George Hutcheson
19 Now I tell you before it come, that when it is come to passe, ye may beleeve that I am he.
In this verse a second caution and instruction is joyned with this intimation; Wherein, (as in the former he gave a reason why he permitted such a thing to be; so) he gives a reason why he now foretels of this treachery before hand: Namely, that when they should compare his prediction with the event when it came to passe, they might be so far from stumbling at it, that, on the contrary it might aford them an encouragement to beleeve on him, who by the prediction did prove himself God omniscient, and by his suffering these things, did prove himselfe to be the true Messiah, of whom these things were fore-prophesied. Whence learn. 1. Christ is omniscient as God, and knoweth, and can foretell things before they come to passe; for, now I tell you before it come. See Isa. 48.5. 2. Christ doth so order his own and his peoples afflictions, as in stead of bitterness and stumbling, a right observer may finde many confirmations and advantages by them; for, he so orders Judas treachery, (which would seem to have ruined all) as it may contribute to confirme them that he is God and the true Messiah. It is he indeed who brings meat out of the eater. 3. It is a notable fruit and advantage by saddest stormes, to be helped to know and beleeve more of Christ his excellency and sufficiency; for, this is the fruit here, that ye may beleeve that I am he. 4. Whatever degree of knowledge and faith in Christ Saints attain to, yet they need more increase and confirmation, and to attain this is a difficult task: for, albeit the disciples knew and beleeved what he was, yet he findes this pains needful, that they may be helped to beleeve more. 5. Christ rightly taken up, will be beleeved to be matchlesse, singular, and inexpressible, in his fulnesse and excellency; for, this he aims at, that ye may believe that I am he, or, that I am, to wit, that singular and inexpressible one. 6. A special meane to confirm faith by saddest dispensations, is, to compare these events with predictions concerning them; wherein we may read Gods omniscience and providence, knowing, and setting bounds to all these stormes; for, I tell you before it come, that when it is come to passe ye may believe.
