John 5:31-40 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.… The Word is a hand-lamp. Candles of tallow were first used, then lamps with wicks of flax were universally substituted. The ancients, in the absence of tables, used candlesticks from twelve inches to five feet high, made of wood, bronze, marble, silver and gold, with several branches. That of Antiochus was adorned with jewels set in chains. They were made in the form of lilies, seals, vines, and other figures. Lamps were used in marriage ceremonies, and placed in sepulchres. Olive oil was used, which on festive occasions was highly perfumed. Sometimes the lamps were held by the domestics standing round the table. Emblematically ministers are called candles (Zechariah 4.; Revelation 1., 11:4). The Rabbis were called "Candles of the Law; Lamps of the Light." Light and fire were symbols of God (John 1:4; John 3:20). Lamps are required only in the sun's absence, so at Christ's coming John disappears. The Church is symbolized under the sign of a candlestick (Revelation 1:20). Caravans in the desert at night are preceded by a brilliant lantern, which lights all who follow. Should the bearer be careless, "Let your light shine" sounds from all. Christ was never called, like John, a "light-bearer"; the word light as applied to Him is entirely different. (W. H. Van Doren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. |
    |