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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:42

Verse 42 42.And I knew that thou hearest me always. This is an anticipation, lest any one should think that he did not stand so high in favor with the Father, as to be able easily to perform as many miracles as he chose. He means, therefore, that there is so great an agreement between him and the Father, that the Father refuses him nothing; and even that he had no need to pray, because he only executed what he knew that the Father had enjoined; but in order that men may be more fully assured... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:43

Verse 43 43.He cried with a loud voice. By not touching with the hand, but only crying with the voice, his Divine power is more fully demonstrated. At the same time, he holds out to our view the secret and astonishing efficacy of his word. For how did Christ restore life to the dead but by the word? And therefore, in raising Lazarus, he exhibited a visible token of his spiritual grace, which we experience every day by the perception of faith, when he shows that his voice gives life. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:44

Verse 44 44.Bound hand and foot with bandages. The Evangelist is careful to mention thenapkin and bandages, in order to inform us that Lazarus went out of the tomb, in the same manner that he was laid in it. This mode of burying is retained to the present day by the Jews, who cover the body with a shroud, and wrap the head separately in a handkerchief. Loose him, and let him go. To magnify the glory of the miracle, it only remained that the Jews should even touch with their hands that Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:1-57

7. Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power . The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:38

Jesus therefore again moved with indignation within himself. The ( ἐν ἑαυτῷ ) "in himself" is not so forcible an expression as "shuddering in his spirit ( John 11:33 ), but it implies a continuity of grand, holy indignation against the anomaly of death, from which the human family and he as its Representative were suffering (cf. John 11:33 ). He cometh to the grave. The ( μνημεῖον or) tomb is forthwith described as ( σπήλαιον ) a den, cavern, or cave, from σπέος , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:38-44

The miracle. There is a fresh struggle in the soul of Jesus, perhaps caused by the malicious observations of the Jews. I. JESUS COMMANDS THE STONE TO BE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE SEPULCHER . "Take ye away the stone." 1. This command suggests that where human power is sufficient, Divine power will not be put forth . A word from Jesus could have taken away the stone as easily as a word raised Lazarus to life. The action of Jesus suggests the economy of miracle so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:39

Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone . ἄρατε has rather the idea of "lift" than "roll away;" it is used for "take," "take away," "carry as a burden." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, £ said unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been four days here . Martha's language is another singular illustration of the desire on her part to give a certain kind of advice and direction to our Lord, as though he might be the wiser and bettor for her monitions. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldst see the glory of God? This was a probable reference to the language of John 11:4 , and also to the teaching of John 11:25 , John 11:26 , where our Lord had encouraged her imperfect faith in himself to become a veritable vision of Divine glory. Out of the deepest humiliation comes the highest glory, The putrefaction of the grave is a stepping-stone to his throne. More is meant than the physical... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:40

The vision of the Divine glory. "Jesus said unto Martha, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" When Lazarus of Bethany fell sick, his sisters sent a messenger beyond Jordan to carry the tidings to Jesus. Our Lord's reply was to the following effect: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God," etc. We cannot doubt that these words, or the substance of them, was conveyed by the messenger to Martha and Mary, and yet,... read more

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