John 14:30 — Community Reflections

JOHN 14:30 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me — Jesus announces that his time is running out; the ruler of this world (ho archōn tou kosmou—the Devil, Satan, the cosmic force opposed to God) is approaching. Yet the affirmation "he has no power over me" is startling: the devil cannot compel Jesus' actions; Jesus' death is not imposed but freely chosen, an act of love rather than a defeat. The cross does not represent Satan's victory but his ultimate exposure and limitation.

Church Fathers on John 14:30

After saying, Peace I leave with you, which was like taking farewell, He consoles them: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid: the two feelings of love and fear were now the uppermost in them.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Though He was only going for a time, their hearts would be troubled and afraid for what might happen before He returned; lest in the absence of the Shepherd the wolf might attack the flock: you have heard how I said to you, I go away, and come again to you. In that He was man, He went; in that He was God, He stayed. Why then be troubled and afraid, when He left the eye only, not the heart? To make them understand that it was as man that He said, I go away, and come again to…
Augustine · 4th century

If the Father is greater by virtue of giving, is the Son less by confessing the gift? The giver is the greater, but He to whom unity with that giver is given, is not the less.
Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century · Or thus

Read all 10 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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