CHAPTER VI. THE HISTORY OF. YEAR. If the view that. have adopted concerning the time of the healing of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda is correct, John leaves. whole year of the ministry of Christ, that between the Lord's second Passover and the third, which is named in the present chapter... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIVE THOUSAND FED. This miracle is the only one recorded by all the Evangelists, and as the details vary somewhat,. study of all the accounts (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17) is needful to get the entire history. At Jerusalem, in the last chapter, Christ revealed himself as the Gi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND. GREAT MULTITUDE FOLLOWED. When the death of the Baptist occurred the popularity of Jesus was at its height in Galilee. Great multitudes follow him wherever he goes, and so throng him that he has no leisure even to eat. From every part of the land they come to listen to his teachings and to be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS WENT UP INTO. MOUNTAIN. The mountains on the eastern shore of the sea rise to the height of nearly two thousand feet above the level of the water. The region was uninhabited, and therefore. quiet place for communing with his disciples, and rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PASSOVER,. FEAST OF THE JEWS, WAS NIGH. This statement gives us. note of time and shows that the country was green with the freshness of spring. It was not far from April 1st, and the trees were in full leaf. The proximity of the greatest of the festivals that were celebrated at Jerusalem (t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JESUS LIFTED UP HIS EYES AND SAW. GREAT COMPANY. The other historians tell us that he was filled with compassion. They were destitute of teachers. They had no guides but the blind Scribes and Pharisees. They had no spiritual food but man-made traditions. Let us never forget that our Lord is th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HIMSELF KNEW WHAT HE WOULD DO. He was in no perplexity as to what would be done, though he asked the question. He often asked questions for the sake of their moral effect upon others.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO HUNDRED PENNYWORTH OF BREAD IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THEM. This sum is mentioned mainly because it was an estimate of how much it would cost to give each one. little (John 6:7). Some have supposed that this is the amount of money they had in their common treasury, but it seems rather to be mention... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, ANDREW,... SAITH. The answer of Andrew is to the question of the Savior reported in Mark 6:38. He bade them to examine and report what food they have, and Andrew replies that. lad has five loaves and two fishes.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIVE BARLEY LOAVES AND TWO SMALL FISHES. The _loaves_ here were of barley-meal made into small, thin cakes, baked hard on the side of the oven, so as to be broken. Probably this was the whole stock of provisions then at the command of the disciples--no more than enough for one meal to them. The fis... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE THE MEN SIT DOWN. We learn from Mark that they sat down in companies. Our word _parties,_ in its convivial acceptation, is, as nearly as possible,. reproduction of the original term. The multitude was to be arranged _in. suite of parties,_ no doubt _semicircularly_ adjusted, after the form of... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS. It was held by the Jews, that "he who partakes of anything without giving thank acts as if he were stealing it from God." The prayer of thanks was always pronounced by the father of the family; and Jesus never neglects it, nor ought any Christian.... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS THAT REMAIN. God does not allow wastefulness. Nature wastes nothing, not an ounce of matter. It is the waste of man that causes want. There is food enough for all. The waste of our nation is appalling;--$800,000,000 per year on liquor; $50,000,000 on tobacco, besides all the... [ Continue Reading ]
FILLED TWELVE BASKETS WITH THE FRAGMENTS. Only one basket in the beginning, but twelve after all were fed. Baskets were taken by Jews on journeying, to carry their provisions, etc., that they might not have to depend on Gentiles, and so incur the risk of ceremonial pollution.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF. TRUTH THIS IS THAT PROPHET. The long expected prophet, foretold Deuteronomy 18:15-16, and referred to by the delegation sent to visit John the Baptist (John 1:21). This expected prophet was to be the king of Israel, the head of the kingdom of God on the earth. In other words they said: "This is... [ Continue Reading ]
PERCEIVED THAT THEY WOULD COME AND TAKE HIM BY FORCE, AND MAKE HIM. KING. Convinced that he was Christ, they sought to proclaim him king, to raise his standard, and establish his government. This miracle worked up to the highest pitch their enthusiasm in behalf of the recognition of Jesus as the Me... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN EVEN WAS COME HIS DISCIPLES WENT DOWN TO THE SEA. They were sent down. See Matthew and Mark. The disciples were probably ready to join the people in an enterprise which would fulfil their remaining carnal expectations regarding the Messiahship of their Master. Hence our Lord dismissed them, se... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTERED. SHIP. A fishing boat large enough to carry. dozen persons, but not too large to be propelled by oars. TO CAPERNAUM. Mark says to Bethsaida, but this was on the way to Capernaum. Mark names the first landing place, but John the end of the journey.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEA ROSE BY REASON OF. GREAT WIND. Sudden gusts are common on the Sea of Galilee. Prof. McGarvey reports one that caught his party on the same sea. The winds rush down from the mountains of Lebanon or up the Jordan Valley. Thompson says he encountered one of such fury that no rowers could row.... [ Continue Reading ]
ROWED FIVE AND TWENTY OR THIRTY FURLONGS. About three or three and. half miles. The lake is here about six miles wide. They were about the middle of the lake. It was about three o'clock in the morning. They had toiled nearly through the night, but could make no headway against the wind and waves.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID. This is the gospel message of _peace,_ on the ground--the simple ground--"It is I." Christ's presence is peace to the soul.--_ Jacobus._ How often has he to speak this word of encouragement, even to his own! almost always when they are brought suddenly, or in an unusual way,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WENT UP... INTO THE SHIP. John says, "they willingly received him;" and, on account of the wind abating, they came at once to port. Christ's getting in the ship was their salvation. He can both calm the tempest round us, and carry us safe to heaven. IMMEDIATELY THE SHIP WAS AT THE LAND. Unless... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE. (JOHN 6:22-40) The reader should note the progressive revelation of the divine majesty of Christ as unfolded by John. In the temple at his first Passover, he asserted his authority over his "Father's house;" at his second Passover he demonstrated his power over diseases and... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE CAME OTHER BOATS FROM TIBERIAS. Tiberias was the largest city on the sea, built by Herod, and named after Tiberius Cæsar. Herod Antipas usually occupied it as his capital. It was. place the Lord never entered, though often near it. It is explained that vessels came from there to the place whe... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME TO CAPERNAUM, SEEKING JESUS. As they did not see the Lord longer on the eastern shore, they sought him at the place where he made his home. These seekers were deeply impressed by the miracle of the day before, and were among those who would have made him king. They were eager to again And him,... [ Continue Reading ]
RABBI, WHEN CAMEST THOU HITHER? While they had come to Capernaum seeking him, they were astonished to find him there. He had not crossed the sea with his disciples; he had not come with them; how and when did he come? Of course they had not seen him walking the waves in the darkness.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SEEK ME, NOT BECAUSE YE SAW THE MIRACLES. The Savior reveals to them the true motives which induced them to seek him. They may not have been aware themselves of the fact that they were led by selfish purposes,. desire of temporal benefits. They followed him, not because they saw in him "that pro... [ Continue Reading ]
LABOR NOT FOR THE MEAT THAT PERISHETH. The Savior does not prohibit laboring for food, but making the acquisition of food and worldly things the leading object of life. He means: Do not manifest. chief anxiety for bodily food, for the food that perishes with the using, but rather seek THE MEAT THA... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL WE DO, THAT WE MIGHT WORK THE WORKS OF GOD. These seekers of Christ are eager for more information. He had bidden them work for the food of eternal life. What works then shall they do that they may please God and receive the divine gift? The word _work_ had impressed their minds. They ha... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT. They are startled by hearing that to please God the first requirement is faith in Christ. This is "the work of God" that pleases him. "Without faith it in impossible to please God." It is not _works,_ but one work, that is required,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SIGN SHOWEST THOU THEN, THAT WE MAY SEE, AND BELIEVE THEE? He had pointed to himself as the object of faith, making his claim such as had never been made by mortal man. He had spoken of his seal, or sign. They ask now for. sign. The miracle of the day before had excited their surprise, but had... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR FATHERS DID EAT MANNA IN THE WILDERNESS. He may have fed. few thousands on the day before, but what was that to the feeding of the whole host of Israel for forty years in the wilderness? Is he as great. leader as Moses in whose time the manna fell? The sign they suggest shows that Christ had re... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES GAVE YOU NOT THAT BREAD FROM HEAVEN. It was not Moses, with whom they were disposed to compare him, that furnished the manna in the wilderness, but the Angel of the Lord. This Angel of the covenant is supposed, from Malachi 3:1, to have been Christ. If so, not Moses, but "the prophet like unt... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREAD OF GOD IS HE WHICH COMETH DOWN FROM HEAVEN. He here defines the marks of the true bread: 1. It comes from heaven; 2. It bestows life upon the soul and sustains it; 3. It is for the world, not for. single race. The manna did not last longer than. single day; all who ate it died; it was for... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, EVERMORE GIVE US THIS BREAD. One cannot fail to see the resemblance to the case of the woman of Sychar. There the emblem is water, here _bread;_ there Christ offers water that will permanently satisfy the soul's thirst, here food that satisfies its hunger; there the woman asks for this water,... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAYS,. AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. They ask for this bread. He answers, It is here;. am that bread. The work of God is that you receive it by believing upon him whom he hath sent. HE THAT COMETH TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER. He that cometh shall not hunger; he that _believeth_ shall not thirst. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
SAID UNTO YOU, THAT YE ALSO HAVE SEEN ME, AND BELIEVE NOT. They had asked. work in order that they might believe, which was. confession of their unbelief. They ask for the bread of life, but they can only partake of it by believing in him. He therefore points out the one obstacle to obtaining what... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THAT THE FATHER GIVETH ME WILL COME TO ME. Christ here, as elsewhere, shows that the power is of the Father. The Jews may reject him, but all whom the Father gives, of every race, will come to him. The whole body of believers, Gentiles as well as the Jews, are given to the Son by the Father. Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, NOT TO DO MINE OWN WILL. Christ will refuse none who come to him; all such are given by the Father and he came to do the Father's will. He did not come to choose such followers only as were congenial to him, nor to follow his own inclinations, but to do the Father's will... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT OF ALL WHICH HE HATH GIVEN ME. SHOULD LOSE NOTHING. He would not cast out any one coming to him, for such were given of the Father, and his will was that the Son should lose none of those given, but should raise every soul at the last day. Whoever receives the Son hath life eternal, and at the... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE WILL OF THE FATHER. The will of the Father is paramount. That will is that "every one who sees the Son and believes upon him," thus coming to, following and abiding in him, feeding upon him as the soul's food, should have eternal life, and that in the resurrection day Christ should rais... [ Continue Reading ]
FEEDING UPON CHRIST (JOHN 6:41-71) At this point our Lord's discourse is interrupted. Hitherto he had been addressing the multitude; now for the first time we read "the Jews," which, as already explained, means adherents of the ruling party which was violently hostile to Christ. Whether these Jews w... [ Continue Reading ]
IS NOT THIS JESUS, THE SON OF JOSEPH? If he was Joseph's son, how could he have come from heaven, or be bread from heaven? Their argument is that he was human born and, hence, only. man. They were, no doubt, ignorant of the miraculous conception, and Christ never refers to it in his teachings. He d... [ Continue Reading ]
MURMUR NOT AMONG YOURSELVES. The reply of Jesus is. rebuke. These men were not honest inquirers but cavilers.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM. Two elements are concerned in coming to Christ, the human will and the divine drawing. No man comes unless he wills to come. It was the charge of Christ against the Jews: "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life" (John 5:40... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS, THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD. Christ makes more explicit how the Father draws. It is by teaching men. All _taught of God,_ who "have heard and learned of the Father," come to the Son. It is what they learn from the Father that makes them willing to come.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT THAT ANY MAN HATH SEEN THE FATHER. Men do not learn of the Father by seeing and hearing him personally, but they learn the Father's will and words from the Son.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT BELIEVETH. Here he returns to his former subject and affirms that belief in himself is the source of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
51.. AM THAT BREAD OF LIFE. The multitude had spoken of the manna given to their fathers. They had all perished, for it was not the bread of life, and could not communicate life, but the true Bread was that which came from heaven, the appropriation of which would impart immortality because it had l... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWS STROVE AMONG THEMSELVES. They could not comprehend what had just been said, and they discussed how Jesus "could give his flesh to eat.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU. The Jews had already stumbled over the statement that his flesh must be eaten, but the Savior, as was his custom (see the case of Nicodemus and the woman of Sychar), reiterates his statement in still stronger lan... [ Continue Reading ]
MY FLESH IS MOST INDEED. Is food indeed. The body does not feed upon it, but the soul. Its hunger and thirst are satisfied, and by the appropriation of this, it becomes endowed with the vital principle of the Bread of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
DWELLETH IN ME, AND. IN HIM. By this eating one enters into. Christ and partakes of his life. See Romans 6:1-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIVING FATHER. The Father who is the fountain of life. He sent Christ endowed with his life. So Christ endows with life those who "eat" him. It was the _meat_ of Jesus to do the will of the Father. We eat Christ, our meat, by making his will the will of our lives.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR FATHERS DID EAT MANNA. That food might sustain life for. season, but could not impart it, for it was dead food. The Bread from heaven is endued with life, and hence, gives eternal life.... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS SAID HE. This ends the discourses in the synagogue. There is. third discourse to his disciples. SYNAGOGUE. It will be of service, in understanding the incidents at Capernaum, as well as the many passages of the New Testament which refer to the synagogue, to have. comprehensive idea of... [ Continue Reading ]
DOTH THIS OFFEND YOU? His disciples could not take in what had just been said. They expected an earthly king, not. crucified Savior. Hence they murmured and were offended.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT AND IF YE SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN ASCEND? He points out. still greater marvel than eating his flesh and blood. He came from heaven and he will return there. This passage is remarkable as furnishing the only instance in which the Lord spoke in specific terms of his ascension during his earthly... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH. These words we may paraphrase as follows: "I shall ascend to heaven so that my flesh cannot be literally eaten; the flesh literally profits nothing. It is the spirit that makes alive. The spirits of men must eat, or partake of me, and be thus quickened by my spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ARE SOME OF YOU WHO BELIEVE NOT. Had no living, appropriating, trusting faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT IT WERE GIVEN HIM. See, for explanation, verses 44, 45.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES WENT BACK. They were of the unbelieving. Their faith was not strong enough to accept the great doctrine of eating his flesh.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? Christ, apparently sad that these had turned away, asked the twelve whether they would go also. Peter, always prompt, even impetuous, answers: _To whom shall we go?_ The world may well ask this question. If it turns from Christ, to whom shall it go? He only has the words of ete... [ Continue Reading ]
WE BELIEVE.. THAT THOU ART THE CHRIST. It is worthy of remark that the same confession made at Cesarea Philippi is here made by Peter.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF YOU IS. DEVIL. Is "diabolical" comes nearer the idea.. chose you and one has fallen away. The shadow of sorrow is still upon his spirit. The word in Greek is _diabolos,_ not _daimonion._... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SPAKE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. At that time none knew of whom he spoke. The words were well calculated to cause each one to examine himself. JUDAS ISCARIOT, THE SON OF SIMON. The Revision reads, "the son of Simon Iscariot," which is the proper rendering of the Greek. Simon, the father of Judas, is ca... [ Continue Reading ]