Read Scripture In A Year: April 24

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 8-9

(Deu 8:1) Ye shall keepe all the commandements which I command thee this day, for to doe them: that ye may liue, and be multiplied, and goe in, and possesse the land which the Lord sware vnto your fathers.

(Notes Reference) All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe (a) to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.

(a) Showing that it is not enough to hear the word, unless we express it by the example of our lives.

(Deu 8:2) And thou shalt remember all ye way which the Lord thy God led thee this fourtie yeere in the wildernesse, for to humble thee and to proue thee, to knowe what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keepe his commandements or no.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to (b) prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

(b) Which is declared in afflictions, either by patience, or by grudging against God's visitation.

(Deu 8:3) Therefore he humbled thee, and made thee hungry, and fed thee with MAN, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know it, that he might teache thee that man liueth not by bread onely, but by euery worde that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, doth a man liue.

(Notes Reference) And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by (c) bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

(Deu 8:4) Thy raiment waxed not olde vpon thee, neither did thy foote swell those fourtie yeeres.

(Notes Reference) Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot (d) swell, these forty years.

(d) As those that go barefoot.

(Deu 8:5) Knowe therefore in thine heart, that as a man nourtereth his sonne, so the Lord thy God nourtereth thee.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God (e) chasteneth thee.

(e) So that his affliction are signs of his fatherly love toward us.

(Deu 8:6) Therefore shalt thou keepe the commandements of the Lord thy God, that thou mayest walke in his wayes, and feare him.

(Deu 8:7) For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land in the which are riuers of water and fountaines, and depthes that spring out of valleis and mountaines:

(Deu 8:8) A land of wheate and barley, and of vineyards, and figtrees, and pomegranates: a land of oyle oliue and hony:

(Deu 8:9) A land wherein thou shalt eate bread without scarcitie, neither shalt thou lacke any thing therein: a land whose stones are yron, and out of whose mountaines thou shalt digge brasse.

(Notes Reference) A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land (f) whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.

(f) Where there are mines of metal.

(Deu 8:10) And when thou hast eaten and filled thy selfe, thou shalt blesse the Lord thy God for the good land, which he hath giuen thee.

(Notes Reference) When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt (g) bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

(g) To receive God's benefits and not be thankful, is to despise God in them.

(Deu 8:11) Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, not keeping his commandements, and his lawes, and his ordinances, which I commaund thee this day:

(Deu 8:12) Lest when thou hast eaten and filled thy selfe, and hast built goodly houses and dwelt therein,

(Deu 8:13) And thy beastes, and thy sheepe are increased, and thy siluer and golde is multiplied, and all that thou hast is increased,

(Deu 8:14) Then thine heart be lifted vp and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage,

(Notes Reference) Then thine heart (h) be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

(h) By attributing God's benefits to your own wisdom and labour, or to good fortune.

(Deu 8:15) Who was thy guide in the great and terrible wildernes (wherein were fierie serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where was no water, who brought forth water for thee out of ye rock of flint:

(Deu 8:16) Who fed thee in the wildernesse with MAN, which thy fathers knewe not) to humble thee, and and to proue thee, that he might doe thee good at thy latter ende.

(Deu 8:17) Beware least thou say in thine heart, My power, and the strength of mine owne hand hath prepared me this abundance.

(Deu 8:18) But remember the Lord thy God: for it is he which giueth thee power to get substance to establish his couenant which he sware vnto thy fathers, as appeareth this day.

(Notes Reference) But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that (i) giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.

(i) If things concerning this life proceed only from God's mercy, how much more do spiritual gifts and everlasting life.

(Deu 8:19) And if thou forget the Lord thy God, and walke after other gods, and serue them, and worship them, I testifie vnto you this day that ye shall surely perish.

(Notes Reference) And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I (k) testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

(k) Or take to witness the heaven and the earth, as in (Deu_4:26).

(Deu 8:20) As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before you, so ye shall perish, because ye woulde not be obedient vnto the voyce of the Lord your God.

(Deu 9:1) Heare O Israel, Thou shalt passe ouer Iorden this day, to goe in and to possesse nations greater and mightier then thy selfe, and cities great and walled vp to heauen,

(Notes Reference) Hear, O Israel: Thou [art] to pass over Jordan (a) this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

(a) Meaning shortly.

(Deu 9:2) A people great and tall, euen the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak?

(Notes Reference) A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and [of whom] thou hast (b) heard [say], Who can stand before the children of Anak!

(b) By the report of the spies. (Num_13:26).

(Deu 9:3) Vnderstand therefore that this day ye Lord thy God is he which goeth ouer before thee as a consuming fire: he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them downe before thy face: so thou shalt cast them out and destroy them suddenly, as the Lord hath said vnto thee.

(Notes Reference) Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God [is] he which (c) goeth over before thee; [as] a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

(Deu 9:4) Speake not thou in thine heart (after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out before thee) saying, For my righteousnesse the Lord hath brought me in, to possesse this land: but for the wickednesse of these nations the Lord hath cast them out before thee.

(Notes Reference) Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my (d) righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

(d) Man by himself deserves nothing but God's anger, and if God spares anyone it comes from his great mercy.

(Deu 9:5) For thou entrest not to inherite their lande for thy righteousnesse, or for thy vpright heart: but for the wickednesse of those nations, the Lord thy God doth cast them out before thee, and that he might performe the worde which the Lord thy God sware vnto thy fathers, Abraham, Izhak, and Iacob.

(Deu 9:6) Vnderstand therefore, that ye Lord thy God giueth thee not this good land to possesse it for thy righteousnes: for thou art a stifnecked people.

(Notes Reference) Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou [art] a (e) stiffnecked people.

(e) Like stubborn oxen who will not endure their masters yoke.

(Deu 9:7) Remember, and forget not, howe thou prouokedst the Lord thy God to anger in the wildernesse: since the day that thou diddest depart out of the land of Egypt, vntill ye came vnto this place ye haue rebelled against the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Remember, [and] forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: (f) from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

(f) He proves by the length of time, that their rebellion was great and intolerable.

(Deu 9:8) Also in Horeb ye prouoked the Lord to anger so that the Lord was wroth with you, euen to destroy you.

(Deu 9:9) When I was gone vp into the mount, to receiue the tables of stone, the tables, I say, of the couenant, which the Lord made with you: and I abode in the mount fourtie daies and fourtie nights, and I neither ate bread nor yet dranke water:

(Deu 9:10) Then the Lord deliuered me two tables of stone, written with the finger of God, and in them was conteyned according to all the wordes which the Lord had said vnto you in the mount out of the middes of the fire, in the day of the assemblie.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the (g) finger of God; and on them [was written] according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

(g) That is, miraculously, and not by the hand of men.

(Deu 9:11) And when the fourtie dayes and fourtie nightes were ended, the Lord gaue me the two tables of stone, the tables, I say, of the couenant.

(Deu 9:12) And the Lord said vnto me, Arise, get thee downe quickly from hence: for thy people which thou hast brought out of Egypt, haue corrupt their wayes: they are soone turned out of the way, which I commanded them: they haue made them a molten image.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have (h) corrupted [themselves]; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.

(h) As soon as man declines from the obedience of God, his ways are corrupt.

(Deu 9:13) Furthermore, the Lord spake vnto me, saying, I haue seene this people, and beholde, it is a stifnecked people.

(Deu 9:14) Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and put out their name from vnder heaue, and I wil make of thee a mightie nation, and greater then they be.

(Notes Reference) (i) Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

(i) Demonstrating that the prayers of the faithful are a bar to restrain God's anger so that he does not consume all.

(Deu 9:15) So I returned, and came downe from the Mount (and the Mount burnt with fire, and ye two Tables of the couenant were in my two handes)

(Deu 9:16) Then I looked, and beholde, ye had sinned against the Lord your God: for ye had made you a molten calfe, and had turned quickly out of the way which the Lord had commanded you.

(Notes Reference) And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, [and] had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the (k) way which the LORD had commanded you.

(k) That is, from the Law: in which he declares what the cause of our punishment is.

(Deu 9:17) Therefore I tooke the two Tables, and cast them out of my two handes, and brake them before your eyes.

(Deu 9:18) And I fell downe before the Lord, fourtie dayes, and fourtie nightes, as before: I neither ate bread nor dranke water, because of al your sinnes, which ye had committed, in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord, in that ye prouoked him vnto wrath.

(Deu 9:19) (For I was afraide of the wrath and indignation, wherewith the Lord was mooued against you, euen to destroy you) yet the Lord heard me at that time also.

(Deu 9:20) Likewise ye Lord was very angrie with Aaron, euen to destroy him: but at that time I prayed also for Aaron.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have (l) destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

(l) By which he shows the danger they are in who have authority and do not resist wickedness.

(Deu 9:21) And I tooke your sinne, I meane the calfe which ye had made, and burnt him with fire, and stamped him and ground him small, euen vnto very dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the riuer, that descended out of the mount.

(Notes Reference) And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the (m) mount.

(m) Horeb, or Sinai.

(Deu 9:22) Also in Taberah, and in Massah and in Kibrothhattaauah ye prouoked ye Lord to anger.

(Deu 9:23) Likewise when the Lord sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Goe vp, and possesse the land which I haue giuen you, then ye rebelled against the commandement of the Lord your God, and beleeued him not, nor hearkened vnto his voyce.

(Notes Reference) Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye (n) rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.

(n) At the return of the spies.

(Deu 9:24) Ye haue bene rebellious vnto the Lord, since the day that I knewe you.

(Deu 9:25) Then I fell downe before ye Lord fourtie dayes and fourtie nightes, as I fell downe before, because ye Lord had said, that he woulde destroy you.

(Notes Reference) Thus I fell down before the LORD (o) forty days and forty nights, as I fell down [at the first]; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.

(o) By which is signified that God requires earnest continuance in prayer.

(Deu 9:26) And I prayed vnto the Lord, and saide, O Lord God, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatnesse, whom thou hast brought out of Egypt by a mightie hand.

(Deu 9:27) Remember thy seruants Abraham, Izhak, and Iaakob: looke not to ye stubburnes of this people, nor to their wickednes, nor to their sinne,

(Notes Reference) (p) Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:

(p) The godly in their prayers ground on God's promise, and confess their sins.

(Deu 9:28) Lest the countrey, whence thou broughtest them, say, Because ye Lord was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, or because he hated them, he caried them out, to slay them in the wildernesse.

(Deu 9:29) Yet they are thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mightie power, and by thy stretched out arme.

Passage 2: Ecclesiastes 3

(p) When man has all laboured, he can get no more than food and refreshing, yet he confesses also that this comes from God's blessing, as in (Ecc 3:13).

(Ecc 2:25) For who could eate, and who could haste to outward things more then I?

(Notes Reference) For who can eat, or who else can hasten (q) [to it], more than I?

(q) Meaning, to pleasures.

(Ecc 2:26) Surely to a man that is good in his sight, God giueth wisdome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner he giueth paine, to gather, and to heape to giue to him that is good before God: this is also vanitie, and vexation of the spirit.

(Ecc 3:1) To all things there is an appointed time, and a time to euery purpose vnder the heauen.

(Notes Reference) To every [thing there is] a (a) season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

(a) He speaks of this diversity of time for two causes first to declare that there is nothing in this world perpetual: next to teach us not to be grieved, if we have not all things at once according to our desires, neither enjoy them so long as we would wish.

(Ecc 3:2) A time to bee borne, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to plucke vp that which is planted.

(Ecc 3:3) A time to slay, and a time to heale: a time to breake downe, and a time to builde.

(Ecc 3:4) A time to weepe, and a time to laugh: a time to mourne, and a time to dance.

(Ecc 3:5) A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones: a time to embrace, and a time to be farre from embracing.

(Ecc 3:6) A time to seeke, and a time to lose: a time to keepe, and a time to cast away.

(Ecc 3:7) A time to rent, and a time to sowe: a time to keepe silence, and a time to speake.

(Ecc 3:8) A time to loue, and a time to hate: a time of warre, and a time of peace.

(Ecc 3:9) What profite hath hee that worketh of the thing wherein he trauaileth?

(Ecc 3:10) I haue seene the trauaile that God hath giuen to ye sonnes of men to humble them thereby.

(Notes Reference) I have seen the labour, which God hath given to the sons of men (b) to be exercised in it.

(b) Read (Ecc 1:13).

(Ecc 3:11) He hath made euery thing beautifull in his time: also he hath set the worlde in their heart, yet can not man finde out the worke that God hath wrought from the beginning euen to the end.

(Notes Reference) He hath made every [thing] beautiful in its time: also he hath set the (c) world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

(Ecc 3:12) I know that there is nothing good in them, but to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.

(Ecc 3:13) And also that euery man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the commoditie of all his labour. this is the gift of God.

(Notes Reference) And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it [is] the (d) gift of God.

(d) Read (Ecc 2:24) and these places declare that we should do all things with sobriety and in the fear of God, as he gives not his gifts to the intent that they should be abused.

(Ecc 3:14) I knowe that whatsoeuer God shall doe, it shalbe for euer: to it can no man adde, and from it can none diminish: for God hath done it, that they should feare before him.

(Notes Reference) I know that, whatever God doeth, it shall be for (e) ever: nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

(e) That is, man will never be able to prevent God's work, but as he has determined so it will come to pass.

(Ecc 3:15) What is that that hath bene? that is nowe: and that that shalbe, hath now bene: for God requireth that which is past.

(Notes Reference) That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God (f) requireth that which is past.

(f) God only causes what which is past, to return.

(Ecc 3:16) And moreouer I haue seene vnder the sunne the place of iudgement, where was wickednesse, and the place of iustice where was iniquitie.

(Ecc 3:17) I thought in mine heart, God wil iudge the iust and the wicked: for time is there for euery purpose and for euery worke.

(Notes Reference) I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time (g) there for every purpose and for every work.

(g) Meaning, with God, however man neglects his duty.

(Ecc 3:18) I considered in mine heart the state of the children of men that God had purged them: yet to see to, they are in themselues as beastes.

(Notes Reference) I said in my heart concerning the state of the sons of men, that God might (h) tempt them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

(h) And made them pure in their first creation.

(Ecc 3:19) For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are euen as one condition vnto them. As the one dyeth, so dyeth the other: for they haue all one breath, and there is no excellency of man aboue ye beast: for all is vanitie.

(Notes Reference) For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing (i) befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all [is] vanity.

(i) Man is not able by his reason and judgment to put differences between man and beast, as concerning those things to which both are subject: for the eye cannot judge any otherwise of a man being dead than of a beast, which is dead: yet by the word of God and faith we easily know the diversity as in (Ecc 3:21).

(Ecc 3:20) All goe to one place, and all was of the dust, and all shall returne to the dust.

(Ecc 3:21) Who knoweth whether the spirit of man ascend vpward, and the spirit of the beast descend downeward to the earth?

(Notes Reference) Who (k) knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

(k) Meaning, that reason cannot comprehend that which faith believes in.

(Ecc 3:22) Therefore I see that there is nothing better then that a man shoulde reioyce in his affaires, because that is his portion. For who shall bring him to see what shalbe after him?

(Notes Reference) Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should (l) rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

(l) By the often repetition of this sentence as in (Ecc 2:24, Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:22, Ecc 5:17, Ecc 8:15) he declares that man by reason can comprehend nothing better in this life than to use the gifts of God soberly and comfortably: for to know further, is a special gift of God revealed by his Spirit.

Passage 3: John 20-21

(Joh 20:1) Nowe the first day of the weeke came Marie Magdalene, early when it was yet darke, vnto the sepulchre, and sawe the stone taken away from the tombe.

(Notes Reference) The (1) first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

(1) Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John, are the first witnesses of the resurrection, and these cannot justly be suspected, for they themselves could hardly be persuaded of it; therefore, they would obviously not invent such a story on purpose.

(Joh 20:2) Then she ranne, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Iesus loued, and saide vnto them, They haue taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we knowe not where they haue laid him.

(Joh 20:3) Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they came vnto the sepulchre.

(Joh 20:4) So they ranne both together, but the other disciple did outrunne Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

(Joh 20:5) And he stouped downe, and sawe the linnen clothes lying: yet went he not in.

(Joh 20:6) Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and sawe the linnen clothes lye,

(Joh 20:7) And the kerchiefe that was vpon his head, not lying with the linnen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by it selfe.

(Joh 20:8) Then went in also the other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he sawe it, and beleeued.

(Joh 20:9) For as yet they knewe not the Scripture, That he must rise againe from the dead.

(Joh 20:10) And the disciples went away againe vnto their owne home.

(Joh 20:11) But Marie stoode without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she bowed her selfe into the sepulchre,

(Notes Reference) But Mary stood (a) without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, [and looked] into the sepulchre,

(a) That is, outside of the cave which the sepulchre was cut out of.

(Joh 20:12) And sawe two Angels in white, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feete, where the body of Iesus had laien.

(Notes Reference) (2) And seeth two angels in (b) white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

(2) Two angels are made witnesses of the Lord's resurrection.

(b) In white clothing.

(Joh 20:13) And they said vnto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She said vnto them, They haue taken away my Lord, and I know not where they haue laide him.

(Notes Reference) And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away (c) my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

(Joh 20:14) When she had thus said, she turned her selfe backe, and sawe Iesus standing, and knewe not that it was Iesus.

(Notes Reference) (3) And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

(3) Jesus witnesses by his presence that he is truly risen.

(Joh 20:15) Iesus saith vnto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She supposing that he had bene the gardener, said vnto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

(Joh 20:16) Iesus saith vnto her, Marie. She turned her selfe, and said vnto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.

(Joh 20:17) Iesus saith vnto her, Touch me not: for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but goe to my brethren, and say vnto them, I ascend vnto my Father, and to your Father, and to my God, and your God.

(Notes Reference) (4) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my (d) brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto (e) my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.

(4) Christ, who is risen, is not to be sought in this world according to the flesh, but in heaven by faith where he has gone before us.

(d) By his brethren he means his disciples, for in the following verse it is said that Mary told his disciples.

(e) He calls God his Father because he is naturally his Father in the Godhead, and he says "your Father" because he is our Father by grace through the adoption of the sons of God: that is, by taking us by his free grace to be his sons; Epiphanius.

(Joh 20:18) Marie Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seene the Lord, and that he had spoken these things vnto her.

(Joh 20:19) The same day then at night, which was the first day of the weeke, and when the doores were shut where the disciples were assembled for feare of the Iewes, came Iesus and stoode in the middes, and saide to them, Peace be vnto you.

(Notes Reference) (5) Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the (f) doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

(5) Christ, in that he presents himself before his disciples suddenly through his divine power, when the gates were shut, fully assures them both of his resurrection, and also of their apostleship, inspiring them with the Holy Spirit who is the director of the ministry of the Gospel.

(f) Either the doors opened to him of their own accord, or the very walls themselves were a passage to him.

(Joh 20:20) And when he had so saide, he shewed vnto them his handes, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they had seene the Lord.

(Joh 20:21) Then saide Iesus to them againe, Peace be vnto you: as my Father sent me, so sende I you.

(Joh 20:22) And when he had saide that, he breathed on them, and saide vnto them, Receiue the holy Ghost.

(Joh 20:23) Whosoeuers sinnes ye remit, they are remitted vnto them: and whosoeuers sinnes ye reteine, they are reteined.

(Notes Reference) (6) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

(6) The publishing of the forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ, and the setting forth and proclaiming the wrath of God in retaining the sins of the unbelievers, is the sum of the preaching of the gospel.

(Joh 20:24) But Thomas one of the twelue, called Didymus, was not with them when Iesus came.

(Notes Reference) (7) But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

(7) Christ draws out of the unbelief of Thomas a certain and sure testimony of his resurrection.

(Joh 20:25) The other disciples therefore saide vnto him, We haue seene the Lord: but he said vnto them, Except I see in his handes the print of the nailes, and put my finger into the print of the nailes, and put mine hand into his side, I will not beleeue it.

(Joh 20:26) And eight dayes after, againe his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Iesus, when the doores were shut, and stood in the middes, and said, Peace be vnto you.

(Joh 20:27) After saide he to Thomas, Put thy finger here, and see mine hands, and put forth thine hand, and put it into my side, and be not faithlesse, but faithfull.

(Joh 20:28) Then Thomas answered, and said vnto him, Thou art my Lord, and my God.

(Joh 20:29) Iesus said vnto him, Thomas, because thou hast seene me, thou beleeuest: blessed are they that haue not seene, and haue beleeued.

(Notes Reference) (8) Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.

(8) True faith depends upon the mouth of God, and not upon the eyes of the flesh.

(Joh 20:30) And many other signes also did Iesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this booke.

(Notes Reference) (9) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

(9) To believe in Christ, the Son of God and our only saviour, is the goal of the doctrine of the gospel, and especially of the true account of the resurrection.

(Joh 20:31) But these things are written, that ye might beleeue, that Iesus is that Christ that Sonne of God, and that in beleeuing ye might haue life through his Name.

(Joh 21:1) After these things, Iesus shewed himselfe againe to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias: and thus shewed he himselfe:

(Notes Reference) After these things (1) Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he [himself].

(1) In that Christ is not only present here but also eats with his disciples, he gives a most full assurance of his resurrection.

(Joh 21:2) There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, which is called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galile, and the sonnes of Zebedeus, and two other of his disciples.

(Joh 21:3) Simon Peter said vnto them, I go a fishing. They said vnto him, We also will goe with thee. They went their way and entred into a ship straightway, and that night caught they nothing.

(Joh 21:4) But when the morning was nowe come, Iesus stoode on the shore: neuerthelesse the disciples knewe not that it was Iesus.

(Joh 21:5) Iesus then said vnto them, Syrs, haue ye any meate? They answered him, No.

(Joh 21:6) Then he said vnto them, Cast out the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall finde. So they cast out, and they were not able at all to draw it, for the multitude of fishes.

(Joh 21:7) Therefore said the disciple whom Iesus loued, vnto Peter, It is the Lord. When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded his coate to him (for he was naked) and cast himselfe into the sea.

(Notes Reference) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher's (a) coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

(a) It was a linen garment which prevented him from swimming freely.

(Joh 21:8) But the other disciples came by shippe (for they were not farre from land, but about two hundreth cubites) and they drewe the net with fishes.

(Joh 21:9) Assoone then as they were come to land, they sawe hoate coales, and fish laide thereon, and bread.

(Joh 21:10) Iesus saide vnto them, Bring of the fishes, which ye haue nowe caught.

(Joh 21:11) Simon Peter stepped foorth and drewe the net to land, full of great fishes, an hundreth, fiftie and three: and albeit there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

(Joh 21:12) Iesus saide vnto them, Come, and dine. And none of the disciples durst aske him, Who art thou? seeing they knewe that he was the Lord.

(Joh 21:13) Iesus then came and tooke bread, and gaue them, and fish likewise.

(Joh 21:14) This is now the third time that Iesus shewed himselfe to his disciples, after that he was risen againe from the dead.

(Joh 21:15) So when they had dined, Iesus said to Simon Peter, Simon the sonne of Iona, louest thou me more then these? He said vnto him, Yea Lord, thou knowest that I loue thee. He said vnto him, Feede my lambes.

(Notes Reference) (2) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

(2) Peter by this triple confession is restored into his former position from where he fell by his triple denial: and furthermore it is proclaimed that he is indeed a pastor, who shows his love to Christ in feeding his sheep.

(Joh 21:16) He said to him againe the second time, Simon the sonne of Iona, louest thou me? He said vnto him, Yea Lord, thou knowest that I loue thee. He said vnto him, Feede my sheepe.

(Joh 21:17) He said vnto him the third time, Simon the sonne of Iona, louest thou me? Peter was sorie because he said to him the third time, Louest thou me? and said vnto him, Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I loue thee. Iesus saide vnto him, Feede my sheepe.

(Notes Reference) He saith unto him the (b) third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

(b) It was appropriate that he that had denied him three times should confess him three times, so that Peter might neither doubt the forgiveness of his grievous sin, nor his being restored to the office of the apostleship.

(Joh 21:18) Verely, verely I say vnto thee, When thou wast yong, thou girdedst thy selfe, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be olde, thou shalt stretch foorth thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not.

(Notes Reference) (3) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou (c) girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall (d) gird thee, and carry [thee] whither thou wouldest (e) not.

(3) The violent death of Peter is foretold.

(c) Those that took long trips, especially in the east and in those places where the people used long garments, needed to be girded and fastened up.

(d) He meant that kind of girding which is used with captives, when they are bound fast with cords and chains, as one would say, "Now you gird yourself as you think best, to go where you want to go, but the time will come when you will not gird yourself with a girdle, but another will bind you with chains, and carry you where you would not."

(e) Not that Peter suffered anything for the truth of God against his will, for we read that he came with joy and gladness when he returned from the council where he was whipped, but because this will comes not from the flesh, but from the gift of the Spirit who is given to us from above, therefore he shows that there should be a certain striving and conflict or repugnancy, which also is in us, in all our sufferings as touching the flesh.

(Joh 21:19) And this spake he signifying by what death he shoulde glorifie God. And when he had said this, he said to him, Folowe me.

(Notes Reference) This spake he, signifying by (f) what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

(f) That is, that Peter would die by a violent death.

(Joh 21:20) Then Peter turned about, and sawe the disciple whom JESUS loued, folowing, which had also leaned on his breast at supper, and had saide, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

(Notes Reference) (4) Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

(4) We must take heed that while we cast our eyes upon others that we do not neglect that which we are commanded to do.

(Joh 21:21) When Peter therefore sawe him, he saide to Iesus, Lord, what shall this man doe?

(Joh 21:22) Iesus said vnto him, If I will that he tarie till I come, what is it to thee? follow thou me.

(Joh 21:23) Then went this worde abroade among the brethren, that this disciple shoulde not die. Yet Iesus saide not to him, He shall not die: but if I will that he tarie till I come, what is it to thee?

(Joh 21:24) This is that disciple, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimonie is true.

(Notes Reference) (5) This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

(5) The history of Christ is truly and cautiously written: not for the curiosity of men, but for the salvation of the godly.

(Joh 21:25) Nowe there are also many other things which Iesus did, the which if they should be written euery one, I suppose the world coulde not conteine the bookes that shoulde be written, Amen.