Bible Commentary

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day,] many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 23 25. Belief without Devotion 23. in Jerusalem at, &c.] More accurately, in Jerusalem, at the Passover, during the Feast. Note the exactness of detail. when they saw the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:23”

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. 22. was risen ] Better, was raised. Comp. Joh 21:14; Act 3:15; Act 4:10; Act 5:30. his disciples remembered ] They recollected it when the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:22”

But he spake of the temple of his body. 21. spake ] Or, was speaking. Setting aside inspiration, S. John’s explanation must be admitted as the true one. What better interpreter of the mind of Jesus can be found than ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved?’ And he gives the explanation not as his only, but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:21”

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 20. Forty and six years, &c.] This was the third Temple. Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Zerubbabel’s was rebuilt by Herod the Great. The Greek implies that the building began 46 years … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:20”

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 19. Destroy this temple ] It is S. Matthew (Mat 26:61) and S. Mark (Mar 14:58, see notes) who tell us that this saying was twisted into a charge against Christ, but they do not record the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:19”

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 18. the Jews ] See on Joh 1:19. What sign shewest thou ] We have a similar question Mat 21:23, but the widely different answer shews that the occasion is not the same. Such demands … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:18”

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 17. remembered ] Then and there. Who could know this but a disciple? Who would think of inventing it? See above on Joh 2:11. was written ] Better, is written; in the Greek it is the perf. part. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:17”

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. 16. said unto them that sold doves ] The doves could not be driven out. He calls to the owners to take the cages away. Comp. Luk 2:24. my Father’s house ] A distinct claim … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:16”

And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 15. when he had made a scourge ] Peculiar to this account; not in the similar narrative of the Synoptists. and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:15”

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 14 22. The First Cleansing of the Temple 14. in the temple ] i.e. within the sacred enclosure, in the Court of the Gentiles. The traffic would be very great at the approach of the Passover. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 2:14”