Annotations on the New Testament

CHAP. IV.

1. WHen therefore [the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples] then John,

[Paraphrase] 1. Christ knew that the Pharisees heard of his receiving more proselytes by that ceremony of baptism or washing.

2. Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,

3. He left Judea] and departed again into Galilee.

[Paraphrase] 3. Considering the danger that this might bring upon him from the Sanhedrim of the Jews, it being not yet the fit season for him to leave the world, till he had farther disseminated his doctrine, he left Judea for a time.

4. And he must needs go through Samaria.]

[Paraphrase] 4. And Samaria was in his way.

5. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6. Now Jacob's well was there: Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat [note a] thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.]

[Paraphrase] 6. In this place was the well which Jacob once digged, on which occasion Jesus being weary of travail sat down close by it on the ground, and it was about twelve of the clock, mid-day.

7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water, Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

8. For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.

9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no [dealings] with the Samaritans.

[Paraphrase] 9. commerce or communication of familiarity

10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest [the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee [note b] living water.]

[Paraphrase] 10. what a mercy & bounty of God is now designed thee, and who it is that made that request to thee, on purpose that thou mightest be partaker of a far greater gift, thou wouldst not have startled at this request, but have made advantage of it to ask, and he would certainly have given thee that fountain-water, of a divine special quality, which would have yielded thee eternal life.

11. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep, from whence then hast thou that living water?

12. Art thou greater then [our father Jacob,] which gave us the well, and drank' thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

[Paraphrase] 12. Jacob, from whom we Samaritans profess to receive our religion (and therefore refuse to go up to Jerusalem, which Moses, later then he, commanded.)

13. Jesus answered and said unto her, [Whosoever drinketh of this water, shall thirst again,]

[Paraphrase] 12. It is the nature of this ordinary water to quench thirst for a small time, but then constantly that thirst within a small time returns again, and so there is continual need of supply,

14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.]

[Paraphrase] 14. But that which I mean by water, and which upon thy bare petition I am ready to give thee, v. 10. will so refresh, that he shall never thirst again that drinketh of it, It shall be within himself a perpetually flowing fountain that of its own accord shall yield him daily refreshment here, and never cease till it end in everlasting life and bliss.

15. The woman] saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hitherto draw.

[Paraphrase] 15. As yet the woman understood not his meaning, but applying it grossly to corporal thirst, she

16. Jesus] saith unto her, Go call thy husband, and come hither.

[Paraphrase] 16. And therefore to work more sense in her, Jesus meaning to give her knowledge in some degree that he was the Messias, by discovering some acts and evidences of his omniscience,

17. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband.

18. For thou hast had five husbands, and he whom thou now hast, is not thine husband: in that saidst thou truly.

19. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive [thou art a prophet.]

[Paraphrase] 19. thou canst reveal the secrets of ones life, hast prophetic knowledge, If so, then I pray tell me, or satisfy me in this difficulty.

22. Our Fathers worshipped in this mountain, and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.]

[Paraphrase] 20. Jacob and the Patriarchs before the law (whose successors the Samaritans pretended to be, and so pleaded a greater antiquity for their schism, then the Jews had for their true worship, but this falsely, being indeed Assyrians, transplanted by Shalmaneser into the cities of Samaria, when the tribe of Ephraim and the rest of the kingdom of Israel, which inhabited there, were by him carried into Assyria, 2 Kin. 17. 24.) worshipped in mount Ephraim at Shiloh, in the country of Samaria, where anciently the tabernacle and the ark of God were, long before the building of the temple at Jerusalem; And yet ye Jews say that 'tis not lawful to perform the solemn worship of God in any place but Jerusalem.

21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh when [ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father.]

[Paraphrase] 21. the worship of God shall be so far from being confined to this place, that it shall not be confined to Jerusalem itself, nay a desolation shall shortly overwhelm both.

22. Ye worship ye know not what, we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

[Paraphrase] 22. Ye worship the God of the land, 2 Kin. 17. 26. without any knowledge who that is, and your own God's with him, We Jews worship the eternal God of heaven, who hath revealed himself to us, For the special revelations of God, beyond that which other nations enjoy, belong to the Jews, and so all manner of advantages toward our eternal good.

23. But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: For the Father seeketh such to worship him.]

[Paraphrase] 23. But now the time of Reformation approacheth, and God will be worshipped and obeyed neither in the Judaical rites, (which are oft called carnal, and consisted in external performances) nor according to the Samaritan false worship, who worshipped their own idols together with God. 2 Kin. 17. but in a pure spiritual manner extending to the very heart, and such as was typified by those shadows; and the son of God now comes to draw all men to this way of worship, to the Christian from the Judaical or Samaritan way. See note on Lu. 9. d.

24. God is a Spirit, and [they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.]

[Paraphrase] 24. is especially delighted with the Christian worship, which is taught to join the soul with the external performances, and to worship the true God now revealed by Christ, after that manner, wherein Christ reveals him.

25. The woman saith unto him, [I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ, when he is come, he will tell us all things.]

[Paraphrase] 25. This reformation thou talkest of, we know shall be wrought when the Messias or Christ comes, and him we do expect.

26. Jesus saith unto her, [I that speak unto thee am he. ]

[Paraphrase] 26. I am that Messias.

27. And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou, or, Why talkest thou with her?]

[Paraphrase] 27. As he said this, the disciples came back from the city, v. 8. and thought it strange that he should thus discourse with this woman, yet no man was so curious as to ask him the reason, or require of him an account of this action.

28. The woman then left her water-pot, and went away into the city, and saith to the men.

29. Come see a man which told me [all things that ever I did: Is not this the Christ?]

[Paraphrase] 29. many things of my life, which were so secret, that it is not imaginable how he should know them, were he not the Messias.

30. Then [they] went out of the city, and came unto him.

[Paraphrase] 30. the people of Sychar

31. In the mean while his disciples [note c] prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32. But he said unto them, [I have meat to eat that ye know not of.]

[Paraphrase] 32. I have somewhat to do more valuable to me, then eating.

33. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34. Jesus saith unto them, [My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.]

[Paraphrase] 34. My doing the office for which I was sent, is as pleasant and more necessary to me, then meat or drink.

35. Say not ye, There are four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.]

[Paraphrase] 35. 'It is not with my harvest as 'tis with that in the fields, four months yet to that time, Consider and ye shall see the great inclinations and forwardness of men to receive the Gospel, if it may be preached unto them.

36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth may rejoice together.]

[Paraphrase] 36. And they that will but go out, and preach to them, shall receive reward for their pains, and by converting others advantage themselves eternally, and come to reap the fruits of all that seed, that the prophets &c. from all time have sowed.

37. And herein is that saying true, One soweth and another reapeth.]

[Paraphrase] 37. So that to this may the proverb be applied, One soweth &c. that is, the prophets sowed this seed of the Gospel, in foretelling Christ's coming, and the Apostles they reap the harvest of converts to him.

38. I have sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor; other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.]

[Paraphrase] 38. The prophets have so prepared men's hearts to receive the Gospel, that there needs very little pains of yours, you may at first preaching of the Gospel reap a whole harvest of proselytes.

39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for the saying of the woman which testified, [He told me all that ever I did.]

[Paraphrase] 39. He told me the secrets of my life, which he being a stranger could not know, if he were a mere man.

40. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them, [and he abode there two days.]

[Paraphrase] 40. And though Mat. 10. 5. he forbad his disciples at that time to go into any city of the Samaritans, (that they might make the Jews see they were his peculiar care at that time) yet to show that the Gospel was not their enclosure, he now himself stays with the Samaritans two days, and preacheth the Gospel to them.

41. And many more believed [because of his own words.]

[Paraphrase] 41. upon what they heard from him themselves.

42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the [Christ, the Savior of the world.]

[Paraphrase] 42. Messias that was to come to redeem the world.

43. Now after two days he departed thence, and [went into Galilee.

44. For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.]

[Paraphrase] 43, 44. went to Galilee, avoiding or passing another way, not by Nazareth, the place of his education, because, according to the proverb, he expected no reception there, he went another way, not by the lake of Genesareth, but by Thabor and Carmel toward Cana, where he had wrought his first miracle.

45. Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went unto the feast.]

[Paraphrase] 45. And upon this second coming of his among the Galileans, they having, since he was there last, seen what miracles he had done at Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover, c. 2. 14. they thereupon gave him a very kind reception (and after the cure of the courtiers son which follows here, teaching publicly in the Synagogues of Galilee he was glorified of all, Lu. 4. 15.)

46. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine, and there was a certain [note d] noble man, whose son was sick at Capernaum,

47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

48. Then said Jesus unto him, [Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.]

[Paraphrase] 48. I perceive there is need of doing miracles among you, to work faith in you, This weakness therefore of yours I will indulge to.

49. The noble man saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way, thy son [liveth.] And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and went his way.

[Paraphrase] 50. is recovered, see v. 52, and 53.

51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son [liveth.]

[Paraphrase] 51. is recovered.

52. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend; and they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him; Thy son liveth, and himself believed and his whole house.

54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus [did,] when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.

[Paraphrase] 54. did in Cana, as he had done one before, Joh. 2. 8. (having done many betwixt these in other places at Jerusalem, and in Judea, c. 3. 2.)

CHAP. V.

1. AFter this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2. Now there is at Jerusalem [ [note a] by the sheep- market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda,] having five porches.

[Paraphrase] 2. on, or by the pool where the sacrifices are wont to be washed, an house, or building, or place, surnamed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an house of mercy, because the sick lay there to be cured.

3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, blind, halt, withered, waiting for [the moving of the water.]

[Paraphrase] 3. a time of advantage to go into the water, which had this healing force in it but at certain times, and when it had been newly troubled; See note a.

4. For an Angel] went down into the pool at a certain season, and troubled the water, whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

[Paraphrase] 4. For an angel, or, as it may be probably supposed, an officer for that purpose, (see note on Act. 12. d. and here note a.)

5. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had [been now a long time in that case, ] he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

[Paraphrase] 6. had a tedious chronical sickness of it,

7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool, but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.

10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day, [it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.]

[Paraphrase] 10. the carrying of thy bed is the carrying of a burden, and that a labor contrary to the Sabbatick rest, and therefore unlawful to be done by thee.

11. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk.

12. Then asked they him, What man is he that said unto thee, Take up thy bed and walk?

13. And he that was healed wist not who it was, [for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.]

[Paraphrase] 13. For by reason of the great multitude that was there at the time, Jesus had opportunity to depart from among them, without any man's taking notice of it.

14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the Temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee.]

[Paraphrase] 14. The cure that was lately wrought upon thee thou knew'st not by whom, must oblige thee to an upright reformation of life, or else thou art to expect more fearful judgments then that disease was.

15. The man departed, and told the Jews, that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

16. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had [done these things] on the Sabbath day.

[Paraphrase] 16. both wrought a cure (which they thought unlawful on the Sabbath, Mar. 3. 2.) and also bad him to carry his bed v. 10.

17. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.]

[Paraphrase] 17. To this exception of theirs against him, because of his curing on the Sabbath, Jesus made this reply, God my Father, from whose rest you take the celebration of the Sabbath, did not so rest from all work on the Sabbath day, but that ever since he hath done works of providence (see Chrysostom hom. 10. in. Gen. p. 63.) and of preservation and mercy every day, And why may not I his Son do so without exception, my Fathers actions and mine being the same?

18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, not only because he had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his father, [making himself equal with God.]

[Paraphrase] 18. which the Jews, that knew that the son of God must be of the very divine nature (as a son is of the same nature with his father) and therefore equal with God, •• erpreted to be a blasphemy in him, whom they believed not to be the Messias, and therefore fit to be punished with death.

19. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doth, these also doth the son likewise.]

[Paraphrase] 19. To this exception of theirs against Christ he answers, although I affirm myself the son of God, and so am rightly concluded by you to be equal with my Father, yet this is far from being matter of impiety in me, far from opposing myself against God, For I do nothing but what is the express will of my Father that I should do, and therefore twas reasonable for me to say what I did, v. 17. that my Fathers actions will justify me in doing the 〈◊〉 .

20. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that he doth; and he will show him greater things then these, that ye may marvel.]

[Paraphrase] 20. For out of the infinite love my Father bears to me, he communicates all things to me, and by that means you are likely to have greater matter of wonderment, then this curing a sick man on the Sabbath can amount to.

21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them: even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.]

[Paraphrase] 21. For even to the raising of the dead, far greater then the curing of the sick, my Father hath communicated his power to me, and as my Father raiseth, so will I whomsoever I please.

22. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.]

[Paraphrase] 22. And for the office of judging (Angels, or Men) my Father doth it not himself, but hath put all into the Sons hand, both the present governing of the Church, and final sentencing of all.

23. That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father, he that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.]

[Paraphrase] 23. And so by this means it appears that as it was no fault in me to say what I did v. 17. though it were the equalling myself with the Father, so it must needs be great hypocrisy in you to think and pretend that you zealously honor my Father, when you do despise and dishonor me, which am sent with this power at this time, on purpose to be honored by all men, in the same manner as my Father is honored, that so I may work a reformation among you.

24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.]

[Paraphrase] 24. This is so perfectly the will of my Father, that I must tell you, that on your heeding and hearkening to me at this time, and believing and entertaining my doctrine, as the message of God, depends your eternal well-being, your escaping eternal death, and attaining eternal life.

25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live.]

[Paraphrase] 25. And I assure you, this power which God my Father hath given me at this time, extendeth to the greatest things, even to raising the dead out of their graves (as also sinners out of their graves of sin,) which power you shall shortly see (nay in the spiritual sense is already) exercised by me.

26. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.]

[Paraphrase] 26. For as God hath of and from himself power to give life to anything, so hath he given this power to me, and I have it.

27. And he hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the son of man.]

[Paraphrase] 27. And as I am Godman, that is, in that I have thus humbled myself to this mean estate (which ought not to lessen, but rather increase the account which is due to me in the world) my Father, by way of reward, (Phil. 2. 8, 9.) hath given me all power and authority, both now and hereafter, in and over his Church. And so again in other respects, as 1. that men having a merciful high priest, (not such an one as cannot suffer, or consequently be touched with our infirmities, but one, that is a man upon the earth, in all things, tempted like unto us, yet without sin) might have confidence of access to him, in his present government of all things, and 2. that men which have bodies and so are visible (and are to be judged hereafter as well as Angels) may have a visible judge of them, and of all things done in their bodies.

28. Marvaile not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice.]

[Paraphrase] 28. Let not what I say be matter of wonderment to you, for certainly there shall be (as certainly as if it were come already) a time of general resurrection for all the dead; (and an essay thereof shall shortly be seen among you.)

29. And shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.]

[Paraphrase] 29. And the righteous shall have their bodies and souls united in bliss, and the wicked shall also have a restitution of their bodies, to receive their sentence and punishment.

30. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, so I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 30. My judgment is a righteous judgment and agreeable to my Fathers method, and decree, that they which believe on me, shall be saved, and they that reject me, damned. This my Father hath declared, and therefore 'tis not the seeking either honor or revenge to myself, that I say or do this, but the going according to my Fathers prescript, and nothing else.

31. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

32. There is another that beareth witness of me, and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me, is true.]

[Paraphrase] 31, 32. If I did anything that tended to mine own honor, and were a single witness therein, you might reasonably except against it, but as that which I do, is not to honor myself, but only to execute my Fathers will, so for the truth of what I say, my Father bears witness of me, and hath done it already, by sending the Spirit, and a voice from heaven, and giving me power to do miracles, and that sure is a competent testimony, which can deceive none.

33. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.]

[Paraphrase] 33. And for the trial hereof, you have sent to John, who baptized me, when the Spirit so descended on me, and he that saw it, testified to you the truth of it.

34. But I receive not testimony from man, but these things I say, that ye might be saved.]

[Paraphrase] 34. But as for me I need not the testimony of John, or any man, but yet that you that believe him, may believe him of me, and so escape and fly from the danger, which approacheth you, I thus mention to you his testimony, which was of such authority with you.

35. He was a burning and shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.]

[Paraphrase] 35. He was that Elias, described Ecclus. 48. by being like fire, and his word burning like a lamp, and for a while you liked well to hear him, but as soon as he testified of me, then you presently rejected him.

36. But I have greater witness then that of John; for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 36. But I have no need of that testimony of his, for the working of those miracles, which God hath enabled me to work, is a greater demonstration of my being sent by God, then John the Baptist's testimony, that he saw the Spirit descend upon me.

37. And the Father himself which sent me, hath born witness of me: Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.]

[Paraphrase] 37. And God the Father by voice from heaven hath testified of me, But ye, as, according to your Fathers desire, expressed Exod. 20. 19. Deut. 5. 25. and 18. 16. ye have not heard the voice of God, nor seen his appearance, so it appears by your actions, ye behave yourselves as those that know nothing of God, ungodly impious men, see 1 Joh. 3. 6.

38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath • ent, him ye believe not.]

[Paraphrase] 38. And for that only means left you, the word of God revealed to you, ye do not make use of that, or live according to it, as is apparent by your not believing on me, who have seen, and heard, and know his will, and am sent by God, as the only means of declaring that will to you, and am foretold in the scripture, as the Messias to come.

39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.]

[Paraphrase] 39. Look into, and examine the writings of the Old Testament, whereon you depend, and believe that through performance of the Mosaical precepts, you shall have eternal life. And on examination you shall find that all those prophecies are types and fulfilled in me, and that all the promises of life there made, have an aspect on me, the giver of life. And ye will not come to me that ye might have life.]

40. And ye will not come to me that ye might have life.]

[Paraphrase] 40. But ye, though ye look upon these as the repository of your present and eternal bliss, and though they direct you to me as the only means to attain it, yet willfully reject me, and by that means your eternal bliss also.

41. I receive not honor from men.

42. But I know you that ye have not the love of God in you.

[Paraphrase] 41, 42. Alas, 'tis not your approbation, or estimation (to be acknowledged, or well-spoken of by you) that I contend for, while I thus speak. But to this purpose I say it. By your dealing with me, who come with this testimony of my Father, it is apparent and discernible, how far you are (whatever you pretend) from all piety and love of God, that this testimony of God cannot work on you to receive me, but the being well-spoken of by men (see c. 12. 43.) is all you care for, and because that may be lost by receiving me, therefore am I rejected by you.

43. I am come in my fathers name, and ye receive me not; If another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.]

[Paraphrase] 43. But to see the sottishness of your dealings: I bring my commission from God, and ye heed it not, and yet if another without any commission from God, a mere counterfeit, shall, in his own name, come, and undertake to seduce you, such as Simon Magus, (see note on 2 Thess. 2. e) what multitudes of you Jews will follow him?

44. How can ye believe which receive honor of one another, and seek not the honor, that cometh from God only?]

[Paraphrase] 44. 'It is not possible you should believe aright, that are so in love with the praise of men, as to take him for a prophet, who hath no other testimony that he is so, but his own, or the voice of other men, and dare not believe on me, the rulers, for fear of displeasing the people, and the people, the rulers, and mean while both contemn the favor, and approbation of God, and set his testimony at naught, reject me, who come authorized with that.

45. Do not think that I will accuse you to my Father, there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom you trust.]

[Paraphrase] 45. 'It is not so much I, to whom you have done this affront, and therefore I shall not need to bring any complaint or indictment against you before my Father, but 'tis our own prophet Moses, on whom you pretend to depend so much, and he will rise up to testify against you.

46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.]

[Paraphrase] 46. Had you but heeded and believed Moses, that prophet so valued by you, his predictions & typical representations would have led you to believe on me, in whom they all are fulfilled.

47. But if you believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words.]

[Paraphrase] 47. But if your own Moses cannot be heard by you, I cannot expect to have that authority with you.

CHAP. VI.

1. AFter these thing Jesus went over the [sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.]

[Paraphrase] 1. lake of Gennesareth in Galilee, to that part of it which is near the city Tiberias, see note on Lu. 8. c.

2. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw [his miracles which he did] on them that were diseased.

[Paraphrase] 2. the miraculous cures which he wrought

3. And Jesus went up into a [mountain,] and there he sat with his disciples.

[Paraphrase] 3. mountainous desert part, belonging to the city Bethsaida, Lu. 9. 10.

4. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

5. When Jesus then lift up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, [Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?]

[Paraphrase] 5. Where shall we have money with which we may buy bread enough to feed all this multitude.

(6. And this he said to prove him, for he himself knew what he would do.)

7. Philip answered him, Two hundred penyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may [take a little.]

[Paraphrase] 7. receive a small proportion to refresh him.

8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9. There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes, but what are they among so many?

10. And Jesus said, [Make the men sit down.] Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down in number about five thousand.

[Paraphrase] 10. Settle and dispose them in ranks, and in a posture for eating.

11. And Jesus took the loaves, and [when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down, and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.]

[Paraphrase] 11. having blessed the bread and fishes, thanked God for them, and implored his blessing on them, he as the Master of the feast gave the several proportions to the disciples, and they as waiters distributed them to the guests, every man his portion of bread, and of fish, as much as they desired to eat.

12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

14. Then those men when they had seen the miracle which Jesus did, said, This is of a truth [that prophet which should come into the world.]

[Paraphrase] 14. the Messias, known by the title of him that cometh &c. See note on Mat. 11. a.

15. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, [and [note a] make him a King, he departed again into a mountain himself alone .]

[Paraphrase] 15. to set him up for their captain, to fight their battails for them against their enemies or conquerors, (which Christ therefore avoided as unagreeable to his office, knowing withal, that he was not to be inthroned by any act of the people, or election of men, but by the immediate power of God, he again retired alone to his privacy and prayers in the mountain, v. 3.

16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

17. And entered into a ship, and [went over the sea towards Capernaum,] and it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

[Paraphrase] 17. were passing, or in their pass over the sea toward Capernaum, See Act. 28. 14.

18. And the sea [arose by reason of a great wind that blew.]

[Paraphrase] 18. began to grow tempestuous.

19. So when they had rowed about twenty five or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship, and they were afraid.]

[Paraphrase] 19. When therefore by the contrariety of the winds they had been forced to fall to their oars, and had done so for some space, they discern one walking on the sea and coming toward the ship, This was Jesus, but they not knowing it was so, (v. 20.) were affrighted with the sight.

20. But he saith unto them, It is I, be not afraid.

21. Then they [willingly received him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.]

[Paraphrase] 21. gladly took him into the ship, see Mar. 6. 51, and as soon as ever they received him in, the ship arrived at their intended shore,

22. The day following, when the people, which stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone.

23. Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place [where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks.]

[Paraphrase] 23. where they now were, & where they had eaten bread, when by blessing the five loaves he so multiplied them that they were sufficient to feed five thousand.

24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.]

[Paraphrase] 24. When, I say, the multitude saw Jesus was gone from that place, as well as his disciples, v. 1 • . and from thence concluded it most probable, that Jesus, though he went not with the disciples, was gone after them to Capernaum, his usual habitation, they having the advantage of vessels for passage v. 23. took ship and went to Capernaum to look for him.

25. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, [they said unto him,] Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

[Paraphrase] 25. they considering that he went not into the ship with the disciples v. 22. and not knowing of any passage by boat, which he could have to Capernaum, could not imagine which way he came thither, yet because Tiberias was not far of from the place where the miracle of the bread was wrought, and there came other boates from thence, v. 23. they being uncertain what to think, asked him of the time and way of his conveyance.

26. Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, [Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.]

[Paraphrase] 26. That which makes you thus follow me, is not the acknowledgment of my divine power evidenced by my miracles, or consequent to that, a purpose to embrace my doctrine, or desire to learn of me, but a gross carnal desire of the like advantages, which you had of my multiplying loaves to feed you.

27. [note b] Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the son of man shall give unto you, for him hath God the Father sealed]

[Paraphrase] 27. Set not your hearts on these poor external advantages, seek not, desire not to acquire this corporal food, in order to your worldly ends, secular victories and greatness, (see note a.) and that which will afford you but a short fading benefit, v. 49. but look out, and get your part of that food which is itself unperishable, and will make all that feed on it immortal also. This food shall the Messias (that is, Christ) bestow upon you, for him and his doctrine hath God the Father acknowledged to be his own (see note on Ephes. 4. i.) and by the coming of the Spirit on him, demonstrated him to be sent by him, no King of your choosing or making v. 15. but as his kingdom is to be a spiritual kingdom, so is he to be installed to it by God, and not by you.

28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do that we might [note c] work the works of God?]

[Paraphrase] 28. Hereupon they said unto him, What is required of us, what course wilt thou prescribe, that we may do that which thou biddest us, v. 27. that we may be always employed in God's tasks, so as will be acceptable to him?

29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him, whom he hath sent.]

[Paraphrase] 29. Jesus answered them, That which God requires of you, is, to believe and do all that I, who am sent by him, do command you.

30. They said therefore unto him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see and believe in thee? what dost-thou work?]

[Paraphrase] 30. Then though they had before believed and resolved v. 14. that he was of a certain truth the expected Messias, and were therefore minded to set him for their Captain or King, yet now being checked by Christ for their carnal conceits of the Messias, v. 26, 27. they retract their former resolution, and demand farther signs, before they will look after such a kind of Messias as he now tells them of, and therefore to his requiring them to believe on him, they said, What miracle do you show? what work of wonder, such as may be sufficient to assure us, that thou art the Messias?

31. Our fathers did eat Manna in the desert, as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.]

[Paraphrase] 31. We have great reason to adhere to Moses, who wrought such miracles, brought down bread ready prepared from heaven for us, and unless thou wilt produce some attestation to thyself, which may at least equal this one, why may not we be allowed to think it unreasonable to forsake him, and follow thee?

32. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.]

[Paraphrase] 32. Jesus saith unto them, I assure you, that Manna came not from heaven, but out of the airy region, and that the work of God, not Moses, and now the same God gives you far more durable food then that was, gives you me who came really down from heaven, and am most eminently that which Manna was to your bodies, bread or food to your souls.

33. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world.]

[Paraphrase] 33. That fed but your bodies, and putrefied presently; but that which God now gives you, is for your souls, and will feed them to eternity, v. 27. and did really descend from the heaven of heavens, not as that Manna for a multitude only, but the feeding and enlivening the whole world.

34. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35. And Jesus said unto them, I am [the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.]

[Paraphrase] 35. that durable vivificall bread of God, the excellency whereof is infinitely above that of Manna, as in other things, so in this, that the feeding thereon yields a durable satisfaction, whereas in Manna and all corporeal food, there is still a succession of appetite.

36. But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not.]

[Paraphrase] 36. But that which I told you v. 26. was, that though you have seen me and tasted of my miracles, yet you do not believe on me, feed not on this true bread, which came down from heaven.

37. All that [note d] the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.]

[Paraphrase] 37. This is an evidence of great obstinacy and untowardness, of improbity and pride in you, For had God's preventing grace had any success on you, wrought probity, or humility in you, you would certainly come in to my call, And I will not reject any that thus comes, or cast him forth afterwards, if he will abide with me.

38. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day.]

[Paraphrase] 38, 39. For this lies upon me, as the office for which my Father hath sent me, the fulfilling of which is all my care, viz. that I should be careful to preserve everyone, which with an honest heart shall thus come and believe on me, and give everyone that thus perseveres (beside many excellent privileges here) eternal life of body and soul hereafter.

40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the son and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.]

[Paraphrase] 40. That being also another part of his commission to me, that whosoever believeth in his son should not perish, but, whatever by so doing befall him here, inherit everlasting life in that other world.

41. The Jews then murmured at him, because [he said, I am the bread which came from heaven.

42. And they said, Is nor this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?]

[Paraphrase] 41, 42. by what he said of himself, he pretended to come rom heaven, whereas they knew his birth here on earth, and his parentage, which they conceived to be contrary to his coming down from heaven.

43. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmure not among your selves.]

[Paraphrase] 43. To this muttering of theirs, Jesus replied, I have said nothing which 'tis reasonable for you to murmur at.

44. No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day.]

[Paraphrase] 44. It is true, there is some pretence for these vulgar prejudices against me, which would make it impossible for those that look no farther, to become my followers, (and therefore this makes it so unfit and unsafe for you to fix your eyes so wholly on this) And it is an effect of my Fathers preventing grace to fit men's hearts to be ready and willing to come to me, (see note d.) and without this work first wrought, and that probity and humility, which qualifies men to receive my doctrine, I do not expect that any man should believe on me, and therefore I attribute it to that, (see v. 65.) when any one doth (as, on the other side, to your obdu • ate hearts, that you do not) come unto me. And for everyone that doth thus come, and therein obey my call, and follow the duct of my Father, on him most certainly will I bestow everlasting life.

45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the Father, cometh unto me.]

[Paraphrase] 45. The sum of what I thus say, hath been obscurely delivered to you by the prophets of old: For they, for example, • sai • h c. 54. 13. speaking of these times, have foretold, that God will dispose and prepare the hearts of many men to be fit, or ready to receive Christ, (see note o.) to embrace the Messias, And therefore it was that I said that every humble honest heart, every disciple of my Father that hath not resisted that guidance, and attraction of my Father, doth certainly come to me, and believe on me.

46. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.]

[Paraphrase] 46. Where yet that of learning or being taught of God, doth not imply his seeing or talking with my Father, and being so taught by him, For this is proper and peculiar to me, who am therefore qualified to reveal his will to all that come unto me.

47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life.

48. I am that bread of life.]

[Paraphrase] 47, 48. He that embraceth my doctrine and is sincerely my disciple, to believe and practice what I command him, shall undoubtedly live forever, as having fed on that enlivening bread, v. 33 receiving me his spiritual food, by his faith into his soul.

49. Your fathers did eat M • nna in the wilderness, and are dead.

50 This is the bread which came down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die.

51. I am the living bread, which cometh down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall • ive forever: and the bread that I shall give him is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.]

[Paraphrase] 49, 50, 51. The Manna given in the desert did not make them immortal which did eat of it. But the bread which is now sent you down from heaven, will give immortality to them that feed on it, that is, to all that truly believe in Christ, that receive his doctrine, and digest it into the food and nourishment of their souls, And this is offered and prepared for every man, not only for you Jews. Manna was bread indeed, but first, dead, not living. Secondly, it came not down from heaven properly so called, v. 32. and Thirdly, they which did eat of it, afterwards died. Fourthly, their Manna was contradistinct from their quail, that bread from that flesh. Fifthly, That was given for the preserving the life only of one nation. But contrariwise by these so many ways of excellency above that Manna, I am, first, living bread. Secondly, I came down from heaven properly so called, the highest heaven. Thirdly, whosoever feedeth, that is, believeth on me, embraceth my doctrine and practiseth accordingly, shall not die, the soul whose food I am shall become immortal in bliss. Fourthly, this bread which I speak of is very flesh, even my flesh which I will give to be crucified for the life of the world, by that death of mine purchasing grace and pardon for sin. which are the foundation of immortality. Fifthly, this world is the whole world, all mankind, not only that one nation of the Jews, which received benefit by that.

52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?]

[Paraphrase] 52. Hereupon the Jews disputed about this saying of his, how 'tis possible that men should feed on his flesh.

53. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except [ye [note e] eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.]

[Paraphrase] 53. you thus feed on this celestial food, that is, be sincere disciples of the crucified Savior, that comes not to be a glorious King, but to die for the sins of the world, you have no part in this true, that is, immortal life.

54. Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

55. For my flesh is meat [note f] indeed and my blood is drink indeed.]

[Paraphrase] 55. For I that am thus sent in the flesh to die for the world, am such food, as will feed you to everlasting life, and so am eminently that which food is said to be, yea in a much higher degree; Food doth not first give, but only continues and preserves life, but my flesh shall give life to the world.

56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.]

[Paraphrase] 56. He that thus feedeth or believeth on me, that resigns himself up to be ruled by me, in the same manner as he abides in me, hath me abiding in him, is so made a member of me, that by the life which is in me he shall also be enlivened by God, by whom I live, (See note on c. 14. c.) and this is one preeminence over corporal food, which corrupt in the stomach, before they nourish any man.

57. As the living father hath sent me, and I live by the father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.]

[Paraphrase] 57. For as I that came down from the Father the fountain of life, his son by eternal generation, must needs derive life from him, so also he that believeth on me, and so hath digested my precepts as the nourishment of his soul, must needs derive life from me.

58. This is that bread which came down from heaven, not as your fathers did eat Manna, and are dead:] he that eateth of this bread, shall live forever.

[Paraphrase] 58. This bread from heaven is not like that Manna, which they that eat, did die for all that.

59. These things said he in the Synagogue as he taught in Capernaum.

60. Many therefore of his disciples when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying, who can hear it?]

[Paraphrase] 60. Many therefore of those that had hitherto followed him, said, this doctrine of his is very hard and unintelligible, how he should be said really to have come down from heaven, and how his flesh should feed men to life eternal.

61. When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, [he said unto them, Doth this offend you?]

[Paraphrase] 61. Doth this deter you from my doctrine?

62. What and if ye shall see the son of man ascend up where he was before?]

[Paraphrase] 62. And asked them, whether it were not as credible that he should have come from heaven, as that he should go up thither; telling them that they should ere long see him do so, and that in reason would assure them that he came down from thence.

63. It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.]

[Paraphrase] 63. And for the other particular of eating his flesh, he tells them they cannot but know, that it is the soul that enliveneth, and not the body, and agreeably that it is not the gross carnal eating of his body of flesh, that he could speak of, when he talked of their eating, and his feeding them to life eternal, (see note on Lu. 9. d.) but certainly a more spiritual divine eating, or feeding on him, which should bring them a durable eternal life; his words (see v. 68.) that is, his doctrine being spiritually fed on by them, that is, being received into their hearts, not only their ears, will quicken them to a spiritual life here, and that shall prove to them an eternal life hereafter (so S. Chrysostom expounds, [the flesh] that is the fleshly hearing profits nothing.)

64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.]

[Paraphrase] 64. But for this spiritual feeding, sinking down this spiritual food into your hearts, there are some of you that are far enough from doing so. For Jesus knew at first before he received them as disciples, whether they believed sincerely or no, and also which of them would prove false to him, and conspire with the Jews to put him to death.

65. And he said, Therefore I say unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.]

[Paraphrase] 65. And indeed this was the reason that I told you v. 44. that no man cometh to the faith of Christ sincerely, or continues steadfast in it, but he that by God's preventing grace is qualified and disposed for it, (see note d.) because I saw that many that follow me, do not truly believe on me, that is, do not intend to live as I command them, but one keeps his love of money, and for that will betray me, and others retain their other interests, and their other sins.

66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.]

[Paraphrase] 66. This speech of Christ's made many of his followers forsake him, seeing he was not such a Messias as they looked for, and would not be content with every kind of following him.

67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? [Thou hast the words of eternal life.]

[Paraphrase] 68. Thy words, as was said by thee, v. 63. will to those that obey thee and keep close to them, be a means to bestow eternal life.

69. And we believe, and are sure, that thou art that Christ, the son of the living God.]

[Paraphrase] 69. And thou hast demonstrated to us, that thou art the Messias the eternal son of God, and therefore tis not possible there should be any other fit to draw us from thee to him.

70. Jesus answered them, [Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?]

[Paraphrase] 70. I have, of all the followers that have believed on me, chosen but twelve to be my constant attendants, and one of them proves a traitor, a false treacherous person that will join with my enemies against me, see note on Mat. 4. a.

71. He spake of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.]

[Paraphrase] 71. He spake of Judas, for Christ foresaw, (that though perhaps yet he did no such thing, yet) he would deliver him to the Jews, and to that end combine with them, which was the greatest falseness imaginable in one, whom Christ had assumed to be so near to him, as to be one of the twelve Apostles, whom he sent out to preach his Gospel to all people.

CHAP. VII.

1. AFter these things Jesus [walked in Galilee, for he would not walk in Jury, because the Jews sought to kill him.]

[Paraphrase] 1. went about preaching through the cities of Galilee, where he rather chose to do it, then in Judea, because the rulers of the Jews, those of the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem, sought for some advantage, or occasion to put him to death.

2. Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.]

[Paraphrase] 3. On this occasion his kindred (v. 5.) said unto him, Go into Judea again, that the many, which were wont to follow thee there, may see the miracles which thou doest.

4. For there is no man that doth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to [note a] be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.]

[Paraphrase] 4. For whosoever would gain an authority among the people, in any reason must not do his miracles privately, therefore what ever thou doest, do it in Judea, as publicly as thou canst.

5. For neither did his brethren believe in him.]

[Paraphrase] 5. This they said, as not believing on him, but either suspecting the truth of his miracles, or else desiring that he would do that, which might acquire him that authority, which they conceived him to pretend to.

6. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready.

7. The world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.]

[Paraphrase] 6, 7. Jesus therefore to rectify this mistake of theirs saith unto them, It is not yet fit for me to be so public, because the doctrine that I teach is contrary and odious to the world, or the present prevailing power of the Jews. You may appear wheresoever you will, being not under any such hatred, by anything that you do or teach, as I am sure to be among the Pharisees, and chief of the Jews.

8. Go ye up to this feast: I go not yet up unto this feast, for my time is not not yet full come.]

[Paraphrase] 8. You may go up to Jerusalem, to the feast, as publicly as you please, but I shall not go yet, when you go, or with you, because my time of going up, in such a public capacity, v. 10. is not yet come.

9. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.]

[Paraphrase] 9. And accordingly he stayed a while after the rest of his kindred in the place where he now abode.

10. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.]

[Paraphrase] 10. Soon after his kindred were gone, he also followed, but more privately, with small company attending him, lest he should stir up the jealousy of the Sanhedrim.

11. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

12. And there was much [murmuring] among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay, but he deceiveth the people.]

[Paraphrase] 12. disputing, arguing, among them, some affirming him to be an upright man, and one that taught the truth; others denied, and said that he was a false prophet, and seduced the people.

13. Howbeit, no man spake [openly of him, for fear of the Jews.]

[Paraphrase] 13. by way of oration to the people (see note a.) either for him, or against him, because the people were so divided in their opinions about him, that either speaking for him, or against him, would have been perilous.

14. Now about the midst of the feast,] Jesus went up into the Temple, and taught.

[Paraphrase] 14. Now on some middle day of the feast, on one of the eight days of which the feast consisted, but neither on the first, nor the last of them, v. 37.

15. And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?]

[Paraphrase] 15. How comes he to understand the books of the Law and Scriptures so well, having not been brought up in the schools of the prophets? see note on Mat. 5. g.

16. Jesus answered them and said, [My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 16. What I teach is not from myself, but from God, that hath sent me.

17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.]

[Paraphrase] 17. Any man that hath a willingness to do God's will, how contrary soever it be to his own, that hath a readiness to serve God in God's way, and is not wedded to his own (see c. 6. note d.) that man, and none but he, is likely to pass a right judgment on my doctrine, whether it be of God or no.

18. He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.]

[Paraphrase] 18. For that man will thus judge, He that pretends to be sent by God, when he is not, always seeks his own advantages, somewhat of glory or profit to himself, But he that labors only the bringing honor to God, and in pursuit of that, doth what is most contrary to his own interests, conceals nothing, though it cost him never so dear, to declare it, He is worth believing (or deserves to be believed) having no false design an what he doth, no deceit, or guile in him.

19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? why go ye about to kill me?]

[Paraphrase] 19. But 'tis otherwise with you, You are not of that making v. 17. That law which your own beloved Moses gave you, and for the maintaining of which you have so much zeal, and hate me as a breaker of it, ye do not yourselves observe, ye do not (the most of you) live according to the rules of it. If ye did, ye would not be so forward to embrue your hands in my blood, who have no way offended against you, or that; This concludes you not likely to judge what doctrine is of God. A man must have purged and regulated affections, to do so (see c. 6. note d.)

20. The people answered and said, [note b] Thou [hast a devil:] who goeth about to kill thee?

[Paraphrase] 20. art certainly mad to talk thus,

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, [I have done one work, and ye all marvel.]

[Paraphrase] 21. I cured one on the Sabbath day, and ye wondered I would do so, were angry, v. 23.

22. Moses [note c] therefore gave unto you circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man.]

[Paraphrase] 22. I shall give you an account of this by remembering you of circumcision given you by Moses (not by Moses originally, but in practice before his time in Abraham, to whom it was commanded by God) Now this law you observe so carefully, that if the eighth day fall upon a Sabbath day, you then circumcise the child on that day for all that.

23. If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the Law of Moses should not be broken, are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day?]

[Paraphrase] 23. If then you do a wounding, bloody work about a part of a man, in circumcision, on the Sabbath day, and yet think that you break not the law of the Sabbath by so doing, may not I without being hated, and opposed by you, do a work of charity and mercy to an entire whole man, in working a cure on him on the Sabbath day?

24. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.]

[Paraphrase] 24. Judge according to the depth of reason, and justice, and not on every slight color of probability.

25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he [whom they seek to kill?]

[Paraphrase] 25. whom the chief of, the Jews would fain put to death?

26. But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him: Do the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?]

[Paraphrase] 26. And behold, he openly in the Temple, in the presence of all, (see note a.) disputeth and avows his actions; and they have nothing to lay to his charge, which he doth not give a most satisfying account of. Are they of the Sanhedrim persuaded and satisfied in mind that he is indeed the Messias sent from God?

27. Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh no man knoweth whence he is.]

[Paraphrase] 27. This were very strange, for we are assured of the contrary, in that we know his birth and parentage; But for the Messias, we are taught that he must be one whose parentage is not known.

28. Then cried Jesus in the Temple, as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

29. But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 28, 29. To this Jesus answered aloud, I know your meaning, when you say, You know whence I am, viz. that you know the family whereof I come, But there is a farther truth also in your words, By my works, and name, and speeches, you may, if you will, know whence I am, ( Just. Mart. qu. 140 ad orth. ) and indeed I come not in mine own name, nor on mine own errand, but on his, whose testimony of me cannot deceive, but him you do not so know, as to be competent judges what is his will, what is lawful and acceptable in his sight, what not (see v. 23.) but I who come with commission from him, do thus know him.

30. Then they sought to take him, but no man laid hands on him, because [his hour was not yet come.]

[Paraphrase] 30. the time, wherein he was to suffer, being not yet come, God restrained, or diverted them from it.

31. And many of the people believed on him, and said, [When Christ cometh will he do more miracles then these which this man hath done?]

[Paraphrase] 31. If he be not the Messias, tis strange, for when the Messias comes, he will not, cannot in all probability, do greater miracles, then he hath done already.

32. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him: And [the Pharisees and chief priests] sent officers to take him.

[Paraphrase] 32. upon this intelligence the Pharisees very zealous of their traditions, and they of the Sanhedrim fearing their authority might be diminished by him.

33. Then Jesus said unto them, [Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 33. It is but a small time that I shall continue here, and when I depart I shall return to my Father from whom I came.

34. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and [where I am,] thither ye cannot come.

[Paraphrase] 34. whither I go, ch. 13. v. 33.

35. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go [unto [note d] the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?]

[Paraphrase] 35. to the Hellenists? will he preach among the Jews in Europe, whose chief city was Alexandria?

36. What manner of saying is this,] that he saith, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

[Paraphrase] 36. What is the meaning of that speech,

37. In the last day, that great day of [note e] the feast, Jesus stood and cried] saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

[Paraphrase] 37. On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, which was a day of solemn assembly (see note on ch. 19. d.) and on which it was the manner of the Jews to pour out water solemnly on the altar, Jesus on that occasion proclaimed aloud,

38. He that believeth on me [as the Scripture hath said, [note f] out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.]

[Paraphrase] 38. It shall be 'with him according to what is said Isa. 58. 11. He shall be like a spring of water, whose water by conduits shall from within break forth in great abundance, that is, being filled with the Spirit of Christ, shall not be able to contain, but break forth into all Christian actions, and preach the Gospel with all zeal.

39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive, for the holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)]

[Paraphrase] 39. (This saying of Christ belonged to the descent of the Holy Ghost Act. 2. (see note on Act. 1. a. and 23. a.) which was to be after his ascension, and not before.)

40. Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is [the prophet.]

[Paraphrase] 40. that Prophet, that Moses foretold us of, (though that he should be the Messias, they did not all resolve.)

41. Others said, This is the [Christ:] But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

[Paraphrase] 41. very Messias:

42. Hath not the Scripture said, that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where [David was?]

[Paraphrase] 42. David's parents dwelt?

43. So there was a division among the people because of him.

44. And some of them] would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

[Paraphrase] 44. And some of the officers sent, v. 32.

45. Then came [the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees,] and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

[Paraphrase] 45. the ministers of the Sanhedrim, sent by them to apprehend him, back again without having done it,

46. The officers answered, Never man spake as this man.

47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

48. Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?]

[Paraphrase] 48. Have any of the Sanhedrim, or the more famous learned men believed on him?

49. But [note g] this people who knoweth not the Law, are cursed.]

[Paraphrase] 49. But this rout, which have never studied the law, are apt to run into all giddiness, and follow any false teacher.

50. Nicodemus saith unto them, (He that came to Jesus by night, being one of them)]

[Paraphrase] 50. Nicodemus, one of the Sanhedrim, he that was afraid to come to Jesus in the day time, but came in the night, chap 3. 1. said unto them,

51. Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and know what he doth?]

[Paraphrase] 51. This is too hasty a prejudice against him, in all reason you ought to hear what he can say for himself, and what any can witness against him. Our law proceeds not against any, before we have examined him, and taken cognizance of his matter.

52. They answered and said unto him, [Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look: for out [note h] of Galilee ariseth no prophet.]

[Paraphrase] 52. Art thou, who art one of the Sanhedrim, a follower or favourer of this Galilean? Examine all times, you shall never find that Galilee hath brought forth a prophet, see ch. 1. 46.

53. [note i] And every man went unto his own house.]

[Paraphrase] 53. And they dissolved the assembly, or court, and departed.

CHAP. VIII.

1. JEsus went unto the mount of Olives.

2. And early in the morning he came again into the Temple, and all the people came unto him, and he sat down and taught them.

3. And the Scribes, and Pharisees brought unto him a woman [taken in adultery: and when they had set her in the midst,]

[Paraphrase] 3. deprehended in the act of adultery, and brought her forth as to judgment. And

4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery in the very act.

5. Now Moses in the law commanded that [ [note a] such should be stoned:] but what sayest thou?

[Paraphrase] 5. those that were thus taken should be subject to any the severest punishment, such as stoning was.

6. This they said tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. [But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.]

[Paraphrase] 6. But Jesus gave them no answer, but as if he heeded not, or understood not their question, stooped down, &c.

7. So when they continued asking, he lift up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him [first cast a stone at her.]

[Paraphrase] 7. supply the place of the prosecutors, and be the first that casts stones at her, Deut 17. 7.

8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9. And they which heard it, [being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.]

[Paraphrase] 9. being everyone of them convinced in conscience that he was guilty of some as great commission as this, went out one after another, none remaining but Jesus and the woman, she standing before him in the posture of an accused person before a Judge.

10. When Jesus had lift up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Where are those thine accusers? Hath no man [condemned thee?]

[Paraphrase] 10. adjudged thee worthy of death?

11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, [Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.]

[Paraphrase] 11. neither do I adjudge thee to death, but rather call thee to repentance and reformation.

12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.]

[Paraphrase] 12. Then Jesus soon after the delivering those words, c. 7. 38. and in pursuance of the same matter, said to them all publicly, I am come to enlighten the hearts of all men, he that will leave his former course, and follow me, I will give him that illumination which shall bring him to piety and bliss.

13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself, thy [record is not true.]

[Paraphrase] 13. testimony is not to be heeded or credited, is no valid testimony, or to be received by us.

14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go, but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.]

[Paraphrase] 14. Jesus answered, My testifying of myself doth not invalidate my testimony, my coming from heaven on an embassy to you, on another's, not mine own errand, (and that testified by the Spirit to John the Baptist, and by John the Baptist to you, if ye would believe, but however to myself undoubtedly known) gives a validity to my testimony, and joins God the Father himself in the testimony with me. And as the holy Ghost hath testified, that I am sent by God, so my ascension to heaven (which will sufficiently prove my mission) being known to me before hand, though not to you, and being discoverable by the event to you also, especially when so many eye-witnesses shall have testified it to you, it will follow that my testimony of myself, though a single one, will be authentic and valid, though perhaps, as the one is not already, so the other also will not be heeded by you.

15. Ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man.]

[Paraphrase] 15. Ye that know not my divine original, v. 14. judge of me only according to my human extraction, and in proportion to that, pass sentence of me, I am unwilling to say or judge the worst of you, otherwise I could say worse of you.

16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 16. And if I should do so, my judgment were valid according to law, because this is the judgment also and testimony of my father, who by his Spirit, and miracles, and the voice from heaven, requiring all to believe on me, must needs judge them as pertinacious unbelievers, who stand out against all this.

17. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.]

[Paraphrase] 17. And it is known in all laws, particularly in that of yours, Deut. 17. 6. that the testimony of two men is to be received as valid in any cause whatsoever.

18. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the father that sent me beareth witness of me.]

[Paraphrase] 18. And I and my father are those two, for as I now witness of myself (which is not against law or reason for me to do, for 'tis not mine own cause but concerns others, to whom I am sent, and not myself, but only as a witness and declarer) so my father also by voice from heaven, descent of his Spirit, miracles, prophecies, testifies my commission from him.

19. Then said they unto him, Where is thy father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me nor my father: if ye had known me, ye would have known my father also.]

[Paraphrase] 19. They say therefore unto him, Is not Joseph your father, have you any other? Jesus replied, you will not receive any knowledge concerning me or my father. Your acknowledging of me is the only way to bring you to the knowledge of my father.

20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the Temple: and no man laid hands on him,] for his hour was not yet come.

[Paraphrase] 20. These things Jesus said in that part of the Temple, where the chest stood, into which the offerings were put, where he publicly taught the people, and that without any man offering to lay hands on him, God so disposing of it for a season.

21. Then said Jesus again unto them, [I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go ye cannot come.]

[Paraphrase] 21. I shall depart from hence, and then you shall seek me unprofitably, and by contemning (or as it is interpreted v. 24. not believing) me now, bring judgments upon yourselves, as they that take no warning by the preaching of the Prophet Ezech. 2. 9. And then 'twill be too late to wish for this time again, for I shall be gone far out of reach of your coming to me.

22. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself, because he saith, whither I go ye cannot come?]

[Paraphrase] 22. The Jews not understanding to what his speech drove said one to another, what will he kill himself, &c.

23. And he said unto them, [Ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world.

24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.]

[Paraphrase] 23, 24. You and I are from very contrary distant originals, your affections, like yourselves, are of an earthly temper and original, and therefore can fancy such black interpretations of my speeches as if I would kill myself, when my meaning is that I shall ascend to heaven, whence I came, and if ye believe not that I am the Messias, ye shall lose the benefit that I came to bring you, and die without any remedy in your sins.

25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, [Even the same that I said unto you [note b] from the beginning.]

[Paraphrase] 25. I have told you all this while, He that is sent from the Father, the Messias, and if you ask me never so often, I can tell you no otherwise.

26. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true, and I speak to the world those things that I have heard of him.]

[Paraphrase] 26. I could by many evidences charge and aggravate your infidelity, but I will use no other but the testimony of my father, which is alone sufficient to convince you, and having my commission from him, I speak nothing but what that commission extends to.

27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.]

[Paraphrase] 27. This speech of his they understood not, not yet conceiving that by him that sent him, he meant the Father.

28. Then said Jesus unto them, [When ye have lift up the son of man, shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself: but as my father hath taught me I speak these things.]

[Paraphrase] 28. After the Romans crucifying of me, which I now foretell you, and that by your instance and urging them to it, there will be those evidences yielded you of my being truly, what now you will not believe me to be, (viz. my resurrection, ascension &c.) that you shall have no excuse to deny it, then shall ye be convinced (either to the working your repentance or your destruction) that I am the Messias, and came from God, and do nothing but according to my Commission from him.

29. And he that sent me is with me, the Father hath not left me alone: for I do always those things that [note c] please him.]

[Paraphrase] 29. And as I had at my coming commission from him, so is he perpetually present with me in all I do, to advance and promote all the designs of my coming, that is, to prosper all I set about, for I do nothing but by his appointment and commission.

30. As he spake these words many believed on him.

31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye [continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.]

[Paraphrase] 31. constantly practice my commands, you are truly and really my followers and disciples.

32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.]

[Paraphrase] 32. And those truths which I shall reveal to you, shall bestow upon you a most valuable freedom.

33. They answered him. We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man, how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?]

[Paraphrase] 33. Then the other Jews there present (not the believers v. 31. but those that were more bloodily disposed v. 37.) replied saying, We are heirs to the promises made to Abraham, and never yet subdued to be slaves to any, and besides we are exercised in the study of the law, and of all such we have a proverb, that such a man is a servant to no man, what can the meaning of those words be, that the truth shall make us free.

34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosever committeth sin, is the servant of sin.]

[Paraphrase] 34. Jesus answered them, I assure you you are mistaken in that opinion of yourselves, in thinking yourselves to be freemen, your being born of Abraham's seed will not prove it, for living and going on in gross courses of sin, ye are to know, that there are no such slaves as they that live indulgent in sin.

35. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the son abideth forever.

36. If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.]

[Paraphrase] 35, 36. And being such, you are far from having any right to be continued in God's family, which belongs only to sons. In the common account of the world, a servant is so far from being a son, and so from having any right to the inheritance of the family, that he is at the mercy of the son when he comes to the fathers estate, to cast him quite out of the family, and unless the son make him free, he cannot be free (nor consequently be so much as capable of being adopted) and this is the case of all such as you, of every indulgent sinner, Christ must lofe him from his spiritual bondage, that of his sin, or else he is not capable of any benefit of son-ship, so much as by adoption.

37. I know that ye are Abraham's seed, but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.]

[Paraphrase] 37. And as long as you are engaged in any such sinful course (as by your defigning my death it seems you are) 'tis not your being Abraham's children that will make you, or demonstrate you freemen.

38. I speak that which I have seen with my father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.]

[Paraphrase] 38. I do after the example of my father, and you of yours in proportion.

39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would [do the works of Abraham.]

[Paraphrase] 39. in his obedience and virtues be like him, as children resemble their natural parents in their nature and feature.

40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.]

[Paraphrase] 40. But you are most contrary to that, Abraham was an hospitable person, and obeyed God in all his commands, would have been very far from designing the death of any the meanest Prophet, for no other crime, but that of bringing God's truth unto him, And yet this do ye.

41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they unto him, We be not born of fornication, we have one father, even God.]

[Paraphrase] 41. Ye have another father not willingly owned by you, and him you are like in your actions, Hereupon they reply, none have dubious parents, but they that are unlawfully begotten, we are not such, we are none of those to whom the style of children of whoredoms is given, Hos. 2. 4. but owned and acknowledged by God as his only children.

42. Jesus said unto them. If God were your father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth, and came from God, neither came I of myself, but he sent me.]

[Paraphrase] 42. Jesus answers, your hating of me is a certain argument that God is not your father, for I am sent immediately from him, I came from heaven, and what I do is by commission from God, not on mine own motion, or any business or errand of mine, or as false Prophets without mission.

43. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.]

[Paraphrase] 43. If God were your father, whose commands you received and obeyed as children, you would know my language, being indeed the very language of that father. But the reason is clear, The thing that makes you not believe in me, is not want of means of conviction, that my doctrine comes from God, but because my doctrine is not agreeable to your humor: You cannot abide to hear it, you have not affections capable of it.

44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.]

[Paraphrase] 44. The pra •• ises which the devil offers to you, or hath practiced before you, you like much better, then those which I commend to you, He was from the first that we hear of him, malicious, and proud, and bloody, and soon apostatized from God and the right way, for he is an enemy of truth and goodness, and therefore for him to lie, and confirm you in infidelity, is natural, and proper to him.

45. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.]

[Paraphrase] 45. 'It is neither the inevidence of my doctrine, nor the weakness of your understandings that keeps you from believing me, and embracing my doctrine, the only thing that makes you reject me is my speaking the truth, that heavenly pure perfect rule of practice, which, it seems, is not for your turn, is vehemently resisted by your passions and prejudices.

46. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?]

[Paraphrase] 46. I am sure you have no fault or imposture to lay to my charge, nothing to produce or prove against me, And the tree will be known by the fruits, and yet you will not believe truth, when I speak it.

47. He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.]

[Paraphrase] 47. If you had true piety in you, then certainly my doctrine, being from God, would be acceptable to you, and you would embrace it.

48. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a [note d] Samaritan, and hast a devil?]

[Paraphrase] 48. To this the Jews had no other reply, but to fall into reproachful language against him, calling him Samaritan (a word of reproach) and madman. See c. 7. 20. b.

49. Jesus answered, I have not a devil, but I honor my father, and ye do dishonor me.]

[Paraphrase] 49. That I do no vicious extravagant thing, appears by my seeking no honor to myself, not coming in my own name, but referring all my embassie to the honor of God, and you do all that your malice can invent to defame me.

50. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh, and judgeth.]

[Paraphrase] 50. And this let me tell you, although I do not seek after my own glory, yet my father doth tenderly observe, whether I am honored or dishonored, and passes sentence on men severely for it; see Deut. 18. 19. otherwise, as 'tis no glory of mine I look after, so your reproaches would not touch me.

51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.]

[Paraphrase] 51. As it is, I cannot be so unkind to you as thus to leave you in this contempt, so dangerous to you, whereas on the other side, your receiving of the message, which I bring you, were the way to bring you to eternal life, and rescue you from eternal torments.

52. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou [hast a devil.] Abraham is dead, and the Prophets, and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying he shall never taste of death.

[Paraphrase] 52. art mad, see c. 7. 20. b.

53. Art thou greater then our father Abraham, which is dead? and the Prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?]

[Paraphrase] 53. Abraham and the Prophets were not freed from dying, and what manner of power dost thou assume to thyself, to bestow privileges, which God never gave to them whom he so much favored?

54. Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: It is my father that honoreth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God.]

[Paraphrase] 54. Jesus replied, I shall say nothing of myself, The power which I have, I have from him whom certainly you acknowledge to be greater then Abraham, own him as your God, he hath testified sufficiently of me, by voice from heaven, &c.

55. Yet ye have not known him, but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar, like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.]

[Paraphrase] 55. This father of mine whom you call your God, you know very imperfectly, you know not what kind of worship and obedience it is that he requires, but place it in external legal performances, I come to tell you his will more perfectly, And to this end have my message from him, and so cannot but know it distinctly, and if in compliance with you, or to avoid your reproaches I should say otherwise, then what I have hitherto said, or confess that I came not from him, or knew him not, I should be like you, a down right liar, This I will not be guilty of, but do again profess, that I am sent with perfect knowledge of his will, and do exactly observe it.

56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day▪ and he saw it, and was glad.]

[Paraphrase] 56. And because you talk so much of Abraham, I shall now say of him, that he having received the promise of the Messias, Gen. 11. 35. did thereupon vehemently and with great pleasure and exiliency of mind desire to look nearer into it, to see my coming into the world, and a revelation of it was made unto him, and in it of the state of the Gospel, and he was heartily joyed at it.

57. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?]

[Paraphrase] 57. To this the Jews objected that he was not fifty years old, and therefore how could he say that Abraham lived since his birth, that Christ could see Abraham, or be seen by him?

58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.]

[Paraphrase] 58. Jesus answered that objection of theirs, You are much mistaken in reckoning my age, For 1. I have a being from all eternity, and so before Abraham was born, and therefore as young as you take me to be in respect of my age here, I may well have seen and known Abraham. But then 2. in respect of my present appearance here on earth, though that be but a little above thirty years duration, yet long before Abraham's time, it was decreed by my Father, and in kindness to Abraham revealed to him, while he lived, in which respect 'tis true, that he knew me also.

59. Then took they up stones to cast at him:] but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

[Paraphrase] 59. They therefore conceiving this speech of his to be blasphemous, after the manner of Zealots, were ready to stone him presently.

CHAP. IX.

1. AND as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2. And his disciples asked him saying, Master, who did sin, [note a] this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?]

[Paraphrase] 2. And some of his followers asked him, saying, Sir, was it any sin of his own, when his soul was in another body, or was it some sin of his parents at the time of his conception, which caused this blindness in him?

3. Jesus answered, [Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.]

[Paraphrase] 3. Neither his own nor his parents sins were the cause of this blindness of his, but God's secret wisdom, who meant by this means to show forth in me his miraculous power among you.

4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.]

[Paraphrase] 4, 5. And having received such power from him, I ought, while I am here, to exercise it, and show the world that I am sent to enlighten it, by this emblem of curing him that is born blind.

6. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay with the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.

7. And said unto him, Go wash in the pool [of Siloam (which is by interpretation, sent.)] He went his way therefore and washed and came seeing.

[Paraphrase] 7. which by the name of it, may put you in mind of the Messias (who is styled, The sent) by whom the cure is wrought.

8. The neighbors therefore, and they that [before had seen him, that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?]

[Paraphrase] 8. had oft seen him before, and so knew that he had been blind, now seeing this cure wrought, some of them asked if this were not that blind man which was wont to sit and beg at such a place?

9. Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

10. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

11. He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus, made clay and [anointed] my eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

[Paraphrase] 11. besmeared

12. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

13. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

14. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus had made [the clay,] and opened his eyes.

[Paraphrase] 14. that mixture of earth and spittle,

15. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight: He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

16. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day: Others said, [How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?] and there was a division among them.

[Paraphrase] 16. Certainly such miracles cannot be wrought but by the finger of God, and so cannot be the work of an impostor, a man of sin, a great sinner.

17. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes?] He said, He is a prophet.

[Paraphrase] 17. What opinion of him hath this work of power and mercy to thee wrought in thee?

18. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

[Paraphrase] 18. The consequent of this dispute was, that the Jews at length would not believe the plain matter of fact, that the man that now saw had ever been blind, till the testimony of the parents made that clear.

19. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?]

[Paraphrase] 19. And asked them these three questions, 1. whether this were their son? 2. whether they will affirm upon their knowledge that he was born blind? 3. whether they know how this cure was wrought, or by whom?

20. His parents answered and said, [We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:]

[Paraphrase] 20. For two of the questions we answer distinctly, We know, &c.

21. But by what means he now seeth we know not, or who hath opened his eyes we know not; He is of age, ask him, be shall speak for himself.]

[Paraphrase] 21. He is of age and understanding to answer that third question, and certainly is the fittest to give you an account for that master which himself is so nearly concerned in.

22. There words spake his parents because they seared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ [he should be [note b] put out of the synagogue.]

[Paraphrase] 22. he should be ignominiously used, and put out of the court.

23. Therefore said his parents, He is of age, ask him.]

[Paraphrase] 23. To avoid which danger it was that his parents waved the answering of this question, and put it off to their son, For this was a thing of such a nature, that the affirming Jesus to have done it, was in effect the affirming him to be the Messias.

24. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise, we know that this man is a sinner.]

[Paraphrase] 24. Then a second time they sent for, and examined the man that had this miraculous cure wrought on him, attempting to draw him from that opinion of Christ which he seemed to have, by bidding him ascribe the praise of his cure wholly to God, and not to look on Christ with any veneration, telling him that if he did it on the day, and in the manner forementioned, it was thereby evident, that he was one that broke the Sabbath, and so not from God, but an impostor, (see v. 16. and 2 Thess. 2. 3.) who consequently had no such virtue, or piety, as could contribute anything to this matter.

25. He answered and said. Whether he be [a sinner] or no, I know not: one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.

[Paraphrase] 25. an impostor.

26. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

27. He answered them, [I have told you already, and ye did not hear:] wherefore would you hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

[Paraphrase] 27. I have told you, and you did not heed it; or else, I have told you plainly and distinctly enough already,

28. Then reviled they him, saying, Thou art his disciple, but we are Moses disciples.

29. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not [from whence he is.]

[Paraphrase] 29. of any commission from God which he hath, nor can give any account of him.

30. The man answered and said unto them, [Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.]

[Paraphrase] 30. It is strange that one should do such miracles as these, and you learned men not know whether he be sent from God or no.

31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.]

[Paraphrase] 31. It being resolved on among all men, that an impostor or false teacher is not enabled by God to work such miracles as these (or if he were, God must be thought to assist him in his impostures) but only pious and faithful servants of God, that came to do his will, not their own.

32. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened] the eyes of one that was born blind.

[Paraphrase] 32. It is above all human power to open

33. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.]

[Paraphrase] 33. If he were not sent and impowered by God, he could never do such things as these.

34. They answered and said unto him, [Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.]

[Paraphrase] 34. Thy being born blind is a mark & character of some extraordinary ill in thee, which makes thee very unfit to teach Doctors and Rabbi's, in matters of this moment. And they cast him out of the court (see note b.) with disgrace.

35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the son of God?

36. He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

37. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

38. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he [worshipped him.]

[Paraphrase] 38. bowed down, and made a most lowly obeisance to him as to the Messias.

39. And Jesus said, [For judgment I am come into this world; that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind.]

[Paraphrase] 39. This will be the effect of my coming into the world, not only that those that are blind shall receive sight, but also that the most seeing learned men, Pharisees, &c. will not see the things before their eyes.

40. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, [Are we blind also?]

[Paraphrase] 40. Are we the men that he means by the latter part of his speech? Are we then become blind in his opinion?

41. Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin; but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.]

[Paraphrase] 41. Jesus said unto them, It were well for you, if it could be truly pronounced of you, that you are blind, If your sin were of impotence or unability to see, it would be more pardenable, but now by your acknowledging yourselves not to be blind, and so that all that you do you do knowingly and deliberately, your sins receive a very great aggravation.

CHAP. X.

1. VErily, verily, I say unto you, [He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief, and a robber.]

[Paraphrase] 1. He that comes and pretends to be the Messias and comes not as he ought to do, with miracles and doctrine, such as may testify him to be sent by God, he is to be looked on as an impostor, that means to seduce and ruin those that follow him.

2. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep.]

[Paraphrase] 2. But he that thus approves himself to be employ'd and sent by the owner, or Master of the sheep, he comes on purpose to feed and preserve his sheep a and is to have power over them.

3. To him the Porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth [note a] his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.]

[Paraphrase] 3. To him all they who are to guard the door, and keep out thieves, are by the Master of the sheep commanded to give admission, and to that purpose have a token to discern him by, The Messias is so described in the prophets, and the doctrine truly divine so far revealed there, that by accordance with that all the true watchmen of the Church acknowledge him, and all truly pious men obey and follow him, and he on the other side looks on these as the peculiar flock that he is to take charge of, and hath a particular care of every such pious man, and as the shepherd careth for his sheep, makes all necessary provision for them.

4. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.]

[Paraphrase] 4. And when he thus brings forth his sheep (see note on Mat. 9. i.) to the water or pasture, it is not his manner to drive, but only go before: and call or lead them▪ tell them what they are to do, and show them the way by his example, and all truly pious men qualified to be disciples of his (see note on ch. 6. d.) they will certainly follow him, distinguishing his voice, his doctrine from all others, from all impostors.

5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.]

[Paraphrase] 5. An impostor or false Christ that reacheth doctrines contrary to piety, they will not follow, but fly from him as from a wolf, having such certain tokens, by which to know the true doctrine of God, the true shepherds voice, that they can tell how to avoid all others that come to seduce them, by this very mark, because 'tis a strange voice, quite contrary to that piety and probity which they have been taught by God.

6. This parable spake Jesus unto them, but they understood not what things they were, which he spake unto them.

7. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.]

[Paraphrase] 6, 7. Thus much Christ spake thus parabolically and obscurely to them, And because they understood not his meaning in it, he added farther, As the Fathers mission and commission v. 1. is the door by which the shepherd himself is to enter, (and whosoever doth not so, being not sent by God, betrays himself to be an impostor) and as his making known the will of God, not preaching any doctrine contrary to piety, but all to the advancing of it, is a certain evidence of his being sent by God, so in another respect, I am the door, that is, the only way for the sheep, the true servants of God, to enter by, into that fold, the Church, where all are to live regularly, and not to go out, or depart from him.