Chapter XIV.

Chapter XIV.1-4.Christ bids the Apostles not to be troubled in heart, and puts before them three motives of consolation.5-7.Interrupted by Thomas He declares Himself to bethe way,and His Fatherthe termwhither He goeth.8-12a.Philip's request, and Christ's reply containing a fourth motive of consolation.12b-14.All who have the requisite faith shall perform even greater miracles than His, for whatever they shall ask the Father or Himself in His name, He will grant.15-17.As a fifth motive of consolation, He promises to send them the Holy Ghost.18-21.As a sixth motive, He promises to come to them Himself.22-24.Not only to them but to all the faithful shall He come together with the Father and the Holy Ghost.25-26.As a seventh motive, He tells them that the Holy Ghost will teach them all truth, and call to their minds all He has said to them.27.As an eighth motive, He bequeathes them His peace.28.Finally, as a ninth, He tells them that to leave them and go to the Father is for His greater glory.29.His object in foretelling His departure and return.30-31.He declares the approach of Satan, and invites the Apostles to quit the Supper-room.1. Non turbetur cor vestrum. Creditis in Deum, et in me credite.1. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.1.Let not your heart be troubled.Continuing the discourse after the Last Supper, begun in xiii. 31, Jesus begins to console the Apostles. He saw that they were sore at heart, as well they might be, on account of what He had foretold that night—the treachery of one of their number, the denials of another, and His own departure whither they could not follow.You believe in God, believe[pg 251]also in me; that is, believe Me also to be God, who can therefore overcome all My enemies, and make you victorious over yours. Instead of“you believe”we have in the Greek πιστεύετε, which by its form might be either an indicative or imperative, but is more probably an indicative, because it is not likely that Christ thought it necessary to exhort the Apostles to believe in God, a thing that every Jew did.2. In domo Patris mei mansiones multae sunt; si quo minus, dixissem vobis: quia vado parare vobis locum.2. In my Father's house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you, that I go to prepare a place for you.2.In my Father's house there are many mansions.Here He puts before them thefirstmotive of consolation; namely, that there is room for them as well as for Him in heaven, in that house of God, the eternal antitype of the Jewish Temple (ii. 16), wherein He exercised the rights of a Son.“Mansions”renders the Vulgate“mansiones,”which were resting-places or stations along the highways, where travellers found refreshments. The Greek word μονή is found in the New Testament only here and in verse 23.If not, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.That(ὅτι, Vulg., quia) is almost certainly genuine,95and hence we must explain the text, retaining it, though its presence creates difficulty.(1) Some explain thus. If not, yet even in that case I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you (my intimate friends). And if (in that case) I should go to prepare a place you, I would return, &c. Against this view, however, it is fairly objected that Christ's going is thus represented as purelyhypothetical, whereas from the text it seems to be real:“And if I shall go ... I will come again.”(2) Others thus: If not, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? In this view a note of interrogation is supplied, a thing that the original text, which was unpointed, admits; and reference is made to some past occasion when He promised to go and prepare places for them. That we have no record of a promise made in so many words, does not prove, of course, that it was not made.(3) Others thus: If not, I would have told youso. But, in fact, there are many mansions, for I go to prepare a place for you. Against[pg 252]this view it is objected that it supplies an ellipsis, which is in no way indicated in the text. The same meaning, however, may be had without any ellipsis, if the words:“If not, I would have told you”be regarded as parenthetic. The sense will then be: in My Father's house there are many mansions (if not, I would have told you), as is proved by the fact that I go to prepare a place for you.To prepare a place.Christ by his death, resurrection, and ascension opened heaven, and made ready a place for man.3. Et si abiero, et praeparavero vobis locum: iterum venio, et accipiam vos ad meipsum, ut ubi sum ego, et vos sitis.3. And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you: I will come again, and will take you to myself, that where I am you also may be.3.I will come again.This is asecondmotive of consolation. There is a difference of opinion as to what coming of Christ is meant. Some understand of His coming at the death of each and the particular judgment; others, of His coming at the general judgment; and others, of both. We prefer the last opinion, for while Christ took the souls of the Apostles to the mansions of bliss at their particular judgment, it is only at the general judgment that He will take their bodies and perfect their felicity. The words cannot refer to the continual coming of Christ to the Church through the Holy Ghost whom He has sent; such a meaning is excluded by the words that follow:“And will take,”&c.4. Et quo ego vado scitis, et viam scitis.4. And whither I go you know, and the way you know.4. And though you may think that you know not whither I go, nor the way thereto, yet you know both. For you know My Father to whom I go, and you know Me, the way that leads to Him. This may be regarded as athirdmotive of consolation.5. Dicit ei Thomas: Domine, nescimus quo vadis: et quomodo possumus viam scire?5. Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?6. Dicit ei Iesus: Ego sum via, et veritas, et vita, nemo venit ad Patrem, nisi per me.6. Jesus saith to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me.5, 6. St. Thomas interrupts, and Jesus explains, pointing out that He Himself is the way to the Father.[pg 253]I am the way, and the truth, and the life.Many interpretations of these words have been given. We believe that the first clause:“I am the way,”answers Thomas' difficulty; but as such a statement itself needed explanation, the remaining words“and the truth, and the life,”are added to explain how Christ is the way namely, inasmuch as He is the Truth,i.e.the author of faith; and the Life,i.e.the author of grace and of the supernatural life of the soul. In this view the phrase hebraizes, the first“and”being explanatory: I am the way,inasmuch asI am the truth and the life. This seems better than to hold with SS. Augustine and Thomas that Christ declares Himself the wayas man, the truth and the life as God. St. Augustine's words are:“Ipse igitur (vadit) ad seipsum per seipsum.”But the words that follow in this verse:“No man cometh to the Father but by me,”show that the Father, and not Christ as God, is the term to which the way in question leads.7. Si cognovissetis me, et Patrem meum utique cognovissetis: et amodo cognoscetis eum, et vidistis eum.7. If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also; and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.7. Having told them that He Himself is the way, He now proceeds to point out to them that if they had known this way in the manner they ought, they should also have known the term towards which it led. Hence the sense is: You would know the Father to whom I go, if you knew Me; for I and the Father are the same divine substance (Johnx. 30). Thomas had said that they did not know the term of Christ's journey, and therefore could not know the way thereto, implying that the way was to be known from, or at least after, the term to which it led. Christ now declares that the reverse is the case; and if they had known Him, the way, they should also have known the Father. The words:If you had known me, imply that they had not yet known Christ as they ought. They had indeed known Him to some extent as He admits in verse 4, but they had not realized fully His Divinity and consubstantiality with the Father, else they would have implicitly known the Father in knowing Him.And from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.We would render the Greek thus:“Andeven now(see Johnxiii. 19) you know Him, and you have seen Him.”The sense is, that even now they knew the Father in some way through[pg 254]their imperfect knowledge of Christ, and they had seen Him in seeing Christ, because, as Christ adds in verse 9:“He who seeth me, seeth the Father also.”Thus it was true that in an imperfect manner they knew whither Christ went, and the way thereto (verse 4), yet equally true that they knew neither way nor term so clearly as they might, considering that He had now for more than three years been gradually revealing Himself to them.8. Dicit ei Philippus: Domine, ostende nobis Patrem, et sufficit nobis.8. Philip saith to him: Lord show us the Father, and it is enough for us.8. Thomas is silenced, but Philip now interposes, and failing to understand Christ's statement that they had seen the Father, asks Him to show them the Father, probably in some visible form, and then they will ask no more.9. Dicit ei Iesus: Tanto tempore vobiscum sum: et non cognovistis me? Philippe, qui videt me, videt et Patrem. Quomodo tu dicis: Ostende nobis Patrem?9. Jesus saith to him:. So long a time have I been with you: and have you not known me? Philip, he that seeth me seeth the Father also. How sayest thou, show us the Father.9. Christ replies, again insisting on His consubstantiality with the Father:He that seeth me, seeth the Father also(“also”is probably not genuine.) These words prove clearly, against the Arians, Christ's consubstantiality, or unity of nature, with the Father; otherwise in seeing Him they could not be said to see the Father even implicitly. Yet it is clear against the Sabellians that the Father and the Son are distinct Persons, for Christ plainly distinguishes Himself from the Father in verse 6 where He says“No man cometh to the Father but by me;”and again in verse 13, where He says that He goes to the Father. There is, then, identity of nature, but distinction of Persons.Cognovistisof the Vulgate ought to becognovisti, Philip being addressed.10. Non creditis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est? Verba quae ego loquor vobis, a meipso non loquor. Pater autem in me manens, ipse facit opera.10. Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself. But the Father who abideth in me, he doth the works.10.Do you not believe(creditisought to becredis)that I am in the Father and the Father in me? He who saw Christ saw the Father implicitly, in virtue of the unity of nature. The words, and the connection[pg 255]with verse 9, show clearly that such is the identity of nature in the Father and the Son that He who sees the Son, thereby in some sense sees the Father also.“Hoc autem quod dicit,”says St. Thomas on this verse,“‘Ego in Patre et Pater in me est,’dicitur propter essentiae unitatem, de qua dicitur supra x. 30.‘Ego et Pater unum sumus.’Sciendum est enim, quod essentia aliter se habet in divinis ad personam, et aliter in hominibus. Nam in hominibus essentia Socratis non est Socrates, quia Socrates est quid compositum, sed in divinis essentia est idem personae secundum rem, et sic essentia Patris est Pater, et essentia Filii, Filius. Ubicumque ergo est essentia Patris, est ipse Pater, et ubicumque est essentia Filii, est ipse Filius. Essentia autem Patris est in Filio et essentia Filii est in Patre. Ergo Filius est in Patre, et Pater in Filio.”Then He goes on to prove that the Father is in Him, and He in the Father, from the fact that His words and works are the words and works of the Father. Instead of“the works”many authorities read“His works;”but the sense is the same, for the works were both Christ's and the Father's.11. Non creditis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est?11. Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.11. According to the Vulgate reading, Christ, for emphasis, repeats the question of verse 10. In the original there is not a question, but simply an injunction addressed to all the Apostles;“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.”12. Alioquin propter opera ipsa credite. Amen, amen dico vobis, qui credit in me, opera quae ego facio et ipse faciet, et maiora horum faciet, quia ego ad Patrem vado.12. Otherwise believe for the very works' sake. Amen, amen, I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater than these shall he do.12. The sense is: But if My testimony does not suffice to satisfy you of My Divinity, at least believe on account of My miracles.Having thus replied to the interruptions of Thomas and Philip He now proceeds to put before the Apostles other motives of consolation. The mention of thefourthmotive opens with the solemn“Amen, amen;”and the Apostles are told that[pg 256]whoever believeth in Him shall perform even greater miracles than His (“majora horum”is a Graecism for“majora his”), the reason being that in leaving His followers He bequeaths to them His thaumaturgic power, and bequeaths it in great perfection, because He ascends to the glory of the Father.Greater than these.The miracles of Christ's followers were greater than His in their visible effects.“Evangelizantibus discipulis ... gentes etiam crediderunt; haec sunt sine dubitatione majora”(St. Aug.ad loc.). We think it very probable that the charism of miracles is here promised not merely to the Apostles, butto the Church, in which it still resides; for it is promised to whoever believeth. Of course, not every faith is sufficient that we may work miracles; a specially strong, unwavering faith is necessary. See Matt. xxi. 21.13. Et quodcumque petieritis Patrem in nomine meo, hoc faciam: ut glorificetur Pater in Filio.13. Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.13. In the Vulgate the words:“Because I go to the Father,”are rightly connected with the preceding, and form portion of verse 12.And whatsoever you shall ask the Father.The words“the Father”are probably not genuine, but they indicate the sense. For it is by the Son's doing what is asked of the Father that the Father is glorified in the Son.In my name(ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου). This phrase occurs here for the first time in this Gospel. Compare the phrase“in the name of my Father,”v. 43; x. 25; xvii. 6; 11, 12, 26, and the words of the Evangelist i. 12; ii. 23; iii, 18. The phrase before us occurs again in xiv. 26; xv. 16; xvi. 23; xvi. 24; and xvi. 26. See also Acts iii. 6; iv. 10, 12. In the present verse, and wherever there is question of asking, it seems to mean:while invoking with faith the name of Christ.14. Si quid petieritis me in nomine meo, hoc faciam.14. If you shall ask me anything in my name, that I will do.14. Moreover, whatsoever miracle they shall ask of Himself, in His own name (and, of course, with the requisite faith), that He will perform. We incline to the view that in verses 13 and 14 there is questionprimarilyof miracles; but the expression“si quid”(ἐάν τι) is so general, that we[pg 257]would not limit the promise, but are inclined to believe that it proves the efficacy of all prayer of supplication offered with the proper dispositions.15. Si diligitis me, mandata mea servate.15. If you love me keep my commandments.15. Now begins the promise of the Holy Ghost—thefifthand greatest motive of consolation. But first in this verse, He requires as a condition that they should prove the love they protested by keeping His commandments; for, as St. Gregory says,“Love is proved by deeds.”16. Et ego rogabo Patrem, et alium Paraclitum dabit vobis, ut maneat vobiscum in aeternum.16. And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever.16.“Paraclitus”96may mean comforter, advocate, or helper. Bearing in mind the tribulations in which the Apostles were already, and the still greater ones that awaited them, we think the principal meaning here is that of comforter. But this does not exclude the other meanings, especially that of helper, which the Holy Ghost undoubtedly was in an eminent degree. This other Comforter, who is promised in Christ's stead, will not leave the Apostles, as Christ did, but is to remain with them for ever. It is disputed whether the Holy Ghost is here promised only to the Apostles, or, in them, to the whole teaching Church. In the first case,“for ever,”would mean during their lives; in the second, it would mean till the end of the world, as long as the Church shall endure. This latter sense we prefer, for—(1) the words“for ever”favour this view; (2) though the Apostles needed a comforter, yet not they only, but their successors quite as much; (3) this spirit is promised to teach them all truth (Johnxvi. 13); why, except in order that they through themselvesand their successorsmight teach the world? (4) we know from the event that on the day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost came not to the Apostles alone (Acts ii. 4). We hold then that the Holy Ghost is here promised to theEcclesia docens, represented by the Apostles, to abide with her for ever.In either interpretation it cannot be proved from this text that the Apostles were to be confirmed in grace after the[pg 258]descent of the Holy Ghost, for it is enough for the fulfilment of the promise here made that the Holy Ghost was to be, as far as in Him lay, an enduring Comforter, though the Apostles, on their part, might expel and banish Him. This verse proves the personality of the Holy Ghost, for He is sent in the place of Christ (see also verse 26). It proves also His Divinity, for only a Divine Person would be thus compared to Christ, and spoken of asanotherComforter. Moreover the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father is here implied in the fact that the Father is said to send the Holy Ghost. For the sending of one Divine Person by another, implies the Eternal Procession of one from the other with a relation to some term in time.97Finally, the three Persons of the Trinity are shown to be distinct, for the Father will send the Holy Ghost at the request of the Son.17. Spiritum veritatis, quem mundus non potest accipere, quia non videt eum, nec scit eum: vos autem cognoscetis eum, quia apud vos manebit, et in vobis erit.17. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him: but you shall know him; because he shall abide with you, and shall be in you.17.The Spirit of truth.The Holy Ghost is so called not only because He is essential Truth, but also because He was to come to the Apostles as a teacher of truth (verse 26).In the following words the Apostles are told that the wicked world (i. 10; xiv. 30; xvii. 9, 16) cannot receive the Holy Ghost, for as St. Paul says:“the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand: because it is spiritually examined”(1 Cor. ii. 14).It seeth him not, nor knoweth him.Some take the meaning to be: seeth Him not with the eyes of the body, nor discerneth Him by spiritual vision; others, and with more probability, take both clauses as synonymous and in reference to spiritual vision. The sense is that because the wicked world will refuse to recognise the Holy Ghost, it will be incapable of[pg 259]receiving Him at His coming. Want of vision shall be a hindrance to possession.But you shall know him; because he shall abide with you, and shall be in you.Reversing the order of thought, He now says that the presence of the Holy Ghost abiding in the Apostles shall bring them still fuller knowledge. Such seems to be the sense of the verse according to the Vulgate reading. But in the latter part of the verse, instead of“shall know”and“shall abide,”we have in both instances the present tense in the Greek, and many authorities also read the present instead of“shall be.”The clause would then run:“but you know him because he abides with you and is in you.”But even in this reading the present may stand for the future, and the meaning will be the same as in the Vulgate.18. Non relinquam vos orphanos: veniam ad vos.18. I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.18. As asixthmotive of consolation, He tells them that He will come again to them Himself. Already indeed he had spoken of His coming to them, and had put it forward as a motive of consolation (verse 3), but the coming there meant we take to be different from that now referred to, and hence a new motive of consolation is now put forward in the coming promised here.I will come(ἔρχομαί)to you. There are various views as to what coming of Christ is here promised.(1) Some hold that the reference is to the coming after His resurrection when we know He appeared to the Apostles but was unseen by the world. So St. Chrys., St. Thom., Patriz., &c.(2) Others hold that there is question of the coming at the Day of Judgment. As the years are measured before God, only“a little while”shall elapse till then, and it is only after the Day of Judgment that the promise of verse 20:“In that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you”shall be fully realized. So St. Aug., Mald., &c.(3) Others understand of the coming of Christ in and with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. If the consubstantiality and circumincession of the three Divine Persons be borne in mind, the whole passage that follows as far as verse 24, will then be naturally explained. So St. Cyril, Beel., Bisp., &c. We prefer the last view, and hold that from 15-24, there is question of the coming of the Holy Ghost, first in reference to the Apostles (15-20), and then in reference to the faithful generally (21-24). In reference to the Apostles, the coming of the Holy Ghost is first considered in itself (15-17), and next, for their consolation, as[pg 260]implying and including the coming of Christ Himself (18-20).Though this view may at first sight seem forced, we believe that if the connection in the passage be followed closely, it must appear the most probable. For when St. Jude, alluding to the words of verse 19, asks, in verse 22, how Christ shall be seen by the Apostles, yet unseen by the world, Christ's reply, in verse 23, goes to show that the vision is spiritual, and such as is explained by the fact, that He and His Father will come and make their abode in those that love Him.19. Adhuc modicum, et mundus me iam non videt. Vos autem videtis me, quia ego vivo, et vos vivetis.19. Yet a little while: and the world seeth me no more. But you see me: because I live, and you shall live.19.Yet a little while.This we understand of the few hours that remained till His death. After that, the world should see Him no longer. But, He adds, you shall see Me (present for future); not, indeed, with the eyes of the body, but with those of the soul; because I live (the present being used, perhaps, of His Divine life, in virtue of which He was to resume the life of the body), and you shall live the life of grace, which will be rewarded by the vision of Me.Thus he tells them that they shall live a spiritual life, a kind of participation in His own glorious life (vi. 57), and that for this reason they shall be privileged to see Him spiritually. That there is question of spiritual vision, is proved, we believe, from what follows; for they shall see according as He shall manifest Himself (verse 21); and this manifestation of Himself He explains in verse 23 of His abiding in them.20. In illo die vos cognoscetis quia ego sum in Patre meo, et vos in me, et ego in vobis.20. In that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.20. In that time, after I have come to you at Pentecost (together with the Holy Ghost), you shall know clearly that I am in My Father, that I am God, and that you are in Me as its branches in the vine (see below,xv. 2), deriving all your spiritual life from Me, and I in you by aspecial indwellingenjoyed only by the just. See above onvii. 39. If there be a comparison here between the mutual indwelling of the Father and Son on the one hand, and that of Christ and the just on the other, it is plain that the likeness is only imperfect and[pg 261]analogical. Yet such texts as this (see alsovi. 58; xvii.21,23), even when we make all necessary allowance for the imperfection of the likeness, prove clearly how marvellously intimate and sacred is the union that exists between Christ and the souls of the just.21. Qui habet mandata mea, et servat ea, ille est, qui diligit me. Qui autem diligit me, diligetur a Patre meo: et ego diligam eum, et manifestab o ei meipsum.21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them: he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.21.He that hath(ὁ ἔχων)my commandments, and keepeth them, &c. Not only to the Apostles, but to all that love Him, Christ will manifest Himself, for in and with the Holy Ghost He and His Father will come and abide in them.22. Dicit ei Iudas, non ille Iscariotes: Domine, quid factum est quia manifestaturus es nobis teipsum, et non mundo?22. Judas saith to him, not the Iscariot: Lord, how is it, that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?23. Respondit Iesus, et dixit ei: Si quis diligit me, sermonem meum servabit, et Pater meus diliget eum, et ad eum veniemus, et mansionem apud eum faciemus:23. Jesus answered, and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him.22-23. Asked by the Apostle Jude, brother to James the Less, who was also called Thaddeus, how He would manifest Himself to the Apostles, yet be unseen by the world, Christ replies that He will come and dwell in all that love Him, and thus manifest Himself, and be seen by them in a spiritual manner.24. Qui non diligit me, sermones meos non servat. Et sermonem quem audistis, non est meus: sed ejus qui misit me, Patris.24. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard is not mine; but the Father's who sent me.24. He had just said that those who love Him will keep His words and obey them, and now He adds that those who do not love Him will not keep His words. The reason why He here insists upon this observance of His words is, that such observance is[pg 262]necessary, before He will manifest Himself and make His abode in any heart. For, as is clear from verse 21, Christ will manifest Himself only to those who are loved by the Father; but they alone are loved by the Father who love Christ, and they alone love Christ who keep His commandments (verse 23).And the word which you have heard, &c.“Sermonem”(Vulg.) ought to be“sermo,”and the verb in the original is in the present (ἀκούετε). The sense, therefore, is: the words which you arewont to hearfrom Me are not Mine alone, but the Father's also who sent Me.Is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.This form of expression, which seems to declare that the words are in no way Christ's, is a Hebraism, and means that they are not His alone. See above onvii. 16. Of course the authority of Christ's words was equal in every way to that of the Father's, but since the Apostles did not yet fully realize His Divinity with all that it implied, He invokes the Father's authority as having more weight with them.25. Haec locutus sum vobis, apud vos manens.25. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you.26. Paraclitus autem Spiritus sanctus, quem mittet Pater in nomine meo, ille vos docebit omnia, et suggeret vobis vobis omnia, quaecumque dixero vobis.26. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.25, 26. These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you; and if you fail to fully understand them, yet be consoled with My assurance that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all that you need know, andrecall to your minds(ὑπομνήσει) all that Isaid(εἰπον) to you. This may be regarded as theseventhmotive of consolation.Here again, as in verse 16, we have mention of three distinct Persons: the Holy Ghost is to be sent by the Father in the name of the Son. And, as we remarked on verse 16, the fact that the Holy Ghost is to be sent by the Father, proves His procession from the Father.The Holy Ghost is said to be sentin Christ's name, most probably because He was sent in the place of Christ, another Comforter and Helper, to console the Apostles and carry on the work begun by Christ.The infallible teaching authority of theApostlesfollows from the fact that they were to be[pg 263]taught by the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth (verse 17). And since they were endowed with this infallible teaching authority in order that they might teach the flock of Christ (xv. 16); since, moreover, there is still the same need for an infallible teaching authority in the Church, if the work of Christ and His Apostles is to be continued without danger of failure, we are warranted in concluding that an infallible teaching authority still resides in theChurch.Hence, to use Christ's own words:“The gates of hell shall not prevail against her”(Matt. xvi. 18), because in heroffice of teachershe has Christ with her, all days, even, to the consummation of the world.“Euntes ...docete ... et ecceego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus usque ad consummationem saeculi”(Matt. xxviii. 19, 20).27. Pacem relinquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis: non quomodo mundus dat, ego do vobis. Non turbetur cor vestrum, neque formidet.27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.27. As theeighthmotive of consolation, Christ gives the Apostles His peace. Among the Jews it was customary for the people to salute and take leave of one another by wishing one another peace. Christ here says that His words are not a mere wish or empty formula; with Him to wish peace was to confer it, and that in a true and lasting manner.28. Audistis quia ego dixi vobis: Vado et venio ad vos. Si diligeretis me, gauderetis utique, quia vado ad Patrem: quia Pater maior me est.28. You have heard that I said to you: I go away and I come unto you. If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I.28.You would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father.“Naturae humanae gratulandum est, eo quod sic assumpta est a Verbo unigenito, ut immortalis constitueretur in coelo, atque ita fieret terra sublimis, ut incorruptibilis pulvis sederet ad dexteram Patris.”(St. Aug.in loc.).For the Father is greater than I.These words have been variously explained. We would interpret either with St. Chrys.: For the Father is greater than[pg 264]I,in your estimation; or better still: For the Father is greater than Ias man. Hence, since by His going to the Father, Christ's humanity was to share in the glory of the Father, and thus be exalted, they should rejoice at His going, if they really loved Him. This is theninthmotive proposed for their consolation.The Arians triumphantly pointed to the words:“The Father is greater than I,”as a proof of the inferiority of the Son to the Father. But in neither of the interpretations which we have given of the words, does the Arian heresy find any support. And certainly whatever be the correct interpretation, Christ cannot, without contradicting Himself, mean thatas GodHe is inferior to the Father. For He had already told them that He is in the Father, and the Father in Him (verse 10), and in the face of His enemies He had proclaimed that He and the Father are one (Johnx. 30).29. Et nunc dixi vobis priusquam fiat: ut cum factum fuerit, credatis.29. And now I have told you before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass you may believe.29. Not that they did not believe His words beforehand: but they would be strengthened in their belief of all He had told them, when they should see fulfilled this special predictionof His going away and returning(verse 28).30. Iam non multa loquar vobiscum: venit enim princeps mundi huius, et in me non habet quidquam.30. I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not anything.30. Satan who is here calledthe prince of this(ratherthe)world(see alsoxii. 31,xvi. 11; 2 Cor. iv. 4; Eph. ii. 2, vi. 12), and who was now urging on Judas and the Jews to lay hands on Christ, found nothing in Christ in virtue of which Christ could be in any way subjected to him.In me he hath not anything.From what we have just said it will be seen that the meaning is: he has no authority over Me, no claim upon Me, inasmuch as sin has never had any share in Me.31. Sed ut cognoscat mundus quia diligo Patrem et sicut mandatum dedit mihi Pater, sic facio. Surgite, eamus hinc.31. But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I: Arise, let us go hence.31. Yet, to prove His love for, and His obedience to, the Father, He will submit to be forthwith seized by the minions of Satan. The construction of this verse is not clear. The first part may depend on the last clause: arise, let us go hence, that the world, &c., or there may be ellipsis in the[pg 265]opening words (comp.ix. 3;xiii. 18), the sense being: butI deliver Myself to deaththat the world, &c. For explanation of the words,“As the Father hath given me commandment,”see above onx. 18.Arise, let us go hence.We may reasonably conclude that Jesus, accompanied by the Apostles, now left the supper-room. Had they not done so, St. John would probably have referred to the delay. Whether they paused in a porch or court of the house, or at some quiet spot on the way, till the discourse and prayer to the Father (xv.-xvii.) were spoken, or proceeded immediately through the city towards the Garden of Olives, and had arrived at the brook of Cedron (Johnxviii. 1), when Christ concluded, is disputed. Bearing in mind the crowded condition of Jerusalem during the Paschal week, and that probably it was hardly yet 10 p.m., when the streets would be still thronged with people, we think it extremely unlikely that such a discourse and prayer, as are contained in John xv.-xvii. 26, were spoken while Christ and the Apostles passed through the streets of the city. We think it most probable, then, that they paused at some quiet spot on the outskirts of the city, or in a porch or court of the house where they had supped.[pg 266]

1-4.Christ bids the Apostles not to be troubled in heart, and puts before them three motives of consolation.5-7.Interrupted by Thomas He declares Himself to bethe way,and His Fatherthe termwhither He goeth.8-12a.Philip's request, and Christ's reply containing a fourth motive of consolation.12b-14.All who have the requisite faith shall perform even greater miracles than His, for whatever they shall ask the Father or Himself in His name, He will grant.15-17.As a fifth motive of consolation, He promises to send them the Holy Ghost.18-21.As a sixth motive, He promises to come to them Himself.22-24.Not only to them but to all the faithful shall He come together with the Father and the Holy Ghost.25-26.As a seventh motive, He tells them that the Holy Ghost will teach them all truth, and call to their minds all He has said to them.27.As an eighth motive, He bequeathes them His peace.28.Finally, as a ninth, He tells them that to leave them and go to the Father is for His greater glory.29.His object in foretelling His departure and return.30-31.He declares the approach of Satan, and invites the Apostles to quit the Supper-room.

1-4.Christ bids the Apostles not to be troubled in heart, and puts before them three motives of consolation.

5-7.Interrupted by Thomas He declares Himself to bethe way,and His Fatherthe termwhither He goeth.

8-12a.Philip's request, and Christ's reply containing a fourth motive of consolation.

12b-14.All who have the requisite faith shall perform even greater miracles than His, for whatever they shall ask the Father or Himself in His name, He will grant.

15-17.As a fifth motive of consolation, He promises to send them the Holy Ghost.

18-21.As a sixth motive, He promises to come to them Himself.

22-24.Not only to them but to all the faithful shall He come together with the Father and the Holy Ghost.

25-26.As a seventh motive, He tells them that the Holy Ghost will teach them all truth, and call to their minds all He has said to them.

27.As an eighth motive, He bequeathes them His peace.

28.Finally, as a ninth, He tells them that to leave them and go to the Father is for His greater glory.

29.His object in foretelling His departure and return.

30-31.He declares the approach of Satan, and invites the Apostles to quit the Supper-room.

1.Let not your heart be troubled.Continuing the discourse after the Last Supper, begun in xiii. 31, Jesus begins to console the Apostles. He saw that they were sore at heart, as well they might be, on account of what He had foretold that night—the treachery of one of their number, the denials of another, and His own departure whither they could not follow.

You believe in God, believe[pg 251]also in me; that is, believe Me also to be God, who can therefore overcome all My enemies, and make you victorious over yours. Instead of“you believe”we have in the Greek πιστεύετε, which by its form might be either an indicative or imperative, but is more probably an indicative, because it is not likely that Christ thought it necessary to exhort the Apostles to believe in God, a thing that every Jew did.

2.In my Father's house there are many mansions.Here He puts before them thefirstmotive of consolation; namely, that there is room for them as well as for Him in heaven, in that house of God, the eternal antitype of the Jewish Temple (ii. 16), wherein He exercised the rights of a Son.“Mansions”renders the Vulgate“mansiones,”which were resting-places or stations along the highways, where travellers found refreshments. The Greek word μονή is found in the New Testament only here and in verse 23.

If not, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.That(ὅτι, Vulg., quia) is almost certainly genuine,95and hence we must explain the text, retaining it, though its presence creates difficulty.

(1) Some explain thus. If not, yet even in that case I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you (my intimate friends). And if (in that case) I should go to prepare a place you, I would return, &c. Against this view, however, it is fairly objected that Christ's going is thus represented as purelyhypothetical, whereas from the text it seems to be real:“And if I shall go ... I will come again.”

(2) Others thus: If not, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? In this view a note of interrogation is supplied, a thing that the original text, which was unpointed, admits; and reference is made to some past occasion when He promised to go and prepare places for them. That we have no record of a promise made in so many words, does not prove, of course, that it was not made.

(3) Others thus: If not, I would have told youso. But, in fact, there are many mansions, for I go to prepare a place for you. Against[pg 252]this view it is objected that it supplies an ellipsis, which is in no way indicated in the text. The same meaning, however, may be had without any ellipsis, if the words:“If not, I would have told you”be regarded as parenthetic. The sense will then be: in My Father's house there are many mansions (if not, I would have told you), as is proved by the fact that I go to prepare a place for you.

To prepare a place.Christ by his death, resurrection, and ascension opened heaven, and made ready a place for man.

3.I will come again.This is asecondmotive of consolation. There is a difference of opinion as to what coming of Christ is meant. Some understand of His coming at the death of each and the particular judgment; others, of His coming at the general judgment; and others, of both. We prefer the last opinion, for while Christ took the souls of the Apostles to the mansions of bliss at their particular judgment, it is only at the general judgment that He will take their bodies and perfect their felicity. The words cannot refer to the continual coming of Christ to the Church through the Holy Ghost whom He has sent; such a meaning is excluded by the words that follow:“And will take,”&c.

4. And though you may think that you know not whither I go, nor the way thereto, yet you know both. For you know My Father to whom I go, and you know Me, the way that leads to Him. This may be regarded as athirdmotive of consolation.

5, 6. St. Thomas interrupts, and Jesus explains, pointing out that He Himself is the way to the Father.

I am the way, and the truth, and the life.Many interpretations of these words have been given. We believe that the first clause:“I am the way,”answers Thomas' difficulty; but as such a statement itself needed explanation, the remaining words“and the truth, and the life,”are added to explain how Christ is the way namely, inasmuch as He is the Truth,i.e.the author of faith; and the Life,i.e.the author of grace and of the supernatural life of the soul. In this view the phrase hebraizes, the first“and”being explanatory: I am the way,inasmuch asI am the truth and the life. This seems better than to hold with SS. Augustine and Thomas that Christ declares Himself the wayas man, the truth and the life as God. St. Augustine's words are:“Ipse igitur (vadit) ad seipsum per seipsum.”But the words that follow in this verse:“No man cometh to the Father but by me,”show that the Father, and not Christ as God, is the term to which the way in question leads.

7. Having told them that He Himself is the way, He now proceeds to point out to them that if they had known this way in the manner they ought, they should also have known the term towards which it led. Hence the sense is: You would know the Father to whom I go, if you knew Me; for I and the Father are the same divine substance (Johnx. 30). Thomas had said that they did not know the term of Christ's journey, and therefore could not know the way thereto, implying that the way was to be known from, or at least after, the term to which it led. Christ now declares that the reverse is the case; and if they had known Him, the way, they should also have known the Father. The words:If you had known me, imply that they had not yet known Christ as they ought. They had indeed known Him to some extent as He admits in verse 4, but they had not realized fully His Divinity and consubstantiality with the Father, else they would have implicitly known the Father in knowing Him.And from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.We would render the Greek thus:“Andeven now(see Johnxiii. 19) you know Him, and you have seen Him.”The sense is, that even now they knew the Father in some way through[pg 254]their imperfect knowledge of Christ, and they had seen Him in seeing Christ, because, as Christ adds in verse 9:“He who seeth me, seeth the Father also.”Thus it was true that in an imperfect manner they knew whither Christ went, and the way thereto (verse 4), yet equally true that they knew neither way nor term so clearly as they might, considering that He had now for more than three years been gradually revealing Himself to them.

8. Thomas is silenced, but Philip now interposes, and failing to understand Christ's statement that they had seen the Father, asks Him to show them the Father, probably in some visible form, and then they will ask no more.

9. Christ replies, again insisting on His consubstantiality with the Father:He that seeth me, seeth the Father also(“also”is probably not genuine.) These words prove clearly, against the Arians, Christ's consubstantiality, or unity of nature, with the Father; otherwise in seeing Him they could not be said to see the Father even implicitly. Yet it is clear against the Sabellians that the Father and the Son are distinct Persons, for Christ plainly distinguishes Himself from the Father in verse 6 where He says“No man cometh to the Father but by me;”and again in verse 13, where He says that He goes to the Father. There is, then, identity of nature, but distinction of Persons.Cognovistisof the Vulgate ought to becognovisti, Philip being addressed.

10.Do you not believe(creditisought to becredis)that I am in the Father and the Father in me? He who saw Christ saw the Father implicitly, in virtue of the unity of nature. The words, and the connection[pg 255]with verse 9, show clearly that such is the identity of nature in the Father and the Son that He who sees the Son, thereby in some sense sees the Father also.“Hoc autem quod dicit,”says St. Thomas on this verse,“‘Ego in Patre et Pater in me est,’dicitur propter essentiae unitatem, de qua dicitur supra x. 30.‘Ego et Pater unum sumus.’Sciendum est enim, quod essentia aliter se habet in divinis ad personam, et aliter in hominibus. Nam in hominibus essentia Socratis non est Socrates, quia Socrates est quid compositum, sed in divinis essentia est idem personae secundum rem, et sic essentia Patris est Pater, et essentia Filii, Filius. Ubicumque ergo est essentia Patris, est ipse Pater, et ubicumque est essentia Filii, est ipse Filius. Essentia autem Patris est in Filio et essentia Filii est in Patre. Ergo Filius est in Patre, et Pater in Filio.”

Then He goes on to prove that the Father is in Him, and He in the Father, from the fact that His words and works are the words and works of the Father. Instead of“the works”many authorities read“His works;”but the sense is the same, for the works were both Christ's and the Father's.

11. According to the Vulgate reading, Christ, for emphasis, repeats the question of verse 10. In the original there is not a question, but simply an injunction addressed to all the Apostles;“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.”

12. The sense is: But if My testimony does not suffice to satisfy you of My Divinity, at least believe on account of My miracles.

Having thus replied to the interruptions of Thomas and Philip He now proceeds to put before the Apostles other motives of consolation. The mention of thefourthmotive opens with the solemn“Amen, amen;”and the Apostles are told that[pg 256]whoever believeth in Him shall perform even greater miracles than His (“majora horum”is a Graecism for“majora his”), the reason being that in leaving His followers He bequeaths to them His thaumaturgic power, and bequeaths it in great perfection, because He ascends to the glory of the Father.

Greater than these.The miracles of Christ's followers were greater than His in their visible effects.“Evangelizantibus discipulis ... gentes etiam crediderunt; haec sunt sine dubitatione majora”(St. Aug.ad loc.). We think it very probable that the charism of miracles is here promised not merely to the Apostles, butto the Church, in which it still resides; for it is promised to whoever believeth. Of course, not every faith is sufficient that we may work miracles; a specially strong, unwavering faith is necessary. See Matt. xxi. 21.

13. In the Vulgate the words:“Because I go to the Father,”are rightly connected with the preceding, and form portion of verse 12.

And whatsoever you shall ask the Father.The words“the Father”are probably not genuine, but they indicate the sense. For it is by the Son's doing what is asked of the Father that the Father is glorified in the Son.

In my name(ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου). This phrase occurs here for the first time in this Gospel. Compare the phrase“in the name of my Father,”v. 43; x. 25; xvii. 6; 11, 12, 26, and the words of the Evangelist i. 12; ii. 23; iii, 18. The phrase before us occurs again in xiv. 26; xv. 16; xvi. 23; xvi. 24; and xvi. 26. See also Acts iii. 6; iv. 10, 12. In the present verse, and wherever there is question of asking, it seems to mean:while invoking with faith the name of Christ.

14. Moreover, whatsoever miracle they shall ask of Himself, in His own name (and, of course, with the requisite faith), that He will perform. We incline to the view that in verses 13 and 14 there is questionprimarilyof miracles; but the expression“si quid”(ἐάν τι) is so general, that we[pg 257]would not limit the promise, but are inclined to believe that it proves the efficacy of all prayer of supplication offered with the proper dispositions.

15. Now begins the promise of the Holy Ghost—thefifthand greatest motive of consolation. But first in this verse, He requires as a condition that they should prove the love they protested by keeping His commandments; for, as St. Gregory says,“Love is proved by deeds.”

16.“Paraclitus”96may mean comforter, advocate, or helper. Bearing in mind the tribulations in which the Apostles were already, and the still greater ones that awaited them, we think the principal meaning here is that of comforter. But this does not exclude the other meanings, especially that of helper, which the Holy Ghost undoubtedly was in an eminent degree. This other Comforter, who is promised in Christ's stead, will not leave the Apostles, as Christ did, but is to remain with them for ever. It is disputed whether the Holy Ghost is here promised only to the Apostles, or, in them, to the whole teaching Church. In the first case,“for ever,”would mean during their lives; in the second, it would mean till the end of the world, as long as the Church shall endure. This latter sense we prefer, for—(1) the words“for ever”favour this view; (2) though the Apostles needed a comforter, yet not they only, but their successors quite as much; (3) this spirit is promised to teach them all truth (Johnxvi. 13); why, except in order that they through themselvesand their successorsmight teach the world? (4) we know from the event that on the day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost came not to the Apostles alone (Acts ii. 4). We hold then that the Holy Ghost is here promised to theEcclesia docens, represented by the Apostles, to abide with her for ever.

In either interpretation it cannot be proved from this text that the Apostles were to be confirmed in grace after the[pg 258]descent of the Holy Ghost, for it is enough for the fulfilment of the promise here made that the Holy Ghost was to be, as far as in Him lay, an enduring Comforter, though the Apostles, on their part, might expel and banish Him. This verse proves the personality of the Holy Ghost, for He is sent in the place of Christ (see also verse 26). It proves also His Divinity, for only a Divine Person would be thus compared to Christ, and spoken of asanotherComforter. Moreover the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father is here implied in the fact that the Father is said to send the Holy Ghost. For the sending of one Divine Person by another, implies the Eternal Procession of one from the other with a relation to some term in time.97Finally, the three Persons of the Trinity are shown to be distinct, for the Father will send the Holy Ghost at the request of the Son.

17.The Spirit of truth.The Holy Ghost is so called not only because He is essential Truth, but also because He was to come to the Apostles as a teacher of truth (verse 26).

In the following words the Apostles are told that the wicked world (i. 10; xiv. 30; xvii. 9, 16) cannot receive the Holy Ghost, for as St. Paul says:“the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand: because it is spiritually examined”(1 Cor. ii. 14).

It seeth him not, nor knoweth him.Some take the meaning to be: seeth Him not with the eyes of the body, nor discerneth Him by spiritual vision; others, and with more probability, take both clauses as synonymous and in reference to spiritual vision. The sense is that because the wicked world will refuse to recognise the Holy Ghost, it will be incapable of[pg 259]receiving Him at His coming. Want of vision shall be a hindrance to possession.

But you shall know him; because he shall abide with you, and shall be in you.Reversing the order of thought, He now says that the presence of the Holy Ghost abiding in the Apostles shall bring them still fuller knowledge. Such seems to be the sense of the verse according to the Vulgate reading. But in the latter part of the verse, instead of“shall know”and“shall abide,”we have in both instances the present tense in the Greek, and many authorities also read the present instead of“shall be.”The clause would then run:“but you know him because he abides with you and is in you.”

But even in this reading the present may stand for the future, and the meaning will be the same as in the Vulgate.

18. As asixthmotive of consolation, He tells them that He will come again to them Himself. Already indeed he had spoken of His coming to them, and had put it forward as a motive of consolation (verse 3), but the coming there meant we take to be different from that now referred to, and hence a new motive of consolation is now put forward in the coming promised here.

I will come(ἔρχομαί)to you. There are various views as to what coming of Christ is here promised.

(1) Some hold that the reference is to the coming after His resurrection when we know He appeared to the Apostles but was unseen by the world. So St. Chrys., St. Thom., Patriz., &c.

(2) Others hold that there is question of the coming at the Day of Judgment. As the years are measured before God, only“a little while”shall elapse till then, and it is only after the Day of Judgment that the promise of verse 20:“In that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you”shall be fully realized. So St. Aug., Mald., &c.

(3) Others understand of the coming of Christ in and with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. If the consubstantiality and circumincession of the three Divine Persons be borne in mind, the whole passage that follows as far as verse 24, will then be naturally explained. So St. Cyril, Beel., Bisp., &c. We prefer the last view, and hold that from 15-24, there is question of the coming of the Holy Ghost, first in reference to the Apostles (15-20), and then in reference to the faithful generally (21-24). In reference to the Apostles, the coming of the Holy Ghost is first considered in itself (15-17), and next, for their consolation, as[pg 260]implying and including the coming of Christ Himself (18-20).

Though this view may at first sight seem forced, we believe that if the connection in the passage be followed closely, it must appear the most probable. For when St. Jude, alluding to the words of verse 19, asks, in verse 22, how Christ shall be seen by the Apostles, yet unseen by the world, Christ's reply, in verse 23, goes to show that the vision is spiritual, and such as is explained by the fact, that He and His Father will come and make their abode in those that love Him.

19.Yet a little while.This we understand of the few hours that remained till His death. After that, the world should see Him no longer. But, He adds, you shall see Me (present for future); not, indeed, with the eyes of the body, but with those of the soul; because I live (the present being used, perhaps, of His Divine life, in virtue of which He was to resume the life of the body), and you shall live the life of grace, which will be rewarded by the vision of Me.

Thus he tells them that they shall live a spiritual life, a kind of participation in His own glorious life (vi. 57), and that for this reason they shall be privileged to see Him spiritually. That there is question of spiritual vision, is proved, we believe, from what follows; for they shall see according as He shall manifest Himself (verse 21); and this manifestation of Himself He explains in verse 23 of His abiding in them.

20. In that time, after I have come to you at Pentecost (together with the Holy Ghost), you shall know clearly that I am in My Father, that I am God, and that you are in Me as its branches in the vine (see below,xv. 2), deriving all your spiritual life from Me, and I in you by aspecial indwellingenjoyed only by the just. See above onvii. 39. If there be a comparison here between the mutual indwelling of the Father and Son on the one hand, and that of Christ and the just on the other, it is plain that the likeness is only imperfect and[pg 261]analogical. Yet such texts as this (see alsovi. 58; xvii.21,23), even when we make all necessary allowance for the imperfection of the likeness, prove clearly how marvellously intimate and sacred is the union that exists between Christ and the souls of the just.

21.He that hath(ὁ ἔχων)my commandments, and keepeth them, &c. Not only to the Apostles, but to all that love Him, Christ will manifest Himself, for in and with the Holy Ghost He and His Father will come and abide in them.

22-23. Asked by the Apostle Jude, brother to James the Less, who was also called Thaddeus, how He would manifest Himself to the Apostles, yet be unseen by the world, Christ replies that He will come and dwell in all that love Him, and thus manifest Himself, and be seen by them in a spiritual manner.

24. He had just said that those who love Him will keep His words and obey them, and now He adds that those who do not love Him will not keep His words. The reason why He here insists upon this observance of His words is, that such observance is[pg 262]necessary, before He will manifest Himself and make His abode in any heart. For, as is clear from verse 21, Christ will manifest Himself only to those who are loved by the Father; but they alone are loved by the Father who love Christ, and they alone love Christ who keep His commandments (verse 23).

And the word which you have heard, &c.“Sermonem”(Vulg.) ought to be“sermo,”and the verb in the original is in the present (ἀκούετε). The sense, therefore, is: the words which you arewont to hearfrom Me are not Mine alone, but the Father's also who sent Me.Is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.This form of expression, which seems to declare that the words are in no way Christ's, is a Hebraism, and means that they are not His alone. See above onvii. 16. Of course the authority of Christ's words was equal in every way to that of the Father's, but since the Apostles did not yet fully realize His Divinity with all that it implied, He invokes the Father's authority as having more weight with them.

25, 26. These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you; and if you fail to fully understand them, yet be consoled with My assurance that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all that you need know, andrecall to your minds(ὑπομνήσει) all that Isaid(εἰπον) to you. This may be regarded as theseventhmotive of consolation.

Here again, as in verse 16, we have mention of three distinct Persons: the Holy Ghost is to be sent by the Father in the name of the Son. And, as we remarked on verse 16, the fact that the Holy Ghost is to be sent by the Father, proves His procession from the Father.

The Holy Ghost is said to be sentin Christ's name, most probably because He was sent in the place of Christ, another Comforter and Helper, to console the Apostles and carry on the work begun by Christ.

The infallible teaching authority of theApostlesfollows from the fact that they were to be[pg 263]taught by the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth (verse 17). And since they were endowed with this infallible teaching authority in order that they might teach the flock of Christ (xv. 16); since, moreover, there is still the same need for an infallible teaching authority in the Church, if the work of Christ and His Apostles is to be continued without danger of failure, we are warranted in concluding that an infallible teaching authority still resides in theChurch.

Hence, to use Christ's own words:“The gates of hell shall not prevail against her”(Matt. xvi. 18), because in heroffice of teachershe has Christ with her, all days, even, to the consummation of the world.“Euntes ...docete ... et ecceego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus usque ad consummationem saeculi”(Matt. xxviii. 19, 20).

27. As theeighthmotive of consolation, Christ gives the Apostles His peace. Among the Jews it was customary for the people to salute and take leave of one another by wishing one another peace. Christ here says that His words are not a mere wish or empty formula; with Him to wish peace was to confer it, and that in a true and lasting manner.

28.You would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father.“Naturae humanae gratulandum est, eo quod sic assumpta est a Verbo unigenito, ut immortalis constitueretur in coelo, atque ita fieret terra sublimis, ut incorruptibilis pulvis sederet ad dexteram Patris.”(St. Aug.in loc.).

For the Father is greater than I.These words have been variously explained. We would interpret either with St. Chrys.: For the Father is greater than[pg 264]I,in your estimation; or better still: For the Father is greater than Ias man. Hence, since by His going to the Father, Christ's humanity was to share in the glory of the Father, and thus be exalted, they should rejoice at His going, if they really loved Him. This is theninthmotive proposed for their consolation.

The Arians triumphantly pointed to the words:“The Father is greater than I,”as a proof of the inferiority of the Son to the Father. But in neither of the interpretations which we have given of the words, does the Arian heresy find any support. And certainly whatever be the correct interpretation, Christ cannot, without contradicting Himself, mean thatas GodHe is inferior to the Father. For He had already told them that He is in the Father, and the Father in Him (verse 10), and in the face of His enemies He had proclaimed that He and the Father are one (Johnx. 30).

29. Not that they did not believe His words beforehand: but they would be strengthened in their belief of all He had told them, when they should see fulfilled this special predictionof His going away and returning(verse 28).

30. Satan who is here calledthe prince of this(ratherthe)world(see alsoxii. 31,xvi. 11; 2 Cor. iv. 4; Eph. ii. 2, vi. 12), and who was now urging on Judas and the Jews to lay hands on Christ, found nothing in Christ in virtue of which Christ could be in any way subjected to him.

In me he hath not anything.From what we have just said it will be seen that the meaning is: he has no authority over Me, no claim upon Me, inasmuch as sin has never had any share in Me.

31. Yet, to prove His love for, and His obedience to, the Father, He will submit to be forthwith seized by the minions of Satan. The construction of this verse is not clear. The first part may depend on the last clause: arise, let us go hence, that the world, &c., or there may be ellipsis in the[pg 265]opening words (comp.ix. 3;xiii. 18), the sense being: butI deliver Myself to deaththat the world, &c. For explanation of the words,“As the Father hath given me commandment,”see above onx. 18.

Arise, let us go hence.We may reasonably conclude that Jesus, accompanied by the Apostles, now left the supper-room. Had they not done so, St. John would probably have referred to the delay. Whether they paused in a porch or court of the house, or at some quiet spot on the way, till the discourse and prayer to the Father (xv.-xvii.) were spoken, or proceeded immediately through the city towards the Garden of Olives, and had arrived at the brook of Cedron (Johnxviii. 1), when Christ concluded, is disputed. Bearing in mind the crowded condition of Jerusalem during the Paschal week, and that probably it was hardly yet 10 p.m., when the streets would be still thronged with people, we think it extremely unlikely that such a discourse and prayer, as are contained in John xv.-xvii. 26, were spoken while Christ and the Apostles passed through the streets of the city. We think it most probable, then, that they paused at some quiet spot on the outskirts of the city, or in a porch or court of the house where they had supped.

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