John Gill's Exposition on John 12:29

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

The people therefore that stood by and heard [it], etc.] Some more confusedly, who were farthest off; others more distinctly, who were nearer: the first of these, said that it thundered; as it used to do when “Bath Kol” was heard, which, as the Jews say f556, “is a voice that comes out of heaven proceeding from the midst of another voice,” as thunder; wherefore some took this for thunder, and others for the voice of an angel out of the thunder: others said, an angel spoke to him; these being nearer, perceived it was an articulate voice, which expressed certain distinct words, which they thought were delivered by an angel; for the Jews had a mighty notion of the discourse and conversation of angels with men, which their doctors pretended to understand; particularly R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, a Rabbi, who was living at this time, had learned their speech, and was well versed in it f557.

Read John 12:29 →Read the full chapter →Jamieson, Fausset & Brown →Barnes' Notes →Wesley's Explanatory Notes →Tyndale Open Study Notes →Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge →

How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.