Homilies on the Gospel of John

“We know that God hears not sinners.”

Since they had been the first to say, “How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?”, he now brings forward even their judgment, reminding them of their own words. “This opinion,” says he, “is common to me and you. Stand fast now to it.” And observe, I pray you, his wisdom. He turns about the miracle in every way, because they could not do away with it, and from it he draws his inferences. Do you see that at first he said “Whether he be a sinner or not, I know not”? Not doubting (God forbid!) but knowing that He was not a sinner. At least now, when he had an opportunity, see how he defended Him. “We know that God hears not sinners”:

“But if any man be a worshiper of God, and does His will.”

Here he not only has cleared Him from sin, but declares that He is very pleasing to God, and does all His will. For since they called themselves worshipers of God, he added, “and does His will”; “since,” says he, “it is not sufficient to know God: men must also do His will.” Then he magnifies what had been done, saying,