_Six days before the passover_ Namely, on the sabbath; that which was
called by the Jews, _The great sabbath._ This whole week was anciently
termed, _The great and holy week; Jesus came_ From Ephraim, whither he
had retired with his disciples, to preserve his life for a time from
the murderous desig... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then took Mary a pound of ointment_, &c. See notes on Matthew 26:6;
Mark 14:1. She did what is here related in token of the warm sense she
had of the many favours Christ had conferred on her and her relations,
but especially for the wonderful kindness he had lately shown to her
brother Lazarus. _Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Much people knew he was there, and came_ Bethany being within two
miles of Jerusalem, the news of his arrival soon reached the city, and
drew out great numbers of the people; for they wished to see the man
that had been raised from the dead, and the still more wonderful man
that had raised him. And... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the next day_ On Sunday; _much people that were come to the feast_
From different parts of the country, particularly from Galilee; _took
branches of palm-trees_, &c. So that this multitude consisted chiefly,
not of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but of persons from other places.
See this story ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people, therefore_ “Because the forwardness which the multitude
now showed to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah was altogether
extraordinary, the evangelist assigns the cause thereof. The witnesses
of the resurrection of Lazarus had published the miracle far and near.
As they were many in number... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there were certain Greeks_ A prelude of the Gentile Church. The
phrase, τινες Ελληνες, here used, signifies properly, as
translators have rendered it, _certain Greeks._ But all the Gentiles
being thus named by the Jews, it was intended to denote their
religion, rather than their country: they h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus answered, saying_ This phraseology intimates the suitableness
of the following discourse to this particular occasion; by attending
to which, many of the beauties of it will be discovered. Our Lord
might, perhaps, enlarge on some of these hints; and if his hearers
took a due notice of them, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now is my soul troubled_ Our Lord, having uttered what is above
recorded, seems to have paused for a while, and entered on a deep
contemplation of the very different scene which lay before him; the
prospect of which moved him to such a degree, that he uttered his
grief in these and the following do... [ Continue Reading ]
_Father, glorify thy name_ Whatever I suffer. For this may be
considered as a further expression of his resignation, importing that
he was willing to submit to whatever the Father should judge necessary
for the manifestation of his perfections: as if he had said, Dispose
of me and all my concerns in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now is the judgment of this world_ Which I am going to conquer and
condemn, that by my death my followers may both be taught and enabled
to triumph over it, and those may be convinced of sin that believe not
in me. Some interpreters render the clause, _Now is this world come to
its crisis:_ and oth... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people answered_ Understanding the phrase as implying some
violent death shortly to come upon him; _We have heard out of the law,
that Christ abideth for ever_ On hearing Jesus affirm that he was to
be lifted up, or taken off by a violent death, they told him that it
was inconsistent with the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though he had done so many miracles before them_ So that they could
not but see them; _yet they believed not on him_ That is, in general
they did not; being hardened in their infidelity. _That the saying of
Esaias might_ Or rather, _So that the saying of Esaias was,
fulfilled_, as Dr. Doddridge ren... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him_
Though the greater part of those to whom Christ preached rejected him,
his sermons were not wholly unsuccessful; for a number of the chief
magistrates, and other principal people, believed on him; yet they did
not openly profess their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus_ On some occasion or other, soon after this, in order to
strengthen the faith of those timid and diffident disciples (if such
they could be called) last mentioned, and to inspire them with
courage; _cried_ Or proclaimed, with a loud voice, when, it appears, a
considerable number of people wer... [ Continue Reading ]