John 8:20 — Community Reflections

JOHN 8:20 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.”

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come — John notes the location: the treasury (perhaps the Treasury chamber of the temple where offerings were received). Again, though Jesus has made provocative claims, 'no man laid hands on him' because 'his hour was not yet come.' The repeated assurance of divine protection through timing reinforces the theological principle: Jesus's death comes not through human plot but through the Father's predetermined schedule.

Church Fathers on John 8:20

Those who had heard out Lord say, You judge after the flesh, showed that they did so; for they understood what He said of His Father in a carnal sense: Then said they to Him; Where is Your Father? meaning, We have heard you say, I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. We see you alone; prove to us then that Your Father is with You.
Augustine · 4th century

Some remark that this is said in contumely and contempt; to insinuate either that He is born of fornication, and knows not who His Father is; or as a slur on the low situation of His father, i.e. Joseph; as if to say, Your father is an obscure, ignoble person; why do you so often mention him? So because they asked the question, to tempt Him, not to get at the truth, Jesus answered, You neither know Me, nor My Father.
Theophylact · 11th century

He tells them, it is of no avail for them to say they know the Father, if they do not know the Son.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 14 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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