The light of the world [τ ο φ ω ς τ ο υ κ ο σ μ ο υ]. Not lucnov, a lamp, as John the Baptist (v. 35). Light is another of John's characteristic terms and ideas, playing a most important part in his writings, as related to the manifestation of Jesus and His work upon men. He comes from God, who is l... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou barest record of thyself. Rev., witness. A technical objection, evading the real purport of Jesus ' declaration. The Rabbinical writings declared that no man could give witness for himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though [κ α ν]. Literally, even if. I know [ο ι δ α]. With a clear inward consciousness. See on 2 24. Whence I came and whither I go. Two essential facts of testimony, viz., origin and destiny. "The question was one about His own personal consciousness, of which only Himself could bear witness" (L... [ Continue Reading ]
True [α λ η θ η ς]. The best texts, however, read ajlhqinh, true to the perfect ideal of judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
In your law [ε ν τ ω ν ο μ ω τ ω υ μ ε τ ε ρ ω]. Literally, in the law, that which is yours. Yours has an emphatic force : of which you claim a monopoly. See John 7:49. It is written [γ ε γ ρ α π τ α ι]. The perfect tense : it has been written, and stands written. The common form of citation elsewh... [ Continue Reading ]
Where. The testimony of an unseen and unheard witness would not satisfy them.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Treasury [γ α ζ ο φ υ λ α κ ι ω]. From gaza, treasure, a Persian word, occurring only once in the New Testament (Acts 8:27), and fulakh, guard. Used by John only here. The Treasury was in the Court of the Women, so called, not because it was appropriated to the worship of women exclusively, but... [ Continue Reading ]
Then [ο υ ν]. Properly, therefore, connecting the fact of Jesus ' continuing to speak with His freedom from arrest. Said Jesus. Omit Jesus, and read, He said therefore. Go away [υ π α γ ω]. Withdraw myself from you; this sense being emphasized by the succeeding words, ye shall seek me. In expressin... [ Continue Reading ]
Will He kill Himself [μ η τ ι α π ο κ τ ε ν ε ι ε α υ τ ο ν] ? The mockery in these words is alike subtle and bitter. The interrogative particle, mhti, signifies surely He will not by any chance kill Himself; and the sense of the whole clause is, He will not surely go where we cannot reach Him, unle... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are from beneath [ε κ τ ω ν κ α τ ω ε σ τ ε]. A phrase peculiar to John and to his Gospel. Jesus states the radical antagonism between His opposers and Himself, as based upon difference of origin and nature. They spring from the lower, sensual, earthly economy; He from the heavenly. Compare James... [ Continue Reading ]
I am he [ε γ ω ε ι μ ι]. He is inserted in the versions and is not in the text. By retaining it, we read, I am the Messiah. But the words are rather the solemn expression of His absolute divine being, as in ver 58 "If ye believe not that I am." See Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10; and compare vv. 28... [ Continue Reading ]
Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning [τ η ν α ρ χ η ν ο τ ι κ α ι λ α λ ω υ μ ι ν]. A very difficult passage, on which the commentators are almost hopelessly divided. There are two main classes of interpretations, according to one of which it is to be read interrogatively, and accor... [ Continue Reading ]
I have many things, etc. The connection of thought seems to be as follows : "I being such as my words show me to be, I must declare the whole message of Him by virtue of my essential union with whom I speak. Many things I have to declare and judge, and you may turn a deaf ear to them; nevertheless,... [ Continue Reading ]
They understood [ε γ ν ω σ α ν]. Perceived, as Rev. He spake. Imperfect. Was speaking would be much better.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lifted up. See on 3 14. Ye shall know [γ ν ω σ ε σ θ ε]. Render, perceive, here as in ver. 27. I am He. As in ver. 24, on which see note. Of myself [α π ε μ α υ τ ο υ]. Properly, from myself, as Rev., at Revelation 7:17, but not here. See on 7 17. Hath taught [ε δ ι δ α ξ ε ν]. Rev., more correc... [ Continue Reading ]
The Father. The best texts omit. Alone. See ver. 16. Those things that please Him [τ α α ρ ε σ τ α α υ τ ω]. Literally, as Rev., the things that are pleasing to Him. Always [π α ν τ ο τ ε] closing the sentence, is emphatic. Jesus ' holy activity is habitual and continuous. See John 4:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
Believed on [ε π ι σ τ ε υ κ ο τ α ς α υ τ ω]. See on 1 12, and compare believed Him, ver. 31.... [ Continue Reading ]
Believed on Him [π ε π ι σ τ ε υ κ ο τ α ς α υ τ ω]. Note the different phrase, distinguishing the Jews from the mixed company in ver. 30. Rev., rightly, believed Him. If ye continue [ε α ν υ μ ε ι ς μ ε ι ν η τ ε]. The emphasis is on the ye, addressed to those whose faith was rudimentary; who beli... [ Continue Reading ]
Were never in bondage [δ ε δ ο υ λ ε υ κ α μ ε ν π ω π ο τ ε]. Rev., better, have never yet been in bondage; thus giving the force of the perfect tense, never up to this time, and of the pw, yet. In the light of the promises given to Abraham, Genesis 17:16; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 22:18, the Jews cla... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever committeth [π α ς ο π ο ι ω ν]. Rev., more correctly, every one that committeth. Sin [τ η ν α μ α ρ τ ι α ν]. The definite article, the sin, shows that Jesus does not mean merely a simple act, but a life of sin. Compare 1 John 3:4-8, and doeth the truth (John 3:21); doeth the righteousnes... [ Continue Reading ]
Abideth not in the house forever. A slave has no permanent place in the house. He may be sold, exchanged, or cast out. Compare Genesis 21:10; Galatians 4:30. House. See Hebrews 3:6; John 14:2. The elder son in the parable of the prodigal (Luke 14:29), denies his sonship by the words, "These many yea... [ Continue Reading ]
Indeed [ο ν τ ω ς]. Used by John only here. It means essentially.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath no place [ο υ χ ω ρ ε ι]. Rev., hath not free course, or maketh no way. This rendering is in harmony with vv. 30, 31, concerning those who believed, but did not believe on Him, and who showed by their angry answer, in ver. 33, that the word of Jesus had made no advance in them. The rendering of... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have seen. The best texts read hjkousate, ye heard.... [ Continue Reading ]
Children [τ ε κ ν α]. See on 1 12.... [ Continue Reading ]
A man [α ν θ ρ ω π ο ν]. Used only here by the Lord of Himself. To this corresponds His calling the Devil a manslayer at ver. 44. Perhaps, too, as Westcott remarks, it may suggest the idea of the human sympathy which, as a man, He was entitled to claim from them. This did not Abraham. In the orient... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye do. Or, are doing. Fornication [π ο ρ ν ε ι α ς]. From pernhmi, to sell.... [ Continue Reading ]
I proceeded forth - from God [ε κ τ ο υ θ ε ο υ ε ξ η λ θ ο ν]. Rev., came forth. The phrase occurs only here and in John 16:28. Exelqein is found in John 13:3; John 16:30, and emphasizes the idea of separation; a going from God to whom He was to return (and goeth unto God). Exelqein para (John 16:2... [ Continue Reading ]
Speech - word [λ α λ ι α ν - λ ο γ ο ν]. The former word refers to the form, the latter to the substance of discourse. So Matthew 26:73, of Peter, "thy speech [λ α λ ι α] bewrayeth thee;" thy mode of speaking. If they had understood the substance, they would have understood the form. Cannot. See on... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye [υ μ ε ι ς]. Emphatic, in contrast with hJmeiv, we, of ver. 41. Of your father [ε κ]. Very suggestive, implying community of nature, as in ver. 42. Compare 1 John 3:8; 1 John 3:10. The Devil. See on Matthew 4:1. John uses Satan only once in the Gospel (xiii. 27), frequently in Revelation, and now... [ Continue Reading ]
And because I [ε γ ω δ ε ο τ ι]. Render but, instead of and. You would believe falsehood if I should speak it, but because I tell you the truth, you do not believe. The I is emphatic. I, because I tell you, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
Convinceth [ε λ ε γ χ ε ι]. See on 3 20. Rev., convicteth. Sin [α μ α ρ τ ι α ς]. Not fault or error, but sin in general, as everywhere in the New Testament. The truth [α λ η θ ε ι α ν]. Without the article, and therefore not the whole truth, but that which is true as to any part of divine revelat... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is of [ο ω ν ε κ]. The familiar construction. See on 1 46.... [ Continue Reading ]
Say we not well. Indicating a current reproach. Well [κ α λ ω ς] is literally, finely, beautifully. Sometimes ironical, as Mark 7:6. Thou art a Samaritan [σ α μ α ρ ε ι τ η ς ε ι σ υ]. Literally, a Samaritan art thou : the su, thou, terminating the sentence with a bitter emphasis : thou who profess... [ Continue Reading ]
I have not a devil. He ignores the charge of being a Samaritan, refusing to recognize the national distinction. For devil read demon.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is one that seeketh. That seeks my honor and judges between me and my opposers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Keep [τ η ρ η σ η]. See on 1 Peter 1:4. Saying [λ ο γ ο ν]. Better, word, as Rev. See on ver. 43. He shall not see death [θ α ν α τ ο ν ο υ μ η θ ε ω ρ η σ η]. The phrase qewrein qanaton, to see death, occurs only here in the New Testament. The double negative signifies in nowise, by no means. Qewr... [ Continue Reading ]
Now. Looking back to ver. 48. If we were too hasty then in saying that you have a demon, your words now fully justify us. They understood Him to be speaking of natural death. Is dead [α π ε θ α ν ε]. Better, died : referring to the historical fact. Taste of death. They change the form of Jesus ' s... [ Continue Reading ]
Art thou [μ η σ υ]. Thou, emphatic, and the negative interrogative particle implying a negative answer, thou art not surely greater. Which is dead [ο σ τ ι ς]. The compound pronoun ostiv, which, is used explicatively, according to a familiar New Testament usage, instead of the simple relative. The s... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying [λ ο γ ο ν]. Properly, word, as ver. 51. So Rev.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoiced [η γ α λ λ ι α σ α τ ο]. With exultant joy. See on 1 Peter 1:6. To see [ι ν α ι δ η]. The Greek construction is peculiar. Literally, that he should see; i e., in the knowledge or anticipation that he should see. My day. The exact meaning of the expression is altogether uncertain.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou art not yet fifty years old [π ε ν τ η κ ο ν τ α ε τ η ο υ π ω ε χ ε ι ς]. Literally, thou hast not yet fifty years. The age of completed manhood. Hast thou seen. Again misquoting the Lord's words.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was, I am [γ ε ν ε σ θ α ι, ε γ ω ε ι μ ι]. It is important to observe the distinction between the two verbs. Abraham's life was under the conditions of time, and therefore had a temporal beginning. Hence, Abraham came into being, or was born [γ ε ν ε σ θ α ι]. Jesus ' life was from and to eternity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Going through the midst of them, and so passed by. The best texts omit.... [ Continue Reading ]