Chapter 8:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
John 8
Concise Complete
The Pharisees and the adulteress. (1-11) Christ's discourse
with the Pharisees. (12-59)
Verses 1-11 Christ
neither found fault with the law, nor excused the prisoner's guilt; nor did he
countenance the pretended zeal of the Pharisees. Those are self-condemned who
judge others, and yet do the same thing. All who are any way called to blame the
faults of others, are especially concerned to look to themselves, and keep
themselves pure. In this matter Christ attended to the great work about which he
came into the world, that was, to bring sinners to repentance; not to destroy,
but to save. He aimed to bring, not only the accused to repentance, by showing
her his mercy, but the prosecutors also, by showing them their sins; they
thought to insnare him, he sought to convince and convert them. He declined to
meddle with the magistrate's office. Many crimes merit far more severe
punishment than they meet with; but we should not leave our own work, to take
that upon ourselves to which we are not called. When Christ sent her away, it
was with this caution, Go, and sin no more. Those who help to save the life of a
criminal, should help to save the soul with the same caution. Those are truly
happy, whom Christ does not condemn. Christ's favour to us in the forgiveness of
past sins should prevail with us, Go then, and sin no more.
Verses 12-16 Christ
is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the
invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there
needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would
it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ
shall not walk in darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are
necessary to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of
duty, necessary to keep them from condemning sin.
Verses 17-20 If we
knew Christ better, we should know the Father better. Those become vain in their
imaginations concerning God, who will not learn of Christ. Those who know not
his glory and grace, know not the Father that sent him. The time of our
departure out of the world, depends upon God. Our enemies cannot hasten it any
sooner, nor can our friends delay it any longer, than the time appointed of the
Father. Every true believer can look up and say with pleasure, My times are in
thy hand, and better there than in my own. To all God's purposes there is a
time.
Verses 21-29 Those
that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews
belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine
nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their
taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of
the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ's grace will be an argument
powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ's grace will be an agent
powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that
doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who
is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and
even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed
for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to
honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and
the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in
their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even
when he claimed the highest honours to himself.
Verses 30-36 Such
power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to
believe in him. He encouraged them to attend his teaching, rely on his promises,
and obey his commands, notwithstanding all temptations to evil. Thus doing, they
would be his disciples truly; and by the teaching of his word and Spirit, they
would learn where their hope and strength lay. Christ spoke of spiritual
liberty; but carnal hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the
body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and
property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their
houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin,
captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious
souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to
their ears. Jesus plainly reminded them, that the man who practised any sin,
was, in fact, a slave to that sin, which was the case with most of them. Christ
in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ
makes free are really so. But often we see persons disputing about liberty of
every kind, while they are slaves to some sinful lust.
Verses 37-40 Our
Lord opposed the proud and vain confidence of these Jews, showing that their
descent from Abraham could not profit those of a contrary spirit to him. Where
the word of God has no place, no good is to be expected; room is left there for
all wickedness. A sick person who turns from his physician, and will take
neither remedies nor food, is past hope of recovery. The truth both heals and
nourishes the hearts of those who receive it. The truth taught by philosophers
has not this power and effect, but only the truth of God. Those who claim the
privileges of Abraham, must do Abraham's works; must be strangers and sojourners
in this world; keep up the worship of God in their families, and always walk
before God.
Verses 41-47 Satan
prompts men to excesses by which they murder themselves and others, while what
he puts into the mind tends to ruin men's souls. He is the great promoter of
falsehood of every kind. He is a liar, all his temptations are carried on by his
calling evil good, and good evil, and promising freedom in sin. He is the author
of all lies; whom liars resemble and obey, with whom all liars shall have their
portion for ever. The special lusts of the devil are spiritual wickedness, the
lusts of the mind, and corrupt reasonings, pride and envy, wrath and malice,
enmity to good, and enticing others to evil. By the truth, here understand the
revealed will of God as to the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, the truth
Christ was now preaching, and which the Jews opposed.
Verses 48-53
Observe Christ's disregard of the applause of men. those who are dead to the
praises of men can bear their contempt. God will seek the honour of all who do
not seek their own. In these verses we have the doctrine of the everlasting
happiness of believers. We have the character of a believer; he is one that
keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. And the privilege of a believer; he shall
by no means see death for ever. Though now they cannot avoid seeing death, and
tasting it also, yet they shall shortly be where it will be no more forever,
exodus 14:13 .
Verses 54-59 Christ
and all that are his, depend upon God for honour. Men may be able to dispute
about God, yet may not know him. Such as know not God, and obey not the gospel
of Christ, are put
2
thessalonians earnestly desire to know more of him. Those who discern the
dawn of the light of the Sun of Righteousness, wish to see his rising. "Before
Abraham was, I AM." This speaks Abraham a creature, and our Lord the Creator;
well, therefore, might he make himself greater than Abraham. I AM, is the name
of God, Ex 3:14; it speaks his self-existence; he is the First and the Last,
ever the same,
revelation 1:8 . Thus
he was not only before Abraham, but before all worlds,
1:1 . As Mediator, he was the
appointed Messiah, long before Abraham; the Lamb slain from the foundation of
the world,
revelation
13:8 . The Lord Jesus was made of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification,
and Redemption, to Adam, and Abel, and all that lived and died by faith in him,
before Abraham. The Jews were about to stone Jesus for blasphemy, but he
withdrew; by his miraculous power he passed through them unhurt. Let us
stedfastly profess what we know and believe concerning God; and if heirs of
Abraham's faith, we shall rejoice in looking forward to that day when the
Saviour shall appear in glory, to the confusion of his enemies, and to complete
the salvation of all who believe in him.
Chapter 8:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
