Joh

As to the date of this Gospel, the arguments for its having been composed before the destruction of Jerusalem (though relied on by some superior critics) are of the slenderest nature; such as the expression in Joh 5: 2, "there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep-gate, a pool," &c.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

Not their first call, however, recorded in Joh 1: 35-42; nor their second, recorded in Mt 4: 18-22; but their third and last before their appointment to the apostleship.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

The time of this section was after that Passover which was nigh at hand when our Lord fed the five thousand (Joh 6: 4) -- the third Passover, as we take it, since His public ministry began, but which He did not keep at Jerusalem for the reason mentioned in Joh 7: 1. 1.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

The Evangelist here approaches his grand thesis, so paving his way for the full statement of it in Joh 1: 14, that we may be able to bear the bright light of it, and take in its length and breadth and depth and height.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

That the word "given" is the right supplement, as in Joh 7: 39, seems plain from the nature of the case.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

This comprehensive promise is emphatically repeated in Joh 14: 14.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

And as Moses, &c. -- Here now we have the "heavenly things," as before the "earthly," but under a veil, for the reason mentioned in Joh

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

"The phrase here employed," our friend Lazarus, "means more than" he whom Thou lovest "in Joh 11: 3, for it implies that Christ's affection was reciprocated by Lazarus" [Lampe].

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

Compare the saying in Joh 5: 17, for which the Jews took up stones to stone Him, as

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

Galilee and Jerusalem which are recorded in Joh 1: 29-4: 54, and which occurred before John's imprisonment (Joh 3: 24); whereas the transactions here recorded occurred (as appears from Mt 4: 12, 13) after that event.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871