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JOHN 2:23 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 2:22John 2:24
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.”
But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people — the crucial limitation: Jesus recognizes the inadequacy of sign-based faith when unaccompanied by true understanding. "Would not entrust himself" (ou pisteuō, literally "did not believe") creates ironic tension: though the crowd believes in Jesus, Jesus does not reciprocate with faith in them. The statement "he knew all people" echoes the Prologue's theme of Jesus' universal knowledge.

Church Fathers on John 2:23

The Evangelist has related above what our Lord did on his way to Jerusalem; now He relates how others were affected towards Him at Jerusalem; Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did.

Bede · 8th century

But how was it that many believed in Him from seeing His miracles? for he seems to have performed not supernatural works at Jerusalem, except we suppose Scripture to have passed them over. May not however the act of His making a scourge of small cords, and driving all out of the temple, be reckoned a miracle?

Origen · 3rd century

Those had been wiser disciples, however, who were brought to Christ not by His miracles, but by His doctrine. For it is the duller sort who are attracted by miracles; the more rational are convinced by prophecy, or doctrine. And therefore it follows, But Jesus did not commit Himself to them.

Chrysostom · 4th century
Read all 8 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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John 2:23 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy