Tractates on the Gospel of John

³ These Jews then saw the man; they neither perceived nor believed Him to be God: and you have already heard how, among all the rest, they said to Him, “You bear witness of yourself; your witness is not true.” You have also heard what He said in reply, as it was read to you yesterday, and according to our ability discussed. Today have been read these words of His, “You judge after the flesh.” Therefore it is, says He, that you say to me, “You bear witness of yourself; your witness is not true,” because you judge after the flesh, because you perceive not God; the man you see, and by persecuting the man, you offend God hidden in Him.

“You,” then, “judge after the flesh.” Because I bear witness of myself, I therefore appear to you arrogant. For every man, when he wishes to bear commendatory witness of himself, seems arrogant and proud. Hence it is written, “Let not your own mouth praise you, but let your neighbor's” mouth praise you. But this was said to man. For we are weak, and we speak to the weak. We can speak the truth, but we can also lie; although we are bound to speak the truth, still we have it in our power to lie when we will.

But far be it from us to think that the darkness of falsehood could be found in the splendor of the divine light. He spoke as the light, spoke as the truth; but the light was shining in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not: therefore they judged after the flesh. “You,” says He, “judge after the flesh.”