Annotation CCV

”Let us also go, that we may die with him.” — John 11:16

On Thomas's exhortation to [his] fellow-disciples.

Origen, narrating this passage in the Tomes, Theophylact derides in the commentaries, with these words: “But Origen tells a certain dream about Thomas. For Thomas, when he had heard the prophecies about Christ, and had learned that he was to descend even with [his] soul into hell to liberate souls — after he heard Christ saying, ‘I go, that I may awaken Lazarus’ — thought that he could be raised in no other way (that is, his soul liberated) unless he himself also, having laid down [his] body, descended into hell. Therefore, as a true disciple of Christ, and unwilling to be torn from [his] master in this [matter], he wishes both himself and his fellow-disciples to lay down their bodies, that they may descend with Jesus — who was about to lay down his soul, as he [Thomas] supposed, to bring back from hell the soul of [his] friend.” This ridiculous narration I have set down, that I might confound with shame those who commend Origen’s [teachings].