Homilies on the Gospel of John

“He was a burning and a shining light, and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

That they may not reply, “What if he did speak and we received him not,” He shows that they did receive John's sayings: since they sent not common men, but priests and Pharisees and were willing to rejoice; so much did they admire the man, and at the same time had nothing to say against his words. But the “for a season,” is the expression of one noting their levity, and the fact that they soon started away from him.