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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:36

Verse 36 36.Believe in the light. He exhorts them to retain by faith the possession of the light, for he gives the appellation,children of light, to those who, like true heirs, enjoy it to the end. These things spoke Jesus. We might have wondered why he withdrew himself from them, when they were so eager to receive him; but from the other Evangelists it may easily be inferred that what is here said relates to adversaries, who burned with envy on account of the godly zeal of good and sincere... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37

Verse 37 37.And though he had done so many signs. That no man may be disturbed or perplexed at seeing that Christ was despised by the Jews, the Evangelist removes this offense, by showing that he was supported by clear and undoubted testimonies, which proved that credit was due to him and to his doctrine; but that the blind did not behold the glory and power of God, which were openly displayed in his miracles. First, therefore, we ought to believe that it was not owing to Christ that the Jews... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:38

Verse 38 38.That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. John does not mean that the prediction laid a necessity on the Jews; for Isaiah (Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:16) uttered nothing but what the Lord revealed to him from the secret treasures of his purpose. Indeed, it must have happened, though the prophet had not spoken of it; but as men would not have known what should take place, if God had not testified by the mouth of the prophet, the Evangelist places before our eyes in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:20-36

The interview of the Greeks with Christ. This is the only incident recorded between the entry into Jerusalem and the institution of the Lord's Supper. I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS INTERVIEW . "And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast." 1. They were not Gentiles, but-proselytes oft he gate, of Gentile extraction, who had been admitted to Jewish privileges . They came to the Passover as reverent and earnest worshippers. 2. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:36

But he concludes with one more glorious invitation. As , up to this moment, you have the Light, Believe in the Light ; treat it as light—receive the revelation I have given you (cf. the ninth and eleventh chapters); "Work while it is called today;" "stumble not;" make no irreparable mistake. "Become "—so walk that ye may become yourselves sons of Light , illumined and luminous. This fine expression is found in Luke 16:8 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ; and, with alteration of υἱοὶ ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:36

"Sons of light." This remarkable expression occurs four times in the New Testament. In Luke 16:8 the Lord Jesus contrasts with the children of this generation the sons of light. In this passage he holds out the prospect before those who believe on the Light that they will become sons of light. Paul, in Ephesians 5:8 , admonishes Christians to walk as children of light, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:5 assures Christians that they are all sons of light. The designation is instructive and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:37

Though he had done so many signs in their presence, yet they believed not on him, If " so many" be the correct reading, John is simply implying what he elsewhere expresses, that a widespread knowledge was possessed by him of groups of miraculous signs, of which he recorded only seven crucial symbolic specimens; (a) Signs in heaven, earth and sea; (b) startling miracles on human nature, and (c) on dead men, did not compel belief. The inaccessibility of the people reveals... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:37-41

The causes of Jewish unbelief. The evangelist now turns to the remarkable failure of the Messiah's work in Israel, and proceeds to account for it. I. THE UNBELIEF OF THE JEWS WAS INEXCUSABLE . "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him." 1. It is implied that Jesus did many more miracles than the seven recorded in this Gospel . 2. The miracles were done "before them, " so as to leave them without this excuse of... read more

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