Joh 8:29, 16:32 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 29. Is with me . In working miracles, &c. Hath not left me alone . Though men had forsaken and rejected him, yet God attended him. Those things that please him . See : "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," . His undertaking the work of redemption was pleasing to God, and he had the consciousness that in executing it he did those things which God approved. It is a small matter to have men opposed to us, if we have a conscience void of offence, and evidence that we please God. Comp. "Enoch --before his translation had this testimony that he pleased God." See also .

John 8:29

Verse 29. Is with me. In working miracles, &c.

Hath not left me alone. Though men had forsaken and rejected him, yet God attended him.

Those things that please him. See Mt 3:17: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," Php 2:8, Isa 53:10-12, 2Pet 1:17, Lk 3:22, Mt 17:5. His undertaking the work of redemption was pleasing to God, and he had the consciousness that in executing it he did those things which God approved. It is a small matter to have men opposed to us, if we have a conscience void of offence, and evidence that we please God. Comp. Heb 11:5 "Enoch --before his translation had this testimony that he pleased God." See also 1Cor 4:3.

John 16:32

Verse 32. The hour cometh. To wit, on the next day, when he was crucified.

Ye shall be scattered. See Mt 26:31.

Every man to his own. That is, as in the margin, to his own home. You shall see me die, and suppose that my work is defeated, and return to your own dwellings. It is probable that the two disciples going to Emmaus were on their way to their dwellings, Luke, chapter 24. After his death all the disciples retired into Galilee, and were engaged in their common employment of fishing, Jn 21:1-14; Mt 28:7.

Leave me alone. Leave me to die without human sympathy or compassion. Mt 26:31, Mt 26:56.

Because the Father is with me. His Father was his friend. He had all along trusted in God. In the prospect of his sufferings he could still look to him for support. And though in his dying moments he suffered so much as to use the language, "Why hast thou forsaken me?" yet it was language addressed to him still as his God--"My God, my God." Even then he had confidence in God--confidence so strong and unwavering that he could say, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit," Lk 23:46. In all these sufferings he had the assurance that God was his friend, that he was doing his will, that he was promoting his glory, and that he looked on him with approbation. It matters little who else forsakes us if God be with us in the hour of pain and of death; and though poor, forsaken, or despised, yet, if we have the consciousness of his presence and his favour, then we may fear no evil. His rod and his staff, they will comfort us. Without his favour then, death will be full of horrors, though we be surrounded by weeping relatives, and by all the honour, and splendour, and wealth which the world can bestow. The Christian can die saying, I am not alone, because the Father is with me. The sinner dies without a friend that can alleviate his sufferings --without one source of real joy.

(a) "in me ye might have peace" Jn 14:27, Rom 5:1, Eph 2:14 (b) "In the world" Jn 15:19-21, 2Ti 3:12