads are signed with the blood of Christ. TRACTATE ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 50.2. [2]

[1] Is 53:7.

[2] NPNF 1 7:279**; CCL 36:433-34.

CHRISTIANS AND THEIR PASSOVER LAMB

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA He calls it “the Passover of the Jews” as a type, for [he refers to] the true Passover, not of the Jews but of Christians who eat the flesh of Christ the true Lamb. And, according to the ancient custom those who sin, whether willfully or inadvertently, purify themselves before the feast. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7. [1]

[1] LF 48:135*.

TRUE PURIFICATION

ORIGEN But the true purification was not before the Pasch but during the Pasch, when Jesus died as the Lamb of God for those who were purifying themselves and took away the sin of the world. [1] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 28.237. [2]

[1] See Jn 1:29.

[2] FC 89:340; SC 385:172.

11:56 | Will Jesus Attend the Festival?

THE CROWD IS WAITING

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA Many who had come up from the country to Jerusalem in order to purify themselves according to the precepts of the Law before the Passover … gathered together in the temple and discussed among themselves whether the Lord would come out of respect for the festival or would avoid coming in order to protect himself from the ambushes of his enemies. These were the words of those who desired to see him. With good reason the crowd was close to him because of the miracles he had performed. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 5.11.55-56. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:232-33.

11:57 | The Leaders Seek to Arrest Jesus

PLOTTERS NEVER KNOW WHERE JESUS IS

ORIGEN Observe how it has been testified that he has withdrawn, that we too might know to do such at the proper time. And notice indeed that neither the chief priests nor the Pharisees knew where he was, and because they did not know, they gave commands that if anyone should know where he was, he should reveal it to them and they would seize him. But you will say in addition that anyone who plots against Jesus does not know where he is. This is why they give commands that are other than those of God, “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” [1] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 28.244-46. [2]

[1] Mt 15:9.

[2] FC 89:341*; SC 385:174-76.

LET US SHOW THE JEWS WHERE CHRIST IS

AUGUSTINE Let us at least for our part show the Jews where Christ is. If only the descendants of those who demanded to be shown where Christ was would listen! Let them come to the church and hear where Christ is and take hold of him for themselves. Let them hear it from us. Let them hear it from the gospel. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 50.4. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:279**.