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ciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

a

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

21. Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus.

b

THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him,. Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily,

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say unto thee, Except a man be born again, "he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of "God. That which is born of the flesh is "flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye "must be born again. The wind bloweth

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C

a Believed him to be the Messiah.

с

One of their great council called the Sanhedrim.
In a figurative sense.

a

" b

" where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound "thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, "and whither it goeth: so is every one that is "born of the Spirit.' Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, "Art thou "a master of Israel, and knowest not these "things: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we "have seen; and ye receive not our witness. "If I have told you earthly things, and ye be"lieve not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you

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of heavenly things? and no man hath as"cended up to heaven, but he that came down " from heaven, even the Son of man which is " in heaven.

с

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the "wilderness, even so must the Son of man be "lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him "should not perish, but have eternal life.

d

"For God so loved the world, that he gave "his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son "into the world to condemn the world; but "that the world through him might be saved.

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"He that believeth on him is not condemned: "but he that believeth not is condemned al"ready, because he hath not believed in the

name of the only begotten Son of God. And "this is the condemnation, that light is come

a Without any controul from us.

The influences of the Spirit are secret, and known only by their effects on the heart and life.

Iscontinually present in heaven in his divine nature.
Die on a cross.

"into the world, and men loved darkness ra"ther than light, because their deeds were evil. "For every one that doeth evil hateth the "light, neither cometh to the light, lest his "deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth "truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought " in God."

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22. Jesus tarries and baptizes in Judea. John the Baptist asserts the superior dignity of Jesus.

Time.

AFTER these things came A. D. 30. Jesus and his disciples into first Pass- the land of Judea; and

After the

Place.

Judea.

over. there he tarried with them, and baptized.

And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.

b

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying." And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not

The dispute was probably about the superior excellence of Jesus's baptism compared with that of John.

b Master.

D

a

the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all; he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man 1 receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

b

And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

23. Jesus retires into Galilee after John the Baptist's imprisonment. Passing through Samaria, he makes disciples.

Time. Now after that John was put - A. D. 31. in prison, Jesus came into Ga

After the first

Passover.

a

lilee.

Comparatively very few.

That is, God giveth spirit without measure.

a

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold. upon John, and bound him 'in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. "

e

b

d

Samaria.

Sychar.

And he must needs go through Sa- Place. maria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, © near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, "Give me "to drink." (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews havo no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus an

Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. b With a respectful and anxious attention. • Or Sychem.

A well that bare the name of Jacob.

• Twelve o'clock at noon.

f

f Their religious differences stopped the common intercourse of civility and humanity. The Samaritans received the five books of Moses, but built a temple, in opposition to that of the Jews, on Mount Gerizim; which was the source of their mutual hatred.

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