1Jesus, exhorted by his unbelieving kinsmen to shew himself at Jerusalem at the feast of tabernacles, refuseth, but afterward goeth up in secret. 11The Jews seek him, and differ in their sentiments of him. 14He teacheth in the temple; 30some are ready to lay hands on him, others believe; the rulers send officers to seize him. 33Christ foretelleth his departure to the Father, and promiseth the Holy Spirit to believers. 40Various opinions concerning him. 45The officers struck with his discourse return without him, and are rebuked by the Pharisees, who chide with Nicodemus for taking his part.
1AFTER these things Jesus 1walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry,a because 2the Jews sought to kill him.
1 That is, journeyed, traveling from one place in Galilee to another. Now what He did there, is set down by Matthew in Matthew 15; 16; 17; 18, and by Mark in Mark 7; 8; 9.
a Judæa
2 Namely, at Jerusalem, because He had cured on the sabbath him who had been sick thirty-eight years, John 5:16.
2Now 3the Jews’ feast of tabernaclesb was at hand.
3 This was the third great yearly feast of the Jews, which they were to hold on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, which in part answers to our September; in which they made booths of branches of green trees, wherein they abode seven days in remembrance that their fathers had dwelt in booths in the wilderness forty years long. See of this feast, otherwise called the feast of tabernacles, Lev. 23 on verse 34 and Lev. 23 on verse 40; Neh. 8 on verse 15, on verse 16.
b Lev. 23:34.
3His 4brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa ,that 5thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
4 That is, kinsmen. See Mat. 13:55.
5 Namely, whom Thou hast in Judea.
4For there is no man that doeth 6any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh 7to be known openly. If thou 8do these things, shew thyself 9to the world.
6 Namely, extraordinary or impressive.
7 Gr. to be bold of speech, that is, to be famous and known.
8 That is, can indeed do them, namely, thereby to show that Thou art the Messiah.
9 That is, to that great multitude of people, who shall come together out of all parts of the world at the feast.
5For neither did 10his brethrenc believe in him.
10 Namely, some of them; for some as John, James and others believed in Him, Acts 1:14.
c Mark 3:21.
6Then Jesus said unto them, 11My time is not yet come: but your time is 12alway ready.
11 That is, My opportunity to go up to the feast.
12 Namely, seeing they seek not to kill you, as they do Me.
713Thed world 14cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.e
13 That is, worldly men.
d John 14:17; 15:18.
14 Namely, because you are also of the world and the world loves its own, John 15:19.
e John 3:19.
8Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; forf15my time is not yet 16full come.
f John 8:20.
15 Namely, to go up to the feast without danger.
16 That is, fulfilled.
9When he had said these words unto them, he 17abode still in Galilee.
17 Namely, yet certain days, as appears from the following verse.
10¶But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, 18not openly, but 19as it were in secret.
18 Namely, as He used to do, accompanied with His disciples and others, who went up to the feast.
19 Namely, to avoid the snares of the rulers of the Jews.
11Then 20the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Whereg is he?
20 Namely, who, in the past, had heard Him and had seen His miracles on the feast days.
g John 11:56.
12Andh there was 21much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, Hei is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
h John 9:16; 10:19.
21 That is, much talking and disputing.
i verse 40; Mat. 21:46; Luke 7:16; John 6:14.
13Howbeit no man spake 22openly of him forj fear 23of the Jews.
22 Namely, for His honor and defense.
j John 9:22; 12:42; 19:38.
23 That is, of the rulers of the Jews, who had determined to cast him out of the synagogue who would confess Him, John 9:22.
14¶Now 24about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
24 Namely, about the fourth day, seeing the feast of tabernacles continued seven days, from the fifteenth day of the seventh month to the twenty-second. See Lev. 23:34.
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man 25letters, having 26never learned?
25 Or, Scriptures, Mark 6:2.
26 Namely, in the schools, as Paul is said to have learned at Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, Acts 22:3.
16Jesus answered them, and said, Myk doctrine is not 27mine, but his that sent me.
k John 3:11; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10, 24.
27 That is, a doctrine which would not be Mine alone.
17If any man 28will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
28 That is, if any man is brought by God’s grace thus far, that, laying aside all prejudice and stubbornness, he searches the truth of the doctrine as God has commanded, and will dispose himself according thereunto, Psalm 25:14; thereby He gives to understand that they were not such yet.
18He 29that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no 30unrighteousness is in him.
29 That is, he who propounds a doctrine devised by himself and not grounded in God’s Word.
30 That is, falsehood or deceit.
19Didl not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? 31Whym go ye about to kill me?
l Exod. 20:1; 24:3; Acts 7:53.
31 Namely, as if I were a transgressor of the law, because I healed that man on the sabbath.
m Mat. 12:14; Mark 3:6; John 5:18; 10:39; 11:53.
2032The people answered and said, 33Thoun hast a devil: 34who goetho about to kill thee?
32 Namely, those who came from the outside and knew not thereof, and therefore thought that Christ said that to them unjustly.
33 That is, Thou ragest as a man who is possessed or out of his wits, and Thou slanderest us.
n John 8:48, 52; 10:20.
34 Namely, of us.
o endeavour, try*
21Jesus 35answered and said unto them, I have done 36one work, and ye all 37marvel.
35Christ answers not to their reviling words, but goes forward to prove that He had not transgressed the law, by healing on the sabbath.
36 That is, this one work only, namely, that I have cured this man on the sabbath, John 5:16.
37 Namely, with disturbance and offense, verse 23.
22Moses 38therefore gave unto you 39circumcision;p (not because it is 40of Moses, but 41ofq the fathers;) and ye 42on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
38 The word therefore some join to the previous verse.
39 That is, the command to circumcise on the eighth day, Lev. 12:3.
p Lev. 12:3.
40 That is, that Moses first instituted it.
41 That is, but was administered by God’s command to the patriarch Abraham and his posterity, who were before Moses, Gen. 17:10.
q Gen. 17:10.
42 Namely, when the eighth day, after the birth of the child, falls on the sabbath day.
23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that 43the law of Moses should not be 44broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whitr45whole on the sabbath day?
43 Namely, of circumcision the eighth day, Lev. 12:3.
44 Gr. unbound, or loosed.
r completely*
45 That is, who was impotent in his entire body or in all his limbs.
24Judges not 46according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
s Deut. 1:16, 17; Prov. 24:23; James 2:1.
46 That is, as respecters of persons, seeing you reprove not in your own (people) that they circumcise on the sabbath, so neither ought you to reprove Me because I heal on the sabbath.
25Then said some of 47them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
47 That is, the Jews who dwelt at Jerusalem, and knew of the intention of the rulers.
26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and 48they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers 49know indeed that this is the very Christ?
48 That is, they permit Him to teach without hindrance.
49 Namely, being better informed than heretofore. Or, be convinced thereof in their mind, though they will not acknowledge it.
27Howbeitt we know this man 50whence he is: but when Christ cometh, 51no man knoweth whence he is.
t Mat. 13:55; Mark 6:3; Luke 4:22.
50 Namely, from Nazareth, as they thought.
51 Herein they err, by misunderstanding certain places of Scripture, as Isa. 53:8; Micah 5:1 and others, which speak of His eternal generation, as the Son of God, which they mistakenly refer to His physical birth.
28Then 52cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both 53know me, and ye know whence I am: 54and I am not come ofu myself, butv he that sent me is 55true, whom ye know 56not.
52 That is, spoke boldly and with a loud voice, that He might the better be heard of all.
53 Namely, as you say.
54 That is, notwithstanding.
u John 5:43; 8:42.
v John 8:26; Rom. 3:4.
55 Namely, in His testimony of Me, Mat. 3:17.
56 Namely, as you ought.
29But Iw know him: for I am 57from him, and he hath sent me.
w John 10:15.
57 Namely, begotten from eternity, Psalm 2:7.
30Then theyx sought to take him: but 58no man laid hands on him, because 59his houry was not yet come.
x verse 19; Mark 11:18; Luke 19:47; 20:19; John 8:37.
58 Namely, being prevented by God’s Providence.
59 Namely, for to suffer.
y John 8:20.
31Andz many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
z John 8:30.
32¶The Pharisees heard that the people 60murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
60 Seeing they durst not say it openly, for fear of the Jews, verse 13.
33Then said Jesus unto them, Yetaa a 61little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
aa John 16:16.
61 Namely, until the following passover, which was yet about six months.
34Yeab shall 62seek me, and shall not find me: and where I 63am, thither ye cannot come.
ab John 8:21; 13:33.
62 That is, you shall yet desire to have Me present. See John 8:21.
63 That is, shall then be, or whither I go.
35Then said the Jews 64among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go 65unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
64 Or, with themselves.
65 Gr. to the scattering of the Greeks, that is, either to the Gentiles, which, being placed over against the Jews, are called Greeks, Rom. 1:16 and 2:9, or, to the Jews and proselytes, who were scattered among the Greeks, John 12:20; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1.
36What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37In the 66lastac day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, 67Ifad any man 68thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
66 That is, the eighth day, which, as well as the first, must be celebrated with assemblies and sacrifices; see Lev. 23:36.
ac Lev. 23:36.
67 Seeing all the fruits have been gathered in, the Jews, especially on this feast, made themselves merry with eating and drinking, so it seems that Christ takes occasion from this to instruct them concerning the true spiritual drink, and to invite them thereunto.
ad Isa. 55:1; John 6:35; Rev. 22:17.
68 That is, from the feeling of his misery longs to be delivered from it. See Isa. 44:3 and 55:1; John 4:14.
38He that believeth on me, 69as theae scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow 70rivers of living water.
69 These words some join to the nearest foregoing, in this sense: as the Scripture says, that is, commands. Others to the following, so that Christ here would have had respect to some places of the Holy Scripture, as Isa. 44:3, 49:10 and 58:11, or such like.
ae Isa. 12:3.
70 Or, streams, that is, in great abundance and fullness. See Isa. 44:3; Joel 2:28 and 3:18; John 4:14.
39(But this spake he ofaf the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost 71was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
af Isa. 44:3; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17.
71 Namely, given or sent in such abundance, as it occurred after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, Acts 2:4, 33.
40¶Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth thisag is 72the Prophet.
ag Mat. 21:46; Luke 7:16; John 6:14.
72 Namely, of Whom is written, Deut. 18:15.
41Others said, Thisah is 73the Christ. 74But some said, Shallai Christ come out of Galilee?
ah John 4:42.
73 That is, the Messiah, Whom they thought would be another than this Prophet. See John 1:25 and 6:14.
74 Namely, who thought that He was born at Nazareth.
ai John 1:47.
42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh ofaj the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem,ak where David 75was?
aj Psalm 132:11.
ak Micah 5:1; Mat. 2:6.
75 Namely, born and raised.
43So there was a 76division among the people because of him.
76 Gr. schisma, that is, a rent or division.
44And 77some of them would have taken him; but 78no man laid hands on him.
77 Namely, sent forth by the chief priests.
78 Namely, being hindered by God, because His hour was not yet come.
45¶Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46The officers answered, Never man 79spake like this man.
79 That is, with such a reverence and pleasantness. See Mat. 7:28, 29 and Luke 4:22.
47Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48Haveal any of 80the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
al Isa. 33:18; John 12:42; 1 Cor. 1:20; 2:8.
80 Namely, who are such excellent and learned men.
49But this people 81who knoweth not the law 82are cursed.
81 That is, who is not exercised in the Holy Scripture.
82 Or, is cursed, namely, because they adhere to Him.
50Nicodemus saith unto them, (heam83that 84came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
am John 3:2; 19:39.
83 See hereof John 3:1, 2, etc.
84 Or, was come.
5185Dothan our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he 86doeth?
85 That is, is it permitted us in the law to condemn any man, except he be first heard in his (own) defense. This was even among the heathen a law of nature. See Acts 25:16.
an Exod. 23:1; Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; 17:8; 19:15.
86 That is, what he has done or done amiss.
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also 87of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of 88Galilee ariseth no prophet.
87 Namely, either by birth, or one of His disciples, most of whom were Galileans.
88 Notwithstanding Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would begin to preach in Galilee. See Isa. 9:1, 2; Mat. 4:15.
53And every man went unto his own house.