Christ foretells A. M. 4033. A. D. 29. 36¶ Simon Peter said unto him, follow thee now? I will lay down my A. Olymp. Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus an- life for thy sake. CCH. 1 a swered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. A. M.4033 An. Olymp. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I hast denied me thrice. a Ch. 21. 18. 2 Pet. 1. 14. Matt: 26. 33, 34. 35. Mark 14. 29, 30, 51. Luke 22. 33, 34 essential and distinctive mark of all my disciples. When they Jove one another, with pure hearts, fervently-even unto death; then shall it fully appear that they are disciples of that person who laid down his life for his sheep; and who became, by dying, a ransom for all. The disciples of different teachers were known by their habits, or some particular creed or rite, or point of austerity, which they had adopted; but the disciples of Christ were known by this love which they bore to each other. The primitive Christians were particularly known by this among the Gentiles: Tertullian, in his Apology, gives us their very words: Vide, inquiunt, ut se diligunt; et pro alterutro, mori parati sunt. "See, said they, how they love one another; and are ready to lay down their lives for each other." Verse 36. Thou canst not follow me now] Thou hast not faith strong enough to die for me; nor is thy work yet done; but hereafter thou shalt suffer for my sake, and die in defence of my truth: see chap. xxi. 18. Verse 37. Why cannot I follow thee now?] Peter probably thought that our Lord intended to go some long journey, which would necessarily subject him to many inconveniences and fatigue; and he felt quite disposed to follow him in this supposed journey, at all hazards. He saw no reason, because he did not see our Lord's meaning, why he could not follow him now. I will lay down my life for thy sake.] Poor Peter, thou wast sincere, but thou didst not know thy own strength. Thou wert at this time willing to die, but when the time came thou wert not able. Christ must first die for Peter, before Peter can die for him. Let no man think he can do any thing good, without the immediate assistance of God. Peter's denial should be an eternal warning to all self-confident persons: though there be sincerity and good will at the bottom; yet in the trial, these cannot perform that office which belongs to the power of God. We should will, and then look to God for power to execute: without him we can do nothing. Verse 38. The cock shall not crow, &c.] See on Matt. xxvi. 34. Dr. Lightfoot has very properly remarked. that we must not understand these words, as if the cock should not crow at all, before Peter had thrice denied his Master: but we must understand them thus: "the cock shall not have finished his crowing before thou wilt thrice deny me. When the time was near, the very night in which this was to happen, Christ said, This very night the cock shall not crow his second time, &c. But here, two days before that time, he says, the cock shall not crow; that is, shall not have done his crowing. The Jews, and some other nations, divided the cock-crowing into the first, the second, and the third times." 1. On Peter's denial of our Lord, much has been written; by one class he has been incautiously excused, and by another, rashly censured. Peter was self-confident, but he was cer tainly sincere, and had he trusted more in God, and less in himself, he would not have miscarried. He did not look to his Maker for strength, and therefore he fell. He was surprised, and found unarmed. It is a well known fact, that circumstances have occurred, in which persons of the most bold, intrepid, and adventurous minds, have proved mere cowards, and acted to their own disgrace and ruin. Facts of this kind occur in the naval and military history of this and every other country. No man is master of himself at all times; therefore prudence and caution should ever be united to courage. Peter had courage, but he had not caution: he felt a powerful and determined will, but the trial was above his own strength, and he did not look to God for power from on high. He was warned by this miscarriage, but he dearly bought his experience. Let him that readeth understand. 2. A fact which occurs in the English Martyrology will serve to illustrate the history of Peter's denial and fall. In the reign of Queen Mary, when the papists of this kingdom burned all the protestants they could convict of denying the doctrine of transubstantiation; a poor man who had received the truth in theory, but had not as yet felt its power, was convicted and sentenced by their bloody tribunal to be burned alive. While they were drawing him to the place of execution, he was very pensive and melancholy, and when he came within sight of the stake, &c. he was overpowered with fear and terror; and exclaimed, Oh! I can't burn! I can't burn! Some of the attending priests supposing that he wished to recant, spoke to him to that effect. The poor man still believed the truth; felt no disposition to deny it; but did not feel such an evidence of his Maker's approbation in his own soul, as could enable him to burn for it! He continued in great agony, feeling all the bitterness of death, and calling on God to reveal himself through the Son of his love. While thus engaged, God broke in upon his soul, and he was filed with peace and joy in believing. He then clapped his hands, and exclaimed with a powerful voice, I can burn! I can burn! He was bound with the promise of glory. case lies; no man is expected to do a supernatural work by his own strength: if left to that, in a case of this kind, his failure must be inevitable. But in all spiritual matters, assistance is to be sought from God; he that seeks shall find, and he that finds divine strength shall be equal to the task he is called to fulfill. Peter was incautious and off his guard: the trial came— he looked not for power from on high, and he fell :-not merely because he was weak;-not because God withheld the necessary assistance, but because he did not depend on and seek it. In no part of this business, can Peter be excused-he is every where blameable; and yet, through the whole, an object of pity. CHAPTER XIV. Christ comforts his disciples on the event of his removal from them, by the consideration of his going to prepare a place for them in heaven, 1—4. Thomas questions him concerning the way to the Father, and is answered, 5—7. Philip proposes a difficulty, and Christ shews that he and the Father are one; that he is Mediator between God and man; and that whatsoever is asked in his name, shall be obtained, 8-14. He promises them the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and Spirit of truth, 15-18. Shews them that he is shortly to leave them, and that those who love him, should be loved of the Father, 19-21. Jude asks a question, how Christ is to manifest himself to the disciples, and not to the Jews? 22. Christ answers, and shews that the manifestation is to be made to those who love God, and to them the Holy Spirit is to be an infallible teacher, 23-26. He bequeaths his peace to them, and fortifies them against discouragements, 27-29. Foretells his approaching death, 30, 31. A. M. 4033. An. Olymp. L' you. A.M.4033. A. D. 29. An. Olymp. CCI. 1. ET not your heart be troubled: || if it were not so, I would have told ye believe in God, believe also I go to prepare a place for you. CCHI. 1. in me. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: you, I will come again, and receive you unto Ver. 27. ch. 16. 3, 22. NOTES ON CHAP. XIV. Verse 1. Let not your heart be troubled] After having answered St. Peter's question, he addresses himself again to his disciples, and tells them not to be afflicted at his leaving them; nor to lose courage because of what he said concerning Peter's denying him :--that if they reposed their confidence in God, he would protect them; and that howsoever they might see him treated, they should believe in him more firmly, as his sufferings, death, and resurrection should be to them the most positive proof of his being the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. Verse 2. In my Father's house, &c.] The kingdom of glory. Ch. 13. 33, 36.- Ever. 18, 28. Acts 1. 11. am going, ye cannot come now, yet do not think that we shall be for ever separated. I am going to that state of glory where there is not only a place of supreme eminence for myself, but also places for all my disciples ;-various degrees of glory, suited to the various capacities and attainments of my followers. Our Lord alludes here to the temple, which was called the house of God, in the precincts of which there were a great number of chambers, 1 Kings vi. 5. Ezra viii. 29. Jer. xxxv. 2, 4. xxxvi. 10. If-not-I would have told you.] If your places were not prepared in the kingdom of God, I would not have permitted you to indulge a vain hope concerning future blessedness. Verse 3. And if I go] And when I shall have gone and prepared a place for you-opened the kingdom of an eternal glory for your reception, and for the reception of all that shall die in the faith, I will come again, after my resurrection, and give you the fullest assurances of this state of blessedness; and confirm you in the faith, by my grace and the effusion of my Spirit. Dr. Lightfoot thinks, and with great probability too, that there is an allusion here to Num. x. 33. And the ark of the Lord went before them, to search out a resting place for them. The questions of Thomas and A. D. 29. A. D. 29. An. Olymp. A.M. 4033. myself; that where I am, there yetime with you, and yet hast thou not A..403. An. Olymp. may be also. known me, Philip? he that hath seen 4 And whither I go ye know, and me hath seen the Father? and how CCII. 1. CCIL 1. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do Father, and it sufficeth us. also; and greater works than these shall he do; go unto my Father. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long because I a Ch. 12. 26. & 17. 24. 1 Thess. 4. 17.S2.- ch. 1. 4. & 11. 25.-— ch. 10. 9.—f ch. 8. 19. Hebr. 9. 8. ch. 1. 17. & 8. ch. 12. 45. Col. 1. 15. Hebr. 1. 3. Ver. 20. ch. 10. 38. & 17. 21, 23.———3ch. 5. 19. & 7. 16. & 8. 28. & 12. 49.-k ch. 5. 36. & 10. 38. Matt. 21. 21. Mark 16. 17. Lule 10. 17. Verse 4. And whither I go ye know] I have told you this shew us the Father. The demand of Philip was similar to that so often, and so plainly that ye must certainly have compre-made by Moses, Exod. xxxiii. 18. He wished to see the glory hended what I have said. of God. In Peter, James, or John, this would have been inexcusable; but Philip had not seen the transfiguration on the mount. The Jewish history is full of the manifestations which God made of himself; and especially when he gave the law, AS Christ was introducing a new law, Philip wished to have an additional manifestation of God. Verse 5. Lord, we know not] Thomas, perhaps, thought that our Lord only spoke of his going some distance from the place where he then was. Verse 6. I am the WAY] That leads to the Father: the TRUTH that teaches the knowledge of God, and directs in the way :the LIFE that animates all those who seek and serve him; and which is to be enjoyed eternally at the end of the way. Christ is the WAY, 1. By his doctrine, chap. vi. 68. 2. By his example, 1 Pet. ii. 21. 3. By his sacrifice, Heb. ix. 8, 9. 4. By his Spirit, chap. xvi. 13. He is the TRUTH, 1. In opposition to all false religions. 2. To the Mosaic law, which was only the shadow, not the truth or substance of the good things which were to come. Aud 3. In respect to all the promises of God, 2 Cor. i. 20. Verse 9. He that hath seen me hath seen the Father] Could any creature say these words? Do they not evidently imply that Christ declared himself to his disciples to be the everlasting God? Verse 10. I am in the Father, and the Father in me ?] We are essentially one; and those who have seen me, have seen him who sent me. He doeth the works.] We are not only one in nature, but one also in operation. The works which I have done bear witness He is the LIFE, both in grace and glory; the life that not of the infinite perfection of my nature. Such miracles as I only saves from death, but destroys it. No one cometh unto the Father] By any other doctrine, by any other merit, or by any other intercession than mine. Verse 7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father] Because I and the Father are ONE, chap. x. 30. Or, if ye had properly examined the intention and design of the law, ye would have been convinced that it referred to me: and that what I have done and instituted, were according to the design and intention of the Father, as expressed in that law. Verse 8. Shew us the Father] As if he had said, We have seen and adored thee, and our happiness will be complete if thou have wrought, could only be performed by unlimited power. Verse 12. And greater works than these] The miracles which I have wrought could not have been wrought but by the omnipotence of God; but that omnipotence can work greater. And those who believe on my name shall, through my almighty power, be enabled to work greater miracles than those which I have ordinarily wrought. An impostor might seduce the people by false miracles, but he could not make his power and cunning pass to all those who were seduced by him: but I will give you this proof of the divinity of my mission and the truth of my doctrine. Perhaps the greater works refer to the immense multitudes Christ promises to send the A.M. 4033. A. D. 29. a 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in 16 And I will pray the Father, and с An. Olymp. An. Olymp. my name, that will I do, that the Father CCII. 1. may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye do it. shall ask any thing in my name, I will CCH. 1. 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nei 15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments. ther knoweth him: but ye know him; for he Matt. 7. 7. & 21. 22. Mark 11. 24. Luke 11.9. ch. 15. 7, 16. & 16. 23, 24. James 1. 5. 1 John 3. 22. & 5. 14. b Ver. 21, 23. ch. 15. 10, 14. 1 John 5. 3.-ch. 15. 26. & 16. 7. Rom. 8. 15, 26.- — ch. 15. 26. & 16. 13. 1 John 4. 6.1 Cor. 2. 14. that were brought to God by the ministry of the apostles. By the apostles was the doctrine of Christ spread far and wide; while Christ confined his ministry chiefly to the precincts of Judea. It is certainly the greatest miracle of divine grace to convert the obstinate wicked heart of man, from sin to holiness. This was done in numberless cases by the disciples, who || were endued with power from on high, while proclaiming remission of sins, through faith in his blood. Some account for the greater works thus: 1. The very shadow of Peter healed the diseased, Acts v. 15. 2. Diseases were cured and dæmons cast out, by applying to the persons handkerchiefs and aprons that had before touched the body of Paul, Acts xix. 12. 3. By the word of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead, Acts v. 5, 9, 10. 4. Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by the word of Paul, Acts xiii. 11. 5. Christ only preached in Judea, and in the language only of that country but the apostles preached through the most of the then known world, and in all the languages of all countries. But let it be remarked that all this was done by the power of Christ: and I think it still more natural to attribute the greater works to the greater number of conversions made under the apostles' ministry. The reason which our Lord gives for this is worthy of deep attention: where the common translation renders the word advocate. Christ is thus called, because he is represented as transacting the concerns of our souls with God; and for this cause, he tells he goes unto the Father, ver. 12. The Holy Spirit is thus called, because he transacts the cause of God and Christ with us, explains to us the nature and importance of the great atonement, shews the necessity of it, counsels us to receive it, instructs us how to lay hold on it, vindicates our claim to it, and makes intercessions in us with unutterable groanings. As Christ acted with his disciples while he sojourned with them, so the Holy Ghost acts with those who believe in his name. For ever] As the death and atonement of Christ will be necessary to man till the conclusion of the world; so the office of the Holy Spirit must be continued among men till the end of time: therefore, says Christ, he shall continue with you for ever, teaching, comforting, advising, defending, and interceding for you and for all my followers to the end of time. Verse 17. The Spirit of truth] The Spirit, or Holy Ghost, whose essential office is to manifest, vindicate, and apply the truth. The Gospel of Christ may be thus called, because it exposes falsity, removes error, and teaches the knowledge of the true God; shews the way to him, saves from vanity and illusive hopes, and establishes solid happiness in the souls of those Because I go unto my Father.] Where I shall be an Interces- who believe. sor for you, that Verse 13. Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name] To enable you to perform these miracles, and to convert souls, may be granted you. Besides, by going unto the Father, I shall receive the Holy Spirit, and send down his abundant influences into the hearts of those who believe. The world cannot receive] By the world, St. John means those who are influenced only by the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life, 1 John ii. 16. Now these cannot receive the Spirit of the truth, because they see him; not, have no spiritual discernment, attend to nothing but the dictates of their corrupt passions and affections; and will admit of Verse 15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.] Do not be no influence but what can be an object of their senses. Hence afflicted at the thought of my being separated from you: the all the deism and irreligion in the world. God, in the operationmost solid proof ye can give of your attachinent to, and affec-of his hands, and in the influences of his spirit, is found every tion for me, is to keep my commandments. This I shall receive as a greater proof of your affection than your tears. where except in the perverted passions of men. In these alone, do men of corrupt minds seek him; here only, he is not to be found; and therefore they become infidels and atheists. But ye know him] Ye have already received a measure of the Verse 16. I will pray the Father] After having made an atonement for the sin of the world, I will become Mediator between God and man; and through my mediation and inter-truth, and ye believe in this Spirit. Probably our Lord refers cession shall all the blessings of grace and glory be acquired. Another Comforter] The word agaxan os signifies not only a comforter, but also an advocate, a defender of a cause, a counsellor, patron, mediator. Christ is thus termed 1 Jobu ii. 2. to the knowledge which they should afterwards attain: in this sense the passage has been understood by the Vulgate, Nonnus, and two copies of the Itala, which read, ye SHALL know him. For he dwelleth with you] Or, as the Ethiopic, Vulgate, He that loves Christ will ST. JOHN. keep his commandments. AM. 103. dwelleth with you, and shall be in I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. A. D. 29. An. Olymp. CCII. 1. you. 18 'I will not leave you 'comfortless: "I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: 'because I live, ye shall live also. A. M.4033. A. D. 2. An. Olymp. CCI 1. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, *If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in Father will love him, 'and we will come unto my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. him, and make our abode with him. 21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and #1 John 2. 27. - Matt. 28. 20.— Or, orphans.- - ver. 3, 28. ch. 16 16 -f1 Cor. 15. 20.—Ever. 10. ch. 10 38. & 17. 21, 23, 26. m 24 He that loveth me not, keepeth not my say. ings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. Ver. 15. 23. 1 Jolm 2. 5. & 5. 3.- Luke 6. 16. ver. 15.-11 John 2. 24. Rev. 3. 20.———、er. 19. ch. 5. 19, 38. & 7. 16. & 8. 23. & 12. 49. Nonnus, and six copies of the Itala read, he shall dwell with you (see above); and this, it is very evident, is the meaning of the Evangelist, who not infrequently uses the present for the future tense. It is certain the Holy Spirit was not yet given to the disciples so as to dwell in them: this St. John himself assures us, chap. vii. 39. And it is evidently of that Spirit and its influences which was not given till the day of Pentecost, that our Lord here speaks. Verse 18. I will not leave you comfortless] Literally, orphans. The original word, og favor, is by some derived from ovos, obscure, dark, because, says Mintert, an orphan (one deprived of father and mother) is little esteemed, neglected, and is obliged to wander about in obscurity and darkness. Others derive it from the Hebrew charaph, to strip or make bare, despoil, because such a child is destitute of comfort, direction, and support, and is a prey to misery and disease, to sin and to death. The disciples of a particular teacher among the Hebrews called him father, his scholars were called his children, and on his death, were considered as orphans. Christ calls his disciples children, beloved children, chap. xiii. 33. and now that he is about to be removed from them by death, he assures them that they shall not be left fatherless, or without a teacher; for in a little time he should come again (rise from the dead), and after his ascension, they should be made partakers of that spirit which should be their comforter, advocate, teacher and guide for ever. Verse 19. Because I live] As surely as I shall rise from the dead, so shall ye. My resurrection shall be the proof and pledge of yours. And because I live a life of intercession for you at the right hand of God, ye shall live a life of grace and peace here, and a life of glory hereafter. Verse 20 That I am in my Father] After my resurrection, ye shall be more fully convinced of this important truth, that I and the Father are ONE; for I will live in you by the energy of my Spirit, and ye shall live in me by faith, love, and obedience. Verse 21. He it is that loveth me] See on ver. 15. And will manifest myself to him.] All my faithful disciples shall see me after my resurrection: and I will manifest my power and goodness to all those who believe in and obey me; even to the end of the world. Verse 22. Judas] The same as Thaddeus and Lebbeus, the brother of James, and author of what is called the epistle of Jude. How is it] Or, how can it be― yeyore, what is to happen? on what account is it? Judas, who was probably thinking that the kingdom of Christ should extend over all the earth, wonders how this can be, and yet Christ manifest himself only to his disciples and not to the world, ver. 19. To this our Lord in a more express manner than he had done before, answers: Verse 23. If a man] Not only my present disciples, but all those who shall believe on me through their word, or that of their successors; Love me] Receive me as his Saviour, and get the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost: He will keep my words] Observe all my sayings, and have his affections and conduct regulated by my Spirit and doctrine: My Father will love him] Call him his child; support, defend, and preserve him as such. And we will come unto him] God the Father through his Son will continue to pour out his choicest blessings upon his head and upon his heart: And make our abode with him.] Will make his heart our temple, where God, the Father, Son and Spirit, shall rest, receive homage, and dwell to eternity. Thus will I manifest myself to the believing, loving, obedient disciple, and not to the world who will not receive the Spirit of the truth. Verse 24. He that loveth me not, &c.] Hence we learn, that the man who is not obedient to the testimonies of Christ, does not love him: and the Spirit of this truth has said, He who loves not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed, 1 Con xvi. 22. |