ACC ~ John 4 v54

AMBIGUOUS SAYING

ORIGEN: The saying is ambiguous. On the one hand it means something like this: In coming from Judea into Galilee Jesus has performed two signs. The second sign is the one concerning the royal official’s son. On the other hand it could mean something like this: While there are two signs that Jesus performed in Galilee, he did the second after he came from Judea to Galilee. The latter is the meaning to be accepted as correct. For Jesus has not performed the first sign since he came from Judea into Galilee (the first sign changing of the water into wine), which occurred the day after Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, asked where Jesus was staying and remained with the Lord about the tenth hour of the day. [1] For it is written, “On the following day he wished to depart into Galilee, and he found Philip.” [2] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 13.434-35. [3]

[1] Jn 1:38-40.

[2] Jn 1:43.

[3] FC 89:160-61; SC 222:270.