ACC ~ John 18 v23

TRUE AND FALSE PRIESTS

CYPRIAN: With that humility that taught us also to he humble, he still called him a priest whom he knew to be sacrilegious. Also under the very sting of his passion, when he had received a blow and it was said to him, “Do you answer the high priest in this way?” he said nothing reproachfully against the person of the high priest. Rather, he maintained his own innocence saying, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil. But if well, why do you hit me?” All of the things, therefore, were done by him humbly and patiently so that we might have an example of humility and patience. For he taught that true priests were lawfully and fully to be honored, in showing himself such as he was in respect of false priests. LETTER 64.2. [1]

[1] ANF 5:366; Letter 3.2 in CCL 3B:13.

NOT A TRIAL, BUT A CONSPIRACY

CHRYSOSTOM: See how the judgment hall is full of commotion, trouble, passion and confusion? The high priest deceitfully and treacherously questions Jesus. Christ answers in a straightforward way, which was only right. And so what should be done next? They should either disprove or admit what he said. And yet, this is not what they do. Instead, a servant hits him. It is not a trial they are carrying on but a conspiracy and a tyranny. Not knowing what else to do, they send him to Caiaphas. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:309**.

WHAT IF SOMEONE OFFENDS US?

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: When a brother happens to have words with us and lets fall some troublesome expression, we often think that we are justified to be enraged with the fury of dragons and ceaselessly pelt him with a storm of words in return for one. We neglect to grant forgiveness to human littleness, or to consider the frailty of our common humanity, or to bury the passions that arise in brotherly love. We neglect to look to Jesus himself, the author and perfecter of our faith. [1] Instead, we eagerly seek to avenge ourselves even though holy Scripture declares in one place, “He who pursues vengeance pursues it to his own death,” [2] and in another place, “Let none of you harbor resentment in your heart against your brother.” [3] Rather, let Christ the Lord of all be a pattern for us of gentleness to one another and exceedingly great forbearance. For he said to us concerning this very thing, “A disciple is not above his master, nor a servant above his lord.” [4] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 11.13. [5]

[1] ESUS IS INFORMED THAT LAZARUS IS SICK | JOHN 11:1-5

[2] Prov 11:19.

[3] Zech 7:10.

[4] Mt 10:24.

[5] LF 48:588*.