He is a liar, all his temptations are carried on by his calling evil good, and good evil, and promising
freedom in sin. He is the author of all lies; whom liars resemble and obey, with whom all liars shall
have their portion for ever. The special lusts of the devil are spiritual wickedness, the lusts of the
mind, and corrupt reasonings, pride and envy, wrath and malice, enmity to good, and enticing others
to evil. By the truth, here understand the revealed will of God as to the salvation of men by Jesus
Christ, the truth Christ was now preaching, and which the Jews opposed.
Verses 48–53
Observe Christ's disregard of the applause of men. those who are dead to the praises of men
can bear their contempt. God will seek the honour of all who do not seek their own. In these verses
we have the doctrine of the everlasting happiness of believers. We have the character of a believer;
he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. And the privilege of a believer; he shall by no
means see death for ever. Though now they cannot avoid seeing death, and tasting it also, yet they
shall shortly be where it will be no more forever, Ex 14:13.
Verses 54–59
Christ and all that are his, depend upon God for honour. Men may be able to dispute about God,
yet may not know him. Such as know not God, and obey not the gospel of Christ, are put together,
2Th 1:8. All who rightly know anything of Christ, earnestly desire to know more of him. Those
who discern the dawn of the light of the Sun of Righteousness, wish to see his rising. “Before
Abraham was, I AM.” This speaks Abraham a creature, and our Lord the Creator; well, therefore,
might he make himself greater than Abraham. I AM, is the name of God, Ex 3:14; it speaks his
self-existence; he is the First and the Last, ever the same, Re 1:8. Thus he was not only before
Abraham, but before all worlds, Pr 8:23; Joh 1:1. As Mediator, he was the appointed Messiah, long
before Abraham; the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Re 13:8. The Lord Jesus was
made of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, to Adam, and Abel, and
all that lived and died by faith in him, before Abraham. The Jews were about to stone Jesus for
blasphemy, but he withdrew; by his miraculous power he passed through them unhurt. Let us
stedfastly profess what we know and believe concerning God; and if heirs of Abraham's faith, we
shall rejoice in looking forward to that day when the Saviour shall appear in glory, to the confusion
of his enemies, and to complete the salvation of all who believe in him.
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
Christ give sight to one born blind. (1–7)
The account given by the blind man. (8–12)
The Pharisees question the man that had (13–17)
been blind.