ACC ~ John 8 v54

THE FATHER’S AND THE SON’S TESTIMONY AGREES

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Since they were openly rebuking him for exalting himself over Abraham and the prophets and since they accuse him by saying, “Who do you make yourself out to be?”—he in effect responds by saying: … If I spoke about my glory and the things that belong to me, you would not believe me—and with good reason, because I would be testifying about myself. But it is my Father who revealed my glory by testifying about me, as he said above, “The Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.” [1] You then say you belong to God, but you do not know him; you are not even familiar with him because you do not obey his words. “I do know him,” and what I do matches perfectly with his testimony about me. Even if I say something pleasing about myself, I say nothing contrary to the previous testimony of the Father about me. This is what he means when he says, “And I keep his word. If I would say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you.” COMMENTARY ON JOHN 3.8.54-55. [2]

[1] Jn 8:18.

[2] CSCO 4 3:179-80.

HE REFERS HIS GLORY TO THE FATHER

AUGUSTINE: He said this because they said, “Who do you make yourself out to be?” For he refers his glory to the Father…. It is my Father that glorifies me, who you say is your God: and you have not known him.” See, my brothers, how he shows that God himself is the Father of the Christ who was announced also to the Jews…. Christ the Lord called him his Father whom they called their God and did not know. For had they known [God] himself they would have received his Son. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 43.14-15. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:243**.

THE GLORY WAS ALWAYS HIS

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: Let it be alleged that it is said of him that he receives glory…. This all belongs to his humanity; and yet if you were to ascribe it to the Godhead, it would be no absurdity either. For you would not ascribe it as if it were newly acquired but as belonging to him from the beginning by reason of nature, and not as a gift. ON THE SON, THEOLOGICAL ORATION 4(30).9. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 7:312**.