The scope and design of this chapter is to conform our faith in Christ as the eternal Son of God, and the true Messiah and Saviour of the world, that we may be brought to receive him, and rely upon him as our prophet, priest, and king, and to give up ourselves to be ruled, and sought, and saved by him. In order to this, we have here, 1. An account given of him by the inspired premen himself, ver. 2—5. And again, ver. 10—14. And again, ver. 16, 17, 18. 2. The testimony of John Baptist concerning him, ver. 6—9. And again, ver. 15. But most fully and particularly, ver. 19—37. 3. His own manifestation of himself to Andrew and Peter, ver. 38—42. to Philip and Nathaniel, ver. 43—51. and essential perfections. The same was in the beginning with Gods before any creature had yet been spoken into being. 3. His agency, in the formation of the world, and all things therein. All things were made by him, not as a subordinate instrument, but as the self-sufficient author of them; and without him was not any thing made that was made; from the highest to the lowest all are the creatures of his hand, and such power proves him to be very God, Ise. aliv. 24. 4. He is the original of life and light to all the creatures he hath made. In him was life, self-existent and independent; and he is the eternal fount from whence all beings, sensitive or rational, receive their life, and are maintained by supplies out of his fulness; and the life was the light of men; from him was communicated to us all that reason and understanding of which we are possessed, and from him alone comes all divine light and life since the fall, by which we can be restored to the knowledge and enjoyment of God. 5. The light shineth in darkness. By the fall all divine light is utterly banished from the minds of men, and they are by nature funk in the blackness of spiritual darkness. The glimmering of tradition, and the brighter light of revelation, shining in the shadows and types of the law, or the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, were utterly ineffectual to lead men to eternal life and salvation, without divine illumination: the darkness comprehended it not: the plainest and most obvious truths the natural man can no more comprehend, than the blind can discern the objects before them. He, therefore, who first gave eyes to our bodies, must, by the same divine power, give light to our darkened minds, or we must for ever remain under spiritual darkness and ignorance. 6. ¶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. 8. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. 9. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10. He IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. St. John opens his gospel with an account of that divine personage, concerning whom he was about to write. He is called the Word, or Logos; the essential word of God, to whom he ascribes all the attributes peculiar to the One Jehovah. We have, 1. His eternal self-existence. In the beginning was the Word, not only before his incarnation, but ere creation rose, or time began to measure its periods; from everlasting he exited, as the great I AM. 2. His co-existence with the Father. The Word was with God, and the Word was God; not as one God with another, but as one divine person co-existing with another in the same godhead, and partaking with the Father in the same divine nature 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. In 60—14. The clearest revelation of gospel light began with the Baptist's ministry. To him therefore the Evangelist refers, as bearing the most glorious testimony to the uncreated Word. 1. He relates the million and preaching of John. There was a man first from God, while none was John: his miraculous birth, his extraordinary gifts, and remarkable facility, were plain indications of his million from above. The same came for a witness, to hear witness of the light, to point out to their notice the Sun of righteousness, that was now about to arise; but to whom, through the blindness of their hearts, they were indisposed to pay due attention and regard; and to testify that this was the Messiah of God: that all men through him might believe; not every individual, but men of all sorts, who were, without distinction, turned by him to look to Jesus and to be Sarah. He was not that light; though his energetical discourses, and mighty influence, acted in the minds of many an apprehension that he was the promised Christ, he assumed no such title; but his honour was to be the morning star, the harbinger of day, to usher in the rising Sun: he was just to hear witness of that light, and prepare the way of the Lord. Whilst we rejoice in the light of ministers, we must remember they are only witnesses to the Light; and as they preach not themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, to him must our eyes be alone directed. 2. Before he proceeds farther with John's testimony, the Evangelist enlarges on the glorious character and office of him, to whom the Baptist bore record. That was the true light, in opposition to the false lights of Gentile philosophy, and in contradistinction to the glimmering taper of ceremonial types and figures; he was eminently the true light, the fountain from which all wisdom and knowledge flow, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, either as the author of natural reason to all men, or as feuding the light of his gospel to all nations, or rather as the giver of spiritual light to the soul of every sinner who is brought out of the kingdom of darkness, and translated into that new world the kingdom of God's dear Son. He was in the world, and the world was made by him: from the beginning his power and providence were displayed; but such was the blindness and stupidity of mankind, that the world knew him not, nor in the expanded volume of nature, opened to their view, discerned his eternal Godhead. Nay, he came unto his own, appearing incarnate in the fulness of time, and manifesting himself by his doctrine and miracles to the Jewish people, who were his own in a covenant of peculiarity, and his kindness according to the flesh; and his own received him not; they were in general hardened and obstinate, and rejected their God and Saviour. But a remnant according to the election of grace received, and to as many as received him in his real character, as the promised Messiah, the Prophet, Priest, and King of his people, to show grace he power to become the Son of God, even to them that believe in his name. By faith embracing him as their God and Saviour, and placing their whole dependence on his atonement and righteousness, they were advanced to the high dignity and privilege of being accounted the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, entitled to the inheritance of glory as joint-heirs with Christ, and endowed with all those heavenly graces and filial dispositions which proved their adoption of God. And all who truly believe in and receive the same Jesus into their heart, trusting on him alone as the atoning Saviour, and are devoted to him as their Lord and Master, shall be made partakers of the same invaluable blessings and honours. We, who were by nature children of wrath, are now become the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. And this is not merely a relative change, but a real one: where God confers the dignity of a child, he gives the spirit of adoption. Those therefore are his sons, which were born not of blood, not by natural defenses, for nothing but conception runs in the blood of all the fallen sons of Adam; nor by circumcision, which was only the outward sign of an inward and spiritual grace, without which that bloody rite availed nothing to the soul; nor of the will of the flesh; nor regeneration springs not from any power or ability in ourselves, for we are not sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; nor both it come of the will of man; the wisest reasoners, the most powerful orators, spend their rhetoric in vain, moral fashion in ineffectual, unless enforced by divine operation; and therefore the Evangelist adds, has of God; the renovation of the soul to the work of sovereign and almighty grace alone, and we can only be quickened from the death of trespasses and sins to spiritual life by the same divine power and energy which first breathed into the lifeless clay a living soul. And, in order to this great design of man's salvation, the Word was made flesh, became incarnate, not by the conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking the manhood into God: he took out nature, that, in the likeness of sinful flesh, he might make reconciliation; and dwelt among us, in all the fulness of the Godhead taking up his abode in the body, which was prepared for him, as the Shenchanah dwels in the temple. (And we beheld his glory, the brightness of which dared through the veil that for a time obscured its lustre, and appeared in all the miracles he wrought, in the transcendent wisdom, goodwill, grace, power, and majesty he displayed on various occasions, and particularly blazed forth at his transfiguration, his resurrection, and ascension; all which divine manifestations of himself, the more they confederate, the more were they filled with reverence and godly fear, and could not but regard the glory of Jesus as the glory of the only begotten of the Father) such as it became this divine Perishance to appear in, who was the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person; and who was full of grace and truth: full of grace, of all spiritual blessings to bestow on his people; and of truth, fulfilling in his own person, as the Judgment, all those typical institutions which were the shadows of good things to come, together with the prophecies which chiefly centred in him, and accomplishing all the engagements he had undertaken in the behalf of his people. With what entire satisfaction then may we rest our souls on this adored Redeemer, so admirably qualified for the office of Mediator, possessed of all the excellence which the human nature is capable of receiving, and infinitely exiled in the uncreated glory of the divine? The more we consider his humiliation in becoming incarnate, the more deeply should we be affected with the sense of his grace and love; and, whilst we view the man Christ Jesus as the very God of very God, the more confidently should we trust upon his complete salvation. 15. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me, is preferred before me; for he was before me. 16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. We have here, 1. The Baptist's farther testimony to Christ. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This is he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me. He was the herald sent to prepare the way of the King Messiah, to proclaim about the coming of the incarnate God, and at his baptism to point him out to the notice of the world, as infinitely his superior in dignity, though after him, in point of time, entering upon his ministry and mission. And this preeminence he justly ascribes to him, both in the view of his eternal sufficiency as a divine Person, and also of his confirmation to the office of Mediator before the world's were; for he was before me. Nate, (1.) The greatest of ministers and the chief of Jesus are always most careful to ascribe nothing to themselves, but ever to exalt the name of their adored Lord and Master as alone worthy of all honour and glory. (2.) The younger in office is often seen to be the greater in grace. 2. The Evangelist takes up the word, and expatriates on the unsearchable riches of Christ, in connection with what he had said, v. 14. Out of his fulness, the pheintude of gifts and graces resident in this Son of God's eternal love, have we all received: not only they, as apostles, were indebted to their incarnate Lord for all the wondrous abilities with which they were qualified for the discharge of the truth committed to them, but also all Christians, of every degree, in every age, draw from the ever-growing, overflowing, fountain of a Saviour's grace the supply of all their spiritual wants; and grace for grace; which singular expression is differently interpreted; either as representing the fulness as well as freedom of the gospel blessings, as grace upon grace, heaped up unto glory; or as the supply suited to our necessities, and effectual to strengthen us for all the work and duty to which the Saviour calls us; or such grace as exactly corresponds to that which is in him, transforming us into the same image, as the wax bears the impression of the seal; or as descriptive of the more abundant measures of grace dispersed under the gospel than under the law, to which birds the following were seen to direct us. For the law came by Moses: he, as the minister of God, declared his will to the Jewish people; and it was a matter of grace and favour that God by him revealed himself and his law unto them: but one unpleasantly greater than Moses is here, the author of a new dispensation, which in glory far excelseth, 2 Cor. iii. 10. for grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. He is the sum and indulgence of all the types and prophecies, and in him they receive their accomplishment: the gospel, which he declared, contained the brightest discoveries discoveries of the divine grace and goodness, and the most reviving promises, confirmed by the veracity of the unchangeable God; and as he reveals the only way of obtaining the divine favour, and how we may walk so as to please God, he ministers also the ability for that which he enjoins, and his gospel is a law of the Spirit of life, communicating spiritual life and power to the soul. The greatest prophets who went before him are not to be compared with him; and his word must need, in the clearness and fulness of it, extol all the other revelations of his will which God hath been pleased to vouchsafes to the sons of men; for no man hath seen God at any time; neither men nor angels are capable of that intimate knowledge of the divine country, nor were ever admitted into his secrets: He only baptizes Son, which is in the before of the Father, and by his participation of the Godhead most perfectly understands all the designs of grace which were in the eternal mind; in nature one with the Father, and indirectly dear to him; he hath declared him, being most transcendently qualified to make such discoveries of God and his eternal counsels, particularly of his wisdom and grace in the redemption of lofty sinners, as none of the prophets, nor John himself, could be supposed to do, they being but servants over the house of God; He the Son in his own house; and therefore hath more gloriously and distinctly than ever, brought life and immaculity to light by his gospel. They who went before us saw but through a g'sk darkly, we with a disillusion of vision, like that of face to face. May the light of gospel reach, so clearly revealed to us in and by the Son, be accompanied with the effectual power of gospel grace to our hearts! In this chapter we have, 1. The story of the first miracle which Jesus wrought, turning water into wine, at Cana of Galilee, ver. 1—11. and his appearing at Capernaum, ver. 12. 2. The story of the first padover he kept at Jerusalem after he began his public ministry. His dressing the buyers and sellers out of the temple, ver. 13—17. and the sign he gave in those who quarreled with him for it, ver. 18—22. with an account of Jesus that Jehovah him thereupon for some time, ver. 23, 24, 25. but he knew them too well to put any confidence in them. 1. AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. 2. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus faith unto him, They have no wine. 4. Jesus faith unto her, 4 Woman, what have I to do with thee? 5 mine hour is not yet come. 6. His mother faith unto the servants, Whatsoever he faith unto you, do it. 7. And there were for there six water-pots of those, 7 after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 8. Jesus faith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 9. And he faith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 10. When the ruler of the feast had called the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was, (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom. 11. And faith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is won't; but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 12. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and 13 manitled forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. The first miracle of Jesus was wrought at a marriage-feast in Cana of Galilee. It was probably a marriage of some near relation of his mother Mary's, who seemed not to be there merely as a guest, but as one of the family. Christ was invited, and refused not the invitation given him on this occasion, but went with his disciples to grace the initial feast with his presence and company, and put an honour upon the institution. Note, (1.) Our marriages can only then be expected to offer happily, when Jesus with his benediction crowns the indissoluble union. (2.) Religion teaches none to be unsocial or uncivil, but commands us to rejoice with those that rejoice. We are told, 1. The concern expressed by the mother of Jesus to her Son on account of the deficiency of the wine at this entertainment. The number of the guests, perhaps more than were expected, confirmed the small quantity which these persons, who were probably in mean circumstances, had provided, and they might not be able to afford more. It seems the expected that he would soon begin to display his glorious powers, and intimated that the present necessity afforded an opportunity for his miraculous affluence. Note, (1.) In the height of our earthly joys, something still is wanting. We must look only for perfect bliss in that kingdom, where they neither marry nor are given in marriage. (2.) A gracious heart interells himself in the district of his friends, and, when he can do no more to relieve them, fails not to commend their case to the kind Saviour's notice. 2. He gives her a reprimand for interfering in matters which did not belong to her. Though he was her son after the flesh, yet in the exercise of his miraculous powers he acted as Son of God, and owed her no obedience: and to intermeddle in the direction of his conduct, respecting the affairs of his kingdom, was a very blameable presumption. What a direct condemnation of the horrid idolatry of that church, which prays to the mother to command her Son? Besides he adds, My hour is not yet now; either it was not yet time to work this miracle, till all the wine was spent; or rather the time for the public manifestation of his glory, by his open performing miracles, was not yet come; and, whatever he might do in private, he was not to be directed by her, or any other, when or how to act. 3. Though his mother silently submitted to his pleasure, the entertained apprehensions that he would grant her request, and take the matter into his considerations; and therefore privately bid the servants obey whatever orders he should give them. Note, (1.) We must not be discouraged in our faith, if our prayers are not immediately answered. (2.) Christ's commands are implicitly to be obeyed, without reasoning or hesitation. 4. Christ performs the needful miracle; and with circumstances that eminently displayed his glory. Six water-pots of stone were placed there, containing about two or three firkins each, which some suppose to be in quantity about nine gallons; it being customary with the Jews to make use of frequent weddings, some of which were enjoined by the law of God, and more by the tradition of the elders, and therefore, where such a number of guests were present, much water was necessary. These water-pots Christ bids the servants fell with some to the brim, that there might be no suspicion of fraud in the miracle. They obeyed, and instantly the strange conversion was wrought. He orders them to reopen to draw out and carry this liquor in the governor of the feast, the person who was either the mother of the ceremonies, or fat in the most honourable place on that occasion; or was the chaplain, the priest or Levine, who blissed the cup before it was not found to the guests. No sooner had he toiled the wine which had been water, than he was struck with the delicious flavour, and, unacquainted whence it came, he observed with surprise to the bridegroom his unusual method of procedure. Others usually produced their half wine full, a d afterwards, when men have well drunk, that which is won't, (cigarettes) of a weaker body; but he had kept the good wine to the last, as the grace-cup, to conclude the entertainment. Note, (1.) God's creatures, and wine among the rest, are given us richly to enjoy. It is no far to be pleased with the delicious flavour of the grape, when we remember with thankfulness who gave it that quality; only we must because this we do not by intemperance abide our mercies, and turn our blessings into a cure by excels or drunkenness. (2.) Feasts need a governor to restrain the irregularities of those who else perhaps, to their shame, would have no government over themselves. (3.) Whatever consolation believes here enjoy, the greatest are reserved for them at last, when, at the marriage-fogger of the Lamb, they shall drink the new wine in the kingdom of God. 5. At the conclusion of this miracle the Evangelist observes, that this was the first Jesus performed after his entrance on his ministry. Whereas he completed forth his glory in such displays of his power and grace, wrought by his authoritative word, as exalted his own great name, and proved his own eternal Godhead and glory; and his disciples believed on him, confirmed in their assurance of the truth of that high character which he assumed. Note, The more we become acquainted with Christ in his word, the more shall we be convinced that this is he who should come, and shall be engaged to rest our souls on him for life and salvation. 12. ¶ After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and 1 his brethren, and his disciples, and 2 they continued there not many days. 13. ¶ And the 3 Jews passers was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jesus. 4. And 5 found in the temple those that said 6 oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, 7 sitting: 8. And when he had made a scourge of small coeds, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers money, and overthrew the tables; 9. And said unto them that said doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. 10. And his disciples remembered that it was written, 11 The 12 read of thine house hath eaten me up. 12. ¶ Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, 1 What sign sheweth thou unto us, seeing that thou dost these things? 13. Jesus answered and said unto them, 2 Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 14. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and will thou fear it up in three days? 15. But he spake of 1 the temple of his body. 16. When therefore he was risen from the dead, 2 his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them: and they 3 believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Capernaum was the place where Christ usually resided, Mark iv. 13. Either he came with his mother, brethren, and disciples, who, struck with what they had seen, attended him to observe the further manifestness of his divine power and glory which he should make. He abode at this time at Capernaum was not many days, the passers being at hand, which called him up to Jerusalem. Where we find him, 1. Purging the temple of those intruders who had defied that holy place. Under pretence of accommodating those, who came up to worship, with families and change of money, a market was kept in the temple by the connivance of the priests, who probably made some considerable advantage by permitting such such a profanation. But Christ, beholding with indignation such corruptions in the house of God, immediately began to vindicate the honour of that sacred inclosure, and, having made a scourge of cords, he drove out the traders with their berths, overturned the tables of the money-changers, and had those who sold doves to take them away; remonstrating with them on the wickedness of their conduct, Mute aut my Fader's body on house of merchandise; and, standing in so near a relation to the God of the temple, he could not endure to see him thus dishonoured. Nate, (1.) The love of filthy lucre is generally at the root of the corruptions which creep into the church of God. (2.) If God is our father, we cannot but be grieved to see him dishonoured, and shall zealously appear in his cause. (3.) They who are bold and faithful for God will often see that one can chafe a thousand, and that, if we dare stand up in his name, the consciences of sinners will cover them with confusion. 2. The disciples remembered that it was written, The soul of thine house hath eaten me up. And this confirmed still the more their faith, as they observed all the Scripture prophecies accomplished in him. 3. Being questioned by the Jews concerning the authority on which he added, and required to give a sign in proof of the mission to which he pretended, He answered and said unto them, Desireg this temple, and in thine days I will reply it up. Since they refused to be convinced by other miracles, he refers them to the last sign which should be wrought, even his resurrection from the dead by his own divine power, after they had destroyed the temple of his body: as he had now cleansed his house from their profanations, so would he raise his own body, which they should say, and never suffer it to see corruption. They understood him as if he meant the material temple where he then was, which had now been forty-six years building and beautifying; since Herod took down that erected by Zerubbabel, and raised the present fabric on the same spot, which, though the body of it was finished in eight years, might probably tell that time have continued to be more highly ornamented: though some foppots the words are to be interpreted of the time which Zerubbabel's temple was in building. However, they looked upon it in a most absurd pretension, for a mere man, as they presumed him to be, to assert he could do that in three days, which had employed thousands of workmen so many years. Thus they ridiculed his assertion, though it appears they understood not his meaning. Nate, (1.) It is just with God to give those up to their vain imaginations, who have no love of the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. (2.) The greatest mistakes have been entertained by understanding literally what the Scriptures have spoken figuratively, as in the doctrine of transfalsistion, drawn from the words of Christ, This is my body. (3.) The body of Jesus was the true temple, in which the fulness of the Godhead dwelt; and of him the temple at Jerusalem was but the type and figure. (4.) As the temple was the medium of worship, and they who prayed turned their faces thitherwards, so is it through Christ Jesus alone that we can have access to and acceptance with God. 4. His disciples, though they, no more than the Jews, understood his meaning at that time, yet afterwards, when the events verified the prediction, and the Spirit poured out from on high opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, reflected on this prophecy, and, seeing the accomplishment of it in his resurrection, were the more deeply confirmed in their faith of the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Nate, The truths of Scripture which we learn in younger years, though not understood at that time, yet are of singular use when, in any future time, it pleases God to shine into our hearts, and open the eyes of our minds. 23. ¶ Now when he was at Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast-day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. During the seven days of the feast Christ preached openly the doctrines of his kingdom, and wrought mighty miracles in confirmation of the truths he taught. The effect of which, we are told, was, 1. That many believed in his name; at least for the time they were so struck with his miracles as to give their assent to his doctrine, and own him as the Messiah. But, 2. Jesus did not commit himself unto them, did not trust himself with them, or repuls any confidence upon them; because he knew all men; the wickedness of some, who would play the hypocrite in order to betray him; and the unabody of others, who in a time of danger might through timidity be tempted to desert him, or through mistake and indiscretion raise some disturbance, through their vain imaginations that his kingdom was compared, and his throne to be established by arms. And, being thus all-wife, he needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man, how deceitful above all things and desperately wicked his heart was; and therefore how little to be trusted.