_Now before the feast of the passover_ That is, before they began the passover-supper; _when Jesus knew_ Greek, ειδως Ιησους, _Jesus having known; that his hour was come_ The hour which he had long expected; sometimes called his enemies' hour, the hour of their triumph; sometimes his hour, the hour... [ Continue Reading ]
_And supper being ended_ Or, as δειπνου γενομενου should rather be translated, _supper_, or _supper-time, being come_, or, _while they were at supper_, as Dr. Campbell renders it. Thus, John 21:4, πρωιας γενομενης, _when morning was come. Acts 12:18_; Acts 16:35, ημερας γενομενης, _when day was come... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God_, &c. That is, although he was conscious of his own greatness, as being invested with the government of all things, and as having existed in heaven before he appeared on earth, and as being sure of retu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus said, What I do thou knowest not now_ Thou dost not now know what I intend by this action, but thou shalt know hereafter, a declaration which we may apply on many occasions, for many of his works (whether of creation, providence, or grace) are now great mysteries to us, and known to us, eithe... [ Continue Reading ]
_So after he had washed their feet_, &c. After he had given them such a striking proof of his humility, condescension, and love, by performing to them the office of the meanest slave; _he said, Know ye what I have done to you?_ Know ye the meaning of what I have done? for the action was emblematical... [ Continue Reading ]
_Verily, the servant is not greater than his lord_ And therefore ought not to think much either of doing or suffering the same things. _If ye know these things_ Therefore, knowing your duty in this particular, ye are happy if you practise it. _I speak not of you all_ When I call you happy; nor do I... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit_ To think of so ungrateful and impious a design in one so near him, and so much obliged to him; _and testified_ As they sat together, and were eating the paschal-supper, Mark 14:18; _Verily, one of you shall betray me_ Verily, how incredible soeve... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was leaning on Jesus's bosom_ That is, sitting next to him at table. This phrase only expresses the then customary posture at meals, where the guests all leaned sideways on couches, and each was said to _lie in the bosom_ of him who was placed next above him; _one of the disciples whom Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
_And after the sop Satan entered into him_ More fully; “non secundum substantiam,” says Jerome, “sed secundum operationem,” _not as to his substance, but as to his operation;_ as he is said to do when man's will is fully inclined to obey his motions. _Then said Jesus, That thou doest, do quickly_ Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he was gone out_ Having quitted the place in a mixture of rage and confusion, as being marked out both by Christ's actions and words; _Jesus said_ To the rest of the disciples, as they sat at the table with him; _Now_ While I speak this; _is the Son of man glorified_ Or, is just on the point o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Little children_ An expression intended to signify both their weakness and his tenderness and compassion; as if he had said, Ye whom I love with parental tenderness, and whom my heart pities under all your trials and sorrows; _yet a little while_, &c. That is, It is but a very little while longer t... [ Continue Reading ]
_By this shall all men know_ that you _are my disciples_ Your loving one another sincerely and fervently, and in the manner and degree I now enjoin, will be the most acceptable and the most ornamental token of your relation to me, and the noblest badge of your profession. The reader will not need to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Simon Peter saith, Lord, whither goest thou_, &c. The exalted virtue which our Lord had just inculcated, did not make so strong an impression on Peter's mind, as the words which he had before spoken, concerning his going away to a place where his disciples could not come. He therefore replies by th... [ Continue Reading ]