Homilies on the Gospel of John

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Do you see that it was not the words that caused offense, but the heedlessness, and sloth, and wrong-mindedness of the hearers? For even had He not spoken, they would have been offended, and would not have ceased to be ever anxious about bodily food, ever nailed to earth. Besides, the disciples heard at the same time with the others, yet they declared an opinion contrary to theirs, saying, “To whom shall we go?” An expression indicating much affection, for it shows that their Teacher was more precious to them than anything, than father or mother, or any possessions, and that if they withdrew from Him, they had not then whither to flee. Then lest it should seem that he had said, “to whom shall we go?” because there were none that would receive them, he straightway added, “You have the words of eternal life.” For the Jews listened carnally, and with human reasonings, but the disciples spiritually, and committing all to faith. Wherefore Christ said, “The words which I have spoken unto you are spirit”; that is, “do not suppose that the teaching of My words is subject to the rule of material consequences, or to the necessity of created things. Things spiritual are not of this nature, nor endure to submit to the laws of earth.” This also Paul declares, saying, “Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down;) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.”)

“You have the words of eternal life.” These men already admitted the Resurrection, and all the apportionment which shall be there. And observe the brotherly and affectionate man, how he makes answer for all the band. For he said not, “I know,” but, “We know.” Or rather, observe how he goes to the very words of his Teacher, not speaking as did the Jews. They said, “This is the son of Joseph”; but he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”; and “You have the words of eternal life”; having perhaps heard Him say, “He that believes in Me has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” For he showed that he retained all that had been said, by recalling the very words. What then did Christ? He neither praised nor expressed admiration of Peter, though He had elsewhere done so; but what says He?