Bible Commentary

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. 8. For the poor, &c.] Comp. Deu 15:11. Every word of this verse occurs in the first two Gospels, though not quite in the same order. Here the emphasis is on ‘the poor,’ there on ‘always.’ The striking originality of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:8”

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 7. hath she kept ] The large majority of authorities, including the best, read that she may keep, and the whole will run: Let her alone that she may preserve it for the day of My burial. The simplest … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:7”

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 6. the bag ] Better, the box, the cash-box in which the funds of the small company were kept. The word means literally ‘a case for mouthpieces’ of musical … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:6”

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 5. three hundred pence ] Here, as in Joh 6:7, the translation ‘pence’ is very inadequate and misleading; ‘three hundred shillings’ would be nearer the mark (see on Mar 6:7). S. Mark adds that some were very indignant at her. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:5”

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s [son,] which should betray him, 4. Then saith, &c.] Rather, But Judas Iscariot, &c. The best authorities omit ‘Simon’s son.’ one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot ] S. Mark says quite indefinitely, ‘some,’ S. Matthew, ‘his disciples.’ Each probably states just what he knew; S. Mark … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:4”

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. 3. took Mary a pound ] S. John alone gives her name and the amount of ointment. The pound of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:3”

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 2 8. The Devotion of Mary 2. they made him a supper ] ‘They’ is indefinite: if we had only this account we should suppose that the supper was in the house of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:2”

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should show [it,] that they might take him. 57. Now both the chief priests, &c.] Omit ‘both.’ The word is wanting in authority, and even if it were genuine it would not mean ‘both’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 11:57”

Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 56. sought spake ] Both verbs are in the imperfect of what went on continually. There are two questions in their words; ‘What think ye? that He certainly will … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 11:56”

And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 55. And the Jews’ passover ] Now the passover of the Jews. See notes on Joh 2:13 and Joh 6:4. to purify themselves ] (Act 21:24.) Again we have evidence that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 11:55”