" In consequence of the close relation between Me and the Father, I cannot do anything independently and separately from Him. 'I judge,' and decide, and speak on all points, in entire harmony with the Father, as though I heard Him continually at My side ; and so judging and speaking My judgment on all points is always right. It is right now, and will be seen right at the great account of the last day. For in all that I do I seek not to do My Own will only, but the will of Him that sent Me, since there is an entire harmony between My will and His."
Let it be carefully noted that at this part of His address our Lord ceases to speak in the third person of Himself as " the Son of man," and begins to use the first person, — "I can," "I hear," " I judge," etc.
" Of mine own self" does not mean "unhelped and unas- sisted," but "from myself," — ^from My own independent volition and action.
Chrysostom remarks, — " Just as when we say, it is impossible for God to do wrong, we do not impute to Him any weakness, but confess in Him an unutterable power; so also when Christ saith, ' I can of my own self do nothing,' the meaning is that it is impossible, — my nature admits not, — that I should do any- thing contrary to the Father."
" As I hear" is an expression adapted to man's comprehen- sion, to convey the idea of the unity between the Father and the Son. It is like verse 19th, where it is said, " The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do." It is also like the words used of the Holy Grhost, — " He shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall Aear, that shall he speak." (John xvi. 13.)
Chrysostom remarks, — " Just as when Christ said, ' we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen,' and John the Baptist said, * that which he hath seen and heard he testifieth,' (John iii, 11, 32,) both expressions are used concerning exact knowledge, and not concerning mere 'seeing' and 'hearing;' — so in this place, when Christ speaks of 'hearing,' He declares no- thing else than that it is impossible for Him to desire anything save what the Father desireth."
*' I judge" applies not only to all Christ's judgments and de- cisions as Mediator when He was upon earth, but to His final judgment at the last day.
'■ My judgment is just" would probably remind the Jews of the prophecies about Messiah. (Isa. xi. 3 and Dan. vii. 13.)
" I seek not mine own will" must be inteipreted with special reference to our Lord's Divine nature, as Son of God. Having