3 

3:21 If our heart condemn us not - If our conscience, duly enlightened by the word and Spirit of God, and comparing all our thoughts, words, and works with that word, pronounce that they agree therewith. Then have we confidence toward God - Not only our consciousness of his favour continues and increases, but we have a full persuasion, that whatsoever we ask we shall receive of him.

3:23 And this is his commandment - All his commandments in one word. That we should believe and love - in the manner and degree which he hath taught. This is the greatest and most important command that ever issued from the throne of glory.If this be neglected, no other can be kept: if this be observed, all others are easy.

3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments - That thus believes and loves. Abideth in him, and God in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us - Which witnesses with our spirits that we are his children, and brings forth his fruits of peace, love, holiness. This is the transition to the treating of the Holy Spirit which immediately follows.

4 

4:1 Believe not every spirit - Whereby any teacher is actuated. But try the spirits - By the rule which follows.We are to try all spirits by the written word: "To the law and to the testimony!" If any man speak not according to these, the spirit which actuates him is not of God.

4:2 Every spirit - Or teacher. Which confesseth - Both with heart and voice. Jesus Christ, who is come in the flesh, is of God - This his coming presupposes, contains, and draws after it, the whole doctrine of Christ.

4:3 Ye have heard - From our Lord and us, that it cometh.

4:4 Ye have overcome these seducers, because greater is the Spirit of Christ that is in you than the spirit of antichrist that is in the world.

4:5 They - Those false prophets. Are of the world - Of the number of those that know not God. Therefore speak they of the world - From the same principle, wisdom, spirit; and, of consequence, the world heareth them - With approbation.

4:6 We - Apostles. Are of God - Immediately taught, and sent by him. Hereby we know - From what is said, Jo1 4:2-6.

14 

14:43  Mat 26:47; Luk 22:47; Joh 18:2.

14:44 Whomsoever I shall kiss - Probably our Lord, in great condescension, had used (according to the Jewish custom) to permit his disciples to do this, after they had been some time absent.

14:47  Mat 26:51; Luk 22:49; Joh 18:10.

14:51 A young man - It does not appear, that he was one of Christ's disciples. Probably hearing an unusual noise, he started up out of his bed, not far from the garden, and ran out with only the sheet about him, to see what was the matter. And the young men laid hold on him - Who was only suspected to be Christ's disciple: but could not touch them who really were so.

14:53  Mat 26:57; Luk 22:54; Joh 18:12.

14:55 All the council sought for witness and found none - What an amazing proof of the overruling providence of God, considering both their authority, and the rewards they could offer, that no two consistent witnesses could be procured, to charge him with any gross crime. Mat 26:59.

14:56 Their evidences were not sufficient - The Greek words literally rendered are, Were not equal: not equal to the charge of a capital crime: it is the same word in the 59th verse.

14:58 We heard him say - It is observable, that the words which they thus misrepresented, were spoken by Christ at least three years before, Joh 2:19. Their going back so far to find matter for the charge, was a glorious, though silent attestation of the unexceptionable manner wherein he had behaved, through the whole course of his public ministry.

14:61  Mat 26:63; Luk 22:67.

14:66  Mat 26:69; Luk 22:56; Joh 18:25.

14:72 And he covered his head - Which was a usual custom with mourners, and was fitly expressive both of grief and shame.

15 

15:1  Mat 27:1-2; Luk 22:66; Luk 23:1; Joh 18:28.