John 7:25–30

Verse 26. Have the rulers, and so forth the chief priests, elders, and all the members of the great sanhedrim. Witham.

Verse 27. We know this man whence he is. They looked upon him as no more than a man, and they thought they knew his father to be S. Joseph; they knew his Mother and kindred.—But when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Thus said some of the people; but, doubtless, the more learned knew Christ was to be born at Bethlehem. Witham.—The Jews had imbibed this opinion of the secrecy of the origin of Christ from the prophet Isaiah, Calmet. 53. Who shall relate his generation? But they likewise were acquainted with many other texts of Scripture relative to the Messias, which plainly point out the place of his birth, that is Bethlehem, and also the place of his residence, when it is said, He shall be called a Nazarite. His generation is indeed unknown with regard to his divinity, as Christ himself told the Jews in his answer: He is true that sent me, but you know him not. But as to his humanity, his origin is well known: You know me, and whence I am you know. Saint Augustine tract. 31. in Joan.

Verse 28. You both know me; that is you know me as man, and where I have been educated.—But him that sent me, from whom I proceeded, and who sent me into this world to be its Redeemer, you know not; because you know not, that he was always, and from all eternity, my eternal Father, and I his eternal Son. Witham.