Explanation of John 5
Napsal(a) Rev. John Clowes M.A.
Explaining the Inner Meaning of John 5
Verses 5:1, 2. That the Lord, as to his humanity, initiated himself into the doctrine of the church, which was in connection with the knowledges of good and truth derived from the Word, thus with truths introductory to good.
Verse 5:3. Which truths are imparted to all those who are made sensible of their natural infirmities and disorders, whether arising from a defect, of intelligence, or from intelligence not yet formed into life, or from faith separate from charity, and thus produce vivification through acknowledgement and faith.
Verse 5:4. And this in consequence of divine influx, so that whoever receives the knowledges of good and truth with his supreme affection, or love, experiences purification from evil, and restoration of spiritual life.
Verses 5:5, 6, 7, 8. Yet some, by reason of the unsettled state of their wills, make slower progress in purification than others, until they are excited to exploration of their secret purposes and intentions, and have their affections and thoughts thereby elevated, so as to live according to the truth.
Verse 5:9. In which case they also are restored to the life of heaven, whilst the doctrine, in which they believe, is elevated to that life, so as to influence their lives, and thus introduce them into a state of eternal rest and peace.
Verses 5:10, 11. That they, who are of the perverted church, are offended on this occasion, and are instructed that all elevation of doctrine to conjunction with the life of heaven is an effect resulting from the divine love of the Lord, in his Divine Humanity.
Verses 5:12, 13. Hence they are led to seek knowledge concerning that Divine Humanity, but are not permitted, by reason of the evils and falsities in which they are principled, to attain such knowledge.
Verse 5:14. That they, who are purified from evils and falsities, are cautioned against the danger of profanation, which consists in turning back again to such evils and falsities.
Verse 5:15. Being therefore thus cautioned, they bear testimony to the Lord's Divine Humanity, as being the only source, of all spiritual and eternal life.
Verse 5:16. But are opposed in this testimony by those of the perverted church, who abide in representative worship, and do not discern how all representatives had reference to the union of the Divine and Human nature in the Lord.
Verse 5:17. Wherefore these latter are instructed, that the union of the two natures is effected reciprocally.
Verse 5:18. But this instruction only excites more of evil, being perversely interpreted as tending not only to destroy all representative worship, but also to confound divinity with humanity, and humanity with divinity.
Verse 5:19. Therefore they are further instructed, that divine truth can do nothing of itself, but from the divine good, and thus divine truth in the Lord's humanity always operates in conjunction and agreement with divine good in his divinity.
Verse 5:20. And this in consequence of the divine love, which manifests to its humanity all its purposes, until its humanity is fully glorified, or made divine, that so mankind may be led to adoration.
Verse 5:21. And also to the discovery, that by virtue of such glorification, the humanity receives from the divinity the power of imparting spiritual life, and thus of delivering man from the power of evil.
Verse 5:22. Also the power of arranging the several principles of the human mind, and thus of separating the evil from the good, which cannot be effected by the divine good alone without the divine truth.
Verse 5:23. To the intent that thus the Humanity of the Lord may always be seen in union with his divinity, and regarded as an equal object of worship and adoration, since otherwise the divinity itself cannot be worshipped and adored.
Verse 5:24. They therefore, who obey the divine truth, and approach the Lord in his Divine Humanity, are admitted into heaven, and never separating truth from good, are raised from a state of damnation to a state of salvation.
For since the assumption of the Human [principle] by the Divine, all who are in ignorance may learn the truths of faith, and may thus be gifted with spiritual life.
Verse 5:26. Inasmuch as the internal of the Lord being Jehovah, his Humanity has independent and underived life, alike with his divinity.
Verse 5:27. And has also the power of separating evil from good, and thus of arranging all goods and truths, as being itself the supreme truth.
Verses 5:28, 29. So that at his appearing even natural men shall be instructed in the divine truth, and if they obey it, shall attain spiritual life; but if they be disobedient, shall immerse themselves in spiritual death.
Verse 5:30. For the Humanity of the Lord operates solely from the divinity in itself, and is thus in divine truth from divine good, because in all things it exalts the divine good.
Verses 5:31, 32. Therefore divine truth claims no authority to itself separate from divine good, but only in union with that good.
Verses 5:33, 34. Neither does it claim authority from human testimony, but from its own divine power of communicating spiritual life.
Verse 5:35. Yet the testimony of man in favour of the divine truth is grounded both in good and truth, and has a tendency to impart to others those heavenly principles.
Verse 5:36. Nevertheless the glorification of the Lord's Humanity, the subjugation of the hells, and the consequent redemption of mankind, are the fullest proofs that the Lord is one with Jehovah.
Verse 5:37. Thus the divine good, which in itself is invisible, testifies that it is made visible in the Divine Humanity, which it assumed for that purpose.
Verse 5:38. But this is not believed by those, who are not enlightened and enlivened by the truth of that good.
Verse 5:39. Therefore all such are exhorted to explore the Holy Word which contains that truth, and which testifies throughout concerning the assumption and glorification of the Lord's Humanity.
Verse 5:40. Nevertheless they, who are of the perverted church, will not draw near to and abide in that Humanity, although there is no other source of good and of truth.
Verses 5:41, 42. Which Humanity testifies that it is purely Divine, and that they who reject it have no genuine affection of truth.
Verse 5:43. Therefore they do not approach the Eternal in his Divine Humanity, because they believe the truth to be unconnected with that its divine source.
Verse 5:44. And this in consequence of exalting human authority above the authority of divine truth.
Verses 5:45, 46, 47. So that even the truth of the Word, which they profess to believe, condemns them, since that truth testifies concerning the Lord's Divine Humanity, and therefore if its testimony be not admitted, the Lord's Divine Humanity cannot be acknowledged.
John 6
1
After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias.
2
A great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he did on those who were sick.
3
Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples.
4
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
5
Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?"
6
This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
7
Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may receive a little."
8
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?"
10
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11
Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired.
12
When they were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost."
13
So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.
14
When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, "This is truly the prophet who comes into the world."
15
Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,
17
and they entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
18
The sea was tossed by a great wind blowing.
19
When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid.
20
But he said to them, "It is I. Don't be afraid."
21
They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
22
On the next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one in which his disciples had embarked, and that Jesus hadn't entered with his disciples into the boat, but his disciples had gone away alone.
23
However boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24
When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus wasn't there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
25
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"
26
Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled.
27
Don't work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him."
28
They said therefore to him, "What must we do, that we may work the works of God?"
29
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
30
They said therefore to him, "What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you do?
31
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.'"
32
Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven.
33
For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."
34
They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread."
35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
36
But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don't believe.
37
All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out.
38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
39
This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.
40
This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
41
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down out of heaven."
42
They said, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, 'I have come down out of heaven?'"
43
Therefore Jesus answered them, "Don't murmur among yourselves.
44
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.
45
It is written in the prophets, 'They will all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me.
46
Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father.
47
Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.
49
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50
This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die.
51
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
52
The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53
Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don't have life in yourselves.
54
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
55
For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him.
57
As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me.
58
This is the bread which came down out of heaven--not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever."
59
He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60
Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?"
61
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble?
62
Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
63
It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
64
But there are some of you who don't believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray him.
65
He said, "For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father."
66
At this, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67
Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You don't also want to go away, do you?"
68
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69
We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
70
Jesus answered them, "Didn't I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"
71
Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.
