_Verily_, &c. The Pharisees supported themselves in their opposition to Christ with this principle, that they were pastors of the church; and that Jesus, having no commission from them, was an intruder and an impostor, and that, therefore, the people were bound in duty to adhere to them against him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd_, &c. “This mode of speaking, with us, conveys the notion that the shepherd is the only person who enters by the door; yet the door-keeper, and the sheep themselves, enter also the same way. The original expression is manifestly intended to denote the... [ Continue Reading ]
_This parable spake Jesus: but they understood not_, &c. In this symbolical way Jesus taught the Pharisees the difference between true and false teachers; but they did not understand the meaning of what he said: therefore he added, by way of explication, _Verily, verily, I say unto you_ I solemnly a... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the door_ I therefore repeat it again, as a most important truth, that I myself am the only right door of entrance into the church of God; _if any one_, as a sheep, _enter in_ By me, through faith; _he shall be saved_ Now and hereafter; or rather, _he shall be safe_, like a sheep in its fold,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the good shepherd_ Jesus, having represented himself as the _door of the sheep_, and intimated the regards which ought to be maintained to him as such, particularly by those that professed to be teachers of others, now changes the similitude, and represents himself, by way of eminence, the goo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And other sheep have I_ Whom I foreknow as repenting and believing in me; _which are not of this fold_ Not of the Jewish Church or nation, but Gentiles. Some, indeed, understand by these the Jews living out of the land of Canaan; but certainly they could not with propriety be said not to belong to... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was a division among the Jews_ These sayings of our Lord “affected the minds of the Jews differently, for some of them cried out that he was possessed and mad, and that it was folly to hear him; others, judging more impartially of him and his doctrine, declared that his discourses were not th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication_ Or, as εγενετο δε τα εγκαινια may be rendered, _Now the feast of dedication came on at Jerusalem:_ for it does not appear that the preceding discourses, from John 7:14, were delivered at this feast, but at the feast of tabernacles. Dr. Campbell r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then came the Jews round about him_, &c. Here the Jews came and required him to put them out of doubt, by telling them plainly, whether he was the Messiah or not: Jesus knowing that it was not information they were seeking, but an opportunity of accusing him to the Romans, as a seditious person, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_My sheep hear my voice_, &c. Our Lord still alludes to the discourse he had had before this festival. As if he had said, My sheep are those who, 1st, _Hear my voice_ by faith; 2d, Are _known_ (that is, approved) by me as loving me; and, 3d, _Follow me_, keep my commandments, with a believing, lovin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus answered, Many good works have I showed you from my Father_ That is, in confirmation of my mission from my Father I have wrought many miracles, all of a beneficent kind, and most becoming the perfections of my Father, who sent me. I have fed the hungry, I have healed the lame, I have cured th... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I do not the works of my Father_, &c. When I claim the character of _the Son of God_, I do not expect to be credited merely on my own affirmation: if I do not such glorious works as could not be performed by any but a divine agent, _believe me not: but if I do_ If it be apparent that I do such w... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_, presently departing from Jerusalem, _he went again beyond Jordan_ Into Perea, a country for the most part desert and rocky; _the place where John at first baptized_ Called Bethabara, John 1:28; _and there he abode_ Probably till he came into Judea, to raise Lazarus from the dead, that being t... [ Continue Reading ]