Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. Ver. 1. _Came to Bethany_] To convert some, confirm others, and to refresh himself with his fast friends, ere he fell into the hands of his bloody enemies. So Cromwell, Earl... [ Continue Reading ]
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Ver. 2. _That sat at table_] Being invited by Simon the leper at whose house this feast was kept, as some will have it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Ver. 3. _Of spikenard, very costly_] Herodotus reckons an alabaster box of ointment (μυρου αλαβαστρον) among the p... [ Continue Reading ]
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's _son_, which should betray him, Ver. 4. _Then said one of his disciples_] St Matthew tells us, that all the disciples said thus. Judas was of so great esteem and authority among them, that what he did they are all said to do. So cunningly he... [ Continue Reading ]
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Ver. 5. _Sold for three hundred pence_] He, the thief, had quickly computed and cast it up. Pliny tells us that a pound of ordinary ointment might be had for ten pence; but the best was worth three hundred and ten pence.... [ Continue Reading ]
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Ver. 6. _He was a thief_] It is the conceit of Tertullian, that even Judas carried himself honestly and right, _usque ad loculorum officium, _ till he bare the bag. When once he... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. Ver. 7. _Let her alone_] Christ crossed the traitor in his covetous desire of fingering such a sum. Hence his discontent put him upon that desperate design of contracting with the chief priests. He is resolved to have... [ Continue Reading ]
For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. Ver. 8. _The poor ye have always with you_] To give to when you please; and in gratifying whom, ye may glorify God and secure your substance; for _Manus pauperum gazophylacium Christi, _ the hand of the poor is the treasury of Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. Ver. 9. _And they came, &c._] Do the Pharisees what they could to the contrary. Truth may be oppressed, not suppressed, _Impii su... [ Continue Reading ]
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Ver. 10. _That they might put Lazarus also to death_] In malice is steeped the venom of all vices. What a giant like madness was this, to take up arms against heaven itself! to seek to kill a man, only because God had made h... [ Continue Reading ]
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. Ver. 11. _Because that by reason of him_] This was it that embittered the Pharisees, as it doth now their successors the Papists. Bellarmine bewrays his grief, and tells us that ever since we proclaimed the pope to be... [ Continue Reading ]
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Ver. 12. _On the next day much people_] The envious Pharisees feeding the while upon their own hearts. Israel never increased so fast as when Pharaoh most oppressed them. _Plures efficimur q... [ Continue Reading ]
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed _is_ the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. Ver. 13. _Took branches of palm trees_] Plutarch writeth that the Babylonians make 360 benefits of the palm tree, and therefore do highly honour it. Pint... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Ver. 14. _When he had found a young ass_] To make religion dance attendance upon policy (saith one) is to set the ass upon Christ, and not Christ upon the ass. These three things, saith Luther, will be the ruin of religion, un... [ Continue Reading ]
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. Ver. 15. _Sitting upon an ass_] Not upon a stately palfrey, as an earthly potentate; but upon a silly ass, without pomp, to comfort the poorest, and to teach us humility, tolerance, patience. An ass is a beast profitable... [ Continue Reading ]
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and _that_ they had done these things unto him. Ver. 16. _These things understood not, &c._] They only beheld it as a pretty pageant. They had read it of... [ Continue Reading ]
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. Ver. 17. _When he called Lazarus, &c._] This notable miracle, the evangelist, as he had punctually described it, John 11:41,44, so he cannot but again and again recite it. We s... [ Continue Reading ]
For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. Ver. 18. _For this cause also the people met him_] To the Pharisees' extreme grief and regret; to show that there is neither "wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord," Proverbs 21:30 .... [ Continue Reading ]
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. Ver. 19. _Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing?_] Thus they stir up one another to more madness, as if hitherto they had been overly mild, and used too much gentleness. So Stephen G... [ Continue Reading ]
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: Ver. 20. _Greeks_] That is, proselytes or transmarine Jews, that read the Greek version, and were called Hellenists.... [ Continue Reading ]
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Ver. 21. _Sir, we would see Jesus_] That is, we would have private conference with him; for they had seen him, likely, as he came riding into the city. Our Saviour seems not to ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. Ver. 22. _Andrew and Philip tell Jesus_] Therefore we may desire the saints departed to mediate for us to Christ, say the Papists. A pitiful poor argument. _Illi sic garriant, nos aliter credamus._ (Augustine.)... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Ver. 23. _That the Son of man should be glorified_] That is, crucified, but he looked through death, and saw heaven beyond it: so must we; then shall we say, "Surely the bitterness of death is past,"1 Samuel... [ Continue Reading ]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. Ver. 24. _Except a corn of wheat, &c._] The apostles thought Christ should have been presently glorified. He lets them here know that he must first suf... [ Continue Reading ]
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. Ver. 25. _He that loveth his life_] As Christ loved not his life to the death for us, so neither must we for him. If every hair of my head were a man, I would suffer death in the opinio... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will _my_ Father honour. Ver. 26. _If any man serve me, let, &c._] Art thou not glad to fare as Phocion? said he to one that was to die with him; ουκ αγαπας μετα Φοκιονος απαθανουμενος.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Ver. 27. _Now is my soul troubled_] _Christi perturbatio nos tranquillat, et infirmitas firmat, _ saith Augustine. _ Father, save me from this hour_] As man, he naturally feared... [ Continue Reading ]
Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, _saying_, I have both glorified _it_, and will glorify _it_ again. Ver. 28. _Then came there a voice from heaven_] God sometimes gives a sensible answer to the prayers of his people, as they are praying, or immediately after, as Daniel... [ Continue Reading ]
The people therefore, that stood by, and heard _it_, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Ver. 29. _That it thundered; others said, An angel, &c._] But the apostles and some few others understood that it was neither thunder nor an angel, but God that spake. _Fuerunt praeter A... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Ver. 30. _But for your sakes_] That ye might believe; which if ye do not, how shall ye escape that neglect so great salvation, such a heavenly preacher? See then that ye refuse not, that ye shift not off, him that speak... [ Continue Reading ]
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. Ver. 31. _The prince of this world_] Gratian saith, the devil is called the prince of this world, as a king at chess, or as the cardinal of Ravenna, only by derision. The power he hath is merely usurped, and because... [ Continue Reading ]
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all _men_ unto me. Ver. 32. _And if I be lifted up, &c._] Pope Urban VI said that these words, "Give unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's," were abolished when Christ was lifted up from the earth, and drew all things to him; that is (as he exp... [ Continue Reading ]
This he said, signifying what death he should die. Ver. 33. _Signifying what death, &c._] Be lifted up between heaven and earth, as Absalom was, _Absolon Marte furens pensilis arbore obit, _ who therein, saith Gretser the Jesuit, became a lively figure of Christ crucified. _Sed o mirum et delirum f... [ Continue Reading ]
The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Ver. 34. _We have heard out of the law_] But had they never heard out of the law that Christ must first suffer, and then enter into his... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. Ver. 35. _Yet a little while is the light, &c._] The day of grace, which is very clear and bright, is usually... [ Continue Reading ]
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. Ver. 36. _Whiles ye have the light_] God is but a while with men in the opportunities of grace; and this will be a bodkin one day at the hearts of... [ Continue Reading ]
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: Ver. 37. _But though he had done, &c._] The evangelist being now by course of the history to pass on to the description of Christ's death and passion, thinks good first to remove this dead Amasa (the Jews' unbelief)... [ Continue Reading ]
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Ver. 38. _That the saying of the prophet_] These unbelievers were not such, because the prophet had so foretold it; but the prophet there... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, Ver. 39. _Therefore they could not believe, &c._] They could not, because they would not, saith Theophylact out of Chrysostom, who yet extolleth man's free will more than is meet. _Pelagianis nondum litigantibus, patres securius loqu... [ Continue Reading ]
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with _their_ eyes, nor understand with _their_ heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Ver. 40. _He hath hardened their hearts_] With a judiciary hardness. This is in some respect worse than hell: since (besides... [ Continue Reading ]
These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Ver. 41. _When he saw his glory_] His train only in the temple, Isaiah 6:1, where the seraphims are said to hide their faces with two wings, as with a double scarf, before God's glorious brightness, that would put out their eyes els... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess _him_, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: Ver. 42. _Lest they should be put out, &c._] Which would redound to their disgrace, and this these ambitionists could not away with.... [ Continue Reading ]
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Ver. 43. _They loved the praise of men_] Which what is it else but a little stinking breath? These have their reward, _Mercedem suam, non Dei, _ you have your reward not of God, saith Jerome. How much better Luther! _Haud velim, Erasmi,... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. Ver. 44. _Jesus cried, &c._] As being now to cry his last to them, and is therefore so earnest in his contestation. This was the _Conclamatum est_ proclaimed to this perverse people, his farewell sermon, &c... [ Continue Reading ]
And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. Ver. 45. _Seeth him that sent me_] For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and in him the Godhead dwelt bodily, Colossians 2:9. So that in all our addresses we must fix the eye of faith on the human nature of Christ, and there speak as to... [ Continue Reading ]
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. Ver. 46. _I am come a light into the world_] Not by participation only (as the apostles were the lights of the world, Mat 5:14) but by nature. How prodigiously blasphemous then was that bishop in the Coun... [ Continue Reading ]
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. Ver. 47. _I judge him not_] viz. While I am here on earth. I sustain another person now, that men may come apace to me without fear. Some ancient heretics held, that God in the... [ Continue Reading ]
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. Ver. 48. _The word that I have spoken_] If the word shall judge us, then ought it much more to be a judge of our doings now, said Mr Philpot, martyr. T... [ Continue Reading ]
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Ver. 49. _For I have not spoken of myself_] The divine authority of gospel doctrine is here, in the close of this last sermon _ad populum, _ most gravely asserted by... [ Continue Reading ]
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. Ver. 50. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 12:49 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]