1.0 — File creation — Tatyana A. Bragina

Kiev 1887

Interpretation of the Gospel of John,

Composed

According to the ancient patristic interpretations

Byzantine, XII century, learned monk

Euthymius Zigaben

Euthymius Zigaben's commentaries on the Gospel of John, as well as on the first three Gospels, were compiled by him primarily on the basis of the interpretations of St. John Chrysostom, and partly of many other Fathers and teachers of the Church. This work of Zigaben, in which "the best of the ancient interpreters is collected and expounded", will never lose its significance. Not everyone who needs to use the guidance and manual of patristic interpretations has the opportunity to acquire all these interpretations and does not always have time to choose from extensive interpretations what he needs. Hence the usefulness of translating into Russian the short, simple and easily understandable interpretation of Zigaben, compiled on the basis of ancient patristic interpretations. Since Zigaben's interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew is written with special thoroughness and completeness, with the citation of parallel passages from other Evangelists, a comparison and explanation of their narratives about one and the same event, therefore, in the interpretation of the Gospel of John, Zigaben often makes only references to a parallel passage in the Gospel of Matthew, leaving the reader to find the necessary explanation there. Therefore, those who use the second volume of the Commentary should have the first one at hand.

Zigaben interprets not from his own behalf, but according to the understanding of the Fathers and teachers of the Church. "If the word of Scripture is examined," says the 19th canon of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, "let them explain it in no other way, except as the luminaries and teachers of the Church have laid down in their writings: and let them be satisfied with them rather than with the composition of their own words." Zigaben's interpretations are dear in that they satisfy this conciliar canon.

1887

The Gospel of John

Who John was, we learned from the previous Evangelists, namely: he was the brother of James, the son of Zebedee, from the village of Bethsaida, the land of Galilee, a fisherman by occupation. Neither before nor after did he learn from anyone and was completely unlearned (Acts 4:13); but we know what he became when he was taught by Jesus Christ. Reclining on the breast of Wisdom itself during the Last Supper, he gained such knowledge as no one else had received. And verily he thundered from heaven and cried out from the treasuries of the Holy Spirit, not because he spoke loudly, but because he spoke of the sublime, and that his tongue was guided by the Holy Spirit.