Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on John 12:34
A historical reference excerpt for this verse.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 answered him, etc.] Not the Greeks, but the Jews, and these not such as were friends to Christ, but cavillers at him: we have heard out of the law; not the five books of Moses, but the Prophets, and Hagiographa; even all the books of the Old Testament are called the law; (see Gill on “<431034>John 10:34”); that Christ abideth for ever; referring to those places which speak of the perpetuity of his priesthood and the everlasting duration of his kingdom, (<19B004>Psalm 110:4 45:6 72:17 89:36,37 <270244>Daniel 2:44 7:13,14), in which last text express mention is made of the son of man, and that and the first may be more especially respected; from whence it appears, that these passages were understood of the Messiah by the ancient Jews: they knew he was designed in (<19B004>Psalm 110:4). He is David’s Lord that was bid to sit at the right hand of Jehovah, after he was raised from the dead, and had ascended on high; whose Gospel went forth with power, and whose people, by it, were made willing to submit to him, to his righteousness, and the sceptre of his kingdom; and who also is a priest for ever; and which is appealed to as a proof of the nature, kind, and duration of Christ’s priesthood, (<580506>Hebrews 5:6 7:17); and so it may be observed it is expressly applied to him by Jewish writers: in (<380414>Zechariah 4:14) it is said “these are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth”; of which this interpretation is given f561. “These are Aaron and the Messiah; and it would not be known which of them is (most) beloved, but that he says, (<19B004>Psalm 110:4), “the Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, thou art a priest for ever”; from whence it is manifest that the Messiah is more beloved than Aaron the righteous priest.” And so another of them f562, speaking of Melchizedek, says, “this is that which is written (<19B004>Psalm 110:4), “the Lord hath sworn”, etc. who is this? this is he that is just, and having salvation, the King Messiah, as it is said, (<380909>Zechariah 9:9).” So the 45th Psalm is understood by them of the Messiah; the King, in (<194501>Psalm 45:1), is by Ben Melech, said to be the King Messiah; (<194502>Psalm 45:2) is thus paraphrased by the Targum, “thy beauty, O King Messiah, is more excellent than the children of men.” And Aben Ezra observes, that this Psalm is either concerning David, or the Messiah his son, whose name is David, (<263725>Ezekiel 37:25) f563; and the passage in (<197217>Psalm 72:17) is frequently interpreted of the Messiah and his name, and is brought as a proof of the antiquity of it f564; and (<198936>Psalm 89:36) is also applied to him; and as for (<270713>Daniel 7:13), that is by many, both ancient and modern Jews, explained of the Messiah f565 and since then they understood these passages of him, it is easy to observe from whence they took this notion that the Messiah should abide for ever; but then they should have observed out of the same law, or Holy Scriptures, that the Messiah was to be stricken and cut off, was to be brought to the dust of death, and to pour out his soul unto death; all which is consistent with his abiding for ever, in his person and office; for though according to the said writings, he was to die and be buried, yet he was not to see corruption; he was to rise again, ascend on high, sit at the right hand of God, and rule till all his enemies became his footstool; his sufferings were to be in the way, and in order to his entrance into the g…
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