Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. Ver. 1. _Jesus went unto the mount of Olives_] His usual oratory. There he prayed by night, and then early in the morning he came again into the temple to preach. Thus he divided his time between praying and preaching. So did the ministers of the Old Testament,... [ Continue Reading ]
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. Ver. 2. _And taught them_] _See Trapp on "_ Joh 8:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, Ver. 3. _And the scribes, &c._] _Deest haec historia apud quamplurimos interpretes._ (Beza.)... [ Continue Reading ]
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Ver. 4. _In the very act_] Gr. in the very theft; perhaps to intimate the great theft that is in adultery, whiles the child of a stranger carries away the goods or lands of the family; which therefore the adulteress is bo... [ Continue Reading ]
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? Ver. 5. _Such should be stoned_] Adultery was to be punished with death. Society and the purity of posterity could not otherwise continue among men; which is well observed by divines to be the reason why adultery i... [ Continue Reading ]
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with _his_ finger wrote on the ground, _as though he heard them not_. Ver. 6. _And with his finger wrote on the ground_] That he wrote downward (as the Syrians then did, and as the Chinese now do, and so t... [ Continue Reading ]
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. Ver. 7. _He that is without sin among you_] Not that is impeccable, and not subject to sin (as the Greek, αναμαρτητος, may here seem to sound), but that... [ Continue Reading ]
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. Ver. 8. _And again he stooped down_] In sign of slighting, or that he might give them the more confidence of going out, seeJohn 8:6. Our Saviour dealt by this adulteress somewhat like as the Areopagites dealt by the dame of Smyrna, whom they appoi... [ Continue Reading ]
And they which heard _it_, being convicted by _their own_ conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, _even_ unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Ver. 9. _Convicted by their own conscience_] Which is God's spy and man's overseer, _index, iudex,... [ Continue Reading ]
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? Ver. 10. _Where are those thine accusers?_] She might have answered as Tertullian in another case not unlike, _Facti sunt a corde suo fugitivi, _ they a... [ Continue Reading ]
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Ver. 11. _Neither do I condemn thee_] Hence an Anabaptist will argue that adultery is not to be punished (as they did from that text, "whoremongers and adulterers God will judge," therefore men ought no... [ Continue Reading ]
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Ver. 12. _I am the light of the world_] Αυτοφως, _ut Plato loquitur, quia_ Αυταυτος, _ut Scaliger._ The light of life] Light in good and bad men... [ Continue Reading ]
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Ver. 13. _Thy record is not true_] _i.e._ it is not sure and sufficient. There is the same Hebrew word for _veritas_ and _firmitas, _ truth and certainty.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, _yet_ my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ver. 14. _Yet my record is true_] _i.e._ For I am "Amen, the faithful and true witness," Revelation 3:14, yea,... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. Ver. 15. _I judge no man_] viz. after the flesh, as ye do. Christians are diametrically opposite to the world; yea, they have their feet there where other men's heads are; they go not only another, but an upper way to work, Proverbs 15:24. Like eagles, they... [ Continue Reading ]
And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. Ver. 16. _For I am not alone_] But all one with the Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. Ver. 17. _It is also written in your law_] He calleth it their law, because he was above law; and needed not (but for their weaknass) to have confirmed thus his doctrine by Scripture; as being to be believed upon his bare word,... [ Continue Reading ]
I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Ver. 18. _I am one that bear witness, &c._] Christ is _alius_ from his Father, not _aliud; _ another person, not another thing. As in the person of Christ there is _aliud et aliud_ another and another (against... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. Ver. 19. _If ye had known me, &c._] For milk is not so like milk as Christ is like his Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Ver. 20. _For his hour was not yet come_] And they could neither hasten it nor prevent it. No man hath power over the life of another. "My times are in thine hand," sait... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Ver. 21. _Ye shall die in your sins_] A heavy doom, the very door to damnation. It is a sad thing to die in prison, to die in a ditch, but far worse to die in your sins. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. Ver. 22. _Will be kill himself_] _q.d._ Then indeed we cannot, because we will not bear him company in so vile an act. A scurrilous jeer; so little did the heart piercing sermons of our Saviour work upon them.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. Ver. 23. _Ye are from beneath_] _Vos infernales estis, Ego Supernus._ (Beza.) So the wicked are called the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea, Revelation 12:12, in opposition to the Churc... [ Continue Reading ]
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am _he_, ye shall die in your sins. Ver. 24. _For if ye believe not, &c._] And yet Venator the Arminian saith, _Nego hanc propositionem, Nemo potest salvus fieri, qui Christo per veram fidem non est insitus._ Is... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even _the same_ that I said unto you from the beginning. Ver. 25. _Even the same that I said, &c._] To wit, "the way, the truth, and the life." Some render it thus: _Prorsus id quod loguor vobiscum, _ I am the very same Word that I s... [ Continue Reading ]
I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. Ver. 26. _I have many things to say_] But I see I do but lose my sweet words upon you. I shall therefore turn you over to my Father with a _non convertentur,... [ Continue Reading ]
They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Ver. 27. _They understood not_] Though he cited them to God's dreadful tribunal, and threatened them with his judgment. The devil had strangely stupefied them; like the smith's dog, whom neither the hammer above him nor the sparks of fire fal... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am _he_, and _that_ I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. Ver. 28. _When ye have lifted up the Son, &c._] 1. Upon the cross, as the brazen serpent was upon a pole. An... [ Continue Reading ]
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. Ver. 29. _And he that sent me is with me_] So that I shall not labour altogether in vain, but accomplish the work that he hath given me to do. So shall all God's faithful ministers (thou... [ Continue Reading ]
As he spake these words, many believed on him. Ver. 30. _Many believed on him_] _See Trapp on "_ Joh 7:31 _"_ Abideth not in the house] Is not heir of the promises; though it be ordinary with such _praesumendo sperare, et sperando perire_ (as one saith), to presume and perish.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, _then_ are ye my disciples indeed; Ver. 31. _If ye continue in my word_] _Non quaeruntur in Christianis initia, sed finis, _ said Jerome. And that which is but almost done is not done, saith Basil. _a_ It is the evening... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Ver. 32. _The truth shall make you free_] From the tyranny of sin and terror of hell. Paul's freedom saved him from whipping, Acts 22:29, this, from perishing.... [ Continue Reading ]
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Ver. 33. _Were never in bondage_] When yet they were scarcely ever out of bondage to one enemy or another. At this time they were vassals to the Romans. But brag is a good dog. Pri... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Ver. 34. _Is the servant of sin_] Hath as many lords as lusts: _a_ that as Augustine said of Rome in her pride, she conquered countries, but was vanquished by vices; _b_ and as the Persian kings com... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: _but_ the Son abideth ever. Ver. 35. _But the Son abideth ever_] This is a part of that spiritual birthright, John 1:12. God hath charged Christ to see to the safekeeping of the body and soul of every true believer, John 6:39,40 .... [ Continue Reading ]
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Ver. 36. _Free indeed_] Not seemingly so, or in conceit only, as those lost libertines, 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Peter 2:19. Ahaz thought himself helped or hurt by the gods of Syria; but he only thought so,2 Chronicles 28:23, and all such fon... [ Continue Reading ]
I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. Ver. 37. _I know that ye are Abraham's seed_] But that will not bear you out; nay, you will fare the worse for it, Romans 2:9; the Jew is first in punishment, because first in privilege. It was cold com... [ Continue Reading ]
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. Ver. 38. _And ye do_] Or, do ye that which ye have seen with your father, and so show yourselves the devil's imps, brats of fathomless perdition: do so.... [ Continue Reading ]
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. Ver. 39. _Abraham is our father_] But it ill appeareth by your practice. Degenerate plants ye are, and such as shame your father, as much as Augustus' thre... [ Continue Reading ]
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ver. 40. _A man that hath told you the truth_] Yea, but you tell them not toothless truth, but such as breeds hatred. He that prizeth (preacheth) truth, shall never prosper by the posses... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, _even_ God. Ver. 41. _We have one Father, even God_] Yet God is not in their heads, Psalms 10:4, nor heart, Psalms 14:1, nor words,Psalms 12:4, nor ways, Titus 1:16. In such a posture of distan... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Ver. 42. _If God were your Father_] So that there is no true piety nor fear of God where Christ is rejected. _Frustra utitur, qui Christo non innititur... [ Continue Reading ]
Why do ye not understand my speech? _even_ because ye cannot hear my word. Ver. 43. _Why do ye not understand my speech?_] Any more than if I spake to you in a strange language. So many of our hearers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are of _your_ father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Ver. 44. _Ye are of your father the... [ Continue Reading ]
And because I tell _you_ the truth, ye believe me not. Ver. 45. _And because I tell you the truth_] _See Trapp on "_ Joh 8:40 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? Ver. 46. _Which of you convinceth me of sin_] _q.d._ Have you anything against my life, that ye thus stiffly refuse to receive my doctrine? Do not (as every minister should do) _vivere concionibus, concionari morib... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear _them_ not, because ye are not of God. Ver. 47. _He that is of God heareth God's word_] With attention of body, intention of mind, and retention of memory. And this is God's earmark. _ Ye therefore hear not_] But either refuse or rage at wha... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Ver. 48. _That thou art a Samaritan_] And why a Samaritan, think, but that they thought the worst word in their bellies good enough for him? Malice cares not what it saith, so it may kill or gall... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. Ver. 49. _I have not a devil_] This crime touched his doctrine (as the other his person only), therefore he makes answer to it; but no otherwise than by a simple denial, which in some cases is sufficient. _Didicit i... [ Continue Reading ]
And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Ver. 50. _There is one that seeketh and judgeth_] The less a man strives for himself, the more is God his champion; those that honour him he will honour. Those that drown all self-respects in his glory, and study his share more t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Ver. 51. _Verily I say unto you_] This he speaketh for the comfort of the better sort among those refractory Jews whom he had so sharply handled. So Zuinglius, when in his sermons he had thundered out God's judgments... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Ver. 52. _Now we know thou hast a devil_] Thus, whether Christ pipe or weep to these froward children, he prevails nothing. Ne... [ Continue Reading ]
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Ver. 53. _Art thou greater than our father Abraham which is dead?_] They rise no higher than to a natural life. "Our life is hid with Christ in God," Colossians 3:3, as the pearl is hid in... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Ver. 54. _It is my Father that honoureth me_] According to that, "Them that honour me, I will honour," 1 Samuel 2:30; this is a bargain of God's own making. Fame follows... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Ver. 55. _Yet ye have not known him_] There is a twofold knowledge of God. 1. Apprehensive; 2. Affective, or _cognoscitiva, _ standing in speculation... [ Continue Reading ]
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw _it_, and was glad. Ver. 56. _Your father Abraham rejoiced to see_] He saw it afar off, and saluted it, ασπασαμενοι, Hebrews 11:13. His good old heart danced levaltos within him, as children use to dance about a bonfire (so the word ηγαλλιασατο... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Ver. 57. _Thou art not yet fifty_] No, nor much past thirty; and yet he had so spent himself in winning souls and weeping over the hardness of men's hearts, that he seemed to the Jews to be much older than he... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Ver. 58. _Before Abraham was, I am_] "I am that I am," in regard of mine eternal generation. And as mediator, "I am Jesus Christ, yesterday, today, and for ever,"Hebrews 13:8 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. Ver. 59. _Then took they up stones_] This is _merces mundi, _ the world's wages. Let us look up with Stephen, and see heaven, as he did, through a shower of... [ Continue Reading ]