ACC ~ John 9 v16

CARNAL AND SPIRITUAL KEEPING OF SABBATH

AUGUSTINE: Those [Pharisees] who neither saw nor had yet been anointed [1] said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath.” On the contrary, he kept it because he was without sin; to observe the sabbath spiritually is to have no sin. And this is what God admonishes us when he commends the sabbath, saying, “You shall do no servile [2] work.” [3] … Our Lord tells us above what servile work is: “Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.” [4] But these men, who neither could see nor were anointed, observed the sabbath carnally but profaned it spiritually. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 44.9. [5]

[1] Augustine is contrasting their blind eyes with the anointed eyes of the blind man.

[2] RSV laborious.

[3] Lev 23:8.

[4] Jn 8:34.

[5] NPNF 1 7:247**.

JOSHUA DID NOT KEEP THE SABBATH AT JERICHO

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The Jews admire the ancient hero Joshua who captured Jericho on the sabbath [1] and commanded their forefathers to do such things as are customary for conquerors—and Joshua himself by no means observed the proper sabbath rest. Yet, those who admire Joshua persistently attack Christ. Their personal ill will toward Christ prompted them not only to try and take away from him the glory due to God but also to rob him of the honor due to holy people. And speaking inconsiderately through their malice, they pour forth a charge of impiety against him who came to us from the Father and who justifies the world. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.1. [2]

[1] Josh 6:15.

[2] LF 48:28**.

WHAT ABOUT THE MIRACLE ITSELF?

CHRYSOSTOM: Passing over the miracle in silence, they give all the prominence they can to the supposed transgression. They do not charge him with “healing on the sabbath day” but with not “keeping the sabbath.” “Others replied rather weakly, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?’” They were impressed by his miracles, but only in a weak and unsettled way. For whereas the fact of whether the sabbath was broken or not might have divided them, they still had no idea yet that he was God. They did not know that it was the Lord of the sabbath who had worked the miracle. Nor did any of them dare to say openly what his sentiments were, but they spoke ambiguously— one, because he thought the fact itself improbable, another, from his love of status. It follows, “And there was a division among them.” That is, the people were divided first, and then the rulers. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 57.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:206**.