ACC ~ John 12 v21 - 22

JEWS AND GENTILES JOINED IN PRAISE

AUGUSTINE Look how the Jews want to kill him, the Gentiles to see him. [1] But they also were there with the Jews who cried, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.” Here then are both those of the circumcision and those of the uncircumcision, once so wide apart, coming together like two walls and meeting in the one faith of Christ by the kiss of peace. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 51.8. [2]

THE CROWDS DRAW THE GREEKS TO JESUS

PROCLUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE:

[The crowds] caused the Pharisees to turn away.

They loathed the high priests.

They lifted up in song their voices befitting to God.

They caused creation to rejoice.

They sanctified the air.

They shook the dead beforehand.

They opened heaven.

They planted paradise.

They stirred up the dead to the same zeal.

For that reason some of the Greeks at that time were urged on toward that zeal for God, because of this utterance befitting to God;

And having reached a turning about, they approached … one of the apostles by the name of Philip, saying to him:

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Behold the preaching of the crowd,

And how they moved the Greeks to conversion.

HOMILY 9.3, ON THE PALM BRANCHES. [3]

[1] See also Bede, loc. cit., PL 92:788.

[2] NPNF 1 7:285**; CCL 36:442.

[3] ECS 1:152.

FIRSTFRUITS OF THE GENTILES ARRIVE TO SEE JESUS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: This approach of the Greeks [to Philip] happened at that time as a sort of firstfruits. And the Galileans came to Philip as being himself a Galilean, asking him to show them Jesus whom they wanted to see because they were continually hearing good things about Jesus. They wanted to worship him and attain the object of their desires. But Philip remembered what the Lord had said to them, “Do not go into any area of the Gentiles or enter any city of the Samaritans.” [1] And so Philip was afraid that he might give offense by bringing to Christ those who had not believed, not realizing that it was for a set purpose that the Lord had forbidden the disciples to approach the Gentiles until the Jews should first have rejected the grace given to them. And so Philip tells Andrew, who was more disposed for and accustomed to such things, and then, with his approval they both carry the message to the Lord. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8. [2]

[1] Mt 10:5.

[2] LF 48:145*.