The foregoing chapter acquainted us with several appearances of Christ to his disciples after his resurrection, all which were in Jerusalem. This chapter acquaints us with his appearing to his disciples in Galilee, whither he had ordered his disciples to go, promising there to meet them. Jerusalem... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, that after Christ was crucified, the disciples returned for. time to their trade and employment of fishing; though they were called to be fishers of men, yet churches not being gathered and constituted at present, nor being able to maintain them, they labour with their hands to supply... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Christ was near, very near to his disciples, but they perceived it not: JESUS STOOD ON THE SHORE, BUT THEY KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS JESUS. Learn, Christ is not always discerned by us when he is present with us; it is. double mercy to enjoy his company, and to know indeed that it is he.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The great zeal and forwardness of Peter: hearing that it was Christ, he leaps into the sea to get to him.. how inviting, attractive, and alluring, is. sight of Christ! It will make those that know him break through all difficulties to come unto him. It is not. sea of water, no, nor... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What was Christ's end in commanding his disciples to bring forth the fish which they had now taken: namely, that the sight of their number and bigness, together with the sight of the net remaining unbroken, might confirm them in the belief of its being. real miracle. Christ had fed... [ Continue Reading ]
A two-fold reason may be assigned why Christ did at this time invite and call his disciples to dine with him: the first and more principal reason was, to evidence to them the reality of his resurrection, and to assure them of the truth of his manhood, that they might not think it was an apparition o... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Christ puts Peter upon. threefold profession of his love unto him, answerable to his threefold denial of him: his threefold denial required. threefold confession. True repentance ought, and will be as eminent in the fruit and effects of it, as the saint's fall hath been.. threefold... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our Saviour forewarns Peter of his future sufferings, intimating, that he should prove more stout than in his former trial. When he was young and unexperienced, he enjoyed his liberty; but when he was grown older in years and stronger in grace, he should willingly stretch forth his ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour having foretold the manner of Peter's death in the foregoing verses; here in these, Peter is inquisitive after, and very solicitous for the knowledge of, what kind of death St. John should die. Christ checks him for his curiosity, as meddling with that which did not concern him, yet inti... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, how strangely our Saviour's words were mistaken and misunderstood by his own disciples; they apprehend presently that John should not die, and so it passed current among them. From hence we may note, how much the wisdom of God is, and ought to be admired, in giving us. written word, a... [ Continue Reading ]
The great modesty of the holy evangelist St. John, is all along throughout his gospel very observable; he mentioneth himself hitherto under. third person; he calleth himself. disciple,. learner, who excelled the most accomplished doctors of the ages ever since. Here he speaks more plainly and expres... [ Continue Reading ]
John being about to conclude the history of our Saviour's life asserts, that there were many other miracles and special deeds done by Christ, both before and after his passion, which he had not recorded or set down; because, should all that Christ did and said be committed to writing, it would even... [ Continue Reading ]