Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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John
Book: John
Chapter: 7
Overview:
Christ goes to the
Feast of
Tabernacles.
(1-13) His discourse
at the
Feast.
(14-39) The people dispute concerning
Christ.
(40-53)
1-13 The brethren or kinsmen of
Jesus were disgusted, when they
found there was
No prospect of worldly advantages from him.
Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the
work of
God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote
present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and
miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow
their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the
Gospel to
be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get
reproach
By avowing regard for them.
14-24 Every
Faithful Minister may humbly adopt
Christ's words.
His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from
God's
Word,
through the teaching of his
Spirit. And amidst the disputes
which disturb the world, if any
Man, of any nation, seeks to do
the will of
God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of
God,
or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the
Truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it
was as agreeable to the design of the
Sabbath to restore health
to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite.
Jesus told
them to decide
On his conduct according to the spiritual import
of the Divine
Law. We must not
Judge concerning any
By their
outward appearance, but
By their worth, and
By the
Gifts and
graces of
God's
Spirit in them.
25-30 Christ proclaimed aloud, that they were in error in their
thoughts about his origin. He was sent of
God, who showed
himself true to his promises. This declaration, that they knew
not
God, with his claim to
Peculiar knowledge, provoked the
hearers; and they sought to take him, but
God can tie men's
hands, though he does not turn their hearts.
31-36 The discourses of
Jesus convinced many that he was the
Messiah; but they had not courage to own it. It is comfort to
those who are in the world, but not of it, and therefore are
hated
By it and weary of it, that they shall not be in it
always, that they shall not be in it long. Our days being evil,
it is
Well they are few. The days of
Life and of
Grace do not
last long; and sinners, when in misery, will be glad of the help
they now despise. Men dispute about such sayings, but the event
will explain them.
37-39 On the last
Day of the
Feast of
Tabernacles, the Jews
drew water and poured it out before the
Lord. It is supposed
that
Christ alluded to this. If any
Man desires to be truly and
for ever happy, let him apply to
Christ, and be ruled
By him.
This thirst means strong desires after spiritual blessings,
which nothing else can satisfy;
So the sanctifying and
comforting influences of the Holy
Spirit, were intended
By the
waters which
Jesus called
On them to come to Him and
Drink. The
comfort flows plentifully and constantly as a
River; strong as a
stream to
Bear down the opposition of doubts and fears. There is
a
Fulness in
Christ, of
Grace for
Grace. The
Spirit dwelling and
working in believers, is as a
Fountain of living, running water,
out of which plentiful streams flow, cooling and cleansing as
water. The miraculous
Gifts of the Holy
Spirit we do not expect,
but for his more common and more valuable influences we may
apply. These streams have flowed from our glorified
Redeemer,
down to this
Age, and to the remote corners of the
Earth. May we
be anxious to make them known to others.
40-53 The malice of
Christ's enemies is always against reason,
and sometimes the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never
any
Man spake with that
Wisdom, and power, and
Grace, that
convincing clearness, and that sweetness, wherewith
Christ
spake. Alas, that many, who are for a time restrained, and who
speak highly of the
Word of
Jesus, speedily lose their
convictions, and go
On in their sins! People are foolishly
swayed
By outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are
willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the
Wisdom of
God often chooses things which men despise,
So the folly of men
commonly despises those whom
God has
Chosen. The
Lord brings
forward his weak and timid disciples, and sometimes uses them to
defeat the designs of his enemies.