[ When they saiu the miracles.'] This expression shows us that there were many miracles worked by our Lord which are no- where recorded in Scripture. St. John himself tells us so twice over. (John xx. 30; xxi. 25.) Nicodemus refers to these miracles in the beginning- of the following chapter. (John iii, 2.) If it had been good for us to know anything about these miracles, they would no doubt have been recorded. But it is well to re- member that there were such miracles, in order that we may rightly understand the unbelief and hardness of the Jews a Jerusalem. The miracles whit-h are related as having been worked in or near Jerusalem, we must remember, are by no means all that our Lord worked there.
24. — {Did not commit himself.] The Greek word so rendered means literally " Did not trust himself" It is the same verb that is generally rendered "believe."
[He knew all men.] This is a direct assertion of our Lord's divine omniscience. As God He knew all mankind, and these seeming believers among others. As God, He knew that their hearts were like the stony ground in the parable, and their faith only temporary.
Melancthon makes some very wise remarks on this verse, as to the example which our Lord sets us here of caution in deal- ing with strangers. It is a melancholy fact, which the expe- rience of years always confirjns, that we must not trust implicitly to appearances of kindness, or be ready to open our hearts to every one as a friend, upon short acquaintance. The man who does not hastily contract intimacies, may be thought cold and distant by some ; but in the long run of life he will escape many sorrows. It is a wise saying, that a man ought to be friendly with all, but intimate with few.
25. — [N'eeded not.. .testify of man.] These words mean that our Lord had no need of any one's testimony "about man." He required no information from others about the real character of those who professed faith in Him.
[He knew what was in man.] This means that our Lord, as God, possessed a perfect knowledge of man's inner nature, and was a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We should remember Solomon's words in his prayer, " Thou only knowest the hearts of all the children of men." (1 Kings viii. 39.)
The immense difference between our Lord and all ministers of His Gospel appears strikingly in this verse. Ministers are constantly deceived in their estimate of people. Christ never was, and never could be. When He allowed Judas Iscariot to be a disciple, He "was perfectly acquainted with his character.
Wordsworth observes that the two last verses of this chapter
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