33. The Baptist at once shews that οὐδείς is hyperbolical: some did receive the witness; ‘but what are they among so many?’

ἐσφράγισεν. Of sealing a document to express one’s trust in it and adherence to it (John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 9:2): but in this figurative sense the middle is more usual (Romans 15:28; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30); the active in the literal sense (Matthew 27:66). Αὐτοῦ is emphatic, balancing ὁ Θεός: ‘he that receiveth Christ’s witness, set his seal that God is true.’ To believe the Messiah is to believe God, for the Messiah is God’s ambassador and interpreter (John 1:18). Ἀληθής not ἀληθινός; see on John 1:9.

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Old Testament