Exposition of John, Chapter 12 · Verse 1
Ver. 1. THen Jeſus ſix dayes before the Paſsover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raiſed from the dead.
The firſt part of the Chapter, containeth theſe particulars. 1. His returne to Bethany, ver. 1. 2. His entertainment there, ver. 2. particularly by Mary, ver. 3. 3. Judas his quarrelling at Maries deed, with Chriſts Apology for her and it, ver. 4. —8. 4. The reſort of the Jewes to him at Bethany, ver. 9. with the Phariſees reſolution therevpon, ver. 10, 11.
In this verſe we have Chriſts return to Bethany, together with, 1. A deſignation of the time of his return, it was ſix dayes before the Paſſeover, 2. A new deſignation of the place, taken from the late miracle wrought upon Lazarus. While it is ſaid he came there ſix dayes before the Paſſeover, and yet Matth. 26.2. it is ſaid that after two dayes is the Paſſeover, when yet the ſupper here mentioned is after that recorded to be given, Matth. 26.6. We muſt (for reconciling theſe) conſider, that Chriſts warning of the Diſciples of Judas treachery, was indeed, in order of time, after that ſupper, and foure dayes after his coming to Bethany; for, Judas went not away till after the diſappointment and affront he got about the box of ointment, Matth. 26.14. compared with the preceding purpoſe. And as for Matthew, he doth not obſerve the order of time, in recording that ſupper, (for Chriſts entry into Jeruſalem, which was after it, ver. 12. of this Chapter is recorded by him long before, Matth 21.8, 9. &c.) but having told how Chriſt warned the Diſciples of this hazard, Matth. 26.2. he doth, upon that occaſion, reſume things that had been done before, to clear how he was betrayed. Namely, that the Prieſts conſulting upon ſome expedients how they might catch Chriſt, Matth. …6.3, 4, 5. Judas, who had been diſappointed of gain by that ointment pouered on Chriſt, went and offered his ſervice to them, ver. 6.—14, 15. Doctrine 1. Albeit men are bound, by all lawful means, to preſerve themſelves from the unjuſt violence of perſecutors; Yet when Gods time and calling cometh, and when men ſee it is the will of God they ſhould ſuffer, they ought to ſet their faces to it chearfully; for, whereas before Chriſt withdrew, Chap. 11.54. Now when the Paſſeover, the time of his ſuffering, draweth nigh, he comes to view again, and draws toward Jeruſalem. See Mark. 10.32, 33. Luk 9 51. 2. He came ſo long before the time to Bethany, where Lazarus and others were; Not only that he might ſtay there, and give an occaſion to Judas to go his way to the Rulers; or to attend till he people hearing he was there, might meet him in a ſolemne manner, and he might be conveighed in ſtate to the place of his ſufferings, of which afterward. But his end, more eſpecially, in this was to refreſh and confirme his friends there with his company, before he ſhould be taken from them, and to refreſh himſelfe alſo before he went to his trials. And ſo it teacheth. 1. Where Chriſt hath love, and an intereſt, he will not ſtay long away; for, here after his retirement, he returns to Bethany. 2. When ſtormes are ariſing, Chriſt will not forget his own, to give them a viſite, ſooner or later, to fortifie them againſt them; for, ſix dayes before the Paſſeover, at which he was to ſuffer, he comes to Bethany, to refreſh and confirme his friends by his company, and by warning them of his ſuffering, as it is, ver. 7, 3. It is a very refreſhful cordial under ſufferings, to have the company and ſociety of godly friends with whom we may converſe at any time; for, Chriſt alſo ſubjected himſelfe to make uſe of this; And as he ſeeks it in the Garden, Matth. 26.38, 40. ſo here he ſeeks it in Bethany. See how Paul eſteemes of a viſite in his bonds, 2 Tim 1.16, 17, 18. Doctrine 1. Where Chriſt converſeth with his people, he will make a place famous by eminent proofes of his power and love for them; for, now the former deſcription of Bethany, Chap. 11.1. is laid aſide, and it is moſt famous that Lazarus was there, which had been dead, whom he raiſed from the dead.