.aw, They hated me without a cause. 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. CHAPTER XVI. Spirit of truth, which proceedethHESE things have I spoken from the Father, he shall testify of me. as proved true in the conduct of the Jews towards Jesus. A pious man of former times had reason to speak of the wicked as hating him without a cause. And in the case of Jesus, this language was abundantly verified. Such coincidences between the language of the Old Testament and events in the life of Jesus, whether the passages referred to were direct prophecies or not, would naturally strike the mind as indicating the providence of God both in that language and in those events; and thus the disciples would become just ly confirmed in the belief that those events occurred according to a divine plan, and that Jesus, in respect to whom their Scriptures were verified in so many ways, was truly the One whom the Father was to send. their law; in their Scriptures. Compare 10: 34. See Ps. 109: 3. 69: 4. 26. He shall testify of me; he shall bear witness to my integrity. Though I am rejected by my adversaries, yet the Holy Spirit will vindicate me, and bring clearly to light the truth respecting me. In 27. Ye also shall bear witness; that is, to my integrity. Because ye have been with me from the beginning. Jesus had spoken and acted without reserve in the presence of his apostles. Thus they were qualified by intimate personal acquaintance to bear witness respecting his private life, as well as his public teaching. The most rigid scrutiny of his retired moments, as well as of his public life, would end most honorably to himself. Even Judas was compelled to acknowledge, I have betrayed innocent blood. See Matt. 27: 4. Compare Heb 7:26. unto you, that ye should not be offended. TOPICS FOR INQUIRY. 1. Are we sensible of our dependence on Christ? and are we cultivating an intimate intercourse with him? vs. 2, 5. 2. Are we bearing much fruit for the glory of God? v.8. In respect to this inquiry, consider what is the habitual frame of your mind, at home as well as abroad, during the week as well as on the Sabbath, in the ordinary pursuits of business as well as in acts of worship, among men of the world as well as among the professed followers of Christ; what are you doing for the salvation of men; what impression are you making on others respecting religion; what efforts are you making for improvement in personal piety. 3. Do we possess a special love for the people of God? v. 12. 4. Are we willing, through our love to Christ, to meet the frowns and hatred of men who love not the Saviour? vs. 18, 19. How consoling is the reflection, if we are enduring hatred on account of our attachment to religion, that, in this respect, we are treated as our Saviour was! vs. 18-20. Nor will he permit us to suffer for his name beyond the ability which he will grant us to endure evils. Compare 1 Cor. 10: 13. CHAPTER XVI. 1. Offended; induced to commit offence by departing from me. Compare Matt. 13: 21. The Saviour had predicted his own death, and the hatred to which his apostles would be exposed. When, then, he should be removed from them, and they should be suffering persecution, they ought not to feel disappointed, but still to hold fast their attachment to him. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the 2. Put you out of the synagogues. See on 9: 22. 3. Known the Father. See on 14: 17. 4. Because I was with you. At an early period of the disciples' connection with Jesus, there was no need that he should fully disclose the scenes of trial through which they were to pass. It was more appropriate to that period that they should rejoice in their privileges, and should be receiving religious instruction. Besides, if troubles should arise while he was with them, he could personally advise and protect. 5. None of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? At an early part of this conversation, Thomas had made a remark similar to the inquiry here stated. See 14: 5. But Jesus was here speaking of the precise moment then passing. 8. Reprove; convince. || Of sin, and of righteousness, &c. Our Lord proceeded immediately to explain these terms. truth: It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he 9. Of sin, because they believe not, &c. The Spirit will convince my adversaries that they have sinned in not receiving me as the Messiah. 10. Of righteousness; of my innocence and holiness. The Spirit will convince them that I am a righteous person, and that I deserved better treatment. || Because I go to the Father. I am going to the Father; I shall be seated at his right hand. Mark 16: 19. He will give glorious success to my cause, and thus furnish a divine attestation to my righteousness. 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world, &c. He will convince men of the just sentence passed on Satan; for Satan's efforts will be foiled, and he will be perceived to be in a state of condemnation. 12. Ye cannot bear them now. The apostles still needed to be led along gradually to those more elevated truths which would, in due time, be disclosed to them. 13. Into all truth; all the truths of whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will show you things to come. shall not speak of himself; but | 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me and again, a little while, and ye shall see me and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We cannot tell what he saith. the gospel. The Spirit was to unfold to the disciples the whole truth; they were not yet in a condition suitable for receiving it. || He shall not speak of himself; that is, by his own authority, as independent of me and of the Father. Whatsoever he shall hear; that is, from the Father; what he shall receive in order to communicate to you. Compare 15: 15. Thus there would be a perfect harmony between the instructions which Jesus had given, and the more full disclosures to be made by the Spirit. The Spirit was to complete, in the work of instruction, what Jesus had commenced. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned unto joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall in heaven. See 14: 18, 19, 2, 3. Though years would elapse before they should be called to heaven, yet, comparatively speaking, the time would be "a little while." 18. We cannot tell; we do not understand. 21. A man; a human being. 22. I will see you again. This language would be applicable to the Saviour's being with the disciples on earth after his resurrection; but his promise was only partially fulfilled by that period of intercourse with them. It was his spiritual presence that was principally intended, since he intimates that their joy would not be interrupted. 16. Again a little while, and ye shall see me. Jesus here referred to 23. In that day; at that time when, his being spiritually with his disci- after my removal from the earth, ples after his removal from the earth, shall yet manifest myself spiritualand to their final reception to himselfly to you. || Ye shall ask me noth ask me nothing. Verily, verily, ( my name and I say not unto I say unto you, Whatsoever ye you, that I will pray the Father shall ask the Father in my name, for you: he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in ing. At that time, they would have no occasion to make inquiries as to the meaning of what Jesus had just told them. They were now in perplexity, not understanding him, and they wished to ask him a question (v. 19); but hereafter, when enjoying his spiritual presence, they would not have occasion to make such inquiries. This thought led the Saviour to repeat his encouragement respecting answers to prayer, and to promise again that all their necessities should be supplied in answer to prayer in his name, that is, prayer of fered by them as his disciples, devoted to his interests, and acting under his authority. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name. Hitherto they had of fered supplications, not specially as followers of Jesus, and in his behalf, as having reference to his glory; but hereafter they were to pray in behalf of the cause of Jesus; they were to come to the Father as the followers of Jesus, and in that distinctive capacity to seek for blessings. 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no prov│erb. means to speak somewhat obscurely. The disciples did not, accordingly, during this conversation, immediately perceive the meaning of the Saviour. See 14: 5, 8. 16: 17. || The_time cometh; namely, when the Spirit of truth should be sent. || I shall speak; I, by the agency of the Spirit. 26, 27. Isay not unto you that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father, &c. The Saviour wished to give his disciples a very strong and encouraging assurance that the Father would answer their prayers, and bestow on them every needed good. Hence he declared that so favorably inclined towards them was the Father, so ready to perceive and to supply their wants, that there would be no occasion for him, the Saviour, to interpose his kind offices in interceding for them. So well pleased was the Father with their love to their Master, and with their confidence in him, as having come from God, that he needed no additional inducement to hear and answer their prayers. How consoling must such an assurance have been to the timid, desponding disciples! With what strength must the remembrance of it have nerved them after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and their becoming fully qualified for their high and holy 25. These things; those things which the Saviour had communicated in the present conversation. || Proverbs. Proverbial sayings are frequently encompassed with obscurity, so that their meaning is not immediately obvious. Hence, to speak in proverbs | work! 30 Now are we sure that thou | have peace. In the world ye knowest all things, and needest shall have tribulation, but be not that any man should ask of good cheer; I have overcome thee by this we believe that the world. thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might CHAPTER XVII. THESE words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. CHAPTER XVII. 30. Thou knowest all things. The py issue. v. 20. Compare Rom. 8: disciples had been desirous to make 28. Rev. 7: 14. an inquiry (vs. 17, 19); but Jesus, without waiting for them to propose it, had anticipated them, and made such explanations as appeared to them satisfactory. His knowledge of their desires confirmed their belief in him another proof, in addition to what they had already received, was now furnished them, that their Master had really come from God, and was clothed with divine authority. : 32. To his own; to his own abode. The Saviour referred to the disciples' leaving of him when he should be seized by the Jews, and to their retiring either to their homes, or to places of temporary accommodation in and around Jerusalem. 33. In me; by adhering to me as your Master. In the world; by the hostility of a wicked world; from the men of the world. REMARKS. 1. Let us highly prize the influences of the Holy Spirit. To the apostles the Holy Spirit made special revelations; to all men his influences are necessary for so enlightening and affecting the soul as to secure salvation. vs. 13-15. Compare 2 Cor. 4: 6. 2. If we are truly followers of Christ, all the sorrows through which we are called to pass will have a hap The Saviour, having finished his conversation with the disciples, of fered a most affectionate and fervent prayer. In this prayer, he briefly noticed his manner of performing the work which had been committed to him, and commended his disciples to the merciful care of his Father, beseeching also divine favor for those who, in subsequent times, should believe in him. 1. The hour is come; the hour of my departure from this world. || Glorify thy Son; receive thy Son to the glorious condition in heaven which has been appointed for him. Compare Mark 16: 19. Phil. 2: 9-11. That thy Son also may glorify thee. The Father would be greatly honored by the extension of the gospel, and the success which was to attend it, when, after the ascension of Jesus, the Spirit should be sent into the world. 2. All flesh; all mankind. It was in behalf of human beings that Jesus came into the world, and to him pertains dominion over the human race. To as many as thou hast given him, to those who have been specially given to Christ, to be his redeemed peo |