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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 7:14-36

Here is, I. Christ's public preaching in the temple (John 7:14): He went up into the temple, and taught, according to his custom when he was at Jerusalem. His business was to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and he did it in every place of concourse. His sermon is not recorded, because, probably, it was to the same purport with the sermons he had preached in Galilee, which were recorded by the other evangelists. For the gospel is the same to the plain and to the polite. But that which is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 7:15-18

7:15-18 The Jews were amazed. "How," they said, "can this fellow read when he is quite uneducated?" "My teaching," said Jesus, "is not mine, but it belongs to him who sent me. If anyone is willing to do his will, he will understand whether my teaching derives from God, or whether I am speaking from no source beyond myself. The man who speaks from no other source beyond himself is out for his own glory. He who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is no wickedness in him." ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 7:15

And the Jews marvelled ,.... Both at the matter, and manner of his doctrine; it was such, as never man spake; his words were so gracious, and there were such truth and evidence in them, and they were delivered with such power and authority, that they were astonished at them: saying, how knoweth this man letters ? or "the Scriptures", as the Arabic and Persic versions render it; which are called "holy letters", 2 Timothy 3:15 ; according to which, the sense is, that they were surprised... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 7:15

How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? - The Jewish learning consisted in the knowledge of their own scriptures, and the traditions of their elders. In this learning our blessed Lord excelled. No person ever spoke with more grace and dignity, or knew better how to make a more proper use, or a happier application, of Jewish allegories and parables; because none ever penetrated the sense of the Scriptures as he did; none ever cited them more successfully, or ever showed their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 7:15

Verse 15 15.And the Jews wondered Those who think that Christ was received in such a manner as to be esteemed and honored are mistaken; for the wonder or astonishment of the Jews is of such a nature, that they seek occasion from it to despise him. For such is the ingratitude of men that, in judging of the works of God, they always seek deliberately an occasion of falling into error. If God acts by the usual means and in the ordinary way, those means which are visible to the eyes are — as it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 7:1-53

John 7:1-53 . consists of three distinct parts: Verses 7:1-8:11 3. Christ as the Source of truth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 7:11-19

(2) The controversy among " Jews" concerning Christ—his first discussion with them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 7:14-18

Justification of his doctrine. Jesus appeared suddenly in the temple, and began at once to instruct the people. I. ASTONISHMENT OF THE JEWS AT HIS TEACHING . "And the Jews were astonished, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" 1 . They were astonished at the manner of his teaching. "He spake as never man spake;" he "spake as One having authority, and not as the scribes;" thus "the common people heard him gladly." These passages give an idea of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 7:15

The Jews therefore marvelled, £ saying , etc. "The Jews," as elsewhere, mean the ruling and learned class, the men of power and weight in the metropolis, who must have heard his teaching. The immediate effect of the appearance and words was great astonishment. In spite of themselves, they are moved by the command he manifested over all the springs of thought and feeling. The point of their astonishment is, not that he is wise and true, but that he could teach without having been taught... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 7:15

Knoweth this man letters - The Jewish letters or science consisted in the knowledge of their Scriptures and traditions. Jesus exhibited in his discourses such a profound acquaintance with the Old Testament as to excite their amazement and admiration.Having never learned - The Jews taught their law and tradition in celebrated schools. As Jesus had not been instructed in those schools, they were amazed at his learning. What early human teaching the Saviour had we have no means of ascertaining,... read more

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