ACC ~ John 19 v7

JEWS UNDERSTOOD HE CLAIMED TO BE THE SON OF GOD

HILARY OF POITIERS: If you [Arians] will not learn who Christ is from those who know him, learn it at least from those who do not. … Can’t you see your fellowship with the … Jews [of Jesus’ day] in which your denial of the divine Sonship has involved you! For they have put on record the reason of their condemnation: “And by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God.” Isn’t this the same charge that you are blasphemously bringing against him, that, while you pronounce him a creature, he calls himself the Son? He confesses himself the Son, and they declare him guilty of death. You too deny that he is the Son of God. What sentence do you pass on him? You have the same repugnance to his claim as had the Jews. You agree with their verdict. I want to know whether you will quarrel about the sentence. Your offense, in denying that he is the Son of God, is exactly the same as theirs, though their guilt is less, for they sinned in ignorance. ON THE TRINITY 6.50. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 9:116**.

THEIR CHARGES SHOULD HAVE ELICITED WORSHIP

CHRYSOSTOM: How then, when the judge said, “You take him, and judge him according to your law,” did you reply, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death,” while here you flee to the Law? And consider the charge, “He made himself the Son of God.” Tell me, is this the ground of your accusation, that is, that he who performed the deeds of the Son of God should call himself the Son of God? And so what does Christ do? While they held this dialogue with each other, he held his peace, fulfilling that saying of the prophet that “he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away.” [1] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 84.2. [2]

[1] Is 53:7-8 (LXX).

[2] NPNF 1 14:314**.

Jn