were not converted. The idea of some that the words mean, " His brethren did not fully and entirely believe in Him," seems to me utterly without foundation. It cannot, moreover, be reconciled with the language that soon follows, — "The world cannot hate you," etc. Such language cannot be applied to disciples. The whole teaching of the Bible shows clearly that it was quite possible to be a relative of Christ according to the flesh and yet not be converted. He that does God's will is as clear to Christ as "brother, or sister, or mother." (Mark iii. 35.)
How frequently even the natural brethren of God's most emi- nent saints have been graceless and ungodly, every Bible reader must often have observed. The cases of the brothers of Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and David will occur to our minds.
We should learn from a verse like this the desperate hardness of man's heart, the absolute necessity of grace to make any one a disciple, and the extreme danger of familiarity with high spiritual privileges. We should remember too, that a man may be a truly good and holy man, and yet not have converted rela- tives. No one can give grace to his own family. " A prophet is not without honour but in his own country." (Mark vi. 4.) Even our Lord was not believed by all around Him. He can truly sympathize with all His people who are in a similar position.
6.— [My time is not yet come.'] These words must mean, that our Lord did everything during His earthly ministry according to a preordained plan, and that he could take no step except in har- mony with that plan. He doubtless spoke with a Divine depth of meaning that none but Himself could comprehend, and that must have been unintelligible at the time to His " brethren." To them His words would probably convey nothing more than the idea that for some reason or other He did not think the present a favourable opportunity for going to Jerusalem.
[Your time is alway ready.] This sentence must mean, that to unconverted people, like our Lord's brethren, it could make no matter what time they went up. All times were alike. They would excite no enmity, and run no risk.
A Christian not possessing foreknowledge can only pray for guidance and direction as to the steps of his life, and the ways and times of his actions ; and, having prayed, then make the best use of his judgment, trusting that a faithful God will not let him make mistakes.
7. — [The world cannot hate you.] These words surely settle the question as to the present state of our Lord's brethren. They were yet unconverted. Our Lord says, in another place, — "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own." (John xv. 19.)
[ Me it Jiateth because I testify. ..works. ..evil.] The true reason of this enmity of many of the Jews against Christ is here distinctly