ShareWe continue the discussion concerning the third effect of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand: namely, that they searched for Christ. In the previous section (vv. 16-21), we had seen how the disciples searched for Christ and found Him walking on the Sea of Galilee. In what follows (vv. 22-26) we will see [...]

ShareAt the beginning of chapter six, the Evangelist began to discuss the second benefit of spiritual regeneration: namely, spiritual food. This benefit was illustrated by the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish. In what follows, he discusses the three effects of that miracle: that they obtained [...]

ShareThere are three benefits of spiritual regeneration: spiritual life, spiritual food, and spiritual teaching. The Evangelist had discussed the first benefit in chapter five, where he illustrated the spiritual life by recounting the healing of a lame man in Jerusalem (5:1-18), and then gave Christ’s teaching on His power to give life and to judge [...]

ShareIn the previous section, we had seen four types of testimony that gave witness to Christ’s power to give life and to judge men: the testimony of St. John the Baptist, the testimony of Christ’s works, the testimony of the Father at Christ’s baptism and transfiguration, and the testimony of the Old Testament scriptures. Despite [...]

SharePreviously, Christ had given us a teaching on His power to give life and His power to judge the living and the dead. First He had shown the origin of His powers (vv. 19-20a), then the nature of His powers (vv. 20b-25), then the effects of these powers (vv. 23-25), and finally, the way in [...]

SharePreviously, Christ had explained the nature of His power to give life and to judge men (Jn 5:20b-25). Next, He showed how these powers belong to Him: first, the power to give life (v. 26), and then, the power to judge (v. 27). “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted [...]

ShareHaving explained the origin of His power to give life and to judge men, Christ then explained the nature of these powers in detail. First, He mentioned His power in general when He said, “and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel” (Jn 5:20b). That is to say, the Father [...]

ShareHere Christ began His teaching on His power to give life. In verse 19, He discussed the origin of His power, and in verse 20a, He gave the reason why He has this power. “Jesus said to them, ‘[Amen, amen], I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only [...]

ShareFollowing the cure of the lame man at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem, certain Jews complained that Christ had performed this miracle on the Sabbath. Their complaint afforded our Lord an opportunity to give a teaching on His power to give life and to judge. “Now that day was the Sabbath” (Jn 5:9b). That is, [...]

ShareIn chapters three and four, our Lord taught about spiritual regeneration, and the Evangelist illustrated how Jews and Gentiles would be converted to the faith by His teaching and by signs which affirmed the truth of His teaching. In chapters five through seven, St. John shows what benefits God gives to those who are spiritually [...]