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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:41

Verse 41 41.And Jesus again raised his eyes. This was the token of a mind truly prepared for prayer; for before any one calls on God aright, he must be brought into communication with him, and this can only be done when, raised above the earth, he ascends even to heaven. True, this is not done by the eyes; for hypocrites, who are plunged in the deep filth of their flesh, appear to draw down heaven to them by their stern aspect; but what they only pretend to do must be sincerely accomplished by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:42

Verse 42 42.And I knew that thou hearest me always. This is an anticipation, lest any one should think that he did not stand so high in favor with the Father, as to be able easily to perform as many miracles as he chose. He means, therefore, that there is so great an agreement between him and the Father, that the Father refuses him nothing; and even that he had no need to pray, because he only executed what he knew that the Father had enjoined; but in order that men may be more fully assured... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:43

Verse 43 43.He cried with a loud voice. By not touching with the hand, but only crying with the voice, his Divine power is more fully demonstrated. At the same time, he holds out to our view the secret and astonishing efficacy of his word. For how did Christ restore life to the dead but by the word? And therefore, in raising Lazarus, he exhibited a visible token of his spiritual grace, which we experience every day by the perception of faith, when he shows that his voice gives life. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:44

Verse 44 44.Bound hand and foot with bandages. The Evangelist is careful to mention thenapkin and bandages, in order to inform us that Lazarus went out of the tomb, in the same manner that he was laid in it. This mode of burying is retained to the present day by the Jews, who cover the body with a shroud, and wrap the head separately in a handkerchief. Loose him, and let him go. To magnify the glory of the miracle, it only remained that the Jews should even touch with their hands that Divine... 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 11:38-44

The miracle. There is a fresh struggle in the soul of Jesus, perhaps caused by the malicious observations of the Jews. I. JESUS COMMANDS THE STONE TO BE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE SEPULCHER . "Take ye away the stone." 1. This command suggests that where human power is sufficient, Divine power will not be put forth . A word from Jesus could have taken away the stone as easily as a word raised Lazarus to life. The action of Jesus suggests the economy of miracle so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:41

Then they took away the stone [ £ from the place where the dead was laid]. They lifted the stone, and Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven . This is not to be taken as an ordinary prayer, but a thanksgiving for prayer already heard. "Jesus lifted up his eyes," i . e . to heaven—to that sublime symbol of the infinite activity of God, which surrounds us day and night, and which is in numerous religious systems made a type and image of the Divine Being himself; nor does our modern... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:42

And I knew that thou hearest me always, but because of the multitude which standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me. This great utterance declares all the intimate relation which subsists between the Father of all and the Son in Jesus. A continuous absolute communion is ever going on between heaven and earth in the heart of Jesus. His consciousness of the Father is a door opened in heaven. Alas! these words have been a stumbling-block to many; have suggested... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:43

And when he had thus spoken, he cried with loud voice. ἐκραύγασε is used of the shout of a multitude ( John 12:13 , R.T.; John 18:40 ; John 19:6 , John 19:15 ), and implies the loud, imperative command to Death to give up his prey, and relinquish the grasp which had, in answer to his prayer, been already relaxed. The loud voice keeps up the image that death is a deep sleep. The critical moment in Christ's own career has arrived, when, having pledged the rather to this... read more

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