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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:32

Verse 32 32.She fell at his feet. From her falling down at his feet we learn that Christ was honored in that house beyond the ordinary custom of men. For, though it was customary to throw themselves down on the ground in the presence of kings and great men, yet as Christ had nothing about him, according to the flesh, that was royal or magnificent, it was for a different purpose that Maryfell down at his feet Indeed, she would not have done so, if she had not been convinced that he was the Son... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:1-57

7. Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power . The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:17-32

(2) Human affection drawing from Christ the assertion and promise , "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE ." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:28-32

Martha's and Mary's faith, Notice— I. CERTAIN FEATURES OF MARTHA 'S FAITH . 1. The satisfaction of her faith . "When she had so said," etc. Her faith was unspeakably satisfied with Jesus, with his presence, with his gracious words, and his wonderful revelations. She needed no further explanations. Her mind and heart were full to the brim. She was satisfied with her own confession, that she had been so far enabled to unbosom her heart and unburden her mind, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:28-37

Jesus and Mary. Our Lord deals with Mary according to her nature and temperament. I. THE SECRET MESSAGE TO MARY . "She went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee." 1. Jesus, though he would not fly from danger, does not seek it . He did not care to attract the notice of the Jews who were with Mary. Otherwise he would at once have gone to the house of mourning. 2. How promptly but silently Mary acts upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:29

And she, as soon as she heard, arose (aorist) quickly, and went forth to (meet) him (imperfect); or, was £ on the way to come to him—a vivid touch conveyed by the change of tense which has been introduced into the text by the Revisers. The summons is met by prompt obedience, and we see it in immediate resolution and activity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:30

Now Jesus was not yet come into the village, but was still £ in that place where Martha met him. At no great distance from the grave or from the village. The Lord probably sought to comfort the sisters apart from the crowd. Thus say most commentators. This is not in the text. If it were his purpose, it was frustrated. Hengstenberg thinks our Lord did not object to the crowds witnessing the miracle, but if so, it would be without any arrangement on his part. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:31

The Jews therefore who were with her in the house, and were comforting her . If the "Jews" (see note, John 11:19 ) were comforting Mary, and ( John 11:37 ) recognized his love in its Divine depths, and if (see John 11:45 ) ( πολλοὶ ) "many believed on him," and only ( τινές ) some of them ( John 11:46 ) made the stupendous miracle a new occasion for expressing their inveterate malignity, there is no reason to import the element of hostility into the word ἰδόντες . When... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:32

Mary therefore, when she came where Jesus was, and when she saw him, fell at his feet, and in other ways showed more intensity of feeling than did the energetic sister, who in many ways is the feminine type of what Peter was as a man. She is not altogether silent, but sobbed forth the very words which her sister had uttered before. Thus had they often said one to another while Lazarus was yet alive, "Oh that the Lord Jesus were here!" Lord , said she, if thou hadst been here, my brother... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:32

Unavailing regrets and unfounded fancies. It is in human nature to lean upon the presence of friends and patrons. In their absence it seems as if we could not help exclaiming, "Ah! if only we had been supported by their nearness, their countenance, their encouragement, then all would have been otherwise, all would have been far better with us!" So the soldier regrets the absence of his commander; the official the absence of his chief; the child the absence of his parent. And so, sometimes,... read more

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