ACC ~ John 13 v22

THE DISCIPLES WERE CONFUSED

ORIGEN: The phrase about the disciples, “doubting of whom he spoke,” is vivid. For they were unable to conceive of whom this had been said and were in doubt about it, and they found nothing clear either to think or say. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.259. [1]

[1] FC 89:390; SC 385:294.

JESUS PERPETUATES THEIR ANXIETY

CHRYSOSTOM: They were in doubt, although they were conscious of nothing evil in themselves. But they considered that the declaration of Christ should be believed more than their own thoughts. And so, “they looked at one another.” By singling out one, Jesus would have allayed their fear, but by adding “one of you,” he troubled them all. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 72.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:263**.

THEY KNEW THEMSELVES, BUT NOT EACH OTHER

AUGUSTINE: While the disciples had a reverential love for their master, they were nonetheless affected by human frailty in their feelings toward each other. Each one’s own conscience was known to himself. But as he was ignorant of his neighbor’s, each one’s self-assurance was such that each was uncertain of all the others, and all the others were uncertain of that one. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 61.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:311**; CCL 36:481.