João 2
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 2
Vernon McGee: "A great many folk read that and say, “My, isn’t it wonderful that people were believing on Him.” But it wasn’t wonderful, friend, because theirs was not saving faith at all. They merely nodded in assent when they saw the miracles that He did. So notice what follows." The language that is used here is saying that He did not believe in them. You see, they believed in Him, but He didn't believe in them. In other words, to put it very frankly, their faith was not a saving faith, which He realized, of course. He knew what was in their hearts. This is always a grave danger today for those who say they believe in Jesus. What do you mean when you say you believe in Jesus? Do you mean that you believe in the facts of the gospel? The important question is: Do you trust Him as your Savior who died for your sins? Was He raised for your justification? Is He your only hope of heaven? This crowd was interested, and when they saw Him perform miracles, they believed. They had to -- they saw the miracles. But Jesus didn't believe in them. He knew their belief was not genuine "because he knew all men." He knew what was in the human heart. He didn't need anyone to testify to Him of man because He knew what was in man. In other words, the Lord Jesus didn't commit Himself unto the mob there. The great company believed on Him, but He didn't entrust Himself to them. When Nicodemus came to Him at night, our Lord did commit Himself unto him because this man's faith was genuine. It is unfortunate that the movement here is broken by a chapter break. (BORROW John 1-10 - Volume 1) William Cook - These concluding verses of the chapter describe the unsatisfactory nature of Jerusalem’s response to Jesus in addition to providing a transition to the next episode. The evangelist indicates that Jesus performed numerous signs during this visit to Jerusalem that are not recorded (2:23). John depicts the crowd’s response by using a play on words. To paraphrase John’s thought, ‘during the feast many trusted in Jesus, but he did not entrust himself’ to them (2:23b-24a). This may very well indicate the spurious nature of their faith (cf. 6:66; 8:31ff). (Focus on the Bible Commentary – John: Jesus Christ Is God.) (Bolding added) Which He was doing - Doing is in the imperfect tense (over and over), "the imperfect denoting the wonderful works as in progress." (Vincent) Jesus did his first sign in Cana (Jn 2:11), but now he was doing many in Jerusalem. Already Jesus had become the center of all eyes in Jerusalem at this first visit in His ministry. Everybody is attracted to a "miracle worker" but sadly not to the worker Himself! The belief of these Jews is of the same quality (so to speak - non-salvific) as the Jews in John 8 (Jn 8:30,31) As He spoke these things, many came to believe (pisteuo) in Him.8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed (pisteuo) Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine Comment - What does Jesus equate with belief in context? Disciples! All believers are disciples contrary to what some teach, saying disciples are believers who are more mature, "believers on steroids" as we might say today. That is not what Jesus said! So what does Jesus say is one mark of genuine belief? Continuance in His Word. Beloved, we can apply this immediately -- If you claim to be a believer, a disciple of Jesus and you are NEVER in the Word of God, than you should do some serious circumspection of your heart as Paul describes in 2 Cor 13:5+ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?" (Read the commentary on this passage for not everyone agrees with this "reformed" interpretation, which I favor) And so this is example of believing that falls short of genuine saving belief. Their subsequent actions demonstrated their belief was not genuine for Jesus accused them declaring "you are seeking to kill Me" (John 8:40) and after several heated exchanges, these same "believing" Jews "fulfilled Jesus' prophecy" (He had moments before uttered) and sought to kill Jesus, picking "up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple." (John 8:59) These Jews had a profession but not genuine possession in respect to their belief in Jesus). John 8:31-see in depth discussion Related Resources: Romans Road to Salvation Discussion of False vs True Disciples-The Test of a True Disciple of Jesus What is the difference between a Christian and a disciple? What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith? Why is faith without works dead? What does it mean that even the demons believe (James 2:19)? How can I have assurance of my salvation? If you doubt your salvation, does that mean you are not truly saved? What if I don't feel saved? How can I detect a false conversion? Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? What does it mean that even the demons believe (James 2:19)? How can salvation be not of works when faith is required? Isn't believing a work? Why is salvation by works the predominantly held viewpoint? What does it mean that good works are the result of salvation? What does it mean to believe in Jesus? What does it mean to know Jesus? Does Jesus love me? What does it mean that Jesus saves? What is the way of salvation? Passover (3957)(pascha) is the transliteration of the Hebrew word pesach/pesah (06453) which is a masculine noun thought by some writers (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon) to have its origin from pacach/pasah which apparently means to pass over; to spare (Ex 12:13, 23, 27 - "Jehovah will pass"). Depending on the context, pascha refers to the Passover lamb (Lk 22:7+), the Passover meal (Lk 22:8+), or the festival of Passover (Lk 22:1). The Passover as used in Lk 22:1+ is combined with the Feast of Unleavened Bread by Luke in a metonymy (one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it's closely associated) writing "the Feast of Unleavened Bread…called the Passover, was approaching." (Lk 22:1+) Rooker adds that "These two ceremonies were apparently combined at the beginning, for the Passover lamb was to be eaten with unleavened bread (Ex 12:8)." (NAC-Lk). The whole feast, including the paschal eve, is called the festival of Unleavened Bread (Ex 23:15; Lev 23:6+; Ezra 6:22; Lu 22:1, 7+; Acts 12:3+; Acts 20:6+); but the simple name “Passover” (when they celebrate the "Passover Seder") is the one commonly used by the Jews to the present day for the festival of Unleavened Bread (2 Chr 30:15; 35:1, 11; Mk 14:1) Passover included: (1). Passover per se (Ex 12:6,7) (1st mo, Nissan, Lev 23:5).(2). Unleavened Bread: (Lev 23:6,7,8) for 7 days right after Passover (one day strictly), though to pascha is used either for the passover meal or for the whole 8 days (3) Firstfruits (Lev 23:9ff; 1Cor 15:20,21,22). Related Resources: What is Passover? How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? What is the meaning and importance of the Last Supper? What are the different Jewish festivals in the Bible? Observing (2334)(theoreo from theaomai = to look at closely or attentively or contemplatively - even with a sense of wonder; cp theoros = a spectator) (Gives us English = theater, theorize) usually refers to physical sight but can also refer to perception and understanding. It means to gaze, to look with interest and purpose, to carefully examine with emphasis on or attention to details. To behold intensely or attentively. Our English word scrutinize conveys this sense, for it means to examine closely and minutely. To be a spectator and thus to understand or perceive. To contemplate (Heb 13:7+). Theoreo in some contexts can include the idea of to behold with amazement. For example, in Mark 5:15 theoreo is not translated merely "see" but "observe" for as
João 2
Vernon McGee: The language that is used here is saying that He did not believe in them. You see, they believed in Him, but He didn’t believe in them. In other words, to put it very frankly, their faith was not a saving faith, which He realized, of course. He knew what was in their hearts. This is always a grave danger today for those who say they believe in Jesus. What do you mean when you say you believe in Jesus? Do you mean that you believe in the facts of the gospel? The important question is: Do you trust Him as your Savior who died for your sins? Was He raised for your justification? Is He your only hope of heaven. (BORROW John 1-10 - Volume 1) Henry