Of sin, because they believe not on me.
] The "sin" here primarily intended, is that of the Jews, in
disbelieving, rejecting, and crucifying Christ; and which the
Spirit of God, by Peter, charged upon them on the day of
"Pentecost", and fully proved against them; gave such clear
evidence, and wrought such strong convictions of in their minds
and consciences, that being pricked to the heart, they cried out,
"what shall we do?" ( Acts 2:23 Acts 2:36 Acts 2:37 ) ; though as
this passage may be applied to the ordinary work of the Spirit of
God upon the souls of men, through the ministry of the word; so
it may take in convictions of sin of all sorts, as of original
and actual sins, and particularly the sin of unbelief: for the
Spirit of God convinces of the sinfulness and corruption of
nature, the wickedness and plague of a man's heart, the sin that
dwells in him; how that has overspread all the powers and
faculties of his soul, rendered both him and his services
unacceptable to God, loathsome in his sight, and himself hopeless
and helpless, and deserving of his wrath and displeasure: he also
convinces of actual sins and transgressions, showing that they
are breaches of the law of God, and are committed against God
himself; that they are deserving of death, even eternal death;
that the wrath of God is revealed against them, and for them
comes upon the children of disobedience; and that there is no
atonement for them, or cleansing from them, but by the blood of
Christ: he likewise convinces of the sin of unbelief, here
particularly mentioned: showing the evil nature and consequences
of it, to persons enjoying a Gospel revelation; that such who
disbelieve the Messiah, shall die in their sins; that whoever
believes not in him shall be damned; and that faith in Christ is
necessary to salvation, and that without it there is none.