Verily, verily [α μ η ν, α μ η ν]. The formula never begins anything quite new, but connects what follows with what precedes. This discourse grows out of the assumption of the Pharisees to be the only authoritative guides of the people (ix. 24, 29). They have already been described as blind and sinf... [ Continue Reading ]
The shepherd [π ο ι μ η ν]. Better, a shepherd. It is the character rather than the person that is contemplated.... [ Continue Reading ]
Porter [θ υ ρ ω ρ ο ς]. From qura, door, and wra, care. An under - shepherd, to whose charge the sheep are committed after they have been folded for the night, and who opens the door on the arrival of the shepherd in the morning. Calleth [κ α λ ε ι]. But the best texts read fwnei, expressing person... [ Continue Reading ]
Putteth forth [ε κ β α λ η]. Rev., more strictly, hath put forth. Instead of leadeth out, in ver. 3. It implies a constraint; as if some of the sheep were unwilling to leave the fold. Meyer says that putteth forth pictures the manner of the leading out. He lays hold on the sheep and brings them out... [ Continue Reading ]
Parable [π α ρ ο ι μ ι α ν]. The word occurs but once outside of John's writings (2 Peter 2:22). The usual word for parable is parabolh, which is once rendered proverb in the A. V. (Luke 4:23, changed to parable by Rev.), and which occurs nowhere in John. For the distinction see on Matthew 13:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
The door of the sheep. Meaning the door for the sheep; not the door of the fold. "The thought is connected with the life, and not simply with the organization.... [ Continue Reading ]
The thief [ο κ λ ε π τ η ς]. Christ puts Himself in contrast with the meaner criminal. I am come [η λ θ ο ν]. More correctly, I came. I am come would be the perfect tense. More abundantly [π ε ρ ι σ σ ο ν]. Literally, may have abundance.... [ Continue Reading ]
The good shepherd [ο π ο ι μ η ν ο κ α λ ο ς]. Literally, the shepherd the good (shepherd). Kalov, though not of frequent occurrence in John, is more common than ajgaqov, good, which occurs but four times and three times out of the four in the neuter gender, a good thing, or that which is good. Kalo... [ Continue Reading ]
Hireling [μ ι σ θ ω τ ο ς]. From misqov, hire. See on 2 Peter 2:13. Wyc., merchant. Seeth [θ ε ω ρ ε ι]. Very graphic. His gaze is fixed with the fascination of terror on the approaching wolf. Compare Dante : " But not so much, that did not give me fear A lion's aspect which appeared to me.... [ Continue Reading ]
The hireling fleeth. The best texts omit. Read, as Rev., supplying he fleeth. Careth not [ο υ μ ε λ ε ι α υ τ ω]. Literally, the sheep are not a care to him. See on 1 Peter 5:7. The contrast is suggestive.... [ Continue Reading ]
Am known of mine [γ ι ν ω σ κ ο μ α ι υ π ο τ ω ν ε μ ω ν]. The best texts read, ginwskousi me ta ejma, mine own know me. So Rev.... [ Continue Reading ]
As the Father knoweth me. Connect these words with the previous sentence : mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
Fold [α υ λ η ς]. From aw, to blow, hence, strictly, a place open to the air; an uncovered space enclosed by a wall. So Homer, of the cave of the Cyclops : "But when we came upon that neighboring coast, We saw upon its verge beside the sea A cave high - vaulted, overbrowed with shrubs Of laurel. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Taketh away [α ι ρ ε ι]. Some texts read hren, took away. According to this reading the word would point back to the work of Jesus as conceived and accomplished in the eternal counsel of God, where His sacrifice of Himself was not exacted, but was His own spontaneous offering in harmony with the Fat... [ Continue Reading ]
There was a division [σ χ ι σ μ α ε γ ε ν ε τ ο]. Rev., more correctly, there arose. The word scisma, division, from scizw, to cleave, describes a fact which continually recurs in John's narrative. See John 6:52; John 6:60; John 6:66; John 7:12; John 7:25 sqq.; John 8:22; John 9:16; John 9:17;... [ Continue Reading ]
That hath a devil [δ α ι μ ο ν ι ζ ο μ ε ν ο υ]. Literally, of one demonized. Rev., one possessed with a devil. Can a devil [μ η δ υ ν α τ α ι]. Surely a demon cannot.... [ Continue Reading ]
Feast of the dedication [ε γ κ α ι ν ι α]. Only here in the New Testament. The word signifies renewal, from kainov, new, fresh. Josephus calls it fwta, lights. It was instituted by Judas Maccabaeus (B. C. 164), in memory of the cleansing of the temple from the pollutions of Antiochus Epiphanes. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon's porch. A covered colonnade on the eastern side of the outer court of the temple. According to Josephus it was a relic of Solomon's days, which had remained intact in the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar.... [ Continue Reading ]
Make us to doubt [τ η ν ψ υ χ η ν η μ ω ν α ι ρ ε ι ς]. Literally, lift up our soul. Excite us and inflame our hopes. Rev., hold us in suspense. Plainly [π α ρ ρ η σ ι α]. See on 7 13.... [ Continue Reading ]
As I said unto you. The best texts omit.... [ Continue Reading ]
My sheep [τ α π ρ ο β α τ α τ α ε μ α]. Literally, the sheep, those that are mine. A characteristic form of expression with John. Compare John 3:29; John 5:30; John 14:15, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
I give [δ ι δ ω μ ι]. Not, I will give. The gift is present and continuous. Compare John 3:36. Shall pluck [α ρ π α σ ε ι]. See on ver. 12. Compare can pluck, ver. 29. Here Jesus speaks of the fact; there of the possibility. Rev., snatch. Wyc., ravish.... [ Continue Reading ]
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all [ο π α τ η ρ μ ο υ ο ς δ ε δ ω κ ε μ ο ι, μ ε ι ζ ω ν π α ν τ ω ν ε σ τ ι ν]. There is considerable confusion here about the reading. Westcott and Hort and Tischendorf read oJ pathr mou (Tischendorf rejects mou) o dedwken moi pantwn meizon ejstin. T... [ Continue Reading ]
One [ε ν]. The neuter, not the masculine eiv, one person. It implies unity of essence, not merely of will or of power.... [ Continue Reading ]
Took up - again [ε β α σ τ α σ α ν - π α λ ι ν]. Again refers to John 8:59. It seems as though a different verb is purposely chosen here (compare hran took up, in John 8:59), since the interview took place in Solomon's porch, where stones would not be at hand. The verb here may mean to take up. So A... [ Continue Reading ]
Good works [κ α λ α]. Beautiful, noble works, adapted to call forth admiration and respect. Compare Mark 14:6, and see on ver. 11. For which of these works [δ ι α π ο ι ο ν α υ τ ω ν ε ρ γ ο ν]. Literally, for what kind of a work of these. This qualitative force of poion is not to be lost sight of,... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying. Omit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Is it not written [ο υ κ ε σ τ ι ν γ ε γ ρ α μ μ ε ν ο ν]. More strictly, does it not stand written. Law [ν ο μ ω]. The word is sometimes used in the New Testament of other scriptures. See John 12:34; John 14:25; Romans 3:19; 1 Corinthians 14:21. I said, etc. The reference is to Psalms 82:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Scripture [η γ ρ α φ η]. The passage of scripture. See on John 2:22; John 5:47. Broken [λ υ θ η ν α ι]. Literally, loosened. Wyc., undone. The word is characteristic of John. He uses it of the destruction of the temple (ii. 19); the breaking of the Sabbath (v. 18); the violation of the law (vii... [ Continue Reading ]
Sanctified [η γ ι α σ ε ν]. Better, as Rev., in margin, consecrated. The fundamental idea of the word is separation and consecration to the service of Deity. See note on Acts 26:10, on the kindred adjective agiov, holy or consecrated. The Son of God. There is no article. Its absence directs us to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Believe me [π ι σ τ ε υ ε τ ε μ ο ι]. Notice believe, with the simple dative; believe me, not on me. It is a question of faith in His testimony, not in His person. See on 1 12.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Him. The best texts read ejn tw patri, in the Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
Again. Pointing back to John 7:30; John 7:32; John 7:44, where the word piasai, to seize, is found. Escaped out of [ε ξ η λ θ ε ν ε κ]. Rev., literally, went forth out of. The phrase occurs only here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beyond Jordan (peran tou Iordanou). Into the region called Peroea, from peran, beyond. It was on the east side of the river, and was the ancient possession of Gad and Reuben. It corresponds, in an enlarged sense, to the region round about Jordan (Matthew 3:5; Luke 3:3). Compare Matthew 19:1; Mark 10... [ Continue Reading ]