follows as one unbroken discourse, all spoken at one time with- out breaks or pauses, except such as arise from the remarks of the people who heard our Lord, there can be no doubt where our Lord was. The fiflj-ninth verse settles the question. '' These things said he in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum.'' — But if we suppose a break at the foriieth verse, where the Jews begin " to murmur," and a short interval before the d'scourse was resumed, it seems highly probable that the crowd found our Lord at the landing-place at Capernaum, or just outside the city, — that the discourse began there and continued up to the fortieth verse, — and that then after a short pause it was resumed " in the synagogue of Capernaum." It certainly does seem rather abrupt and unnatural to suppose the crowd landing at Capernaum, going up to the synagoi^ue, and there beginning tlie conversation with the question, " When camest thou hither ? "
[When camest thou hither f] The question evidently implies surprise at finding our Lord, and inability to understand how He could possibly have got to Capernaum, if He did not go in the boat with His disciples. It is a question, be it remarked, to which our Lord returned no answer. He knew the state of mind of those who asked it, and knew that it would be of no use to tell them when He had come, or how.
Wordsworth's idea that there is a mystical reference in this question to the manner and time of Christ's presence in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, appears to me very fanciful and far-fetched.
2G. — [Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say.] This solemn expression, as usual in St. John's Gospel, introduces a series of sayings of the deepest importance. The very first was a sharp and cutting rebuke of the carnal-mindedness of those whom our Lord addressed.
[Ye seek me. ..not..miracles...eat... filled.'] This was a severe say- ing, and one which He, who knew all hearts and read all secret motives, could say with peculiar power. It is a sad exposure of the true reason why many followed our Lord, both 0:1 this occa- sion and on others. It was not now even desire to see miracle^ performed, as it nad been the day before (see verse 2). These, after a time, when the novelty was passed, would cease to asto- nisli and attract. It was a lower and more carnal motive still. It was the mere wish to be fed again with loaves and fishes. They wanted to get something more out of our Lord. They had been fed oi.ce, and they would like to be fed again.
The poor, and mean, and carnal mot'' res which induce men to irnke some religious profession, are painfully exhibited here. Perhaps we have but a faint notion how little the reasons of many for coming to public worship or communion would bear