Bible Commentary

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head. 9. not my feet only ] The impetuosity which is so marked a characteristic of S. Peter in the first three Gospels (comp. especially Luk 5:8 and Mat 16:22), comes out very strongly in his three utterances here. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:9”

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 8. Thou shalt never wash my feet ] The negative is the strongest form possible; ‘thou shalt certainly not wash my feet for ever.’ See on Joh 8:51, and comp. Mat … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:8”

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 7. What I do thou knowest not ] Here both pronouns are emphatic and are opposed. Peter’s question implied that he knew, while Christ did not know, what He was doing: Christ tells him that the very … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:7”

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 6. Then cometh he ] Better, He cometh therefore, i.e. in consequence of having begun to wash the feet of each in turn. The natural impression is that S. Peter’s turn at any rate did not come first. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:6”

After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel wherewith he was girded. 5. into a bason ] Better, into the bason, which stood there for such purposes, the large copper bason commonly found in oriental houses. began to wash ] Began … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:5”

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 4. He riseth from supper, &c.] Or, from the supper: the article perhaps marks the supper as no ordinary one. “This is the realism of history indeed. The carefulness with which here, as in the account of the cleansing … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:4”

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 3. Jesus knowing ] The Greek is the same as of ‘when Jesus knew’ in Joh 13:1, and may have either of the two meanings given there. Here also ‘because He knew’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:3”

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s [son,] to betray him; 2. supper being ended ] There are two readings here, but neither of them means ‘being ended,’ moreover the supper is not ended ( Joh 13:26). The common reading would mean ‘supper having begun,’ and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 13:2”

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 50. And I know ] The Son’s testimony to the Father. ‘The commission which He hath given Me is eternal life.’ (See on Joh 3:16.) His commission is to save the world. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:50”

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 49. For ] Or, Because: it introduces the reason why one who rejects Christ’s word will be judged by His word; because that word is manifestly Divine and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:49”