Exposition of John, Chapter 11 · Verse 35
Ver. 55. And the Jewes paſſeover was nigh at hand, and many went out of the countrey up to Hieruſalem before the Paſſeover to purifie themſelves.
56. Then ſought they for Jeſus, and ſpake among themſelves as they ſtood in the Temple, What thinke ye that he will not come to the feaſt?
57. Now both the chiefe Prieſts and the Phariſees, had given a commandement, that if any man knew where he were, he ſhould ſhew it, that they might take him.
In the laſt conſequent of this miracle, is recorded, what was the diligence of the Rulers, to have their concluſions executed at the enſuing feaſt of the Paſſeover. The order of the purpoſe ſeems to be this; The Rulers had given a charge to the people, eſpecially the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, to ſpy out if they could finde where Chriſt were, that ſo they might take him, ver. 57. In obedience to which, when the people are flocking together for preparation to the feaſt, ver. 55. they begin to enquire for him, and to reaſon among themſelves, doubting whether he would come or not, ver 56. Or it comes all to one purpoſe, to conceive the matter thus; That the Rulers and their Emiſſaries ſeeking him, and not finding him themſelves, they give a charge to all the people, that they ſhould give notice, when ever they knew where he were. Whence learn, 1. Whatever ſhelter Chriſt or his followers finde, for a time, in the uſe of lawful means; Yet in troublous dayes, they are to ſubmit if it do not continue long, but that at laſt they muſt be brought on the ſtage; Therefore it is marked that the Jewes Paſſeover was nigh at hand, to intimate that Chriſt got not leave to lurk long in that place he retired unto. 2. As for this going up to purifie themſelves before the Paſſeover, albeit the Jewes in theſe times were very ſuperſtitious; Yet it is not clear that this was a practice of their own deviſing; For, we finde that ordinary preparation was requiſite for ſacrifices, 1 Sam. 16.5. and particularly for the paſſeover, eſpecially in purging leaven out of their houſes, to which the Apoſtle alludes, 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. See alſo Num. 9.6. &c. 2 Chron. 30.18, 19. And it appears theſe who went up, did it becauſe of ſome ſpecial pollution, becauſe of which they behoved to offer ſacrifices (as appears from the law, Lev. 4. and 5. and 6. Chapters, and Chap. 14. and 15. ver. 1.— 16.) which could be offered only at the Temple in Jeruſalem: and therefore it is ſaid many, not all, went up. And it teacheth, That as preparation is required for all the ſolemne ſervice of God, ſo in ſpecial for participation of the Lords table; and more particularly, when men are lying under ſome notable pollution. 3 The godly can be no more earneſt for Chriſt and his company, then the wicked are to have his blood; for, as the godly at ſuch a ſolemnity would be ready to ſeek him, as thinking a feaſt, a poore feaſt, if he were not there; and as their affection to have him would readily be ſolicitous, and doubtful whether he will come or not; So it is with theſe bloodthirſty men; They ſought for Jeſus, and, not finding him, ſpake among themſelves, what think ye, &c? 4. Whatever ſucceſſe God permit eager and bloodthirſty perſecuters to get; Yet they ſhall not want their own anxieties and vexations, in getting their will; for, ſay they, What think ye, that he will not come to the feaſt? The root of which expreſſion, was, their anxietie and doubtfulneſſe if he would come at all. And albeit he did come, and they got him crucified, yet the Lord will plague them with this vexation for a time. 5. Perſecutors are unwilling to have their anxieties known, but they will labour to palliate them with faireſt ſhewes; Yea, and even to make uſe of a cloak of pietie, to carry on their wicked purpoſes; for, ſo much alſo doth this ſpeech import. They are anxious that he will not come that they may take him; But they vent it in tearmes of ſpite againſt him, who pretending to ſo much piety, yet will not come to that ſolemne feaſt. They will traduce him if he come not, and yet all their end in deſiring him, is, that they may ſhed his blood. 6. When Rulers are corrupt, they do much miſchiefe, and ſet a people on work againſt Chriſt; As here we ſee in their commandement. 7. Chriſts followers muſt reſolve not only on open enemies and oppoſition, in crying times, but on ſecret ſpies and inquiſitours, to enſnare and betray them; for, here they are ſet on work to finde him out and delate him▪ that they might take him. 8. Men, ſinning againſt conſcience in a courſe, are very eager and violent leſt it ſhould miſcarry, and they can never be ſure enough of their plots; for, this, among others, was one cauſe of their vigilancy. They ſinned maliciouſly againſt light, and they cannot do too much to prevent a diſappointment. So, when Judas turnes a traitour, he fears nothing ſo much as that he ſhould vent his malice, and yet Chriſt ſhould eſcape, and therefore be chargeth the ſouldiers to hold him faſt, Matth. 26.48. and to lead him away ſafely, Mark. 14 44.
CHAP. XII.
IN this Chapter, we have a rehearſal of ſeveral things which occurred betwixt Chriſts return from Ephraim (whither he had retired, Chap. 11.54.) to Bethany, and his eating of the paſſeover with his Diſciples. It may be taken up in theſe particulars. 1. His returne to Bethany and entertainment there, with ſome conſequents that followed thereupon, ver. 1.— 11. 2. His triumphant entry into Jeruſalem, with ſome remarkable obſervations upon it ver. 12.—19. 3. The deſire of ſome Greeks to ſee him, with his doctrine upon that occaſion, ſeaſoned with ſtrange exerciſe, ver. 20.—36. 4 An account of the fruits of his Miniſtry among the moſt part of the Jewes; ſome not beleeving at all, ver. 37.—41. others being but hidden beleevers, ver. 4…, 43. Together with Chriſts farewell Sermon to them, wherein he points out himſelfe and his doctrine. ver. 44.— 50.