Christ will raise the dead. JOHN V. His works testify of him. not only had broken the sabbath, but said also || himself; And he hath given him authority to 27 that God was his own Father, making himself execute judgment also, because he is the Son 19 equal with God. Then spoke Jesus and said of man. Wonder not at this: for the hour is 28 to them, "Verily, verily, I say to you, The coming, in which all that are in the graves shall Son can do nothing of himself, but as he seeth hear his voice, And shall come forth: they 29the Father do: for what things soever the Father that have done good, unto the resurrection of doeth, these also doeth the Son in like manner. life; and they that have done evil, unto the 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth resurrection of condemnation. Of myself I can 30 him all things which he himself doeth; and he do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgwill show him greater works than these, that ye ment is just: because I seek not mine own will, 21 may wonder. For as the Father raiseth up the but the will of the Father who hath sent me. dead, and giveth them life; even so the Son If I bear testimony concerning myself, my 31 22 giveth life to whom he will. For the Father testimony will not be regarded as true. There 32 judgeth no one, but hath committed the power is another that beareth testimony concerning 23 of judging wholly to the Son, That all should me; and I know that the testimony which he honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. beareth concerning me is true. Ye sent unto 33 He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not John, and he bore testimony unto the truth. 24 the Father who hath sent him. Verily, verily, But I receive not testimony from man only; but 34 I say to you, He that heareth my word, and these things I these things I say, that ye may be saved. He 35 believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting was a burning and a shining lamp; and ye life; and he shall not come into condemnation, were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. since he hath passed from death unto life. But I have greater testimony than that of John; 36 25 Verily, verily, I say to you, The hour is coming, for the works which the Father hath given me and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice to perform, these very works which I do, bear of the Son of God; and they that hear shall testimony for me, that the Father hath sent me. 26 live. For as the Father hath life in himself; And the Father himself, who sent me, hath 37 so hath he given to the Son also to have life in borne testimony concerning me. Have ye not this character, and his right to work from his Father working, they justly inferred that he made himself 'equal with God.' Newcome renders, like God; but this, I think does not give the force of the term, unless we take it in its adjective sense, and then it denotes 'equal,' which most modern critics adopt. 19. The Son can do, &c. Nothing opposed to the will of the Father; but always acts in concurrence with, and like him. Doddridge supposes that our Lord may refer to some peculiar influence on his mind, and which Jesus constantly followed. 20. Greater works, &c. Direct him to do greater miracles than any which he has yet done. What follows explains his meaning. 21. Even so the Son, &c. Jesus had not as yet raised the dead; but as it was allowed that the Father had and would raise the dead, Jesus declared that in like manner be would do it. 22. The power of judging, &c. In this version I follow Campbell and other translators. For this is allowed to be the proper rendering of xps. See Campbell's note. Doddridge explains it in the same view, "Hath given the administration of all judgment to the Son." 23. That all should, &c. As the person possessing this power of judging,' and of executing his own decisions, whether they respect mercy or punishment.Not the Father who, &c. He came in his Father's name, revealing his character, displaying his glories, and exercising divine power and authority; and any disrespect to him was in effect disrespect to the Father. 24. Since he hath passed. By believing in him who had sent him, and hearing the word, a man became a disciple, and was clearly a renewed man ; and through his faith he was an heir of the promise of eternal life; and shall not come into a state of condemnation, since he hatb, &c. I take add in its causal sense, in which it is used by the Septuagint, as well as in the New Testament. See Mintert and Macknight. 25. The dead shall, &c. Either those naturally or spiritually dead; for our Lord soon after called some to life who were dead, and he quickened many who were dead in sin. 26, 27. As the Father hath, &c. Essentially and originally, so he hath given to the Son to have such life in himself, and to communicate to whom he will. 1 Cor. xv. 45. The 27th verse is a repetition of the sentiment contained in the 22nd, assigning a reason for the judicial authority being given unto him.- Because he is the Son, &c. Campbell renders, 'a Son of man,' because the article is wanting. The sense is, that he had assumed human nature, and was a man. Philip. ii. 9. It suited the ends of divine wisdom, that the Judge, as well as Saviour of men, should himself be a man. 28-30. Wonder not at this, &c. For to raise all mankind at the last day will be a proof of greater power than now raising a few; and my sentence at that day will be just, because I act in all things according to the Father's will. 31-35. Be regarded as true. I have given the sense, in preference to the idiom. John had given the most express testimony to Jesus as the Messiah; at least this was implied in what he said.—He was a burning, de. John was now cast into prison; his ministry had ended, and Jesus gives us his eulogium. The Jews attended the ministry of John very regularly; and even the Pharisees, if they did not believe what he taught, at least they did not persecute him as they did Jesus. For a full illustration of this, from 17-30, see Dr. J. P. Smith's Test. to the Messiah. 37, 38. Have ye not, &c. As this version arises only from pointing at any time heard his voice, or seen his form? 38 And have ye not his word abiding among you, that ye believe not on him whom he hath sent? 39 Ye search the scriptures, because in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they also bear 40 testimony concerning me. Yet ye will not come 41 unto me, that ye may have life. I do not desire 42 honour from men; But I know you that ye 43 have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not; if another shall come in his own name, him ye 44 will receive. How can ye believe, who receive honour from one another, and seek not the 45 honour which cometh from God only? Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom 46 ye trust. For if ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER V. 1. We are again taught the divinity of Jesus. Though he appeared under the form of a servant; and as a man and mediator, confessed a holy subjection to his father and his God; yet he is his own son,' a partaker of the same divine attributes, his son whom he loves, whom he honours, whom he commands all men to honour even as himself, and to whom such power and authority are committed, that he is the source of life, and the administrator of judgment. Let us adore the wisdom of such a contrivance, that he who humbled himself so low, should be so highly exalted. Let us regard him with that submission, duty and obedience, which becomes the divinity of his nature and the dignity of his office. Let us hearken to his voice in the gospel, that we may arise now to a life of holiness: that we may hereafter hear him with joy calling forth our sleeping dust, and arise to the resurrection of life. How glorious is the hope of such a state! differently, I readily adopt it, as removing some obscurity and difficulties, and as referring to the testimony which the Father had given to his Son, when baptized. He said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. See Luke iii. 22. Campbell has explained and defended it. See his note. 39. Ye search, &c. I render in the indicative, with Doddridge, as most suitable to the context -Bear testimony, &c. The prophets described his person, doctrine, and miracles; and every part contained some reference to his mediation, and the salvation which he should effect. To these scriptures the evangelists and apostles make frequent appeals. 41-43. I do not desire, &c. My aim is not to receive your applause, or to gain your esteem by flattering your prejudices; no, I tell you honestly that I know, that under a profession of piety, ye have not the love of God in you; for if you had, you would receive me as sent by him, with credentials so clear, that they cannot be reasonably questioned. Yet if an impostor come, who will promise you temporal things, him ye will receive. Our Lord refers to what did afterwards actually occur. x 3 A multitude follow Jesus. CHAPTER VI. A. D. 32. Christ feedeth five thousand; the people ready to make him a king; he withdraweth himself ; the people follow him, whom he reproveth; declareth himself the bread of life, &c. AFTER these things Jesus went along the 1 lake of Galilee, which is also called the lake of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed 2 of Tiberias. him, because they saw the miracles which he did on those who were diseased. And Jesus 3 went up a mountain, and sat there with his disciples. And the passover, (a feast of the 4 Jews,) was near. * When Jesus then raised his eyes, and saw a 5 great company come unto him, he saith to Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (Now he said this to try 6 him: for he himself knew what he was about to do.) Philip answered him, "Two hundred 7 denarii would not purchase bread sufficient, so that every one of them may take a little." One 8 2. We have here the proofs of our Lord's divine and gracious mission. With what pleasure should we survey them, that our faith and hope may be established. John bore testimony to Jesus as his Lord, the latchet of whose shoes he was not worthy to loose. He announced him as coming from above, and being above all. The Father spoke with an audible and awful voice, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him;' while the blessed spirit in a bodily form descended upon him! His amazing miracles' showed who and whence he was; and the daily fulfilment of the predictions of the prophets, proved him to be the Son of God and the Saviour of men. Let us search the scriptures with diligence, as containing the promise of eternal life; and like our Lord, not desirous of the praise of men, may we approve ourselves to our heavenly Father, by believing on him whom he hath sent, that we may have life and be for ever saved, and exalted to glory. 44. How can ye believe, &c. My mission, or look for salvation to me, when ye are flattering one another with the most pompous titles, and expecting nothing but earthly things? If we suppose this discourse delivered to the Jewish leaders, it possesses much spirit and pertinency. 45-47. Think not, &c. Moses, their lawgiver, had written of Messiah ; and by their persecuting spirit, they showed that they were not governed by his testimony or law; and therefore he would become their accuser. CHAP. VI. 1. Went along the lake, &c. Comp. Matt. xiv. 13, &c. Mark vi. 30, &c. Luke ix. 10, &c It appears from the other evangelists, that Jesus entered into a ship, with his disciples, and it is probable that he only coasted along the lake, as he only went into a desert belonging the city of Bethsaida, on the same shore where he had been teaching. And he would not go far from the shore, as the people followed him, and of course must see where be was going. 5-15. And saw a great, &c. He saw them resorting to him from all quarters; and having compassion, he wrought the miracle recorded. See 163 Miracle of the five loaves. JOHN VI. of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, 9 saith to him, "There is a boy here, who hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but 10 what are they among so many?" And Jesus said, "Make the men lie down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men lay 11 down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who had lain down; and in like manner the fishes, as much as they would. 12 And when they were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments which remain, 13 that nothing be lost." Therefore they gathered them, and filled twelve large baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which re14 mained after the people had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle which Jesus did, said, "This is in truth that prophet 15 who was to come into the world." When Jesus therefore perceived that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him a king, he again withdrew to a mountain himself alone. 16 And when evening came, his disciples went 17 down to the lake, And entered into a ship, and went along the lake towards Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come 18 to them. And the lake arose because of a 19 great wind which blew. So when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the lake, and drawing 20 near to the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith to them, "It is I; be not afraid." 21 Then they gladly received him into the ship: The work which God requires. and immediately the ship was at the land whither they were going. The day following, when the multitude who 22 stood on the other side of the lake saw that there was none other boat there but one, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples had departed alone: (However there came other boats from Tiberias 23 near to the place where they ate bread, after that the Lord had given thanks :) When 24 the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And 25 when they had found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, "Rabbi, when camest thou hither?" Jesus answered them 26 and said, "Verily, verily, I say to you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not only for the food which per- 27 isheth, but for that food which endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him hath the Father, that is God, sealed." Then said they to him, "What 28 shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, 29 "This is the work of God, that ye believe in him whom he hath sent." Then they said to 30 him, "What miracle doest thou, that we may see it, and believe in thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers ate manna in the desert; 31 as it is written, 'He gave them the bread of heaven to eat." Jesus then said to them, 32 "Verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave you not the bread of heaven; but my Father giveth Matt. xiv. 15, &c. Mark vi. 35, &c. This miracle induced the people to declare that Jesus was the prophet who should come into the world;' and on this conviction they resolved immediately to make him their king, but he withdrew himself. 17. Went along, &c. All our best maps represent Capernaum on the west side of the lake; and negav must have the sense here attributed to it. 21. Gladly received, &c. John has omitted many circumstances which the other evangelists have related. See Matt. xiv. 24, &c. Mark vi. 47, &c. 22-24. The following, &c. For the text see Griesbach and Campbell. There is reason to think it has suffered by the carelessness of transcribers. 26. Ye ate of the loaves, &c. Our Lord knew what was in man, and doubtless knew that the motive of many that followed was low and mercenary, desiring to live without labour. 27-29. Work not only for, &c. So I render to show the manner of our Lord, which, in this instance, can be happily preserved.— But for that food, &c. Divine knowledge and instruction, which is the food of the soulThat is God. This is added as explanatory of who was meant by the Father; and by his sealing' is meant giving his attestation to Jesus; so that they might believe on him, and be saved. 30-34. What miracle doest, &c. That one here denotes miracle, is generally allowed; and particularly as joined with the verb nous. He had lately fed a few thousands; but, say they, this is nothing compared with the miracle which Moses wrought in confirmation of his mission, who gave our fathers manna from heaven, even for the space of forty years. Ps. 1xxviii. 24, 25. 32. Moses gave, &c. It is only in a subordinate sense that what dropped from the clouds and nourished the body, can be called the bread of heaven; but in a higher and more noble one, it may be said, My father now giveth you the true bread of heaven. 33. Is that which cometh, &c. Our Lord evidently means himself; but the people, from what follows, did not perceive it. Christ the bread of life. JOHN VI. 33 you the true bread of heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down from heaven, 34 and giveth life to the world." Then said they to him, “Master, evermore give us this bread." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and 36 he that believeth in me shall never thirst. But I have said to you, That ye have seen me, and 37 yet believe not. All that the Father giveth me will come to me: and him that cometh to me 38 I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the 39 will of him that sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that of all whom he hath given me I should lose none, but should raise 40 them up at the last day. And this is the will of him who sent me, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have everlasting life and him I will raise up at the last day." He refers to his sacrifice. and learned from the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, but 46 he who is from God; he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believeth 47 in me hath everlasting life. I am the bread of 48 life. Your fathers ate manna in the desert, 49 and are dead. This is the bread which cometh 50 down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came 51 down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." The Jews therefore contended among them- 52 selves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Then Jesus said to them, "Verily, 53 verily, I say to you, Unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have not life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, 54 and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life; and him I will raise up at the last day. For my 55 flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh 56 my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the 57 living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he likewise that eateth me, shall live by me. This is the bread which came down 58 from heaven: not as your fathers ate manna, and died: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." These things he said in the syna- 59 gogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they 60 35. I am the bread of life. The bread which giveth life, yea eternal life; and every believer in me shall enjoy the noblest satisfaction and delight, so as not to hunger and thirst after evil things any more. 36. I have said, &c. See verses 26-29. They had seen his miracles, yet did not believe in him, as their cavelling spirit proved. 37-40. Will come to me. Every one so disposed by the Father; and as I have come to do the Father's will, I will not reject any that come to me. For his will is, "That of all whom, &c.' I have preferred applying this to persons as they are certainly intended. All those given to Christ will be brought to believe in him, and raised by him at the last day. None such will be lost. 41, 42. Murmured, &c. They considered his being a man inconsistent with his assertion, that he was the bread which came down from heaven, and especially his descent from Joseph and Mary. 44. Draw him, &c. By the influence of his spirit in the heart, exciting such thoughts and dispositions as will lead the man to regard and rely on his Son for salvation. 45. Every one that, &c. See Is. liv. 13. Jer. xxxi. 34. By his own word and the teaching of his Spirit, cometh unto me. 46. Not that any, &c. Jesus spoke of a secret influence on the mind, not of immediately seeing, hearing, and learning from the Father, whom no man had seen but himself. 49-51. Your fathers ate, &c. But this did not preserve their natural life; for they are long since dead; but he that believeth in me shall have everlasting life in heaven. Our Lord closes with referring to his own sacrifice, which would be the life of the world. 52-59. His flesh to eat. The blood of victims was to be invariably presented to God as making atonement; but in many kinds of sacrifices, the chief part of the flesh was appropriated to the priests and the offerer, of which they eat. Our Lord, I think, refers in these verses to himself as a sacrifice for sin, and intimates, that unless they did, as it were, eat his flesh and drink his blood, or exercise a believing regard to his sacrifice, they could not enjoy a life of pardon and peace here, or eternal life hereafter. But if they did exercise this believing regard, and feed on him, as shedding his blood for men, they would find his flesh, in this view, food indeed, and his blood drink indeed; affording the noblest support to the divine life, and securing future happiness. 60. Who can hear it? Who can understand it; or who can hear it with Some offended at his word. JOHN VII. had heard him, said, "This is hard doctrine; 61 who can hear it?" When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said to 62 them, "Do ye stumble at this? What then if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up 63 where he was before? It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words which I have spoken" are spirit, and 64 life. But there are some of you that believe (For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who would 65 deliver him up.) And he said, "Therefore said I to you, that no man can come unto me, unless it be given unto him by my Father." not." V 66 From that time many of his disciples went 67 back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus to the twelve, "Will ye also go Peter's confession of him. away?" Then Simon Peter answered him, 68 "Lord, to whom shall we go: thou hast the words of everlasting life. And we believe and 69 are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. the living God. Jesus answered them, "Have 70 not I chosen you twelve? and yet one of you is a false accuser." He spoke of Judas Iscariot 71 the son of Simon: for he was about to deliver him up, being one of the twelve. After these things Jesus abode in Galilee: 1 for he would not abide in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. CHAPTER VII. A. D. 32. Jesus reproveth the ambition of his kinsmen; goeth up to the feast of booths; teacheth in the temple; various opinions respecting him; officers sent to take him; Nicodemus vindicates him. - 63.▾ Griesbach. 1. We learn the power REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER VI. of our Lord, and his great compassion; the former in his feeding so many, and the latter in his language to the distressed and affrighted disciples. They were amidst a tempest, when he appeared walking with ease and majesty on the waves, to teach them his power, to still it and to deliver them. Thus are storms often permitted to arise around his people, to exercise their faith and their patience; but Jesus is near, though they know it not, and though they sometimes think that he is regardless of them. When the disciples perceived that it was their Lord they assumed confidence; and Peter at his command ventured to go to him on the sea. But Peter perceiving how boisterous the wind was, began to fear and to sink; and had not Jesus seized him by the hand, he would have sunk. Let us like Peter, in the time of our distress, cry to him who is able to save, in believing prayer; and Jesus will not fail to stretch out his almighty arm for our safety and deliverance. 2. Let us learn how necessary and important a blessing the Lord Jesus is to the world. He is the true bread, which giveth life to the world.' How solicitous should we be that by a true faith we may patience? The text admits either of these senses; but which is intended I cannot determine. 62. What then if, &c. See Ch. iii. 13, and note. To suppose that our Lord only meant, that were he to reveal doctrines more sublime, is at least to make him speak very unintelligibly. Were you to see me go to heaven, whence I descended, would you then understand what I meant by coming as bread from heaven. Or in case of this, would you not perceive, how impossible it would be for you, literally, to eat my flesh and drink my blood.' This I take to be our Lord's meaning. 63. It is the spirit, &c. With Doddridge and others, I consider that the text contains a comparison, though the terms are wanting. As in the human frame, it is the spirit which animates the whole, and the flesh, however organized, profits nothing, is of no use; so my words are spirit, or to be understood in a spiritual sense, and then they will give life to the soul. CHAP. VII. feed upon it. While it is our duty to work for the bread that perisheth, and to provide things honest in the sight of all men ;* let us work especially the work of God, by believing on him whom he hath sent. And though some reject this living bread, yea treat it with contempt; let us give thanks for God's influence on our minds, teaching and drawing us to Christ. And with what pleasure should we hear his animating words, Him that cometh I will in no wise cast out.' 6 3. The doctrine of atonement by his blood which our Lord taught, to some appeared absurd, and to others most offensive. This doctrine is now more clearly revealed, since Jesus shed his blood for the remission of the sins of many. He gave his flesh, when he offered himself on the cross; and happy are they that understand the spiritual sense of his language, and spiritually eat his flesh and drink his blood. These are the great support of the divine life; and if any are offended with this doctrine, and withdraw from Christ, they forsake their own mercies. In this divine and fundamental truth may we be well grounded, being assured that there is no remission without the shedding of blood, and no way to enjoy it but by believing on him who has the word or promise of eternal life. 65. Unless it be given, &c. See verse 44. Our Lord repeats the same sense, though not the precise words. 66. Went back and, &c. Such as had only followed him for loaves and fishes, and as were for making him a king, because he could supply their temporal necessities by the exertion of his miraculous power. 68. Lord, to whom, &c. The twelve are mentioned, and Peter answers for the rest; and professes his own honest opinion both as to the doc. triue and person of Christ. As to the former he had the words of everlasting life; and as to the latter, they were assured that he was the Christ, the Son of the living God. 70. Is a false accuser. I give the primitive sense of diaCodes in preference to the common version, which has something harsh and not agreeable to our Lord's mild and condescending manner. Comp. Eph. iv. 27, and 1 Tim. iii. 11, with 2 Tim. iii. 3. |