Interpretation of the Gospel of John, compiled according to the ancient patristic interpretations of the Byzantines, XII century, by the learned monk Euthymius Zigaben

Verse 29. I know Him, for I am of Him...,4 for I am born of Him; and above He said: "For there is no one who has seen the Father, but He who is of God" (John 6:46).

Verse 29... And to Him I was the ambassador.5 Jesus Christ constantly speaks of His mission, wishing to convince them that He was sent by God, that He does not resist God, as we said above; and also having in mind His God-worthy words that seduce them, which He often mixed with those in which He spoke of Himself as a man.

Verse 30. For they may have Him...,6 for they were smitten when they heard, "Whom ye do not know."

Verse 30... And no one laid hands on Nan...,7 since they were invisibly held by His inherent Divine power.

Verse 30... For His hour has not come... 8 To be taken and suffered.

Verse 31. And many of the people believed in Him... 9 because of the signs that have gone before, and because of the speeches that have just been spoken.

Verse 31... And say, "When Christ comes, when He comes, He will make food of greater importance, as He does?"10 Though they believed, their faith was not sound. By saying, "When Christ comes," they showed that they did not firmly believe that He was the Christ, but with doubt, as a simple and frivolous people. Or they said supposedly: let us suppose that another Christ will come later, as the leaders of the people say; but when the Christ of whom they speak comes, will He be stronger? No.

Verse 32. Hearing the Pharisee, the people murmured about Him... 11 They heard it probably the next day; murmuring, i.e. speaking with murmurs against the superiors.

Verse 32... And he sent servants to the Pharisee and the bishop, that they might have him,12 as dividing the people into parties. This is rage, or rather madness! After they themselves had often tried to take Jesus Christ, but could not, they now entrust the matter to servants in order to console their anger and hide their powerlessness.

Verse 33. For Jesus said, "I am still a little time with you... 13 He spoke to the people, but he meant the servants who were sent. With these words, Jesus Christ wanted to shame them and thus soften their rage. I am still a short time with you, that is, until Pascha; Just wait for her.

Verse 33... And I go to Him who sent Me, when I ascend into heaven.

Verse 34. You will seek Me and you will not find... 14 It is likely that many of them remembered him and asked him for help, especially when Jerusalem was besieged.

Verse 34... And where I am, you cannot come... E-15 Where I'll be then. By this He signifies His sitting in heaven at the right hand of God the Father.

Verses 35-36. And the Jews said unto themselves, Wherefore this one willeth to go, that we shall not find him; food for the dispersion of the Greeks wants to go and teach the Greeks; What is this word, if it is said, 'Ye shall seek me, and ye shall not find: and where I am, ye cannot come?'2 Having failed at the Saviour's former utterances, with which He had shamed them, they now speak among themselves, not understanding what is said. By the Hellenic dispersion they called the pagans, who were scattered everywhere and freely entered into communion with one another, while they themselves lived only in Palestine and were by law restrained from communion with other nations.