ACC ~ John 7 v46

THE POWER OF JESUS’ SPEECH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The chief priests and Pharisees, fearing that the people of the Jews might be persuaded by the Savior’s words, send out officers to arrest him. They think that if Christ were out of the way they might no longer be concerned with him. But what they suspected might happen to the people actually happens to those whom they sent to arrest Jesus. Moreover, the chief priests and Pharisees shudder to hear a report from their own officers that contradicts them: “No man ever spoke like this man!”… In essence the officers are saying, “It is unreasonable for you to blame us for not being able to arrest Jesus, for how could one arrest a man who by his words possesses divine nature? For he spoke not as a man, nor were his words befitting man, but they unmistakably belong to one who is God by nature.” COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 5.2. [1]

[1] LF 43:555-56**.

ONLY THE LIVING GOD COULD HAVE SPOKEN LIKE THIS

ATHANASIUS: They perceived that this was not a mere man like themselves, but that this was he who gave water to the saints and that it was he who was announced by the prophet Isaiah. For he was truly the splendor of the light, [1] and the Word of God, the river that flowed from the fountains and watered the paradise of old. But now, to all he gives the same gift of the Spirit and says, “If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes on me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water shall flow out of his belly.” [2] This was not for [a] man to say but for the living God, who truly promises life and gives the Holy Spirit. FESTAL LETTER 44. [3]

[1] Heb 1:3.

[2] Jn 7:37-38.

[3] NPNF 2 4:553*; NPB 6 1:160.

Jn