John 5:34, “These things I say, that ye might be saved.” Personal and eternal salvation is not here alluded to, but the providential and national salvation of Israel. Their future hung on their acceptance of the Messiah, and Him they were rejecting. “According to the tenor of their covenant by which they were God’s nation and people above the rest of the nations, they had an offer of temporal life and continuance in their land on the ground of their believing the testimony of Christ and coming to Him as their Lawgiver and King; and, on the contrary, they were told that if they hearkened not to this Prophet nor received Him as sent from God, they should be cut off by the judgment of God, and become a scattered people” (Deut. 18:15).—John Stevens.
