Mary anoints Christ's feet, CHAPTER XII. for which she is blamed by Judas. CHAPTER XII. Here, (1,) Mary, the sister of Lazarus, to the great vexation of Judas, anoints Jesus's feet, 1-8. (2,) The chief priests plot to murder both Christ and Lazarus, whom the people flocked to see, 9-11. (3,) Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, riding on an ass, 12-19. (4,) Upon occasion of some Greeks desiring to see him, he foretels his death; and its happy effects, in the conversion and salvation of multitudes, 20-33. (5,) He warns the Jews to improve his presence and gospel, during the short time they should enjoy it, 34-36. (6,) The Jews generally persist in their unbelief; many of the rulers, however, believing, but for fear of their brethren not owning him, 37-43. (7,) Christ asserts his divine mission, 44-50. A. D. 33. A. D. 33. A. M. 4037. THEN Jesus, six days before the|| spikenard, very costly, and anointed A. M. 4037. passover, came to Bethany, the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet a where Lazarus was which had been dead, with her hair: and the house was filled with whom he raised from the dead. the odour of the ointment. b 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. с 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of hundred pence, and given to the poor? c Luke x. 38, 39; Chap. xi. 2. the same with that recorded by Matthew and Mark, thinks "It evidently appears that our Lord was anointed with spikenard three different times in the course of his ministry; once in the house of Simon the Pharisee, (Luke vii. 37, &c.,) once in the house of Lazarus, and once in the house of Simon the leper. That this honour should have been done him so often," adds he, "needs not be thought strange, for, in those countries, it was common at entertainments to pour fragrant oil on the heads of such guests as they designed to distinguish with marks of extraordinary respect; a custom alluded to Psa. xlv. 7: God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." And Martha served Verses 1, 2. Six days before the passover-Namely, on the sabbath; that which was called by the Jews, The great sabbath. This whole week was anciently termed, The great and holy week; Jesus came—From Ephraim, whither he had retired with his disciples, to preserve his life for a time from the murderous designs of the Jewish rulers; to Bethany -The village where he had lately (Calmet thinks, about two months before) raised Lazarus from the dead. There they made him a supper-In testimony of their high esteem and great affection for him. It is not said that this supper was made at Lazarus's house. For if, as is probable, this be the same story that is recorded Matt. xxvi. 6, and Mark-It seems Martha was a person of some figure, from xiv. 3, the supper was made at the house of Simon the great respect which was paid to her and her who had been a leper. "Few passages," says Dr. || sister, in visits and condolences on Lazarus's death, Doddridge, “in the harmony [of the gospels] have as well as from the costly ointment mentioned in perplexed me more than this. I was long of opinion, the next verse. And probably it was at their house with Origen and Theophylact, defended by Le Clerc our Lord and his disciples lodged, when he returned and Dr. Whitby, and especially by Dr. Lightfoot || from Jerusalem to Bethany, every evening of the and Mr. Whiston, that the story recorded by Mat- last week of his life, on which he now entered. But thew and Mark is different from this in John: but Lazarus was one that sat at the table-Lazarus's on maturer consideration, it appears to me more sitting at the table showed still more the reality of probable that Matthew and Mark should have in- the miracle wrought at his tomb; that it was not a troduced this story a little out of its place; that Laza-spectre or illusion which then presented itself to the rus, if he made this entertainment, (which is not expressly said by John,) should have made use of Simon's house, as more convenient for it; and that Mary should have poured this ointment on Christ's head and body, as well as on his feet; than that, within the compass of four days, Christ should have been twice anointed with so costly a perfume; and that the same fault should be found with the action, and the same value set on the ointment, and the same words used in defence of the woman; and all this in the presence of many of the same persons: all which improbable particulars must be admitted, if the stories be considered as different. But, after all, I can assert nothing confidently; for there is no impossibility in the thing, taken either way." Dr. Macknight, however, who supposes this story is not sight; and that Lazarus was not only restored to life, but likewise to perfect health. Verses 3-8. Then took Mary a pound of ointment, &c.-See notes on Matt. xxvi. 6–13; Mark xiv. 1–9. She did what is here related in token of the warm sense she had of the many favours Christ had conferred on her and her relations, but especially for the wonderful kindness he had lately shown to her brother Lazarus. Then saith Judas, Why was not this ointment sold, &c.—Judas was angry because his Master had not taken the ointment with a view to sell it, pretending that the price received for it might have been bestowed on the poor. Nevertheless, his real motive was covetousness; for as he carried the bag, he thought if his Master had sold the ointment, he would have gotten the money to Many Jews believe in Christ, A. D. 33. A. D. 33. 12 On the next day, much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, A. M. 4037. 6 This he said, not that he cared for the || of the Jews went away, and believed A. M. 4037 poor; but because he was a thief, and on Jesus. d had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. е || k 13 Took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna; Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 1 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 m Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things "understood not his disci- i Matt. xxi. 8; cxviii. 25, 26.xviii. 34. But the word vπŋyov, here rendered, they went away, bears," Dr. Campbell thinks, "a very important sense, and denotes their ceasing to pay that regard to the teaching of the scribes 'which they had formerly done.” δε ο keep, and so might have applied part of it to his ed from the dead! Such was their unparalleled own private use. But it is no new thing for the wickedness! Here we have the plain reason why basest men to cover their blackest crimes with the the other evangelists, who wrote while Lazarus fair pretence of zeal for the honour of God and the was living, did not relate this story. Many of the interests of religion. For three hundred pence || Jews went away-That is, say most commentators, -These were Roman pence, and consequently went to Bethany; and after seeing Lazarus, believamounted to nine pounds seven shillings and six-ed on Jesus--Namely, as their long-expected Messiah. pence. The expression only intimates a general guess at the value by a round sum, as we speak, for such three hundred denarii were, though the correspondent value with us is not so. Against the day of my burying, which now draws nigh, hath she kept this-Mr. Whiston thinks this is as if our Verses 12-16. On the next day-On Sunday Lord had said, "She has spent but a little of this much people that were come to the feast-From difointment, but has reserved the main part of it to || ferent parts of the country, particularly from Galipour on my head some days hence, which shall be || lee; took branches of palm-trees, &c.-So that this so near my death, that it may be considered as a || multitude consisted chiefly, not of the inhabitants kind of embalming." But it is unnatural to suppose of Jerusalem, but of persons from other places. See that, in the transport of her love and gratitude, she || this story explained at large, Matt. xxi. 1-16; Mark would use this little management of keeping back || xi. 1-10; Luke xix. 29-40. And Jesus, when he most that was in the vessel; or that, if she had, had found a young ass-Called by the other John would have mentioned the quantity she took, || evangelists, a colt. But the Greek here, ɛupwv which was no way to his purpose, or have taken || Inous ovapiov, may be better translated, Now Jesus, notice of the room being filled with the odour || having found a young ass; sat thereon, &c.—For of it. the evangelist does not mean that Jesus was saluted Verses 9-11. Much people knew he was there, and || by the multitude before he mounted, but his meancame-Bethany being within two miles of Jerusa-ing is, that Jesus was riding when they saluted him. lem, the news of his arrival soon reached the city, || As it is written-Namely, Zech. ix. 9; Fear not, and drew out great numbers of the people; for they || daughter of Sion-For his meekness, as well as the wished to see the man that had been raised from the end of his coming, forbids fear; behold thy king dead, and the still more wonderful man that had cometh, sitting on an ass's colt-We shall easily see raised him. And when they came, and saw Lazarus, || the propriety of applying Zechariah's prophecy to many of them believed―That is, were convinced, || this transaction, if we remember that, in the East, both of Lazarus's resurrection, and of the divinity || riding on horses was anciently reckoned the greatof Christ's mission. But the news of their believ- || est ostentation of magnificence. It was, therefore, ing, together with the reason of it, being currently becoming the meekness of the lowly Jesus, that in reported in Jerusalem, came to the chief priests' || his most public entry into the capital city, he chose ears, and incensed them to such a degree, that they || to ride on an ass. At the same time, there was noresolved to kill, not Jesus only, but, if possible, La- || thing mean or ridiculous in it, asses being the beasts zarus also; that is, to kill a person, who, after be- || which the eastern people commonly made use of in ing dead five or six days, and buried four, had, by a || riding. These things understood not his disciples, most wonderful display of divine power, been rais- || &c.-They did not at that time know what their • Chap. vii. 39.— - Chap. xiv. 26.—— Verse 11. Chap. 1 Kings viii. 41, 42; Acts viii. 27.—u Chap. i. 44.————¤ Chap. xi. 47, 48.- s Acts xvii. 4. xiii. 32; xvii. 1. y 1 Cor. xv. 36. Gentiles being thus named by the Jews, it was intended to denote their religion, rather than their country: they had been brought up heathen: they were not, however, now idolatrous Gentiles, but proselytes to the Jewish religion, and worshippers of the true God, persons who had come to Jerusa Master designed by this entry, or by any of the circumstances of it. Probably they considered it as the first step of his exaltation to the throne. But when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they, &c.—After his ascension, recollecting the prophecies concerning the Messiah, they remembered how exactly they had been fulfilled in him, and found|lem, it seems, on purpose to worship him; but that their faith greatly strengthened thereby. In like they had been circumcised is not certain. It is likemanner, the design of God's providential dispensa- ly, however, that they had heard of the Messiah, tions is seldom understood at first. We ought, and cherished expectations of his coming: but, betherefore, to believe, though we understand not, anding foreigners, they had never seen Jesus. The to give ourselves up to the divine disposal. The same came, therefore, to Philip, which was of Bethgreat work of faith is, to embrace those things|| saida-This circumstance is mentioned to show which we know not now, but shall know hereafter. how these men came to apply themselves to Philip. Verses 17-19. The people, therefore-"Because | Probably they were Syro-Phoenicians, dwelling the forwardness which the multitude now showed about Tyre and Sidon, and who, having commerce to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah was altogeth- ||with Galilee, might be acquainted with Philip. And er extraordinary, the evangelist assigns the cause || desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus—Our thereof. The witnesses of the resurrection of La-Lord's fame, and the general opinion which now zarus had published the miracle far and near. As As prevailed, concurred to persuade these proselytes they were many in number, and persons of reputa- that he might be the Messiah; for which reason tion, their report gained general credit; and this they desired an interview with him. Philip cometh drew out a great multitude of people to meet Jesus. and telleth Andrew, &c.-From Philip's not venturIn saying, he called Lazarus out of the grave, the || ing to introduce the men himself, it seems that there evangelist admirably expresses, as well the great- was some difficulty in the case. Perhaps they were ness of the miracle, as the facility with which it only proselytes of the gate, who, according to cuswas wrought. The easiness of the Scripture style, || tom, could not be admitted into the company of on the most grand occurrences, is more sublime Jews, Acts x. 28. than all the pomp of orators. For this cause the Verses 23-26. Jesus answered, saying-This people also met him-Because they heard from phraseology intimates the suitableness of the folthose who had been eye-witnesses thereof, that he lowing discourse to this particular occasion; by had performed that extraordinary miracle; there- attending to which, many of the beauties of it will fore they went out to meet him, and the multitude | be discovered. Our Lord might, perhaps, enlarge coming with him; so that, in a little time, both join-on some of these hints; and if his hearers took a ed together, partly to go before and partly to follow due notice of them, and made a proper report on after. The Pharisees therefore said, Perceive ye||their return home, it might prepare the way for the how ye prevail nothing?—In the mean time, the Pha- | apostles, when they came, by their preaching, more risees and the great men were exceedingly enraged fully to unfold and illustrate these important docbecause every measure they had taken to hinder trines. The hour is come that the Son of man the people from following Jesus had proved inef- || should be glorified-Meaning, that he should soon be fectual. honoured by the conversion of many of the Gentiles. Verses 20-22. And there were certain Greeks- At the same time he told them, that he was to suffer A prelude of the Gentile Church. The phrase, death before he arrived at this glory; and illusTives Eλλnvɛs, here used, signifies properly, as trans-trated the necessity of his dying, by the similitude lators have rendered it, certain Greeks. But all the of grain cast into the earth. Verily, Except a Jesus is troubled in soul, A. D. 33. ST. JOHN. a A. D. 33. A. M. 4037. corn of wheat fall into the ground || and where I am, there shall also A. M. 4037. and die, it abideth alone: but if it my servant be: if any man serve die, it bringeth forth much fruit. me, him will my Father honour. C 27 b Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came b Matt. xxvi. 38, 39; Luke xii. 50; Chap. xiii. 21. Luke xxii. 53; Chap. xviii. 37. d Matt. iii. 17. Verse 27. Now is my soul troubled-Our Lord, having uttered what is above recorded, seems to have paused for a while, and entered on a deep contemplation of the very different scene which lay before him; the prospect of which moved him to such a degree, that he uttered his grief in these and the following doleful words. For he had various foretastes of his passion before he fully entered into it. And what shall I say?—Not, What shall I choose? for his heart was fixed in choosing the will of his Father: but, What shall I say in prayer to my hea corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, &c.—As if he had said, As the only way to make grain produce fruit is to bury it in the ground; so, the most proper method of bringing about the conversion and salvation of the world is, that I die and be buried. To omit other things, our Lord's resurrection, the grand miracle on which the truth of Christianity is founded, and by which the conversion of the world was effected, happened in consequence of his death. The late resurrection of Lazarus gave our Lord a natural occasion of speaking on the subject. "And agreea-venly Father? What petition shall I offer to him ble to his infinite knowledge, he singles out from on this occasion? Father, save me from this hour among so many thousands of seeds almost the only -Dr. Campbell reads, What shall I say? [shall I one that dies in the earth, and which, therefore, was say,] Father, save me from this hour? But I came an exceeding proper similitude, peculiarly adapted on purpose for this hour; considering the words as to the purpose for which he uses it. The like is not containing two questions: the distress of Christ's to be found in any other grain, except millet, and soul first suggesting a petition for deliverance, in the large bean.”—Wesley. He that loveth his life which, however, he is instantly checked by the re|| -More than the will of God; shall lose it eternally. || flection on the end and design of his coming. The He further told them, that as he, their Master, was passage is understood by Dr. Doddridge in the same to suffer before his exaltation, so were all they, his sense, who says, "I suppose few need be told, that disciples; for which reason they were to expect || the pointing of the New Testament is far less ancient persecution, firmly resolving to lose even life itself, than the text. It is agreeable to observe, how many after his example, when called to do it; and in that difficulties may be removed by varying it, and decase he promised them a share in his crown and parting from the common punctuation: of which I glory: saying, He that hateth his life-In compari- take this to be one of the most remarkable instances. son of the will of God, and therefore exposes it to For as the text does not oblige us to it, it does not great dangers in the cause of the gospel; shall keep seem natural to suppose that our Lord actually it unto life eternal-And secure a state of immortal offered this petition, and then immediately retracted glory and happiness. If any man serve me-If any it." But for this cause came I unto this hour-For || one would become a faithful servant of mine, would this cause was I born into the world, and came even do my will, (for his servants we are whom we obey, || to this present hour, that I might bear the sufferings Rom. vi. 16,) and would serve the cause in which I || on which I am entering, and might redeem my peoam engaged; let him follow me-Let him attach || ple by them; and far be it from me to draw back himself to me as one of my disciples, even although from such engagements and undertakings. By his doing so should expose him to the loss of his life; and let him drink into my Spirit, and imitate || my example. And where I am-Where I shall short y take up mine abode, even in the eternal kingdom of my Father; there shall also my servant be—In the same felicity and glory. Yea, if any man serve me--And live no longer to himself, but unto me, of whatever nation he may be, or whatever his religious profession may before have || been; him will my Father honour-Unspeakably and for ever. Perhaps, in speaking thus, Jesus in- || their afflictions. tended tacitly to intimate, that the strangers who wished to be introduced to him, would be greatly disappointed, if their desire of conversing with him proceeded from a hope of recommending themselves to earthly preferments through his favour. praying on this occasion, our Lord shows us what is the best method of obtaining support and comfort in deep distress. At the same time, as in his prayer he expressed an entire resignation to the will of his Father, he has taught us, that although the weakness of human nature may shrink at the first thoughts of suffering, his disciples ought not to yield, but to fortify themselves by just reflections on, and a firm faith in, the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, and the happy end he proposes to be answered by Ver. 28–30. Father, glorify thy name—Whatever I suffer. For this may be considered as a further expression of his resignation, importing that he was willing to submit to whatever the Father should judge necessary for the manifestation of his perfec Jesus foretels CHAPTER XII. his crucifixion. A. D. 33. A. M. 4037. there a voice from heaven, saying,|| 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the A. M. 4037. I have both glorified it, and will glo- earth, will draw hall men unto me. A. D. 33. rify it again. 29 The people therefore that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered. Others said, An angel spake to him. е 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall f the prince of this world be cast out. • Ch. xi. 42.-——————f Matt. xii. 29; Luke x. Matt. xii. 29; Luke x. 18; 11; Acts xxvi. 18; 2 Cor. iv. 4; Eph. ii. 2; iii. 14; viii. 28.————h Rom. v. h Rom. v. 18; Heb. ii. 9. 9. Ch. xiv. 30; xvi. k Psa. lxxxix. 36, 37; cx. 4 ; Isa. ix. 7; liii. 8; Ezek. xxxvii. 25; Dan. ii. 44; vii. 14, 27; Mic. iv. 7.————1 Chap. i. Chap. i. 9; viii. 12; ix. 5; Verse 46.- Jer. xiii. 16; Eph. v. 8. tions: as if he had said, Dispose of me and all my passed upon its wicked principles and practices, and concerns in such a way as may most effectually pro- of the victory which Christians were to gain over it, mote thy glory. The answer, however, that was in consequence of the death of Christ. See chap. now given to this part of Christ's prayer, rather iii. 18, 19; and xvi. 8, 11. Now shall the prince of suggests another meaning, namely, that he entreated this world-Satan, who has gained possession of it God to demonstrate, perhaps by an immediate inter- by sin and death; be cast out—That is, judged, conposition, the truth of his mission, a full proof thereof demned, cast out of his possession, and out of the being altogether necessary for vindicating the honour bounds of Christ's kingdom. In other words, The of God. Accordingly, the words were no sooner devil, who has so long reigned in the hearts of the spoken, than a voice from heaven was heard, an- children of disobedience, is about to be dethroned. swering distinctly to this sense of them: saying, I And I, if I be lifted up from the earth-This exhave glorified it, and will glorify it again—I have pression seems to be a Hebraism that signifies dying. glorified it by the miracles which thou hast already Death in general is all that it usually imported. But performed, and will continue to glorify it by other our Lord made use of it, rather than others that miracles yet to be performed. Accordingly, by the were equivalent, because were equivalent, because it so well suited the partimiraculous circumstances which accompanied our cular manner of his death. As our Lord cannot be Lord's crucifixion, but especially by his resurrection supposed, in this passage, to speak of his own death from the dead, by his ascension into heaven, and by as a thing uncertain, the Greek expression, cav vpwow, the effusion of the Holy Ghost upon his apostles, the should be translated, not, if I be lifted up, but, truth of Christ's mission was demonstrated, and the|| when I am lifted up; I will draw all men unto me glory of God greatly advanced. The people, thereThe people, there--Multitudes of Gentiles, as well as Jews: and those fore, that stood by, and heard it—That is, heard a || who follow my drawings, Satan shall not be able to sound, but not the distinct words; said it thundered || retain in his power. In other words, I shall lay a The voice being probably strong and loud as thun- || foundation for conquering the most stubborn hearts der, and evidently preternatural. Others said, An angel spake to him-By this it appears, that it was an articulate voice: none of them, however, took it for a human voice, it being entirely different from any thing they had ever heard. Jesus answered, This voice came not because of me-Nor did I pray for it on my own account; but for your sakes-Not to assure me of the love of my Father, but to confirm you in the belief of my mission, that you may not be offended at the treatment I shall meet with, or quit your hope in me on account of the sufferings which are coming upon me. by so rich a display of my love, and shall, by a secret but powerful influence on their minds, persuade multitudes of all ranks and all nations to enlist themselves under the banner I raise. Signifying what death he should die-Even by crucifixion, in which the person suffering was lifted up on high, and hung as it were between heaven and earth. Ver. 34–36. The people answered-Understanding the phrase as implying some violent death shortly to come upon him; We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth for ever-On hearing Jesus affirm that he was to be lifted up, or taken off by a Verses 31-33. Now is the judgment of this world|| violent death, they told him that it was inconsistent -Which I am going to conquer and condemn, that with the character of the Messiah, who, according by my death my followers may both be taught and to the law, (so they named the whole of their sacred enabled to triumph over it, and those may be con- writings,) was never to die. And how sayest thou, vinced of sin that believe not in me. Some inter- The Son of man must be lifted up?-How can these preters render the clause, Now is this world come to things be reconciled? Who is this Son of man?—— its crisis: and others explain it of the redemption || Is he a different person from the Messiah, whom we of the world, or its vindication from the bondage of have been taught to expect under the title of the Satan. “But this," says Dr. Doddridge, “is so Son of man? If not, what sort of a Messiah must unusual a sense of the word, [кplois, judgment,] that he be that is to die? Then Jesus said—Not anI choose, with Dr. Whitby, to understand it of the || swering them directly, but exhorting them to imcondemnation of the world, or of the judgment || prove what they had heard already; Yet a little || || |