Exposition of John, Chapter 11 · Verse 29
Ver. 45. Then many of the Jewes which came to Mary, and had ſeen the things which Jeſus did, beleeved on him.
46. But ſome of them went their wayes to the Phariſees, and told them what things Jeſus had done.
Followeth the third and laſt part of the Chapter, containing ſome conſequents and effects of this miracle, which may be taken up in theſe. 1. What effects it had on the Jewes who were with Mary, ver. 4…, …6. 2. The conſultations and concluſions of the Rulers of the Jewes, when they are informed of it, ver. 47.—53. 3. The courſe which Chriſt took on this their reſolution, ver. 54. 4. The diligence uſed by the Rulers to have their reſolutions put in execution at the feaſt, ver. 55, 56, 57 As for what was the part and carriage of Lazarus and his ſiſters, upon the receipt of this mercy, it pleaſeth the Lord to mention no more of it, then what may be gathered from their piety, that they were not unthankful and from his paſſing it o…er in ſilence, (not that he did vilip…nd it, but) that great mercies will affect his people more, then can be well ſaid or expreſſed.
In theſe verſes we have the firſt conſequent of the miracle, which is, the diverſe impreſſions it takes upon the Jewes who were preſent: Many of them beleeving, and others of them perſiſting in unbelief, and not being able to do unto Chriſt what they would, themſelves, they delate the matter to the Phariſees. Whence learn, 1. Chriſt doth not ſpread his net by doctrine and working, but for ſome notable fruit and effect: for, here by raiſing up of one dead body, he raiſeth up many dead ſouls 2. Albeit, for the moſt part, they generally are naught; yet at ſome times, and in ſome ſocieties, it pleaſeth him to work upon, and gain the far greater part; for, Many of the Jewes beleeved, whereas ſome only, ver. 48. do perſiſt in their ill courſe. 3. Such as come to do good unto the godly in their need, may readily meet with more good to themſelves by the means; for, they came to Mary, who finde Chriſt, and are drawn to beleeve. It is ſaid they came to Mary only, becauſe they came out to the grave after her, ver. 31. Or, becauſe, however they came out of Jeruſalem to comfort both her and Martha, ver. 19. yet they did it chiefly for Maries ſake. 4. Such as do rightly conſider of Chriſts glorious workings and manifeſtations unto, and for his people, may be abundantly convinced that he is the true Meſſiah, and ſee convincing grounds wherefore they ſhould embrace and cloſe with him by faith; for, when they had ſeen the things which Jeſus did (not only the miracle, for that alone could not work ſolid faith, though it might prepare for it, but his groaning, weeping doctrine, thankſgiving, the way of the miracle &c.) they beleeved on him. 5. When Chriſt is prevailing faſteſt, yet his doctrine and working will never be well taken at all hands; for, ſome of them, are of another temper. 6. Not only the prevalent example of many will not work upon the obſtinate; But their (other wayes) good and moral principles will not contribute to draw them to Chriſt; for, not only ſtand they out, being a few, when many yeeld, but though they had compaſſion to let out for a godly Mary and Martha, yet they will not embrace Chriſt. 7. The moſt glorious actings of Chriſt will be ſo far from prevailing with the obſtinate, that they will rather become the worſe of them; for, what greater act could there be then what Chriſt did here▪ and yet they are enraged, and make it a dittay againſt him. 8. Albeit wicked men may pretend many prejudices againſt Chriſt and his dealing, wherefore they cannot embrace him; Yet when all theſe are removed, they will be nothing the better; for, it was their great exception againſt Chriſts love to Lazarus, that he had not prevented his death, ver. 37. Yet when that is removed in a glorious way, they are not gained. 9. Albeit many who maligne Chriſt, have but ſmall power to hurt him, yet were their hornes never ſo ſhort, they will have them out againſt him; for, they cannot hurt Chriſt themſelves, but they will ſet others on work to do it. 10. Such as are prime agents againſt Chriſt, he will plague them with much employment of that kinde, to fill up their cup; for, the Phariſees muſt be told, that may appear in this buſineſſe. 11. Such as do inſtigate and ſtir up others to perſecute, or do delate the godly to their malicious enemies, are in effect cruel perſecutors; for, it is marked, as the evidence of their malicious diſpoſition, that they went to the Phariſees, and told them what things Jeſus had done. 12. Chriſt can make uſe even of the malice of his enemies, to make them publiſhers of his glory and praiſe; for, their malice led them to tell the Phariſees what things Jeſus had done, and ſo there was no need of his friends to publiſh and confirme the truth of this miracle, at Jeruſalem.