If the Son, on the one hand, specially glorifies the Father's attributes of holiness, justice, and mercy, by satisfying all His demands with His own precious blood on the cross, so, on the other hand, the Father specially glorifies the Son, by exalting Him above all Kings, raising Him from the dead, and giving Him a name above every name.
*' In Himself" must refer to that special and peculiar glory which, in the counsels of the blessed Trinity, is conferred on the Second Person, on account of His incarnation, cross, and passion.
It is hardly needful to remind Christians that " if " does not imply any doubtfulness, but is rather equivalent to " since " as in Coloss. iii. 1 : "If ye then be risen with Christ."
If any one wishes to adhere rigidly to the past tense in the first " glorified " of this verse, it undoubtedly makes excellent meaning. " If God the Father has been glorified on the earth by my life and perfect obedience to His law, He will also glo- rify Me in my own person, by raising Me from the dead, and placing Me at His own right hand, and that very soon." But I doubt this being the full meaning, for the reasons given in the preceding verse.
The perfect harmony and co-operation of the Persons in the blessed Trinity shine out here. The Son glorifies the Father, and the Father glorifies the Son, The Son shows the world by His death how holy and just is the Father, and how He hates sin. The Father shows the world, by raising and exalting the Son to glory, how He delights in the redemption for sinners which the Son has accomplished.
Chrysostom thinks, that " straightway glorify Him " must refer to the special signs and wonders which appeared from the very time that our Lord was on the cross. " So the sun was darkened, the rocks rent, the veil of the temple parted, many bodies of the saints arose, the tomb had its seal, the guards sat by, and while a stone lay on the grave, the body rose."
Musculus remarks, that here you have the great principle asserted which is always true : " Those who glorify God shall be glorified by God."
33. — [Little children.'] This is the only time our Lord ever calls His disciples by this name. It was evidently a term of atFection and compassion, like the language of a father speaking to chil- dren whom he is about to leave alone as orphans in the world. " My believing followers, whom I love and regard as my chil- dren."
Observe that the expression is not used till Judas has gone away. Unbelievers are not to be addressed as Christ's chil- dren.