ACC ~ John 8 v40

WHY DO YOU SEEK TO KILL ME?

EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: He taught his disciples that he was life and light and truth, and the other conceptions of his divinity. However, to those who were not initiated into the secrets of his nature, he said, “Why do you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth?” PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 10, INTRO 7. [1]

[1] POG 2:191.

THEY ULTIMATELY PLOT AGAINST GOD

ORIGEN: Those who seek to kill him seek to kill a man, [1] since even if they should kill him, God is not killed. And if they seek to kill him when they have not yet killed him, they plot against him as against a man, not thinking that the one against whom they plot is God. For no one would continue to plot against him if he were convinced that the one against whom he plots is God. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.80. [2]

[1] See Tertullian On the Flesh of Christ 15 (ANF 3:534), who uses this passage to prove Christ was truly human.

[2] FC 89:223; SC 290:198.

THE “TRUTH” IS HIS EQUALITY WITH THE FATHER

CHRYSOSTOM: But what is the “truth” of which he speaks? That he was equal with the Father. For this was what ultimately motivated the Jews to kill him. This is why he adds… “which I have heard from my Father,” in order to show that this doctrine is not opposed to the Father. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 54.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:195*.

ABRAHAM REJOICED TO SEE MY DAY

ORIGEN: If Abraham has not done what he could not possibly have done, the words “this Abraham did not do” will seem to have been spoken without purpose. For some would say to this that the statement “this Abraham did not do” is made in vain, since he did not do what by no means [could have] occurred during his time, for Jesus did not exist during his time. But since I assume that the statement “this Abraham did not do” has been made in praise of Abraham, as it were, I would say that, in accordance with the word that teaches, “Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day, and he saw it and was glad,” [1] it is possible that there was also a man in Abraham’s time who spoke the truth that he heard from God, and that Abraham, in truth, did not seek to kill this man. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.87-88. [2]

[1] Jn 8:56.

[2] FC 89:225; SC 290:202.