ACC ~ John 16 v31 - 32

REMINDER OF THE TENDER AGE OF THE INNER MAN

AUGUSTINE: Finally, he reminds them of their weak tender age in respect of the inner man. Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?” TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 103.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:392**.

BETRAYAL FORETOLD

CHRYSOSTOM: He tells them, “You still have a long way to go to reach perfection. Nothing, as of yet, has been achieved by you. In fact, you will soon betray me to my enemies, and you will be so afraid that you will not even be able to flee together. But I will not be harmed because of this.”… He shows them that now, when they say they believe, they really do not yet believe, nor does he accept their words. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 79.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:292-93**.

JESUS NEVER SEPARATED FROM THE FATHER

AUGUSTINE: He replied, “The Father is with me,” so that they would not think that the Son had come forth from the Father in any sense that would lead them to suppose that [the Father] had also withdrawn from his presence. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 103.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:393*.

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL DESERTION

AUGUSTINE: But when he was taken, not only did [the disciples] outwardly abandon his bodily presence, but they mentally abandoned their faith. This is what he is talking about when he says, “Do you now believe?” … This was as if he had said, Afterward, you will be so confused that you will leave behind even what you now believe. It is apparent that this is indeed what happened because they did fall into such despair and such a death, so to speak, of their old faith. For instance, Cleopas, after Jesus’ resurrection, and unaware that he was speaking with Jesus, narrated what had happened to him, saying, “We trusted that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” [1] They left him, in other words, by abandoning the very faith that had formerly believed in him. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 103.3. [2]

[1] Lk 24:21.

[2] NPNF 1 7:393*.