ACC ~ Matthew 21 v26 - 27

LIARS WILL LIE TO THEMSELVES

INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW: “They answered Jesus, saying, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” He did not say, “Neither do I know.” It was as if he had said, “You know the truth because you are men, but you deny it because you are evil; I know it because I am God, but I will not tell you because you are unworthy.” Liars will lie to themselves if they have no one to deceive. Similarly truth will keep itself pure if it finds no one to save. HOMILY 39. [1]

[1] PG 56:848.

NEITHER WILL I TELL YOU

JEROME: In answering Jesus that they did not know, the chief priests and elders lied. Consequently it would have been appropriate for the Lord to respond by saying, “Neither do I know.” The truth cannot lie, however, so he replied instead, “Neither will I tell you.” By this he shows both that they knew the answer but were unwilling to say it and that he also knows the answer but will not speak it because they remained silent. Immediately, then, he tells a parable designed to convince them of their own sinfulness and of the necessity that the kingdom of God be transferred to the Gentiles. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 3.21.27. [1]

[1] CCL 77:193.