ACC ~ John 4 v1

CHRIST WANTED TO SOFTEN THEIR MALICE

CHRYSOSTOM: [Christ acted] not from fear but to take away their malice and soften their envy. He was indeed able to restrain them when they came against him, but he did not want to be found doing this all the time. Otherwise people might not believe his incarnation in the flesh was real. For if he was always being seized, only to then escape, this would have raised a lot of suspicion. Therefore, for the most part, he did things in a human way instead. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 31.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:107**.

IT IS NO SIN TO FLEE FROM PERSECUTORS

AUGUSTINE: Certainly, if the Pharisees’ knowledge that our Lord was making more disciples and baptizing more than John had been such as to lead them wholeheartedly to follow him and desire baptism by him, he would not have left Judea; rather, he would have remained for their sake. But seeing, as he did that this knowledge about him was coupled with envy, making them persecutors instead of followers, he left. He also could have stayed among them, if he had wanted to, and escaped their hands…. But he wanted to provide himself as an example for believers in time to come, that it was no sin for a servant of God to seek refuge from the fury of persecutors. … He did it like a good teacher, not out of fear for himself but for our instruction. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 15.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:99-100**.

THE LESSER CLEANSES THROUGH THE GREATER

AUGUSTINE: It may perhaps surprise you that it is said, “Jesus baptized more than John,” and after this was added, “although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples did.” What then? Was the statement made false, and then corrected by this addition? [1] … Or are both true, that is, that Jesus both did and also did not baptize? He did in fact baptize, because it was he who cleansed. And he also did not baptize, because it was not he who touched. The disciples supplied the ministry of the body; he afforded the aid of his majesty. Now, when could he cease from baptizing, so long as he did not cease from cleansing? In fact, John the Baptist said about him, “This is he that baptizes.” Jesus, therefore, is still baptizing. And so long as we continue to be baptized, Jesus baptizes. Let a person come without fear to the minister below, for he has a master above. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 15.3. [2]

[1] Theodore would answer yes. See his Commentary on John 2.4.1-3.

[2] NPNF 1 7:100*.