John 7:39

Was not yet given - Δεδομενον , given is added by the Codex Vaticanus, (B.) the Syriac, all the Persic, later Syriac with an asterisk, three copies of the Slavonic, Vulgate, and all the Itala but three; and several of the primitive fathers. The word seems necessary to the completion of the sense.

Certain measures of the Holy Spirit had been vouchsafed from the beginning of the world to believers and unbelievers: but that abundant effusion of his graces spoken of by Joel, Joel 2:28 , which peculiarly characterized the Gospel times, was not granted till after the ascension of Christ:

1. Because this Spirit in its plenitude was to come in consequence of his atonement; and therefore could not come till after his crucifixion.

2. It was to supply the place of Christ to his disciples and to all true believers; and therefore it was not necessary till after the removal of his bodily presence from among them. See our Lord's own words, John 14:16-18 , John 14:26 ; John 15:26 ; John 16:7-15 .