Our blessed Saviour having in the end of the foregoing chapter upbraided the Pharisees for their blindness and ignorance in the mysteries of religion, notwithstanding the high conceit which they had of their own knowledge, he proceeds in this chapter farther to convince them, that they were blind le... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The character which Christ gives of himself, I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP; that is, the only way and means by which sinners have access to God, and can obtain salvation: the only door by which sinners are entered into the kingdom of grace, and admitted into the kingdom of glory. Lear... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses our Saviour evidently proves himself to be the true Shepherd of his church, by the marks and signs, by the properties and characters, of. good shepherd; which were eminently found with him; namely, to know all his flock, to take care of them, and to lay down his life for them. 1. Je... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Christ proves himself to be the true shepherd of his church from another property of. good shepherd, which is to take care for increasing and enlarging of his fold, by bringing in the Gentiles to it; and by breaking down the partition wall, to make one church both of Jews and Gentiles. Christ c... [ Continue Reading ]
Hence note, 1. That Jesus Christ certainly foreknew his own death and resurrection. 2. That Christ was. volunteer in dying, HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE, none could have taken it from him. 'Tis true, his death was. violent death, but. voluntary sacrifice; he died violently, but yet voluntarily: the hand o... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the evangelist shews what different effects this sermon of our Saviour had upon the Jews; many of them calumniate and slander him, as one possessed and mad, and therefore not to be heard and minded; others of calmer thoughts said, That the doctrine be taught, and the late miracle which he had w... [ Continue Reading ]
This feast was not of divine, but human institution; it was appointed by Judas Maccabeus, and continued eight days, as an anniversary commemoration for the repairing of the temple. Now our Saviour was so far from reproving the Jews for observing this feast, which was of human institution, that he gr... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses we have recorded. new and fresh debate betwixt our Saviour and the Jews, and therein we have observable, 1. The time of this debate, John 10:22. It was AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION, IN THE WINTER, our Saviour taking that opportunity to publish his doctrine, when. concourse of people w... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. That all sincere and faithful Christians are Christ's sheep, and he is their great and good shepherd. This relation implies tender affection, powerful protection, and plentiful provision. The tenderness of Christ's affection, towards his sheep, appears by pitying their infirmities,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The promise made by Christ unto his sheep, namely, the promise of eternal life, and perseverance in grace, till they come to the full fruition of it in glory, I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE, AND NONE SHALL PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER'S HAND. Observe, 2. The confirmation he gives of... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, one in essence and nature, one in authority and power, and not barely one in will and affection, one in concord or consent. That this is the genuine signification of the words, appears by. three-fold argument. 1. From the original words: it is not said,. and my Father are one person in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the Jews understood our Saviour affirming, that he and the Father are one; that is, one in essence and nature, and himself. person equal with God. This they looked upon as blasphemy in him, to arrogate to himself what is proper to God only. Observe, 2. That the Jews looked upon... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour by. two-fold argument vindicates himself from the imputation of blasphemy, in assertion himself to be God. 1. Because the Old Testament gave to magistrates and judges the title of gods, I HAVE SAID YE ARE GODS Psalms 82:6. Now Christ argues strongly from the less to the greater, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have. second argument, by which our Saviour proves, that it was no blasphemy to call himself God; but that he was God in very deed; namely, an argument taken from his works: IF. DO NOT THE WORKS OF MY FATHER, BELIEVE ME NOT; and the argument runs thus; If (says Christ). do those miraculous w... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The violence and fury of these unbelieving Jews, against the holy and innocent Jesus! THEY SOUGHT AGAIN TO TAKE HIM. Observe, 2. The prudential care of Christ for his own preservation; his time being not yet come, he withdraws from Jerusalem, the nest of his enemies, and goes beyon... [ Continue Reading ]