After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is _the sea_ of Tiberias. Ver. 1. _After these things_] _i.e._ A good while after; Herod having beheaded the Baptist, and being perplexed at the fame of Jesus, whom therefore he desired to see, but for an evil purpose, Luke 9:8,9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Ver. 2. _And a great multitude followed him_] Though he went privately into a desert place belonging to Bethsaida, Luke 9:10. The Sun of righteousness could not be hidden, for he had "healing... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Ver. 3. _And Jesus went up into a mount_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:1 _"_ He would have been private till the passover and refreshed himself with his disciples; but seeing God had now put a new opportunity into his hands of benefi... [ Continue Reading ]
And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. Ver. 4. _And the passover_] The third passover (likely) after his baptism. And this might occasion him to speak of the spiritual eating of himself, the true Paschal Lamb: for even "Christ our passover was sacrificed for us,"1 Corinthians 5:7 .... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus then lifted up _his_ eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? Ver. 5. _He saith unto Philip_] The people took no thought for food. Christ doth it for them. And surely if he so far provided for those, that out of a s... [ Continue Reading ]
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Ver. 6. _And this he said to prove him_] To discover him to himself: for what a man is in truth is what he is in a temptation. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 14:17 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. Ver. 7. _Two hundred penny-worth_] And where will you have half the money? send them away therefore, rid your hands honestly of them, and let us rest and refresh ourselves, as... [ Continue Reading ]
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, Ver. 8. _One of his disciples_] He uttered the sense of all the twelve, Mark 6:37, being no whit wiser than the rest, though the eldest disciple of them all, John 1:41 .... [ Continue Reading ]
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? Ver. 9. _Five barley loaves and two small fishes_] Was not Tyrabosco hardly driven, when from these five loaves and two fishes, he concluded seven sacraments? So in the second Council of Nice... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Ver. 10. _Make the men sit down_] And they did so, though they saw no sense for it. This kind of blind obedience is very acceptable: _Clausis oculis Deum sequi debemus d... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. Ver. 11. _He distributed to the disciples_] These five loaves (by a strange kind of arithmetic) were multiplied b... [ Continue Reading ]
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Ver. 12. _When they were filled_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 14:20 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore they gathered _them_ together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Ver. 13. _Filled twelve baskets_] See 1 Kings 17:15,16 Matthew 14:20, _See Trapp on "_ Mat 14:20 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. Ver. 14. _This is of a truth that prophet_] Yet anon they are at it, "What sign showest thou?" that you may know them to be the Pharisees' disciples. Of whose sour l... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. Ver. 15. _Take him by force_] Superstition will needs obtrude upon Christ will worship, whether he will or no, and despite him with seeming honours, as the... [ Continue Reading ]
And when even was _now_ come, his disciples went down unto the sea, Ver. 16. _His disciples went down to the sea_] By Christ's own command,Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45, yet they met with a sore storm. So may the best with trouble, in their most lawful employmeats,Psalms 34:18. But these make them look... [ Continue Reading ]
And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. Ver. 17. _Jesus was not come to them_] This was worse to them than the storm. It was woeful with Saul when the Philistines were upon him, and God would not come at him, nor answer h... [ Continue Reading ]
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. Ver. 18. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 14:24 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. Ver. 19. _They were afraid_] See Matthew 14:26,27 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Ver. 20. _They were afraid_] See Matthew 14:26,27 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. Ver. 21. _Immediately the ship was at land_] A dying saint hath no sooner taken death into his bosom, but he is immediately landed at the quay (harbour) of Canaan, at the kingdom of heaven. _... [ Continue Reading ]
The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but _that_ his disciples were gone away alone; Ver. 22. _On the other s... [ Continue Reading ]
(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) Ver. 23. _After that the Lord had given thanks_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 14:19 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. Ver. 24. _Seeking for Jesus_] But not for Jesus' sake. See John 6:26 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Ver. 25. _Rabbi, when camest thou hither?_] This question they moved, not so much to learn what they knew not, as to make show of what they knew before. But two things make a man truly virt... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Ver. 26. _Because ye did eat of the loaves_] More than for love, _Vix diligitur Iesus propter Iesum._ Scarcely esteeming Jesus for Jesus'... [ Continue Reading ]
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Ver. 27. _Labour not for the meat, &c._] When Basil was tempted with money and preferment, he answers, _Pecuniam da quae per... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Ver. 28. _That we might work_] We would still be working, weaving a web of righteousness of our own, spinning a thread of our own to climb up to heaven by, that we might say with the spider, _Nulli debeo; _ and with tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Ver. 29. _This is the work of God_] The το εργον. It is an easy matter to believe (thinks the worldling), but he that goes about it shall find it as hard a work to believe the gospel, as to keep th... [ Continue Reading ]
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Ver. 30. _What sign showest thou?_] _sc._ From heaven; such as manna was _See Trapp on "_ Mat 12:38 _"_ for otherwise, they lacked no signs. But Christ's doctrine discontented them: an... [ Continue Reading ]
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Ver. 31. _Our fathers did eat manna in the desert_] Here they bewray themselves, and confirm what our Saviour had said of them, John 6:26, viz. that they followed him only for provender. _Sic sorex suo... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. Ver. 32. _I am the true bread_] Whereof manna was but a type. Manna is said to have all sorts of good tastes in it: Christ hath so to his. Manna... [ Continue Reading ]
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Ver. 33. _Which came down from heaven_] From the highest heaven (not out of the middle region of the air only, as manna), and is the true ambrosia.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Ver. 34. _Lord, evermore give us this bread_] This they speak jeeringly, as the woman of Samaria did in like case, John 4:15 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Ver. 35. _I am that bread of life_] Christ, passing by that bitter scoff of theirs, proceeds to teach them. The servant of the Lord must "not strive, but be gen... [ Continue Reading ]
But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. Ver. 36. _Ye have seen me_] But not savingly. Your understandings have been gilded over with a common kind of supernatural light, Hebrews 6:4, but not to a transmentation. You have seen me as a traveller seeth the pomp and splendour o... [ Continue Reading ]
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Ver. 37. _All that the Father giveth me_] Gr. παντα, all things, that is, the whole community of Christians, all the elect, of which number you plainly show yourselves to be none by your want of th... [ Continue Reading ]
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Ver. 38. _Not to do mine own will_] As man, he did his Father's will; as God, he hath the same will with the Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. Ver. 39. _I should raise it up again_] By virtue of the union, a substance is preserved, and shall be raised up again to glory; yea, "the dead in... [ Continue Reading ]
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Ver. 40. _Which seeth the Son and believeth_] This these Jews did not, John 6:36. Some slight knowledge of Christ they had; but it... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. Ver. 41. _The Jews therefore murmured_] They were as good at this as ever their fathers had been in the wilderness, and afterwards, Zechariah 7:12; Acts 7:51 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Ver. 42. _The son of Joseph_] Who was _Christi pater putativus, politicus, secudum dici, non secundum esse._ How is it then] Wretched men dare reprehend what... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. Ver. 43. _Murmur not among yourselves_] _q.d._ I give you no just cause so to do. You carry your galls in your ears, as some creatures are said to do, hence you are so embittered; your mouths are out of taste, and hence you s... [ Continue Reading ]
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Ver. 44. _No man can come to me, except, &c._] Down then goes the Dagon of free will, with all that _vitreum acumen_ glass point of all the patrons thereof; whether Pagans or Papagans, Pel... [ Continue Reading ]
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Ver. 45. _And they shall be all taught of God_] _i.e._ All the children of the Church, Jeremiah 31:34, and why not the infants of believing parent... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Ver. 46. _He hath seen the Father_] And hath it in commission to manifest him to all his, by working faith (either actual, or, at least, virtual, as in infants) in their hearts, whereby they see him that is inv... [ Continue Reading ]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Ver. 47. _Hath life eternal_] _sc._ In Christ's purchase, in God's promise, in the firstfruits of the Spirit, who resteth upon the elect as a Spirit of glory and of God,1 Peter 4:14 .... [ Continue Reading ]
I am that bread of life. Ver. 48. _I am that bread of life_] That not only uphold and maintain spiritual life, but do also begin and beget it. And this our Saviour often inculcateth here, as most needful to be known and most comfortable to be considered.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. Ver. 49. _Did eat manna_] They fed upon sacraments, and yet many of them perished eternally. A man may go to hell with font water on his face, and be haled from the table to the tormentor, as he, Matthew 22:13 . _ Your fathers did eat, &c... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. Ver. 50. _This is the bread_] Δεικτικως, pointing to himself. So David, "this poor man" (meaning himself) "cried, and the Lord heard him," &c.,Psalms 34:6. So _Hic, sat lucis, _ let there be light here, said O... [ Continue Reading ]
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Ver. 51. _If any man eat, &c._] _Hic edere est credere, _ Here to eat is to believe, saith Augustine; fai... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us _his_ flesh to eat? Ver. 52. _Strove among themselves_] They tumultuously contradicted, murmured, mutinied, which was a sign of their obstinance and contempt. For otherwise it is not only lawful, but needful, modestly to m... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Ver. 53. _Except ye eat the flesh, &c._] Fulbert, Bishop of Chartres (who lived in the eleventh century), speaking upon the eucharist, hath these words,... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Ver. 54. _Whoso eateth my flesh_] Because this was a hard point to believe, therefore it is so often repeated and inculcated. _Verba toties inculcata viva sunt, vera sunt, sana sunt, plana sunt... [ Continue Reading ]
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Ver. 55. _For my flesh is meat indeed_] That that will do the deed. It is neither painted meat nor enchanted, but real and substantial; yet not corporal but spiritual. Our Richard II was starved at Pomfret Castle by being tantalized; for hi... [ Continue Reading ]
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Ver. 56. _He that eateth my flesh, &c._] That is, that partaketh of my person, merits, passions, privileges; he that receiveth me in all mine offices and efficacies.... [ Continue Reading ]
As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. Ver. 57. _So he that eateth me, liveth by me_] All out of Christ then, though they seem to have the only life of it (as Nabal, 1 Samuel 30:6; "Thus shall ye say to him that liveth"), yet in... [ Continue Reading ]
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. Ver. 58. _This is that bread_] Here our Saviour returns to that comparison he had made before between manna and his flesh; and so concludes as he began.... [ Continue Reading ]
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Ver. 59. _These things said he in the synagogue_] In a set sermon, and yet to little purpose; for many made defection. _Vultures unguento fugantur, et scarabei rosa, _ Vultures are put to flight by perfumes and the rose bettle, say P... [ Continue Reading ]
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard _this_, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? Ver. 60. _This is an hard saying_] The hardness was in themselves, not in the word; but that must bear the blame howsoever; as she in Seneca that was stricken with sudden blindness, and then... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? Ver. 61. _When Jesus knew in himself_] For they had not yet discovered what pinched them; but only muttered it among themselves, _aversantium more, _ in a discontented manner. They had done much b... [ Continue Reading ]
_What_ and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? Ver. 62. _What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend_] Then you shall not be scandalized (so some sense it); or then you shall much more be scandalized, so Maldonat, who saith he could like the other sense well enough, but... [ Continue Reading ]
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, _they_ are spirit, and _they_ are life. Ver. 63. _It is the Spirit that quickeneth_] Had those carnal Capernaites but stayed out our Saviour's sermon, they might have been satisfied for the sense of his... [ Continue Reading ]
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Ver. 64. _But there are some of you that believe not_] And hence it is that you so grossly mistake me, and that you find no more benefit by me and my words. Unbe... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Ver. 65. _Therefore said I unto you_] Here some may object, if faith be not in man's power, why doth he yet complain? and why are any destroyed for lack of faith? Hereunto I might answe... [ Continue Reading ]
From that _time_ many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Ver. 66. _Many of his disciples_] They stumbled at the word and fell backward. This is reckoned by St Peter a note of a reprobate, 1 Peter 2:8. And indeed few sins are more dangerous than that of picking quarrels at God'... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Ver. 67. _Will ye also go away?_] _q.d._ This general defection of those temporaries may possibly tempt you to it. Evil men endanger good men, as weeds the corn, as bad humours the blood, or an infected house the neighbourhood. _Nemo errat sibi... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Ver. 68. _Thou hast the words of eternal life._] In going from thee, therefore, we shall go out of God's blessing. Nay, we shall go upon our own death, upon hell's mouth. The Roman law was, _Transfugas, u... [ Continue Reading ]
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Ver. 69. _We believe and have known_] In matters of divinity we must first believe, and then know; not know, and then believe. In human sciences it is otherwise. Men are brought to assent and believe by experience, kn... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? Ver. 70. _Have not I chosen you twelve, &c._] _q.d._ If ye believe and will abide by it, look well to your footing; it will shortly be tried what stability is in you, when such an angel as Judas shall show himself to be a... [ Continue Reading ]
He spake of Judas Iscariot _the son_ of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. Ver. 71. _He spake of Judas Iscariot_] Which some derive of the Syriac word signifying strangling, as if he were so named by an anticipation; like as our roaring boys will needs be so calle... [ Continue Reading ]