Judas goeth to the priests. JOHN XIV. Many mansions in God's house. 30 that he should give something to the poor. He | Verily, verily, I say to thee, The cock shall then having received the sop went out immedi- not crow, until thou hast denied me thrice." 31 ately and it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified 32 by him. If God be glorified by him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and will immediately 33 glorify him. Little children, I have but a little time to be with you. Ye will seek me: and as I said to the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot 34 come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; that, as I have loved you, ye also love one 35 another. By this all men will know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, whither goest thou?" Jesus answered him, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou 37 shalt follow me hereafter." Peter said to him, Master, why cannot I follow thee now? I will 38 lay down my life for thy sake." Jesus answered him, “Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? 36 REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XIII. 1. Let us turn our eyes to him whom we justly call our Lord; and surely if any thing can effect a cure of our pride, it must be words and actions like those now described. In what a habit do we see Jesus; the great heir of all things; in what an attitude do we see him! Whom would a stranger have taken for the lowest of the company, but him who was high over all created nature! It was not any personal attachment to these disciples, which engaged him to perform this humble office, but a regard to the edification of all his ministers and people, that they might learn by love to serve one another. Surely we need cleansing from the dregs of pride; and in this view we may desire that he may wash and purify us. 2. While we read of the baseness of Judas, let us cultivate sincerity, and look well to our motives. It is a distressing reflection, CHAPTER XIV. A. D. 33. Christ comforteth his disciples; professeth himself the way, &c. promiseth the Holy Spirit as the comforter, &c. Jesus also said to his disciples, "Let not 1 your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are 2 many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And 3 after I shall have prepared a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, ye also may be. And whither 4 I go ye know, and the way ye know." Thomas 5 saith to him, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Jesus 6 saith to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye would 7 have known my Father: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." that there should be one, who having eaten of Christ's bread, been one of his household, should lift up his heel against him. May we never incur such awful guilt! We are treated as his friends, and permitted to sit at his table; and may our hearts bear testimony to the sin cerity of our love and confidence, so that we may be able to stand before him, who searches them. 3. Let us remember the new commandment. This should be the distinguishing badge of our relation to him, even our love to one another, not as men only, but as disciples. In this sense the comínand is new; and by the exercise of christian affection, we shall adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and he will be glorified by us on earth. In this case we may joyfully expect that he will glorify us with himself, and bring us to the regions of perfect love, joy and peace, where we shall dwell for ever and ever. your confidence in God, and especially in those troubles which are coming upon you. See Campbell's note. 2. In my Father's house, &c. In heaven, which he speaks of under the notion of a temple, in which are many mansions, where those are to abide who are made kings and priests unto God. Perhaps this intimates various degrees of glory.I go to prepare, &c. This was prepared in the purpose of God from the foundation of the world, Matt. xxv. 34.; but as that was founded on the mediation of Christ, it may be strictly said, that when he entered there as our High-priest and forerunner, to present as it were, his own blood, he prepared it for the admission of his people. See Heb. ix. 23, 24. 3. I will come again, &c. He refers to his coming at the last day. 6. I am the way, &c. To the Father, and every promise I make is truth, so that ye may joyfully expect life, eternal life hereafter. 7. Ye know him, &c. Ye know him in me, ye know his will, and ye see and have seen his power, wisdom and love displayed. Union of the Father and Son. JOHN XIV. 8 Philip saith to him, "Master, show us the 9 Father, and it sufficeth us." Jesus saith to him, "Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not yet know me, Philip? He that He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how 10 sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words which I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father 11 who dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me but if not, believe me for the works 12 themselves. Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believeth in me, the works which I do shall he also do; and greater works than these 13 shall he do, because I go unto my Father; And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with 17 you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye shall know him; for he shall abide with you, and shall be 18 in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will 19 come to you. Yet a little while, and the world shall see me no more; but ye shall see me: 20 because I live, ye also shall live. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and you The Comforter promised. in me, and I in you. He that hath my com- 21 mandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." Judas saith to him, not Iscariot, "Master, 22 how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" Jesus answered and 23 said to him, "If any man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not 24 my words: and yet the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. "These things I speak unto you, while I 25 remain with you. But the Comforter, the 26 Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with 27 you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be dismayed. Ye have heard that I said to you, "I go away, 28 and come again unto you.' If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I 29 have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe. Hereafter 30 I shall not talk much with you: for the prince of the world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But I lay down my life that the world may 31 9. He that hath seen, &c. Our Lord is not speaking of the divine essence, but of seeing the divine perfections and excellencies. He that had seeu bim work miracles, had seen the wisdom, power, and goodness of God; for these were wrought by the Father as well as the son; and his doctrine was the revelation of the Father's will.j 12-14. Greater works, &c. More in number and in kind; more illustrious and astonishing. The gifts of speaking various languages, prophesying, &c. may be meant. 1 Cor. xii. 1, &c -Ask any thing, . Any thing for the establishment of my cause; any thing suitable to the nature of my spiritual kingdom. 16. Comforter. The word also signifies, advocate and monitor,' the last of which Campbell has adopted. See his excellent note. 17-18. Spirit of truth, &c. So called, because the Spirit was to reveal and make known all evangelical truth to the apostles -Comfortless, or orphans. They would be soon bereaved of him who had been as a father; but he would give to them the Spirit to supply his place. 19. Ye shall see me. After his resurrection they should see him; and because he would triumph over death, they should also triumph, and finally enjoy eternal life. 20. Know that I am in, &c. When they received the Spirit of truth, before promised, they should know that Jesus was one with the Father, and they one with him by their faith and obedience; and that he was in them by his spirit, richly endowing them with his gifts. 22. Manifest thyself unto us, &c. This disciple thought that the kingdom of Christ would not be a spiritual, but a temporal one. 23. We will come unto him, &c. This can only mean, we will give him such proofs of our love and presence as the world cannot understand. 23. The Comforter, &c. What follows explains the office of the Spirit. He was to teach them many things which they had not been taught; and to bring to their recollection the instructions which Jesus had given them; and by these things he would be a comforter as well as monitor. 27. Peace I leave, &c. Comfort, tranquillity, confidence in God, union among yourselves, and good-will towards men; all which the spirit of peace inspired. 28. Is greater than I. Than I am as mediator, and as sent by him. In this respect, the Father is greater than the Son. 30. The prince of the, &c. Satan cometh by Judas and the wicked priests and rulers; but he will find no sin to give him power over me. 1 Jesus then said, "I am the true vine, and 2 my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me which beareth not fruit, he taketh away; || and every branch which beareth fruit, he cleaneth by pruning it, that it may bear more 3 fruit. Now ye are clean through the word 4 which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I will abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine; no more can ye, unless ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, he bringeth forth much fruit: for severed from me ye can do 6 nothing. If a man abide not in me, he shall be cast out as a branch that is withered: men gather such, and cast into the fire, and they 7 are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XIV. 1. Let us remember that it was not for the apostle salone, that Christ went to prepare a place. He has entered into heaven as the forerunner of all his believing people, and by virtue of their union to him, they may be said to sit together with him in heavenly places. Let us seek that better country, and be continually advancing towards it. We know the way; we hear the truth, and O that we may feel and enjoy the life. May we ever be enabled to come to the Father by Christ as the true and life-giving way; that we may have eternal life, in knowing him the only true God, and Jesus whom he hath sent. In the person of Christ we may see the glory of the Father; as his express image, his only begotten Son, full of grace and truth, and this will satisfy us. 2. We are reminded that as believers, we ought not to look on ye shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father 8 glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so will be my disciples. As the Father hath loved 9 me, so have I loved ye in my love. you: abide If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide 10 in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These 11 things have I spoken to you, that my joy may abide in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one 12 another, as I have loved you. Greater love 13 than this hath no man; that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if 14 ye do whatsoever things I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the 15 servant knoweth not what his master doeth ; but I call you friends; for all things which I have heard from my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have 16 chosen chosen you, and ordained you, that ye may go and bear fruit, and that your fruit may remain : that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I com- 17 mand you, that ye may love one another. If 18 ourselves, in any circumstances, as abandoned and deserted orphans. Men may forsake us, and persecute us; but Christ will come unto us, and manifest himself to the eye of faith, though to the eye of sense he is invisible. The Father will also love us, and watch over us for good; yea he will come and dwell with us by his spirit and gracious presence. Do we experience this? What reason have we to adopt the language of his apostle, "Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?" What have we done to deserve such peculiar and distinguishing favour! Nay, how much have we done to forfeit it; yea more than many to whom it is not granted. With pleasure let us consider the bequest of our Lord: "My peace I leave with you." Having made peace, he imparts it to the heart; and may it rule there and hush to silence every storm of sin and passion. 31. But I lay down, &c. See Ch. x. 18. With Newcome, I have supplied the ellipsis: and his laying down his life, in obedience to the Father's will, was a proof of his love.Arise, &c. With Doddridge, I think this may refer to rising from table, when the paschal supper was ended; and that the following discourse was delivered in the house, before he went to Geth semane. CHAP. XV. 2-3. He pruneth, &c. It has been observed that there is a verbal allusion, or paronomasia in these verses. To the barren branch the word apt is applied; and to the fruitful one xabasgii. With Campbell, I have preserved it in the second, that the reference in the third verse may be understood. The word or doctrine of Christ had had a purifying influence on their minds; as branches they had been cleansed by it as by pruning. 4-6. Abide in me, &c. The figure is pursued, and as the life and fruit fulness of the branch depend on its union with the stock; so their spiritual life, on their faith in, and obedience to, their Lord and Saviour. 8. So will ye be my, &c. So ye will be known and distinguished as my disciples; and the Father will be honoured and glorified. 9. Abide in my love. The next verse explains this to mean, 'so conduct yourselves that ye may continue the objects of my love.' 11. My joy in you. Or, that I may continue to have joy in you. That my joy in your faith, love and stedfastness may abide; and your joy in me, &c. 13-16. Greater love, &c. Human affection rarely leads men to this sacrifice which I am going to make for you. I have not only called you my friends, but have given you the best proofs of it; and will yet afford more in the answering of your prayers. 17-20. These things, &c. See Ch. xiii. 14.; xiv. 2, 12-15.—The The Comforter promised. JOHN XVI. Persecution foretold. shall testify of me: And, ye also shall testify. 27 because ye have been with me from the begin CHAPTER XVI. A. D. 33. Christ comforteth his disciples by the promise of the Spirit, and by his resurrection and ascension; he assureth them that their prayers will be answered. the world hate you, ye know that it hated me 19 before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because yening." are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth 20 you. Remember the words which I said to you, 'The servant is not greater than his master!' If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also, if they have kept my saying, they 21 will keep your's also. But all these things they will do unto you on account of my name, be22 cause they know not him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse 23 for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my 24 Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they would not have had sin; but now they have both seen and have hated, both me and my 25 Father. But this cometh to pass, so that the words are fulfilled which are written in their 26 law, They hated me without a cause.' But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER XV. 1. Let us learn from this discourse, to regard Christ at all times as our spiritual and divine Head, from whom life and vigour are derived to all his people. It should be our concern by the exercise of an unfeigned and lively faith, "to abide in him as the true vine; "being sensible that without or separate from him we can do nothing good and acceptable. If we are in him only by an outward profession, we are not only in danger of being "cut off" and taken away, but of perishing like withered branches, which are "cast into the fire and consumed." Rather may we be cleansed and pruned, in whatever manner our heavenly father sees fit, if by this we may bring forth fruit to his glory, and the benefit of our fellow men. This is the end for which Christ has chosen us, that we should bear much fruit; and by this is God glorified. world hate, &c. As ye are not of it, nor can approve of its maxims and deeds, you may expect its hatred. Before it, &c. Dr. Lardner would render, Ye know that it hated me your prince or chief ;' which Campbell has well refuted. See his note. If they have persecuted, &c. The disciples knew in what manuer Jesus had often been treated, and his doctrine rejected; and he warns them to expect the like opposition. 22. Not have had sin, &c. Their sin would not have been so great. See Ch. xvi. 9. They discover their sin as Sodom, and have no excuse for it. "THESE things I have spoken to you, that I ye may not offend. They will put you out of 2 the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he offereth God service. And these things will they do 3 unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things I have spo- 4 ken to you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now 5 I go to him who sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because 6 I have said these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is ex- 7 pedient for you that I go away; for if I go not 2. Jesus called himself the friend of his disciples, and assured them and us of his love. In return he requires us to love one another. Who would not imagine that the whole world would obey a command so wise, so holy, and so gracious? And what happiness would be the result of observing it! In the circulation of kind and friendly offices, the sum of human woe would be diminished, and much positive good communicated and enjoyed. But alas! how far are degenerate men from acting in this manner. They hate even Christ, and his servants for his sake; and even the Father also, and show it by their conduct. Let believers not be surprised, if the world hate them; for this is a proof that they are not of it. They are redeemed from its spirit, sins and follies; and being made partakers of a new nature, they obey God, and shall for ever enjoy him. So 27. Shall testify, &c. Under the influence of the spirit of truth, ye who have been with me from the first shall boldly testify of me before men. they did both in Jerusalem, and in distant countries. CHAP. XVI. 2. Offereth God service. Campbell renders, 'offereth sacrifice to God.' The sense is, that in killing them, they would foolishly think that they were performing a service as acceptable to God as offering sacrifice. 4, I was with you, &c. While he was with them, he could occasionally teach, comfort, and support them. 5. Asketh me, &c. See Ch. xiii. 36.; xiv. 5.; xii. 28. They had not yet so asked as to receive an answer which they understood, until what he says, verse 28. 7-11. It is expedient, &c. The spirit was not to be given in so abun185 1 Office of the Comforter. 10 away, the Comforter will not come unto you; 8 but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not in me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and 1 ye see me no longer; Of judgment, because 12 the prince of this world of this world is judged. judged. I have still many things to say to you, but ye cannot 13 bear them now. However, when he cometh, even the Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that will he speak and he will show you things to come. 14 He will glorify me: for he will receive of mine, 15 and will declare it unto you. All things which the Father hath are mine: therefore I have said, that he will receive of mine, and will de16 clare it unto you. A little while and ye will not see me and again, a little while, and ye will see me, because I go to the Father." 17 Christ will go to the Father. JOHN XVI. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, "What is this that he saith to us, A little while, and ye will not see me and again, a little while, and ye will see me and, 18 Because I go to the Father?" They said therefore, "What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he speaketh." 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said to them, "Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning what I said, 'A little while, and ye will not see me and again, a lit20 tle while, and ye will see me?" Verily, verily, : dant a measure until he was glorified,Of sin. Of their sin in rejecting him, by enabling the apostles to work such miracles in his name as would be evidence, the most convincing, of his divine mission, and that he was the Messiah.—Of righteousness. Of his righteousness and innocence; of the justice of his cause, and the perfection of his obedience to the divine will. His going to the Father would be the proof of this.—Of judgment. Soon to be inflicted on an incredulous nation, and in defence of the gospel, casting down the strong holds of Satan, the prince of this world; and of a judgment to come, when the secrets of all hearts will be made manifest, and every man will be treated according to his deeds. 12. Cannot bear them now. Such as the abolition of the law, the rejection of the Jews, the calling of the Gentiles, &c. Our Lord suited his instructions to their capacity." 14. Glorify me, &c. By his miraculous agency; and by enabling them to foretell future events. This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. 16. I go to the Father. A little while he was to be laid in the grave, but on his resurrection they should see him; yea, they should see him go up to the Father. ,, 17-22. Then said some, &c. Our Lord's speech was not understood, and the apostles were anxious to receive plainer instruction. Jesus knew their thoughts, and informs them, that events would soon arise which would explain what he had said. The hour of trial and suffering was at hand; buf he would see them again to their great joy, after his resurrection. 23. Ye shall not inquire, &c. You shall have no occasion to put questions,' in order to receive information, but shall understand the whole of what relates to me and the gospel. With Doddridge and Campbell, I think the verb twraw should be rendered differently from are; and the sense given is its primary one. See Biel and Schleus, 24-28. Asked nothing, &c. Nothing comparatively In figurative terms. Newcome renders, dark speeches;' and in his margin, figures.' Our Lord referred to many things which he did not intend should be understood, until he had finished the suffering part of his work.— Father himself, &c. This is a reason or motive why they should pray in his name; and this explains what he had been saying, verse 16, &c. shows a supernatural knowledge of their private discourse. 31. Do ye now believe. Admit the truth of what I have said; yet soon |