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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Joh_12:49-50. Comp. Joh_7:16, Joh_5:30.
ὅτι ] gives the reason for the expression in Joh_12:47-48 : for how plainly divine is this my word!
ἐξ ἐμαυτοῦ ] αὐτοκέλευστος , Nonnus.
αὐτός ] ipse.
ἐντολ . ἔδ .] He has given (laid upon) me a charge, what I should say, and what I should speak. The former designates the doctrine according to its contents, the latter the publication of it through the delivery which makes it known. Comp. on Joh_8:43; Rom_3:19. For similar accumulations of the verbs of speaking in Greek writers, see Dissen, ad Dem. de Cor. p. 187; Lobeck, Paral. p. 61.
ἡ ἐντολὴ αὐτοῦ ] namely the commission which has just previously been more minutely designated. This is, because it is in truth the outflow and channel of the divine redemptive will, eternal life (according to its temporal development and eternal consummation); it is this, however (comp. Joh_6:33, Joh_17:17; comp. Joh_11:25, Joh_14:6), not as the mere means, but as, in its fulfilment, the efficient power of life in virtue of the grace and truth which are received by believers out of the fulness of Jesus, Joh_1:14; Joh_1:16.
οὖν ] Since that ἐντολή is of so great efficacy, how could I speak that which I speak otherwise than as the Father has said it to me (at my appointment)? Observe the correlation of ἐγώ and ὁ πατήρ , as well as the measured simple solemnity of the close of this address.