_CHRIST COMFORTETH HIS DISCIPLES WITH THE HOPE OF HEAVEN: PROFESSETH HIMSELF THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; AND ONE WITH THE FATHER: ASSURETH THEIR PRAYERS IN HIS NAME TO BE EFFECTUAL: REQUIRETH LOVE AND OBEDIENCE: PROMISETH THE HOLY GHOST THE COMFORTER: AND LEAVETH HIS PEACE WITH THEM._ _Anno... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED:— Jesus not only forewarned his disciples of the great trial that was coming upon them, and commanded them to arm themselves against it, (see Luke 22:35.) but he spoke a long discourse, wherein he animated them to sustain that trial manfully, and comforted them under t... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE, &C.— Our Lord here has been thought by some to allude to the various apartments in the temple, and the vast numbers of people lodged there. Perhaps the allusion may be more general to the palaces of kings, and the various apartments there. _The_ word μοναι signifies _quiet and... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RECEIVE YOU— The idea of a fore-runner is preserved, who, after he had prepared for the entertainment of a guest, used to return, in order to introduce him into the house where the preparations were made for him. This _coming_ ultimately refers to Christ's solemn appearance at... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, WE KNOW NOT WHITHER THOU GOEST;— "We know not where thy Father's house stands, and consequently cannot know the way to it." It is probable that Thomas might think that Christ intended to remove to some splendid palace on earth, to set up his court there for a while, before he received his peop... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE:— Our Lord, most probably, had here in view the metaphors which he formerly used, _I am the door of the sheep,_ Ch. John 10:7. _I am the bread of life,_ Ch. John 6:35. And therefore, it might well have been expected, that, having so lately delivered the same... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE HAD KNOWN ME, YE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, &C.— If "you had an adequate idea of my character, from the miracles that I have performed, and from the marks of goodness, justice, and wisdom, which manifest themselves in mylife and doctrines, you could not have been ignorant of my Father, because his att... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, SHEW US THE FATHER,— Philip, hearing our Lord's words, says to him with a pious ardour becoming his character, _"Lord, do but shew us the Father,_ and bring us to the sight and enjoyment of him, _and it is happiness enough for us._ We desire no more, and resign every other hope, in comparison... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVEST THOU NOT THAT I AM IN THE FATHER, &C.— It is remarkable, that Philo, speaking of the Logos, has this expression—that "He is the Father's house, in which he dwells;" which is not only very similar to the passage before us, but to the Apostle's words, Colossians 2:9. _In him dwelleth all the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME, &C.— It is evident in fact, that though this promise be expressed in indefinite language, it must be limited in some such manner as follows: _"He that believes in me,_ that is, many of my disciples in these early ages, and each of you in particular, shall receive such an abu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK, &C.— "And whatsoever ye shall ask on the ground of my warrant and promise, with humble dependance on my wisdom and power, faithfulness and grace, and on my merit and advocacy, that ye may honour me; I will certainly perform it in answer to your prayers, that the Father h... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.— The term of _loving God,_ is frequently taken from that expression of love which consists in doing such things as are esteemed grateful or beneficial to the object beloved: but as our endeavours cannot advance either the benefit or happiness of God, and our doin... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER,— Or, _another advocate._ The word παρακλητον, signifies an _advocate_ or a _monitor,_ as well as a _comforter;_ and it is evident that the blessed Spirit maintained each of these characters; yet as the discourse before us is of the consolatory kind, the term _com... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS:— 'Ορφανους, _orphans,_ He had called them his _dear children,_— τεκνια,— John 13:33 of the last chapter. "Encourage yourselves therefore with the pleasing expectation of the promised Comforter, who will be as a Father to you, and fully supply my place; and I myself... [ Continue Reading ]
YET A LITTLE WHILE,— A _little while_ indeed, for he was crucified the next day: and he more particularly declares, that he would not appear to the Jewish nation in general after his resurrection, but only to his disciples. He adds, _"Because I live,_ by rising from the dead, _ye shall live also,_—b... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THAT DAY YE SHALL KNOW, &C.— The words rendered _and I_ have a peculiar elegance, which cannot be easily understood without adding the word _so_ in the translation; accordingly the verse would run thus: _At that day ye shall know, that as I am in the Father, and you in me, so also I am in you._ T... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDAS SAITH UNTO HIM, NOT ISCARIOT,— It is observable, that Judas Iscariot was so finished a hypocrite, that we never find him saying one word of Christ's temporal kingdom, though probablythe hope of preferment and gain in it, was the chief consideration which engaged him to follow our Lord. The per... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS HAVE I SPOKEN— "I have spoken these things during my personal presence, because my time with you is short; and though you may not just now understand many of the particulars mentioned by me, you shall have perfect knowledge of them afterwards; for my Father will give you the Holy Spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU:— "Peace be to you" was the common salutation and compliment mutually given by the Jews to each other at meeting and parting. But although this compliment implied a wish of every thing thatcould make one happy, it was often used without any meaning. At best, it was but a wish,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MY FATHER IS GREATER THAN I.— That is, "than I am, considered in my mediatorial capacity."Thesewords afforded a strong argument for the proper Divinity of our Lord; for had he been a mere man, or even a creature of the highest order, the comparison would have been foolish and impertinent.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE IT COME TO PASS,— "I have foretold my removal hence, my return to the Father, and the descent of the Spirit, in order that when these things happen, your faith, instead of being shaken, may be confirmed." It is very judiciously observed by Dr. Jenkins, in his excellent Defence... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREAFTER I WILL NOT TALK TO MUCH WITH YOU:— "I shall not have much opportunityto talk with you after this; because the devil is now excitinghis emissaries to take away my life; in which he will succeed. However, be assured, that I shall undergo the punishment of death; not because I deserve it, for... [ Continue Reading ]