John 7:15

Followeth, to ver. 37. the effects of this publike appearing of Christ, which may be taken up in this order. 1. There is a conference with the Jewes who marvelled at his doctrine, ver. 15. Wherein, he vindicates his doctrine, ver. 16, 17, 18. and the miracle he had wrought before; in which debates, the multitude have some hand, ver. 19. — 24. 2. They of Jerusalem barking against him, ver. 25, 26, 27. he returnes them an answer, ver. 28, 29. which hath some effects, ver. 30, 31. 3. The Rulers sending to take him, ver. 32. he preacheth yet more, ver. 33, 34. and is carped at by the hearers, ver. 35, 36.

In this ver. it is recorded, that they hearing Christ preach so well, and learnedly, though he was never brought up at their publick schooles, do marvel at it, in stead of seeing God in it. This is ascribed to the Jewes, which may be either understood generally, of the multitude there conveened, who were of that Nation; or, it may be, his malicious enemies did begin this debate and conference, though afterward the multitude, who knew not their plots, ver 20. do interpose in it; And it is not unlike, that by this wondering, they would bring Christ in suspition, as not having his skill by good means, seeing he was no scholar. Doctrine, 1. Christs knowledge and insight in the things of God, is admirable, even his enemies being Judges; for, the Jewes marvelled, &c. they admired both the measure of his knowledge, and the way of attaining it, without means. Though this being extraordinary in him, is not to be drawen into ordinary imitation. 2. Whatever be the seeming great effects of Christs doctrine among a people, yet so long as they want faith, it will be all to no purpose; for, albeit it was much that they should marvel, yet since they beleeved not, it was, in the best of them, nothing else but stupidity. The least degree of saving faith is beyond all admiration, without it. 3. The corrupt heart of man is ready to retort, even the most undeniable and convincing arguments pleading for Christ, and to make use of them to their own hardning; for, albeit Christs knowing of letters, having never learned, was an undeniable evidence that he was taught of God, and filled with the Spirit; according to the prophecie, Is. 11.2, 3. yet they use it as a ground of exception. 4. Such is the perversitie of corrupt men by nature, in opposing of Christ, that nothing can be done or said, but they will bend their wits to cavil at it; for, if Christ had preached but in an ordinary way, they would have thought nothing of him: And if he preach to admiration, then they will strive to render that suspitious.