Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 7:46
Verse 46. Never man spake like this man.] Though these officers had gone on the errand of their masters, they had not entered into their spirit. They were sent to apprehend a seditious man, and a false prophet. They came where Jesus taught; they found him to be a different person to the description they received from their masters, and therefore did not attempt to touch or molest him. No doubt they expected when they told their employers the truth, that they would have commended them, and acknowledged their own mistake: but these simple people were not in the secret of their masters' malice. They heard, they felt, that no man ever spoke with so much grace, power, majesty, and eloquence. They had never heard a discourse so affecting and persuasive. So Jesus still speaks to all who are simple of heart. He speaks pardon-he speaks holiness-he speaks salvation to all who have ears to hear. No man ever did or can speak as he does. He teaches THE TRuth, the whole TRuth, and nothing but the TRuth.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 46. The officers answered , etc.] Very honestly and uprightly, making use of no shifts and excuses; as that they could not find him, or could not come at him, because of the multitude about him, or that they were afraid of the people, lest they should rise upon them, and stone them, and rescue Jesus; which would have carried a show of probability, and have brought them off; but they tell the naked truth, never man spake like this man ; not Moses, the spokesman of the people of Israel; nor David, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet Psalmist of Israel; nor Solomon, the wisest of men; nor that sublime and evangelical prophet Isaiah; nor any of the other prophets; nor John Baptist his forerunner, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: never man spoke words for matter like him; such gracious words, or words, and doctrines of grace, which so fully express the grace of God, and are so grateful to men; such as free justification by his righteousness, full pardon by his blood, peace and reconciliation by his sacrifice, the liberty captives from the bondage of sin, Satan, and the law, and spiritual and eternal salvation by him: never man spoke such words of truth, as he who is full of truth, and truth itself did: or such words of wisdom, who is the wisdom of God, on whom the spirit of wisdom rested, and in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; nor such wholesome and salutary words, which nourish up unto eternal life. Nor did ever any speak words for form and manner, as he did; words so apt and pertinent, with such propriety, beauty, and gracefulness, with such majesty and authority, and with such power and efficacy; which at once charmed the ear, affected the heart; carried evidence and conviction with them, enlightened the understanding, and fastened attention to them; which was the case with these men, so that they had not power to execute their commission. He delivered such excellent things, and in such a charming manner, they could not find in their hearts to use any violence towards him; or be the means of bringing him into any trouble or danger. The Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read, never man spake as this man speaks.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 40-53 - The malice of Christ's enemies is always against reason, and sometime the staying of it cannot be accounted for. Never any man spake with that wisdom, and power, and grace, that convincing clearness, and tha sweetness, wherewith Christ spake. Alas, that many, who are for a tim restrained, and who speak highly of the word of Jesus, speedily los their convictions, and go on in their sins! People are foolishly swaye by outward motives in matters of eternal moment, are willing even to be damned for fashion's sake. As the wisdom of God often chooses thing which men despise, so the folly of men commonly despises those whom God has chosen. The Lord brings forward his weak and timid disciples, an sometimes uses them to defeat the designs of his enemies __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
απεκριθησαν 611 5662 V-ADI-3P οι 3588 T-NPM υπηρεται 5257 N-NPM ουδεποτε 3763 ADV ουτως 3779 ADV ελαλησεν 2980 5656 V-AAI-3S ανθρωπος 444 N-NSM ως 5613 ADV ουτος 3778 D-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM ανθρωπος 444 N-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
46. Like this man. Some of the best texts omit.Deceived (peplanhsqe). Rev., led astray. See on ver. 12.
