For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Ver. 17. Desired to see those things that ye see, &c.] They saw them, and saluted them only afar off, and in the dark glass of the ceremonies. "But we all with open face," &c.,2 Corinthians 3:18. The sea about the altar was brazen, and what eyes could pierce through it? Now our sea about the throne is glass, like to crystal, clearly conveying the light and sight of God to our eyes. 1 Kings 7:23; Revelation 4:6. All God's ordinances are now so clear, that you may see Christ's face in them. Yea, as the glass set full against the sun receives not only the beams, as other dark bodies do, but the image of the sun; so the understanding with open face beholding Christ, is transformed into the image and similitude of Christ.