Outline of the Book of John
- The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry (1:19-51)
- Changing Water into Wine (2:1-11)
- Cleansing the Temple (2:12-25)
- Jesus Teaches Nicodemus (3:1-21)
- John the Baptist's Final Testimony about Jesus (3:22-36)
- Jesus and the Samaritans (4:1-42)
- Healing of the Official's Son (4:43-54)
- Jesus' Visit to Jerusalem at an Annual Feast (ch. 5)
- Feeding the 5,000 and Jesus' Claim to Be the Bread of Life (ch. 6)
- Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles and Disputes over Who He Is (chs. 7-8)
- Healing of the Man Born Blind (ch. 9)
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd (10:1-21)
- Conflict at the Feast of Dedication over Jesus' Identity (10:22-42)
- The Raising of Lazarus (ch. 11)
- Statement of the Gospel's Purpose (20:30-31)
- Epilogue: Jesus' Recommissioning of the Disciples (ch. 21)
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
John 12 NLT
1 Six days before the Passover celebration
began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from
the dead.
2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor.
Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him.
3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of
expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with
it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the
fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who
would soon betray him, said,
5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages.
It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a
thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some
for himself.
7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did
this in preparation for my burial.
8 You will always have the poor among you,
but you will not always have me.”
9 When all the people heard of Jesus’
arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had
raised from the dead.
10 Then the leading priests decided to kill
Lazarus, too,
11 for it was because of him that many of
the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on
the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover
visitors
13 took palm branches and went down the
road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in
the name of the LORD ! Hail to the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on
it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the
time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his
glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had
been written about him.
17Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus
from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about
it.
18 That was the reason so many went out to
meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.
19 Then the Pharisees said to each other,
“There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem
for the Passover celebration
21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from
Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.”
22Philip told Andrew about it, and they went
together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come
for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat
is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce
many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
25 Those who love their life in this world
will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it
for eternity.
26Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me,
because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who
serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should
I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I
came!
28 Father, bring glory to your name.” Then
a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name,
and I will do so again.”
29 When the crowd heard the voice, some
thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for
your benefit, not mine.
31 The time for judging this world has
come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
33 He said this to indicate how he was
going to die.
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from
Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man
will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for
you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will
not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are
going.
36 Put your trust in the light while there
is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these
things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
37 But despite all the miraculous signs
Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him.
38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet
had predicted: “ LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD
revealed his powerful arm?”
39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as
Isaiah also said,
40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes and
hardened their hearts— so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot
understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.”
41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he
said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory.
42 Many people did believe in him, however,
including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that
the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.
43 For they loved human praise more than
the praise of God.
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you
trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.
45 For when you see me, you are seeing the
one who sent me.
46 I have come as a light to shine in this
dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the
dark.
47 I will not judge those who hear me but
don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.
48 But all who reject me and my message
will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.
49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The
Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.
50 And I know his commands lead to eternal
life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
John 12
It was a melancholy account which we had in
the close of the foregoing chapter of the dishonour done to our Lord Jesus, when
the scribes and Pharisees proclaimed him a traitor to their church, and put
upon him all the marks of ignominy they could: but the story of this chapter
balances that, by giving us an account of the honour done to the Redeemer,
notwithstanding all that reproach thrown upon him. Thus the one was set over
against the other. Let us see what honours were heaped on the head of the Lord
Jesus, even in the depths of his humiliation. I. Mary did him honour, by
anointing his feet at the supper in Bethany (v. 1-11).
II. The common people did him honour, with their acclamations of joy, when he
rode in triumph into Jerusalem (v. 12-19). III. The Greeks did him honour, by
enquiring after him with a longing desire to see him (v. 20-26). IV. God the Father did him honour, by a
voice from heaven, bearing testimony to him (v. 27-36). V. He had honour done him by the Old
Testament prophets, who foretold the infidelity of those that heard the report
of him (v. 37-41). VI. He had honour done him by some of the
chief rulers, whose consciences witnessed for him, though they had not courage
to own it (v. 42, v. 43.
VII. He claimed honour to himself, by asserting his divine mission, and the
account he gave of his errand into the world (v. 44-50).
Verses 1-11 In
these verses we have,I. The kind visit our Lord Jesus paid to his
friends at Bethany, v. 1. He came up out of the country, six days
before the passover, and took up at Bethany, a town which, according to
the computation of our metropolis, lay so near Jerusalem as to be within the
bills of mortality. He lodged here with his friend Lazarus, whom he had
lately raised from the dead. His coming to Bethany now may be
considered,1. As a preface to the passover he intended to celebrate, to which
reference is made in assigning the date of his coming: Six days before the
passover. Devout men set time apart before, to prepare themselves for that
solemnity, and thus it became our Lord Jesus to fulfil
all righteousness. Thus he has set us an example of solemn
self-sequestration, before the solemnities of the gospel passover; let us hear
the voice crying,Prepare ye the way of the Lord. 2. As a voluntary
exposing of himself to the fury of his enemies; now that his hour was at hand he
came within their reach, and freely offered himself to them, though he had
shown them how easily he could evade all their snares. Note, (1.) Our Lord
Jesus was voluntary in his sufferings; his life was not forced from
him, but resigned: Lo, I come. As the strength of his persecutors
could not overpower him, so their subtlety could not surprise him, but he died
because he would. (2.) As there is a time when we are allowed to shift for our
own preservation, so there is a time when we are called to hazard our lives in the
cause of God, as St. Paul, when he went bound in the Spirit to
Jerusalem. 3. As an instance of his kindness to his friends at Bethany,
whom he loved, and from whom he was shortly to be taken away. This was a
farewell visit; he came to take leave of them, and to leave with them words of
comfort against the day of trial that was approaching. Note, Though Christ
depart for a time from his people, he will give them intimations that he
departs in love, and not in anger. Bethany is here described to be the town where
Lazarus was, whom he raised from the dead. The miracle wrought here
put a new honour upon the place, and made it remarkable. Christ came hither to
observe what improvement was made of this miracle; for where Christ works
wonders, and shows signal favours, he looks after them, to see whether the
intention of them be answered. Where he has sown plentifully, he observes
whether it comes up again.II. Thekind entertainment which his friends
there gave him: They made him a supper (v. 2), a great supper, a feast. It is queried
whether this was the same with that which is recorded,Mt. 24:6 , etc., in the house of Simon. Most
commentators think it was; for the substance of the story and many of the
circumstances agree; but that comes in after what was saidtwo days before
the passover, whereas this was done six days before; nor is it likely
that Martha should serve in any house but her own; and therefore I incline with
Dr. Lightfoot to think them different: that in Matthew on the third day of the
passover week, but this the seventh day of the week before, being the Jewish
sabbath, the night before he rode in triumph into Jerusalem; that in the house
of Simon; this of Lazarus. These two being the most public and solemn
entertainments given him in Bethany, Mary probably graced themboth with
this token of her respect; and what she left of her ointment this
first time, when she spent but a pound of it (v. 3), she used that second time, when
she poured it all out,Mk. 14:3 . Let us see the account of this
entertainment. 1. They made him a supper; for with them, ordinarily,
supper was the best meal. This they did in token of their respect and
gratitude, for a feast is made for friendship; and that they might
have an opportunity of free and pleasant conversation with him, for a feast is
made for fellowship. Perhaps it is in allusion to this and the like
entertainments given to Christ in the days of his flesh that he promises, to
such as open the door of their hearts to him, that he will sup with them,Rev. 3:20 . Martha served; she herself
waited at table, in token of her great respect to the Master. Though a person
of some quality, she did not think it below her to serve, when Christ
sat at meat; nor should we think it a dishonour or disparagement to us to stoop
to any service whereby Christ may be honoured. Christ had formerly reproved
Martha for being troubled with much serving. But she did not
therefore leave off serving, as some, who, when they are reproved for one
extreme, peevishly run into another; no, still sheserved; not as then at a
distance, but within hearing of Christ’s gracious words, reckoning
those happy who, as the queen of Sheba said concerning Solomon’s servants,
stood continually before him, to hear his wisdom; better be
a waiter at Christ’s table than aguest at the table of a prince.
3. Lazarus was one of those that sat at meat. It proved the truth of
his resurrection, as it did of Christ’s, that there were those who did eat
and drink with him, Acts. 10:41 . Lazarus did not retire into
a wilderness after his resurrection, as if, when he had made a visit
to the other world, he must ever after be a hermit in this; no, he conversed
familiarly with people, as others did. He sat at meat, as a
monument of the miracle Christ had wrought. Those whom Christ has raised
up to a spiritual life are made to sit together with him. See Eph. 2:5, Eph. 2:6 .III.
The particular respect which Mary showed him, above the rest, in anointing his
feet with sweet ointment, v. 3. She had apound of ointment of spikenard,
very costly, which probably she had by her for her own use; but the death
and resurrection of her brother had quite weaned her from the use of all such
things, and with this she anointed the feet of Jesus, and, as a
further token of her reverence for him and negligence of herself,
she wiped them with her hair, and this was taken notice of by all
that were present, for the house was filled with the odour of
theointment. See Prov. 27:16 .1. Doubtless she intended this as a
token of her love to Christ, who had given real tokens of his love to her and
her family; and thus she studies what she shall render. Now by this her love to
Christ appears to have been, (1.) A generouslove; so far from sparing
necessary charges in his service, she is as ingenious to createan occasion
of expense in religion as most are to avoid it. If she had any thing more
valuable than another, that must be brought out for the honour of Christ. Note,
Those who love Christ truly love him so much better than this world as to be
willing to lay out the best they have for him. (2.)
A condescending love; she not only bestowed her ointment upon Christ,
but with her own hands poured it upon him, which she might have ordered one of
her servants to have done; nay, she did not, as usual, anoint his head with
it, but his feet.True love, as it does not spare charges, so it does not
spare pains, in honouring Christ. Considering what Christ has done and suffered
for us, we are very ungrateful if we think any service too hard to do, or too
mean to stoop to, whereby he may really be glorified. (3.)
A believing love; there was faith working by this love, faith in
Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed, who, being both priest and
king, was anointed as Aaron and David were. Note, God’s Anointed should
be our Anointed. Has God poured on him the oil of gladness above his
fellows? Let us pour on him the ointment of our best affections above all
competitors. By consenting to Christ as our king, we must comply with
God’s designs, appointing him our head whom he has appointed, Hos. 1:11 .2. The filling of the
house with the pleasant odour of the ointment may intimate to
us, (1.) That those who entertain Christ in their hearts and houses bring a
sweet odour into them; Christ’s presence brings with it an ointment
and perfume which rejoice the heart. (2.) Honours done to Christ are
comforts to all his friends and followers; they are to God and good men an
offering of a sweet-smelling savour. IV. Judas’s dislike of Mary’s
compliment, or token of her respect to Christ, v. 4, v. 5,
where observe,1. The person that carped at it was Judas, one of his
disciples; not one of their nature, but only one of their number. It is
possible for the worst of men to lurk under the disguise of the best
profession; and there are many who pretend to stand in relation to Christ who
really have no kindness for him. Judas was an apostle, a preacher of the
gospel, and yet one that discouraged and checked this instance of pious
affection and devotion. Note, It is sad to see the life of religion and holy
zeal frowned upon and discountenanced by such as are bound by their office to
assist and encourage it. But this was he that should betray
Christ. Note, Coldness of love to Christ, and a secret contempt of serious
piety, when they appear in professors of religion, are sad presages of a final
apostasy. Hypocrites, by less instances of worldliness, discover themselves to
be ready for a compliance with greater temptations.2. The pretence with which
he covered his dislike (v. 5): "Why was not this
ointment, since it was designed for a pious use, sold for three hundred
pence’’ (8l. 10s. of our money), "and given to the
poor?’’ (1.) Here is a foul iniquity gilded over with a specious and plausible
pretence, for Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. (2.) Here is
worldly wisdom passing a censure upon pious zeal, as guilty of imprudence and
mismanagement. Those who value themselves upon their secular
policy, and undervalue others for their serious piety, have more
in them of the spirit of Judas than they would be thought to have. (3.) Here is
charity to the poor made a colour for opposing a piece of piety to Christ, and
secretly made a cloak for covetousness. Many excuse themselves from laying
out in charity under pretence of laying up for charity: whereas,
if the clouds be full of rain, they will empty themselves. Judas
asked, Why was it not given to the poor? To which it is easy to
answer, Because it was better bestowed upon the Lord Jesus. Note, We must not
conclude that those do no acceptable piece of service who do not do it in our
way, and just as we would have them; as if every thing must be adjudged
imprudent and unfit which does not take its measures from us and our
sentiments. Proud men think all ill-advised who do not advise with them.3. The
detection and discovery of Judas’s hypocrisy herein, v. 6. Here is the evangelist’s remark upon it, by
the direction of him whosearches the heart: This he said, not that he
cared for the poor, as he pretended, but because he was a thief,
and had the bag. (1.) It did not come from a principle of charity:Not that
he cared for the poor. He had no compassion towards them, no concern for them:
what were the poor to him any further than he might serve his own ends by being
overseer of the poor? Thus some warmly contend for the power of the
church, as others for its purity, when perhaps it may be said, Not
that they care for the church; it is all one to them whether its true
interest sink or swim, but under the pretence of this they are advancing
themselves. Simeon and Levi pretended zeal for circumcision, not
that they cared for the seal of the covenant, any more than Jehu for
the Lord of hosts, when he said, Come see my zeal. (2.) It did come
from a principle of covetousness. The truth of the matter was, this ointment
being designed for his Master, he would rather have had it in money, to be put
in the common stock with which he was entrusted, and then he knew what to do
with it. Observe,[1.] Judas was treasurer of Christ’s household, whence some
think he was called Iscariot, the bag-bearer. First, See
what estate Jesus and his disciples had to live upon. It was
but little; they had neither farms nor merchandise, neither barns nor
storehouses, only a bag; or, as some think the word signifies,
a box, orcoffer, wherein they kept just enough for their
subsistence, giving the overplus, if any were, to the poor; this they carried
about with them, wherever they went. Omnia mea mecum porto—I carry all my
property about me. This bag was supplied by the contributions of good
people, and the Master and his disciples had all in common; let this
lessen our esteem of worldly wealth, and deaden us to the punctilios of state
and ceremony, and reconcile us to a mean and despicable way of living, if this
be our lot, that it was our Master’s lot; for our sakes he became poor.
Secondly, See who was thesteward of the little they had; it was
Judas, he was purse-bearer. It was his office to receive and pay, and we do not
find that he gave any account what markets he made. He was appointed to this
office, either, 1. Because he was the least and lowest of all the disciples; it
was not Peter nor John that was made steward (though it was a place of trust
and profit), but Judas, the meanest of them. Note, Secular employments, as they
are a digression, so they are a degradation to a minister of the gospel;
see 1 Co. 6:4 . The prime-ministers of state in
Christ’s kingdom refused to be concerned in the revenue,Acts. 6:2 . Because he was desirous of the place.
He loved in his heart to be fingering money, and therefore had the moneybag
committed to him, either, (1.) As a kindness, to please him, and thereby oblige
him to be true to his Master. Subjects are sometimes disaffected to the
government because disappointed of their preferment; but Judas had no cause to
complain of this; the bag he chose, and the bag he had. Or, (2.) In judgment
upon him, to punish him for his secret wickedness; that was put into his hands
which would be a snare and trap to him. Note, Strong inclinations to sin within
are often justly punished with strong temptations to sin without. We have
little reason to be fond of the bag, or proud of it, for at the best we are but
stewards of it; and it was Judas, one of an ill character, and born to be
hanged (pardon the expression), that was steward of the bag.The prosperity of
fools destroys them. [2.] Being trusted with the bag, he was a
thief, that is, he had a thievish disposition. The reigning love of money
is heart-theft as much as anger and revenge are heart-murder. Or
perhaps he had been really guilty of embezzling his Master’s stores, and
converting to his own use what was given to the public stock. And some
conjecture that he was now contriving to fill his pockets, and then run away
and leave his Master, having heard him speak so much of troubles approaching,
to which he could by no means reconcile himself. Note, Those to whom the
management and disposal of public money is committed have need to be governed
by steady principles of justice and honesty, that no blot cleave to their hands;
for though some make a jest of cheating the government, or the church, or the
country, if cheating be thieving, and, communities being more
considerable than particular persons, if robbing them be the greater sin, the
guilt of theft and the portion of thieves will be found no jesting matter.
Judas, who had betrayed his trust, soon after betrayed his Master.V. Christ’s
justification of what Mary did (v. 7, v. 8): Let her alone. Hereby he
intimated his acceptance of her kindness (though he was perfectly mortified to
all the delights of sense, yet, as it was a token of her goodwill, he signified
himself well-pleased with it), and his care that she should not be molested in
it: Pardon her, so it may be read; "excuse her this once, if it
be an error it is an error of her love.’’ Note, Christ would not have those
censured nor discouraged who sincerely design to please him, though in their
honest endeavours there be not all the discretion that may be, Rom. 14:3 . Though we would not do as they do,
yetlet them alone. For Mary’s justification,1. Christ puts a favourable
construction upon what she did, which those that condemned it were not aware
of: Against the day of my burying she has kept this. Or, She has
reserved this for the day of my embalming; so Dr. Hammond. "You
do not grudge the ointment used for the embalming of your dead friends, nor say
that it should be sold, and given to the poor. Now this anointing either was
sointended, or at least may be so interpreted; for the day of my
burying is now at hand, and she has anointed a body that is already as
good as dead.’’ Note, (1.) Our Lord Jesus thought much and often of his
own death and burial; it would be good for us to do so too. (2.) Providence
does often so open a door of opportunity to good Christians, and the Spirit of
grace does so open their hearts, that the expressions of their pious zeal prove
to be more seasonable, and more beautiful, than any
foresight of their own could make them. (3.) The grace of Christ puts kind
comments upon the pious words and actions of good people, and not only makes
the best of what is amiss, but makes the most of what is good.2. He gives a
sufficient answer to Judas’s objection, v. 8.
(1.) It is so ordered in the kingdom of Providence that the poor we have
always with us, some or other that are proper objects of charity (Deu. 15:11 ); such there will be as long as there
are in this lapsed state of mankind so much folly and so much affliction. (2.)
It is so ordered in the kingdom of grace that the church should not always have
the bodily presence of Jesus Christ: "Me you have
not always, but only nor for a little time.’’ Note, We need wisdom,
when two duties come in competition, to know which to give the preference to,
which must be determined by the circumstances. Opportunities are to be
improved, and those opportunities first and most vigorously which are likely to
be of the shortest continuance, and which we see most speedily hastening away.
That good duty which may be done at any time ought to give way to
that which cannot be done but just now. VI. The public notice which
was taken of our Lord Jesus here at this supper in Bethany (v. 9): Much people of the Jews knew that he
was there, for he was the talk of the town,
and theycame flocking thither; the more because he had lately
absconded, and now broke out as the sun from behind a dark cloud. 1. They came
to see Jesus, whose name was very much magnified, and made considerable by the
late miracle he had wrought in raising Lazarus. They came, not to hear him, but
to gratify their curiosity with a sight of him here at Bethany, fearing he
would not appear publicly, as he used to do, this passover. They came, not to
seize him, or inform against him, though the government had prosecuted him to
an outlawry, but to see him and show him respect. Note, There are some in whose
affections Christ will have an interest, in spite of all the attempts of his
enemies to misrepresent him. It being known where Christ was, multitudes came
to him. Note, Where the king is there is the court; where Christ is there will
the gathering of the people be,Lu. 17:37 .
They came to see Lazarus and Christ together, which was a very inviting sight.
Some came for the confirmation of their faith in Christ, to have the story
perhaps from Lazarus’s own mouth. Others came only for the gratifying of their
curiosity, that they might say they had seen a man who had been dead and
buried, and yet lived again; so that Lazarus served for a show, these
holy-days, to those who, like the Athenians, spent their time in telling and
hearing new things. Perhaps some came to put curious questions to Lazarus about
the state of the dead, to ask what news from the other world; we ourselves have
sometimes said, it may be, We would have gone a great way for one hour’s discourse
with Lazarus. But if any came on this errand it is probable that Lazarus was
silent, and gave them no account of his voyage; at least, the scripture is
silent, and gives us no account of it; and we must not covet to be wise above
what is written. But our Lord Jesus was present, who was a much fitter person
for them to apply to than Lazarus; for if we hear not Moses and the prophets,
Christ and the apostles, if we heed not what they tell us concerning another
world, neither should we be persuaded though Lazarus rose from the dead. We
have a more sure word of prophecy.VII. The indignation of the chief priests at
the growing interest of our Lord Jesus, and their plot to crush it (v. 10,v. 11):
They consulted (or decreed) how they might put Lazarus also
to death, because that by reason of him (of what was done
to him, not of any thing he said or did) many of the Jews went away, and
believed on Jesus. Here observe,1. How vain and unsuccessful their
attempts against Christ had hitherto been. They had done all they could to
alienate the people from him, and exasperate them against him, and yet many of
the Jews, their neighbours, their creatures, their admirers, were so overcome
by the convincing evidence of Christ’s miracles that they went
away from the interest and party of the priests, went off from obedience
to their tyranny, and believed on Jesus; and it was by reason of
Lazarus; his resurrection put life into their faith, and convinced them that
this Jesus was undoubtedly the Messiah, and had life in himself, and power to
give life. This miracle confirmed them in the belief of his other miracles,
which they had heard he wrought in Galilee: what was impossible to him that
could raise the dead?2. How absurd and unreasonable this day’s vote was—that
Lazarus must be put to death. This is an instance of the most brutish rage that
could be; they were like a wild bull in a net, full of fury, and
laying about them without any consideration. It was a sign that
they neither feared God nor regarded man. For, (1.) If they had
feared God, they would not have done such an act of defiance to him. God will have
Lazarus to live by miracle, and they will have him to die by malice. They
cry, Away with such a fellow, it is not fit he should live, when God
had so lately sent him back to the earth, declaring it highly fit he should
live; what was this butwalking contrary to God? They would put
Lazarus to death, and challenge almighty power to raise him again, as if they
could contend with God, and try titles with the King of kings. Who has the keys
of death and the grave, he or they? O caeca malitia! Christus qui
suscitare potuit mortuum, non possit occisum.—Blind malice, to suppose
that Christ, who could raise one that had died a natural death, could not
raise one that had been slain! —Augustine in loc. Lazarus is singled out
to be the object of their special hatred, because God has distinguished him by
the tokens of his peculiar love, as if they had made a league offensive and
defensive with death and hell, and resolved to be severe upon all deserters.
One would think that they should rather have consulted how they might have
joined in friendship with Lazarus and his family, and by their mediation have
reconciled themselves to this Jesus whom they had persecuted; but the god of
this world hadblinded their minds. (2.) If they had regarded man, they
would not have done such an act of injustice to Lazarus, an innocent man, to
whose charge they could not pretend to lay any crime. What bands are strong
enough to hold those who can so easily break through the most sacred ties of
common justice, and violate the maxims which even nature itself teaches? But
the support of their own tyranny and superstition was thought sufficient, as in
the church of Rome, not only to justify, but to consecrate the greatest
villanies, and make them meritorious.
Verses 12-19 This
story of Christ’s riding in triumph to Jerusalem is recorded by all the
evangelists, as worthy of special remark; and in it we may observe,I. The
respect that was paid to our Lord Jesus by the common people, v. 12, v. 13,
where we are told,1. Who they were that paid him this respect: much
people, ochlos polys —a great crowd of those that came up to the
feast; not the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but the country people that came from
remote parts to worship at the feast; the nearer the temple of the Lord, the
further from the Lord of the temple. They were such as came up to the
feast. (1.) Perhaps they had been Christ’s hearers in the country, and
great admirers of him there, and therefore were forward to testify their
respect to him at Jerusalem, where they knew he had many enemies. Note, Those
that have a true value and veneration for Christ will neither be ashamed nor
afraid to own him before men in any instance whereby they may do him honour.
(2.) Perhaps they were those more devout Jews that came up to the
feast some time before, to purify themselves, that were more inclined to
religion than their neighbours, and these were they that were so forward to
honour Christ. Note, The more regard men have to God and religion in general,
the better disposed they will be to entertain Christ and his religion, which is
not destructive but perfective of all previous discoveries and institutions.
They were not the rulers, nor the great men, that went out to meet Christ, but
the commonalty; some would have called them a mob, a rabble: but Christ has
chosen the weak and foolish things (1 Co. 1:27 ), and is honoured more by the multitude than by the
magnificence of his followers; for he values men by their souls, not their
names and titles of honour.2. On what occasion they did it: They heard
that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. They had enquired for him ch. 11:55, ch. 11:56 ): Will
he not come up to the feast? And now they hear he is coming; for none that
seek Christ seek in vain. Now when they heard he was coming, they bestirred
themselves, to give him an agreeable reception. Note, Tidings of the approach of
Christ and his kingdom should awaken us to consider what is the work of the
day, that it may be done in the day. Israel must prepare to meet their
God (Amos. 4:12 ), and the virgins to meet
the bridegroom. 3. In what way they expressed their respect; they had
not the keys of the city to present to him, nor the sword nor mace to carry
before him, none of the city music to compliment him with, but such as they had
they gave him; and even this despicable crowd was a faint resemblance of that
glorious company which John saw before the throne, and before the
Lamb, Rev. 7:9, Rev. 7:10 .
Though these were not before the throne, they were before the Lamb, the paschal
Lamb, who now, according to the usual ceremony, four days before the feast, was
set apart to be sacrificed for us. There it is said of that celestial
choir,(1.) That they had palms in their hands, and so had these branches
of palm-trees.The palm-tree has ever been an emblem of victory and triumph;
Cicero calls one that had won many prizes plurimarum palmarum homo—a man
of many palms. Christ was now by his death to conquer principalities and
powers, and therefore it was fit that he should have the victor’s palm borne
before him; though he was but girding on the harness, yet he could boast as
though he had put it off. But this was not all; the carrying of palm-branches
was part of the ceremony of the feast of tabernacles (Lev. 23:40 ; Neh. 8:15 ),
and their using this expression of joy in the welcome given to our Lord Jesus
intimates that all the feasts pointed at his gospel, had their accomplishment
in it, and particularly that of the feast of tabernacles, Zec. 14:16 .(2.) That they cried with a loud
voice, saying, Salvation to our God (Rev. 7:10 );
so did these here, they shouted before him, as is usual in popular
welcomes, Hosanna, blessed is the king of Israel, that comes in the
name of the Lord;and hosanna signifies salvation. It is
quoted from Ps. 118:25, Ps. 118:26 . See how well acquainted these common people were with
the scripture, and how pertinently they apply it to the Messiah. High thoughts
of Christ will be best expressed in scripture-words. Now in their acclamations,
[1.] They acknowledge our Lord Jesus to be the king of Israel, that
comes in the name of the Lord. Though he went now in poverty and
disgrace, yet, contrary to the notions their scribes had given them of the
Messiah, they own him to be a king, which bespeaks both his dignity and honour,
which we must adore; and his dominion and power, to which we must submit. They
own him to be, First, A rightful king, coming in the name of the
Lord (Ps. 2:6 ), sent of God, not only as a prophet,
but as a king. Secondly, The promised and long-expected king, Messiah
the prince, for he is king of Israel. According to the light they
had, they proclaimed him king of Israel in the streets of Jerusalem; and, they
themselves being Israelites, hereby they avouched him for their king. [2.] They
heartily wish well to his kingdom, which is the meaning of hosanna; let the
king of Israel prosper, as when Solomon was crowned they cried, God save
king Solomon, 1 Ki. 1:39 . In crying hosanna they prayed for
three things:—First, That his kingdom might come, in the light and knowledge
of it, and in the power and efficacy of it. God speed the gospel
plough. Secondly, That it might conquer, and be victorious over all
opposition, Rev. 6:2 . Thirdly, That it might
continue. Hosanna is, Let the king live for ever;though his kingdom may be
disturbed, let it never be destroyed, Ps. 72:17 .
[3.] They bid him welcome into Jerusalem: "Welcome is he that
cometh; we are heartily glad to see him; come in thou blessed of the
Lord; and well may we attend with our blessings him who meets us with
his.’’ This welcome is like that (Ps. 24:7-9 ), Lift up your heads, O ye
gates. Thus we must every one of us bid Christ welcome into our hearts,
that is, we must praise him, and be well pleased in him. As we should be highly
pleased with the being and attributes of God, and his relation to us, so we
should be with the person and offices of the Lord Jesus, and his meditation
between us and God. Faith saith, Blessed is he that cometh. II. The
posture Christ puts himself into for receiving the respect that was paid him (v. 14): When he had found, or
procured, a young ass, he sat thereon. It was but a poor
sort of figure he made, he alone upon an ass, and a crowd of people about him
shoutingHosanna. 1. This was much more of state than he used to take; he
used to travel on foot, but now was mounted. Though his followers should be
willing to take up with mean things, and not affect any thing that looks like
grandeur, yet they are allowed to use the service of the inferior creatures,
according as God in his providence gives particular possession of those things
over which, by his covenant with Noah and his sons, he has given to man a
general dominion. Yet it was much less of state than the great ones of the world
usually take. If he would have made a public entry, according to the state of a
man of high degree, he should have rode in a chariot like that of Solomon’s (Cant. 3:9,Cant. 3:10 ), with pillars of
silver, the bottom of gold, and the covering of
purple; but, if we judge according to the fashion of this world, to be
introduced thus was rather a disparagement than any honour to the king of
Israel, for it seemed as if he would look great, and knew not how. His kingdom
was not of this world, and therefore came not with outward pomp. He was now
humbling himself, but in his exalted state John sees him in a vision on
a white horse, with a bow and a crown. III. The fulfilling of the
scripture in this:As it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion, v. 15. This is quoted from Zec. 9:19 . To him bore all the prophets witness,
and particularly to this concerning him.1. It was foretold that Zion’s king
should come, should come thus, sitting on an ass’s colt; even this
minute circumstance was foretold, and Christ took care it should be punctually
fulfilled. Note, (1.) Christ is Zion’s king; the holy hill of Zion was of old
destined to be the metropolis or royal city of the Messiah. (2.) Zion’s king does
and will look after her, and come to her; though for a short time he retires,
in due time he returns. (3.) Though he comes but slowly (an ass is slow-paced),
yet he comes surely, and with such expressions of humility and condescension as
greatly encourage the addresses and expectations of his loyal subjects. Humble
supplicants may reach to speak with him. If this be a discouragement to Zion,
that her king appears in no greater state or strength, let her know that though
he comes to her riding on an ass’s colt, yet he goes forth against her enemies
riding on the heavens for her help, Deu. 33:26 .2. The daughter of Zion is therefore called upon tobehold
her king, to take notice of him and his approaches; behold and wonder, for
he comes with observation, though not with outward show, Cant. 3:11 . Fear not. In the prophecy,
Zion is told to rejoice greatly, and to shout, but here it is
rendered, Fear not.Unbelieving fears are enemies to spiritual joys; if
they be cured, if they be conquered, joy will come of course; Christ comes to
his people to silence their fears. If the case be so that we cannot
reach to the exultations of joy, yet we should labour to get from under the
oppressions of fear. Rejoice greatly; at least, fear
not. IV. The remark made by the evangelist respecting the disciples (v. 16): They understood not at
first why Christ did this, and how the scripture was fulfilled; but
when Jesus was glorified, and thereupon the Spirit poured out, then
they remembered that these things were written of him in the Old
Testament, and that they and others had, in pursuance thereof, done these
things to him.1. See here the imperfection of the disciples in their
infant state; even they understood not these things at
first. They did not consider, when they fetched the ass and set him thereon,
that they were performing the ceremony of the inauguration of Zion’s king. Now
observe, (1.) The scripture is often fulfilled by the agency of those who have
not themselves an eye to the scripture in what they do, Isa. 45:4 . (2.) There are many excellent things,
both in the word and providence of God, which the disciples themselves do not
at first understand: not at their first acquaintance with the things of God,
while theysee men as trees walking; not at the first proposal of the
things to their view and consideration. That which afterwards is clear was at
first dark and doubtful. (3.) It well becomes the disciples of Christ, when
they are grown up to maturity in knowledge, frequently to reflect upon the
follies and weaknesses of their first beginning, that free grace may have the
glory of their proficiency, and they may have compassion on the
ignorant. When I was a child, I spoke as a child. 2. See here the improvement
of the disciples in their adult state. Though they had been children, they were
not always so, but went on to perfection. Observe,(1.) When they understood
it: When Jesus was glorified;for, [1.] Till then they did not rightly
apprehend the nature of his kingdom, but expected it to appear in external pomp
and power, and therefore knew not how to apply the scriptures which spoke of it
to so mean an appearance. Note, The right understanding of the spiritual nature
of Christ’s kingdom, of its powers, glories, and victories, would prevent our
misinterpreting and misapplying the scriptures that speak of it. [2.] Till then
the Spirit was not poured out, who was to lead them into all truth. Note, The
disciples of Christ are enabled to understand the scriptures by the same Spirit
that indited the scriptures. The spirit of revelation is to all the
saints a spirit of wisdom, Eph. 1:17, Eph. 1:18 .(2.) How they understood it; they
compared the prophecy with the event, and put them together, that they might
mutually receive light from each other, and so they came to understand
both: Then remembered they that these things were written of him by
the prophets, consonant to which they were done to him. Note, Such an admirable
harmony there is between the word and works of God that the remembrance of what
is written will enable us to understand what is done, and the observation of
what is done will help us to understand what is written. As we have
heard, so have we seen. The scripture is every day fulfilling.V. The
reason which induced the people to pay this respect to our Lord Jesus upon his
coming into Jerusalem, though the government was so much set against him. It
was because of the illustrious miracle he had lately wrought in raising
Lazarus.1. See here what account and what assurance they had of this miracle;
no doubt, the city rang of it, the report of it was in all people’s mouths. But
those who considered it as a proof of Christ’s mission, and a ground of their
faith in him, that they might be well satisfied of the matter of fact, traced
the report to those who were eye-witnesses of it, that they mightknow
the certainty of it by the utmost evidence the thing was capable
of: The people therefore that stood by when he called
Lazarus out of his grave, being found out and examined, bore
record, v. 17. They unanimously averred the thing to be
true, beyond dispute or contradiction, and were ready, if called to it, to
depose it upon oath, for so much is implied in the word Emartyrei .
Note, The truth of Christ’s miracles was evidenced by incontestable proofs. It
is probable that those who had seen this miracle did not only assert it to
those who asked them, but published it unasked, that this might add to the
triumphs of this solemn day; and Christ’s coming in now from Bethany, where it
was done, would put them in mind of it. Note, Those who wish well to Christ’s
kingdom should be forward to proclaim what they know that may redound to his
honour.2. What improvement they made of it, and what influence it had upon them
(v. 18): For this cause,as much as any
other, the people met him. (1.) Some, out of curiosity, were desirous
to see one that had done such a wonderful work. Many a good sermon he had
preached in Jerusalem, which drew not such crowds after him as this one miracle
did. But, (2.) Others, out of conscience, studied to do him honour, as one sent
of God. This miracle was reserved for one of the last, that it might confirm
those which went before, and might gain him this honour just before his
sufferings; Christ’s works were all not only well done(Mk. 7:7 ) but well timed. VI. The
indignation of the Pharisees at all this; some of them, probably, saw, and they
all soon heard of, Christ’s public entry. The committee appointed to find out
expedients to crush him thought they had gained their point when he had retired
unto privacy, and that he would soon be forgotten in Jerusalem, but they now
rage and fret when they see they imagined but a vain thing. 1.
They own that they had got no ground against him; it was plainly to be
perceived that they prevailed nothing. They could not, with all their
insinuations, alienate the people’s affections from him, nor with their menaces
restrain them from showing their affection to him. Note, Those who oppose
Christ, and fight against his kingdom, will be made to perceive that they
prevail nothing. God will accomplish his own purposes in spite of them, and the
little efforts of their impotent malice. You prevail nothing, ouk
opheleite —you profit nothing. Note, There is nothing got by opposing
Christ. They own that he had got ground: The world is gone
afterhim; there is a vast crowd attending him, a world of
people: an hyperbole common in most languages. Yet here, like Caiaphas,
ere they were aware, they prophesied that the world would go after
him; some of all sorts, some from all parts; nations shall be discipled.
But to what intent was this said? (1.) Thus they express their own vexation
at the growth of his interest; their envy makes them fret. If the horn of
the righteous be exalted with honour, the wicked see it, and
are grieved (Ps. 112:9, Ps. 112:10 ); considering how great these Pharisees were, and what
abundance of respect was paid them, one would think they needed not grudge
Christ so inconsiderable a piece of honour as was now done him; but proud men
would monopolize honour, and have none share with them, like Haman. (2.) Thus
they excite themselves and one another, to a more vigorous carrying on of the
war against Christ. As if they should say, "Dallying and delaying thus
will never do. We must take some other and more effectual course, to put a stop
to this infection; it is time to try our utmost skill and force, before the
grievance grows past redress.’’ Thus the enemies of religion are made more
resolute and active by being baffled; and shall its friends be disheartened
with every disappointment, who know its cause is righteous and will at last be
victorious?
Verses 20-26 Honour
is here paid to Christ by certain Greeks that enquired or him with respect. We
are not told what day of Christ’s last week this was, probably not the same day
he rode into Jerusalem (for that day was taken up in public work), but a day or
two after.I. We are told who they were that paid this honour to our Lord
Jesus: Certain Greeksamong the people who came up to worship at
the feast, v. 20. Some think they were Jews of
the dispersion, some of the twelve tribes that were scattered among
the Gentiles, and were called Greeks, Hellenist Jews; but others
think they were Gentiles, those whom they called proselytes of the
gate, such as the eunuch and Cornelius. Pure natural religion met with the
best assistance among the Jews, and therefore those among the Gentiles who were
piously inclined joined with them in their solemn meetings, as far as was
allowed them. There were devout worshippers of the true God even among those
that were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel. It was in the latter ages of
the Jewish church that there was this flocking of the Gentiles to the temple at
Jerusalem,—a happy presage of the taking down of the partition-wall between
Jews and Gentiles. The forbidding of the priests to accept of any oblation or
sacrifice from a Gentile (which was done by Eleazar the son of Ananias, the
high priest), Josephus says, was one of those things that brought the Romans
upon them, War 2.409-410. Though these Greeks, if uncircumcised, were
not admitted to eat the passover, yet they came to worship at the
feast. We must thankfully use the privileges we have, though there may be
others from which we are shut out.II. What was the honour they paid him: they
desired to be acquainted with him, v. 21.
Having come to worship at the feast, they desired to make the best use they
could of their time, and therefore applied to Philip, desiring that he would
put them in a way to get some personal converse with the Lord Jesus. 1. Having
a desire to see Christ, they were industrious in the use of proper means. They
did not conclude it impossible, because he was so much crowded, to get to speak
with him, nor rest in bare wishes, but resolved to try what could be done.
Note, Those that would have the knowledge of Christ must seek it. They made
their application to Philip, one of his disciples. Some think that they had
acquaintance with him formerly, and that they lived near Bethsaida in Galilee
of the Gentiles; and then it teaches us that we should improve our acquaintance
with good people, for our increase in the knowledge of Christ. It is good to
know those who know the Lord. But if these Greeks had been near Galilee it is
probable that they would have attended Christ there, where he mostly resided;
therefore I think that they applied to him only because they saw him a close
follower of Christ, and he was the first they could get to speak with. It was
an instance of the veneration they had for Christ that they made an interest
with one of his disciples for an opportunity to converse with him, a sign that
they looked upon him as some great one, though he appeared mean. Those that
would see Jesus by faith now that he is in heaven must apply to his ministers,
whom he had appointed for this purpose, to guide poor souls in their enquiries
after him. Paul must send for Ananias, and Cornelius for Peter. The bringing of
these Greeks to the knowledge of Christ by the means of Philip signified the
agency of the apostles, and the use made of their ministry in the conversion of
the Gentiles to the faith and the discipling of the nations. 3. Their address
to Philip was in short this: Sir, we would see Jesus. They gave him a
title of respect, as one worthy of honour, because he was in relation to
Christ. Their business is, they would see Jesus; not only see his
face, that they might be able to say, when they came home, they had seen one
that was so much talked of (it is probable they had seen him when he appeared
publicly); but they would have some free conversation with him, and be taught
by him, for which it was no easy thing to find him at leisure, his hands were
so full of public work. Now that they were come to worship at the feast, they
would see Jesus. Note, In our attendance upon holy ordinances, and particularly
the gospel passover, the great desire of our souls should be to see Jesus; to
have our acquaintance with him increased, our dependence on him encouraged, our
conformity to him carried on; to see him as ours, to keep up communion with
him, and derive communications of grace from him: we miss of our end in coming
if we do not see Jesus. 4. Here is the report which Philip made of this to his
Master, v. 22. He tells Andrew, who was of Bethsaida
likewise, and was a senior fellow in the college of the apostles,
contemporary with Peter, and consults him what was to be done, whether he
thought the motion would be acceptable or no, because Christ had sometimes said
that he was not sent but to the house of Israel. They agree that
it must be made; but then he would have Andrew go along with him, remembering
the favourable acceptance Christ had promised them, in case two of them
should agree touching any thing they should ask, Mt. 18:19 . Note, Christ’s ministers should be
helpful to one another and concur in helping souls to Christ: Two are
better than one. It should seem that Andrew and Philip brought this
message to Christ when he was teaching in public, for we read (v. 29) of the people that stood by; but
he was seldom alone.III. Christ’s acceptance of this honour paid him, signified
by what he said to the people hereupon, v. 23,
etc., where he foretels both the honour which he himself should have in being
followed (v. 23, v. 24)
and the honour which those should have that followed him, v. 25, v. 26.
This was intended for the direction and encouragement of these Greeks, and all
others that desired acquaintance with him.1. He foresees that plentiful
harvest, in the conversion of the Gentiles, of which this was as it were the
first-fruits, v. 23. Christ said to the two disciples who spoke a
good word for these Greeks, but doubted whether they should speed or
no, The hour is come when the Son of Man shall be glorified, by
the accession of the Gentiles to the church, and in order to that he must be
rejected of the Jews. Observe,(1.) The end designed hereby, and that is the
glorifying of the Redeemer: "And is it so? Do the Gentiles begin to
enquire after me? Does the morning-star appear to them? and that
blessed say-spring, which knows its place and time too, does that
begin to take hold of the ends of the earth? Then the hour is
come for the glorifying of the Son of man.’’ This was no surprise to
Christ, but a paradox to those about him. Note, [1.] The calling, the effectual
calling, of the Gentiles into the church of God greatly redounded to the glory of
the Son of man. The multiplying of the redeemed was the magnifying of the
Redeemer. [2.] there was a time, a set time, an hour, a certain hour, for the
glorifying of the Son of man, which did come at last, when the days of his
humiliation were numbered and finished, and he speaks of the approach of it
with exultation and triumph: The hour is come. (2.) The strange way
in which this end was to be attained, and that was by the death of Christ,
intimated in that similitude (v. 24): "Verily, verily, I say unto
you, you to whom I have spoken of my death and sufferings, except a
corn of wheat fall not only to, but into, the
ground, and die, and be buried and lost, itabideth alone, and
you never see any more of it; but if it die according to the course
of nature (otherwise it would be a miracle) it bringeth forth much
fruit, God giving to every seed its own body.’’ Christ is the corn of
wheat, the most valuable and useful grain. Now here is,[1.] The necessity of
Christ’s humiliation intimated. He would never have been the living quickening
head and root of the church if he had not descended from heaven to this
accursed earth and ascended from earth to the accursed tree, and so accomplished
our redemption. He must pour out his soul unto death, else he
cannot divide a portion with the great, Isa. 53:12 . He shall have a seed given him, but he
must shed his blood to purchase them and purify, must win them and wear them.
It was necessary likewise as a qualification for that glory which he was to
have by the accession of multitudes to his church; for if he had not by his
sufferings made satisfaction for sin, and so brought in an everlasting
righteousness, he would not have been sufficiently provided for the
entertainment of those that should come to him, and therefore must abide
alone. [2.] The advantage of Christ’s humiliation illustrated.
He fell to the ground in his incarnation, seemed to be buried alive
in this earth, so much was his glory veiled; but this was not
all:he died. This immortal seed submitted to the laws of mortality,
he lay in the grave like seed under the clods; but as the seed comes up again green,
and fresh, and flourishing, and with a great increase, so one dying Christ
gathered to himself thousands of living Christians, and he became their root.
The salvation of souls hitherto, and henceforward to the end of time, is all
owing to the dying of this corn of wheat. Hereby the Father and the
Son are glorified, the church is replenished, the mystical body is kept up, and
will at length be completed; and, when time shall be no more, the Captain of
our salvation,bringing many sons to glory by the virtue of his death, and
being so made perfect by sufferings, shall be celebrated for ever with the
admiring praises of saints and angels,Heb. 2:10, Heb. 2:13 .2. He foretels and promises an abundant
recompence to those who should cordially embrace him and his gospel and
interest, and should make it appear that they do so by their faithfulness in
suffering for him or in serving him.(1.) In suffering for him (v. 25): He that loves his life better
than Christ shall lose it; but he that hates his life in this
world, and prefers the favour of God and an interest in Christ before it,
shall keep it unto life eternal. This doctrine Christ much insisted
on, it being the great design of his religion to wean us from this world, by
setting before us another world.[1.] See here the fatal consequences of an inordinate
love of life; many a man hugs himself to death, and loses his life by
over-loving it. He that so loves his animal life as to indulge his appetite,
and make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof, shall
thereby shorten his days, shall lose the life he is so fond of, and another
infinitely better. He that is so much in love with the life of the body, and
the ornaments and delights of it, as, for fear of exposing it or them, to deny
Christ, he shall lose it, that is, lose a real happiness in the other world,
while he thinks to secure an imaginary one in this. Skin for skin a
man may give for his life, and make a good bargain, but he that gives his soul,
his God, his heaven, for it, buys life too dear, and is guilty of the folly of
him who sold a birth-right for a mess of pottage.[2.] See also the blessed
recompence of a holy contempt of life. He that so hates the life of the body as
to venture it for the preserving of the life of his soul shall find both, with
unspeakable advantage, in eternal life. Note, First, It is required
of the disciples of Christ that they hate their life in this world; a
life in this world supposes a life in the other world, and this is hated when
it is loved less than that. Our life in this world includes all the enjoyments
of our present state, riches, honours, pleasures, and long life in the
possession of them; these we must hate, that is, despise them as vain and
insufficient to make us happy, dread the temptations that are in them, and
cheerfully part with them whenever they come in competition with the service of
Christ, Acts. 20:24 Acts. 21:13 ;Rev. 12:11 . See here much of the power of
godliness —that it conquers the strongest natural affections; and much of
the mystery of godliness —that it is the greatest wisdom, and yet
makes men hate their own lives. Secondly, Those who, in love to
Christ, hate their own lives in this world, shall be abundantly recompensed in
the resurrection of the just. He that hateth his life shall keep
it; he puts it into the hands of one that will keep it to life eternal, and
restore it with as great an improvement as the heavenly life can make of the
earthly one.(2.) In serving him (v. 26): If
any man profess to serve me, let him follow me, as a
servant follows his master; and where I am, ekei kai ho diakonos ho
emos estai—there let my servant be; so some read it, as part of
the duty, there let him be, to attend upon me; we read it as part of the
promise, there shall he be in happiness with me. And, lest this
should seem a small matter, he adds, If any man serve me, him will my
Father honour; and that is enough, more than enough. The Greeks desired to
see Jesus (v. 21), but Christ lets them know that it was not
enough to see him, they must serve him. He did not come into the
world, to be a show for us to gaze at, but a king to be ruled by. And he says
this for the encouragement of those who enquired after him to become his
servants. In taking servants it is usual to fix both the work and the wages;
Christ does both here.[1.] Here is the work which Christ expects from his
servants; and it is very easy and reasonable, and such as becomes
them.First, Let them attend their Master’s movements:If any man serve me,
let him follow me. Christians must follow Christ, follow his methods and
prescriptions, do the things that he says, follow his example and
pattern, walk as he also walked, follow his conduct by his providence
and Spirit. We must go whither he leads us, and in the way he leads us; must
follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes before us. "If any man serve me, if
he put himself into that relation to me, let him apply himself to the business
of my service, and be always ready at my call.’’ Or, "If any man do indeed
serve me, let him make an open and public profession of his relation to me, by
following me, as the servant owns his Master by following him in the
streets.’’Secondly, Let them attend their Master’s repose: Where I
am, there let my servant be, to wait upon me. Christ is where his church
is, in the assemblies of his saints, where his ordinances are administered;
and there let his servants be, to present themselves before him, and
receive instructions from him. Or, "Where I am to be in heaven, whither I
am now going, there let the thoughts and affections of my servants be, there
let their conversation be,where Christ sitteth.’’ Col. 3:1, Col. 3:2 .[2.]
Here are the wages which Christ promises to his servants; and they are very
rich and noble.First, They shall be happy with him: Where I am, there
shall also my servant be. To be with him, when he was here in poverty and
disgrace, would seem but poor preferment, and therefore, doubtless, he means
being with him in paradise, sitting with him at his table above, on his throne
there; it is the happiness of heaven to be with Christ there, ch. 17:24 . Christ speaks of heaven’s happiness as
if he were already in it: Where I am; because he was sure of it, and
near to it, and it was still upon his heart, and in his
eye. And the same joy and glory which he thought recompence enough for all
his services and sufferings are proposed to his servants as the recompence of
theirs. Those that follow him in the way shall be with him in the end.Secondly, They
shall be honoured by his Father; he will make them amends for all their pains
and loss, by conferring an honour upon them, such as becomes a great God to
give, but far beyond what such worthless worms of the earth could expect to
receive. The rewarder is God himself, who takes the services done to the Lord
Jesus as done to himself. The reward is honour, true lasting honour, the
highest honour; it is the honour that comes from God. It is said (Prov. 27:18 ), He that waits on his
Master (humbly and diligently) shall be honoured. Those that
wait on Christ God will put honour upon, such as will be taken notice of
another day, though now under a veil. Those that serve Christ must humble themselves,
and are commonly vilified by the world, in recompence of both which they shall
be exalted in due time.Thus far Christ’s discourse has reference to those
Greeks who desired to see him, encouraging them to serve him. What
became of those Greeks we are not told, but are willing to hope that those who
thus asked the way to heaven with their faces thitherward, found it, and walked
in it.
Verses 27-36 Honour
is here done to Christ by his Father in a voice from heaven, occasioned by the
following part of his discourse, and which gave occasion to a further
conference with the people. In these verses we have,I. Christ’s address to his
Father, upon occasion of the trouble which seized his spirit at this
time: Now is my soul troubled,v. 27. A
strange word to come from Christ’s mouth, and at this time surprising, for it
comes in the midst of divers pleasing prospects, in which, one would think, he
should have said, Now is my soul pleased. Note, Trouble of soul
sometimes follows after great enlargements of spirit. In this world of mixture
and change we must expect damps upon our joy, and the highest degree of comfort
to be the next degree to trouble. When Paul had been in the third heavens, he
had a thorn in the flesh. Observe,1. Christ’s dread of his
approaching sufferings: Now is my soul troubled. Now the black and
dismal scene began, now were the first throes of the travail of his soul, now
his agony began, his soulbegan to be exceedingly sorrowful. Note, (1.) The
sin of our soul was the trouble of Christ’s soul, when he undertook to redeem
and save us, and to make his soul an offering for our sin. (2.) The trouble of
his soul was designed to ease the trouble of our souls; for, after this, he
said to his disciples ch. 14:1 ), "Let not your hearts be
troubled; why should yours be troubled and mine too?’’ Our Lord Jesus went
on cheerfully in his work, in prospect of the joy set before him, and yet
submitted to a trouble of soul. Holy mourning is consistent with spiritual joy,
and the way to eternal joy. Christ was now troubled, now in sorrow,
now in fear, now for a season; but it would not be so always, it would not be
so long. The same is the comfort of Christians in their troubles; they are
but for a moment,and will be turned into joy.2. The strait he seems to be
in hereupon, intimated in those words, And what shall I say? This
does not imply his consulting with any other, as if he needed advice, but
considering with himself what was fit to be said now. When our souls are
troubled we must take heed of speaking unadvisedly, but debate with ourselves
what we shall say. Christ speaks like one at a loss, as if what he should
choose he wot not. There was a struggle between the work he had taken upon him,
which required sufferings, and the nature he had taken upon him, which dreaded
them; between these two he here pauses with, What shall I say? He
looked, and there was none to help, which put him to a stand. Calvin
observes this as a great instance of Christ’s humiliation, that he should speak
thus like one at a loss. Quo se magis exinanivit gloriae Dominus, eo
luculentius habemus erga nos amoris specimen—The more entirely the Lord of
gloryemptied himself, the brighter is the proof of the love he bore
us. Thus he was in all pointstempted like as we are, to
encourage us, when we know not what to do, to direct our eyes to him.3. His
prayer to God in this strait: Father, save me from this hour, ek tes
orastautes —out of this hour, praying, not so much that it might not
come as that he might be brought through it. Save me from this
hour; this was the language of innocent nature, and its feelings poured
forth in prayer. Note, It is the duty and interest of troubled souls to have
recourse to God by faithful and fervent prayer, and in prayer to eye him as a
Father. Christ was voluntary in his sufferings, and yet prayed to be saved from
them. Note, Prayer against a trouble may very well consist with patience under
it and submission to the will of God in it. Observe, He calls his
suffering this hour, meaning the expected events of the time now at
hand. Hereby he intimates that the time of his suffering was, (1.) A set time,
set to an hour, and he knew it. It was said twice before that his hour was not
yet come, but it was now so near that he might say it was come. (2.) A short
time. An hour is soon over, so were Christ’s sufferings; he could see through
them to the joy set before him. 4. His acquiescence in his Father’s
will, notwithstanding. He presently corrects himself, and, as it were, recals
what he had said: But for this cause came I to this hour. Innocent
nature got the first word, but divine wisdom and love got the last. Note, those
who would proceed regularly must go upon second thoughts. The complainant
speaks first; but, if we would judge righteously, we must hear the other side.
With the second thought he checked himself: For this cause came I to
this hour; he does not silence himself with this, that he could not avoid
it, there was no remedy; but satisfies himself with this, that he would not
avoid it, for it was pursuant to his own voluntary engagement, and was to be
the crown of his whole undertaking; should he now fly off, this would frustrate
all that had been done hitherto. Reference is here had to the divine counsels
concerning his sufferings, by virtue of which it behoved him thus to submit and
suffer. Note, This should reconcile us to the darkest hours of our lives, that
we were all along designed for them; see 1 Th. 3:3 .5.
His regard to his Father’s honour herein. Upon the withdrawing of his former
petition, he presents another, which he will abide by: Father, glorify thy
name, to the same purport with Father, thy will be done; for
God’s will is for his own glory. This expresses more than barely a submission
to the will of God; it is a consecration of his sufferings to the glory of God.
It was a mediatorial word, and was spoken by him as our surety, who had
undertaken to satisfy divine justice for our sin. The wrong which by sin we
have done to God is in his glory, his declarative glory; for in nothing else
are we capable of doing him injury. We were never able to make him satisfaction
for this wrong done him, nor any creature for us; nothing therefore remained
but that God should get him honour upon us in our utter ruin. Here therefore
our Lord Jesus interposed, undertook to satisfy God’s injured honour, and he
did it by his humiliation; he denied himself in, and divested himself of, the
honours due to the Son of God incarnate, and submitted to the greatest reproach.
Now here he makes a tender of this satisfaction as an
equivalent: "Father, glorify thy name; let thy justice be
honoured upon the sacrifice, not upon the sinner; let the debt be levied upon
me, I am solvent, the principal is not.’’ Thus he restored that which he
took not away. II. The Father’s answer to this address; for he heard
him always, and does still. Observe, 1. How this answer was given. By a voice
from heaven. The Jews speak much of a Bath-kól—the daughter of a
voice, as one of those divers manners by which God in time past spoke to
the prophets; but we do not find any instance of his speaking thus to any but
to our Lord Jesus; it was an honour reserved for him (Mt. 3:17 Mt. 17:5 ),
and here, probably, this audible voice was introduced by some visible
appearance, either of light or darkness, for both have been used as vehicles of
the divine glory. What the answer was. It was an express return to that
petition, Father, glorify thy name: I have glorified it already,
and I will glorify it yet again. When we pray as we are
taught, Our Father, hallowed be thy name, this is a comfort to us,
that is it an answered prayer; answered to Christ here, and in him to all true
believers. (1.) The name of God had been glorified in the life of Christ, in
his doctrine and miracles, and all the examples he gave of holiness and
goodness. (2.) It should be further glorified in the death and sufferings of
Christ. His wisdom and power, his justice and holiness, his truth and goodness,
were greatly glorified; the demands of a broken law were fully answered; the
affront done to God’s government satisfied for; and God accepted the
satisfaction, and declared himself well pleased. What God has done for the
glorifying of his own name is an encouragement to us to expect what he will yet
further do. He that has secured the interests of his own glory will still
secure them.III. The opinion of the standers-by concerning this voice, v. 29. We may hope there were some among them whose
minds were so well prepared to receive a divine revelation that they understood
what was said and bore record of it. But notice is here taken of the perverse
suggestion of the multitude: some of them said that it
thundered: others, who took notice that there was plainly an articulate
intelligible voice, said that certainly an angel spoke to him. Now
this shows, 1. That it was a real thing, even in the judgment of those that
were not at all well affected to him. That they were loth to admit so plain a
proof of Christ’s divine mission. They would rather say that it was this, or that,
or any thing, than that God spoke to him in answer to his prayer; and yet, if
it thundered with articulate sounds (asRev. 10:3, Rev. 10:4 ), was not that God’s voice? Or, if
angels spoke to him, are not they God’s messengers? But
thus God speaks once, yea twice, and man perceives it not. IV.
The account which our Saviour himself gives of this voice.1. Why it was sent (v. 30): "It came not because of
me, not merely for my encouragement and satisfaction’’ (then it might have
been whispered in his ear privately), "but for your
sakes.’’ (1.) "That all you who heard it may believe that the
Father hath sent me.’’ What is said from heaven concerning our Lord Jesus,
and the glorifying of the Father in him, is said for our sakes, that we may be
brought to submit to him and rest upon him. (2.) "That you my disciples,
who are to follow me in sufferings, may therein be comforted with the same
comforts that carry me on.’’ Let this encourage them to part with life itself
for his sake, if they be called to it, that it will redound to the honour of
God. Note, The promises and supports granted to our Lord Jesus in his
sufferings were intended for our sakes. For our sakes hesanctified
himself, and comforted himself. 2. What was the meaning of
it. He that lay in the Father’s bosom knew his voice, and what was the meaning
of it; and two things God intended when he said that he would glorify his
own name: —(1.) That by the death of Christ Satan should be conquered
(v. 31): Now is the judgment. He speaks
with a divine exultation and triumph. "Now the year of my redeemed is
come, and the time prefixed for breaking the serpent’s head, and giving a total
rent to the powers of darkness; now for that glorious achievement: now,
now, that great work is to be done which has been so long thought of in
the divine counsels, so long talked of in the written word, which has been so
much the hope of saints and the dread of devils.’’ The matter of the triumph
is, [1.] That now is the judgment of the world; krisis ,
take it as a medical term: "Now is thecrisis of this world.’’ The
sick and diseased world is now upon the turning point; this is the critical day
upon which the trembling scale will turn for life or death, to all mankind; all
that are not recovered by this will be left helpless and hopeless. Or, rather,
it is a law term, as we take it: "Now, judgment is entered, in order to
the taking out of execution against the prince of this world.’’ Note, The death
of Christ was the judgment of this world. First, It is a judgment of
discovery and distinction—judicium discretionis; so Austin. Now is the
trial of this world, for men shall have their character according as the cross
of Christ is to them; to some it is foolishness and a stumbling-block, to
others it is the wisdom and power of God; of which there was a figure in the
two thieves that were crucified with him. By this men are judged, what they
think of the death of Christ. Secondly, It is a judgment of favour
and absolution to the chosen ones that are in the world. Christ upon the cross
interposed between a righteous God and a guilty world as a sacrifice for sin
and a surety for sinners, so that when he was judged, and iniquity laid
upon him, and he was wounded for our transgressions, it was as it were the
judgment of this world, for an everlasting righteousness was thereby brought
in, not for Jews only, but the whole world, 1 Jn. 2:1, 1 Jn. 2:2 ; Dan. 9:24 . Thirdly, It
is a judgment of condemnation given against the powers of darkness; see ch. 16:11 . Judgment is put for vindication and
deliverance, the asserting of an invaded right. At the death of Christ there
was a famous trial between Christ and Satan, the serpent and the promised seed;
the trial was for the world, and the lordship of it; the devil had long borne
sway among the children of men, time out of mind; he now pleads prescription,
grounding his claim also upon the forfeiture incurred by sin. We find him
willing to have come to a composition (Lu. 4:6, Lu. 4:7 ); he would have given the kingdoms of
this world to Christ, provided he would hold them by, from, and under him. But
Christ would try it out with; by dying he takes off the forfeiture to divine
justice, and then fairly disputes the title, and recovers it in the court of
heaven. Satan’s dominion is declared to be a usurpation, and the world adjudged
to the Lord Jesus as his right,Ps. 2:6, Ps. 2:8 .
The judgment of this world is, that it belongs to Christ, and not to Satan; to
Christ therefore let us all atturn tenants. [2.] That now is the
prince of this world castout. First, It is the devil that is here called
the prince of this world, because he rules over the men of the world
by the things of the world; he is the ruler of the darkness of this
world, that is, of this dark world, of those in it that walk in
darkness, 2 Co. 4:4 ; Eph. 4:12 .Secondly, He
is said to be cast out, to be now cast out; for, whatever
had been done hitherto towards the weakening of the devil’s kingdom was done in
the virtue of a Christ to come, and therefore is said to be
done now. Christ, reconciling the world to God by the merit of his
death, broke the power of death, and cast out Satan as a destroyer; Christ,
reducing the world to God by the doctrine of his cross, broke the power of sin,
and cast out Satan as a deceiver. The bruising of his heel was the breaking of
the serpent’s head,Gen. 3:15 . When his oracles were silenced, his
temples forsaken, his idols famished, and the kingdoms of the world became
Christ’s kingdoms, then was the prince of the world cast out, as
appears by comparing this with John’s vision (Rev. 12:8-11 ), where it is said to be done by the blood of the
Lamb. Christ’s frequent casting of devils out of the bodies of people was
an indication of the great design of his whole undertaking. Observe, With what
assurance Christ here speaks of the victory over Satan; it is as good as done,
and even when he yields to death he triumphs over it.(2.) That by the death of
Christ souls should be converted, and this would be the casting out of Satan (v. 32): If I be lifted up from the earth, I
will draw all men unto me. Here observe two things:—[1.] The great design
of our Lord Jesus, which was to draw all men to him, not the Jews
only, who had been long in a profession a people near to God, but the
Gentiles also, who had been afar off; for he was to be
the desire of all nations (Hag. 2:7 ),
and to him must the gathering of the people be. That which his
enemies dreaded was that the world would go after him; and he would draw them
to him, notwithstanding their opposition. Observe here how Christ himself is
all in all in the conversion of a soul. First, It is Christ that
draws: I will draw. It is sometimes ascribed to the Father ch. 6:44 ), but here to the Son, who is thearm of
the Lord. He does not drive by force, but draws with the cords of a
man (Hos. 11:4; Jer. 31:3 ),
draws as the loadstone; the soul is made willing, but it is in
a day of power. Secondly, It is to Christ that we are drawn: "I
will draw them to me as the centre of their unity.’’ The soul that was at a
distance from Christ is brought into an acquaintance with him, he that was shy
and distrustful of him is brought to love him and trust in him,—drawn up to his
terms, into his arms. Christ was now going to heaven, and he would draw men’s
hearts to him thither.[2.] The strange method he took to accomplish his design
by being lifted up from the earth. What he meant by this, to prevent
mistake, we are told (v. 33):This he spoke signifying by what death
he should die, the death of the cross, though they had designed and
attempted to stone him to death. He that was crucified was first nailed to the
cross, and then lifted up upon it. He was lifted up as a spectacle to the
world; lifted up between heaven and earth, as unworthy of either; yet the
word here used signifies an honourable advancement, ean hypsotho —If
I be exalted; he reckoned his sufferings his honour. Whatever death
we die, if we die in Christ we shall be lifted up out of this dungeon, this den
of lions, into the regions of light and love. We should learn of our Master to
speak of dying with a holy pleasantness, and to say, "We shall then be
lifted up.’’ Now Christ’s drawing all men to him followed his being lifted
up from the earth. First,It followed after it in time. The great
increase of the church was after the death of Christ; while Christ lived, we
read of thousands at a sermon miraculously fed, but after his death we read of
thousands at a sermon added to the church. Israel began to multiply in Egypt
after the death of Joseph. Secondly, It followed upon it as a blessed
consequence of it. Note, There is a powerful virtue and efficacy in the death
of Christ to draw souls to him. The cross of Christ, though to some
a stumbling-stone, is to others a loadstone. Some make it
an allusion to the drawing of fish into a net; the lifting up of Christ was as
the spreading of the net (Mt. 13:47, Mt. 13:48 );
or to the setting up of a standard, which draws soldiers together; or, rather,
it refers to the lifting up of the brazen serpent in the wilderness, which drew
all those to it who were stung with fiery serpents, as soon as ever it was
known that it was lifted up, and there was healing virtue in it. O what
flocking was there to it! So there was to Christ, when salvation through him
was preached to all nations; see ch. 3:14, ch. 3:15 . Perhaps it has some reference to the
posture in which Christ was crucified, with his arms stretched out, to invite
all to him, and embrace all that come. Those that put Christ to that
ignominious death thought thereby to drive all men from him; but the devil was
outshot in his own bow. Out of the eater came forth meat. V. The
people’s exception against what he said, and their cavil at it, v. 34. Though they had heard the voice from heaven,
and the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth, yet they object, and
pick quarrels with him. Christ had called himself the Son of man(v. 23), which they knew to be one of the titles of
the Messiah, Dan. 7:13 . He had also said that the Son of
man must be lifted up, which they understood of his dying, and
probably he explained himself so, and some think he repeated what he said to
Nicodemus ch. 3:14 ), So must the Son of man be
lifted up. Now against this,1. They alleged those scriptures of the
Old Testament which speak of the perpetuity of the Messiah, that he should be
so far from being cut off in the midst of his days that he should be
a priest for ever (Ps. 110:4 ), and a king for ever (Ps. 89:29 , etc.), that he should have length
of days for ever and ever, and his years as many generations(Ps. 21:4 Ps. 61:6 ),
from all which they inferred that the Messiah should not die. Thus great
knowledge in the letter of the scripture, if the heart be unsanctified, is
capable of being abused to serve the cause of infidelity, and to fight against
Christianity with its own weapons. Their perverseness in opposing this to what
Jesus had said will appear if we consider, (1.) That, when they vouched the
scripture to prove that the Messiah abideth for ever, they took no
notice of those texts which speak of the Messiah’s death and sufferings: they
had heard out of the law that Messiah abideth for ever; and had they
never heard out of the law that Messiah should be cut off (Dan. 9:26 ), and that he shouldpour out
his soul unto death (Isa. 53:12 ), and particularly that his hands
and feet should be pierced? Why then do they make so strange of
the lifting up of the Son of man? Note, We often run into great
mistakes, and then defend them with scripture arguments, by putting those
things asunder which God in his word has put together, and opposing one truth
under pretence of supporting another. We have heard out of the gospel that
which exalts free grace, we have heard also that which enjoins duty, and we
just cordially embrace both, and not separate them, nor set them at variance.
(2.) That, when they opposed what Christ said concerning the sufferings of the
Son of man, they took no notice of what he had said concerning his glory and
exaltation. They had heard out of the law that Christ abideth for
ever; and had they not heard our Lord Jesus say that he should be
glorified, that he should bring forth much fruit, and draw all men to him? Had
he not just now promised immortal honours to his followers, which supposed his
abiding for ever? But this they overlooked. Thus unfair disputants oppose some
parts of the opinion of an adversary, to which, if they would but take it
entire, they could not but subscribe; and in the doctrine of Christ there are
paradoxes, which to men of corrupt minds are stones of stumbling—as
Christ crucified, and yet glorified; lifted up from the
earth, and yetdrawing all men to him. 2. They asked hereupon, Who
is the Son of man? This they asked, not with a desire to be instructed,
but tauntingly and insultingly, as if now they had baffled him, and run him
down. "Thou sayest, The Son of man must die; we have proved the
Messiah must not, and where is then thy Messiahship? This Son of man, as thou
callest thyself, cannot be the Messiah, thou must therefore think of something
else to pretend to.’’ Now that which prejudiced them against Christ was his
meanness and poverty; they would rather have no Christ than a suffering one.VI.
What Christ said to this exception, or rather what he said upon
it. The objection was a perfect cavil; they might, if they pleased, answer
it themselves: man dies, and yet is immortal, and abideth for ever, so the Son
of man. Therefore, instead of answering these fools according to their
folly, he gives them a serious caution to take heed of trifling away the day of
their opportunities in such vain and fruitless cavils as these (v. 35, v. 36): "Yet
a little while, and but a little while, is the light with
you; therefore be wise for yourselves, and walk while you
have the light.’’ 1. In general, we may observe here, (1.) The
concern Christ has for the souls of men, and his desire of their welfare. With
what tenderness does he here admonish those to look well to themselves who were
contriving ill against him! Even when he endured the contradiction
of sinners, he sought their conversion. See Prov. 29:10 . (2.) The method he takes with these
objectors, with meekness instructing those that opposed themselves, 2 Tim. 2:25 . Were but men’s consciences awakened
with a due concern about their everlasting state, and did they consider how
little time they have to spend, and none to spare, they would not waste
precious thoughts and time in trifling cavils.2. Particularly we have here,(1.)
The advantage they enjoyed in having Christ and his gospel among them, with the
shortness and uncertainty of their enjoyment of it: Yet a little while is
the light with you. Christ is this light; and some of the ancients suggest
that, in calling himself the light, he gives a tacit answer to their objection.
His dying upon the cross was as consistent with his abiding for
ever as the setting of the sun every night is with his perpetuity. The
duration of Christ’s kingdom is compared to that of the sun and moon, Ps. 72:17Ps. 89:36, Ps. 89:37 .
The ordinances of heaven are unchangeably fixed, and yet the sun and moon set
and are eclipsed; so Christ the Sun of righteousness abides for ever, and yet
was eclipsed by his sufferings, and was but a little while within our horizon.
Now, [1.] The Jews at this time had the light with them; they had
Christ’s bodily presence, heard his preaching, saw his miracles. The scripture
is to us a light shining in a dark place. [2.] It was to be but a little while
with them; Christ would shortly leave them, their visible church state would
soon after be dissolved and the kingdom of God taken from them, and blindness
and hardness would happen unto Israel. Note, It is good for us all to consider
what a little while we are to have the light with us. Time is short, and
perhaps opportunity not so long. The candlestick may be removed; at least, we
must be removed shortly. Yet a little while is the light of life with us; yet a
little while is the light of the gospel with us, the day of grace, the means of
grace, the Spirit of grace, yet a very little while.(2.) The warning given them
to make the best of this privilege while they enjoyed it, because of the danger
they were in of losing it: Walk while you have the light; as
travellers who make the best of their way forward, that they may not be
benighted in their journey, because travelling in the night is uncomfortable
and unsafe. "Come,’’ say they, "let us mend our pace, and get
forward, while we have day-light.’’ Thus wise should we be for our souls who
are journeying towards eternity. Note, [1.] It is our business to walk, to
press forward towards heaven, and to get nearer to it by being made fitter for
it. Our life is but a day, and we have a day’s journey to go. [2.] The best
time of walking is while we have the light. The day is the proper season for
work, as the night is for rest. The proper time for getting grace is when we
have the word of grace preached to us, and the Spirit of grace striving with
us, and therefore then is the time to be busy. [3.] We are highly concerned
thus to improve our opportunities, for fear lest our day be finished before we
have finished our day’s work and our day’s journey: "Lest darkness
come upon you, lest you lose your opportunities, and can neither
recover them nor despatch the business you have to do without them.’’
Then darkness comes, that is, such an utter incapacity to make sure
the great salvation as renders the state of the careless sinner quite
deplorable; so that, if his work be undone then, it is likely to be undone for
ever.(3.) The sad condition of those who have sinned away the gospel, and are
come to the period of their day of grace. They walk in darkness, and
know neither where they go, nor whither they go; neither
the way they are walking in, nor the end they are walking towards. He that is
destitute of the light of the gospel, and is not acquainted with its
discoveries and directions, wanders endlessly in mistakes and errors, and a
thousand crooked paths, and is not aware of it. Set aside the instructions of
the Christian doctrine, and we know little of the difference between good and
evil. He is going to destruction, and knows not his danger, for he is either
sleeping or dancing at the pit’s brink.(4.) The great duty and interest of
every one of us inferred from all this (v. 36): While
you have light, believe in the light. The Jews had now Christ’s presence
with them, let them improve it; afterwards they had the first offers of the
gospel made to them by the apostles wherever they came; now this is an
admonition to them not to out-stand their market, but to accept the offer when
it was made to them: the same Christ saith to all who enjoy the gospel. Note,
[1.] It is the duty of every one of us to believe in the gospel
light, to receive it as a divine light, to subscribe to the truths it
discovers, for it is a light to our eyes, and to follow its guidance, for it is
a light to our feet. Christ is the light, and we must believe in him as he is
revealed to us; as a true light that will not deceive us, a sure light that
will not misguide us. [2.] We are concerned to do this while we have the light,
to lay hold on Christ while we have the gospel to show us the way to him and
direct us in that way. [3.] Those that believe in the light shall be the
children of light; they shall be owned as Christians, who are
called children of light (Lu. 16:8 ;Eph. 5:8 ) and of the day, 1 Th. 5:5 . Those that have God for their Father
are children of light, for God is light; they are born from above, and heirs of
heaven, and children of light, for heaven is light.VII. Christ’s retiring from
them, hereupon: These things spoke Jesus,and said no more at this time,
but left this to their consideration, and departed, and did hide himself
from them. And this he did, 1. For their conviction and awakening. If they
will not regard what he hath said, he will have nothing more to say to them.
They are joined to their infidelity, as Ephraim to idols; let them
alone. Note, Christ justly removes the means of grace from those that
quarrel with him, and hides his face from a froward generation,Deu. 32:20 . For his own preservation. He hid
himself from their rage and fury, retreating, it is probable, to Bethany, where
he lodged. By this it appears that what he said irritated and exasperated them,
and they were made worse by that which should have made them better.
Verses 37-41 We
have here the honour done to our Lord Jesus by the Old-Testament prophets, who
foretold and lamented the infidelity of the many that believed not on him. It
was indeed a dishonour and grief to Christ that his doctrine met with so little
acceptance and so much opposition; but this takes off the wonder and
reproach, makes the offence of it to cease, and made it no disappointment to Christ,
that herein the scriptures were fulfilled. Two things are here said concerning
this untractable people, and both were foretold by the evangelical prophet
Isaiah, that they did not believe, and that they could
not believe.I. They did not believe (v. 37): Though
he had done so many miracles before them, which, one would think, should
have convinced them, yet they believed not, but opposed him. Observe,1. The
abundance of the means of conviction which Christ afforded them: He did
miracles, so many miracles; tosauta semeia signifying both so
many and so great. This refers to all the miracles he had wrought formerly;
nay, the blind and lame now came to him into the temple, and he healed
them, Mt. 21:14 . His miracles were the great proof of
his mission, and on the evidence of them he relied. Two things concerning them
he here insists upon:—(1.) The number of them; they
were many, —various and of divers kinds; numerous and often repeated;
and every new miracle confirmed the reality of all that went before. The
multitude of his miracles was not only a proof of his unexhausted power, but
gave the greater opportunity to examine them; and, if there had been a cheat in
them, it was morally impossible but that in some or other of them it would have
been discovered; and, being all miracles of mercy, the more there
were the more good was done. (2.) The notoriety of them. He wrought these
miraclesbefore them, not at a distance, not in a corner, but before many
witnesses, appearing to their own eyes.2. The inefficacy of these
means: Yet they believed not on him. They could not gainsay the
premises, and yet would not grant the conclusion. Note, The most plentiful and
powerful means of conviction will not of themselves work faith in the depraved
prejudiced hearts of men. These saw, and yet believed
not. 3. The fulfilling of the scripture in this (v. 38): That the saying of Esaias might be
fulfilled. Not that these infidel Jews designed the fulfilling of the
scripture (they rather fancied those scriptures which speak of the church’s
best sons to be fulfilled in themselves), but the event exactly answered the
prediction, so that (ut for ita ut) this saying of Esaias was
fulfilled. The more improbable any event is, the more does a divine foresight
appear in the prediction of it. One could not have imagined that the kingdom of
the Messiah, supported with such pregnant proofs, should have met with so much
opposition among the Jews, and therefore their unbelief is called
a marvellous work, and a wonder, Isa. 29:14 . Christ himself marvelled at it, but it was
what Isaiah foretold (Isa. 53:1 ), and now it is accomplished. Observe,
(1.) The gospel is here called their report: Who has believed, te
akon hemon —our hearing, which we have heard from God, and which you
have heard from us. Our report is the report that we bring, like the report of
a matter of fact, or the report of a solemn resolution in the senate. (2.) It
is foretold that a few comparatively of those to whom this report is brought
will be persuaded to give credit to it. Many hear it, but few heed it and
embrace it: Who hath believed it? Here and there one, but none to
speak of; not the wise, not the noble; it is to them but a report which wants
confirmation. (3.) It is spoken of as a thing to be greatly lamented that so
few believe the report of the gospel. Lord is here prefixed from the
Septuagint, but is not in the Hebrew, and intimates a sorrowful account brought
to God by the messengers of the cold entertainment which they and their report
had; as the servant came, and showed his lord all these things,Lu. 14:21 . (4.) The reason why men believe not
the report of the gospel is because the arm of the Lord is
not revealed to them, that is, because they do not acquaint
themselves with, and submit themselves to, the grace of God; they do not
experimentally know the virtue and fellowship of Christ’s death and
resurrection, in which the arm of the Lord is revealed. They saw Christ’s
miracles, but did not see the arm of the Lord revealed in them. II.
They could not believe, and therefore they could not because
Esaias said, He hath blinded their eyes. This is a hard saying, who
can explain it? We are sure that God is infinitely just and merciful, and
therefore we cannot think there is in any such an impotency to good, resulting
from the counsels of God, as lays them under a fatal necessity of being evil.
God dams none by mere sovereignty; yet it is said, They could not
believe. St. Austin, coming in course to the exposition of these words,
expresses himself with a holy fear of entering upon an enquiry into this
mystery. Justa sunt judicia ejus, sed occulta—His judgments are just, but
hidden. 1. They could not believe, that is, they would
not; they were obstinately resolved in their infidelity; thus Chrysostom
and Austin incline to understand it; and the former gives divers instances of
scripture of the putting of an impotency to signify the invincible refusal of
the will, as Gen. 37:4 , They could not speak peaceably to
him. And ch. 7:7 . This is a moral impotency,
like that of one that is accustomed to do evil, Jer. 13:23 . But,2. They could not because Esaias
had said, He hath blinded their eyes. Here the difficulty increases;
it is certain that God is not the author of sin, and yet,(1.) There is a
righteous hand of God sometimes to be acknowledged in the blindness and
obstinacy of those who persist in impenitency and unbelief, by which they are
justly punished for their former resistance of the divine light and rebellion
against the divine law. If God withhold abused grace, and give men over to
indulged lusts,—if he permit the evil spirit to do his work on those that
resisted the good Spirit,—and if in his providence he lay stumbling-blocks in
the way of sinners, which confirm their prejudices, then he blinds their
eyes, and hardens their hearts, and these are spiritual
judgments, like the giving up of idolatrous Gentiles to vile
affections, and degenerate Christians to strong
delusions. Observe the method of conversion implied here, and the steps
taken in it. [1.] Sinners are brought to see with their eyes, to
discern the reality of divine things and to have some knowledge of them. [2.]
To understand with their heart, to apply these things to themselves;
not only to assent and approve, but to consent and accept. [3.] To be
converted, and effectually turned from sin to Christ, from the world and
the flesh to God, as their felicity and portion. [4.] Then God
will heal them, will justify and sanctify them;
will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify
their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. Now when God denies his grace
nothing of this is done; the alienation of the mind from, and its aversion to,
God and the divine life, grow into a rooted and invincible antipathy, and so
the case becomes desperate.(2.) Judicial blindness and hardness are in the word
of God threatened against those who wilfully persist in wickedness, and were
particularly foretold concerning the Jewish church and nation. Known unto God
are all his works, and all ours too. Christ knew before who would betray him,
and spoke of it, ch. 6:70 . This is a confirmation of the truth of
scripture prophecies, and thus even the unbelief of the Jews may help to
strengthen our faith. It is also intended for caution to particular persons,
to beware lest that come upon them which was spoken of in
the prophets, Acts. 13:40 .(3.) What God has foretold will
certainly come to pass, and so, by a necessary consequence, in order of
arguing, it might be said that therefore they could not
believe, because God by the prophets had foretold they would not; for such
is the knowledge of God that he cannot be deceived in what he foresees, and
such his truth that he cannot deceive in what he foretels, so that the scripture
cannot be broken. Yet be it observed that the prophecy did not name particular
persons; so that it might not be said, "Therefore such a one and such a
one could not believe, because Esaias had said so and so;’’ but it pointed at
the body of the Jewish nation, which would persist in their infidelity till
their cities were wasted without inhabitants, as it follows (Isa. 6:11, Isa. 6:12 );
yet still reserving a remnant (v. 13, in it shall be a tenth ), which
reserve was sufficient to keep a door of hope open to particular persons; for
each one might say, Why may not I be of that remnant?Lastly, The
evangelist, having quoted the prophecy, shows (v. 41)
that it was intended to look further than the prophet’s own days, and that its
principal reference was to the days of the Messiah: These things said
Esaias when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. 1. We read in the prophecy
that this was said to Esaias, Isa. 6:8, Isa. 6:9 . But here we are told that it was
said by him to the purpose. For nothing was said by him as a prophet
which was not first said to him; nor was any thing said to him which was not
afterwards said by him to those to whom he was sent. See Isa. 21:10 . The vision which the prophet there had
of the glory of God is here said to be his seeing the
glory of Jesus Christ: He saw his glory.Jesus Christ therefore is
equal in power and glory with the Father, and his praises are equally
celebrated. Christ had a glory before the foundation of the
world, and Esaias saw this. 3. It is said that the prophet
there spoke of him. It seems to have been spoken of the prophet
himself (for to him the commission and instructions were there given), and yet
it is here said to be spoken of Christ, for as all the prophets testified of
him so they all typified him. This they spoke of him, that as to many his
coming would be not only fruitless, but fatal, a savour of death unto death. It
might be objected against his doctrine, If it was from heaven, why did not the
Jews believe it? But this is an answer to it; it was not for want of evidence,
but because their heart was made fat, and their ears were
heavy. It was spoken of Christ, that he should be glorified in the ruin of
an unbelieving multitude, as well as in the salvation of a distinguished
remnant.
Verses 42-43 Some
honour was done to Christ by these rulers: for they believed on him,were
convinced that he was sent of God, and received his doctrine as divine; but
they did not do him honour enough, for they had not courage to own their faith
in him. Many professed more kindness for Christ than really they had; these had
more kindness for him than they were willing to profess. See here what a
struggle was in these rulers between their convictions and their corruptions.I.
See the power of the word in the convictions that many of them were under, who
did not wilfully shut their eyes against the light. Theybelieved on him as
Nicodemus, received him as a teacher come from God. Note, The truth of the
gospel has perhaps a better interest in the consciences of men than we are
aware of. Many cannot but approve of that in their hearts which yet outwardly
they are shy of. Perhaps these chief rulers were true believers, though
very weak, and their faith like smoking flax. Note, It may be, there are more
good people than we think there are. Elijah thought he was left alone, when God
had seven thousand faithful worshippers in Israel. Some are really better than
they seem to be. Their faults are known, but their repentance is not; a man’s
goodness may be concealed by a culpable yet pardonable weakness,
which he himself truly repents of. The kingdom of God comes not in
all with a like observation; nor have all who are good the
same faculty of appearing to be so.II. See the power of the world in the
smothering of these convictions. They believed in Christ, but because of the
Pharisees, who had it in their power to do them a diskindness, they durst not
confess him for fear of being excommunicated. Observe here, 1. Wherein they
failed and were defective; They did not confess Christ. Note, There
is cause to question the sincerity of that faith which is either afraid or
ashamed to show itself; for those who believe with the heart ought to confess
with the mouth, Rom. 10:9 . What they feared: being put out
of the synagogue, which they thought would be a disgrace and damage
to them; as if it would do them any harm to be expelled from a synagogue that
had made itself a synagogue of Satan, and from which God was departing. 3. What
was at the bottom of this fear: They loved the praise of men, chose
it as a more valuable good, and pursued it as a more desirable end, than
the praise of God; which was an implicit idolatry, like that (Rom. 1:25 ) of worshipping and serving
the creature more than the Creator.They set these two in the scale one
against the other, and, having weighed them, they proceeded accordingly. (1.)
They set the praise of men in one scale, and considered how good it was to give
praise to men, and to pay a deference to the opinion of the Pharisees, and
receive praise from men, to be commended by the chief priests and applauded by
the people as good sons of the church, the Jewish church; and they would not
confess Christ, lest they should thereby derogate from the reputation of the
Pharisees, and forfeit their own, and thus hinder their own preferment. And,
besides, the followers of Christ were put into an ill name, and were
looked upon with contempt, which those who had been used to honour could not
bear. Yet perhaps if they had known one another’s minds they would have had
more courage; but each one thought that if he should declare himself in favour
of Christ he should stand alone, and have nobody to back him; whereas, if any
one had had resolution to break the ice, he would have had
more seconds than he thought of. (2.) They put the praise of God in
the other scale. They were sensible that by confessing Christ they should both
give praise to God, and have praise from God, that he would be pleased with
them, and say, Well done; but, (3.) They gave the preference to the
praise of men, and this turned the scale; sense prevailed above faith, and
represented it as more desirable to stand right in the opinion of the Pharisees
than to be accepted of God. Note, Love of the praise of men is a very great
prejudice to the power and practice of religion and godliness. Many come short
of the glory of God by having a regard to the applause of men, and a value for
that. Love of the praise of men, as a by-end in that which is good, will make a
man a hypocrite when religion is in fashion and credit is to be got by it; and
love of the praise of men, as a base principle in that which is evil, will make
a man an apostate when religion is in disgrace, and credit is to be lost for
it, as here. See Rom. 2:29 .
Verses 44-50 We
have here the honour Christ not assumed, but asserted, to himself, in the
account he gave of his mission and his errand into the world. Probably this
discourse was not at the same time with that before (for them he
departed, v. 36), but some time after, when he made another
public appearance; and, as this evangelist records it, it was Christ’s farewell
sermon to the Jews, and his last public discourse; all that follows was private
with his disciples. Now observe how our Lord Jesus delivered this parting word:
he cried and said. Doth not wisdom cry (Prov. 8:1 ), cry without? Prov. 1:20 . The raising of his voice and crying
intimate, 1. His boldness in speaking. Though they had not courage openly to
profess faith in his doctrine, he had courage openly to publish it; if they
were ashamed of it, he was not, but set his face as a flint, Isa. 50:7 . 2. His earnestness in speaking. He
cried as one that was serious and importunate, and in good earnest in what he
said, and was willing to impart to them, not only the gospel of God,
but even his own soul. 3. It denotes his desire that all might take
notice of it. This being the last time of the publication of his gospel by
himself in person, he makes proclamation, "Whoever will hear me, let them
come now.’’ Now what is the conclusion of the whole matter, this closing
summary of all Christ’s discourses? It is much like that of Moses (Deu. 30:15 ): See, I have set before you life
and death. So Christ here takes leave of the temple, with a solemn
declaration of three things:—I. The privileges and dignities of those that
believe; this gives great encouragement to us to believe in Christ and to
profess that faith. It is a thing of such a nature that we need not be shy
either of doing it or of owning it; for,1. By believing in Christ we are
brought into an honourable acquaintance with God (v. 44,v. 45): He
that believes on me, and so sees me, believes on him that sent
me, and sosees him. He that believes on Christ, (1.) He does not
believe in a mere man, such a one as he seemed to be, and was generally taken
to be, but he believes in one that is the Son of God and equal in power and
glory with the Father. Or rather, (2.) His faith does not terminate in Christ,
but through him it is carried out to the Father, that sent him, to whom, as our
end, we come by Christ as our way. The doctrine of Christ is believed and
received as the truth of God. The rest of a believing soul is in God through
Christ as Mediator; for its resignation to Christ is in order to being
presented to God. Christianity is made up, not of philosophy nor politics, but
pure divinity. This is illustrated, v. 45.
He that sees me(which is the same with believing in him, for
faith is the eye of the soul) sees him that sent me; in getting an
acquaintance with Christ, we come to the knowledge of God. For, [1.] God makes
himself known in the face of Christ (2 Co. 4:6 ),
who is the express image of his person, Heb. 1:3 .
[2.] All that have a believing sight of Christ are led by him to the knowledge
of God, whom Christ has revealed to us by his word and Spirit. Christ, as God,
was the image of his Father’s person; but Christ, as Mediator, was his Father’s
representative in his relation to man, the divine light, law, and love, being
communicated to us in and through him; so that in seeing him (that is, in eying
him as our Saviour, Prince, and Lord, in the right of redemption), we see and
eye the Father as our owner, ruler, and benefactor, in the right of creation:
for God is pleased to deal with fallen man by proxy.2. We are hereby brought
into a comfortable enjoyment of ourselves (v. 46): I
am come a light into the world, that whoever believes in me, Jew or
Gentile, should not abide in darkness. Observe, (1.) The character of
Christ: I am come a light into the world, to be a light to it. This
implies that he had a being, and a being as light, before he came into the
world, as the sun is before it rises; the prophets and apostles were made
lights to the world, but it was Christ only that came a light into this world,
having before been a glorious light in the upper world, ch. 3:19 . (2.) The comfort of Christians:
They do not abide in darkness. [1.] They do not continue in that dark
condition in which they were by nature; they are light in the
Lord. They are without any true comfort, or joy, or hope, but do not
continue in that condition; light is sown for them. [2.] Whatever darkness of
affliction, disquietment, or fear, they may afterwards be in, provision is made
that they may not long abide in it. [3.] They are delivered from that darkness
which is perpetual, and which abideth for ever, that utter darkness
where there is not the least gleam of light nor hope of it.II. The peril and
danger of those that believe not, which gives fair warning to take heed of persisting
in unbelief (v. 47, v. 48): "If
any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not, not I only, or
not now, lest I should be looked upon as unfair in being judge in my own cause;
yet let not infidelity think therefore to go unpunished, though I judge
him not, there is one that judgeth him.’’ So that we have here the
doom of unbelief. Observe,1. Who they are whose unbelief is here condemned:
those who hear Christ’s words and yet believe them
not. Those shall not be condemned for their infidelity that never had, nor
could have, the gospel; every man shall be judged according to the dispensation
of light he was under: Those that have sinned without law shall be judged
without law. But those that have heard, or might have heard, and would
not, lie open to this doom.2. What is the constructive malignity of their
unbelief: not receiving Christ’s word; it is interpreted (v. 48) a rejecting of Christ, ho
atheton eme . It denotes a rejection with scorn and contempt. Where the
banner of the gospel is displayed, no neutrality is admitted; every man is
either a subject or an enemy.3. The wonderful patience and forbearance of our
Lord Jesus, exercised towards those who slighted him when he was come here upon
earth: I judge him not, not now. Note, Christ was not quick or hasty
to take advantage against those who refused the first offers of his grace, but
continued waiting to be gracious. He did not strike those dumb or dead who
contradicted him, never made intercession against Israel, as Elias did; though
he had authority to judge, he suspended the execution of it, because he had
work of another nature to do first, and that was to save the
world. (1.) To save effectually those that were given him before he came
to judge the degenerate body of mankind. (2.) To offer salvation to all the
world, and thus far to save them that it is their own fault if they be not
saved. He was to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Now the executing of
the power of a judge was not congruous with that undertaking, Acts. 8:33 . In his humiliation his judgment
was taken away, it was suspended for a time.4. The certain and unavoidable
judgment of unbelievers at the great day, the day of the revelation of the
righteous judgment of God: unbelief will certainly be a damning sin. Some think
when Christ saith, I judge no man, he means that they arecondemned
already. There needs no process, they are self-judged; no
execution, they are self-ruined; judgment goes against them of
course, Heb. 2:3 . Christ needs not appear against them
as their accuser, they are miserable if he do not appear for them as their
advocate; however, he tells them plainly when and where they will be reckoned
with. (1.) There is one that judgeth them. Nothing is more dreadful
than abused patience, and grace trampled on; though for awhile mercy
rejoiceth against judgment, yet there will bejudgment without
mercy. (2.) Their final judgment is reserved to the last day; to
that day of judgment Christ here binds over all unbelievers, to answer then for
all the contempts they have put upon him. Divine justice has appointed a
day, and adjourns the sentence to that day, as Mt. 26:64 . (3.) The word of Christ will judge
them then: The words that I have spoken, how light soever you
have made of them, the same shall judge the unbeliever in the
last day; as the apostles, the preachers of Christ’s word, are said to
judge, Lu. 22:30 . Christ’s words will judge unbelievers
two ways:—[1.] As the evidence of their crime, they will convict them. Every
word Christ spoke, every sermon, every argument, every kind offer, will be
produced as a testimony against those who slighted all he said. [2.] As the
rule of their doom, they will condemn them; they shall be judged according to
the tenour of that covenant which Christ procured and published. That word of
Christ, He that believes not shall be damned, will judge all
unbelievers to eternal ruin; and there aremany such like words. III. A
solemn declaration of the authority Christ had to demand our faith, and require
us to receive his doctrine upon pain of damnation, v. 49, v. 50,
where observe,1. The commission which our Lord Jesus received from the Father
to deliver his doctrine to the world (v. 49): I
have not spoken myself, as a mere man, much less as a common
man; but the Father gave me a commandment what I should say. This
is the same with what he said ch. 7:16 . My
doctrine is, (1.) Not mine, for I have not spoken of
myself. Christ, as Son of man, did not speak that which was of
human contrivance or composure; as Son of God, he did not act separately, or by
himself alone, but what he said was the result of the counsels of peace; as
Mediator, his coming into the world was voluntary, and with his full consent,
but not arbitrary, and of his own head. But, (2.) It was his that sent him. God
the Father gave him, [1.] His commission. God sent him as his agent and
plenipotentiary, to concert matters between him and man, to set a treaty of
peace on foot, and to settle the articles. [2.] His instructions, here called
a commandment,for they were like those given to an ambassador, directing
him not only what he may say, but what he must say. The messenger of the
covenant was entrusted with an errand which he must deliver. Note, Our Lord
Jesus learned obedience himself, before he taught it to us, though he was a
Son. The Lord God commanded the first Adam, and he by his
disobedience ruined us; he commanded the second Adam, and he by his obedience
saved us. God commanded him what he should say and what he
should speak, two words signifying the same thing, to denote that
every word was divine. The Old-Testament prophets sometimes spoke of
themselves; but Christ spoke by the Spirit at all times. Some make this
distinction: He was directed what he should say in his set sermons, and what he
should speak in his familiar discourses. Others this: He was directed what he
should say in his preaching now, and what he should speak in his judging at the
last day; for he had commission and instruction for both.2. The scope, design,
and tendency of this commission: I know that his commandment is
lifeeverlasting, v. 50. The commission given to Christ had a
reference to the everlasting state of the children of men, and was in order to
their everlasting life and happiness in that state: the instructions given to
Christ as a prophet were to reveal eternal life (1 Jn. 5:11 ); the power, given to Christ as a king was to give
eternal life, ch. 17:2 . Thus the command given him was life
everlasting. This Christ says he knew: "I know it is so,’’ which intimates
how cheerfully and with what assurance Christ pursued his undertaking, knowing
very well that he went upon a good errand, and that which would bring forth
fruit unto life eternal. It intimates likewise how justly those will perish who
reject Christ and his word. Those who disobey Christ despise everlasting life,
and renounce it; so that not only Christ’s words will judge them, but even
their own; so shall their doom be, themselves have decided it; and who can
except against it?3. Christ’s exact observance of the commission and
instructions given him, and his steady acting in pursuance of them:Whatsoever I
speak, it is as the Father said unto me. Christ was intimately
acquainted with the counsels of God, and was faithful in discovering so much of
them to the children of men as it was agreed should be discovered,
and kept back nothing that was profitable.As the faithful witness
delivers souls, so did he, and spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth. Note, (1.) This is a great encouragement to faith; the sayings
of Christ, rightly understood, are what we may venture our souls upon. (2.) It
is a great example of obedience. Christ said as he was bidden, and so must we,
communicated what the Father had said to him, and so must we. See Acts. 4:20 . In the midst of all the respect paid
to him, this is the honour he values himself upon, that what the Father had
said to him that he spoke, and in the manner as he was directed so he spoke. This
was his glory, that, as a Son, he was faithful to him that appointed him; and,
by an unfeigned belief of every word of Christ, and an entire subjection of
soul to it, we must give him the glory due to his name.
