Exposition of John, Chapter 7 · Verse 15 – Verse 18
Verſe 28. Then cryed Jeſus in the Temple as he taught, ſaying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am, and I am not come of my ſelfe; but he that ſent me is true, whom ye know not.
29. But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath ſent me.
Chriſt being grieved at this impudent cavil, doth reply unto it with much boldneſſe and zeal. And, 1. He declareth that however they knew him, and whence he came, yet their carriage proved that they knew not the Father that ſent him. 2. He ſubjoins that he was comforted in this, that what ever they thought of him; yet he knew that he was ſent from the Father, who is true; And, however they knew not the Father, yet he knew him, as being from him, and ſent by him into the world. For clearing this a little, conſider, 1. The great difficulty here is, how to underſtand theſe words, ye both know me, and whence I am, being compared with what followes, that they knew not the Father; for, they are taken up diverſly, As, 1. By way of Irony and holy deriſion, as if Chriſt had ſaid; Ye think ye know me well enough, but ye know me not at all as ye ſhould, ſince ye know not the Father who ſent me, and that I am come from him. And this indeed holds true in general, That conceit is a great prop unto miſtakes and errours, and an hinderance unto cloſing with Chriſt; That mens not cloſing with Chriſt by faith, doth flow from ignorance of the Father; And, That conceit of knowledge is very hateful to Chriſt, ſeeing he doth, in an holy manner, mock it. 2. The words may be taken as declaring them to know Chriſt, and yet to be ignorant of him, but in diverſe reſpects; They knew him, and whence he was, as man, (though even in that they erred, if they ſuppoſed him to be the Carpenters Sonne;) Yet they knew not the Father, nor him, as God, proceeding from the Father, and ſent by him. And indeed, They have need to be quick ſighted, who know Chriſt as he is in truth, and they who do know much, will perceive, when they get opened eyes, that they are ignorant of far more of him. Theſe interpretations have indeed theſe truths in them, and do aggree well with the temper of the body of the Jewes, who were very ignorant. But Chriſt, zeal and indignation in this diſcourſe, (teſtified by crying) with the conſideration of theſe he ſpeaks unto, may lead us to look yet more narrowly into the words, Therefore (3) when we conſider, that Chriſt is not now dealing with the multitude, but with the companions of the Rulers, who knew all their plots, ver. 25. with theſe who even now had been convinced in the matter of Chriſts healing the man on the Sabbath, and had therefore in great rage, ſtarted this new quarrel; and with theſe who would have taken him, though they had no warrant from the Rulers, ver. 30. When, I ſay, we conſider theſe things, the words may run very well thus; That Chriſt chargeth upon them that they knew him well enough, and yet againſt their light, would not acknowledge him, but delighted to c…vil. And this is not ſtrange, for it was the great ſinne of the Rulers, that they ſinned againſt their light in oppoſing of Chriſt, and ſo might alſo their aſſociats. See Joh. 3.2. Matth. 22.16. The only difficulty againſt this interpretation, is, that it ſeems not to agree with what is afterward ſaid, that they knew not him that ſent him. But ſo is alſo ſaid of the Rulers who ſinned againſt their light, that they knew not the Father nor Chriſt, Joh. 18.2, 3. becauſe, however they knew as much as to make them guiltie of ſinning againſt light, yet they knew him not ſavingly, and their carnal conceptions concerning the Meſſiah, made them maliciouſly reject all the convincing arguments that this was he, ſince they ſaw no ſatisfaction to their deſires in him. Conſider. 2. As for theſe proofes of Chriſts knowing the Father, ver. 29. the laſt of them is clear of it ſelfe, that Chriſt being ſent Ambaſſadour from the Father, behooved to know him who ſent him, and to have ample inſtructions, and knowledge of his minde. As for the other proofe, I am from him, however it may be taken generally, that he came from the Father, and not only ſo (for, one may come from another, and yet know little of him or his minde either) but came cloathed with a commiſſion and furniſhed with inſtructions, as his ſending imports; or, it may point out, that he did voluntarily come, as well as the Father ſent him: Yet it ſeemeth clearer, to underſtand it of his eternal generation, and being from the Father as God, and ſo it points out an higher proofe of his knowing the Father, beſide his being an Ambaſſadour. Doctrine, 1. Such is the perverſitie of men, in oppoſing Chriſt and the Goſpel, that it is hard for them who have any zeal of God to get it endured; So much did Chriſt teſtifie by his vehemency in ſpeaking to theſe, he cried in the Temple as he taught. 2. The violent, malicious, and effronted oppoſition of men ſhould not blunt nor daſh zeal, but rather ſet an edge upon it, in all theſe who would approve themſelves to have antipathy againſt ſinne; Therefore, Chriſt cries as he taught. To be calme ſo long as our particular is not touched, however God be diſhonoured, is ſtupidity and not meekneſſe, and an evidence of the want of the zeal of God. 3. Among other trials and exerciſes that Chriſt and his followers do meet within the world, from the ignorance of men and their infirmities, this is one of the chiefe, that they will have to do with men, who directly againſt their light do oppoſe him and his truth; for, ſuch did Chriſt meet with here. And it may warne men, to take heed how they ſleight and go over their light in ordinary walking, leſt, in proceſſe of time, they maliciouſly contradict their light. And to beware of engaging againſt truth, leſt they be leſt to themſelves, to run to hell before they ſtop. 4. Mens oppoſing of truth, and Chriſt, againſt their light, is not only a ſad trial to the zealous, but an horrid iniquity in it ſelfe, and will be a witneſſe for the friends of truth in the boſome of oppoſers; Therefore Chriſt not only cries againſt this, but beares their knowledge upon them, as a witneſſe for him, and an aggravation of their ſinne; ye both know me, and ye know whence I am. 5. Whatever light malicious oppoſers of Chriſt have, which will aggreage their own guilt; yet their oppoſition proves that they have no ſaving knowledge of God nor of him; Therefore ſaith Chriſt to them, him that ſent me ye know not. Whatever light and knowledge of God men have, yet they know nothing indeed and ſavingly, but what their heart ſubmits unto and embraces, and what the Sonne reveals of him. Matth. 11.27. and what tends to eternal life, Job. 17.3. 6. Such as are approven of God, ought not to be ſhaken by the miſconſtructions, and malicious oppoſitions and cavillations of men, Therefore doth Chriſt ſet forth his own grounds of comfort and aſſurance, to teſtifie that he would not be moved by all their oppoſition, nor needed a teſtimony from them. 7. Albeit the gaining and converſion of one ſoul be of more worth then a whole world; Yet it is one good end of a Miniſtry, to convince malicious men, and not leave them without a witneſſe; Therefore alſo doth Chriſt aſſert his calling and commiſſion before theſe malicious men, that they might know there was not only a Prophet, but the Meſſiah among them. See Ezek. 2.5. 8. It is a ſweet encouragement under trial, when men know they have a calling from God to what they are oppoſed in, and that they do not undertake it of themſelves; for, when Chriſt ſaith, I am not come of my ſelfe &c. It not only imports, that he was indeed ſent by the Father, but holds out his ground of encouragement from his calling. And if men knew what it were to bear the burthen and conſequents of any courſe they undertake, it would make them affrayd to run without a call. 9. Such as would …eap comfort by any call from God, ſhould ſtudy much his fidelity and truth, and that whoever deſpiſe them, yet he will not miſregard them, who employeth them; Therefore doth Chriſt ſubjoine, he that ſent me is true, to wit, in his promiſes and covenant made with him the Mediatour when he ſent him into the world, and therefore will accordingly own him in his going through his ſtate of humiliation. And this alſo is of general uſe and comfort to all who are called of God, 1 Theſ. 5.24. And as men would not quit the comfort and clearneſſe of their calling, ſo they would take heed that Atheiſme do not brangle the truth of theſe promiſes made to them, in following that calling. 10. Such as would ſavingly know Chriſt, eſpecially in his ſtate of humiliation, and would not maliciouſly oppoſe and contradict any light they have, they ſhould labour to know the Father that ſent him, that ſo they may ſee better what Chriſt is, and what the hazard is of rejecting him; for, ſo much alſo is inſinuate in this challenge, he that ſent me is true, whom ye know not. Had they ſeen the Father more in Chriſt, they had not maliciouſly ſtumbled at his baſeneſſe, nor durſt they have hazarded to oppoſe him 11. Men who would cleave to and be encouraged in God, in times of oppoſition, ſhould not take up truths concerning him by gueſſe, but ſhould be certain of them by ſai…h; Therefore, doth Chriſt aſſert, I know him. 12. Whoever be ignorant of God, yet Chriſt knoweth him and his will perfectly, and is ſufficiently able to reveal him to others, who deſire to learn at him; for, ſaith he; But I know him. 13. Chriſts perfect knowledge of the Father appeareth from his eternal Godhead, that he is from the Father, and the ſame in eſſence with him, and ſo communicates with him in his eternal knowledge of himſelfe, and in his counſels; and, from his commiſſion from the Father, which imports that he came with full inſtructions from him; for, theſe are he…e given as reaſons of his knowledge, for I am from him, and he hath ſent me. And this not only ſerves to put us out of all doubt, that Chriſt doth reveal the Father infallibly; But being held out as the ground of that challenge, and as that which ſupported him under their malicious oppoſition, It teacheth men, that however they cannot attain to this meaſure of clear and near knowledge; yet if they would be born out in times of oppoſition, they muſt ſtudy to know God and his truth, by that meaſure of communion with him, which he allow's upon ſinful men.
Verſe 30. Then they ſought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, becauſe his hour was not yet come.
Before John proceed to the third effect that followed on this firſt appearing of Chriſt, in the middayes of the feaſt; he inſerts two conſequents that followed on the former debate. The firſt is, that theſe enraged men, being galled with Chriſts former diſcourſe, would have taken him by violence, but providence did reſtrain them, becauſe his time to ſuffer was not yet come, Whence learn, 1. The more that malicious men are dealt with and convinced, the further will they be from any good, and the more exaſperat. As here we ſee in theſe men, who raged before and now are quite mad in their fury. 2. Violence and perſecution againſt the perſons of faithful teachers, is an evidence of men that maliciouſly oppoſe truth, and the lot which is to be expected from ſuch; for, they (whom Chriſt aſſerts to have ſinned againſt their light, verſe …8, 29) ſought to take him, that they might kill him, or deliver him up to their Rulers. 3. It is the prerogative of God, that to him belong the iſſues from death, and that he can preſerve his ſervants in the midſt of their enemies, even when they are in the height of their rage; for, but no man laid bands on him. 4. God needs no means to preſerve his ſervants, but can ſecure them as well by an inviſible hand of providence, as if they had all vi…ble helps in the world; for, ſo did he give proofe to his Sonne here. 5. Many a good turne are men made to do, and to omit many evil, for which they will never be rewarded as ſervice; As being not done or omitted from any principle of grace, but from an hand of p…ovidence reſtraining them; Therefore, it is marked that no man laid hands on him, not from any remorſe or honeſty in them, but from Gods providence about Chriſt, becauſe his hour was not yet come. 6. Albeit Chriſts followers may expect, that at laſt the Lord, for wiſe reaſons, will not let the malice of men ceaſe, till they be brought to ſuffering; Yet the time thereof is in Gods hand, and not in the power of bloody men; And they may boldly go on in their lawful calling, beleeving that enemies will not anticipat his time; … this reaſon of not taking him, becauſe his hour was not yet come, imports; that he was indeed to ſuffer; that God had the timeing of that in his own hand; and that till his time came, all their malice could not availe.
Ver. 31. And many of the people beleeved on him and ſaid, When Chriſt commeth, will he do moe miracles then theſe which this man hath done?
The ſecond conſequent of the former debate, (which alſo is a tranſition and introduction to the third general effect of his publike preaching) is, that however the great ones were ang…ed, yet many of the common people did beleeve on him, as concluding that whoever expected another Meſſiah, yet they were ſure there would none come who could work greater miracle, then he had done; And ſo it was folly to expect another. John doth not declare what theſe miracles in particular were, that affected them, only it ſeemeth they were not preſent miracles, but theſe he had done in former times: Therefore they ſay he hath done them. And as for this ground of their faith, that he wrought ſingular miracles albeit the ſcope and end of his miracles was to confirme his doctrine, and that he was the Meſſiah, and if thereby they were led not only to acknowledge him, but to reap benefit by his word and offices, they were certainly in the right way. But if they were only led and affected with his miracles, and reſted there; it was very defective; and though the power and glory of Chriſt, ſhining in his works, did effect them, yet wanting a root, it could not but ſoone fade; As many may think they have attained to ſome perfection, when yet they are indeed but to begin. They who are pricked in their hearts, are yet commanded to begin repentance, Acts 2.37, 38. Yet it is to be obſerved, that this and the like changes are called beleeving on him; partly, becauſe they were good in themſelves, and a beginning of good, and to ſhew, that Chriſt would not have good beginnings deſpiſed by the godly, when they finde them in themſelves; even albeit hypocrites may have them, who yet fall back again; for their fault was not that they had theſe, but that they had not more, and made not progreſſe: And partly, to ſhew, that Chriſt himſelf is a very large commender and eſteemer of grace, who will give ſuch fair titles to ſmall beginnings. But leaving to determine what the change wrought on them was, we may from the verſe, Learn, 1. Chriſt, when he pleaſeth, can make his work to proſper, even in the midſt of his enemies; and when they are maliciouſly oppoſing, and uſing their utmoſt endeavour againſt him, he can pluck ſome, yea many, out of their hand; for, even at this time, many beleeved on him. 2. Albeit grace be enſured to no ſort of people more then another; yet it is ordinarily the meaner ſort with whom it prevailes moſt; for, they are of the people, or, multitude, who beleeved, when the Rulers and their followers in Jeruſalem are perſecuting. Men who live at eaſe and in pleaſure, ordinarily ſee little need of any thing beſide; they ſee no need of prayer or dependance on God, having all things at hand; yea, it is a wonder if they be not perſecutors. 3. Let men expect what they will, beſide Chriſt, for happineſſe; yet he is ſingular, and none can expect a better then he: So much do they acknowledge, that let men dream what they will of another Meſſiah, yet when Chriſt cometh, will he do moe miracles then theſe which this man hath done? He will indeed be found the chiefe of ten thouſand. 4. Albeit Chriſts ſervants may take much pains, whereof they ſee no preſent effects; yet God may bleſſe theſe ſame labours with ſucceſſe afterward; for, the miracles which Chriſt hath done before, do now take effect with ſome.
Verſe 32. The Phariſees heard that the people murmured ſuch things concerning him: And the Phariſees and the chiefe Prieſts ſent officers to take him.
Followeth the third thing that followed on his publike appearing in the mid-dayes of the feaſt, wherein is recorded the violence of the Phariſees and Rulers, ver. 32. and Chriſts Sermon upon occaſion of that, ver. 33, 34. with the Jews ca…ping at his expreſſions, ver 35, 36. In this ver. is related, that the mutterings of the people, in favour of Chriſt, coming to the Phariſees eares, they, with the chiefe Prieſts ſend ſome officers to apprehend him. Albeit there was by right but one high Prieſt at once, yet here are mentioned moe chiefe Prieſts, belike they were the heads of theſe twenty foure courſes, or orders of Prieſts, of which we read, 1 Chron. 24. or the high Prieſt and his deputy, who acted many things under him, and did officiate for him, when he was legally unclean. Doctrine, 1. Some may attain to a meaſure of reſpect to Chriſt, who yet have not attained to a competency of courage, to avow it publikely in times of hazard; for, the people did but murmure ſuch things concerning him. 2. Even in ſocieties where many countenance the Goſpel, and where they carry themſelves moſt cautiouſly, there may ſtill ſome be found who are but ſpies and obſervers in behalfe of perſecutors; for, here where many beleeved, and did but murmure theſe things, the matter is brought to the Phariſees ears, who were the moſt ſtrict ſect, and moſt rigide againſt Chriſt. 3. Chriſts riſing glory, and his ſucceſſe in the Goſpel, will enrage enemies, and draw on trouble; for, they who were taxed of ſlackneſſe before, ver. 25, 26. when they hear of his ſucceſſe, and that men begin to commend him, they could bear it no longer; though indeed they came too late to quench that fire, ſeeing trouble will never ſeparate Chriſt and them that truely beleeve. It is true, indeed, that God will ſometime give a flouriſhing Church, ſome breathings of tranquility, Act. 9.31, and will ſend perſecution to rowze up his people from ſecurity; But ordinarily, it is little apparent ſucceſſe of the Goſpel, and little prejudice done to Satans kingdome, that makes him and his inſtruments quiet. 4. Bloody and violent perſecution is the laſt refuge of hypocrites, and that which may be expected from them, when they are vexed; for, they uſe no other arguments, but ſent officers to take him, that they might bring him before their Judicatory, whereof yet they retained ſome name and ſhaddow. When Satan and his inſtruments come to this, it is an evidence that they are indeed vexed, and at their laſt gaſp. 5. Chriſt is the great Butt of perſecutors malice; who as he let his followers get few or no blaſts while he was in the world; So he ſtands ſtill on the head of them who ſight under his banner, and will reckon with perſecutors, as they who would poure out all the hatred they let out on his people, on him only, if he were within their reach; for, here we ſee their diſpoſition, who ſent to take him only, not troubling the Profeſſours;