ACC ~ John 8 v45

WHAT ABOUT THE JEWS WHO BELIEVED HIM?

ORIGEN: We must question how he says, to people who believe in him, “because I speak the truth, you do not believe in me.” Consider whether it is possible to believe in someone in one particular aspect but not to believe in another aspect. For instance, one could believe that Jesus was crucified in Judea in the time of Pontius Pilate but not believe that he was born of the Virgin Mary. This one believes and disbelieves in the same person. Take, as another example, those who believe in the Jesus who performed the recorded wonders and signs in Judea but who do not believe in the Son of the one who made heaven and earth. These believe and disbelieve in the same one….

It is likely that they believed in him on the basis of what was seen because of his marvelous deeds, but they did not believe in his deeper sayings…. You see this even in the present, that there are many people who marvel at Jesus whenever they consider the story about him but who no longer believe when a teaching that is deeper and greater than their capacity is disclosed to them, but instead suspect it to be false. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 20.268-70, 274-75. [1]

[1] FC 89:261-62**; SC 290:288-90.

Jn