Read Scripture In A Year: October 20

Passage 1: 2 Chronicles 12-13

(2Ch 12:1) And when Rehoboam had established the kingdome and made it strong, hee forsooke the Lawe of the Lord, and all Israel with him.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and (a) all Israel with him.

(a) For such is the inconstancy of the people, that for the most part they follow the vices of their governors.

(2Ch 12:2) Therefore in the fift yeere of King Rehoboam, Shishak the King of Egypt came vp against Ierusalem (because they had transgressed against the Lord)

(2Ch 12:3) With twelue hundreth charets, and three score thousande horsemen, and the people were without nomber, that came with him from Egypt, euen the Lubims, Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

(Notes Reference) With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people [were] without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the (b) Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

(b) Who were a people of Africa called the Troglodytes because they lived in holes.

(2Ch 12:4) And he tooke the strong cities which were of Iudah, and came vnto Ierusalem.

(2Ch 12:5) Then came Shemaiah the Prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Iudah, that were gathered together in Hierusalem, because of Shishak, and sayde vnto them, Thus sayth the Lord, Ye haue forsaken me, therefore haue I also left you in the handes of Shishak.

(Notes Reference) Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and [to] the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and (c) therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

(c) Signifying that no calamity can come to us unless we forsake God, and that he never leaves us till we have cast him off.

(2Ch 12:6) Then the princes of Israel, and the King humbled themselues, and sayde, The Lord is iust.

(Notes Reference) Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD [is] (d) righteous.

(d) Therefore he justly punishes you for your sins.

(2Ch 12:7) And when the Lord sawe that they humbled themselues, the worde of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They haue humbled theselues, therefore I will not destroy them, but I will sende them deliuerance shortly, and my wrath shall not bee powred out vpon Ierusalem by the hand of Shishak.

(2Ch 12:8) Neuerthelesse they shalbe his sernants: so shall they knowe my seruice, and the seruice of the kingdomes of the earth.

(Notes Reference) Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my (e) service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

(e) He shows that God's punishments are not to utterly destroy his, but to chastise them, to bring them to the knowledge of themselves, and to know how much better it is to serve God than tyrants.

(2Ch 12:9) Then Shishak King of Egypt came vp against Ierusalem, and tooke the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the Kings house he tooke euen all, and hee caried away the shields of golde, which Salomon had made.

(2Ch 12:10) In stead whereof King Rehoboam made shieldes of brasse, and committed them to the handes of the chiefe of the garde, that wayted at the doore of the Kings house.

(2Ch 12:11) And when the King entred into the house of the Lord, the garde came and bare them and brought them againe vnto the garde chamber.

(2Ch 12:12) And because hee humbled himselfe, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that hee woulde not destroy all together. And also in Iudah the things prospered.

(Notes Reference) And when he (f) humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy [him] altogether: and also in Judah things went well.

(f) Which declares that God does not seek the death of a sinner, but his conversion, (Eze 18:32).

(2Ch 12:13) So King Rehoboam was strong in Ierusalem and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and fourtie yere olde, when he began to reigne, and reigned seuenteene yeres in Ierusalem, the citie which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his Name there. And his mothers name was Naamah an Ammonitesse.

(Notes Reference) So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam [was] one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned (g) seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess.

(g) That is, twelve years after he had been overcome by Shishak, (2Ch 12:2).

(2Ch 12:14) And he did euill: for hee prepared not his heart to seeke the Lord.

(2Ch 12:15) The actes also of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the booke of Shemaiah the Prophet, and Iddo the Seer, in rehearsing the genealogie? and there was warre alway betweene Rehoboam and Ieroboam.

(2Ch 12:16) And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Dauid, and Abiiah his sonne reigned in his stead.

(2Ch 13:1) In the eyghteenth yeere of King Ieroboam began Abiiah to reigne ouer Iudah.

(Notes Reference) Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over (a) Judah.

(a) He means Judah and Benjamin.

(2Ch 13:2) He reigned three yere in Ierusalem: (his mothers name also was Michaiah the daughter of Vriel of Gibea) and there was warre betweene Abiiah and Ieroboam.

(Notes Reference) He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] (b) Michaiah the daughter of (c) Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

(b) Or Maacah, (1Ki 15:2).

(2Ch 13:3) And Abiiah set the battel in aray with the armie of valiant men of warre, euen foure hundreth thousand chosen men. Ieroboam also set the battell in aray against him with eight hundreth thousande chosen men which were strong and valiant.

(2Ch 13:4) And Abiiah stood vp vpon mount Zemeraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and sayde, O Ieroboam, and all Israel, heare you me,

(Notes Reference) And Abijah stood up upon mount (d) Zemaraim, which [is] in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;

(d) Which was one of the peaks of mount Ephraim.

(2Ch 13:5) Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel hath giuen the kingdome ouer Israel to Dauid for euer, euen to him and to his sonnes by a couenant of salt?

(Notes Reference) Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to (e) David for ever, [even] to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

(e) Therefore whoever usurps it or takes it from that stock transgresses the ordinance of the Lord. Thus like a hypocrite he alleges the word of God for his advantage.

(2Ch 13:6) And Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat the seruant of Salomon the sonne of Dauid is risen vp, and hath rebelled against his lord:

(2Ch 13:7) And there are gathered to him vayne men and wicked, and made themselues strong against Rehoboam the sonne of Salomon: for Rehoboam was but a childe and tender hearted, and coulde not resist them.

(Notes Reference) And there are gathered unto him (g) vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was (h) young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.

(g) This word in the Chaldee tongue is Racha, which our saviour uses, (Mat 5:22).

(h) Meaning, in heart and courage.

(2Ch 13:8) Now therefore ye thinke that yee be able to resist against the kingdome of the Lord, which is in the handes of the sonnes of Dauid, and ye bee a great multitude, and the golden calues are with you which Ieroboam made you for gods.

(2Ch 13:9) Haue ye not driuen away the Priestes of the Lord the sonnes of Aaron and the Leuites, and haue made you Priests like the people of other countreis? whosoeuer commeth to consecrate with a yong bullocke and seuen rams, the same may be a Priest of them that are no gods.

(Notes Reference) Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of [other] lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a (i) young bullock and seven rams, [the same] may be a priest of [them that are] no gods.

(i) He shows the nature of idolaters who take no trial of the calling, life and doctrine of their ministers, but think the most vile and greatest beasts sufficient to serve their turn.

(2Ch 13:10) But wee belong vnto the Lord our God, and haue not forsaken him, and the Priestes the sonnes of Aaron minister vnto the Lord, and the Leuites in their office.

(2Ch 13:11) And they burne vnto the Lord euery morning and euery euening burnt offerings and sweete incense, and the breade is set in order vpon the pure table, and the candlesticke of golde with the lampes thereof, to burne euery euening: for we keepe the watch of the Lord our God: but ye haue forsaken him.

(Notes Reference) And they burn unto the LORD every (k) morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also [set they in order] upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

(k) As it was appointed in the law, (Exo 29:39).

(2Ch 13:12) And behold, this God is with vs, as a captaine, and his Priests with the sounding trumpets, to crie an alarme against you. O yee children of Israel, fight not against the Lord God of your fathers: for ye shall not prosper.

(Notes Reference) And, behold, God himself [is] (l) with us for [our] captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

(l) Because their cause was good and approved by the Lord, they did not doubt the success and victory.

(2Ch 13:13) But Ieroboam caused an ambushment to compasse, and come behind them, when they were before Iudah, and the ambushment behinde them.

(Notes Reference) But Jeroboam caused an ambushment (m) to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment [was] behind them.

(m) Contemning the good counsel which came from the Spirit of God, he thought to have overcome by deceit.

(2Ch 13:14) Then Iudah looked, and beholde, the battel was before and behinde them, and they cried vnto the Lord, and the Priests blewe with the trumpets,

(2Ch 13:15) And the men of Iudah gaue a shoute: and euen as the men of Iudah shouted, God smote Ieroboam and also Israel before Abiiah and Iudah.

(2Ch 13:16) And the children of Israel fledde before Iudah, and God deliuered them into their hande.

(2Ch 13:17) And Abiiah and his people slewe a great slaughter of them, so that there fel downe wounded of Israel fiue hundreth thousand chosen men.

(2Ch 13:18) So the children of Israel were brought vnder at that time: and the children of Iudah preuailed, because they stayed vpon the Lord God of their fathers.

(Notes Reference) Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, (n) because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.

(n) He shows that the stay of all kingdoms and assurance of victories depends on our trust and confidence in the Lord.

(2Ch 13:19) And Abiiah pursued after Ieroboam, and tooke cities from him, euen Beth-el, and the villages thereof, and Ieshanah with her villages, and Ephron with her villages.

(2Ch 13:20) And Ieroboam recouered no strength againe in the dayes of Abiiah, but the Lord plagued him, and he dyed.

(2Ch 13:21) So Abiiah waxed mightie, and marryed foureteene wiues, and begate two and twentie sonnes, and sixteene daughters.

(2Ch 13:22) The rest of the actes of Abiiah and his maners and his sayings are written in the storie of the Prophet Iddo.

Passage 2: Ezekiel 46

(Eze 46:1) Thus sayth the Lord God, The gate of the inner court, that turneth toward the East, shall be shut the sixe working dayes: but on the Sabbath it shalbe opened, and in the day of the newe moone it shalbe opened.

(Eze 46:2) And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stande by the post of the gate, and the Priests shall make his burnt offring, and his peace offrings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: after, he shall go foorth, but the gate shall not be shut till the euening.

(Eze 46:3) Likewise the people of the lande shall worshippe at the entrie of this gate before the Lord on the Sabbaths, and in the newe moones.

(Eze 46:4) And the burnt offring that the prince shall offer vnto the Lord on the Sabbath day, shalbe sixe lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

(Eze 46:5) And the meat offring shalbe an Ephah for a ram: and the meate offring for the lambs a gift of his hand, and an Hin of oyle to an Ephah.

(Notes Reference) And the meat offering [shall be] an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs (a) as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

(a) That is, as much as he will.

(Eze 46:6) And in the day of the newe moone it shall be a yong bullocke without blemish, and sixe lambes and a ram: they shalbe without blemish.

(Eze 46:7) And he shall prepare a meat offring, euen an Ephah for a bullocke, and an Ephah for a ram, and for the lambes according as his hand shall bring, and an Hin of oyle to an Ephah.

(Notes Reference) And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bull, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs (b) according as his hand shall be able, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

(b) Meaning, as he will think good.

(Eze 46:8) And when the prince shall enter, hee shall goe in by the way of the porche of that gate, and hee shall go foorth by the way thereof.

(Eze 46:9) But when the people of the land shall come before the Lord in the solemne feastes, hee that entreth in by the way of the North gate to worship, shall goe out by the way of the South gate: and he that entreth by the way of the South gate, shall goe foorth by the way of the North gate: hee shall not returne by the way of the gate whereby hee came in, but they shall goe forth ouer against it.

(Eze 46:10) And the prince shall be in the middes of them: hee shall go in when they goe in, and when they goe forth, they shall goe forth together.

(Eze 46:11) And in the feastes, and in the solemnities the meat offring shalbe an Ephah to a bullocke, and an Ephah to a ram, and to the lambes, the gift of his hand, and an Hin of oyle to an Ephah.

(Eze 46:12) Nowe when the prince shall make a free burnt offring or peace offrings freely vnto the Lord, one shall then open him the gate, that turneth towarde the East, and hee shall make his burnt offring and his peace offrings, as he did on the Sabbath day: after, hee shall goe foorth, and when he is gone forth, one shall shut the gate.

(Eze 46:13) Thou shalt dayly make a burnt offring vnto the Lord of a lambe of one yere without blemish: thou shalt doe it euery morning.

(Eze 46:14) And thou shalt prepare a meate offring for it euery morning, the sixt part of an Ephah, and the thirde part of an Hin of oyle, to mingle with the fine flowre: this meate offring shalbe continually by a perpetuall ordinance vnto the Lord.

(Eze 46:15) Thus shall they prepare the lambe, and the meate offring and the oyle euery morning, for a continual burnt offring.

(Eze 46:16) Thus saith the Lord God, If the prince giue a gift of his inheritance vnto any of his sonnes, it shalbe his sonnes, and it shall bee their possession by inheritance.

(Eze 46:17) But if hee giue a gift of his inheritance to one of his seruantes, then it shall bee his to the yere of libertie: after, it shall returne to ye prince, but his inheritance shall remaine to his sonnes for them.

(Notes Reference) But if he shall give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the (c) year of liberty; afterward it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be to his sons for them.

(Eze 46:18) Moreouer the prince shall not take of the peoples inheritance, nor thrust them out of their possession: but he shall cause his sonnes to inherit of his owne possession, that my people be not scattered euery man from his possession.

(Notes Reference) Moreover the prince shall not (d) take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; [but] he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not dispossessed every man from his possession.

(d) But be content with that portion that God has assigned him, as in (Eze 45:8).

(Eze 46:19) After, he brought me through the entrie, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers of the Priestes, which stoode towarde the North: and beholde, there was a place at the West side of them.

(Eze 46:20) Then saide he vnto me, This is the place where the Priestes shall see the the trespasse offering and the sinne offering, where they shall bake the meat offring, that they should not beare them into the vtter court, to sanctifie ye people.

(Notes Reference) Then said he to me, This [is] the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear [them] not out into the outer court, (e) to sanctify the people.

(e) That the people should not have to do with those things which belong to the Lord, and think it lawful for them to eat them.

(Eze 46:21) Then he brought me foorth into the vtter court, and caused me to goe by the foure corners of the court: and beholde, in euery corner of the court, there was a court.

(Eze 46:22) In the foure corners of the court there were courts ioyned of fourty cubits long, and thirty broad: these foure corners were of one measure.

(Eze 46:23) And there went a wall about them, euen about those foure, and kitchins were made vnder the walles rounde about.

(Eze 46:24) Then said he vnto me, This is the kitchin where the ministers of the house shall seethe the sacrifice of the people.

Passage 3: John 13-14

(Joh 13:1) Nowe before the feast of the Passeouer, when Iesus knewe that his houre was come, that he should depart out of this world vnto the Father, forasmuch as he loued his owne which were in the world, vnto the end he loued them.

(Notes Reference) Now (1) before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his (a) own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

(1) Christ is as sure of the victory as he is of the combat which was at hand, and by using the sign of washing the feet, gives by this an example in part of singular modesty, and his great love toward his apostles in this notable act, being likely to depart very shortly from them: and he partly witnesses unto them that it is he alone who washes away the filth of his people, and sanctifies them little by little in their time and season.

(a) Those of his household, that is, his saints.

(Joh 13:2) And when supper was done (and that the deuill had now put in the heart of Iudas Iscariot, Simons sonne, to betray him)

(Joh 13:3) Iesus knowing that the Father had giuen all things into his hands, and that he was come forth from God, and went to God,

(Notes Reference) Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his (b) hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

(b) Into his power.

(Joh 13:4) He riseth from supper, and layeth aside his vpper garments, and tooke a towel, and girded himselfe.

(Notes Reference) He (c) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

(c) In that he is said to rise, it argues that there was a space of time between the ceremony of the passover and this washing of feet, at which time it seems that the Lord's supper was instituted.

(Joh 13:5) After that, hee powred water into a basen, and began to wash the disciples feete, and to wipe them with the towell, wherewith he was girded.

(Joh 13:6) Then came he to Simon Peter, who sayd to him, Lord, doest thou wash my feete?

(Joh 13:7) Iesus answered and sayd vnto him, What I doe, thou knowest not nowe: but thou shalt knowe it hereafter.

(Joh 13:8) Peter said vnto him, Thou shalt neuer wash my feete. Iesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou shalt haue no part with me.

(Notes Reference) Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast (d) no part with me.

(d) Unless you allow me to wash you, you will have no part in the kingdom of heaven.

(Joh 13:9) Simon Peter sayd vnto him, Lord, not my feete onely, but also the hands and the head.

(Joh 13:10) Iesus sayd to him, He that is washed, needeth not, saue to wash his feete, but is cleane euery whit: and ye are cleane, but not all.

(Joh 13:11) For hee knewe who should betray him: therefore sayd he, Ye are not all cleane.

(Joh 13:12) So after he had washed their feete, and had taken his garments, and was set downe againe, he sayd vnto them, Knowe ye what I haue done to you?

(Joh 13:13) Ye call me Master, and Lord, and ye say well: for so am I.

(Joh 13:14) If I then your Lord, and Master, haue washed your feete, ye also ought to wash one an others feete.

(Joh 13:15) For I haue giuen you an example, that ye should doe, euen as I haue done to you.

(Joh 13:16) Verely, verely I say vnto you, The seruant is not greater then his master, neither the ambassadour greater then he that sent him.

(Joh 13:17) If ye know these things, blessed are ye, if ye doe them.

(Joh 13:18) I speake not of you all: I know whom I haue chosen: but it is that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lift vp his heele against me.

(Notes Reference) (2) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

(2) The betraying of Christ was not accidental, or a thing that happened by chance, but it was the Father who ordained the cause of our salvation, to reconcile us unto himself in his Son, and the Son willingly and voluntarily obeyed the Father.

(Joh 13:19) From henceforth tell I you before it come, that when it is come to passe, ye might beleeue that I am he.

(Joh 13:20) Verely, verely I say vnto you, If I send any, he that receiueth him, receiueth me, and hee that receiueth me, receiueth him that sent me.

(Joh 13:21) When Iesus had sayd these things, he was troubled in the Spirit, and testified, and said, Verely, verely I say vnto you, that one of you shall betray me.

(Notes Reference) When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and (e) testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

(e) He affirmed it openly and sealed it.

(Joh 13:22) Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

(Joh 13:23) Nowe there was one of his disciples, which leaned on Iesus bosome, whom Iesus loued.

(Notes Reference) Now there was (f) leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

(f) John's leaning was such that sitting down on his mat his head was toward the head of Jesus: for it is certain that in ancient times men used to not sit at the table, but to lie down on one of their sides.

(Joh 13:24) To him beckened therefore Simon Peter, that he should aske who it was of whom he spake.

(Joh 13:25) He then, as he leaned on Iesus breast, saide vnto him, Lord, who is it?

(Joh 13:26) Iesus answered, He it is, to whome I shall giue a soppe, when I haue dipt it: and hee wet a soppe, and gaue it to Iudas Iscariot, Simons sonne.

(Joh 13:27) And after the soppe, Satan entred into him. Then sayd Iesus vnto him, That thou doest, doe quickly.

(Joh 13:28) But none of them that were at table, knew, for what cause he spake it vnto him.

(Joh 13:29) For some of them thought because Iudas had the bag, that Iesus had sayd vnto him, Buy those things that we haue neede of against ye feast: or that he should giue some thing to the poore.

(Joh 13:30) Assoone then as he had receiued the soppe, he went immediately out, and it was night.

(Joh 13:31) When hee was gone out, Iesus sayd, Nowe is the Sonne of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

(Notes Reference) (3) Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, (g) Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

(3) We have to see the glorifying of Christ in his dishonour.

(g) This verse and the one following are a most plain and evident testimony to the divinity of Christ.

(Joh 13:32) If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorifie him in himselfe, and shall straightway glorifie him.

(Joh 13:33) Litle children, yet a litle while am I with you: ye shall seeke me, but as I sayde vnto the Iewes, Whither I goe, can ye not come: also to you say I nowe,

(Notes Reference) (4) Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

(4) The eternal glory will flow little by little from the head into the members. But meanwhile, we must take good heed that we run the race of this life in brotherly love.

(Joh 13:34) A newe commandement giue I vnto you, that ye loue one another: as I haue loued you, that ye also loue one another.

(Joh 13:35) By this shall all men knowe that ye are my disciples, if ye haue loue one to another.

(Joh 13:36) Simon Peter said vnto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Iesus answered him, Whither I goe, thou canst not follow me nowe: but thou shalt follow me afterward.

(Notes Reference) (5) Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

(5) A weighty example of rash trust and confidence.

(Joh 13:37) Peter sayd vnto him, Lord, why can I not follow thee now? I will lay downe my life for thy sake.

(Joh 13:38) Iesus answered him, Wilt thou lay downe thy life for my sake? Verely, verely I say vnto thee, The cocke shall not crowe, till thou haue denied me thrise.

(Joh 14:1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye beleeue in God, beleeue also in me.

(Notes Reference) Let (1) not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

(1) He believes in God who believes in Christ, and there is no other way to strengthen and encourage our minds during the greatest distresses.

(Joh 14:2) In my Fathers house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would haue tolde you: I go to prepare a place for you.

(Notes Reference) In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], (a) I would have told you. I go to (b) prepare a place for you.

(a) That is, if it were not as I am telling you, that is, unless there was room enough not only for me, but also for you in my Father's house, I would not deceive you in this way with a vain hope, but I would have plainly told you so.

(b) This whole speech is an allegory, by which the Lord comforts his own, declaring to them his departure into heaven; and he departs not to reign there alone, but to go before and prepare a place for them.

(Joh 14:3) And if I go to prepare a place for you, I wil come againe, and receiue you vnto my selfe, that where I am, there may ye be also.

(Notes Reference) (2) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will (c) come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

(2) Christ did not go away from us with the intent of forsaking us, but rather that he might eventually take us up with him into heaven.

(c) These words are to be understood as being said to the whole Church, and therefore the angels said to the disciples when they were astonished, "Why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This Jesus will so come as you saw him go up", (Act 1:11). And in all places of the Scripture the full comfort of the Church is considered to be that day when God will be all in all, and is therefore called the day of redemption.

(Joh 14:4) And whither I go, ye know, and the way ye knowe.

(Notes Reference) (3) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

(3) Christ alone is the way to true and everlasting life, for it is he in whom the Father has revealed himself.

(Joh 14:5) Thomas sayd vnto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest: how can we then know ye way?

(Joh 14:6) Iesus sayd vnto him, I am that Way, and that Trueth, and that Life. No man commeth vnto the Father, but by me.

(Notes Reference) Jesus saith unto him, I am (d) the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(d) This saying shows unto us the nature, the will, and office of Christ.

(Joh 14:7) If ye had knowen mee, ye should haue knowen my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and haue seene him.

(Notes Reference) (e) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

(e) It is plain by this verse that to know God and to see God is the same thing. Now whereas he said before that no man saw God at any time, it is to be understood in this way: without Christ, or were it not through Christ, no man could ever see God, nor ever saw God, at any time: for as Chrysostom says, the Son is a very concise and plain setting forth of the Father's nature to us.

(Joh 14:8) Philippe sayd vnto him, Lord, shewe vs thy Father, and it sufficeth vs.

(Joh 14:9) Iesus sayd vnto him, I haue bene so long time with you, and hast thou not knowen mee, Philippe? he that hath seene me, hath seene my Father: how then sayest thou, Shewe vs thy Father?

(Joh 14:10) Beleeuest thou not, that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The wordes that I speake vnto you, I speake not of my selfe: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the workes.

(Notes Reference) (4) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

(4) The majesty of God shows itself most evidently both in Christ's doctrine and in his deeds.

(Joh 14:11) Beleeue me, that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me: at the least, beleeue me for the very workes sake.

(Joh 14:12) Verely, verely I say vnto you, he that beleeueth in me, the workes that I doe, hee shall doe also, and greater then these shall he doe: for I goe vnto my Father.

(Notes Reference) (5) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and (f) greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

(5) Christ's power is not only shown within his own person, but it is spread through the body of his entire Church.

(f) That is, not only do them, but I can also give other men power to do greater.

(Joh 14:13) And whatsoeuer ye aske in my Name, that will I doe, that the Father may be glorified in the Sonne.

(Joh 14:14) If ye shall aske any thing in my Name, I will doe it.

(Joh 14:15) If ye loue me, keepe my comandements,

(Notes Reference) (6) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

(6) He loves Christ rightly who obeys his commandment: and because obedience to Christ is accompanied with an infinite type and amount of miseries, although he is absent in body, yet he comforts his own with the present power of the Holy Spirit, whom the world despises, because it does not know him.

(Joh 14:16) And I wil pray the Father, and he shall giue you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for euer,

(Joh 14:17) Euen the Spirit of trueth, whome the world can not receiue, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye knowe him: for he dwelleth with you, and shalbe in you.

(Notes Reference) [Even] the (g) Spirit of truth; whom the (h) world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

(g) The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth by reason of that which he does, because he inspires the truth into us, because he has the truth in himself.

(h) Worldly men.

(Joh 14:18) I will not leaue you fatherles: but I will come to you.

(Joh 14:19) Yet a litle while, and the world shall see me no more, but ye shall see me: because I liue, ye shall liue also.

(Joh 14:20) At that day shall ye knowe that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

(Notes Reference) At that day ye shall know that I [am] (i) in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

(i) The Son is in the Father in such a way that he is of one selfsame substance with the Father, but he is in his disciples in a different way, as an aider and helper of them.

(Joh 14:21) He that hath my commandements, and keepeth them, is he that loueth me: and he that loueth me, shall be loued of my Father: and I will loue him, and wil shewe mine owne selfe to him.

(Notes Reference) 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 (k) manifest myself to him.

(k) I will show myself to him, and be known by him, as if he saw me with his eyes: but this showing of himself is not bodily, but spiritual, yet so plain that no other showing could be more evident.

(Joh 14:22) Iudas sayd vnto him (not Iscariot) Lord, what is the cause that thou wilt shewe thy selfe vnto vs, and not vnto the world?

(Notes Reference) (7) Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

(7) We must not ask why the gospel is revealed to some rather than to others, but we must rather take heed that we embrace Christ who is offered unto us, and that we truly love him, that is to say, that we give ourselves wholly to obeying him.

(Joh 14:23) Iesus answered, and sayd vnto him, If any man loue me, he will keepe my worde, and my Father will loue him, and we wil come vnto him, and wil dwell with him.

(Joh 14:24) He that loueth me not, keepeth not my wordes, and the worde which ye heare, is not mine, but the Fathers which sent me.

(Joh 14:25) These things haue I spoken vnto you, being present with you.

(Notes Reference) (8) These things have I spoken unto you, being [yet] present with you.

(8) It is the duty and responsibility of the Holy Spirit to imprint in the minds of the elect, in their times and seasons, that which Christ once said.

(Joh 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the holy Ghost, whom the Father wil send in my Name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, which I haue tolde you.

(Joh 14:27) Peace I leaue with you: my peace I giue vnto you: not as the worlde giueth, giue I vnto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor feare.

(Notes Reference) (9) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(9) All true comfort and peace comes to us by Christ alone.

(Joh 14:28) Ye haue heard howe I saide vnto you, I goe away, and will come vnto you. If ye loued me, ye would verely reioyce, because I said, I goe vnto the Father: for the Father is greater then I.

(Notes Reference) (10) Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is (l) greater than I.

(10) We should in no way be sorry for the departing of Christ from us according to the flesh, but rather we should rejoice in it, seeing that all the blessing of the body depends upon the glorifying of the head.

(l) This is spoken in that Christ is mediator, for in this regard the Father is greater than he, in as much as the person to whom request is made is greater than he that makes the request.

(Joh 14:29) And nowe haue I spoken vnto you, before it come, that when it is come to passe, ye might beleeue.

(Joh 14:30) Hereafter will I not speake many things vnto you: for the prince of this world commeth, and hath nought in me.

(Notes Reference) (11) Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath (m) nothing in me.

(11) Christ goes to death not unwillingly, but willingly, not that he is yielding to the devil, but rather that he is obeying his Father's decree.

(m) As one would say, "Satan will eventually set upon me with all the might he can, but he has no power over me, neither will he find any such thing in me as he thinks he will."

(Joh 14:31) But it is that the world may knowe that I loue my Father: and as the Father hath commanded me, so I doe. Arise, let vs goe hence.