Exposition

Burgess, John 17. Title Page

Anthony Burgess on John 17

Although the whole matter delivered thus by this Evangelist be so admirable and excellent, yet this seventeenth chapter hath some appropriated reasons for a more peculiar attention and affection towards it. Hence it hath always had a peculiar presidency in the hearts of believers, so that the opening of this precious box of ointment must needs send forth a refreshing fragrant smell to those that are spiritual. This prayer of Christ may be compared to a land flowing with milk and honey, in respect of that treasure of consolation which is contained therein.

Light

Henry Law on the Creation of Light

The speaker is God. The time is before time was. The word is omnipotence. The result is the grandest of gifts. Darkness heard and vanished. “God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Reader, strive to imagine the scene, when this first voice called this first blessing into being. This world of full delights was then one huge mass of unarranged material. It had no form, and therefore it had no beauty. It was vacancy, and vacancy lacks all that pleases. It would have been cheerless, even if robed in cheering light. But impenetrable night shrouded the lifeless void.

Decalogue

Philip Schaff on John 13

The expression ‘disciples of mine’ is worthy of notice. It seems to show that the meaning is not exhausted by the thought of that language so often quoted in connection with it, ‘Behold how these Christians love one another.’ It directs our thoughts, not to the disciples only, but to Jesus Himself. He was love: in the love of the Christian community, the love of its members ‘with’ one another, it was to be seen not merely what they were, but what He was, and more particularly that He was love.