Bible Commentary

I receive not honor from men. 41. I receive not honour ] It is nothing to Me; I have no need of it, and refuse it: comp. Joh 5:34. Glory would perhaps be better than ‘honour’ both here and in Joh 5:44, and than ‘praise’ in Joh 9:24 and Joh 12:43; see notes there. Christ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:41”

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 40. ye will not come to me ] Not the future of ‘to come,’ but the present of ‘to will:’ ye are not willing to come to Me. This is at the root of their failure to read Scripture aright, their hearts are … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:40”

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 39. Search the Scriptures ] It will never be settled beyond dispute whether the verb here is imperative or indicative. As far as the Greek shews it may be either, ‘search,’ or ‘ye search,’ and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:39”

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 38. And ye have not his word ] ‘And hence it is that ye have no inner appropriation of the word’ seeing that ye have never received it either by hearing or vision. ‘His word’ is not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:38”

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 37 40. The connexion of thought in the next few verses is very difficult to catch, and cannot be affirmed with certainty. This is often the case in S. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:37”

But I have greater witness than [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. 36. I have greater witness than that of John ] Better, I have the witness which is greater than … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:36”

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 35. He was a burning and a shining light ] A grievous mistranslation, ignoring the Greek article twice over, and also the meaning of the words; and thus obscuring the marked difference between the Baptist … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:35”

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. I receive not testimony from men – I do not depend for proof of my Messiahship on the testimony of men, nor do I pride myself on the commendations or flattery of men. But these things … – … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:34”

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 33. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness ] Better, Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness. ‘What ye have heard from him is true; but I do not accept it, for I need not the testimony of man. I … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:33”

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 32. There is another ] Not the Baptist, as seems clear from Joh 5:34; but the Father, comp. Joh 7:28, Joh 8:26. It has been already remarked how much there is in this Gospel … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:32”