11:2 - Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X
But since we learned, in the first place, that when the Saviour after the temptation heard that John was given up, He retreated into Galilee, and in the second place, that when John was in prison and heard the things about Jesus he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Art thou He that cometh, or look we for another? "[149]
11:3 - And said unto him, Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
The second, whose meaning is understood from the present times, as being apprehended by perception; as it was said to those who asked the Lord, "If He was the Christ, or shall we wait for another? Go and tell John, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised up; and blessed is he who shall not be offended in Me."[237]Origen Commentary on John Book I
And again each Gospel tells of the sojourn of the good Father in the Son with those minded to receive Him, as is plain to every believer; and moreover by these books a good is announced which had been formerly expected, as is by no means hard to see. For John the Baptist spoke in the name almost of the whole people when he sent to Jesus and asked,[32]Origen Commentary on John Book VI
In the case of Christ nothing of this sort is reported to have been done by the Jews; but what the Jews do to John, John does to Christ, sending his own disciples to ask him,[32]
11:4 - Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which all of you do hear and see:
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VI
But in the one case for the purpose of being warmed; and in the other, we are compelled to be Christians in order to be excellent and good. For the kingdom belongs pre-eminently to the violent,[283]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
than that He was truly the Son of God who wrought works so mighty? In respect of which things He said also to the disciples of John, "Go your way and tell John what great things ye see and hear; the blind receive their sight," etc.[15]
11:5 - The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book VIII
Nor were the former shamed by the rod which was turned into a living serpent, nor by the hand which was made white with leprosy, nor by the river Nile turned into blood; nor the latter by the blind who recovered their sight, nor by the lame who walked, nor by the dead who were raised.[11]
11:7 - And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went all of you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Five Books in Reply to Marcion
145 August in life, and marked with praise sublime,[74]
11:8 - But what went all of you out in order to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
The Teaching of Addaeus the Apostle
of paganism wherewith they had been afflicted. Jews also, traders in fine raiment,[54]
11:9 - But what went all of you out in order to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III
John, therefore, having been sent by the founder and maker of this world, how could he testify of that Light, which came down from things unspeakable and invisible? For all the heretics have decided that the Demiurge was ignorant of that Power above him, whose witness and herald John is found to be. Wherefore the Lord said that He deemed him "more than a prophet."[132]Tertullian On Monogamy
Turning now to the law, which is properly ours-that is, to the Gospel-by what kind of examples are we met, until we come to definite dogmas? Behold, there immediately present themselves to us, on the threshold as it were, the two priestesses of Christian sanctity, Monogamy and Continence: one modest, in Zechariah the priest; one absolute, in John the forerunner: one appeasing God; one preaching Christ: one proclaiming a perfect priest; one exhibiting "more than a prophet,"[63]Recognitions of Clement I
"And, behold, one of the disciples of John asserted that John was the Christ, and not Jesus, inasmuch as Jesus Himself declared that John was greater than all men and all prophets.[56]Origen Commentary on John Book VI
" (One might indeed get past this passage by laying stress on the word called: he is to be called, he is not said to be, a prophet.) And still more weighty is it that the Saviour said to those who considered John to be a prophet,[54]
11:10 - For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.
Gospel of Nicodemus I The Acts of Pilate
And Rabbi Isaac said: It is written in the law, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall go before thee to keep thee in every good way, because my name has been called upon him.[58]Origen Commentary on John Book VI
We shall understand this aright if we call to mind what was adduced in our exposition of the texts: "That all might believe through Him," and "This is he of whom it is written, Behold I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee."[62]
11:11 - Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?
Similarly also He says that "the least in the kingdom of heaven" that is His own disciple "is greater than John, the greatest among those bern of women."[49]Tertullian On Baptism
none greater than John the Baptist."[123]Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he,"[608]The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
John, the ambassador, he who came before our Lord, he "than whom there was not a greater among those born of women,"[48]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X
but by the former, John, "than whom no one greater hath risen among those born of women,"[159]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
And every one will acknowledge that even though all these were great according to the Scripture, yet the Saviour was greater than they. But whether John also (than whom there was no greater among those born of women),[101]
11:12 - And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
On this account, too, did the Lord assert that the kingdom of heaven was the portion of "the violent; "and He says, "The violent take it by force; "[616]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
"For narrow," in truth, "and strait is the way" of the Lord. And it is to the "violent that the kingdom of God belongs."[1]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
"For the violent that storm the kingdom "[39]Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?
Nor does the kingdom of heaven belong to sleepers and sluggards, "but the violent take it by force."[24]Tertullian On Prayer
Prayer is alone that which vanquishes[196]Origen Commentary on John Book VI
by those who use violence[72]
11:13 - For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
This, then, is the type of "the law and the prophets which were until John; "[106]Tertullian An Answer to the Jews
And thus, the former gifts of grace being withdrawn, "the law and the prophets were until John,"[311]Tertullian On Modesty
according to the apostle; and "the law and the prophets (were) until John,"[54]Tertullian On Fasting
and that these are now the only legitimate days for Christian fasts, the legal and prophetical antiquities having been abolished: for wherever it suits their wishes, they recognise what is the meaning of" the Law and the prophets until John."[6]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
In the Gospel also: "All the prophets and the law prophesied until John."[52]Origen Commentary on John Book VI
And the question may be raised how, if the whole city of Jerusalem, and the whole of Judaea, and the whole region round about Jordan, were baptized of John in Jordan, the Saviour could say,[98]
11:14 - And if all of you will receive it, this is Elijah, which was in order to come.
Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
and again, in another passage, "And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."[250]Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book VIII
And (we may learn, according to the Docetae, the same) from the expressions of the Saviour, "And if ye will receive it, this is Elias that was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."[19]Origen Commentary on John Book VI
they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? and he said, I am not." No one can fail to remember in this connection what Jesus says of John,[35]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X
Just as because of the spirit and the power of Elijah, and not because of his soul, it is said about John, "This is Elijah which is to come,"[144]
11:15 - He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
Now faith is the ear of the soul. And such the Lord intimates faith to be, when He says, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear; "[1]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VI
says the Scripture, plainly in the way of declaring them to the unworthy. For the Lord says, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,"[226]
11:16 - But unto which shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
And, again, He likens the kingdom of heaven to children sitting in the market-places and saying, "We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned, and ye have not lamented; "[23]
11:17 - And saying, We have piped unto you, and all of you have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and all of you have not lamented.
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X
And up to this point I think that the movements of the people of the Jews, which seem to be according to the law, were nothing else than the movements of the daughter of Herodias; but the dancing of Herodias was opposed to that holy dancing with which those who have not danced will be reproached when they hear the words. "We piped unto you, and ye did not dance."[157]
11:18 - For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III
Quin etiam Dominus de seipso dicens: "Venit," inquit, "Joannes, nec comedens, nec bibens, et dicunt: daemonium habet; venit Filius hominis comedarts et bibens, et dicunt: Ecce homo vorax et vini potor, amicus publicanorum, et peccator."[72]
11:19 - The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine indulger, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
At what time, then, did He pour out upon the human race the life-giving seed-that is, the Spirit of the remission of sins, through means of whom we are quickened? Was it not then, when He was eating with men, and drinking wine upon the earth? For it is said, "The Son of man came eating and drinking;[438]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II
But that it was wine which was drunk by the Lord, He tells us again, when He spake concerning Himself, reproaching the Jews for their hardness of heart: "For the Son of man," He says, "came, and they say, Behold a glutton and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans."[81]Tertullian On Monogamy
); while that "man gluttonous and toping," the "frequenter of luncheons and suppers, in the company of publicans and sinners,"[74]Tertullian On Modesty
name,-a (name) of such as put up the pathways of the very sky, and earth, and sea, for sale. Moreover, when (the writer) adjoins "sinners" to "publicans,"[101]Tertullian On Fasting
while Himself withal was wont to eat and drink till He made Himself noted thus; "Behold, a gormandizer and a drinker: "[14]Origen Commentary on John Book II
From his brave deeds he is often called a son, whether, from his works shining before men, of light, or from his possessing the peace of God which passes all understanding, of peace, or, once more, from the help which wisdom brings him, a child of wisdom; for wisdom,[4]
11:20 - Then began he to reproach the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Origen Against Celsus Book VI
And so great is this doctrine of humiliation, that it has no ordinary individual as its teacher; but our great Saviour Himself says: "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls."[88]
11:21 - Woe unto you, Chorazin! woe unto you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Tertullian On Modesty
The Lord Himself presumed repentance on the part of the Sidonians and Tyrians if they had seen the evidences of His "miracles."[116]
11:22 - But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
The occasions then which come are an army of the devil, his angels, and a wicked band of impure spirits, which, seeking out instruments through whom they will work, often find men altogether strangers to piety, and sometimes even some of those who are thought to believe the Word of God, for whom exists a worse woe than that which comes to him who is caused to stumble, just as also it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment,[142]
11:23 - And you, Capernaum, which are exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
Verily I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."[570]Tertullian On Fasting
Sodom also, and Gomorrah, would have escaped if they had fasted.[53]Word and Revelation of Esdras
And he said to me: The form of his countenance is like that of a wild beast; his right eye like the star that rises in the morning, and the other without motion; his mouth one cubit; his teeth span long; his fingers like scythes; the track of his feet of two spans; and in his face an inscription, Antichrist. He has been exalted to heaven; he shall go down to Hades.[22]
11:24 - But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
And it is He who uses [the words], that it will be more tolerable for Sodom in the general judgment than for those who beheld His wonders, and did not believe on Him, nor receive His doctrine[575]
11:25 - At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knoweth the Father but the Son, or the Son but the Father, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him."[266]Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
Again, our Lord Jesus Christ confesses this same Being as His Father, where He says: "I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth."[15]Tertullian Against Praxeas
, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent."[373]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
Also according to Mark: "And when ye stand for prayer, forgive, if ye have ought against any one; that also your Father who is in heaven may forgive you your sins. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive you your sins."[538]Clementine Homily XVII
" Now he who speaks of God as an avenging and rewarding God, presents Him as naturally just, and not as good. Moreover he gives thanks to the Lord of heaven and earth.[12]Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas
And the apostle, seized with joy, said: I make full confession[6]
11:27 - All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
First Apology of Justin
And again, Jesus, as we have already shown, while He was with them, said, "No one knoweth the Father, but the Son; nor the Son but the Father, and those to whom the Son will reveal Him."[136]Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II
is truth), then on their theory the Saviour spoke falsely when He said, "No one knoweth the Father but the Son,"[78]Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
Likewise does the Lord also say: "All things are delivered to Me by My Father; "[271]Clement of Alexandria Exhortation to the Heathen
For the gates of the Word being intellectual, are opened by the key of faith. No one knows God but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal Him.[20]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
Of late, then, God was known by the coming of Christ: "For no man knoweth God but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal Him."[43]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I
"For no man knoweth the Son but the Father, nor the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal Him."[337]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
"No one," says the Lord, "hath known the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal Him."[156]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VII
the Son, who taught the truth respecting God, and expressed the fact that the Almighty is the one and only God and Father, "whom no man knoweth but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal Him."[88]Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?
He then who would live the true life is enjoined first to know Him "whom no one knows, except the Son reveal (Him)."[7]Tertullian The Prescription Against Heretics
Since the Lord Jesus Christ sent the apostles to preach, (our rule is) that no others ought to be received as preachers than those whom Christ appointed; for "no man knoweth the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him."[213]Tertullian Against Marcion Book II
With regard, however, to the Father, the very gospel which is common to us will testify that He was never visible, according to the word of Christ: "No man knoweth the Father, save the Son."[372]Tertullian Against Praxeas
;[374]Origen de Principiis Book I
the Son, save the Father; nor any one the Father, save the Son."[20]Origen de Principiis Book II
seeing clearly also that it is written, "No one knoweth the Father, save the Son, nor doth any one know the Son, save the Father"[78]Origen Against Celsus Book VI
Nay, our Lord and Saviour, the Logos of God, manifesting that the greatness of the knowledge of the Father is appropriately comprehended and known pre-eminently by Him alone, and in the second place by those whose minds are enlightened by the Logos Himself and God, declares: "No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him."[97]Origen Against Celsus Book VII
But when the Word of God says, "No man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him,"[101]Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments
But if he desires to learn how it is shown still that there is one God, let him know that His power[234]Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes
is the only one that knows the Father, with the sole exception of him to whom He has chosen also to reveal Him,[385]Alexander Epistles on the Arian Heresy
But men who are moved by the Spirit of truth, have no need to learn these things from me, for in our ears are sounding the words before uttered by Christ on this very thing," No man knoweth the Father, save the Son; and no man knoweth who the Son is, save the Father."[35]Clementine Homily XVII
For the framer of the world was known to Adam whom He had made, and to Enoch who pleased Him, and to Noah who was seen to be just by Him; likewise to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; also to Moses, and the people, and the whole world. But Jesus, the teacher of Peter himself, came and said,[8]Clementine Homily XVIII
And Simon said: "How, then, if the framer of the world, who also fashioned Adam, was known, and known too by those who were just according to the law, and moreover by the just and unjust, and the whole world, does your teacher, coming after all these, say,[7]Origen Commentary on John Book I
For as with us the word is a messenger of those things which tile mind perceives, so the Word of God, knowing the Father, since no created being can approach Him without a guide, reveals the Father whom He knows. For no one knows the Father save the Son,[189]
11:28 - Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I
And again, when He said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, and learn of Me,"[264]Clement of Alexandria Exhortation to the Heathen
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest to your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light."[173]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
And again He says, "Come all to Me, who labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest; "[241]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book II
he calls vice a servile thing, and virtue the attribute of freemen. "Take away from you the heavy yoke, and take up the easy one,"[52]Fragments of Clement Found in the Oxford Edition
Let us obey the Lord, who calls to us, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour, and I will give you rest."[18]Origen Against Celsus Book II
For He had formerly summoned all men to the light in the words, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."[197]Origen Against Celsus Book III
ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."[197]Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments
For this is a pleasant rest, as He says Himself: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,"[22]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is good, and my burden is light."[822]Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
invisibly punished, for daring to touch what may not be touched; for God Himself invites, and who will stand hesitating with fear? He says: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden."[5]Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book I
all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will dive you rest."[26]
11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and all of you shall find rest unto your souls.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
Wherefore the Lord says, "Take My yoke, for it is gentle and light."[74]Origen Against Celsus Book II
For how could an arrogant man thus express himself "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you shall find rest for your souls? "[21]Of the Journeyings of Philip the Apostle
And this He taught, saying: Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.[15]
11:30 - For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Tertullian On Monogamy
or with burdensomeness, in opposition to the "light burden"[6]Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas
and accept the yoke of gentleness and the light burden,[18]