Verse 34
34. The people answered high At the clear intimations by Jesus of his approaching death, the same people who, in John 12:29, had interpreted the voice of God into thunder now cavil at the thought of a dying Messiah. They had witnessed his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, amid the acclamations of what we might call the entire nation assembled at the Passover, and had hoped that now was the time for the announcement of a hero-Messiah. They cannot away with the thought of a martyr instead of a conqueror.
Christ abideth for ever Christ is but the Greek form of the Jewish word Messiah; and these people had cherished the interpretation of the law, that is, of the Old Testament, that the Messiah should come, establish a kingdom, and reign forever.
Lifted up This people rightly interpret the phrase lifted up to indicate death. And, as this death is affirmed of the Son of man, namely himself, they instantly assume that he is not the Messiah, and abruptly demand, who is this Son of man?
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