_Six days before the passover_ Namely, on the sabbath; that which was called by the Jews, _The great sabbath._ This whole week was anciently termed, _The great and holy week; Jesus came_ From Ephraim, whither he had retired with his disciples, to preserve his life for a time from the murderous desig... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then took Mary a pound of ointment_, &c. See notes on Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:1. She did what is here related in token of the warm sense she had of the many favours Christ had conferred on her and her relations, but especially for the wonderful kindness he had lately shown to her brother Lazarus. _Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Much people knew he was there, and came_ Bethany being within two miles of Jerusalem, the news of his arrival soon reached the city, and drew out great numbers of the people; for they wished to see the man that had been raised from the dead, and the still more wonderful man that had raised him. And... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the next day_ On Sunday; _much people that were come to the feast_ From different parts of the country, particularly from Galilee; _took branches of palm-trees_, &c. So that this multitude consisted chiefly, not of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but of persons from other places. See this story ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people, therefore_ “Because the forwardness which the multitude now showed to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah was altogether extraordinary, the evangelist assigns the cause thereof. The witnesses of the resurrection of Lazarus had published the miracle far and near. As they were many in number... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there were certain Greeks_ A prelude of the Gentile Church. The phrase, τινες Ελληνες, here used, signifies properly, as translators have rendered it, _certain Greeks._ But all the Gentiles being thus named by the Jews, it was intended to denote their religion, rather than their country: they h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus answered, saying_ This phraseology intimates the suitableness of the following discourse to this particular occasion; by attending to which, many of the beauties of it will be discovered. Our Lord might, perhaps, enlarge on some of these hints; and if his hearers took a due notice of them, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now is my soul troubled_ Our Lord, having uttered what is above recorded, seems to have paused for a while, and entered on a deep contemplation of the very different scene which lay before him; the prospect of which moved him to such a degree, that he uttered his grief in these and the following do... [ Continue Reading ]
_Father, glorify thy name_ Whatever I suffer. For this may be considered as a further expression of his resignation, importing that he was willing to submit to whatever the Father should judge necessary for the manifestation of his perfections: as if he had said, Dispose of me and all my concerns in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now is the judgment of this world_ Which I am going to conquer and condemn, that by my death my followers may both be taught and enabled to triumph over it, and those may be convinced of sin that believe not in me. Some interpreters render the clause, _Now is this world come to its crisis:_ and oth... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people answered_ Understanding the phrase as implying some violent death shortly to come upon him; _We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth for ever_ On hearing Jesus affirm that he was to be lifted up, or taken off by a violent death, they told him that it was inconsistent with the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Though he had done so many miracles before them_ So that they could not but see them; _yet they believed not on him_ That is, in general they did not; being hardened in their infidelity. _That the saying of Esaias might_ Or rather, _So that the saying of Esaias was, fulfilled_, as Dr. Doddridge ren... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him_ Though the greater part of those to whom Christ preached rejected him, his sermons were not wholly unsuccessful; for a number of the chief magistrates, and other principal people, believed on him; yet they did not openly profess their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus_ On some occasion or other, soon after this, in order to strengthen the faith of those timid and diffident disciples (if such they could be called) last mentioned, and to inspire them with courage; _cried_ Or proclaimed, with a loud voice, when, it appears, a considerable number of people wer... [ Continue Reading ]