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BE WISE NOW THEREFORE, O YE KINGS: BE INSTRUCTED, YE JUDGES OF THE EARTH.-Psalm ii. 10.

JOHN i. 38-42.

turned, and saw Deaσauevos them following, and-saith unto-them, What seek-ye? They said unto-him, Rabbi, (which is-to-say, being-interpreted, Master,) where a dwellest-thou? 39 He-saith unto-them, Come and see. They-came and saw where he-dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it-was about the-tenth hour.

40

One of the two which-heard aкоvσavтWV Tapа John speak, and followed him, was 41 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his-own brother Simon, and saith 42 unto-him, We-have-found the Messias, which is, being-interpreted, the Christ. And hebrought him to Jesus. And when- Jesus-beheld him, he-said, Thou art Simon the son of-Jona: thou shalt-be-called Cephas, which is-by-interpretation, A-stone.

MARGINAL READINGS:- Or, abidest. b That was, two hours before night.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

37. they followed Jesus-as the Lamb of God; so the election of Israel are represented as doing, Rev. xiv. 4.

38. Rabbi, Jno. i. 49, § 10, p. 73; iii. 2, § 12; 26, § 13 -see xiii. 13, .4, § 87-commanded his disciples not to be as the Pharisees, Mt. xxiii. 7, 8, § 85.

39. come and see-the invitation given to Nathanael, ver. 46-and by the Samaritan woman to her townsmen, Jno. iv. 29, § 13-and by each of the four living creatures, Rev. vi. 1, 3, 5, 7-in the midst... stood a Lamb as it had been slain,' Rev. v. 6.

40. Andrew-(a strong man)-such should the follower of Christ be; strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man,' Ep. iii. 16-bearing the infirmities of the weak,' Rom. xv. 1.

41. Simon-(hearing, or one that hears or obeys)hearken diligently unto me; hear, and your soul shall live,' Is. lv. 2, 3-acknowledged the importance

of hearing Jesus, Jno. vi. 68, § 43-contrast with ver.
60-see as to diligently searching into and carefully
remembering what is heard, 1 Pe. i. 10-.2; 2 Pe. iii.
1, 2, 15-.8-the voice to be heard, i. 18.-See ADDEN-
DA, Simon, p. 75.
Messias, which is the Christ, or Anointed-see Lu.
ii. 11, 26, § 4, pp. 21, .4; and 1 Sa. ii. 10; Ps. ii. 2;
xlv. 7; Da. ix. 25, .6.
42. Jona-(a dove)-hearing aright comes by the
power of that anointing which was given under the
appearance of a dove at Jesus' baptism-see ver. 32,
p. 70; Lu. iii. 22, § 8, p. 59

a stone-meaning of the word 'Cephas,' or Peter;' and to which our Lord refers, Mt. xvi. 18, § 50-and Peter himself, 1 Pe. ii. 4-8-those who hear Christ aright are by the power of his Spirit built up as lively stones in Him who is the living stone-see Peter's confession, Mt. xvi. 16, .7, § 50.

NOTES.

38. What seek ye? What is your business with me?' It was a kind inquiry respecting their desires; an invitation to them to lay open their mind, to state their wishes, and to express all their feelings respecting the Messiah and their own salvation.

Rabbi. This was a Jewish title, conferred somewhat as the title of Doctor of Divinity now is, and meaning Master. Our Saviour solemnly forbade his disciples to bear that title, Mt. xxiii. 8, § 85. By calling him Rabbi, they shewed that they sought instruction.

'Where abidest

41. We have found the Messias. They had learned from the testimony of John, and now had been more. fully convinced from conversation with Jesus, that he was the Messiah. The word Messiah, or Messias, is Hebrew, and means the same as the Greek word Christ, anointed.' The Jews speak of Messiah; Christians speak of him as the Christ.' The word Christ sig. the anointed one.

Where dwellest thou? που μενεις. thou?' Is used either of a fixed nabitation or a lodg-brew, Chaldee, or Syriac names, given for a special ing. See Lu. xix. 5, § 80; xxiv. 29, § 94.

[By this question they probably requested a private conversation on the great doctrine which then occupied the minds of all serious and reflecting Jews. His usual home was Nazareth.] 39. Come and see. Our Lord graciously bade them follow him, to inspire them with confidence to ask what they wished to know.

The tenth hour. According to the Jewish reckoning, four in the afternoon, when there were but two hours to night. This was shortly after the time when the lamb of the daily sacrifice of the evening was offered up: very seasonably, then, did John point to Christ, the Lamb of God, the antitype of that sacri40. Andrew. The brother of Simon Peter, a native of Bethsaida, and apostle of Jesus Christ. He was originally a fisherman. When John Baptist commenced preacher, Andrew became one of his fol

fice.

lowers.

42. Called Cephas. Meaning the same as the Greek, Peter, a stone.' John wrote his Gospel in Greek, and in a Grecian city of Asia Minor, and therefore was the more careful to translate into Greek the Hepurpose, whereof they were expressive. [St. John's allusion to this name is entirely prospective. Our Lord's address to Peter at that time contained a prophecy, which was designed to have both a literal and a typical fulfilment. In St. John it is, Thou art Simon; Thou shalt be called Peter-in St. Matthew it is, Blessed art thou, Simon;... Thou art Peter, Mt. xvi. 17,.8, § 50.'-Greswell, Vol. II. p. 415.] [The three names, Simon, Bar-jona, Peter, appear to point very expressively to the great relations into which we, as the disciples of Jesus, are brought to the triune Jehovah. Simon,' hearing, intimates the necessity of our hearing the Father, or receiving instruction from God, and, said Jesus, Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me,' Jno. vi. 45, § 43. As a stone, which is the meaning of Cephas, or, Peter,' the disciple is built on Christ the Rock; and this is as being born of the Spirit, expressed in Simon's other name, Bar-jona,' son of a dove,-under the form of a dove, the Holy Ghost appeared at our Saviour's baptism, Mt. iii. 16, .7, § 8, p. 59.]

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

39 ver. Let us not only he hearers of the word; let us also follow Jesus, and take up our abode with

him.

40-.2 ver. Let us, when we have found Jesus as the Christ, speak of him every man to his brother; and not rest contented until we have brought our relations to HIM, in whom alone we can be established in truth and blessing.

[42 ver. In ourselves we are, like Peter, loose rolling stones; liable to sink under trial, or to be tossed to and fro by temptation. That Peter was in this respect a true sample of the professed followers of Christ, see his repeated defections at the commencement of his discipleship-at the trial of Jesus-and afterward, when Paul withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed,' Ga. ii. 11.]

[Although we be, like Peter, loose rolling stones; yet, let us seek to attain stability, as being built upon the Rock, the one foundation, pointed out by Peter, as well as by all the apostles: and that stability in Christ we can attain only as hearing the Father, and being born of the Spirit-as being in Christ, given of the Father, his own blessed Spirit of peace and love.]

43-5 ver. Let us also seek to bring our neighbours to Christ, as Philip did Nathanael, and increase our testimony of Jesus, according to our increase of know ledge, and the preparedness of mind in our hearers.

45 ver. We may not despise the testimony of the Father, by Moses and the prophets, on account of our having found the substance of their prophesying. Neither, although we have the words of the Father and the Son, should we despise the witness of the Spirit.

SERVE THE LORD WITH FEAR, ETC.-Psalm ii. 11.

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FOR THE KINGDOM IS THE LORD'S: AND HE IS THE GOVERNOR AMONG THE NATIONS.-Psalın xxii. 28.

YE THAT FEAR THE LORD, PRAISE HIM; ALL YE THE SEED OF JACOB,

(G. 10.) The next day Jesus returns into Galilee. Jesus findeth Philip; Philip bringeth Nathanael to Jesus; Jesus' testimony to Nathanael. John i. 43—51.—Ibid.

43 The day-following Jesus would go-forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto-him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of-Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto-him, We-have-found-him, of-whom Moses in the law, and the 46 prophets, did-write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said untohim, Can there any good-thing come out-of Nazareth? Philip saith unto-him, Come 47 and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an-Israelite 48 indeed aλnows, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto-him, Whence knowest-thou SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

43. Galilee (circuit)-the north part of the land, around which Jesus made so many circuits, in the ministrations of the word-see Lu. i. 26, § 2, p. 9.

Philip-lover of the horse' (a native of Bethsaida in Galilee)-see as to the messengers on different coloured horses, Rev. vi. 2, 4, 5, 8-and the armies upon white horses that obey the command here given to Philip, Follow me,' Rev. xix. 11, .4-chosen an apostle, Mt. x. 3, § 27-informed Jesus that Greeks wished to see him, Jno. xii. 21, .2, § 82-see as to Philip a speedy messenger of this name, Ac. viii. 26-40.

44. Bethsaida-house of fishing-the name of their native town, as well as their occupation. It probably was referred to, when Jesus promised to make Peter and Andrew fishers of men, Mt. iv. 19, § 16. 45. Nathanael God gives, or gift of God:'' if thou knewest the gift of God,' Jno. iv. 10. § 13-Nathanael, probably the same as John, the beloved disciple. See Note,' infra.

see Lu. i. 26, § 2, p. 9; iv. 16, § 15; Mt. ii. 23, § 5, p. 35.

46. can there any good thing, &c.-the Jews thought meanly of his supposed origin, Jno. vi. 41, 2, § 43; Ac. ii. 7-Nathanael himself was of Galilee,See Note.' § 97-Jesus was called a Nazarite, Mt. 11. 23, § 5, p. 35-but his birthplace was Bethlehem, Lu. ii. 4-10, § 4, pp. 19, 20-he was despised, Ac. iv. 10, .1-as also had been the people, Eze. xi. 15-who are to be found in him, ver. 16.

Philip saith, Come and see-so Jesus, ver. 39, p. 71 and each of the living creatures, Rev. vi. 47. Israelite indeed-Israel, the name given to Jacob. as prevailing with the angel of the covenant at Peniel, Ge. xxxii. 24-32; Ho. xii. 4-see Phanuel, Lu. ii. 36, § 4, p. 27-the wrestling which will prevail, Joel ii. 15-21-the blessing upon him that overcometh (the Israelite indeed), Rev. ii. 7, 11, .7, 26-.9; iii. 5, 12, 21; xxi. 7

in the moral sense of the word, that he is here spoken no guile-although an Israelite, yet it was as one, of. Not by acting as a Jacob, supplanter, in a bad sense, Ge. xxvii. 35, .6-but as putting away all guile, is Israel to be exalted, Is. xxxiii. 15-.7; Rev. xiv. 5 - thus being made conformable to their Leader, 1 Pe. ii. 22-blessed the man... in whose spirit... no guile,' Ps. xxxii. 2-wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,'

of whom the prophets did write-as Moses wrote of the seed of the woman, Ge. iii. 15-of the Shiloh, xlix. 10-of the prophet, De. xviii. 15-.9, &c.-David, who describes the sufferings of Christ, Ps. xxii. 1-21-and the glory that shall follow, ver. 22-31: Ixxxix. 19-37-also Isaiah vii. 14; ix. 6, 7; xxviii. 16: liii.; Mi. v. 1-4; Mal. iii. 1-see on Mt. ii. 5, 6, § 4, Jesus of Nazareth-'branch carefully preserved'- &c., 1 Pe. ii. 1, 2. NOTES.

p. 32.

45. Nathanael. Is to be distinguished from Nathanael of Cana in Galilee,' mentioned at the close of this Gospel. The present Nathanael is introduced among other disciples of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter;' along with whom, John, and his brother James, are always found in all lists of the apostles. John, grace of the Lord, means much the same as Nathanael, gift of God. The probability is that the beloved disciple here calls himself Nathanael; and afterwards, in reference to the favour with which he was from the first received, the disciple whom Jesus loved.' The character of Nathanael, as given by Him who knew all men, is the character of John. The promise to Nathanael, Jno. i. 50, .1, was eminently fulfilled to John in The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his serv ant John.' The overwhelming impression which was made upon the mind of Nathanael, as to the omniscience of Jesus, ver. 49, is conspicuous throughout the whole of John's Gospel; which was written with the special design of exhibiting the truth of the first part of Nathanael's testimony, Thou art the Son of God. The Israelite indeed' is described in his epistles; and for what concerns the King of Israel, the Prince of the kings of the earth, see the Apocalypse. See this subject continued, Sect. 51,AD

DENDA.'

Moses in the law. Moses, in that part of the Old Testament which he wrote, called by the Jews the

law.'-See De. xviii. 15, .8, The Lord thy God will raise up,' &c. Ge. iii. 15, And I will put enmity,' &c. xlix. 10, The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.'

And the prophets.-See 'Scrip. Illus.,' p. 71. Jesus of Nazareth. They spake of him as the sou of Joseph, because he was commonly supposed so to be. They spoke of him as dwelling at Nazareth. 46. Come out of Nazareth. The whole country of Galilee was had in contempt with the Jews; but Nazareth was so mean a place, that it seems it was even despised by its neighbours, the Galilæans themselves. Come and see. Judge for yourself; seeing is believing.'-Bloomfield. This was the best answer to Nathanael. He asked him to go and examine for himself, to see the Lord Jesus, to hear him converse, to lay aside his prejudice, and to judge from a fair and candid examination.

47. An Israelite indeed. Jacob received the name It is here used to designate a man of undoubted inof Israel from his wrestling and prevailing in prayer. tegrity towards men, and unfeigned piety towards God.'-See Ps. xxxii. 2.

No guile. Nathanael, although like Israel as to prayer, was unlike him as to guile. Jacob submitted to deceitful means of obtaining the birth-right blessing.-See Scripture Illustrations.'

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GLORIFY HIM; AND FEAR HIM, ALL YE THE SEED OF ISRAEL.-Psalm xxii. 23.

HOSEA VI.

1 An exhortation to repentance. 4 A complaint of their untowardness and iniquity.

1

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, 2 and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us in the third day he will raise us up, and we 3 shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the

earth.

4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. 5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judg 6 ments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God 7 more than burnt offerings. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt 8 treacherously against me. Gilead is a city of them 9 that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they com10 mit lewdness. I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, 11 Israel is defiled. Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.

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43. GALILEE, circuit- the north part of the land, around which Jesus, &c. :-see Lu. i. 26, § 2, p. (9). PHILIP, 'lover of the horse,' (a native of Bethsaida in Galilee.)

see as to the messengers on different coloured horses:Rev. vi. 2, 4, 5, 8.

and the armies upon white horses that obey the command here given to Philip, 'Follow me:'-Rev. xix. 11, .4. 11, And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.' 14, And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.' chosen an apostle :-Mt. x. 3, § 27.

informed Jesus that Greeks, &c. :-Jno. xii. 21, .2, § 82. see as to Philip a speedy messenger of this name:-Ac. viii. 26-40.

44. BETHSAIDA, 'house of fishing.'-See page opposite. 45. NATHANAEL, God gives, or gift of God: 'Jno. iv. 10, § 13, p. 92, If thou knewest the gift of God.'

OF WHOM THE PROPHETS DID WRITE.

as Moses wrote of the seed of the woman:-Ge. iii. 15. of the Shiloh :-Ge. xlix. 10, The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

of the Prophet:-De. xviii. 15-.9, &c. 15, The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16, according to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17, And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18, I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19, And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.'

David, who describes the sufferings of Christ :-Ps. xxii. 1-21-see p. (76).

and the glory that shall follow:-ver. 22-31-see ibid. Ps. lxxxix. 19-37-see p. (50); also Is. vii. 14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'-ix. 6, 7-see ch. ix. p. (14). 6, For unto us a child is born,' &c.-xxviii. 16, Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner,' &c.-ch. liii.-see p. (55). -Mi. v. 1-4-see p. (32). I,Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops,' &c.-Mal. iii. 1, Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.'-See on Mt. ii. 5, 6, § 5, p. 32.

JECUS OF NAZARETH, branch carefully preserved.'See Lu. i. 26, § 2, p. 9; iv. 16, § 15, p. 102; Mt. ii. 23, § 5, p. 35.

46. CAN THERE ANY GOOD THING, &c.

vi. 41, .2, § 43. 41, The Jews then murmured at him, the Jews thought meanly of his supposed origin:-Jno.

because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42, And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?'-Ac. ii. 7, And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?'-For remainder, see page opposite.

he was despised:-Ac. iv. 10, .1. 10, Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11, This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

as also had been the people:-Eze. xi. 15, Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession.' who are to be found in him :-Eze. xi. 16, Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.' PHILIP SAITH, COME AND SEE:-so Jesus:-ver. 39, p. 71. and each of the living creatures:-Rev. vi. 47. ISRAELITE INDEED.

Israel, the name given to Jacob, &c. :-Ge. xxxii. 24-32 -see p. (27), ver. 36, ASHER,' under, ' obtained in answer to prayer. Ho. xii. 4, ' Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us.' see Phanuel-Lu. ii. 36, § 4, p. 27.

the wrestling which will prevail:-Joel ii. 15-21-see ch. ii. p. (57), Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.'

the blessing upon him that overcometh, (THE ISRAELITE indeed:)-Rev. ii. 7, 11, 7, 26-9. 7,' He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto which is in the midst of the paradise of God.' 11, He the second death.' 17, He that hath an ear, let him the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.' 26, And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28, And I will give him the morning star. 29, He that hath an ear, let him hear 5, 'He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in what the Spirit saith unto the churches.'-iii. 5, 12, 21. white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of Father, and before his angels.' 12, Him that overcometh the book of life, but I will confess his name before my will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaname of my God, and the name of the city of my God, ven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.' 21, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.'-xxi. 7, He that God, and he shall be my son.' overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his

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No GUILE.

although an Israelite, yet it was as one, in the moral sense of the word, that he is here spoken of; not as acting 35, And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and as a Jacob, supplanter, in a bad sense:-Ge. xxvii. 35, .6. rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these hath taken away thy blessing. 36, And he said. Is not he two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?'

but as putting away all guile, is Israel to be exalted :righteously,' &c.-Rev. xiv. 5, And in their mouth was Is. xxxiii. 15-7-see ch. xxxiii. p. (56), He that walketh found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.'

22, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his thus being made conformable to their Leader:-1 Pe. ii. mouth.'-Ps. xxxii. 2, Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.'-1 Pe. ii. 1, 2. 1, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.'

48. UNDER THE FIG TREE.

it reminds of man's fall:-Ge. iii. 7, And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."

and of future peace and blessing:-Zec. iii. 10, 'In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.'

a pledge of which was given in the reign of Solomon :— 1 Kí. iv. 25, And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.'

49. SON OF GOD.-See Scripture Illustrations,' p. opp. KING OF ISRAEL.

the Son was so appointed:-Ps. ii. 6-12-see p. (7), 'Yet have I set my king,' &c.

the Holy One of Israel our king:-Ps. lxxxix. 18, For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.'

the LORD:-Is. xxxiii. 22, 'For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.'-xliv. 6, Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.'-Zep. iii. 15, The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.'-Zec. xiv. 9, And the LORD shall be king over all the earth in that day shall there be one LORD, and his

name one.'

the Lord our Righteousness: '—Je. xxiii. 5, 6—see ch. xxiii. p. (42.

just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass-Zec. ix. 8, 9-see ch. ix. p. (29); Mt. xxi. 5, § 82. Jesus hailed as such:-Jno. xii. 12.6, § ib. Jesus taunted with the title :-Mt. xxvii. 42, § 91. he is the Lord of lords, and King of kings:-Rev. xvii. 14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.'

50. THOU SHALT SEE GREATER THINGS THAN THESE.

believing prayer is answered by being shewn greater things than were looked for :-Je. xxxiii. 2, 3.

JEREMIAH XXXIII. Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 4 For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concern

that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the 16 land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; 18 neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.

17

19 And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah,
20 saying, Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my
covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night,
and that there should not be day and night in their
21 season; then may also my covenant be broken with
David my servant, that he should not have a son to
reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the
22 priests, my ministers. As the host of heaven cannot
be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured:
so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and
23 the Levites that minister unto me. Moreover the
24 word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, Con-
siderest thou not what this people have spoken, say-
ing, The two families which the LORD hath chosen,
he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised
my people, that they should be no more a nation be-
25 fore them. Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be
not with day and night, and if I have not appointed
26 the ordinances of heaven and earth; then will I cast
away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that
I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the
seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause
their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
Da. ix. 20-7-see ch. ix. p. (52).-Is. lxiv. 4, For since
the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor per-
ceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, be-
side thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth
for him.'

except by the teaching of the Spirit-1 Co. ii. 9, 10. 9,
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10,
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for
the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God.
things which must be hereafter :-Rev. iv. 1.

51. ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND DESCENDING.
referring to the vision with which Jacob was favoured,

ing the houses of this city, and concerning the houses&c.-Ge. xxviii. 11, 2-see ch. xxviii. p. (88).
of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the
5 mounts, and by the sword; They come to fight with
the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead
bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and
in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid
6 my face from this city. Behold, I will bring it health.
and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto
7 them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will
cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Is-
rael to return, and will build them, as at the first.
8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, where-
by they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all
their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and where-
by they have transgressed against me.

9

angels shall attend Christ in his glorious appearing :Da. vii. 10, A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.'-Mt. xxv. 31, § 86.-2 Th. i. 7, And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.'-He. xii. 22,.3. 22, But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.'

of which a pledge was given to the shepherds:-Lu. ii. 9, 13, § 4, pp. 20, .1.

examples of their ministering to Jesus, after his temptations:-Mt. iv. 11, § 9, p. 66.

in the garden:-Lu. xxii. 43, § 88.

and at his ascension:-Ac. i. 10 .1. 10, And while they looked stedfastly,' &c., § 98.

so Peter-Ac. xii. 7-11.

all sent forth to minister :-He. i. 14.
see on Lu. i. 11, § 1, p. 3; ver. 26, § 2, p. 9.

THE SON OF MAN.

Jesus having become the Son of man, had not where to lay his head:-Mt. viii. 20, § 34.

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the 10 prosperity that I procure unto it. Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without 11 inhabitant, and without beast, the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as 12 at the first, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without he did not become the son of man that he should repent: Iman and without beast, and in all the cities thereof,-Nu. xxiii. 19, God is not a man, that he should lie; shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he 13 to lie down. In the cities of the mountains, in the said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in he not make it good?' the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusa- but by his death all is made sure that God hath promised: lem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass-Rom. viii. 32, He that spared not his own Son, but deagain under the hands of him that telleth them, saith livered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also 14 the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, freely give us all things?'-And see page opposite.

yet is his kingdom appointed to be universal:-Da. vii. 13, .4. 13, I saw in the night visions,' &c.-see ch. vii. p. (37)-Col. i. 12-7. "Giving thanks,' &c.

THE LORD IS OUR JUDGE, THE LORD IS OUR LAWGIVER, THE LORD IS OUR KING; HE WILL SAVE US.-Isaiah xxxiii. 22.

JOHN i. 49-51.

me? Jesus answered and said unto-him, Before that-Philip called thee, when-thou-wast 49 under the fig-tree, I-saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto-him, Rabbi, thou art 50 the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto-him, Because I-said unto-thee, I-saw thee under the fig-tree, believest-thou? thou-shalt-see 51 greater-things than-these. And he saith unto-him, Verily, verily, I-say unto-you, Hereafter an' apr ye-shall-see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon en the Son of man.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

48. under the fig tree-it reminds of man's fall, Ge. iii. 7-and of future peace and blessing, Zec. iii. 10a pledge of which was given in the reign of Solomon, 1 Ki. iv. 25. 49. Son of God-see Lu. i. 35, § 2, p. 10; Jno. i. 1-18, § 7, p. 46-Philip had called Nathanael to see the Son of Joseph, ver. 45; Nathanael recognizes him as the Son of God: Jesus humbled himself to become the Son of man, ver. 51.

voured at Bethel, in which the angels were seen ascending and descending, as if in attendance upon him who had but a stone for his pillow, Ge. xxviii. 11, 2-angels shall attend Christ in his glorious appearing, Da. vii. 10; Mt. xxv. 31, § 86; 2 Th. i. 7; He. xii. 22, .3-of which a pledge was given to the shepherds, Lu. ii. 9, 13, § 4, pp. 20, .1-examples of their ministering to Jesus: after his temptations, Mt. iv. 11, § 9; in the garden, Lu. xxii. 43, § 88; and at his ascension, Ac. i. 10, .1, § 98-so Peter, xii. 7-11 King of Israel-the Son was so appointed, Ps. ii.all sent forth to minister, He. i. 14.-See on Lu. i. 11, 6-12-the Holy One of Israel our King, lxxxix. 18the Lord, Is. xxxiii. 22; xliv. 6; Zep. iii. 15; Zec. 1, p. 3; ver. 26, § 2, p. 9. xiv. 9the Lord our Righteousness,' Je. xxiii. 5, 6 just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass,' Zec. ix. 8, 9; Mt. xxi. 5, § 82-Jesus hailed as such, Jno. xii. 12-.6, § ib.-Jesus taunted with the title, Mt. xxvii. 42, § 91-' he is Lord of lords, and King of kings,' Rev. xvii. 14.

50. thou shalt see greater things than these-believing prayer is answered by being shewn greater things than were looked for, Je. xxxiii. 2, 3; so Da. ix. 20-7none can imagine what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him,' Is. Ixiv. 4-except by the teaching of the Spirit, I Co. ii. 9, 10-things which must be hereafter,' Rev.iv. 1-great signs and wonders were shewn to the beloved disciple, Rev. xi. 1; xii. 1; xiv. 1; xv. 1, &c. 51. angels of God ascending and descending referring to the vision with which Jacob was fa

of man, had not where to lay his head, Mt. viii. 20, the Son of man-Jesus, as having become the Son § 34-yet is his kingdom appointed to be universal, Da. vii. 13, .4; Col. i. 12-7-he did not become the Son of man that he should repent, Nu. xxiii. 19-but by his death, all is made sure that God hath promised, Rom. viii. 32-the Son of man hath power to forgive sins, Mt. ix. 6, § 22-is Lord of the sabbath day, xii. 8, § 24-soweth the good seed, xiii. 37, § 33the angels and the kingdom are his, ver. 41-to be betrayed into the hands of men, xvii. 22, § 52-put to death, as was written of him, xxvii. 24, § 87-and remained in the grave until the third day, xii. 40, § 31 but having risen from the dead, xvii. 9, § 51-he shall come as the lightning, xxiv. 27, § 86-and all the holy angels with him-then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory,' xxv. 31, § ib

NOTES.

48. Whence knowest thou me? Ov us y Knowest my disposition and character.'-Bloomf. Nathanael was not yet acquainted with the Divinity of Christ, and supposed that he had been a stranger to him.

Before that Philip called thee, &c. Philip had probably found Nathanael under a particular fig tree, and had then, as often before, conversed with him about Christ; and now our Lord mentions this in order to evince his omniscience.

evidence that Jesus was the Christ. The great ob-
ject he had in view in writing this Gospel was, to
collect the evidence that he was the Messiah, ch. xx.
31, § 100. A case, therefore, where Jesus searched
vinced a pious Jew that he was the Christ, is very
the heart, and where his knowledge of the heart con-
properly adduced as important testimony.]
[This testimony of Nathanael is very similar to
that by Peter; Mt. xvi. 16, § 50, Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God. To the usual expression,
to denote the Messiah, he adds, that of King of Is-
rael;' one of the titles designating the expected
Saviour, and which is applied to Christ in various
parts of the Gospels. This, from the circumstance
that under the theocracy GoD was King of Israel,'
denotes the expectation of an earthly kingdom of
righteousness.]

51. Verily, verily. [aun, in the Greek; a solemn asseveration, intimating that the saying is true, and that we must regard it as proceeding from the Amen,' the true and faithful Witness.]

The word Amen is from a verb to confirm, to establish, to be true. It is often used in this Gospel. When repeated, it expresses the speaker's sense of the importance of what he is about to say, and the certainty that it is as he affirms.

When thou wast under the fig tree. The Jews were much in the habit of selecting such places for private devotion; and in such scenes of stillness and retirement there is something peculiarly favourable for meditation and prayer. So our Saviour also worshipped.-Comp. Jno. xviii. 2, § 88; Lu. vi. 12, § 27. I saw thee. It is clear from the narrative that Jesus does not mean to say that he was bodily present with Nathanael, and saw him; but he knew his thoughts, his desires, his secret feelings, and wishes. 49. Rabbi. Master; applied appropriately to Jesus, and to no one else; Mt. xxiii. 10, § 85, Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." The Son of God. By this title he doubtless meant that Jesus was the Messiah. Thou art the King of Israel. Two characters combined throughout the chapter, because the Messiah Ye shall see. In prophetic vision, and in the pledge could not be the King of Israel, in the sense which of full accomplishment, as well as afterwards in their the oracles pointed out, if he had not been really the glorious consummation. Son of God.-See Mk. i. 1, §7; He. i. 8, But unto Shall see heaven open, &c. See the frame of nature the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and subject to my commands, and such a train of events. ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy miracles, and providences, as shall leave no doubt of kingdom.' my mission: it will appear as the vision of Jacob.'[This case of Nathanael, John adduces as another See Ge. xxviii. 12 and the Apocalypse throughout. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. 48 ver. In prayerful retirement, let us search the and diligent study of the Scriptures, may soon be Scriptures, to know Him of whom Moses and the pro- expected to surpass his teachers, as Nathanael seems phets did write-see 45 ver. Jesus reveals himself to have done Philip, who had testified of Jesus of unto those that seek him thus. He is the omniscient Nazareth as the son of Joseph, but Nathanael conJehovah, who seeth in secret. fessed him to be the Son of God, the King of Israel.'

48, .9 ver. The acknowledgment of what is good in others is one of the best means of removing their misconceptions respecting ourselves.

49 ver. He who has sought Christ in earnest prayer

When we find that we have been misled, we are to allow neither the mistakes of others, nor our own previous prejudices, to prevent us from fully acknowfedging the truth.

HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS.-Rev. xxi. 7.

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AND THE LORD SHALL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH: IN THAT DAY THERE SHALL BE ONE LORD, ETC.-Zech. xiv. 9.

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