George Hutcheson
IN this Chapter, we have a rehearsal of several things which occurred betwixt Christs return from Ephraim (whither he had retired, Chap. 11.54.) to Bethany, and his eating of the passeover with his Disciples. It may be taken up in these particulars. 1. His returne to Bethany and entertainment there, with some consequents that followed thereupon, ver. 1.— 11. 2. His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, with some remarkable observations upon it ver. 12.—19. 3. The desire of some Greeks to see him, with his doctrine upon that occasion, seasoned with strange exercise, ver. 20.—36. 4 An account of the fruits of his Ministry among the most part of the Jewes; some not beleeving at all, ver. 37.—41. others being but hidden beleevers, ver. 42, 43. Together with Christs farewell Sermon to them, wherein he points out himselfe and his doctrine. ver. 44.— 50.
1 THen Jesus six dayes before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
The first part of the Chapter, containeth these particulars. 1. His returne to Bethany, ver. 1. 2. His entertainment there, ver. 2. particularly by Mary, ver. 3. 3. Judas his quarrelling at Maries deed, with Christs Apology for her and it, ver. 4. —8. 4. The resort of the Jewes to him at Bethany, ver. 9. with the Pharisees resolution therevpon, ver. 10, 11.
In this verse we have Christs return to Bethany, together with, 1. A designation of the time of his return, it was six dayes before the Passeover, 2. A new designation of the place, taken from the late miracle wrought upon Lazarus. While it is said he came there six dayes before the Passeover, and yet Matth. 26.2. it is said that after two dayes is the Passeover, when yet the supper here mentioned is after that recorded to be given, Matth. 26.6. We must (for reconciling these) consider, that Christs warning of the Disciples of Judas treachery, was indeed, in order of time, after that supper, and foure dayes after his coming to Bethany; for, Judas went not away till after the disappointment and affront he got about the box of ointment, Matth. 26.14. compared with the preceding purpose. And as for Matthew, he doth not observe the order of time, in recording that supper, (for Christs entry into Jerusalem, which was after it, ver. 12. of this Chapter is recorded by him long before, Matth 21.8, 9. &c.) but having told how Christ warned the Disciples of this hazard, Matth. 26.2. he doth, upon that occasion, resume things that had been done before, to clear how he was betrayed. Namely, that the Priests consulting upon some expedients how they might catch Christ, Matth. 26.3, 4, 5. Judas, who had been disappointed of gain by that ointment pouered on Christ, went and offered his service to them, ver. 6.—14, 15. Doctrine 1. Albeit men are bound, by all lawful means, to preserve themselves from the unjust violence of persecutors; Yet when Gods time and calling cometh, and when men see it is the will of God they should suffer, they ought to set their faces to it chearfully; for, whereas before Christ withdrew, Chap. 11.54. Now when the Passeover, the time of his suffering, draweth nigh, he comes to view again, and draws toward Jerusalem. See Mark. 10.32, 33. Luk 9 51. 2. He came so long before the time to Bethany, where Lazarus and others were; Not only that he might stay there, and give an occasion to Judas to go his way to the Rulers; or to attend till he people hearing he was there, might meet him in a solemne manner, and he might be conveighed in state to the place of his sufferings, of which afterward. But his end, more especially, in this was to refresh and confirme his friends there with his company, before he should be taken from them, and to refresh himselfe also before he went to his trials. And so it teacheth. 1. Where Christ hath love, and an interest, he will not stay long away; for, here after his retirement, he returns to Bethany. 2. When stormes are arising, Christ will not forget his own, to give them a visite, sooner or later, to fortifie them against them; for, six dayes before the Passeover, at which he was to suffer, he comes to Bethany, to refresh and confirme his friends by his company, and by warning them of his suffering, as it is, ver. 7, 3. It is a very refreshful cordial under sufferings, to have the company and society of godly friends with whom we may converse at any time; for, Christ also subjected himselfe to make use of this; And as he seeks it in the Garden, Matth. 26.38, 40. so here he seeks it in Bethany. See how Paul esteemes of a visite in his bonds, 2 Tim 1.16, 17, 18. Doctrine 1. Where Christ converseth with his people, he will make a place famous by eminent proofes of his power and love for them; for, now the former description of Bethany, Chap. 11.1. is laid aside, and it is most famous that Lazarus was there, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
