At the end of the preceding chapter, we are told that Jesus went into the place where John the Baptist was first baptizing. This place, as may be gather from St. John, (chap. i. ver. 28. and 44.) was Bethania; but not the Bethania where the sister of Lazarus resided. The Bethania where Christ was at... [ Continue Reading ]
_This sickness is not unto death. This is, though he truly die, it is not designed that he remain dead. (Witham) --- This sickness is not unto death; because his death itself was not unto death, but rather to the working of a great miracle, by which men were brought to the true faith, and thus avoid... [ Continue Reading ]
Some, by the day in this place, understand the time preceding the Passion of our Saviour; and, by the night, the time of his Passion. (Theophylactus) --- By this he encouraged his disciples, assuring them that the day of his sojournment on earth was not yet over; and therefore that the Jews, with al... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lazarus... sleepeth. It is strange that the disciples could imagine that Christ spoke of an ordinary sleep, and that he would go two or three days' journey to awake him. Nothing but the fear and concern they were under, would make them think so. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
To men indeed he was dead, but to God he slept. For the Almighty as easily raised him from his grave, as man can raise the slumberer from his bead. (St. Augustine, tract. 49. in Joan.)... [ Continue Reading ]
When Christ says, _that you may believe, we must not suppose he means, that they might begin than for the first time to believe, but that their faith, already begun, might be increased; for the faith of the disciples still stood in need of miracles, to make it grow more strong and rooted. (St. Augus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thomas... said, let us also go, that we may die with him. That is, with Jesus: this he said, exhorting the other disciples not to fear. (Witham) --- The words, Thomas and Didymus, have the same radical signification; both meaning twins._... [ Continue Reading ]
_About fifteen furlongs. About two Italian miles. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou hast been here. These words shew that the faith of the two sisters was but weak; as if the Son of God was not everywhere: or as if he could not restore him to life when dead and buried. (Witham) --- Martha believed in Christ, but not as she ought to have done. She did not yet believe him to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy brother shall rise again. Martha took notice that Christ did not express, whether immediately, or at the general resurrection, which she and the Jews generally believed. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the resurrection, and the life. That is, the author of both. (Witham) --- I am the resurrection, I am he who will at the last day raise him up; I can, therefore, if I will, raise him up now also. (St. Augustine)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. Martha breaks out into an act of perfect faith. See Chap. i. ver. 49. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
It was customary to visit, occasionally, the sepulchres, there to weep over the deceased. (Bible de Vence)... [ Continue Reading ]
_He groaned in the spirit, and troubled himself. The Latin and Greek, both in this and the 38th verse, express a more than ordinary inward trouble. Christ, as he was truly man, had the affections and passions of human nature; yet so that he was master, even of the first motions, which could not rais... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where have you laid him? He asks what he knows, says St. Augustine, to raise their attention, their faith, hope, &c. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus wept. A mark of his human nature, when he was going to give them a proof of his divinity, in raising the dead to life. (Witham) --- The tears of the disconsolate sisters called forth tears from the tender commiseration of Jesus. Nor was it unworthy the Son of God to shed tears. See Luke xix.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take away the stone. He could have done this by his word and command; or he could have made Lazarus come out without taking off the stone; he need not to pray, who could do and command every thing. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Father, I give thee thanks, that thou hast heard me. He knew that what he asked, even as man, must needs be granted; but he prayed for our instruction. (Witham) --- Christ was about to pray for the resurrection of Lazarus; but his eternal Father, who alone is good, prevented his petition, and heard... [ Continue Reading ]
_He cried with a loud voice: Lazarus come forth. His will had been sufficient. He calls upon the dead man, says St. John Chrysostom, as if he had been living; and it is no sooner said than done. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Loose him, and let him go. Christ, says St. Gregory, by giving these orders to his apostles, shews that it belongs to his ministers to loose and absolve sinners, when they are moved to repentance, though it is God himself that forgiveth their sins; and they by his authority only. (Witham) --- Lazar... [ Continue Reading ]
_The chief priests... said: what do we? &c. as if they had said: why are we so slow, so remiss, and indolent in our proceedings against this man, when we daily see what numbers he draws after him by his miracles? (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Romans will come upon us, in case he be admitted as our great Messias, and our King. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest, &c. He said not this, says the evangelist, of himself, but as the high priest of that year. The spirit of prophecy was given him, and he foretells that Jesus was to lay down his life both for the nation of the Jews, and for all mankind. The gif... [ Continue Reading ]
How great is the power of the Holy Ghost? From a wicked mind he brings forth the words of prophecy. And how great is the power attached to the pontifical dignity! For Caiphas having becoming high priest, though unworthy of that dignity, prophesies, not knowing indeed what he says. The Holy Ghost mak... [ Continue Reading ]
The same words have an impious and sacrilegious sense in the intention of the high priest, the enemy of Jesus Christ: and a divine and prophetic sense, in the intention of the Holy Ghost. (Bible de Vence) --- We here behold the privilege of the office and order, though in a wicked person: and as we... [ Continue Reading ]
Ephrem was a small city or town in the neighbourhood of Bethel. Some suppose it to be the same as Ephron, mentioned in 2 Paralipomenon xiii 19., and 1 Machabees v., 2 Machabees xii. 17. Eusebius and St. Jerome say it was situated about 20 miles to the north of Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- Here he remaine... [ Continue Reading ]
This was the last Pasch that our Saviour kept upon earth, and the one on which he suffered death for our salvation. (Calmet) --- It is well called the Pasch of the Jews, and not of the Lord, since on it they were laying snares to apprehend their Saviour. (Origen) --- Thus making this day of festivit... [ Continue Reading ]
He had not then arrived, because He would not expose himself to the fury of his enemies before his own time. (Bible de Vence)... [ Continue Reading ]