called also John the Baptist. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." Life resurrection will display how little they had to be ashamed of, who believed the record given of His Son; the resurrection of judgment will make but too plain, to those who despised the Lord, both His honour and their sin and shame. (Ver. He is ever God; He is the Son; He quickens and raises from the dead. Were the Jews zealously keeping the sabbath? (Verse John 3:10). (Verse John 3:16), Let it not be passed by, that while the new birth or regeneration is declared to be essential to a part in the kingdom of God, the Lord in urging this intimates that He had not gone beyond the earthly things of that kingdom. This closes the various aspects of the Lord Jesus, completely blotting out Judaism, viewed as resting in a system of law and ordinances, as looking to a Messiah with present ease, and as hoping for the display of Messianic glory then in the world. If He judges, it is not without full warning. Then (ver. : a Jewish prophet who according to Gospel accounts foretold Jesus' messianic ministry and baptized him. 18 There is no Thus, in His person, as well as in His work, they joined issue. This is all perfectly true, of course; and we have it elsewhere. Alas! First, we must worship, if at all, in spirit and in truth. GOD LOVES YOU. For The Baltimore Sun. Thus we have traced, first, hearts not only attracted to Him, but fresh souls called to follow Him; then, in type, the call of Israel by-and-by; finally, the disappearance of the sign of moral purifying for the joy of the new covenant, when Messiah's time comes to bless the needy earth; but along with this the execution of judgment in Jerusalem, and its long defiled temple. 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. At once their malice drops the beneficent power of God in the case, provoked at the fancied wrong done to the seventh day. The distinctiveness of such a testimony to the Saviour's glory need hardly be pointed out. It is not now the revelation of God meeting man either in essential nature, or as manifested in flesh; nor is it the course of dispensational dealing presented in a parenthetic as well as mysterious form, beginning with John the Baptist's testimony, and going down to the millennium in the Son, full of grace and truth. (sometimes initial capital letter) a fellow; guy. for he knew He was the Christ. Web1 John 4:16-19 NIV 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. Resurrection will be the proof; the two-fold rising of the dead, not one, but two resurrections. "Come, see a man that told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" The Jews, then, who could not help, and pitied not their fellow in his long infirmity and disappointment, are scandalized to see him, safe and sound, carrying his couch on that day. Here was One on earth who knew all secrets. Matthew, Mark, and Luke start, as far as regards the public labours of the Lord, with John cast into prison. He was God. This is grace and truth. They crown Jesus with thorns and dress him in a purple robe. Indeed, it is the total eclipse, not merely of law and remedial mercies, but even of promised Messianic glory, by everlasting life and resurrection at the last day. How striking the omission! 1 John 4:19, NASB: We love, because He first loved us. Still the Lord refused the crown then: it was not the time or state for His reign. The hour was one for faith, or unbelief. As an experienced minister, Alistair shares his approach to preaching. Surely He was there, a weary man outside Judaism; but God, the God of all grace, who humbled Himself to ask a drink of water of her, that He might give the richest and most enduring gift, even water which, once drank, leaves no thirst for ever and ever yea, is in him who drinks a fountain of water springing up unto everlasting life. (16-19) Jesus speaks of her sinful life. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. A greater work was in hand; and this, as the rest of the chapter shows us, not a Messiah lifted up, but the true bread given He who comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world; a dying, not a reigning, Son of man. And they asked him, What then? Accordingly, if the law raised the question of righteousness in man, the cross of the Lord Jesus, typifying Him made sin, is the answer; and there has all been settled to the glory of God, the Lord Jesus having suffered all the inevitable consequences. Thus it is a kind of transitional fact for a most important part of our gospel, though still introductory. They had no common thoughts, feelings, or ways with the Father and the Son. Here He is not portrayed as the Son of man who must be lifted up, but as the Son of God who was given. There is the nicest care to maintain His personal glory, no matter what the subject may be. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. It is the revelation of God yea, of the Father and the Son, and not merely the detecter of man. * He says, One was among them of whom they had no conscious knowledge, "that cometh after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to loose." John 3:14-15; John 3:14-15) It is not a question simply of the Son of God, nor is He spoken of here as the Word made flesh. not the Jews only; for, as far as intelligence went, it was little better with the disciples till He rose from the dead. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. he would not. but they go down into the depths of God, lifting burdens off the heart of humanity, turning duty into delight, and changing the aspect of all things. Observe, it is not (as is often very erroneously said or sung) a question of sins, but of the "sin" of the world. of John 7:37) It is not a question of eating the bread of God, or, when Christ died, of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. WebPulpit Commentary Verse 19. Author. The man could not tell the Jews the name of his benefactor. Except one were born of water and of the Spirit, he could not enter the kingdom of God. This is the truth; but the Jews had the law, and hated the truth. How, indeed, could it be stayed within narrow limits? Whosoever denieth the Son hath not the Father; he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." This testimony differs from the rest in having a more permanent character. I do not mean by this all individuals, but creation; for nothing can be more certain, than that those who do not receive the Son of God are so much the worse for having heard the gospel. But here it was not God's purpose to record it. Proud member The rejection of Christ is the contempt of God Himself, in that of which He is most jealous, the honour of the Saviour, His Son. All is in the character of the Son of man. Nor will the full force of this expression be witnessed till the glorious result of His blood shedding sweep away the last trace of sin in the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. The effect is thus final, even as His person, witness, and glory are divine. Indeed, He was the great Prophet, as He was the great King, and as He is now the great Priest on high. He distinguishes between seducing spirits, and faithful ministers of the word; the former are of the world, speak of worldly things, and worldly men hear them; but the latter are of God, and they that have any spiritual knowledge of God hear them; but such as are not of God do not heal them, by which may he known the spirit of truth from the spirit of error, 1Jo 4:5,6. Observe: not which was, but "which is." WebJesus 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 thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. Before the manner of His manifestation comes before us in verse 14, we have the secret explained why some, and not all, received Christ. The dreadful truth comes out: the Lord did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all men. Very simple words! (Ver. The man went off, and told the Jews that it was Jesus: and for this they persecuted Him, because He had done these things on the sabbath. John 1:19-37; John 1:19-37) It is here presented historically. It is the final setting aside of Judaism then, whose characteristic hope was the display of power and rest in the world. Then the soldiers mockingly but truthfully hail Jesus as the king of the Jews (19:3). Besides this, goodness overflows, in that the Father is gathering children, and making worshippers. But the Spirit would not confine His operations to such bounds, but go out freely like the wind. But even this sufficed not: the Son of man must be lifted up. John 4:19-20. He gave them title to take the place of children of God, even to those that believe on His name. But here these streams of the Spirit are substituted for the feast of tabernacles, which cannot be accomplished till Christ come from heaven and show Himself to the world; for this time was not yet come. (Ver. But see the blessed fruit of receiving it. It was not so. By and by He will apply it to "that nation," the Jews, as to others also, and finally (always excepting the unbelieving and evil) to the entire system, the world. The one, like the other, contributes to this great end, whether the Son of man necessarily lifted up, or the only begotten Son of God given in His love. (VersesJohn 3:20-21; John 3:20-21). Here the Lord introduces the cross. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Thus a despised Christ is not merely a crucified Son of man, and given Son of God, as in John 3:1-36, but Himself a divine giver in communion with the Father, and in the power of the Holy Ghost who is given to the believer, the source of worship, as their God and Father is its object for the worshippers in spirit and truth (though surely not to the exclusion of the Son, Hebrews 1:1-14). It finds, of course, a present application, and links itself with that activity of grace in which God is now sending out the gospel to any sinner and every sinner. Web1. But "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must ( ) the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John was the youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Lastly, closing this part, we have another most remarkable contrast. (VerseJohn 4:10; John 4:10) Infinite grace! It was impossible that there should not be righteous dealing with human evil against God, in its sources and its streams. And he answered, No. Natural birth had nothing to do with this new thing; it was a new nature altogether in those who received Him: "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." He who owns the reality of Christ's incarnation, receives most thankfully and adoringly from God the truth of redemption; he, on the contrary, who stumbles at redemption, has not really taken in the incarnation according to God's mind. (VersesJohn 5:8-12; John 5:8-12), But were the Jews mistaken after all in thinking that the seal of the first covenant was virtually broken in that deliberate word and warranty of Jesus? Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. But they learn that it was his divine Physician who had not only healed, but so directed him. Truth and grace were not sought nor found in man, but began to subsist here below by Jesus Christ. Thus solemnly does the meek Lord Jesus unfold these two truths. Blessed servant he of an infinitely blessed and blessing Master! Here again, apart from this divine insight, the change or gift of the name marks His glory. Do they receive Him not? Details are not called for now, but just the outline of the truth. It was not the time now to demonstrate in public power these coming, yea, then present truths. Grace begins, glory descends; "Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." Nevertheless, the heavenly part is little dwelt on, as John's gospel displays our Lord more as the expression of God revealed on earth, than as Man ascended to heaven, which fell far more to the province of the apostle of the Gentiles. (Verses John 7:16-18) , The Jews kept not the law) and wished to kill Him who healed man in divine love. (Ver. In truth, Christian baptism did not yet exist, but only such as the disciples used, like John the Baptist; it was not instituted of Christ till after His resurrection, as it sets forth His death. NIV. Accordingly there is a four-fold testimony to Jesus: the testimony of John the Baptist; the Lord's own works; the voice of the Father from heaven; and finally, the written word which the Jews had in their own hands. But what we learn is, that our Lord (viewed as having entered into heaven as man on the ground of redemption, i.e., ascended, after having passed through death, into glory) from that glory confers meanwhile the Holy Ghost on him that believes, instead of bringing in at once the final feast of gladness for the Jews and the world, as He will do by-and-by when the anti-typical harvest and vintage has been fulfilled. (sometimes initial capital letter) a prostitute's customer. Be they who they may now, as many as receive Him become children of God. (ver. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. ( ) flesh, and dwelt among us." How was this? The apostle attests this. The Lord, in the latter part of the chapter (verses John 6:27-58), contrasts the presentation of the truth of God in His person and work with all that pertained to the promises of Messiah. One must be born again for God's kingdom a Jew for what was promised him, like another. This question is raised, or rather settled, by the Lord in Jerusalem, at the passover feast, where many believed on His name, beholding the signs He wrought. No argument can be drawn from Luke 4:23 against the view that the incidents are different, for therein a ministry at Capernaum would already be presupposed (Schleiermacher, Kern, de Wette, Weiss, Bleek, Holtzmann, and others), as God orders matters so that a favoured teacher of men, favoured as none others were in Israel, should come to Jesus by night. Each had his own; all are harmonious, all perfect, all divine; but not all so many repetitions of the same thing. Nothing in the slightest degree detracted from His own personal glory, and from the infinitely near relationship which He had had with the Father from all eternity. Did they charge Jesus with self-exaltation? It was much, yet was it little of the glory that was His; but at least it was real; and to the one that has shall be given. (ver. Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 4:16-19 Commentary on John 4:4-26 (Read John 4:4-26) There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. It was no longer a moot-point whether God could trust man; for, indeed, He could not. All others prove not only that they are bad, but that they hate perfect goodness, and more than that, life and light the true light in the Word. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. Simon was one of the commonest names at the time (along with Jesus, Joseph, John and Levi), and so he is distinguished from others by his nickname, which Matthew assumes he has already been given; we hear of an earlier And He did accept that place thoroughly, and in all its consequences. All this, however, was abstract, whether as to the nature of the Word or as to the place of the Christian. No charge could be remoter from the truth. (VersesJohn 7:33-36; John 7:33-36) Jesus was returning to Him that sent Him, and the Holy Ghost would be given. But this, however worthy of God, and indispensable for man, could not of itself give an adequate expression of what God is; because in this alone, neither His own love nor the glory of His Son finds due display. Not only is there no healing to be extracted from the law by a sinner, but the law makes more evident the disease, if it does not also aggravate the symptoms. But knowing what will happen, and realizing it's part of a plan, greatly reduces our fear. Web1 John 4:17. At first she tried to hide her sins, but Jesus A person falling thousands of feet through the air would experience sheer terrorunless they knew a parachute would soon open. Nay, therefore it was they, reasoning, denied Him to be God. Meanwhile, for Christian worship, the hour was coming and in principle come, because He was there; and He who vindicated salvation as of the Jews, proves that it is now for Samaritans, or any who believed on account of His word. He who, living, was received for eternal life, is our meat and drink in dying, and gives us communion with His death. The Son gives life, as the Father does; and not merely to whom the Father will, but to whom He will. For though the Son (that eternal life who was with the Father) was a man, in that very position had the Father given Him to have life in Himself, and to execute judgment also, because He is Son of man. There is no other way in which the new nature is made good in a soul. Here we see Him accepting, not as fellow-servant, but as Lord, those souls who had been under the training of the predicted messenger of Jehovah that was to prepare His way before, His face. Instead, Pilate has Jesus flogged (John 19:1). (VersesJohn 3:7-8; John 3:7-8), It is hardly necessary to furnish detailed disproof of the crude, ill-considered notion (originated by the fathers), that baptism is in question. Without sign, prodigy, or miracle, in this village of Samaria Jesus was heard, known, confessed as truly the Saviour of the world ("the Christ" being absent in the best authorities, ver.