John 1:29

Verse 29. The next day. The day after the Jews made inquiry whether he was the Christ.

Behold the Lamb of God. A lamb, among the Jews, was killed and eaten at the Passover to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt, Ex 12:3-11. A lamb was offered in the tabernacle, and afterward in the temple, every morning and evening, as a part of the daily worship, Ex 29:38,39. The Messiah was predicted as a lamb led to the slaughter, to show his patience in his sufferings, and readiness to die for man, Isa 53:7. A lamb, among the Jews, was also an emblem of patience, meekness, gentleness. On all these accounts, rather than on any one of them alone, Jesus was called the Lamb. He was innocent (1Pet 2:23-25); he was a sacrifice for sin--the substance represented by the daily offering of the lamb, and slain at the usual time of the evening sacrifice (Lk 23:44-46); and he was what was represented by the Passover, turning away the anger of God, and saving sinners by his blood from vengeance and eternal death, 1Cor 5:7.

Of God. Appointed by God, approved by God, and most dear to him; the sacrifice which he chose, and which he approves to save men from death.

Which taketh away. This denotes his bearing the sins of the world, or the sufferings which made an atonement for sin. Comp. Isa 53:4, 1Jn 3:5, 1Pet 2:24. He takes away sin by bearing in his own body the sufferings which God appointed to show his sense of the evil of sin, thus magnifying the law, and rendering it consistent for him to pardon. Rom 3:24, Rom 3:25.

Of the world. Of all mankind, Jew and Gentile. His work was not to be confined to the Jew, but was also to benefit the Gentile' it was not confined to any one part of the world, but was designed to open the way of pardon to all men. He was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, 1Jn 2:2. 2Cor 5:15.

(f) "Lamb of God" Ex 12:3, Isa 53:7,11, Rev 5:6 (g) "which" Acts 13:39, 1Pet 2:24, Rev 1:5 (3) "taketh" or, "beareth" Heb 9:28

John 1:36

Verse 36. Looking upon Jesus, &c. Fixing his eyes intently upon him. Singling him out and regarding him with special attention. Contemplating him as the long-expected Messiah and Deliverer of the world. In this way should all ministers fix the eye on the Son of God, and direct all others to him.

As he walked. While Jesus was walking.

Revelation of John 13:8

Verse 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him. That is, as immediately stated, all whose names are not in the book of life. On the word worship, Rev 13:4.

Whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb. That is, of the Lord Jesus--the Lamb of God. Php 4:3. Compare Barnes on "Joh 1:29". The representation here is, that the Lord Jesus keeps a book or register, in which are recorded the names of all who shall obtain everlasting life.

Slain from the foundation of the world. Rev 5:6. Compare Rev 3:5. The meaning here is, not that he was actually put to death "from the foundation of the world," but that the intention to give him for a sacrifice was formed then, and that it was so certain that it might be spoken of as actually then occurring. See Rom 4:17. The purpose was so certain; it was so constantly represented by bloody sacrifices from the earliest ages, all typifying the future Saviour, that it might be said that he was "slain from the foundation of the world." Prof. Stuart, however, (Com. in loc.,) supposes that this phrase should be connected with the former member of the sentence--" whose names are not written, from the foundation of the world, in the life-book of the Lamb which was slain." Either construction makes good sense; but it seems to me that that which is found in our common version is the most simple and natural.

(g) "book of life" Rev 21:27, Dan 12:1 (h) "slain from the foundation" Rev 17:8
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