Amphilochius of Iconium

Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made whole?” See his modesty here. He does not say, “Do you desire that I heal you,” for he did not want to make himself appear as someone great by making an announcement, as it were, of his miracles. And the [lame] man says, “I desire,” but “I do not have a man” [to help me]; for where there is no love, there is not even one person [to offer help]. And so, I also ask for this reason, [Jesus says]: not only so that you should know of my plan to make whole those who are sick, but also so that you might see the cruelty of those of the city who were well, because not only did no one give their hand to help you to the streams but they even treated you like an enemy when you asked [for help].

He is set for the fall of the unbelieving Jews, but for the resurrection of the believing Gentiles. “And for a sign that is spoken against.” The cross is a sign that is spoken against. Why? Because many who did not believe denied him at the cross. They ridiculed it both by deeds and words. They gave him vinegar to drink, offered him gall for his thirst, twisted a wreath of thorns to put on his brow, pierced his side with a spear, struck him with their hands, and shouted at him with offensive clamor: “He saved others, but cannot save himself.”