Commentary on Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist Homilies 48-88

The 88 Homilies, which date from about 390, work systematically through the text of St. John's Gospel and thus form a commentary upon it. In his exposition Chrysostom reflects his youthful Antiochene training in the interpretation of Holy Scripture through his emphasis upon the literal or historical meaning of the sacred text. The exposition focuses sharply on practical morality and thus often supplies telling information about fourth-century life and times. The homilies show the flowering of Chrysostom's intensive study of rhetoric and are especially commendable for their command of imagery. The first 47 Homilies are contained in Vol. 33 of this series; this entry carries the remaining 41, extending the commentary through to the end of the Gospel.