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I. A HOSTILE EMBASSY.

1. Its occasion — the favourable impression made on the multitude.

2. Its promoters. The chief priests and the Pharisees, who resolved to take a forward step by dispatching their constables to the Temple (ver. 82).

3. Its object. To mingle with the crowd, show as much favour as possible, so as to throw them and Christ off their guard, and then embrace the first opportunity of detaching them from Him, or Him from them, and took Him prisoner to the council chamber.

II. AN UNEXPECTED GREETING. Having observed the officers and their intention, our Lord replied to this forward movement by announcing His departure.

1. It,would be soon, "a little while." "The increasing hostility of the rulers, and the fickle character of the populace, made it apparent that the final collision could not be long delayed.

2. It would be voluntary. The designs of the rulers would in the providence of God lead to His departure but would not be its cause (John 10:18). "I go."

3. It would be a homegoing (ver. 33; John 6:62), like an ambassador to report about His mission, or like a Son to the presence of His Father (John 14:2).

4. It would terminate their day of grace. His appearance had been a day of salvation (Luke 19:42), which at His departure would be over (ver. 34; Luke 17:22).

5. It would place an impassable gulf between Him and them (ver. 34). Without foreclosing heaven's gate upon the crowd, many of whom were probably afterwards converted (Acts 2:41), or upon individual members of the Sanhedrim (John 19:38, 39; Acts 6:7), the words announced that when Christ departed their day of grace as a nation would be over for impenitent individuals.

III. A MELANCHOLY RESULT.

1. Perplexity. They failed to understand the Saviour's meaning, or pretended to do so (ver. 36); as the apostles did an analogous expression (John 16:17). Yet Christ's language was plain. But they did not wish Christ's words to have the sense they conveyed, and so pronounced them nonsensical.

2. Ridicule. They endeavoured to sport with Him and His words. Tomorrow they will ask Him if He purposes to commit suicide (chap. John 8:12), to-day they inquire if He contemplates playing at Messiah among the Greeks (ver. 35).

3. Rejection. The true reason why they could not understand Him was, that already in their hearts they had rejected Him and them.Lessons:

1. The day of grace to all is of limited duration.

2. Those who improve that day so as to find Christ will ultimately be with Him.

3. To such as find Christ, death will be going home.

4. Those who reject Christ here will not be able to accept Him hereafter.

5. Christ's sayings are enigmas to those who do not wish to understand Him.

6. Scoffing at good men marks the last stage of depravity.

(T. Whitelaw, D. D.)

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KJV: And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

WEB: But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, he won't do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?"