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JOHN 11:56 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 11:55John 11:57
“Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?”
They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, 'What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival?' — the crowd in Jerusalem wonders whether Jesus will appear for the Passover, showing His fame and the public curiosity about His movements. The question reflects uncertainty whether He will risk returning to Jerusalem given the danger.

Church Fathers on John 11:56

After this resolution of the Chief Priests and Pharisees, Jesus was more cautious in strewing Himself among the Jews, and retired to remote parts, and avoided populous places: Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went from there into a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim.

Origen · 3rd century

Not that His power had failed Him; for, had He pleased He might still have walked openly among the Jews, and they done nothing to Him. But He wished to show the disciples, by His own example, that believers did not sin by retiring out of the sight of their persecutors, and hiding themselves from the fury of the wicked, rather than inflame that fury in their presence.

Augustine · 4th century

How must it have troubled the disciples to see Him save Himself by merely human means? While all were rejoicing and keeping the feast, they remained hidden, and in danger. Yet they continued with Him; as we read in Luke, You are they which have continued with Me in My temptations.

Chrysostom · 4th century
Read all 13 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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John 11:56 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy