Now a certain _man_ was sick, _named_ Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. Ver. 1. _Bethany, the town of Mary, &c._] Not the tower (_castellum_) of Mary and Martha, as some monks have doted; _digni sane qui ad grammatices elementa remittantur, _ truly worth are those who rel... [ Continue Reading ]
(It was _that_ Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Ver. 2. _It was that Mary which anointed_] This makes her name "as an ointment poured forth,"Song of Solomon 1:3. And she spared for no cost, being of her mind, it seems, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. Ver. 3. _Behold, he whom thou lovest is sick_] This was enough to say to a loving Saviour. We need not be careful in anything, more than to make our wants known to God, Philippians 4:6, and let him alone to help... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus heard _that_, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Ver. 4. _But for the glory of God_] Happy Lazarus, though sick and dead, to be an instrument of glory, to be given to God. St Paul stood on tip toes (αποκαραδ... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. Ver. 5. _Jesus loved Martha_] The saints are all round about his throne, Revelation 4:4, because he is alike near to them for solace and tuition. Howbeit, as man; living among men, he was affected to some more than some, as to these three, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Ver. 6. _He abode two days_] Waiting to be gracious, but as a God of judgment, he knows best when to deal forth his favours,Isaiah 30:18. To prescribe to him is to set the sun by our dial. This Cae... [ Continue Reading ]
Then after that saith he to _his_ disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. Ver. 7. _Then after that saith he, &c._] When help is seasonable his fingers itch, as the mother's breast aches when it is time the child had suck.... [ Continue Reading ]
_His_ disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Ver. 8. _And goest thou thither again?_] Yea, with the hazard of his life, to the help of his friend. The ancients painted friendship, a fair young man bareheaded, in a poor garment, at the bo... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. Ver. 9. _Are there not twelve hours?_] _q.d._ Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth?Job 7:1. Shall I not live out my stint? The Turks shun not th... [ Continue Reading ]
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. Ver. 10. _But if any man walk in the night_] As good Josiah did, in that rash expedition against PharaohNecho; either hoping to ingratiate with the Assyrian, or fearing to have an overly strong neighbour of the Egyptian... [ Continue Reading ]
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Ver. 11. _Lazarus sleepeth_] The saints are said to die in Christ, to sleep in Jesus,Revelation 14:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14. The Greeks call their churchyards dormitori... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Ver. 12. _If he sleep, he shall do well_] Sleep (saith one) is the nurse of nature, the sweet parenthesis of all thy griefs and cares.... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Ver. 13. _Jesus spake of his death_] Which profane writers also do call a sleep, but only because the functions of the faculties are extinct by death; therefore they call it an iron sleep, an eternal s... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. Ver. 14. _Then said Jesus unto them plainly_] Because they understood him not. Ministers must be "gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing the ignorant," yea, the insolent, 2 Timothy 2:24,25. Augustine confesseth he was gl... [ Continue Reading ]
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Ver. 15. _I am glad for your sakes_] If the confirmation and increase of faith in his be so great a joy to Christ, how acceptable must it needs be unto him, that we believe at first on... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Ver. 16. _Let us also go that we may die with him_] A blunt speech, and (as some think) overly bold. He would die with Christ, and so would Peter; yet none so shamefully forsook him, when... [ Continue Reading ]
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had _lain_ in the grave four days already. Ver. 17. _That he had lain in the grave four days_] So that he might seem now to come too late. The faith of the two sisters must needs be much shaken, to see their brother dead, though Christ had sent them word he sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: Ver. 18. _About fifteen furlongs_] Not fully two miles: a short walk, and hence so great a resort to the place; not without a special providence of God, who ordereth all to his own glory. The Jews came only to comfort the sisters, and... [ Continue Reading ]
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Ver. 19. _To comfort them_] A pious office, and yet never thought of by the superstitious Papists, amidst all those vain fopperies they prescribe to be done about the dead. Only, what the ancients used for the c... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat _still_ in the house. Ver. 20. _But Mary sat still in, the house_] So, while faith sits at the centre, love walks the round. _Dicit Fides, Parata sunt mihi omnia: Dicit Spes, Mihi ista servantur: Dicit Charitas,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Ver. 21. _Lord, if thou hadst been here, &c._] Was she sure of that? but why was he dead, if Christ would not, though he were not there? We are all too much fastened to his bodily presence: howbeit, we never come t... [ Continue Reading ]
But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give _it_ thee. Ver. 22. _Whatsoever thou wilt ask_] This is our comfort, that our Advocate is all in all with his Father, and may have what he will of him. What need we any other "master of requests" than Christ? If David will he... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Ver. 23. _Thy brother shall rise again_] Let this consideration comfort us in the decease of our dearest friends, they are not lost, but laid up with Christ, who will bring them back with him at his coming, 1 Thessalonians 4:14. As the same divine... [ Continue Reading ]
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Ver. 24. _In the resurrection_] The Syriac hath it _Benuchama, _ in the consolation. So the resurrection was ever to the disconsolate believers of both Testaments, Daniel 12:2; Hebrews 11:35. In the primitiv... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Ver. 25. _He that believeth in me, though, &c._] Oh the wonderful force of faith! Questionless (saith a reverend man, Mr S. Ward) justifying faith is not beneath miraculous in... [ Continue Reading ]
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Ver. 26. _Believest thou this?_] He saith not, Understandest thou this? For the mysteries of the Christian religion, saith Rupertus, are much better understood by believing than believed by understanding.... [ Continue Reading ]
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Ver. 27. _I believe that thou art the Christ_] What could Peter say more? Matthew 16:16. Damaris may be as dear to God as Dionysius, a woman (of no note otherwise) as an Areopagite,... [ Continue Reading ]
And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. Ver. 28. _Called Mary her sister secretly_] By Christ's command: and secretly, belike, she did it, lest any should tell the Pharisees, and Christ thereby be brought int... [ Continue Reading ]
As soon as she heard _that_, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Ver. 29. _She arose quickly_] Love is winged, and a ready heart makes riddance of God's work. His people are volunteers, Psalms 110:3. Where the carcase is, there will these eagles be; they scour to his presence, as the doves to the... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. Ver. 30. _Was not yet come into the town_] To eat and refresh himself after his long journey; he would do his work first, as Abraham's servant, Genesis 24:33 .... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Ver. 31. _She goeth unto the grave_] That, Niobe-like, she might weep herself into a tombstone. _Ex eorum more... [ Continue Reading ]
Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Ver. 32. _She fell down at his feet_] Giving him divine honour, before all the Jews that were present. So did not Martha, that we read of. Mary h... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, Ver. 33. _When Jesus saw her weeping_] Tears are most effectual orators to Christ; when he was going to the cross, he could find time to look back and comfort the weeping... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Ver. 34. _Where have ye laid him?_] He could tell well enough; but yet would be told by them. So, he knows our wants before we open them, and sometimes is pleased to prevent us with a supply; but usually he will hear from us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus wept. Ver. 35. _Jesus wept_] He wept with those that weep. And the same tenderness he retains still toward his afflicted. As Aaron, though he might not lament his two sons slain by God's hand in the sanctuary,Leviticus 10:3, yet he had still the heart of a father within him; so hath Christ no... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! Ver. 36. _Behold how he loved him_] What! for shedding some few tears for him? Oh, how then did he love us for whom he shed the dearest and warmest blood in all his heart! _Ama amorem illius, &c., _ saith Bernard.... [ Continue Reading ]
And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Ver. 37. _And some of them said_] Thus our Saviour is diversely interpreted and censured; and so it is still with his ministers. When we see our auditors before us, li... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Ver. 38. _Groaning in himself_] To consider, belike, the woeful effects of sin that brought death into the world, even on the best; and makes them a ghastly and loathsome spectacle, so that Abraha... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been _dead_ four days. Ver. 39. _By this time he stinketh_] Ay, the better for that; Christ's power will be the more manifested. As St Austin said of one that hit... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Ver. 40. _Said I not unto thee, &c._] A foul fault in her to be so incredulous; and enough, without the greater mercy of Christ, to have marred all. For unbelief is so vile and venomous... [ Continue Reading ]
Then they took away the stone _from the place_ where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up _his_ eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Ver. 41. _Father, I thank thee that, &c._] Beginning to pray, he brings his thanks in his hand, as sure to speed. So must we, Philippians 4... [ Continue Reading ]
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said _it_, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. Ver. 42. _And I knew that thou hearest me always_] And he always liveth to make intercession for his; who therefore may boldly believe, that they shall want no... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. Ver. 43. _Lazarus, come forth_] If this voice of Christ had been directed to all the dead, they had presently risen; as sure as they shall rise when the Lord himself shall descend with a shout, with the voice of an archan... [ Continue Reading ]
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Ver. 44. _And he that was dead_] But where was his soul therewhile? _In manu Dei, _ In the hand of God, not in purgatory, as Papists... [ Continue Reading ]
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. Ver. 45. _Believed on him_] And so God had his honour and Christ his end in this, according to John 11:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Ver. 46. _But some of them, &c._] Lo, reprobates will not believe, though one rose from the dead to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. Ver. 47. _Then gathered the chief priests_] Like unto this was the Council of Trent gathered on purpose to suppress Christ in his true worshippers, and carried by antichrist with suc... [ Continue Reading ]
If we let him thus alone, all _men_ will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. Ver. 48. _The Romans shall come, &c._] And so they did; the thing that they feared came upon them, for their inexpiable guilt in killing the Lord Jesus. Demades, when the empe... [ Continue Reading ]
And one of them, _named_ Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Ver. 49. _Ye know nothing at all_] Why no: you know all, Caiaphas, all the assessors are but asses to you. _Hoc est superbire, quasi super alios ire._ This fellow would have made a fine... [ Continue Reading ]
Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. Ver. 50. _That one man should die for the people_] A brutish and bloody sentence; as if evil might be done that good may come thereof. So, when Farellus, that worthy reformer, cam... [ Continue Reading ]
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; Ver. 51. _This he spake, not of himself_] God spake through him, as through a trunk, or as the angel spake in Balaam's ass. Wholesome sugar may be found in a poisoned cane, a prec... [ Continue Reading ]
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Ver. 52. _Gather together in one_] In one spiritual body, though in place never so distant one from another, Ephesians 4:4; "My dove is but one, the daughters saw her and ble... [ Continue Reading ]
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Ver. 53. _Then from that day forth_] So baneful is evil counsel, from the mouth of a man of mark especially, to set men eager for mischief.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. Ver. 54. _Into a city called Ephraim_] Not elsewhere mentioned; built, perhaps, in honour of their father Ephraim, by the... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Ver. 55. _Before the Passover, to purify themselves_] They had their _Parasceve_ and _Proparasceve, _ their preparation and fore preparation. We must also purify ours... [ Continue Reading ]
Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Ver. 56. _Then sought they for Jesus_] Whether these were his friends or enemies, the doctors are divided.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew _it_, that they might take him. Ver. 57. _Had given a commandment_] So dillgent were they, and earnest to execute that cruel decree of the council. This is check to our indolenc... [ Continue Reading ]