Homilies on the Gospel of John

“Walk in the light, that you may become children of the light.”

That is, “My children.” Yet in the beginning the Evangelist says, “Were born, not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, but of God”; that is, of the Father; while here Himself is said to beget them; that you may understand that the operation of the Father and the Son is One. “Jesus having spoken these things,” departed from them, and did hide Himself.

Why does He now “hide Himself”? They took not up stones against Him, nor did they blaspheme Him in any such manner as before; why then did He hide Himself? Walking in men's hearts, He knew that their wrath was fierce, though they said nothing; He knew it boiling and murderous, and waited not till it issued into action, but hid Himself, to allay their ill-will. Observe how the Evangelist has alluded to this feeling; he has immediately added,