And the Father himself, who has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
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Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
The Father, &c. . . . hath borne witness, as at My baptism. Again, He hath borne witness concerning Me, through the Scriptures by Moses and the prophets.
Observe, Christ in this place, besides the testimony of John , adduces three other and greater witnesses to show that He is the Messiah: 1. By His miracles (ver36); 2. By the Father"s voice at His baptism; 3. By the Scriptures (ver39).
Where did He bear witness of Him? In Jordan: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased Matthew 3:16; hear Him. Yet even this needed proof. The testimony of John then was clear, for they themselves had sent to him, and could not deny it. The testimony from miracles was in like manner clear, for they had seen them wrought, and had heard from him who was healed, and had believed; whence also they drew their accusation. It therefore remained to give proof to the testimony of the Father. Next in order to effect this, He added,
You have neither heard His voice at any time:
How then says Moses, The Lord spoke, and Moses answered? Exodus 19:19; and David, He had heard a tongue which he knew not Psalm 81:5; and Moses again, Is there any such people which has 'heard the voice of God?'? Deuteronomy 4:33
Nor seen His shape.
Yet Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, are said to have seen Him, and many others. What then is that which Christ says now? He guides them by degrees to a philosophica...
