John 7:18

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 7:18

He that speaketh of himself ,..... What he himself has devised, and is a scheme of his own; for which he has no divine warrant and commission: seeketh his own glory ; honour and applause from men; as did the Scribes and Pharisees, who taught for doctrines the commandments of men, the traditions of the elders, their own glosses upon the law, and their own decisions and determinations: and as did the false teachers, who had nothing else in view but themselves, their worldly interest, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 7:18

He that speaketh of himself, etc. - I will give you another rule, whereby you shall know whether I am from God or not: If I speak so as to procure my own glory, to gratify vanity, or to secure and promote my secular interests, then reject me as a deceiver and as a false prophet. But if I act only to promote the glory of God, to induce all men to love and obey him; if I propose nothing but what leads to the perfection of his law, and the accomplishment of its ordinances, you cannot help... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 7:18

Verse 18 18.He who speaketh from himself. Hitherto he has showed that there is no other reason why men are blind, but because they are not governed by the fear of God. He now puts another mark on the doctrine itself, by which it may be known whether it is of God or of man. For every thing that displays the glory of God is holy and divine; but every thing that contributes to the ambition of men, and, by exalting them, obscures the glory of God, not only has no claim to be believed, but ought to... 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 7:18

The following sentence is perfectly general and applicable to all teachers of Divine truth, though it only reaches its highest expression in Christ himself. But while it has numerous applications, its first use is to ratify the previous statements, and prepare the way for what is to follow. He that speaketh from himself. This was an act which he, in his own case, disclaimed. The "himself" was here the personality which then was in question as a human Teacher. He that speaketh from himself ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 7:18

That speaketh of himself - This does not mean about or concerning himself, but he that speaks by his own authority, without being sent by God, as mere human teachers do.Seeketh his own glory - His own praise, or seeks for reputation and applause. This is the case with mere human teachers, and as Jesus in his discourses manifestly sought to honor God, they ought to have supposed that he was sent by him.No unrighteousness - This word here means, evidently, there is no falsehood, no deception in... read more

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