2279 lines
165 KiB
XML
2279 lines
165 KiB
XML
<div2 id="John.ii" n="ii" next="John.iii" prev="John.i" progress="68.46%" title="Chapter I">
|
||
<h2 id="John.ii-p0.1">J O H N.</h2>
|
||
<h3 id="John.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
|
||
<p class="intro" id="John.ii-p1">The scope and design of this chapter is to confirm
|
||
our faith in Christ as the eternal Son of God, and the true Messiah
|
||
and Saviour of the world, that we may be brought to receive him,
|
||
and rely upon him, as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and to give up
|
||
ourselves to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. In order to
|
||
this, we have here, I. An account given of him by the inspired
|
||
penman himself, fairly laying down, in the beginning, what he
|
||
designed his whole book should be the proof of (<scripRef id="John.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.1-John.1.5" parsed="|John|1|1|1|5" passage="Joh 1:1-5">ver. 1-5</scripRef>); and again (<scripRef id="John.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.10-John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|10|1|14" passage="Joh 1:10-14">ver. 10-14</scripRef>); and again, <scripRef id="John.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.16-John.1.18" parsed="|John|1|16|1|18" passage="Joh 1:16-18">ver. 16-18</scripRef>. II. The testimony of John
|
||
Baptist concerning him (<scripRef id="John.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:John.1.6-John.1.9" parsed="|John|1|6|1|9" passage="Joh 1:6-9">ver.
|
||
6-9</scripRef>; and again, <scripRef id="John.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:John.1.15" parsed="|John|1|15|0|0" passage="Joh 1:15">ver.
|
||
15</scripRef>); but most fully and particularly, <scripRef id="John.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:John.1.19-John.1.37" parsed="|John|1|19|1|37" passage="Joh 1:19-37">ver. 19-37</scripRef>. III. His own manifestation of
|
||
himself to Andrew and Peter (<scripRef id="John.ii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:John.1.38-John.1.42" parsed="|John|1|38|1|42" passage="Joh 1:38-42">ver.
|
||
38-42</scripRef>), to Philip and Nathanael, <scripRef id="John.ii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:John.1.43-John.1.51" parsed="|John|1|43|1|51" passage="Joh 1:43-51">ver. 43-51</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<scripCom id="John.ii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:John.1" parsed="|John|1|0|0|0" passage="Joh 1" type="Commentary"/>
|
||
<scripCom id="John.ii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:John.1.1-John.1.5" parsed="|John|1|1|1|5" passage="Joh 1:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.1-John.1.5">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p1.11">The Divinity of Christ.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p2">1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
|
||
was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the
|
||
beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and
|
||
without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him
|
||
was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light
|
||
shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p3">Augustine says (<i>de Civitate Dei,</i> lib.
|
||
10, cap. 29) that his friend Simplicius told him he had heard a
|
||
Platonic philosopher say that these first verses of St. John's
|
||
gospel were <i>worthy to be written in letters of gold.</i> The
|
||
learned Francis Junius, in the account he gives of his own life,
|
||
tells how he was in his youth infected with loose notions in
|
||
religion, and by the grace of God was wonderfully recovered by
|
||
reading accidentally these verses in a bible which his father had
|
||
designedly laid in his way. He says that he observed such a
|
||
divinity in the argument, such an authority and majesty in the
|
||
style, that his flesh trembled, and he was struck with such
|
||
amazement that for a whole day he scarcely knew where he was or
|
||
what he did; and thence he dates the beginning of his being
|
||
religious. Let us enquire what there is in those strong lines. The
|
||
evangelist here lays down the great truth he is to prove, that
|
||
Jesus Christ is God, one with the Father. Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p4">I. Of whom he speaks—<i>The
|
||
Word</i>—<b><i>ho logos</i></b>. This is an idiom peculiar to
|
||
John's writings. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.1 Bible:1John.5.7 Bible:Rev.19.13" parsed="|1John|1|1|0|0;|1John|5|7|0|0;|Rev|19|13|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:1,5:7,Re 19:13">1
|
||
John i. 1; v. 7; Rev. xix. 13</scripRef>. Yet some think that
|
||
Christ is meant by <i>the Word</i> in <scripRef id="John.ii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.32 Bible:Heb.4.12 Bible:Luke.1.2" parsed="|Acts|20|32|0|0;|Heb|4|12|0|0;|Luke|1|2|0|0" passage="Ac 20:32,Heb 4:12,Lu 1:2">Acts xx. 32; Heb. iv. 12; Luke i.
|
||
2</scripRef>. The Chaldee paraphrase very frequently calls the
|
||
Messiah <i>Memra—the Word of Jehovah,</i> and speaks of many
|
||
things in the Old Testament, said to be done by <i>the Lord,</i> as
|
||
done by that <i>Word of the Lord.</i> Even the vulgar Jews were
|
||
taught that the <i>Word of God</i> was the same with God. The
|
||
evangelist, in the close of his discourse (<scripRef id="John.ii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.18" parsed="|John|1|18|0|0" passage="Joh 1:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), plainly tells us why he calls
|
||
Christ <i>the Word—because he is the only begotten Son, who is in
|
||
the bosom of the Father, and has declared him. Word</i> is
|
||
two-fold: <b><i>logos endiathetos</i></b>—<i>word conceived;</i>
|
||
and <b><i>logos prophorikos</i></b>—<i>word uttered.</i> The
|
||
<b><i>logos ho eso</i></b> and <b><i>ho exo</i></b>, <i>ratio</i>
|
||
and <i>oratio—intelligence</i> and <i>utterance.</i> 1. There is
|
||
the <i>word conceived,</i> that is, <i>thought,</i> which is the
|
||
first and only immediate product and conception of the soul (all
|
||
the operations of which are performed by <i>thought</i>), and it is
|
||
one with the soul. And thus the second person in the Trinity is
|
||
fitly called <i>the Word;</i> for he is the <i>first-begotten of
|
||
the Father,</i> that eternal essential Wisdom which <i>the Lord
|
||
possessed,</i> as the soul does its thought, <i>in the beginning of
|
||
his way,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.22" parsed="|Prov|8|22|0|0" passage="Pr 8:22">Prov. viii. 22</scripRef>.
|
||
There is nothing we are more sure of than <i>that we think,</i> yet
|
||
nothing we are more in the dark about than <i>how we think;</i> who
|
||
can declare the generation of <i>thought</i> in the soul? Surely
|
||
then the generations and births of the eternal mind may well be
|
||
allowed to be great mysteries of godliness, the bottom of which we
|
||
cannot fathom, while yet we adore the depth. 2. There is the
|
||
<i>word uttered,</i> and this is <i>speech,</i> the chief and most
|
||
natural indication of the mind. And thus Christ is <i>the Word,</i>
|
||
for <i>by him</i> God has in <i>these last days spoken to us</i>
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.2" parsed="|Heb|1|2|0|0" passage="Heb 1:2">Heb. i. 2</scripRef>), and has
|
||
directed us to <i>hear him,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.17.5" parsed="|Matt|17|5|0|0" passage="Mt 17:5">Matt.
|
||
xvii. 5</scripRef>. He has made known God's mind to us, as a man's
|
||
word or speech makes known his thoughts, as far as he pleases, and
|
||
no further. Christ is called that <i>wonderful speaker</i> (see
|
||
notes on <scripRef id="John.ii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Dan.8.13" parsed="|Dan|8|13|0|0" passage="Da 8:13">Dan. viii. 13</scripRef>), the
|
||
<i>speaker of things hidden</i> and <i>strange.</i> He is <i>the
|
||
Word</i> speaking <i>from</i> God to us, and <i>to God</i> for us.
|
||
John Baptist was <i>the voice,</i> but Christ <i>the Word:</i>
|
||
being <i>the Word,</i> he is <i>the Truth,</i> the <i>Amen,</i> the
|
||
<i>faithful Witness</i> of the mind of God.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p5">II. What he saith of him, enough to prove
|
||
beyond contradiction that <i>he is God.</i> He asserts,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p6">1. His existence in the beginning: <i>In
|
||
the beginning was the Word.</i> This bespeaks his existence, not
|
||
only before his incarnation, but before all time. The beginning of
|
||
time, in which all creatures were produced and brought into being,
|
||
found this eternal Word in being. The world was <i>from</i> the
|
||
beginning, but the Word was <i>in</i> the beginning. Eternity is
|
||
usually expressed by being <i>before the foundation of the
|
||
world.</i> The eternity of God is so described (<scripRef id="John.ii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.90.2" parsed="|Ps|90|2|0|0" passage="Ps 90:2">Ps. xc. 2</scripRef>), <i>Before the mountains were
|
||
brought forth.</i> So <scripRef id="John.ii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.23" parsed="|Prov|8|23|0|0" passage="Pr 8:23">Prov. viii.
|
||
23</scripRef>. The Word had a being before the world had a
|
||
beginning. He that <i>was</i> in the beginning <i>never</i> began,
|
||
and therefore was <i>ever,</i> <b><i>achronos</i></b>—<i>without
|
||
beginning of time.</i> So Nonnus.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p7">2. His co-existence with the Father: <i>The
|
||
Word was with God, and the Word was God.</i> Let none say that when
|
||
we invite them to Christ we would draw them from God, for Christ is
|
||
<i>with God</i> and <i>is God;</i> it is repeated in <scripRef id="John.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.2" parsed="|John|1|2|0|0" passage="Joh 1:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>: <i>the same,</i> the very
|
||
same that we believe in and preach, was <i>in the beginning with
|
||
God,</i> that is, he was so from eternity. In the beginning the
|
||
world was <i>from God,</i> as it was created by him; but the Word
|
||
was <i>with God,</i> as ever with him. The Word was with God, (1.)
|
||
In respect of <i>essence</i> and <i>substance;</i> for <i>the Word
|
||
was God:</i> a distinct person or substance, for he was <i>with
|
||
God;</i> and yet the same in substance, for he <i>was God,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.3" parsed="|Heb|1|3|0|0" passage="Heb 1:3">Heb. i. 3</scripRef>. (2.) In respect
|
||
of <i>complacency</i> and <i>felicity.</i> There was a glory and
|
||
happiness which Christ had <i>with God</i> before the world was
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:John.17.5" parsed="|John|17|5|0|0" passage="Joh 17:5"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 5</scripRef>), the
|
||
Son infinitely happy in the enjoyment of his Father's bosom, and no
|
||
less the Father's delight, the Son of his love, <scripRef id="John.ii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.30" parsed="|Prov|8|30|0|0" passage="Pr 8:30">Prov. viii. 30</scripRef>. (3.) In respect of
|
||
<i>counsel</i> and <i>design.</i> The mystery of man's redemption
|
||
by this Word incarnate was <i>hid in God</i> before all worlds,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.9" parsed="|Eph|3|9|0|0" passage="Eph 3:9">Eph. iii. 9</scripRef>. He that
|
||
undertook to <i>bring us to God</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.18" parsed="|1Pet|3|18|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:18">1
|
||
Pet. iii. 18</scripRef>) was himself from eternity <i>with God;</i>
|
||
so that this grand affair of man's reconciliation to God was
|
||
concerted between the Father and Son from eternity, and they
|
||
understand one another perfectly well in it, <scripRef id="John.ii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Zech.6.13 Bible:Matt.11.27" parsed="|Zech|6|13|0|0;|Matt|11|27|0|0" passage="Zec 6:13,Mt 11:27">Zech. vi. 13; Matt. xi. 27</scripRef>. He was
|
||
<i>by him as one brought up with him</i> for this service,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.30" parsed="|Prov|8|30|0|0" passage="Pr 8:30">Prov. viii. 30</scripRef>. He was
|
||
<i>with God,</i> and therefore is said to <i>come forth from the
|
||
Father.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p8">3. His agency in making the world,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.3" parsed="|John|1|3|0|0" passage="Joh 1:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. This is here,
|
||
(1.) Expressly asserted: <i>All things were made by him.</i> He was
|
||
<i>with God,</i> not only so as to be <i>acquainted</i> with the
|
||
divine counsels from eternity, but to be <i>active</i> in the
|
||
divine operations in the beginning of time. <i>Then was I by
|
||
him,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.30" parsed="|Prov|8|30|0|0" passage="Pr 8:30">Prov. viii. 30</scripRef>. God
|
||
made the world <i>by a word</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.33.6" parsed="|Ps|33|6|0|0" passage="Ps 33:6">Ps.
|
||
xxxiii. 6</scripRef>) and Christ was <i>the Word.</i> By him, not
|
||
as a subordinate instrument, but as a co-ordinate agent, God
|
||
<i>made the world</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.2" parsed="|Heb|1|2|0|0" passage="Heb 1:2">Heb. i.
|
||
2</scripRef>), not as the workman cuts by his axe, but as the body
|
||
sees by the eye. (2.) The contrary is denied: <i>Without him was
|
||
not any thing made that was made,</i> from the highest angel to the
|
||
meanest worm. God the Father did nothing without him in that work.
|
||
Now, [1.] This proves that <i>he is God;</i> for he that <i>built
|
||
all things is God,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.4" parsed="|Heb|3|4|0|0" passage="Heb 3:4">Heb. iii.
|
||
4</scripRef>. The God of Israel often proved himself to be God with
|
||
this, that he <i>made all things:</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.40.12 Bible:Isa.40.28 Bible:Isa.31.4" parsed="|Isa|40|12|0|0;|Isa|40|28|0|0;|Isa|31|4|0|0" passage="Isa 40:12,28,31:4">Isa. xl. 12, 28; xli. 4</scripRef>; and see
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Jer.10.11-Jer.10.12" parsed="|Jer|10|11|10|12" passage="Jer 10:11,12">Jer. x. 11, 12</scripRef>. [2.]
|
||
This proves the excellency of the Christian religion, that the
|
||
author and founder of it is the same that was the author and
|
||
founder of the world. How excellent must that constitution needs be
|
||
which derives its institution from him who is the fountain of all
|
||
excellency! When we worship Christ, we worship him to whom the
|
||
patriarchs gave honour as the Creator of the world, and on whom all
|
||
creatures depend. [3.] This shows how well qualified he was for the
|
||
work of our redemption and salvation. Help was laid upon one that
|
||
was mighty indeed; for it was laid upon him that made all things;
|
||
and he is appointed the author of our bliss who was the author of
|
||
our being.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p9">4. The original of life and light that is
|
||
in him: <i>In him was life,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.4" parsed="|John|1|4|0|0" passage="Joh 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. This further proves that he is
|
||
God, and every way qualified for his undertaking; for, (1.) He has
|
||
<i>life in himself;</i> not only the <i>true God,</i> but the
|
||
<i>living God.</i> God is life; he swears by himself when he saith,
|
||
<i>As I live.</i> (2.) All living creatures have their life in him;
|
||
not only all the <i>matter</i> of the creation was <i>made</i> by
|
||
him, but all the <i>life</i> too that is in the creation is derived
|
||
from him and supported by him. It was the Word of God that produced
|
||
the <i>moving creatures that had life,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.1.20 Bible:Acts.17.25" parsed="|Gen|1|20|0|0;|Acts|17|25|0|0" passage="Ge 1:20,Ac 17:25">Gen. i. 20; Acts xvii. 25</scripRef>. He is that
|
||
Word by which man lives more than by bread, <scripRef id="John.ii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.4.4" parsed="|Matt|4|4|0|0" passage="Mt 4:4">Matt. iv. 4</scripRef>. (3.) Reasonable creatures have
|
||
their <i>light</i> from him; that <i>life</i> which is <i>the light
|
||
of men</i> comes from him. Life in man is something greater and
|
||
nobler than it is in other creatures; it is <i>rational,</i> and
|
||
not merely <i>animal.</i> When man became a <i>living soul,</i> his
|
||
life was <i>light,</i> his capacities such as distinguished him
|
||
from, and dignified him above, the beasts that perish. The
|
||
<i>spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord,</i> and it was the
|
||
eternal Word that lighted this candle. The light of reason, as well
|
||
as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him.
|
||
This proves him fit to undertake our salvation; for life and light,
|
||
spiritual and eternal life and light, are the two great things that
|
||
fallen man, who lies so much under the power of <i>death</i> and
|
||
<i>darkness,</i> has need of. From whom may we better expect the
|
||
light of divine revelation than from him who gave us the light of
|
||
human reason? And if, when God gave us natural life, that life was
|
||
in his Son, how readily should we receive the gospel-record, that
|
||
he hath given us <i>eternal</i> life, and <i>that life</i> too
|
||
<i>is in his Son!</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p10">5. The manifestation of him to the children
|
||
of men. It might be objected, If this eternal Word was all in all
|
||
thus in the creation of the world, whence is it that he has been so
|
||
little taken notice of and regarded? To this he answers (<scripRef id="John.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.5" parsed="|John|1|5|0|0" passage="Joh 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), <i>The light shines, but
|
||
the darkness comprehends it not.</i> Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p11">(1.) The discovery of the eternal Word to
|
||
the lapsed world, even before he was manifested in the flesh:
|
||
<i>The light shineth in darkness.</i> Light is self-evidencing, and
|
||
will make itself known; this light, whence the light of men comes,
|
||
hath shone, and doth shine. [1.] The eternal Word, <i>as God,</i>
|
||
shines in <i>the darkness</i> of <i>natural conscience.</i> Though
|
||
men by the fall are become <i>darkness,</i> yet that which may be
|
||
known of God is manifested in them; see <scripRef id="John.ii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.19-Rom.1.20" parsed="|Rom|1|19|1|20" passage="Ro 1:19,20">Rom. i. 19, 20</scripRef>. The light of nature is this
|
||
light shining in darkness. Something of the power of the divine
|
||
Word, both as <i>creating</i> and as <i>commanding,</i> all mankind
|
||
have an innate sense of; were it not for this, earth would be a
|
||
hell, a place of <i>utter darkness;</i> blessed be God, it is not
|
||
so yet. [2.] The eternal Word, as Mediator, shone in the darkness
|
||
of the Old-Testament types and figures, and the prophecies and
|
||
promises which were of the Messiah from the beginning. He that had
|
||
commanded the light of this world to shine out of darkness was
|
||
himself long a light <i>shining in darkness;</i> there was a
|
||
<i>veil</i> upon this <i>light,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.13" parsed="|2Cor|3|13|0|0" passage="2Co 3:13">2
|
||
Cor. iii. 13</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p12">(2.) The disability of the degenerate world
|
||
to receive this discovery: <i>The darkness comprehended it not;</i>
|
||
the most of men received the grace of God in these discoveries in
|
||
vain. [1.] The world of mankind <i>comprehended not</i> the natural
|
||
light that was in their understandings, but became <i>vain in their
|
||
imaginations</i> concerning the eternal God and the eternal Word,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.21 Bible:Rom.1.28" parsed="|Rom|1|21|0|0;|Rom|1|28|0|0" passage="Ro 1:21,28">Rom. i. 21, 28</scripRef>. The
|
||
darkness of error and sin overpowered and quite eclipsed this
|
||
light. God <i>spoke once, yea twice,</i> but <i>man perceived it
|
||
not,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.33.14" parsed="|Job|33|14|0|0" passage="Job 33:14">Job xxxiii. 14</scripRef>.
|
||
[2.] The Jews, who had the light of the Old Testament, yet
|
||
comprehended not Christ in it. As there was a veil upon Moses's
|
||
face, so there was upon the people's hearts. In the <i>darkness</i>
|
||
of the types and shadows the light shone; but such as the
|
||
<i>darkness</i> of their understandings that they could not
|
||
<i>see</i> it. It was therefore requisite that Christ should come,
|
||
both to rectify the errors of the Gentile world and to improve the
|
||
truths of the Jewish church.</p>
|
||
</div><scripCom id="John.ii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.6-John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|6|1|14" passage="Joh 1:6-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.6-John.1.14">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p12.4">The Testimony of John Baptist; Christ's
|
||
Incarnation.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p13">6 There was a man sent from God, whose name
|
||
<i>was</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:John.7" parsed="|John|7|0|0|0" passage="John. 7">John. 7</scripRef> The same came for a witness, to bear
|
||
witness of the Light, that all <i>men</i> through him might
|
||
believe. 8 He was not that Light, but <i>was sent</i> to
|
||
bear witness of that Light. 9 <i>That</i> was the true
|
||
Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
|
||
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the
|
||
world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own
|
||
received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them
|
||
gave he power to become the sons of God, <i>even</i> to them that
|
||
believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor
|
||
of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
|
||
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
|
||
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
|
||
full of grace and truth.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p14">The evangelist designs to bring in John
|
||
Baptist bearing an honourable testimony to Jesus Christ, Now in
|
||
these verses, before he does this,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p15">I. He gives us some account of the witness
|
||
he is about to produce. His name was <i>John,</i> which signifies
|
||
<i>gracious;</i> his conversation was austere, but he was not the
|
||
less <i>gracious.</i> Now,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p16">1. We are here told concerning him, in
|
||
general, that he was a <i>man sent of God.</i> The evangelist had
|
||
said concerning Jesus Christ that he was <i>with God</i> and that
|
||
he <i>was God;</i> but here concerning John that he was a
|
||
<i>man,</i> a mere man. God is pleased to speak to us by men like
|
||
ourselves. John was a <i>great man,</i> but he was a man, a son of
|
||
man; he was <i>sent from God,</i> he was God's <i>messenger,</i> so
|
||
he is called, <scripRef id="John.ii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.1" parsed="|Mal|3|1|0|0" passage="Mal 3:1">Mal. iii. 1</scripRef>.
|
||
God gave him both his mission and his message, both his credentials
|
||
and his instructions. John wrought no miracle, nor do we find that
|
||
he had visions and revelations; but the strictness and purity of
|
||
his life and doctrine, and the direct tendency of both to reform
|
||
the world, and to revive the interests of God's kingdom among men,
|
||
were plain indications that he was <i>sent of God.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p17">2. We are here told what his office and
|
||
business were (<scripRef id="John.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.7" parsed="|John|1|7|0|0" passage="Joh 1:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>):
|
||
<i>The same came for a witness,</i> an eye-witness, a leading
|
||
witness. He came <b><i>eis martyrian</i></b>—<i>for a
|
||
testimony.</i> The legal institutions had been long a testimony for
|
||
God in the Jewish church. By them revealed religion was kept up;
|
||
hence we read of the <i>tabernacle of the testimony, the ark of the
|
||
testimony, the law and the testimony:</i> but now divine revelation
|
||
is to be turned into another channel; now the testimony of Christ
|
||
is the testimony of God, <scripRef id="John.ii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.1.6 Bible:1Cor.2.1" parsed="|1Cor|1|6|0|0;|1Cor|2|1|0|0" passage="1Co 1:6,2:1">1 Cor. i.
|
||
6; ii. 1</scripRef>. Among the Gentiles, God indeed had not left
|
||
himself without witness (<scripRef id="John.ii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.17" parsed="|Acts|14|17|0|0" passage="Ac 14:17">Acts xiv.
|
||
17</scripRef>), but the Redeemer had no testimonies borne him among
|
||
them. There was a profound silence concerning him, till John
|
||
Baptist came for a witness to him. Now observe, (1.) The matter of
|
||
his testimony: <i>He came to bear witness to the light.</i> Light
|
||
is a thing which witnesses for itself, and carries its own evidence
|
||
along with it; but to those who shut their eyes against the light
|
||
it is necessary there should be those that bear witness to it.
|
||
Christ's light needs not man's testimony, but the world's darkness
|
||
does. John was like the night watchman that goes round the town,
|
||
proclaiming the approach of the morning light to those that have
|
||
closed their eyes, and are not willing themselves to observe it; or
|
||
like that watchman that was set to tell those who asked him what of
|
||
the night that <i>the morning comes,</i> and, <i>if you will
|
||
enquire, enquire ye,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.21.11-Isa.21.12" parsed="|Isa|21|11|21|12" passage="Isa 21:11,12">Isa. xxi.
|
||
11, 12</scripRef>. He was sent of God to tell the world that the
|
||
long-looked-for Messiah was now come, who should be <i>a light to
|
||
enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel;</i> and
|
||
to proclaim that dispensation at hand which would bring life and
|
||
immortality to light. (2.) The design of his testimony: <i>That all
|
||
men through him might believe;</i> not in him, but in Christ, whose
|
||
way he was sent to prepare. He taught men to look through him, and
|
||
pass through him, to Christ; through the doctrine of repentance for
|
||
sin to that of faith in Christ. He prepared men for the reception
|
||
and entertainment of Christ and his gospel, by awakening them to a
|
||
sight and sense of sin; and that, their eyes being thereby opened,
|
||
they might be ready to admit those beams of divine light which, in
|
||
the person and doctrine of the Messiah, were now ready to shine in
|
||
their faces. If they would but receive this witness of man, they
|
||
would soon find that the witness of God was greater, <scripRef id="John.ii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:1John.5.9" parsed="|1John|5|9|0|0" passage="1Jo 5:9">1 John v. 9</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:John.10.41" parsed="|John|10|41|0|0" passage="Joh 10:41"><i>ch.</i> x. 41</scripRef>. Observe, it was designed
|
||
that all men through him might believe, excluding none from the
|
||
kind and beneficial influences of his ministry that did not exclude
|
||
themselves, as multitudes did, who rejected the counsel of God
|
||
against themselves, and so received the grace of God in vain.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p18">3. We are here cautioned not to mistake him
|
||
for the light who only came to bear witness to it (<scripRef id="John.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.8" parsed="|John|1|8|0|0" passage="Joh 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>He was not that
|
||
light</i> that was expected and promised, but only was sent to bear
|
||
witness of that great and ruling light. He was a star, like that
|
||
which guided the wise men to Christ, a morning star; but he was not
|
||
the Sun; not the Bridegroom, but a friend of the Bridegroom; not
|
||
the Prince, but his harbinger. There were those who rested in
|
||
John's baptism, and looked no further, as those Ephesians,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.3" parsed="|Acts|19|3|0|0" passage="Ac 19:3">Acts xix. 3</scripRef>. To rectify this
|
||
mistake, the evangelist here, when he speaks very honourably of
|
||
him, yet shows that he must give place to Christ. He was great as
|
||
the prophet of the Highest, but not the Highest himself. Note, We
|
||
must take heed of over-valuing ministers, as well as of
|
||
under-valuing them; they are not our lords, nor have they dominion
|
||
over our faith, but ministers by whom we believe, stewards of our
|
||
Lord's house. We must not give up ourselves by an implicit faith to
|
||
their conduct, for they are not that light; but we must attend to,
|
||
and receive, their testimony; for they are sent to bear witness of
|
||
that light; so then let us esteem them, and not otherwise. Had John
|
||
pretended to be that light he had not been so much as a faithful
|
||
witness of that light. Those who usurp the honour of Christ forfeit
|
||
the honour of being the servants of Christ; yet John was very
|
||
serviceable as a witness to the light, though he was not that
|
||
light. Those may be of great use to us who yet shine with a
|
||
borrowed light.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p19">II. Before he goes on with John's
|
||
testimony, he returns to give us a further account of this Jesus to
|
||
whom John bore record. Having shown in the beginning of the chapter
|
||
the glories of his Godhead, he here comes to show the graces of his
|
||
incarnation, and his favours to man as Mediator.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p20">1. Christ was the <i>true Light</i>
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.9" parsed="|John|1|9|0|0" passage="Joh 1:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>); not as if
|
||
John Baptist were a false light, but, in comparison with Christ, he
|
||
was a very small light. Christ is the great light that deserves to
|
||
be called so. Other lights are but figuratively and equivocally
|
||
called so: Christ is the true light. The fountain of all knowledge
|
||
and of all comfort must needs be the true light. He is the true
|
||
light, for proof of which we are not referred to the emanations of
|
||
his glory in the invisible world (the beams with which he
|
||
enlightens that), but to those rays of his light which are darted
|
||
downwards, and with which this dark world of ours is enlightened.
|
||
But how does Christ enlighten every man that comes into the world?
|
||
(1.) By his creating power he enlightens every man with the light
|
||
of reason; that life which is the light of men is from him; all the
|
||
discoveries and directions of reason, all the comfort it gives us,
|
||
and all the beauty it puts upon us, are from Christ. (2.) By the
|
||
publication of his gospel to all nations he does in effect
|
||
enlighten every man. John Baptist was a light, but he enlightened
|
||
only Jerusalem and Judea, and the region round about Jordan, like a
|
||
candle that enlightens one room; but Christ is the true light, for
|
||
he is a light to enlighten the Gentiles. His everlasting gospel is
|
||
to be preached to every nation and language, <scripRef id="John.ii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.6" parsed="|Rev|14|6|0|0" passage="Re 14:6">Rev. xiv. 6</scripRef>. Like the sun which enlightens
|
||
every man that will open his eyes, and receive its light (<scripRef id="John.ii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.19.6" parsed="|Ps|19|6|0|0" passage="Ps 19:6">Ps. xix. 6</scripRef>), to which the preaching of
|
||
the gospel is compared. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.18" parsed="|Rom|10|18|0|0" passage="Ro 10:18">Rom. x.
|
||
18</scripRef>. Divine revelation is not now to be confined, as it
|
||
had been, to one people, but to be diffused to all people,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.15" parsed="|Matt|5|15|0|0" passage="Mt 5:15">Matt. v. 15</scripRef>. (3.) By the
|
||
operation of his Spirit and grace he enlightens all those that are
|
||
enlightened to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by him
|
||
perish in darkness. <i>The light of the knowledge of the glory of
|
||
God</i> is said to be <i>in the face of Jesus Christ,</i> and is
|
||
compared with that light which was at the beginning commanded to
|
||
shine out of darkness, and which enlightens every man that comes
|
||
into the world. Whatever light any man has, he is indebted to
|
||
Christ for it, whether it be natural or supernatural.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p21">2. Christ <i>was in the world,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.10" parsed="|John|1|10|0|0" passage="Joh 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. He was in the
|
||
world, as the essential Word, before his incarnation, upholding all
|
||
things; but this speaks of his being in the world when he took our
|
||
nature upon him, and dwelt among us; see <scripRef id="John.ii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:John.16.28" parsed="|John|16|28|0|0" passage="Joh 16:28"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 28</scripRef>. <i>I am come into the
|
||
world.</i> The Son of the Highest was here in this <i>lower</i>
|
||
world; that <i>light</i> in this <i>dark</i> world; that <i>holy
|
||
thing</i> in this sinful polluted world. He left a world of bliss
|
||
and glory, and was here in this melancholy miserable world. He
|
||
undertook to reconcile the world to God, and therefore was <i>in
|
||
the world,</i> to treat about it, and settle that affair; to
|
||
satisfy God's justice for the world, and discover God's favour to
|
||
the world. He was in the world, but not of it, and speaks with an
|
||
air of triumph when he can say, <i>Now I am no more in it,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:John.17.11" parsed="|John|17|11|0|0" passage="Joh 17:11"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 11</scripRef>. The
|
||
greatest honour that ever was put upon this world, which is so mean
|
||
and inconsiderable a part of the universe, was that the Son of God
|
||
was once <i>in the world;</i> and, as it should engage our
|
||
affections to things above that there Christ is, so it should
|
||
reconcile us to our present abode in <i>this</i> world that once
|
||
Christ was <i>here.</i> He <i>was</i> in the world for awhile, but
|
||
it is spoken of as a thing past; and so it will be said of us
|
||
shortly, We were in the world. O that when we are here no more we
|
||
may be where Christ is! Now observe here, (1.) What reason Christ
|
||
had to expect the most affectionate and respectful welcome possible
|
||
in this world; for <i>the world was made by him. Therefore</i> he
|
||
came to save a lost world because it was a world of his own making.
|
||
Why should he not concern himself to revive the light that was of
|
||
his own kindling, to restore a life of his own infusing, and to
|
||
renew the image that was originally of his own impressing? The
|
||
world was <i>made by him,</i> and therefore ought to do him homage.
|
||
(2.) What cold entertainment he met with, notwithstanding: <i>The
|
||
world knew him not.</i> The great Maker, Ruler, and Redeemer of the
|
||
world was in it, and few or none of the inhabitants of the world
|
||
were aware of it. The <i>ox knows his owner,</i> but the more
|
||
brutish world did not. They did not own him, did not bid him
|
||
welcome, because they did not <i>know him;</i> and they did not
|
||
know him because he did not make himself known in the way that they
|
||
expected—in external glory and majesty. His kingdom came not
|
||
<i>with observation,</i> because it was to be a kingdom of trail
|
||
and probation. When he shall come as a Judge the world shall
|
||
<i>know</i> him.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p22">3. He <i>came to his own</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.11" parsed="|John|1|11|0|0" passage="Joh 1:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); not only to the world,
|
||
which was <i>his own,</i> but to the people of Israel, that were
|
||
peculiarly <i>his own</i> above all people; of them he came, among
|
||
them he lived, and to them he was <i>first sent.</i> The Jews were
|
||
at this time a mean despicable people; <i>the crown was fallen from
|
||
their head;</i> yet, in remembrance of the ancient covenant, bad as
|
||
they were, and poor as they were, Christ was not ashamed to look
|
||
upon them as his own. <b><i>Ta idia</i></b>—his own <i>things;</i>
|
||
not <b><i>tous idious</i></b>—his own <i>persons,</i> as <i>true
|
||
believers</i> are called, <scripRef id="John.ii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:John.13.1" parsed="|John|13|1|0|0" passage="Joh 13:1"><i>ch.</i>
|
||
xiii. 1</scripRef>. The Jews were <i>his,</i> as a man's house, and
|
||
lands, and goods are <i>his,</i> which he uses and possesses; but
|
||
believers are his as a man's wife and children are his own, which
|
||
he loves and enjoys. He came to his own, to seek and save them,
|
||
because they were <i>his own.</i> He was sent to the lost sheep of
|
||
the house of Israel, for it was he whose own the sheep were. Now
|
||
observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p23">(1.) That the generality <i>rejected</i>
|
||
him: <i>His own received him not.</i> He had reason to expect that
|
||
those who were his own should have bidden him welcome, considering
|
||
how great the <i>obligations</i> were which they <i>lay under</i>
|
||
to him, and how fair the <i>opportunities</i> were which they had
|
||
of coming to the knowledge of him. They had the oracles of God,
|
||
which told them beforehand <i>when</i> and <i>where</i> to expect
|
||
him, and of what tribe and family he should arise. He came among
|
||
them himself, introduced with signs and wonders, and himself the
|
||
greatest; and therefore it is not said of them, as it was of the
|
||
world (<scripRef id="John.ii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.10" parsed="|John|1|10|0|0" passage="Joh 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), that
|
||
they <i>knew him not;</i> but <i>his own,</i> though they could not
|
||
but know him, yet <i>received him not;</i> did not receive his
|
||
doctrine, did not welcome him as the Messiah, but fortified
|
||
themselves against him. The <i>chief priests,</i> that were in a
|
||
particular manner <i>his own</i> (for the Levites were God's
|
||
tribe), were ring-leaders in this contempt put upon him. Now this
|
||
was very <i>unjust,</i> because they were <i>his own,</i> and
|
||
therefore he might <i>command</i> their respect; and it was very
|
||
<i>unkind</i> and <i>ungrateful,</i> because he came to them, to
|
||
seek and save them, and so to <i>court</i> their respect. Note,
|
||
Many who in profession are <i>Christ's own,</i> yet do not
|
||
<i>receive him,</i> because they will not part with their sins, nor
|
||
have him to <i>reign over them.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p24">(2.) That yet there was a remnant who
|
||
<i>owned</i> him, and were faithful to him. Though his own received
|
||
him not, yet there were those that <i>received</i> him (<scripRef id="John.ii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.12" parsed="|John|1|12|0|0" passage="Joh 1:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): <i>But as many as
|
||
received him. Though Israel were not gathered,</i> yet Christ was
|
||
<i>glorious.</i> Though the body of that nation persisted and
|
||
perished in unbelief, yet there were many of <i>them</i> that were
|
||
wrought upon to submit to Christ, and many more that <i>were not of
|
||
that fold.</i> Observe here,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p25">[1.] The true Christian's
|
||
<i>description</i> and <i>property;</i> and that is, that he
|
||
<i>receives Christ,</i> and <i>believes on his name;</i> the latter
|
||
explains the former. Note, <i>First,</i> To be a Christian indeed
|
||
is to <i>believe on Christ's name;</i> it is to <i>assent</i> to
|
||
the gospel discovery, and <i>consent</i> to the gospel proposal,
|
||
concerning him. His name is <i>the Word of God; the King of kings,
|
||
the Lord our righteousness; Jesus a Saviour.</i> Now to
|
||
<i>believe</i> on his name is to <i>acknowledge</i> that he is what
|
||
these great names bespeak him to be, and to <i>acquiesce</i> in it,
|
||
that he may be so <i>to us. Secondly,</i> Believing in Christ's
|
||
name is <i>receiving</i> him as a gift from God. We must receive
|
||
his doctrine as true and good; receive his law as just and holy;
|
||
receive his offers as kind and advantageous; and we must receive
|
||
the image of his grace, and impressions of his love, as the
|
||
governing principle of our affections and actions.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p26">[2.] The true Christian's dignity and
|
||
privilege are twofold:—</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p27"><i>First,</i> The <i>privilege of
|
||
adoption,</i> which takes them into the number of God's children:
|
||
<i>To them gave he power to become the sons of God.</i> Hitherto,
|
||
the adoption pertained to the Jews only (<i>Israel is my son, my
|
||
first-born</i>); but now, by faith in Christ, Gentiles are the
|
||
<i>children of God,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.26" parsed="|Gal|3|26|0|0" passage="Ga 3:26">Gal. iii.
|
||
26</scripRef>. They have <i>power,</i>
|
||
<b><i>exousian</i></b>—<i>authority;</i> for no man taketh this
|
||
power to himself, but he who is <i>authorized</i> by the gospel
|
||
charter. To them gave he a <i>right;</i> to them gave he this
|
||
pre-eminence. <i>This power have all the saints.</i> Note, 1. It is
|
||
the unspeakable privilege of all good Christians, that they are
|
||
become the <i>children of God.</i> They were by nature children of
|
||
wrath, children of this world. If they be the <i>children of
|
||
God,</i> they <i>become</i> so, are <i>made</i> so <i>Fiunt, non
|
||
nascuntur Christiani—Persons are not born Christians, but made
|
||
such.</i>—Tertullian. <i>Behold what manner of love is this,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.1" parsed="|1John|3|1|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:1">1 John iii. 1</scripRef>. God calls
|
||
them <i>his children,</i> they call him <i>Father,</i> and are
|
||
entitled to all the privileges of children, those of their way and
|
||
those of their home. 2. The privilege of adoption is entirely owing
|
||
to <i>Jesus Christ;</i> he <i>gave</i> this power to them that
|
||
believe on his name. God is his Father, and so ours; and it is by
|
||
virtue of our espousals to him, and union with him, that we stand
|
||
related to God as a Father. It was in Christ that we were
|
||
<i>predestinated to the adoption;</i> from him we receive both the
|
||
character and the Spirit of adoption, and he is the <i>first-born
|
||
among many brethren.</i> The Son of God became a Son of man, that
|
||
the sons and daughters of men might become the sons and daughters
|
||
of God Almighty.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p28"><i>Secondly,</i> The <i>privilege of
|
||
regeneration</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.13" parsed="|John|1|13|0|0" passage="Joh 1:13"><i>v.</i>
|
||
13</scripRef>): <i>Which were born.</i> Note, All the children of
|
||
God are born again; all that are adopted are regenerated. This
|
||
<i>real</i> change evermore attends that <i>relative</i> one.
|
||
Wherever God confers the dignity of children, he creates the nature
|
||
and disposition of children. Men cannot do so when they adopt. Now
|
||
here we have an account of the original of this new birth. 1.
|
||
Negatively. (1.) It is not <i>propagated</i> by natural generation
|
||
from our parents. It is <i>not of blood, nor of the will of the
|
||
flesh,</i> nor of <i>corruptible seed,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.23" parsed="|1Pet|1|23|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:23">1 Pet. i. 23</scripRef>. Man is called <i>flesh and
|
||
blood,</i> because thence he has his original: but we do not become
|
||
the children of God as we become the children of our natural
|
||
parents. Note, Grace does not run in the blood, as corruption does.
|
||
Man polluted <i>begat a son in his own likeness</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.5.3" parsed="|Gen|5|3|0|0" passage="Ge 5:3">Gen. v. 3</scripRef>); but man sanctified and
|
||
renewed does not beget a son in <i>that</i> likeness. The Jews
|
||
gloried much in their parentage, and the noble blood that ran in
|
||
their veins: <i>We are Abraham's seed;</i> and <i>therefore</i> to
|
||
them <i>pertained the adoption</i> because they were born of that
|
||
blood; but this New-Testament adoption is not founded in any such
|
||
natural relation. (2.) It is not <i>produced</i> by the natural
|
||
power of our own will. As it is not of <i>blood,</i> nor of <i>the
|
||
will of the flesh,</i> so neither is it of the <i>will of man,</i>
|
||
which labours under a moral impotency of determining itself to that
|
||
which is good; so that the principles of the divine life are not of
|
||
our own planting, it is the grace of God that makes us willing to
|
||
be <i>his.</i> Nor can human laws or writings prevail to sanctify
|
||
and regenerate a soul; if they could, the new birth would be by the
|
||
will of man. But, 2. Positively: it is of <i>God.</i> This new
|
||
birth is owing to the word of God as the means (<scripRef id="John.ii-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.23" parsed="|1Pet|1|23|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:23">1 Pet. i. 23</scripRef>), and to the Spirit of God as
|
||
the great and sole author. True believers are <i>born of God,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:1John.3.9 Bible:1John.5.1" parsed="|1John|3|9|0|0;|1John|5|1|0|0" passage="1Jo 3:9,5:1">1 John iii. 9; v. 1</scripRef>. And
|
||
this is necessary to their adoption; for we cannot expect the
|
||
<i>love of God</i> if we have not something of his <i>likeness,</i>
|
||
nor claim the privileges of adoption if we be not under the power
|
||
of regeneration.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p29">4. The <i>word was made flesh,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|14|0|0" passage="Joh 1:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. This
|
||
expresses Christ's incarnation more clearly than what went before.
|
||
By his divine presence he always <i>was in the world,</i> and by
|
||
his prophets he <i>came to his own.</i> But now that the fulness of
|
||
time was come he was sent forth after another manner, <i>made of a
|
||
woman</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.4" parsed="|Gal|4|4|0|0" passage="Ga 4:4">Gal. iv. 4</scripRef>); God
|
||
manifested in the flesh, according to the faith and hope of holy
|
||
Job; <i>Yet shall I see God in my flesh,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.19.26" parsed="|Job|19|26|0|0" passage="Job 19:26">Job xix. 26</scripRef>. Observe here,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p30">(1.) The <i>human nature of Christ</i> with
|
||
which he was veiled; and that expressed two ways.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p31">[1.] <i>The word was made flesh. Forasmuch
|
||
as the children,</i> who were to become the sons of God, <i>were
|
||
partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of
|
||
the same,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.14" parsed="|Heb|2|14|0|0" passage="Heb 2:14">Heb. ii. 14</scripRef>.
|
||
The Socinians agree that Christ is both God and man, but they say
|
||
that he <i>was man,</i> and was <i>made a God,</i> as Moses
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.1" parsed="|Exod|7|1|0|0" passage="Ex 7:1">Exod. vii. 1</scripRef>), directly
|
||
contrary to John here, who saith, <b><i>Theos en</i></b>—<i>He was
|
||
God,</i> but <b><i>sarxegeneto</i></b>—<i>He was made flesh.</i>
|
||
Compare <scripRef id="John.ii-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.1" parsed="|John|1|1|0|0" passage="Joh 1:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef> with
|
||
this. This intimates not only that he was really and truly man, but
|
||
that he subjected himself to the miseries and calamities of the
|
||
human nature. He was made <i>flesh,</i> the meanest part of man.
|
||
Flesh bespeaks man <i>weak,</i> and he was crucified through
|
||
<i>weakness,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p31.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.4" parsed="|2Cor|13|4|0|0" passage="2Co 13:4">2 Cor. xiii.
|
||
4</scripRef>. <i>Flesh</i> bespeaks man <i>mortal</i> and
|
||
<i>dying</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p31.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.39" parsed="|Ps|78|39|0|0" passage="Ps 78:39">Ps. lxxviii.
|
||
39</scripRef>), and Christ was <i>put to death in the flesh</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p31.6" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.18" parsed="|1Pet|3|18|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:18">1 Pet. iii. 18</scripRef>. Nay,
|
||
<i>flesh</i> bespeaks <i>man tainted with sin</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p31.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.6.3" parsed="|Gen|6|3|0|0" passage="Ge 6:3">Gen. vi. 3</scripRef>), and Christ, though he was
|
||
perfectly holy and harmless, yet appeared <i>in the likeness of
|
||
sinful flesh</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p31.8" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.3" parsed="|Rom|8|3|0|0" passage="Ro 8:3">Rom. viii.
|
||
3</scripRef>), and was made <i>sin for us,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p31.9" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.5.21" parsed="|2Cor|5|21|0|0" passage="2Co 5:21">2 Cor. v. 21</scripRef>. When Adam had sinned, God said
|
||
to him, <i>Dust thou art;</i> not only because made out of the
|
||
dust, but because by sin he was sunk into dust. His fall did,
|
||
<b><i>somatoun ten psychen</i></b>, <i>turn him</i> as it were
|
||
<i>all into body,</i> made him earthly; therefore he that was made
|
||
a curse for us was made <i>flesh,</i> and <i>condemned sin in the
|
||
flesh,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p31.10" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.3" parsed="|Rom|8|3|0|0" passage="Ro 8:3">Rom. viii. 3</scripRef>.
|
||
Wonder at this, that the eternal Word should be made flesh, when
|
||
flesh was come into such an ill name; that he who made <i>all
|
||
things</i> should himself be made flesh, one of the meanest things,
|
||
and submit to that from which he was at the greatest distance. The
|
||
voice that ushered in the gospel cried, <i>All flesh is grass</i>
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p31.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.40.6" parsed="|Isa|40|6|0|0" passage="Isa 40:6">Isa. xl. 6</scripRef>), to make the
|
||
Redeemer's love the more wonderful, who, to <i>redeem</i> and
|
||
<i>save</i> us, was made flesh, and withered as grass; but the
|
||
<i>Word of the Lord,</i> who was made flesh, <i>endures for
|
||
ever;</i> when made flesh, he ceased not to be the Word of God.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p32">[2.] He <i>dwelt among us,</i> here in this
|
||
lower world. Having taken upon him the nature of man, he put
|
||
himself into the place and condition of other men. The Word might
|
||
have been made flesh, and dwelt among the angels; but, having taken
|
||
a <i>body</i> of the same mould with ours, in it he came, and
|
||
resided in the same world with us. He <i>dwelt among us,</i> us
|
||
worms of the earth, us that he had no need of, us that he got
|
||
nothing by, us that were <i>corrupt</i> and <i>depraved,</i> and
|
||
revolted from God. The Lord God came and dwelt even <i>among the
|
||
rebellious,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.68.18" parsed="|Ps|68|18|0|0" passage="Ps 68:18">Ps. lxviii.
|
||
18</scripRef>. He that had dwelt among angels, those noble and
|
||
excellent beings, came and dwelt <i>among us</i> that are a
|
||
<i>generation of vipers,</i> us <i>sinners,</i> which was worse to
|
||
him than David's swelling in Mesech and Kedar, or Ezekiel's
|
||
dwelling <i>among scorpions,</i> or the church of Pergamus dwelling
|
||
<i>where Satan's seat is.</i> When we look upon the upper world,
|
||
the world of spirits, how mean and contemptible does this flesh,
|
||
this body, appear, which we carry about with us, and this world in
|
||
which our lot is cast, and how hard is it to a contemplative mind
|
||
to be reconciled to them! But that the eternal Word was <i>made
|
||
flesh,</i> was clothed with a body as we are, and dwelt in this
|
||
world as we do, this has put an honour upon them both, and should
|
||
make us willing to abide in the flesh while God has any work for us
|
||
to do; for Christ dwelt in this lower world, bad as it is, till he
|
||
had finished what he had to do here, <scripRef id="John.ii-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:John.17.4" parsed="|John|17|4|0|0" passage="Joh 17:4"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 4</scripRef>. He dwelt <i>among</i> the
|
||
Jews, that the scripture might be fulfilled, <i>He shall dwell in
|
||
the tents of Shem,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.9.27" parsed="|Gen|9|27|0|0" passage="Ge 9:27">Gen. ix.
|
||
27</scripRef>. And see <scripRef id="John.ii-p32.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.10" parsed="|Zech|2|10|0|0" passage="Zec 2:10">Zech. ii.
|
||
10</scripRef>. Though the Jews were unkind to him, yet he continued
|
||
to dwell among them; though (as some of the ancient writers tell
|
||
us) he was invited to better treatment by Abgarus king of Edessa,
|
||
yet he removed not to any other nation. He <i>dwelt</i> among us.
|
||
He was in the world, not as a wayfaring man that tarries but for a
|
||
night, but he <i>dwelt</i> among us, made a long residence, the
|
||
original word is observable, <b><i>eskenosen en
|
||
hemin</i></b>—<i>he dwelt among us,</i> he dwelt <i>as in a
|
||
tabernacle,</i> which intimates, <i>First,</i> That he dwelt here
|
||
in very <i>mean</i> circumstances, as shepherds that dwell in
|
||
tents. He did not dwell among us <i>as in a palace,</i> but as in a
|
||
<i>tent;</i> for he had not where to lay his head, and was always
|
||
upon the remove. <i>Secondly,</i> That his state here was a
|
||
<i>military</i> state. Soldiers <i>dwell in tents;</i> he had long
|
||
since proclaimed war with the <i>seed of the serpent,</i> and now
|
||
he takes <i>the field</i> in person, sets up his standard, and
|
||
pitches his tent, to prosecute this war. <i>Thirdly,</i> That his
|
||
stay among us was not to be perpetual. He dwelt here as <i>in a
|
||
tent,</i> not as at <i>home.</i> The patriarchs, by dwelling in
|
||
tabernacles, <i>confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
|
||
earth,</i> and sought the better country, and so did Christ,
|
||
leaving us an example, <scripRef id="John.ii-p32.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.13-Heb.13.14" parsed="|Heb|13|13|13|14" passage="Heb 13:13,14">Heb. xiii.
|
||
13, 14</scripRef>. <i>Fourthly,</i> That as of old God dwelt in the
|
||
tabernacle of Moses, by the shechinah between the cherubim, so now
|
||
he dwells in the human nature of Christ; that is now the true
|
||
shechinah, the symbol of God's peculiar presence. And we are to
|
||
make all our addresses to God through Christ, and from him to
|
||
receive divine oracles.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p33">(2.) The <i>beams of his divine glory</i>
|
||
that <i>darted</i> through this <i>veil of flesh: We beheld his
|
||
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of
|
||
grace and truth.</i> The sun is still the fountain of light, though
|
||
eclipsed or clouded; so Christ was still the brightness of his
|
||
Father's glory, even when he <i>dwelt among us</i> in this lower
|
||
world. And how slightly soever the Jews thought of him there were
|
||
those that saw through the veil. Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p34">[1.] Who were the witnesses of this glory:
|
||
<i>we,</i> his disciples and followers, that conversed most freely
|
||
and familiarly with him; we among whom he <i>dwelt.</i> Other men
|
||
discover their weaknesses to those that are most familiar with
|
||
them, but it was not so with Christ; those that were most intimate
|
||
with him saw most of his glory. As it was with his <i>doctrine,</i>
|
||
the disciples knew the mysteries of it, while others had it
|
||
<i>under the veil of parables;</i> so it was with his
|
||
<i>person,</i> they saw the glory of his divinity, while others saw
|
||
only the veil of his human nature. He manifested himself <i>to
|
||
them, and not unto the world.</i> These witnesses were a competent
|
||
number, twelve of them, a whole jury of witnesses; men of plainness
|
||
and integrity, and far from any thing of design or intrigue.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p35">[2.] What evidence they had of it: <i>We
|
||
saw it.</i> They had not their evidence by report, at second hand,
|
||
but were themselves eye-witnesses of those proofs on which they
|
||
built their testimony that he was the <i>Son of the living God: We
|
||
saw it.</i> The word signifies a fixed abiding sight, such as gave
|
||
them an opportunity of making their observations. This apostle
|
||
himself explains this: <i>What we declare unto you</i> of the Word
|
||
of life is what we have <i>seen with our eyes,</i> and what <i>we
|
||
have looked upon,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.1" parsed="|1John|1|1|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:1">1 John i.
|
||
1</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p36">[3.] What the glory was: <i>The glory as of
|
||
the only begotten of the Father.</i> The glory of the <i>Word made
|
||
flesh</i> was such a glory as became the only <i>begotten Son of
|
||
God,</i> and could not be the glory of any other. Note,
|
||
<i>First,</i> Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father.
|
||
Believers are the children of God by the special favour of adoption
|
||
and the special grace of regeneration. They are in a sense
|
||
<b><i>homoiousioi</i></b>—<i>of a like nature</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.4" parsed="|2Pet|1|4|0|0" passage="2Pe 1:4">2 Pet. i. 4</scripRef>), and have the image of
|
||
his perfections; but Christ is <b><i>homousios</i></b>—<i>of the
|
||
same nature,</i> and is the express image of his person, and the
|
||
Son of God by an eternal generation. Angels are sons of God, but he
|
||
never said to any of them, <i>This day have I begotten thee,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p36.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.5" parsed="|Heb|1|5|0|0" passage="Heb 1:5">Heb. i. 5</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i>
|
||
He was evidently declared to be the only begotten of the Father, by
|
||
that which was seen of his glory when he dwelt among us. Though he
|
||
was in the <i>form of a servant,</i> in respect of outward
|
||
circumstances, yet, in respect of graces, his form was as that of
|
||
the <i>fourth</i> in the fiery furnace, <i>like the Son of God.</i>
|
||
His divine glory appeared in the holiness and heavenliness of his
|
||
doctrine; in his miracles, which extorted from many this
|
||
acknowledgment, that he was the <i>Son of God;</i> it appeared in
|
||
the purity, goodness, and beneficence, of his whole conversation.
|
||
God's goodness is his glory, and he went about doing good; he spoke
|
||
and acted in every thing as an incarnate Deity. Perhaps the
|
||
evangelist had a particular regard to the glory of his
|
||
<i>transfiguration,</i> of which he was an eye-witness; see
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p36.3" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.16-2Pet.1.18" parsed="|2Pet|1|16|1|18" passage="2Pe 1:16-18">2 Pet. i. 16-18</scripRef>. God's
|
||
calling him his <i>beloved Son, in whom he was well pleased,</i>
|
||
intimated that he was the <i>only begotten of the Father;</i> but
|
||
the full proof of this was at his resurrection.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p37">[4.] What advantage those he dwelt among
|
||
had from this. He dwelt among them, <i>full of grace and truth.</i>
|
||
In the old tabernacle wherein God dwelt was the <i>law,</i> in
|
||
<i>this</i> was grace; in that were <i>types,</i> in this was
|
||
<i>truth.</i> The incarnate Word was every way qualified for his
|
||
undertaking as Mediator; for he was <i>full of grace and truth,</i>
|
||
the two great things that fallen man stands in need of; and this
|
||
proved him to be the <i>Son of God</i> as much as the divine power
|
||
and majesty that appeared in him. <i>First,</i> He has a fulness of
|
||
grace and truth <i>for himself;</i> he had the Spirit without
|
||
measure. He was full <i>of grace,</i> fully acceptable to his
|
||
Father, and therefore qualified to intercede for us; and full <i>of
|
||
truth,</i> fully apprized of the things he was to reveal, and
|
||
therefore fit to instruct us. He had a fulness of knowledge and a
|
||
fulness of compassion. <i>Secondly,</i> He has a fulness of grace
|
||
and truth <i>for us.</i> He <i>received,</i> that he might
|
||
<i>give,</i> and God was well pleased in him, that he might be well
|
||
pleased with us in him; and this was the <i>truth</i> of the legal
|
||
<i>types.</i></p>
|
||
</div><scripCom id="John.ii-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.15-John.1.18" parsed="|John|1|15|1|18" passage="Joh 1:15-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.15-John.1.18">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p37.2">John's Testimony to Christ.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p38">15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying,
|
||
This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred
|
||
before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have
|
||
all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was
|
||
given by Moses, <i>but</i> grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
|
||
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son,
|
||
which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared
|
||
<i>him.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p39">In these verses,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p40">I. The evangelist begins again to give us
|
||
John Baptist's testimony concerning Christ, <scripRef id="John.ii-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.15" parsed="|John|1|15|0|0" passage="Joh 1:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. He had said (<scripRef id="John.ii-p40.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.8" parsed="|John|1|8|0|0" passage="Joh 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>) that he <i>came for a
|
||
witness;</i> now here he tells us that he did accordingly <i>bear
|
||
witness.</i> Here, Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p41">1. <i>How he expressed</i> his testimony:
|
||
He <i>cried,</i> according to the prediction that he should be
|
||
<i>the voice of one crying.</i> The Old-Testament prophets cried
|
||
aloud, to show people their <i>sins;</i> this New-Testament prophet
|
||
cried aloud, to show people their <i>Saviour.</i> This intimates,
|
||
(1.) That it was an open <i>public</i> testimony, proclaimed, that
|
||
all manner of persons might take notice of it, for all are
|
||
concerned in it. False teachers <i>entice secretly,</i> but wisdom
|
||
publishes her dictates in the chief places of concourse. (2.) That
|
||
he was free and hearty in bearing this testimony. He <i>cried</i>
|
||
as one that was both <i>well assured</i> of the truth to which he
|
||
witnessed and <i>well affected</i> to it. He that had leaped in his
|
||
<i>mother's womb for joy</i> of Christ's approach, when newly
|
||
conceived, does now with a like exultation of spirit <i>welcome</i>
|
||
his public appearance.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p42">2. What his <i>testimony</i> was. He
|
||
appeals to what he had said at the beginning of his ministry, when
|
||
he had directed them to expect one that should <i>come after
|
||
him,</i> whose forerunner he was, and never intended any other than
|
||
to lead them to him, and to prepare his way. This he had given them
|
||
notice of from the first. Note, It is very comfortable to a
|
||
minister to have the testimony of his conscience for him that he
|
||
set out in his ministry with honest principles and sincere
|
||
intentions, with a single eye to the glory and honour of Christ.
|
||
Now what he had then said he applies to this Jesus whom he had
|
||
lately baptized, and who was so remarkably owned from heaven:
|
||
<i>This was he of whom I spoke.</i> John did not tell them that
|
||
there would shortly appear such a one among them, and then leave
|
||
them to find him out; but in <i>this</i> he went beyond all the
|
||
Old-Testament prophets that he particularly specified the person:
|
||
"<i>This was he,</i> the very man I told you of, and to him all I
|
||
said is to be accommodated." Now what was it he said?</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p43">(1.) He had given the preference to this
|
||
Jesus: <i>He that comes after me,</i> in the time of his birth and
|
||
public appearance, is preferred before me; he that <i>succeeds</i>
|
||
me in preaching and making disciples is a more excellent person,
|
||
upon all accounts; as the prince or peer that <i>comes after</i> is
|
||
preferred before the harbinger or gentleman-usher that makes way
|
||
for him. Note, Jesus Christ, who was to be called the <i>Son of the
|
||
Highest</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.32" parsed="|Luke|1|32|0|0" passage="Lu 1:32">Luke i. 32</scripRef>),
|
||
was preferred before John Baptist, who was to be called only the
|
||
<i>prophet of the Highest,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p43.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.76" parsed="|Luke|1|76|0|0" passage="Lu 1:76">Luke i.
|
||
76</scripRef>. John was a minister of the New Testament, but Christ
|
||
was the Mediator of the New Testament. And observe, though John was
|
||
a great man, and had a great name and interest, yet he was forward
|
||
to give the preference to him to whom it belonged. Note, All the
|
||
ministers of Christ must prefer him and his interest before
|
||
themselves and their own interests; they will make an ill account
|
||
<i>that seek their own things, not the things of Christ,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p43.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.21" parsed="|Phil|2|21|0|0" passage="Php 2:21">Phil. ii. 21</scripRef>. He comes
|
||
<i>after me,</i> and yet is <i>preferred before me.</i> Note, God
|
||
dispenses his gifts according to his good pleasure, and many times
|
||
crosses hands, as Jacob did, preferring the <i>younger</i> before
|
||
the <i>elder.</i> Paul far outstripped those that were in Christ
|
||
before him.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p44">(2.) He here gives a good reason for it:
|
||
<i>For he was before me,</i> <b><i>protos mou en</i></b>—<i>He was
|
||
my first,</i> or <i>first to me;</i> he was my first Cause, my
|
||
original. The <i>First</i> is one of <i>God's names,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.6" parsed="|Isa|44|6|0|0" passage="Isa 44:6">Isa. xliv. 6</scripRef>. He is <i>before me,</i>
|
||
is <i>my first,</i> [1.] In respect of <i>seniority:</i> he was
|
||
<i>before me,</i> for he was before Abraham, <scripRef id="John.ii-p44.2" osisRef="Bible:John.8.58" parsed="|John|8|58|0|0" passage="Joh 8:58"><i>ch.</i> viii. 58</scripRef>. Nay, he was <i>before
|
||
all things,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p44.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.17" parsed="|Col|1|17|0|0" passage="Col 1:17">Col. i. 17</scripRef>.
|
||
I am but of yesterday, he from eternity. It was but in <i>those
|
||
days</i> that John Baptist came (<scripRef id="John.ii-p44.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.3.1" parsed="|Matt|3|1|0|0" passage="Mt 3:1">Matt.
|
||
iii. 1</scripRef>), but the goings forth of our Lord Jesus <i>were
|
||
of old, from everlasting,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p44.5" osisRef="Bible:Mic.5.2" parsed="|Mic|5|2|0|0" passage="Mic 5:2">Mic. v.
|
||
2</scripRef>. This proves two natures in Christ. Christ, as man,
|
||
<i>came after</i> John as to his public appearance; Christ, as God,
|
||
was <i>before him;</i> and how could he otherwise be before him but
|
||
by an eternal existence? [2.] In respect of supremacy; for he was
|
||
<i>my prince;</i> so some princes are called the <i>first;</i>
|
||
<b><i>proton</i></b>, "It is he for whose sake and service I am
|
||
sent: he is my Master, I am his minister and messenger."</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p45">II. He presently returns again to speak of
|
||
Jesus Christ, and cannot go on with John Baptist's testimony till
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.19" parsed="|John|1|19|0|0" passage="Joh 1:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. The <scripRef id="John.ii-p45.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.16" parsed="|John|1|16|0|0" passage="Joh 1:16">16th verse</scripRef> has a manifest connection
|
||
with <scripRef id="John.ii-p45.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|14|0|0" passage="Joh 1:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>, where
|
||
the incarnate Word was said to be <i>full of grace and truth.</i>
|
||
Now here he makes this the matter, not only of our adoration, but
|
||
of our thankfulness, because <i>from that fulness</i> of his <i>we
|
||
all have received. He received gifts for men</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p45.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.68.18" parsed="|Ps|68|18|0|0" passage="Ps 68:18">Ps. lxviii. 18</scripRef>), that he might
|
||
<i>give gifts to men,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p45.5" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.8" parsed="|Eph|4|8|0|0" passage="Eph 4:8">Eph. iv.
|
||
8</scripRef>. He was filled, that he might <i>fill all in all</i>
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p45.6" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.23" parsed="|Eph|1|23|0|0" passage="Eph 1:23">Eph. i. 23</scripRef>), might <i>fill
|
||
our treasures,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p45.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.21" parsed="|Prov|8|21|0|0" passage="Pr 8:21">Prov. viii.
|
||
21</scripRef>. He has a fountain of fulness overflowing: <i>We all
|
||
have received. All we</i> apostles; so some. We have received the
|
||
favour of this apostleship, that is <i>grace;</i> and a fitness for
|
||
it, that is <i>truth.</i> Or, rather, <i>All we</i> believers; as
|
||
many as received him (<scripRef id="John.ii-p45.8" osisRef="Bible:John.1.16" parsed="|John|1|16|0|0" passage="Joh 1:16"><i>v.</i>
|
||
16</scripRef>), received from him. Note, All true believers receive
|
||
from Christ's fulness; the best and greatest saints cannot live
|
||
without him, the meanest and weakest may live by him. This excludes
|
||
proud boasting, that we have nothing but <i>we have received
|
||
it;</i> and silences perplexing fears, that we want nothing but
|
||
<i>we may receive it.</i> Let us see what it is that we have
|
||
received.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p46">1. We have received <i>grace for grace.</i>
|
||
Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word,
|
||
<i>grace;</i> we have received <b><i>kai charin</i></b>—<i>even
|
||
grace,</i> so great a gift, so rich, so invaluable; we have
|
||
received <i>no less</i> than grace; this is a gift to be spoken of
|
||
with an emphasis. It is repeated, <i>grace for grace;</i> for to
|
||
every stone in this building, as well as <i>to the top-stone,</i>
|
||
we must cry, <i>Grace, grace.</i> Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p47">(1.) The blessing received. It is
|
||
<i>grace;</i> the good will of God towards us, and the good work of
|
||
God in us. God's good will works the good work, and then the good
|
||
work qualifies us for further tokens of his good will. As the
|
||
cistern receives water from the fulness of the fountain, the
|
||
branches sap from the fulness of the root, and the air light from
|
||
the fulness of the sun, so we receive grace from the fulness of
|
||
Christ.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p48">(2.) The manner of its reception: <i>Grace
|
||
for grace</i>—<b><i>charin anti charitos</i></b>. The phrase is
|
||
singular, and interpreters put different senses upon it, each of
|
||
which will be of use to illustrate the unsearchable riches of the
|
||
grace of Christ. <i>Grace for grace</i> bespeaks, [1.] The
|
||
<i>freeness</i> of this grace. It is grace for grace' sake; so
|
||
<i>Grotius.</i> We receive grace, not for <i>our sakes</i> (be it
|
||
known to us), but even so, Father, <i>because it seemed good in thy
|
||
sight.</i> It is a <i>gift according to grace,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p48.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.12.6" parsed="|Rom|12|6|0|0" passage="Ro 12:6">Rom. xii. 6</scripRef>. It is grace <i>to us</i>
|
||
for the sake of grace to Jesus Christ. God was well pleased in him,
|
||
and is therefore well pleased with us in him, <scripRef id="John.ii-p48.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.6" parsed="|Eph|1|6|0|0" passage="Eph 1:6">Eph. i. 6</scripRef>. [2.] The <i>fulness</i> of this
|
||
grace. <i>Grace for grace</i> is abundance of grace, grace upon
|
||
grace (so <i>Camero</i>), one grace heaped upon another; as <i>skin
|
||
for skin</i> is skin after skin, even all that a man has, <scripRef id="John.ii-p48.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.2.4" parsed="|Job|2|4|0|0" passage="Job 2:4">Job ii. 4</scripRef>. It is a blessing poured
|
||
out, that there shall not be room to receive it, <i>plenteous
|
||
redemption:</i> one grace a pledge of more grace. <i>Joseph-He will
|
||
add.</i> It is such a fulness as is called <i>the fulness of
|
||
God</i> which we are filled with. We are not straitened in the
|
||
grace of Christ, if we be not straitened in our own bosoms. [3.]
|
||
The <i>serviceableness</i> of this grace. <i>Grace for grace</i> is
|
||
grace for the promoting and advancing of grace. Grace to be
|
||
<i>exercised</i> by ourselves; gracious habits for gracious acts.
|
||
Grace to be <i>ministered</i> to others; gracious vouchsafements
|
||
for gracious performances: grace is a talent to be traded with. The
|
||
apostles received grace (<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.5 Bible:Eph.3.8" parsed="|Rom|1|5|0|0;|Eph|3|8|0|0" passage="Ro 1:5,Eph 3:8">Rom. i.
|
||
5; Eph. iii. 8</scripRef>), that they might communicate it,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.5" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.10" parsed="|1Pet|4|10|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:10">1 Pet. iv. 10</scripRef>. [4.] The
|
||
<i>substitution</i> of New-Testament grace <i>in the room and
|
||
stead</i> of Old-Testament grace: so <i>Beza.</i> And this sense is
|
||
confirmed by what follows (<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.6" osisRef="Bible:John.1.17" parsed="|John|1|17|0|0" passage="Joh 1:17"><i>v.</i>
|
||
17</scripRef>); for the Old Testament had grace in type, the New
|
||
Testament has grace in truth. There was a grace under the Old
|
||
Testament, the gospel was preached then (<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.7" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.8" parsed="|Gal|3|8|0|0" passage="Ga 3:8">Gal. iii. 8</scripRef>); but that grace is superseded, and
|
||
we have gospel grace instead of it, a <i>glory which excelleth,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.8" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.10" parsed="|2Cor|3|10|0|0" passage="2Co 3:10">2 Cor. iii. 10</scripRef>. Discoveries
|
||
of grace are now more clear, distributions of grace far more
|
||
plentiful; this is grace instead of grace. [5.] It bespeaks the
|
||
<i>augmentation</i> and <i>continuance of grace. Grace for
|
||
grace</i> is one grace to improve, confirm, and perfect another
|
||
grace. We are changed into the divine image, <i>from glory to
|
||
glory,</i> from one degree of glorious grace to another, <scripRef id="John.ii-p48.9" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.18" parsed="|2Cor|3|18|0|0" passage="2Co 3:18">2 Cor. iii. 18</scripRef>. Those that have
|
||
<i>true</i> grace have that for <i>more grace,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p48.10" osisRef="Bible:Jas.4.6" parsed="|Jas|4|6|0|0" passage="Jam 4:6">Jam. iv. 6</scripRef>. When God gives grace he
|
||
saith, Take this <i>in part;</i> for he who hath promised will
|
||
perform. [6.] It bespeaks the <i>agreeableness</i> and
|
||
<i>conformity</i> of grace in the saints to the grace that is in
|
||
Jesus Christ; so Mr. <i>Clark. Grace for grace</i> is grace in us
|
||
answering to grace in him, as the impression upon the wax answers
|
||
the seal line for line. The grace we receive from Christ <i>changes
|
||
us into the same image</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.11" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.18" parsed="|2Cor|3|18|0|0" passage="2Co 3:18">2 Cor.
|
||
iii. 18</scripRef>), the <i>image of the Son</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p48.12" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.29" parsed="|Rom|8|29|0|0" passage="Ro 8:29">Rom. viii. 29</scripRef>), the <i>image of the
|
||
heavenly,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p48.13" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.49" parsed="|1Cor|15|49|0|0" passage="1Co 15:49">1 Cor. xv.
|
||
49</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p49">2. We have received <i>grace and truth,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.17" parsed="|John|1|17|0|0" passage="Joh 1:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. He had said
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p49.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.14" parsed="|John|1|14|0|0" passage="Joh 1:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>) that Christ
|
||
was <i>full of grace and truth;</i> now here he says that by him
|
||
<i>grace and truth</i> came to us. From Christ we <i>receive
|
||
grace;</i> this is a string he delights to harp upon, he cannot go
|
||
off from it. Two things he further observes in this verse
|
||
concerning this grace:—(1.) Its <i>preference</i> above the law
|
||
of Moses: <i>The law was given by Moses,</i> and it was a glorious
|
||
discovery, both of God's <i>will concerning</i> man and his <i>good
|
||
will to</i> man; but the gospel of Christ is a much clearer
|
||
discovery both of duty and happiness. That which was given by Moses
|
||
was purely terrifying and threatening, and bound with penalties, a
|
||
law which could not <i>give life, which was</i> given with
|
||
abundance of terror (<scripRef id="John.ii-p49.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.18" parsed="|Heb|12|18|0|0" passage="Heb 12:18">Heb. xii.
|
||
18</scripRef>); but that which is given by Jesus Christ is of
|
||
another nature; it has all the beneficial uses of the law, but not
|
||
the terror, for it is <i>grace:</i> grace <i>teaching</i>
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p49.4" osisRef="Bible:Titus.2.11" parsed="|Titus|2|11|0|0" passage="Tit 2:11">Tit. ii. 11</scripRef>), grace
|
||
<i>reigning,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p49.5" osisRef="Bible:Rom.5.21" parsed="|Rom|5|21|0|0" passage="Ro 5:21">Rom. v. 21</scripRef>.
|
||
It is a law, but a remedial law. The endearments of love are the
|
||
genius of the gospel, not the affrightments of law and the curse.
|
||
(2.) Its <i>connection</i> with truth: <i>grace and truth.</i> In
|
||
the gospel we have the discovery of the greatest <i>truths</i> to
|
||
be embraced by the understanding, as well as of the richest
|
||
<i>grace</i> to be embraced by the will and affections. It is a
|
||
<i>faithful saying,</i> and <i>worthy of all acceptation;</i> that
|
||
is, it is <i>grace and truth.</i> The offers of <i>grace</i> are
|
||
<i>sincere,</i> and what we may venture our souls upon; they are
|
||
made <i>in earnest,</i> for it is <i>grace and truth.</i> It is
|
||
<i>grace and truth</i> with reference to the <i>law</i> that was
|
||
<i>given by Moses.</i> For it is, [1.] The performance of all the
|
||
Old-Testament promises. In the Old Testament we often find
|
||
<i>mercy</i> and <i>truth</i> put together, that is, mercy
|
||
according to promise; so here <i>grace and truth</i> denote grace
|
||
according to promise. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p49.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.72 Bible:1Kgs.8.56" parsed="|Luke|1|72|0|0;|1Kgs|8|56|0|0" passage="Lu 1:72,1Ki 8:56">Luke
|
||
i. 72; 1 Kings viii. 56</scripRef>. [2.] It is the substance of all
|
||
the Old-Testament types and shadows. Something of grace there was
|
||
both in the ordinances that were instituted for Israel and the
|
||
providences that occurred concerning Israel; but they were only
|
||
shadows of good things to come, even of the grace that is to be
|
||
<i>brought to us by the revelation of Jesus Christ.</i> He is the
|
||
<i>true</i> paschal lamb, the <i>true</i> scape-goat, the true
|
||
<i>manna.</i> They had grace in the picture; we have grace in the
|
||
person, that is, <i>grace and truth. Grace and truth came,</i>
|
||
<b><i>egeneto</i></b>—<i>was made;</i> the same word that was used
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p49.7" osisRef="Bible:John.1.3" parsed="|John|1|3|0|0" passage="Joh 1:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) concerning
|
||
Christ's <i>making all things.</i> The law was only <i>made
|
||
known</i> by Moses, but the <i>being</i> of this grace and truth,
|
||
as well as the discovery of them, is owing to Jesus Christ; this
|
||
was <i>made</i> by him, as the world at first was; and by him this
|
||
<i>grace and truth</i> do <i>consist.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p50">3. Another thing we receive from Christ is
|
||
a clear revelation of God to us (<scripRef id="John.ii-p50.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.18" parsed="|John|1|18|0|0" passage="Joh 1:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): He hath <i>declared</i> God to
|
||
us, whom <i>no man hath seen at any time.</i> This was the grace
|
||
and truth which came by Christ, the knowledge of God and an
|
||
acquaintance with him. Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p51">(1.) The insufficiency of all other
|
||
discoveries: <i>No man hath seen God at any time.</i> This
|
||
intimates, [1.] That the nature of God being <i>spiritual,</i> he
|
||
is invisible to bodily eyes, he is a being <i>whom no man hath
|
||
seen, nor can see,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.6.16" parsed="|1Tim|6|16|0|0" passage="1Ti 6:16">1 Tim. vi.
|
||
16</scripRef>. We have therefore need to <i>live by faith,</i> by
|
||
which we <i>see him that is invisible,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p51.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.27" parsed="|Heb|11|27|0|0" passage="Heb 11:27">Heb. xi. 27</scripRef>. [2.] That the revelation which
|
||
God made of himself in the Old Testament was very short and
|
||
imperfect, in comparison with that which he has made by Christ:
|
||
<i>No man hath seen God at any time;</i> that is, what was seen and
|
||
known of God before the incarnation of Christ was nothing to that
|
||
which is now seen and known; life and immortality are now brought
|
||
to a much clearer light than they were then. [3.] That none of the
|
||
Old-Testament prophets were so well qualified to make known the
|
||
mind and will of God to the children of men as our Lord Jesus was,
|
||
for none of them had <i>seen God at any time. Moses beheld the
|
||
similitude of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p51.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.12.8" parsed="|Num|12|8|0|0" passage="Nu 12:8">Num. xii.
|
||
8</scripRef>), but was told that he could not <i>see his face,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p51.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.33.20" parsed="|Exod|33|20|0|0" passage="Ex 33:20">Exod. xxxiii. 20</scripRef>. But
|
||
<i>this</i> recommends Christ's holy religion to us that it was
|
||
founded by one that had seen God, and knew more of his mind than
|
||
any one else ever did.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p52">(2.) The all-sufficiency of the gospel
|
||
discovery proved from its author: <i>The only-begotten Son, who is
|
||
in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.</i> Observe
|
||
here,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p53">[1.] How <i>fit</i> he was to make this
|
||
discovery, and every way qualified for it. He and he alone was
|
||
<i>worthy to take the book, and to open the seals,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p53.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.9" parsed="|Rev|5|9|0|0" passage="Re 5:9">Rev. v. 9</scripRef>. For, <i>First,</i> He is
|
||
<i>the only-begotten Son;</i> and who so likely to know the Father
|
||
as the Son? or in whom is the Father better known than in the Son?
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p53.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.27" parsed="|Matt|11|27|0|0" passage="Mt 11:27">Matt. xi. 27</scripRef>. He is of the
|
||
same nature with the Father, so that he who hath <i>seen him</i>
|
||
hath seen <i>the Father,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p53.3" osisRef="Bible:John.14.9" parsed="|John|14|9|0|0" passage="Joh 14:9"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 9</scripRef>. The servant is not
|
||
supposed to know so well <i>what his Lord does</i> as the Son,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p53.4" osisRef="Bible:John.15.15" parsed="|John|15|15|0|0" passage="Joh 15:15"><i>ch.</i> xv. 15</scripRef>. Moses
|
||
was <i>faithful as a servant,</i> but Christ <i>as a Son.
|
||
Secondly,</i> He is <i>in the bosom of the Father.</i> He had lain
|
||
in his bosom from eternity. When he was here upon earth, yet still,
|
||
as God, he was in the bosom of the Father, and thither he returned
|
||
when he <i>ascended. In the bosom of the Father;</i> that is, 1. In
|
||
the bosom of his <i>special love,</i> dear to him, in <i>whom he
|
||
was well pleased,</i> always his delight. All God's saints are
|
||
<i>in his hand,</i> but his Son was <i>in his bosom,</i> one in
|
||
nature and essence, and therefore in the highest degree one <i>in
|
||
love.</i> 2. In the bosom of his <i>secret counsels.</i> As there
|
||
was a mutual <i>complacency,</i> so there was a mutual
|
||
<i>consciousness,</i> between the Father and Son (<scripRef id="John.ii-p53.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.27" parsed="|Matt|11|27|0|0" passage="Mt 11:27">Matt. xi. 27</scripRef>); none so fit as he to
|
||
make known God, for none knew his mind as he did. Our most secret
|
||
counsels we are said to hide <i>in our bosom (in pectore</i>);
|
||
Christ was privy to the <i>bosom-counsels</i> of the Father. The
|
||
prophets <i>sat down at his feet</i> as scholars; Christ lay in his
|
||
bosom as a friend. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p53.6" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.11" parsed="|Eph|3|11|0|0" passage="Eph 3:11">Eph. iii.
|
||
11</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p54">[2.] How <i>free</i> he was in making this
|
||
discovery: <i>He hath declared. Him</i> is not in the original. He
|
||
has declared that of God which no man had at any time seen or
|
||
known; not only that which was hid <i>of God,</i> but that which
|
||
was hid <i>in</i> God (<scripRef id="John.ii-p54.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.9" parsed="|Eph|3|9|0|0" passage="Eph 3:9">Eph. iii.
|
||
9</scripRef>), <b><i>exegesato</i></b>—it signifies a plain,
|
||
clear, and full discovery, not by general and doubtful hints, but
|
||
by particular explications. He that runs may now read the will of
|
||
God and the way of salvation. This is the <i>grace,</i> this the
|
||
<i>truth,</i> that came by Jesus Christ.</p>
|
||
</div><scripCom id="John.ii-p54.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.19-John.1.28" parsed="|John|1|19|1|28" passage="Joh 1:19-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.19-John.1.28">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p54.3">John's Testimony to Christ; John Examined by
|
||
the Priests.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p55">19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews
|
||
sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
|
||
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not
|
||
the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou
|
||
Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he
|
||
answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that
|
||
we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of
|
||
thyself? 23 He said, I <i>am</i> the voice of one crying in
|
||
the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the
|
||
prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the
|
||
Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why
|
||
baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither
|
||
that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with
|
||
water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
|
||
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose
|
||
shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things
|
||
were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p56">We have here the testimony of John, which
|
||
he delivered to the messengers who were sent from Jerusalem to
|
||
examine him. Observe here,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p57">I. Who they were that sent to him, and who
|
||
they were that were sent. 1. They that sent to him were <i>the Jews
|
||
at Jerusalem,</i> the great sanhedrim or high-commission court,
|
||
which sat at Jerusalem, and was the representative of the Jewish
|
||
church, who took cognizance of all matters relating to religion.
|
||
One would think that they who were the fountains of learning, and
|
||
the guides of the church, should have, by books, understood the
|
||
times so well as to know that the Messiah was at hand, and
|
||
therefore should presently have known him that was his forerunner,
|
||
and readily embraced him; but, instead of this, they sent
|
||
messengers to <i>cross questions</i> with him. Secular learning,
|
||
honour, and power, seldom dispose men's minds to the reception of
|
||
divine light. 2. They that were sent were, (1.) <i>Priests and
|
||
Levites,</i> probably members of the council, men of learning,
|
||
gravity, and authority. John Baptist was himself a priest of the
|
||
seed of Aaron, and therefore it was not fit that he should be
|
||
examined by any but priests. It was prophesied concerning John's
|
||
ministry that it should <i>purify the Sons of Levi</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p57.1" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.3" parsed="|Mal|3|3|0|0" passage="Mal 3:3">Mal. iii. 3</scripRef>), and therefore they were
|
||
jealous of him and his reformation. (2.) They were <i>of the
|
||
Pharisees,</i> proud, self-justiciaries, that thought they needed
|
||
no repentance, and therefore could not bear one that made it his
|
||
business to preach repentance.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p58">II. On what errand they were sent; it was
|
||
to enquire concerning John and <i>his baptism.</i> They did not
|
||
send for John to them, probably because they <i>feared the
|
||
people,</i> lest the people where John was should be provoked to
|
||
rise, or lest the people where they were should be brought
|
||
acquainted with him; they thought it was good to keep him at a
|
||
distance. They enquire concerning him, 1. To satisfy their
|
||
curiosity; as the Athenians enquired concerning Paul's doctrine,
|
||
for the novelty of it, <scripRef id="John.ii-p58.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.17.19-Acts.17.20" parsed="|Acts|17|19|17|20" passage="Ac 17:19,20">Acts xvii.
|
||
19, 20</scripRef>. Such a proud conceit they had of themselves that
|
||
the doctrine of repentance was to them strange doctrine. 2. It was
|
||
to show their authority. They thought they <i>looked great</i> when
|
||
they called him to account whom all men counted as a prophet, and
|
||
arraigned him at their bar. 3. It was with a design to
|
||
<i>suppress</i> him and silence him if they could find any colour
|
||
for it; for they were jealous of his growing interest, and his
|
||
ministry agreed neither with the Mosaic dispensation which they had
|
||
been long under, nor with the notions they had formed of the
|
||
Messiah's kingdom.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p59">III. What was the answer he gave them, and
|
||
his account, both concerning himself and concerning his baptism, in
|
||
both which he witnessed to Christ.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p60">1. Concerning himself, and what he
|
||
professed himself to be. They asked him, <b><i>Sy tis
|
||
ei</i></b>—<i>Thou, who art thou?</i> John's appearing in the
|
||
world was surprising. He was in the wilderness till the day of his
|
||
showing unto Israel. His spirit, his converse, he doctrine, had
|
||
something in them which commanded and gained respect; but he did
|
||
not, as seducers do, give out himself to be <i>some great one.</i>
|
||
He was more industrious to <i>do good</i> than to <i>appear
|
||
great;</i> and therefore waived saying any thing of himself till he
|
||
was legally interrogated. Those speak best for Christ that say
|
||
least of themselves, whose <i>own works</i> praise them, not
|
||
<i>their own lips.</i> He answers their interrogatory,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p61">(1.) <i>Negatively.</i> He was not that
|
||
great one whom some took him to be. God's faithful witnesses stand
|
||
more upon their guard <i>against undue respect</i> than against
|
||
<i>unjust contempt.</i> Paul writes as warmly against those that
|
||
overvalued him, and said, <i>I am of Paul,</i> as against those
|
||
that undervalued him, and said that his bodily presence was weak;
|
||
and he rent his clothes when he was called a god. [1.] John disowns
|
||
himself to be <i>the Christ</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p61.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.20" parsed="|John|1|20|0|0" passage="Joh 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <i>He said, I am not the
|
||
Christ,</i> who was now expected and waited for. Note, The
|
||
ministers of Christ must remember that <i>they are not Christ,</i>
|
||
and therefore must not usurp his powers and prerogatives, nor
|
||
assume the praises due to him only. They are not Christ, and
|
||
therefore must not lord it over God's heritage, nor pretend to a
|
||
dominion over the faith of Christians. They cannot created grace
|
||
and peace; they cannot enlighten, convert, quicken, comfort; for
|
||
they are not Christ. Observe how emphatically this is here
|
||
expressed concerning John: He <i>confessed, and denied not, but
|
||
confessed;</i> it denotes his vehemence and constancy in making
|
||
this protestation. Note, Temptations to pride, and assuming that
|
||
honour to ourselves which does not belong to us, ought to be
|
||
resisted with a great deal of vigour and earnestness. When John was
|
||
taken to be the Messiah, he did not connive at it with a <i>Si
|
||
populus vult decipi, decipiatur—If the people will be deceived,
|
||
let them;</i> but openly and solemnly, without any ambiguities,
|
||
confessed, <i>I am not the Christ;</i> <b><i>hoti ouk eimi ego ho
|
||
Christos</i></b>—<i>I am not the Christ, not I;</i> another is at
|
||
hand, who is he, but I am not. His disowning himself to be the
|
||
Christ is called his <i>confessing</i> and not <i>denying</i>
|
||
Christ. Note, Those that humble and abase themselves thereby
|
||
confess Christ, and give honour to him; but those that will not
|
||
deny themselves do in effect deny Christ, [2.] He disowns himself
|
||
to be Elias, <scripRef id="John.ii-p61.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.21" parsed="|John|1|21|0|0" passage="Joh 1:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
|
||
The Jews expected the person of Elias to return from heaven, and to
|
||
live among them, and promised themselves great things from it.
|
||
Hearing of John's character, doctrine, and baptism, and observing
|
||
that he appeared as one dropped from heaven, in the same part of
|
||
the country from which Elijah was carried to heaven, it is no
|
||
wonder that they were ready to take him for this Elijah; but he
|
||
disowned this honour too. He was indeed prophesied of under the
|
||
name of Elijah (<scripRef id="John.ii-p61.3" osisRef="Bible:Mal.4.5" parsed="|Mal|4|5|0|0" passage="Mal 4:5">Mal. iv. 5</scripRef>),
|
||
and he came in the <i>spirit and power of Elias</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p61.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.17" parsed="|Luke|1|17|0|0" passage="Lu 1:17">Luke i. 17</scripRef>), and was the Elias that
|
||
was to come (<scripRef id="John.ii-p61.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.14" parsed="|Matt|11|14|0|0" passage="Mt 11:14">Matt. xi. 14</scripRef>);
|
||
but he was not the person of Elias, not that Elias that went to
|
||
heaven in the fiery chariot, as he was that met Christ in his
|
||
transfiguration. He was the Elias that God had promised, not the
|
||
Elias that they foolishly dreamed of. Elias did come, and <i>they
|
||
knew him not</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p61.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.17.12" parsed="|Matt|17|12|0|0" passage="Mt 17:12">Matt. xvii.
|
||
12</scripRef>); nor did he make himself known to them as the Elias,
|
||
because they had promised themselves such an Elias as God never
|
||
promised them. [3.] He disowns himself to be that <i>prophet,</i>
|
||
or the prophet. <i>First,</i> He was not <i>that</i> prophet which
|
||
Moses said <i>the Lord</i> would <i>raise up to them of their
|
||
brethren,</i> like unto him. If they meant this, they needed not
|
||
ask that question, for that prophet was no other than the Messiah,
|
||
and he had said already, <i>I am not the Christ. Secondly,</i> He
|
||
was not such a prophet as they expected and wished for, who, like
|
||
Samuel and Elijah, and some other of the prophets, would interpose
|
||
in public affairs, and rescue them from under the Roman yoke.
|
||
<i>Thirdly,</i> He was not one of the old prophets raised from the
|
||
dead, as they expected one to come before Elias, as Elias before
|
||
the Messiah. <i>Fourthly,</i> Though John was a prophet, yea, more
|
||
than a prophet, yet he had his revelation, not by dreams and
|
||
visions, as the Old-Testament prophets had theirs; his commission
|
||
and work were of another nature, and belonged to another
|
||
dispensation. If John had said that he was Elias, and was a
|
||
prophet, he might have made his words good; but ministers must,
|
||
upon all occasions, express themselves with the utmost caution,
|
||
both that they may not confirm people in any mistakes, and
|
||
particularly that they may not give occasion to any to think of
|
||
them <i>above what is meet.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p62">(2.) <i>Affirmatively.</i> The committee
|
||
that was sent to examine him pressed for a positive answer
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p62.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.22" parsed="|John|1|22|0|0" passage="Joh 1:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), urging the
|
||
authority of <i>those that sent them,</i> which they expected he
|
||
should pay a deference to: "<i>Tell us, What art thou?</i> not that
|
||
we may believe thee, and be baptized by three, but that we may
|
||
<i>give an answer</i> to those that sent us, and that it may not be
|
||
said we were sent on a fool's errand." John was looked upon as a
|
||
man of sincerity, and therefore they believed he would not give an
|
||
evasive ambiguous answer; but would be fair and above-board, and
|
||
give a plain answer to a plain question: <i>What sayest thou of
|
||
thyself?</i> And he did so, <i>I am the voice of one crying in the
|
||
wilderness.</i> Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p63">[1.] He gives his answer in the words of
|
||
scripture, to show that the scripture was fulfilled in him, and
|
||
that his office was supported by a divine authority. What the
|
||
scripture saith of the office of the ministry should be often
|
||
thought of by those of that high calling, who must look upon
|
||
themselves as that, and that only, which the word of God makes
|
||
them.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p64">[2.] He gives in his answer in very humble,
|
||
modest, self-denying expressions. He chooses to apply that
|
||
scripture to himself which denotes not his dignity, but his duty
|
||
and dependence, which bespeaks him little: <i>I am the voice,</i>
|
||
as if he were <i>vox et præterea nihil</i>—<i>mere voice.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p65">[3.] He gives such an account of himself as
|
||
might be profitable to them, and might excite and awaken them to
|
||
hearken to him; for he <i>was the voice</i> (see <scripRef id="John.ii-p65.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.40.3" parsed="|Isa|40|3|0|0" passage="Isa 40:3">Isa. xl. 3</scripRef>), a voice to alarm, an articulate
|
||
voice to instruct. Ministers are but the <i>voice,</i> the vehicle,
|
||
by which God is pleased to communicate his mind. What are Paul and
|
||
Apollos but messengers? Observe, <i>First,</i> He was a
|
||
<i>human</i> voice. The people were prepared to receive the law by
|
||
the voice of thunders, and a trumpet exceedingly loud, such as made
|
||
them tremble; but they were prepared for the gospel by the voice of
|
||
a man like ourselves, <i>a still small voice,</i> such as that in
|
||
which God came to Elijah, <scripRef id="John.ii-p65.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.19.12" parsed="|1Kgs|19|12|0|0" passage="1Ki 19:12">1 Kings
|
||
xix. 12</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i> He was the voice of <i>one
|
||
crying,</i> which denotes, 1. His <i>earnestness</i> and
|
||
<i>importunity</i> in calling people to repentance; he <i>cried
|
||
aloud, and did not spare.</i> Ministers must preach as those that
|
||
are in earnest, and are themselves affected with those things with
|
||
which they desire to affect others. Those words are not likely to
|
||
<i>thaw</i> the hearers' hearts that <i>freeze</i> between the
|
||
speaker's lips. 2. His <i>open publication</i> of the doctrine he
|
||
preached; he was the voice of one <i>crying,</i> that all manner of
|
||
persons might hear and take notice. <i>Doth not wisdom cry?</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p65.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.1" parsed="|Prov|8|1|0|0" passage="Pr 8:1">Prov. viii. 1</scripRef>.
|
||
<i>Thirdly,</i> It was in the <i>wilderness</i> that this voice was
|
||
crying; in a place of silence and solitude, out of the noise of the
|
||
world and the hurry of its business; the more retired we are from
|
||
the tumult of secular affairs the better prepared we are to hear
|
||
from God. <i>Fourthly,</i> That which he cried was, <i>Make
|
||
straight the way of the Lord;</i> that is, 1. He came to
|
||
<i>rectify</i> the mistakes of people concerning the ways of God;
|
||
it is certain that they are right ways, but the scribes and
|
||
Pharisees, with their corrupt glosses upon the law, had made them
|
||
crooked. Now John Baptist calls people to return to the original
|
||
rule. 2. He came to prepare and dispose people for the reception
|
||
and entertainment of Christ and his gospel. It is an allusion to
|
||
the harbingers of a prince or great man, that cry, <i>Make
|
||
room.</i> Note, When God is coming towards us, we must prepare to
|
||
meet him, and let the word of the Lord have <i>free course.</i> See
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p65.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.24.7" parsed="|Ps|24|7|0|0" passage="Ps 24:7">Ps. xxiv. 7</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p66">2. Here is his testimony concerning <i>his
|
||
baptism.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p67">(1.) The enquiry which the committee made
|
||
about it: <i>Why baptizest thou, if thou be not the Christ, nor
|
||
Elias, nor that prophet?</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p67.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.25" parsed="|John|1|25|0|0" passage="Joh 1:25"><i>v.</i>
|
||
25</scripRef>. [1.] They readily apprehended baptism to be fitly
|
||
and properly used as a sacred rite or ceremony, for the Jewish
|
||
church had used it with circumcision in the admission of
|
||
proselytes, to signify the cleansing of them from the pollutions of
|
||
their former state. That sign was made use of in the Christian
|
||
church, that it might be the more passable. Christ did not affect
|
||
novelty, nor should his ministers. [2.] They expected it would be
|
||
used in the days of the Messiah, because it was promised that then
|
||
there should be a <i>fountain opened</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p67.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.13.1" parsed="|Zech|13|1|0|0" passage="Zec 13:1">Zech. xiii. 1</scripRef>), and <i>clean water
|
||
sprinkled,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p67.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.36.25" parsed="|Ezek|36|25|0|0" passage="Eze 36:25">Ezek. xxxvi.
|
||
25</scripRef>. It is taken for granted that Christ, and Elias, and
|
||
<i>that prophet,</i> would baptize, when they came to <i>purify</i>
|
||
a <i>polluted</i> world. Divine justice drowned the old world <i>in
|
||
its filth,</i> but divine grace has provided for the cleansing of
|
||
this new world <i>from its filth.</i> [3.] They would therefore
|
||
know by what authority John baptized. His denying himself to be
|
||
Elias, or <i>that prophet,</i> subjected him to this further
|
||
question, <i>Why baptizest thou?</i> Note, It is no new thing for a
|
||
man's modesty to be turned against him, and improved to his
|
||
prejudice; but it is better that men should take advantage of our
|
||
low thoughts of ourselves, to <i>trample upon us,</i> than the
|
||
devil take advantage of our high thoughts of ourselves, to <i>tempt
|
||
us</i> to pride and draw us into his condemnation.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p68">(2.) The account he gave of it, <scripRef id="John.ii-p68.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.26-John.1.27" parsed="|John|1|26|1|27" passage="Joh 1:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26, 27</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p69">[1.] He owned himself to be only the
|
||
minister of the outward sign: "<i>I baptize with water,</i> and
|
||
that is all; I am no more, and do no more, than what you see; I
|
||
have no other title than <i>John the Baptist;</i> I cannot confer
|
||
the spiritual grace signified by it." Paul was in care that none
|
||
should think of him above what they saw him to be (<scripRef id="John.ii-p69.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.6" parsed="|2Cor|12|6|0|0" passage="2Co 12:6">2 Cor. xii. 6</scripRef>); so was John Baptist.
|
||
Ministers must not set up for masters.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p70">[2.] He directed them to one who was
|
||
greater than himself, and would do that for them, if they pleased,
|
||
which he could not do: "<i>I baptize with water,</i> and that is
|
||
the utmost of my commission; I have nothing to do but by this to
|
||
lead you to one that comes after me, and consign you to him." Note,
|
||
The great business of Christ's ministers is to direct all people to
|
||
him; we preach not ourselves, but <i>Christ Jesus the Lord.</i>
|
||
John gave the same account to this committee that he had given to
|
||
the people (<scripRef id="John.ii-p70.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.15" parsed="|John|1|15|0|0" passage="Joh 1:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>):
|
||
<i>This as he of whom I spoke.</i> John was constant and uniform in
|
||
his testimony, not as a reed shaken with the wind. The sanhedrim
|
||
were jealous of his interest in the people, but he is not afraid to
|
||
tell them that there is one at the door that will go beyond him.
|
||
<i>First,</i> He tells them of Christ's <i>presence among them</i>
|
||
now at this time: <i>There stands one among you,</i> at this time,
|
||
<i>whom you know not.</i> Christ stood among the common people, and
|
||
was as one of them. Note, 1. Much true worth lies hid in this
|
||
world; obscurity is often the lot of real excellency. Saints are
|
||
God's <i>hidden ones,</i> therefore <i>the world knows them
|
||
not.</i> 2. God himself is often nearer to us than we are aware of.
|
||
<i>The Lord</i> is <i>in this place,</i> and <i>I knew it not.</i>
|
||
They were gazing, in expectation of the messiah: <i>Lo he is
|
||
here,</i> or he is there, when the kingdom of God was abroad and
|
||
already <i>among them,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p70.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.17.21" parsed="|Luke|17|21|0|0" passage="Lu 17:21">Luke xvii.
|
||
21</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i> He tells them of Christ's
|
||
<i>preference above himself:</i> He comes <i>after me,</i> and yet
|
||
is <i>preferred before me.</i> This he had said before; he adds
|
||
here, "Whose <i>shoe-latchet I am not worthy to loose;</i> I am not
|
||
fit to be named the same day with him; it is an honour too great
|
||
for me to pretend to be in the meanest office about him," <scripRef id="John.ii-p70.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.25.41" parsed="|1Sam|25|41|0|0" passage="1Sa 25:41">1 Sam. xxv. 41</scripRef>. Those to whom Christ
|
||
is precious reckon his service, even the most despised instances of
|
||
it, an honour to them. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p70.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.84.10" parsed="|Ps|84|10|0|0" passage="Ps 84:10">Ps. lxxxiv.
|
||
10</scripRef>. If so great a man as John accounted himself unworthy
|
||
of the honour of being near Christ, how unworthy then should we
|
||
account ourselves! Now, one would think, these chief priests and
|
||
Pharisees, upon this intimation given concerning the approach of
|
||
the Messiah, should presently have asked who, and where, this
|
||
excellent person was; and who more likely to tell them than he who
|
||
had given them this general notice? No, they did not think this any
|
||
part of their business or concern; they came to molest John, not to
|
||
receive any instructions from him: so that their ignorance was
|
||
<i>wilful;</i> they might have known Christ, and would not.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p71"><i>Lastly,</i> Notice is taken of the place
|
||
where all this was done: <i>In Bethabara beyond Jordan,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p71.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.28" parsed="|John|1|28|0|0" passage="Joh 1:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. Bethabara
|
||
signifies the <i>house of passage;</i> some think it was the very
|
||
place where Israel passed over Jordan into the land of promise
|
||
under the conduct of Joshua; there was opened the way into the
|
||
gospel state by Jesus Christ. It was at a great <i>distance</i>
|
||
from Jerusalem, beyond Jordan; probably because what he did
|
||
<i>there</i> would be least offensive to the government. Amos must
|
||
go prophesy in the country, not near the court; but it was sad that
|
||
Jerusalem should put so far from her the things that belonged to
|
||
<i>her peace.</i> He made this confession in the same place where
|
||
he was <i>baptizing,</i> that all those who attended his baptism
|
||
might be witnesses of it, and none might say that they knew not
|
||
what to <i>make of him.</i></p>
|
||
</div><scripCom id="John.ii-p71.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.29-John.1.36" parsed="|John|1|29|1|36" passage="Joh 1:29-36" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.29-John.1.36">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p71.3">John's Testimony to Christ.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p72">29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto
|
||
him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
|
||
of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh
|
||
a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31
|
||
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel,
|
||
therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare
|
||
record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a
|
||
dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he
|
||
that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon
|
||
whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him,
|
||
the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I
|
||
saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35 Again
|
||
the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36
|
||
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of
|
||
God!</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p73">We have in these verses an account of
|
||
John's testimony concerning Jesus Christ, which he witnessed to his
|
||
own disciples that followed him. As soon as ever Christ was
|
||
<i>baptized</i> he was immediately hurried into the wilderness, to
|
||
be <i>tempted;</i> and there he was forty days. During his absence
|
||
John had continued to bear testimony to him, and to tell the people
|
||
of him; but now at last he <i>sees Jesus coming to him,</i>
|
||
returning from the wilderness of temptation. As soon as that
|
||
conflict was over Christ immediately returned to John, who was
|
||
<i>preaching</i> and <i>baptizing.</i> Now Christ was tempted for
|
||
example and encouragement to us; and this teaches us, 1. That the
|
||
<i>hardships</i> of a tempted state should engage us to keep close
|
||
to ordinances; to go into the <i>sanctuary of God,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p73.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.73.17" parsed="|Ps|73|17|0|0" passage="Ps 73:17">Ps. lxxiii. 17</scripRef>. Our combats with
|
||
Satan should oblige us to keep close to the communion of saints:
|
||
two are better than one. 2. That the <i>honours</i> of a victorious
|
||
state must not set us <i>above ordinances.</i> Christ had triumphed
|
||
over Satan, and been attended by angels, and yet, after all, he
|
||
returns to the place where John was preaching and baptizing. As
|
||
long as we are on this side heaven, whatever extraordinary visits
|
||
of divine grace we may have here at any time, we must still keep
|
||
close to the ordinary means of grace and comfort, and walk with God
|
||
in them. Now here are <i>two testimonies</i> borne by John to
|
||
Christ, but those two <i>agree in one.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p74">I. Here is his testimony to Christ on the
|
||
first day that he saw him coming from the wilderness; and here four
|
||
things are witnessed by him concerning Christ, when he had him
|
||
before his eyes:—</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p75">1. That he is <i>the Lamb of God which
|
||
taketh away the sin of the world,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p75.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.29" parsed="|John|1|29|0|0" passage="Joh 1:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. Let us learn here,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p76">(1.) That Jesus Christ is the <i>Lamb of
|
||
God,</i> which bespeaks him the great sacrifice, by which atonement
|
||
is made for sin, and man reconciled to God. Of all the legal
|
||
sacrifices he chooses to allude to the <i>lambs</i> that were
|
||
offered, not only because a lamb is an emblem of meekness, and
|
||
Christ must be led as a <i>lamb to the slaughter</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p76.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.53.7" parsed="|Isa|53|7|0|0" passage="Isa 53:7">Isa. liii. 7</scripRef>), but with a special
|
||
reference, [1.] To the <i>daily sacrifice,</i> which was offered
|
||
every morning and evening continually, and that was always a
|
||
<i>lamb</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p76.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.38" parsed="|Exod|29|38|0|0" passage="Ex 29:38">Exod. xxix.
|
||
38</scripRef>), which was a type of Christ, as the everlasting
|
||
propitiation, whose blood continually speaks. [2.] To the
|
||
<i>paschal lamb,</i> the blood of which, being sprinkled upon the
|
||
door-posts, secured the Israelites from the stroke of the
|
||
destroying angel. Christ is <i>our passover,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p76.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.7" parsed="|1Cor|5|7|0|0" passage="1Co 5:7">1 Cor. v. 7</scripRef>. He is the Lamb <i>of God;</i> he
|
||
is appointed by <i>him</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p76.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.3.25" parsed="|Rom|3|25|0|0" passage="Ro 3:25">Rom. iii.
|
||
25</scripRef>), he was devoted to him (<scripRef id="John.ii-p76.5" osisRef="Bible:John.17.19" parsed="|John|17|19|0|0" passage="Joh 17:19"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 19</scripRef>), and he was accepted
|
||
with him; in him he was well pleased. The lot which fell on the
|
||
goat that was to be offered for a sin-offering was called the
|
||
<i>Lord's lot</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p76.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.16.8-Lev.16.9" parsed="|Lev|16|8|16|9" passage="Le 16:8,9">Lev. xvi. 8,
|
||
9</scripRef>); so Christ, who was to make atonement for sin, is
|
||
called the <i>Lamb of God.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p77">(2.) That Jesus Christ, as the <i>Lamb of
|
||
God, takes away the sin of the world.</i> This was his undertaking;
|
||
he appeared, to <i>put away sin by the sacrifice of himself,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p77.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.26" parsed="|Heb|9|26|0|0" passage="Heb 9:26">Heb. ix. 26</scripRef>. John Baptist
|
||
had called people to repent of their sins, in order to the
|
||
remission of them. Now here he shows how and by whom that remission
|
||
was to be expected, what ground of hope we have that our sins shall
|
||
be pardoned upon our repentance, though our repentance makes no
|
||
satisfaction for them. This ground of hope we have—Jesus Christ is
|
||
<i>the Lamb of God.</i> [1.] He <i>takes away sin.</i> He, being
|
||
Mediator between God and man, takes away that which is, above any
|
||
thing, offensive to the <i>holiness</i> of God, and destructive to
|
||
the <i>happiness</i> of man. He came, <i>First,</i> To take away
|
||
the guilt of sin by the merit of his death, to vacate the judgment,
|
||
and reverse the attainder, which mankind lay under, by an act of
|
||
indemnity, of which all penitent obedient believers may claim the
|
||
benefit. <i>Secondly,</i> To take away the power of sin by the
|
||
Spirit of his grace, so that it shall not have dominion, <scripRef id="John.ii-p77.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.6.14" parsed="|Rom|6|14|0|0" passage="Ro 6:14">Rom. vi. 14</scripRef>. Christ, as the Lamb of
|
||
God, washes us from our sins in his own blood; that is, he both
|
||
<i>justifies</i> and <i>sanctifies</i> us: he <i>takes away
|
||
sin.</i> He is <b><i>ho airon</i></b>—<i>he is taking away</i>
|
||
the sin of the world, which denotes it not a single but a continued
|
||
act; it is his constant work and office to take <i>away sin,</i>
|
||
which is such a <i>work of time</i> that it will never be completed
|
||
till time shall be no more. He is always <i>taking away</i> sin, by
|
||
the continual intercession of his blood in heaven, and the
|
||
continual influence of his grace on earth. [2.] He takes away the
|
||
<i>sin of the world;</i> purchases pardon for all those that
|
||
repent, and believe the gospel, of what country, nation, or
|
||
language, soever they be. The legal sacrifices had reference only
|
||
to the sins of Israel, to make atonement for them; but the Lamb of
|
||
God was offered to be a propitiation for the <i>sin of the whole
|
||
world;</i> see <scripRef id="John.ii-p77.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.2" parsed="|1John|2|2|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:2">1 John ii. 2</scripRef>.
|
||
This is encouraging to our faith; if Christ takes away the sin of
|
||
the world, then why not my sin? Christ levelled his force at the
|
||
main body of sin's army, struck at the root, and aimed at the
|
||
overthrow, of that <i>wickedness</i> which the <i>whole world lay
|
||
in.</i> God was in him reconciling the world to himself. [3.] He
|
||
does this by <i>taking it upon himself.</i> He is the Lamb of God,
|
||
that <i>bears the sin of the world;</i> so the margin reads it. He
|
||
bore sin <i>for us,</i> and so bears it <i>from us;</i> he <i>bore
|
||
the sin of many,</i> as the scape-goat had the sins of Israel put
|
||
upon his head, <scripRef id="John.ii-p77.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.16.21" parsed="|Lev|16|21|0|0" passage="Le 16:21">Lev. xvi.
|
||
21</scripRef>. God could have taken away the sin by taking away the
|
||
sinner, as he took away the sin of the old world; but he has found
|
||
out a way of abolishing the sin, and yet sparing the sinner, by
|
||
making his Son <i>sin for us.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p78">(3.) That it is our duty, with an eye of
|
||
faith, to <i>behold</i> the Lamb of God thus taking away the <i>sin
|
||
of the world.</i> See him taking away sin, and let that increase
|
||
our hatred of sin, and resolutions against it. Let not us hold that
|
||
fast which the Lamb of God came to take away: for Christ will
|
||
either take our sins away or take us away. Let it increase our love
|
||
to Christ, <i>who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own
|
||
blood,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p78.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.5" parsed="|Rev|1|5|0|0" passage="Re 1:5">Rev. i. 5</scripRef>.
|
||
Whatever God is pleased to take away from us, if withal he take
|
||
away our sins, we have reason to be thankful, and no reason to
|
||
complain.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p79">2. That this was he of whom he had spoken
|
||
before (<scripRef id="John.ii-p79.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.30-John.1.31" parsed="|John|1|30|1|31" passage="Joh 1:30,31"><i>v.</i> 30,
|
||
31</scripRef>): <i>This is he,</i> this person whom I now point at,
|
||
you see where he stands, <i>this is he of whom I said, After me
|
||
cometh a man.</i> Observe, (1.) This honour John had above all the
|
||
prophets, that, whereas they spoke of him as one that should come,
|
||
he saw him already come. <i>This is he.</i> He sees him <i>now,</i>
|
||
he sees him <i>nigh,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p79.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.24.17" parsed="|Num|24|17|0|0" passage="Nu 24:17">Num. xxiv.
|
||
17</scripRef>. Such a difference there is between present
|
||
<i>faith</i> and future <i>vision.</i> Now we love one whom we have
|
||
not seen; then we shall see him whom our souls love, shall see him,
|
||
and say, This is he of whom I said, <i>my Christ,</i> and <i>my
|
||
all, my beloved,</i> and <i>my friend.</i> (2.) John calls Christ
|
||
<i>a man;</i> after me comes a man—<b><i>aner</i></b>, a <i>strong
|
||
man:</i> like <i>the man,</i> the branch, or the <i>man of God's
|
||
right hand.</i> (3.) He refers to what he had himself said of him
|
||
before: <i>This is he of whom I said.</i> Note, Those who have said
|
||
the most honourable things of Christ will never see cause to unsay
|
||
them; but the more they know him the more they are confirmed in
|
||
their esteem of him. John still thinks as meanly of himself, and as
|
||
highly of Christ, as ever. Though Christ appeared not in any
|
||
external pomp or grandeur, yet John is not ashamed to own, <i>This
|
||
is he whom I</i> meant, who is <i>preferred before me.</i> And it
|
||
was necessary that John should thus show them the person, otherwise
|
||
they could not have believed that one who made so mean a figure
|
||
should be he of whom John had spoken such great things. (4.) He
|
||
protests against any confederacy or combination with this Jesus:
|
||
<i>And I knew him not.</i> Though there was some relation between
|
||
them (Elisabeth was cousin to the virgin Mary), yet there was no
|
||
acquaintance at all between them; John had no personal knowledge of
|
||
Jesus till he saw him come to his baptism. Their manner of life had
|
||
been different: John had spent his time in the wilderness, in
|
||
solitude; Jesus at Nazareth, in conversation. There was no
|
||
correspondence, no interview between them, that the matter might
|
||
appear to be wholly carried on by the direction and disposal of
|
||
Heaven, and not by any design or concert of the persons themselves.
|
||
And as he hereby disowns all collusion, so also all partiality and
|
||
sinister regard in it; he could not be supposed to favour him as a
|
||
friend, for there was no friendship or familiarity between them.
|
||
Nay, as he could not be biassed to speak honourably of him because
|
||
he was a stranger to him, he was not able to say any thing of him
|
||
but what he <i>received from above,</i> to which he appeals,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p79.3" osisRef="Bible:John.3.27" parsed="|John|3|27|0|0" passage="Joh 3:27"><i>ch.</i> iii. 27</scripRef>. Note,
|
||
They who are taught believe and confess one whom they have not
|
||
seen, and blessed are they who <i>yet have believed.</i> (5.) The
|
||
great intention of John's ministry and baptism was to introduce
|
||
Jesus Christ. That he should be <i>made manifest to Israel,
|
||
therefore am I come baptizing with water.</i> Observe, [1.] Though
|
||
John did not know Jesus by face, yet he knew that he should be made
|
||
manifest. Note, We may know the certainty of that which yet we do
|
||
not fully know the nature and intention of. We know that the
|
||
happiness of heaven <i>shall be made manifest to Israel,</i> but
|
||
cannot describe it. [2.] The general assurance John had that Christ
|
||
<i>should be made manifest</i> served to carry him with diligence
|
||
and resolution through his work, though he was kept in the dark
|
||
concerning particulars: <i>Therefore am I come.</i> Our assurance
|
||
of the reality of things, though they are unseen, is enough to
|
||
quicken us to our duty. [3.] God reveals himself to his people by
|
||
degrees. At first, John knew no more concerning Christ but that he
|
||
should be made manifest; in confidence of that, he came baptizing,
|
||
and now he is favoured with a sight of him. They who, upon God's
|
||
word, believe what they do not see, shall shortly see what they now
|
||
believe. [4.] The ministry of the word and sacraments is designed
|
||
for no other end than to lead people to Christ, and to make him
|
||
more and more manifest. [5.] Baptism with water made way for the
|
||
manifesting of Christ, as it supposed our corruption and
|
||
filthiness, and signified our cleansing by him who is the
|
||
<i>fountain opened.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p80">3. That this was he <i>upon whom the Spirit
|
||
descended from heaven like a dove.</i> For the confirming of his
|
||
testimony concerning Christ, he here vouches the extraordinary
|
||
appearance at his baptism, in which God himself bore witness to
|
||
him. This was a considerable proof of Christ's mission. Now, to
|
||
assure us of the truth of it, we are here told (<scripRef id="John.ii-p80.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.32-John.1.34" parsed="|John|1|32|1|34" passage="Joh 1:32-34"><i>v.</i> 32-34</scripRef>),</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p81">(1.) That John Baptist saw it: He <i>bore
|
||
record;</i> did not relate it as a story, but solemnly attested it,
|
||
with all the seriousness and solemnity of <i>witness-bearing.</i>
|
||
He made affidavit of it: <i>I saw the Spirit descending</i> from
|
||
heaven. John could not see the <i>Spirit,</i> but he saw the dove
|
||
which was a sign and representation of the Spirit. The Spirit came
|
||
now upon Christ, both to <i>make him fit</i> for his <i>work</i>
|
||
and to <i>make him known</i> to the <i>world.</i> Christ was
|
||
notified, not by the descent of a crown upon him, or by a
|
||
transfiguration, but by the descent of the Spirit as a dove upon
|
||
him, to qualify him for his undertaking. Thus the first testimony
|
||
given to the apostles was by the descent of the Spirit upon them.
|
||
God's children are made manifest by their <i>graces;</i> their
|
||
glories are reserved for their future state. Observe, [1.] The
|
||
spirit descended <i>from heaven,</i> for every good and perfect
|
||
gift is <i>from above.</i> [2.] He descended <i>like a dove</i>—an
|
||
emblem of meekness, and mildness, and gentleness, which makes him
|
||
<i>fit to teach.</i> The dove brought the olive-branch of peace,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p81.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.8.11" parsed="|Gen|8|11|0|0" passage="Ge 8:11">Gen. viii. 11</scripRef>. [3.] The
|
||
Spirit that descended upon Christ <i>abode upon him,</i> as was
|
||
foretold, <scripRef id="John.ii-p81.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.11.2" parsed="|Isa|11|2|0|0" passage="Isa 11:2">Isa. xi. 2</scripRef>. The
|
||
Spirit did not <i>move him at times,</i> as Samson (<scripRef id="John.ii-p81.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.25" parsed="|Judg|13|25|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:25">Judg. xiii. 25</scripRef>), but <i>at all
|
||
times.</i> The Spirit was given to him <i>without measure;</i> it
|
||
was his prerogative to have the Spirit always upon him, so that he
|
||
could at no time be found either <i>unqualified</i> for his work
|
||
himself or <i>unfurnished</i> for the supply of those that seek to
|
||
him for his grace.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p82">(2.) That he was <i>told to expect it,</i>
|
||
which very much corroborates the proof. It was not John's bare
|
||
conjecture, that surely he on whom he saw the Spirit descending was
|
||
the Son of God; but it was an <i>instituted</i> sign given him
|
||
before, by which he might certainly know it (<scripRef id="John.ii-p82.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.33" parsed="|John|1|33|0|0" passage="Joh 1:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>): <i>I knew him not.</i> He
|
||
insists much upon this, that he knew no more of him than other
|
||
people did, otherwise than by revelation. But <i>he that sent me to
|
||
baptize</i> gave me this sign, <i>Upon whom thou shalt see the
|
||
Spirit descending, the same is he.</i> [1.] See here what sure
|
||
grounds John went upon in his ministry and baptism, that he might
|
||
proceed with all imaginable satisfaction. <i>First,</i> He did not
|
||
run <i>without sending:</i> God <i>sent him to baptize.</i> He had
|
||
a warrant from heaven for what he did. When a minister's call is
|
||
clear, his comfort is sure, though his success is not always so.
|
||
<i>Secondly,</i> He did not run <i>without speeding;</i> for, when
|
||
he was sent to <i>baptize with water,</i> he was directed to one
|
||
that should <i>baptize with the Holy Ghost.</i> Under this notion
|
||
John Baptist was taught to expect Christ, as one who would give
|
||
that repentance and faith which he called people to, and would
|
||
carry on and complete that blessed structure of which he was now
|
||
laying the foundation. Note, It is a great comfort to Christ's
|
||
ministers, in their administration of the outward signs, that he
|
||
whose ministers they are can confer the grace signified thereby,
|
||
and so put life, and soul, and power into their ministrations; can
|
||
speak to the heart what they speak to the ear, and <i>breathe</i>
|
||
upon the dry bones to which they <i>prophesy.</i> [2.] See what
|
||
sure grounds he went upon in his designation of the person of the
|
||
Messiah. God had before given him a sign, as he did to Samuel
|
||
concerning Saul: "On whom thou shalt see the Spirit descend,
|
||
<i>that same is he.</i>" This not only prevented any mistakes, but
|
||
gave him boldness in his testimony. When he had such assurance as
|
||
this given him, he could speak with assurance. When John was told
|
||
this before, his expectations could not but be very much raised;
|
||
and, when the event exactly answered the prediction, his faith
|
||
could not but be much confirmed: and these things are written that
|
||
we may believe.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p83">4. That he is <i>the Son of God.</i> This
|
||
is the conclusion of John's testimony, that in which all the
|
||
particulars centre, as the <i>quod erat demonstrandum—the fact to
|
||
be demonstrated</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p83.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.34" parsed="|John|1|34|0|0" passage="Joh 1:34"><i>v.</i>
|
||
34</scripRef>): <i>I saw, and bore record, that this is the Son of
|
||
God.</i> (1.) The truth asserted is, <i>that this is the Son of
|
||
God.</i> The voice from heaven proclaimed, and John subscribed to
|
||
it, not only that he should baptize with the Holy Ghost by a divine
|
||
authority, but that he has a divine nature. This was the peculiar
|
||
Christian creed, that Jesus is the Son of God (<scripRef id="John.ii-p83.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.16.16" parsed="|Matt|16|16|0|0" passage="Mt 16:16">Matt. xvi. 16</scripRef>), and here is the first framing
|
||
of it. (2.) John's testimony to it: "<i>I saw, and bore record.</i>
|
||
Not only I now bear record of it, but I did so as soon as I had
|
||
seen it." Observe, [1.] What he <i>saw</i> he was forward to
|
||
<i>bear record</i> of, as they, <scripRef id="John.ii-p83.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.4.20" parsed="|Acts|4|20|0|0" passage="Ac 4:20">Acts
|
||
iv. 20</scripRef>: <i>We cannot but speak the things which we have
|
||
seen.</i> [2.] What he <i>bore record</i> of was what he
|
||
<i>saw.</i> Christ's witnesses were eye-witnesses, and therefore
|
||
the more to be credited: they did not speak by hear-say and report,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p83.4" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.16" parsed="|2Pet|1|16|0|0" passage="2Pe 1:16">2 Pet. i. 16</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p84">II. Here is John's testimony to Christ, the
|
||
next day after, <scripRef id="John.ii-p84.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.35-John.1.36" parsed="|John|1|35|1|36" passage="Joh 1:35,36"><i>v.</i> 35,
|
||
36</scripRef>. Where observe, 1. He took every opportunity that
|
||
offered itself to lead people to Christ: <i>John stood looking upon
|
||
Jesus as he walked.</i> It should seem, John was now retired from
|
||
the multitude, and was in close conversation with <i>two</i> of his
|
||
disciples. Note, Ministers should not only in their public
|
||
preaching, but in their private converse, witness to Christ, and
|
||
serve his interests. He saw Jesus <i>walking</i> at some distance,
|
||
yet did not go to him himself, because he would shun every thing
|
||
that might give the least colour to suspect a combination. He was
|
||
<i>looking upon Jesus</i>—<b><i>emblepsas</i></b>; he looked
|
||
stedfastly, and fixed his eyes upon him. Those that would lead
|
||
others to Christ must be diligent and frequent in the
|
||
<i>contemplation</i> of him themselves. John had seen Christ
|
||
before, but now looked upon him, <scripRef id="John.ii-p84.2" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.1" parsed="|1John|1|1|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:1">1 John
|
||
i. 1</scripRef>. 2. He repeated the same testimony which he had
|
||
given to Christ the day before, though he could have delivered some
|
||
other great truth concerning him; but thus he would show that he
|
||
was uniform and constant in his testimony, and consistent with
|
||
himself. His doctrine was the same in private that it was in
|
||
public, as Paul's was, <scripRef id="John.ii-p84.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.20-Acts.20.21" parsed="|Acts|20|20|20|21" passage="Ac 20:20,21">Acts xx. 20,
|
||
21</scripRef>. It is good to have that repeated which we have
|
||
heard, <scripRef id="John.ii-p84.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.1" parsed="|Phil|3|1|0|0" passage="Php 3:1">Phil. iii. 1</scripRef>. The
|
||
doctrine of Christ's sacrifice for the taking away of the sin of
|
||
the world ought especially to be insisted upon by all good
|
||
ministers: Christ, the Lamb of God, <i>Christ and him
|
||
crucified.</i> 3. He intended this especially for his two disciples
|
||
that stood with him; he was willing to turn them over to Christ,
|
||
for to this end he bore witness to Christ in their hearing that
|
||
they might leave all to follow him, even that they might leave
|
||
<i>him.</i> He did not reckon that he lost those disciples who went
|
||
over from him to Christ, any more than the schoolmaster reckons
|
||
that scholar lost whom he sends to the university. John gathered
|
||
disciples, not for himself, but for Christ to <i>prepare them for
|
||
the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p84.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.17" parsed="|Luke|1|17|0|0" passage="Lu 1:17">Luke i. 17</scripRef>. So
|
||
far was he from being jealous of Christ's growing interest, that
|
||
there was nothing he was more desirous of. Humble generous souls
|
||
will give others their due praise without fear of diminishing
|
||
themselves by it. What we have of reputation, as well as of other
|
||
things, will not be the less for our giving every body his own.</p>
|
||
</div><scripCom id="John.ii-p84.6" osisRef="Bible:John.1.37-John.1.42" parsed="|John|1|37|1|42" passage="Joh 1:37-42" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.37-John.1.42">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p84.7">The Call of Andrew and
|
||
Peter.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p85">37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and
|
||
they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them
|
||
following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him,
|
||
Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest
|
||
thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw
|
||
where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the
|
||
tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John <i>speak,</i>
|
||
and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He
|
||
first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have
|
||
found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
|
||
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said,
|
||
Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which
|
||
is by interpretation, A stone.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p86">We have here the turning over of two
|
||
disciples from John to Jesus, and one of them fetching in a third,
|
||
and these are the first-fruits of Christ's disciples; see how small
|
||
the church was in its beginnings, and what the dawning of the day
|
||
of its great things was.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p87">I. Andrew and another with him were the two
|
||
that John Baptist had directed to Christ, <scripRef id="John.ii-p87.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.37" parsed="|John|1|37|0|0" passage="Joh 1:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>. Who the other was we are not
|
||
told; some think that it was Thomas, comparing <scripRef id="John.ii-p87.2" osisRef="Bible:John.21.2" parsed="|John|21|2|0|0" passage="Joh 21:2"><i>ch.</i> xxi. 2</scripRef>; others that it was John
|
||
himself, the penman of this gospel, whose manner it is
|
||
industriously to conceal his name, <scripRef id="John.ii-p87.3" osisRef="Bible:John.13.23 Bible:John.20.3" parsed="|John|13|23|0|0;|John|20|3|0|0" passage="Joh 13:23,20:3"><i>ch.</i> xiii. 23, and xx. 3</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p88">1. Here is their readiness to go over to
|
||
Christ: They <i>heard John speak</i> of Christ as the <i>Lamb of
|
||
God,</i> and they <i>followed Jesus.</i> Probably they had heard
|
||
John say the same thing the day before, and then it had not the
|
||
effect upon them which now it had; see the benefit of repetition,
|
||
and of private personal converse. They heard him speak of Christ as
|
||
the <i>Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,</i> and
|
||
this made them <i>follow him.</i> The strongest and most prevailing
|
||
argument with a sensible awakened soul to follow Christ is that it
|
||
is he, and he only, that <i>takes away sin.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p89">2. The kind notice Christ took of them,
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p89.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.38" parsed="|John|1|38|0|0" passage="Joh 1:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. They came
|
||
behind him; but, though he had his back towards them, he was soon
|
||
aware of them, and <i>turned,</i> and <i>saw them following.</i>
|
||
Note, Christ takes early cognizance of the first motions of a soul
|
||
towards him, and the first step taken in the way to heaven; see
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p89.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.64.5 Bible:Luke.15.20" parsed="|Isa|64|5|0|0;|Luke|15|20|0|0" passage="Isa 64:5,Lu 15:20">Isa. lxiv. 5; Luke xv.
|
||
20</scripRef>. He did not stay till they begged leave to speak with
|
||
him, but spoke first. What communion there is between a soul and
|
||
Christ, it is he that <i>begins the discourse.</i> He saith unto
|
||
them, <i>What seek ye?</i> This was not a reprimand for their
|
||
boldness in intruding into his company: he that came to <i>seek
|
||
us</i> never checked any for <i>seeking</i> him; but, on the
|
||
contrary, it is a kind invitation of them into his acquaintance
|
||
whom he saw bashful and modest: "Come, what have you to say to me?
|
||
What is your petition? What is your request." Note, Those whose
|
||
business it is to instruct people in the affairs of their souls
|
||
should be humble, and mild, and easy of access, and should
|
||
encourage those that apply to them. The question Christ put to them
|
||
is what we should all put to ourselves when we begin to follow
|
||
Christ, and take upon us the profession of his holy religion:
|
||
"<i>What seek ye?</i> What do we design and desire?" Those that
|
||
<i>follow</i> Christ, and yet <i>seek</i> the world, or themselves,
|
||
or the praise of men, deceive themselves. "<i>What seek we</i> in
|
||
seeking Christ? Do we seek a teacher, ruler, and reconciler? In
|
||
following Christ, do we seek the favour of God and eternal life?"
|
||
If our <i>eye</i> be <i>single</i> in this, we are <i>full of
|
||
light.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p90">3. Their modest enquiry concerning the
|
||
place of his abode: <i>Rabbi, where dwellest thou?</i> (1.) In
|
||
calling him <i>Rabbi,</i> they intimated that their design in
|
||
coming to him was to be <i>taught by him; rabbi</i> signifies a
|
||
<i>master,</i> a teaching master; the Jews called their doctors, or
|
||
learned men, <i>rabbies.</i> The word comes from <i>rab, multus</i>
|
||
or <i>magnus,</i> a <i>rabbi,</i> a <i>great man,</i> and one that,
|
||
as we say, has <i>much in him.</i> Never was there such a rabbi as
|
||
our Lord Jesus, such a <i>great one,</i> in whom were <i>hid all
|
||
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</i> These came to Christ to
|
||
be his scholars, so must all those that apply themselves to him.
|
||
John had told them that he was the <i>Lamb of God;</i> now this
|
||
<i>Lamb</i> is worthy to <i>take the book and open the seals</i> as
|
||
a rabbi, <scripRef id="John.ii-p90.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.9" parsed="|Rev|5|9|0|0" passage="Re 5:9">Rev. v. 9</scripRef>. And,
|
||
unless we give up ourselves to be ruled and taught by him, he will
|
||
not <i>take away our sins.</i> (2.) In asking <i>where he
|
||
dwelt,</i> they intimate a desire to be better acquainted with him.
|
||
Christ was a stranger in this country, so that they meant where was
|
||
his <i>inn</i> where he <i>lodged;</i> for there they would attend
|
||
him at some seasonable time, when he should appoint, to receive
|
||
instruction from him; they would not press rudely upon him, when it
|
||
was not proper. Civility and good manners well become those who
|
||
follow Christ. And, besides, they hoped to have more from him than
|
||
they could have in a short conference now by the way. They resolved
|
||
to make a business, not a by-business of conversing with Christ.
|
||
Those that have had some communion with Christ cannot but desire,
|
||
[1.] A <i>further communion</i> with him; they follow on to know
|
||
more of him. [2.] A <i>fixed communion</i> with him; where they may
|
||
sit down at his feet, and abide by his instructions. It is not
|
||
enough to take a turn with Christ now and then, but we must
|
||
<i>lodge with him.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p91">4. The courteous invitation Christ gave
|
||
them to his lodgings: <i>He saith unto them, Come and see.</i> Thus
|
||
should good desires towards Christ and communion with him be
|
||
countenanced. (1.) He invites them to come to his lodgings: the
|
||
nearer we approach to Christ, the more we see of his beauty and
|
||
excellency. Deceivers maintain their interest in their followers by
|
||
keeping them at a distance, but that which Christ desired to
|
||
recommend him to the esteem and affections of his followers was
|
||
that they would <i>come and see: "Come and see</i> what a mean
|
||
lodging I have, what poor accommodations I take up with, that you
|
||
may not expect any worldly advantage by following me, as they did
|
||
who made their court to the scribes and Pharisees, and called them
|
||
rabbin. <i>Come and see</i> what you must count upon if you follow
|
||
me." See <scripRef id="John.ii-p91.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.8.20" parsed="|Matt|8|20|0|0" passage="Mt 8:20">Matt. viii. 20</scripRef>.
|
||
(2.) He invites them to come <i>immediately</i> and without delay.
|
||
They asked where he lodged, that they might wait upon him at a more
|
||
convenient season; but Christ invites them immediately to <i>come
|
||
and see;</i> never in better time than now. Hence learn, [1.] As to
|
||
others, that it is best taking people when they are in a good mind;
|
||
strike while the iron is hot. [2.] As to ourselves, that it is
|
||
wisdom to embrace the present opportunities: <i>Now is the accepted
|
||
time,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p91.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.2" parsed="|2Cor|6|2|0|0" passage="2Co 6:2">2 Cor. vi. 2</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p92">5. Their cheerful and (no doubt) thankful
|
||
acceptance of his invitation: <i>They came and saw where he
|
||
dwelt,</i> and <i>abode with him that day.</i> It had been greater
|
||
modesty and manners than had done them good if they had refused
|
||
this offer. (2.) They readily went along with him: <i>They came and
|
||
saw where he dwelt.</i> Gracious souls cheerfully accept Christ's
|
||
gracious invitations; as David, <scripRef id="John.ii-p92.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.8" parsed="|Ps|27|8|0|0" passage="Ps 27:8">Ps.
|
||
xxvii. 8</scripRef>. They enquired not how they might be
|
||
accommodated with him, but would put that to the venture, and make
|
||
the best of what they found. It is good being where Christ is,
|
||
wherever it be. (2.) They were so well pleased with what they found
|
||
that they <i>abode with him that day</i> ("Master, it is good to be
|
||
here"); and he bade them welcome. It was about the tenth hour. Some
|
||
think that John reckons according to the Roman computation, and
|
||
that it was about ten o'clock in the morning, and they staid with
|
||
him till night; others think that John reckons as the other
|
||
evangelists did, according to the Jewish computation, and that it
|
||
was four o'clock in the afternoon, and they abode with him that
|
||
night and the next day. Dr. Lightfoot conjectures that this next
|
||
day that they spent with Christ was a sabbath-day, and, it being
|
||
late, they could not get home before the sabbath. As it is our
|
||
duty, wherever we are, to contrive to spend the sabbath as much as
|
||
may be to our spiritual benefit and advantage, so they are blessed
|
||
who, by the lively exercises of faith, love, and devotion, spend
|
||
their sabbaths in communion with Christ. These are Lord's days
|
||
indeed, <i>days of the Son of man.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p93">II. Andrew brought his brother Peter to
|
||
Christ. If Peter had been the first-born of Christ's disciples, the
|
||
papists would have made a noise with it: he did indeed afterwards
|
||
come to be more eminent in gifts, but Andrew had the honour first
|
||
to be acquainted with Christ, and to be the instrument of bringing
|
||
Peter to him. Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p94">1. The <i>information</i> which Andrew gave
|
||
to Peter, with an intimation to come to Christ.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p95">(1.) He <i>found him: He first finds his
|
||
own brother Simon;</i> his finding implies his seeking him. Simon
|
||
came along with Andrew to attend John's ministry and baptism, and
|
||
Andrew knew where to look for him. Perhaps the other disciple that
|
||
was with him went out to seek some friend of his at the same time,
|
||
but Andrew sped first: <i>He first findeth Simon,</i> who came only
|
||
to attend on John, but has his expectations out-done; he meets with
|
||
Jesus.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p96">(2.) He told him whom they had found: <i>We
|
||
have found the Messias.</i> Observe, [1.] he speaks <i>humbly;</i>
|
||
not, "I have found," assuming the honour of the discovery to
|
||
himself, but "<i>We</i> have," rejoicing that he had shared with
|
||
others in it. [2.] He speaks <i>exultingly,</i> and with triumph:
|
||
<i>We have found</i> that pearl of great price, that true treasure;
|
||
and, having found it, he proclaims it as those lepers, <scripRef id="John.ii-p96.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.7.9" parsed="|2Kgs|7|9|0|0" passage="2Ki 7:9">2 Kings vii. 9</scripRef>, for he knows that he
|
||
shall have never the less in Christ for others sharing. [3.] He
|
||
speaks <i>intelligently: We have found the Messias,</i> which was
|
||
more than had yet been said. John had said, <i>He is the Lamb of
|
||
God, and the Son of God,</i> which Andrew compares with the
|
||
scriptures of the Old Testament, and, comparing them together,
|
||
concludes that he is the Messiah promised to the fathers, for it is
|
||
now that the fulness of time is come. Thus, by <i>making God's
|
||
testimonies his meditation,</i> he speaks more clearly concerning
|
||
Christ than ever <i>his teacher</i> had done, <scripRef id="John.ii-p96.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.99" parsed="|Ps|119|99|0|0" passage="Ps 119:99">Ps. cxix. 99</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p97">(3.) He <i>brought him to Jesus;</i> would
|
||
not undertake to instruct him himself, but brought him to the
|
||
fountain-head, persuaded him to come to Christ and introduced him.
|
||
Now this was, [1.] An instance of true love to his brother, <i>his
|
||
own</i> brother, so he is called here, because he was very dear to
|
||
him. Note, We ought with a particular concern and application to
|
||
seek the spiritual welfare of those that are related to us; for
|
||
their relation to us adds both to the <i>obligation</i> and to the
|
||
<i>opportunity</i> of doing good to their souls. [2.] It was an
|
||
effect of his day's conversation with Christ. Note, the best
|
||
evidence of our profiting by the means of grace is the piety and
|
||
usefulness of our conversation afterwards. Hereby it appeared that
|
||
Andrew had <i>been with Jesus</i> that he was so full of him, that
|
||
he had been <i>in the mount,</i> for his face shone. He knew there
|
||
was enough in Christ for all; and, having tasted that he is
|
||
gracious, he could not rest till those he loved had tasted it too.
|
||
Note, True grace hates monopolies, and loves not to eat its morsels
|
||
alone.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p98">2. The <i>entertainment</i> which Jesus
|
||
Christ gave to Peter, who was never the less welcome for his being
|
||
influenced by his brother to come, <scripRef id="John.ii-p98.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.42" parsed="|John|1|42|0|0" passage="Joh 1:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p99">(1.) Christ called him by his name: <i>When
|
||
Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jona.</i> It
|
||
should seem that Peter was utterly a stranger to Christ, and if so,
|
||
[1.] It was a proof of Christ's omniscience that upon the first
|
||
sight, without any enquiry, he could tell the name both of him and
|
||
of his father. <i>The Lord knows them that are his,</i> and their
|
||
whole case. However, [2.] It was an instance of his condescending
|
||
grace and favour, that he did thus freely and affably call him by
|
||
his name, though he was of mean extraction, and <i>vir mullius
|
||
nominis—a man of no name.</i> It was an instance of God's favour
|
||
to Moses that he <i>knew him by name,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p99.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.33.17" parsed="|Exod|33|17|0|0" passage="Ex 33:17">Exod. xxxiii. 17</scripRef>. Some observe the
|
||
signification of these names: <i>Simon</i>—<i>obedient,
|
||
Jona</i>—<i>a dove.</i> An obedient dove-like spirit qualifies us
|
||
to be the disciples of Christ.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p100">(2.) He gave him a new name: <i>Cephas.</i>
|
||
[1.] His giving him a name intimates <i>Christ's favour</i> to him.
|
||
A new name denotes some great dignity, <scripRef id="John.ii-p100.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.2.17 Bible:Isa.62.2" parsed="|Rev|2|17|0|0;|Isa|62|2|0|0" passage="Re 2:17,Isa 62:2">Rev. ii. 17; Isa. lxii. 2</scripRef>. By this
|
||
Christ not only wiped off the reproach of his mean and obscure
|
||
parentage, but adopted him into his family as one of his own. [2.]
|
||
The name which he gave him bespeaks his <i>fidelity</i> to Christ:
|
||
<i>Thou shalt be called Cephas</i> (that is Hebrew for <i>a stone),
|
||
which is by interpretation Peter;</i> so it should be rendered, as
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p100.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.9.36" parsed="|Acts|9|36|0|0" passage="Ac 9:36">Acts ix. 36</scripRef>. <i>Tabitha,
|
||
which by interpretation is called Dorcas;</i> the former Hebrew,
|
||
the latter Greek, for a <i>young roe.</i> Peter's natural temper
|
||
was stiff, and hardy, and resolute, which I take to be the
|
||
principal reason why Christ called him <i>Cephas—a stone.</i> When
|
||
Christ afterwards prayed for him, that his faith might not fail,
|
||
that so he might be firm to Christ himself, and at the same time
|
||
bade him <i>strengthen his brethren,</i> and lay out himself for
|
||
the support of others, then he <i>made him</i> what he here called
|
||
him, <i>Cephas—a stone.</i> Those that come to Christ must come
|
||
with a fixed resolution to be firm and constant to him, <i>like a
|
||
stone,</i> solid and stedfast; and it is by his grace that they are
|
||
so. His saying, <i>Be thou steady,</i> makes them so. Now this does
|
||
no more prove that Peter was the singular or only rock upon which
|
||
the church is built than the calling of James and John
|
||
<i>Boanerges</i> proves them the only <i>sons of thunder,</i> or
|
||
the calling of Joses <i>Barnabas</i> proves him the only <i>son of
|
||
consolation.</i></p>
|
||
</div><scripCom id="John.ii-p100.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.43-John.1.51" parsed="|John|1|43|1|51" passage="Joh 1:43-51" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:John.1.43-John.1.51">
|
||
<h4 id="John.ii-p100.4">The Call of Philip and
|
||
Nathanael.</h4>
|
||
<p class="passage" id="John.ii-p101">43 The day following Jesus would go forth into
|
||
Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
|
||
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
|
||
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have
|
||
found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write,
|
||
Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said
|
||
unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip
|
||
saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming
|
||
to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no
|
||
guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me?
|
||
Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee,
|
||
when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael
|
||
answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou
|
||
art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him,
|
||
Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest
|
||
thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he
|
||
saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall
|
||
see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending
|
||
upon the Son of man.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p102">We have here the call of Philip and
|
||
Nathanael.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p103">I. Philip was called immediately by Christ
|
||
himself, not as Andrew, who was directed to Christ by John, or
|
||
Peter, who was invited by his brother. God has various methods of
|
||
bringing his chosen ones home to himself. But, whatever means he
|
||
<i>uses,</i> he is not <i>tied</i> to any. 1. Philip was called in
|
||
a <i>preventing</i> was: <i>Jesus findeth Philip.</i> Christ sought
|
||
us, and found us, before we made any enquiries after him. The name
|
||
<i>Philip</i> is of Greek origin, and much used among the Gentiles,
|
||
which some make an instance of the degeneracy of the Jewish church
|
||
at this time, and their conformity to the nations; yet Christ
|
||
changed not his name. 2. He was called the <i>day following.</i>
|
||
See how closely Christ applied himself to his business. When work
|
||
is to be done for God, we must not <i>lose a day.</i> Yet observe,
|
||
Christ now called one or two a day; but, after the Spirit was
|
||
poured out, there were thousands a day effectually called, in which
|
||
was fulfilled <scripRef id="John.ii-p103.1" osisRef="Bible:John.14.12" parsed="|John|14|12|0|0" passage="Joh 14:12"><i>ch.</i> xiv.
|
||
12</scripRef>. 3. Jesus <i>would go forth into Galilee</i> to call
|
||
him. Christ will find out all those that are given to him, wherever
|
||
they are, and none of them shall be lost. 4. Philip was brought to
|
||
be a disciple by the power of Christ going along with that word,
|
||
<i>Follow me.</i> See the nature of true Christianity; it is
|
||
<i>following Christ,</i> devoting ourselves to his <i>converse</i>
|
||
and <i>conduct,</i> attending his movements, and treading in his
|
||
steps. See the efficacy of the grace of it is the <i>rod of his
|
||
strength.</i> 5. We are told that Philip was of Bethsaida, and
|
||
Andrew and Peter were so too, <scripRef id="John.ii-p103.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.44" parsed="|John|1|44|0|0" passage="Joh 1:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>. These eminent disciples
|
||
received not honour from the place of their nativity, but reflected
|
||
honour upon it. <i>Bethsaida</i> signifies the <i>house of
|
||
nets,</i> because inhabited mostly by fishermen; thence Christ
|
||
chose disciples, who were to be furnished with extraordinary gifts,
|
||
and therefore needed not the ordinary advantages of learning.
|
||
Bethsaida was a wicked place (<scripRef id="John.ii-p103.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.21" parsed="|Matt|11|21|0|0" passage="Mt 11:21">Matt.
|
||
xi. 21</scripRef>), yet even <i>there</i> was a remnant, according
|
||
to the election of grace.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p104">II. Nathanael was invited to Christ by
|
||
Philip, and much is said concerning him. In which we may
|
||
observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p105">1. What passed between Philip and
|
||
Nathanael, in which appears an observable mixture of pious zeal
|
||
with weakness, such as is usually found in beginners, that are yet
|
||
but <i>asking the way to Zion.</i> Here is,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p106">(1.) The joyful news that Philip brought to
|
||
Nathanael, <scripRef id="John.ii-p106.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.45" parsed="|John|1|45|0|0" passage="Joh 1:45"><i>v.</i> 45</scripRef>. As
|
||
Andrew before, so Philip here, having got some knowledge of Christ
|
||
himself, rests not till he has <i>made manifest the savour of that
|
||
knowledge.</i> Philip, though newly come to an acquaintance with
|
||
Christ himself, yet steps aside to seek Nathanael. Note, When we
|
||
have the fairest opportunities of getting good to our own souls,
|
||
yet ever then we must seek opportunities of doing good to the souls
|
||
of others, remembering the words of Christ, <i>It is more blessed
|
||
to give than to receive,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p106.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.35" parsed="|Acts|20|35|0|0" passage="Ac 20:35">Acts xx.
|
||
35</scripRef>. O, saith Philip, <i>we have found him of whom Moses
|
||
and the prophets did write,</i> Observe here, [1.] What a transport
|
||
of joy Philip was in, upon this new acquaintance with Christ: "We
|
||
have found him whom we have so often talked of, so long wished and
|
||
waited for; at last, <i>he is come he is come,</i> and <i>we</i>
|
||
have found him!" [2.] What an advantage it was to him that he was
|
||
so well acquainted with the scriptures of the Old Testament, which
|
||
prepared his mind for the reception of evangelical light, and made
|
||
the entrance of it much the more easy: <i>Him of whom Moses and the
|
||
prophets did write.</i> What was written entirely and from eternity
|
||
in the <i>book of the divine counsels</i> was in part, at sundry
|
||
times and in divers manners, copied out into the book of the
|
||
<i>divine revelations.</i> Glorious things were written there
|
||
concerning the Seed of the woman, the Seed of Abraham, Shiloh, the
|
||
prophet like Moses, the Son of David, Emmanuel, the Man, the
|
||
Branch, Messiah the Prince. Philip had studied these things, and
|
||
was full of them, which made him readily welcome Christ. [3.] What
|
||
mistakes and weaknesses he laboured under: he called Christ
|
||
<i>Jesus of Nazareth,</i> whereas he was of <i>Bethlehem;</i> and
|
||
the <i>Son of Joseph,</i> whereas he as but his <i>supposed</i>
|
||
Son. Young beginners in religion are subject to mistakes, which
|
||
time and the grace of God will rectify. It was his weakness to say,
|
||
<i>We have found him,</i> for Christ found them before they found
|
||
Christ. He did not yet <i>apprehend,</i> as Paul did, how he was
|
||
<i>apprehended of Christ Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p106.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.12" parsed="|Phil|3|12|0|0" passage="Php 3:12">Phil. iii. 12</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p107">(2.) The objection which Nathanael made
|
||
against this, <i>Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p107.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.46" parsed="|John|1|46|0|0" passage="Joh 1:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>. Here, [1.]
|
||
His <i>caution</i> was commendable, that he did not lightly assent
|
||
to every thing that was said, but took it into examination; our
|
||
rule is, <i>Prove all things.</i> But, [2.] His objection arose
|
||
from Ignorance. If he meant that no good thing could come out of
|
||
Nazareth it was owing to his ignorance of the divine grace, as if
|
||
that were less affected to one place than another, or tied itself
|
||
to men's foolish and ill-natured observations. If he meant that the
|
||
Messiah, that great good thing, could not come out of Nazareth, so
|
||
far he was right (Moses, in the law, said that he should come out
|
||
of Judah, and the prophets had assigned Bethlehem for the place of
|
||
his nativity); but then he was ignorant of the matter of
|
||
<i>fact,</i> that this Jesus was born at Bethlehem; so that the
|
||
blunder Philip made, in calling him <i>Jesus of Nazareth,</i>
|
||
occasioned this objection. Note, The mistakes of preachers often
|
||
give rise to the prejudices of hearers.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p108">(3.) The short reply which Philip gave to
|
||
this objection: <i>Come and see.</i> [1.] It was his
|
||
<i>weakness</i> that he could not give a satisfactory answer to it;
|
||
yet it is the common case of young beginners in religion. We may
|
||
<i>know</i> enough to <i>satisfy</i> ourselves, and yet not be able
|
||
to <i>say</i> enough to <i>silence</i> the cavils of a subtle
|
||
adversary. [2.] It was his <i>wisdom</i> and zeal that, when he
|
||
could not answer the objection himself, he would have him go to one
|
||
that could: <i>Come and see.</i> Let us not stand arguing here, and
|
||
raising difficulties to ourselves which we cannot get over; let us
|
||
go and converse with Christ himself, and these difficulties will
|
||
all vanish presently. Note, It is folly to spend that time in
|
||
doubtful disputation which might be better spent, and to much
|
||
better purpose, in the exercises of piety and devotion. <i>Come and
|
||
see;</i> not, <i>Go and see,</i> but, "<i>Come,</i> and I will go
|
||
along with thee;" as <scripRef id="John.ii-p108.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.2.3 Bible:Jer.1.5" parsed="|Isa|2|3|0|0;|Jer|1|5|0|0" passage="Isa 2:3,Jer 1:5">Isa. ii.
|
||
3; Jer. i. 5</scripRef>. From this parley between Philip and
|
||
Nathanael, we may observe, <i>First,</i> That many people are kept
|
||
from the ways of religion by the unreasonable prejudices they have
|
||
conceived against religion, upon the account of some foreign
|
||
circumstances which do not at all touch the merits of the case.
|
||
<i>Secondly,</i> The best way to remove the prejudices they have
|
||
entertained against religion is to prove themselves, and make trial
|
||
of it. Let us not answer this matter before we hear it.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p109">2. What passed between Nathanael and our
|
||
Lord Jesus. He came and <i>saw,</i> not in vain.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p110">(1.) Our Lord Jesus bore a very honourable
|
||
testimony to Nathanael's integrity: <i>Jesus saw him</i> coming,
|
||
and met him with favourable encouragement; he said of him to those
|
||
about him, Nathanael himself being within hearing, <i>Behold an
|
||
Israelite indeed.</i> Observe,</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p111">[1.] That he <i>commended</i> him; not to
|
||
flatter him, or puff him up with a good conceit of himself, but
|
||
perhaps because he knew him to be a <i>modest</i> man, if not a
|
||
<i>melancholy</i> man, one that had hard and mean thoughts of
|
||
himself, was ready to doubt his own sincerity; and Christ by this
|
||
testimony put the matter out of doubt. Nathanael had, more than any
|
||
of the candidates, objected against Christ; but Christ hereby
|
||
showed that he excused it, and was not extreme to mark what he had
|
||
said amiss, because he knew his heart was upright. He did not
|
||
retort upon him, <i>Can any good thing come out of Cana</i>
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p111.1" osisRef="Bible:John.21.2" parsed="|John|21|2|0|0" passage="Joh 21:2"><i>ch.</i> xxi. 2</scripRef>), an
|
||
obscure town in Galilee? But kindly gives him this character, to
|
||
encourage us to hope for acceptance with Christ, notwithstanding
|
||
our weakness, and to teach us to speak honourably of those who
|
||
without cause have spoken slightly of us, and to give them their
|
||
due praise.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p112">[2.] That he commended him for his
|
||
<i>integrity. First, Behold an Israelite indeed.</i> It is Christ's
|
||
prerogative to know what men are <i>indeed;</i> we can but <i>hope
|
||
the best.</i> The whole nation were Israelites in name, but <i>all
|
||
are not Israel that are of Israel</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p112.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.9.6" parsed="|Rom|9|6|0|0" passage="Ro 9:6">Rom. ix. 6</scripRef>); here, however, was <i>an Israelite
|
||
indeed.</i> 1. A sincere follower of the good example of Israel,
|
||
whose character it was that he was a <i>plain man,</i> in
|
||
opposition to Esau's character of a <i>cunning man.</i> He was a
|
||
genuine son of <i>honest Jacob,</i> not only of his <i>seed,</i>
|
||
but of his <i>spirit.</i> 2. A sincere professor of the faith of
|
||
Israel; he was true to the religion he professed, and lived up to
|
||
it: he was really as good as he seemed, and his practice was <i>of
|
||
a piece</i> with his profession. He is the Jew that is one
|
||
<i>inwardly</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p112.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.29" parsed="|Rom|2|29|0|0" passage="Ro 2:29">Rom. ii.
|
||
29</scripRef>), so is he <i>the Christian. Secondly,</i> He is one
|
||
in whom is <i>no guile</i>—that is the character of an Israelite
|
||
indeed, a Christian indeed: <i>no guile</i> towards men; a man
|
||
without trick or design; a man that one may trust; <i>no guile</i>
|
||
towards God, that is, sincere in his repentance for sin; sincere in
|
||
his covenanting with God; in whose spirit is <i>no guile,</i>
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p112.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.32.2" parsed="|Ps|32|2|0|0" passage="Ps 32:2">Ps. xxxii. 2</scripRef>. He does not
|
||
say without <i>guilt,</i> but without <i>guile.</i> Though in many
|
||
things he is foolish and forgetful, yet in nothing false, nor
|
||
<i>wickedly departing from God:</i> there is no allowed approved
|
||
guilt in him; not painted, though he have his spots: "<i>Behold</i>
|
||
this Israelite <i>indeed.</i>" 1. "Take notice of him, that you may
|
||
learn his way, and do like him." 2. "Admire him; <i>behold,</i> and
|
||
<i>wonder.</i>" The hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees had so
|
||
leavened the Jewish church and nation, and their religion was so
|
||
degenerated into formality or state-policy, that an Israelite
|
||
indeed was a <i>man wondered at,</i> a miracle of divine grace,
|
||
like Job, <scripRef id="John.ii-p112.4" osisRef="Bible:John.1.8" parsed="|John|1|8|0|0" passage="Joh 1:8"><i>ch.</i> i.
|
||
8</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p113">(2.) Nathanael is much surprised at this,
|
||
upon which Christ gives him a further proof of his omnisciency, and
|
||
a kind memorial of his former devotion.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p114">[1.] Here is Nathanael's modesty, in that
|
||
he was soon put out of countenance at the kind notice Christ was
|
||
pleased to take of him: "<i>Whence knowest thou me,</i> me that am
|
||
unworthy of thy cognizance? <i>who am I, O Lord God?</i>" <scripRef id="John.ii-p114.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.7.18" parsed="|2Sam|7|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 7:18">2 Sam. vii. 18</scripRef>. This was an evidence
|
||
of his sincerity, that he did not catch at the praise he met with,
|
||
but declined it. Christ knows us better than we know ourselves; we
|
||
know not what is in a man's heart by looking in his face, but all
|
||
things are naked and open before Christ, <scripRef id="John.ii-p114.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.12-Heb.4.13" parsed="|Heb|4|12|4|13" passage="Heb 4:12,13">Heb. iv. 12, 13</scripRef>. Doth Christ know us? Let
|
||
us covet to know him.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p115">[2.] Here is Christ's further
|
||
<i>manifestation</i> of himself to him: <i>Before Philip called
|
||
thee, I saw thee. First,</i> He gives him to understand that he
|
||
<i>knew him,</i> and so manifests his divinity. It is God's
|
||
prerogative infallibly to know all persons and all things; by this
|
||
Christ proved himself to be God upon many occasions. It was
|
||
prophesied concerning the Messiah that he should be of <i>quick
|
||
understanding in the fear of the Lord,</i> that is, in judging the
|
||
sincerity and degree of the fear of God in others, and that he
|
||
should not <i>judge after the sight of his eyes,</i> <scripRef id="John.ii-p115.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.11.2-Isa.11.3" parsed="|Isa|11|2|11|3" passage="Isa 11:2,3">Isa. xi. 2, 3</scripRef>. Here he answers that
|
||
prediction. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p115.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.19" parsed="|2Tim|2|19|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:19">2 Tim. ii.
|
||
19</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i> That before Philip called him he
|
||
saw him under the fig-tree; this manifests a particular kindness
|
||
for him. 1. His eye was towards him before Philip called him, which
|
||
was the first time that ever Nathanael was acquainted with Christ.
|
||
Christ has knowledge of us before we have any knowledge of him; see
|
||
<scripRef id="John.ii-p115.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.45.4 Bible:Gal.4.9" parsed="|Isa|45|4|0|0;|Gal|4|9|0|0" passage="Isa 45:4,Ga 4:9">Isa. xlv. 4; Gal. iv.
|
||
9</scripRef>. 2. His eye was upon him when he as <i>under the
|
||
fig-tree;</i> this was a private token which nobody understood but
|
||
Nathanael: "When thou wast retired <i>under the fig-tree</i> in thy
|
||
garden, and thoughtest that no eye saw thee, I have then my eye
|
||
upon thee, and saw that which was very acceptable." It is most
|
||
probable that Nathanael under the fig-tree was employed, as Isaac
|
||
in the field, in meditation, and prayer, and communion with God.
|
||
Perhaps then and there it was that he solemnly joined himself to
|
||
the Lord in an inviolable covenant. Christ saw in secret, and by
|
||
this public notice of it did in part reward him openly. <i>Sitting
|
||
under the</i> fig-tree denotes quietness and composedness of
|
||
spirit, which much befriend communion with God. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p115.4" osisRef="Bible:Mic.4.4 Bible:Zech.3.10" parsed="|Mic|4|4|0|0;|Zech|3|10|0|0" passage="Mic 4:4,Zec 3:10">Mic. iv. 4; Zech. iii. 10</scripRef>.
|
||
Nathanael here in was an Israelite indeed, that, like Israel, he
|
||
<i>wrestled with God alone</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p115.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.24" parsed="|Gen|32|24|0|0" passage="Ge 32:24">Gen.
|
||
xxxii. 24</scripRef>), prayed not like the hypocrites, in the
|
||
corners of the streets, but under the fig-tree.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p116">(3.) Nathanael hereby obtained a full
|
||
assurance of faith in Jesus Christ, expressed in that noble
|
||
acknowledgment (<scripRef id="John.ii-p116.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.49" parsed="|John|1|49|0|0" passage="Joh 1:49"><i>v.</i>
|
||
49</scripRef>): <i>Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the
|
||
king of Israel;</i> that is, in short, thou art the true Messiah.
|
||
Observe here, [1.] How <i>firmly</i> he believed <i>with the
|
||
heart.</i> Though he had lately laboured under some prejudices
|
||
concerning Christ, they had now all vanished. Note, The grace of
|
||
God, in working faith, casts down imaginations. Now he asks no
|
||
more, <i>Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?</i> For he
|
||
believes Jesus of Nazareth to be the chief good, and embraces him
|
||
accordingly. [2.] How <i>freely</i> he confessed <i>with the
|
||
mouth.</i> His confession is made in form of an adoration, directed
|
||
to our Lord Jesus himself, which is a proper way of confessing our
|
||
faith. <i>First,</i> He confesses Christ's prophetical office, in
|
||
calling him <i>Rabbi,</i> a title which the Jews commonly gave to
|
||
their teachers. Christ is the great rabbi, at whose feet we must
|
||
all be <i>brought up. Secondly,</i> He confesses his divine nature
|
||
and mission, in calling him the Son of God (that Son of God spoken
|
||
of <scripRef id="John.ii-p116.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.7" parsed="|Ps|2|7|0|0" passage="Ps 2:7">Ps. ii. 7</scripRef>); though he had
|
||
but a human <i>form</i> and <i>aspect,</i> yet having a divine
|
||
knowledge, the knowledge of the heart, and of things distant and
|
||
secret, Nathanael thence concludes him to be the <i>Son of God.
|
||
Thirdly,</i> He confesses, "<i>Thou art the king of Israel;</i>
|
||
that king of Israel whom we have been long waiting for." If he be
|
||
the Son of God, he is king of the Israel of God. Nathanael hereby
|
||
proves himself an Israelite indeed that he so readily owns and
|
||
submits to the king of Israel.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p117">(4.) Christ hereupon raises the hopes and
|
||
expectations of Nathanael to something further and greater than all
|
||
this, <scripRef id="John.ii-p117.1" osisRef="Bible:John.1.50-John.1.51" parsed="|John|1|50|1|51" passage="Joh 1:50,51"><i>v.</i> 50, 51</scripRef>.
|
||
Christ is very tender of young converts, and will encourage good
|
||
beginnings, though weak, <scripRef id="John.ii-p117.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.20" parsed="|Matt|12|20|0|0" passage="Mt 12:20">Matt. xii.
|
||
20</scripRef>.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p118">[1.] He here signifies his acceptance, and
|
||
(it should seem) his admiration, of the ready faith of Nathanael:
|
||
<i>Because I said, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest
|
||
thou?</i> He wonders that such a small indication of Christ's
|
||
divine knowledge should have such an effect; it was a sign that
|
||
Nathanael's heart was prepared beforehand, else the work had not
|
||
been done so suddenly. Note, It is much for the honour of Christ
|
||
and his grace, when the heart is surrendered to him at the first
|
||
summons.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p119">[2.] He promises him much greater helps for
|
||
the confirmation and increase of his faith than he had had for the
|
||
first production of it.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p120"><i>First,</i> In general: "<i>Thou shalt
|
||
see greater things than these,</i> stronger proofs of my being the
|
||
Messiah;" the miracles of Christ, and his resurrection. Note, 1. To
|
||
him that hath, and maketh good use of what he hath, more shall be
|
||
given. 2. Those who truly believe the gospel will find its
|
||
evidences grow upon them, and will see more and more cause to
|
||
believe it. 3. Whatever discoveries Christ is pleased to make of
|
||
himself to his people while they are here in this world, he hath
|
||
still greater things than these to make known to them; a glory yet
|
||
further <i>to be revealed.</i></p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p121"><i>Secondly,</i> In particular: "Not thou
|
||
only, but you, all you my disciples, whose faith this is intended
|
||
for the confirmation of, you <i>shall see heaven opened;</i>" this
|
||
is more than telling Nathanael of his being under the fig-tree.
|
||
This is introduced with a solemn preface, <i>Verily, verily I say
|
||
unto you,</i> which commands both a <i>fixed attention</i> to what
|
||
is said as very weighty, and a <i>full assent</i> to it as
|
||
undoubtedly true: "I say it, whose word you may rely upon, <i>amen,
|
||
amen.</i>" None used this word at the beginning of a sentence but
|
||
Christ, though the Jews often used it at the close of a prayer, and
|
||
sometimes doubled it. It is a solemn asseveration. Christ is called
|
||
the <i>Amen</i> (<scripRef id="John.ii-p121.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.14" parsed="|Rev|3|14|0|0" passage="Re 3:14">Rev. iii.
|
||
14</scripRef>), and so some take it here, <i>I the Amen, the Amen,
|
||
say unto you.</i> I the faithful witness. Note, The assurances we
|
||
have of the glory to be revealed are built upon the word of Christ.
|
||
Now see what it is that Christ assures them of: <i>Hereafter,</i>
|
||
or <i>within awhile,</i> or <i>ere long,</i> or henceforth, ye
|
||
shall see heaven opened.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p122"><i>a.</i> It is a mean title that Christ
|
||
here takes to himself: <i>The Son of man;</i> a title frequently
|
||
applied to him in the gospel, but always by himself. Nathanael had
|
||
called him the <i>Son of God</i> and <i>king of Israel:</i> he
|
||
calls himself <i>Son of man,</i> (<i>a.</i>) To express his
|
||
<i>humility</i> in the midst of the honours done him. (<i>b.</i>)
|
||
To teach his <i>humanity,</i> which is to be believed as well as
|
||
his divinity. (<i>c.</i>) To intimate his present state of
|
||
humiliation, that Nathanael might not expect this king of Israel to
|
||
appear in external pomp.</p>
|
||
<p class="indent" id="John.ii-p123"><i>b.</i> Yet they are great things which
|
||
he here foretels: <i>You shall see heaven opened,</i> and <i>the
|
||
angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.</i>
|
||
(<i>a.</i>) Some understand it literally, as pointing at some
|
||
particular event. Either, [<i>a.</i>] There was some vision of
|
||
Christ's glory, in which this was exactly fulfilled, which
|
||
Nathanael was an eye-witness of, as Peter, and James, and John were
|
||
of his transfiguration. There were many things which Christ did,
|
||
and those in the presence of his disciples, which were not written
|
||
(<scripRef id="John.ii-p123.1" osisRef="Bible:John.20.30" parsed="|John|20|30|0|0" passage="Joh 20:30"><i>ch.</i> xx. 30</scripRef>), and
|
||
why not this? Or, [<i>b.</i>] It was fulfilled in the many
|
||
ministrations of the angels to our Lord Jesus, especially that at
|
||
his ascension, when heaven was opened to receive him, and the
|
||
angels <i>ascended</i> and <i>descended,</i> to attend him and to
|
||
do him honour, and this in the sight of the disciples. Christ's
|
||
ascension was the great proof of his mission, and much confirmed
|
||
the faith of his disciples, <scripRef id="John.ii-p123.2" osisRef="Bible:John.6.62" parsed="|John|6|62|0|0" passage="Joh 6:62"><i>ch.</i>
|
||
vi. 62</scripRef>. Or, [<i>c.</i>] It may refer to Christ's second
|
||
coming, to judge the world, when the heavens shall be <i>open,</i>
|
||
and every eye shall see him, and the angels of God shall ascend and
|
||
descend about him, as attendants on him, every one employed; and a
|
||
busy day it will be. See <scripRef id="John.ii-p123.3" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.10" parsed="|2Thess|1|10|0|0" passage="2Th 1:10">2 Thess. i.
|
||
10</scripRef>. (<i>b.</i>) Others take it figuratively, as speaking
|
||
of a state or series of things to commence <i>from henceforth;</i>
|
||
and so we may understand it, [<i>a.</i>] Of Christ's
|
||
<i>miracles.</i> Nathanael believed, because Christ, as the
|
||
prophets of old, could tell him things secret; but what is this?
|
||
Christ is now beginning a dispensation of miracles, much more great
|
||
and strange than this, as if heaven were opened; and such a power
|
||
shall be exerted by the Son of man as if the angels, which excel in
|
||
strength, were continually attending his orders. Immediately after
|
||
this, Christ began to work miracles, <scripRef id="John.ii-p123.4" osisRef="Bible:John.2.11" parsed="|John|2|11|0|0" passage="Joh 2:11"><i>ch.</i> ii. 11</scripRef>. Or, [<i>b.</i>] Of his
|
||
<i>mediation,</i> and that blessed intercourse which he hath
|
||
settled between heaven and earth, which his disciples should be
|
||
degrees be let into the mystery of. <i>First,</i> By Christ, as
|
||
Mediator, they shall see <i>heaven opened,</i> that we may <i>enter
|
||
into the holiest</i> by his blood (<scripRef id="John.ii-p123.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.19-Heb.10.20" parsed="|Heb|10|19|10|20" passage="Heb 10:19,20">Heb. x. 19, 20</scripRef>); heaven opened, that by
|
||
faith we may <i>look in,</i> and at length may <i>go in;</i> may
|
||
now behold the glory of the Lord, and hereafter enter into the joy
|
||
of our Lord. And, <i>Secondly,</i> They shall <i>see angels
|
||
ascending and descending upon the Son of man.</i> Through Christ we
|
||
have communion with and benefit by the holy angels, and things in
|
||
heaven and things on earth are <i>reconciled</i> and <i>gathered
|
||
together.</i> Christ is to us as Jacob's ladder (<scripRef id="John.ii-p123.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.28.12" parsed="|Gen|28|12|0|0" passage="Ge 28:12">Gen. xxviii. 12</scripRef>), by whom angels continually
|
||
ascend and descend for the good of the saints.</p>
|
||
</div></div2> |