Tractates on the Gospel of John

¹² “Howbeit no man spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.” But who were they that did not speak of Him for fear of the Jews? Undoubtedly they who said, “He is a good man:” not they who said, “He deceives the people.” As for them who said “He deceives the people,” their din was heard like the noise of dry leaves. “He deceives the people,” they sounded more and more loudly: “He is a good man,” they whispered more and more constrainedly. But now, brethren, notwithstanding that glory of Christ which is to make us immortal is not yet come, yet now, I say, His Church so increases, He has deigned to spread it abroad through the whole world, that it is now only whispered. “He deceives the people;” and more and more loudly it sounds forth, “He is a good man.”