_After these things_ That is, after he had miraculously fed the five thousand, walked on the sea to his disciples, and discoursed with the multitude concerning the bread of life, as is recorded in the preceding chapter; _Jesus walked in Galilee_ That is, continued there, and instructed his disciples... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand_ Instituted in commemoration of the Israelites dwelling in tents in the wilderness, and celebrated in booths erected for that purpose, with great solemnity and joy. For a particular account of the time, manner, and reason of this feast, see Leviticus 2... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when his brethren_ His carnal relations and their friends, in whose company he did not choose to travel; _were gone up, then went he also to the feast_ In obedience to the divine command, and because it would give him an opportunity of honouring God, and doing good; but _not openly_ Not publicl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Jews_ The men of Judea, particularly of Jerusalem, not seeing him appear as usual; _sought him at the feast_ Namely, at the beginning of it; _and said, Where is he?_ What is become of Jesus? What can have prevented his coming to the feast? As he had formerly attended the principal feasts,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now about the midst of the feast_ Which lasted eight days; _Jesus went up into the temple and taught_ Probably on the sabbath day. His business was to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and he readily did it in every time and place of concourse: and doubtless vast multitudes would be assembled in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Did not Moses give you the law_ As if he had said, But you are unrighteous; for you violate the very law for which you profess so much zeal. There is a remarkable beauty in this sudden turn of the sentiment. Some of the Jews called Jesus a false prophet: because on the sabbath day he had healed the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus answered, I have done one_ good _work, and ye all marvel_ I have done a miracle of an extraordinary kind on the sabbath day, an action which ye think inconsistent with the character of a good man, and therefore ye wonder that I should have performed it. But I can easily vindicate my character... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then_ While our Lord was thus discoursing in the temple; _some of them of Jerusalem_ Some of the inhabitants of the city, who knew more of the designs of the sanhedrim than the others who had spoken before; _said, Is not this he whom they seek to kill?_ Seek an opportunity to put to death? _But lo_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then cried Jesus_ Probably with a loud and earnest voice, and with allusion to the words which they had just spoken in a private manner to each other, and which they imagined he could not have heard, as he taught in the temple at some distance from them; _Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am_ O... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then they sought to take him_ “The defence which he made did not pacify his enemies, for some of them would gladly have apprehended him; however, none of them had the courage to lay hands on him, being restrained by Providence, because the season of his sufferings was not yet come.” _And many of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Jesus_ Continuing his discourse, (from John 7:29,) which they had interrupted, _Yet a little while am I with you_ My ministry among you is drawing toward a conclusion; you ought, therefore, while it lasts, to make the best possible improvement of it. For _ye shall seek me, and shall not f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said the Jews, Whither will he go_ Jesus spake concerning his death, resurrection, and ascension, but the Jews did not understand him; for they imagined that he threatened to leave them, and go among their brethren of the dispersion. _Will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles_ Greek, τω... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the last day_, &c. Namely, the eighth day, when, according to the institution of Moses, (Leviticus 23:34; Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35, where see the notes,) there was to be a holy convocation, or general and solemn assembly of the people, attended with some extraordinary sacrifices. This day... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that believeth on me_ With a living faith, and with _his heart unto righteousness; as the Scripture hath said_ As God in the Scriptures hath promised and attested in many places; _out of his belly_ From within him, from his mind and heart; _shall flow rivers of living water_ He shall receive spi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Many of the people therefore_ Even the officers sent to apprehend Christ, (see John 7:46,) as welt as many others of our Lord's hearers; _when they heard this saying_ Namely, the gracious invitation above mentioned, which indeed was a more free declaration and promise than he commonly made, were so... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then came the officers to the chief priests_, &c. Namely, without accomplishing the purpose for which they were sent; _and they_ The chief priests and other members of the sanhedrim, perceiving the officers had not executed their commission; _said, Why have ye not brought him_ According to the orde... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nicodemus, he who came to Jesus by night_ Having now got a little more courage; _being one of them_ Being present, as a member of the great council, _saith to them, Doth our law judge_ (κρινει, condemn) _any man before it hear him_ Before the magistrate, appointed to execute it, summon him into his... [ Continue Reading ]