Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Which (ou). Genitive by attraction of the relative o (accusative singular object of lambanein) to the case of tou pneumatov (the Spirit) the antecedent. But it is purely grammatical gender (neuter o because of pneuma) which we do not have in English. Even here one should say "whom," not which, of the Spirit of God.
Were to receive (emellon lambanein). Imperfect active of mellw with the present active infinitive lambanein, to receive, one of the three constructions with mellw (present, aorist, or future infinitive). Literally, "whom they were about to receive," a clear reference to the great pentecost.
For the Spirit was not yet given (oupw gar hn pneuma). No verb for "given" in the Greek. The reference is not to the existence of the Spirit, but to the dispensation of the Spirit. This same use of eimi like pareimi (to be present) appears in Acts 19:2 of the Spirit's activity. John, writing at the close of the century, inserts this comment and interpretation of the language of Jesus as an allusion to the coming of the Holy Spirit at pentecost (the Promise of the Father).
Because Jesus was not yet glorified (oti Ihsouv oupw edocasqh). Reason for the previous statement, the pentecostal outpouring following the death of Jesus here called "glorified" (edocasqh, first aorist passive indicative of docazw), used later of the death of Jesus (John 12:16), even by Jesus himself (John 12:23; John 13:31).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 7:39:
John 4:10
John 11:4
John 12:6
John 12:16
John 13:31
Acts 19:2
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