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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 7:39 - 7:39
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Which (hou). Genitive by attraction of the relative ho (accusative singular object of lambanein) to the case of tou pneumatos (the Spirit) the antecedent. But it is purely grammatical gender (neuter ho because of pneuma) which we do not have in English. Even here one should say “whom,” not which, of the Spirit of God.
Were to receive (emellon lambanein). Imperfect active of mellō with the present active infinitive lambanein, to receive, one of the three constructions with mellō (present, aorist, or future infinitive). Literally, “whom they were about to receive,” a clear reference to the great pentecost.
For the Spirit was not yet given (oupō gar ēn pneuma). No verb for “given” in the Greek. The reference is not to the existence of the Spirit, but to the dispensation of the Spirit. This same use of eimi like pareimi (to be present) appears in Act 19:2 of the Spirit’s activity. John, writing at the close of the century, inserts this comment and interpretation of the language of Jesus as an allusion to the coming of the Holy Spirit at pentecost (the Promise of the Father).
Because Jesus was not yet glorified (hoti Iēsous oupō edoxasthē). Reason for the previous statement, the pentecostal outpouring following the death of Jesus here called “glorified” (edoxasthē, first aorist passive indicative of doxazō), used later of the death of Jesus (Joh 12:16), even by Jesus himself (Joh 12:23; Joh 13:31).