A Solemn Warning
John 6:70-71
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?…


I. FOR THE TWELVE. Peter had spoken in their name as well as for himself: Christ replies that nevertheless there is ground for self-examination. Their honour and the position they enjoyed as apostles, and possible future heads of the Church, was no infallible guarantee of their sincerity. There was, therefore, with a devil in their midst, room for heart-searching before God.

II. FOR JUDAS. How Christ came to elect him presents no more inseperable problem than that involved in any attempt to harmonize Divine sovereignty and human freedom. Why should God employ wicked men anywhere, particularly in His Church? All men are dealt with as free agents. If Christ elected Judas, it was probably because —

1. He recognized that to be the Father's Will.

2. He would rescue if He could a soul as black as his.

3. He would make it clear that Judas was self-destroyed. The warning was manifestly for the sake of Judas to discover to Him his awful danger.

(T. Whitelaw, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

WEB: Jesus answered them, "Didn't I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?"




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