John 12:19

In the last place, John records what was the Pharisees part in the time of this triumph, and seeing it. They are galled at the heart that they have had so little successe of their endeavours, and that now all are flocking to him. We finde some of them carping in the midst of the triumph, Luke 19.39. as having gone out with the rest to seek some advantage; but this seems to have been their language one to another, when they saw the people crowding out of the City. Doctrine 1. In the day of Christs greatest solemnity, there will not be wanting some sore hearts at it; some Michal to despise David while he is dancing; And that is a part of the glory of the triumph, Psal. 112.10. Mic 7.10. for, the Pharisees are here galled. 2. It is an evidence of a malicious disposition, when men will neither serve Christ themselves, nor can endure that others should do it; for, such is their humour here. 3. Greatest enemies will be convinced at last, that do what they will, their opposition against Christ, and his installing in his Kingdom, will be to no purpose; for, say they, perceive ye, how we prevail nothing? the world (that is all sort of people) is gone after him, whereas we thought to have prevented that none at all should have gone. 4. It is a great plague upon persecutors, that when they want successe, they will not observe Gods mercy impeding them in an evil course, nor his hand resisting them, that so they might stoop; But all their disappointments tend only to kindle their fury, and heighten their rage; for, under this disappointment, all they breath out is fury and envy. 5. As it is Christs way, to make his glory spread, the more it is opposed and envyed, (for the world goeth after him, when they oppose). So the envy of persecutors looks on Christs successe in a multiplying glasse, to augment their own sorrow; for, when they say, Behold, the world is gone after him, albeit the world be taken for a multitude of all sorts of people in it, as now strangers and others are flocking out; yet their liberal way of expression intimates how much they resent it, and look on it as more then indeed it was.