Homilies on the Gospel of John

“This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes.”

They thought that it thundered, or that an Angel spoke to Him. And how did they think this? Was not the voice clear and distinct? It was, but it quickly flew away from them as being of the grosser sort, carnal and slothful. And some of them caught the sound only, others knew that the voice was articulate, but what it meant, knew not. What says Christ? “This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes.” Why said He this? He said it, setting Himself against what they continually asserted, that He was not of God. For He who was glorified by God, how was He not from that God whose name by Him was glorified? Indeed for this purpose the Voice came. Wherefore He says Himself, “This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes,” “not that I may learn by it anything of which I am ignorant, (for I know all that belongs to the Father,) but for your sakes.” For when they said, “An Angel has spoken unto Him,” or “It has thundered,” and gave not heed to Him, He says, “it was for your sakes,” that even so ye might be led to enquire what the words meant. But they, being excited, did not even so enquire, though they heard that the matter related to them. For to one who knew not wherefore it was uttered, the Voice naturally appeared indistinct. “The Voice came for your sakes.” Do you see that these lowly circumstances take place on their account, not as though the Son needs help?