After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Ver. 1. _For he would not walk in Jewry_] The Roman rule in battle was, _Nec fugere, nec sequi, _ Neither to flee dangers nor to follow them. The Christian's motto is, _Nec temere, nec t... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. Ver. 2. _The feast of tabernacles_] The Jews at this feast dwelt without doors, in booths and bowers, in remembrance of their wandering of old through the wilderness. This gave occasion to Plutarch, and other profane heathens, to devise and broach so... [ Continue Reading ]
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. Ver. 3. _Depart hence_] Saucily enough, and sarcastically too; pricked on by ambition, likely, which ever rideth without reins, and cares not whose ruins it buildeth up... [ Continue Reading ]
For _there is_ no man _that_ doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. Ver. 4. _For there is no man, &c._] Here they proceed to charge Christ with folly; and presume to lesson him with their " _Vile latens vlrtus: quid... [ Continue Reading ]
For neither did his brethren believe in him. Ver. 5. _For neither did his brethren believe_] This the Jews of this day read with much wonderment; and take occasion from this text to slander our Saviour's miracles, as nothing so manifest as we conceive them, since his own kindred believed not in him... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. Ver. 6. _My time is not yet come_] _sc._ My time of journeying to Jerusalem; I must take my best opportunity, when I may go up with most safety. You may take your own time: you can hardly take amiss, since the world l... [ Continue Reading ]
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Ver. 7. _But me it hateth, because I testify_] _Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit, _ Truth breeds hatred, as the fair nymphs are feigned to bring forth the ill-favoured fauns and satyrs. _An e... [ Continue Reading ]
Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. Ver. 8. _I go not up yet_] _q.d._ I will ere long: lest haply they should think that he disliked the public services, and would not come at them, because of the manifold corruptions that were then crept int... [ Continue Reading ]
When he had said these words unto them, he abode _still_ in Galilee. Ver. 9. _He abode still in Galilee_] Which he needed not to have done, could he but have complied with the world, as his kinsmen did. But that man purchaseth his peace at too dear a rate that payeth his honesty to get it.... [ Continue Reading ]
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Ver. 10. _Not openly, but as it were in secret_] To kindle the desire of seeing and hearing him so much the more; or to discover whether there were any numbers disposed by his first preach... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? Ver. 11. _Where is he?_] Not, "where is Jesus?" They could not find in their hearts to call him by his name, they were so full of malice against him. So Joseph's brethren called him not Joseph, but the Dreamer: Saul asked not for David,... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. Ver. 12. _For some said_] All men were not of a mind concerning Christ. Sooner shall the fingers of their hands be all of a length, than men will be all of a... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. Ver. 13. _For fear of the Jews_] Who had made an order (it seems) somewhat like that of the Jesuits' edict at Dola in the country of Burgundy, that for prevention of heresy, no man should speak of God, either in good sort or bad. This the Jew... [ Continue Reading ]
Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. Ver. 14. _About the midst of the feast_] That he might have the better audience. _ Went up into the temple and taught_] _Sacerdotum tunc fere muta officia, populi caeca obsequia, ut iam apud Pontificios._... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Ver. 15. _And the Jews marvelled_] As well they might; but this marvel of theirs came to nothing. Look how a swine, finding a precious jewel, grunts only, and goes his way: so here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. Ver. 16. _My doctrine is not mine_] As if he had said, this should not be _scandalum, sed scala; _ not a stumblingblock, but a ladder to lift you up to see the Divine handiwork, and to make you say, as Ezekiel 3:12; "Bles... [ Continue Reading ]
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or _whether_ I speak of myself. Ver. 17. _If any man will do his will_] Let knowledge and practice run parallel, and mutually transfuse vigour and vivacity, the one into the other. Keep open the passage between your h... [ Continue Reading ]
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Ver. 18. _Seeketh his own glory_] All seducers are self-seekers, and drive on their own interests, how to set up themselves in the hearts of the people... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not Moses give you the law, and _yet_ none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? Ver. 19. _Did not Moses give you the law_] _q.d._ You bear me still an old grudge, an aching tooth, for healing an impotent man upon the sabbath day, John 5:9. But _Quis tulerit Gracchos, &c._ (Juv.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? Ver. 20. _Thou hast a devil_] This he passeth by as a frontless slander, not worth refuting, but proceeds to maintain the lawfulness of what he had done on the sabbath day. Sincerity throws off slanders, as Paul did the... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Ver. 21. _And ye all marvel_] _i.e._ ye all murmur: but he speaks the best of them, as not willing to enrage them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. Ver. 22. _Moses therefore_] _Tam severus sabbati exactor, _ As strict as he was for the observation of the sabbath, yet he was not against circumcision, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Ver. 23. _That the law of Moses should not be broken_] Gr. loosened, shattered. The law is one entire copulative; so that... [ Continue Reading ]
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Ver. 24. _Judge not according to the appearance_] Nothing is more ordinary with many than to precipitate a censure, to exercise their critics, and to reprehend that which they do not comprehend. _Arbitror_ saith Augustine (de Trim... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? Ver. 25. _Then said some of them of Jerusalem_] That knew more of the ruler's mind than the common people, who believed not that there was any such deadly designs, John 7:26. Howbeit these wits of Jerusalem take no notice... [ Continue Reading ]
But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Ver. 26. _But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing to him_] God restrained them, putting his bit in their jaws, his hook in their nostrils. In the year 1159, lived John, bisho... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Ver. 27. _No man knoweth whence he is_] This error might arise out of some texts of Scripture misunderstood, as Isaiah 53:8; Psalms 110:4. We should, whenever we open the Bible, pray, "Lord, open mine eyes,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. Ver. 28. _Ye both know me_] Either this is an irony, or else a heavy aggravation of their sin; a proof that they sinned that sin... [ Continue Reading ]
But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. Ver. 29. _But I know him_] And am known of him. I will not therefore be baffled or beaten out of my confident boasting by any your frontless affronts or basest buffooneries.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. Ver. 30. _Because his hour was not yet come_] _i.e._ God would not suffer them. Those that bandy and bend their forces against the Lord and his Anointed are bounded by him, in whose hands alone are the is... [ Continue Reading ]
And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this _man_ hath done? Ver. 31. _Many of the people believed on him_] Some fruit followed his doctrine; these lesser fishes began to bite. They are said to believe that were not altogether... [ Continue Reading ]
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Ver. 32. _The Pharisees heard_] They had their scouts, and lay _perdu_ to listen, and to keep down Christ. Like unto these are the Jesuits of this day, who giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and _then_ I go unto him that sent me. Ver. 33. _Yet a little while am I with you_] Christ is but a while with men in the opportunities of grace. There is a prime of man's life, yea, a prime of every man's ministry. Christ stands (not sit... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find _me_ : and where I am, _thither_ ye cannot come. Ver. 34. _Ye shall seek me, &c._] Because ye shall die in your sins, which is worse than to die in a ditch.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? Ver. 35. _Teach the Gentiles_] Which the Jews could not endure to think on. They profess to this day, that rather than the heathen bastards... [ Continue Reading ]
What _manner of_ saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find _me_ : and where I am, _thither_ ye cannot come? Ver. 36. _What manner of saying is this?_] He would not tell the Jews what he meant by this dark saying. His disciples he told afterwards, in John 13:1,38; John 14:1,3... [ Continue Reading ]
In the last day, that great _day_ of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Ver. 37. _In the last day_] In this eighth day (which the Jews called Hosanna Rabbah) they read the last section of the law, and likewise began the first; lest they mig... [ Continue Reading ]
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Ver. 38. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 7:37 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet _given_; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Ver. 39. _But this spake he of the Spirit_] Which is many times compared (as to fire, so) to water for its properties of cooling, clean... [ Continue Reading ]
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Ver. 40. _Of a truth this is the prophet_] This was somewhat, but not enough; this was well, but not all. The buzzard's wings serve him to get up a little from the earth, but not to bear him up far towa... [ Continue Reading ]
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Ver. 41. _Shall Christ come out of Galilee?_] Satan (that subtle sophister), though he confessed Christ to be the Holy One of God, Mark 1:24, yet he calleth him Jesus of Nazareth, to nourish the error of the multitude... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? Ver. 42. _Hath not the Scripture said?_] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 2:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
So there was a division among the people because of him. Ver. 43. _So there was a division_] And yet these were the visible Church and favourers of Christ. That is no just cause of offence then that some take at our dissensions. _Rare enim abit sine aliquibus dissensionibus etiam inter bonos et san... [ Continue Reading ]
And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Ver. 44. _Some of them would have taken him_] _Semper crudelis est superstitio._ There can be no greater argument of an ill cause than a bloody persecution: whereas truth holds herself by mildness, and is promoted by patience.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? Ver. 45. _Why have you not brought him?_] Out of the pride of their power they wonder what should hinder. But the Lord knoweth how to deliver his, 2 Peter 2:9; and wherein the enemies de... [ Continue Reading ]
The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Ver. 46. _Never man spake like this man_] It is good to come to the world, though with ill intent; they that come to see fashions only, as Moses came to the bush, may be called as he was. They that come but to sleep, may be taken napping, as Fat... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Ver. 47. _Are ye also deceived?_] As the rude rabble are? we looked that you should have stuck to us. How ill taken was England's defection from the pope's devotion! England was the first that took upon it the pope's yoke, and the first that s... [ Continue Reading ]
Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? Ver. 48. _Have any of the rulers, &c._] _Argumentum stultum, _ saith Theophylact. _Sapientes sapienter in infernum descendunt, _ saith one. And _Potentes potenter torquebuntur, _ saith another. None so deep in hell as knowing men; they are... [ Continue Reading ]
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. Ver. 49. _But this people, &c._] He howled and wept (said Dr Story concerning Philpot) in the convocation house, and made such ado as never man did, even as all the heretics do when they lack learning to answer. When as yet Mr Philpot disputing in... [ Continue Reading ]
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Ver. 50. _Nicodemus saith unto them_] Good blood will not belie itself; love, as fire, will not long be hidden. Croesus's dumb son could not but speak to see his father ready to be slain, _a_ Nicodemus, though hitherto... [ Continue Reading ]
Doth our law judge _any_ man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? Ver. 51. _Doth our law condemn any man_] This was no great matter to say, and yet it did the deed; so God would have it. Now, he is ever like himself; and whensoever he pleaseth, he both can and will dissipate all our enemies... [ Continue Reading ]
They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. Ver. 52. _Art thou also of Galilee?_] They thought to mock him out of his religion, as the devil doth many at this day. But Nicodemus was well resolved; and if we can bear reproach fo... [ Continue Reading ]
And every man went unto his own house. Ver. 53. _And every man went, &c._] Nicodemus, with one word seasonably put in, dissolves the council; and keeps them, for this time, from attempting against Christ. See what one man may do against a mischievous multitude otherwise. _Ille regit dictis animos,... [ Continue Reading ]