Jesus answered them, do ye now believe?
] Not as calling their faith in question; or as denying they had
any; or as despising it for the smallness of it; but as reproving
them for their security, vain confidence and boasting, as if
their faith was so very strong that it would never be moved; and
perhaps for the lateness of it too: the words may be read
affirmatively, without an interrogation, "ye do believe now";
they are in the Syriac and Arabic versions read imperatively,
"believe ye now". Though the "now" is left out by the former,
which is not to be spared, for the emphasis lies on it; and a
regard seems to be had both to time past and to come. The words
carry in them a tacit reproof, that they believed no sooner, or
were not before this time more established in their faith, when
he had been so long with them, and they had heard so many
discourses from him, and had seen so many miracles wrought by
him: however, it was not too late, and they would do well to go
on believing; but it is suggested to them they would meet with
something that would try their faith: and it is as if Christ had
said, ye believe in me now, while I am with you, and all things
go according to your mind; but what will you do anon, when I
shall be taken from you, be apprehended by mine enemies, be
delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, be crucified, die, and
be laid in the grave? will ye believe then? one of you will
betray me, another deny me, and all will forsake me, and some
express their doubts about me.