_In the beginning_ Namely, of the creation, (for the evangelist evidently refers to the first word of the book of Genesis, בראשׁית, _bereshith_, rendered by the LXX. εν αρχη, the expression here used,) _was the Word_ That is, The Word existed at the beginning of the creation, and consequently from e... [ Continue Reading ]
_All things were made by him_ All creatures, whether in heaven or on earth, the whole universe, and every being contained therein, animate or inanimate, intelligent or unintelligent. The Father spoke every thing into being by him, his Eternal Word. Thus, Psalms 33:6, _By the word of the Lord were th... [ Continue Reading ]
_In him_ Or, _through him_, as Beza understands it; _was life_ He was the living and powerful Word, which was the source of life to every living creature, as well as of being to all that exists. _And the life was the light of men_ He, who is essential life, and the author of life to all that live, w... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was a man sent from God_ The introducer of a new dispensation, the morning star, preceding the rise of the Sun of righteousness; _whose name was_ JOHN That is, _grace;_ a name fitly given to the Messiah's forerunner, who was sent to proclaim the immediate accomplishment of God's gracious inte... [ Continue Reading ]
_He was in the world_ From the beginning, frequently appearing, and making known to his servants, the patriarchs and prophets, the divine will, in dreams and visions, and various other ways: _and the world was made by him_ As has just been shown; _and the world_, nevertheless, _knew him not_ Knew no... [ Continue Reading ]
_But as many as received him_ As the true Messiah, and according to the various offices and characters which he sustains: learning of him, as a teacher, the infinitely important lessons of his grace; relying on him with penitent and believing hearts, as a mediator, that is, on his sacrifice and inte... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Word_, &c. And in order to raise us, sinful creatures, to this dignity and happiness, the Divine and Eternal Word, by a most amazing condescension; _was made flesh_ That is, united himself to our inferior and miserable nature, with all its innocent infirmities. If it be inquired how he did... [ Continue Reading ]
_John bare witness of him, saying, This is he_, &c. “This might probably happen at the time when Jesus made his first appearance among those that came to be baptized by John; when, at his offering to receive his baptism, though John before had been a stranger to him, and knew him not by any personal... [ Continue Reading ]
_And of his fulness have all we received_ These are not the words of the Baptist, as the expression, _we all_, shows; for those to whom he addressed himself do not appear to have received grace from Christ. But here the evangelist confirms the Baptist's words, spoken in the preceding verse; as if he... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the law_ Working wrath, and containing shadows; _was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ_ Grace, opposed to the condemnation and wrath by the law, and truth, opposed to the ceremonies thereof. Further, in the gospel we have a discovery of the most important truths to be rec... [ Continue Reading ]
_No man hath seen God at any time_ Nor, indeed, can see him as he is, an incorporeal, and, therefore, an invisible Being: but _the only- begotten Son_, &c. John, having spoken of the incarnation, now calls Christ by this name, and no more terms him _the Word_, in all his book; _who is in the bosom o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And this is the record of John_ This is the testimony which he bare publicly to Jesus; _when the Jews_ Namely, the senate, or great council of the nation; _sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem_ Persons of the first consideration for learning and office; _to ask him, Who art thou_ What character... [ Continue Reading ]
_They which were sent were of the Pharisees_ Who were peculiarly tenacious of old customs, and jealous of any innovations, (except those brought in by their own scribes,) unless the innovator had unquestionable proofs of divine authority. Add to this, the decisions of the Pharisees were held by the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The next day_ Namely, the day after John had returned the answer mentioned John 1:26, to the priests and Levites sent to inquire into his character and mission; _John seeth Jesus coming unto him_ Having now returned from the desert, in which he had been tempted; _and saith, Behold the Lamb of God_... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is he_, &c. I now point out to you the very person of whom I formerly said, _After me cometh a man which is preferred before me_ Being incomparably greater and more excellent than I; _for he was_ That is, he existed; _before me_ Dr. Hammond abundantly vindicates this interpretation. Had πρωτος... [ Continue Reading ]
_The next day, John stood, and two of his disciples_ John happening the next day to be with two of his disciples on the banks of Jordan, he saw Jesus passing by a second time, and repeated what he had said to the multitude the day before. Probably he pointed out Jesus to these two disciples because... [ Continue Reading ]
_One of the two who heard John speak_ In the manner above related; _was Andrew_ And probably this evangelist, John, was the other, it being his custom to conceal his own name in his writings. _He_ Andrew; _first findeth his own brother Simon_ Simon may perhaps be here called Andrew's _own brother_,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The day following_ The next to that last mentioned, on which he met with Peter; _Jesus would go forth into Galilee_ And there enter on his public ministry; _and findeth Philip_ Whom he intended to choose to be one of his apostles; _and saith to him, Follow me_ Which he accordingly did, being secret... [ Continue Reading ]
_Philip findeth Nathanael_ Nathanael is supposed by many to have been the person, who, in the catalogue of the apostles, is called Bartholomew, that is, as the word signifies, the son of Tholomew, for Matthew joins Bartholomew with Philip, chap. John 10:3; and John places Nathanael in the midst of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus saw Nathanael coming_ “Nathanael, being a man of a candid disposition, resolved to go and converse with Jesus, that he might judge with the more certainty concerning his pretensions. He was coming therefore with Philip on this errand, when Jesus, who knew his thoughts, honoured him with the a... [ Continue Reading ]