good and bad, which was one consequence (not the purpose) of Christ's coming into the world. — When Christ came into the world, men promptly showed themselves to belong to the state of darkness or of light, and by their arranging themselves in two great classes, anticipated their own final sentence." — " The blind (that is, simple and ignorant, yet meek and faithful men) saw; while the seeing (that is, vain pretenders to discernment, proud, presumptuous persons) were made blind."
40. — [And some. ..Pharisees. ..heard words.'] This sentence literally rendered would be, "Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard." It seems to show that here, as on all other occa- sions, some of the party of the Pharisees were in the crowd which hung round our Lord, narrowly watching all he said and did, and eagerly catching at anything which might give them an advantage against Him. It ought to make us feel the im- mense difficulty of our Lord's position. He was always at- tended by enemies, and spoke and acted under the eyes of peo- ple desiring to do Him harm. It also teaches us that we must not cease from efforts to do good, because many of our hearers are unbelieving.
[And said.. .Are ice blind also?'] This question cannot possibly be taken as a humble, anxious inquiry. It is rather the sarcas- tic, sneering inquiry of men whose consciences were pricked by our Lord's words, and who felt that He was condemning them: "And in what class do you place us? Are we among those whom you call blind? Do you mean to say that we who are doctors of the law, see and understand nothing ? " — St. Paul's words to the unbelieving Jew should be remembered here : " Thou art confident that thou art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness." (Rom. ii. 17.) Blind- ness was probably the last thing which the Pharisees would allow could be predicated of them.
Augustine remarks : "There are many, who according to common usage, are called good people, good men, good women, harmless, honouring their parents, not committing adultery, doing no murder, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and in a sort observing the other duties commanded in the law, and yet are not Christians. And these commonly give themselves airs like the Pharisees here, saying, ' Are we blind also ? ' "
Ferus observes : " This is just the ancient arrogance of the Jews."
Jones, of Nayland, makes the pious remark : " Give us, O Lord, the sight of this man who had been blind from birth, and deliver us from the blindness of his judges, who had been learning all their lives, and yet knew nothing. And if the world should cast us out, let us be found of Thee, whom the world crucified."
41. — [Jesus said unto them, etc.] Our Lord's answer to the Phari-