John 14:22

In this and the two following verses, this their duty and encouragement is further insisted on, by occasion of Judas his question, who is declared not to be the traitour, but a good man, the brother of James the son of Alpheus, and the Penman of that Epistle of Jude, as appears from the first verse thereof, and who also is called Lebbeus, Matth. 10.3 with Luke 6.16. He in this verse hearing of the former promise, desireth to be informed how Christ would manifest himself to them, and not to the world. Which is to be understood not only of this manifestation, and the way of it, in it self, and that Judas being acquainted only with bodily manifestation, wondreth how Christ should shew himself to his own, and the world not see him: But chiefly, he desireth hereby to be informed of the cause and reason why the Lord makes that difference in his special manifestations. And we are to conceive, that his desire in this floweth not so much from any undervaluing thoughts of grace, as if it were not rich enough for all the world; nor yet from any low esteem of himself and the rest, making him wonder why they are admitted to this favour, when others, no worse then they in themselves, are secluded: As from some pride and conceit of somewhat in themselves, differencing them from others, to which he desireth Christs assent. As may be gathered from Christs neglecting to answer directly to his question. Whence learn, 1. It is the Will of God, that neither the wicked be honoured, nor the godly disgraced, but that honest men should be known and reputed such, and that traitours be accounted what they are; Therefore, mentioning Judas, he guards that it was not Iscariot, that none should brand this honest man, because he was of the same name. 2. Christs disciples may finde many difficulties in his doctrine, which will put them to many questions; As here we see, comparing it with the practice of some of the rest, even in this same chapter. 3. All doubts and difficulties, wherewith disciples are puzled, ought to be put up to Christ for resolution, as here Judas his practice doth teach 4. Ignorance, and carnal conceptions of the things of God, breed many difficulties in things that otherwise are very clear; for, so, how is it that thou wilt manifest, &c? may relate to his conceit of a bodily manifestation, which makes it a difficulty to him, how a difference can be made. Though the other interpretation seem to reach the scope better. 5. There is a real difference put by Christ betwixt the world and his own, in the matter of special manifestations; for, so is here imported. 6. Albeit there be no cause in the creature, why Christ should make this difference; yet even good men, when priviledges and mercies are heaped upon them, are ready to dream of some inherent worth in themselves preferring them above others; for, so much doth this question teach, How is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us, and not to the world? that is, not only what way wilt thou take that the one shall see thee, and not the other, but what moveth thee to make the difference? wherein he desireth somewhat from Christ, to confirme him in a conceit of some worth in them.