I And... they... done these things... him.'] The disciples found, long after the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, that they had been unconscious actors in a mighty accomplishment of Scrip- ture. This is a thought for us all. We have not the least idea, during the greater part of our lives, how much of God's great purposes on earth are being carried on through us and by us, without our being conscious of it. The full extent to which they are carried on we shall never know till we wake up in another world. We shall then discern with wonder and amaze- ment the full meaning of many a thing in which we were unconscious agents during our lives.
Calvin remarks : " Then, after the ascension, did it occur to the disciples that Christ did not do these things rashly, and that these men were not employed in idle amusement, but that the whole transaction had been regulated by the providence of God."
Poole observes, that here St. John " confesseth his own igno- rance." He was present, and saw all that was done, but did not understand it at the time.
17. — \Tlie people therefore.. .Lazarus... bare record.] I feel no doubt that this verse describes one part of the multitude which met our Lord, and the following verse describes another part. One part, and of course a small one, consisted of those who had seen the raising of Lazarus. The other, and a much larger one, consisted of those who had only heard the report.
That there must have been a very large number of persons present at the miracle of Bethany is, I think, indirectly proved by the expression here used, " people that were with Him."
The words, " bare record," must mean that they testified that a great miracle really had been wrought, and that this same Jesus, now riding on an ass before the eyes of the people, was that very Person who had wrought it. I do not see that we can possibly get more out of the expression, and I cannot suppose that these people testified their belief in Christ's Messiahship.
The double expression, " called out of his grave," and " raised from the dead," deserves notice. It is doubtless meant to keep before our minds the mighty simplicity of the means used by our Lord. He spoke, and it was done. He "called" to Laza- rus to come forth, and he was " raised " at once.
18. — [For this cause. ..people met him, etc.] This verse describes the state of mind of the larger part of the multitude which sur- rounded our Lord at His entry into Jerusalem. It consisted of those who had heard the report of His raising Lazams, — a story magnified, no doubt, in the telling. Strong curiosity to see the Person who had done such a miracle would call forth an immense crowd in any city. But among Jews, familiar with Old Testament miracles, assembled in enormous numbers for the Passover, excited by the rumour of Messiah coming,—