A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels — St. John — Volume 3

Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 · 220,804 words · 484 reading sections

SECTION 421

436 EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

It is noteworthy that we are not told that Peter got to shore at all sooner than his brethren. This point is, singularly- enough, passed over in silence. But wading through deep wa- ter is slow work, and the fact that Peter put his coat on before plunging into the sea, is, to my own mind, strong indirect proof that he …

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 437

ye have now caught," with a strong emphasis on the word "now." I believe our Lord's object was to show the disciples that the secret of success was to work at His command, and to act with implicit obedience to His word. It is as though He said, " Draw up the net ; and see for yourselves how profitable it is to do what …

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SECTION 423

438 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.

12. — [Jesus sait7i...Come and dine.] Tlie object of this gracious invitation seems to me to have been two-fold. It was meant partly to show our Lord's tender compassion for the weary bodies of His disciples. Though risen, He knew and felt for their wants, and would supply food for them when hungry and fatigued. It was…

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 439

tainer of tlie seven astonislied disciples, and gave tliem bread and fisli, as He had doubtless often done on former occasions, and perliaps at the same place. He doubtless meant to give the disciples one more plain proof that He had risen from the dead. Alone by the Sea of Galilee, in the open air, far from the fear o…

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SECTION 425

440 EXPOSITOKT THOUGHTS.

His resurrection, and an account of one of His miracles ? Or is the narrative a typical one ? Is the passage intended to con- vey, under figures and symbols, great prophetical truths con- cerning the work of the ministry, and the history of the Church in every age, until the Lord comes ? The question is a serious one, …

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 4.^1

age, have taken this view of the passage. Even Grotius, cold and rationalistic as his tone of exposition too frequently is, puts a figurative sense on several circumstances of the passage. Other expositors, of a more figurative and imaginative turn of mind, go into heights and depths, where I cannot pretend to follow t…

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SECTION 427

JOHN XXL 15—17.

15 So wlien they had dined, Je- 8U8 saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, ]o vest thou me more than these? He saith unto him. Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the sec- ond time, Simon, son of Jonas, lov- est thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord…

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SECTION 428

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 443

much, and profess much, and taljj much, and work much, and give much, and go through much, and make much show in our religion, and yet be dead before God, from want of love, and at last go down to the pit. Do we love Christ ? That is the great question. Without this there- is no vitality about our Christianity. We are …

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SECTION 429

444 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.

The answer that the humbled Apostle gave, is the one account that the true servant of Christ in every age can give of his religion. Such an one may be weak, and fearful, and ignorant, and unstable, and failing in many things, but at any rate he is real and sincere. Ask him whether he is converted, whether he is a be- l…

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SECTION 430

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 445

" Feed " my flock : once, " Feed my lambs ; " and twice my " sheep." Can we doubt for a moment that this thrice-repeated charge was full of deep meaning ? It was meant to commission Peter once more to do the work of an Apostle, notwithstanding his recent fall. But this was only a small part of the meaning. It was meant…

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SECTION 431

44:6 EXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS.

Notes. John xxi. 15—17. 15. — [8o when they had dined.'] In the verses we now begin, we pass away from the region of allegory, parable, symbol, mira- cle, and vision, to a plain, unmistakable conversation between our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostle Peter. It is a conver- sation of a deeply interesting character, of …

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SECTION 432

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 44.7

of the Cliurcli, by liis thrice repeated denial of his Master. Our Lord in mercy guards against this possibility, by publicly commissioning Peter once more to do the work of a pastor in the Church. (c) I believe our Lord's third object was to teach Peter what should be the primary aim of an Apostle and minister. The t…

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SECTION 433

448 EXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS.

(3) that St. Peter transmitted to the Bishops of the same See, in endless succession, his own supposed authority over the rest of Christendom, Each one of these assumptions is simply un- founded and untrue ; opposed alike to Scripture and to reason ; to the records of the Early Church and the opinions of the primitive …

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SECTION 434

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 449

But Peter could surely tell what he felt towards Christ. — A t the same time the question was very searching. It is as though our Lord said, " Simon, 1 know all thy history. I know what thou hast done, and what thou hast been, about the time of my betrayal and crucifixion, and I am ready to look over all, and pardon al…

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SECTION 435

4,50 EXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS.

Paul requires wlien he says, ' The servant of the Lord must not strive ; but be gentle to all men.' (2 Tim. ii. 24.) All should be in gentleness : teaching in gentleness. Wherefore ? Be- cause, if gentleness be lacking, there will be no edification, no comforting, no instruction." l^He saith... Yea, Lord...knowe8t...I…

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SECTION 436

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 45 X

remembered these ringing words, we may be sure, when lie wrote in his Epistle, " Feed the flock of God that is among you." (1 Peter v. 2.) Augustine observes that Christ, both here and in the two following verses, says, " my " and not " thy." The Church is His property, and not the property of ministers. Bullinger ob…

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SECTION 437

452 EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.

ten by us, tliougli they are wiped out of the book of God's re- membrance. The very "grief" which Peter felt at being thrice asked about his love, was intended to do him good. It was meant to remind him that if he was grieved to be asked thrice, " Lovest thou Me ? " how much more must his Master have been grieved when …

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SECTION 438

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 453

Christ and "has a warm heart, God will seldom allow him to lack a blessing. Hengstenberg shrewdly remarks, that Christ's emphatical question about love to Himself, and omission of any question about love to Qod, is strong indirect pl-oof of Christ's divinity. (b) True love to Christ is chiefly to be seen in usefulnes…

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SECTION 439

EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS.

that we can appeal to Jesus, the Searcher of hearts, and say, " Thou, wlxo kuowest all things, knowest that I love Thee," we need not be afraid. (e) If we really and truly feel love to Christ, we may thank God and take courage. Of our own faith, and grace, and con- version, and sanctiticatiou, we are poor judges. But …

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SECTION 440

JOHN XXI. 18—25.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, "When thou wast young, thou gird- edst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldst : but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou would- est not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should giorit'y …

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 455

future history of Christians, both in life and death, is foreknown by Christ. The Lord tells Simon Peter, " When thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." These words, without controversy, were a prediction of the manner of the Apostle's de…

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4.56 EXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS.

a covenant with my Lord, that I will never take amiss anything that He does to me." We may have to walk sometimes through rough places, on our way to heaven. But surely it is a resting, soothing reflection, " Every step of my journey was foreknown by Christ." We learn, secondly, in these verses, that a heliever^s deat…

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 457

tory over the flesh, who quietly feelS the pins of his earthly tabernacle plucked up with great bodily ago- nies, and yet never murmurs or complains, but silently enjoys inward peace, — this, this again, is a man whose end brings glory to God. — We may glorify God in death, by testifying to others the comfort and suppo…

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458 EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

every Christian to remember his own heart first, and to look at home. Of course our blessed Lord does not wish us to neg- lect the souls of others, or to take no interest in their condition. Such a state of mind would be nothing less than uncharitable selfishness, and would prove plainly that we had not the grace of G…

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 459

greatness of Christ'* s works during His earthly ministry, St. John concludes his Gospel with these remarkable words, "There are many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I sup- pose the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." — Of course we must not to…

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460 EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

ignorant we are, and how little we comprehend of the treasures which this Gospel contains. But we may well be thankful, when we reflect how clear and plain is the instruction which it gives us about the way of salvation. The man who reads this Gospel profitably, is he who " be- lieves that Jesus is the Christ, and, bel…

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SECTION 447

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 461

Master said to liim, " Verily, verily, I say unto thee. The cock eliall not crow, till tliou hast denied Me thrice." (John xiii. 38.) The expression, " When thou wast young," is commonly thought to indicate that Peter was now an old man, when these words were spoken. Perhaps too much stress is laid on the words, espec…

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SECTION 448

462 EXPOSITOKY THOUGHTS.

Brentius thinks tliat " another," in this sentence, refers to *' Nero," or the " executioner." We should note, in this wonderful prophecy, the unhesi tating positiveuess aud decision with which our Lord speaks of things to come. He knew perfectly all the circumstances of His Apostle's death, long before it took place.…

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SECTION 449

JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 453

Beza remarks that on one occasion, when Peter and John had been beaten and threatened by the Jewish Council, " they departed, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name." (Acts v. 41.) The expression, " whith- er thou wouldest not," can therefore only refer to the natural will of flesh and blo…

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464 EXPOSITOEY TIIOUGHTS.

(&) Some think that *' Follow Me " must be interpreted spir- itually, and that our Lord used the expression as a kind of watchword for Peter's course in life from that day forward. " Walk in my steps. Do as I have done. Follow Me whither- soever I lead thee, even though it be to prison and death." I see no reason why …

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 465

21.— [Peter seeing. ..Lord...w7iat... this man do^ Tlie Greek words of Peter's question would be literally rendered, " Lord : and this man what?" The precise meaning and object of the question are a point which has been much disputed. {a) Some think that the question was entirely one of broth- erly love, interest, and…

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4:QQ EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

to prove our own works, and understand our own ways. Peter seems more concerned about events than about duty. John was younger than himself, and in the course of nature likely to survive him. ' Lord,' he says, ' what times shall he be reserved for ? ' Whereas, if God, by His grace, enable us to persevere to the end, an…

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. ^Q^

beloved brother John would one day be cast into a caldron of boiling oil, at Ephesus, during a persecution ? What good would it have done Peter, to know that John would spend years of weary captivity on the Isle of Patmos, and finally outlive all the company of the Apostles, and be left last and latest on the stormy se…

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4.68 EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

writers, of any weight and authority, declare that John died a natural death in extreme old age, Theophylact mentions a strange tradition that John is kept alive somewhere, and is to be slain, together with Elias, by j^ntichrist, when he appears I (c) Some, as Grotius, Hammond, Lightfoot, Whitby, Scott, Alford, and E…

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 4^9

more destitute of solid foundation, than tliat huge mass of matter which the Roman Catholic Church has heaped together, and professes to respect, called " Catholic tradition." The mo- ment a Christian departs from God's Word written, and allows " Catholic tradition " any authority, he plunges into a jungle of uncertain…

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SECTION 456

470 EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

have in tliis Gospel a faithful and true record of things that Jesus said and did, and that this, the last of the four narratives of Christ's history, is just as trustworthy, credible, and depend- able as the books written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 25. — [And there are also many other things, etc.] In this verse Joh…

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472 EXPOSITOEY THOUGHTS.

The Greek word wMcli we render " contain," is the same that is rendered in Matt. xix. 11 " receive," and in the same sense that it appears used here : " All men cannot receive this saying." The change from the plural " we know," in verse 24, to the singular " I suppose," in this verse, is undoubtedly peculiar. But the…

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JOHN, CHAP. XXI. 473

the water which refreshes the thirsty, as the bread of life, as the light of the world, as the redeemer of God's children, as the shepherd and door of the sheep, as the resurrection and the life, as the corn of wheat which springs up into much fruit, as the conqueror of the prince of this world, as the way, the truth, …

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ALPHABETICAL INDEX

Of subjects treated with more than ordinary fulness in the Notes on John. Abraham saw my day, etc. . Angels: their nature Angel troubling the water . Anointings of Christ : how many Baptism of Holy Ghost Believing in Christ , Blood and water . Born of water and the Spirit Brethren of Christ Character of Judas .... C…

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I.

FAeB 130—131 371—373 270—271 236—237 65—67 156—159 329—331 130—136 107 314—315 351—354 384—385 311—313 40—41 6—9 32—33 228—236 28—31 185—188 256—259 170—172 113—114 84—87 351—352 346—349 58—62 4:76…

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INDEX.

roL. Christ the Light of world II. Christ walking on the sea ... I. Cross : its shape and size III. Crown of thorns III. Crucifixion : nature of the punishment . . III. Christ giving up the ghost .... III. Doing Christ's will the way to knowledge . II. Earthly and heavenly things .... I. Eating Christ's flesh, …

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I.

m. I. His own country I. Holy Ghost not given II. Holy Ghost reproving the world . . . III. Holy Ghost the Comforter .... III. Hours of day : how reckoned by John . . I. I have given them the glory .... III. I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me . . II. I thirst III. If he called them gods II. Introductory remar…

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PAQB

78—81 340—342 295—296 270—271 299—301 324—326 19—21 149 397—401 338 190—191 137—138 5—7 170—171 298—299 65—68 426—427 156—160 297—298 39 255—257 48—50 143_146 71—72 198—200 202-203 285—286 319—321 222—223 5 322—323 275—281 70-71 174—176 48—49 352—353…

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II.

Labor for enduring meat Lessons of " Lovest thou me " . Light wbich ligbteth every man . Life eternal to know God and Christ Living water Love, a new commandment Love to Christ ; its importance Man's moral impotence Miracle by Sea of Tiberias : an allegory Moses gave you not that bread , Moses lifting up the serp…

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PAGB

367—369 851—354 448—452 18—20 175—176 210—212 46—48 452—454 384—388 440—442 363—364 152—154 91 150—151 249—250 59—60 192—200 97—103 127—128 298—302 281—290 415—419 395—398 126—129 398—404 45—48 199—201 269—270 308 811—313 91—93 211—212 284—287 467—468 249—250 478…

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INDEX.

That thou doest do quickly The disciple known to the high priest The Father loveth the Son The greater sin The hireling The Romans shall come .... The servant abideth not in the house The Spirit quickeneth .... The world could not contain the books . Things purposely omitted in John's Gospel Title on Cross ...,,. …

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PAGB

86—38 230—232 187—188 280—281 194—195 296—298 107 411—413 470—472 5—7 302—307 377—384 285 272—273 213—214 147—148 466—467 464—465 460—463 446—448 309—311 224—225 189 114-115 118-120 530 BROADWAY, NEW YOBK, November, 1876,…

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ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS' ISTET^ BOOKS.

Forty Tears in the Turkish Empire. Memoirs of Rev. William Goodell, DD., late Missionary at Con- stantinople. By E. D. G. Prime, D.D 2.50 Dr. Goodell was the first American Missionary at Constantinople, his wife the first American lady that ever visited the Turkish Capital, and they both remained at this post in labo…

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HEADSHIP OF CHRIST 1.50

LIFE AND LETTERS. 2 vols 3.00 " There is in Hugh Miller's geological works a freshness of conception, a depth of thought, and a purity of feeling rarely met with in works of that character." — Pro- fessor Agassiz. Hugh Miller's Life and Letters. By Peter Bayne. 2 vols 3.00 Mr. Bayne carries the absorbed reader with…

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THE RAPIDS OF NIAGARA 1.25

The Say and Do Series. Comprising the above 6 vols, on the Lord's Prayer. In a neat box 7.50 " Every new work of fiction by this gifted author we receive with a cordial welcome, for we know that it will be an addition to that pure, elevating, and delightful class of books which we may love as the fireside literature …

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BOBERT CARTER & BROTHERS NEW BOOKS.

Elsie's Santa Claus. By Miss Joanna H. Mathews, author of the ** Bessie Books.".... 1.25 Miss Ashton's Girls. By Miss Joanna H. Mathews. Comprising ** Fanny's Birthday Gift," '* The New Scholars," " Rosalie's Pet," "Eleanor's Visit," "Mabel Walton's Experiment," and "Elsie's Santa Claus." 6 voh). In a box 7.50 B^ t…

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DOORS OUTWARD 1.25

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ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS' NEW BOOKS. 6

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THE SPANISH CAVALIER 0.75

Alice Neville and Riversdale. By C. E. BowEN. 4 illustrations 1.25 All about Jesus. By Rev. Alexander Dickson. 12mo 2.00 "I have read it with the delight which every reader of the 'Pilgrim's Progress' re- calls. Compared with the current literature of the time it produces a feeling akin to that of one who passes fr…

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6 ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS* NEW BOOKS.

The Shadowed Home, and the Light Beyond. By llev. E. H. Bickersteth, author of ''Yesterday, To-day, and Forever." 1.60 By the same author : Yesterday, To-Day, and Forever. 12rao. edition, mor., 5.00; full gilt, 3.00; cloth 2.00 Cheap edition, IGmo 1.26 The Reef, and other Parables. By Rev, E. H. Bickersteth. 16 …

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ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS' NEW BOOKS.

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SETS IN BOXES.

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♦MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE.

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*POOL'S ANNOTATIONS ON THE BIBLE.

3 volumes, royal 8vo., ----- iS«oo Richard Cecil says '* Pool is incomparable." Edward Bickersteth says " Judicious and full.** T. H. HoRNE says " He who wishes to understand the Scriptures will rarely coasult them without advantage."…

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Source & rights

Public-domain historical edition (1857). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.

Project Gutenberg source record →

Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.