A feast [ε ο ρ τ η]. Or festival. What festival is uncertain. It has been identified with the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles; also with the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Dedication, and the Feast of Purim.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sheep - market [τ η π ρ ο β α τ ι κ η]. The word is an adjective pertaining to sheep, which requires to be completed with another word, not with ajgora, market, but with pulh, gate. This gate was near the temple on the east of the city. See Nehemiah 3:1; Nehemiah 3:32; Nehemiah 12:39. Some editors j... [ Continue Reading ]
Great multitude. The best texts omit great. Impotent [α σ θ ε ς ο υ ν τ ω ν]. Rev., sick. Yet the A. V. gives the literal meaning, people without strength. Wyc., languishing. Withered [ζ η ρ ω ν]. Literally, dry. So Wyc.. The following words, to the end of ver. 4, are omitted by the best texts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Had an infirmity thirty and eight years. Literally, having thirty and eight years in his infirmity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Had been now a long time [π ο λ υ ν η δ η χ ρ ο ν ο ν ε χ ε ι]. Literally, he hath already much time. Wilt thou [θ ε λ ε ι ς]. Not merely, do you wish, but are you in earnest? See on Matthew 1:19. Jesus appeals to the energy of his will. Not improbably he had fallen into apathy through his long sic... [ Continue Reading ]
Put [β α λ η]. Literally, cast; indicating the hasty movement required to bring him to the water before its agitation should have ceased. See on Mark 7:30; Luke 16:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bed [κ ρ α β β α τ ο ν]. Used by both Mark and Luke. See on Mark 2:4, and compare Acts 5:15; Acts 9:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cured [τ ε θ ε ρ α π ε υ μ ε ν ω]. See on Matthew 8:7; Luke 5:15; Acts 17:25. To carry [α ρ α ι]. Rev., more correctly, to take up. It is Jesus ' own word in ver. 8.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that made - the same [ο π ο ι η σ α ς - ε κ ε ι ν ο ς]. The demonstrative pronoun points with emphasis to the subject of the preceding clause. A characteristic usage of John. See John 1:18; John 1:33; John 9:37; John 10:1; John 12:48, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then. Omit. What man is he, etc. "See the cunning of malice. They do not say, 'Who is he that healed thee?' but, 'Who bade thee take up thy bed ?'" (Grotius, in Trench, " Miracles. ") Take up thy bed. Omit bed. Literally, take up and walk.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that was healed [ι α θ ε ι ς]. Compare ver. 10, and note the different word for healing. See references there. Who it was [τ ι ς ε σ τ ι ν]. The present tense, who it is. Had conveyed Himself away [ε ξ ε ν ε υ σ ε ν]. The verb means, literally, to turn the head aside, in order to avoid somethin... [ Continue Reading ]
Findeth - said. Note the lively interchange of the tenses, as in ver. 13. Sin no more [μ η κ ε τ ι α μ α ρ τ α ν ε]. No longer continue to sin. See on Matthew 1:21. Jesus thus shows His knowledge that the sickness was the result of sin. A worse thing. Than even those thirty - eight years of suffer... [ Continue Reading ]
Told [α ν η γ γ ε ι λ ε ν]. See on 4 25. The best texts, however, read eipen, said.... [ Continue Reading ]
Did the Jews persecute. The imperfect tense [ε δ ι ω κ ο ν] might be rendered began to persecute, as this is an opening of hostilities against Jesus, or, more probably, corresponds with the same tense in ejpoiei, he did, or better, was wont to do. Diwkw, to persecute, is originally to run after, to... [ Continue Reading ]
Worketh. The discussion turned on work on the Sabbath. The Father's work in maintaining and redeeming the world has continued from the creation until the present moment [ε ω ς α ρ τ ι] : until now, not interrupted by the Sabbath. And I work [κ α γ ω ε ρ γ α ζ ο μ α ι]. Or, I also work. The two clau... [ Continue Reading ]
Had broken [ε λ υ ε]. Literally, was loosing : the imperfect tense. See on He did, ver. 16. Not, broke the Sabbath in any particular case, but was annulling the law and duty of Sabbath observance. His Father [π α τ ε ρ α ι δ ι ο ν]. Properly, His own Father. So Rev.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verily, verily. See on 1 51. But what He seeth. Referring to can do nothing, not to of himself. Jesus, being one with God, can do nothing apart from Him. The Father do [τ ο ν π α τ ε ρ α π ο ι ο υ ν τ α]. Rev., rightly, doing. The participle brings out more sharply the coincidence of action betwee... [ Continue Reading ]
Loveth [φ ι λ ε ι]. To love is expressed by two words in the New Testament, filew and ajgapaw. Agapaw indicates a reasoning, discriminating attachment, founded in the conviction that its object is worthy of esteem, or entitled to it on account of benefits bestowed. Filew represents a warmer, more in... [ Continue Reading ]
Raiseth - quickeneth. Physically and spiritually. The Son quickeneth. Not raiseth and quickeneth. The quickening, however (zwopoiei, maketh alive), includes the raising, so that the two clauses are coextensive. In popular conception the raising precedes the quickening; but, in fact, the making aliv... [ Continue Reading ]
For the Father [ο υ δ ε γ α ρ ο π α τ η ρ]. The A. V. misses the climax in ouJude; not even the Father, who might be expected to be judge. Hath committed [δ ε δ ω κ ε ν]. Rev., given. The habitual word for the bestowment of the privileges and functions of the Son. See ver. John 5:36; John 3:35; Joh... [ Continue Reading ]
Which sent Him. A phrase peculiar to John, and used only by the Lord, of the Father. See John 4:34; John 6:38; John 6:39; John 7:16; John 7:28; John 7:33, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
Heareth. Closely connected with believeth. Hath eternal life. See on 3 36. Shall not come into condemnation (eijv krisin oujk ercetai). The present tense, cometh not. So Rev. Not condemnation, but judgment, as Rev. See on 3 17. Wyc., cometh not into doom. The present, cometh, states the general pr... [ Continue Reading ]
The dead. Spiritually.... [ Continue Reading ]
As - so [ω σ π ε ρ - ο υ τ ω ς]. The correspondence is that of fact, not of degree. Hath he given [ε δ ω κ ε ν]. Rev., more strictly, gave, the aorist tense pointing back to the eternal past.... [ Continue Reading ]
Authority. See on 1 12. Also. Omit. The Son of man. Better, a son of man. The article is wanting. The authority is assigned to Him as being very man. John uses the article everywhere with this phrase, except here and Revelation 1:13; Revelation 14:14. See on Luke 6:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
The graves [τ ο ι ς μ ν η μ ε ι ο ι ς]. Rev., better; tombs. Two words are used in the New Testament for the place of burial, tafov, and mnhmeion or mnhma. The former emphasizes the idea of burial (qaptw, to bury); the latter of preserving the memory of the dead; from mimnhskw, to remind.... [ Continue Reading ]
Have done good - have done evil. Note again the use of the different verbs for doing with good and evil. See on 3 21. On the word for evil [φ α υ λ α], see on 3 20. Resurrection of life [ε α ν ε γ ω]. The phrase occurs only here in the New Testament : so resurrection of judgment [α ν α σ τ α σ ι ν... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the Father. Omit. Rev., of Him that sent.... [ Continue Reading ]
If I [ε α ν ε γ ω]. The I expressed for emphasis : I alone. True [α λ η θ η ς]. As distinguished from false. See on 1 9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye sent. Rev., rightly, have sent. The perfect tense, with allusion to something abiding in its results. Similarly, bare witness should be hath born. Note the expressed ye [υ μ ε ι ς], emphatically marking the contrast between the human testimony which the Jews demanded, and the divine testimony on... [ Continue Reading ]
But I [ε γ ω δ ε]. Emphatic, in contrast with ye (ver. 33). Receive [λ α μ β α ν ω]. See on 3 32. Testimony [τ η ν μ α ρ τ υ ρ ι α ν]. Rev., properly the witness. The restoration of the article is important. It has the force of my, marking the witness as characteristic of Christ's work. The only t... [ Continue Reading ]
A burning and shining light [ο λ υ χ ν ο ς ο κ α ι ο μ ε ν ο ς κ α ι φ α ι ν ω ν]. Rev., correctly, the lamp that burneth and shineth. Lucnov, lamp, as contrasted with the light [φ ω ς]. See John 1:5; John 1:7; John 1:8; John 1:9; and compare John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46. Wyc., lantern. The Bapti... [ Continue Reading ]
Greater witness [τ η ν μ α ρ τ υ ρ ι α ν μ ε ι ζ ω]. The article, omitted in A. V., has the force of my, as in ver. 34. Rev., the witness which I have is greater. Hath given. See on ver. 22. To finish [ι ν α τ ε λ ε ι ω σ ω]. Literally, in order that I should accomplish. Rev., accomplish. See on 4... [ Continue Reading ]
Himself [α υ τ ο ς]. The best texts substitute ejkeinov, he; reading, "the Father which sent me, He hath born witness." So Rev. Voice - shape. Not referring to the descent of the dove and the voice from heaven at Jesus ' baptism, but generally and figuratively to God's witness in the Old Testament... [ Continue Reading ]
His word. Emphatic, commencing the sentence. Compare John 17:6 sqq.; 1 John 1:10; 1 John 2:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Search [ε ρ ε υ ν α τ ε]. Rev., rightly, ye search. Jesus is appealing to a familiar practice of which for in them ye think is explanatory. See 1 Peter 1:11; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Revelation 2:23. The scriptures [τ α ς γ ρ α φ α ς]. Literally, the writings; possibly with a hint at the co... [ Continue Reading ]
And. More than a simple copula. Rather and yet. See on Luke 18:7. Ye will not [ο υ θ ε λ ε τ ε]. Indicating stubborn determination. See on Matthew 1:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
I receive not honor from men. The Greek order is : glory from men I receive not. Compare ver. 34. His glory consists in his loving fellowship with God. Men who do not love God are not in sympathy with Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I know [ε γ ν ω κ α]. See on 2 24. The love of God. Love toward God. This was the summary of their own law. The phrase occurs elsewhere in the Gospels only in Luke 11:42. In you [ε ν ε α υ τ ο ι ς]. Rev., rightly, in yourselves. Compare John 6:53; 1 John 5:10; Mark 4:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye believe. Again the emphatic ye, the reason for the emphasis being given in the succeeding clause. Which receive [λ α μ β α ν ο ν τ ε ς]. Literally, receiving (as ye do) : seeing that ye receive. Seek not the honor that cometh from God only [κ α ι τ η ν δ ο ξ α ν τ η ν μ ο ν ο υ θ ε ο υ ο υ ζ η... [ Continue Reading ]
I will accuse [κ α τ η γ ο ρ η σ ω]. From kata, against, and ajgoreuw, to speak in the assembly [α γ ο ρ α]. Hence, properly, to bring an accusation in court. John uses no other verb for accuse, and this only here, John 8:6, and Revelation 12:10. Once in the New Testament diaballw occurs (Luke 16:1,... [ Continue Reading ]
Writings [γ ρ α μ μ α σ ι ν]. It is important to understand the precise sense of this word, because it goes to determine whether Jesus intended an antithesis between Moses ' writings and His own words, or simply between Moses [ε κ ε ι ν ο υ] and Himself [ε μ ο ι ς]. Gramma primarily means what is wr... [ Continue Reading ]