The Pharisees cast out the A. M. 4036. S A. D. 32. 31 Now we know that s God hear- u Thou wast altogether born in sins, A. M. 4036. eth not sinners: but if any man be|| and dost thou teach us? And they a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. t 2 cast him out. 35 ¶ Jesus heard that they had cast him out: and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, X 33 If this man were not of God, he could that I might believe on him? do nothing. 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both 34 They answered and said unto him, seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. honour, and pleasure, rather than lovers of God. and yet he hath opened mine eyes-Hath wrought a a plain man, void of the advantages of learning and miracle, the like of which was never heard of before. || education, but who has an upright disposition, is in Surely a man who could do such a thing must be a fairer way to understand the truth, than a whole from heaven, must be sent of God. It was esteemed || council of learned doctors, who are under the power by the Jews a peculiar sign of the Messiah, that he || of prejudice, and of an earthly mind, lovers of wealth, should open the eyes of the blind, that is, of those born blind; a miracle never known to be wrought Verses 35-38. Jesus heard that they had cast by Moses or any of the prophets. Now we know—|| him out-Had excommunicated the poor man for Even we of the populace know; God heareth not his sake; and when he had found him—Which it apsinners-Impenitent sinners who continue in sin, pears he did soon after; he said unto him, privately, so as to answer their prayers in this manner, and Dost thou believe on the Son of God-The great assist them to perform such astonishing miracles; || expected Messiah? Dost thou give credit to the which, without his assistance, and that communica- promises of the Messiah? Dost thou expect his ted in a very extraordinary degree, could not possi- coming, and art thou ready to receive and embrace bly have been performed. But if any man be a him when he is manifested to thee? This was that worshipper of God, and do his will-If any man faith of the Son of God which they lived by, who truly worship and serve him; him he heareth-An- || lived before his manifestation; and this faith Christ swereth his prayers, and that sometimes, probably, in here inquires after. Observe, reader, the great thing a singular sense. Since the world began, &c.—That || which is now required of us, and concerning which is, from the beginning of the world; it was never a strict and solemn inquiry will soon be made, is, heard, that any man-Who was not a worshipper || whether we believe on the Son of God; and on this of God, and a doer of his will, that is, any sinner, || point our acquittance or condemnation will depend any impostor; opened the eyes of one that was born in the day of final accounts. He answered, Who blind. If this man were not of God-Were not is he, Lord-Christ's question intimated that the sent of God; if he were not a prophet and mes- || Messiah was come, and was now among them, which senger of God; he could do nothing-Thus the beg- the poor man noticing, asks, Who is he? As if he gar, though illiterate, answered that great body of || had said, I know that such a glorious person is exlearned men with such strength of reason, that they pected, and if he be already come, only tell me had not a word to reply. However, the evidence where he is, and where I may meet with him· that, of his arguments had no other effect but to put them knowing him, I may believe on him—This implies into a passion; insomuch that they railed at him, || that he had already some degree of faith. He was saying, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost || ready to receive what Jesus said. And-As the cirthou teach us-Thou wicked, illiterate, impudent cumstances of the case were extraordinary, this fellow, whose understanding continues still as blind being the first instance in which any one had inas thy body was, and who wast born under the heavi- curred the great inconveniences attending a senest punishment of sin, dost thou pretend to instruct tence of excommunication, out of zeal for the hous in a matter of this kind? Us, who are the guides || nour of Christ, to encourage him under what he was of the people, and eminent for our skill in the law? now suffering on his account, Jesus said to him— The reproach, Thou wast altogether born in sins, || With a degree of freedom which was very unusual; proceeded from the same general principle from Thou hast both seen him-Or, thou seest him; and it which the question of the disciples arose, (verse 2,) || is he that talketh with thee-As if he had said, Thou Who did sin, this man or his parents? They in- || needest not go far to seek him; he is before thine ferred from his being born blind, that he was in some eyes, and thou hast had experience of his power peculiar way born in sins. And they cast him out— and goodness. We do not find that Christ did thus That is, passed the sentence of excommunication|| expressly, and in so many words, reveal himself to upon him, which was the highest punishment in their any other, as he did to this man here, and to the power to inflict. From this account we learn, that || woman of Samaria; he left others to find out by VOL. I. ( 38 ) 593 a left to their own ignorance. 40 And some of the Pharisees which A. M. 4036. were with him heard these words, с A. D. 32. 39 ¶ And Jesus said, For judgment I am and said unto him, Are we blind also? come into this world; a that they which see 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, not might see, and that they which see, might || ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We be made blind. see; therefore your sin remaineth. z Chap. v. 22, 27; iii. 17; xii. 47. C a Matt. xiii. 13. Rom. ii. 19. Chap. xv. 22, 24. arguments who he was; but to these weak and fool- were as much in the dark with respect to religion ish things of the world, he chose to manifest him- and the knowledge of divine things, as the blind man self so as he did not to the wise and prudent. Now had been with respect to the light of the sun, should this poor man was made more sensible than before, || be greatly enlightened by his coming: whereas those, what an unspeakable mercy it was to be cured of || who in their own opinion were wise, and learned, his blindness; for, in consequence of this, he could || and clear-sighted, should appear to be, what they see the Son of God, a sight which rejoiced his heart really were, blind, that is, quite ignorant and foolish. more than that of the light of this world. How And some of the Pharisees which were with himcontentedly might he have returned to his former | Which were present on this occasion; heard these blindness, in that now, like old Simeon, his eyes had || words-And apprehending that he glanced at them, seen God's salvation. And he said—Yielding to that and cast a reflection on their sect, which was held convincing argument, which arose from what he had in great veneration among the common people, behimself experienced of Christ's almighty power; cause of their supposed skill in the law; said unto Lord, I believe-That is, I believe thee to be the|| him, Are we blind also?—Dost thou imagine that we Son of God. He would not dispute any thing that || are like the rude, ignorant vulgar? We, who are the person said who had showed such mercy to him, || their teachers, and have taken such pains to acquire and wrought such a miracle for him; nor doubt of || the knowledge of the Scriptures? Darest thou say the truth of a doctrine which was confirmed by such that we are blind, whose judgment every one has signs. Believing with the heart, he thus makes con- such a veneration for, and values, and bows to? fession with his mouth. And he worshipped him- || Observe, nothing fortifies men's corrupt hearts more He not only rendered him the civil respects due to || against the convictions of the truth, or more effecta great man, and the acknowledgments owing to a || ually repels those convictions, than the good opinion kind benefactor, but paid him divine honour, and || which others have of them; as if what had gained worshipped him as the Son of God manifested in the || applause with men, must needs find acceptance with flesh. Thus true faith will always show itself in an humble adoration of the Lord Jesus. They who|| believe aright in him will see all the reason in the world to worship him. What an excellent spirit was this man of! Of so deep and strong an understand- || ing, as he had just shown, to the confusion of the Pharisees, and yet of so teachable a temper! تجھے God; than which nothing can be more false and deceitful, for God sees not as man sees. Jesus said, If ye were blind-Unavoidably ignorant, and not || favoured with the means of divine and saving knowledge; ye should have no sin-In comparison of what you now have. But now ye say, We see-Are possessed of a high degree of discernment and knowVerses 39-41. And Jesus said—While he stood || ledge, are more enlightened than the rest of mantalking with the blind man who had received his kind; therefore your sin remaineth-Without excuse, sight, several people, it seems, being gathered about without remedy. It abides upon you with greater them; For judgment, as well as mercy, I am come "aggravations; and the conceit which you have of into this world, that they which see not might see— your own knowledge hinders conviction, and preThat the ignorant, who are willing and desirous to vents the first entrance of instruction and true wisbe instructed, might have divine knowledge and true || dom into your minds. They gloried that they were wisdom imparted to them; and that they which see || not blind, as the common people were, nor so cre-Who are confident that they see, who are con- || dulous as they, but had abilities sufficient to direct ceited of, or trust in, their supposed knowledge and || their own conduct, and needed no aid in that respect wisdom; might be made blind-Might be confirmed || from any one. Now this very thing which they in their ignorance and folly, and be abandoned to a greater degree thereof. In these words he alluded to the cure of the blind man, but his meaning was spiritual; representing the consequences of his coming, which, by the just judgment of God, would be, that while the blind, both in body and soul, should|| receive their sight, they who boasted that they saw would be given up to still greater blindness than be- || fore. He meant to show, also, that his coming would manifest the disposition and character of every man. The humble, teachable, and upright, though they 594 gloried in, Christ here tells them was their shame and ruin: for, Ist, If they had been really ignorant, their sin would not have been so deeply aggravated, nor would they have had so much to answer for as now they had; for invincible ignorance, though it does not justify sin, excuses it in some measure, and lessens its guilt. 2d, If they had been sensible of their blindness, and had seen their need of one to guide them, they would soon have accepted Christ as their guide, and then they would have had no sin unpardoned, unconquered. They would have sub( 38* ) a mitted to the righteousness of faith, and have been into the sheep-fold is a thief. they are well, and that nothing ails them. The sin of those that are self-confident remains; for they reject the gospel of grace, and therefore the guilt of their sin remains uncancelled; and they grieve and quench the Spirit of grace, and therefore the power of their sin remains unbroken. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? Hearest thou the Pharisee say, We see? There is more hope of a fool, of a publican, and a harlot, than of 'such. CHAPTER X. In this chapter, (1,) Christ, continuing his discourse, and speaking parabolically, represents himself as the door of the sheepfold, through which men must necessarily enter, if they desire either their own salvation or that of others committed to their care, 1-10. (2,) He describes himself as the good shepherd, who would lay down his life for the sheep, 11–21. (3,) Discoursing of his union with the Father, he is charged with blasphemy; and, being assaulted by the Jews, retires beyond Jordan, 22–42. A. M. 4036. VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He || sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other A. M. 4036. that entereth not by the door into the way, the same is a thief and a robber.* A. D. 32. A. D. 32. * Tuesday in Whitsun-week, gospel, verse 1 to verse 11. NOTES ON CHAPTER X. church, Christ received him into his, which is the Verse 1. Verily, &c.—The Pharisees supported true church, the spiritual enclosure, where the sheep themselves in their opposition to Christ with this go in and out and find pasture." He that entereth principle, that they were pastors of the church; and not by the door into the sheep-fold, &c.—“I assure that Jesus, having no commission from them, was an you, that whosoever, in any age of the church, asintruder and an impostor, and that, therefore, the sumed the office of a teacher, without commission people were bound in duty to adhere to them against || from me, and without a sincere regard to the edifihim. In opposition to this, Christ here describes cation and salvation of men's souls, was a thief and who were the false shepherds and who were the a robber; and in the present age, he is no better who true, leaving them to infer what they were. He in- assumes that office without my commission, and troduces his discourse with, Verily, verily, I say || particularly without believing on me, and without inunto you-To show, not only the certain truth, but tending my honour and the good of the church."the deep importance of what he uttered. He speaks Macknight. Add to this, those do not enter in by by way of parable or similitude, taken from the || Christ, and indeed can have no authority from him, customary way of managing sheep in that country. || nor ability to become pastors of his flock, who do It is supposed that he was now in the outer court || not first take care to secure, by faith working by of the temple, near the sheep which were there ex- || love, an interest in, and union with him, or, to be posed to sale for sacrifice, the sight of which re- found in him, not having their own righteousness minded him of the language of the ancient prophets, which is of the law, but that which is through the "who often compared the teachers of their own faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God time to shepherds, and the people to sheep. Ac-| by faith; to be in him new creatures: Phil. iii. 9; cordingly, in describing the characters of the scribes 2 Cor. v. 17. But climbeth up some other way— and Pharisees, he made use of the same metaphor,|| Enters the sheep-fold as a pastor of Christ's flock, showing that there are two kinds of evil shepherds, without the necessary prerequisites and qualificapastors, or teachers; one, who, instead of entering tions, without first obtaining a saving acquaintance in by the door to lead the flock out and feed it, enter with Christ, and genuine love to him; without being in some other way, with an intention to kill and || called to, and qualified for the work by him, and of destroy; another, who, though they may have en- consequence, without authority from him; who, intered in by the door, feed their flocks with the dis- fluenced by unworthy motives, by a view to wealth, positions of hirelings; for when they see the wolf or honour, or ease, or a maintenance, or some secucoming, or any danger approaching, they desert lar employment or advantage, gets himself appointtheir flocks, because they love themselves only. ed a minister of Christ's church, through the inThe Pharisees plainly showed themselves to be ofterest of rich and powerful friends and connections, 'the former character, by excommunicating the man or the aid of natural abilities, and mere human learnthat had been blind, because he would not act con- ing; or some endowment or accomplishment wh.ch trary to the dictates of his reason and conscience to || is not connected with, and does not imply true piety, please them. But though they cast him out of their and a manifest call from the Lord Jesus; the same is a thief and a robber-In God's account; entering || All the circumstances here mentioned exactly agree the fold "to to fleece and butcher, not to feed the with the customs of the ancient eastern shepherds. flock; robbing Christ of his honour, and starving the || They called their sheep by name, went before them, souls of his people, in order to enrich himself, and || and the sheep followed them. So real Christians aggrandize his family."-Scott. hear, attend to, understand, and obey the voice of a Verses 2-5. He that entereth in by the door is the || shepherd whom Christ hath sent: and he counteth shepherd, &c.—"This mode of speaking, with us, them his own, dearer than any friend or brother; conveys the notion that the shepherd is the only || calleth them by name-That is, instructs, advises, person who enters by the door; yet the door-keeper, directs, encourages each by name, and leadeth them and the sheep themselves, enter also the same way. out in the paths of righteousness, beside the waters The original expression is manifestly intended to of comfort. And when he putteth forth his own denote the constant, not the peculiar, use which the || sheep-Leads them out into the pastures of the crdishepherd makes of the door, as opposed to the con- || nances, invites them to the enjoyment of the privistant use of thieves and robbers, to force their en- || leges, and urges them to the practice of the duties of trance by breaking or climbing over the fence. The true Christianity; he goeth before them-In all these comparison is made, not to the folds used by the com- || particulars, and in all the ways of God, teaching mon people in remote parts of the country, but || them in every point by example, as well as by preto those belonging to the rich in the neighbourhood || cept; and the sheep follow him—They tread in his of a populous city, where the walls and other fences steps; for they know his voice-Having the witness need to be stronger, and the entrance more care- in themselves, that his words are the truth, the wisfully kept, on account of the greater danger from dom, and the power of God. Reader, art thou a thieves.”—Campbell. To him the porter openeth-shepherd of souls? Then answer to God: is it thus As the shepherd will always choose to enter in by with thee and thy flock? And a stranger will they that which is the regular appointed way, so, as soon not follow-One whom Christ hath not sent, who as he approaches, the door-keeper opens the fold; || does not answer the preceding description. Him that is, God in his providence, and by the influence||they will not follow; and who can constrain them of his Spirit, makes way for such a one to exercise to it? But will flee from him—As from the plague. his ministry among his people, and gives success For they know not the voice of strangers—They to it. For as it is not unworthy of Christ to be cannot relish it. It is harsh and grating to them. styled the door, by which both the sheep and the true They find nothing of God therein. In other words, pastors enter, so neither is it unworthy of God the as sheep will not follow a strange shepherd, so the Father to be styled the door-keeper. See Acts xiv. 27; people of God will not hearken to false teachers, or and xvi. 14; Col. iv. 3; Rev. iii. 8. It was supposed to such as do not declare, plainly, fully, and with a by Sir Isaac Newton, that as the words were spoken divine unction, the very word of the truth of the near the temple, where sheep were kept in folds to gospel: but will avoid them, for they can easily disbe sold for sacrifices, Christ here alludes to what tinguish them from the true messengers of God by was peculiar in those folds; that as they were kept their fruits, that is, by their doctrine and practice, locked, they not only excluded the thief, but the and the inefficacy of their preaching to convert, shepherd, till the door-keeper opened them. "But sanctify, and save the souls of men. I cannot think," says Dr. Doddridge, "whatever occasion Christ might take from the sight of sheep to || represent his people under that image, and himself as a shepherd, he would describe them like sheep shut up in a pen to be sold for sacrifice: nor does the shepherd's leading them out, &c., agree with this circumstance. In countries where there were so many savage beasts, it might be ordinarily necessary to have the folds better secured than among us; and the chief shepherd might often leave a servant to watch them while thus shut up, and come himself to lead them out to pasture in the morning." And the sheep hear his voice—The people of God, knowing him to be a true pastor, hearken unto him. Verses 6-8. This parable spake Jesus: but they understood not, &c.—In this symbolical way Jesus taught the Pharisees the difference between true and false teachers; but they did not understand the meaning of what he said: therefore he added, by way of explication, Verily, verily, I say unto you— I solemnly assure you of it, as an undoubted and most momentous truth; I am the door of the sheepThat is, the door by which the sheep-fold is entered. Or his meaning may be, I am not only the door by which the shepherds must enter; not only the person whose right alone son whose right alone it is to admit men to the office of shepherds, and who alone can qualify them for that office and dignity, but I am also the door of Christ represents himself A. M. 4036. A. D. 32. 8 All that ever came before me are || that they might have life, and A. M. 4036. thieves and robbers: but the sheep that they might have it more abunddid not hear them. antly. 9 a I am the door: by me if any man enter 11 *I am the good shepherd: the good shepin, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, || herd giveth his life for the sheep. the sheep; it is by the knowledge of, and faith in piness. The thief cometh not but for to kill, &c.— me, by an interest in my merits, and by a participa- | That is, nothing else can be the consequence of a tion of my Spirit, and in no other way, that men shepherd's coming, who does not enter in by me. must or can enter into the truly spiritual enclosure Such assume the character of teachers divinely comof my church. All that ever came before me-As- || missioned, for no other reason but to promote their suming the character of the Messiah, or any part own interest at the expense of men's salvation; I am thereof, or pretending, like your elders and rabbis, come that they might have life-Life spiritual and to a power over the consciences of men, attempting eternal; the life of grace and the life of glory. to make laws in and for the church, and teaching Christ came to quicken his church in general, which their own traditions as necessary to be observed, or was rather like a valley filled with dry bones, than other methods of obtaining salvation than by me; a pasture filled with grazing flocks. He came to all those, who in former times assumed the charac- || vindicate divine truths, to purify divine ordinances, ter of teachers of religion, without a commission to correct men's errors, to renew their hearts, to from me, and all those teachers and preachers of reform their lives, to redress their grievances, to God's word that enter not by the door into the sanctify and support them under their trials and sheep-fold, but run before I send them by my Spirit,|| troubles, to seek that which was lost, bind up that and before they themselves are my true disciples, which was broken, strengthen that which was weak; subjects, and servants, or are in me new creatures; and this, to his church, was as life from the dead. (our Lord seems in particular to speak of those that || He came, that men might have life, as a criminal had undertaken this office since he began his minis- || has when he is pardoned; a sick man when he is try;) are thieves and robbers-Persons influenced || cured; a dead man when he is raised; that we by improper motives, who had and have no warrant || might be justified, sanctified, and at last glorified. from above for assuming any such character, pre- || And that they might have it more abundantly—A life tending to any such power, or undertaking any such || office, and whatsoever their pretences have been or are, the administration of such persons had, and always will have, a tendency to destroy the souls they should watch over and feed: for they are not only thieves, stealing temporal profit to themselves, but robbers, plundering and murdering the sheep. But the sheep-My true people; did not hear them -Did not attend upon, relish or regard their doctrine. || more abundant than that which was lost and forfeited by sin; more abundant than that which was promised by the law of Moses; more abundant than could have been reasonably expected, or than we are able to ask or think; that whatever measure of spiritual life in union with God, through Christ, of conformity to his image, or participation of his nature, we may have received, we may still desire and expect larger measures thereof; or to whatever degrees of holiness and usefulness we may have attained and manifested, we may still proceed to higher degrees, preparing and qualifying us for still higher degrees of future glory. Verses 9, 10. I am the door-I therefore repeat it again, as a most important truth, that I myself am the only right door of entrance into the church of God; if any one, as a sheep, enter in―By me, Verses 11-15. I am the good shepherd-Jesus, through faith; he shall be saved-Now and hereaf- having represented himself as the door of the sheep, ter; or rather, he shall be safe, like a sheep in its and intimated the regards which ought to be mainfold, safe from the wolf, and from those murdering || tained to him as such, particularly by those that proshepherds; and shall go in and out—Under my fessed to be teachers of others, now changes the care and guidance, and that of the shepherds whom || similitude, and represents himself, by way of emiI have sent, whose instructive voice he shall hear, || nence, the good shepherd, namely, the person freand whose holy example he shall follow; and shall quently foretold in Scripture under that character, find pasture-Food for his soul in all circumstances: (see the margin,) and the proprietor of the sheep. in consequence of his regard to me, his waiting upon The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheepme in mine ordinances, and his attendance on the Will expose himself to any danger for their safety, ministry of those whom I appoint to dispense to because they are his own property; but he that is a him the word of life, he shall be fed and nourished || hireling-Who attends the sheep merely for hire, with true doctrine, and shall obtain substantial hap- who is employed as a servant, and paid for his |