Mosheim rightly observes, " Those expositors are mistaken, who imagine that Christ had no other object in this question than to silence His adversaries." — Oration on Christ the only model for the imitation of Theologians, p. 17. — eva, one) and that too con nected with your own question ; one, after you have asked Me so many things, both now and heretofore. John the Baptist, though without a human call, could be and was a prophet ; therefore also Jesus. If they had acknowledged the baptism of His forerunner, they would have acknowledged the authority of Christ ; but since they did not acknowledge John (see ver. 32), they could not believe in Jesus. Nor did they deserve that any further communications should be thrown away by Him on their pride and unbelief. To him that hath is given ; from him that hath not is taken away.
25. To j8a<T7-/<r//,a, the baptism) i.e. the whole mission : cf. further on in the verse, " ovx t-viartlxsarf" " did ye not believe?" — e% o\jpaw\J, from heaven) i.e. from God. An instance of Metonomy of a reverential character. — dizXoylfyvro, they reasoned ivith themselves) That is an evil mind which, instead of looking at the truth in a divine matter, assumes that which suits its purpose. — avrfi, him) sc. bearing witness in My favour.
26. a>o/3oi/(a£^a, ice fear) They were unwilling to confess their fear. — rbv o^Xov, the multitude) The multitude was scarcely likely to proceed at once to the extremity which the chief priests dreaded, yet it burned with ardent zeal in favour of John. And the Jewish population was wont, under sudden impulses, to as sail, with the utmost violence, those who uttered, or were sup posed to utter, impious things. — Kpopqryv, a prophet) sent from heaven, which had not happened for a long while.
27. O-JK o't'dafMv, we do not know) A forced confession of most disgraceful ignorance.1 — ovfc, x.r.X., neither, etc.) A repulse rare and just, by which itself Jesus proves His divine authority.2 — upTv, to you) you unbelievers, who do not ask for the sake of learning. He gave them a clue by which to ascertain
1 In which, however, the proud at times prefer seeking a refuge, rather than yield themselves up to the truth. The Wicked is caught in (his own) snare. — V. g.
2 It would not have been becoming that more should be given to one who hath not. — V. g.