Miracles And Teaching

Καὶ ἠκολούθει, φησὶν, αὐτῷ ὄχλος πολὺς, ὅτι ἑώρων τὰ σημεῖα ἆ ἐποίει. Οὐ σφόδρα βεβαίας διανοίας ἡ ἀκολούθησις. Τοσαύτης γὰρ διδασκαλίας ἀπολαύσαντες, ἀπὸ τῶν σημείων ἐνήγοντο μᾶλλον· ὅ παχυτέτας γνώμης ἦν. Τὰ γὰρ σημεῖα, φησὶ, τοῖς ἀπίστοις οὐ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν. Ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐκεῖνος ὁ δῆμος ὁ παρὰ τῷ Ματθαίῳ οὕτως, ἀλλ' ἄκουε πῶς· Ἐξεπλήσσοντο πάντες ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ, φησὶν, ὅτι ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς ὡς ἐξουσίαν ἔχων. Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος, Υπόμνημα Εἰς τὸν ἅγιον Ἰωάννην τὸν Ἀπόστολον και Εὑαγγελιστην, Ὁμιλία ΜΒ´ Source: Migne PG 59.239

'A great crowd followed Him beholding the miracles that He did.' 1 Those who were following had not a very wise state of mind, for having enjoyed such teaching, they were more attracted by the miracles, which indicates a duller state. For it is said that 'miracles are not for believers but for unbelievers.' 2 The people noted by Matthew were not like this, but hear how: 'They all were astonished at His teaching '  he says, 'because He taught as one having authority.' 3 Saint John Chrysostom, Commentary On The Gospel of Saint John, Homily 42 1 Jn 6.2 2 1 Cor 14.22 3 Mt 7.28-29