Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
--The truths which Christ came to declare, He did but recall in great measure to minds which had lost the memory of what was from the first.
I. THE NEED OF SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION, CLEANSING OR RENEWAL OF THE HEART, WAS NO NEW DOCTRINE OF CHRIST (see Deuteronomy 10:16, 1 Samuel 10:9; Psalms 51:10; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19).
II. THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS PRESENCE IN MAN’S HEART HAD BEEN FORETOLD BY THE PROPHETS (Ezekiel 36:25-27).
III. HENCE THE IGNORANCE OF THIS DISTINGUISHED TEACHER WAS INEXCUSABLE. (W. Denton, M. A.)
The doctrine of the new birth was according to Jesus exhibited in the Old Testament.
I. THE DOCTRINE OF THE FALL IMPLIES IT, especially when viewed in connection with the Divine purity and holiness as the only moral standard for humanity (Genesis 17:1; Exodus 22:31; Leviticus 11:44; Psalms 24:3-4; Isaiah 35:8).
II. CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART WAS AN INDISPENSABLE QUALIFICATION for serving God (Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6), which was symbolized by circumcision (Romans 2:29) as it is now by baptism (1 Peter 3:21).
III. It was PREFIGURED IN THE CHANGE OF HEART CONFERRED on Saul and 1 Samuel 10:9; 1 Samuel 16:13).
IV. It was RECOGNIZED IN DAVID’S PRAYER FOR PURITY (Psalms 51:10).
V. It was EXPRESSLY PROMISED AS A MESSIANIC BLESSING (Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 31:33).
VI. EVEN THE TERM “REGENERATION” WAS NOT UNKNOWN (Job 11:12; Psalms 37:25).
The reasonableness of regeneration
What phraseology was more familiar with the infidel revolutionists of France than the regeneration of their country? And is the idea of a regenerated individual an extravagant one, to be sneered at, when that of a regenerated nation is one to be treated with respect? Yea, infidel speculators will discourse of a regenerated world, and yet make sport to themselves of our faith, as if it were fantastic and visionary, when we speak of the regeneration of a single man! How is it that, being such masters in philosophy and politics, they know not these things? (W. Anderson, D. D.)