Bible Commentaries

Have seen him; seen him in Christ.

Greater works; greater achievements in extending and establishing the Redeemer's kingdom; for the word works seems to refer, here, not to miracles, but to efforts in general made to bring men to repentance and salvation.

Ye see me; ye shall see me.--Shall live; shall be preserved and protected.

Hath; receiveth.

Jesus does not appear to reply directly to the question of Judas.

Not mine; not mine alone.

Peace I leave with you. This was the customary Hebrew form of farewell, and, of course, like other such forms, was used ordinarily without much regard to its import and signification. Jesus says that he pronounces the benediction, not as the world ordinarily do, that is, as a mere form, but that he truly invokes upon them a real peace. It was, however, peace of mind, not peace in regard to external circumstances; for perhaps twelve men never came together who had to pass through so many exciting scenes of persecution, trial, suffering, and worldly tribulation, in every form, as these disciples, to whom Jesus thus, at midnight, in their solitary chamber, promised this peculiar peace, and which he left them as his legacy. All these trials Jesus foresaw, and frankly foretold John 15:18-21,16:1-4; and more distinctly still, John 16:32,33. This last promise was fulfilled; and nothing is more striking, in the subsequent history of the apostles, than the contrast between the perils, dangers, and agitations, of their condition, on the one hand, and the calm contentment and happiness of their hearts on the other. They enjoyed, at all times, a certain deep-seated repose and calmness of soul, which could not be reached or disturbed by external agitations.

If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, &c. The meaning seems to be, that they would rejoice in his approaching reunion with the Father, by which he would again be restored to the position of greatness and majesty, which he had left to assume the office of Mediator for man. (Comp. John 17:5.)--My Father is greater than I. Jesus Christ, as speaking and acting upon earth, in the execution of his mediatorial office, was in no sense equal with the Father. It was the Word which was God. But Jesus Christ, in whom this Word was mysteriously conjoined with human nature, always assumed the position of obedience and submission, which is plainly recognized in all his allusions to the Father, and is here distinctly declared. It true that, in one passage, (John 10:30,) he says, "I and my Father are one;" but the sense which he intended to be understood is made clear in John 17:11,22, when he prays that the same oneness which joins him, as Mediator, with the Father, may unite the disciples with him.