John 7:11–13

In these verses, we have the first thing that occurred at the feast concerning him; to wit, the carriage and speeches of the Jewes and people, either before he came, or before he shewed himselfe. And, 1. It is said ver. 11. That they made inquisition for him; which may be taken as the multitudes fact who had heard of him, or had heard him preach and seen his miracles, who now misse him at the feast. As in deed, when Christs doctrine and works are notable and famous, many may talk of him and desire to see him, who yet make but little use of him or them either. But it seems rather to be meant of the wicked Jewes, and their Rulers, who sought to stay him. And this appeares not only from their contemptible designation of him, where is he? but from their names the Jewes (the men of Judea, and chiefly the Rulers, called often by that name, not only because they were of Judea, but because the guilt of their cruelty lay upon many of the Nation, who joyned too much with them in it, as well as themselves) who are said to seek his life, ver. 1. and who are distinguished here from the people, or multitude, ver. 12. And are cause of terrour to the people, ver. 13. 2. The people expresse their different thoughts of him, some allowing him the charity of being a good man, and others traducing him as a seducer, ver. 12. 3. The manner of the conference is secret, by way of muttering, and that for fear of the Jewes, ver. 13. which is to be understood chiefly of the better sort, that they durst not speak openly of him; yet it may be conceived also, that they would have all to let it alone, that so the matter might be buried.

From ver. 11. Learn 1. It is one part of Christs and his followers trial and hard lot, that their persecuters do labour to bear them down, by putting contempts and affronts upon them before the world; for, so do they speak of him, where is he? with contempt and disdain. 2. Albeit enemies seeme to think very contemptibly of Christ and his followers, and of what they can do against them; yet for all that they will not get the terrour of him put out of their hearts: for, albeit they seem to despise him, yet they sought him, to take him out of the way. 3. Albeit Christ and his followers should carry themselves never so modestly, yet persecuters will not let them alone; and while they cease to be, they will still be an eye sore to the world; for, albeit he had now stayed long away, and had not troubled them, and there was no appearance of his coming, or being come as yet, more then at the last passover; Yet they are not at ease, but sought him. 4. Even publick solemnities of sacred worship will not mollifie, nor direct persecuters from their bloody designes; for, then the Jewes sought him at the feast.

From ver. 12. Learn, 1. Men, by their violence and cruelty, thinking to suppresse Christ and his truth, may readily thereby awaken people, to think and say more of him; for, upon the back of their search, it is subjoyned, and there was much murmuring (or secret whisperings, the cause whereof is shewed, ver. 13.) among the people concerning him, pointing out (as would appear) that their narrow search for him, put him in the peoples mindes and mouths. And so not only Christ is spoken of when they were dumb, and would have others silent, but beyond their intentions, they occasion this themselves. 2. This peoples making Christ the subject of their conference, even behind his back, when yet all of them had little or no knowledge of him, and many of them no love at all to him; may shame them who should know more, and who professe more love unto him, and yet entertain but few thoughts of him, and little conference concerning him. 3. Christ and his truth are oft-times the subject of great contradiction in the world, and do encounter with variety of tempers among men; for, so was it here, some are bitter, and others are more charitable. 4. Not only open enemies do great wrong to Christ, but even some seeming welwishers, by their indifferent way of pleading for him, and their shallow conceptions of him, do prove themselves to be but small friends unto him; for, such were these here, who pleaded only, He is a good man. 5. As it is a very great iniquity in men, when they not only erre themselves from the truth, but turne Seducers of others, (for, here, they object it as a justly odious crime, he deceiveth the people;) So it is no strange thing to see men brand Christ and his friends with this infamous title, of being deceivers, and under this pretext, to cry down all that can be alleadged in their defence; for, others said, nay, (he is no good man) but he deceiveth the people. See 2 Cor. 6.8.

From ver 13. Learn, 1. It is the sad case, and too often the condition of the visible Church, to be so corrupt, as truth dare not be avowed in it; and the Teachers thereof become a terrour to all who would maintain sound doctrine; for, so was it here, Howbeit, (whatever they whispered, yet) no man spake openly of him, for fear of the Jewes. 2. Faithlesse and slavish fear in men will easily bear down their affection to Christ, if it be but coldriffe and ill principled; for, so did it with these here, who had but little to plead for him. 3. When Satan cannot prevaile by violence, he may sometime essay to weary Christ and his followers out, by burying all debates and contraversies, that in processe of time, truth may weare out and be buried; for, (as was hinted in the Exposition) so may it be taken here also; They would have none to speak at all concerning him on any side, that so thoughts of him may weare out in time, he having been so long absent. However it be, yet this is a course that oft-times prevaileth much, (though men never gain their point by it) and it should warn us to look on being let alone many time, as a trial.