being, for so He and His Father are one; but in respect of His office, as He was sent, and His Father was He who sent Him."
19. — [Then said tliey...Wliere is thy Father?] This question of the Jews was probably not asked in a tone of serious inquiry, or from real desire to know. It was more likely sneering and sarcastic.
Calvin observes, "By these words they meant that they did not so highly value Christ's Father as to ascribe anything to the Son on His account."
Hengstenberg bids us observe that they did not ask, "Who is thy Father? " but " Where is thy Father? " It sounds as if they looked round in contempt, as if scornfully expecting an earthly father to stand forth and testify to Christ.
[Jesus answered. Ye neither know me... Father.] Our Lord here tells His enemies that they were ignorant both of Himself and of His Father in heaven. With all their pride of knowledge and fancied high attainments they knew nothing rightly either of the Father or the Son. The expression certainly favours the idea that the expression " Ye know me," (John vii. 28,) must be taken as a slight sarcasm.
Let it be noted that great familiarity with the letter of Scrip- ture is perfectly compatible with gross spiritual darkness. The Pharisees knew the Old Testament prophecies well; but they neither knew God nor Christ.
[If ye had known me. ..my Father also.] These words teach plainly that ignorance of Christ and ignorance of God are in- separably connected. The man who thinks he knows anything rightly of God while he is ignorant of Christ is completely de- ceived. The God whom he thinks he knows is not the God of the Bible, but a God of his own fancy's invention. At any rate he can have a most imperfect conception of God, and can have but little idea of His perfect holiness, justice, and purity. The words teach also that Christ is the way by which we must come to the knowledge of God. In Ilim, through Him, and by Him, we may come boldly into the Father's presence, and behold His high attributes without fear.
He that would have saving, soul-satisfying religion, and be- come a friend and servant of God, must begin with Christ. Knowing Him as his Saviour and Advocate, he will find it easy and pleasant to know God the Father. Those that reject Christ, like the Jews, will live and die in ignorance of Gocl, however learned and clever they may be. But the poorest, humblest man, that lays hold on Christ and begins with Him, shall find out enough about God to make him happy forever. In the matter of becoming acquainted with God it is the first step to know Jesus Christ, the Mediator, and to believe on Him.
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