by Ken Cayce
© Ken Cayce All rights reserved.
Copyright
This begins the study in the most spiritual book in the entire Bible, the Book of John. This is one of my own personal favorites of all the sixty-six books of the Bible. The Book of John is not like the Book of Matthew, Mark, or Luke which cover the same period of time.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell of the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, but they stress more what Jesus did than who He is. In John, the entire book is showing that Jesus was, is, and always will be deity. It shows that God took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us.
Title: The title of the fourth gospel continues the pattern of the other gospels, being identified originally as "According to John". Like the others, "The Gospel" was added later.
Author - Date: Although the author's name does not appear in the gospel, reinforcing early church tradition strongly and consistently identified him as the Apostle John. The early church father Irenaeus (ca. A.D. 130-200), was a disciple of Polycarp (ca. A.D. 70-160), who was a disciple of the Apostle John, and he testified on Polycarp's authority that John wrote the gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia Minor when he was advanced in age (Against Heresies 2.22.5; 3.1.1). Subsequent to Irenaeus, all the church fathers assumed John to be the gospel's author. Clement of Alexandria (ca. A.D. 150-215), wrote that John, aware of the facts set forth in the other gospels and being moved by the Holy Spirit, composed a "spiritual gospel" (see Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History 6.14.7).
A process of elimination may reveal his identity. Surely, he was one of the inner three disciples (Peter, James, John), who were with Jesus at the Transfiguration, the healing of Jairus' daughter, and in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is distinguished from Peter in 21:20 (compare 13:23-24); and since James was slain about A.D. 40 (Acts 12:2), long before this gospel was composed, this leaves only John as the "beloved disciple".
Reinforcing early church tradition are significant internal characteristics of the gospel. While the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), identify the Apostle John by name approximately 20 times (including parallels), he is not directly mentioned by name in the Gospel of John. Instead, the author prefers to identify himself as the disciple "who Jesus loved" (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). The absence of any mention of John's name directly is remarkable when one considers the important part played by other named disciples in this gospel. Yet, the recurring designation of himself as the disciple "whom Jesus loved", a deliberate avoidance by John of his personal name, reflects his humility and celebrates his relation to his Lord Jesus. No mention of his name was necessary since his original readers clearly understood that he was the gospel's author. Also, through a process of elimination based primarily on analyzing the material in chapters 20 and 21, this disciple "whom Jesus loved" narrows down to the Apostle John (e.g., 21:24; compare 21:2). Since the gospel's author is exacting in mentioning the names of other characters in the book, if the author had been someone other than John the apostle, he would not have omitted John's name.
The gospel's anonymity strongly reinforces the arguments favoring John's authorship, for only someone of his well-known and preeminent authority as an apostle would be able to write a gospel that differed so remarkedly in form and substance from the other gospels and have it receive unanimous acceptance in the early church. In contrast, apocryphal gospels produced from the mid-second century onward were falsely ascribed to apostles or other famous persons closely associate with Jesus, yet universally rejected by the church.
John and James, his older brother (Acts 12:2), were known as "the sons of Zebedee" (Matthew 10:2-4), and Jesus gave them the name "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). John was an apostle (Luke 6:12-16), and one of the 3 most intimate associates of Jesus (along with Peter and James, compare Matthew 17:1; 26:37), being an eyewitness to and participant in Jesus' early ministry (1 John 1:1-4). After Christ's ascension, John became a "pillar" in the Jerusalem church (Gal. 2:9). He ministered with Peter (Acts 3:1; 4:13; 8:14), until he went to Ephesus (tradition says before the destruction of Jerusalem), from where he wrote this gospel and from where the Romans exiled him to Patmos (Rev. 1:9). Besides the gospel that bears his name, John also authored 1, 2 and 3 John and the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:1).
Because the writings of some church fathers indicate that John was actively writing in his old age and that he was already aware of the synoptic gospels, many date the gospel sometime after their composition, but prior to John' s writing of 1, 2 and 3 John or Revelation. John wrote his gospel ca. A.D. 80-90, about 50 years after he witnessed Jesus' earthly ministry.
Background - Setting: Strategic to John's background and setting is the fact that according to tradition John was aware of the synoptic gospels. Apparently, he wrote his gospel in order to make a unique contribution to the record of the Lord's life ("a spiritual gospel"), and, in part, to be supplementary as well as complementary to Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
The gospel's unique characteristics reinforce this purpose: First, John supplied a large amount of unique material not recorded in the other gospels. Second, he often supplied information that helps the understanding of the events in the synoptics. For example, while the synoptics begin with Jesus' ministry in Galilee, they imply that Jesus had a ministry prior to that (e.g., Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14). John supplies the answer with information on Jesus' prior ministry in Judea (chapter 3), and Samaria (chapter 4). In Mark 6:45, after the feeding of the 5000, Jesus compelled his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida. John recorded the reason. The people were about to make Jesus king because of His miraculous multiplying of food, and He was avoiding their ill-motivated efforts (6:26). Third, John is the most theological of the gospels, containing, for example a heavily theological prologue (1:1-18), larger amounts of didactic and discourse material in proportion to narrative (e.g., 3:13-17), and the largest amount of teaching on the Holy Spirit (e.g., 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-14). Although John was aware of the synoptics and fashioned his gospel with them in mind, he did not depend upon them for information. Rather, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he utilized his own memory as an eyewitness in composing the gospel (1:14; 19:35; 21:24).
John's gospel is the second (compare Luke 1:1-4), that contains a precise statement regarding the author's purpose (20:30-31). He declares, "these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (20:31). The primary purposes, therefore, are two-fold: evangelistic and apologetic. Reinforcing the evangelistic purpose is the fact that the word "believe" occurs approximately 100 times in the gospel (the synoptics use the term less than half as much). John composed his gospel to provide reasons from saving faith in this readers and, as a result, to assure them that they would receive the divine gift of eternal life (1:12).
The apologetic purpose is closely related to the evangelistic purpose. John wrote to convince his readers of Jesus' true identity as the incarnate God-Man whose divine and human natures were perfectly united onto one person who was the prophesied Christ ("Messiah"), and Savior of the world (e.g., 1:41; 3:16; 4:25-26; 8:58). He organized his whole gospel around 8 "signs" or proofs that reinforce Jesus' true identity leading to faith. The first half of his work centers around seven miraculous signs selected to reveal Christ's person and engender belief: Then the eighth shown below, was after Jesus' resurrection.
(1) Water made into wine (2:1-11);
(2) The healing of the royal official's son (4:46-54);
(3) The healing of the lame man (5:1-18);
(4) The feeding of a multitude (6:1-15);
(5) Walking on water (6:16-21);
(6) Healing of the blind man (9-1-41);
(7) The raising of Lazarus (11:1-57);
(8) The miraculous catch of fish (21:6-11), after Jesus' resurrection.
Historical - Theological Themes: In accordance with John's evangelistic and apologetic purposes, the overall message of the gospel is found in 20:31: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". The book therefore, centers on the person and work of Christ. Three predominant words ("signs", "believe", and "life"), in 20:30-31), receive constant reemphasis throughout the gospel to enforce the theme of salvation in Him, which is first set forth in the prologue (1:1-18; compare 1 John 1:1-4), and re-expressed throughout the gospel in varying ways (e.g. 6:35, 48; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11-14; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3). In addition, John provides the record of how men responded to Jesus Christ and the salvation that He offered. Summing up, the gospel focuses on:
(1) Jesus as the Word, the Messiah, and Son of God;
(2) Who brings the gift of salvation to mankind;
(3) Who either accept or reject the offer.
John also presents certain contrastive sub-themes that reinforce his main theme. He uses dualism (life and death, light and darkness, love and hate, from above and from below), to convey vital information about the person and work of Christ and the need to believe in Him (e.g. 1:4-5, 12, 13; 3:16-21; 12:44-46; 15:17-20).
There are also 7 emphatic "I AM" statements which identify Jesus as God and Messiah (6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1, 5).
There is such a love oozing from every word in this book. We see a young man so devoted that he laid his head upon Jesus' breast. John was the very first of the men to realize that Jesus had truly risen from the grave.
The name of John translated is "Jehovah is merciful", or "the grace of Jehovah".
He received the information for the Book of Revelation while he was banished to this island. He loved Jesus so much that even though he was alone, he was in the spirit on the Lord's Day. I could write this whole series about this penman, but we are not looking at John, but at his work.
The Book of John shows a beautiful relationship between Jesus and the Father. In the Book of John, Christ speaks of God as the Father over 100 times. In the Book of John, we find that Jesus' ministry altogether was approximately 3-1/2 years.
In the Book of John, that we do not see in the other gospels is the conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus, the conversation with the woman of Samaria, and many more.
There are eight miracles of Christ recorded (see above under Background - Setting), and all of them show Jesus' Godhead. Six of these are mentioned only in the Book of John. John's information is all first-hand knowledge. He was there when it happened. This is a book also, that shows the opposites of Jesus our Lord to Satan. We see light and darkness, good and evil, truth and lies.
We see Jesus as the Light of the world, the Truth, the Way, the Life. We will see Jesus as God in man's flesh in John. The divineness of Jesus was more apparent in John's writings. I believe this partially was because of John's close association with Jesus, and because of the occasion when he heard the voice of the Father saying, "This is my beloved Son".
John had also seen Jesus with His divine nature at the mount of transfiguration. The one message that I see clearly throughout the Book of John which all the Scriptures focus upon is "the Word was made flesh" (see John 1:14).
In the first 18 verses, we find that these verses constitute the prologue which introduces many of the major themes that John will treat, especially the main theme that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". Several key words repeated throughout the gospel such as life, light, witness, and glory, appear here.
The remainder of the gospel develops the theme of the prologue as to how the eternal "Word" of God, Jesus the Messiah and Son of God, became flesh and ministered among men so that all who believe in Him would be saved. Although John wrote the prologue with the simplest vocabulary in the New Testament, the truths which the prologue conveys are the most profound.
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| John 1 | John 8 | John 15 |
| John 2 | John 9 | John 16 |
| John 3 | John 10 | John 17 |
| John 4 | John 11 | John 18 |
| John 5 | John 12 | John 19 |
| John 6 | John 13 | John 20 |
| John 7 | John 14 | John 21 |
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
In contrast to (1 John 1:1), where John used a similar phrase (from the beginning), to refer to the starting point of Jesus’ ministry and gospel preaching, this phrase parallels (Genesis 1:1), where the same phrase is used. John used the phrase in an absolute sense to refer to the beginning of the time space material universe.
The verb “was”, highlights the eternal pre-existence of the Word, “i.e. Jesus Christ”. Before the universe began, the Second Person of the Trinity always existed meaning He always was. This word is used in contrast with the verb “came into being” (in verse 3), which indicates a beginning in time. Because of John’s theme that Jesus Christ is the eternal God, the Second Person of the Trinity, he did not include a genealogy as Matthew and Luke did. While in terms of Jesus’ humanity, He had a human genealogy, in terms of His deity, He has no genealogy.
John borrowed the use of the term “the Word”, not only from the vocabulary of the Old Testament but also from Greek philosophy, in which the term was essentially impersonal, signifying the rational principle of “divine reason,” “mind,” or even “wisdom”.
John however, imbued the term entirely with Old Testament and Christian meaning (e.g. Genesis 1:3), where God’s Word brought the world into being (Psalm 33:6; 107:20; Prov. 8:27), where God’s Word is His powerful self-expression in creation, wisdom, revelation and salvation. And made it refer to a person, Jesus Christ. Greek philosophical usage therefore, is not the exclusive background of John’s thought.
Strategically, the term “Word” serves as a bridge word to reach not only Jews but also the unsaved Greeks. John chose this concept because both Jews and Greeks were familiar with it.
There are two kinds of Word. One is the written Word which is the Bible. This written Word is God breathed. John was not the author of John, God was. John was the penman, moved upon by the Holy Spirit of God.
The entire Bible was authored by God. Each book had a penman moved upon by the Holy Spirit of God. I believe the written Word (the Bible), is the face of Jesus that we are looking in. Jesus is the Word.
In (John 1:14), we learn that this Word was Jesus, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
In the first Book of the Bible, Genesis 1:3, we see the spoken Word, “And God said …”
God said is the spoken Word. This spoken Word creates, as we see (in Genesis and in John 1:3), “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
You see, the Word spoken or written is powerful. It contains the power of life and death. The Word of God gave everything the power to exist. This Word is the one we know as Jesus.
What was before the beginning? Nothing. This Word who became Jesus was there at the foundation of the world. Word “In the beginning was the Word… ” is Logos. It means divine expression. It even includes divine thought. It can also mean divine work.
He (the Word), was divine intelligence. “… the Word was with God …”. God here is taken from a word which means supreme Divinity or supreme God.
This Logos (Word). was not only with God but was God, as well. (Proverbs 8:23), speaks of this Divine Intelligence as Wisdom. This Eternal Existence is difficult for man to comprehend, but it is true. God is the place that everything else starts from.
The Word was with God”: The Word, as the Second Person of the Trinity, was in intimate fellowship with God the Father throughout all eternity. Yet, although the Word enjoyed the splendors of heaven and eternity with the Father, He willingly gave up His heavenly status, taking the form of a man, and became subject to the death of the cross.
The Greek construction emphasizes that the Word had all the essence or attributes of deity, i.e., Jesus the Messiah was fully God. Even in His incarnation when He emptied Himself, He did not cease to be God but took on a genuine human nature/body and voluntarily refrained from the independent exercise of the attributes of deity.
John 1:2 “The same was in the beginning with God.”
We could say then, that from the Word (Jesus), all things start. You can see very well from this why Satan’s latest trick is to get God’s people disinterested in the spoken and written Word. The church is doing everything except studying the uncompromised Word.
There is a great effort on the part of the enemy of God to bring new Bibles on the market which distort the Word of God. One of the most common ways to distort is to make Jesus (the Word), something less than God.
John 1:3, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
We see here that the Word (Jesus), was Creator God. He made it all. Let us look back in Genesis again. At the beginning of each thing created there was the expression “God said, Let there be”, then it goes on to mention everything: the skies, the world, the sun, the moon, etc. You see from this, the Word (who we call Jesus), was at the beginning Creator God.
John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
In verse 4 above, life means the power to exist. In (Genesis 2:7), we read how God gave life to man, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Man was but a clay doll until the breath of life was breathed in to it. Then he became alive. The Word (Jesus), made him alive.
The word translated life here means make manifest or illuminate. This light gives everything the power to be. If a person receives this Light, it gives them the power to receive eternal life.
John introduces the reader to contrastive themes that occur throughout the gospel. “Life” and “light” are qualities of the Word that are shared not only among the Godhead, but also by those who respond to the gospel message regarding Jesus Christ. John uses the word “life” about 36 times in his gospel, far more than any other New Testament book. It refers not only in a broad sense to physical and temporal life that the Son imparted to the created world through His involvement as the agent of creation, but especially to spiritual and eternal life imparted as a gift through belief in Him.
In Scripture, “light and darkness” are very familiar symbols. Intellectually, “light” refers to biblical truth which “darkness” refers to error or falsehood. Morally, “light” refers to holiness or purity which “darkness” refers to sin or wrongdoing.
“Darkness” has a special significance in relationship to Satan and his demonic cohorts who rules the present spiritually dark world as the “prince of the power of the air” promoting spiritual darkness and rebellion against God. John uses the term “darkness” 14 times (8 times in the gospel and 6 times in 1 John), out of its 17 occurrences in the New Testament, making it almost an exclusive Johannine word. In John, “light” and “life” have their special significance in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word.
John 1:5, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
The word shineth means to continually shine. The first thing God applied to the earth was Light which gave all other things the power to be. Nothing can live without light. Plants won’t grow and people will die without light.
Darkness symbolizes Satan or evil. When the Light (Jesus), shines, it does away with darkness (Satan). The darkness mentioned (in verse 5), is speaking of spiritual darkness. Darkness has to receive the Light to do away with the darkness.
In Genesis, just before God applied the Light, there was darkness upon the face of the deep. Let God light His Light in your heart and do away with darkness and give you eternal life.
The better meaning of the term comprehended in context is “overcome.” Darkness is not able to overcome or conquer the light. Just as a single candle can overcome a room filled with darkness, so also the powers of darkness are overcome by the person and work of the Son through His death on the cross.
John Chapter 1 Questions
1. What does the name John translate to?
2. Who was his brother?
3. Name two other names he was known by?
4. What other books of the Bible did he pen?
5. In the Book of Revelation, what do they tell us happened to him because of his loyalty to Jesus?
6. What was John doing on the Lord’s day?
7. How many times is the Father mentioned in John?
8. How long was Jesus’ earthly ministry?
9. Name two people Jesus had conversations with that are recorded in John and not the other three gospels?
10. How many miracles are recorded in the other books?
11. How many of these are not recorded in the other books?
12. What are some of the opposites of Jesus and Satan mentioned in this book?
13. Name five things John shows us Jesus as besides God and the Word?
14. Who is the only penman in the Bible which calls Jesus the Lamb of God?
15. Why do you think John showed more of the divinity of Jesus than any other writer?
16. What is the main message that comes forth throughout John?
17. What is symbolized by the four headed beast?
18. Which of the heads does John symbolize?
19. What are the two kinds of Word?
20. Who was the author of John?
21. What moved upon the penman to write it?
22. What is the written Word?
23. What is the spoken Word?
24. Who is the Word?
25. The Word is powerful, it contains the power of _____________ or __________________________.
26. What is the Word in verse 1?
27. What does Logos mean?
28. Who is the place from where all things begin?
29. What is Satan’s latest trick in the church?
30. Who was Creator God?
31. “In him was _______; and the ______ was the ________ ____ of men”.
32. What does life mean?
33. What does shineth mean?
34. Who is the Light?
35. Verse 5 is speaking of what kind of darkness?
John 1:6 “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
We see here a man not like the Logos in the last lesson but a real man. This is a man with a mission from birth. John the Baptist, we know, is no ordinary man. Jesus, Himself, would say of John that there had never been a man born of woman who was greater (Matthew 11:11).
We also know that John’s birth was a miracle. His parents were old when they had him, and his father was a high priest in the temple. Zachariah and Elisabeth were from priestly families. We also know that the Holy Ghost entered John while he was yet in his mother’s womb (Luke chapter 1).
John the Baptist would be spoken of as the promised Elijah spoken of in Malachi (Matthew 11:14). We read very little of John the Baptist’s youth. He was sent to the earth for one purpose by God and that was to proclaim the coming of Messiah. His only purpose was to make the way clear for Jesus Christ the Messiah. His message was repent.
As forerunner to Jesus, John was to bear witness to Him as the Messiah and Son of God. With John’s ministry, the “400 silent years” between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament period, during which God had given no revelation, ended.
“John”: the name “John” always refers to John the Baptist in this gospel, never to the Apostle John. The writer of this gospel calls him merely “John” without using the phrase “the Baptist,” unlike the other gospels which use the additional description to identify him. Moreover, John the apostle authored the gospel and that his readers knew full well that he composed the gospel that bears his name. For more on John the Baptist (see Matt. 3:1-6; Mark 1:2-6 and Luke 1:5-25 and 57-80).
John 1:7, “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”
From Isaiah until Malachi the prophets had been prophesying the coming of the Light (Jesus Christ). John the Baptist was to warn that the Light was here. Be ready to receive it. John’s one job was to make ready for the Light.
John was the climax to all the Old Testament prophets telling of this glorious Light, but we will see that not all believed. The world and the so-called pleasures thereof, had too much of a hold on the people.
The terms “witness” or “to testify” receive special attention in the gospel, reflecting the courtroom language of the Old Testament where the truth of a matter was to be established on the basis of multiple witnesses. Not only did John the Baptist witness regarding Jesus as Messiah and Son of God, but there were other witnesses:
(1) the Samaritan woman (4:29);
(2) the works of Jesus (10:25);
(3) the Father (5:32-37);
(4) the Old Testament (5:39-40);
(5) the crowd (12:17); and
(6) the Holy Spirit (15-26-27).
John was the “agent” who witnessed of Christ. The purpose of his testimony was to produce faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
John 1:8, “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
John knew from the beginning that he was not the Light. While John the Baptist was the agent of belief, Jesus Christ is the object of belief. Although John’s person and ministry were vitally important, he was merely the forerunner who announced the coming of the Messiah.
Many years after John’s ministry and death, some still failed to understand John’s subordinate role to Jesus. He was just a messenger running ahead telling people to prepare to receive the Light. We would see that many esteemed the messenger of the Light above the Light.
Even when Jesus was questioned by those of the church, they were careful not to say anything bad about John the Baptist.
John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
This is the Light which was applied first in Genesis which gave all matter the power to be. This Light determines whether you have life or not. If you do not have this Light within you, then you have death and not Life.
“The true Light … cometh into the world”: This phrase highlights the incarnation of Jesus Christ. “Lighteth every man”: Through Gods sovereign power, every man has enough light to be responsible. God has planted His knowledge in man through general revelation in creation and conscience. The result of general revelation however, does not produce salvation but either leads to the complete light of Jesus Christ or produces condemnation in those who reject such “light”. The coming of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment and embodiment of the light that God had placed inside the heart of man.
The World: The basic sense of the Greek word meaning “an ornament” is illustrated by the word “adornment”. While the New Testament uses it a total of 185 times, John had a particular fondness for this term, using it 78 times in his gospel (24 times in 1-3 John and 3 times in Revelation).
John gives it several shades of meaning:
(1) the physical created universe;
(2) humanity in general and
(3) the invisible spiritual system of evil dominated by Satan and all that it offers in opposition to God, His Word, and His people.
The latter concept is the significant new use that the term acquires in the New Testament and that predominates in John. Thus, in the majority of times that John uses the word, it has decidedly negative overtones.
John 1:10, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”
Here again, just as in our last lesson (in verse 3), we see that this Light (Jesus Christ; Word), made everything. He was Creator God.
The Creator of all the world came to this earth to save His creation, and His creation had no idea who He was.
John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
“His own … his own”: The first usage of “His own” most likely refers to the world of mankind in general, while the second refers to the Jewish nation. As Creator, the world belongs to the Word as His property but the world did not even recognize Him due to spiritual blindness.
The chosen people (Israelites), whom God had made covenant with, were the very ones who would not receive Him. They had the Scriptures which spoke of His coming, and yet when He came, they rejected Him.
John used the second occurrence of “His own” in a narrower sense to refer to Jesus’ own physical lineage, the Jews. Although they possessed the Scriptures that testified of His person and coming, they still did not accept Him. This theme of Jewish rejection of their promised Messiah receives special attention in John’s gospel.
Verses 12 and 13 stand in contrast to verses 10 and 11. John softens the sweeping rejection of Messiah by stressing a believing remnant. This previews the book since the first 12 chapters stress the rejection of Christ, while chapters 13-21 focus on the believing remnant who received Him.
John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Notice even here, He did not do it for them. They had their own free will. He made it available to them and gave them power to receive it; but they had to of their own free will, accept it.
“As many as received Him … to them that believe on His name”. The second phrase describes the first. To receive Him who is the Word of God means to acknowledge His claims, place one’s faith in Him, and thereby yield allegiance to Him.
“Gave” is a term emphasizing the grace of God involved in the gift of salvation. Those who receive Jesus, the Word, receive full authority to claim the exalted title of “children of God.”
“His name” denotes the character of the person himself.
The secret to becoming sons of God is in believing in His name. In Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
It is so simple and yet so many miss out. The confession is that He is our Lord and Savior. Jesus means Jehovah Savior. The belief cannot be surface either. It must truly be in our heart.
John 1:13, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
The divine side of salvation: ultimately it is not a man’s will that produces salvation but God’s will (3:6-8; Titus 3:5 and 1 John 2:29).
Jesus told them later, “Marvel not that I say ye must be born again”. This is a spiritual birth not a birth of the flesh.
I Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”
We also read (in John 3:5-6), “Jesus answered, Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
You see, then to be sons of God we must be born of His Spirit, The Holy Spirit of God. If we are never reborn of the Spirit, then we remain flesh; and flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?”
John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
The Word (Jesus Christ), took on the form of flesh and dwelt here on this earth with us. He is called Immanuel (God with us), in Matthew.
His flesh was man (inherited through Mary), His Spirit was God. God is a Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God hovered over Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit of God.
Jesus took on the flesh of Mary, but was in fact, God within that flesh. The spirit and the body are part of every person. The flesh is made in the image of man, but the spirit within each of us is the image of God (our life).
“The glory as of …the Father”: Jesus as God displayed the same essential glory as the father. They are one in essential nature. “Only Begotten”: The term “only begotten” is a mistranslation of the Greek word. The word does not come from their term meaning “beget” but instead has the idea of “the only beloved one”.
It therefore, has the idea of singular uniqueness, of being beloved like no other. By this word, John emphasized the exclusive character of the relationship between the Father and the Son in the Godhead. It does not connote origin but rather unique prominence; e.g., it was used of Isaac who was Abraham’s second son (Ishmael being the first).
God is a Spirit; and to be His image (likeness), we would have to be spirit. The spirit within is our being that will live eternally in heaven or hell. We will shed this body we dwell in now and will have a new body. This body you live in here on this earth will return to dust from which it came, but the real you will have vacated that body and taken on a new heavenly body.
Everyone who has been clinically dead and revived will tell you that they left their old body in the hospital. This is exactly what the Scripture teaches. Even Jesus’ resurrected body was different than the one that went into the tomb. It was a body because He ate and because the nail prints were there; but in His new body, it was not necessary to open doors. He just appeared.
Our spirit dwells in a body while we are here on the earth. Our spirit or our body will control our will. This determines whether we are controlled by God or the lust of the flesh.
“Full of grace and truth”: John probably had (Exodus 33 and 34 in mind). On that occasion, Moses requested that God display His glory to him. The Lord replied to Moses that He would make all His “goodness” pass before him, and then as He passed by, God declared “The Lord … compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth”.
These attributes of God’s glory emphasize the goodness of God’s character, especially in relationship to salvation. Jesus as Yahweh of the Old Testament (8:58; “I am”), displayed the same divine attributes when He tabernacled among men in the New Testament era.
John 1:15, “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
John here is speaking of the eternity of Jesus. Jesus is six months younger than John in the flesh. John is aware that Jesus created John. Here John the Baptist’s testimony corroborates John the apostle’s statement regarding the eternality of the Incarnate Word (verse 14).
The things that confuse people are the different names of Jesus. He did not use the name Jesus, until He came to the earth. Jesus means Savior.
He took on that name while He was here on the earth because that was what He was here for. Jesus is called by whatever name describes what He is doing at that time. Word was His name in heaven.
John the Baptist keeps reminding the people that he is not Messiah. He tells them Jesus is their Messiah.
John 1:16, “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”
We must remember here that Jesus is the Word. The Old Testament teaches Jesus just the same as the New Testament. John here is saying, “He has been filling us with His Word since Genesis”.
The phrase “grace for grace”, emphasizes the superabundance of grace that has been displayed by God toward mankind, especially believers.
John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Even the law came from God, through Moses. Grace and truth are not only from Jesus but through Jesus, as well. We will read further in this book of John that Jesus not only brought the truth but is in fact, the Truth.
Corroborating the truth of verse 14, these verses (17 and 18), draw a closing contrast to the prologue. The law, given by Moses, was not a display of God’s grace but God’s demand for holiness.
God designed the law as a means to demonstrate the unrighteousness of man in order to show the need for the Savior, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the law revealed only a part of truth and was preparatory in nature.
The reality or full truth toward which the law pointed, came through the person of Jesus Christ.
John Chapter 1 First Continued Questions
1. Who was the man sent from God?
2. What high praise did Jesus give John the Baptist?
3. Who were John the Baptist’s parents?
4. Who would Jesus say John was?
5. What was John the Baptist’s mission?
6. When did the Holy Ghost enter John the Baptist?
7. What was John to bear witness of?
8. How long had Messiah been prophesied by prophets?
9. Was John ever deceived into believing he was the Light?
10. What is said about the Light in verse 10?
11. Who was this Light, this Word, this Jesus Christ?
12. Why did He come to this earth?
13. Who were the chosen people of God?
14. They had the Scriptures that spoke of His coming and yet they _____________Him.
15. As many as received Him, He gave them the power to be what?
16. What was the requirement?
17. What are we told in Romans 10:9?
18. Jesus really means what?
19. In verse 13, we learn these are born of what?
20. In I Peter 3:18, we find that we must put to death the ________ _______ but be quickened by the ______________.
21. In 1 Corinthians, it tells us who will not inherit the kingdom of God?
22. Verse 14 says, “And the Word was made __________, and dwelt ________ _____,”
23. Who does verse 14 say this Word is?
24. What two things was He full of in verse 14?
25. What does Immanuel mean?
26. Who did Jesus come to first and they would not receive Him?
27. In John 3:6-7, we find the difference between what?
28. God is a Spirit and to be in His likeness we must be ________ _______________.
29. In the flesh, who was the oldest, John or Jesus?
30. John said, “He that cometh after me is ___________before me.”
31. What fullness’s had they all already received in verse 16?
32. Who was the law given by?
33. Where did the law come from?
34. Who brought grace and truth?
John 1:18. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
This statement “no man hath seen God” is correct. Many of the apostles had seen visions and had dreams of God. Some had even been in His presence like Moses on the mountain, but the closest Moses ever came to seeing Him, was to see His back side as He passed by.
Even in Jesus they would not look upon His godhead, but upon His flesh. Of course, Jesus had seen Him, because He had been in heaven with Him. In fact, Father, Word, and the Holy Ghost make up the godhead.
“Declared”: From this word theologians derived the term “exegesis” or “to interpret” from this word. John meant that all that Jesus is and does interprets and explains who God is and what He does.
1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
We will read in John later on in this lesson series that Jesus said “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father”. Jesus is a reflection of the Father.
In verses 19-37, John presented the first of many witnesses to prove that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God, thus reinforcing his main theme. The testimony of John the Baptist was given on 3 different days to 3 different groups. Each time, he spoke of Christ in a different way and emphasized distinct aspects regarding Him. The events in these verses took place (in 26/27 AD), just a few months after John’s baptism of Jesus.
John 1:19 “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?”
John, born into a priestly family, belonged to the tribe of Levi. He began his ministry in the Jordan Valley when he was approximately 29 or 30 years old and boldly proclaimed the need for spiritual repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He was the cousin of Jesus Christ and served as His prophetic forerunner.
These priests and Levites knew that Messiah was promised. This John the Baptist they knew was a very special man. They even thought that perhaps this was Messiah. The only way they can find out is to ask him.
John 1:20 “And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.”
Some thought that John the Baptist was the Christ, but as we said before, John the Baptist knew he was not Messiah; and when he was ministering, he was careful to tell them that he was not the Christ (Messiah).
John 1:21 “And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.”
(Malachi 4:5), promises that the prophet Elijah will return before Messiah establishes His earthly kingdom. If John was the forerunner of Messiah, was he Elijah, they asked? The angel announcing John’s birth said that John would go before Jesus “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), thus indicating that someone other than literal Elijah could fulfill the prophecy. God sent John who was like Elijah, i.e., one who had the same type of ministry, the same power and similar personality. If they had received Jesus as Messiah, John would have fulfilled that prophecy.
Jesus had said on another occasion that John was that Elijah that was prophesied in Malachi. What He was saying was that John was of the same spirit as of Elijah. Jesus was not speaking of Elijah being reincarnated in John, but that John came in the spirit and power of Elijah.
John was the fulfillment of the Scripture in Malachi. He truly did come before Messiah, six months earlier. John was telling them here that he was not in fact Elijah.
The problem with those people then, and many Christians today, is they look at the physical side of everything rather than the spiritual.
John the Baptist is come in the spirit of Elijah and thus does fulfill the Malachi prophecy. He is not, in fact, Elijah reincarnated. So, he answers “No”.
When asked “art thou that prophet”, was a reference to (Deut. 18:15-18), which predicted God would raise up a great prophet like Moses who would function as His voice. While some in John’s time interpreted this prophecy as referring to another forerunner of Messiah, the New Testament applies the passage to Jesus. (Acts 3:22-23; 7:37).
John 1:22 “Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?”
John is stirring up the whole countryside telling people to repent for Messiah is coming. This word has gotten back to the rulers of the temple and they have sent someone to find out just who this is that’s stirring up such a fuss. The big question was “Who are you?”
John 1:23 “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.”
The prophecy of John the Baptist being “a voice crying in the wilderness” is found (in Isaiah 40:3). John was a messenger, but he was much more. He was preparing their hearts to receive the Lord.
In the original context of (Isa. 40:3), the prophet heard a voice calling for the leveling of a path. This call was a prophetic picture that foreshadowed the final and greatest return of Israel to their God from spiritual darkness and alienation through the spiritual redemption accomplished by the Messiah (Romans 11:25-27).
In humility, John compared himself to a voice rather than a person, thus focusing the attention exclusively upon Christ. When asked who he is, John replies that who he is matters less than what he says. John underscores his message.
This wilderness is a physical wilderness but can also be thought of as a wilderness of sin. John tells them, it was told you by the prophet Isaiah and the time is here.
John 1:24 “And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.”
These Pharisees were supposed to be very knowledgeable of the Bible. They probably already knew of this prophecy in Isaiah and of the one in Malachi.
John 1:25 “And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet?”
It appears from what they said to John, that they expected Elijah to come and cleanse them and get them ready to receive the Messiah. If John was baptizing for this reason, they approved; but if he is not Elijah, they want to know where he got his authority to do this. They wouldn’t argue too much with John the Baptist because his father was a priest.
“Why baptizest thou then”: Baptism could only be performed by prophets, or other authorities. It was the rite of Gentile entrance into Judaism.
Since John had identified himself as a mere voice, the question arose as to his authority for baptizing. The Old Testament associated the coming of Messiah with repentance and spiritual cleansing. John focused attention on his position as forerunner of Messiah, who used traditional proselyte baptism as a symbol of the need to recognize those Jews who were outside God’s saving covenant like Gentiles. They too needed spiritual cleaning and preparation (repentance).
John 1:26-27 “John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;” “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.”
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. John answers their question by saying “I am not Messiah or Elijah, but my baptism is to prepare you to receive Messiah”.
John recognizes Jesus standing among those listening. He doesn’t point Him out yet. He just says He is here in this crowd. John says “He is much greater than I am.
John the Baptist’s words here continue a theme of the pre-eminence of Messiah in the prologue and demonstrate extraordinary humility. Each time John had opportunity to focus on himself in these encounters, he instead shifted the focus onto Messiah. John went so far as to state that he, unlike a slave that was required to remove his master’s shoes, was not even worthy of performing this action in relationship to Messiah.
John 1:28 “These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.”
Bethabara means house of the desert, so we know this is a desert place near Jordan.
The NASE bible version calls this place Bethany. Other translations render this word as “Bethabara.” Some feel that John incorrectly identified Bethany as the place of these events. The solution is that two Bethanys existed, i.e. one near Jerusalem where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived and one “beyond the Jordan” near the region of Galilee. Since John took great pains to identify the other Bethany’s close proximity to Jerusalem, he most likely was referring here to that other town with the same name.
The (verses 29-34), deal with John’s witness to a second group of Jews on the second day regarding Jesus. This section forms something of a bride. It continues the theme of John the Baptist’s witness but also introduces a lengthy list of titles applied to Jesus: Lamb of God (verses 29 and 36); Rabbi (verses 38 and 49); Messiah/Christ (verse 41); Son of God (verses 34 and 49); King of Israel (verse 49); Son of Man (verse 51); and “Him of whom Moses in the Law, and also the Prophets wrote” (verse 45).
John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
This is a very broad statement here. We know of the sacrificial lamb that was killed, and the blood sprinkled over the door in the time of Moses to save the first born of all the Hebrews when God destroyed the first born of Egypt.
We know that the lamb is the Passover animal sacrificed once a year in memory of that night when death passed over the Hebrew homes because of the blood of the lamb. This is saying then “This is your Passover sacrifice” speaking of Jesus. The blood of the animal could do nothing but cover the sin.
The precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, does away with sin. In fact, not for just that occasion, but for all of eternity. “Taketh”, means to continually take away. It is so interesting how every little word is so important in Scripture.
John the Baptist used the expression “the Lamb of God” as a reference to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to atone for the sin of the world. A theme which John the apostle carries throughout his writings and that appear in other New Testament writings.
John being filled with the Holy Spirit from before birth looks to Jesus, and sees Jesus’ own precious blood cleansing all of His people from unrighteousness. Notice sin is singular in this mention here.
The use of the singular “sin” in conjunction with “of the world” indicates that Jesus’ sacrifice for sin potentially reaches all human beings without distinction. John makes clear however, that its efficacious effect is only for those who receive Christ.
Jesus took on sin on the cross, and sin (for the believer), died on the cross. Not just covered, but done away with. Animal’s or man’s blood could never do away with sin.
Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” The blood had to be pure from God, Himself.
John 1:30 “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
This (verse 30) here, is just saying “This is the one I was talking about that is the Messiah, He is greater than I am”.
John 1:31 “And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.”
John knew that Jesus was a relative of his in the flesh, because John’s mother and Jesus’ mother were cousins. It appears from this Scripture above that John was saying “I haven’t been around Him a lot, and in the flesh, I do not know Him”. Although John was Jesus’ cousin, he did not know Jesus as the “Coming One” or “Messiah” (verse 33).
In the Spirit, John knew that Jesus was the promised Christ (the Messiah). Manifest means, in this instance, to render apparent (to be made visible). John’s job is to make the coming of Messiah apparent to His people, Israel.
To prepare them for meeting their Messiah, John is baptizing them, cleansing them from their sins. This is not the type of baptism for Christians. When a Christian is baptized, it is not for the remission of sin, but an outward expression of being dead, buried (in water), and resurrected with Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Jews had the law and had not kept it. They had to repent for breaking Moses’ law.
John 1:32 “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.”
At this baptism John is speaking of here, some of the other gospels go into more detail and tell of the voice from heaven saying “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:16-17). The thing John would have us see here is the Spirit remaining.
We can see here the Father (voice from heaven), Son of God (Word), and Holy Spirit (dove), present at the baptism of Jesus. They are all in agreement.
God had previously communicated to John that this sign was to indicate the promised Messiah, (verse 33), so when John witnessed this act, he was able to identify the Messiah as Jesus.
John 1:33 “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”
(Matthew chapter 3), tells a little more about this baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire.
“But Jesus answering said to him “Permit it now; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” The “He” permitted Him.
Christ was here identifying Himself with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them (2 Cor. 5:21). This act of baptism was a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners. This first public event of His ministry is also rich in meaning.
(1) It pictured His death and resurrection, Luke. 12:50;
(2) It therefore prefigured the significance of Christian baptism;
(3) It marked His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear, Isaiah 53:1-12; and
(4) It was a public affirmation of His Messiahship by testimony directly from heaven.
The baptism of Jesus is the baptism of fire of the Holy Ghost.
John 1:34 “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”
Not just because of the Holy Spirit descending, or the voice from heaven, but on all knowledge of Jesus and on what God had told him, John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God.
Although, in a limited sense, believers can be called “sons of God (verse 12; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 8:14). John uses this phrase with the full force as a title that points to the unique oneness and intimacy that Jesus sustains to the Father as “Son.” The term carries the idea of the deity of Jesus as Messiah.
John Chapter 1 Second Continued Questions
1. No _______ hath seen God at any time.
2. Who hath declared Him?
3. What was the closest anyone had been to seeing God in the Old Testament?
4. Who make up the godhead?
5. Jesus is a ______________ of the Father.
6. Who did the Jews send to John the Baptist to find out who he was?
7. Who did they believe John might be?
8. What did John the Baptist confess in verse 20?
9. If he was not Messiah, who did they think he was?
10. What had Jesus meant when He said John the Baptist was Elijah?
11. Where had it been prophesied that Elijah would come?
12. What answer did John give when they said, then who are you?
13. What had John the Baptist been telling everyone that got them all stirred up?
14. Who had prophesied in the Old Testament about John the Baptist?
15. Where was John ministering?
16. Who are the Pharisees?
17. What did they ask John, seeing that he was not Elijah nor Messiah?
18. What was different about the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus?
19. How does John the Baptist compare his unworthiness to Jesus?
20. Where did all this happen?
21. John called Jesus what in verse 29?
22. What does Bethabara mean?
23. What does this Lamb do that no lamb can do?
24. Who was Jesus to be made manifest to?
25. What physical tie did John and Jesus have?
26. What was the Spirit symbolized by in verse 32?
27. What had God told John about the Holy Spirit remaining on someone?
28. Who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire?
The rest of chapter one deals with John’s witness to a third group of his disciples which is on the third day (see verses 19-28 and 29-34), for the first and second groups regarding Jesus. Consistent with John’s humility (verse 27), he focuses the attention of his own disciples onto Jesus (in verse 37).
John 1:35-36 “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;” “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
These disciples here are speaking of John the Baptist’s. This proclamation is not the same as in the last verse. Here Jesus is going away from John, and John is telling his disciples “There goes the Lamb of God”. As we said before, in the Spirit, John could see Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins.
John 1:37 “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”
The verb “follow” usually means “to follow as a disciple” but it can also have a neutral sense meaning the “following here does not necessarily mean that they became permanent disciples at this time.
The implication may be that they went after Jesus to examine Him more closely because of John’s testimony. This event constituted a preliminary exposure of John the Baptist’s disciples to Jesus, e.g. (Andrew in 1:40). They eventually dedicated their lives to Him as true disciples and apostles when Jesus called them to permanent service after these events. At this point in the narrative, John the Baptist fades from the scene and the attention focuses upon the ministry of Christ.
These disciples had been John the Baptist’s disciples, but on hearing who Jesus is, they stop following John the Baptist and began following Jesus (The Messiah).
John 1:38 “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?”
Jesus possibly heard their footsteps behind Him and turned to them. Jesus was asking them why they were following Him. Rabbi or Master has to do with a teacher. It is so strange that is who so many people of today believe He was (a great teacher). They ask Him where He lives, because they are drawn to Him and would follow Him.
John 1:39 “He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”
John is reckoning time by the Roman method of the day beginning at midnight. This would make the time about 10.00 a.m. John mentions the precise time most likely to emphasize that he was the other disciple of John the Baptist who was with Andrew (verse 40). As an eyewitness to these events occurring on 3 successive days, John’s first meeting with Jesus was so life changing that he remembered the exact hour when he first met the Lord.
The Scripture is not explicit about where He dwelt. In another Scripture, He says “I have not where to lay my head”. It is to no advantage to try to figure out where this is. At any rate, wherever it was, they stayed with Jesus.
John 1:40 “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.”
We may assume from this that John (the beloved), was one who wrote this gospel and Andrew the other. John would not have mentioned himself on purpose to keep them from thinking he was conceited. These two liked what they heard and now are Jesus’ disciples.
John 1:41 “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”
Simon is Peter. This is quite a proclamation. After several hundred years of waiting for Messiah, Andrew has found Him. Most brothers would hurry with this news to their brother. Andrew wants Simon saved.
The term “Messiah” is a transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic verbal adjective that means “Anointed One.” It comes from a verb that means “to anoint” someone as an action involved in consecrating that person to a particular office or function.
While the term at first applied to the king of Israel (The Lord’s anointed’ (verse 15a and 16:6), the High Priest (“the anointed priest,” Lev. 4:3), and, in one passage, the patriarchs (“my anointed ones,” Psalm 105:15), the term eventually came to point above all to the prophesied “Coming One” or “Messiah” in His role as prophet, priest and king.
The term “Christ,” a Greek word (verbal adjective), that comes from a verb meaning “to anoint”, is used in translating the Hebrew term, so that the terms “Messiah” or “Christ” are titles and not personal names of Jesus.
John 1:42 “And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”
Perhaps, Simon didn’t believe and Andrew took him so he would, or perhaps, Simon was just excited and wanted to see Messiah. The Lord Jesus immediately tells Simon who he is and what his strength in Jesus will be. He says you will be like a rock. His name also is Peter.
This next section introduces the fourth day since the beginning of John the Baptist’s witness.
John 1:43 “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.”
Jesus has now begun to gather the twelve to Him. Just “follow me” is enough to cause Philip to come to Jesus. He will now quickly gather His twelve.
John 1:44 “Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.”
These men were probably previously friends, being from the same town. Bethsaida means fishing house which would be appropriate since they were fishermen. James and John had been fishing acquaintances of Peter and Andrew. This makes it even more probable that the one who was not named was John.
While Mark locates Peter’s house in Capernaum (Mark 1:21 and 29). John relates that he was from Bethsaida. Resolution centers in the fact that Peter (and Andrew), most likely grew up in Bethsaida and later relocated to Capernaum in the same way that Jesus was consistently identified with His hometown of Nazareth, though He lived elsewhere later.
John 1:45 “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Philip wants Nathanael to know too, and finds him to tell him of the Messiah, the Christ. He reminds Nathanael that the Messiah had been promised by Moses and the prophets. Even though Philip believes Jesus is Messiah, he is looking at the flesh side of Jesus, because he says Jesus is the son of Joseph of Nazareth.
“Of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write” is a phrase that encapsulates the stance of John’s whole gospel: Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture.
Nathanael was an early disciple of Jesus and possibly one of the twelve. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry Philip brought Nathanael to Him. Both were Galileans: Nathanael from Cana, Philip from Bethsaida. Nathanael was skeptical about the Messiah coming from Nazareth, but followed Him.
Nathanael is mentioned only in John’s gospel, but the following evidence supports his identification with Bartholomew: Nathanael is mentioned only in John’s Gospel and Bartholomew is mentioned only in the listing of the Twelve (in Acts 1:13), and the synoptic Gospels (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14).
Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, and Bartholomew is listed together with Philip. Finally, John associates Nathanael with the Twelve (21:2). It seems at least plausible to identify Nathanael and Bartholomew as the same man.
John 1:46 “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”
All of them believed before that no prophet would rise up out of Galilee, and this is probably what he is referring to here. They thought Messiah would probably be from Jerusalem. Philip will not take no for an answer and says “Come and see for yourself”.
Nathanael was from Cana, another town in Galilee. While Galileans were despised by Judeans, Galileans themselves despised people from Nazareth. In light of (7:52), Nathanael’s scorn may have centered in the fact that Nazareth was an insignificant village without seeming prophetic importance. Later, some would contemptuously refer to Christians as the “sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5).
The Jews would not call the believers Christians, the people of Christ (Messiah). They used other terms like the sect of the Nazarenes. This nickname was derived from Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth
John 1:47 “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”
Jesus of course, knows everything about everyone. Nathanael is no exception. To prove to Nathanael who He is, He greets him in this manner.
Jesus’ point was that Nathanael’s bluntness revealed that he was an Israelite without duplicitous motives who was willing to examine for his self, the claims being made about Jesus. The term reveals an honest, seeking heart.
The reference here may be an allusion to (Genesis 27:35), where Jacob, in contrast to the sincere Nathanael, was known for his trickery. The meaning may be that the employment of trickery characterized not only Jacob but also his descendants. In Jesus’ mind, an honest and sincere Israelite had become an exception rather than the rule.
John 1:48 “Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.”
Nathanael is alarmed because how did Jesus know that he was an Israelite? Nathanael thinks this to be very strange, but wait until he hears the rest of Jesus’ answer. Here again, Jesus knows everything all the time, and He knew where Philip found Nathanael.
Nathanael was under the fig tree literally and spiritually. Israel is the fig tree symbolically and that is the teaching Nathanael was under at the time. Of course, literally Philip had found him sitting under the fig tree as well.
This was a favorite place used by the Jews for meditation. Jesus evidently meant a specific time which Nathanael understood. And if Nathanael had been praying concerning the promised Messiah (verse 45), this would explain his remarkable response (in verse 49), where he confesses Jesus’ deity and messiahship.
John 1:49 “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”
Nathanael suddenly realized it is true, this is Messiah! He calls Him Rabbi (teacher), but quickly adds that Jesus is the Son of God, King of Israel. What an awakening, to be beholding with his very own eyes the promised Messiah. This revelation of Nathanael was similar to the time when Jesus asked the disciples, who He was and Peter said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. This is not a son, but the Son. He says in essence, it is right for you to rule.
Jesus’ display of supernatural knowledge and Phillip’s witness removed Nathanael’s doubts, so John added the witness of Nathanael to this section. The use of “the” with “Son of God” most likely indicates that the expression is to be understood as bearing its full significance (verse 34 and 11:27). For Nathanael, here was One who could not be described merely in human terms.
John 1:50 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.”
This is probably the understatement of all time. He would see Jesus open blind eyes, make the lame to walk, open deaf ears, feed 5,000 men with five loaves and two little fishes, speak to the sea and have it obey, and even raise Lazarus from the dead. This is such a small thing in comparison. Jesus is pleased that just this made him believe.
John 1:51 “And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Verily, verily means it will happen. There is no question about it. A phrase used frequently for emphasizing the importance and truth of the coming statement.
In light of the context of (verse 47), this verse most likely refers to (Genesis 28:12), where Jacob dreamed about a ladder from heaven. Jesus’ point to Nathanael was that just like Jacob experienced supernatural or heaven sent revelation. Nathanael and the other disciples would experience supernatural communication confirming who Jesus was. Moreover, the term “Son of Man” replaced the ladder in Jacob’s dream, signifying that Jesus was the means of access between God and man.
“Son of man” is Jesus favorite self-designation, for it was mostly spoken by Jesus who used it over 80 times. In the New Testament, it refers only to Jesus and appears mostly in the gospels. In the fourth gospel, the expression occurs 13 times and is most commonly associated with the themes of crucifixion and suffering and revelation (6:27, 53), but also with eschatological authority (5:27).
While the term at times may refer merely to a human being or as a substitute for “I” (6:27 and 6:20), it especially takes on an eschatological significance referring to (Dan. 7:13, 14). Where the “Son of Man” or Messiah comes in glory to receive the kingdom from the “Ancient of Days”, i.e. the Father.
John Chapter 1 Third Continued Questions
1. What does John call Jesus in verse 36?
2. Whose disciples are these two men?
3. Who followed Jesus?
4. What did these disciples call Jesus?
5. What does it mean?
6. What question did they ask Jesus?
7. Who was the disciple who was named?
8. Who was his brother?
9. What did Andrew tell his brother about Jesus?
10. Who did Jesus call Simon?
11. What does Cephas mean?
12. Who did Jesus find in Galilee?
13. What did Jesus say to him?
14. What town was he from?
15. Who did Philip go and find?
16. What did he tell him about Jesus?
17. Who does Philip believe Jesus is?
18. What makes us think he was still looking at the flesh?
19. Nathanael said “Can there any good thing come out of _________”.
20. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, what did He say to him?
21. How did Jesus add to what He had said to Nathanael in verse 48?
22. Who is the fig tree symbolic of?
23. Nathanael said to Jesus “Rabbi, _____________________”.
24. What were some of the greater things Nathanael would see?
25. He will see heaven open and what happen?
John relates the first great sign performed by Jesus to demonstrate His deity, the turning of water into wine. Only God can create from nothing. John identifies 8 miracles in his gospel that constitute "signs" or confirmation of who Jesus is. Each of the 8 miracles were different, no two were alike.
John 2:1-2, "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:" "And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage."
This third day speaks of the third day in Jesus' gathering of His disciples. It is interesting to note that Jesus' mother, Jesus, and the disciples would be invited to this type of wedding. This is obviously a Jewish wedding and sometimes they lasted seven to fourteen days. It was a very festive occasion.
These have to be prominent people in the community to have this large of a wedding. The guests as well, would be people who were upper-middle class to upper class as far as financial standing in the community went. Carpenters would fall into that category in those days and so would fishermen who owned their own boats. Both occupations were honorable.
This is not a poverty-stricken group at this wedding. Some would think, why would Jesus waste His time going to such an affair? Marriage the Bible says, is honorable.
This couple was following God's teaching in getting married. Jesus also loved people and this would show His concern for all things His people on earth are involved in. After Jesus became an adult, there is very little shown in contact with His mother Mary.
Perhaps this wedding was family or close friends. We are not told those details. Possibly, word had already travelled about Jesus' baptism. At any rate, Jesus and His disciples were invited to this wedding.
The disciples who accompanied Him are the 5 mentioned in chapter 1: Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathanael and the unnamed disciple who was surely John, who also witnessed this miracle.
John 2:3, "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine."
This tells me that Mary knows that Jesus does miracles. This is the first recorded miracle, but that does not mean that Jesus had not done miracles earlier. I feel sure that when a crisis arose in their neighborhood, Mary had seen Jesus taking care of it.
We know for sure that Mary expects Jesus to do something about this situation.
This seems like such a trivial thing but we must remember that this host will be terribly embarrassed if they run out of wine. Jesus cares for our trivial needs, as well as our great big needs.
Because of a lack of water purification, wine mixed with water was safer to drink than water alone. While the bible condemns drunkenness, it does not necessarily condemn the consumption of wine. (Psalm 104:15, Prov. 20:1).
John 2:4, "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."
I do not believe Jesus is harsh to His mother here but it does have the effect of distancing Jesus from His mother and her request. I believe He is saying, "I am not quite ready to launch into the miracles at this time". It isn't time yet. There were stages in Jesus' life on earth.
He had spent a time subject to His mother and Joseph. Now He is thirty years old, the time when Jewish men take on their spiritual responsibilities. He is old enough now and is on His own.
Jesus possibly does not want this miracle at this large gathering at the wedding to thrust Him into His period of popularity. He possibly would rather that would come a short time later from His sermons. Nevertheless, Jesus listens to Mary and has feelings for the host.
Mine hour is not yet come is a phrase constantly referring to Jesus' death and exaltation. He was on a divine schedule decreed by God before the foundations of the world.
John 2:5, "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
This in itself is a giveaway that Mary knows about Jesus' miraculous ability. Now is no different than then. Miracles in our lives will not come until we are obedient to Jesus.
John 2:6, "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece."
A firkin is nine gallons. Each one of these water pots had from eighteen to twenty-seven gallons each.
There were somewhere between 108 gallons and 162 gallons of water here. This had to be for a large group of people.
The pots were made of stone because stone was more impervious that earthenware and did not contract uncleanness.
The washings or ablutions had extended to such an extent that they were continuously washing for one reason or the other, and these six firkins of water were standing by for them to carry on these ceremonial washings with.
John 2:7, "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim."
Just as Mary had said, they did just as Jesus told them to do.
John 2:8, "And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it."
There is quite a bit of spiritual teaching here. The Lord tells us to draw from that well where the water will never grow dry. He is that never ending fountain. We see here that Jesus tells these servants to draw.
Jesus you remember, is Creator God. Fruit of the vine will later symbolize Jesus' blood in the communion service. We will see that this is not just some ordinary wine, but the best there is.
Again, I say this had to be a prominent wedding, because there is a governor of the feast. By there being over 100 gallons of wine, you know also that this is no small wedding. The servants' act of faith was to draw.
John 2:9, "When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom."
This indicates that this governor might be a guest, but I really believe he was handling the wedding. This home had servants and had to have a very large house to accommodate a party of this size. This governor was very impressed with this wine. It was remarkably different and better.
There is another thing we must see in all of this. The servants knew that this wine was a miracle of God, but the world did not. Even those with great authority did not know, but it was revealed to the servants. We must see in this that God reveals to His servants the mysteries, but He does not reveal them to the world.
This bridegroom had been the purchaser of the original wine. The governor wants an explanation of where this superior wine comes from.
Much has been written about the wine Jesus created. Oinos is the New Testament word for the fruit of the vine, but it implies nothing concerning fermentation. Whatever Jesus re-recreates (water), is better than it was and better than man can make it (fermented wine).
John 2:10, "And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now."
This answers the question of whether it was alcoholic or not. It was, because after they had well drunk, their senses would have been dulled and they would have not known one wine from the other. This new wine was not of this world. This is like the best was kept until last with God also.
He first sent His prophets and judges to bring the people to the knowledge of God, but the best was saved to last when He sent His only begotten Son. I believe this whole incident was kept quiet because Jesus was not ready to be exposed as Messiah at that moment.
The servants knew, the disciples knew, Mary knew, and Jesus knew, but I find nowhere in this discourse where the crowd at the party or anyone in authority knew.
John 2:11, "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."
Part of the reason this miracle was done, was so the disciples who had just come with Jesus would know that Jesus could do miracles. It was to build their faith to follow Him. They also know now that their material needs are of no concern; Jesus can supply all their needs.
"Miracles or signs": John used this word here to refer to significant displays of power that pointed beyond themselves to the deeper divine realities that could be perceived by the eyes of faith. By this word, John emphasized that miracles were not merely displays of power but had significance beyond the mere acts themselves.
John 2:12, "After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days." We have talked in some of the other lessons how they would go to Capernaum and probably stay in Peter's house while they were there. The area near Capernaum next to the Sea of Galilee is where most of Jesus' ministry took place. At this point, it seems His brothers in the flesh were with Him, and Mary as well.
The phrase "after this" (or similar wording such as "after these things"), is a frequent connective between narratives in this gospel. John placed this verse here as a transition to explain Jesus' movement from Cana in Galilee to Capernaum and eventual arrival at Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Capernaum was on the northwest shore of Galilee about 16 miles northeast of Cana.
In (verses 13-25) John used this section where Jesus cleansed the temple in righteous indignation to reinforce his main theme that He was the promised Messiah and Son of God. In this section, he highlighted 3 attributes of Jesus that confirm His deity:
(1) His passion for reverence (13-17);
(2) His power of resurrection (18-22); and
(3) His perception of reality (23-25) .
John 2:13, "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,"
Passover is not a celebration for the whole world, but is a celebration of remembrance. Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt when the angel of death "passed over" Jewish homes in Egypt whose "doorposts" was sprinkled with blood.
The only people who did not have their first born die were those who put the blood of the lamb over the door posts. The spirit of death passed over all houses that had the blood of the lamb. It did not enter.
Passover remembers that time. The house of Israel is to remember forever. Jesus is of this house; He goes to Jerusalem to remember.
Jesus' journeying to Jerusalem for the Passover was a standard annual procedure for all every devout Jewish male over 12 years old (Exod. 23:14-17). Jewish pilgrims crowded into Jerusalem for this greatest of Jewish feasts.
John Chapter 2 Questions
1. Where was the marriage Jesus attended?
2. Who was with Him there?
3. What makes us realize Jesus was not from a poverty stricken family?
4. What class of people were carpenters and fishermen?
5. In verse 3, they had no ________.
6. Who told Jesus they were out?
7. How did Jesus answer Mary?
8. Why did Jesus say He didn't want to be recognized now?
9. At what age do Jewish men take on their spiritual responsibilities?
10. What did Mary say to the servants?
11. What containers did they have to use?
12. How much would each hold?
13. What were these large containers for water doing there at this party?
14. How many gallons of wine would there be?
15. What did Jesus tell the servants to do?
16. Who were they to take the first drink to?
17. Who were the only ones who knew about the water being turned to wine?
18. Who did the governor call to him for an explanation?
19. What makes you know that this juice was alcoholic?
20. Where was this miracle done?
21. Why was it necessary for the disciples to know about the miracles?
22. Where did the group go from the wedding?
23. Whose home did they probably stay in?
24. What celebration was going on in Jerusalem?
25. What does this celebration commemorate?
Verses 13-17: The first way John demonstrated Christ's deity in the narrative of the temple cleansing was to show His passion for reverence. God alone exercises the right to regulate His worship.
John 2:13-14 "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem," "And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:"
This is the first of 3 Passovers which John mentions (verse 13; 6:4; 11:55), Jews selected the lamb on the tenth of the month and celebrated Passover on the 14th day of the lunar month of Nisan (Full moon at the end of March or beginning of April). They slaughtered the lamb between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. on the night of the feast. Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt when the angel of death "passed over" Jewish homes in Egypt whose "doorposts" were sprinkled with blood.
"Jesus went up to Jerusalem". Jesus' journeying to Jerusalem for the Passover was a standard annual procedure for every devout Jewish male over 12 years old. Jewish pilgrims crowded into Jerusalem for this greatest of Jewish feasts.
Because many traveled large distances, it was inconvenient to bring their sacrificial animals with them. Opportunistic merchants, seeing a chance to provide a service and probably eyeing considerable profits during this time, set up areas in the outer courts of the temple in order for travelers to buy animals.
The money changers were needed because the temple tax, paid annually by every conscientious Jewish male 20 years of age and older had to be in Jewish or Tyrian coinage (because of its high purity of silver). Those coming from foreign lands would need to exchange their money into the proper coinage for the tax.
In the outer courts, a market had been set up to sell animals for sacrifice and there was a place to exchange the weary travelers' money for the half-shekel suitable for the temple. No coin which had an earthly ruler on it could be used in the temple.
The money changers charged a high fee for the exchange. With such a large group of travelers and because of the seasonal nature of the celebration, both the animal dealers and money exchangers exploited the situation for monetary gain (Robber's den). Religion had become crass and materialistic.
This place was not only located in a place that God called a place of prayer, but these animals were not the quality the Lord required. These merchants were really not honest.
Verses 13-15: John used this section where Christ cleared the temple in righteous indignation to reinforce his main theme that Jesus was the promised Messiah and Son of God. In this section, he highlighted three attributes of Jesus that confirms His deity which were:
John 2:15, "And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;"
A scourge was a whip. This whip was usually made with strips of leather and had knots tied to make it hurt worse. This is the only time in Jesus' ministry that we ever see Him violent and striking out. He was usually very humble and would not even protect Himself.
This is supposed to be the special place of worship. Jesus believes this shows disrespect to the Father. Our churches today should take special note of this. The Lord is very strict about what goes on in His house.
This tells me that there is a time to show anger. When the name of the Lord (or anything pertaining to Him) is violated, it is correct to be angry about this.
When the holiness of God and His worship was at stake, Jesus took fast and furious action. The "all" indicates that He drove not only men out but also animals. Yet, although His physical action was forceful, it was not cruel.
John 2:16, "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."
Because of this very Scripture above, I feel it is wrong to sell any type of merchandise in the church. Our generation has taken God far too casually. He is not casual. He is exact. He never changes. If He said this was His Father's house, then all sanctuaries everywhere are His Father's house.
In (Matthew 21:13), we find that Jesus said, "My house shall be called the house of prayer". We should enter the sanctuary with reverence, retain this attitude while we are there, and leave the same way.
Jesus made a strong demand that they stop their current practice. God's holiness demands holiness in worship.
"My Fathers", John gave a subtle hint of Jesus' divine Sonship as well as His messiahship with the recording of this phrase.
"House of merchandise (business)": Jesus may have intended a play on words here. The word used pictures a trading house filled with wares.
John 2:17, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
The Scripture the disciples are remembering is from (Psalm 69:9).
Psalms 69:9 "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up"; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me."
When David wrote this psalm, he was being persecuted because of his zeal toward God's house and his defense of God's honor. The disciples were afraid that Jesus' actions would precipitate the same type of persecution.
These things said before the disciples are just sinking the message deeper and deeper that Jesus is truly Messiah. The Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, say the same thing. It is the same God that wrote it all.
In verses 18-22 the second way John demonstrated Christ's deity in the account of the temple cleansing was to show His power over death through resurrection. Only God has this right.
John 2:18, "Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?"
Here these Jews are really asking Jesus by what authority He has coming in and doing all these things in the temple. Now they actually are saying if you have the authority, prove it to us. They thought He would do some miracle that would be undeniable.
Their demand of a sign reveals that they had not grasped the significance of Jesus' rebuke that centered in their need for proper attitudes and holiness in worship. Moreover they were requesting from Jesus a crass display of miracles on demand, further displaying their unbelief.
In a sense, what these people were doing was destroying the meaning of the temple. God does not like anything associated with Him to be merchandised. Such as when God was angered when Simon tried to buy the gifts of the Spirit (in Acts 8:14-25). God's blessings are not for sale.
There are so many beautiful spiritual meanings to glean from this. The temple contaminated by any sort of worldliness God will not dwell in. He is a Holy God. The Lord Jesus spoke to the disciples and in so doing to us also and said He would dwell within us and we in Him.
This cannot be if there is sin in our life. He wants a holy house to dwell in. The building we call our church where the Christians meet is like our body. It must be pure and holy, or the Lord will not meet with us there.
John 2:19, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
At his trial, the authorities charged Jesus with making a threatening statement against the temple, revealing that they did not understand Jesus' response here. Once again John's Gospel supplements the other gospels at this point by indicating the Jesus enigmatically referred to His resurrection.
Jesus' cryptic statement most likely was destined to reveal the truth to His disciples by concealing its meaning from unbelievers who questioned Him. Only after His resurrection did the disciples understand the real significance of this statement.
John believes in this that Jesus is speaking of His own body, which they did destroy and which was raised up on the third day. There are many ways to destroy the temple, and I believe a great deal of temple destruction is going on now.
Importantly, through the death and resurrection of Christ, temple worship in Jerusalem was destroyed and reinstituted in the hearts of those who were built into a spiritual temple called the church.
John 2:20, "Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"
This was not a reference to Solomon's temple since it had been destroyed during the Babylonian conquest (in 586 B.C).
This was the second temple which the captives of Babylon under Zerubbabel and Jeshua began rebuilding. Encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Jews completed the work in 516 B.C. and in 20/19 B.C. Herod the Great began a reconstruction and expansion.
Workers then completed the main part of the project in 10 years time, but other parts were still being constructed even at the time Jesus cleansed the temple.
Interestingly, the finishing touches on the whole enterprise were still being made at its destruction by the Romans along with Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The famous "Wailing Wall" is built on part of the Herodian temple foundation.
The problem is the Jews did not know that they were speaking to the Creator of the world. Here is another time when people are looking with their physical eyes and comparing what they (mere men), could do with what the Lord can do.
With men, this would be impossible, but with God all things are possible.
John 2:21, "But he spake of the temple of his body."
We see here that John believes Jesus is speaking of His crucifixion and on the third day His resurrection.
John 2:22, "When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."
It is always much easier to understand what something meant by looking back to it than by looking forward. Jesus told them numerous times of His crucifixion and three days later His resurrection, but until after it happened, it did not take roots in them.
They panicked and ran at the crucifixion, and many of them did not believe He was raised from the dead until they saw Him in person.
In verses 23-25 we see the third way John demonstrated Christ's deity in the account of the temple cleansing was to show His perception of reality. Only God truly knows the hearts of men.
John 2:23, "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did."
The Passover is eaten on the fourteenth of Nisan. The purifying of the houses and vessels takes place on the thirteenth. This is overlapped by the Feast of Unleavened Bread which is part of the same. It lasts eight days.
Jesus was in and around the streets of Jerusalem for an extended time. He was preaching, healing, and delivering all that time. The miracles were undeniable. The blind could see, the leper was cleansed, the deaf could hear, the dumb could speak, the lame could walk. There was no end to the miracles He performed.
John 14:11 says, "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
Let Jesus' works speak for Him. It appears they spoke so loudly here that many believed He was Messiah.
This verse subtly reveals the true nature of belief from a biblical standpoint. Because of what they knew of Jesus from His miraculous signs, many came to believe in Him. However, Jesus made it His habit not to wholeheartedly "entrust" or "commit" Himself to them because He knew their hearts.
John 2:24, "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,"
Faith that is based upon things you can see is not really faith at all. It takes no faith at all to believe a miracle you see with your own eyes. Jesus knew that the faith of these people was shallow and not the kind that would stand up in tribulation. Their faith was not in the giver, but in the gift. This is a dangerous type of faith. When the gifts stop, so does the faith.
Jesus did not bare Himself to them, because He sensed this. A faith that is based on getting from God and not giving will not hold up in tribulation.
John 16:33 says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
Jesus looked for genuine conversion rather than enthusiasm for the spectacular. This verse also leaves a subtle doubt as to the genuineness of the conversion of some. This emphatic contrast between (verses 23 & 24), in terms of type of trust, therefore, reveals that "belief into His name" involved much more that intellectual assent. It called for whole hearted commitment of one's life as Jesus' disciple.
John 2:25, "And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."
Many believed in Jesus when they witnessed His miracles, but Jesus did not entrust His fate to their hands, for He knew what was in man. The same word, pisteuo ("believe or commit"), is used (in verses 23 and 34). Jesus knew men's hearts. This is illustrated by His subsequent interviews with Nicodemus, the woman at the well and the nobleman.
The Lord can look right into your heart and know whether it be good or bad. Our thoughts are no secrets to Him as well. We are His creation, and He knows everything about us.
Sometimes, like these here who believed, the Lord can see through and know it is a front. What we feel in our heart about something is even more important than what we do and say. Jesus knows the truth anyway. It is no good to lie about how we feel about Him.
John Chapter 2 Continued Questions
1. Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem at this time?
2. What did He find in the temple that displeased Him?
3. What was really going on?
4. Why did they need money changers?
5. What did Jesus make of the cords?
6. What is that?
7. What did Jesus do that showed His anger?
8. When is the only time anger is permitted?
9. What were they doing with doves?
10. What did Jesus tell them to not make His Father's house into?
11. In Matthew, God's house is what?
12. Where was this action prophesied in the Old Testament?
13. What did the Jews want Him to prove?
14. Where did Jesus say He would dwell?
15. What did Jesus say He would do in three days?
16. What did John believe He was speaking of?
17. How long did it take the Jews to build the temple?
18. Why could these Jews not understand what He said?
19. When did the disciples remember this saying?
20. Why did many believe Him?
21. What was wrong with their belief?
22. Passover is eaten on what day?
23. What other Jewish celebration overlaps Passover?
24. Why did Jesus not commit Himself to them?
25. We learn in John 16:33 that in this life we will have ____________.
26. Why did Jesus not need someone to tell Him about these men?
In (verses 3:1-21), the story of Jesus and Nicodemus reinforces John's themes that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God and that He came to offer salvation to men. (John 2:23-24), actually serves as the introduction to Nicodemus' story, since (chapter 3), constitutes tangible evidence of Jesus' ability to know men's hearts and thereby also demonstrates Jesus' deity.
Jesus also presented God's plan of salvation to Nicodemus, showing that He was God's messenger, whose redemptive work brings about the promised salvation to His people (verse 14). The chapter may be divided into two sections:
(1) Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus (verses 1-10); and
(2) Jesus' discourse on God's plan of salvation (verses 11-21).
As we begin this chapter, this section on Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus may be divided into 3 sections:
(1) Nicodemus' inquiry of Jesus (verses 1-3);
(2) Jesus' insight into Nicodemus (verses 4-8);
(3) Jesus' indictment of Nicodemus (verses 9-10).
John 3:1 "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:"
Nicodemus name in Greek means "victor over the people". Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. The meaning of Pharisee comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to separate"
They were not separatists in the sense of isolationists but in the puritanical sense, meaning they were highly zealous for ritual and religious purity according to the Mosaic Law. As well as their own traditions that they added to the Old Testament legislation.
Although their origin is unknown, they seem to have arisen as an offshoot from the "Hasidim" or "pious ones" during the Maccabean era. They were generally from the Jewish middle class and mostly consisted of laity (business men), rather than priests or Levites. They represented the orthodox core of Judaism and very strongly influenced the common people of Israel.
According to Josephus, 6,000 existed at the time of Herod the Great. Jesus condemned them for their hyper-concentration on externalizing religion (rules and regulations), rather than inward spiritual transformation.
This is the same Nicodemus who stands up for Jesus against the Sanhedrin and says "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" (John 7:51).
At the time (verse 1 occurred), Nicodemus was still sneaking to see Jesus so that the other Pharisees would not know that He believed Jesus. We will see this in the next verse because he came by night to see Jesus.
John 3:2 "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."
He came under cover of darkness to keep his associates from knowing. Rabbi, we have touched on before. It is an honorable name for teacher or master.
Nicodemus knows that Jesus is not like the priests and religious leaders in the temple. They do not have the power to heal anyone. He recognizes these miracles as being from God. This is a good beginning with Nicodemus.
Perhaps the most logical explanation why Nicodemus came at night was that he was afraid of the implications of associating openly in conversation with Jesus. He chose night in order to have a clandestine meeting with Jesus rather than risk disfavor with his fellow Pharisees. Among whom Jesus was generally unpopular.
John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
This statement made to Nicodemus was not just for him but for everyone who wants to see the kingdom of God. We know that Verily, verily means that this is beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Jesus answers a question that Nicodemus does not even ask. He read Nicodemus' heart and came to the very core of his problem, i.e., the need for spiritual transformation or regeneration produced by the Holy Spirit. New birth is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the believer.
Chapter (1:12-13), indicates that "born again' also carries the idea "to become children of God" through trust in the name of the incarnate Word.
This statement to a rational man is very difficult to understand. This is really speaking of a drastic change that takes place within a person. The word repent means to turn away from the old life to a new life. This is what this is saying here.
Jesus is telling Nicodemus that to acquire the Kingdom of God is much deeper than just believing in the miracles He did. He is telling Nicodemus that this is drastic, like birth. The change has to be total. You must become a new creature.
"He cannot see the kingdom of God": In context, this is primarily a reference to participation in the millennial kingdom at the end of the age, fervently anticipated by the Pharisees and other Jews. Since the Pharisee were supernaturalists, they naturally and eagerly expected the coming prophesied resurrection of the saints and institution of the messianic kingdom (Isa. 11:1-16, Dan. 12:2).
Their problem was that they thought that mere physical lineage and keeping of religious externals qualified them for entrance into the kingdom rather than the needed spiritual transformation which Jesus emphasized. The coming of the kingdom at the end of the age can be described as the "regeneration" of the word (Matt. 19:28), but regeneration of the individual is required before the end of the world in order to enter the kingdom.
Nicodemus is caught up in things that you can figure out with your mind. He is fully aware of what physical birth is, as you will see in the next verse.
John 3:4 "Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
As I said, Nicodemus is thinking in the natural. Many a mother has interceded for her children and seen them spiritually born again because of her prayers. In a sense, she has birthed them twice.
Nicodemus was a teacher himself and understood the rabbinical method of using figurative language to teach spiritual truth, and he was merely picking up Jesus' symbolism.
John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Jesus wasn't referring to literal water here but to the need for "cleansing".
Ezekiel 36:24-27 tells us: "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].
The argument of baptism could go on for ages. What has to be done which way. I truly believe it is important to be baptized in water as an outward show to the world that we are buried with Christ and rise again with Him to new life.
If there has not been a baptism of our heart changing us from an old flesh creature to a brand new Spirit being, we can be outwardly baptized forever and it will not mean anything. The transformation takes place in our heart. The issues of life, good or bad, come from the heart.
We must have God's Spirit within us to live in newness of life. Verse six tells it all.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
The spirit of a man is what he is. Our flesh or our spirit rules over us. We cannot serve two masters. Those who live in the flesh lust after the things of the flesh. The flesh is not in tune with God. When we are born of the flesh, we are consumed by the lusts for the things of the world.
When we are born of the Spirit, we crucify our flesh. We no longer live to please the flesh, our desire is to continually please God. When we are born of the Spirit, our fruit that we bear will be goodness, righteousness, and truth, as we find in;
Ephesians 5:9-10 "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)" "Proving that which is acceptable unto the Lord."
The first birth of a person is of the flesh, but the rebirth which makes us in right standing with God is of the Spirit. That old earthly man has passed away and we are a brand new creature in Christ.
John 3:7 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
Nicodemus was a learned man of the law and all this seems so strange to him. Jesus tells him not to wonder at it. It is so simple, just accept it. Jesus makes sure Nicodemus knows what He is saying because He says it again here "Ye must be born again" of the Spirit to inherit the kingdom.
John 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
You cannot see the wind or the Spirit. To try to say where the wind came from or where it is going would be pure presumption. This is like the new birth in the Spirit. You know it is there, but to explain how it got there is another thing. God is a Spirit.
To be born in the Spirit then would be to be born into the family of God. Just as you can see after a wind has gone through and rearranged leaves etc., the same thing is with the Spirit. It has a way of rearranging lives. After a windstorm, you see the results. After a new birth in the Spirit, you see the results, as well.
So the point that Jesus was making was that just as the wind cannot be controlled or understood by human beings but its effects can be witnessed, so also it is with the Holy Spirit. He cannot be controlled or understood, but the proof of His work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence.
That's when a person's whole outlook on life changes.
John 3:9 "Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?"
As we said at the very beginning of this study, Nicodemus was a logical man. He analyzed everything all the time, but this he could not understand. He asks Jesus how can it be?
John 3:10 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"
This is not quite a reprimand, but perhaps a caution. Jesus is telling him, you are a man of the law and you don't know this. It seems too, that Nicodemus must have held an important position because he is called here master of Israel. Nicodemus should have known more about what the Old Testament Scriptures taught.
Jesus' reply emphasized the spiritual bankruptcy of the nation at that time, since even one of the greatest of Jewish teachers did not recognize this teaching on spiritual cleansing and transformation based clearly in the Old Testament (verse 5).
The net effect is to show that externals of religion may have a deadening effect on one's spiritual perception.
John 3:11 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness."
Nicodemus believed the miracles, but he could not turn loose of his affluent life and become a new creature. He wasn't ready to give up friends and family (that's why he came to find Jesus at night). Nicodemus did not really want a total change, just a little bit of change would be okay.
He didn't want to be a new creature with the old passed away. He liked his old way as master of Israel. We read earlier how this Light of Jesus would shine in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not. Jesus is saying, we are giving you our firsthand knowledge and you don't believe us.
John 3:12 "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
Jesus says to Nicodemus here "The example I gave you was of earthly things that you are acquainted with, and you do not understand. What makes you think you would understand heavenly things of which you know nothing.
Jesus focused on the idea that unbelief is the cause of ignorance. At heart, Nicodemus' failure to understand Jesus' words centered not so much in his intellect but in his failure to believe Jesus' witness.
John Chapter 3 Questions
1. Who was this ruler of the Jews in verse 1?
2. What was he?
3. What does Nicodemus mean?
4. Who does Nicodemus stand against later to take up for Jesus?
5. What makes us know Nicodemus doesn't want anyone else to know he came to Jesus?
6. What does he call Jesus?
7. What made Nicodemus believe Jesus came from God?
8. "Except a man be _______ ________ he cannot see the kingdom of God"
9. What does repent mean?
10. What logical question does Nicodemus ask Jesus?
11. "Except a man be born of _______ and of the _______, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God"
12. Where does the new birth transformation take place?
13. "That which is born of the _______ is ________"
14. "And that which is born of the _______ is _______"
15. We cannot serve ________________ masters.
16. What are the desires of fleshly people?
17. Who rules over the spirit?
18. Name three fruits of the Spirit?
19. Where is this Scripture found on the fruit of the Spirit?
20. What did Jesus tell Nicodemus to marvel not at?
21. What can you not tell about the wind?
22. Compare a windstorm to someone who just received the Spirit.
23. In verse 9, what did he ask Jesus?
24. What did Jesus call Nicodemus that would have made you think he knew more about the Bible?
25. What did Jesus tell Nicodemus he wouldn't understand?
John 3:13 "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man which is in heaven."
Son of man is a messianic title. See (Daniel 7:13), for the Old Testament source. In the last lesson, Jesus was telling Nicodemus how to receive the kingdom of God. Jesus had just finished telling Nicodemus that he did not understand things of the earth, and how could he then understand things of the heavenly.
Jesus is telling Nicodemus, you haven't been up in heaven, so you can't understand. Jesus is speaking of Himself (in verse 13.)
This verse contradicts other religious systems' claims to special revelation from God. Jesus insisted that no one has ascended to heaven in such a way as to return and talk about heavenly things. (2 Cor. 12:1-4). Only He had His permanent abode in heaven prior to His Incarnation and therefore, only He has the true knowledge regarding heavenly wisdom (Prov. 30:4).
He was in heaven with God and came to earth to save us. Jesus is the only one who truly understands the heavenly.
John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:"
In Numbers, it tells the provision that God made for the sins of the people to be forgiven.
Numbers 21:9 "And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."
This is a veiled prediction of Jesus' death on the cross. Jesus referred to the story of (Numbers 21:5-9), where the Israelite people who looked at the serpent lifted up by Moses were healed. The point of this illustration or analogy is in the "lifted up." Just as Moses lifted up the snake on the pole so that all who looked upon it might live physically. Those who look to Christ, who was "lifted up" on the cross, will live spiritually and eternally.
John 3:15 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
This serpent was made of brass. Brass means judgment. This serpent and the brass is what you see on a doctor's papers. This serpent lifted up on a pole is the very thing that happens to us with Jesus. Jesus was raised up, and we must look to Him to be saved.
In (2 Kings 18:4), you can read of the destruction of the brazen serpent on the pole. It was just a shadow of what wonderful thing would happen when Jesus should be raised and save us. If we look to Jesus, we will find deliverance.
This is the first of 10 references to "eternal life" in John's gospel. The same Greek word is translated in some versions as "everlasting life." The two expressions appear in the New Testament nearly 50 times.
Eternal like refers not only to eternal quantity but divine quality of life. It means literally "life of the age to come" and refers therefore to resurrection and heavenly existence in perfect glory and holiness. This life for believers in the Lord Jesus is experienced before heaven is reached.
This "eternal life" is in essence, nothing less that participation in the eternal life of the Living Word, Jesus Christ. It is the life of God in every believer, yet not fully manifest until the resurrection.
Notice salvation is for whosoever will. Believeth means continues to believe. The Him is Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 10:9), goes into a little more detail about this belief. If we truly believe in our heart and confess with our mouth, we shall be saved and not perish. Believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord brings everlasting life.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
This is the most quoted Scripture in the entire Bible. You can easily see why; because it is full of so much hope. We need to take a very good look at it. "God so loved"; this is a love so far above anything man knows that we really do not understand.
The word loved here is translated from Agape which means to love much in a moral sense. This love goes way beyond the human ability to love. This type of love is not because, but in spite of. He loved us with this love so much, that while we were yet in sin, He sent His Son to die on the cross to save us: not because we deserved it, but because we didn't deserve it.
The Son's mission is bound up in the supreme love of God for the evil, sinful "world" of humanity that is in rebellion against Him. The word "so" emphasizes the intensity or greatness of His love. The Father gave His unique and beloved Son to die on behalf of sinful men.
Jesus came to save the lost. It is so simple and yet so hard. Believeth here again, means continues to believe. You see, salvation is a way of life. Every day when we get up we must remember all over again and believe. This is not something we do causally. This belief means to believe in God and love Him more than anything or anyone else.
(Matthew 22:37), tells us what this love and belief is: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
You see, if you really believe, you will practice the verse above. God will be first in your life, or He will not be in your life at all. There is no way to perish if you are in this right standing with God. He has prepared for us a place to spend all of eternity with Him.
John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
This "sent here" shows that Jesus is on a mission to accomplish for forever. The name Jesus, as we have said before, means Savior or Jehovah Savior. The Word took on the name of Jesus Christ for His work of salvation.
There is a time, at the end of the age, when Jesus will be Judge and will determine each of our destinations, whether heaven or hell.
His mission to the earth, however, was to save all mankind who would accept it. The name of Jesus is very powerful. The only way to get to heaven is through belief in Him. So, through Him we receive eternal life.
John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Salvation is so simple. So many do not receive God, because they have pre-conceived ideas of how it is so hard to be saved. Faith in the name of Jesus Christ, speaking of this belief to others, and a love for God that surpasses all others is so intertwined that they are inseparable. To believe in Him truly and completely changes our life.
This phrase (Literally "to believe on him"), means more than mere intellectual ascent to the claims of the gospel. It includes trust and commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior which results in receiving a new nature (verse 7), which produces a change in heart and obedience to the Lord.
To believe on the name of Jesus thus causes us to keep His commandments. To believe on His name brings peace, joy, and hope. If we believe, we are assured of the resurrection.
We are not like those who have refused Him and have no hope. When Thomas asked Jesus how he could know the way, Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
We have spoken so much about the Light. This Light is Jesus. This Light gives everything the power to live. The best thing this Light does is do away with darkness. The great thing about this Light is that it shines into all the corners of life and makes manifest (visible), the works.
People, who have rejected the Light of Jesus, want their deeds to be hidden by darkness. They are ashamed to have them out in the open. I have said it before, but notice most crimes are done under cover of darkness. Where there is absence of light, darkness prevails.
Everything pertaining to darkness pertains to Satan and his crowd. Come to the Light and let this Light do away with all the darkness in your life.
John 3:20 "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
We see here a contrast. The evil doer will hate the Light because it would reveal his evil conduct. This could have to do with the followers of Jesus (Light), and the followers of Satan (darkness).
Those who drink, swear, and do all sorts of bad things hate those who do good things. It gives the evil children of darkness a terrible guilt complex to be around those of truth and life. Comparisons are bound to come up, and those who walk in darkness fall way short.
Those who are living evil lives hate those who are following Jesus. Their sins make them feel guilty, and that causes them to hate.
John 3:21 "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
Truth, love, joy, peace, honesty, and happiness need no darkness to hide in. They are products of the Light. Those who live in the Light are eager to have any small things in their life that are not pleasing to God become know to them, so they can get rid of them.
They are growing constantly in honesty, peace, and truth. The Light reveals what is there. If they are good deeds, you do not want them hidden.
John Chapter 3 Continued Questions
1. What man hath ascended up to heaven in verse 13?
2. Why can't Nicodemus understand?
3. Even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, who must be lifted up?
4. What was the serpent made of in Numbers?
5. What does that metal mean?
6. What do we see in doctor's offices today that is taken from the Old Testament and points to healing?
7. If we look to Jesus we will find ________________________.
8. Who is salvation for?
9. What is the most memorized Scripture in the entire Bible?
10. What kind of love is spoken of in John 3:16?
11. What is the difference between God's love and man's love?
12. ________________________________ is a way of life.
13. How are we to love God?
14. God sent not his Son into the world to ____________ it but to __________ it.
15. What does the word send in verse 17 show about Jesus?
16. When will Jesus be Judge?
17. In verse 18, what does anyone need to do not to be condemned?
18. Why do men love darkness rather than light?
19. What is the very best thing Light does?
20. "For every one that doeth evil hateth the ____________________"
21. Why does he that doeth truth come to the Light?
22. Name six things that need no cover of darkness.
Verses 22-36: This section constitutes John the Baptist's last testimony in this gospel regarding Christ. As his ministry faded away, Jesus' ministry moved to the forefront. In spite of the fact that John the Baptist received widespread fame in Israel and was generally accepted by the common people of the land as well as those who where social outcasts, his testimony regarding Jesus was rejected. Especially by the leaders of Israel.
John 3:22 "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized."
While the previous episode with Nicodemus took place in Jerusalem, which was part of Judea, the phrase here means that Jesus went out into the rural areas of that region.
(Chapter 4:2), specifically says that Jesus did not personally baptize but that His disciples carried on this work. In John 4:2, we see that Jesus didn't personally baptize,
John 4:2 "(though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)". Jesus preached and His disciples baptized. These country folk seemed to be more acceptable of Jesus than those of the temple.
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
The exact location of this reference is disputed. The phrase may refer to either Salim near Shechem or Salim that is six miles South of Beth-shean. Both are in the region of Samaria. Aenon is a transliterated Hebrew word meaning "springs", and both these possible sites have plenty of water.
We see here that John the Baptist was still preaching repentance and pointing them to the Savior. Possibly thousands of people were baptized by John, and the fact that abundant water was there would be important.
John did not go and join Jesus' group because that was not what God called him to do. He was to proclaim the coming of Messiah and tell those who didn't know that He was here.
John 3:24 "For John was not yet cast into prison."
This provides another indication that John supplemented the synoptic gospels by providing additional information that helps further understanding of the movements of John the Baptist and Jesus.
In Matthew and Mark, Christ's temptation is followed by John's imprisonment. With this phrase, John the apostle fills in the slot between Jesus' baptism and temptation and the Baptist's imprisonment.
John had spoken boldly about Herod taking his brother's wife, Herodias, as his wife. He went so far as to tell them that they were living in adultery.
John would be cast into prison and lose his head for this accusation.
John 3:25 "Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying."
The town that John was in was probably pretty close to Jerusalem, since this question arose. This ceremonial cleansing with the Jews was very important and this seemed to be what the discussion was about.
Jesus had taught that what went on in the heart was much more important than these washings from without. To receive Jesus, there had to be a change of heart. The spirit of man (within), was what had to be clean. The cleansed heart brought good things to surface.
The Levitical law contained many ordinances to washing the outward flesh. I guess if there was one basic difference in the law and grace, it is the difference in flesh and spirit. Jesus looked on the inside of man. The law looked on the outside.
Washing away your sins with baptism is the baptism of repentance and has to do with the past. The baptism of the Spirit changes man from within.
The real underlying impetus however centered in the concern of John's disciples that Jesus was in competition with him.
This next section of verses 25-36 may be divided into 3 parts which highlight the significance of what was occurring in relationship to John's and Jesus' ministry:
1) John the Baptist constituted the end of the old age in (verses 25-29);
(2) the transition to Jesus' ministry in (verse 30); and
(3) Jesus' ministry as constituting the beginning of the new age in verses (31-36).
Instead of jealousy, John exhibited humble faithfulness to the superiority of Jesus' persona and ministry.
John 3:26 "And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
This is meaning John's disciples came to him. Rabbi is a name of great importance. Jesus was called by this name by those who had great respect for Him. The strange thing to understand here is that John's disciples knew that John spoke of Jesus as Messiah. Why did they not follow Jesus?
Perhaps it was loyalty to John, but John's mission was to open up the way for Jesus the Christ (Messiah). These disciples are disappointed that more people are being baptized by Jesus' disciples.
The potential conflict between John and Jesus was heightened by the fact that both were engaged in ministry in close proximity to one another. Because baptism is mentioned in (verse 22), Jesus may have been close to Jericho near the fords of the Jordan, while John was a short distance North baptizing at Aenon. John's followers were especially disturbed by the fact that so many were flocking to Jesus whereas formerly they had come to John.
John 3:27 "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."
John is telling his disciples here that he has done the job that God gave him to do. He is not supposed to do more. His mission is complete. Ministers of today should look at this. John is not jealous of Jesus. John has done the job that God gave him to do.
This verse emphasizes God's sovereign authority in granting ministry opportunity.
Everyone who has ever been called to do anything for God should do exactly what they are called to do, nothing more and nothing less. We should never compare ourselves with others' calls. Their call is different. We must do what God called us to do and not someone else's job. It may be great or small. Whatever it is, it is our job.
John 3:28 "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him."
John, half-reprimanding his disciples, says "I told you that I was preparing you for the Messiah (Christ)".
John quickly tells them "I told you from the beginning that I am not Messiah. I was sent as a messenger to tell of Him and to make the road open for everyone to receive Him when He came. You know that is what I said; you are my witness that is all that I said."
John 3:29 "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."
We see here, John giving them an earthly example so that they will understand. The friend here is like the best man at the wedding. He helps prepare for the wedding and gets everything ready for the wedding, but the groom and bride are the main participants.
The friend must step aside when the wedding actually begins. This friend found his greatest joy in watching the ceremony proceed without problems.
We know that this Scripture has a deeper meaning than just the surface. Most likely John was also alluding to Old Testament passages where faithful Israel is depicted as the bride or the Lord (Isa. 62:4-5; Jer. 2:2; Hosea 2:16-20).
The bride is the church; those who receive Jesus as Savior are the bride. Jesus is the bridegroom. John rejoiced because his message was true.
John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."
John is saying "This is the one that I prepared the way for. Now that He is here, I must step aside and let Him take over". John is saying the messenger is not as important as the message. When the message arrives, the messenger's job is done.
In (verses 31:36) John the Baptist gives 5 reasons for Christ's superiority to him:
(1) Christ had a heavenly origin (verse 31);
(2) Christ knew what was true by firsthand experience (verse 32);
(3) Christ's testimony always agreed with God (verse 33);
(4) Christ experienced the Holy Spirit in an unlimited manner (verse 34;
(5) Christ was supreme because the Father sovereignty had granted that status to Him (verse 35).
John 3:31-32 "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all." "And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony."
These verses bring together several of the themes from the entire chapter. From the immediate context, John explained why Jesus the incarnate word must become greater, i.e., He alone is "from above" (heavenly origin) and therefore "above all."
John says here "I am an earthly body, and all I can tell you about is the earth, but Jesus is the Word who took on flesh. This Jesus can tell you all about heaven, because He has been living in heaven. He (Jesus), is above me. He is my God."
He, Jesus, has firsthand knowledge of heaven, the heavenly beings, and the throne of God. He was there. Jesus does not tell you of things He believes. He tells you of things He knows. He has seen these things with His own eyes, and heard the things He tells you with His own ears.
Men do not believe Him, because they do not know who He is, God the Son. Even though the Scriptures have prophesied His coming for so many years, now that He is here, they do not believe Him.
John could not reveal heaven's counsel like Jesus, the God-Man.
John 3:33 "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."
Those who have received Him, have received the Truth of God. God's promises always come about. Those who believe Jesus Christ of Nazareth is Messiah the Savior have their names written in the Lamb's book of life.
John 3:34 "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."
Jesus was completely filled with the Spirit. Every gift of the Spirit was active in Jesus. It tells it the very way it is in Colossians.
Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
God gave the Spirit to the Son without limits.
You see, Jesus was God the Word, who became God the Son. We call Him Jesus because His purpose on the earth was to be our Jehovah Savior.
John 3:35 "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand."
In (Matthew 11:27), the Lord Jesus says that all things were given unto Him. John the Baptist heard the voice from heaven say "This is my beloved Son".
John has heard of the miracles that Jesus has done which was not part of John's ministry as well. He knows who this is.
John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
We read this very same meaning in (Romans 10:9-10). Believeth, as we have said before, has a much deeper meaning than what we see on the surface here. Believeth means continues to believe in the face of all kinds of hardships.
Jesus expresses Himself later in this book of John by saying "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 4:16). We have discussed how the breath of life within us was placed there by God. Believing has to do with being willing to be obedient to God. If we believe, then we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
He is Truth, Happiness, Joy, Knowledge, Love, and a million other really good things. How could we be such a fool to turn down all of that by saying we do not believe. It is so simple to truly believe way down deep in our heart and then confess that belief to others.
I want to say one thing here that might not relate too closely, but I believe it is a point. Adam and Eve were in the garden where the Tree of life was. The Tree of life (Jesus), was available to them. It was in the center of the garden. Had they eaten of the Tree of life (Jesus), they would have lived forever.
They ate around the edge of the garden. They didn't take the trouble to go to the center of the garden. Christians (so called), stop nibbling at the edge of the garden. Make Jesus (the Tree of life), the center of your life and you too, will acquire everlasting life.
This constitutes a fitting climax to the chapter. John the Baptist laid out two alternatives, genuine faith and defiant disobedience, thereby bringing to the forefront the threat of looming judgment. As John faded from the forefront, he offered an invitation to faith in the Son and clearly expressed the ultimate consequence of failure to believe, i.e. "the wrath of God."
John 3 Second Continued Questions
1. What were Jesus and His men doing in the land of Judea?
2. Did Jesus actually baptize?
3. Who was baptizing at Aenon?
4. Why did they choose that spot?
5. In verse 24, we know that what awaits John?
6. What were the questions that arose between Jesus' disciples and John's disciples?
7. Jesus taught that the purifying that was necessary was what?
8. What is the difference between the law and Jesus' teaching?
9. What honorable name did John's disciples call him?
10. What slight exaggeration did John's disciple make?
11. What was John's mission God gave him?
12. Where are the orders given for anyone who is called to the ministry?
13. What did John remind his disciples of in verse 28?
14. Who is the bridegroom symbolic of in verse 29?
15. Who is the bridegroom's friend?
16. Why was John rejoicing that Jesus had the greater number of followers?
17. In verse 30, what does John say about himself and Jesus?
18. Which is more important, the message or the messenger?
19. Who is above all?
20. Why can Jesus tell so well about heavenly things?
21. What have those done who received Jesus' testimony?
22. Who is the only one who ever was filled completely with the Spirit on earth?
23. In Colossians 2:9, what do we learn of Jesus?
24. Who gave all things into Jesus' hands?
25. How did John know that God the Father loved Jesus?
26. He that believeth on the Son hath _______ _____________.
27. What abideth on him that believes not?
28. What causes us to be obedient to God?
29. Where was the Tree of Life located in the Garden of Eden?
30. What lesson can we Christians learn from the location of the Tree?
Verses 1-26: The story of the Samaritan woman reinforces John's main theme that Jesus is the Messiah and son of God. The thrust of these verses is not so much her conversion but that Jesus is Messiah (verse 26).
While her conversion is clearly implied, the apostle's focus centers on Jesus' declaration foretold in the Scriptures (verses 25). Important also is the fact that this chapter demonstrates Jesus' love and understanding of people. His love for mankind involved no boundaries, for He lovingly and compassionately reached out to a woman who was a social outcast.
In contrast to the limitations of human love, Christ exhibits the character of divine love that is indiscriminate and all encompassing (3:16).
John 4:1 "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,"
These Pharisees opposed John the Baptist, but they were even more opposed to Jesus Himself. By this time word had filtered out to them that Jesus was baptizing even more than John. This angered the Pharisees.
John 4:2-3 "(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)" "He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee."
We see here in parentheses that it was actually Jesus' disciples who were doing the actual baptizing. Jesus was preaching, and His men were baptizing.
Jesus left these religious people of that day and went out to where His message would be more readily accepted. Jesus would go to the people themselves over the leaders of the temple.
John the Baptist and Jesus had official scrutiny focused on them because of their distinctive message regarding repentance and the kingdom. Most likely, Jesus wanted to avoid any possible trouble with John's disciples who were troubled with His growing popularity, and since the Pharisees were also focusing on His growing influence, Jesus decided to leave Judea and travel North in order to avoid any conflict.
John 4:4 "And he must needs go through Samaria."
Samaria means watch mountain. This had been an evil city. Ahab built a temple to Baal. Elisha and Elijah had ministered in Samaria also. This became a city that Philip preached in.
Several roads led from Judea to Galilee. One near the seacoast; another through the region of Perea; and one through the heart of Samaria. Even with the strong antipathy between Jews and Samaritans, the Jewish historian Josephus relates that the custom of Judeans at the time of the great festivals was to travel through the country of the Samarians because it was the shortest route. Although the verb "had to, or must needs go" may possibly refer to the fact that Jesus wanted to save time and needless steps. Because of the gospel's emphasis on the Lord's consciousness of fulfilling His Father's plan, the apostle may have been highlighting divine, spiritual necessity. I.e., Jesus had an appointment with divine destiny in meeting the Samaritan woman, to whom He would reveal His messiahship.
We see here that Jesus passes through Samaria. This Samaria is probably the country of which the capital is the city of Samaria.
John 4:5 "Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph."
This and the next verse refer back to (Genesis 48:22), where Jacob bequeathed a section of land to Joseph which he had purchased from the "sons of Hamor". When the Jews returned from Egypt, they buried Joseph's bones in that land at Shechem. This area became the inheritance of Joseph's descendants.
The precise location of "Jacob's well" has been set by a firm tradition among Jews, Samaritans, Muslims, and Christians and lies today in the shadow of the crypt of an unfinished Orthodox church. The term used here for "well", denotes a running spring, while in (11-12), John used another term for "well" that means "cistern" or "dug out well", indicating that the well was both dug out and fed by an underground spring. This spring is still active today.
This word Sychar means town of drunkards or town of liars. There is no record of a town by this name, so many believe it was John's way of telling of the sins of the city Shechem.
This town is probably identified with the modern village of Askar on the shoulder of Mt. Ebal, opposite Mt. Gerizim. A continuous line of tradition identifies Jacob's well as lying about a half mile South of Askar.
In (Genesis 33:19), and in numerous other Scriptures, it appears it is the land of Shechem.
John 4:6 "Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour."
We see this then is about noon time (6th hour). John used Roman time so this would be about 6 p.m.
In the flesh, Jesus would get tired just as we do. He was weary from all this walking and in His humanity, would suffer from physical limitations. He sat down on the well to rest.
We read about Jacob having this well dug in Genesis.
John 4:7 "There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink."
Jesus here is speaking to a woman of not very high estate, because she is drawing water.
Jesus is a Jew and she is drawing water. Jesus is a Jew and she is a Samaritan. For a Jewish man to speak to a woman in public, let alone to ask from her, a Samaritan, for a drink was a definite breach of rigid social custom. As well as a marked departure for the social animosity that existed between the two groups.
Further, a "rabbi" and religious leader did not hold conversations with women of ill repute (verse 18).
Jesus asks her for a drink, so that He might bless her.
John 4:8 "(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)"
This tells us a few things about the disciples. They had money to buy with. They were not totally without funds. Jesus does not just make food appear every time they get hungry. When they can provide for themselves, He lets them.
This verse indicates that since Jesus and His disciples were willing to purchase food from Samaritans, they did not follow some of the self-imposed regulations of stricter Jews, who would have been unwilling to eat food handled by outcast Samaritans.
John 4:9 "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans."
Had the disciples been with Jesus, this conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman would have been harder. The disciples would not have wanted her speaking to Jesus.
Notice also here, that Jesus is where we are so that we might receive Him.
This woman was aware that the Jews thought themselves better than the Samaritans. She knew that many of the men of Samaria thought of women not too highly either, so she brought that up also. Jesus had a great deal to do with women. This was no barrier to Him.
Just as the churches in most of the cities of the U.S. today are about 75% women, a large part of Jesus' followers were women then including all of the Marys', Martha, Dorcas, Joanna, Susanna, and many others.
(Luke 8:2-3), mentions some of these women who helped Jesus.
John 4:10 "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."
The Old Testament is the background for this term, which has important metaphorical significance. In (Jer. 2:13), Yahweh decries the disobedient Jews for rejecting Him, the "fountain of living waters." The Old Testament prophets looked forward to a time when "living waters will flow out of Jerusalem" (Zech. 14:8; Ezek. 47:9).
The Old Testament metaphor spoke of the knowledge of God and His grace which provides cleansing, spiritual life, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
John applies these themes to Jesus Christ as the living water which is symbolic of eternal life mediated by the Holy Spirit from Him (verse 14; 6:35; 7:37-39). Jesus used the woman's need for physical water to sustain life in this arid region in order to serve as an object lesson for their need for spiritual transformation.
The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ. We see from this that it is necessary to know who Jesus is before we can receive eternal life from Him.
This living water is the gift of the Holy Ghost. This water that springs inside of us never stops flowing. Jesus is telling her to ask and she will receive, if she believes.
John 4:11 "The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water."
This woman, like so many of our modern day church members, can only see the physical. She rationalizes that the well is deep, and He has nothing to draw the water out with.
John 4:12 "Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?"
She is claiming to be a descendent of Jacob. Jacob through Joseph, through Ephraim, would have been the chain. What she doesn't realize is that Jesus was before Jacob and, in fact, is Jacob's God.
John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:" "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
This is the water of the Holy Spirit of God. There is a song called "There Is a River". It says in this song that this river flows from deep within. Water spoken of in many places in the Bible means the Word.
We see here then that Jesus is offering to her the water of life. She had been looking at the well of Jacob which brings water to quench the fleshly thirst. The water Jesus has is water of the Spirit.
John 4:15 "The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw."
The woman, like (Nicodemus in 3:4), did not realize that Jesus was talking about her spiritual needs. Instead, in her mind, she wanted such water in order to avoid her frequent trips to Jacob's well.
Jesus had told her (in verse 10), if she asked, He would give her this water. Here she asked. She is like many Christians who believe Jesus' gifts are to make our flesh feel better. Jesus' gifts are of the Spirit.
John 4:16 "Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither."
Since the woman failed to understand the nature of the living water He offered (verse 15), Jesus abruptly turned the dialogue to focus sharply on her real spiritual need for conversion and cleansing from sin. His intimate knowledge of her morally depraved life not only indicated His supernatural ability, but also focused on her spiritual condition.
This does not mean that her husband would have to come for her to receive salvation from God. It just shows us that Jesus knows she doesn't have a husband, and He says this to her to get her to repent of her sins. If you will, He is activating her conscience.
John 4:17-18 "The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:" "For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly."
She was living conjugally with a man who Jesus said was not her husband. By such an explicit statement, our Lord rejected the notion that when two people live together it constitutes marriage. Biblically, marriage is always restricted to a public, formal, official and recognized covenant.
Jesus knew all of this about her, before He ever began speaking to her. The wonderful thing to me in all of this is that even though her sins were scarlet, Jesus offered salvation to her. He accepts her penitent heart when she says "I have no husband".
John 4:19 "The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet."
Jesus' knowledge of her life indicated that He had supernatural inspiration.
John 4:20 "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."
Both Jews and Samaritans recognized that God had commanded their forefathers to identify a special place for worshipping Him (Deut. 12:5). The Jews, recognizing the entire Hebrew canon, chose Jerusalem. The Samaritans, recognizing only the Pentateuch, noted that the first place Abraham built an altar to God was at Shechem (Gen. 12:6-7), which was overlooked by Mt. Gerizim, where the Israelites had shouted the blessings promised by God before they entered the Promised Land. As a result, they chose Mt. Gerizim for the place of their temple.
We see in this that this woman's people only believe the Pentateuch, or the first five books of Moses. For her to see that Jesus is a prophet is more than her people will accept.
They (the Samaritans), did not accept the prophetic books of the Bible as truth. Abraham and Jacob had built altars in this area, but they had been off and on with true worship.
We see that she is aware that the Jews thought mount Moriah should be where God's temple should be. For special celebrations, Jews from all over Israel came to Jerusalem to worship. Passover was one of those occasions.
John 4:21 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father."
There was no reason to debate locations, since both places would be obsolete soon and neither would have any role to play in the lives of those who genuinely worship God. Jerusalem would even be destroyed with its temple in 70 A.D. by General Titus of the Romans.
In a very few short years (about forty), the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.
John Chapter 4 Questions
1. When Jesus heard that the Pharisees had heard He was baptizing more than John, what did He do?
2. Who really was doing the actual baptizing?
3. What country did Jesus go through?
4. What does Samaria mean?
5. Who were two prominent prophets who had ministered here?
6. What was the name of the city where He came?
7. Who had Jacob given land to here?
8. What does Sychar mean?
9. What was John probably doing calling Shechem by this name?
10. Where did Jesus stop to rest His body?
11. What time of day was it when Jesus stopped to rest?
12. Who came to the well?
13. What did Jesus ask her for?
14. Where were the disciples when this happened?
15. What does this Scripture tell us about the needs of the disciples?
16. Who did she say the Jews had no dealings with?
17. Was the fact that she was a woman a barrier for Jesus?
18. "If thou knewest the ______ of ____ and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."
19. What is the gift of God?
20. Living water symbolizes what?
21. What two reasons did she give Jesus why He could not get water?
22. She asks Jesus "Art thou greater than our father _____________."
23. Jesus told her, if she drank of this well water she would __________ _________."
24. If she drinks of the water He gives her, what will happen?
25. In verse 15, she asks Jesus for what?
26. Who did Jesus tell her to call?
27. What is her answer?
28. How many husbands had she had?
29. What did she perceive Jesus was?
30. Where did the Jews say was the place to worship?
31. What did Jesus tell her would happen soon?
We had (verse 21), in the last lesson, but it bears repeating here. To set the scene, Jesus is speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4:21. "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father."
There was no reason to debate locations, since both places would be obsolete soon and neither would have any role to play in the lives of those who genuinely worshipped God. Jerusalem would even be destroyed with its temple in 70 A.D.
Notice that Jesus does not reprimand her for worshipping here rather than in Jerusalem. God cannot be contained in a house.
John 4:22 "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews."
The Samaritans did not know God. They did not have the full revelation of Him, and thus could not worship in truth.
They worshipped the unknown God of the first five books of the Bible. Those are the books of Moses. Jesus reminds her here that the law came through the Jews. He is actually telling her that through Him (a Jew), salvation comes.
The Jews did have the full revelation of God in the Old Testament, thus they knew the God they worshiped, because salvation's truth came first to them and through them to the world.
John 4:23 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him."
Jesus is explaining to the woman here, that true worship takes place in your heart. Worship (true), is not in all the ceremonial things you do, but do you really love the Father in your heart and desire to please Him?
Spirit is not capitalized above because this is speaking of man's spirit.
The will of true Christians is to do what God would have them do. They diligently search the Bible to find the will of the Father, that they might live in it.
1 Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams."
Jesus is the truth. They live the truth. Their spirit controls their flesh and lives to please the Father.
The Bible must be our textbook. Jesus must be Lord of everything in our life. We cannot live a fleshly and a spirit life. Let the spirit control the flesh and we will please God.
This scripture refers to Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension to God, having completed redemption.
"True worshipers": Jesus' point is that in light of His coming as Messiah and Savior, worshipers will be identified, not by a particular shrine or location, but by their worship of the Father through the Son. With Christ's coming, previous distinctions between true and false worshipers based on locations disappeared. True worshipers are all those everywhere who worship God through the Son, from the heart.
John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
This verse represents the classical statement on the nature of God as Spirit. The phase means that God is invisible as opposed to the physical or material nature of man. The word order of this phrase puts an emphasis on "spirit," and the statement is essentially emphatic. Man, could never comprehend the invisible God unless He revealed Himself, as He did in Scripture and the incarnation.
This is the image we are made in. We are a spirit dwelling in a house (flesh), and we have a soul (will). The flesh will return to dust. God is eternal. Our Spirit will live eternally. This spirit will take on a new heavenly body for our stay in heaven.
"In spirit and truth": The word "spirit" does not refer to the Holy Spirit but to the human spirit. Jesus' point here is that a person must worship not simply by external conformity to religious rituals and places (outwardly), but inwardly ("in spirit"), with the proper heart attitude. The reference to "truth" refers to worship of God consistent with the revealed Scripture and centered on the "Word made flesh" who ultimately revealed His Father.
The Father, Word, and Holy Ghost are one in Spirit. Only the spirit of man can truly worship this God who is Spirit. If we submit our will to the Father as Jesus did when He said "Nevertheless not my will but thine", we will be worshipping the way He would have us to.
John 4:25 "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things."
She knows something about the Scriptures, because she knows Messiah is promised. It even appears that she realizes more about Him than many others do. She knows that He won't just tell them where to worship, but will reveal to them the will of the Father as well.
The Samaritans also anticipated Messiah's coming.
John 4:26 "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."
Jesus forthrightly declared Himself to be Messiah, thought His habit was to avoid such declarations to His own Jewish people who had such crassly political and militaristic views regarding Messiah. The "He" in this translation is not in the original Greek for Jesus literally said "I who speak to you am." The usage of "I am" is reminiscent of (8:58). This claim constitutes the main point of the story regarding the Samaritan woman.
This is really the first time Jesus has come right out and said who He was with nothing hidden. Jesus knew that He was not to reign as King at this time. He had hidden from others just exactly who He was, because He knew that was not to be His job this time on earth.
Verses 27-42 reinforce Jesus' acknowledgment that He was Messiah by offering proof for His claim. John gave 5 genuine, but subtle, proofs that Jesus was truly Messiah and Son of God which reinforced his main theme of 20:31.
1. Proof from His immediate control of everything (verse 27).
2. Proof from His impact on the woman (verses 28-30).
3. Proof from His intimacy with the Father (verses 31-34).
4. Proof from His insight into men's souls (verses 35-38).
5. Proof from His impression on the Samaritans (verses 39-42).
John 4:27 "And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?"
Had the disciples arrived earlier, they would have interrupted and destroyed the conversation. And if they had arrived any later, she would have gone and they would not have heard His declaration of messiahship. This feature subtly reveals Jesus' divine control over the situation that was occurring.
The Rabbis' had taught that a man should not salute a woman in a public place. These teachings, like so many other things taught, were not really the wishes of God, but man. They marveled because in their eyes, He was too good to speak with a woman.
One of the things Jesus did was take away the curse on the women. He treated them equally with the men. In fact, a great portion of His followers were women. We found in Luke that they ministered to Him with their substance. He lifted woman to her true position by the side of man.
They were the last at the cross and the first at the sepulcher. They received the baptism of the Spirit in Acts.
In Christ there is no male or female (Galatians 3:28). Jesus was interested in the spirit, not the flesh. The spirit knows no gender.
John 4:28-29 "The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men," "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"
By this time she was so excited that she left this water pot behind. I am sure she ran to the city to tell everyone who would listen. This word she carries is like a missionary in a hostile land.
Jesus had such an impact on the woman that she was eager to share the news among the townspeople whom she had previously avoided because of her reputation.
She came to the men and told them "Come see a man which told me all about my life." Then she poses the question "Is this not the Christ?"
John 4:30 "Then they went out of the city, and came unto him."
Her witness and candor regarding her own life had so impressed the men of the city, that they came to see Jesus for themselves.
Her excitement is what caused them to go and see.
John 4:31 "In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat."
The disciples had gone to Sychar and gotten food and now they are back and hungry. They say "Master, eat".
John 4:32 "But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of."
Jesus is not as absorbed with pleasing the flesh as the disciples are. Jesus fasts for many days at a time. He is more interested in the salvation of this woman than He is in eating.
Just like the Samaritan woman's misunderstanding of Jesus words regarding literal water (verse 15), Jesus' own disciples thought only of literal food. John commonly used such misunderstanding to advance the argument of his gospel (See 2:20 and 3:3).
John 4:33 "Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat."
They were thinking that perhaps this woman brought Him something to eat. What they didn't realize is that He was not as absorbed with caring for His body as they were.
John 4:34 "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
Most likely Jesus echoed (Deut. 8:3), where Moses stated "man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord".
When He talked with the Samaritan woman, Jesus was performing the will of the Father and thereby received greater sustenance and satisfaction that any mere physical food could offer Him.
The thing which makes Jesus happy is not a big meal, but to know He is doing the will of the Father. He realizes time is running out and wants to get on with the job He was sent to do. I have said it before, but it is very important that we become able to say "Not my will but thine, O Lord", just as Jesus did.
His obedience to and dependence upon God's will summed up Jesus' whole life. God's will for Him to finish is explained (in 6:38-40).
John 4:35 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."
The event probably happened in December or January which was 4 months before the normal spring harvest which was in mid April. Crops were planted in November and by December or January, the grain would be sprouting up in vibrant green color.
Jesus used the fact that they were surrounded by crops growing in the field and waiting to be harvested as an object lesson to illustrate His urgency about reaching the lost which the "harvest" symbolized.
This is certainly a spiritual harvest spoken of here. Jesus is telling these disciples "What are you waiting for? The time to bring people into the kingdom is now." Jesus speaks of the harvest of people into the kingdom.
Because Jesus has revealed Himself to this woman of Samaria, now she is bringing with her the men of Samaria. Today we can look at the signs of the times and know the fields are white unto the harvest.
Jesus points out the Samaritan woman and people of Sychar (lift up your eyes), who were at that moment coming upon the scene (verse 30), looking like a ripened "harvest" that urgently needed "gathering, i.e., evangelizing.
Jesus may have pointed to the multitudes who came from Sychar to see Him because of the testimony of the woman.
"White ... harvest": Their white clothing seen above the growing grain may have looked like white heads on the stalks, an indication of readiness for harvest. Jesus knew the hearts of all (2:24), so was able to state their readiness for salvation.
Verses 36-38 contain the Lord's call to His disciple to do the work of evangelism contains promises of reward (wages), fruit that brings eternal joy verse 36), and the mutual partnership of shared privilege (verses 37-38).
John 4:36 "And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."
The sower would be the first one to bring the message of the Lord Jesus. Then another minister or prophet will come by and water (add a little more), the seed that was planted. Then comes harvest time, another which did not plant the seed, nor water it comes along and brings in the harvest.
All have laid up treasures in heaven for their efforts in bringing these to the Lord. Jesus is the Lord of the harvest. The angels in heaven rejoice when one comes into the kingdom. The people who were a part of bringing the person to the knowledge of God rejoice greatly that they could be a part.
John 4:37-38 "And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth." "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored. And ye are entered into their labors."
The seed had been sown and re-sown ever since the first day Jesus preached. Even now, every Scripture you mention to a lost soul is like seed. The seed is the Word of God, whoever sows it. As we said above, someone sows, and another comes and nurtures.
Jesus is telling His disciples, and even speaking to us now, to go out into the field and harvest the souls for Him.
Just as the roofer comes after the house is built and puts a roof on so is the person who baptizes someone who someone else has planted the Word in. The foundation, the walls, and even the inner roof, has to be put up before the roofer comes and puts the final roof on.
Many a mother will witness and pray for a son or daughter all of her life. Sometimes she even dies before they come into the kingdom, but they will come in. She planted the seed and someone else harvests, but God gets the crop.
John Chapter 4
Continued Questions
1. Jesus told the woman of Samaria that there would come a time when she would not worship on _______ _____________ or in _____________.
2. Salvation is of the ________________.
3. What did Jesus say she worshipped?
4. What was the only part of the Bible these Samaritans used?
5. The true worshippers worship the Father in what two ways?
6. True worship takes place where?
7. Why is spirit not capitalized in verse 23?
8. What does the Bible say is better than sacrifice?
9. Verse 24 tells us God is a ___________________.
10. How are the Father, Word, Holy Ghost one?
11. Who did the woman say she knew was coming?
12. What is another name for Messiah?
13. What did this woman of Samaria say Messiah would tell them?
14. What did Jesus tell the woman in verse 26?
15. What did the disciples marvel at?
16. Who were the last at the cross and the first at the sepulcher?
17. Who did this woman go and tell in Sychar?
18. What did she tell them?
19. What reaction did they have?
20. What did the disciples try to get Jesus to do?
21. What surprising thing did Jesus tell them?
22. When Jesus refused to eat, what did they assume?
23. Jesus said "My meat is to do the __________ of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
24. In verse 35, Jesus told them not to say harvest was in four months, but to do what?
25. What kind of harvest is this speaking of?
26. Who will rejoice over the harvest?
27. Give an example of one sowing and another reaping.
John 4:39 "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did."
This is a continuation of the Samaritan woman who went back into the city of Sychar and told the men about Jesus. It appears that the thing that convinced them was that He told her all about her past.
At first they believed because of the woman's testimony. But to people of this culture this was not adequate. They would have to hear for themselves. Jesus' acceptance of the woman in her new role shows that He did not share this condescending attitude toward women.
Notice how much more eager to believe were these Samaritans than the scribes and Pharisees.
John 4:40 "So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days."
These people knew they were in need of Jesus' teachings. They were not like the self- righteous scribes and Pharisees which wanted to be rid of Jesus. These people of Sychar wanted to hear more. This little bit that the woman had told them had really stirred them up, and they wanted to hear more.
The Lord loves the humble in heart. The self-satisfied group of the temple could not receive anything from Jesus. These people of Samaria were eager to hear.
John 4:41 "And many more believed because of his own word;"
These people came at first because of the testimony of the woman, but now they believed because of the words Jesus had spoken.
John 4:42 "And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."
This phase occurs also (in 1 John 4:14). The verse constitutes the climax to the story of the woman of Samaria. The Samaritans themselves became another in a series of witnesses on John's gospel that demonstrated the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. The episode represents the first instance of cross cultural evangelism.
These people that the Jews looked down on and were thought to be ignorant of the Word of God accepted the Truth when they came face to face with it. Jesus had said of the self-righteous temple leaders that they had ears and did not hear.
They were so opinionated that they would not listen. But these Samaritans had ears, and they did hear and receive Jesus as Christ as Savior and Lord. The woman planted the seed here, and Jesus harvested this crop of souls. They had a two day revival and many were saved.
From (verse 43), to the end of this chapter, the episode of Jesus' healing of the nobleman (Royal Official)'s son, constitutes the second major "sign" of 8 which John used to reinforce Jesus' true identity for producing belief in his readers (verse 54).
In this episode, Jesus chided the official's unbelief in needing a miraculous sign in order to trust in Christ (verse 48). While some believe that his story is the same as the healing of the centurion's son. Sufficient differences exist to demonstrate that it is different from the synoptic account.; i.e.
1. No evidence exists that the official's son was a Gentile,
2. The official's son, not his servant, was healed, and
3. Jesus was far more negative regarding the official's faith (verse 48), than the centurion's.
One may divide this section into 3 parts.
(1) Jesus contemplating unbelief (verses 43-45),
(2) Jesus confronting unbelief (verses 46-49), and,
(3) Jesus conquering unbelief (verses 50-54).
John 4:43 "Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee."
This is where He was headed when He came through Samaria, resuming the trip that began (in verse 3).
John 4:44 "For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country."
Jesus didn't go back to Nazareth. He would not have been recognized as a prophet in Nazareth, because these people saw Him grow up, supposing Him to be Joseph's and Mary's son. Since they had been around in His youth, they did not believe He was Messiah. Even His family (brothers), did not believe.
Jesus says here a prophet hath no honor in his own country. This is true even today. If you are called to the ministry, usually the last ones to accept the call is real are your family and close friends. The reason is they know the old you.
This proverb (also in Matthew 13:57 and Mark 6:4), contrasts the believing response of the Samaritans (verse 39), with the characteristic unbelief of Jesus' own people in Galilee (and Judea), whose reticent faith depended so much on Jesus' performance of miracles (verse 48).
While in Samaria, Jesus had enjoyed His first unqualified and unopposed success. His own people's hearts were not open to Him, but exhibited reluctance and hardness.
John 4:45 "Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast."
The miracles that had been done at Jerusalem at the feast caused them to believe. In Jerusalem, Jesus had been proclaimed by many as a prophet. These people had been there for the feast and were eyewitnesses to His miracles, as well as hearing some of the messages He brought to the people.
The apostle may have meant these words as irony especially in light of the surrounding context of (verses 44-48). The reception was likely that of curiosity seekers whose appetite centered more on seeing miracles than believing in Jesus as Messiah, as it had been at "the feast".
Galilee covers a pretty large area and probably does not mean that He went back to Nazareth, because of what we read (in verse 44), about not being accepted by those who know you.
This is certainly true of many ministers today. You can go away and be well accepted and not be accepted at all in your own area until you have been recognized elsewhere first. Certainly, this is the case here.
John 4:46 "So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum."
The deep irony of the statement (in verse 45), increases with the fact that Jesus had only recently performed a miracle in Cana at the wedding. Instead of responding in belief, the people wanted more.
Remember, Jesus had not allowed them to tell at Cana of the miracle. It is certain that there was no way to keep some from knowing of it. This "Royal Official" or nobleman could have even been a guest at this large wedding.
"Royal Official" is a term most likely designated someone officially attached to the service of King Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee from 4 B.C. to 39 A.D.
We do know that for some reason he knew that Jesus was a healer. The news had travelled, and this nobleman feels that distance doesn't matter with the Lord and that He will heal his son.
Capernaum was approximately 16 miles Northeast of Cana.
John 4:47 "When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death."
A father will go to any amount of trouble to get help for his dying son. Possibly he had been searching for Jesus and caught up with Him here in Cana. At first he requests Jesus to go with him to Capernaum and heal his boy.
The language here indicates that he repeatedly begged Jesus to heal his son. His approach to Jesus was out of desperation, but he had little appreciation of who Jesus was.
Apparently, the nobleman's motivation centered in Jesus' reputation as a miracle worker rather than as Messiah.
John 4:48 "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."
This scolding remark is not just for this father, but for all those listening even to now. Those who followed Jesus followed to see a miracle or to be fed.
The "ye" is plural. Jesus addresses these words to the Galileans as a whole and not just to the royal official. The response of the Galileans was fundamentally flawed because it disregarded the person of Christ and centered in the need for a constant display of miraculous signs.
In 1 Corinthians 1:22 we read "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:"
Over and over they said "What sign will you give us?" Belief based on signs and wonders is really pretty shallow. Such an attitude represents the deepest state of unbelief.
Jesus will say later "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
John 4:49 "The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die."
This is almost a pleading for his son's life. He believes if Jesus comes to his house and lays hands on his son, he will live. It is almost as if the dad is saying "I will do anything, just come."
John 4:50 "Jesus saith unto him, go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way."
Jesus has power over life and death. This man believed these strong words that Jesus spoke. He did not doubt the healing of his son. He went away, fully believing that his son was well.
Just as the lepers were healed (in Luke: 17:11-19), this father stepped out in faith, as he left Jesus and headed for home, believing that his son was healed.
Jesus met the demands of Galilean unbelief by healing the official's son, revealing not only His sympathy, but His marvelous graciousness in spite of such a faithless demand for miracles.
John 4:51 "And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth."
The servant comes to find this troubled father and tell him that his son is well. The father was headed home with confidence, not worried as he had been before he left there. He believed that his son was healed.
John 4:52 "Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."
About 7:00 p.m. reckoning from noon, using the Roman system.
THIS IS JEWISH/Hebrew TIME IN THE BIBLE - The Jewish Day starts at about Evening of one day (6pm), to the evening of the next day.
Third hour-6am-9am
Sixth hour-9am-12pm
Ninth hour-12pm-3pm
Twelfth hour-3pm-6pm
First Watch-6pm-9pm
Second Watch-9pm-12am
Third Watch-12am-3am
Fourth Watch-3am-6am
The Roman times of day , are just as English Time, the Third Hour would be literally the Third Hour, from 12am (3am). In Roman time, the day starts at 12am. By the time of the wars against Pyrrhus some slight progress had been made by dividing the two halves of the day into two parts: into the early morning and forenoon on one hand; and afternoon and evening on the other.
John 4:53 "So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house."
The time when the official's son improved corresponded precisely with the time that he had spoken with Jesus. This served to strengthen the official's faith and, as a result, the "whole household" believed.
This belief here goes much further than believing that the son was healed by Jesus. This nobleman's whole family now believes that Jesus is Messiah (the Christ). There was no question what healed the boy.
This miracle has not only saved the son's life, but the whole family for all of eternity.
John 4:54 "This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee."
Obviously, this is speaking of this miracle of the son and also the miracle of turning the water to wine. Both had been done just after entering Cana.
John 4 Second Continued Questions
1. In verse 39, why did many of the Samaritans believe?
2. How long did Jesus stay with the Samaritans?
3. How were they different from the rulers of the temple?
4. In verse 41, we read many more believed because of what?
5. After they heard Jesus, they proclaimed Him to be whom?
6. When Jesus left Samaria, where did He go?
7. Where does a prophet have no honor?
8. Why did the Galileans receive Him?
9. What city in Galilee did He come to?
10. What miracle had He done here before?
11. Who came and found Jesus there?
12. What was his need?
13. Where was his son?
14. What did the father try to get Jesus to do?
15. Jesus said "Except ye see ______ and _________, ye will not believe."
16. Who requires a sign?
17. How does Jesus heal the son?
18. What is the father's part in the healing?
19. Who met the father to tell him his son liveth?
20. What did the nobleman ask the servant?
21. What result did this healing bring?
22. What is meant by verse 54?
Although opposition to Jesus smoldered beneath the surface, the story of Jesus' healing at the Pool of Bethesda highlights the beginning of open hostility toward Him in Jerusalem in the southern parts of Palestine. The passage may be divided into 3 parts.
(1) The miracle performed (verses 1-9);
(2) The Master persecuted (verses 10-16); and
(3) The murder planned (verses 16-18).
John 5:1. "After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem."
John repeatedly tied his narrative to various Jewish feasts:
(2:13), Passover;
(6:4), Passover;
(7:2), Booths, or Tabernacles;
(10:22), Hanukkah or Feast of Dedication; and
(11:55), Passover.
But this reference is the only instance when he did not identify the particular feast occurring at the time.
This is probably the second Feast of the Passover here. Of course, it could have been any of the Feasts, but Jesus seemed to put more emphasis on Passover.
Jesus went to Jerusalem for the major feasts the same as all dedicated Israelites.
John 5:2 "Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches."
"Sheep market or sheep gate" is a reference to the gate identified in (Neh. 3:1, 32; 12:39). It was a small opening in the North wall of the city, just West of the North East corner.
"A pool": Since some have suggested that John wrote his gospel before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, because his usage of "is" here implies that the pool still existed. However, John frequently used what is known as a "historical present" to refer to past events, so this argument carries little weight.
This place with the five porches means place of grace. Bethesda means house of grace or mercy. This would go right along with the number five which means grace. These porches were probably shade for the people waiting to get into the water.
Many believe this to be Siloam. It really doesn't matter, just Jesus' act matters.
John 5:3 "In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water."
Here we see a scene of numerous people lying on these porches waiting for the water to move. On a small scale, this was a place people came to receive a miracle.
It was a custom at that time for people with infirmities to gather at this pool. Intermittent springs may have fed the pool and caused the disturbance of the water (verse 7). Some ancient witnesses indicate that the waters of the pool were red with minerals, and thus thought to have medicinal value.
John 5:4 "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."
The statement in the latter half of (verse 3), "waiting for the moving of the waters," along with (verse 4), are not original to the gospel. The earliest and best Greek manuscripts, as well as the early versions, exclude the reading. The presence of words or expressions unfamiliar to John's writings also militate against its inclusion.
This healing was on such a limited scale. Just one out of all these numbers who waited would be healed. What a disappointment to wait and then not be healed.
This water being troubled here in the Bible has caused many to believe in miracles such as this. Possibly the most famous being the one in Europe called Fatima. These seem to have very little spiritual significance, so they say an angel did it.
John 5:5 "And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years."
This man had literally drug himself to this pool over and over waiting to receive his healing. This disease had been of such a long standing time that the man had become despondent, probably, and thought that he would never be whole.
We are not told his condition, but it kept him from walking. Perhaps it was the result of sin (verse 14).
John included this figure to emphasize the gravity of the debilitating disease that afflicted the individual. Since his sickness had been witnessed by many people for almost 4 decades, when Jesus cured him everyone knew the genuineness of the healing.
John 5:6 "When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?"
Jesus "knew" meaning the word implies supernatural knowledge of the man's situation. Jesus picked the man out from among many sick people. The sovereign initiative was His, and no reason is given as to His choice.
This may seem to be a strange question to you, but Jesus would not make him whole against his will. It is just like sin, you may have walked away from God for this long or even longer, but Jesus will not force Himself upon you. The Lord is saying "Will you be made whole?"
It is the same question. He asks the man if he will accept healing in his flesh. He asks the sinner will he be made whole in the spirit. God will not overrule your will. To be healed in the body or the spirit, you must desire to be made whole.
John 5:7 "The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."
Just as it is with the spirit, many times a person floundering, needing to be made whole, needs the help of a friend to help him plunge in. This man needed a friend. Most people who come to the Lord are helped by family or friends to come. The sad thing is, there are millions of people waiting to be made whole with no one to help them.
John 5:8 "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."
In the same way that He spoke the world into being at creation, Jesus' spoken words had the power to cure. The "pallet" or "mat" was normally made of straw and was light enough so that it could be carried on the shoulder of a well person who assisted the infirm.
Jesus tells him to do something to show that he has received his healing. Had the man just lain there, he would have died in that condition. He answered the call. He did just as Jesus said and was healed.
John 5:9 "And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath."
This phrase emphasizes the completeness of the cure.
This crippled man obeys the voice and takes up his bed and walks. Sabbath or not, if this Jesus can heal him, He certainly has the right to tell him to carry his bed. We see nowhere that this crippled man questioned, he just obeyed.
This is the very same thing we must do, all that have been crippled by the sins of life. When Jesus saves you, then you must obey. He will not be your Savior unless He can be your Lord as well.
The Old Testament had forbidden work on the Sabbath but did not stipulate what "work" was specifically indicated. The assumption in Scripture seems to be that "work" was one's customary employment, but rabbinical opinion had developed oral tradition beyond the Old Testament which stipulated 39 activities forbidden, including carrying anything form one domain to another.
Thus, the man had broken oral tradition, not Old Testament law.
John 5:10 "The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed."
The phrase reveals that the Judaism during Jesus' time had degenerated into pious hypocrisy. Such hypocrisy especially enraged the Lord Jesus, who used this incident to set up a confrontation with Jewish hyper legalism and identified the need for a national repentance.
This is just the way a lot of people think. They were completely ignoring the fact that a man who had been crippled thirty-eight years could walk. They were so caught up in the law that all that meant anything to them was the formality of religion.
We too must not get so caught up in the routine of going to church, that we overlook the Lord and His Spirit. Formality means nothing to God. He wants your obedience and love.
These religious people were not interested in helping people. They were just interested in them keeping the law. Religion without Jesus is no good at all.
John 5:11 "He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk."
These religious leaders were not really interested in the man. They wanted Jesus, to punish Him. They were jealous because His powers were far beyond anything they had.
John 5:12 "Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?"
They already knew that this was Jesus. They just wanted this man to give His name, so that they might accuse Him.
John 5:13 "And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place."
The man had not stopped to ask Jesus who He was. Probably this man had spent so much time waiting at the pool that he had never heard of Jesus. We read there was a multitude there, so we know it would have been easy for Jesus to just walk through the crowd and be lost.
John 5:14 "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
The basic thrust of Jesus' comments here indicates that sin has its inevitable consequences. Although Scripture makes clear that not all disease is a consequence of sin, illness at times may be directly tied into one's moral turpitude. Jesus may specifically have chosen this man in order to highlight this point.
The first thing this man did was go into the temple which had been denied him for thirty-eight years. Perhaps he went to give an offering for his healing.
Jesus tells him, as He told the woman who had been caught in adultery: "Go and sin no more". In this case, Jesus gave a warning "lest a worse thing come unto thee".
John 5:15 "The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole."
We did not see Jesus telling the man not to tell, so there is really nothing wrong in him telling.
John 5:16 "And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day."
The verb tense of persecute means that the Jews repeatedly persecuted Jesus, i.e., continued hostile activity. That was, not an isolated incident of their hatred toward Him because of His healings on the Sabbath.
Jesus did not break God's law since in it there was no prohibition of doing good on the day (Mark 2:27). However, Jesus disregarded the oral law of the Jews that had developed, i.e. "the tradition of the elders". Most likely, Jesus deliberately practiced such healing on the Sabbath to provoke a confrontation with their religious hypocrisy that blinded them to the true worship of God. (See verses 17-47), for the main reason for Jesus' confrontation.
Personally, I believe they were jealous. He was doing things far beyond their capability. They were caught up in the law to the extent that they cared not that this man had been healed.
John 5:17 "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."
Here Jesus' response is considered blasphemy. He spoke of His Father. The Jews realize that He is equating Himself with God.
Jesus is saying here that truly God's help for mankind has never ceased. Even the fact that Jesus came to this earth to save all of mankind shows that God's labors never ceased. God's creation of the world ceased, but His caring for mankind never ceased.
We must enter into the Sabbath of rest with God. That is actually what we do when we turn our lives over to Him and let Him be Lord. We can rest from the worry and trials of this world while still occupying until He comes. This will certainly stir up these Jews.
Jesus' point is that whether He broke the Sabbath or not, God was working continuously, and since Jesus Himself worked continuously, He also must be God. Furthermore, God does not need a day of rest for He never wearies (Isaiah 40:28). For Jesus' self defense to be valid, the same factors that apply to God must also apply to Him.
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Matt. 12:8). Interestingly, even the rabbis admitted that God's work had not ceased after the Sabbath because He sustains the universe.
John 5:18 "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God."
This verse confirms that the Jews instantly grasped the implications of His remarks that He was God.
The amazing thing to me is how these learned men of the law could overlook the predictions in the Scriptures of Messiah. Why they did not realize that no mere man could do all of these miracles is amazing to me.
Jesus was equal with the Father. It should not have come as any surprise to them that Jesus (Messiah, Christ), was among them. They should have believed the Bible which they proclaimed to uphold.
John Chapter 5 Questions
1. Why did Jesus go back to Jerusalem?
2. What was the name of the pool near the sheep market?
3. How many porches did it have?
4. What does that number mean?
5. What does Bethesda mean?
6. What were these blind, halt, impotent folk waiting for?
7. Who troubled the water?
8. How many were healed when the water was troubled?
9. How long had the man had the infirmity?
10. What question did Jesus ask the man?
11. What does that have to do with Christianity?
12. How did the impotent man answer Jesus?
13. What did Jesus tell the man to do as an act of faith?
14. What day had Jesus healed the man?
15. Jesus will not be your _____________ unless He can be your ________________.
16. What reaction did the Jews have to the man being healed?
17. Why did they ask the man, who healed him?
18. How did Jesus get away without being seen?
19. When Jesus saw the man in the temple, what warning did He give him?
20. Is all disease because of sin?
21. When the man told the Jews that Jesus healed him, what did they do to Jesus?
22. In verse 17, what did Jesus say that further angered the Jews?
23. What did the Jews want to do to Jesus?
24. What angered the Jews more than His breaking sabbath?
John 5:19. "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."
Verily, verily means beyond a shadow of a doubt. This is an emphatic way of saying "I'm telling you the truth."
In response to Jewish hostility at the implications of His assertions of equality with God, Jesus became even more fearless, forceful and emphatic. Jesus essentially tied His activities of healing on the Sabbath directly to the Father.
The Son never took independent action that set Him against the Father because the Son only did those things what were coincident with and co extensive with all that the Father does. Jesus thus implied that the only One who could do what the Father does must be as great as the Father.
Jesus is using a beautiful statement here to show the relationship of the Father with the Son. The Son, even though minimized here, is doing the same as the Father. The will of the Father and Son are one.
There is a relationship with the Father and the Son's work as well. This is showing the Godhead. The Father and Son here are the same as the Father and the Word.
1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
John 5:20 "For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel."
Jesus is saying here that the same power of the Father exists in the Son. Jesus tells these Jews that the miracle of the man walking after thirty-eight years is nothing. They will see much greater miracles than that. They marvel, but for some unheard of reason, they do not believe.
The "greater works" refers to the powerful work of raising the dead. God has that power and so does the Lord Jesus.
Just as an earthly father shows his son all that he knows, we see here Jesus saying His Father has shown Him all.
John 5:21 "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."
"Quickeneth" means "makes them alive".
Jesus is the Judge of all the world. We will be condemned or saved by what we believe about Him. Jesus came into the world not to judge but to save. But if we refuse that salvation, we will stand before Him on judgment day and be condemned.
We know His judgment is true. If we have received Him as our Savior, He will judge us worthy to enter His kingdom.
John 5:22-23 "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:" "That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him."
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost are all God. To worship one and reject the other would actually be denouncing all. They are all omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. They are equal in power, holiness, and love.
Jesus and the Father are equally involved in creation. (Verse 23), gives the reason that God entrusted all judgment to the Son (in (verse 22), so that all men should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. This verse goes far beyond making Jesus a mere ambassador who is acting in the name of a monarch, but gives Him full and complete equality with the Father.
"Honor the Father": Jesus turned the tables on the Jewish accusation against Him of blasphemy. Instead, Jesus affirmed that the only way anyone can honor the Father is through receiving the Son. Therefore, the Jews were the ones who actually blasphemed the Father by rejection of His Son.
It is so difficult to separate the Godhead. The Father is honored through the Son, and the Son is honored through the Father. The whole plan of creation, salvation, and resurrection are all wound up in the Godhead, to deny one denies all.
John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
This verse develops the truth of (verse 21), that Jesus gives life to whoever He desires. The people who receive that life are here identified as those who hear the Word and believe in the Father and the Son. They are the people who have eternal life and never will be condemned.
The breath of God is life. Jesus says "I am the life". Without God, only death exists. Not only will that person physically die to this world, but death and hell waits for all of eternity. The key word in being saved is "believeth".
In Romans 8:1 we read "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
There is life, not death and not condemnation for those who choose to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, and in so doing, believe in the Father.
When we stand before Jesus on judgment day, we will be found not guilty if we have decided to follow Jesus. If we do not deny Him here, He will not deny us there.
In (verses 25-29), the theme of the verses is resurrection. Jesus related that all men, saved and unsaved, will be literally and physically resurrected from the dead. However, only the saved experience a spiritual ("born again"), as well as physical resurrection unto eternal life.
The unsaved will be resurrected unto judgment and eternal punishment through separation from God (i.e. the second death, Rev. 20:6 and 14; Rev. 21:8). These verses also constitute proof of the deity of Jesus Christ since the Son has resurrection power and the Father has granted Him the status of Judge of all mankind (verse 27). In the light of other Scripture, it is clear that Jesus speaks generally about resurrection, but not about one general resurrection.
John 5:25 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."
The phrase "hour is coming, and now is" reveals an already not yet tension regarding the resurrection. Those who are born again are already "spiritually" resurrected and yet a future physical resurrection still awaits them ("hour is coming").
The meaning, of course, is what we see (in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17),
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep." "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
John 5:26 "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;"
Jesus not only gives life, but is Life as we read in John:
John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
There is another Scripture in John:
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
There are numerous Scriptures showing Jesus as giving life and being life.
The Son from all eternity had the right to grant life (1:4). The distinction involves Jesus' deity verses His incarnation. In becoming a man, Jesus voluntarily set aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes and prerogatives. Jesus here affirmed that even in His humanity, the Father granted Him "life giving" power, i.e. the power of resurrection.
John 5:27 "And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man."
Absolute sovereign authority, lordship over all, is handed to Christ "in heaven and on earth." This is clear proof of his deity. The time of His humiliation was at an end, and God had exalted Him above all.
Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
Philippians 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:" " That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;" "And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Calling Jesus, the Son of man here, is perhaps saying that Jesus is able to understand man's problems because He lived in a body of flesh. He was tempted as we are. His judgment is fair and just. He has great compassion for man, because He understands the weakness of the flesh and the temptations, and also He felt the very same hurts we do.
He relates to man, because He took on the form of man and dwelt among us. Jesus who gave us the offer of life deserves the authority to judge us. He died to save us. It is no one's fault but our own, if we do not accept the salvation He offers. Our Savior will be our Judge.
John 5:28-29 "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice," "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Jesus is telling them not to marvel that He will be the Judge of the world. Of course, it is hard for them to believe with Him standing there before them. Who is more worthy to judge than the One who laid His life down for us all? It would be much more understandable to the disciples after His crucifixion.
Some of the Jews believed in life after death and some did not. (Matthew 25:31), tells of how Jesus will put those on His right side who will inherit heaven (He calls these His sheep). Then He puts those on the left (goats), who will go into everlasting punishment. Jesus is the Divider (the Judge), of all.
In Acts 24:15 "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."
"They that have done good": Jesus was not teaching justification by works. In the context, the "good" is believing on the Son so as to receive a new nature that produces good works (3:21; James 2:14-20). While the "evil" done is to reject the Son (the unsaved), but human works never determine one's salvation.
John 5 Continued Questions
1. What relationship is Jesus showing in verse 19?
2. Why in verse 20 are the great works shown?
3. Who quickens the dead?
4. What was soon an example of this?
5. Who does Jesus quicken?
6. Who is all judgement committed to?
7. When Jesus was on earth, what did He come to do?
8. When will Jesus be Judge?
9. "He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the ________ which hath sent him."
10. If you worshipped only the Father or the Son without worshipping both, what would you be doing?
11. Who has everlasting life in verse 24?
12. He that hears the Word has passed from _____________ unto life.
13. What does Romans 8:1 tell us about those in Christ Jesus?
14. Whose voice shall the dead hear?
15. What do we read about in 1 Thessalonians 1:13-17?
16. Who has life in Himself?
17. In John 1:4, Jesus was called ______________ and _______________.
18. In John 14:6, Jesus is called three things, what are they?
19. Why is Jesus the Judge?
20. Who will participate in the resurrection?
21. Why is Jesus worthy to be the Judge?
22. What are the saved called in Matthew chapter 25?
23. What are the lost called in Matthew chapter 25?
John 5:30 "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
In summarizing all He has said from (verse 19), on about His equality with God, Jesus claimed that the judgment He exercised was because everything He did was dependent upon the Father's word and will.
Jesus is saying here that Son of man or His flesh is not where the power is. His power is from His Spirit which is of God. His will is the Father's will. Jesus is in perfect harmony with the Father.
One of the last statements Jesus expresses in prayer to the Father before His death on the cross is "Nevertheless not my will but thine be done" (John 17 final prayer). Jesus never varied from the Father's will at all. It was His will, as well.
Jesus said they were six possible witnesses to His person (already evident in John):
(1) He did not yet claim His own witness to Himself (verses 31-32);
(2) John the Baptist was a witness (verses 33-35);
(3) His works or miracles are a witness (verse 36);
(4) The Father witnessed to His sonship (verses 37-38);
(5) The scriptures bear witness to Him (verses 39-40);
(6) Moses wrote of Him (verses 45-47).
John 5:31-32 "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." "There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true."
By two witnesses a thing shall be established. God made this rule; He lives by His own rules. When the Father spoke from heaven at Jesus' baptism and the Dove of the Holy Spirit lit on Him, which was two witnesses.
Of course, a witness is also the Word. There is no question of who He is. It is proven over and over.
John 5:33 "Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth."
This is John the Baptist and he is actually the third witness and Jesus is the fourth. John's whole ministry was to tell who Jesus was. John was a voice (spoken Word), in the wilderness proclaiming the coming of Christ.
John 5:34 "But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved."
John was a true witness, nothing more. John's message was to those who would believe and accept Jesus as Messiah (Christ), their Savior. Had the Jews listened and believed John, they would have become Christians.
Jesus says "I really don't need the testimony of man, but I tell you this because you hold John the Baptist in such high esteem, and I want you to believe and be saved".
John 5:35 "He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light."
This too is speaking of John the Baptist. A great number of people did believe John and were baptized. You hear nothing at all of John's personal life. I don't believe he had one. I believe he was a man with a mission for God and that is all he did.
He did enlighten many to the fact that Jesus was Messiah. John the Baptist never wavered. He was faithful to death. John brought a light of the knowledge of who Jesus was. People believed him until he was beheaded. He was in his thirties when he was killed.
John 5:36 "But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me."
The miracles of Jesus were witness to His deity and messiahship. Such miracles are the major signs recorded by John in this scripture, so as to fulfill His purpose (in chapter 20:30-31).
In John 14:11 we read "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake."
Just look at the works. No man before or since, has ever done the miracles that Jesus did.
John 21:25 says "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."
Jesus opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk, loosed tongues that could not speak, opened deaf ears, raised the dead, freed those possessed of demons, turned the water into wine, walked on the sea, spoke to the sea and it obeyed. You see, the works of Jesus were the greatest witness of all.
John 5:37 "And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape."
The Father's voice had been heard by the disciples, so this was spoken to the doubting Jews here. The Father on two occasions said from heaven "This is my beloved Son". The apostles Peter, James, and John heard His voice.
John the Baptist heard the voice from heaven at the baptism also. The Father witnessed, as well, as we see here. The Word in the prophecies of the Old Testament was a witness as well. There are over thirty times Jesus (Messiah), was prophesied.
Has anyone actually seen God? Who, how, when, what part. In (Exodus 33:18), we find some of the answers to that question. God's glory. Remember, this scripture is speaking of the Jews that Jesus was talking with.
John 5:38 "And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not."
This is saying "You self-righteous religious people who claim to know the Word of God, you don't know anything. You didn't believe the prophets, and you didn't believe John the Baptist."
John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Although the verb "search" could also be understood as a command (i.e. search the Scriptures). Most prefer the translation as an indicative. The verb implies diligent scrutiny in investigating the Scriptures to find "eternal life."
However, Jesus points out that with all their fastidious effort, they miserably failed in their understanding of the true way to eternal life through the Son. Here is another reprimand. Jesus says "You claim to know the Scriptures, but you better go back and study them all over again".
He's telling them that they don't know what they say. You are just reading words and you do not know what they mean. You think you have eternal life, but look again. You have overlooked the one who can give you eternal life".
Christ is the main theme of Scripture.
John 5:40 "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
They searched for eternal life, but were not willing to trust its only source.
Jesus offered salvation to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. The Jews did not accept Him. Of course, a few did, but not the great majority.
John 5:41 "I receive not honor from men."
If Jesus agreed to be the kind of Messiah the Jews wanted, providing miracles and food along with political and military power. He would receive honor and glory from them, but He sought only to please God.
Jesus received everything but honor from men when He was on the earth, but He will come again as King of kings and Lord of lords and then they will honor Him.
John 5:42 "But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you."
Man looks on the outward appearance, but Jesus looks on the heart. Jesus knows they have no love in their heart for Him. They don't love anyone but themselves. They are puffed up with pride and are jealous of Jesus.
John 5:43 "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
Jesus means Jehovah Savior. Jesus explains here that there will be false Christs they will believe, because they want a fleshly ruler and not a ruler of love. Jesus was not the warrior King they wanted, who would overthrow the Romans and take power.
Their problem was, they were looking for a ruler that would rule with iron. They will get this, but he will be antichrist.
The Jewish historian, Josephus, records that a string of messianic pretenders arose in the years before A.D. 70. This verse contrasts the Jewish rejection of their true Messiah because they did not love or know God (verse 42), with their willing acceptance of charlatans.
John 5:44 "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?"
These religious rulers were looking for praise and honor on this earth from men. Jesus had told them they liked the upper most room at the banquets. He called them whited sepulchers, pretending to be God's people on the outside, but actually dead inside.
Matthew 23:27 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness."
They were not looking for praises from God, but from man.
John 5:45 "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust."
Jesus tells them here that if they do not accept grace from Him, they will be judged by the Law of Moses. Jesus will not have to accuse them. If they are to live by the law, they will be judged by the law. No man can live up to the law.
John 5:46 "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me."
Jesus does not mention any specific passage in the 5 books of Moses although there are many (e.g. Deut. 18:15; this chapter at 1:21; 4:19; 6:14; 7:40 and 52).
The first promise of the coming of Jesus is in Moses' writings. (Genesis 3:15), promises Jesus will be the seed of woman and not of man. In Exodus, nearly everything in the holy place symbolizes Jesus. In fact, all five of Moses' books are filled with the Lord. In (verse 47), we see the two witnesses; the spoken and the written Word. Jesus is both.
John 5:47 "But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"
Jesus says "Even though you say you follow Moses, you do not believe what he wrote, because he wrote of me. If you do not believe what he wrote of me, of course you will not hear what I say".
John 5 Second Continued Questions
1. Why does Jesus say His judgment is just?
2. In verse 30, what is Jesus saying when He calls Himself Son of man?
3. In verse 31, what principle is Jesus teaching?
4. How many witnesses prove a thing?
5. What two at Jesus' baptism were enough witnesses?
6. In verse 33, who is the witness?
7. Had the Jews really believed John, they would have been _________________.
8. Why had Jesus used John the Baptist as witness?
9. Who was a burning and shining light?
10. How was John killed?
11. Approximately how old was John the Baptist when he was killed?
12. What was a greater witness than John?
13. In John 14:11, what did Jesus say believe Him for?
14. How many miracles did Jesus do?
15. Who did Jesus tell that they had never seen the face of the Father nor heard His voice?
16. Who had heard the voice of the Father?
17. What in the prophecies of the Old Testament witnessed of Jesus?
18. Who was Jesus speaking to in verse 38?
19. What did He tell them to do in verse 39?
20. Why can they not receive life?
21. Who did Jesus say He did not receive honor from?
22. When will they honor Him?
23. Jesus sees in their heart and sees what?
24. Whose name did Jesus come in?
25. Whose honor do these Jews seek?
26. Who will accuse them to the Father?
27. What had Moses told them that they do not believe?
28. Where is the first promise of the coming Messiah?
29. In verse 47, what two witnesses do we see?
30. Jesus said "If you do not believe what Moses wrote, of course you will not hear what __ ____"
John 6:1 "After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias."
John is the only gospel writer to call this sea "Tiberias." Following the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Sea of Galilee was renamed Tiberias, after Tiberias Caesar who ruled in 14-37 A.D.
This happens after Jesus' encounter with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. John leaves out things like how they came from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee, because to him that is not important.
John 6:2 "And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased."
This period of time, Jesus is very popular with the masses of people because of the miracles they had seen and heard of Him doing. Great numbers followed Him in hopes of having a miracle done for them. Excitement over miracles always draws a crowd.
The crowds followed not out of belief but out of curiosity concerning the miracles that He performed (in verse 26). However, in spite of the crowd's crass motivations, Jesus, having compassion on them, healed their sick and fed them.
John 6:3 "And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples."
Jesus' favorite place to go to get away from the throngs of people was a mountain. There is a hill on the side of the Sea of Galilee and that is where Jesus went with His disciples.
Jesus is not going to be able to run this group off. They want to be near Jesus and will go to a lot of trouble just to be near Him. From His vantage point, He could look down and see this enormous group of followers.
John 6:4 "And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh."
This feast and the grass growing (verse 10), lets us know that this happens in early spring. This mountain by the Sea, here at Passover time, could certainly be symbolic of the Exodus out of Egypt where they crossed the Red Sea and ate manna. Perhaps, that is why Passover is mentioned here.
This is the third Passover during Jesus' ministry.
John 6:5 "When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
This question is for Philip's benefit. Jesus knows where the bread will come from as we see (in verse 6).
John 6:6 "And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do."
Let us look at the spiritual meanings for a moment in all of this. When Jesus looks up and sees these large numbers coming, I believe it is symbolic of those who are looking to Jesus to help them from all ages. We must see in this far more than the physical feeding of the multitude and see Jesus feeding all the peoples throughout the ages with His Word.
As we go on with this, notice how Jesus has them to make small groups (like a church). Jesus will then bless the food, and hand it to a disciple (preacher), who then passes this food (Word of God), to the people.
John 6:7 "Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little."
Since one denarius was a day's pay for a common laborer, 200 denarii would be approximately 8 months wages or 200 days of work. The crowd however, was so large that such a significant amount was still inadequate to feed them.
John 6:8-9 "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him," "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"
Little is much, when God is in it. We need to look at the number five which means grace and the number two which means agreement. Jesus is the bread of life. This bread was furnished by the grace of God.
Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
John 6:10 "And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand."
The mention of much grass here probably indicates that it was early spring. Grass on the desert would have to be near water. This happens near the Sea of Galilee.
The number of men was 5,000, not including women and children, who probably brought the total up to 15,000 to 20,000.
John 6:11 "And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would."
We see in this the order that the message in the church should come. The message must come from our Lord, to the minister, and then the minister must deliver this bread (Word of God), to the people. The preacher should give this Word (bread) until the whole congregation is full.
John 6:12-13 "When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." "Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten."
These fragments are showing us that there is always enough of the Word of God left over to feed the hungry of all ages. The twelve disciples are a representative number of all Christendom. The disciples are the ministers. It is so strange, when you believe you have preached every word God would have you to, there is still plenty of the Word that has not been consumed.
Notice there was much more left after they ate than when they started. Jesus is the Bread of life; we must feed on Him daily. This Bread like the manna which fell from heaven never runs out.
John 6:14 "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world."
This miracle Jesus had performed was of such magnitude that the people witnessing it believed Jesus to be the great Prophet which had been promised in the Old Testament.
The enemies of these Israelites were the Romans. They wanted Jesus to lead them in the overthrow of the Romans.
The crowd referred to "the Prophet" of (Deut. 18:15). Sadly, these comments coming right after Jesus healed and fed them, indicate that the people desired a Messiah who met their physical rather than spiritual needs. Apparently, no recognition existed for the need of spiritual repentance and preparation for the kingdom.
They wanted an earthly, political Messiah to meet all their needs and to deliver them from Roman oppression. Their reaction typifies many who want a "Christ" that makes no demands of them, but of whom they can make their selfish personal requests.
John 6:15 "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."
John supplemented the information (in Matthew and Mark), by indicating that the reason Jesus dismissed the disciples and withdrew from the crowd into a mountain alone was because of His supernatural knowledge of their intention to make Him king in light of His healing and feeding of them.
The crown incited by mob enthusiasm, was ready to proceed with crassly political intentions that would have jeopardized God's will.
Not only was Jesus sought by the rulers of the temple, but now was sought by the people to force Him into rulership before He was ready. He felt His only safety at this point was isolation, so He went to the mountain.
Hunger was common and a Messiah who could multiply food was the one most people were ready to follow.
Verses 16-21: The story of Jesus' walking on the water constituted the fifth sign in John's gospel designed to demonstrate the writer's purpose that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God. The miracle demonstrates Jesus' deity by His sovereignty over the laws of nature.
John 6:16-17 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea," "And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them."
Both Matthew and Mark indicate that as soon as Jesus had fed the multitudes, He immediately dismissed His disciples to travel West toward Capernaum.
The disciples were taking a ship across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum where Peter's home was and where they worked out of. The Sea of Galilee is known for its rough water, and especially at night.
John 6:18-19 "And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew."
The Sea of Galilee is almost 700 feet below sea level. Cooler air from the northern mountains and southeastern tablelands rushes down into the lake and displaces the warm moist air, causing a violent churning of the water.
John 6:19 "So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid."
This was a stormy night, and they had not progressed very far because of the wind. They look up and see Jesus walking on the Sea. In the Matthew account of this miracle, it goes into a little more detail. They thought Him to be a ghost or a spirit.
The Son of God, who made the world, was in control of its forces and, in this case, He suspended the law of gravity. The act was not frivolous in Jesus' part, for it constituted a dramatic object lesson to the disciples of Jesus' true identity as the sovereign Lord of all creation.
It also tells in Matthew of Peter walking on the sea to meet Jesus. Peter doubts and begins to sink, and Jesus reaches out and saves Peter. In this account, here in John, it just mentions their fear.
John 6:20 "But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid."
Jesus encourages them not to fear. Having Jesus with you should calm every fear, then or now.
If Jesus be for you, who can be against you?
John 6:21 "Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went."
This wording indicates that another miracle occurred besides walking on the water, i.e., the boat miraculously and instantly arrived at its precise destination as soon as Jesus stepped into the boat.
In (Matthew 14:22-27 and Mark 6:45-52), we do not see the last miracle that John shows here that the ship was automatically at their destination. In (Matthew and Mark), it speaks of Gennesaret on the way to Capernaum. There is no discrepancy. They are very near each other.
Verses 22-58 contain Jesus' famous discourse on the bread of life. The key theme is (verse 35), "I am the bread of life," which is the first of 7 emphatic "I AM" statements of Jesus in this gospel. This analogy of Jesus as "the bread" of life reinforces John's theme of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. Although John records Jesus' miracles to establish His deity, he moves quickly to Jesus' discourse on the spiritual realities of His person in order to define correctly who Jesus Christ was. I.e. not merely a wonder-worker, but the Son of God who came to save mankind from sin. This discourse took place in the synagogue at Capernaum (verse 59).
John 6:22-23 "The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one wherinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;" "(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)"
These verses indicate that the crowds who witnessed Jesus' healings and His feeding of the multitudes were still at the original site of these miracles (East of the Lake). And, out of heightened curiosity, desired to find Jesus once again. Other boats loaded with people from Tiberias (on the northwest shore of the lake), also heard of the miracles and sought Him out.
John 6:24 "When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus."
When daylight came, these people started searching for Jesus. They knew the disciples went across the sea by ship, but they also knew that Jesus had not left with them. They searched the mountain and He was not there either.
Some of these people knew that Jesus stayed in Capernaum when He wasn't out ministering, so many of them took a boat across the sea, but probably some of them walked to Capernaum to seek Him.
John 6 Questions
1. What is another name for the Sea of Galilee?
2. Why did the multitude follow Jesus?
3. Who was the city of Tiberias named for?
4. Why was Jesus popular with the people?
5. In verse 3, who went up the mountain with Jesus?
6. Which feast of the Jews was nigh?
7. What two things indicate it is early spring?
8. Which disciple did Jesus speak to about where they would buy bread to feed the multitude?
9. Why did Jesus ask him this question?
10. What symbolically can we see in this feeding of the multitude?
11. What can we see in the groupings of the multitude?
12. What does it symbolize when Jesus hands the food to a disciple for a specific group?
13. What large amount of money did Philip say was not enough to buy food with?
14. Which disciple told Jesus about the lad with the five loaves and two fishes?
15. What does the number five symbolize?
16. What Scripture in Matthew tells us that two indicates agreement?
17. How many men were fed?
18. Who did Jesus give the bread to?
19. Where should a minister's sermon originate?
20. How many fragments were left?
21. What message can the Christian get from these leftovers?
22. When the people saw this miracle, who did they declare Jesus to be?
23. Who was the Israelites' enemy?
24. The people were going to come and force Jesus to do what?
25. Where did Jesus go to get away from the people?
26. Where did Jesus' disciples go?
27. The sea arose by what?
28. Where did they see Jesus?
29. What did they think He was?
30. What did Jesus say to them?
31. What part of the miracle is not in the other gospels?
32. What did the people do when they discovered Jesus was gone?
We saw in the last lesson how Jesus fed the multitude. Now the people have followed Jesus to Capernaum.
John 6:25 "And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?"
They had not seen Jesus leave, so this question was understandable. This name Rabbi, was a way of showing respect to Jesus as their teacher and their spiritual leader.
John 6:26 "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
This phrase emphasizes Jesus' point that the crowds which followed Him were motivated by superficial desire for food rather than any understanding of the true spiritual significance of Jesus' person and mission.
Jesus scolds them for being so shallow in their view. A great miracle has been done by Him and instead of them realizing that He is Messiah, they have followed so they can be fed again or receive more signs, wonders, and healings from Him.
They are looking on the gifts and not looking at the Giver. Jesus is disappointed in them because they do not understand who He is.
John 6:27 "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
Jesus rebuked the crowd for purely materialistic notions of the messianic kingdom. Although Messiah's kingdom would be literal and physical someday, the people failed to see the overriding spiritual character and blessing of "eternal life" given immediately to those who believed the witness of God to His Son.
Jesus in the verse above, is instructing these people to worry more about their spirit and less about their flesh. The spirit of man shall live on, but the flesh will return to dust. Jesus is telling them that the gift of eternal life which He shall give them is much more important than food for their flesh.
Jesus has been set aside from the beginning for this purpose by the Father.
"The food which endureth unto everlasting life" is a continuing discourse indicates that this was a reference to Jesus Himself.
John 6:28 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"
This is the same as saying "How can I know the will of God in my life? What must I do?"
They thought Jesus was saying that God required them to do some works to earn everlasting life, which they thought they would be able to do.
John 6:29 "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
The crowd misunderstood Jesus' prohibition (in verse 27), do not work, which prompted Jesus to remind them that an exclusive focus on material blessings is wrong. The only work God desired was faith or trust in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. The "work" that God requires is to believe in His Son.
Just as Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness, those whom Jesus saves must believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. God sent Jesus to save whosoever will believe.
John 6:30 "They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?"
The question demonstrated the obtuseness, the spiritual blindness of the crowd, and their shallow, selfish curiosity. The feeding of the 5000 (15,000 to 20,000 as we saw in verse10), was enough sign to demonstrate Christ's deity.
Now they want another sign. They are so blinded; they would not believe with dozens of signs.
John 6:31 "Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat."
The crowd's logic appeared to be that Jesus' miraculous feeding was a small miracle compared to what Moses did. In order for them to believe in Him, they would need to see Him feed the nation of Israel on the same scale that God did when He sent manna and fed the entire nation of Israel during their wilderness wanderings for 40 years.
They were demanding that Jesus outdo Moses if they were to believe in Him. They quoted from (Psalm 78:24).
What they do not realize, is that they are speaking to the Bread of life. It appears here, that they want Jesus to feed them on a regular basis, as their fathers were fed manna in the desert.
John 6:32 "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven."
The manna God gave was temporary and perished and was only a meager shadow of what God offered them in the true bread, Jesus Christ, who gives spiritual and eternal life to mankind or the world. Jesus explains to these people who are caught up in the law of Moses, that Moses did not feed the children of Israel, God did. Jesus here is speaking of Himself as being the true Bread of life.
John 6:33 "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
This phrase is synonymous with the phrase "bread from heaven" (verse 32).
Jesus again here, is speaking of Himself being the Bread which brings eternal life. Jesus came from heaven and took on the flesh of man.
John 6:34 "Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread."
Here again, we see John mentioning something that is not mentioned in the other gospels. This shows Jesus as the Bread of life. These people are looking for physical bread and they want Jesus to furnish it for them with no effort on their part. They have misunderstood what Jesus was telling them.
This statement once again demonstrated the blindness of the crowd, for they were thinking of some physical bread and failed to understand the spiritual implication that Jesus was the "bread".
John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
"I am the bread of life" means the bread that gives life. The life of which He speaks is spiritual and eternal.
The obtuseness (in verse 35), prompted Jesus to speak very plainly that He was referring to Himself.
Just as the bread on the table in the tabernacle symbolized Jesus, He is showing here that through belief in Him they would have their needs taken care of. Jesus literally came down from heaven (like the manna), giving Himself to us so that we might have life eternal.
In heaven, there is a river of life and a tree which furnishes twelve manner of fruits for each month (Revelation 22:1-2). Jesus is the water and the tree of life.
John 6:36 "But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not."
Jesus tells them, you have seen me and my miracles and still you do not believe me.
John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
The Father has given to Jesus as His followers whosoever will. Those who come to Jesus and accept Him as Savior and Lord shall not be turned away. Salvation is a free gift from God, but we must reach out and receive it unto ourselves before we have it. Jesus will not deny His own.
This verse emphasizes the sovereign will of God in the selection of those who come to Him for salvation. The Father has predestined those who would be saved. The absolute sovereignty of God is the basis of Jesus' confidence in the success of His mission.
The security of salvation rests in the sovereignty of God, for God is the guarantee that "all" He has chosen will come to Him for salvation. As God is Omniscient, He knows who will and who won't heed the calling of the Holy Spirit and come to Jesus.
The idea of "gives Me" is that every person chosen by God and drawn by God (verse 44), must be seen as a gift of the Father's love to the Son. The Son receives each "love gift" (verse 37), holds on to each (verse 39), and will raise each to eternal glory (verses 39-40). No one chosen will be lost.
This saving purpose is the Father's will which the Son will not fail to do perfectly.
John 6:38 "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."
"For I came down from heaven" is another indication of Jesus' deity.
When Jesus agonizes in the garden before His crucifixion, His last words are "Nevertheless not my will, but thine". Jesus was on a mission. He submitted His will to the will of God the Father.
John 6:39 "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), tells of the time when Jesus shall raise the dead in Christ to eternal life with Him. The Father's will is to glorify Jesus by His followers.
In (Hebrews chapter 2), we see that everything is in Jesus' hands. He is over all creation.
Hebrews 2:8 "Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet."
The Creator is in total control of His creation.
John 6:40 "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
"That every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him"; this verse emphasizes human responsibility in salvation. Although God is sovereign, He works through faith, so that a person must believe in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God who alone offers the only way of salvation. However, even faith is a gift of God, intellectually harmonizing the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man is humanly impossible. But perfectly resolved in the infinite mind of God.
John 3:16, explains this completely "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The parable of the harvest of wheat is symbolic of this last day when the wheat will be carried into the barn (heaven), and the chaff (unbeliever), will be burned. (Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17), both tell of the wheat and chaff.
In (verses 41-50), we see this section constitutes the beginning of the crowd's reaction to Jesus' discourse on the bread of life and may be divided into 3 sections.
(1) The murmuring reaction of the crowd (verses 41-42);
(2) Jesus' rebuke of the crowd for their reaction (verses 43-46);
(3) Jesus' reiteration of His message to the crowd (verses 47-51).
John 6:41 "The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven."
In this gospel the term "Jews" is often associated with hostility toward Christ. It is used ironically to indicate the incongruity of their rising hostility toward their Messiah. Since they hardened their hearts, God judicially hardened their hearts also. In the tribulation, Israel will turn to Jesus as their true Messiah and be saved.
The reaction of the synagogue crowds to Jesus' statements was the same as the Jews in the wilderness who grumbled against God both before and after the manna was given to them.
Because Jesus said that "I am the bread which came down from heaven", the Jews anger centered in two things:
(1) That Jesus said He was the bread, and
(2) That He came down from heaven.
Both the Jews in Jerusalem and the Galileans reacted negatively when Jesus placed Himself equal with God.
John 6:42 "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?"
These Jews could not see through spiritual eyes. They thought of Jesus as Joseph's son. Jesus was in fact, the Son of God. They didn't believe Him because they had seen Him grow up and they did not believe He was their Messiah.
On a human level, they knew Jesus as a fellow Galilean. These words are reminiscent of Jesus' words (in 4:44), "a prophet has no honor in his own country." Their hostility sprang from the root of unbelief. Jesus' death was impending because hostility had resulted everywhere He went.
John 6:43 "Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves."
Murmuring has always displeased God. Just as God punished those who murmured on the way to the Promised Land, God dislikes this murmuring here.
John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
It is the Father's will that all should be saved. He sent Jesus into the world to save the world. Whosoever believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord shall be saved.
The Holy Spirit tugs at our heart and draws us to Jesus.
God will not always strive with us. If we refuse over and over, the Holy Spirit will stop drawing.
John Chapter 6 Continued Questions
1. Where have the people followed Jesus?
2. By what name did they call Jesus?
3. What did the name they called Him by show?
4. Why did Jesus say they had followed Him?
5. What did Jesus say labor not for?
6. Why is the spiritual more important than the flesh?
7. In verse 28, what question did they ask Jesus?
8. What was Jesus' answer to them?
9. What did they ask Jesus for in verse 30?
10. What great miracle had they just witnessed?
11. What did they tell Jesus their fathers had eaten in the wilderness?
12. What are they really asking Jesus to do?
13. Jesus told them _______ did not give the bread from heaven, the ________ did.
14. In verse 33, who is the Bread of life?
15. What does John show that the other gospels omit?
16. What selfish thing were they asking Jesus for?
17. Who will come to Jesus?
18. Why had Jesus come to earth in verse 38?
19. In verse 40, Jesus tells us what the Father's will is. What is it?
20. Quote John 3:16.
21. Where can we find the parable of the wheat?
22. Why were the Jews murmuring?
23. Who did they think Jesus to be?
24. Who can come to Jesus?
First let me mention again verses 43 and 44 from the previous lesson.
John 6:43-44 "Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves." "No man can come to me, except the father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
Jesus paraphrased (Isaiah 54:13), to support the point that if someone comes to faith and repentance to God, it is because they have been taught, and hence drawn by God. The "drawing" and "learning" are just different aspects of God's sovereign direction in the person's life. Those taught by God to grasp the truth are also drawn by God the Father to embrace the Son.
It is written in (Isaiah 54):
Isaiah 54:13 "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children" (Taught meaning disciples).
Jesus is saying in all of this "If you really know the Scriptures as you say you do, then you will accept me. The prophets of the Old Testament have predicted my coming."
Notice that those who hear and those who learn from that hearing are separated here. Many hear, but few understand and learn. If they had heard the words of the Old Testament and understood what they heard, they would receive Jesus with open arms.
John 6:46 "Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."
Jesus is speaking of Himself here. Jesus has seen the Father. Even Moses saw His presence in the bush that was burning and did not burn up. He also met with God on the mount where he received the Ten Commandments, but he did not see God's face.
John 6:47 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."
In Romans chapter ten we see this also:
Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Jesus is saying if you really believe on Him, you will be saved. All of the other things are like icing on the cake. Our belief is what saves us.
John 6:48 "I am that bread of life."
Luke 4:4 "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
The Word of God is really a Christian's bread. The Passover bread is symbolic of Jesus' body and the fruit of the vine is symbolic of His blood. In (verse 48 above), Jesus is saying that He alone can bring you eternal life.
In (verses 49 & 50), Jesus contrasted the earthly and heavenly bread. The manna that was given in the wilderness, although sent from heaven to help sustain the Israelites for their physical needs, could not impart eternal life nor meet their spiritual needs as could the "bread of life", (verse 48), that came down from heaven in the person of Jesus the Messiah. The proof of this contrast centers in the irrefutable fact that all the fathers died who ate the wilderness manna.
John 6:49 "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead."
This manna in the wilderness sustained these Israelites' needs for food for one day at a time and on Sabbath for two days. It did not bring eternal life to those who ate it. Jesus is Life, when you partake of Him, ye shall never die.
John 6:50 "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die."
This manna, spoken of (in verse 49), was a symbol of the true Bread (Jesus Christ), which would come down from heaven and save the world.
In the same sense, the male lamb which was sacrificed each year at Passover was symbolic of the true Lamb which would be crucified for the sins of the world for all time.
Manna ...... temporary food,
Jesus Christ ...... eternal Bread,
Passover lamb ......... one year,
Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) .... eternal life.
John 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
This pronouncement exactly reiterates (verses 33, 35, 47, and 48). "Bread ... Is my flesh": Jesus refers here prophetically to His impending sacrifice upon the cross where Jesus voluntarily laid down His life for evil, sinful mankind.
In 1 Timothy 3:16 we read "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
This just says that Jesus gave His flesh on the cross that we might live forever. The Spirit of God hovered over Mary and she conceived by the Spirit of God.
Jesus means Jehovah Savior. Jesus gave Himself that we might have life by just partaking of Him. When we receive Jesus into our lives, it is symbolic of partaking of His flesh.
John 6:52 "The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Once again the perplexity of the Jews indicates that they failed to understand the spiritual truth behind Jesus' illustration. Every time Jesus had given them a veiled saying or physical illustration, the Jews failed to see its spiritual significance. The Mosaic Law prohibited the drinking of blood or the eating of meat with blood still in it. The Jews, unable to go beyond the mere physical perspective, were perplexed and angered.
These Jews are not looking with spiritual eyes. First of all, they saw Jesus as a man, not as their Messiah.
Some of these Jews believed one thing and some others believed another. They are not ready to accept Him as the Lamb of God. They hear His words, but they do not understand.
In verses 53-58 we see "eat ... drink". Jesus' point was an analogy that has spiritual rather than literal significance: just as eating and drinking are necessary for physical life, so also is belief in His sacrificial death on the cross necessary for eternal life.
The eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood metaphorically symbolize the need for accepting Jesus' cross work. For the Jews however, a crucified Messiah was unthinkable. Once again, the Jews in their willful and judicial blindness, could not see the real spiritual significance and truth behind Jesus' statements.
Moreover, Jesus' reference here to eating and drinking was not referring to the ordinance of communion for two significant reasons:
(1) Communion had not been instituted yet, and
(2) If Jesus was referring to communion, then the passage would teach that anyone partaking of communion would receive eternal life.
John 6:53 "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."
This is the very thing we are doing when we take communion. We eat the unleavened bread in memory of Jesus sacrificing His body on the cross for us; taking our sins upon His body, nailing the sins of the world to the cross.
Some people say Jesus spilled His blood for us, but that isn't true. It was no accident that Jesus' blood was shed for us. His blood washes us white as snow. When we take the fruit of the vine, we are remembering that He freely shed His blood to do away with our sins.
The only way we can inherit life eternal is to believe that the sacrifice of His body and His shed blood was for us. In believing this and acting upon it, we receive eternal life.
"Blood": The Jews were forbidden to drink blood. This was a "hard saying", (verse 60), because they missed His point. Jesus came to bring and sustain spiritual life, yet they were still thinking of physical life.
John 6:54-55 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed."
We see from this again, that the only way to receive life everlasting is to partake of Jesus. If we receive His blood to cleanse our heart and accept His flesh as the perfect Lamb sacrifice, then and only then, will we be saved.
In Revelation, we read of those who have fully partaken of Jesus.
Rev. 7:9 "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."
Read (verses 10,11,12, and 13), then see the answer to who they are (in verse 14).
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Read (verses 15, 16 and 17), to see the wonderful things they have in store for them.
John 6:56 "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him."
When we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, He takes up His abode with us. He lives in us. It explains it beautifully in Galatians.
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
In other words, if I belong to Jesus, my life is conducted in such a manner that others can see Jesus in me.
John 6:57 "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me."
Jesus Christ is the living Bread. Jesus Christ in His divine humanity gave His body so that we might receive the fullness of God. His power is the power of the Father; our power is in the name of Jesus the Christ.
The life within us was breathed in by God. Our new life is breathed of God, as well. We are nothing without Him. Our total being is because of Him.
John 6:58 "This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever."
The manna which came down from heaven was a type and shadow of the true Bread (Jesus Christ our Lord). The shadow could not bring eternal life, only a temporary taking care of needs.
The shadow was done away, and the real Bread came down who was the Word of God (Jesus Christ), which gave eternal life to whosoever will.
John 6:59 "These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum."
We know that it was much harder for them to believe at Capernaum. He was too close to home.
John Chapter 6 Second Continued Questions
1. No man can come to me, Jesus said, except when who drew him?
2. Every man that had learned of _____________ _________ came to God the Son.
3. In Isaiah 54:13, who shall the children be taught of?
4. Who had predicted the coming of the Lord Jesus?
5. Who had seen the Father?
6. What had Moses seen of the Father?
7. Who hath everlasting life?
8. Romans 10:10 says what?
9. Who called Himself the Bread of life?
10. What is a Christian's bread really?
11. In verse 49, Jesus reminds them that their fathers ate manna in the wilderness but are _____________.
12. What happens to those who partake of Jesus?
13. Compare manna to Jesus and Passover Lamb to Jesus?
14. What type of Bread is Jesus?
15. What does the communion bread symbolize?
16. What does the fruit of the vine symbolize in communion?
17. What must all Christians do to have life within?
18. Who will raise the Christian at the last day?
19. In Revelation 7:9, how were the multitude of all nations dressed?
20. Who was the multitude?
21. What do we learn from Galatians 2:20?
22. If I belong to Jesus, others should see what in me?
23. What did Jesus say He lived by?
24. Who shall we live by?
25. What does the power of the Christian lie in?
26. What was the manna a type and shadow of?
27. What synagogue was Jesus teaching this message in?
From (verses 60-71), these verses constitute the reaction of Jesus' disciples to the sermon on the "bread of life." As with the crowd's response in Jerusalem (in chapter 5), and in Galilee (in chapter 6), the response of many of His disciples was unbelief and rejection of Him. John lists two groups and their reactions:
(1) the false disciples' reaction of unbelief in verses (60-66);
(2) The true disciples' reaction of belief in (verses 67-71).
After this sermon, only a small nucleus of disciples remained (verse 67).
John 6:60. "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?"
In the last lesson, we were studying about Jesus' body being the Bread of life and His blood cleansing from all unrighteousness. He had said we must eat of His body and drink of His blood to receive eternal life.
These disciples were looking at this in the natural and did not fully understand what He was saying. The disciples which left were not numbered among the twelve.
John 6:61 "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?"
Many of Jesus' disciples had the same reaction as the Jews (in verse 41), and of the first generation of Israelites to manna, i.e., they grumbled (Exodus. 16:20).
Jesus realizes what they are thinking and scolds them for murmuring. He asks them if this offends them, all the time He knows it does. They were with Him, but did not understand what He was teaching them.
John 6:62 "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?"
Jesus calls Himself Son of man because they are looking at Jesus as just a man. He says "If you believe I am Joseph's son, then you won't believe that I came from heaven, or that I will go back to heaven."
Jesus is saying "Would you believe, if I ascended into heaven in front of you?"
John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
God is a Spirit and those that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.
In 1 Corinthians 15:44 "It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."
The body that goes to heaven is spiritual. The main purpose in these Bible Studies is to get the Word into each of us, so that we can have a better life here and eternal life in heaven.
John 6:64 "But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him."
Betray refers primarily to Judas, who has not yet been named in this gospel, but will be in verses 70-71.
Jesus, even at this time, knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him. Of course, it was not just Judas that would deny Him. In the fear of cruel death, even His beloved Peter would deny Him.
When the authorities came and took Jesus, the disciples fled for fear of like punishment. Speaking of the ones who believed not, the scribes, Pharisees, and rulers of the synagogues did not believe Jesus.
Reminiscent of Jesus' words (in 2:23-25), Jesus knew the hearts of men, including those disciples who followed Him. He supernaturally knew that many did not believe in Him as Messiah and Son of God so He did not entrust Himself to them.
These false disciples were simply attracted to the physical phenomena, meaning miracles and food, and failed to understand the true significance of Jesus' teaching (verse 61).
Very few were truly loyal to the Lord Jesus. Jesus had just told them a few verses back that they only followed Him because of the miracles and to be fed.
John 6:65 "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."
Although men and women are commanded to believe and will be held accountable for unbelief, genuine faith is never exclusively a matter of human decision. Once again, in the face of unbelief, Jesus reiterated God's sovereignty involved in selection for salvation.
The offer of salvation is to whosoever will. The Holy Spirit draws us. Many will be called, but few accept. God already knows your heart, and He knows whether you will accept the call. God doesn't predestine, but has foreknowledge of what you will do.
God reveals Himself to those who will accept Him. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." (James 4:8).
The opportunity to be saved is a free gift from God. When offered, we must accept it. The Father puts the hunger in our hearts. Jesus Christ our Lord provides the Bread (Himself). God will not always strive with man. He offers salvation, we must accept it.
John 6:66 "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
From what time is being discussed here? From the time He said they must eat of His flesh and drink of His blood.
In the natural, this does seem to be like being a cannibal, but Jesus had already told them that they must worship in spirit. This great number of followers of Jesus who had just wanted to make Him king and ruler of all Israel, now suddenly leave Him.
The language indicates that the abandonment was decisive and final.
They really did not have the love of God in their hearts. They wanted a great warrior to lead them against Rome. They followed Him in His power. They wanted no part in His weakness.
They were like people in our churches today, who just look at the words and not at the meaning of the Word. It is impossible to follow Jesus in the flesh. We must follow Jesus Christ by our spirit.
John 6:67 "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?"
Here is the first mention of the twelve in John's gospel. Only five of them have been named thus far: John, Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael. Perhaps this is John's account of the confession of Simon Peter at Caesarea Philippi.
When things get really hard to do, many will give up and go home. This is just what these disciples did who were not of the twelve.
In the seventh chapter of Judges, we read of a man about to do battle with the enemy of God. Thirty-two thousand men came to take up arms, but God told Gideon to send all of the fearful and all who were not prepared for battle home. Only 300 out of the 32,000 men stayed to do God's battle.
That is what happened above. The mass of disciples left and the twelve remained. God does not get the glory when it is possible for us to win a battle on our own. God gets the glory when an impossible (in the flesh), job is to be done and God brings the impossibility into being.
These twelve had seen the multitude fed, seen blind eyes opened, seen the lame to walk. Is all of this not proof enough that He is Messiah? Are they like the others, so void of understanding the spiritual meaning of what He had said?
He had taught these twelve to look beyond the physical, or literal, and see the hidden message. He had taught them how to interpret parables, and those lessons were a look into the spiritual.
Jesus says to them "Can you not trust me?" This one percent of true followers, seen in the Gideon lesson, is about the way in most Christians today. Only about one in one hundred are willing to face ridicule from their friends and family to live the kind of separated life Jesus our Lord requires of us, if we are to truly be His.
John 6:68 "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou has the words of eternal life."
Simon and the other eleven had opportunity to follow whoever they desired. When Jesus called, they came. They know from all the miracles who Jesus is. They also know that if they are to have life eternal, it is through Jesus and none other. They have heard the words of His preaching and have been totally sure that His Words are true.
There is no one like Him. Peter says really "We have made our decision to follow you. We will not turn back now. Thy Word gives us the promise of eternal life."
John 6:69 "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter's words were somewhat pretentious in that he implied that the true disciples somehow had superior insight and as a result, came to belief through that insight.
Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, is Jesus' full name for His stay on the earth. Christ means Messiah or the Anointed One, Jesus means Jehovah saves or Savior. Son of the living God tells us without a doubt that Jesus' Father is God.
God is not dead, He is the great I AM. I AM has absolute existence for all of eternity.
John 6:70 "Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?"
In response to Peter's words that the disciples had come to believe in Jesus, He reminds them that He sovereignly chose them. Jesus would not allow even a whisper of human pretension in God's sovereign selection.
In Matthew 22:14 we read "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Out of the great number called as Jesus' followers, Jesus had chosen twelve.
In Luke 6:12-13 we read "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." "And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;"
You see, Jesus Christ had many followers He called disciples (disciplined ones who follow Him), but there were twelve (a representative number) He set aside to be apostles.
Judas Iscariot (the betrayer), was among the twelve. This really is no different than it is today. Many proclaim to be Christians, but few really know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Even of those the world thinks to be close followers of the Lord, there is always a Judas.
"Devil" means adversary, slanderer or false accuser. The idea perhaps is better rendered "one of you is the devil". This meaning is clear from (13:2 and 27). The supreme adversary of God so operates behind failing human beings, that his malice becomes theirs.
Jesus supernaturally knew the source and identified it precisely. This clearly fixes the character of Judas, not as a well-intentioned but misguided man trying to force Jesus to exert His power and set up His kingdom, as some suggest. But as a tool of Satan doing unmitigated wickedness.
John 6:71 "He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."
This is the first occasion in John where Peter and Judas appear in contrast (see also chapters 13 and 18).
Many people believe that Judas did not have a choice, because of this Scripture. As we have said so many times before, Judas had a choice, but Jesus could look ahead in time and know what Judas would do.
"Iscariot": The word most likely is from a Hebrew word meaning "man of Kerioth," the name of a village in Judah. As with the other three gospels, as soon as he was named, he became identified as the betrayer.
John Chapter 6 Third Continued Questions
1. What did many of the disciples say, when they heard the Lord say, they must eat His flesh and drink His blood?
2. When Jesus knew these disciples were murmuring, what did He say to them?
3. What did Jesus call Himself in verse 62?
4. Why did He call Himself that to them?
5. What quickeneth?
6. The Lord said His words were ________________ and ___________________.
7. What kind of body goes to heaven?
8. In verse 64, Jesus told them He knew what?
9. Who were some who did not believe?
10. For what two things had most followed the Lord Jesus?
11. In verse 65, Jesus said no man could come to Him except what?
12. Instead of God predestinating what we will do, what does He do?
13. Who puts the hunger in our hearts for the Savior?
14. What did many of the disciples do when they heard this teaching of the Lord?
15. What question did Jesus ask the twelve?
16. Out of the 32,000 with Gideon how many did God keep?
17. Which of the disciples said "...to whom shall we go...?
18. Who has the Words of eternal life?
19. In verse 69, what did Peter call Jesus?
20. What was Jesus' full name while He was on the earth?
21. What does Christ mean?
22. What does Jesus mean?
23. What does Son of the living God show us?
24. In verse 70, Jesus says one of the twelve is what?
25. In Matthew 22:14, we read what?
26. What was another name for the twelve disciples?
27. Who was He speaking of as the betrayer?
The main thrust of the (sections of 7:1 to 8:59), can be summarized as "high intensity hatred", since the smoldering dislike of Jesus (in chapters 5 & 6), erupted into a blazing inferno. The culmination of this hatred occurs (in 11:45-57), where the Jewish authorities plot to kill the Son of God, culminating ultimately in His crucifixion. Both chapters deal with Jesus at the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, in Jerusalem.
Especially noteworthy is the fact that two major themes associated with Tabernacles, i.e., water and light, come to prominence in these two chapters (verses 37-39 and 8:12). At the next Passover following this celebration of Tabernacles, Jesus was crucified. The central truth that dominates this whole passage is that Jesus was on a divine timetable. His life was not random, but operated according to God's sovereign and perfect timing and direction.
John (7:1-13), has two parts:
(1) Jesus' avoidance of the wrong time in God's sovereign plan (verses 1-9), and
(2) Jesus' perfect obedience to the right time in God's sovereign plan (verses 10-13).
John 7:1 "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him."
A 6 month gap most likely took place between (chapters 6 & 7). While chapter 6 occurred around Passover (6:4 - In April), chapter 7 occurs at the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles (October). John wrote nothing about those months since his purpose was not to present an exhaustive chronology of Christ's life but to portray Him as the Messiah and Son of God and show how men reacted to Him.
"Walked in Galilee: Chapter 6 indicates Jesus spent two days with the multitude of 20,000 people (6:22), but He spent 7 months teaching His 12 disciples who believed in Him. This phrase subtly highlights the great importance of discipleship, for Jesus concentrated great lengths of time upon training His future spiritual leaders.
Jesus now carries His message to people other than the Jews. The Jewish rulers want to catch Jesus and kill Him. Most students of the Bible believe that Jesus ministered about six months to these people.
John 7:2 "Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand."
This is the third major feast of the Jews. Passover and Pentecost were the other two. The Feast of Trumpets occurred on the first day of the seventh month. The seventh month is equivalent, approximately, to our October.
The Feast of Trumpets, many Christians believe, is the time of year for the rapture, because the Lord will blow the trumpet. This is signaling in the Feast of Tabernacles or the Fall Harvest. Tabernacles is the same as ingathering which is from the fifteenth to the twenty-second day of the seventh month.
The people dwelt in booths to commemorate their wilderness wanderings. Ethanim was one of the names this seventh month was called by, and another was Tisri. Many animals were sacrificed during this Feast of Tabernacles.
There were seventy bullocks sacrificed on the seven days and on the eighth day, just one. There were fourteen rams offered during the seven days, two each day and one on the eighth day. There were ninety-eight lambs offered, fourteen on each day (one through seven), and seven lambs offered on the eighth day.
There were seven goats offered on the first seven days and one on the eighth day for a sin offering.
The feast of Booths or Tabernacles was associated in the Old Testament with the ingathering of the harvest of grapes and olives, while grain was reaped between April and June. The feast occurred for 7 days from the 15 th to the 21st of Tishri (September - October).
According to Josephus, this feast was the most popular of the 3 principle Jewish feasts (Passover, Pentecost, and Booths or Tabernacles). People living in rural areas built makeshift structures of light branches and leaves to live in for the week (hence "booth" or "tabernacles" (Lev. 23:42), which town dwellers put up similar structures on their flat roofs or in their courtyards.
The feast was known for water-drawing and lamp-lighting rites to which Jesus makes reference (If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink, (verses 37-38), and "I am the Light of the world" (8:12).
John 7:3 "His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest."
In (verse 3) here, His brethren could be children of His mother, or they could be followers of Jesus who did not leave when the mass of His disciples left.
(Matthew 13:55), lists Jesus' brothers as "James, Joseph, Simon and Judas." James authored the New Testament epistle that bears his name and became the leader of the Jerusalem church and Judas (or Jude), wrote the epistle that also bears his name. Because of Jesus' virgin birth, they were only the half brothers of Jesus since Mary, not Joseph, was Jesus' only human parent.
Perhaps here, the disciples that they wanted to see were those who had left because of the hard teachings of the Lord. These brethren thought that if those disciples who left could see all the miracles, they might believe and come back.
John 7:4 "For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world."
Here, these brethren are encouraging Jesus to do the miracles where everyone would know it. It is as if they are saying "If you are going to do these miracles, let everybody know; so they will believe you." They are saying, "Why would you do such good things, and not let everyone see it, so you can get the credit for it?"
Jesus' brothers wanted Him to put on a display of His miracles. Although the text does not clearly state their motivation. Perhaps they made the request for two reasons:
(1) They wanted to see the miracles for themselves to determine their genuineness, and
(2) They may have had similar crass political motives as did the people, namely that He would become their social and political Messiah.
Jerusalem's acceptance of Him was to be the acid test for them as to whether His own family would believe in Him as Messiah.
John 7:5 "For neither did his brethren believe in him."
As with the crowds in Jerusalem and Galilee, even His own brothers did not believe in Jesus at first. They did not become His followers until after the resurrection.
Mary's children did not believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, until He rose from the grave. They were raised with Him, and thought Him to be just like them.
The Scriptures do not say whether Mary their mother, told them or not about who their half brother Jesus, really was.
John 7:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready."
The time for the Lord Jesus to be crucified and raised again, is what He is speaking of. Jesus had an allotted time to be made manifest to the world.
This recalls the response to Jesus' mother at the wedding in Cana. It also reveals the first reason why Jesus would not go to the feast: it was not in God's perfect timing. This sentence reveals Jesus' complete dependence on and commitment to the Father's sovereign timetable for His life.
Furthermore, Jesus never committed Himself to being motivated by unbelief, even that of His own half-brothers.
These brethren could show their work any time they desired to. Their deeds were not of the magnitude to change the whole world like His was. The brethren were not wanted by the Jewish rulers either.
Because Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him, they were of the world and therefore, knew nothing of God or His purposes. Because of unbelief, they did not listen to His word, did not recognize God's schedule, and could not perceive the incarnate Word before them. As a result, any time would do for them, preferably that moment.
John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil."
Those who had rejected Jesus as their Savior and Lord hated Jesus and what He stood for. Jesus had pointed out their sins.
The world cannot hate Jesus' brothers because they belonged to the world and the world loves its own. The evil world system and all who reject the Word and Son of God lie in the control of the evil one himself.
He had not spared those who were leaders in the temple. He had called them "whited walls". They wanted people to believe they were of God, but their hearts were evil. Works, without love and faith, are dead.
"I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." A true born again believer who is living a life for God's glory should experience the hatred and antagonism of the world.
John 7:8 "Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come."
This reveals the second reason why Jesus would not go to the feast in Jerusalem. The Jews could not kill Him before God's perfect timing and plan was ready. Jesus' commitment to God's timetable would not permit any deviance from what God had decreed.
The Feast of Tabernacles was not the feast at which Jesus would be crucified. Jesus didn't make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem at this time. The Jews might try to seize Him before His time.
His brethren would go, because three of the feasts a year the people went to Jerusalem to celebrate.
John 7:9 "When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee."
We see here that our Lord stayed behind in Galilee for a time. Perhaps He did not want to endanger the brethren. The things He had said were for them to go up to the feast without Him. He was living and ministering in Galilee.
John 7:10 "But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret."
The assumption is that the Father had directed Jesus to permit Him to go to Jerusalem. The secrecy of His journey indicates His maximum discretion which was the complete opposite of what His brothers had demanded of Him (verse 4).
I really believe that Jesus let His brethren go up with the large company going to the feast and went without them, so they would not be endangered. The hate of the rulers of the temple was already great against Jesus our Lord. They were plotting to kill Him.
His secret entrance was to keep down problems. He also, wanted to minister along the way and heal those in need. Jesus will come into Jerusalem unnoticed by the leaders of the temple. If they knew He was coming, they would be waiting for Him.
John 7:11 "Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?"
They thought sure He would be with the worshippers coming to the feast. They wanted (as we said), to kill Him. I am sure they had heard of many of the wonderful miracles that He had done, and they wanted to get rid of Him. He was getting all of the attention, and they were jealous.
The contrast between the phrase "the Jews" in this verse and "the crowds" (in verse 12), indicates that the term "Jew" designates the hostile Jewish authorities in Judea who were headquartered in Jerusalem. The search for Jesus was certainly hostile in intent.
They feared, if the people followed Him, they would forget about them and the temple.
John 7:12 "And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people."
None of these people actually knew who Jesus was. Even those who thought Him to be good, thought of Him as a man. This was their long awaited Messiah, and they did not believe Him. Jesus Christ was God the Son.
This is the Word spoken of (in John 1:1), "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
In (verses 12 & 13), the crowds, made up of Judeans, Galileans, and Diaspora (scattered), Jews, expressed various opinions regarding Christ. The spectrum ranged from superficial acceptance ("He is a good man"), to cynical rejection "He leads the people astray". The Jewish Talmud reveals that the latter view of deception became the predominant opinion of many Jews (Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 43a).
John 7:13 "Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews."
They would get in terrible trouble with the rulers of the synagogue, if they spoke up in favor of Jesus as being Lord. Their fear of these Jewish leaders kept them from speaking up. They believed because of the miracles, but were afraid to express their opinions because of fear of punishment.
Fear of our neighbors' and friends' comments sometimes keeps us from sharing things God has revealed to us in His Word. We are afraid they will laugh or make fun, and we just keep quiet.
(In verses 14 - 24), the increasing hostility to Jesus did not prevent His teaching ministry. Instead, Jesus relentlessly set forth His claims regarding His identity and mission. In the midst of the Feast of Tabernacles, when Jews from all over Israel had migrated into Jerusalem, Jesus once again began to teach. In this section, Jesus set forth the justification of His ministry and taught with authority as God's Son. In this passage, 5 reasons are set forth as to why Jesus' claims regarding Himself are true:
1. His supernatural knowledge originated from the Father Himself (verses 15-16),
2. His teaching and knowledge could be confirmed by testing (verse 17),
3. His actions demonstrated His selflessness (verse 18),
4. His impact on the world was startling (verses 19-20),
5. His deeds demonstrated His identity as the Son of God (verses 21-24).
John 7:14 "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught."
Jesus may have waited until the middle of the feast in order to prevent a premature "triumphal entry" that some may have forced upon Him for political motivations.
This would have been at the time when most of the people would be there. Jesus had no fear at all. One of the things that made the Jewish rulers hate Him so, was because the people, every time they heard Him speak, were amazed with what power and authority He spoke.
Jesus taught according to the custom of the teachers or rabbis of His day. Prominent rabbis would enter the temple environs and expound on the Old Testament to crowds who sat around them.
They also compared His words as being not at all like the scribes and Pharisees. They had more power. They were amazed, not only of the mighty miracles He did, but also at the power in His Word. This feast went on for eight days, and this was in the very middle of the feast.
John 7:15 "And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?"
You see, Jesus Christ was not of the Levitical tribe who were trained for ministry in the temple. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the Word of God. Read all of (chapter 1 of John), to prove this. The Word took on flesh and dwelt among us.
If He is the Word, why would He not know it perfectly? If they (Jews), had known the Word, they too, would have recognized Jesus as that Word.
Jesus' knowledge of Scripture was supernatural. The people were amazed that someone who had never studied at any great rabbinical centers or under any great rabbis could display such profound mastery of Scripture. Both the content and manner of Jesus' teachings were qualitatively different than any other teacher.
John 7:16 "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me."
The qualitative difference of Jesus' teaching was found in its source, i.e., the Father gave it to Him. It originated from God the Father Himself, in contrast to rabbis who received it from man. While rabbis relied on the authority of others (a long chain of human tradition), Jesus' authority centered in Himself.
We probably would have understood this better if it had said "Not only mine, but the Father's", and that is just what it is saying. Jesus is telling these Jews that God's doctrine doesn't change. They just really do not understand what that doctrine is saying.
They have a portion of His doctrine, but do not understand the portion they have been given. Jesus said, over and over, that He did not come to change the law, but to fulfill the law.
John Chapter 7 Questions
1. Why did Jesus walk in Galilee instead of in Jewry?
2. What feast was at hand?
3. Name the three most important feasts.
4. Their 7th month was equivalent to what month approximately, on our calendar?
5. At what feast time do many Christians believe the rapture will occur?
6. At what feast time did people dwell in booths?
7. Where did Jesus' brethren tell Him to go?
8. Why did they want Him to go?
9. Who were they wanting Him to show His miracles to?
10. Why do you think His brethren didn't believe in Him?
11. What reason did Jesus give them for not doing this?
12. Why did the Lord Jesus say the world hated Him?
13. Why did Jesus tell them to go to the feast without Him?
14. Where was Jesus when He told them to go ahead to the feast?
15. When did Jesus go to the feast?
16. Why does the author believe Jesus went at this time?
17. What did the Jews ask the brethren of Jesus?
18. What were the murmurings of the people about?
19. How were both views wrong?
20. Why did they not speak openly?
21. When did Jesus go to the temple?
22. Why did the Jewish rulers hate Jesus?
23. Why did they marvel at Jesus' knowledge?
24. Who did Jesus say His doctrine was of?
25. What did Jesus say, over and over, about the law?
We will repeat verse 16 from the last lesson.
John 7:16 "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me."
The qualitative difference of Jesus' teaching was found in its source, i.e., the Father gave it to Him. It originated from God the Father Himself, in contrast to rabbis who received it from man. While rabbis relied on the authority of others (a long chain of human traditions), Jesus' authority centered in Himself.
The Father and Son are of the very same doctrine. In fact, they are one in the Spirit. There really was no contradiction of the Old Testament and New Testament.
John 7:17 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
If any man will do God's will, He shall know the truth. Jesus is telling them here, that just knowing the letter of the law is not enough; they must know the Giver of the law. They must be willing for God's will to be done in their lives.
You could memorize every word in the Bible; but it would do you no good, unless you allowed God to open your understanding to His Word. Jesus says "If you are truly in right standing with God and His Word, then you know that I am of God."
You see, the entire Bible is all about Jesus Christ. He is the theme of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Those who are fundamentally committed to doing the will of God will be guided by Him in the affirmation of His truth. God's truth is self-authenticating through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit.
In short, if you are not filled with the Holy Spirit and are led and guided by Him, you are not a Christian.
John 7:18 "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."
Jesus, over and over, stresses that He is in the will of the Father. This is very similar to what everyone who ministers in the name of the Lord should be. The message is worthwhile, if it originates with God. The person bringing the message must give the glory to God where it belongs.
Of course, Jesus is the Word, the Truth. He has no apologies to make to anyone. Since they are viewing Him as just a man, He explains this as if He were a man. Jesus says, "Give the glory to the Father who sent Him."
While other saviors and messiahs acted from their own selfish interests, thereby revealing their falseness, Jesus Christ as God's Son came solely to glorify the Father and accomplish the Father's will.
John 7:19 "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?"
Jesus has fulfilled the law, not broken it. These rulers of the temple have twisted God's law around to fit their own needs. And this is part of the reason they do not recognize Jesus as Messiah Lord.
Even their law says "Thou shalt not kill", and yet, they are plotting right now to kill the Messiah.
If Jesus were another religious fake, the world never would have reacted in such hatred. Since the evil world system loves its own, its hatred toward Him demonstrates that He came from God.
John 7:20 "The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?"
Anything they didn't understand, they proclaimed as a devil. They knew they were plotting to kill Jesus; but now that He knew it, they lied and denied it.
John 7:21 "Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel."
The context makes clear (v.22-23), that Jesus had reference to the healing of the paralytic that evoked the beginning of persecution against Him by the Jewish authorities because it took place on the Sabbath. (5:1-16).
John 7:22 "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man."
The patriarchal period during the time of Abraham when God instituted the sign of circumcision which was later included as part of the Mosaic covenant at Sinai. This observation not only depreciated the Jewish esteem for Moses, but even more importantly showed that this rite was antecedent to the Mosaic Law and took precedence over it. Furthermore, circumcision antedates the Sabbath Law also.
Jesus is trying to tell them here, that He is doing good on the Sabbath. They actually break the Sabbath when they circumcise a man; but they think nothing of that, since it is them doing it. You see, He is showing them with this comparison just how foolish it is to criticize Him for healing someone on the Sabbath.
They marvel, not only at the fact of healing on the Sabbath, but also they marvel at His great ability.
John 7:23 "If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?"
The law required that circumcision occur on the eighth day. If a child was born on the Sabbath, then the eighth day would fall again on the subsequent Sabbath, when the Jews would circumcise the child. Jesus' point was that the Jews broke their own Sabbath law with the circumcision of the child. Their hypocrisy is evident.
Jesus used an argument of the lesser to the greater. If ceremonial cleansing of one part of the body is permitted on the Sabbath through the act of circumcision (the less), how much more so should the actual healing of the entire body be permitted on the Sabbath (the greater).
John 7:24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
You see, a male Hebrew child must be circumcised on the eighth day. This surgical procedure, which God required of all males since the time of Abraham, must be done on the eighth day. If the eighth day fell on a Sabbath, they had to break Sabbath to circumcise the child.
Circumcision was necessary to be a part of the covenant of Abraham. Jesus is trying to make them see that Sabbath was not a technicality, but a help to the people. He is saying to them "Don't judge with your mind. Judge with you heart."
If God's laws are in our heart, our heart will judge righteously.
While Jesus forbade harsh, censorious judgment that self-righteous legalism promotes, He demanded the exercise of moral and theological discernment.
In (verses 25-36), John once again reiterated the claims of Jesus to His identity as the Messiah and Son of god. He focused on His divine origin and citizenship. While some believed in Him at this time (verse 31), the religious leaders became even angrier at Him and nefariously planned to seize Him (verse 32). Jesus confronted the people with 3 dilemmas recorded in the verses:
(1) The problem of dense confusion (verses 25-29),
(2) The problem of divided conviction (verses 30-32),
(3) The problem of delayed conversion (verses 33-36).
These 3 problems left Jerusalem in a state of utter despair.
John 7:25 "Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?"
You see, even the Jewish people scattered throughout Jerusalem were aware that the Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus. They were astonished that He was teaching and they had not captured Him.
John 7:26 "But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?"
What surprised the masses was that in spite of the ominous threat from the religious authorities (verses 20 & 32); Jesus boldly proclaimed His identity.
The question indicates the crowds and the rulers were in great confusion and uncertainty as to who Jesus was and what to do about Him. They did not really have any firm convictions regarding Jesus' identity, for their question reveals their doubt and unbelief.
They were also perplexed at the religious leaders' failure to arrest and silence Him if He really was a fraud. Such dense confusion caused the crowd to wonder if the religious authorities in private concluded that He was indeed the Christ. Mass confusion among all groups reigned regarding Jesus.
These Jews believe that the reason the rulers have not done anything to Jesus is because they know Jesus truly is the Christ (Messiah). They realize that these rulers are no match for Jesus. Every time they verbally attack Jesus, He makes them look foolish with His answers. They suddenly realize that Jesus is too much for these rulers of the temple.
John 7:27 "Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is."
Only information regarding Messiah's birthplace was revealed in Scripture. Beyond that, a tradition had developed in Jewish circles that Messiah would appear suddenly to the people, based on a misinterpretation of (Isaiah 53:8 and Mal. 3:1).
In light of this, the meaning of this phrase most likely is that the identity of the Messiah would be wholly unknown until He suddenly appeared in Israel and accomplished Israel's redemption. In contrast, Jesus had lived His life in Nazareth and was known (at least superficially), to the people (verse 28).
They could not believe Jesus was Messiah, because they knew Him and His family. They had a belief that Messiah would suddenly come down in Jerusalem from the skies and wrench their land out of Roman hands. They thought He would be a great Warrior King. Perhaps, they had His second coming mixed up with His first.
Really, the Old Testament Scriptures said He would be born in Bethlehem of a virgin mother. Had they really understood the Old Testament, they would have known this to be their Messiah. Their view of Jesus is what deceived them.
John 7:28 "Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not."
Jesus gave the greatest publicity to this important teaching by voicing it loudly. Jesus told them that they both knew Him and knew where He was from. These words stand in antithesis with (8:19), where Jesus told His enemies that they neither knew Him nor the Father, thus indicating a deep irony and sarcasm on Jesus' part here.
Jesus says to them "Yes, you know me in the flesh. You know my mother, and you know that I have lived among you in the flesh; but you really have no comprehension of who I am." The Spirit of Jesus, they did not understand.
They knew the people He lived around could not do the miracles He did, but they could only see His flesh. They could not put it out of their mind that He had grown up among them. It is very difficult today for many people who profess to be believers in Christ to see beyond His flesh.
They knew Him in the earthly sense, but not in the spiritual sense, because they didn't know God either.
John 7:29 "But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me."
I say one more time; He was Immanuel (God with us). Jesus tells them one more time above, that God the Father sent Him. Jesus had lived in heaven and was called the Word of God. This Word of God took on the form of flesh and came to earth to save mankind. Jesus is on a mission (to save all of mankind who will accept Him).
John 7:30 "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come."
You can see from this statement that no one could take hold of Jesus, until He was willing for them to.
This reveals the reason why they could not seize Him, i.e., God's sovereign timetable and plan for Jesus would not allow it.
They were restrained by God and kept from capturing Him now. When the right time comes, they will be able to take Him; because He will be ready to fulfill His mission.
John 7:31 "And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?"
Divided conviction existed among the people regarding Jesus. While some wanted to seize Him, a small remnant of genuine believers existed among the crowds. The question here anticipates a negative answer, i.e. the Messiah could do no greater kinds of miracles than those Jesus had done. We read that so many miracles were done that all the books of the world could not contain all of them. No one had ever done miracles like these before. This is a good question they asked; that when Christ comes would He do more. The answer is no. No one would, or could do more. We can see here that many believed because of the miracles.
John Chapter 7 Continued Questions
1. Whose doctrine was Jesus preaching?
2. Who are those who will know this doctrine?
3. Just knowing the letter of the law is not enough, who must they know?
4. If you memorized the Bible, it would do you no good, unless you did what else?
5. Who is the theme of the Bible?
6. He who speaketh of himself seeketh what?
7. The message of any minister is good, if it originates where?
8. Who does Jesus say to give glory to?
9. Who gave them the law?
10. What question did Jesus ask of them, if they didn't keep the law themselves?
11. What did they accuse Jesus of having?
12. What did they marvel at in verse 21?
13. They thought Moses gave them circumcision, but where did it really come from?
14. What did Jesus tell them to judge not according to?
15. How were they to judge?
16. What day must a male Hebrew baby be circumcised?
17. If the day fell on Sabbath, what must they do?
18. In verse 25, some from Jerusalem said what?
19. Do the rulers know, indeed, that this is _______ ___________.
20. Why was it so hard for them to believe this was Christ?
21. What were they expecting the Messiah to be like?
22. Who did Jesus say He came from?
23. Why did they not take Jesus now?
24. Some believed and said what?
John 7:32 "The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him."
The Pharisees and chief priests historically did not have harmonious relationships with each other. Most of the chief priests were Sadducees, who were political and religious opponents to the Pharisees. John repeatedly links these two groups in his gospel, in order to emphasize that their cooperation stemmed from their mutual hatred of Jesus.
Both were alarmed at the faith of those indicated (in verse 31), and, in order to avoid any venation of Jesus as Messiah, attempted unsuccessfully to arrest Him (verse 30).
These Pharisees and chief priests greatly feared losing their people to this man from Nazareth. Their jealousy, because He could perform miracles that they could not do, nearly drove them mad. They were afraid of losing their elevated place with the Jews.
They were not doing this for God, as they said, but for their own selves. The fear the Pharisees had, was that these Jewish people would believe and follow Him, and the Pharisees and priests would not hold their lofty position any more.
"Officers": Temple guards who functioned as a kind of police force composed of Levites who were in charge of maintaining order in the temple environs. They could also be used by the Sanhedrin in areas outside the temple environs in religious disputes that did not affect Roman policy.
John 7:33 "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and [then] I go unto him that sent me."
Jesus is speaking of His crucifixion, but they do not understand. Jesus speaks of going to the Father in heaven who sent Him.
John 7:34 "Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come."
Jesus referred here to His return to His heavenly origin with His Father after His crucifixion and resurrection.
The reason they will not be able to follow Him, is because He will ascend to heaven.
Verses 35-36: John again highlights the ignorance of the Jews regarding Jesus' words. The words were spoken to mock Jesus.
John 7:35 "Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?"
The phrase "teach the Gentiles" probably had reference to Jewish proselytes, i.e., Gentiles. John may have been citing this phrase with ironic force since the gospel eventually went to the Gentiles because of Jewish blindness and rejection of their Messiah.
Many of the Jews did not believe in life after death. The Jews were conceited, believing that Messiah would have nothing to do with those who were not Jewish. Little did they know that they were prophetically speaking of the very thing He would do.
He indeed, does go to the Gentiles when the Jews rejected Him. It was unbelievable to them that anyone would go to teach the Gentiles. They ask sarcastically, "Is that where you are going?"
John 7:36 "What [manner of] saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come?"
This is a confusing statement to them, because they think Jesus is a mere man. They feel free to go anywhere any other man can go, so they feel it would be impossible for Jesus to go anywhere they could not go.
John 7:37 "In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
"In the last day" suggests that this occasion occurred on a different day than the controversy (in verses 11-36).
"If any man thirst": A tradition grew up in the few centuries before Jesus that on the 7 days of the Feast of Booth or Tabernacles, a golden container filled with water from the pool of Siloam was carried in procession by the high priest back to the temple.
As the procession came to the Watergate on the south side of the inner temple court, three trumpet blasts were made to mark the joy of the occasion and the people recited (Isaiah 12:3), "you will joyously draw water from the sprints of salvation." At the temple, while onlookers watched, the priest would march around the altar with the water container while the temple choir sang the Hallel.
The water was offered in sacrifice to God at the time of the morning sacrifice. The use of the water symbolized the blessing of adequate rainfall for crops.
Jesus used this event as an object lesson and opportunity to make a very public invitation on the last day of the feast for His people to accept Him as the living water. His words recall (Isaiah 55:1).
This is that spiritual water. I sing a song There is a river which flows from God above . It speaks of a fountain that is filled with His great love.
This river is from deep within the heart and soul of man. The only way to have this river is to receive Jesus inside of you. Jesus told the woman at the well, if she drank of that water, she would never thirst again, Jesus then and here also, was speaking of the Spirit of God.
The end of the Feast of Tabernacles commemorated the end of the wilderness wanderings and their new life. What a celebration that will be, to know the old life is over wandering in the wilderness, and a new life of promise begins.
Perhaps, this is why this is spoken of as a great day. It surely symbolizes salvation when our old life is over, and because we believe in Him, our new life begins.
"Thirst ... Come ... Drink:" These 3 words summarize the gospel invitation. This recognition of need leads to an approach to the source of provision, followed by receiving what is needed. The thirsty, needy soul feels the craving to come to the Savior and drink, i.e., receive the salvation that He offers.
John 7:38 "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
The water pouring rite was also associated within Jewish tradition as a foreshadowing of the eschatological rivers of living water foreseen (in Ezekiel 47:1-9 and Zech. 13:1).
The significance of Jesus' invitation centers in the fact that He was the fulfillment of all the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles that was anticipated. I.e., He was the One who provided the living water that gives eternal life to man.
John 7:39 "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
The impartation of the Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual and eternal life.
This gift of the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the risen Christ. (Verse 39), is a prophetic statement of the infilling of the believer with the Holy Ghost after Jesus' ascension into heaven.
John 7:40 "Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet."
It seems there was much confusion about who Jesus is, in these verses. Many wanted to say that Jesus was the promised Prophet that would come right before Messiah. They knew there was something great and wonderful about Him, but they still thought Him to be the son of Joseph instead of the Son of God.
The best thing they could think to say was that He is the great Prophet. They believed because of the miracles and because of the powerful undisputed message He brought.
John 7:41 "Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?"
This betrays the people's great ignorance, because Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea not Galilee. They did not even bother to investigate His true birthplace, showing their lack of interest in messianic credentials.
Some believed because of His overwhelming power in miracles and His message that they declare "This is Messiah".
As soon as they say this must be Messiah, others say don't you know Messiah will not come out of Galilee? They are overlooking the fact of His Bethlehem birth, possibly because He has not reminded them.
John 7:42 "Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"
They know the letter of the law. It does say just that. Jesus fulfilled this, He [in the flesh] was in the lineage of David and He was born in Bethlehem. You see, even this argument is in error. They were working on hearsay, rather than on the realities.
John 7:43 "So there was a division among the people because of him."
You see, some believed He, "Jesus", was a great prophet, but did not believe that He was Messiah. Others believed He was an imposter, and still others believed He was truly Messiah because of His great miracles.
John 7:44 "And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him."
This was because it was not God's time for Him to suffer yet. God must stand aside, before any man could take Jesus.
John 7:45 "Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?"
It appears these officers were to go and capture Jesus and bring Him back to the chief priests and Pharisees, so that they could pass judgment on Him. They said "We sent you for Him, why didn't you bring Him back?"
The officers had failed in their attempt to arrest Jesus when they were confronted with His person and powerful teaching. Since they were religiously trained, Jesus' words struck at their very heart.
John 7:46 "The officers answered, Never man spake like this man."
These officers were so impressed by what Jesus said and did, that they did not try to arrest Him. They could see no wrong He was doing, only good.
John 7:47-48 "Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?" "Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?"
These Pharisees had their minds closed off. The miracles Jesus did and the great power and wisdom He showed in His sermons had not swayed their fixed minds in the least. Their jealousy had blinded them.
These Pharisees mocked the officers, not on professional (as police officers), but religious grounds (as Levites). In essence, they accused them of being seduced by a deceiver (i.e. Jesus), in contrast to the Pharisees themselves who arrogantly and self-righteously felt that in their wisdom and knowledge, no one could ever deceive them.
These Pharisees were so afraid of losing their haughty positions, they would not fairly listen to what Jesus had said. The officers had heard and seen enough that they were not convinced that there was any wrong doing by Jesus. In fact, Jesus' words and deeds had swayed the officer's opinions toward Jesus.
John 7:49 "But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed."
The Pharisees condescendingly labeled the people as a "crowd." The rabbis viewed the common people (or people of the land), as ignorant and impious in contrast to themselves. This ignorance was not only because of their ignorance of Scripture, but especially the common people's failure to follow the Pharisees' oral traditions.
The people were considered damned because they did not belong to the elite group or follow their beliefs regarding the law.
John 7:50 "Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)"
In (verses 50-52), Nicodemus' mind had not closed regarding Christ's claims, so that while not defending Jesus directly, he did raise a procedural point in Jesus' favor.
Nicodemus believed Jesus, but he was afraid of his colleagues finding out. He had come to Jesus by night "in secret". Even though he believed, he would not stand up and be counted on Jesus' side.
Here he tries to take up for Jesus without saying that he believed the Nazarene. He says in effect; you are judging Him before you have all the facts. Give Him a fair trial.
John 7:51 "Doth our law judge [any] man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?"
No explicit Old Testament text can be cited that makes Nicodemus' point. Most likely he referred to rabbinical traditions contained in their oral law.
John 7:52 "They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."
They are advising these officers to look at the law, when they themselves had not looked deeply into Jesus' background. Jesus was born in Bethlehem where the promised Messiah was to be born.
These Pharisees are accusing the officers of being from Galilee, as if they were the only people who believed and followed Jesus.
The real ignorance lay with the arrogant Pharisees who did not carefully search out the facts as to where Jesus was actually born. While they accused the crowds of ignorance, they too were really as ignorant (verse 42). Furthermore, the prophet Jonah did come from Galilee.
Nahum was from El Kosh, which may have been Capernaum (Lit. "Village of Nahum"), renamed in honor of the prophet. Also, Hosea is believed to have been from Galilee.
John 7:53 "And every man went unto his own house."
This could not be solved to the satisfaction of the Pharisees and priests, so they just all went home and forgot it for the moment.
John 7 Second Continued Questions
1. Who sent the officers to take Jesus?
2. Why did they want Jesus taken?
3. Who did Jesus tell them He was going to?
4. When Jesus said they couldn't go, where did they think He was talking about?
5. What were the Jews prophetically talking of, unawares to them?
6. Why is this statement Jesus made confusing unto them?
7. He that believeth on Me as the Scripture said, __________.
8. What water is Jesus speaking of?
9. What had Jesus told the woman at the well about this water?
10. The end of the feast of tabernacles represented the end of what?
11. Why was the Holy Ghost not yet given?
12. What is verse 39 prophetically speaking of?
13. Many people, when they heard this, said that Jesus was ___ _____.
14. Why did they believe?
15. When some said, this is Christ, what sarcastic remark did others make?
16. What 2 things did they say the Scripture say about Christ?
17. Why was there a division among the people?
18. What 3 different things were believed among the Jews about Jesus?
19. Who did the officers report back to?
20. What reason did he give for not taking Jesus?
21. What were the officers accused of being?
22. The Pharisees said, those who knew not the law were _________.
23. Who said "Doth our law judge any man before it hear Him?
24. What had Nicodemus previously done?
25. What did the Pharisees and priests ask Nicodemus?
26. Where did they say the Scriptures say, ariseth no prophet?
27. When they ran out of argument, what did they do?
The section that began (in 7:53), with "And every man went unto his own house", until (8:11), dealing with the adulteress most likely was not a part of the original contents of John. It has been incorporated into various manuscripts at different places in the gospel (e.g. after verses 36, 44, 52 or 21:25), while one manuscript places it after (Luke 21:38). External manuscript evidence representing a great variety of textual traditions is decidedly against its inclusion, for the earliest and best manuscripts exclude it.
Many manuscripts mark the passage to indicate doubt as to its inclusion. Significant early versions exclude it. No Greek church father comments on the passage until the twelfth century. The vocabulary and style of the section also are different from the rest of the gospel, and the section interrupts the sequence of (verse 52 with 8:12).
Many however, do think that it has all the earmarks of historical veracity, perhaps being a piece of oral tradition that circulated in parts of the western church, so that a few comments are in order. In spite of all these considerations of the likely unreliability of this section, it is possible to be wrong on the issue, and thus it is good to consider the meaning of this passage and leave it in the text, just as with (Mark 16:9-20).
John 8:1 "Jesus went unto the mount of Olives."
This was Jesus' favorite place to go when He withdrew from the crowds in Jerusalem. This mount is just outside the city walls and across the Kidron valley.
The garden of Gethsemane is on the Mount of Olives. This also would be on the way to Bethany where some of Jesus' friends lived. Jesus probably went to the mount to rest and to pray.
John 8:2 "And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them."
The indication here, is that Jesus sat down; and they gathered around Him sitting (like in a circle), and He taught them. Perhaps He sat, because His teaching was for long periods of time.
It seems that possibly about day break Jesus went to the temple. When it speaks of the people, it does not mean the scribes and Pharisees or the priests, but the common people.
John 8:3-4 "And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst," "They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act."
Women caught in adultery were not normally brought to Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees were seeking to trick Him to see whether He would uphold the law, or defend the sinner.
These scribes and Pharisees are doing everything in their power to catch Jesus doing anything that could be thought of as against their law, so they could accuse Him. This whole set-up is to try to trap Jesus.
Why did they bother to bring her to Jesus? They were so good at accusing, why didn't they just take her to the priest? They had not admitted that Jesus had the right to judge anyone. This calling Him Master here is in a mocking way. They had not recognized Jesus as their Lord or Master.
Another thing, where is the man she was caught with? The law said they were both to be stoned to death. If they want justice, why didn't they bring him, too? This whole thing, as I said, is a frame-up to trap Jesus.
John 8:5 "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?"
The law covering this is in (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). You will notice, they are both to be stoned to death. Their leaders were not even carrying this punishment out, except in extreme cases.
This was in the law, because God wanted us to realize the seriousness of sins of the body. Christians' bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. You can see the serious nature of this sin, especially for a Christian. They have not heard of Jesus carrying out any punishment, and they feel that they will easily trap Him here.
John 8:6 "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not."
If Jesus rejected the law of Moses (Lev. 20:10; or Deut. 22:22), His credibility would be gone. If He held to Mosaic Law, His reputation for compassion and forgiveness would have been questioned.
John 8:7-8 "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." "And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground."
"He who is without sin" directly refers to (Deut. 13:9 and 17:7), where the witnesses of a crime are to start the execution. Only those who were not guilty of the same sin could participate.
Jesus' statement takes the focus off the woman's sin and on their own sin. This seems to have been a delaying tactic giving them time to think.
Jesus knew they were all guilty of sin. Without answering their question, Jesus has trapped them again.
John 8:9 "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."
The eldest left first, readily admitting they were sinners. They knew they were guilty. They could not face their own sins being brought to light. They go out one by one, from the oldest to the least. They left without stoning her, and without trapping Jesus.
John 8:10 "When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"
This is not a license to commit adultery. These men had no right to judge her, because they were just as guilty as she was. This woman is standing before the Judge of all the world. This is a woman who is not a believer.
She is in the same state of being a sinner as we are before we come to Jesus.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Christians, after Jesus forgave her and set her free, in the next verse notice that He says "... go, and sin no more."
John 8:11 "She said, No man, Lord, And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
We see several things in this. She was a sinner when she came to Jesus. She made Him her Lord. He forgave her (saved her), then said "... go, and sin no more." Actually meaning: leave your life of sin.
Jesus was the only one who could have condemned her, but He did not, partly because such cases demanded two or more witnesses. Also, He knew she was repentant, which explains why she did not flee when her accusers left. Jesus did not take her sin lightly; rather He commanded her to "Sin no more". The prerogative to forgive sins is a divine one, so in this instance Jesus demonstrates His deity (Luke 5:23-24).
Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it. He condemns her sin, but not her.
Excluding the story of the adulterous woman (in 7:53-8:11), this verse attaches itself well to (7:52). The word "again" indicates that Jesus spoke once more to the people at this same Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, (see 7:2 and 10). While Jesus first used the water drawing rite as a metaphor to portray the ultimate spiritual truth of Himself as Messiah who fulfills all that the feast anticipated, He then turned to another rite that traditionally occurred at the feast: the lighting ceremony.
During Tabernacles, four large lamps in the temple's court of women were lit and an exuberant nightly celebration took place under their light with people dancing through the night and holding burning torches in their hands while singing songs and praises. The Levitical orchestras also played. Jesus took the opportunity of the lighting celebration to portray another spiritual analogy for the people. "I am the Light of the world."
The Pharisees disputed His authority because He witnessed to Himself.
John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
This is the second "I am" statement. (John 6:35). John has already used the "light" metaphor for Jesus (1:4). Jesus' metaphor here is steeped in Old Testament allusions. The phrase highlights Jesus' role as Messiah and Son of God. The Old Testament indicates that the coming age of Messiah would be a time when the Lord would be a light for His people as well as for the whole earth (Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6).
(Zechariah 14:5b-8), has an emphasis on God as the light of the world who gives living waters to His people. This latter passage probably formed the liturgical readings for the Feast of Tabernacles.
"He that followeth me", conveys the idea of someone who gives himself completely to the person followed. No halfhearted followers exist in Jesus' mind. A veiled reference exists here to the Jews, following the pillar of cloud and fire that led them during the Exodus (Exodus 13:21).
Notice Jesus is not a light; He is the LIGHT. Jesus is the source of all light. This LIGHT gives life. Jesus said He was the Light, and the Life. In Him we have our being.
We discovered in this that the sun and moon are containers that we see light in, but are not the source of Light. Jesus is the source. When His Light sets off inside of you, it does away with darkness. Christians walk in His Light; because when we receive Jesus, we receive His Light.
John 8:13 "The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true."
These Pharisees have no idea who they are speaking to. The Bible says by two witnesses, a thing shall be established.
From (verses 8:14 to 8:18), we see three reasons why Jesus' witness was true:
(1) Jesus knew His origin and destiny while the Jews were ignorant even of basic spiritual truths, making their judgment limited and superficial (verses 14-15),
(2) The intimate union of the Son with the Father guaranteed the truth of the Son's witness (verse 16),
(3) The Father and son witnessed harmoniously together regarding the identity of the Son (verses 17-18).
John 8:14 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself yet my record is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go."
"My record is true": Contrast this with (5:31), where Jesus did not claim Himself as a witness. Jesus said His own witness agreed with the witness of the Father, satisfying the law's requirement of two witnesses.
You see, the miracles that Jesus did were witness enough. No man who ever lived had done miracles like Jesus. Even Moses' miracles paled in comparison. There was really no question of who He was.
The Jews mockingly brought up Jesus' own words from (5:31). However, Jesus' words there and here are reconciled by the fact that Old Testament Law required not one but multiple witnesses to establish the truth of a matter. (Deut. 17:6).
Jesus was not alone in His witness that pointed to Him as Messiah, for many had already testified concerning this truth.
John 8:15 "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man."
The truth is that when Jesus came to the earth this time, He came to save, not condemn or judge. He will judge at the end of the age when we all stand before Him on judgment day.
They didn't believe Jesus because of the flesh. Many choose the whole idea of who Jesus really was, and is, because they look only with their physical eyes. Only the Spirit can make us aware of who Jesus really is (Immanuel - God with us).
John 8:16 "And yet if I judge, my judgement is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me."
Jesus is saying in this that Father God and Jesus are in total agreement. When Jesus speaks, He is also speaking for the Father.
John 8:17 "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true."
Had there been no witness except the fulfillment of the Scripture, that would have been enough. When a message is for all of humanity, it needs to be established by two.
John 8:18 "I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me."
Jesus was certainly speaking truth here, because on two separate occasions (at Jesus' baptism and at the transfiguration), a voice came from heaven and said "This is my beloved Son". The dove that lit on Jesus at His baptism symbolized God the Holy Spirit. You see, this leaves no doubt.
John Chapter 8 Questions
1. Where does Jesus go in verse 1?
2. Where is this place?
3. What garden is located there?
4. What town is on the other side of this mountain from Jerusalem?
5. What time of day did Jesus come to the temple?
6. Who brought the woman to Jesus?
7. What were they accusing her of?
8. What name did they call Jesus that they surely did not mean?
9. Why did they bring her to Jesus?
10. What did Moses' law say was the penalty for this sin?
11. In Deuteronomy 22:23-24, who were to be punished for this sin?
12. What did Jesus do, instead of answering them?
13. What did Jesus say to the accusers?
14. What convicted the accusers?
15. What question did Jesus ask the woman?
16. What name did she call Jesus by?
17. What did Jesus tell her?
18. In verse 12, what did Jesus call Himself?
19. Where do Jesus' followers walk?
20. What did the Pharisees accuse Jesus of in verse 13?
21. Why did Jesus say His record was true?
22. How did Jesus say they judged?
23. Who is the second witness with Jesus?
24. Tell of two times when the voice from heaven said "This is my beloved Son".
25. In verse 18, who does Jesus specifically mention as the two witnesses?
John 8:19 "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
In the previous lesson, the Pharisees had accused Jesus of witnessing of Himself. They said His record was not true, completely overlooking the fact that He had performed miracles that none of the holy men of the temple could do. Jesus reminded them, that in their law a thing shall be established by two witnesses.
The Jews, as was their habit, once again thought merely on human terms in asking about Jesus' paternity.
Jesus had been witnessed of by the Father when He was baptized by John the Baptist, and the voice came from heaven for all to hear. Of course, John the Baptist witnessed of Jesus also. The miracles were a strong witness too.
Now to the verse above, they believed Joseph to be Jesus' father when, in fact, God was His Father. Jesus tells them, if they had known God or His Word, they would not be disbelieving Him now. The word is Jesus.
John 8:20 "These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come."
This treasury, probably was the place of public assembly. We see from this and several other places in John's gospel, that Jesus went often to the temple.
The Pharisees, scribes, and high priests did not approve of Jesus, but they could not do anything about it until Jesus decided the time was right. They would have captured Him here and punished Him if they could have; but Jesus was in control, not them.
He would walk past them, and they could not see Him; because He had blinded their view of Him.
In (verses 21-30), Jesus revealed the consequence of the rejection of him as Messiah and Son of God, i.e., spiritual death. These verses reveal four ways that ensure people will die in their sins and as a result, experience spiritual death:
1. Being self righteous (verses 8:20-22),
2. Being earthbound (verses 23-24),
3. Being unbelieving (verse 24),
4. Being willfully ignorant (verses 25-29).
The Jews who rejected Jesus displayed all four of these characteristics.
John 8:21 "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins; whither I go, ye cannot come."
Jesus repeated his message of (7:33-34), but with more ominous overtones regarding the consequences of rejecting Him.
"I am going away" by means of His impending death, resurrection and ascension to the Father.
These people have rejected the Savior of the world. They would still be searching for their Messiah long after He had come and gone. They would die in their sin, because they rejected Him. There would be no eternal life in heaven with Him, because they rejected Him.
Read (Romans chapter 10 verses 9-10). It explains what you must do to inherit eternal life with Jesus. These Pharisees fell way short of those requirements.
John 8:22 "Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come."
They assumed, because Jesus told them of having a short time to live, that He would kill Himself. They cannot comprehend someone who knows when He will die. They assumed Jesus was going to hell. Little did they know that would be their place, not Jesus'.
The Jews spoke either in confusion or perhaps more likely, in mockery of Christ. Jewish tradition condemned suicide as a particularly heinous sin that resulted in permanent banishment to the worst part of Hades (Josephus, Jewish Wars iii.viii.5 [iii.375]). God did deliver Him to be killed (Acts 2:23), thus, as God, he gave up his own life (John 10:18).
John 8:23 "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world."
The contrast here is between the realm of God and that of the fallen, sinful world, (i.e. from below). The world in this context is the invisible spiritual system of evil dominated by Satan and all that it offers in opposition to God, His word, and His people.
Jesus declared that his opponents' true kinship was with Satan and his realm. By this domination, they were spiritually blinded.
Jesus in this, is telling them they better enjoy what they can here on earth, because they are not preparing at all for eternity. They can only see the flesh and are looking through physical eyes that can only comprehend things of this world. Jesus is from heaven. God is a Spirit.
John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
Jesus is Spirit also. He cannot be understood by a carnal, worldly mind. Our Spirit must worship Him. Worldly and Spiritual things do not mix.
John 8:24 "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
You see, to be saved we must believe that He is, and believe that He is a rewarder of those who believe. Salvation is very simple; BELIEVE. You see, these Pharisees did not believe, so they cannot inherit eternal life.
"I am He": the word "he" is not part of the original statement. Jesus' words were not constructed normally but were influenced by Old Testament Hebrew usage. It is an absolute usage meaning "I AM" and Has immense theological significance.
The reference may be to both (Exodus 3:14), where the Lord declared His name as "I AM" and to (Isaiah 40-55), where the phrase "I AM" occurs repeatedly. In this, Jesus referred to Himself as the God (Yahweh, the Lord), of the Old Testament, and directly claimed full deity for Himself, prompting the Jews' question of (John 8:25).
There is only one way, and His name is Jesus Christ our Lord. If they do not believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, then He didn't die for their sins, and they are still living in sin.
John 8:25 "Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning."
When they asked, He could have said, Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, or He could have said their Messiah. They would not have believed any more by Him specifically saying one or the other of these names.
The Jews were willfully ignorant because (chapters 1-8), demonstrate that multiple witnesses testified to Jesus' identity, and Jesus himself in words and actions persistently proved throughout His ministry on earth that He was the Son of God and Messiah.
"From the beginning" meant from the start of Jesus' ministry among the Jews.
He just said "The same as I have already told you." It was not His time now and there was no need to make them angrier than they were now.
John 8:26 "I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him."
Whether you and I care to admit it or not, God is absolute truth. This is what Jesus is telling these Pharisees, but it also applies to our day. We can say what we believe, and it may or may not be true; but when God speaks, it is truth.
Jesus is saying here; you are not right in the sight of God. He also says that He is pointing out their sins so that they can do something about them now, before they stand in front of Him to be judged of Him.
He says, if you believe in the Father, then listen to what I (Jesus), am saying to you, because the Father is the one who sent me.
John 8:27 "They understood not that he spake to them of the Father."
These people were so caught up in the formality of church that they could not understand anything spiritual. They simply did not know He spoke to them of Father God.
John 8:28 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."
Jesus is speaking prophetically of being lifted up on the cross. Those who were present at the crucifixion, when the noonday turned black as night and when the earthquake came, said surely this was the Son of God.
They did not understand that Jesus (the Son of God), took on the form (flesh), of a man and dwelt among them. They could not understand that this flesh, standing before them, could be the Son of God. These Pharisees thought Him to be the Son of Joseph.
Having refused to accept Him by faith and having nailed Him to the cross, they would one day awaken to the terrifying realization that this One whom they despised was the One whom they should have worshiped.
Many Jews believed on Christ after his death and ascension, realizing that the One whom they rejected was truly the Messiah. (Acts 2:36; 37, 41).
Jesus' will and the will of the Father is the same.
John 8:29 "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
This was evident even to the on-lookers. Jesus did no evil, only good. On many occasions when Jesus did the miracles, the on-lookers realized that these things could only be done of God.
John 3:2 "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."
You see, it was evident from the beginning that mortal man could not do the kinds of miracles that Jesus did.
In John 14:11, we read in Jesus' own words "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very work's sake."
John 8:30 "As he spake these words, many believed on him."
It was evident who Jesus was and is. It is the same now, as it was then. Some believe, and some don't. What are we talking about when we say believe? Believe that Jesus was, in fact, God the Word who took on flesh and became the Savior of the world. Romans (chapter 10:9-10), tells all.
John 8 Continued Questions
1. What question did these Pharisees ask Jesus in verse 19?
2. What was Jesus' answer to them?
3. What had these Pharisees completely overlooked that should have witnessed to them who He was?
4. Who did they believe was Jesus' Father?
5. Where did this conversation take place?
6. Why did they not lay hands on Him then?
7. Jesus said they would seek Him, and not find Him. What does that mean?
8. What did Jesus say would be their condition at death?
9. What did the Jews think Jesus was talking about in verse 22?
10. He said "Ye are from __________; I am from ______: ye are of this world; I am not of this world."
11. In the fourth chapter of John verse 24, what is God?
12. Jesus said to them "for if you believe not that I am he, ___ ______ ____ __ ____ ____.
13. What is the one necessary thing to be saved?
14. Why did they ask Jesus, Who art thou?
15. What did Jesus say He spoke to the world?
16. In verse 27, it says they understood not that He spoke to them of whom?
17. When would they know who He was?
18. What did Jesus always do?
19. In John 3:2, what is the lesson to be learned?
20. In John 14:11 we read if they did not believe what He said, believe Him for what?
21. What happened too many of those listening to Jesus?
These verses are a pivotal passage in understanding genuine salvation and true discipleship. John emphasized these realities by stressing truth and freedom. The focus in the passage is upon those who were exercising the beginnings of faith in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. Jesus desired them to move on in their faith. Saving faith is not fickle but firm and settled.
Such maturity expresses itself in full commitment to the truth in Jesus Christ resulting in genuine freedom. The passage has three features:
(1) The progress of freedom (verses 31-32);
(2) The pretense of freedom (verses 33-34); and
(3) The promise of freedom (verses 35-36).
John 8:31 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;"
The first step in the progress toward true discipleship is belief in Jesus Christ as Messiah and Son of God.
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed": This reveals the second step in the progress toward true discipleship. Perseverance in obedience to Scripture is the fruit or evidence of genuine faith. (Eph. 2:10), The word "abide" means to habitually abide in Jesus' words. A genuine believer holds fast, obeys and practices Jesus' teaching. The one who continues in his teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9, Heb. 3:14, Rev. 2:26). Real disciples are both learners (the basic meaning of the word), and faithful followers.
Jesus says to them (Jews), if you believe, discipline yourself and walk in my ways, you will truly be my followers. The only way any of us then, or now, can walk in God's ways is to know what His will is for our life. The way to find out what that will is, is to read His Word (Bible).
The secret of life everlasting is in His Word. To be His disciple, we must make Him our Lord, as well as our Savior.
John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
"Truth" here has reference not only to the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God but also to the teaching that he brought. A genuinely saved and obedient follower of the Lord Jesus will know divine truth and both freedom from sin (verse 34), and the search for reality. This divine truth comes not merely by intellectual assent (1. Cor. 2:14), but saving commitment to Christ (Titus 1:1-2).
One of the names Jesus is called by is the Truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 4:16). Jesus is also the Word. If you study His Word (the Bible), then you will know the Truth. That Truth does set you free from the bondage of sin. Jesus also, is the Light. If the Light shines in your heart, it does away with darkness (sin).
We are told that in the end times, there will be false Christs who are deceivers (Matthew 24).
Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
There is only one way not to be deceived, and that is by being full of the Word of God; so that if they change even one word, you will be aware of it.
John 8:33 "They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?"
You see, these people are caught up in the flesh, and cannot see the things of the Spirit. They are Abraham's descendants in the flesh, but are not Abraham's descendants in the Spirit.
Galatians 3:28-29 we read "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
You see, not those who have Abraham's flesh are his heirs, but those who believe.
Because the Jews had often been in political subjection to many nations (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Syria and Rome), they must have been referring to their inward sense of freedom.
John 8:34 "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
The kind of slavery that Jesus had in mind was not physical slavery but slavery to sin. The idea of "committeth sin" means to practice sin habitually. The ultimate bondage is not political or economic enslavement but spiritual bondage to sin and rebellion against God. Thus, this also explains why Jesus would not let himself be reduced to merely a political Messiah (John 6:14-15).
You cannot be the servant of sin and the servant of God all at the same time.
In Luke 16:13 we read "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
The notion of slavery (in verse 34), now moves to the status of slaves. While the Jews thought of themselves only as free sons of Abraham, in reality they were slaves of sin. The genuine son in the context is Christ himself, who sets the slaves free from sin. Those who Jesus Christ liberates from the tyranny of sin and the bondage of legalism are really free.
John 8:35 "And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever."
We cannot take on sonship as long as we are a servant to sin. We either belong to God as His son (or daughter), or else we serve sin. This is like oil and water. Sin and God cannot, and will not mix. We belong to God or Satan: there is no in between.
If we belong to God, we are His sons and heirs of Abraham's promises.
John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
Gal. 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
John 8:37 "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you."
Jesus shows that discipleship depends on having the right Father. They had the wrong father. He refers to your father (in verses 38, 41, and 44). They claimed to be sons of Abraham (verse 39), but Jesus shows this to be false (in verses 39-40).
These are physical descendants of Abraham, but he is not their spiritual father. They are still thinking of flesh, and not Spirit. The Word of God is Life. You cannot have Life without the Word, because they are the same."
John 8:38 "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father."
Jesus says here, that His Father is not the same as their father. Since Jesus is teaching the opposite of them, then it is obvious that they do not have the same father.
John 8:39 "They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."
The construction of this phrase indicates that Jesus was denying that mere physical lineage was sufficient for salvation. The sense would be "if you were Abraham's children, but you are not, then you would act like Abraham did."
Just as children inherit genetic characteristics from their parents, so also those who are truly Abraham's offspring will act like Abraham. I.e., imitate Abraham's faith and obedience.
"Works of Abraham": Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his obedience to God. Jesus' point was that the conduct of the unbelieving Jews was diametrically opposed by the conduct of Abraham, who lived a life of obedience to all that God had commanded. Their conduct toward Jesus demonstrated that their real father was Satan (John 8:41, 44).
The works spoken of here is Abraham's belief. Abraham believed, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness."
You see, Abraham believed in the Lord. These people (Jews), pretending to be Abraham's descendants, did not believe in the Lord.
John 8:40 "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham."
God does not teach to kill, and they want to kill Jesus. Abraham did God's will. When God said move, he did. He lived in tents after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans, because he moved when God directed him.
John 8:41 "Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God."
Killing is of Satan, not God. You tell the father by the children he bears, whether their deeds be good or bad. Perhaps, their mother was married and they were not bastard children, but the fornication here is spiritual, not physical.
They believed their Father is God, but God is Spirit, not physical.
The Jews may well have been referring to the controversy surrounding Jesus' birth. The Jews knew the story about Mary's betrothal and that Joseph was not Jesus' real father. Thus they implied that Jesus' birth was illegitimate (see Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38).
John 8:42 "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."
If God were your Father, you would not want to kill me, you would love me. The construction here as (in verse 39), denies that God is truly their Father.
Although the Old Testament called Israel his "firstborn son" and affirms that God is Israel's Father by creation and separation. The unbelief of the Jews toward Jesus demonstrated that God was not their Father spiritually.
Jesus stressed that the explicit criterion verifying the claim to be a child of God is love for his Son, Jesus. Since God is love, those who love his Son also demonstrate his nature (1 John 4:7-11; 5:1).
The Father is the source of Jesus' power and wisdom. Jesus was with the Father in heaven. Jesus was the Word of God in the beginning. Jesus' home is in heaven. Jesus was just on a mission when He came to earth. His mission was to save the lost, even at the cost of His flesh.
John 8:43 "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."
This is an affront on these Jews for not knowing the Word of God. They really do not understand the Word of God, which they professed to know. The Word is Spirit and Life, and they have neither. They do not understand His Word.
John 8:44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
Sonship is predicated on conduct. A son will manifest his father's characteristics. Since the Jews exhibited the patterns of Satan in their hostility toward Jesus and their failure to believe in him as Messiah, their paternity was the exact opposite of their claims, i.e., they belonged to Satan.
"He was a murderer from the beginning": Jesus' words refer to the fall when Satan tempted Adam and Eve and successfully killed their spiritual life. Some think that the reference may also refer to Cain's murder of Abel.
This is a statement here that their conduct is not in keeping with God the Father. Their words and deeds actually rebel against the Truth. They are enemies of all that is good, which is not compatible with love of the Father. Just as Lucifer rebelled against the Father, so they have rebelled against the Son.
Jesus accuses them of being spiritual sons of Satan, because they do evil instead of good. They lie and lust for power as Lucifer did, and want to kill. These are not fruits of God, but of Satan.
John 8 Second Continued Questions
1. How would these Jews, who believed on Jesus, be His disciples indeed?
2. What shall make you free?
3. How can you know God's will for you?
4. Truth sets you free from what?
5. Matthew 24:24 says who might deceive many?
6. Who were they bragging was their ancestor?
7. "And if ye be __________________________, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
8. "...Whosoever committeth sin the ____________________________ of sin."
9. Luke 16:13 says no servant can serve ________________________ ______________________.
10. In verse 35 "And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the ___________ abideth ever."
11. Who must set you free for you to be free indeed?
12. What has made us free from the law of sin and death?
13. What is Jesus saying about their father in verse 38?
14. "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the ___________ of Abraham."
15. What was counted unto Abraham for righteousness?
16. They told Jesus, they be not born of ______________________.
17. Jesus told them "If God were your Father, ye would _________ _________."
18. What was Jesus' mission on earth?
19. In verse 44, Who did Jesus say was their father?
John 8:45 "And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."
In the last lesson, Jesus had told them that they were of their father, the devil. Jesus is speaking to the religious people of that day. They were very like our day; because they had a form of godliness, claiming to be following Jesus, but in fact, following the lust of the flesh.
These Hebrews were proud of the fact that they were descendants of Abraham. They were not spiritual descendants of Abraham, because Abraham is the father of those who believe.
Galatians 3:29 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Jesus is the Truth. To have the truth, we must believe in Him.
John 8:46 "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?"
Who in all of your scholars, has accused me of sin and can prove that I have done anything contrary to God's teaching, is the question Jesus asked them. They cannot accuse Him of evil, because He does only good. Again, Jesus says, you know I am telling the truth, why do ye not believe me? I believe the reason they didn't believe Him is because He was housed in flesh.
Although the Jews argued that Jesus was guilty of sin, the sense here is that the perfect holiness of Christ was demonstrated, not by the Jews silence at Jesus' question, but by the assurance of His direct consciousness of the purity of His whole life.
Only a perfectly holy One who has the closest and most intimate communion with the Father could speak such words. The Jews could martial no convincing evidence that could convict Him of sin in the heavenly court.
They were just like so many people today, who cannot look beyond the flesh and see the Spirit. This sinless, perfect one they could not comprehend. You see, if Jesus was just flesh, they would have been right; because all flesh has come short of the glory of God. Jesus was and is, God the Son.
God the Son was housed in flesh when He was on the earth, so He could be tempted in the flesh, as we are. His flesh will feel pain on the cross. His Spirit is in total control at all times. The Spirit of God came and dwelled in the flesh of man and overcame the flesh and death.
John 8:47 "He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.
There is only one explanation for this; they really do not know the Father God.
John 8:48 "Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?"
Since the Jews could not attack Jesus' personal life and conduct (verse 46), they tried an ad hominem attack of personal abuse toward Him. The reference to Jesus as a "Samaritan", probably centers in the fact that the Samaritans, like Jesus, questioned the Jews' exclusive right to be called Abraham's children.
These Hebrew's strong enemy was the Samaritan. This was one of the worst things they could call Jesus in their sight, a Samaritan. Just as an after-thought, they added that He had a devil.
As we said before, anything they did not understand they called a devil. What they forgot is the devil does evil, and Jesus was doing only good.
John 8:49 "Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dishonor me."
Jesus has offered them life, and yet they rejected Him. This flat statement that He has not a devil is emphatic. It leaves no room for question. This is the reply a true Christian should give as well. A person who is totally sold out to Jesus is full of His Light, and that Light does away with all darkness. You cannot be filled with Light and darkness at the same time.
A demon can attack a Christian from without but cannot enter into a Christian full of Light. Jesus says one more time that He is of the Father. He is God's representative to man. If we reject Him, we reject God.
John 8:50 "And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth."
Truly Jesus did not come to glorify Himself. He suffered the shame of the cross at Calvary to spare us. Jesus was here to suffer for our sins.
At the end of the age, He will be the Judge of all the earth.
John 8:51 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."
Verily, verily means that there is no room for doubt. When we partake of Jesus who is Life, we have life, not death. Whether we go the way of the grave, those who are in Christ will have their physical body go into the ground, but their spirit will immediately go to be in Heaven with Christ. "I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."
Heeding Jesus' teaching and following Him results in eternal life. Physical death cannot extinguish such life.
John 8:52 "Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death."
Jesus' assertion that anyone who keeps His word will never die prompted the Jews to offer a retort that once again revealed their thinking on strictly a literal and earthly level.
Every person is a spirit who lives in a body. Our body will go back to dust. Our spirit inside a celestial body will go on to be judged of Jesus. Those who follow Jesus will go on to eternal life with Him. These Christians truly shall never taste of death.
John 8:53 "Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?"
This is a sarcastic remark spoken to Jesus. Abraham was created by Jesus. In fact, He was Abraham's God. They are saying to Jesus, who are you trying to tell us that you are, God? Again, I say they did not recognize Him as God the Son.
The question is, who is Jesus?
John 8:54-55 "Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoreth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:" "Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying."
They really have no excuse, because He told them this saying." The Jews were a very proud people. Their pride stemmed from God giving them His law.
You can know the law, however, and not love or know the Law giver. To know the letter of the law, does not give life. The Lawgiver brings Life.
John 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad."
I will not get into this in depth here. Abraham is the father of the believers. He believed in the Savior. Our spiritual father must believe the same way we do. Take another look at Melchizedec whom Abraham paid tithes to and who served communion to Abraham.
Melchizedec, King of peace, had no earthly parents, had no beginning of days or end of life. The only person He appeared to was the father of believers, Abraham. He appeared to Abraham approximately 2,000 years after Adam's birth. Jesus appeared 2,000 years after that as a baby. And our King of kings and Lord of lords will appear in the eastern sky approximately 2,000 years after that. Think on this.
(Hebrews 11:13), indicates that Abraham saw Christ's day ("having seen them afar off"). Abraham particularly saw in the continuing seed of Isaac the beginning of God's fulfilling the covenant that would culminate in Christ.
John 8:57 "Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?"
Their view of Jesus was strictly physical. They had not understood what He had been telling them at all; that He was eternal God the Son.
John 8:58 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
Jesus is speaking here of His eternity. He is the First and Last, the Alpha and Omega. Read again (John chapter 1), if you have any doubt.
Here Jesus declared Himself to be Yahweh, i.e., the Lord of the Old Testament. Basic to the expression are such passages as (Exodus 3:14; Deut. 32:39: Isaiah 41:4 and 43:10), where God declared Himself to be the eternally pre-existent God who revealed Himself in the Old Testament to the Jews.
This clear statement of deity caused the Jews to try to stone Him. Abraham had a beginning, Jesus is eternal.
John 8:59 "Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."
The Jews understood Jesus' claim and followed, which indicates that any man who falsely claims to be God should be stoned.
You see, they could not see Jesus if He did not want them to, even if He were standing in front of them. He walked right in front of them, hidden to their view. If nothing else had convinced them, this should have; because He hid Himself to them while they were beholding Him.
Jesus repeatedly escaped arrest and death because His hour had not yet come. The verse most likely indicates escape by miraculous means.
John Chapter 8 Third Continued
1. In verse 45, why did they not believe Him?
2. Who had Jesus said was their father?
3. Compare what they were doing to nominal Christians now.
4. In Galatians 3:29, who is Abraham father of?
5. What question, in verse 48, did they ask Jesus?
6. Explain what that means.
7. Why does the author believe they did not believe Him?
8. Why was Jesus housed in a fleshly body when He came as our Savior?
9. What was the worst name they could think to call Jesus?
10. What answer did Jesus emphatically give them in verse 49?
11. A person who is totally sold out to Jesus is full of what?
12. Why can that person not have a devil living inside them?
13. What can the devil do to Christians?
14. In verse 51, Jesus says "...If a man keep my saying, he shall never see __________."
15. Who is Life?
16. Who did these Jews say was their father?
17. Jesus said "...If a man keep my saying, he shall never _________ ________.
18. Who did they compare Jesus unfavorably with?
19. Who did they say was their God?
20. Jesus said, if they knew God, why didn't they recognize _____________?
21. Jesus said, if He said He knew not the Father, He would be what?
22. How many years after Adam's birth, did Melchizedec appear?
23. How many years after Melchizedec's appearance, did the Savior appear?
24. How many years after Jesus, approximately, will it be that our King and Lord appear?
25. How old did they say Jesus was?
26. Jesus said "...Before Abraham was, ___ _______."
27. What did Jesus do, when they started to stone Him?
Jesus performed a miracle by recreating the eyes of a man who was born with congenital blindness (verse 1). Four features highlight this healing:
(1) The problem that precipitated the healing (verse 1),
(2) The purpose for the man's being born blind (verses 2-5),
(3) The power that healed him (verses 6-7),
(4) The perplexity of the people who saw the healing (verses 8-13).
John 9:1 "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth."
The fact that this man was blind from birth brings us to believe that a creative miracle would be needed here. This man had not lost his sight from an accident, nor had he gradually lost his sight. Jesus does not overlook the needs of people, even though He is just passing by.
The controversy arose during the Feast of Dedication.
John 9:2 "And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"
There was a Jewish belief that all suffering was punishment for sin (compare verse 34). But how could a person have sinned before birth? The Jews considered human life to begin at conception (Psalm 51:5; 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15). Thus, they thought one could theoretically sin even before birth.
Really, this question shows the weakness of the disciples' understanding. It appears from this question they asked Jesus, that they believe all disease is caused by sin. This is just not true. Some disease is caused by sin, but not all.
While sin may be a cause of suffering, as clearly indicated in Scripture (See 5:14; Num. 12; 1 Cor. 11:30 and James 5:15), it is not always the case necessarily. The disciples assumed, like most Jews of their day that sin was the primary, if not exclusive, cause of all suffering. In this instance, Jesus made it clear that personal sin was not the reason for the blindness (see verse 3).
A very good example of sickness without sin is Job. It seems, though these disciples walked with Jesus most of the time, they still misunderstood much of His teaching. If this man's sin made him blind, how did he sin before his birth? You see, that statement could not be true, because you must live before you yourself sin.
John 9:3 "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
We see here, an answer to many of the people today who preach that sickness means you have sinned. I say again, not all sickness is caused by sin. You see, God had a purpose in this man's blindness.
Jesus did not deny the general connection between sin and suffering, but refuted the idea that personal acts of sin were the direct cause. God's sovereignty and purposes play a part in such matters, as is clear from (Job chapters 1 and 2).
Many dear saints have been made to feel guilty about disease in their bodies. God has many purposes unknown to us. One of the best examples, I believe, is Paul. God would not take his thorn in the flesh away, so that Paul would remain humble. We are not told specifically what disease Paul had, we just know that God refused to heal him for a purpose.
Most people are closer to God when there is a problem in their life. The purpose of this man's blindness is to show the creative power of the Lord Jesus. I say creative, because he had never seen before. The Lord must create sight for him.
John 9:4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
Just as Jesus says here, that He must work while it is day, we must do the same.
"While it is day": Jesus meant as long as He was still on earth with His disciples. The phrase doesn't not mean that Jesus somehow stopped being the light of the world once He ascended but that the light shone most brightly among men when He was on the earth doing the Father's will.
After we have died, it is too late to go out and do the things God called us to do while we were on earth. The called of God are called to complete a mission on this earth. The job God called you to do, is not for your life in heaven, but is a call to work here on this earth.
Jesus was on a mission. He knew His time on earth was limited. He must complete His mission as the opportunity arises now.
John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
These words are in red in the Bible which tell us that Jesus spoke these words Himself. He is the Light. Those who do not receive Jesus, even now, are living in darkness.
We have already studied in this teaching on the Book of John that Jesus said "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." When it became dark for three hours at Jesus' crucifixion, Satan thought he had defeated Jesus. He was really disappointed when Jesus rose from the grave.
Not only was Jesus spiritually the light of the world, but He would also provide the means of physical light for this blind man.
The phrase "Light of the world" means "as long as I am in the world." When He is no longer in the world, then believers become the light of the world (Mat. 5:14).
John 9:6 "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,"
As we said in an earlier verse, since this man was blind from birth, this needed to be a creative miracle. Man was made from the dust of the earth. Perhaps, that is why Jesus picked up a hand full of clay to anoint his eyes with.
As He had done when He originally made human beings out of the dust of the ground, Jesus may have used the clay to fashion a new pair of eyes.
John 9:7 "And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."
The term "Siloam" is Hebrew for "Sent".
The pool of Siloam was southeast of the original City of David. Its water source was through a channel (Hezekiah's tunnel), that carried water to it from the spring of Gihon in the Kidron Valley. It may be identified with the "lower pool" or "old pool" mentioned (in Isaiah 22:9-11). Water for the water pouring rites at the Feast of Tabernacles was drawn from this pool.
This going and washing are an act of faith upon this man's part. Sometimes Jesus would say, your faith has made you whole. Had this man not believed that he would be able to see when he washed, he would not have gone to wash. This was an outward sign that he believed. His faith shown by his action activated his healing.
John 9:8 "The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?"
These neighbors had to be astonished at him being healed. They had seen him from his birth and knew that he was blind. They even knew he had begged, because he could not make a living being blind. They could not believe their own eyes.
John 9:9 "Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he."
This type of miracle was so outstanding that many around just could not believe it. His appearance had changed also. The eyes give off such expression that having his eyes open did alter his appearance. We see here though, that he answers and says, it's me.
In ancient times, such severe physical deformities as congenital blindness sentenced a person to begging as the only means of support. The drastic change in the healed man caused many to faithlessly believe that he was not the person born blind.
John 9:10-11 "Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?" "He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight."
Now that he can see, they are curious about how this happened. You see, this man does not even realize that Jesus is Messiah. He calls Jesus a man. Something had caused him to believe and to obey Jesus, and his sight was restored.
John 9:12 "Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not."
Jesus had sent him to the pool of Siloam. He didn't go back to Jesus, so he doesn't really know where Jesus went, or even who Jesus is.
John 9:13 "They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind."
This has a reference to the blind man's "neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind". The people brought the blind man to the Pharisees most likely because the miracle had happened on the Sabbath (verse 14), and they were aware that the Pharisees reacted negatively to those who violated the Sabbath.
The people also wanted advice from their local synagogue and religious leaders.
John 9:14 "And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes."
Once again the issue of healing on the Sabbath arises. Surely Jesus healed on other days as well, but John chooses to record healings that dramatize the conflicts between Jesus and the Jews.
These Pharisees have already been seeking to accuse Jesus and get rid of Him. As we said before, they were jealous because Jesus was doing miracles that they could not do. The worst accusation they could make of this was that He had done this on the Sabbath.
No one, except the man, seems to be pleased about his sight being returned. These Pharisees and the people who brought him to the Pharisees are so caught up in the letter of the law, that they have overlooked the fact that a fantastic miracle has occurred here. I cannot believe they want to punish anyone for doing good to this extent.
This is like much of the knit picking that goes on in today's churches. They get so caught up in carrying out their rules and doctrines that they miss God's real message. Being technical about the Bible will get us nowhere with God. God wants us to understand the deeper meaning in our Spirit and heart.
John 9:15 "Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see."
We see here jealousy to the utmost. These Pharisees were not concerned that the man could see, all they wanted to do was get enough evidence so they could accuse Jesus.
John 9:16 "Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them."
We see a division among these Pharisees. Some would not believe that He was any more than a man guilty of breaking the Sabbath, regardless of how fantastic the miracles He did were. Earlier the crowds were divided in opinion regarding Jesus (7:40-43); here the authorities also became divided.
The reasoning may have been that since Jesus violated their interpretation of the Sabbath law, He could not be the promised Prophet of God (Deut. 13:1-5).
The confusion of the Pharisees is shown by their handling this case in a group, and by their repeated questions: How did He do it (verse 15); What do you say of Him? (verse 17); How does he now see? (verse 19); What did He do to you (verse 26); and "Are we blind also?" (verse 40).
Some of the others however, were beginning to realize that no mere man could do these miracles. This has to be Messiah. This division still exists today. It is the believer and the nonbeliever.
John Chapter 9 Questions
1. How long had this man been blind?
2. The fact he had been blind this long indicates what kind of miracle is necessary?
3. What question did the disciples ask Jesus about the man's blindness?
4. How did Jesus answer them?
5. What was the purpose of his blindness?
6. This question the disciples asked showed what about themselves?
7. What makes the disciples' question ridiculous?
8. Who prayed three times to be healed and was told no?
9. What was his disease?
10. When did Jesus say He must work?
11. What are the called of God, called to complete?
12. In verse 5, what did Jesus call Himself?
13. When did Satan believe he had beaten Jesus?
14. What actually did Jesus do to the blind man?
15. When Jesus did that, what did He tell the blind man to do?
16. When the blind man obeyed Jesus, what did that show?
17. What does Siloam mean?
18. When he did what Jesus said, what happened?
19. In verse 8, who had difficulty believing this miracle?
20. What question did they ask the man?
21. Who did they take the man to?
22. What were they accusing Jesus of?
23. What caused the divided opinions?
24. Who did they mistakenly believe Jesus to be?
John 9:17 "They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet."
In the last lesson, we closed with the Pharisees being of different opinions. Some believed He was of God, and some did not. Now they want the blind man to settle this argument for them by telling them who Jesus is.
The blind man does not know. He realizes there is something supernatural about Jesus, so for a better explanation, he calls Him a prophet.
People throughout the ages have been willing to admit that Jesus was a prophet, because they, too, realize that He had more power than anyone they had ever known. The truth is that Jesus Christ was God the Word, God the Son.
Until we realize that Jesus was God the Word, who took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us, we will be like this blind man who called Him a prophet. We will not know the fullness of Him until we realize that He is, was, and always will be Immanuel, God with us.
While the blind man saw clearly that Jesus was more than a mere man, the sighted but obstinate Pharisees were spiritually blind to that truth (see verse 39). Blindness in the Bible is a metaphor for spiritual darkness, i.e., the inability to discern God or His truth.
John 9:18 "But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight."
These particular Jews had not seen this miracle take place. They did not even believe that the man had been blind before. Now they are badgering the man who had received his sight.
They wanted some solid evidence that he had really been blind, so they call for the man's father and mother. They knew they were not capable of restoring sight to the blind, so they believed that this could not be.
While neighbors may have been mistaken as to the man's identity, the parents would know if this was their own son. The authorities considered the witness of the healed man worthless.
John 9:19-21 "And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?" "His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:" "But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself."
These parents were reluctant to say too much, because they feared the Jewish leaders. They say ask him. Let him be responsible for whatever has occurred. They even add that he is of age. The Jews first want to know if this is really their son. If he is their son, they want to hear the parents say that he was blind from birth. If even this is true, then they want to know how he can now see.
The parents were probably not there when he received his sight. It looks to me like they should have been proud to give credit to whomever restored their son's sight. We see in verse 22, why they were reluctant to say.
John 9:22-23 "These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." "Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him."
To an Israelite, about the worst thing that could happen to him was that he would be banished from the synagogue. I cannot imagine the pain of a parent with a child born blind however. It seems to me that my joy over a blind child that could now see would be so great, that it would diminish my fear of having to leave the synagogue.
If this son is truly of age, then they have suffered twenty years or more knowing their son could never see. I cannot imagine their reluctance to praise Jesus for this miracle.
John 9:24 "Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner."
This means that the authorities wanted the man to own up and admit the truth that Jesus was a sinner because he violated their traditions and threatened their influence (Joshua 7:19).
"We know this man is a sinner", they said. Enough unanimity existed among the religious authorities to conclude that Jesus was a sinner (8:46). Because of this already predetermined opinion, they refused to accept any of the testimony that a miracle had actually taken place.
These Jews were not willing to accept Jesus as their Messiah, even if they condemned themselves by not admitting the obvious only conclusion. The praise should be to the one who healed him. Little did they know that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh.
All men are sinners. This really was not a man, but God the Son housed in the body of man. In a way they spoke truth, because man should not take credit for things God did.
John 9:25 "He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."
This man who could now see has no idea who healed him. He just knows that he was blind and now can see. He will not deny that he can see, for fear his blindness might return.
John 9:26-27 "Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? How opened he thine eyes?" "He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?"
In order to forcefully emphasize their hypocrisy, the healed man resorted to biting sarcasm when he suggested they desired to be Jesus' disciples.
We see here, that these Jews are not willing to accept the truth. It appears the answer the man (healed of blindness), gives them is a bit sarcastic. He says, if I tell you again, will you believe and follow Him? He says, does telling you more than once make you any more willing to believe?
John 9:28 "Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples."
Here we see disciple used as someone who disciplines themselves and follows someone. They are willing to accept the teaching of someone who they decide to follow. That makes them disciples of Moses, since Moses gave them the teaching they are willing to follow.
At this point, the meeting degenerated into a shouting match of insults. The healed man's wit had exposed the bias of his inquisitors. As far as the authorities were concerned, the conflict between Jesus and Moses was irreconcilable. If the healed man defended Jesus, then such defense could only mean that he was Jesus' disciple.
John 9:29 "We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is."
This is really a lie. They have no first hand knowledge of Moses. The only thing they really know of Moses is that they have been taught that he gave the law. The difference is that they accepted the teaching that Moses gave the law, and they did not accept Jesus' teaching that He is Messiah.
John 9:30 "The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes."
The healed man demonstrated more spiritual insight and common sense than all of the religious authorities combined who sat in judgment of Jesus and him. His penetrating wit focused in on their intractable unbelief.
His logic was that such an extraordinary miracle could only indicate that Jesus was from God, for the Jews believed that God responds in proportion to the righteousness of the one praying. The greatness of the miracle could only indicate that Jesus was actually from God.
In verses 31-33, Jesus could not work the miracles if He were a sinner as they said.
John 9:31 "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."
This is pretty straightforward; God does not hear the prayers of sinners unless it is the prayer of forgiveness for the sins which caused Jesus to die for them (repentance). Nor does God hear those Christians who commit habitual un-confessed sin until they too repent for those sins.
(Verse 31), makes it clear, God does not hear sinners (unrepentant), but those who are His and do His will, those He hears.
Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
John 9:32 "Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind."
You see here, that this man, whose sight was given to him by Jesus, is more aware of the things from God's teaching than these (so called), learned men of the law. He reminds them that they were not able to give him sight, even with all of their intelligence of the law.
They claimed to be God's representative to the people, why could they not give him his sight? They claim to be better than Jesus, so why could they not do the miracles Jesus did? The man just simply says, you are sinners, because you could not do this. Jesus is free of sin, because God answers His prayer. He says it all in verse 33.
John 9:33 "If this man were not of God, he could do nothing."
In this scripture, he just the same as calls them sinners.
John 9:34 "They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out."
They were so puffed up with pride that they could not be taught of anyone. They certainly would not be taught of him, because they thought themselves better than him. He probably did not care that they threw him out of the synagogue. He was not ashamed of Jesus.
The Pharisees were so incensed with the man, and their anger prevented them from seeing the penetrating insight that the uneducated, healed man had demonstrated. The phrase "dost thou teach us", also revealed their ignorance of Scripture, for the Old Testament indicated that the coming messianic age would be evidenced by restoration of sight to the blind. (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:7; Matt. 11:4-5; Luke 4:18-19).
While (verses 1-34), dealt with Jesus' restoration of physical sight in the blind man (verses 35-41), featured Jesus bringing spiritual "sight" to him.
John 9:35 "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"
Jesus comes to him and asks him the most important question that any of us ever answer "Do you believe on the Son of God?" You see, Jesus had never told this man who He was.
Jesus invited the man to put his trust in Him as the One who revealed God to man. Jesus placed great emphasis on public acknowledgment of who He was and confession of faith in Him. As a marginal note, this should be Son of Man.
John 9:36 "He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on Him?"
We see here, a man eager to learn. He knows whatever Jesus tells him is the truth. He calls Jesus, Lord. We see in this, a willingness to follow Jesus. He will follow and believe on whoever Jesus says He is.
The word Lord here should be understood not as an indication that he understood Jesus' deity but as meaning "sir" (see verse 38 also). Since the blind man had never seen Jesus (verse 7), nor meet Him since he went to wash in the pool, he did not recognize Jesus at first as the One who healed him.
John 9:37 "And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee."
Jesus confirms His deity once again.
This time Jesus leaves no doubt who He is. I think the reason that Jesus didn't say: It is I, is because He reminds the man that He is the same one who gave him his sight. He says you have seen Him.
John 9:38 "And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."
We see here, the blind man who received his sight was not nearly as blind as these Jewish leaders who did not believe unto everlasting life. When the opportunity was offered, this man believed.
John 9:39 "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
We see here, that Jesus is speaking of the spiritual and not the physical. He has taught a beautiful story about how the physical house of Israel, who had the law, will be blinded to the gift of grace that He (Jesus), will bring to those who do not have the law (the Gentiles).
Jesus was rejected by God's own chosen people (the Jews). The Gentiles (those who had previously been in spiritual darkness), would see and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
"For judgment": Not that His purpose was to condemn, but rather to save (12:47 and Luke 19:10); saving some, nevertheless, involves condemning others. The last part of this verse is taken from (Isaiah 6:10; 42:19 & Mark 4:12).
"They which see not" are those people who know they are in spiritual darkness. "Those which see refers in an ironic way to those who think they are in the light, but are not (Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31).
John 9:40 "And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?"
These Pharisees were like the lukewarm Christians of today. They claimed to be His followers, but they were only following Him on the surface. They were not truly His followers, willing to stop being Pharisees.
In 2 Timothy, it calls people like this "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."
"Are we blind also?" Apparently, Jesus found the man in a public place (verse 35), where the Pharisees were present, listening.
John 9:41 "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."
These Pharisees were proud that they were learned in the law. The law had promised a Messiah. If they had truly realized Jesus to be this Messiah, they should have stopped being proud that they had the law, and realized they were nothing until they forsook all and followed Jesus.
Jesus had particular reference to the sin of unbelief and rejection of Him as Messiah and Son of God. If they knew their lostness and darkness, and cried out for spiritual light, they would no longer be guilty of the sin of unbelief in Christ. But satisfied that their darkness was light, and continuing in rejection of Christ, their sin remains.
John 9 Continued Questions
1. What did the blind man call Jesus in verse 17?
2. What had divided the Pharisees?
3. Who is Jesus Christ, really?
4. What did these Jews not believe?
5. Who did they call to confirm it?
6. What three things did they want to know from the blind man's parents?
7. How did the parents answer?
8. What made them not tell who did this miracle?
9. What did they add when they told these Jews to ask their son?
10. What would happen to anyone who believed that Jesus was Christ?
11. These Jews said give God the praise and then called Jesus what?
12. What did the blind man say to the Jews in answer to their saying this about Jesus?
13. What did the blind man say to them when they asked for him to tell them again how he was healed?
14. Whose disciples were these Jews?
15. How is disciple used in verse 28?
16. What lie did the Jews tell in verse 29?
17. The man said we know that God heareth _____ _________.
18. Who had ever opened anyone's eyes who had been blind from birth?
19. If they were ________________ than Jesus, why could they not open his eyes?
20. In verse 33, what is the strong statement the man makes to the Jews?
21. What is the prideful statement these Jews make to the man?
22. What did they do to the man whose sight had been given him?
23. What did Jesus do when He found that they had thrown him out?
24. What question did Jesus ask him?
25. What did he call Jesus?
26. In verse 38, what did the man say that we all need to say?
27. Why did Jesus say He came into the world?
28. What did some of the Pharisees who followed Jesus ask?
29. Who, in our day, can they be compared to?
30. What had given them so much pride?
31. What must they realize to be acceptable to Jesus?
Verses 1-39: Jesus' discourse on Himself as the "Good Shepherd" flowed directly from chapter 9, as Jesus continued to talk to the very same people. The problem of chapter 9 was that was led by false shepherds who drew them astray from the true knowledge and kingdom of Messiah (9: 39-41).
In chapter 10 Jesus declared Himself to be the "Good Shepherd" who was appointed by His Father as Savior and King, in contrast to the false shepherds of Israel who were self appointed and self righteous.
John 10:1 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
Jesus spoke (in verses 1-30), using a sustained metaphor based on first century sheep ranching. The sheep were kept in a pen, which had a gate through which the sheep entered and left. The shepherd engaged a "doorkeeper" (verse 3), or "hired hand, (verse 12), as an under-shepherd to guard the gate.
The shepherd entered through that gate. He whose interest was stealing or wounding the sheep would choose another way to attempt entrance.
The words of (Ezekiel 34), most likely form the background to Jesus' teaching since God decried the false shepherds of Israel, i.e. the spiritual leaders of the nation, for not caring properly for the flock of Israel, i.e. the nation.
The gospels themselves contain extensive sheep/shepherd imagery.
John 10:2 "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep."
We see here, the Shepherd is Jesus and his sheep are the believers in Christ Jesus. This seems to be speaking about these religious leaders (those who do not come in by the door). Jesus is the Door.
These Pharisees and Jewish rulers did not believe in Him, so they are trying to get in some other way. Those who know the voice of the Shepherd (Jesus Christ), come in by the door which is also Jesus.
John 10:3 "To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."
The porter or doorkeeper was a hired under-shepherd who recognized the true shepherd of the flock, opened the gate for Him, assisted the shepherd in caring for the flock, and especially guarded them at night.
"The sheep hear his voice": Near Eastern shepherds stand at different locations outside the sheep pen, sounding out their own unique calls which their sheep recognize. As a result, the sheep gather around the shepherd.
"He calleth his own sheep by name": This shepherd goes even further by calling each sheep by its own special name. Jesus' point is that He comes to the fold of Israel and calls out His own sheep individually to come into His own messianic fold. The assumption is that they are already in some way His sheep even before He calls them by name (See verses 25-27; 6:37, 39, 44, 64 and 65; 17:6, 9, and 24; 18:9).
Verses 4-5: Unlike Western shepherds who drive the sheep from the side or behind, often using sheep dogs, Near Eastern shepherds lead their flocks, their voice calling them to move on. This draws a remarkable picture of the master/disciple relationship. New Testament spiritual leadership is always by example, i.e., a call to imitate conduct.
John 10:4 "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
The way is open to Jesus since He is the Way, and the Door also. The followers of Jesus will not follow another. The followers of Jesus know the voice of their Master. They are not deceived into following another.
There are shepherds under Jesus who tend to a specific flock until the great Shepherd calls. This would be speaking of ministers who Jesus has set over a portion of His flock, to care for them. The great Shepherd is Jesus. He is the one the sheep are really following.
John 10:5 "And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers."
A true Christian will not be deceived and follow after a false prophet, because they will be well trained by the Word of God. They will be well versed in the Scriptures and will not listen to sermons that please the flesh.
John 10:6 "This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them."
This phrase conveys the idea that something cryptic or enigmatic is intended in it. It occurs again in 16:25 and 29 but not in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke's gospels). Having given the illustration (verses 1-5), Jesus then began to draw salient spiritual truth from it.
These Pharisees could not understand a parable and that is why Jesus spoke in a parable. He knew they would not understand what He was saying. They looked only at the literal message. They did not understand the deeper meanings that could only be understood by the spirit.
In (verses 7-10), "I am the door": This is the third "I Am" statements of Jesus. Here, He changes the metaphor slightly. While in (verses 1-5), He was the shepherd, here He is the gate. While (in verses 1-5), the shepherd fed the sheep out of the sheep fold, here He is the entrance to the fold, (verse 9), that leads to proper pasture.
This section echoes Jesus' words (in 14:6), that He is the only way to the Father. His point is that He serves as the sole means to approach the Father and partake of God's promised salvation. As some Near Eastern shepherds slept in the gateway to guard the sheep, Jesus here pictures Himself as the gate.
John 10:7 "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep."
Jesus is giving the interpretation of what He had said before, but they will not understand this either. He explains here, that He is the door that leads to eternal life. His sheep will go through this door to heaven.
John 10:8 "All that ever come before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them."
Jesus is speaking of those who came on their own without being called. During this time, there had been many false prophets and false gods. I believe that is what is referred to here.
Verses 9 and 10 are a proverbial way of insisting that belief in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God is the only way of being "saved" from sin and hell and receiving eternal life. Only Jesus Christ is the one true source for the knowledge of God and the one basis for spiritual security.
John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. He is the Door. This is speaking of that great pasture or resting place in heaven. Jesus is still speaking in a way that the Pharisees and Jewish leaders will not understand.
John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
The thief mentioned here, is the devil. Satan's mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus' mission is to bring everlasting life to those who will accept it. His wish is that His followers will be in good health and prosper as their soul prospers.
Jesus' plan for us to have life more abundantly is for us to put Him first, and then all these good things will be added to us.
Verses 11-18: Jesus picked up another expression from (verses 1-5), i.e., He is the "good shepherd" in contrast to the present evil leadership of Israel (9:40-41). This is the fourth of 7 "I Am" statements of Jesus. The term "good" has the idea of "noble" and stands in contrast to the "hired hand", who cares only for self-interest.
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
Many ministers of the gospels are shepherds; but there is only one good Shepherd, and His name is Jesus. We know that Jesus gave His life on Calvary to save those who will follow Him (be His sheep). The concern of the good Shepherd is the care and feeding of the sheep. Jesus alone is the good Shepherd.
John 10:12 "But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."
"Sheep ... wolf ... flees" The hired hand likely represents religious leaders who perform their duty in good times but who never display sacrificial care for the sheep in times of danger. They stand in contrast to Jesus, who laid down His life for His flock (15:13).
In (Ezekiel chapter 34), we read about these hireling shepherds (ministers).
Ezekiel 34:1-2 "And the word of the Lord came unto me saying," "Son of man prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds: Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?"
Go on and read all of (chapter 34 of Ezekiel), and you will see just what happens to shepherds who do not take care of God's sheep but are only interested in taking care of their own needs. In this Scripture that says Israel, it means all who are God's, whether they are of the physical house of Israel or the spiritual house of Israel (Christian).
Look especially at: Ezekiel 34:10 "Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them."
We see here, that God will remove these ministers who are not giving the true Word of God. This type of minister will lose his job and won't be able to make a living from the ministry. Worse than that, God will hold them responsible for the sheep they deceived.
Read the whole chapter over and over, and you will see the churches of our day in this.
John 10:13 "The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep."
Some ministers in our day fall into this category (thank the precious Lord, not many). Someone who is a minister because of the salary he or she gets has no business being a minister.
Of course, everyone knows they have to live, but their first and primary reason should be to help the sheep (members). Someone who is just working for money will quit and go home when problems arise, but someone dedicated to their people and their God will stay in there and protect the flock.
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
Just as any good shepherd knows each of his sheep, Jesus knows each of His. His sheep know His voice and will follow Jesus wherever He goes. That is the best way to tell if they belong to Jesus, do they hear His Word and follow Him?
John 10:15 "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Jesus is explaining here, His relationship to the Father. The Father knows and approves of everything Jesus is doing. Jesus has lived His life in the will of the Father.
Just before Jesus was carried away to die for our sins on the cross, He said to the Father "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Jesus was totally committed to the will of the Father even unto death.
John 10:16 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
This refers to Gentiles who will respond to His voice and become a part of the church (Rom. 1:16). Jesus' death was not only for Jews, but also for non-Jews, whom He will make into one new body, the church.
A Gentile who follows Jesus is grafted into the tree of Jesus Christ. They are adopted, if you will. The Jews are the natural branches. Jew or Gentile, who follows Jesus are Christians of Israel. Jesus is one, so Jew and Gentile believers are one in Christ. Jesus is the Shepherd of both.
John 10:17-18 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again." "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
"Take it again" Jesus repeated this phrase twice in these two verses indicating that His sacrificial death was not the end. His resurrection followed in demonstration of His messiahship and deity, (Romans 1:4). His death and resurrection resulted in His ultimate glorification (12:23; 17:5), and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (7:37-39).
This Scripture above renounces the teaching that is prevalent in our day that Jesus was subject to the devil. Jesus, at no time (even hanging on the cross), was subject to anyone. Jesus, of His own free will, hung on the cross for you and me. He never was out of control of the situation.
He also, of His own free will, brought His body out of the grave on resurrection morning. He lay His life down, and He took it up again with His own will. No one took Jesus' life, He gave it. He went into hell (not to suffer), but to victoriously take the keys from Satan and to preach and bring captivity captive out of hell.
Jesus was in control of the situation all the way through. They could not have even taken Him, had He not been willing. He could have blinded them, as He had done before, and walked right past them.
John 10:19-21 "There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings." "And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?" "Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?"
Jesus stirred them up. He told them of things that they knew none of them could do. As we said before, if they did not understand, some of them just said He has a devil. Others were convinced, not only by the fact that He gave sight to the blind, but by what He said as well.
The Jews once again had a mixed reaction to Jesus' words. While some charged Him with demon possession, others concluded His works and words were a demonstration of God's sanction upon Him.
John Chapter 10 Questions
1. What two things are the ones who climb up some other way, and do not come by the door called?
2. Who enters in at the door?
3. Who is this Shepherd?
4. Why do the sheep follow Him?
5. Who are known as shepherds also?
6. Why will the sheep run from anyone besides the Shepherd?
7. In what way did Jesus speak to them that they would not understand?
8. Who is the door?
9. Who did Jesus say, the others who had come were?
10. Jesus said "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be ___________."
11. What does the thief come to do? (Three things)
12. Jesus said "...I am come that they might have ________________."
13. Jesus is the good Shepherd, what did He do for His sheep?
14. What is the one who leaves the sheep when troubles come called?
15. What Book of the Old Testament explains about these shepherds who abandon their sheep?
16. Why does the hireling flee?
17. Who lays down His life for the sheep?
18. What was meant in verse 16 about other sheep?
19. Who took Jesus' life?
20. Jesus had power to ____ ___ ______and ______ __ _____ __ ___ ______.
21. How did the Jews accept this message from Jesus?
22. Can a __________ open the eyes of the blind?
John 10:22-23 "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter." "And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch."
"Feast of Dedication" is the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which celebrates the Israelite victory over the Syrian leader Antiochus Epiphanes, who persecuted Israel. In 170 B.C. conquered Jerusalem and desecrated the Jewish temple by setting up a pagan altar to displace the altar of God.
Under the leadership of an old priest named Mattathias (his family name was called the Hasmoneans), the Jews fought guerrilla warfare (known as the Maccabean Revolt, 166-142 B.C.), against Syria and freed the temple and the land from Syrian dominance until 63 B.C. when Rome (Pompey), took control of Palestine.
It was (in 164 B.C.), on 25 Chislev (Dec. approximately), that the Jews liberated the temple and rededicated it. The celebration is also known as the "Feast of Lights" because of the lighting of lamps and candles in Jewish homes to commemorate the event.
"It was winter": John indicated by this phrase that the cold weather drove Jesus to walk on the eastern side of the temple in the sheltered area of Solomon's porch, which after the resurrection became the regular gathering place of Christians where they would proclaim the gospel.
This Feast of Dedication is the same as the Feast of Lights, which began on the 25th day of Chislev (December), and continued for eight days. This Feast did not require attendance at Jerusalem.
The Jews illuminated their houses for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil in the temple which multiplied and lasted eight days when there was only one day's supply. I personally believe that Jesus was born on December 25th, because He is the Light.
We see from the (verse 22 above), that this Feast, indeed, did occur in winter. This location where Jesus came was a popular place to speak to the people.
John 10:24 "Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly."
In light of the context of (verses 31-39), the Jews were not seeking merely for clarity and understanding regarding who Jesus was, but rather wanted Him to declare openly that He was Messiah in order to justify attacking Him.
Really, the reason they doubted was because they did not know the Scriptures very well. He had already told them, and they did not believe Him. They were trying to say that their lack of faith was His fault. The only reason they really wanted Him to come right out and say that He is, is so they will have something to accuse Him of.
John 10:25 "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me."
There should be no question at all of Who He Is. Not only has Jesus told them over and over, but the miracles that they saw Him do should have left absolutely no doubt. No mere man can do these miracles. He had to be Christ (their Messiah).
(Verses 26 & 27), clearly indicates that God has chosen His sheep and it is they who believe and follow.
John 10:26 "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you."
The only ones who are His sheep are those who believe. Jesus (the great Shepherd), leads those who believe in Him (His sheep). You see, the key word is believe. If we believe in Jesus, He is our Shepherd; and we are His sheep.
John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"
A shepherd knows his sheep. It is strange, but you can have two men's sheep in one pen, but the only ones that follow their master's voice are his own sheep.
John 10:28-29 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
The security of Jesus' sheep rests with Him as the good shepherd, who has the power to keep them safe. Neither thieves and robbers nor the wolf, can harm them. (Verse 29), makes clear that the Father ultimately stands behind the sheep's security, for no one is able to steal from God, who is in sovereign control of all things (Col. 3:3).
No stronger passage in the Old Testament or New Testament exists for the absolute, eternal security of every true Christian.
We see here again, that the will of the Father and Jesus' will are the same. No mere man can take Jesus' sheep away. Those who decide to follow Jesus shall have eternal life. The reward of following Jesus is eternal life.
John 10:30 "I and my Father are one."
Both Father and Son are committed to the perfect protection and preservation of Jesus' sheep. The sentence, stressing the united purpose and action of both in the security and safety of the flock, presupposes unity of nature and essence.
John 10:31 "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."
They were about to stone Jesus, because they felt it blasphemy for Him to say that He and the Father were one.
For the third time John records that the Jews attempted to stone Jesus. Jesus' assertion (verse 30), that He was One with the Father affirmed His claim to deity and caused the Jews to seek His execution (verse 33). Although the Old Testament permitted stoning in certain instances, the Romans reserved the right of capital punishment for themselves.
Nevertheless, out of control Jews attempted a mob action in lieu of legal proceedings (see Acts 7:54-60).
John 10:32 "Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?"
Jesus nearly always answers with a question. Jesus points to the miracles that He had done and says that they were actually from the Father. The works they could not deny, because many of them had been done in their presence.
When He asks for which miracle they stone Him for, He shifts their thoughts from His claim of being equal with the Father to the miracles which they cannot deny.
John 10:33 "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
There was no doubt in the minds of those Jews that Jesus was claiming to be God.
This has been the struggle ever since Jesus (the Word), came to earth and was housed in the body of a man. These Jews did not realize that Jesus was not a man, but was Immanuel, meaning God with us.
Today this same argument still rages. Men cannot believe that Jesus was God the Word who took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us.
Verses 34-36: Quoted from (Psalm 82:6), where God calls some unjust, judges 'god's and pronounces calamity against them. Jesus' argument is that this psalm proves that the word "god" can be legitimately used to refer to others than God Himself.
His reasoning is that if there are others whom God can address as 'god" or "sons of the Most High," why then should the Jews object to Jesus' statement that He is "the Son of God (verse 36)?
John 10:34 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said Ye are gods?"
This statement Jesus makes here is a quotation from (Psalms 82:6), "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." You see, Jesus knows just exactly what to say to stump these Jews. They must renounce the Scripture or gracefully get out of the accusation.
John 10:35 "If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;"
An affirmation of the absolute accuracy and authority of Scripture.
John 10:36 "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
Jesus has trapped them again. He says here, the Scripture does not change. Then He tells them that He is the Son of God, and that the Father, Himself, sanctified Him and sent Him into the world.
John 10:37 "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not."
This is almost saying; show me anyone besides myself who has done these fantastic works. They know they cannot answer this, because Jesus did miracles that no leader of the church had ever done before. Many times it was said, only God could do this.
John 10:38 "But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him."
Jesus did not expect to be believed merely on His own assertions. Since He did the same things that the Father does, His enemies should consider this in their evolution of Him. The implication is, however, that they were so ignorant of God that they could not recognize the works of the Father or the One whom the Father sent.
Jesus is really saying, you know that no one but God can do these miracles. He also says, if you don't believe me, you cannot deny the miracles I have done. Then He says, don't you understand that I am in the Father and the Father in me?
These works are truly divine in nature and there is no way they can deny that. Perhaps, if they recognize that part, then maybe the realization of who Jesus is will dawn on them as well.
John 10:39 "Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,"
Jesus had such great power that He could have temporarily blinded them, or else He could have made Himself where they could not see Him. At any rate, Jesus walked right by them without them apprehending Him. It was not time for them to capture Him yet. It must be done at Passover.
John 10:40 "And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode."
Because of the increasing hostility (see verse 39), Jesus went from the region of Judea into the unpopulated area across the Jordan.
"Where John at first baptized": This is probably a reference to either Perea or Batanea, the general area in the tetrarchy of Philip in the East and Northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The statement is ironic, since the area where John first began, was the area that became the last area in which Jesus stayed before He left for Jerusalem and crucifixion. The people remembered John's testimony to Christ and affirmed their faith in Him.
Jesus left Jerusalem and went to the Jordan River area where He had been baptized of John. This was a friendly area where a great deal of His ministry had taken place. John the Baptist had been a messenger from God, preparing the way for Jesus.
Many had believed him and received Jesus freely. John was not a healer; he was a baptizer. Jesus was the healer. This was friendly territory for Jesus. John the Baptist had been popular here, and they believed his message about the coming Messiah.
John 10:41-42 "And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true." "And many believed on him there."
John had spoken of Jesus, as he had baptized here at the Jordan, and people were prepared and ready to receive their Messiah. John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness.
People believed him, and repented, and were baptized. John's message was of Jesus, and here Jesus found many eager to believe on Him and receive eternal life.
John Chapter 10 Continued Questions
1. When was the Feast of Dedication?
2. What other name was this Feast called by?
3. What day and month did the Feast begin?
4. How many days did it last?
5. How did the Jews go about celebrating?
6. What did it commemorate?
7. Why does the author believe Jesus was born on December 25th?
8. What did these Jews ask Jesus to tell them outright?
9. Who were they trying to blame with their lack of faith?
10. In verse 25, Jesus said what bore witness of Him?
11. In verse 26, why did Jesus say they didn't believe?
12. Who are His sheep?
13. What does Jesus say He gives His sheep in verse 28?
14. Whose hand can no man pluck them out of?
15. When Jesus said this, what did the Jews do?
16. "...for which of those ________ do ye stone me?"
17. Why did they say they were stoning Him?
18. From what Book in the Old Testament, did Jesus quote to them?
19. They said He blasphemed, because He said He was whom?
20. Jesus said it was okay not to believe Him, if what?
21. Jesus says, if you don't believe me, believe what?
22. When they tried to take Him, what did He do?
23. Where did Jesus go when He left Jerusalem?
24. The people said John the Baptist did no _____________.
25. Was His ministry successful here?
As chapter eleven begins, Jesus stands in the shadow of facing the cross. The little time that He had in the area beyond the Jordan came to an end. John picked up the story after He moved back into the area of Jerusalem, and His death on the cross was only a few days away. In those last few days before His death, the scene in John's gospel changes from hatred and rejection (10:39), to an unmistakable and blessed witness of the glory of Christ.
All the rejection and hatred could not dim His glory as displayed through the resurrection of Lazarus. That miracle evidences His glory in three ways:
(1) it pointed to His deity;
(2) it strengthened the faith of the disciples; and
(3) it led directly to the cross (12:23).
The chapter can be divided as follows:
(1) the preparation for the miracle (verses 1-16);
(2) the arrival of Jesus (verses 17-37);
(3) the miracle itself (verses 38-44); and
(4) the results of the miracle (verses 45-57).
John 11:1 "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha."
Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were friends of Jesus. Many times on His way to and from Jerusalem, Jesus stayed with them in their home.The resurrection of Lazarus is the climatic and most dramatic sign in this gospel and the capstone of His public ministry. Six miracles have already been presented
1. Water into wine (2:1-11),
2. Healing of the nobleman's son (4:46-54),
3. Restoring the impotent man (5:1-15),
4. Multiplying the loaves and fishes (6:1-14),
5. Walking on the water (6:15-21),
6. And curing the man born blind (9:1-12).
Lazarus' resurrection is more potent than all those and even more monumental than the raising of the widow's son in Nain (Luke 7:11-16), or Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:40-56), because those two resurrections occurred immediately after death. Lazarus was raised after 4 days of being in the grave with the process of decomposition already having started (verse 39).
This Bethany is different from the other "Bethany beyond the Jordan". It lies on the East side of the Mt. of Olives about two miles from Jerusalem (verse 18), along the road leading toward Jericho.
This is the first mention of this family in John. John related the story of Mary's anointing of Jesus (in 12:1-8), but this reference may indicate that the original readers were already familiar with the event.
Not one word spoken by Lazarus is recorded, nor any account of his post death experiences.
John 11:2 "(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)"
We remember the story where Mary brought the expensive perfume (that cost a year's wages), and poured it on Jesus. Judas Iscariot complained, because it was expensive and could have been sold to give to the poor. Jesus said she would be remembered forever for this.
John 11:3 "Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."
Since Jesus was in the Transjordan and Lazarus was near Jerusalem, the message to Jesus would most likely have taken one whole day to reach Him. Surely by omniscience, Jesus already knew of Lazarus' condition (see verse 6; 1:47).
He may have died before the messenger reached Jesus, since he was dead 4 days (verse 17), when Jesus arrived, after a two day delay (verse 6), and a one day journey. "He who thou lovest"; this phrase is a touching hint at the close friendship that Jesus had with Lazarus (13:1).
John 11:4 "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."
Mary and Martha knew if Jesus came, their brother would be healed. They sent word to Jesus immediately to come and heal Lazarus.
"The Son of God might be glorified": This phrase reveals the real purpose behind Lazarus' sickness, i.e., not death, but that the Son of God might be glorified through His resurrection.
Lazarus has not become sick because of any sin in his life. This sickness is to glorify God. This sickness of Lazarus will glorify the Father and the Son.
John 11:5 "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."
These were friends who had been very faithful to Jesus. As I said, He stayed in their home every time He came this way.
John 11:6 "When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place he was."
This seems as if Jesus doesn't care, but He knows the outcome before it happens. Jesus deliberately waited until Lazarus was dead so that the glory of the Lord could be shown in Lazarus.
John 11:7 "Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again."
You remember, the last time Jesus was in this area, the Jewish leaders tried to take Him and stone Him. Jesus is not afraid however, and tells His disciples to go with Him. The disciples are not for protection. Jesus didn't need protection, but so they might see the glory of God.
John 11:8 "His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?"
The disciples are afraid for themselves and for Jesus. The disciples realized that the animosity toward Jesus was so great that His return could result in His death because of the murderous Jews.
During the light of the sun, most people did their work safely. When darkness came, they stopped. The proverbial saying however, had a deeper meaning. As long as the Son performed His Father's will (i.e. during the daylight period of His ministry when He is able to work), He was safe.
The time would soon come (nighttime), when by God's design, His earthly work would end and He would "stumble" in death. Jesus was stressing that as long as He was on earth doing God's will, even at this late time in His ministry, He would safely complete God's purposes.
John 11:9 "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world."
Jesus makes a point here, that He must work while it is day. The Lord really is saying here, that time is running out and we must work while it is still light. In the dark ages, there were very few saved. Jesus is saying while the Light (Jesus), is still with you, we must work. Night is coming when no man can work.
John 11:10 "But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him."
Jesus is saying here, that there will come a time of spiritual darkness when it will be difficult to work.
Verses 11-13 refer to Lazarus having fallen asleep which is a euphemistic term used in the new Testament to refer to death, particularly with reference to believers who will be physically raised to eternal life.
John 11:11 "These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep."
Jesus could have gone earlier and touched Lazarus and made him whole, and it would have been like thousands of other healings that Jesus had done that they had gotten so used to that it had become commonplace.
This miracle that Jesus would perform over Lazarus would show that Jesus had power over death, that Jesus had resurrection power. Jesus says he sleeps meaning that Lazarus was dead.
John 11:12-13 "Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." "Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep."
You see, the disciples misunderstood. They thought Jesus was speaking of Lazarus taking a nap. Isn't it strange that they were not amazed at Jesus knowing what Lazarus was doing, even though Jesus was miles away from him?
They had seen so many miracles of Jesus that something as small as the miracle of Jesus knowing what Lazarus was doing miles away, had become commonplace to them.
John 11:14-15 "Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead." "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."
The resurrection of Lazarus was designed to strengthen His disciple's faith in Him as the Messiah and Son of God in the face of the strong Jewish rejection of Him.
They should have been astonished that Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead. See how complacent even the disciples had become of the miracles, because they had seen so many. Jesus says here, that He was glad that He had not been there to heal Lazarus before he died.
Perhaps, when He raises Lazarus from the dead, they will be astonished and believe.
John 11:16 "Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him."
"Die with him" is referring to Jesus, not Lazarus.
Didymus means "twin". Perhaps Thomas was a twin brother of Matthew since they appear together in lists of the apostles (see Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:15).
Thomas' words reflect loyal devotion and at the same time, pessimism over the fact that they would probably all die. His fears were not unrealistic in the face of bitter hostility toward Jesus, and had not the Lord protected them in the garden (18:1-11), they may also have been arrested and executed (20:24-29).
These disciples knew that to die would be their gain. That life is where the trial is. They should have also known that to wish to die before carrying out the mission God had for them to do was wrong.
John 11:17 "Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already."
There is a time lapse between (verse 16 and 17). When Jesus got to where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived, He found that Lazarus had been dead four days. On the fourth day, the body begins to deteriorate.
"In the grave" or "in the tomb". The term "tomb" means a stone sepulcher. In first century Israel, such a grave was common. Either a cave or rock area would be hewn out, the floor inside leveled and graded to make a shallow descent. Shelves were cut out or constructed inside the area in order to bury additional family members.
A rock was rolled in front to prevent wild animals or grave robbers from entering. The evangelist made special mention of the fourth day in order to stress the magnitude of the miracle, for the Jews did not embalm and by then the body would have been in a state of rapid decomposition.
The implication of (verses 18-19), is that the family was rather prominent. The mention of the Jews also heightens the reader's awareness of the great risk that Jesus took in coming so close to Jerusalem, which was seething with the leaders' hatred for Him.
As Jews from Jerusalem were present on this occasion, some were enemies of Jesus. This explains why Martha called Mary "secretly" (verse 28).
John 11:18 "Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:"
This distance here is between one and one half and two miles. Remember, the Jews at Jerusalem had wanted to stone Jesus the last time He was in Jerusalem.
John 11:19 "And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother."
They were well thought of in the community. Jew is used by John to denote those who did not accept Jesus. It denotes the Hebrews who were enemies of God. We know that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were from the upper class financially.
If nothing else tells us that, the expensive perfume poured on Jesus by Mary cost nearly a year's wages for a healthy man.
John 11:20-21 "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house." "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."
Martha knew of the great healing power of Jesus; and she knew if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Martha, however, was not aware that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the grave. Perhaps, Mary was a little upset, because Jesus had not come immediately when they went for Him.
When Martha told Jesus that if He had been there that her brother would not have died, it was not a rebuke of Jesus but a testimony of her trust in His healing power.
John 11:22 "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."
Martha has that strong belief that can move a mountain. She knows in her heart that Jesus' power is unlimited. With a prayer on her lips and faith in her heart, she has come to Jesus for help. She knows the Father answers Jesus' prayers.
Based on her statement in (verse 39), Martha was not saying she believed Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead, but that she knew He had a special relationship to God so that His prayers could bring some good from this sad event.
John 11:23 "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again."
We see Jesus encouraging her, so that she might believe. This whole scene is for the glory of God. This is to let the whole world, then and now, know that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
John Chapter 11 Questions
1. In what town did Lazarus live?
2. Who were his two sisters?
3. Which of the sisters anointed Jesus with the perfume and wiped His feet with her hair?
4. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, what did He say?
5. What was Lazarus sick for?
6. How many days extra did Jesus stay, after He heard Lazarus was sick?
7. What peril did the disciples remind the Lord of that was in Jerusalem?
8. Why does a man stumble when he walks at night?
9. In verse 11, what does Jesus mean when he says "...Lazarus sleepeth..."?
10. Did the disciples understand Jesus' meaning?
11. The author is surprised at them not being astonished at what?
12. When did Jesus say outright that Lazarus was dead?
13. Why did Jesus say He was glad He was not there before Lazarus died?
14. What was Thomas' other name?
15. What was Thomas' suggestion that they all do?
16. Why would that be wrong?
17. How long had Lazarus been in the grave when Jesus arrived?
18. Which sister came out to meet Jesus?
19. How far is Jerusalem from Bethany?
20. Who is specifically mentioned who came to mourn with Mary and Martha?
21. What statement did Martha make that showed she had great faith in Jesus?
22. What encouraging statement did Jesus make to her?
John 11:24 "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
In the last lesson, Jesus has just told Martha "...Thy brother shall rise again." Martha doesn't realize that Jesus is speaking of right now. Martha has not seen Jesus raise anyone from death before, and the fact that her brother has begun to decay seems to mean to her that it is too late.
John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
(Verses 25 and 26), are the fifth in a series of 7 great "I am" statements of Jesus. With this statement, Jesus moved Martha from an abstract belief in the resurrection that will take place "on the last day" (5:28-29), to a personalized trust in Him who alone can raise the dead. No resurrection or eternal life exists outside of the Son of God.
Time ("on the last day"), is no barrier to the One who has the power of resurrection and life (1:4), for He can give life at any time.
John 11:26 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
This may be the most encouraging statement in the entire Bible for the Christian. What greater promise could Jesus make than to offer eternal life? The greatest gift that God gave to man was His Son. He is the Christian's life. The thing that activates this life is our faith in Jesus.
We see above, that Jesus says if you believe in Him, you shall never die. At death my old body goes into the ground and my spirit goes immediately to be with Christ. At the resurrection, my new spiritual body is raised and joins with my sprit; thusly I will just change places of residence from this old flesh (human), body to my new spiritual body.
Let us read of this in (1 Corinthians). Begin reading (at verse 35 through verse 54). I will enclose just (verse 44 here). Read all of the Scripture on this to get a really good understanding of this.
1 Corinthians 15:44 "It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."
John 11:27 "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
Martha had no difficulty at all in quickly answering Jesus' questions. She had seen the miracles, and she knew that Jesus was no mere holy man. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. He stayed in their home many times. They all three were thoroughly convinced of who Jesus was.
Martha's confession is representative of the very reason John wrote this inspired gospel.
John 11:28 "And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee."
Mary had been sitting in the house alone. Martha called her secretly, because she did not want to reveal to these Jewish leaders (there to mourn Lazarus' passing), that Jesus was nearby. The Jews hated Jesus, and Mary and Martha thought they might try to take Him.
John 11:29 "As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him."
Mary knew that Jesus loved Lazarus. She knew if anyone could help, it would be Jesus. Jesus did not come into the house or the city, until He first talked to Mary and Martha.
John 11:30 "Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him."
The purpose of Jesus not coming to their home has several possibilities. One reason could be that Jesus wanted to minister to Mary and Martha privately. Possibly, Jesus knew if He came in, the Jews might have caused a scene. The least likely of all is that Jesus' time had not come, and He did not want to be captured.
John 11:31 "The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there."
Perhaps this group of Jews was not quite as hostile as the Jewish leaders. You know, we read how some of them believed when Jesus opened the blind man's eyes. They were there to mourn with Mary and Martha. Among the Hebrews, it was not unusual to mourn for a week or more.
This is possibly what these Jews thought Mary was going to do so they followed her. Since Mary and Martha's conversation about Jesus was private, they could not have known that they went to meet Jesus.
John 11:32 "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."
Mary believed as Martha did, that Jesus could have healed Lazarus; and He could have. Her falling at His feet showed Mary worshipping Jesus.
John 11:33 "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,"
According to Jewish oral traditions, the funeral custom indicated that even a poor family must hire at least two flute players and a professional wailing woman to mourn the dead. Because the family may have been well to do, a rather large group appears to be present.
"He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled" or "He was deeply moved in the spirit". The phrase here does not mean merely that Jesus was deeply touched or moved with sympathy at the sight. The Greek term "deeply moved"; always suggest anger, outrage or emotional indignation. Most likely Jesus was angered at the emotional grief of the people because it implicitly revealed unbelief in the resurrection and the temporary nature of death.
The group was acting like pagans who had no hope. While grief is understandable, the group was acting in despair, thus indicating a tacit denial of the resurrection and the Scripture that promised it. Jesus may also have been angered because He was indignant at the pain and sorrow in death that sin brought into the human condition.
His sorrow was for Mary and Martha that they had to taste of this grief. The Lord has great feeling for His people. He does not enjoy seeing them hurt.
John 11:34 "And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see."
We see here, genuine concern. Of course, Jesus did not need to be shown where Lazarus was, but this was so they would be in attendance when Jesus raises him from the dead. The idea was for them to witness this great miracle, and to realize that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
John 11:35 "Jesus wept."
There Greek word here has the connotation of silently bursting into tears in contrast to the loud lament of the group (see verse 33). His tears here were not generated out of mourning, since He was to raise Lazarus, but out of grief for a fallen world entangled in sin-caused sorrow and death. He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief".
This is a very short statement but full of feelings for these two sisters, and in fact, all of humanity for the frailty of the body.
John 11:36 "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!"
These Jews had misunderstood the tears. They thought Jesus to be crying for Lazarus.
John 11:37 "And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?"
It is apparent that these Jews were not aware of the little girl Jesus raised from the dead, Jairus' daughter about twelve years old, and the widow's son that they were taking to be buried.
Mary and Martha both probably knew of these, but in their moment of grief had momentarily forgotten. These Jews were really making a bad remark saying that if Jesus' power had been real; wouldn't He have healed His friend?
John 11:38 "Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it."
Tombs were in caves in these days. The stone lay upon it to keep animals from wandering in the grave.
John 11:39 "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
The Jewish people do not embalm their dead. On the fourth day, the body begins the decaying process and even their countenance changes. Perhaps, Martha did not want the Master to see her brother Lazarus in his decaying condition.
As I said before, in her grief she had forgotten that Jesus had raised two other people from the dead. She had not seen these miracles, but should have known of them.
Although Jews used aromatic spices, their custom was not to embalm the body but to use the spices to counteract the repulsive odors from decomposition. They would wrap the body in linen cloth, adding spice in the layers and folds.
The Jews did not wrap the body tightly like Egyptian mummies, but rather loosely with the head wrapped separately. This is indicated by the fact that Lazarus could move out of the tomb before he was unwrapped.
John 11:40 "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
Some of this went on to let Mary and Martha believe with no shadow of turning that Jesus truly will defeat death itself. Notice even when He is speaking to His followers, Mary and Martha, there is a condition. They must believe. Jesus says believe, and I will show you a sample of what belief in Jesus Christ brings. ... Life.
John 11:41 "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." "And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."
Jesus' prayer was not really a petition, but thanksgiving to the Father. The reason for the miracle was to authenticate His claims to be the Messiah and Son of God.
I see an act of faith, as Mary and Martha had them remove the stone as the Lord had asked. Jesus knew long before He stated to Mary and Martha, that this was to happen to glorify the Father. The Father is glorified in the glory of His Son. It pleases the Father when we believe in His Son.
Jesus knows that Lazarus' spirit will come back in his body. When He prayed for Lazarus, it was already as well as done. This prayer here, is so that these onlookers will know that Jesus has power on earth to raise the dead and that His will and the Father's will are one.
There is no question that Lazarus is dead. He has been dead four days. This miracle is the one that leaves no doubt that Jesus is God the Son.
John 11:43 "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth."
No spirit can deny this voice. Jesus is Lord of all.
Philippians 2:10-11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This spirit had to come back in Lazarus. It had to obey Jesus.
This was a preview of the power to be fully displayed in the final resurrection when all the dead hear the voice of the Son of God and live.
John 11:44 "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
A person cannot unwind the grave clothes himself. Lazarus was alive in the grave clothes. I love the song "Loose Him and Let Him Go". That is what Jesus has done from the beginning for all of us.
In (verses 45-46), Jesus teachings and actions often divided the Jews. While some believed, others, apparently with malicious intent, informed the Pharisees of Jesus' action.
John 11:45 "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him."
If any thing could cause a person to believe, this would be it. I am surprised that all of them did not believe.
John Chapter 11
Continued Questions
1. In verse 11, Martha said she knew Lazarus would rise again, when?
2. What makes Martha believe that it is too late for a miracle?
3. In verse 25, Jesus calls Himself two things. What are they?
4. What causes us to live after death?
5. What does the author believe is the most encouraging statement in the Bible to the Christian?
6. What happens at death?
7. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, we realize that there are two kinds of bodies. What are they?
8. When Jesus told Martha she would see the glory of God if she believed, what did she answer?
9. What message did Martha take to Mary?
10. Why did she tell her secretly?
11. What did Mary do when she heard that Jesus had come?
12. Where was Jesus?
13. Where did the Jews think Mary was going?
14. What does verse 35 say about Jesus' sympathy for Mary and Martha?
15. The Jews criticized Jesus for what in verse 37?
16. Who were two others that Jesus raised from the dead?
17. Where was Lazarus buried?
18. When Jesus said roll away the stone, what did Martha say?
19. How long had Lazarus been dead?
20. What must Martha do to see the glory of God?
21. What did Martha and Mary have done to show that they believed?
22. Why did Jesus pray out loud to the Father?
23. What three words did Jesus speak to Lazarus?
24. In Philippians 2:10-11, who is Jesus Lord of?
25. When Lazarus came forth, what was on his face?
26. What six words did Jesus say for them to do to Lazarus?
27. What effect did this have on these Jews?
Verses 45-48: Jesus' teaching and actions often divided the Jews. While some believed, others, apparently with malicious intent, informed the Pharisees of Jesus' action.
The Pharisees had tried to kill Jesus on several occasions, always by the orthodox Jewish method of stoning. The Sadducees were willing to accomplish it through their political union with the Roman power. Thus, prophecy was fulfilled (Psalm 22:1-28).
Of course, the Sadducees were particularly agitated by Lazarus's resurrection, since they did not believe in the resurrection. However, their main concern with Jesus was that He might cause a messianic uprising (verse 48).
Unlike the Pharisees, their interests were political, not theological. Blasphemy or healing on the Sabbath did not particularly disturb them.
John 11:46 "But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done."
This had to be shocking to these Jewish leaders who had not seen, or been able themselves to raise the dead. We see (in verse 45), that they (Jews), had been there to comfort Mary. This was in the last lesson, but needs to be noted.
We do not know if this was mentioned because Mary was closer to Lazarus or not. We do know that Mary had not gone out of the house until Jesus called for her.
John 11:47 "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles."
Alerted by the Pharisees, a Sanhedrin committee consisting of chief priests (former High Priests and members of High Priestly families), and Pharisees, called the Sanhedrin to session. The Pharisees could not by themselves take any judicial action against Jesus. Though subject to Roman control, the Sanhedrin was the highest judicial body in Israel and exercised judicial, legislative and executive powers at that time. In Jesus' day, the 70 members of the Sanhedrin were dominated by the chief priests and virtually all the priests were Sadducees. The Pharisees constituted an influential minority. While the Pharisees and Sadducees were often in conflict, their mutual hatred of Jesus united them into action.
We see here, that they finally admitted that Jesus really is doing miracles. As we have said many times before in these lessons, they were jealous because they could not perform the miracles Jesus did, and they were afraid they would lose their following to Jesus.
In (verse 48), you can really see their jealousy.
John 11:48 "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."
The Jews were not willing to believe in Jesus as the Son of God even though Lazarus had been raised. They feared that escalating messianic expectations could start a movement against Roman oppression and occupation that would cause the Romans to come and take away all their rights and freedoms.
They did not even recognize the fact that He in doing these fantastic miracles meant that this was their long-awaited Messiah. They were afraid that they would lose their place in the place of worship and among the people.
They liked very much being put up on a pedestal where they did not belong. They enjoyed being thought of as holy men of God. They had a form of belief, but were caught up in the letter of the law and not the spirit. They were afraid the Romans would take their religious rule away.
Caiaphas the High Priest, prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation and would also reach the Gentiles (chapter 10:16).
John 11:49 "And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,"
Caiaphas became High Priest (in 18 A.D.), being appointed by the Roman prefect, Valerius Gratus. His father in law was Annas, who had previously functioned in the same position from (7-14 A.D.), and who exercised great influence over the office even after his tenure. Caiaphas remained in office until (36 A.D.), when along with Pontius Pilate, he was removed by the Romans.
He took a leading part in the trial and condemnation of Jesus. In his court or palace, the chief priests (Sadducees), and Pharisees assembled "and plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him" (see Mat. 26:3-4).
Annas and Caiaphas are mentioned to be high priests at this time. Some think Caiaphas received this position because He was Annas' son-in-law. Many of the Levitical laws were being twisted to fit the occasion. The high priest (Caiaphas), had the last say over the priests. God spoke to the people through the high priest.
John 11:50 "Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."
He only meant that Jesus should be executed in order to spare their own positions and nation from Roman reprisals, but Caiaphas unwittingly used sacrificial, substitutionary language and prophesied the death of Christ for sinners.
First of all, the high priest should be more learned in the Scriptures than the priests. More than that though, God spoke to the people through the breastplate of the high priest. I personally believe that this message came through the high priest, that this was a prophecy from God.
The high priest was to speak what God's message was, and I believe that is what happens here. God is letting them know, through this high priest's message that this Jesus will die for the sin of the world.
John 11:51 "And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;"
Caiaphas did not realize the implications of what he spoke. While he uttered blasphemy against Christ, God parodied his statement into truth.
The responsibility for the wicked meaning of his words belonged to Caiaphas, but God's providence directed the choice of words so as to express the heart of God's glorious plan of salvation (Acts 4:22-28).
He actually was used by God as a prophet because he was the High Priest and originally the High Priest was the means of God's will being revealed.
John 11:52 "And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."
This explains fully that this is not the high priest speaking, but rather God speaking through this high priest. In Exodus chapter 28 verse 30, we read of the Urim and Thummim which the high priest wore which kept the people on his heart all the time.
God spoke prophetically to the people through this on the high priest, as well. I believe that is what happened here. This Urim and Thummim on the breast of the high priest caused him to be the mediator between God and man.
Urim and Thummim mean lights and perfections. We see here, a prophecy of Jesus dying for all that they might be saved; saved not just from the Romans but from sin itself.
In context, this had reference to believing Jews of the dispersion who would be gathered together in the Promised Land to share the kingdom of God. In a wider sense, this also anticipated the Gentile mission. As a result of Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, both Jew and Gentile have been made into one group, the church.
John 11:53 "Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death."
Not only did these others not understand what this high priest had said, but neither did the high priest understand himself.
The phrase "from that day forth", indicates that their course of action toward Jesus was then fixed. It remained only to accomplish it. Notice that Jesus was not arrested to be tried. He had already been judged guilty of blasphemy. The trail was a mere formality for a sentence already passed.
John 11:54 "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples."
We see that these Jews really had pronounced sentence on Jesus and would try to get Him killed at the very first opportunity. This city of Ephraim was not a Jewish city, because (verse 54 says), He walked no more among the Jews. I personally believe this city of Ephraim has to do with the Ephraim that got the right hand blessing.
This Ephraim probably refers to the Old Testament city of Ephron. Its modern village name is Et-Taiyibeh, and it is located 4 miles North East of Bethel and about 12 miles from Jerusalem. This location was far enough away for temporary safety until the time of Passover (verse 55).
He was not ready to die, because it was not the appointed time, so He walked among those outside the church who would accept His miracles and believe His message.
John 11:55 "And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves."
It was customary for the Jews from everywhere to come to Jerusalem for Passover. Verse 55 here does not mean a few days after Jesus came out of <jerusalem< font=""></jerusalem<>, but just picks up at a later time, perhaps, months later.
John 11:56 "Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?"
The Jews who filled Jerusalem for Passover were wondering if Jesus would show Himself at this time, and were actively seeking to find Him. The plot of the chief priests and Pharisees was known widely enough to pique their curiosity as to whether Jesus would dare show Himself in Jerusalem.
They were all speculating about whether Jesus would come or not, because they knew the Jewish leaders had planned to take Him, if He came. If He didn't come for Passover, they would use that to say that Jesus did not keep the feasts. Little did they know, that Jesus was the Passover Lamb.
John 11:57 "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."
The plotters ensured that the whole city was filled with potential informants.
This notice, that had been given out so that they could take Jesus, was to stir up the people and frighten them into turning Jesus in. It seems that the ordinary people would not turn Jesus in. They believed He was Messiah.
Even those who did not quite believe Him to be Messiah, thought of Him as a very great prophet. They were not about to help these Jewish leaders trap Jesus.
Next lesson, we will see Mary anointing Jesus with the perfume. We will also see Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
John Chapter 11 Second Continued Questions
1. Where did some of the Jews go after seeing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead?
2. Who gathered the council?
3. How many men made up a council?
4. What did they finally admit about Jesus in verse 47?
5. How was this council's power limited?
6. What were they afraid would happen, if they left Jesus alone?
7. Who was mentioned as being high priest?
8. Why was Caiaphas probably named a high priest?
9. Who was really speaking through the high priest?
10. What prophecy was given?
11. Who was one man to die for?
12. What is the Urim and Thummim?
13. What do the two words mean?
14. When the high priest had on the Urim and Thummim, what was he between God and man?
15. After this council meeting, what had the council decided to do to Jesus?
16. "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the ______________."
17. Where did He go?
18. Why was Jesus not ready to die at that moment?
19. When they sought Jesus at Passover time, what question did they ask?
20. Who gave the commandment, if anyone knew where Jesus was, they were to tell?
21. Why did not some of the ordinary people expose Jesus' whereabouts?
This chapter focuses on the reactions of love and hate, belief and rejection toward Christ, leading to the cross.
John 12:1 "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead."
"Six days before the Passover" was most likely the previous Saturday with Passover coming 6 days later. Thursday evening through sunset Friday.
The Lord Jesus was last with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, when He raised Lazarus from the dead. We learned in a previous lesson, that Lazarus had been dead four days when Jesus raised him. This great miracle caused many to believe that Jesus was the Christ.
The Jewish leaders held council and sought to kill Jesus, and Jesus left the Jews and went into a city called Ephraim. The length of His stay in Ephraim is unknown, but it was probably more than a few days.
Now, Jesus has come back to His friend Simon's home in Bethany which is just two miles from Jerusalem.
John 12:2 "There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him."
These last few days, He enjoyed being with His apostles and good friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Many assume that this Simon spoken of, in connection with this, is Simon the Leper. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were guests here. In (Luke chapter 8 verse 44), it appears this is in Simon's home. It seemed Martha served Jesus.
Some believe this Simon was the husband of Martha. When Jesus came to this area there were most probably several families He could stay with. Simon had been healed of leprosy and Lazarus raised from the dead, so you know Jesus would have been welcome in either home.
John 12:3 "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment."
The term used for "pound" actually indicates a weight around three fourths of a pound, approximately 12 ounces. "Spikenard" was an oil extracted from the root of a plant grown in India.
"Anointed the feet of Jesus": Since those who were eating reclined at the table, their feet extended away from it, making it possible for Mary to anoint the feet of Jesus. The act symbolized Mary's humble devotion and love for Him.
In other gospels, it seemed Mary had anointed Jesus head, as well as His feet. This perfume possibly cost a year's wages. Mary loved Jesus so much that she humbled herself and wiped His feet with her hair.
She had plenty of reasons to adore Him. He had raised her brother from the dead. A pound of ointment would have been a very large container. Mary did not realize that she was anointing Him for His burial.
John 12:4-5 "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him," "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?"
Since one pence was a day's wage given to common laborers, 300 was equivalent to a year's wages (no money was earned on the Sabbath or other holy days).
A pence was a man's wages for one day, so you can see the cost of the perfume. Judas Iscariot was not really concerned about the poor. Judas was the one who carried the bag of money used for their expenses, and he wanted that three hundred days work of money in the bag, so he could help himself to some of it.
John 12:6 "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
Judas' altruism was really a front for his own personal avarice. Because he was the apostolic band's treasurer, he was able to secretly pilfer the group treasury for his own desires.
John left no doubt why Judas said this.
John 12:7 "Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this."
Mary performed this act to signal her devotion but, as in the case of Caiaphas, her act revealed more than she realized at the time. During the first century, lavish sums were spent on funerals, which included costly perfumes to cover the smell of decay.
John 12:8 "For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."
This does not mean that alms should not be distributed to the poor, but was a reminder that, while the poor would remain, Jesus would not always be with them (see Matthew 26:11 and Mark 14:7).
This most all of the disciples did not understand, but Jesus was speaking of preparing His body for death. It is true that there are always the poor to help. Even in a fluent society like the U.S., there are always the poor around. There will never stop being a time when you can help them, but very shortly Jesus would be crucified and His body laid in the tomb.
John 12:9 "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead."
Some of the Jews believed when Jesus raised Lazarus. Many of them came to see Jesus (the Miracle Man), and Lazarus also, who was raised from the dead. This was a real curiosity with all the people.
John 12:10-11 "But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;" "Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."
This phrase signaled both a conscious, deliberate move away from the religion of the authorities and a move toward genuine faith in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God.
These chief priests were losing the respect of the people. They were no longer thought of as God's representative on earth. They wanted to kill Jesus, so they could get their power back so they could rule over the people.
Lazarus was a constant reminder of the super-natural power of Jesus. They had to get rid of him, so the people would forget this miracle. They were losing followers, and they felt, if they could get rid of Jesus and Lazarus, they would get their followers back.
This section (from 12-19), marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem referred to as Palm Sunday. It is one of the few incidents in Jesus' life reported in all four gospels. By this action, He presented Himself officially to the nation as the Messiah and Son of God.
The Sanhedrin and other Jewish leaders wanted Him dead but did not want Him killed during the Passover time because they feared stirring up the multitudes with whom He was popular.
Jesus entered the city however, on His own time and forced the whole issue in order that it might happen exactly on the Passover day when the lambs were being sacrificed. As the Scripture says "Christ, our Passover, also has been sacrificed" (1 Cor. 5:7). In God's perfect timing, at the precise time foreordained from eternity, He presented Himself to die. (verses 23; 10:17-18; 17:1; 19:10-11; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28; Gal. 4:4).
John 12:12 "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,"
The next day was Sunday, the day after Jesus' visit to Bethany.
John 12:13 "Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
The supply of date palms was plentiful; they still grow in Jerusalem today. From about two centuries earlier, the waving of palm branches had become a nation, if not nationalistic, symbol, which signaled the fervent hope that a messianic liberator was arriving on the scene.
Hosanna is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means "give salvation now." It was a term of acclamation or praise occurring (in Psalm 118:25), which was familiar to every Jew, since that psalm was part of the Hallel sung each morning by the temple choir during the Feast of Tabernacles (7:37), and associated with the Feast of Dedication (10:22), and especially the Passover.
After shouting out the "Hosanna," the crowds shouted (Psalm 118:26); significantly, the original context of this psalm may well have been the pronouncement of blessing upon a Davidic king. Jewish commentaries on the psalm have understood the verse to bear messianic implications. "He who comes in the Name of the Lord" refers to Messiah, especially in context with the phrase "the King of Israel," though that messianic title is not from (Psalm 118).
Palm trees symbolize Israel. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell this with much more detail than the account here. They tell of the colt of an ass being acquired and Jesus riding on it. Many of the details of how they got it are not included here.
Read the accounts in these other Bible studies. We do see here, that Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday with shouts of adoration from the people.
John 12:14 "And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,"
Jesus actually sent disciples to get the colt of an ass and told them where it would be tied.
John 12:15 "Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."
The synoptic gospels give more information here regarding Jesus' selection of a young donkey (see Matt. 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; and Luke 19:29-38). They convey the fact that Jesus deliberately planned to present Himself to the nation in this manner as a conscious fulfillment of the messianic prophecy of (Zechariah 9:9).
Zech. 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion: shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
John 12:16 "These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him."
You see, the disciples had no idea, even though Jesus had told them many times that He was to be crucified. They did not make any of the connection with these fulfillments of prophecy until after Jesus rose from the grave.
Looking back on the things that happened, they understood why each thing happened.
John 12:17 "The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record."
This is saying that much more connection was made with Old Testament prophecy after Jesus rose from the dead, than when it was happening. Looking back, they could see clearly after they knew for sure who He was.
John 12:18 "For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle."
This great multitude of people was following Jesus, because He had raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 12:19 "The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him."
"The world": meaning the people in general, as opposed to everyone in particular. Clearly, most people in the world did not even know of Jesus at that time, and many in Israel did not believe in Him. Often "world" is used in this general sense.
The Pharisees are saying here, that the whole world has gone after Jesus, and these Jewish leaders are not making any ground.
John Chapter 12
Questions
1. How long before Passover did Jesus come to Bethany?
2. Who had Jesus raised from the dead at Bethany?
3. Where had Jesus gone when He left the last time?
4. Whose home was Jesus in?
5. How far is Bethany from Jerusalem?
6. Who actually served Jesus?
7. Some believe this Simon was whose husband?
8. How much ointment did Mary pour on Jesus?
9. If you put all four gospels' account together, what two places did she put the ointment?
10. What did she wipe the ointment with?
11. Who complained about Mary putting this expensive ointment on Jesus?
12. How much did he say the ointment could have been sold for?
13. How much was a pence?
14. Why had he complained, really?
15. How long did Jesus say the poor would be with us?
16. What two reasons had the people come for?
17. Why did the Jews want to get rid of Lazarus?
18. What did the people take with them to strew the path of Jesus with?
19. What did the Pharisees think would happen, if they could get rid of Jesus and Lazarus?
20. What do palm trees symbolize?
21. What was the cry of the people?
22. What did Jesus ride on going into Jerusalem?
23. What Sunday did Jesus enter Jerusalem?
24. Where was it prophesied in the Old Testament that Jesus would ride the colt of an ass?
25. When did the disciples remember all of this?
26. Who bear record of all this?
27. Why did these people follow Jesus?
John 12:20-21 "And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:" "The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus."
Most likely Gentile proselytes to Judaism who had come up for the Passover and who, in their desire to see Jesus, stood in direct antithesis to the attitude of the national leaders who desired to kill Him. At the very moment when the Jewish authorities plotted virulently to kill Him, Gentiles began to desire His attention.
It appears the news was widespread about Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave, and these Greeks had come to see this man who performed such great miracles. Jesus came first to the Jew, but the Gentiles who believed on Him would not be denied.
Philip has a Greek name and perhaps some of his people were Greek. These people would not be able to worship other than in the outer court, so that is possibly where they ran on to Philip. The Lord Jesus made many trips into Jerusalem these six days before Passover. It would not have been difficult to locate Him.
The cry of every soul who ever sought salvation is "We would see Jesus". I love the song that says "Wherever Jesus is, will be heaven to me".
John 12:22 "Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus."
Philip seems to be a very shy person. He tells Andrew, so he will have some support when he goes to tell Jesus.
John 12:23 "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."
Hour refers to the time of Jesus' death, resurrection and exaltation (verse 27; 13:1; 17:1). Up to this point, Jesus' hour had always been future.
In this, Jesus is telling the disciples and those in hearing range, that the time has come when Jesus will be glorified to all mankind, and in so doing glorifies the Father. Jesus is saying, everyone can see me, because I will be lifted up on the cross for all to see.
John 12:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
As the sown kernel dies to bring forth a rich harvest, so also the death of the Son of God will result in the salvation of many.
We see here, that Jesus is speaking again in parables, so that just curiosity seekers would not understand what He is saying. Jesus is explaining that when you bury a grain of wheat, it does not stay dead, but life wins out over death. This grain of wheat will live again in the wheat it produces, but there will be much more than the one grain that is planted.
Here we see Jesus telling them that when His body goes to the ground and rises again, His followers will be multiplied greatly. Verily, verily means there is no room for doubt (It is so).
John 12:25 "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
We see here that those who love this world and the things of this world are worldly and will have no eternal life in heaven to look forward to. To love the world is to be an enemy of God.
We Christians, on the other hand, are living in the world, but we are not of the world. We are not caught up in things this world can bring us. We are not doing worldly things. Our home is in heaven. Our heart and mind is stayed upon heavenly things. We are like Abraham who lived in tents looking for a city whose maker was God.
We Christians are looking forward to the day when the trumpet shall blow in the sky, and we shall be caught up into the heavens to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. If we love the world, we are worldly. If we love heaven, we are heavenly.
John 12:26 "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor."
Not only is the principle of death applicable to Jesus (see verse 24), but it is also applicable to His followers. They too, as His disciples, may have to lose their life in service and witness for Him (see Matthew 10:37-39; 16:24-25).
You see if we serve Jesus, we will walk in His footsteps. We will do the things that He would do, if He were here. To play follow the leader, you must do everything the leader does. This is the way it is, if we are to serve Jesus. We must do it His way and not ours.
If we call ourselves Christians, we should be Christ-like. You cannot live worldly lives and still be a Christian. A Christian is a believer in and a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 12:27 "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."
"Now is my soul troubled": The term used here is strong and signifies horror, anxiety and agitation. Jesus' contemplation of taking on the wrath of God for the sins of the world caused revulsion in the sinless Savior (2 Cor. 5:21).
We will later see at Gethsemane, Jesus praying. He will say my Spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. The flesh of Jesus was as mankind, but the Spirit within was God the Word. Here above, Jesus is saying, my flesh is not looking forward to the suffering.
This is the reason Jesus came to this earth; to crucify the flesh, so that our spirit might live. Sin in the flesh was nailed to the cross to pay the price for you and me. We too, must put our flesh under subjection to the Spirit of God.
Flesh and blood does not inherit the kingdom of God. Our spirit body inherits heaven, if we believe in and follow Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 12:28 "Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
This request embodied the principle that Jesus lived by and would die by (see 7:18; 8:29 and 50). The Father answered the Son in an audible voice. This is only one of 3 instances during Jesus' ministry when this took place (Matthew 3:17; His baptism, and 17:5 His transfiguration).
Jesus, even here, has totally submitted to the will of the Father. Those who are in tune with God hear His voice and understand.
John 12:29 "The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him."
As I said above, some have ears that cannot hear. Many people throughout the Bible have said it thundered when God spoke. His words must fall on ears willing to hear and understand, before His message can be received.
This is the reason so many people read the Bible and cannot understand what it is saying. They are reading it technically, and are not letting the Spirit speak to them and teach them what it is saying.
John 12:30 "Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes."
You see, Jesus already knew that His Father would be glorified in this, and that many who would not believe Jesus was the Christ (Messiah), before the crucifixion would follow Him after He rises from the grave (as His half-brother James does).
Jesus tells the people, this voice is to encourage you, not me.
John 12:31 "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out."
A reference to Satan (see 14:30). Although the cross might have appeared to signal Satan's victory over God, in reality, it marked Satan's defeat.
You see the judgment of the world and its system under Satan will be defeated on the cross. Satan is all for killing Jesus, because he does not realize that what he feels will be victory over Jesus, will actually be his greatest defeat.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no life. Jesus must shed His blood for all who believe in His name to go free. Jesus was to pay the price for all of us. Our indebtedness will be marked paid in full.
John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
This refers to His crucifixion.
John 12:33 "This he said, signifying what death he should die."
I see, in this lifting up of Jesus, two things. He was lifted up from the earth on the cross. As terrible as the punishment of crucifixion was, it is where Jesus won victory over Satan. The blood of Jesus was not spilled; it was freely given. Everyone who comes to God must come by the way of the cross.
Had there not been a cross, there would not be salvation. The way of the cross leads to everlasting life. The curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn from the top to the bottom while Jesus was on the cross. This opened the way for all believers to the most holy place.
Jesus is the door we must go through, but we are allowed in because He opened the way. We can also, see in this that just as the tomb did not hold Jesus, neither will the grave hold us. We will rise from the grave just as Jesus rose, if we have put our trust in Him.
John 12:34 "The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?"
The term "Law" was used broadly enough to include not only the five books of Moses but also the whole of the Old Testament (see Romans 10:4). Perhaps they had in mind (Isaiah 9:7), which promised that Messiah's kingdom would last forever, or (Ezekiel 37:25), where God promised that the final David would be Israel's prince forever (see also Psalms 89:35-37).
Here, we see people who think of all of life being in this frail body. They expect Messiah to live on the earth forever. Life does not consist of the things of this earth. Our life on earth is but a vapor, because this body we are housed in now is not eternal.
The Spirit within the body is eternal. He will never die, just change place of habitation. Jesus the Christ is eternal. Messiah is eternal. These people were not thinking of heaven. They were thinking of Jerusalem. They had missed the meaning behind the Scripture.
John 12:35 "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth."
There is a large group of people who have joined the disciples by this time. Jesus tells them, one more time, that He is the Light of the world. He is telling them to believe in Him, while He is here. After He leaves, it will be harder to believe.
When Jesus is gone, it will be much harder to come to Him, because the enemy will try to stop you from believing. Even in our day, false doctrines are flying around everywhere. Few really know the Truth.
John 12:36 "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them."
A final invitation from Jesus was recorded by John to focus on his theme of believing in the Messiah and Son of God (see 20:30-31).
Jesus here, is making one more appeal to them. They need to receive the true Light of Christ. There is a day of salvation. Jesus is telling them to believe Him now, while they can. Shortly after Jesus' return to heaven, it will become very hard to be a follower of Christ.
Many like Peter, will give their life for their belief. Light is from God, darkness is of the devil. Just like in the dark ages, few came to Christ.
John Chapter 12
Continued Questions
1. Who, besides the Jews, came to worship at the Feast?
2. Who did they come to, so they might see Jesus?
3. The disciple that they had spoken to came to what other disciple?
4. What did these Greeks say that all true believers say?
5. Why did Philip go to Andrew before he went to Jesus?
6. What hour did Jesus say had come?
7. What must a cornel of wheat do to bring forth fruit?
8. We are told, if we love life we shall ___________ ____________.
9. What must we hate to inherit eternal life?
10. Jesus said, if any man serve me ______ _____ __________ ____.
11. Who will the Father honor?
12. Why does Jesus not ask the Father to stop this horrible death of His body?
13. When did the voice of God come from heaven?
14. What did most of the people think the sound was?
15. Some others said it was what?
16. For what purpose had God spoken?
17. Who will be cast out?
18. What would Jesus do, if He be lifted up?
19. What did this signify?
20. What had these people heard out of the law about Christ?
21. Who is this _____ of ______ they ask?
22. What did Jesus call Himself in verse 35?
23. Those who walk in darkness, do not know what?
24. What did Jesus tell them to believe in verse 36?
25. Where did Jesus go when He left them?
In these verses, John gave the scriptural explanation for such large scale catastrophic unbelief on the part of the Jewish nation.
The explanation was that the unbelief was not only foreseen in Scripture but necessitated by it. In (verse 38), John quotes (Isaiah 53:1), and in (verse 40), he quotes (Isaiah 6:10; see Romans 10:16). Both of which stress the sovereign plan of God in His judicial hardening of Israel.
Although God predestined such judgment, it was not apart from human responsibility and culpability (see 8:24).
John 12:37 "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:"
Jesus had been very distinct in the last lesson, telling them that they must receive the Light while He was with them. I cannot understand them not believing, when all these miracles were done in front of them.
The fear of the authorities can do some strange things sometime. They were possibly blinded of the Truth, because of their fear of being thrown out of the temple.
John 12:38 "That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
In Isaiah 53:3, we read a prophecy of this very thing:
Isaiah 53:3 "He is despised and rejected of men; man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
You see, the prophecy Isaiah gave was of this very thing. They were looking with their physical eyes with astonishment at what they saw, but did not look at who they saw doing these miracles.
They also, heard the beautiful sermons He preached, but the message did not soak down into their hearts. They listened with their ears and not their hearts. The Lord showed them that He was the arm of God, but they did not believe.
John 12:39-40 "Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again," "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."
Isaiah's prophecy was from God and was therefore the truth. God does not want them to believe in their flesh, because of facts presented to them. God wants their hearts. God wants all of us, or He will not take any of us.
The Scriptures (verses 39 and 40), would be a good argument in favor of predestination, but I really believe this was the foreknowledge of God. He gave them the opportunity to believe, but He already knew that they would not believe.
God knows everything, even unto the end of the age.
John 12:41 "These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him."
This was a reference to (Isaiah 6:1). John unambiguously ties Jesus to God or Yahweh of the Old Testament. Therefore, since (verse 41) refers to Jesus, it makes Him the author of the judicial hardening of Israel. That fits His role as Judge.
Isaiah 6:1 we read "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple."
You see, Isaiah was speaking of a vision of heaven the Lord had allowed him to have.
The indictment of (verses 37-41), is followed by the exceptions of (verses 42-43). While the people seemed to trust Jesus with much more candor and fervency, the leaders of Israel who believed in Him demonstrated the inadequate, irresolute, even spurious faith.
The faith of the latter was so weak that they refused to take any position that would threaten their position in the synagogue. This is one of the saddest statements about spiritual leadership, for they preferred the praises of men above the praises of God in their refusal to publicly acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and Son of God.
John 12:42 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:"
This kind of belief is unacceptable to the Lord. In (Romans 10:9), it is very evident that we must confess with our mouth, as well as believe in our heart.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
God does not want secret followers. He wants us to believe on Him and confess to others, so they might believe.
John 12:43 "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
This is like it is today. Some people are so afraid that they will lose their worldly friends, if they come to God, that they don't answer His call. As we said earlier, God will not accept those who are ashamed of Him. If we are ashamed of Jesus here, He will be ashamed of us in heaven.
John 12:44 "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me."
We see here, that Jesus is speaking to the large group, because the word cried is used seemingly, meaning He spoke loudly. Since many of these people believed in the Father, Jesus is telling them "If you really believed Him, you would have believed me"; because the message Jesus brought was from the Father.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
God the Father sent the Son to save whosoever will.
John 12:45 "And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me."
Have you ever heard someone say, you are the very image of your father? That is what Jesus is and was, the image of His Father.
John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
When we receive Jesus into our life, His Light comes in and does away with the darkness in our innermost being. If we are possessed of the Light of Jesus, we cannot be possessed of the darkness of the devil. A Christian therefore cannot be demon possessed. We can be oppressed, which is an attack on our flesh.
To be possessed would mean that we do not belong to Jesus the Light of the world. See above again, what Jesus said in His own words "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
John 12:47 "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."
When Jesus came to the world as the Son of God and took on the name Jesus, He was here as Savior. He came to save the world, not to judge. There will be a time when He will be the Judge, but that will be in heaven when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
His mission, as Jesus, was to save everyone who believed in His name.
John 12:48 "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
Jesus' name in heaven is the Word of God. In (1 John 5:7) we read:
1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
You see, Jesus is the Word as we read in John:
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
John 12:49 "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak."
Jesus was the voice of the eternal One. The speech of Jesus was words from Himself and the Father who sent Him. These words are commandments from God.
John 12:50 "And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
When a person rejects Jesus, they are also rejecting the Father. The Spirit of God is in accord. When you hear the Words of Jesus, they are the same as the Father's. They never bring death, but life everlasting, if they are heeded.
Jesus brought the message of hope for Himself and His Father as well. What the law could not do, (bring everlasting life), grace in Jesus did.
John Chapter 12 Second Continued Questions
1. In verse 37, why was it almost unbelievable that they did not believe?
2. Who had prophesied in the Old Testament that they would not believe?
3. Who is the arm of the Lord?
4. Why did they reject Jesus?
5. What two things had God done, so that they would not believe with their mind?
6. Where in Isaiah, do we read of him seeing the Lord on a throne?
7. When some of the chief rulers believed, why did they not confess Him?
8. Where in Romans, do we read that we must believe and confess to have Jesus?
9. Compare this to our day?
10. Who did Jesus say they were believing on, besides Himself, when they believed on Him?
11. In verse 44, what one word tells us Jesus was speaking to a large group?
12. In verse 45, Jesus said, if you had seen Him, you had seen whom?
13. In verse 46, Jesus says, He had come a light that those who believe are not in ________________________.
14. When Jesus came to the earth as Son, He did not come to _________?
15. Why had Jesus come to the earth?
16. When will Jesus be our Judge?
17. What is Jesus' name in heaven?
18. What does chapter one of John verse 1 call Jesus?
19. In chapter one of John verse 14, what form did the Word take on?
20. In verse 49, who had told Jesus what to say?
21. In verse 50, God's commandment is what?
From (here to 17:16), these remaining chapters before His crucifixion, the record looks at Jesus' devoting Himself to His own disciples.
While chapters 1-12 center on the rejection of Jesus by the nation (1:11); chapters' (13-17), center on those who did receive Him (see 1:12).
Beginning in chapter 13, Jesus moved completely away from public ministry to private ministry with those who had received Him. Chapters (13-17), were spoken by Jesus as a farewell on the night of His betrayal and arrest to communicate His coming legacy to His followers (chapters 13-16); and pray for them (chapter 17).
The cross was only one day away.
John 13:1 "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."
Jesus never stops loving those who believe and follow Him. His last hours before they capture Him and crucify Him, He wants to be spent with those He loves so dear. Jesus wants to comfort them, and teach them as much as He can before His departure.
"To the end", meaning "to perfection" with perfect love. God loves the world (3:16), and sinners with compassion and common grace, but loves His own with perfect, saving, eternal love.
John 13:2 "And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;"
"Supper": Passover on Thursday night after sunset. "The devil ... heart of Judas". This does not exonerate Judas, because his wicked heart desired exactly what the devil desired, the death of Jesus. The devil and Judas were in accord.
Judas was not a true follower of Jesus from the beginning. He wanted to go with them so he could carry the purse. We read in a previous lesson, that he was a thief.
John 6:70 "Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil."
You see, Judas was a devil from the beginning. Judas did whatever the devil wanted him to do, because he was demon possessed.
John 13:3 "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;"
Jesus faced the betrayal, agony, and death because He knew He would be exalted to the Father afterward, where He would receive the glory and fellowship He had eternally enjoyed within the Trinity (see 17:4-5). This was the "joy set before Him" that enabled Him to "endure the cross" (Hebrew 12:2).
Verses 4-5: The dusty and dirty conditions of the region necessitated the need for foot washing. Although the disciples most likely would have been happy to wash Jesus' feet, they could not conceive of washing one another's feet. This was because in the society of the time, foot washing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants.
Peers did not wash one another's feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. Luke points this out (in 22:24), that they were arguing about who was the greatest of them, so that none was willing to stoop to wash feet. When Jesus moved to wash their feet, they were shocked. His actions serve also as symbolic of spiritual cleansing (verses 6-9), and a model of Christian humility (verses 12-17).
Through this action Jesus taught the lesson of selfless service that was supremely exemplified by His death on the cross.
John 13:4 "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself."
The knowing (in verse 3), does not mean that Jesus acquired this knowledge. Jesus knew from the beginning. Jesus knew who He was, and had sacrificed His presence with the Father to come on a mission to the earth to save the world. This was a voluntary act on His part. This was planned from the foundation of the earth.
Since we are Jesus' creation, then it is right that He would be the one to redeem us. We have discussed, over and over, how Jesus is Creator God. Read the first chapter of John again, if you have any doubts along this line.
Jesus now humbles Himself to the place of a servant. He removes His outer garments and is clothed in a towel. Jesus is about to teach one of the most vivid lessons on humbleness.
John 13:5 "After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded."
In this part of the country, people wore sandals across the sand. Their feet would have been dirty and probably calloused. This was an act of total humility on His part.
In verses 6 to 10 we see these proceedings embarrassed all of the disciples. While others remained silent, Peter, perhaps on behalf of others (see Matthew 16:13-23), spoke up in indignation that Jesus would stoop so low as to wash his feet.
He failed to see beyond the humble service itself to the symbolism of spiritual cleansing involved (verse 7; 1 John 1:7-9). Jesus' response made the real point of His actions clear: Unless the Lamb of God cleanses a person's sin, (i.e. as portrayer in the symbolism of foot washing), one can have no part with Him.
John 13:6 "Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?"
Peter knows that Jesus is his Lord, and he is astonished that Jesus would wash his feet. He feels that he should be washing Jesus' feet.
John 13:7 "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."
We see here, that until Peter has been baptized with the blessed Holy Spirit of God and receives the mind of Christ, he will not understand why Jesus did this.
Many things the Lord Jesus wants us to do, we do not fully understand at the time we are doing them. We must just do as He says, without question. At a later time, looking back we will understand the why of it. This is what Jesus says here to Peter.
John 13:8 "Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."
Peter feels that he is not worthy for his Lord to wash his feet. Jesus stops this humble confession of Peter when Jesus tells Peter, if He doesn't wash him; he is not part of Jesus. Jesus has to wash each of us in His blood before we are a part of Him.
John 13:9 "Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
When Peter sees the necessity, he wants everything Jesus has for him. In so doing Peter says, cleanse my mind that it will be stayed on you Lord. Cleanse my hands that they will be doing what you would have them do. Cleanse my feet that they will walk in the path you have chosen for me.
John 13:10 "Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all."
Jesus is telling Peter here, that the Word has made him whole. Just the washing of the body will not make you whole. You must have a brand new heart. When He tells Peter that he is clean, He also says Judas is not clean.
Perhaps, Jesus is allowing Judas one more moment to repent. I am sure it touched his heart.
The cleansing that Christ does at salvation never needs to be repeated, atonement is complete at that point. But all who have been cleansed by God's gracious justification need constant washing in the experiential sense as they battle sin in the flesh.
Believers are justified and granted imputed righteousness (Philippians 3:8-9), but still need sanctification and personal righteousness (Phil. 3:12-14).
John 13:11 "For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean."
In (John 6:40), we had read that Jesus said one of the twelve was a devil. Jesus knew from the beginning which one he was. He speaks this directly of Judas Iscariot who would soon lead the mob to capture Jesus (18:3).
John 13:12 "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you"?
Jesus has done this to teach them a great truth on being humble and serving others, even if you do have an elevated position among your fellows. He is asking them; did you understand what I did?
John 13:13 "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am."
In this, Jesus tells them that they are correct in believing that He is their Master and Lord. He is Immanuel, God with us.
John 13:14 "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."
What He is really saying, is to be humble and serve each other. Don't want to rule over the others. Accept whatever position God has called you in. You are not to act arrogantly to each other. Be humble and help each other, not just in washing of feet, but in every way.
John 13:15 "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."
In everything Christians should strive to be like Jesus. Follow in His footsteps, be a reflection of Him.
John 13:16 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."
He is really telling His followers that they will not be God. They are the ones sent and they must not get swelled up with pride, and think too highly of themselves. The only reason they have the job they do, is because He sent them.
John 13:17 "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
Jesus says, to be happy, you must not be striving to be better than someone else. Be content with whatever God has called you to be, and you will be happy.
Joy is always tied to obedience to God's revealed Word.
John 13:18 "I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."
This is a reference to the twelve disciples whom the Lord had selected (see 15:16), whom the Lord knew perfectly, including Judas, who was chosen that the prophecy of (Psalm 41:9), would be fulfilled.
Jesus is saying here, that Judas was chosen as one of the disciples, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. He is saying, one of you twelve is a traitor and will try to destroy me.
John 13:19 "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he."
Jesus says, that He is telling them ahead of time, so it will not come to them as such a shock and also, that they will know that Jesus knows all things and is truly Messiah.
John 13:20 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
We can see from this, that all who are the called to minister of God are not to worry when people do not accept them. They are not rejecting the minister with the message, but they are rejecting Jesus. He also, said that those who have rejected Him, have also rejected the Father. This should really encourage those of you who are under persecution.
John Chapter 13 Questions
1. How long did Jesus love His own?
2. In whose heart did the devil put the wish to betray Jesus?
3. Whose son was this man (the betrayer)?
4. What did Jesus know had been put in His hands?
5. When Jesus took His outer garments off, what did He wear?
6. When Jesus poured water into the basin, what did He do?
7. What did He wipe them with?
8. What question did Simon Peter ask Jesus when He came to him?
9. Why did Peter not want Jesus to do this to him?
10. Jesus said, if I wash you not, you have ___________________.
11. Then Peter said for Jesus to wash what three parts of his body?
12. Jesus said, He that is washed is ________________________.
13. Who did Jesus mean when He said, not all?
14. Who did Jesus say He was in verse 13?
15. What lesson did Jesus teach them in this?
16. What had Jesus given them, so that they would know what to do?
17. The servant is not greater than his ______________________.
18. To be happy, what must you do?
19. Why was one of the twelve a traitor?
20. Why did Jesus tell them ahead that one was a traitor?
21. He that receiveth whomsoever I sent receiveth ___________________.
John 13:21 "When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me."
This had to come as quite a shock to Jesus' disciples. They knew that Jesus told the truth. Jesus was not troubled for Himself, but for Judas Iscariot.
The term used here "troubled" here is strong and signifies horror, anxiety, and agitation. Jesus' contemplation of taking on the wrath of God for the sins of the world caused revulsion in the sinless Savior (2 Cor. 5:21).
John 13:22 "Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake."
These disciples all knew each other well. They had worked with Jesus together for over three years. Each was questioning within himself which one it might be. Each was all hoping it was not him.
John 13:23 "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."
This is the first reference to John the apostle, the author of the gospel. He specifically mentioned himself at the cross, at the empty tomb, by the Sea of Tiberias, and in the next to last verse where he is referenced as the author of the gospel (21:24).
One of his disciples: The disciple whom Jesus loved was John. Peter beckoned to him to ask Jesus to identify the betrayer. Peter was carrying a sword. Perhaps he intended to use it on the culprit on this occasion.
This is John speaking of himself. John loved Jesus so very much that he wanted to be as near to Jesus as he could.
John 13:24-25 "Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake." "He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?"
Peter leans over to the disciple next to Jesus (John 21:20), and asks him who it is that Jesus is talking about.
John 13:26 "Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon."
A host would often distinguish an honored guest by giving him a choice morsel dipped in the sauce and placing it on his tongue. Because Jesus passed it so easily to Judas, it has been suggested that he was seated near the Lord in a place of honor. Jesus was demonstrating a final gesture of His love for Judas even though he would betray Him.
Contrast this with Judas's kiss in the garden. Evidently only John heard the explanation of this act (see verse 28).
Jesus handed the sop to Judas. He said by handing him the sop that it was Judas who would betray Him.
John 13:27 "And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."
Some people look at this and think that Judas had no choice, but that is not so. Judas was a thief, and earlier Jesus said Judas was a devil. Judas did not have to allow Satan to enter him. He had a free will that he could have activated.
Judas was personally possessed by Satan himself in his betrayal of Jesus.
John 13:28 "Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him."
John and Peter might have not been included in the men at the table. These two were hanging onto Jesus and probably heard what Jesus said. They possibly didn't know why He said it, until later. The others around the table for sure did not know.
John 13:29 "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor."
They were probably very noisy around the table talking to each other. There were thirteen people at the table. Those around the table did not hear just exactly what Jesus said, they just knew that He said something to Judas.
John 13:30 "He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night."
"It was night". Although this was a historical reminiscence of John, the phrase may also be imbued with profound theological implications. It was the hour for Judas to be handed over completely to the power of darkness, Satan (Luke 22:53).
Given the light versus darkness imagery in John's writing, this observation should not go unnoticed. The Lord Jesus is about to engage the forces of darkness. This is the "hour" He has long awaited.
Remember this whole betrayal, trial, and scourging took place in the middle of the night.
John 13:31 "Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him."
Jesus is speaking prophetically here, that He will be glorified when Judas betrays Him, and the Father will be glorified as well.
Glorified refers to Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
Verses 31-33: Glorified: With Judas gone, the final events were set in motion. Rather than looking at the agony of the cross, Jesus looked past the cross; anticipating the glory that He would have with the Father when it was over (see 17:4-5; Hebrews 12:2).
John 13:32 "If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him."
The Father and the Son are glorified together. We would not see the glory of the cross, but had there been no cross, we would not be saved. Jesus lived in glorification in heaven, He left His home in glory, He won the victory on the cross, and returned to glory.
In so doing, He made a way for us to be with Him in His glory. You see, not only will He be God the Word which is glory enough, but He will be King of kings and Lord of lords.
To be glorified is to be elevated to the highest. Not only is this glory for Jesus, but for the Father, as well. Their plan for the people of the world has been completed.
John 13:33 "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you."
This statement was recorded (in 8:21).
These little children here, are Jesus' followers. He reminds His followers that He is soon to depart this earth and go back to heaven where He came from.
Jesus has such great love for His followers and His heart is heavy, because He knows they cannot immediately follow Him to heaven. He also knows the terrible loss they will feel when He is no longer with them.
Verses 34-35: Having announced His departure and having insisted that His disciples could not come with Him, Jesus began to lay out what He expected of them after His leaving. Love is to serve as the distinguishing characteristic of discipleship (verse 35).
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
The commandment to love was not new. (Deuteronomy 6:5), commanded love for God and (Lev. 19:18), commanded loving one's neighbor as oneself. However Jesus' command regarding love presented a distinctly new standard for two reasons:
1. It was sacrificial love modeled after His love ("As I loved you"; 15:13)
2. It is produced through the New Covenant by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
This is spoken to Jesus' eleven. He knew that some of them had been a little jealous of each other, and that they were not all from similar backgrounds, so they might have problems working together.
To stop all of this Jesus says, I give you a new commandment. This is not a suggestion. It is a commandment. He did not stop with just "love one another", either. He added "as I have loved you". This means to have unselfish love.
Jesus' love for us was not because of something we did, but in spite of what we did. He is really saying love them even when they are unlovely. This is speaking of the agape love.
John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Jesus is saying here, that this great unselfish love for each other would set them aside from the rest of the world, because the people who are worldly do not know how to love like this.
Jesus (their leader), loved like this, and left a pattern of this kind of love for them (and us), to follow. The greatest love anyone could have would be to give his life for his fellowman, and that is just what Jesus did.
John 13:36 "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards."
His work was nearly finished, theirs was just beginning. Particularly, Peter had a work to do. Only Jesus, as the sinless sacrifice for the trespassed of the world, could go to the cross and die (1 Peter 2:22-24).
Also, only He could be glorified in the presence of the Father with the glory that He possessed before His incarnation (see 12:41; 17:1-5).
Peter does not understand what Jesus is saying here. He wants to have the security of the Lord Jesus with him, even if he must go to the death with Him. Peter is ready to fight for the Lord. He carries a sword, you remember, with which he cuts off the ear of the soldier.
I think Peter's problem came when Jesus didn't fight back, but submitted willingly to the death on the cross. I believe Peter would have fought unto the death for Jesus had that been what Jesus wanted. Peter just did not understand why Jesus wouldn't fight back.
John 13:37-38 "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." "Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou has denied me thrice."
Peter's profession reveals his pride. Jesus predicts just the opposite response from Peter that Peter claims would occur. This is the second of three times when John contrasts Peter with Judas (see also chapters 6 and 18).
You see by this, Peter's willingness to fight. My view of Peter is of a very strong man physically. He was a fisherman.
Peter was possibly one of the strongest apostles. He had said earlier that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus told him flesh and blood had not revealed that to him, but God. Spiritually and physically, Peter was one of the strongest.
This prediction Jesus made about Peter would haunt him. It would leave an indelible print in Peter's heart. The others will be strengthened in their faith as well, because Jesus told Peter this before it happened.
John Chapter 13 Continued Questions
1. In verse 21, what terrible news did Jesus have for the disciples?
2. How was Jesus' Spirit described as He had to bring this news?
3. What effect did this news have on the disciples?
4. In verse 23, who was leaning on Jesus' bosom?
5. Who leaned over on Jesus breast and asked who it was that would betray Him?
6. In verse 26, what sign would Jesus give to show who the traitor was?
7. When did Satan enter him?
8. What did Jesus tell Judas to do?
9. Why, probably, did the other disciples at the table not know what Jesus said to Judas?
10. Why did some of them think that Jesus had sent Judas to buy provisions?
11. What time of day did all this happen?
12. Who is glorified in all of this?
13. What endearing name did Jesus call His followers?
14. What message did Jesus bring when He called them by this endearing name?
15. What was the new commandment Jesus gave them?
16. What kind of love is Jesus speaking of?
17. How will all men know that they are Jesus' disciples?
18. Who said, Lord, whither goest thou?
19. What was Jesus' answer to him?
20. What does the author believe was Peter's problem?
21. In verse 38, what question did Jesus ask Peter?
22. How many times would Peter deny Jesus?
This whole chapter centers in the promise that Christ is the One who gives the believer comfort, not only in His future return but also in the present with the ministry of the Holy Spirit (verse 26).
The scene continues to be the upper room where the disciples had gathered with Jesus before He was arrested. Judas had been dismissed (13:30), and Jesus had begun His valedictory address to the remaining 11.
The world of the disciples was about to be shattered, they would be bewildered, confused and ridden with anxiety because of the events that would soon transpire. Anticipating their devastation, Jesus spoke to comfort their hearts.
John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."
Chapter 14 of John and chapter 1 of John are my two favorite chapters in the entire Bible. Chapter 1 lets us know beyond a shadow of a doubt who we are following. Chapter 14 brings hope of everlasting life and promises of a better life here while we are preparing for our home in the sky.
Instead of the disciples lending support to Jesus in the hours before His cross, He had to support them spiritually as well as emotionally. This reveals His heart of serving love. "Troubled", Faith in Him can stop the heart from being agitated.
"Let not your heart be troubled" refers to Peter, Jesus having just told him of his imminent denial of his Lord (13:38). But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church. His comfort also includes instruction about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.
(Verse 1 above), is the most used Scripture in the Bible as text for a funeral. When Jesus spoke this to the disciples, they had great sorrow in their hearts, because they had just been told that Jesus would soon leave them. Notice the very first word says "let". That word means that these disciples and we as well, have power to let.
When Jesus tells them "let not", He is telling these disciples, you have it in your power to not be troubled, now don't do it. Jesus specifically mentions the heart. What we are, issues from our heart. It appears from the very first verse, that we have the power to not be troubled in our heart.
Faith is the opposite of fear. If we trust God, we know that everything that happens to us is for our good, if we are a Christian. Jesus knows these men believe in God. His only concern at the moment, is that their faith in Him being Messiah will be shaken when He is crucified.
Jesus is saying to them; remember I am God the Word, and God the Son. He is saying; don't let this apparent defeat cause you to doubt Who I Am.
John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
This is a beautiful statement here, to all believers in Christ. All the believers in Christ, both male and female, are the bride of Christ. When I read verse 2 above, it brings to mind what happens when a Jewish man and woman are betrothed. The groom goes away to build a home for his bride.
When the Father examines the home, and says it is ready, the groom comes back to the edge of the city, blows a trumpet on the side of the mountain and the bride goes out to the groom. Isn't that a beautiful example of how it will be when Jesus comes back and blows the trumpet in the sky and we go to meet Him?
He will come back when the Father says it is time. Jesus is away now preparing mansions for His bride (the Christians). He is preparing a place for us and when His Father says the time is right, He will come back for us and take us home with Him.
Heaven is a place and the eternal hope of the saved. Scripture describes it as a beautiful city where the redeemed will live for eternity. The activities in heaven include singing (Rev. 15:3); worship (Rev. 5:9); serving (Rev. 22:3); ruling (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 22:5); fellowship with others (Matt. 17:3) and eating (Rev. 2:17).
The quality of existence in heaven is a life of fellowship with God (Rev. 22:4); a life of rest (Rev. 14:13); a life of service (Rev. 22:3); a life of growth (Rev. 22:2); and a life of worship (Rev. 19:1).
The glories of heaven belong only to those who have personally trusted Christ for their salvation. Christians who work to win souls are gathering friends who will spend eternity with them in heaven.
John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
His departure would be for their advantage since He was going away to prepare a heavenly home for them and will return to take them so that they may be with Him. This is one of the passages that refer to the rapture of the saints at the end of the age when Christ returns.
The features in this description do not describe Christ coming to earth with His saints to establish His kingdom (Rev. 19:11-15), but taking believers from earth to live in heaven. Since no judgment on the unsaved is described here, this is not the event of His return in glory and power to destroy the wicked (Matt. 13:36-43 and 47-50).
Rather, this describes His coming to gather His own who are alive and raise the bodies of those who have died to take them all to heaven. This rapture event is also described in (1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). After being raptured, the church will celebrate the marriage supper (Rev. 19:7-10), be rewarded (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:9-10), and later return to earth with Christ when He comes again to set up His kingdom (Rev. 19:11-20:6).
Christians all over the world are eagerly waiting the time when we can go and be with Jesus. Jesus is preparing a place for us right now, and when God the Father says the time is right, Jesus will be coming back to get us so that where He is, there we may be also.
People like Stephen, who have been martyred for the name of Jesus, are already there. In Revelation, we read of this. They are saying "how long?"
John 14:4 "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."
This is what Jesus has taught about ever since He began. He has said "No man cometh to the Father, but by me." He has spoken a lot about heaven. Jesus has kept no secret that He came from heaven and will return to heaven.
John 14:5 "Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?"
Thomas was a skeptic. He had to be shown facts, as when he said he would not believe unless he could touch Jesus' nail scarred hands. We see here, a man who has to have facts before he will believe. No wonder people called him doubting Thomas. He either doesn't realize Jesus is speaking of heaven, or else he just has to hear it in exact words from Jesus.
Jesus is not only the way for us, but for Himself, as well. The death of His body on the cross made way for His Spirit body to enter heaven. Our way is to believe who He is, and also to believe that He did rise again. He is our resurrection and our life, as He told Martha when He raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
This is the sixth "I am" statement of Jesus in John (see 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 15:1, 5). In response to Thomas' query (in verse 4), Jesus declared that He is the way to God because He is the truth of God (1:14), and the life of God (1:4, 3:15, 11:25).
In this verse, the exclusiveness of Jesus as the only approach to the Father is emphatic. Only one way, not many ways, exist to God. I.e., Jesus Christ (10:7-9, Matt. 7:13-14, Luke 13:24 and Acts 4:12).
Jesus does not tell them about the way, nor does He show them the way. He does not even guide them along the way. He says He is the way!
Jesus leaves no doubt. We must believe in our heart, and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and that He rose from the grave.
1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep." "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Jesus has to come and get us for us to go with Him. He is our way. We know that He is Truth, and we also know there would be no eternal life without Him. Jesus has made the way open to the Father for us when He died on the cross.
The middle curtain leading to the holy of holies was torn from the top down, making the way open to all who believe in Jesus.
Matthew 27:51 "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent:"
You see again, Jesus is the Way. Our eternal life lies in His hands.
Verses 7-11 - "From henceforth ye know Him": They know God because they had come to know Christ in His ministry and soon in His death and resurrection. To know Him is to know God. This constant emphasis on Jesus as God incarnate is unmistakably clear in this gospel.
John 14:7 "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."
We have talked about this before in this series of lessons. Jesus is a reflection of the Father. He is just like the Father. Their wills are the same. God is a Spirit. Their Spirit is the same.
He is saying in this, there is no difference in what I say and believe than in what the Father says and believes. He is saying, the Father and He are so much alike that there is no noticeable difference.
John 14:8 "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us."
Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
We see here (shy, quiet) Philip, wanting to see a vision or wanting to see a sign of the Father. Perhaps, he was not there any of the times that the voice came from the Father in heaven. We know the Scriptures tell us that no one can look upon the face of Father God and live.
This is probably not what Philip is saying. He is saying; show us a vision or a manifestation of the Father. Philip was not present at the transfiguration; only Peter, James, and John of the disciples were there.
Of course, the cry of all Christians is that we might know and see God. This then is a longing within each of us. We know many of the Old Testament prophets had visions of God and the heavenlies.
John 14:9 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"
Jesus had been revealing the Father and the Father's will ever since He came to the earth. He says to Philip, have I given you such a shallow view of the Father in me, that you do not yet see the Father in me?
There are no attributes of deity that the Son does not possess. This statement is most powerful. Everything that is true of God the Father is also true of the Son. The doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament may be inscrutable, but it is also inescapable.
Jesus' mission on earth was to make followers of God have a better view of who He is, and what His will is for our lives. The pattern of Jesus' unselfish life shows us the Father in Jesus better than any mirror could show.
John 14:10 "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."
Jesus is trying to make it very clear that the Father totally approves everything He has said and done. This is part of the mystery of the three in one.
1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
John Chapter 14 Questions
1. What does the word let tell us about verse 1?
2. What does chapter 1 of John show us about Jesus?
3. What does chapter 14 bring hope of?
4. What is the most used Scripture in the Bible at funerals?
5. What state of mind were the disciples in when Jesus spoke verse 1of chapter 14?
6. Faith is the opposite of ________.
7. What we are, issues from our _________.
8. Jesus knows the disciples believe God, but what is Jesus' concern?
9. In whose house are many mansions?
10. What will Jesus be doing in heaven?
11. What is He to the Christian besides our intercessor?
12. What will all Christians be (whether male or female), to Jesus?
13. When He prepares the place and the Father says it is time, what will Jesus do?
14. What should all Christians be eagerly awaiting?
15. Who was one of the first martyred for Jesus?
16. Where is he now?
17. "And whither I go ye know, and the ________ ye know."
18. Who said to Jesus "...we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
19. Who was a skeptic?
20. What three things did Jesus tell Thomas He was?
21. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, what do we read that we call the rapture?
22. Where do we read that the curtain separating us from God the Father was torn from the top down?
23. Jesus said, if we knew Him, we should know whom, also?
24. Who asked Jesus to show him the Father?
25. What does Colossians 2:9 tell us about Jesus?
26. How does Jesus answer Philip?
27. In verse 10, what is Jesus trying to make perfectly clear?
John 14:11 "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
Jesus says here, If you cannot understand that the Father is in me, and me in Him, then let all these miracles that I have done show you that I am truly carrying out the Father's wishes, as well as my own. Jesus did so many miracles that all the books in the world could not record them, had they been written down.
He did greater and more miracles than any one had ever done before. When Jesus healed, He healed in His own name for there is no greater name under heaven. We will see in the next few verses, that the believer in Christ can do miracles also, the only difference is that we must do them in His name.
We have no power to heal. The power to heal is in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
Jesus did not mean greater works in power, but in extent. They would become witnesses to all the world through the power of the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and would bring many to salvation because of the Comforter dwelling in them. The focus is on spiritual rather than physical miracles. The book of Acts constitutes the beginning historical record of the impact that the Spirit empowered disciples had on the world.
The only way Jesus' disciples would be able to be used to do those greater works was through the power of the Holy Spirit and He could not be sent as the Comforter until Jesus returned to the Father (verse 26 and 7:39).
Verily, verily tells us that this is absolute truth that the things said here are without doubt. Many people believe that this statement is made just to the disciples and does not pertain to us. I say unto you, is being said to the disciples there, but look what it says. He tells the disciples that he (anyone), who believes on Jesus can do these things.
What things can the believer do? "...the works that I do..." (said by Jesus), includes raising the dead, casting out demons, giving sight to the blind, making the lame to walk, and many other things too numerous to mention. Look at "...greater works shall he do...", the he is all who believe, and "greater works" means greater than the one listed above.
Then we need to look at the why: "...because I go unto my Father". The power of all the forces in heaven is behind the miracles. Now we must look at the difference in us (Christians), doing these miracles and Jesus doing them.
In (verse 13), we will find that Jesus healed in His own name and we must heal in the name of Jesus, not in our own name. We do not have the power to heal; it is the name of Jesus Christ our Lord that has the power to heal. Jesus has given all Christians the power to use His name.
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
In their hour of loss at the departure of Jesus, He comforted them with the means that would provide them with the necessary resources to accomplish their task without His immediate presence which they had come to depend upon.
To ask in Jesus' "name" does not mean to tack such an expression on the end of a prayer as a mere formula. It means:
(1) The believer's prayer should be for His purposes and kingdom and not selfish reasons;
(2) The believer's prayer should be on the basis of His merits and not any personal merit or worthiness; and
(3) The believer's prayer should be in pursuit of His glory alone.
Look what our part is in all of this: to ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Now look who does it: the "I" is Jesus Christ our Lord. Who gets the glory? The Father and the Son are glorified, not the one who prays. We are just the mouth to pray and the hand God uses to touch. He does all the rest.
John 14:14 "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
In my name means "as My agent." The promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus' will (16:23-26). It is also linked here especially in the accomplishment of the "greater works." The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.
In (verses 15-31), Jesus promises believers comfort from 5 supernatural blessings that the world does not enjoy.
1. A supernatural helper (verses 15-17),
2. A supernatural life (verses 18 and 19),
3. A supernatural union (verses 20-25),
4. A supernatural teacher (verse 26),
5. A supernatural peace (verses 27-31).
The key to all of this is verse 15 which relates that these supernatural promises are for those who love Jesus Christ, whose love is evidenced by obedience.
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Love for Christ is inseparable from obedience. "My commandments" are not only Jesus' ethical commandments in context (verses 23-24), but the entire revelation from the Father (3:31-32; 12:47-49; 17:6).
So many ministers today are teaching that after you are saved and baptized, you can commit sin and not be guilty. This one verse says, if you love Jesus, you will keep His commandments. The only people who love Jesus are Christians.
Jesus in His own words says, that those who follow Him (love Him), keep His commandments. If we keep His commandments, we will not walk in sin. We will walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
The priestly and intercessory work of Christ began with the request that the Father send the Holy Spirit to indwell in the people of faith (7:39; 15:26; 16:7).
The Greek word for "another", specifically means another of the same kind, i.e., someone like Jesus Himself who will take His place and do His work. The Spirit of Christ is the Third Person of the Trinity, having the same essence of deity as Jesus and as perfectly one with Him as He is with the Father.
The Greek word "Parakletos" literally means "one called alongside to help," hence has the idea of someone who encourages and exhorts. "Abide with you", has to do with His permanent residence in believers (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19-20 and 12:13).
The Holy Spirit is called another comforter because this is also one of Christ's titles (1 John 2:1 translated "advocate").
Jesus was and is, our advocate with the Father. He petitions God for us all the time. He is our intercessor. Jesus prays to the Father on our behalf. Jesus knew that the disciples and in fact, even Christians of today would be just lost without Jesus to fight our battles for us. We feel despair many times. Some even cry out, God where are you, I need you now.
When Jesus walked the earth with His disciples, they could lean on Him. When things happened that they could not handle, they knew that Jesus was there to do it for them. They knew no fear, as long as they were in His presence. When He went back to heaven, they were troubled. Jesus told the disciples to tarry in the upper room until the Holy Ghost came upon them.
Just as Jesus sent the Holy Ghost to comfort them, He will send Him to help us also. The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is our teacher and guide. The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit), comes and dwells inside the Christian to teach guide, encourage and comfort.
John 14:17 "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
"Spirit of truth": He is the Spirit of truth in that He is the source of truth and communicates the truth to His own (verse 26; 16:12-15). Apart from Him, people cannot know God's truth (1 Cor. 2:12-16; 1 John 2:20, 27).
"Dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" indicates some distinction between the ministry of the Holy Spirit to believers before and after Pentecost. While clearly the Holy Spirit has been with all who have ever believed throughout redemptive history as the source of truth, faith and life, Jesus is saying something new is coming in His ministry.
(John 7:37-39), indicates this unique ministry would be like "rivers of living water" (Acts 19:1-7), introduces some Old Covenant believers who had not received the Holy Spirit in this unique fullness and intimacy (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 12:11-13).
When you become a Christian and make Jesus your Savior and Lord, there is a peace that comes over you, because the presence of God is with you and even in you. It is called the peace that passes all understanding.
Peter is a very good example of the change that takes place. Before Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit (whichever you choose to call it), he was weak in his spirit, and even denied Jesus three times fearing what the Jewish leaders might do to him. After Peter received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter was able to stand up for Jesus even to be crucified without denying.
This Comforter gives us the courage to minister in ways that we would never be able to minister before. The difference is, we have made Jesus our Savior before we receive the Spirit, but after we receive the Spirit, He is our Lord, as well.
We need not be frustrated, trying to make decisions about our lives. If Jesus is our Lord, He makes the decisions for us, we just say, yes Master.
Verses 18-19: In the next 2 scriptures, Jesus was referring to His resurrection, after which they would see Him (20:19-29). There is no record that any unbelievers saw Him after He rose (see Cor. 15:1-9). In another sense, this has reference to the mystery of the Trinity. Through the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus would be back with His children (16:16; Matt. 28:20; Rom. 8:9; 1 John 4:13).
John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
This is Jesus speaking. Jesus realizes they will need to be comforted. Christens are persecuted by the people of the world. Even today, Christians need to be comforted by the Spirit of God. Jesus will not leave us without comfort; He will come and comfort us.
In this veiled reference to His death, Jesus promised not to leave them alone (Romans 8:9).
John 14:19 "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."
Because of His resurrection and by the indwelling life of the Spirit of Christ, believers possess eternal life (see Rom. 6:1-11; Col. 3:1-4).
The world will crucify the only one who gives eternal life. He (Jesus), not only gives life, but is Life. They who rejected Jesus will not see Him, nor experience the comfort of the Spirit of God.
In (1 Thessalonians 4:13), the last part says "...ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." Those who have no hope of the resurrection are those who have rejected Jesus Christ as savior and Lord.
One thing that comforts the Christian and brings hope in the Scriptures above is because Jesus lives, we shall live also. The fact that He rose from the dead brings us hope that we Christians shall rise also.
Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
John 14:20 "At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."
This refers to His resurrection when He returns to them alive.
We see from this, that the Spirit of the risen Christ (the Holy Spirit), is what causes us to be resurrected as Jesus was resurrected. If we are Christians, then we have the Spirit of the risen Christ dwelling within us. We are hidden in Him.
Galatians 2:20 says "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Just a few chapters earlier in this series Jesus told Martha "I am the resurrection and the life." You see, if we have Jesus inside, we also have eternal life dwelling in us. Jesus must become more and more in us, as our flesh fades out.
John Chapter 14 Continued Questions
1. In verse 11, Jesus says "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the _______ ______ ____ ___."
2. How many miracles did Jesus do?
3. Whose name did Jesus heal in?
4. Whose name do we heal in?
5. Who is Jesus speaking to in verse 12?
6. Who does Jesus say can heal?
7. Why does Jesus say, in verse 12, we can do greater works?
8. Name some of the miracles Jesus did?
9. What power had been given to the Christians?
10. Verse 13 says, whatsoever ye ask in whose name __________.
11. Why will Jesus do it, in verse 13?
12. Jesus said "If ye love me, ____ ______ _________ ___ ______________."
13. What will our walk be like, if we love Jesus?
14. What will Jesus give the Christians to abide with them forever?
15. Name two things Jesus does for us all the time?
16. What do we cry out sometimes when we feel despair?
17. What did Jesus tell the disciples to wait in the upper room for?
18. What are two other names for the Spirit of God?
19. Why can the world not receive the Spirit of truth?
20. Where does the Christian know the Spirit?
21. Why was Peter so different after Pentecost?
22. If we make Jesus Lord, how does that help us?
23. What does verse 18 promise?
24. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, the Christians are not like the world who have no _______.
25. What do we learn about our resurrection in Romans 8:1?
26. In verse 20, who is in us, and we in Him?
27. In Galatians 2:20, we find that, if I am crucified with Jesus, I live by what in the flesh?
Once again, Jesus emphasized the need for the habitual practice of obedience to His commands as evidence of the believer's love for Him and the Father. This is consistent with the teaching of (James 2:14-26), that true saving faith is manifest by works produced by God in the transforming, regenerating power of the Spirit. Those works are expressions of the love which the Spirit pours into the believer's heart (Romans 5:5; Gal. 5:22).
John 14:21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
This word manifest means make clearly apparent to the sight or understanding. Jesus will make Himself real to those who love Him. One reason that I believe it is so important to learn God's Word (Bible), is because we must know His will, before we can do His will.
We have His commandments in the Bible. Christians do their very best to do those commandments. The Bible teaches that Christians have the commandments of God written on the fleshly part of their hearts. The heart is wholesome, if you are a Christian.
If you are a Christian, good words come from your pure heart.
John 14:22 "Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"
Judas was a fairly common name in those days. We are not told which Judas; just that he was not Iscariot. It could have been that this was the Judas that was James' brother, we don't know for sure. This Judas was possibly a disciple of Jesus, but not of the twelve.
Those who disciplined themselves and followed Jesus were disciples, but not necessarily of the twelve. This is certainly a legitimate question. We might go to another statement Jesus made to clarify this. He said: seeing, they do not see. Seeing with the eyes, they do not see. Seeing with the eyes can deceive a person.
To truly know, one must see, not only with the eyes, but with the Spirit as well. If Jesus could be found by looking with the physical eyes, all would believe. The Spirit must reveal Jesus for us to truly see and believe.
John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
The divine indwelling is conditional on love, and obedience to Jesus' words. The Word of the gospel is primarily (though not exclusively), in view here.
All throughout the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, those who keep God's commandments and have faith are blessed of God. Those who do not have faith and do not keep God's commandments are cursed. There is no in between.
Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness. He loved God, and God blessed Abraham. This is the story throughout the Bible. God dwells in tabernacles not made with hands. God is a holy God and will not dwell where there is sin and disobedience.
Revelation 21:3 "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
John 14:24 "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."
We see from this, that those who do not accept Christ, do not have the Father as well. The words Jesus spoke would have been the same words the Father would have spoken had He been there.
John 14:25 "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you."
To me, the most important Scriptures in the Bible are the ones that are printed in red. They are the Lord's spoken Words when He was on the earth. We know that the entire Bible is inspired of God, but these words in red are the very Word of God.
John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
The Holy Spirit energized the hearts and minds of the apostles in their ministry, helping them to produce the New Testament Scripture. The disciples had failed to understand many things about Jesus and what He taught; but because of this supernatural work, they came to an inerrant and accurate understanding of the Lord and His work. And recorded it in the gospels and the rest of the New Testament Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
I need to say right here, that you cannot remember something that you have never heard or read. You see, our job is to read and study the Bible, and after we have done this, the Holy Ghost will bring it to our remembrance as we need it. The Holy Ghost also, will quicken us to its meaning as well. We must read it first though.
You cannot understand something, until you have heard or read it. The job of the Holy Ghost is to teach you how to live a life pleasing to God: that life is a life of ministering to others life everlasting.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
The word peace reflects the Hebrew "Shalom," which became a greeting to His disciples after the resurrection (20:19-26). At the individual level this peace, unknown to the unsaved, secures composure in difficult trouble (verse 1); dissolves fear (Phil. 4:7); and rules in the hearts of God's people to maintain harmony (Col. 3:15).
The greatest reality of this peace will be in the messianic kingdom.
Jesus is the King of Peace. He is the source of all peace. If we have Jesus as Savior and Lord, we have nothing that should trouble us, not even threat of death. If we die to this world, we shall live to Him.
We know where our destination is. We have hope of eternal life. This world is not our home; we are just passing through. This tells us not to worry about anything. The world cannot give us security. Jesus is our security.
John 14:28 "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
The Father is greater in authority, not in being (see also 1 Cor. 15:27-28).
Jesus was not admitting inferiority to the Father (after claiming equality repeatedly), but was saying that if the disciples loved Him, they would not be reluctant to let Him go to the Father because He was returning to the realm where He belonged and to the full glory He gave up.
He was going back to share equal glory with the Father which would be greater than what He had experienced in His incarnation. He will in no way be inferior in that glory, because His humiliation was over.
The ultimate goal of everyone should be to live in heaven with God. This is what Jesus is saying here; rejoice with Him for He has reached this ultimate goal. The difference with Jesus and us is that Jesus lived in heaven with the Father, before He came on a thirty three year mission here on the earth.
Even Paul said his desire was to go home to heaven and be with the Lord, but Paul knew when he said this, his mission was not finished here on the earth. To finish the work that God has for you and to go to heaven for eternity is the ultimate goal.
Jesus is saying, rejoice with me that I will go back to heaven where I came from, and be with my Father.
John 14:29 "And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."
We see the purpose for Jesus telling them what is about to happen is, so they will not be overwhelmed by the apparent defeat. They will remember that He told them, and they will know that this is victory, not defeat.
This whole purpose was so they would still believe in the face of the problem. How soon we forget. Just a few hours after Jesus tells them this, they will scatter in fear and doubt.
John 14:30 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."
Judas was only a tool of the "prince" who rules the system of darkness, the one called Satan. The Hebrew idiom "nothing in me" means that Satan had nothing on Jesus, could make no claim on Him, nor charge Him with any sin. Therefore, Satan could not hold Him in death. Christ would triumph and destroy Satan (Hebrews 2:14).
His death was no sign that Satan won, but that God's will was being done (verse 31).
Jesus is telling them, that He has taken this time to warn them that the things about to happen will appear to be total defeat, but will actually be the greatest victory man has ever known; the victory over the devil, sin, and death.
He tells them here in the last sentence, the devil really is not in control of this, but he thinks he is "hath nothing in me". You see, Jesus is crucified on the cross to save mankind, not because the devil wanted it that way, but because God planned it that way.
Jesus is not forced to do this. He does it of His own free will to save us. It will appear that He is forced, but He is not.
John 14:31 "But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."
Notice again here, where these orders (commandments), came from: not the devil, but the Father. In fact, this plan had been instituted since the foundation of the world. This is the plan to redeem fallen mankind.
Jesus loves the Father; but at Gethsemane, it will be apparent that Jesus submits to the perfect will of the Father, even unto death of this body which has housed Him thirty-three and a half years. His will and the Father's will have been one from the beginning. It is the body which dreads the suffering, not His Spirit, as we will see in a later lesson.
John Chapter 14 Second Continued Questions
1. How can He know we love Him (Jesus)?
2. If we love Jesus, who will love us?
3. What does the word manifest mean?
4. What does the author believe is one important reason for studying the Bible?
5. Where do Christians have God's commandments written?
6. Good works come from a pure ________________________________.
7. What does the other Judas (not Iscariot) ask Jesus?
8. To truly know God, we must see with the __________ and not just with the ______.
9. In verse 23, Jesus says, if a man loves me, he will keep my __________________.
10. Who will come and make abode with those who love Jesus?
11. We know that God blesses those who keep His commandments, but what happens to those who don't keep His commandments?
12. In verse 24, whose words did Jesus say He was speaking?
13. What does the author think are the most important Scriptures in the Bible? Why?
14. What is the Holy Ghost called in verse 26?
15. Which God is the teacher?
16. In verse 27, what does Jesus leave with the Christians?
17. What suggestion did Jesus give Christians in verse 27, that He gave in verse 1?
18. Who is the King of Peace?
19. If we die in this world a Christian, we shall ____________ to ____.
20. In verse 28, Jesus said, if ye loved me, you would _____________.
21. What man of God said that his desire was to die, but would stay and finish the job God gave him to do?
22. Why had Jesus told them this, before it came to pass?
23. Who is the prince of this world?
24. In verse 31, Jesus says that the world may know that ___________.
25. How long had this plan been instituted?
Through this extended metaphor of the vine and branches, Jesus set forth the basis of Christian living. Jesus used the imagery of agricultural life at the time, i.e., vines and vine crops.
In the Old Testament, the vine is used commonly as a symbol for Israel. He specifically identified Himself as the "true vine' and the Father as the "vinedresser" or caretaker of the vine. The vine has two types of branches:
1. Branches that bear fruit (verses 2, 8) and
2. Branches that do not (verses 2, 6).
The branches that bear fruit are genuine believers. Though in immediate context the focus is upon the 11 faithful disciples, the imagery also encompasses all believers down through the ages. The branches that do not bear fruit are those who profess to believe, but their lack of fruit indicates genuine salvation has never taken place and they have no life from the vine.
Especially in the immediate context, Judas was in view, but the imagery extends from him to all those who make a profession of faith in Christ but do not actually possess salvation. The image of non-fruit bearing branches being burned pictures eschatological judgment and eternal rejection.
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
The is the last of the 7 claims to deity in the form of "I am" statements by Jesus in the gospel of John.
The vine throughout the Word of God is associated with God's people. The followers of God are spoken of as God's vineyard (in Isaiah).
Isaiah 5:1 "Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:"
We see here, that God the Father is spoken of as the true husbandman. Just as Jesus is the tree of life; He also is the true vine. The branches get their strength from the vine, not the other way around. A branch which is broken off from the vine will die.
Those, who do not receive Jesus, are also headed for an eternal death and the lake of fire.
John 15:2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
The picture is of the vinedresser (i.e. the Father), getting rid of dead wood so that the living, fruit bearing branches may be sharply distinguished. This is a picture of apostate Christians who never genuinely believed and will be taken away in judgment; the transforming life of Christ has never pulsated within them.
God removes all things in the believer's life that would hinder fruit bearing. I.e. He chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drain spiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keep them from bearing maximum fruit.
Just as a peach tree which bears no fruit is cut down and burned, that is what is done with branches on this vine that do not produce at all. Just as a peach tree must be pruned to put out beautiful fruit, these branches here are pruned to make them grow better and stronger.
The best fruit comes from the new growth after the pruning. You see, God cuts away the dead part of the branch, so that the new growth will produce more fruit.
We workers for Jesus must not get self-satisfied and stagnant. We must be growing all the time in the Lord to be productive. Remember the best results are from new growth. You will never stand still with God. You will either be going forward or backward.
We are not dealing here with the loss of salvation, but with the bearing of fruit of true believers.
John 15:3 "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."
We can read a little more about this in Ephesians.
Ephesians 5:26-27 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Jesus is the Word. The Word is what keeps us straightened out in our thinking. When we feed upon the Word of God, we become powerful men and women of God. Jesus speaks of the Word as being like a two edged sword, it is powerful.
The word "abide" means to remain or stay around. The "remaining" is evidence that salvation has already taken place (1 John 2:19), and not vice versa. The fruit or evidence of salvation is continuance in service to Him and in His teaching (8:31; Col. 1:23; 1 John 2:24). The abiding believer is the only legitimate believer. Abiding and believing actually are addressing the same issue of genuine salvation (Heb. 3:6-19).
John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
Just as the strength of this branch comes from the vine, so does the strength of the Christians come from Jesus Christ. We cannot grow, unless we stay with Jesus. The sad thing in many Christians today is they do not stay in Jesus (the Word of God).
Most expect God to be there when there is a need in their life, but they do not feed upon the Word of God. The nourishment comes from the branch. Without that daily feeding upon the Word, the branch will die. To do God's will, we must know God's will. God's will in your life is found in His Word.
Daily Bible reading and study gives Christians good solid growth and makes us a strong branch.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
This is Jesus speaking here. He is elaborating on the fact that He and His true followers are one. He is showing the need of His followers to be continually in Him. Abide means to dwell continually.
Jesus reminds us in this verse above, that the power to be fruit-bearers only exists as we draw our strength from Him. To be broken away from the body of the vine (Jesus), we would be but a broken dead branch. The power to be what God would have us to be lies within our relationship to Jesus Christ (the vine).
These disciples Jesus is speaking to, as well as we disciples of today, need to stay in contact with our source of existence and power (Jesus Christ).
John 15:6 "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
The imagery here is one of destruction. It pictures the judgment awaiting all those who were never saved.
We see her people who are supposed to be Christians, and are in fact hypocrites. This message in the last few verses has been to those who claim to be Christians. They are branches and Jesus is the vine. We see here, if a person strays from the Word of God (vine), they dry up and die.
Any storm of false doctrine, or most any trial, can cut them off from Jesus. Just as dead branches from a vine are gathered and burned, dead members of the church (those who have separated themselves from God), will go the way of the unconverted world (to hell).
These are those once enlightened who walked away from God. Read the parable of the sower (in Matthew 13:1-23), to better understand about those who were enlightened and then walked away. These are those who were never saved even though they were enlightened.
In verses 7-10: True believers obey the Lord's commands, submitting to His Word (14:21-23). Because of their commitment to God's Word, they are devoted to His will, thus their prayers are fruitful (14:13-14). Which puts God's glory on display as He answers.
John 15:7 "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
As the "agent" of Jesus, the promise of answered prayer is based on the disciple acting as the agent of Jesus' will (16:23-26). It is also linked (in 14:13-14), especially in the accomplishment of the "greater works." The promise is for unlimited resources to do the works of God.
Jesus is saying here that those, who abide (dwell continually), in Him and store the Word of God in themselves, are pleasing God. These are Jesus' followers who have completely lined up their will with His will. Their prayers will be in the will of God, because they are stayed upon His Word. They are full of His will, as well as His Word.
Their wishes are answered positively, because they line up with the will of God "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
In (Psalms 37), we read more about this
Psalms 37:4-5 "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
When I see the "word" plus and "trust", I think of it as abiding in Him. Trust goes farther than faith. Trust to me, means we rest contentedly knowing all is well between us and God.
John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
Those who are strengthened by their relationship with Jesus Christ should have no problem being fruit bearers for the kingdom. Jesus is not only our source of strength, but our example as well. We (if we are Christians), should be an extension of His work. We are the working arm of our leader, Jesus Christ.
Jesus works through us to bring more into the kingdom. The Father is pleased in us when we carry out the wishes of His Son. The amount of fruit we bear depends entirely on our dependence on the vine for our strength. A disciple is a disciplined one who follows his master.
If we discipline ourselves and follow Him doing His will and not our own, we shall be His disciples.
John 15:9 "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."
This is not emotional or mystical, but defined in verse 10 as obedience. Jesus set the model by His perfect obedience to the Father, which we are to use as the pattern for our obedience to Him.
No greater love could man have, than to lay down his life for his friends. Jesus did that for us. He died, that we might live. More than once the Father said "This is my beloved Son".
When we make it to heaven and stand before Jesus, He will say to the Father and the angels of heaven, these are my beloved. What a wonderful thought, He will not be ashamed of us, but will claim us for His very own.
John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
We read that obedience is better than sacrifice. Jesus was obedient unto the death of the cross. Jesus fulfilled the law. We must obey His law of love. Love God first and with all that is within you, and love your neighbor as yourself.
1 Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams."
If we do these few things, Jesus will be with us all the way. We can rest in His love with no fear of tomorrow. Our tomorrow will be in Him.
John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
Just as Jesus maintained that His obedience to the Father was the basis of His joy, so also the believers who are obedient to His commandments will experience the same joy.
We Christians are not like the people of the world who have no hope of tomorrow. Jesus spoke these things to His disciples, that their sorrow over His death might be turned into joy. There should be no fear of death for a Christian.
Our hope and trust lies in Jesus who rose from the grave. We should have joy forevermore, knowing that because He arose, we shall also rise to have everlasting peace and joy.
John Chapter 15 Questions
1. Who is the true vine in verse 1?
2. Who is the husbandman?
3. What is the vine associated with throughout the Bible?
4. In Isaiah 5:1, who are the vineyard of God?
5. What happens to branches which produce no fruit?
6. Why are the branches purged?
7. If we are not growing in Jesus, what is happening?
8. Verse 3 says, we are clean through what?
9. In Ephesians 5:26, we read that He might sanctify it how?
10. The branch cannot bear fruit unless it abide in the ___________.
11. Jesus said He was the vine, we are the ________________________.
12. Without Jesus, we can do ____________________________.
13. What happens to withered branches?
14. What kind of prayer availeth much?
15. If we bear ________________________, we are His _______________.
16. How does Jesus love us?
17. What is the greatest show of love?
18. Jesus said, if ye keep my _____________________, ye shall abide in my love.
19. What does Jesus wish for His disciples in verse 11?
20. What is different in a Christian and a person of the world?
John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
You can quickly see from this, that it is not an option for us to love each other. This is a commandment of the Lord. The type of love Jesus is speaking of here is interesting too. This type of love is not "I love you because", but "I love you in spite of the way you act".
This is called agape love. This is unselfish love to the utmost.
Love of the brethren constitutes the test of genuine fellowship. The primary focus of the moral test is obedience to the command of love because love is the fulfillment of the law, and is also Christ's new command. True enlightenment is to love. God's light is the light of love, so to walk in light is to walk in love.
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
This is a reference to the supreme evidence and expression of Jesus' love (verse 12), His sacrificial death on the cross. Christians are called to exemplify the same kind of sacrificial giving toward one another, even if such sacrifice involves the laying down of one's own life in imitation of Christ's example (1 John 3:16).
We discussed this type of love in the previous lesson. This kind of love is really more than our carnal mind can comprehend. Not only did Jesus have this great love, but the Father's love for mankind goes so far that we cannot comprehend it at all.
(John 3:16), tells us that He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I am a parent, and I just cannot comprehend loving anyone enough to give up one of my children so that someone else could be saved.
John 15:14 "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
Here we see who Jesus' friends are. They are those who walk in Jesus' footsteps, doing the will of Jesus and not their own, are the ones who follow Jesus' commandments. If we are rebellious and turn against God, we are not Jesus' friend.
Just as Abraham was called the "friend of God" (2 Chron. 20:7; James 2:23), because he enjoyed extraordinary access to the mind of God through God's revelation to him which he believed. So also those who follow Christ are privileged with the extraordinary revelation through the Messiah and Son of God and believing, become "friends", of God also. It was for His "friends" that the Lord laid down His life (verse 13; 10:11:15 and 17).
John 15:15 "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
We see from this, that Jesus did not think of them or us as just a common servant, who takes orders never knowing the why of the situation. He explains to them and to us, that we are more than servants. He is our friend.
If we have decided to follow Jesus, we are actually younger adopted brothers and sisters to Him. We have been grafted into the tree of life. Jesus has kept no secrets from us. He has revealed the Father to us.
John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
In case any pretense might exist among the disciples in terms of spiritual pride because of the privileges they enjoyed. Jesus made it clear that such privilege rested not in their own merit, but on His sovereign choice of them.
God chose Israel (Isaiah 45:4; Amos 3:2), but not for any merit (Deut. 7:7; 9:4-6). God elected angels to be forever holy (1 Tim. 5:21). He elected believers to salvation apart from any merit (Matt. 24:24, 31).
One purpose of God's sovereign election is that the disciples who have been blessed with such revelation and understanding should produce spiritual fruit.
The New Testament describes fruit as godly attitudes (Gal. 5:22-23); righteous behavior (Philippians 1:11); praise (Heb. 13:15); and especially leading others to faith in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (Romans 1:13-16).
As we have said before, many Scriptures have several meanings. This one is spoken by Jesus to His chosen followers who will continue the work that He started, before He left to go and sit at the right hand of the Father. We have seen in these last few verses that the Spirit of God never leaves.
These, whom the Lord has chosen to continue His work, will be in constant contact with Him through prayer. If they remain in the work they have been called to do, operating in the fruits of the Spirit which God has given to make them effective, then they will bring many into the kingdom of God. They will bring many fruits (followers), to the Father in the name of Jesus.
They can pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and have positive answers to their prayers. These, whom the Lord has chosen as extensions of Himself, can be the ministers in our society now, or the apostles then. These are those the Lord set aside to work out of all the believers.
"I have chosen you": By Christ's appointment, not by their choice, they were taken out of the world (verse 19), and sent out to bear fruit.
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that ye love one another."
You see again, it is not our option to love each other or not. We are commanded by Jesus to love each other. We must love everyone, even the unlovable. We do not have to like what they are doing, but we must love them. Love the sinner and hate the sin.
John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Jesus is warning all the ministers who follow in His work that they will have great opposition. The world hated Jesus then, because it brought guilt to them. It is no different now. Worldly people are intimidated by those who live and work for God.
If our leader was ridiculed and hated, we are no better than He. What they were afraid of and fought against in Him, they will fight against in those who stand for the same things.
Since Satan is the one who dominates the evil world system in rebellion against God (14:30), the result is that the world hates not only Jesus, but those who follow Him (2 Timothy 3:12). Hatred toward Jesus means also hatred toward the father who sent Him (verse 23).
John 15:19 "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
In this Jesus is saying: if you are my followers, you are in the world, but you are not of the world. Christians are to be separated people. We are separated to the call of Jesus in our lives.
We, like Abraham, are looking for a city whose maker is God. We have a job to do in this world, but this world is not our home. We are just passing through. Our home is in heaven. If we were fleshly people who sought worldly things, then the only pleasure we would ever have would be the false pleasure of the flesh here on earth.
Worldly people have no hope of a better tomorrow. They are living for the here and now. The lusts of the world control worldly people. Those who Jesus has called to follow and work for Him must crucify their flesh, so that they may live in the spirit with the blessed hope of an eternity in heaven.
John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."
"Slave ... master", that axiom, spoken also (in 13:16), reflects the obvious truth that led Jesus to inform His disciples. They could expect to be treated like He was treated because those who hated Him don't know God (verse 21), and would hate them also; and conversely, those who listened with faith to Him, would hear them also.
The disciples of Jesus, then or now, cannot expect any better treatment than our leader, Jesus, had when He walked the earth. The true believers, then and now will be persecuted. There are just two kinds of people in the world. The true believer is one and those who are not true believers is the other.
Many church people fell into the category of not being true believers then, it is the same now. The lukewarm Christians will fall into the category with the non-believers. If you do not give Jesus 100% of you, He will not have any of you at all. Those who truly believe in Jesus will keep His sayings. If they keep Jesus' sayings, they will keep the sayings of the true believers, as well, since they are one and the same.
John 15:21 "But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."
One thing for all of us who work for God to remember is they are not really coming against you personally, but what you stand for. If you stand for Jesus' teachings, they are really coming against Jesus. Those who know the truth will not speak out against you.
Verses 22-24 "they had not had sin": Jesus did not mean that if He had not come, they would have been sinless. But His coming incited the severest and most deadly sin, that of rejecting and rebelling against God and His truth. It was the decisive sin of rejection, the deliberate and fatal choice of darkness over light and death over life of which He spoke.
He had done so many miracles and spoken innumerable words to prove He was Messiah and Son of God, but they were belligerent in their love of sin and rejection of the Savior (see Hebrews 4:2-5; 6:4-6; 10:29-31).
John 15:22 "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin."
Jesus says here, that they have turned Him down having full knowledge of Him. You see, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament which they claimed to know. Jesus came to reveal His Father's true ways to them. They in full knowledge, refused. Since they knew, their sin was greater.
We see here, that they rejected the greatest gift that mankind has known: God's own Son. Their guilt is more since they pretended to know the Scriptures.
John 15:23 "He that hateth me hateth my Father also."
We see here, that it is impossible to love the Father without loving His Son. Jesus is a reflection of the Father.
John 15:24 "If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father."
Many of the miracles Jesus had done were so far above what any human had ever done, that they had to know this was their Messiah. Their jealousy, of the great and mighty deeds He did, blinded them. They could only see His flesh. They were never acquainted with His Spirit.
Even their physical eyes showed them these miracles. There should have been no doubt who He was. They did not want to believe, because they felt they would lose their position in their community.
John 15:25 "But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause."
Jesus quotes (Psalms 35:19; 69:4). The logic here is that if David, a mere man, could have been hated in such a terrible manner by the enemies of God, how much more would the wicked hate David's perfect, divine son who was the promised king that would confront sin and reign forever over His kingdom of righteousness (see 2 Sam. 7:16).
He healed the blind, made the lame to walk, opened deaf ears, cast out demons, fed the multitude, and raised the dead. For which of these, did they have the right to hate Him?
John 15:26 "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
The Comforter refers to the Advocate beside us as we bear witness to Christ (14:15-16; compare verse 27 with John 18:21; see also Luke 1:2). Again, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. This time He emphasized the Spirit's help for witnessing.
Proceedeth: The Holy Spirit, like the Son, is God from God. The Son is "generated" or "begotten", whereas the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from God. Again, while the Trinitarian relationships are a mystery to us, they are nonetheless very evident in the New Testament.
We see in all of this, the personality of the Father, as to not having been the begotten. The Holy Spirit, here, symbolizes all truth. The truth will set you free. This Holy Spirit's functions are to comfort, teach, and guide. Jesus is the Savior. The Spirit of God was present with Jesus when He walked the earth.
When Jesus goes back to heaven and becomes the Word again, the Spirit of God will still be present on the earth in the Holy Spirit. In all of this, notice the unity of the will of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
John 15:27 "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning."
What are they to bear witness of? The spoken and written Word. Jesus is saying here, you have heard my Words proceed from my mouth, and you know it lines up with the written Word, the Bible. They shall bear witness, because they have firsthand knowledge of Jesus.
John Chapter 15 Continued Questions
1. What did Jesus say was His commandment in verse 12?
2. What type of love is Jesus speaking of?
3. Greater love hath no man than what?
4. God's love is called what kind of love (one word)?
5. What is the "if" in verse 14 that makes you Jesus' friend?
6. Jesus says, He calls His followers not servants, but what?
7. What had Jesus made known to His followers?
8. "Ye have not chosen _____, but I have chosen ______."
9. Who ordained Jesus' disciples?
10. Disciples should go forth and bring much what, as in verse 16?
11. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father, in whose name, shall be given you?
12. In verse 17, Jesus commands that His followers do what?
13. Who did Jesus say the world would hate?
14. We Christians are _____ the world, but not ______ the world?
15. Where is the Christian's home?
16. The servant is not _____________ than his lord?
17. What are the two kinds of people in the world?
18. What percent does God require?
19. Why do people persecute believers?
20. Why were these people without excuse?
21. Those who hate Jesus, hate who also?
22. They hated Him without a cause that the _____________ might be fulfilled.
23. What is the Holy Spirit called in verse 26?
34. Who do all believers bear witness of?
Verses 16:1-15: Jesus continued the thoughts of 15:18-25 regarding the world's hatred of His disciples and its opposition to the testimony of the Holy Spirit regarding Him as Messiah and Son of God. In this section, He specified in greater detail how the Spirit confronts the world, i.e., not only does He testify about Jesus but He convicts men of sin.
Through conviction of sin and testimony of the gospel, the Spirit turns the hostile hearts of men away from rebellion against God into belief regarding Jesus as Savior and Lord.
This section may be divided into 4 parts.
1. The killing of the disciples by the world (verses 1-4),
2. The comforting of the disciples by the Lord (verses 5-7),
3. The conviction of men by the Holy Spirit (verses 8-12),
4. The guidance of the believer into all truth by the Holy Spirit (verses 13-15).
John 16:1 "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended."
This is what He had just said (in 15:18-25). The connotation of this word has such that it would seek to trap and destroy the disciples in an effort to prevent their witness to Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. Jesus did not want them to be caught unaware (verse 4).
Jesus is reminding us that the things He has spoken in the last chapter were so they (the disciples), would not be hurt when people give them trouble for the gospel's sake. Jesus knows that all who take a stand for Jesus will have trouble with the world and its people.
John 16:2 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
Paul before he was saved, personified this attitude as he persecuted the church thinking that he was doing service for God (Acts 22:4-5; 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13-17; Philippians 3:6; Titus 1:12-17).
After Paul's conversion, the persecutor became the persecuted because of the hatred of the world (2 Cor. 11:22-27; Stephen in Acts 7:54-8:3).
This is speaking of the followers of Jesus who will be thrown out of the church (synagogue), because they teach the grace of the Lord, rather than the old Jewish Law. These self-righteous church people who are dogmatically hanging on to the law will not accept the good news of the gospel. They will insist on Jesus' followers being killed, and they will even believe that they are doing the will of God in doing this.
Saul, who later became Paul, would be one of these self-righteous this Scripture is speaking of. He actually thought he was doing God a favor when he locked up the Christians. Christians were beheaded, fed to the lions, and beaten and stoned, as Stephen was. Jesus is warning that this will happen, so that they will know before it does happen.
John 16:3 "And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."
Jesus is speaking here of people who should know God, because they are supposed to be God's people. They really are in error, because they have not learned from the Scriptures about Jesus. They had read of Him; but when He came, they did not realize who He was.
John 16:4 "But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you."
Jesus is preparing them to face these problems when they arise. He wants them to know that these things happen, not because they are not in God's will, but because they are in the will of God.
While Jesus was with them, He could protect them, but there was coming a time when Jesus would not be with them. He says, when these happen, remember that I told you this would happen.
John 16:5 "But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?"
Earlier they had done so (13:36; 14:5), but they were then so absorbed in their own sorrow and confusion that they lost interest in where He was going. They were apparently consumed with what would happen to them.
When you are with someone, it is difficult to imagine not being with that person. You only start missing them after they are gone. They were not asking, because they did not believe that He was leaving.
Jesus was a very young man, and none of His disciples realized that His departure was so near.
John 16:6 "But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart."
These disciples were not asking wither, because they were not wanting to face up to Jesus' departure. Their hearts were very heavy. To be separated from Jesus in any way was far more painful than they wanted. One of the very worst things I would want to face, is to be separated from Jesus.
The song that says "Wherever Jesus Is, Will Be Heaven To Me", is expressing my feelings.
John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."
"The Comforter will not come": Again, the promise of the Holy Spirit being sent is given to comfort the disciples. The first emphasis was on His life giving power (7:37-39). The next featured His indwelling presence (14:16-17). The next marked His teaching ministry (14:26). His ministry of empowering for witness is marked (in 15.26).
Jesus not only tells the truth; He is the Truth. Jesus tells them that what is about to happen is the best for them. Stop and think about this: if there were no cross, there would not be salvation for any of us. The way to heaven is by way of the cross.
This Comforter (the Holy Spirit), will come and dwell inside of you and bring you peace. He will teach you all truth and will guide you, if you are a believer.
John 16:8 "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"
Verses 8-11: The work of the Holy Spirit is to reprove, to point out a fault or an error, or to expose something as it really is. The Holy Spirit reproves concerning three topics.
1. Sin (verse 9): The Holy Spirit reveals the need of redemption. Because they believe not on me: The greatest sin is unbelief (3:18), which the greatest work is belief (6:29).
2. Righteousness (verse 10): The Holy Spirit reveals the possibility of redemption. Because I go to my Father. Christ goes to the Father after a righteous life, and a death that will impute this righteousness to others.
3. Judgment (verse 1)1: The Holy Spirit reveals the reality of redemption. Because the prince of this world is judged: the power of Christ to judge Satan and to overthrow his kingdom is not future, but at the Cross and the Resurrection. "Is judged" means "has been judged" (13:31).
For "the price of this world" (see also 12:31 and 14:30).
The Holy Spirit will convict you of these things. If there is sin in your life, you will be compelled to straighten your life up and live for Jesus. It is actually this Holy Spirit that woos a person to accept Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come inside of you, and be a comfort to you, and will teach you all truth after you have accepted Jesus and have invited Him in.
Sin is the state of the unsaved person. There is an opportunity offered to all to turn from that sinful way of life to a life of righteousness in Christ. If a person remains in sin, he or she can expect the judgment of a righteous Christ.
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was approximately 40 or more days away at this point. To reprove (convict), has two meanings.
(1) The judicial act of conviction with a view toward sentencing or
(2) The act of convincing. Here the second idea is best, since the purpose of the Holy Spirit is not condemnation. But best, since the purpose of the Holy Spirit is not condemnation but conviction of the need for the Savior.
John 16:9 "Of sin, because they believe not on me;"
The singular indicates that a specific sin is in view, i.e., that of not believing in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God. This is the only sin, ultimately, that damns people to hell. Though all men are depraved, cursed by their violation of God's law and sinful by nature, what ultimately damns them to hell is their unwillingness to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior (8:24).
This is Jesus speaking since it is written in red in the Bible. The one sin that is unforgivable is to totally reject Jesus for all time. If you do not believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose from the grave on the third day, you will die in your sin.
John 16:10 "Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;"
The Holy Spirit's purpose here is to shatter the pretensions of self-righteousness (hypocrisy), exposing the darkness of the heart (3:19-21; 7:7; 15:22-24. While Jesus was on the earth, He performed this task especially toward the shallowness and emptiness of Judaism that had degenerated into legalistic modes without life giving reality. With Jesus gone to the Father, the Holy Spirit continues His convicting role.
This righteousness of Jesus Christ can be ours, if we will only believe in Jesus and accept His righteousness as ours. Our righteousness is but filthy rags, but praise God, His righteousness is unto salvation! He makes us righteous (in right standing with God), when we believe on Jesus Christ and accept His free gift of salvation, we take on His righteousness. He became sin for us that we might be His righteousness.
John 16:11 "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."
The judgment here in context is that of the world under Satan's control. Its judgments are blind, faulty, and evil as evidenced in their verdict on Christ. The world can't make righteous judgments (7:24), but the Spirit of Christ does (8:16). All Satan's adjudications are lies (8:44-47), so the Spirit convicts men of their false judgments of Christ.
Satan, the ruler of the world (14:30; Eph. 2:1-3), who as the god of this world , has perverted the world's judgment and turned people from believing in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God (2 Cor. 4:4), was defeated at the cross. While Christ's death looked like Satan's greatest victory, it actually was Satan's destruction. The Spirit will lead sinners to true judgment.
The prince of this world, Satan, will be judged and found guilty by Jesus Christ the Son of God. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross at Calvary. The victory was won on the cross. Jesus took on sin and sin died on the cross for all who will accept life in Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
John 16:12 "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
When you were in the first grade, it would have been foolish to have you learn the multiplication tables before you learned to add. You would not be ready for it. We see in this sentence above, that these disciples are not ready to receive these other things. The reason Jesus does not tell them, is because they are not ready to receive it.
John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
This verse, like (14:26), points to the supernatural revelation of all truth by which God has revealed Himself in Christ (verses 14-15) particularity. This is the subject of the inspired New Testament writings.
These disciples walking with Jesus had come to let Jesus make every decision for them. They had just carried out the things Jesus had told them to do. They had no cares; Jesus had taken care of the problems that arose. They just brought their problems to Jesus, and He solved them for them.
Now Jesus is telling them that they will not be left without guidance. The Holy Spirit will be their guide and their teacher. The Holy Spirit will be in total agreement with the Father and the Son. When the disciples listen to the Spirit and act accordingly, it is like the Lord in action, for they (disciples), will be carrying out His work.
John 16:14 "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
The only way that any of us can even begin to understand who Jesus is and what He was about, is as the Spirit reveals Him to us. The Spirit of God, working in us is our teacher who brings us to all truth about Jesus (the Word of God).
This is really the same as (verse 13), in that all New Testament truth revealed by God centers in Christ. Christ was the theme of the Old Testament as the New Testament claims (1:45; 5:37; Luke 24:27; 44; Acts 10:43; 18:28; Romans 1:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Peter 1:10-11; Rev. 19:10).
John Chapter 16 Questions
1. How will the world treat anyone who has made a stand for Jesus?
2. What is a synagogue?
3. What will these people who put you out of the synagogue think they are doing for God?
4. Who is a good example of someone who persecuted Christians, before he was saved by Jesus?
5. Who was one who was stoned to death for Jesus?
6. In verse 3, why did these self-righteous people do this?
7. Why didn't Jesus tell them this earlier in verse 3?
8. What did Jesus tell them that they had not asked Him?
9. When do you start missing someone?
10. Why had sorrow filled their hearts?
11. Why were the disciples not asking whither Jesus was going?
12. Why was it expedient for Jesus to go away?
13. Who will Jesus send?
14. If there were no cross, there would be no ___________________.
15. When He comes, what will He reprove the world of?
16. What does the word reprove mean here?
17. What sin is mentioned in verse 9?
18. Who is the prince of this world?
19. Why did Jesus not tell them more then?
20. Who will guide you into all truth?
21. What will the Holy Spirit speak of?
22. Who will the Holy Spirit glorify?
John 16:15 "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
We see in this verse, the fact that the Father and the Son have joint ownership and creatorship. Jesus is showing the harmony of Spirit and intent of He and the Father. He shows the Godhead. We see in this the working of the Godhead.
In a sense Jesus sends the Holy Spirit; in another sense, the Holy Spirit comes. The wishes of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same. Jesus was sent of God, but came to lay His own life down; no one took His life, He gave it.
Verses 16-19: Jesus was referring to His ascension ("Ye shall not see me"), and the coming of the Holy Spirit ("You shall see Me"), emphatically claiming that the Spirit and He are one (Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11; Rev. 19:10). Christ dwells in believers through the Holy Spirit, in that sense they see Him.
John 16:16 "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."
Jesus is first speaking here of the three days between the crucifixion and the resurrection of His body. Then He will walk with, and be seen of, the disciples for forty days, before His return to the right hand of the Father.
John 16:17 "Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, and, Because I go to the Father?"
You see, these followers of Jesus did not even then realize what Jesus was about to do for all mankind. They are whispering among themselves, afraid to ask Him outright what this meant. Of course, He is speaking of the death of His body on the cross and the resurrection of that body on the third day.
Then Jesus will be seen a short time and go away again into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. This will not be a separation forever. Actually, Jesus is present even now with every believer, because the Spirit of the risen Christ dwells in the believers.
John 16:18 "They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith."
This is understandable, in that they really do not know the details of what is to happen.
John 16:19 "Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?"
You can easily see from this, that Jesus is very concerned about how this is affecting these disciples. He knows their very thoughts. He is always tenderly teaching them of His ways.
John 16:20 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."
The very event that made the hateful realm of mankind (world") rejoice and cause grief to Jesus' disciples, will be the same event that will lead to the world's sorrow and the believer's joy.
The reason Jesus did not specifically tell them the details is so they could look back at this and realize that Jesus is speaking prophetically to them.
Jesus wants them to experience the death of His body, His resurrection, and then His glorious return to the Father in heaven. Their sorrow must be real, so they can experience the overwhelming joy of His resurrection.
The disciples would soon realize the marvelous nature of God's gift of salvation and the Spirit through what He accomplished, and the blessing of answered prayer (verse 24). Acts records the coming of the Holy Spirit and the power and joy (Acts 2:4-47; 13:52), of the early church.
John 16:21 "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."
Jesus uses an example here that everyone will understand. There is pain involved in the birth of a child, but all mothers soon forget the pain when they see the baby.
The crucifixion of Jesus is much the same. There was great pain to His flesh when they nailed Him to the cross. His suffering on the cross brought everlasting life for all who would accept Him as their Savior.
The baptism of suffering is a step on the way to everlasting life.
2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
You see, there is always a certain amount of pain on the way to life. Jesus is just explaining that the suffering is nothing compared to the joy that will follow.
John 16:22 "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."
This joy that comes when Jesus is resurrected is a joy that shall never end. This joy is not or just that generation of people, but for people for all ages to come. The joy felt by these disciples in Jesus' time is felt by everyone who receives the Lord as Savior throughout the ages.
After the resurrection, Jesus did see His disciples (20:19-29; 21:1-23; 1 Cor. 15:8). Beyond that brief time of personal fellowship (Acts 1:1-3), He would be with them permanently in His Spirit.
The Old Testament makes us all feel guilty of sin, and the only relief from this guilt is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 16:23 "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
This is a reference to Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came and sorrow turned to joy. This is a reference also to the "last days" which were inaugurated after His resurrection and the Spirit's coming. After His departure and the Sending of the Spirit, believers will no longer ask Him since He is not present. Instead, they will ask the Father in His name.
The "in that day" means from the first resurrection morning to the end of time. Jesus is teaching them here the manner in which to pray to get results. Pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and God the Father will give you whatever you ask for.
Notice the verily, verily? Those two words together tell us that the statement is absolute. It will happen.
John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
In this case, the believer's joy will be related to answered prayer and a full supply of heavenly blessing for everything consistent with the purpose of the Lord in one's life.
Their prayers, as long as they were with Jesus, had not been spoken in His name. After Jesus rises from the tomb, and goes to sit at the right hand of the Father, they are to ask in Jesus' name.
1 John 2:1 we read "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" Jesus is on our side. He pleads our case with the Father.
Hebrews 7:25 "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Jesus enjoys doing things for us that will bring joy to us.
John 16:25 "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."
The "proverbs" were indicating a "figurative" language. Meaning the word means "veiled, pointed statement" that is pregnant with meaning, i.e., something that is obscure. What seemed hard to understand for the disciples during the life of Jesus would become clear after His death, resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
They would actually understand the ministry of Christ better than they had while they were with Him, as the Spirit inspired them to write the gospels and epistles and ministered in and through them.
The parables were given so that worldly people could not understand with their natural mind. Parables are understood with the spirit of man. The Holy Spirit reveals to the believers what is to be learned in the Parable. God wants our heart and not our mind.
The Spirit of the risen Christ dwells within the Christian. This is what opens our understanding to the Father and the Son.
Verses 26-28 "I say not". Christ was clarifying what He meant by praying in His name. He did not mean asking Him to ask the Father, as if the Father was indifferent to believers, but not to His Son. On the contrary, the Father loves Christ's own. In fact, the Father sent the Son to redeem them and then return. Asking in Jesus' name means simply asking based on His merit, His righteousness and for whatever would honor and glorify Him so as to build His kingdom.
John 16:26 "At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:"
There is no greater name than the name of Jesus.
Philippians 2:10-11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Whatever we ask for in the name of Jesus, will be done if it is in the Father's will.
John 16:27 "For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God."
This is a tremendously powerful statement showing that one must believe that Jesus was sent by God the Father to redeem this fallen world.
God the Father's love for mankind shows the greatest love that has ever been known.
In Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
We did not deserve His love, but He loved us anyway.
1 John 4:9-10 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Propitiation means atonement. In other words, Jesus paid our debt for us. He died, so we might live.
John 16:28 "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."
Jesus' Spirit is eternal. He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He was the Word of God in heaven (John 1:1). He took on the form of flesh and became Jesus (the Savior), for His stay on earth.
The Holy Spirit of God hovered over Mary, and she conceived by the Spirit of God. The flesh was only a house to live in while Jesus was on the earth. The Spirit went back to heaven in a new spiritual body.
You may read the difference in the natural body and the spiritual body (in 1 Corinthians chapter 15; beginning with verse 40 and going through to verse 50).
Jesus is even now sitting at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.
John 16:29 "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb."
This plain speech (of verse 28), they understood. Now the disciples are asking that Jesus speak to them plainly so that they will be able to understand.
John 16:30 "Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God."
The wisdom of Jesus has thoroughly convinced them that He was much more than man. Their understanding has been opened that this is actually Messiah standing before them. They know that Jesus is God the Word, God the Son.
John 16:31 "Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?"
Jesus knows that the statement they have made here is not under pressure. He knows that their faith will be sorely tried when He is crucified. They will not be able, at the time it is happening, to believe that Jesus being nailed to the cross could be any kind of victory.
John 16:32 "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."
Jesus is speaking prophetically of when the authorities take Him. The disciples scatter for fear of their lives. Peter follows a way, but denies Jesus three times. The only specific mention of any of them with Him at the cross is John, Mary (His mother), and some of the women.
At one point Jesus, will even cry out: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me". The Father really has not forsaken Him. Jesus dismisses His Spirit and commands it to go to the Father.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
When we did (14:27), this is what was written to describe peace: The word peace reflects the Hebrew "Shalom," which became a greeting to His disciples after the resurrection (20:19-26).
At the individual level this peace, unknown to the unsaved, secures composure in difficult trouble (verse 1; dissolves fear, Phil. 4:7); and rules in the hearts of God's people to maintain harmony (Col. 3:15). The greatest reality of this peace will be in the messianic kingdom.
The word "tribulation" often refers to eschatological woes and to persecution of believers because of their testimony for Christ.
The word "overcome" means the fundamental ground for endurance in persecution is the victory of Jesus over the world. Through His impending death, He rendered the world's opposition null and void. While the world continues to attack His people, such attacks fall harmlessly, for Christ's victory has already accomplished a smashing defeat of the whole evil rebellious system.
Jesus, in this sentence above, is telling the disciples of that day and His followers today, as well, that we are not to be discouraged when trials come. Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus won the battle. Victory is ours, because He paid the price for us.
A person who knows he will spend all of eternity in heaven with Jesus should have the perfect peace of God. These little minor problems we have in the flesh are nothing compared to all of eternity we will reign with our King Jesus. We enjoy the pleasures of the victory that Jesus has won for all of us.
John Chapter 16 Continued
1. All things that the Father has are ____________________________.
2. In verse 16, what does Jesus mean by a little while, and ye shall not see me?
3. What question were the disciples asking each other?
4. What was He trying to convey to them in verse 17?
5. In verse 19, we see that Jesus even knows what our ____________ are.
6. When the world is rejoicing, what will the disciples be doing?
7. What will their sorrow be turned into?
8. Why does a woman in travail have sorrow?
9. What does she forget as soon as the child is born?
10. When they nailed Jesus to the cross, did He suffer pain?
11. In 2 Timothy 3:12, we find that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus ____ _____.
12. Who will be able to take their joy away?
13. Who do you pray to?
14. What name must you use for God to answer?
15. What does Verily, verily show us?
16. "...ask, and ye shall receive, that your _____________ may be ________________."
17. In 1 John 2:1, who is our advocate with the Father?
18. Hebrews 7:25, says who is our intercessor?
19. How had Jesus spoken to them in the past?
20. How would He now speak to them?
21. Who prays to the Father for us?
22. Why does the Father love us?
23. In 1 John 4:9, how did God show His love for us?
24. What does propitiation mean?
25. Whom had Jesus come from?
26. Name two sets of names Jesus is known by that shows His eternity?
27. Where do we find the Scriptures that explain the difference in a natural body and a spiritual body?
28. In verse 30, the disciples said they now understood what about Jesus?
29. What does Jesus prophecy will happen to them when He is captured and crucified?
30. Who will be with Jesus to the end?
31. In the world ye shall have __________________________.
32. Jesus says be of good cheer: I have overcome the ______________.
Although (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4), have become known popularly as the "Lord's Prayer," that prayer was actually a prayer taught to the disciples by Jesus as a pattern for their prayers.
The prayer recorded here is truly the Lord's Prayer, exhibiting the face to face communion the Son had with the Father. Very little is recorded of the content of Jesus' frequent prayers to the Father, so this prayer reveals some of the precious content of the Son's communion and intercession with Him.
This chapter is a transitional chapter, marking the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of His intercessory ministry for believers (Hebrews 7:25). In many respects, the prayer is a summary of John's entire gospel. Its principal themes include:
1. Jesus' obedience to His father;
2. The glorification of His Father through His death and exaltation;
3. The revelation of God in Jesus Christ;
4. The choosing of the disciples out of the world;
5. Their mission to the world;
6. Their unity modeled on the unity of the Father and Son;
7. The believer's final destiny in the presence of the Father and Son.
The chapter is divided into three parts
1. Jesus' prayer for Himself (verses 1-5);
2. Jesus' prayer for the apostles (verses 6-19);
3. Jesus' prayer for all New Testament believers who will form the church (verses 20-26).
John 17:1 "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:"
The time of Jesus' death had come. The very event that would glorify the Son was His death. By it, He has received the adoration, worship and love of millions whose sins He bore. He accepted this path to glory, knowing that by it He would be exalted to the Father.
The goal is that the Father may be glorified for His redemptive plan in the Son. So He sought by His own glory the glory of His father (13:31-32).
This speaking directly to the Father was partially for the benefit of Jesus' followers. This looking toward heaven tells these disciples of the home of the Father. This glory of Jesus would appear to be anything but glory.
This victory that Jesus wins here is victory over the flesh, as well as victory over Satan and death.
John 17:2 "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."
This is a reference to God's choosing of those who will come to Christ. The biblical doctrine of election or predestination is presented throughout the New Testament.
We read in a previous lesson how Jesus is ruler over everything. Jesus is creator God, as we read in chapter one of John. It says all things were made by Him. The Creator had dominion over His creation. Our flesh was made from the dust of the earth by creator God.
The life we experience is the result of the breath of life breathed into us by God. We are a free agent. We can refuse eternal life. Jesus purchased eternal life for all of mankind. Those who accept it will have eternal life with Him. We are His workmanship.
John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Eternal life is more than an endless existence. It is a personal relationship with God.
Those who refuse to know Jesus as Savior and Lord shall experience death, and not life. If we recognize Jesus as Savior and Lord, we have eternal life. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. No man comes to the Father except by Him (John 14:6).
John 17:4 "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."
"I have finished" means "I have made perfect or completed." This verb is in the active voice, indicating Christ had finished His active ministry (4:34). He now assumes a passive role. (In 19:30), "It is finished", the passive voice suggests that He has by then finished His passive ministry as well.
Through the miracles Jesus did and the messages He brought, He brought glory to the Father. He said He had done the works of the Father. He also said, if they had seen Him they had seen the Father. Jesus brought the good news of the gospel to the earth.
Jesus brought salvation through faith, and not works. His teaching was exactly as He and the Father wished. His miracles caused many to believe on the Father and the Son. The cross would be the final work. Jesus hung on the cross six hours (6 hours - time of work). The work was completed and the rest would begin.
Jesus even says "It is finished".
John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."
The celestial glory that Jesus had from the beginning was temporarily hidden (veiled), during His earthly life. At the ascension of Christ, Jesus was both glorified and transfigured.
It is interesting to contrast the post-resurrection appearances of Christ with the post-ascension revelations. In the former, Christ often concealed His glory to the point that He was not recognized, such as by the disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24:16; 31), or by Mary Magdalene who thought He was the gardener (20:14).
The post-ascension revelations involve His radiant appearance. The difference between John's meeting with Christ (in John 21), and in (Revelation 1), was that of seeing the Resurrection body, not glorified, and of later seeing the transformed and celestial body glorified.
For the Creator of the world to be housed in a body of flesh, had to be a terrible come- down. This had all been planned from the beginning to restore fallen man to fellowship with the Father. The first flesh man (Adam), had failed. This is why it was necessary for Jesus to take on the form of flesh.
The second Adam (Jesus), would restore mankind to full fellowship with God.
1 Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
1 Corinthians 15:45 "And so it is written. The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit."
John 3:6 "That which is born of flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
The glory of the Father is in the Son. The Son will return to His original glory in heaven, and we will join Him there.
Someday Christians will also be glorified together with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Verses 6-10 "thine they were". This phrase sums up all of Jesus' ministry, including the cross that was just hours away. Again, the Son emphasized that those who believed in Him were given by the Father. "They are thine" (verse 9), is a potent assertion that before conversion, they belonged to God (6:37).
That is true because of God's election. They were chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), when their names were written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev. 17:8 and Acts18:10), where God says He has many people in Corinth who belong to Him but are not yet saved.
Acts 18:10 - "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."
Note: This is an opportune time as a teachable moment to show an example of the "predestination" of God's elect. God had appointed many people in Corinth for salvation, who had not yet heard the gospel (13:48, Romans 10:13-15). The effect of Paul's preaching would be to bring the elect to faith (Titus 1:1).
John 17:6 "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."
To manifest is to make known or real. Jesus has made the Father real to the people. He has stopped them from thinking of a bunch of laws and has revealed the personality of God to them. We see in this, that Jesus' followers have been given Him by the Father.
We will see in Revelation, that those who make it to heaven to be with Jesus (the Christians), are sealed with Jesus' name. We are sealed here with that name, Christians (believers in and followers of Christ). God giving these to Christ just means the Spirit of God wooed them and they came and received the gift of life through Christ.
John 17:7 "Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee."
God made all of humanity on the sixth day of creation, so it all belongs to Him. The Christians were given to Jesus Christ when He bought and paid for them with His blood on Calvary.
Christ had brought the gospel down to the people of the earth and had taught them about the Father. The people who came to a saving faith, knew that the Father had sent Him.
John 17:8 "For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me."
The Son of God affirmed the genuine saving faith of His disciples.
This prayer Jesus is praying to the Father here, is more for those listening than Him speaking to the Father. Jesus has spoken true words. The words Jesus had spoken to them were the words of life.
These disciples do believe, and they do believe that Jesus is one with the Father in the Spirit. The spoken and the written Word originate in heaven. Jesus is that Word.
John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."
The world rejected Jesus. Jesus prays for those who received Him as their Christ (Messiah). This shows a definite separation between the people of God and the people of the world. True Christians are in the world, but we are not of the world.
John 17:10 "And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them."
This is showing the unity of Spirit of the Father and the Son. Human souls belong to the Father and are Christ's, if they choose to live and not die. Jesus is overjoyed at the loyalty of the disciples to Him. They do not uplift their own name, but the name of the Father and the Son.
John 17:11 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
So sure was His death and departure back to the Father that Jesus treated His departure as an already accomplished fact. He prayed here for His disciples because they would have to face the world's temptation and hatred without His immediate presence and protection (15:18-16:4).
Based on the eternal nature of immutable God ("name"), He prayed for the eternal security of those who believed. He prayed that as the Trinity experiences eternal unity, so may believers (see Romans 8:31-39).
Jesus speaks this as if the crucifixion has already taken place. Jesus' speech lets them know that He will not be physically with them much longer. We know that these disciples are not one in the flesh. Jesus is speaking of the Spirit. They must be in one accord in the work that they have been left to do.
Their thoughts and intents must be one, as the Father's and Jesus' Spirit are one. Their intents are the same. Jesus is praying to the Father for the unity of the Spirit in these disciples. Let them operate as a unit and not as individuals.
Jesus perhaps, was saying not to break up in little groups that we today call denominations. We Christians should be one in Christ.
John 17:12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."
Jesus protected them and kept them safe from the world as He said in (6:37-40; 44). One illustration of that can be seen (in 18:1-11). Believers are secure forever because they are held by Christ and by God.
The twelve who followed Jesus the closest were still with Him, except for Judas Iscariot who was evil from the beginning. In one of the earlier lessons, John had said that Judas Iscariot was a thief from the beginning.
These disciples had walked closely with Jesus and loved Him. They had seen Him perform many miracles of healing. They had seen Him raise the dead. They had seen Him walk on the water and feed the multitude with five loaves and two fishes. Their love for Him was all wrapped up with their admiration for Him as well.
He had taught them things that He had not revealed to the multitudes. He had cared for them, as the Shepherd cares for His sheep. He had even filled them with power themselves to minister and to heal. These eleven disciples would found the church.
This identifies Judas by pointing to his destiny, i.e., eternal damnation (Matt. 7:13, Acts 8:20; Romans 9:22; Philippians 1:28; 3:19; 1 Tim. 6:9; Heb. 10:39; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:7; Revelation 17:8 and 11). The defection of Judas was not a failure on Jesus' part, but was foreseen and foreordained in Scripture (Psalms 41:9; 109:8; John 13:18).
This son of Satan (Judas Iscariot), was one of the group, so that the Scripture could be fulfilled. Judas' lust for money made him follow the way of the flesh. Judas had his own free will, and chose death over life.
John 17:13 "And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves."
Again I say, this prayer of Jesus for His followers to the Father is in great part for these disciples to hear, and for all believers for all ages to hear. Jesus explains His relationship with the Father in this prayer. He even emphasizes their position with the Father.
In (verse 13), He explains His joy is to be sufficient for them for their stay on earth, until He takes them home to heaven with Him. One of the most vivid messages in this prayer to me, is that Jesus' followers are to walk in the footsteps He left on the earth and to look for their home not made with hands, but the one He has prepared for them in heaven.
He also reminds them in this prayer, that they belong to Him. It is the will of the Father that the Christians belong to Christ.
John Chapter 17 Questions
1. Where did Jesus look when He prayed?
2. What hour was He speaking of?
3. Who would be glorified in this?
4. Who had the Father given Jesus power over?
5. What would Jesus give to those who the Father gave Him?
6. Who made all of humanity and how?
7. What is life eternal in verse 3?
8. What did Jesus say He had finished?
9. How long had Jesus had this glory with the Father?
10. As in Adam, all die in Christ, all shall be _____ ______.
11. That which is born of flesh is _______.
12. Whose name had Jesus manifested?
13. What does manifest mean?
14. Jesus had shown them what?
15. What day of creation was man made?
16. What had Jesus given unto the disciples?
17. The Word Jesus had spoken to them was the Word of _________.
18. Who is the spoken and written Word?
19. Who did Jesus not pray for?
20. What shows the unity of the Spirit of the Father and Son?
21. Jesus prays the Father will keep whom?
22. When Jesus tells the disciples to be one, what is He speaking of?
23. What was Judas Iscariot called in verse 12?
24. Why had Jesus spoken this in the world in verse 13?
John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
In chapter 15 we have just studied that the world hated Jesus, so it was only natural that it would hate His followers. We have spoken before how this world is not the home of those who believe in Jesus. We are in the world, but we are not of the world.
The believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are a separated people, because they have been given the Word in its fullest sense. The Christians of all ages have looked for their heavenly home.
John 17:15 "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."
The reference here refers to protection from Satan and all the wicked forces following him (Matt. 6:13; 1 John 2:13-14; 3:12; 5:18-19). Though Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the defeat of Satan, he is still loose and orchestrating his evil system against believers. He seeks to destroy believers (1 Peter 5:8), as with Job and Peter (Luke 22:31-32), and in general (Eph. 6:12), but God is their strong protector.
The Lord will keep some Christians in the world to minister the Word of God as long as there is a possibility that even one more person will be saved.
(In 2 Peter), we read how God has even delayed Jesus' second coming, so that a few more can be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
God will build a hedge around His people and leave them in the world to win others to Christ.
John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
This is a wonderful statement here. No Christian wants to be of the world. Just as Jesus was in the world to carry out a mission, His followers are in the world to carry on the work that Jesus began. We will be here until the Lord calls us home to heaven to be with Him.
John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
This verb also occurs in John's gospel (at verse 19; 10:36). The idea of sanctification is the setting apart of something for a particular use. Accordingly, believers are set apart for God and His purposes alone so that the believer does only what God wants and hates all the God hates (Lev. 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:16).
Sanctification is accomplished by means of the truth, which is the revelation that the Son gave regarding all that the Father commanded Him to communicate and is now contained in the Scriptures left by the apostles.
Sanctify means to set apart for sacred use; consecrate, to make holy; purify. The Bible (Word of God), keeps the Christian straight. You must feed upon His Word to have the truth. Jesus Christ (our leader), has set us aside from the world. The Word of God is the only truth.
John 17:18 "As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."
Sent me ... sent them: means the mission of the church, corresponding to that of Christ. Their tasks are alike, in fact, in purpose and in results, as this prayer shows.
The great commission Jesus had given all Christians is: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (from Mark 16:15).
Just as Jesus was sent, Jesus sent His followers to work in the world until He comes (Luke 19:13), says to Jesus' servants, occupy until He comes.
John 17:19 "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."
"I sanctify myself" meaning only that He was totally set apart for the Father's will. He did that in order that believers might be set apart to God by the truth He brought.
Jesus made sacrifices for His own. Our holiness is because of His. The righteousness of the Christians', actually is Jesus'. The truth makes us holy.
John 17:20 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;"
John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
This and (verse 20 above), are speaking of those who either hear or read the Word of God and believe just from hearing or reading the Word.
Jesus prayed for all believers in Christ, even in our time. This prayer includes us.
John 17:21 "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
They ... may be one conveys spiritual unity, not organizational unity.
The basis of this unity centers in adherence to the revelation the Father mediated to His first disciples through His Son. Believers are also to be united in the common belief of the truth that was received in the Word of God (Phil. 2:2). This is not still a wish, but it became a reality when the Spirit came. It is not experiential unity, but the unity of common eternal life shared by all who believe the truth and it results in the one body of Christ all sharing His life.
Here again, this is speaking of the spirit and not the flesh. We will see this as near as it has ever been, in the Book of Acts, when we read that they were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication. This is what Jesus was speaking of. They had one common goal. They were all one in Christ Jesus.
The problem with different denominations of Christians fighting is that the world is looking on and wondering: is Christ divided? Perhaps we should answer that we are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ when someone asks what we are.
John 17:22 "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:"
This refers to the believer's participation in all the attributes and essence of God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (verse 10; Col. 1:27; 2 Peter 1:4; as in verse 23 makes clear), "I in them".
Jesus will taste death for every man. Anyone who believes and follows Jesus, will be sons and daughters of the Father; adopted into the family of God. Our Savior will have paid the penalty for our sin and won for us the glorious inheritance of eternal life. We will be joint-heirs with Jesus.
Romans 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
You can read (Romans 8:14-17), to get the whole picture.
John 17:23 "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
The idea here is that they may be brought together in the same spiritual life around the truth that saves. That prayer was answered by the reality of (1 Corinthians 12:12-13 and Eph. 2:14-22).
Again here, we can turn to (chapter 8 of Romans), to fully understand what this is saying. The world looking at a Christian need to not see that person, but Christ in that person. The flesh is nothing. If you are a Christian, the Spirit is within us all.
Romans 8:9-10: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."
Here again, you should go ahead and read (Romans chapter 8:1-16).
John 17:24 "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."
This will be in heaven, where one can see the full glory that is His (verse 5). Someday believers will not only see His glory, but share it (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2). Until then, we participate in it spiritually (2 Cor. 3:18).
Jesus has purchased His bride with His own blood. These believers are His bride. The church is the body of Christ of which He is the head. When the Father says everything is ready, the groom (Jesus), will go and blow the trumpet in the sky, and we will go to meet Him. We will be with Him forever.
Read (1 Thessalonians 14:13 verse, you can, also read in (Rev. 7:9), about this bride (the Christians), who stood before the throne and before the Lamb clothed in white. Brides wear white. These belong to the Son whom the Father has given Him.
John 17:25 "O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou has sent me."
This and (verse 26), summarizes the prayer of this chapter and promises the continuing indwelling Christ and His love (Romans 5:5).
Righteousness (all true righteousness), stems from God. There is no earthly righteousness that can compare. God is a holy God and cannot look on sin.
This holy, righteous God is unapproachable by sinful man. No person can look upon the face of God and live. Jesus (God the Word), was in heaven with Him before He came to earth, and He had seen Him.
The work that Jesus did while He was on the earth showed the personality of the Father. These disciples and all followers of Jesus Christ know that Jesus is from the Father, and of the Father. Jesus had no earthly father.
John 17:26 "And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Jesus has shown the Father to these disciples and to all believers in the Bible, but He will now show them His resurrection power. This love Jesus has for these disciples, and for all believers, is magnified in the fact that He will rise from the tomb. And in so doing, make it possible for us to rise again also.
Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
John Chapter 17 Continued Questions
1. Why does the world hate them?
2. What does Jesus pray the believers will be kept from?
3. Why is it necessary to keep Christians in the world?
4. In 2 Peter 3:9, we read why Jesus' return has been delayed. What is it?
5. Why are Christians not of the world?
6. How are we sanctified?
7. "...thy word is ___________________________."
8. Jesus was sent into the world and then sent who?
9. What was the great commission Jesus gave believers?
10. What one word tells us what we are to do until Jesus comes back?
11. Our holiness is because of what?
12. In verse 20, we find that this prayer is for whom?
13. Why did Thomas believe, in John 20:29?
14. Who is more blessed than Thomas?
15. What does verse 21 say that Jesus wants all believers to be?
16. What helps the world to believe?
17. What is wrong with various denominations of believers fighting?
18. In verse 22, who gave Jesus His glory?
19. All who believe will be what relation to Jesus?
20. Romans 9:17, says we will be what with Jesus?
21. How can they be made perfect?
22. What does Romans 8:9 tell us?
23. How long had the Father loved Jesus?
24. What did Jesus buy His bride with?
25. Who are the white robed people who stand around the throne?
26. What adjective was the Father called by in verse 25?
27. Whose name did Jesus declare to us?
28. What is the most dramatic power Jesus will show them?
Verses 18:1-19:42: The passion (suffering), narrative was probably the first portion of Christ's life and ministry to be recorded. It circulated orally for several years before it was put into writing. It was developed because an understanding of Jesus' death was so vital to the preaching of the early church. The early disciples were forced by the nature of the case to explain why the innocent Savior was crucified as a criminal. The story they told revealed not only the blameless passion of Jesus, but also the evil passions of the men who caused His death.
John 18:1 "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples."
The brook Kedron (as it is spelled now). It is at the foot of the garden of Gethsemane. It is a ravine on the east side of Jerusalem toward the Mount of Olives.
This garden is full of olive trees (some believe they were there when Jesus prayed there). This garden was a favorite place of Jesus' to go and pray.
When in Israel, you can see a giant, hewn out rock, with a large round stone rolling around inside. Guides will tell you it is a gethsemane (which means oil press). This was used to crush olives and make olive oil. This olive oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit of God.
"He went forth": Jesus' supreme courage is seen in His determination to go to the cross, where His purity and sinlessness would be violated as He bore the wrath of God for the sins of the world. The time of "the power of darkness" had come (Luke 22:53).
In (verses 2-4 Judas), brought the band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees (the Sanhedrin), with lanterns and torches. Band of men is a Roman cohort (three hundred to six hundred Roman soldiers). John's account of the betrayal and arrest does not mention Judas's kiss. It does however, supply many other interesting details not given in the synoptic Gospels. Jesus knew the future; He knew they sought Him.
John 18:2 "And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples."
Judas would have no problem knowing where Jesus would be. When Jesus was ministering in Jerusalem, He would go to Gethsemane to spend the night. Many times, He prayed all night here. This was especially a favorite place for Peter, James, and John to go with Him.
John 18:3 "Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons."
Roman auxiliary troops were usually stationed at Caesarea, but during feast days they were garrisoned in the Antonia Fortress, on the northwest perimeter of the temple complex. To ensure against mob violence or rebellion because of the large population that filled Jerusalem.
The second group designated as "officers" refers to temple police who were the primary arresting officers since Jesus' destination after the arrest was to be brought before the High Priest (verses 12-14). They came ready for resistance from Jesus and His followers ("weapons").
John here, has skipped some of the details about how Judas has gone and made a deal for thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus to the authorities. Notice that they came to get Jesus under the cover of darkness. They were prepared to use force if necessary, because they had brought weapons.
Had Jesus not wanted to go with them, these weapons would have been of no use. He knew it was the appointed time, so He put up no fight at all.
John 18:4 "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?"
John, in a matter of fact way, states that Jesus was omniscient, thus God.
Notice here again, that Jesus was not trying to avoid them. Jesus knew why they were here. He, also knew that this was His appointed time. John does not go into detail about Judas kissing Jesus in betrayal. I believe this is because John emphasizes the fact that Jesus has everything under control.
John 18:5 "They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them."
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says "I Am" seven times while revealing Himself as the Bread of Life (6:35; the Light of the World (8:12); the Door (10:9); the Good Shepherd (10-11); the Resurrection and the Life (11:25); the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6); and the Vine (15:5).
His use of "I Am" without a predicate complement (4:26; 8:24; 18:5, 6, 8), demonstrates His identity with Yahweh in the Old Testament, who was first revealed to Moses as "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14).
Here again, we see that John, more than any other of the writers, shows that Jesus is in total control of this situation at all times. Notice that Jesus answers them immediately.
We see here a mention of Judas, but again John does not mention that Judas kissed Jesus to reveal to the mob which one was Jesus. This Jesus of Nazareth means Jesus who lived in Nazareth, not that Jesus was under a Nazarite vow.
John 18:6 "As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground."
When He spoke "I am He", a designation He had used before to declare Himself God (8:28, 58); 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 11:14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1-5), they were jolted backward and to the ground. This power display and the authoritative demand not to take the disciples were of immense significance, as the next verse indicates.
These men fell from the power of the Spirit of God. When Jesus said "I am he", the power of this statement made them go backwards. They were momentarily felled by the power of the Spirit in these words. You can easily see from this, that they could not have taken Jesus, had He not been willing to go.
John 18:7-8 "Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth." "Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:"
Jesus was forcing them to acknowledge that they had no authority to take His disciples. In fact, He demanded that they let the disciples go. The force of His demand was established by the power of His words.
Jesus was trying to protect His followers even to the end. Jesus is saying, I am ready to go, leave all of them alone. He had shown them just a few moments ago, that they could not take them, if He didn't want them to.
John 18:9 "That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none."
Jesus was saying that He protected the disciples from being arrested, so He could not lose any of them, thus fulfilling the promises He made earlier (6:39, 40, 44; 10:28; 17:12). He knew that being arrested and perhaps imprisoned or executed was more than they could bear, and it could shatter their faith. So, He made sure it did not happen.
All believers are weak and vulnerable if not protected by the Lord. But He will never let them be tempted beyond what they can bear (1 Cor. 10:13), as evidenced here. Believers are eternally secure, not in their own strength, but by the gracious and constant protection of the Savior (Rom. 8:35-39).
Jesus was protecting His own. No one can take anyone away from Jesus. Even when we Christians belong to Jesus; we cannot be taken away from Jesus. The devil can attack a Christian, but he cannot overcome him, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
John 18:10 "Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus."
He surely aimed for Malchus' head, ready to start the battle in defense of His Lord, but his was an ignorant love and courage. Christ healed Malchus' ear (Luke 22:51).
You can see from this, that Simon Peter was ready to fight to the death for Jesus. He was against great odds and struck out at the high priest's servant. Peter just didn't understand Jesus giving in to these worldly people. Peter felt that Jesus would take over as king of Israel right then.
Peter, being a strong man, could not understand not fighting back. Of course, this cutting off Malchus' ear was to show even these soldiers who Jesus really was.
John 18:11 "Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
Peter's impetuous bravery (in verse 10), was not only misguided, but exhibited failure to understand the centrality of the death that Jesus came to die. The "cup" in the Old Testament is associated with suffering and especially judgment, i.e., the cup of God's wrath.
It is interesting that John did not mention the fact that Jesus healed Malchus' ear. This is found in Luke 22.
Luke 22:51 "And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him."
Jesus tells Peter here, that they are not to fight. This is Jesus' time to be taken, and He is willing to suffer for all of humanity, as He and His Father had planned.
Verses 12-27 give three stages of this Jewish trial:
1. A preliminary arraignment before Annas, given only by John here;
2. An informal trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin before dawn (verse 24), reported fully (in Matthew 26:57-68 and Mark 14:53-65);
3. A formal trial by the Sanhedrin after dawn, reported fully (in Luke 22:66-71), and briefly mentioned (in Matthew 27:1 and Mark 15:11).
John 18:12-13 "Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him," "And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year."
Annas held the High Priesthood office from 6-15 A.D. when Valerius Gratus, Pilate's predecessor, removed him from office. Despite this, Annas continued to wield influence over the office, most likely because he was still regarded as the true High Priest and because no fewer than 5 of his sons, and his son in law Caiaphas, held the office at one time or another.
Two trials occurred: one Jewish and one Roman. The Jewish phase began with the informal examination by Annas (verses 12-14 and 19-23), probably giving time for the members of the Sanhedrin to hurriedly gather together.
A session before the Sanhedrin was next (Matt. 26:57-68), at which consensus was reached to send Jesus to Pilate (Matt. 27:1-2).
The Roman phase began with a first examination before Pilate (verses 28-38a; Matt. 27:11-14), and then Herod Antipas "that fox" (Luke 13:32), interrogated Him (Luke 23:6-12). Lastly, Jesus appeared again before Pilate (verses 38b-19:16; Matt. 27-15-31).
Jesus made no resistance at all, and so they bound Him and took Him away. Annas was the lesser court, and Jesus was carried there first. It seems Annas was inquired of to see if any charges should be made.
Really, it was the priests, scribes, and Pharisees who were accusing Jesus. This was not civil laws that Jesus was being charged of breaking.
John 18:14 "Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people."
This Caiaphas seemed to know that the Scriptures said one would die for all the rest, and yet, he does not recognize Jesus as Messiah.
John 18:15 "And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest."
This other disciple here, is probably John. John never speaks of himself by name in his gospel. We know that John's gospel sheds much light on the details of all of this, which further proves that this other disciple here, is John.
This palace of the high priest was probably occupied by Caiaphas, and Annas possibly had part of the building as well. It was not unusual for a son-in-law to live in the same place with a father-in-law.
John 18:16 "But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter."
Many writers believe that John was from a very well to do family. As we said before, many even believe that the spacious home where the Last Supper was eaten in the Upper Room, belonged to this family.
Apparently, John was more than just an acquaintance, because the term for "known" can mean a friend (Luke 2:44). The fact that he mentioned Nicodemus (3:1), and Joseph (19:38), may indicate his knowledge of other prominent Jews.
That upper room and this abode of Caiaphas' were not far apart. It would be very likely then, that is why he could come and bring Peter in. This is perhaps reading between the lines, but this is probably the case here.
John 18:17 "Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not."
Here is the record of the first of Peter's predicted three denials.
This damsel was already aware of the other disciple (possibly John), and asks Peter if he is not a follower of Jesus. We see here, Peter's first denial. We spoke before that Peter was ready to fight, but not give in. Whatever the reasoning of Peter, he does deny Jesus.
John 18:18 "And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself."
Right before Easter, it would be cool. This is usually in April, which is a cold month. This is at night as well, and in April and May it is cold at night. Peter is staying close, but not defending the Lord for fear he too, will be captured.
John 18:19 "The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine."
At the core of their concern was Jesus' claim that He was the Son of God (19:7). In a formal Jewish hearing, to question the defendant may have been illegal because a case had to rest on the weight of the testimony of witnesses.
If this was an informal interrogation before the High Priest emeritus and not before the Sanhedrin, Annas may have thought that he was not bound by such rules. Jesus however, knew the law and demanded that witnesses be called (verses 20-21). An official knew Jesus was rebuking Annas and retaliated (verse 22).
You know the high priest had heard about the 5,000 men who were fed at one of Jesus' meetings. The high priest is perhaps, trying to find out what they would have to fight, if an uprising of Jesus' followers takes place.
He should already know Jesus' doctrine. Jesus had not hidden to teach. He had taught in Jerusalem many times. There was no secret about Jesus' activity. They just wanted to trap Jesus, so they might have something to accuse Him of.
John 18:20-21 "Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing." "Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said."
Jesus is right. There had been temple spies at all the meetings, trying to come up with something they could accuse Him of. They could not find anything worthy to try Him of. He only did good; how could they try Him for that?
Jesus had not hidden from them. He had spoken boldly before them, even in the temple. He is saying, ask your spies what I said. The truth of the matter is that they have no punishable offense.
John Chapter 18 Questions
1. What was the name of the brook Jesus crossed?
2. Where did Jesus go to pray and rest often?
3. What, besides this garden, is called a gethsemane in Israel?
4. Who, besides Jesus, knew that He went there often?
5. Which disciple had betrayed Jesus and brought officers to arrest Jesus?
6. What tells us this was at night?
7. Why did Jesus come forth and ask, Whom seek ye?
8. Why did John not go into detail about Judas kissing Jesus to betray Him?
9. What name did they call Jesus?
10. How did Jesus answer the people with Judas?
11. What happened to them when Jesus said, I am he?
12. When Jesus told them who He was, what did He say for them to do with the disciples?
13. Who drew his sword?
14. Whose ear did he cut off?
15. What miracle did Jesus do in front of these who came to get Him?
16. What did Jesus say to Peter?
17. Where did they take Jesus?
18. Who was Annas' father-in-law?
19. What had Caiaphas said to the counsel?
20. Who was the other disciple who followed, probably?
21. Why could this other disciple get in?
22. Who asked Peter, art thou Jesus' disciple?
23. What did Peter answer?
24. What two things did the high priest ask Jesus of?
25. Where did Jesus remind them that He had spoken openly?
26. Who should they be asking these questions?
John 18:22 "And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?"
In the previous lesson, Jesus had told them that He had not spoken in secret, but openly where anyone could hear Him. We pick up in the verse above.
This officer had no idea who he slapped. This slap was the way they did someone thought to be insolent. Perhaps, he thought Jesus cut the high priest short with His answer.
John 18:23 "Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?"
Jesus was asking for a fair trial, while His opponents, who had already decided on the sentence (see 11:47-57), had no intention of providing one.
In Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught if someone smites you on the one cheek, turn unto him the other also. Jesus appeals to this officers' good conscience here.
John 18:24 "Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest."
Annas recognized that he was not getting anywhere with Jesus and sent Him to Caiaphas because, if Jesus was to be brought before Pilate for execution, the legal accusation must be brought by the current reigning High Priest I.e., Caiaphas in his capacity as chairman of the Sanhedrin.
Annas sends Jesus to the high priest, Caiaphas.
In (verses 25-27), we see the final fulfillment of Jesus' prediction that Peter would deny Jesus three times (Matt. 26:34).
John 18:25 "And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not."
We see here, a progression of Peter's denial. Perhaps the woman went back and spoke to others about believing who Peter was. At any rate, Peter is asked again, are you one of the disciples of this Jesus who is being questioned? Peter is very emphatic when he says, I am not.
John 18:26 "One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?"
It seems a large group of the high priest's servants had gone to bring Jesus back. Malchus, whose ear was cut off by Peter, had some of his relatives among those who came to capture Jesus. He would have looked more closely at Peter, since Peter had cut Malchus' ear off.
I do not understand after Jesus put his ear back, that they did not realize who Jesus was. This kinsman of Malchus' says, didn't I see you?
John 18:27 "Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew."
In Mark 14:71, we read that Peter actually cursed and began to swear at this last denial. Just as Jesus had told Peter: after the third denial, the cock crew.
(From verses 18:28 to 19:16), this section deals with Jesus' trail before Pilate. Although Pilate appears in every scene here, Jesus Himself and the nature of His kingdom occupy center stage.
"Should be defiled": They will not enter the house of a Gentile and thus cause ceremonial defilement, but they are willing to commit murder. When Pilate asks for the accusation, they admit there is none deserving of death by Roman law (verses 30-31). Pilate realizes that Jesus has been delivered to him because of their jealousy.
John 18:28, Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover."
The judgment hall was the headquarters of the commanding officer of the Roman military camp or the headquarters of the Roman military governor. I.e., Pilate, whose normal headquarters was in Caesarea, in the palace that Herod the Great had built for himself. However, Pilate and his predecessors made it a point to be in Jerusalem during the feasts in order to quell any riots. Jerusalem became his Praetorium or headquarters.
The word "early" is ambiguous. Most likely, it refers to around 6 a.m. since many Roman officials began their day very early and finished by 10 or 11 a.m.
Jewish oral law gives evidence that a Jew who entered the dwelling places of Gentiles became ceremonially unclean. Their remaining outside in the colonnade avoided that pollution. John loads this statement with great irony by noting the chief priests' scrupulousness in the matter of ceremonial cleansing, when all the time they were incurring incomparably greater moral defilement by their proceedings against Jesus.
This hall of judgment was a worldly court. This is where the Romans judged when they were in Jerusalem. This was very early morning, possibly even before 6 a.m. as the other trials had taken place during the night.
These high priests would not go into this building, because it was a Gentile court. Passover was at hand. They were so caught up in the law that they could not recognize the Savior of the world.
John 18:29 "Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?"
The question formally opened the Roman civil phase of proceedings against Jesus, in contrast to the religious phase before the Jews (in verse 24). The fact that Roman troops were used at the arrest, proves that the Jewish authorities communicated something about this case to Pilate in advance. Although they most likely had expected Pilate to confirm their judgment against Jesus and order His death sentence, Pilate ordered instead a fresh hearing in his presence.
Pilate is the Roman governor in authority. He realizes these Jews have peculiar customs about Passover, and he comes out to judge this matter. His question is, what do you accuse Him of?
John 18:30 "They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee."
The definition of a malefactor is a criminal: someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime.
This is an evasive answer. Really, they do not have a legitimate complaint to make. They know they are limited in the severity of punishment they can do, and they want Pilate to do their dirty work for them.
John 18:31 "Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:"
When Rome took over Judea and began direct rule through a prefect in A.D. 6, capital judgment, i.e. the right to execute, was taken away from the Jews and given to the Roman governor. Capital punishment was the most jealously guarded of all the attributes in Roman provincial administration.
Now, we see their evil plan. Their law prohibits them from killing Him, and they have brought Him to Pilate to do their dirty work for them, as is stated in the verse above. They want to kill Him, but they do not want to take the blame for the killing.
As we have said before, they are jealous and afraid that Jesus will dethrone them. They do not want to lose their status or their followers.
John 18:32 "That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die."
Jesus said that He would die by being "lifted up" (3:14, 8:28, 12:32-33). If the Jews had executed Him, it would have been by throwing Him down and stoning Him. But God providentially controlled all the political procedures to assure that when sentence was finally passed, He would be crucified by the Romans and not stoned by the Jews, as was Stephen (Acts 7:59).
The Jews may have preferred this form of execution based on (Deut. 21:23).
We see here, that Pilate represents the Gentile world and these high priests and other Hebrew leaders represent the Jews. With God, there are only two types of people in the world: Jew and Gentile.
We see here that they are both guilty of the death of Jesus. Jesus, in every little detail, fulfills the Scriptures.
John 18:33 "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?"
Pilate went away from the accusers, back to the hall. His question to Jesus is not have you committed a crime, but are you king of the Jews? John skips it here, but Pilate's wife had warned him of a dream she had about Jesus. She told Pilate to have nothing to do with this.
John 18:34 "Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?"
Again, Jesus demanded witnesses.
Jesus speaks to the conscience of Pilate. We see here, that Pilate is on the defensive, not Jesus. He says to Pilate in a sense, are you going to condemn me on hearsay?
In (verses 35-38), Pilate's only concern is whether Jesus has incited rebellion against Rome. Jesus' answers show this is not the case. For this reason, Pilate finds no fault with Him.
John 18:35 "Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?"
Pilate has no evidence of wrong done by Jesus. He is sincere in wanting to know what crime Jesus has committed. He feels Jesus must have done something, or His own people would have not brought Him, accusing Him.
John 18:36 "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
By this phrase "My kingdom is not of this world", Jesus meant that His kingdom is not connected to earthly political and national entities, nor does it have its origin in the evil world system that is in rebellion against God. If His kingdom was of this world, He would have fought. The kingships of this world preserve themselves by fighting with force.
Messiah's kingdom does not originate in the efforts of man, but with the Son of Man forcefully and decisively conquering sin in the lives of His people and someday conquering the evil world system at His second coming when He establishes the earthly form of His kingdom. His kingdom was no threat to the national identity of Israel or the political and military identity of Rome. It exists in the spiritual dimension until the end of the age (Rev. 11:15).
Jesus here, is speaking to Pilate in a way that Pilate understands. Pilate knows that earthly kings have armies that fight for them. Jesus is telling Pilate this is a spiritual kingdom and not a physical kingdom.
John 18:37 "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."
Jesus here, is telling Pilate that the things, which are happening to Him now, are things He must do. Jesus says, all I have done is tell the truth. Those who recognize the truth hear me.
John 18:38 "Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."
In response to Jesus' mention of "truth" (in verse 37), Pilate responded rhetorically with cynicism, convinced that no answer existed to the question. The retort proved that he was not among those who the Father had given to the Son. "Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (verse 37).
John made it clear that Jesus was not guilty of any sin or crime, thus exhibiting the severe injustice and guilt of both the Jews and Romans who executed Him.
Pilate was truly interested. This was not a play on words. He was an intelligent man. Pilate knew that Jesus was not guilty of any crime.
John 18:39 "But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?"
Here, Pilate (knowing of Jesus' innocence), tries to get the people to request the release of Jesus at the Passover. Pilate knows for sure that Jesus is innocent.
John 18:40 "Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."
The word "robber" means "one who seizes plunder" and may depict not only a robber but a terrorist or guerrilla fighter who participated in bloody insurrection (see Mark 15:7).
Barabbas was a robber. He was guilty of what he was charged. Jesus was not guilty of any crime. Pilate knew that jealousy and envy had caused them to try to do away with Jesus. Pilate thought that by offering to free one for Passover that they would surely choose Jesus to free.
He had underestimated their hatred for the Son of God. The chief priests and elders (leaders of the church), had power over the people, and they persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas, instead of Jesus to be freed.
John Chapter 18 Continued Questions
1. Who struck Jesus with the palm of his hand?
2. In verse 23, why did Jesus ask why he hit Him?
3. Who had Annas sent Jesus to?
4. What office did Caiaphas hold?
5. What was Peter doing when they asked him if he was Jesus' disciple?
6. What was Peter's reply?
7. Who was the third person who recognized Peter and asked him if he was Jesus' disciple?
8. When Peter denied the third time, what happened?
9. Where was Jesus taken after Caiaphas?
10. Who was the Roman in charge?
11. Why did the high priest not go into the judgment hall?
12. When Pilate came out to them, what did he ask them?
13. What evasive answer did they give Pilate?
14. When Pilate told them to judge Him themselves, what did they reply?
15. Why do they want Jesus killed?
16. In verse 32, it speaks of fulfilling Scripture. In what way, does it fulfill?
17. What question did Pilate ask Jesus in verse 33?
18. Who had warned Pilate not to have anything to do with killing Jesus?
19. Who is on the defensive, Pilate or Jesus?
20. In verse 35, what question did Pilate ask Jesus?
21. Jesus said, My kingdom is _____ ___ _____ ________.
22. Jesus is telling Pilate that His kingdom is __________ not ___________.
23. When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king, how did Jesus answer?
24. What did Jesus bear witness of?
25. After Pilate talked with Jesus, what did he say to the people?
26. Pilate was offering what to fulfill the Jewish custom at Passover?
27. Who did the people choose over Jesus?
John 19:1 "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him."
Scourge means to flog or whip.
Pilate appears to have flogged Jesus as a strategy to set Him free (see verses 4-6). He was hoping that the Jews would be appeased by this action and that sympathy for Jesus' suffering would result in their desire that He be released (see Luke 23:13-16).
Scourging was a horribly cruel act in which the victim was stripped, tied to a post and beaten by several torturers. I.e., soldiers who alternated when exhausted. For victims who were not Roman citizens, the preferred instrument was a short wooden handle to which several leather thongs were attached. Each leather thong had pieces of bones or metal on the end.
The beatings were so savage that sometimes victims died. The body could be torn or lacerated to such an extent that muscles, veins or bones were exposed. Such flogging often preceded execution to weaken and dehumanize the victim (Isaiah 53:5). Apparently however, Pilate intended this to create sympathy for Jesus.
Even though Pilate knew in his heart Jesus was innocent of any crime, he still punished Him to please the people. This innocent man was being punished to please an angry crowd.
John 19:2 "And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,"
This "crown" was made from the long spikes (up to 12 inches), of a date palm formed into an imitation of the radiating crowns which oriental kings wore. The long thorns would have cut deeply into Jesus' head, adding to the pain and bleeding.
The "purple" robe represented royalty. The robe probably was a military cloak flung around Jesus' shoulders, intended to mock His claim to be King of the Jews.
This crown of thorns would be pushed down on His head to drive the thorns deep into his forehead. Blood would be pouring from these wounds. Garlands or wreaths were many times put on Roman soldiers to honor them, but this crown of thorns was a crown of scorn. Little did they know that this crown of thorns crowned the king of all the ages.
John 19:3 "And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands."
The crown of thorns, the purple robe, and the mocking hail were used to ridicule His claim to be a king (18:36). When the soldiers hit Him in the face and body it was probably with their fists, contrast with (18:22).
These Roman soldiers were cruel and heartless, striking Jesus to drive the hurt deeper. This purple robe truly was a robe of royalty, even though they thought it to be worthless. It was the garment of the King of all kings.
John 19:4 "Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him."
Why is Pilate allowing all of this cruel punishment, if he believes Jesus to be innocent? Pilate even tries to wash the guilt from his hands.
John 19:5 "Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!"
Pilate dramatically presented Jesus after His torturous treatment by the soldiers. Jesus would have been swollen, bruised and bleeding. Pilate displayed Jesus as a beaten and pathetic figure hoping to gain the people's choice of Jesus for release. Pilate's phrase is filled with sarcasm since he was attempting to impress upon the Jewish authorities that Jesus was not the dangerous man that they had made Him out to be.
Pilate is saying in this; have you no pity for this innocent man? To look upon Him would be torture at this moment for anyone who loved Him. The blood was streaming down His face. This Jesus who stood before them would one day be the Judge of each of them.
John 19:6 "When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him."
When Pilate said unto them, take ye him, the pronouns of (him), have an emphatic force indicating Pilate's disgust and indignation at the Jews for their callousness toward Jesus.
Notice who the loud cries came from: the chief priests and officers of the temple. They were not satisfied with just punishment; they were afraid of Him taking their power. They wanted Him killed. Pilate knew they couldn't kill Jesus, but he sarcastically tells them to do it themselves. He declared Jesus innocent of any crime.
John 19:7 "The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."
Here the Jews acknowledge the real reason they favor Christ's crucifixion: He claimed to be God, and they were accusing Him of blasphemy (Lev. 24:16).
These Jews would have been correct, if He had not been the Son of God. He proved at least by a 100 different ways that He was in fact, the Son of God. The miracles should have been enough, especially the raising of the dead.
John 19:8 "When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;"
Many Roman officials were deeply superstitious. While Jews interpreted Jesus' claims as messianic, to the Greco-Roman person, the title "Son of God" would place Jesus in the category of "divine men" who were gifted with supernatural powers. Pilate was afraid because he had just whipped and tortured someone who, in his mind, could bring down a curse or vengeance upon him.
Pilate knew Jesus was more than man. What if He is the Son of God? Pilate down deep believes He is the Son of God.
John 19:9 "And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer."
Pilate was concerned about Jesus' origins. His superstitious mind was wondering just what kind of person he was dealing with.
Pilate, at this point, is searching for anything he can find so that he might release Jesus. Jesus will not answer.
"No answer", compare this with Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:7 "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. "
John 19:10 "Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?"
Pilate's assertion and Jesus' response are reminiscent of Jesus' third exchanges with Satan in Matthew.
Matthew 4:8-10 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
Pilate I believe, truly wants to hear from Jesus' own lips who He is. When Jesus doesn't answer, it leaves Pilate questioning himself what to do. Then he almost pleadingly says, don't you know that I can help you, if you would tell me of yourself?
Pilate's power is of this world. He truly can speak death or life to his subjects. I can sense that even here, Pilate seems to know that this Jesus who stands before him is no mere man. If He was just a man, He would be begging Pilate to help Him.
John 19:11 "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."
Jesus' statement here indicates that even the worst evil cannot escape the sovereignty of God. Pilate had no real control (verses 10-11), yet still stood as a responsible moral agent for his actions. When confronted with opposition and evil, Jesus often found solace in the sovereignty of His Father.
"He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin", could refer either to Judas or Caiaphas. Since Caiaphas took such an active part in the plot against Jesus (11:49-53), and presided over the Sanhedrin, the reference may center on him (18:30, 35).
The critical point is not the identity of the person but guilt because of deliberate high handed and coldly calculated act of handing Jesus over to Pilate, after having seen and heard the overwhelming evidence that He was Messiah and Son of God.
Notice that Jesus does not back down from Pilate. Jesus reminds Pilate that God was actually the one who arranged for Pilate to be the ruler here at this time. Jesus adds to this that these religious people (who should know better from the Scriptures), have committed a greater sin.
I personally believe these priests knew that this was Messiah, but they did not want to give up their authority in the church. At any rate, they should be guiltier, because they are sinning in full knowledge. Pilate was not a religious man and did not have the books of the law.
John 19:12 "And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar."
This statement by the Jews was loaded with irony, for the Jew's hatred of Rome certainly indicated they too were no friends of Caesar. But they knew Pilate feared Tiberius Caesar (the Roman emperor at the time of Jesus' crucifixion), since he had a highly suspicious personality and exacted ruthless punishment.
Pilate had already created upheaval in Palestine by several foolish acts that had infuriated the Jews, and so was under the scrutiny of Rome to see if his ineptness continued.
The Jews were intimidating him by threatening another upheaval that could spell the end of his power in Palestine, if he did not execute Jesus.
Pilate was thoroughly convinced that Jesus was telling the truth. Pilate wanted to release Him, especially since his wife had dreamed that Jesus was indeed, who He said He was. These Jews were clever and knew where Pilate's weakness was.
Pilate was afraid that Caesar might hear of this and kill him. At the best, Caesar would probably have demoted him. He was like so many today that is more afraid what the world will do than what God will do. Many people miss being saved, because they are afraid how they might look to their friends.
Pilate did not want to be thought of as against Caesar.
John 19:13 "When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha."
Pilate capitulated under pressure (verse 12), and prepared to render judgment on the original charge of sedition against Rome. This "judgment seat" was the place Pilate sat to render the official verdict. The seat was placed on an area paved with stones known as "The Pavement."
The irony is that Pilate rendered judgment on the One whom the Father Himself entrusted with all judgment (5:22), and who would render a just condemnation of Pilate.
Here we see, Pilate choosing the world over God. Gabbatha is the Roman tribunal. Pilate will try just one more time to get these Jews to accept Jesus as their king.
John 19:14 "And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!"
The preparation was on Friday before the Sabbath, so that no work would have to be done on the Sabbath.
"Preparation": Since this refers to the day before the Passover when preparation for the Passover was done, John presents Jesus as being sent to execution about the time Passover lambs were being slaughtered.
"Sixth hour": John is here reckoning time by the Roman method of the day beginning at midnight.
Notice here, this does not say it was the sixth hour, it says about, which could have been even an hour earlier. Jesus was the Passover Lamb.
"Behold your King": That was Pilate's mockery, that such a brutalized and helpless man was a fitting king for them. This mockery continued in the placard on the cross (verses 19-22). Pilate tells them once more; this is your King.
John 19:15 "But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar."
"No king but Caesar" is said by the chief priests or Sadducees (politicians). Would any Pharisee have been willing to make such a blasphemous statement when God alone was to have been their King?
One more time I want to remind you: the ones pushing for Jesus to be crucified were the priests of the church. They were supposed to know the Scriptures which clearly told of the coming of Messiah. Jesus fulfilled these Scriptures. Had they really known the Scriptures they would have known this was Christ (the Messiah).
All of Pilate's pleading went unheeded. They (the priests), will settle for no less than to crucify Jesus.
John 19:16 "Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away."
Not only do these priests want Jesus crucified, but they want Him killed by a heathen ruler to make Jesus look as shameful as they could in the eyes of the Jews. The mob has ruled again. By this time Pilate has washed his hands of the matter, and the Jewish leaders have said they will take the blame.
The actual crucifixion would be done by Roman soldiers. Even though Pilate believed Jesus innocent, he let this mob cause him to crucify the King of all the world.
John 19:17 "And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:"
"Bearing His own cross" is a reference to the cross member or the horizontal bar. The condemned man carried it on his shoulders to the place of execution. Jesus carried His cross as far as the city gate, but due to the effects of the previous brutal beating, someone else had to eventually carry it for Him, i.e. Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
Golgotha is an English transliteration of the Greek which in turn is a translation of the Aramaic word meaning "skull". The place probably derived its name from its appearance.
Jesus carries His own cross as was the custom, to the place of a skull or Golgotha (Matthew 27:33). His path through Jerusalem has been called the Via Dolorosa ("Sorrowful Way").
This hill of Golgotha, or Calvary as many called it, is outside the city wall of Jerusalem, to also fulfill prophecy. This cruelest of deaths was suffered for each of us individually by our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The first time you see this place of a skull, or Golgotha, you'll hardly be able to breathe for the overwhelming impact it will have on you.
John Chapter 19 Questions
1. When Pilate took Jesus in verse 1, what did he do to Him?
2. What does the word above mean?
3. Why did Pilate do this to Jesus?
4. What did the soldiers make the crown of?
5. What color was the robe they put on Jesus?
6. What did the soldiers call Jesus?
7. In verse 4, what judgment did Pilate make of Jesus?
8. In verse 5, what does Pilate call Jesus?
9. What is Pilate saying in this name?
10. What did the chief priests and officers cry out that they wanted done to Jesus?
11. Why did the Jews claim that they wanted Jesus killed?
12. What effect did this have on Pilate in Verse 8?
13. What question did Pilate ask Jesus that Jesus did not answer?
14. What power did Pilate tell Jesus he had?
15. In reply, Jesus tells Pilate his power comes from where?
16. Pilate wants to release Jesus, but is swayed when the Jews tell Pilate, if he releases Jesus he is not _________ friend.
17. Who was Pilate more afraid of than God?
18. What is another name for the Pavement?
19. What were the Jews preparing for?
20. Who did the chief priests say was their only king?
21. What was another name for the place of a skull?
22. Where was this located?
23. Did Jesus die for us as individuals or collectively?
Verses 18-27 record the first three hours on the cross, from nine o'clock in the morning to noon.
John 19:18 "Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst."
Jesus was made to lie on the ground while His arms were stretched out and nailed to the horizontal beam that He carries. The beam was then hoisted up, along with the victim and fastened to the vertical beam. His feet were nailed to the vertical beam to which sometimes was attached a piece of wood that served as a kind of seat that partially supported the weight of the body.
The latter however, was designed to prolong and increase the agony, not relieve it. Having been stripped naked and beaten, Jesus could hang in the hot sun for hours if not days. To breathe, it was necessary to push with the legs and pull with the arms, creating excruciating pain. Terrible muscle spasms wracked the entire body; but since collapse meant asphyxiation, the struggle for life continued.
"Two other with Him" (Matthew 27:38 and Luke 23:33), use the same word for these two as John used for Barabbas, i.e., guerilla fighters.
In the last lesson, we finished with them carrying Him to Golgotha and are now crucifying Him between two common thieves.
Verses 19-22 "wrote a title": The custom in such executions was to place a placard or tablet around the neck of the victim as he made his way to execution. The tablet would then be nailed to the victims' cross see (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38). Pilate used this opportunity for mocking revenge on the Jews who had so intimidated him into this execution.
John 19:19 "And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS."
Pilate wrote the name on the cross, because Pilate knew in his own heart that Jesus was who He said He was.
John 19:20 "This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin."
Pilate wanted to make sure that whoever read this title could understand. In fact, this hill of Golgotha is just outside of the wall on a busy road leading out of Jerusalem. Scriptures were fulfilled in every detail of this crucifixion.
Here are some Scriptures of prophecy that you should read in the Old Testament about the crucifixion: (Psalms 41:9, Zechariah 11:12, Isaiah 50:6, Psalms 69:4, Isaiah 53:4-5, Isaiah 53:12, Psalms 22:16, Psalms 22:6-8, Psalms 69:21, Psalms 22:8, Psalms 109:4, Zechariah 12-10, Psalms 22:18, Psalms 34:20, and Isaiah 53:9).
John 19:21-22 "Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews." "Pilate answered, What I have written I have written."
These chief priests knew that, even in death, this would make a strong statement to the people and they wanted this sign done away with. As we said before, Pilate would not take it off.
John 19:23 "Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout."
This is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18. Psalm 22 is a messianic Psalm.
By custom, the clothes of the condemned person were the property of the executioners. The division of the garments suggests that the execution squad was made up of 4 soldiers (Acts 12:4).
The tunic was worn next to the skin. The plural "garments" probably refers to other clothes, including an outer garment, belt, sandals, and head covering.
John 19:24 "They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did."
You can find this prophecy (in Psalms 22:18). These soldiers had no idea that they were fulfilling prophecy. This tells me that God can use people who are not even saved to carry out His purposes.
In (Psalms 22:18), David, beset by physical distress and mockery by his opponents, used the symbolism of the common practice in an execution scene in which the executioner divided the victim's clothes to portray the depth of his trouble. It is notable that David precisely described a form of execution that he had never seen.
The passage was typologically prophetic of Jesus, David's heir to the messianic throne (see Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
John 19:25 "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene."
Although the exact number of women mentioned here is questioned, John probably refers to 4 women rather than three, i.e., two by name and two without naming them. One was Jesus' mother, Mary, His mother's sister, probably Salome (Mark 15:40), the mother of James and John, the son's of Zebedee. Mary the wife of Cleophas, the mother of James the younger and Joses (Matthew 27:56), and Mary Magdalene who Jesus had healed her from demon possession.
Four women attend the Crucifixion, and they remain while the disciples flee, except for John who returns. Several women, including these mentioned here, have accompanied Jesus and His disciples on their journeys, taking care of their daily needs.
These women seem to be near the cross. This same group of women is mentioned (in Matthew 27:56 and in Mark 15:40).
It really doesn't matter if there were 3 or 4. It is just interesting to note that the sister of Mary (the mother of Jesus), was there with her.
John 19:26 "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!"
This is a reference to John. Jesus, as first born and breadwinner of the family before He started His ministry did not give the responsibility to His brothers because they were not sympathetic to His ministry nor did they believe in Him (7:3-5), and they likely were not present at the time, i.e., their home was in Capernaum (see 2:12).
This is most assuredly John that Jesus tells Mary (His mother), that John is her son.
John 19:27 "Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
John was more than just a disciple of Jesus. He was a trusted and much loved friend. The greatest honor Jesus could have paid anyone was to have entrusted His mother to him. John accepts this responsibility without hesitation.
Mary then lives with John in his home as his mother. Jesus gave His mother to his closest and dearest friend, John.
The (verses for 28-30), record the last three hours on the cross from noon to three in the afternoon. Here is the fulfillment of (Psalm 69:21). Notice that the only words Jesus spoke indicating pain or discomfort was: "I thirst." It was not that He did not suffer, but only that He did not complain.
John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."
This is speaking of (Psalms 69:21). Jesus had taken care of everything to be done. Now as He fulfills that Scripture, He says I thirst.
John 19:29 "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth."
The drink here is not to be confused with the wine "mixed with gall" offered to Him on the way to the cross (Matthew 27:34), intended to help deaden pain. The purpose of this drink was to prolong life and increase the torture and pain. It was a cheap, sour wine used by soldiers. The use of this word recalls (Psalms 69:21), where the same noun occurs in the LXX. Hyssop is a little plant that is ideal for sprinkling (See Exodus 12:22).
This, as we said before, was to fulfill the Scriptures. This vinegar possibly was here for the soldiers and those crucified to dull their senses.
In the next verse, we will see exactly why this was done here.
John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
The verb here carries the idea of fulfilling one's task and, in religious contexts, has the idea of fulfilling one's religious obligations (see 17:4). The entire work of redemption had been brought to completion., The single Greek word here (translated "it is finished"), has been found in the papyri being placed on receipts for taxes meaning "paid in full" (see Col. 3:13-14).
"He gave up the ghost" signaled that Jesus "handed over" His spirit as an act of His will. No one took His life from Him, for He voluntarily and willingly gave it up (see 10:17-18).
What was finished? The work on the cross: six hours of suffering. The Scriptures had now been fulfilled. In (Luke 23:46), we learn that Jesus commanded His Spirit to leave His body and go to the Father.
At this moment, nothing was left on the cross, but the empty shell of a body.
John 19:31 "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was a high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away."
The preparation was Friday, the day before the Sabbath. It was a high day because it was the Sabbath during the Passover week. The Jews did not mind putting an innocent man to death, even the Son of God, but they were very careful not to break the Sabbath.
The normal Roman practice was to leave crucified men and women on the cross until they died and this could take days, and then leave their rotting bodies hanging there to be devoured by vultures. The Mosaic Law insisted that anyone being impaled, usually after execution, should not remain there overnight (Deut. 21:22-23). Such a person was under God's curse, and to leave him exposed would be to desecrate the land in their minds.
"Their legs might be broken": In order to hasten death for certain reasons, soldiers would smash the legs of the victim with an iron mallet. Not only did this action induce shock and additional loss of blood, but it prevented the victim from pushing with his legs to keep breathing and thus the victim died due to asphyxiation.
John 19:32-33 "Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him." "But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:"
It was very important that the legs of the Lamb of God not be broken. This Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread was also associated with the Passover celebration. For Jesus to be the Passover Lamb, He must be dead before 6 p.m. He was dead at 3 p.m. He hung on the cross six hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
He had to be entombed before 6 p.m. when Sabbath started. It was a very serious offense to work on Sabbath. This death at 3 p.m. gave time for them to go and ask His body and bury it in the cave.
John 19:34 "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
The soldier's stabbing of Jesus' side caused significant penetration because of the sudden flow of blood and water. Either the spear pierced Jesus' heart or the chest cavity was pierced at the bottom. In either event, John mentioned the outflow of "blood and water" to emphasize that Jesus was unquestionably dead.
John 19:35 "And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe."
This has reference to John the apostle who was an eyewitness of these events (verses 26, 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20 and 1 John 1:1-4).
We read in (1 John 5:6), "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth."
Read on through (verse 8), to get a more detailed explanation. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. Jesus shed His blood for our sin.
John quoted from either (Exodus 12:46 or Numbers 9:12), both of which specify that no bone of the Passover lamb may be broken. Since the New Testament portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb that takes away the sins of the world (1:29, 1 Cor. 5:7, 1 Peter 1:19), these verses have special typologically prophetic significance for Him
The quote (in verse 37), comes from (Zech. 12:10), which indicates God Himself was pierced when His representative, the Shepherd, (Zech. 13:7; 11:4, 8, 9, 15-17), was pierced.
The anguish and contrition of the Jews in the Zechariah passage, because of their wounding of God's Shepherd, is typologically prophetic of the time of the coming of the Son of God, Messiah, when at His return, Israel shall mourn for the rejection and killing of their King (Revelation 1:7).
John 19:36 "For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken."
A bone of him shall not be broken is a fulfillment of (Psalm 34:20). It was also a requirement of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12), that no bone be broken. Christ is our Passover according to (1 Cor. 5:7). Compare this with (John 1:29), where John calls Him the Lamb of God.
John 19:37 "And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
These prophesies are found (in Zechariah 12:10; Psalms 34:20). The Lamb sacrifice could not have broken bones to be acceptable to God.
John 19:38 "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."
Joseph of Arimathaea was a rich man and had a tomb which had not been lain in. Pilate surely was even more convinced of who Jesus was after the earthquake and the three hours of darkness on the land. He was very cooperative with Joseph.
Joseph had to get the body entombed before 6 p.m., when Sabbath started.
This man, Joseph of Arimathaea appears in all 4 gospels, only in connection with Jesus' burial. The synoptic gospels relate that he was a member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43), he was rich (Matthew 27:57), and he was looking for the kingdom of God (Luke 23:51).
John treated the idea of secret disciples negatively (see 12:42-43), but since Joseph publicly risked his reputation and even his life in asking for the body of Jesus, John pictured him in a more positive light.
John 19:39 "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight."
Nicodemus did the only anointing of Jesus' body before the burial. Jesus was raised before the women arrived on Sunday with the spices. Nicodemus believed, but was a fearful man. He brought the perfume for the burial.
Jesus was not embalmed. Jews were never embalmed. They were buried immediately. Embalming was an Egyptian custom.
Myrrh was a very fragrant gummy resin, which the Jews turned into a powdered form and mixed with aloes, a powder from the aromatic sandalwood. The Jews did not embalm but did this procedure to stifle the smell of putrefaction.
John 19:40 "Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury."
The spices most likely were laid on the entire length of the strips of linen which were then wound around Jesus' body. More spices were laid under the body and perhaps packed around it. The sticky resin would help the cloth adhere.
The Romans cremated, the Egyptians embalmed, and the Jews wrapped in linen with perfumes.
John 19:41 "Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid."
The other Gospels tell us that this was Joseph's sepulcher (Matthew 27:59-60).
John 19:42 "There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand."
Only John relates that the tomb was near the place where Jesus was crucified. Since the Sabbath, when all work had to cease, was nearly upon them (6 p.m., sunset), the nearness of the tomb was helpful. John does not mention that Joseph of Arimathaea rolled a stone across the tomb's mouth or that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid (Matthew 27:58-61).
The sepulcher was actually at the foot of the hill where Jesus was crucified, so it would be no problem to quickly entomb Jesus' body there.
The Jewish people spent what they could afford to have a big funeral, so this expensive tomb hewn out in the side of the mountain and the expensive perfume makes this a very appropriate entombment for a Jew.
John Chapter 19 Continued Questions
1. Who was crucified with Jesus?
2. What was the title Pilate put on the cross?
3. What languages was it written in?
4. Who read the message on the cross?
5. Name at least five prophecies fulfilled here?
6. Who complained to Pilate about the title?
7. What did they want him to change it to?
8. Did Pilate do what the Jews asked?
9. What happened to Jesus' garments?
10. Why did they not tear the robe?
11. How did they decide who got the robe?
12. Who were the women standing by the cross?
13. Who did Jesus give His mother to?
14. Did the disciple accept this responsibility?
15. When Jesus knew all was fulfilled, what did He say?
16. What was put to Jesus' mouth?
17. When did Jesus say, It is finished?
18. How long did Jesus hang on the cross?
19. In Luke 23:46, what do we learn about Jesus' Spirit?
20. What was left on the cross?
21. Why did the Jews want Pilate to have the prisoners' legs broken?
22. Why did they not break Jesus' legs?
23. What did one of the soldiers do with a spear?
24. Where, in 1 John, do we read about the water and the blood?
25. Where was the Old Testament Scripture that says a bone of Him shall not be broken?
26. Who was the disciple of Jesus who asked for His body?
27. Did Pilate do it?
28. Who brought 100 lbs. of myrrh and aloes to use in the entombment?
29. Who cremates their dead?
30. Who embalms their dead?
31. Who wrapped their dead in linen?
32. Where was Jesus laid?
Verses 20:1-31: This chapter records the appearances of Jesus to his own followers.
(1) The appearance to Mary Magdalene (versus 1-18);
(2) The appearance to the 10 disciples (versus 19-23); and
(3) The appearance to Thomas (verses 24-29). Jesus did not of appear to unbelievers (see 14:19; 16:16, 22), because the evidence of his resurrection would not have convinced them if the miracles had not (Luke 16:31).
The god of this world (Satan,) have blinded them and prevented their belief (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus, therefore, appears exclusively to his own in order to confirm their faith in the living Christ. Such appearances were so profound that they transformed the disciples from cowardly men hiding in fear, to bold witnesses for Jesus (e. g., Peter; see 18:27; Acts 2:14-39).
Once again, John's purpose in recording these resurrection appearances was to demonstrate that Jesus' physical and bodily resurrection was the crowning proof that he truly is the Messiah. And son of God who lay down his life for his own (10:17, 18; 15:13; Romans 1:4).
Verses 1-10: Several other women were present on this first visit (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; and Luke 24:1-12). His clothes lay in an orderly fashion. Had his body been stolen the grave clothes would not have been left.
John 20:1 "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher."
"The first day of the week" is a reference to Sunday. From then on, believers set aside Sunday to meet and remember the marvelous resurrection of the Lord (see Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). It became known as the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10).
"Cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark": Perhaps the reason why Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene was to demonstrate grace by his personal, loving faithfulness to someone who formally had a sordid past. But clearly also because she loved him so dearly and deeply, that she appeared before anyone else at the tomb. Her purpose in coming was to finish the preparation of Jesus' body for burial by bringing more spices to anoint the corpse (Luke 24:1).
This was the very first time that she could leave her home. From 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath. They could not go anywhere on Sabbath. Mary Magdalene was the Mary that Jesus had cast seven devils out of.
This day mentioned is Sunday. This day would soon be called the Lord's day. This would be the very first Easter Sunday.
John 20:2 "Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him."
"The other disciple, whom Jesus loved": This is the author John. Though Jesus had predicted his resurrection numerous times, it was more than she could believe at that point. It would take his showing himself alive to them by many "convincing proofs" (Acts 1:3), for them to believe.
The other disciple mentioned here is John. Mary Magdalene was astonished that the huge stone had been rolled away. She, perhaps, thought that the Roman soldiers or the Jewish leaders had taken His body away.
John and Peter were undoubtedly very close friends, along with James. These three many times had gone aside privately with Jesus.
John 20:3 "Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher."
The excitement of the woman aroused Peter and John, and they ran to the sepulcher.
John 20:4 "So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher."
We know that John was younger than Peter, and that coupled with the excitement caused him to get there quicker than the older disciple Peter.
Verses 20:5-7: "Saw the linen clothes lying." A contrast existed between the resurrection of Lazarus (11:44), and that of Jesus. While Lazarus came forth from the grave wearing his grave clothes, Jesus' body, both physical and material, was glorified and was now able to pass through the grave clothes much in the same way that he later appeared in the locked room (see verses 19- 20; Philippians 3:21).
The linen clothes and the napkin: the state of those items indicates no struggle, no unhurried wrapping of the body by grave robbers. Who wouldn't unwrap the body anyway, since transporting it elsewhere would be easier and more pleasant if it was left in its wrapped and spiced condition.
All appearances indicated that no one had taken the body, but that it had been moved through the cloth and left it behind in the tomb.
John 20:5 "And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."
Perhaps, John was too frightened to go inside until Peter got there so they could go in together. John took a peep inside, but saw nothing except the clothes of linen which had been on Jesus.
John 20:67 "Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie," "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself."
Peter took time to look around and quickly realized these were the things that Jesus had been wearing when He was placed in the sepulcher.
John 20:8 "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed."
"Believed": For as yet they do not: they believe Jesus was alive, not yet knowing the details of His resurrection
John saw the grave clothes and was convinced by them that he had risen.
John had been frightened, being a youth, but when Peter went in, he felt safe in going in also. When John saw this, he believed. He believed Mary that Jesus was no longer there.
John 20:9 "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead."
Neither Peter nor John understood that Scripture said Jesus would rise (Psalm 16:10). This is evident by the reports of Luke (24:25-27, 32, 44-47). Jesus had foretold His resurrection (2:19; Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; 9:31; Luke 9:22), but they would not accept it (Matthew 16:22; Luke 9:44, 45).
By the time John wrote this gospel, the church had developed an understanding of the Old Testament prediction of Messiah's resurrection ("as yet").
Why they didn't know is not explained, Jesus had told them over and over while He was with them, but somehow it had not soaked into their thinking: that on the third day He would rise again.
John 20:10 "Then the disciples went away again unto their own home."
Surely they were thinking that something unusual had happened here, but they had not been able to figure out what.
Verses 20:11-13 "Weeping": Mary's sense of grief and loss may have driven her back to the tomb. She apparently had not crossed paths with Peter or John and thus did not know of Jesus' resurrection (see verse 9).
This was Mary's second visit (verses 11-18: Mark 16:9-11).
John 20:11 "But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher,"
Even Jesus' body had been important to Mary. Her thought must have been that they had taken all contact with her Savior away. Her sorrow would be turned into joy.
John 20:12 "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain."
Two angels (Luke 24:4), describes both. Matthew (28:2-3 and Mark 16:5), report only one. John's reason for the mention of angels is to demonstrate that no grave robbers took the body. This was an operation of the power of God.
Looking with the physical eye could, perhaps, not reveal these two angels, but Mary was looking, broken in spirit. Jesus will not leave her without hope. The sight of these two angels brought hope to Mary. Mary is not one who sees, but yet cannot see. She believes and can see the glories of God.
John 20:13 "And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."
Mary was so grief stricken that she had failed to realize these two angels had brought good news to her. She is still interested in finding the body of Jesus that she might be even that close to Him. Even in death sometimes, we feel better when we visit the grave of the deceased.
John 20:14 "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."
"Knew not that it was Jesus": The reason for Mary's failing to recognize Jesus is uncertain. She may not have recognized him because her tears blurred her eyes (verse 11). Possibly also, the vivid memories of Jesus' bruised and broken body were still etched in her mind, and Jesus' resurrection appearance was so dramatically different that she failed to recognize him. Perhaps, however, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, she was supernaturally prevented from recognizing him until he chose for her to do so (see Luke 24:16).
This seems to be a strange Scripture, but truly it is not. Our bodies will be changed from a fleshly body into a spiritual body before they go to heaven. My own personal belief is that the Spirit of Jesus went immediately to the throne of God when He commanded His Spirit to go to the Father. On the third day, I believe, His Spirit rejoined His body. His body was transformed into a Spiritual body.
In (1 Corinthians 15:44), the natural body must be transformed to spirit to go to heaven. When He speaks to her, and calls her Mary, she recognizes Him.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
John 20:15 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away."
Mary is so bereaved that she is still inquiring of Jesus' body. He must have looked like a natural man, or she would not have thought Him to be a gardener. When Jesus called her woman, she represented all of suffering humanity.
John 20:16 "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
Mary! Whatever the reason for her failure to recognize Jesus, the moment he spoke this single word "Mary," she immediately recognized him. This is reminiscent of Jesus' words "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (10:27; 10:3-4).
There was something in the way He said her name that revealed to Mary who He was. Rabboni or Master means you are my Lord. In this moment, Mary is thrust from worshipping Jesus as Healer, Teacher, and Deliverer to worshipping Him as Lord of all.
There is no doubt that Mary saw Him in all His glory here. There was such an awakening in her spirit as to who He really is.
John Chapter 20 Questions
1. When did Mary Magdalene come to the sepulcher?
2. What did she see that surprised her?
3. When was Jewish Sabbath?
4. What would this day soon be called?
5. Who did she run and tell?
6. Which of the men arrived first at the sepulcher?
7. Who was the first to go in?
8. What did they see inside?
9. Where did they return to?
10. Who stayed behind?
11. Why did they not realize what had happened?
12. What was Mary doing at the sepulcher after the men left?
13. Who did Mary see at the head and foot of where Jesus had lain?
14. What did they ask Mary?
15. When she turned she saw whom?
16. Who did she think He was?
17. In 1 Corinthians 15:44, what do we learn about the body?
18. In verse 51 of 1 Corinthians, what shall all do?
19. When does Mary recognize Jesus?
20. What does Mary call Jesus?
21. What major change has taken place in Mary?
Verses 20:1-31: This chapter records the appearances of Jesus to his own followers.
(1) The appearance to Mary Magdalene (versus 1-18);
(2) The appearance to the 10 disciples (versus 19-23); and
(3) The appearance to Thomas (verses 24-29). Jesus did not of appear to unbelievers (see 14:19; 16:16, 22), because the evidence of his resurrection would not have convinced them if the miracles had not (Luke 16:31).
The god of this world (Satan,) have blinded them and prevented their belief (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus, therefore, appears exclusively to his own in order to confirm their faith in the living Christ. Such appearances were so profound that they transformed the disciples from cowardly men hiding in fear, to bold witnesses for Jesus (e. g., Peter; see 18:27; Acts 2:14-39).
Once again, John's purpose in recording these resurrection appearances was to demonstrate that Jesus' physical and bodily resurrection was the crowning proof that he truly is the Messiah. And son of God who lay down his life for his own (10:17, 18; 15:13; Romans 1:4).
Verses 1-10: Several other women were present on this first visit (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; and Luke 24:1-12). His clothes lay in an orderly fashion. Had his body been stolen the grave clothes would not have been left.
John 20:1 "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher."
"The first day of the week" is a reference to Sunday. From then on, believers set aside Sunday to meet and remember the marvelous resurrection of the Lord (see Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). It became known as the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10).
"Cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark": Perhaps the reason why Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene was to demonstrate grace by his personal, loving faithfulness to someone who formally had a sordid past. But clearly also because she loved him so dearly and deeply, that she appeared before anyone else at the tomb. Her purpose in coming was to finish the preparation of Jesus' body for burial by bringing more spices to anoint the corpse (Luke 24:1).
This was the very first time that she could leave her home. From 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath. They could not go anywhere on Sabbath. Mary Magdalene was the Mary that Jesus had cast seven devils out of.
This day mentioned is Sunday. This day would soon be called the Lord's day. This would be the very first Easter Sunday.
John 20:2 "Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him."
"The other disciple, whom Jesus loved": This is the author John. Though Jesus had predicted his resurrection numerous times, it was more than she could believe at that point. It would take his showing himself alive to them by many "convincing proofs" (Acts 1:3), for them to believe.
The other disciple mentioned here is John. Mary Magdalene was astonished that the huge stone had been rolled away. She, perhaps, thought that the Roman soldiers or the Jewish leaders had taken His body away.
John and Peter were undoubtedly very close friends, along with James. These three many times had gone aside privately with Jesus.
John 20:3 "Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher."
The excitement of the woman aroused Peter and John, and they ran to the sepulcher.
John 20:4 "So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher."
We know that John was younger than Peter, and that coupled with the excitement caused him to get there quicker than the older disciple Peter.
Verses 20:5-7: "Saw the linen clothes lying." A contrast existed between the resurrection of Lazarus (11:44), and that of Jesus. While Lazarus came forth from the grave wearing his grave clothes, Jesus' body, both physical and material, was glorified and was now able to pass through the grave clothes much in the same way that he later appeared in the locked room (see verses 19- 20; Philippians 3:21).
The linen clothes and the napkin: the state of those items indicates no struggle, no unhurried wrapping of the body by grave robbers. Who wouldn't unwrap the body anyway, since transporting it elsewhere would be easier and more pleasant if it was left in its wrapped and spiced condition.
All appearances indicated that no one had taken the body, but that it had been moved through the cloth and left it behind in the tomb.
John 20:5 "And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in."
Perhaps, John was too frightened to go inside until Peter got there so they could go in together. John took a peep inside, but saw nothing except the clothes of linen which had been on Jesus.
John 20:67 "Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie," "And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself."
Peter took time to look around and quickly realized these were the things that Jesus had been wearing when He was placed in the sepulcher.
John 20:8 "Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed."
"Believed": For as yet they do not: they believe Jesus was alive, not yet knowing the details of His resurrection
John saw the grave clothes and was convinced by them that he had risen.
John had been frightened, being a youth, but when Peter went in, he felt safe in going in also. When John saw this, he believed. He believed Mary that Jesus was no longer there.
John 20:9 "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead."
Neither Peter nor John understood that Scripture said Jesus would rise (Psalm 16:10). This is evident by the reports of Luke (24:25-27, 32, 44-47). Jesus had foretold His resurrection (2:19; Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; 9:31; Luke 9:22), but they would not accept it (Matthew 16:22; Luke 9:44, 45).
By the time John wrote this gospel, the church had developed an understanding of the Old Testament prediction of Messiah's resurrection ("as yet").
Why they didn't know is not explained, Jesus had told them over and over while He was with them, but somehow it had not soaked into their thinking: that on the third day He would rise again.
John 20:10 "Then the disciples went away again unto their own home."
Surely they were thinking that something unusual had happened here, but they had not been able to figure out what.
Verses 20:11-13 "Weeping": Mary's sense of grief and loss may have driven her back to the tomb. She apparently had not crossed paths with Peter or John and thus did not know of Jesus' resurrection (see verse 9).
This was Mary's second visit (verses 11-18: Mark 16:9-11).
John 20:11 "But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher,"
Even Jesus' body had been important to Mary. Her thought must have been that they had taken all contact with her Savior away. Her sorrow would be turned into joy.
John 20:12 "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain."
Two angels (Luke 24:4), describes both. Matthew (28:2-3 and Mark 16:5), report only one. John's reason for the mention of angels is to demonstrate that no grave robbers took the body. This was an operation of the power of God.
Looking with the physical eye could, perhaps, not reveal these two angels, but Mary was looking, broken in spirit. Jesus will not leave her without hope. The sight of these two angels brought hope to Mary. Mary is not one who sees, but yet cannot see. She believes and can see the glories of God.
John 20:13 "And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."
Mary was so grief stricken that she had failed to realize these two angels had brought good news to her. She is still interested in finding the body of Jesus that she might be even that close to Him. Even in death sometimes, we feel better when we visit the grave of the deceased.
John 20:14 "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."
"Knew not that it was Jesus": The reason for Mary's failing to recognize Jesus is uncertain. She may not have recognized him because her tears blurred her eyes (verse 11). Possibly also, the vivid memories of Jesus' bruised and broken body were still etched in her mind, and Jesus' resurrection appearance was so dramatically different that she failed to recognize him. Perhaps, however, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, she was supernaturally prevented from recognizing him until he chose for her to do so (see Luke 24:16).
This seems to be a strange Scripture, but truly it is not. Our bodies will be changed from a fleshly body into a spiritual body before they go to heaven. My own personal belief is that the Spirit of Jesus went immediately to the throne of God when He commanded His Spirit to go to the Father. On the third day, I believe, His Spirit rejoined His body. His body was transformed into a Spiritual body.
In (1 Corinthians 15:44), the natural body must be transformed to spirit to go to heaven. When He speaks to her, and calls her Mary, she recognizes Him.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
John 20:15 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away."
Mary is so bereaved that she is still inquiring of Jesus' body. He must have looked like a natural man, or she would not have thought Him to be a gardener. When Jesus called her woman, she represented all of suffering humanity.
John 20:16 "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."
Mary! Whatever the reason for her failure to recognize Jesus, the moment he spoke this single word "Mary," she immediately recognized him. This is reminiscent of Jesus' words "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (10:27; 10:3-4).
There was something in the way He said her name that revealed to Mary who He was. Rabboni or Master means you are my Lord. In this moment, Mary is thrust from worshipping Jesus as Healer, Teacher, and Deliverer to worshipping Him as Lord of all.
There is no doubt that Mary saw Him in all His glory here. There was such an awakening in her spirit as to who He really is.
John Chapter 20 Questions
1. When did Mary Magdalene come to the sepulcher?
2. What did she see that surprised her?
3. When was Jewish Sabbath?
4. What would this day soon be called?
5. Who did she run and tell?
6. Which of the men arrived first at the sepulcher?
7. Who was the first to go in?
8. What did they see inside?
9. Where did they return to?
10. Who stayed behind?
11. Why did they not realize what had happened?
12. What was Mary doing at the sepulcher after the men left?
13. Who did Mary see at the head and foot of where Jesus had lain?
14. What did they ask Mary?
15. When she turned she saw whom?
16. Who did she think He was?
17. In 1 Corinthians 15:44, what do we learn about the body?
18. In verse 51 of 1 Corinthians, what shall all do?
19. When does Mary recognize Jesus?
20. What does Mary call Jesus?
21. What major change has taken place in Mary?
John 20:17 "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
In the last lesson, Mary has just recognized Jesus and called Him Rabboni or Master. Of course, it is a great desire on her part to touch Him to make sure this is not just her imagination. We spoke of the two kinds of bodies that are explained in (1 Corinthians 15), in the last lesson, natural body and the spiritual body.
Mary was expressing a desire to hold on to His physical presence for fear that she would once again lose him. Jesus' reference to His ascension signifies that he would only be temporarily with them and so she desperately wanted him to stay, He could not. Jesus was with them only for 40 more days and then He ascended (Acts 1:3-11).
After He went to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit ("The Helper"), so that they would not feel abandoned.
"My brethren": Disciples have been called "slaves" or "friends" (15:15), but not "brothers," until here. Because of Jesus' work on the cross in place of the sinner, this new relationship to Christ was made possible (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 1:5; Hebrews 2:10-13).
My own personal belief is that this is the Spirit body which the Spirit of Jesus has reunited with. Jesus tells Mary to go tell the disciples. This makes Mary a missionary. She is to carry the good news to her brethren. Mary will be the first to spread the great resurrection story.
We will see in the next verse that Mary is obedient and does just exactly what Jesus has told her to do. All believers in Christ have been adopted into the family of God. He is our Father God, as well as the Father and God of Jesus.
John 20:18 "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her."
We see here, that John leaves no doubt which Mary this is that brings the gospel message. Notice that Jesus uses those of the earth whom the world believes is unworthy to bring His message.
John 20:19 "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."
This was Sunday evening of the resurrection. The doors are shut, and Jesus appears in His Resurrection body. Evidently He could appear, disappear, pass through material, and defy the law of gravity (as He did at the Ascension), in His Resurrection body.
The Greek word indicates the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. Since The authorities had executed their leader, they reasonably expected that Jesus' fate could be their own. "Peace be unto you": Jesus' greeting complements His "it is finished," for his work on the cross accomplished peace between God and His people (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14-17).
Jesus is now in His glorified body. It is not necessary for Him to open the door. This appearance of Jesus is the same evening that He had shown Himself to Mary at the sepulcher that morning. This is still Sunday.
These disciples had probably assembled to sort out what Mary had told them. They were afraid to meet publicly for fear that they would be killed. Jesus is the King of Peace, so this greeting is no big surprise.
John 20:20 "And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."
Jesus proved that He who appeared to them was the same One who was crucified (Luke 24:39).
Jesus' appearance was different, and yet the scars were still in His hands and side.
The Spirit body has a great deal to do with the physical body, but is changed, also. These disciples had been confused and perhaps, some did not believe when Mary told them that she had seen Jesus. Now they know for themselves that He is risen, and they are glad.
John 20:21 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
This commission builds on (17:18; see Matthew 28:19-20).
There is a peace that comes when we receive the Truth of Jesus Christ into our lives. We have no fear of death, because we know there is a resurrection.
Now Jesus gives them a job to do. They are to carry the good news of the gospel to the entire world. Just as the Father sent Jesus on a mission to save the world, now Jesus sends His followers to save the world.
John 20:22 "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"
Here the disciples are anointed by the Holy Spirit preliminary to the book of Acts. This corresponds to the Holy Spirits special ministries in the Old Testament. Such ministries were for special tasks. Soon the Holy Spirit would come and permanently abide with them (Acts 2).
Since the disciples did not actually receive the Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost, some 40 days in the future (Acts 1:8, 2:1-3), the statement must be understood as a pledge on Christ's part that the Holy Spirit would be coming.
This Holy Spirit would breathe into these disciples, eternal life. This would empower them to carry out the work that Jesus had begun. The very next verse tells you something of the Power He has breathed into them.
Jesus gives the Spirit of everlasting life along with the powerful anointing. This divine life which Jesus gives these disciples will empower them to do things impossible to do in the flesh.
John 20:23 "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
This is a divine prerogative (Mark 2:7). The anointing of the Holy Spirit makes this possible.
This is a very hard Scripture, except for the fact that these disciples are extensions of Jesus' ministry. Just as Jesus had said, on another occasion, that when two agree as touching anything on this earth it shall be done of my Father in heaven.
This verse does not give authority to Christians to forgive sins. Jesus was saying that the believer can boldly declare the certainty of a sinner's forgiveness by the Father because of the work of His son if that sinner has repented and believed the gospel.
The believer with certainty can also tell those who do not respond to the message of God's forgiveness through faith in Christ that their sins, as a result, are not forgiven.
(Matthew 18:19). We also, have read here in John chapter 14, that believers can do the same miracles Jesus did when He was on earth, if they are done in the name of Jesus.
This is an empowering to use the name of Jesus. These disciples are an extension of Jesus' ministry. They must do these things in His name is the only difference. It is Jesus' power.
In (verses 24-26), Thomas has already been betrayed as loyal but pessimistic. Jesus did not review Thomas for his failure, but instead a passionate plea offered him proof of His resurrection. Jesus lovingly met him at the point of his weakness (2 Timothy 2:13).
Thomas's actions indicated that Jesus had to convince the disciples rather forcefully of His resurrection, i.e., they were not gullible people predisposed to believing in resurrection. The point is they would not have fabricated or hallucinated it, since they were so reluctant to believe even with the evidence they could see.
John 20:24-25 "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came." "The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."
This reminds me so much of many people today. They want facts before they will believe on Jesus. Facts and faith are not the same. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. This Scripture above is why a person who does not believe today is called a doubting Thomas.
The Bible must be taken by faith. Abraham's righteousness was because he had faith. We are heirs with Abraham, if we have faith.
John 20:26-27 "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."
Thomas did not enjoy that extra eight days of faith that the others had. Just Jesus suddenly appearing in the room should have been enough, but when Jesus repeated the very things Thomas had said, Thomas believed.
As I said: without faith, it is impossible to please God. It bothers me when people get too caught up in the literal word and doubt everything and everyone. God is a Spirit. We must understand and believe within our spirit to please God.
John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and My God."
Suddenly Thomas moves from the unbelieving to the side of undeniable faith. His eyes have been opened, and He calls Jesus more than Savior; he calls Him Lord, which means he is Jesus' servant. The widest understanding comes when he calls Jesus his God.
With these words, Thomas declared his firm belief in the resurrection and therefore, the deity of Jesus the Messiah and Son of God (Titus 2:13). This is the greatest confession a person can make. Thomas's confession functions as the fitting capstone of John's purpose in writing (see verses 30, 31).
These words from Thomas form the climax to John's Gospel and summarize its theme.
John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
Jesus foresaw the time when such tangible evidence as Thomas received would not be available. When Jesus ascended permanently to the Father, all those who believe would do so without the benefits of seeing the resurrected Lord. Jesus pronounced a special blessing on those who believe without having Thomas's privilege (1 Peter 1:8-9).
I really believe for this very reason God has not allowed the masses to see the Ark of Noah on Mount Ararat. When this great ship is found, photographed, and revealed to all, many will believe because of undeniable evidence.
I believe God does not want us to believe with our mind. God wants us to believe with our heart, because we love Him.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
This is the faith God respects. It takes no faith at all to believe in something you can see with your eyes. In (chapter 11 of Hebrews), there are a large number of people listed who believed without seeing. God loves and blesses them the most.
John 20:30-31 "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:" "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
These verses constitute the goal and purpose for which John wrote the Gospel. John tells us here he wrote that this Gospel for purposes of conversion, " that ye might believe", and of sanctification "that ye might have life".
Notice what you must believe, that Jesus is Messiah, Christ (the Anointed one of God). When you believe He is the Son of God, you believe He was born of a virgin. We receive everlasting life when we truly believe in our heart these things.
Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
John Chapter 20 Continued Questions
1. Why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him?
2. What was she to tell the disciples?
3. What scripture contains the two kinds of bodies found?
4. Which Mary was this talking about?
5. What did Mary tell the disciples?
6. Who does the Lord send with His message?
7. What day of the week does Jesus appear to the disciples?
8. Why were the disciples hidden?
9. What did Jesus say to them?
10. What did Jesus show the disciples that made them believe?
11. Jesus says, as my Father sent me _______ ___ ______ ___ _______.
12. When Jesus breathed on them, what did He say to them?
13. In verse 23, what power did Jesus give them?
14. How can Jesus' disciples do miracles?
15. Who was called Didymus?
16. What did he say he would have to see before he would believe?
17. Without ______________ it is impossible to please God.
18. How many days later did Jesus appear to Thomas?
19. What did Jesus say to Thomas?
20. What two names did Thomas call Jesus?
21. Why did Jesus say Thomas believed?
22. Who is even more blessed that believe?
23. What is faith in Hebrews chapter 11?
24. Why were these signs written?
25. What must we believe?
Versus 21:1-25 form the epilogue or appendix of John's Gospel. While (chapter 20:30-31), constitutes the conclusion of the body of the fourth Gospel, so the information here at the end of his work provide a balance to His prologue (in 1:1-18). The epilogue essentially ties up 5 loose ends that were unanswered (in chapter 20).
(1) Will Jesus no longer directly provide for His own? (20:17). This question is answered in (verses 1-14).
(2) What happen to Peter? Peter had denied Christ 3 times and fled. The last time Peter was seen was (in 20:6-8), where both he and John saw the empty tomb but only John believed (20:8). This question is answered (in verses 15-17).
(3) What about the future of the disciples now that they are without their Master? This question is answered (in verses 18-19).
(4) Was John going to die? Jesus answered this question (in verses 20-23).
(5) Why weren't other things that Jesus did recorded by John? John gives the answer to that (in verses 24-25).
John 21:1 "After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself."
The sea of Tiberius is an alternate name for the Sea of Galilee , found only in John (see 6:1).
In this manifestation "made Himself real" to the disciples, Jesus is revealing to the disciples His Godhood.
This was the home of many of these disciples before Jesus called them to follow Him. Many of them were fishermen here on this sea. When Jesus was crucified, some of them went back to their nets and began fishing again.
John 21:2 "There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples."
In all lists of the apostles, Simon Peter is named first, indicating his general leadership of the group (Matthew 10:2).
Peter, James, and John had previously been fishermen. It appears the disciples were just waiting for Jesus to tell them what to do.
I don't believe this account is something that happened immediately after Jesus appeared to Thomas. John just put it in here, because of its importance.
John 21:3 "Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a-fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing."
Peter had gotten tired of waiting and goes fishing. The other disciples decide to go with him. Probably their families and the servants had been running these fishing boats after Peter, Andrew, James, and John had left to follow Jesus.
We see here, that this night they caught no fish. Perhaps, this has to do with the almost futile effort they made until they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.
"I go a fishing". The most reasonable explanation for Peter and the others to go to Galilee in order to fish was that they went in obedience to the Lord's command to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:16). Peter and the others occupied themselves with fishing, which was their former livelihood, while they awaited Jesus' appearance.
Peter in particular (even though he denied Jesus in fear), would later feel privileged to be crucified like his Lord. Perhaps, the darkness symbolizes the darkened world before the light of Jesus comes.
John 21:4 "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus."
This could be another instance in which the Lord kept His disciples from recognizing him (20:14-15; Luke 24:16).
John 21:5 "Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No."
The eyes had deceived them; they did not realize that this was Jesus. They should have known when Jesus called them children, but they thought this just to be an inquiring stranger.
John 21:6 "And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."
We see here many symbols. First, Jesus had told them before that He would make them fishers of men. The right side is symbolic of those who believe, and the left side is those who refuse salvation. The sheep (saved), are on the right.
Multitude is a word that is used extensively in the Bible when describing the large numbers who are dressed in white robes because they are saved. Abraham's seed was to be so large a multitude it could not be numbered.
We see here also, that Jesus is teaching them how to fish. The gospel message must fall on willing ears before it will be accepted. The Holy Spirit prepares the heart to receive, and then when you bring the message God's way, a multitude will be saved.
John 21:7 "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."
John immediately recognized that the stranger was the risen Lord, for only He had such supernatural knowledge and power (verse 6). Peter was wearing no outer garment. He swam the hundred yards to shore.
This disciple is John who tells Peter. This being naked has a spiritual meaning. Peter felt as if he had no covering, because he had denied Jesus. He now knows the Lord is still interested in him.
John 21:8 "And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes."
The "little ship" is a small skiff attached to the main fishing vessel.
Two hundred cubits is about three hundred feet. They were bringing their catch with them.
John 21:9 "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."
Apparently, the Lord created this breakfast as He had created food for the multitudes (6:1-13).
We see here Jesus Christ the Savior of the world providing for the needs of these He has called. This is a simple meal, but sufficient to take care of their needs. Jesus has set a table before each of us; it is therefore our obligation to eat of that table.
You can bring the gospel message over and over, but until the people partake of it themselves, they will go away hungry.
John 21:10 "Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught."
We must go back to where Jesus had told them that He would make them fishers of men, before we can get the full impact of what the spiritual meaning is here. Jesus is, in a sense, telling them that they must bring the catch into the kingdom.
John 21:11 "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken."
John's recording of the precise number reinforces the fact that he was an eyewitness author of the events he recorded (1 John 1:1-4). Jesus' action here in providing the fish also indicated that He would still provide for his disciples needs (Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:25-33).
The fact that Peter brought the net in shows that God has established Peter to bring Gentiles into the kingdom. Many times, the sea is symbolic of people. To me this again, tells these disciples, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel". When you throw out the net (preach), many are saved.
The fact that this one hundred and fifty-three is a specific number lets us know that it has great spiritual significance. This Scripture does not say they caught one hundred and fifty-three different kinds of fish, so we know that this was not an impossibility.
We also, know that on another occasion, they caught so many that the net broke and they did not bother to count them.
We can gather from these two things, that the number one hundred and fifty-three symbolizes a spiritual truth. At that time, there were one hundred and fifty-three different types of fish known in their world.
My own personal belief, and the belief of a very dear friend in Christ who has taught the Bible for over sixty years, is that this one hundred and fifty-three symbolizes the fact that people of all nations and kindreds shall be represented in heaven.
The gospel net is thrown to whosoever will regardless of their nationality.
Revelation 14:6 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
We can easily see that God is interested in all people. I say again, that these one hundred and fifty-three fish probably indicate that God wants His disciples to preach to all people. The net being so full, but still able to hold them, just means there is room in heaven for all. You must remember that just a short time earlier, they were preaching to just the Hebrews.
John 21:12 "Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord."
This invitation that Jesus gives these disciples is open today, Come and dine.
Matthew 4:4 we read "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
There is a song called "COME AND DINE" in most hymnals. In this song, Jesus invites His chosen few to come and dine. It speaks of the manna He fed them in the wilderness, it speaks of the few fishes and bread feeding the multitude, and then it speaks of that heavenly food that never runs out.
The spiritual meaning of all of this is to come and feast on the Word of God. It never runs out. There is plenty to go around and more.
Notice here, that His disciples did not recognize Jesus from His outward appearance, but they knew Him when He spoke to them. They knew it was their Lord. This tells us that what is inside is much more important than the outward appearance. He is in His glorified body. He has changed to the eyes, but He is the same Lord.
John 21:13 "Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise."
Jesus feeds the hungry every time. We should feed upon His Word, and we will be filled. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Here is one last note on this lesson above to all the ministers. We may be like Noah who preached all those years and never had a convert, but all we can do is preach (fish): God gives the increase.
One more thing we need to look at is these disciples not recognizing Jesus from sight, but only when He spoke to them. When we look at Jesus with our physical eyes, we do not recognize Him for who He is. When He moves upon our heart and we see Him in the Spirit, He is very clear to us.
John Chapter 21 Questions
1. On what sea did Jesus show Himself to the disciples?
2. Give two other names for this sea?
3. Which of the disciples were there?
4. In verse 3, what did Simon Peter say to the rest?
5. How many fish had the disciples caught that night?
6. When morning came, where was Jesus?
7. What question did Jesus ask the disciples when He called to them on the sea?
8. Who did they think Jesus to be at first?
9. What did Jesus tell them to do that they had not done previously?
10. Why could they hardly bring in the net?
11. What had Jesus told these disciples previously that He would make them?
12. Who is the unnamed disciple in verse 7, probably?
13. What did Peter do before swimming to shore?
14. Approximately how far is two hundred cubits?
15. When the disciples got to shore, what did they see?
16. Jesus has set a table before us, what is our obligation to do?
17. Who pulled the net to land?
18. What is throwing out the net symbolic of?
19. What does the one hundred and fifty-three tell us?
20. What does this full net that does not break mean?
21. What does Jesus invite them to do?
22. In Matthew 4:4, we are told to do what?
23. What two foods did Jesus feed them?
24. What note to the ministers will encourage those who seem to have no converts?
John 21:14 "This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."
This is a 3rd appearance to the disciples, although there have been appearances to other people. "The third time", the reference to the "3rd time" refers only to the appearances reported in John's Gospel, i.e., the first being (in 20:19-23; the second in 20:26-29).
In the previous lesson, Jesus was on the sea shore feeding the disciples. Now we read that this is the third time that Jesus has appeared to them since the resurrection.
This still bothers me that even after they knew He had resurrected from the grave and was, in fact, glorified. That they would not be out ministering the things that He had taught them. At some point in our life, we must get off the sidelines and get into the heat of battle to win people to the kingdom.
These disciples are sitting around waiting for Jesus to do it all. Jesus I believe, is trying to show them in all of this, that if they will do what He has ordered them to do (cast the net on the right side), they will bring many souls to God.
Verses 21:15-17: This interview was probably conducted within the hearing of the other six disciples. Peter had publicly professed his loyalty before the Crucifixion and Jesus wants the other disciples to understand Peter's restoration. Jesus uses his old name Simon, not "Rock," his new spiritual name.
More than these is a reference to the other disciples (Matthew 26:33), where Peter claimed he would be loyal when all others failed. Jesus repeats the question three times, no doubt to remind Peter of his three denials of his Lord
The meaning of this section hinges upon the usage of 2 synonyms for love. In terms of interpretation, when 2 synonyms are placed in close proximity in context, a difference in meaning, however slight, is emphasized. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He used a word for love that signified total commitment.
Peter responded with a word for love that signified his love for Jesus, but not necessarily his total commitment. This was not because he was reluctant to express that greater love, but because he had been disobedient and denied the Lord in the past. He was perhaps, now reluctant to make a claim of supreme devotion, when in the past, his life did not support such a claim.
Jesus pressed home to Peter the need for unswerving devotion by repeatedly asking Peter if he loved Him supremely. The essential message here is that Jesus demands total commitment from his followers. Their love for Him must place Him above their love for all else.
Jesus confronted Peter with love because he wanted Peter to lead the apostles (Matthew 16:18). But in order for Peter to be an effective shepherd, his overwhelming drive must exemplify supreme love for his Lord.
John 21:15 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."
"More than these?" This probably refers to the fish verse 11 representing Peter's profession as a fisherman, for he had gone back to it while waiting for Jesus (see verse 3). Jesus wanted Peter to love Him so supremely as to forsake all that he was familiar with and be exclusively devoted to being a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19). The phrase may also refer to the other disciples, since Peter had claimed he would be more devoted than all the others (Matthew 26:33).
"Tend my lambs". The word "tend" conveys the idea of being devoted to the Lord's service as an under shepherd who cares for his flock (see 1 Peter 5:1-4). The word has the idea of constantly feeding and nourishing the sheep. This served as a reminder that the primary duty of the messenger of Jesus Christ is to teach the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:2).
(Acts 1-12), records Peter's obedience to this commission.
This statement to Peter overlooks the fact that Peter had denied Jesus three times. Jesus had told Peter that he was a rock. When Peter told Jesus that He was Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God, Jesus had told Peter that flesh and blood had not revealed this to Peter, but the Spirit of God.
As we said in a previous lesson, Peter was ready to fight for Jesus. He just didn't understand Jesus allowing them to take Him. Peter has no way of knowing whether he loves Jesus more than these other disciples do. He does know that he has great love for the Lord.
He also knows that Jesus knows what is in his heart. At this point, Peter is just happy that the Lord will have him back at all.
Matthew 16:17-19 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
We see from this that great power and authority in the church had been given Peter. God never goes back when He has said something. This promise Jesus made Peter was still in effect. Jesus now is telling Peter, get on about your mission, start now to feed my lambs. Feed them, so they can become mature sheep.
These baby Christians who belong to Jesus are the lambs Jesus is talking about. Teach them and make them mature Christians.
John 21:16 "He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
Notice the only difference here in Jesus' reply is He changes lambs to sheep. Peter is to keep the sheep (more mature), Christians in correct fellowship, as well as the lambs.
John 21:17 "He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
Peter was grieved. The 3rd time Jesus asked Peter, He used Peter's word for love that signified something less than total devotion, questioning even the level of Peter thought he was safe in claiming.
The lessons driven home to Peter grieved his heart, so that he sought for a proper understanding of his heart, not by what he said or had done, but based on the Lord's omnipotence (2:24-25).
This is really aggravating Peter, but he should remember that he denied Jesus three times, so now he must reverse that denial into total recognition. Jesus really is telling Peter here, I am setting you over my Church, and you are to see that the pure Word of God is fed to those who believe in me (sheep).
This is a commission of God for Peter to oversee the Church. When Peter called Him Lord, it tells all. Peter will now obey Jesus to the utmost. Jesus does know the great love that Peter has for Him and that is why He entrusts the Church to Peter.
Verses 18-19 are a prophecy of Peter's martyrdom. Jesus called devotion to Him would also mean that Peters devotion would entail his own death (Matthew 10:37-39). Whenever any Christian follows Christ, he must be prepared to suffer and die (Matthew 16:24-26).
Peter lived three decades serving the Lord and anticipating the death that was before him (2 Peter 1:12-15), but he wrote that such suffering and death for the Lord brings praise to God (1 Peter 4:14-16). Church tradition records that Peter suffered martyrdom under Nero (A.D. 67-68), being crucified upside down, because he refused to be crucified like his Lord.
John 21:18 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not."
Twenty-five times in the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the expression verily, verily to introduce a concept they here might have difficulty believing. This intensive expression emphasized that what was stated was true just as God is true. In the Old Testament, a person who might be doubted would use such an expression to insist he was telling the truth (Numbers 5:22).
When a Christian approaches his Bible, he should do so with the commitment to believe the whole Word of God and not just part of it. (John 1:51; John 21:18; Romans 1:17).
Jesus Christ the Victor, is telling Peter here, that Peter will be the helm of the church, and Peter in His youth will be strong and will walk in that strength. But He is also telling Peter of his death: that he will be captured and held against his will.
Peter has called Jesus, Lord, so Peter truly is no longer his own man, he will do the will of his Lord. Jesus here, tells Peter of the persecution that will come.
John 21:19 "This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."
We see here, Jesus telling Peter that Peter will follow Him not only in His life's work, but in His death as well. Jesus is giving Peter a sign, so that He will know in days to come.
In (verses 18 and 19), Jesus predicts the manner of Peter's death. A late tradition suggests that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome by Nero.
Versus 20-22: Jesus' prophecy regarding Peter's martyrdom prompted Peter to ask what would happen to John ("the disciple whom Jesus loved" (see 13:23). He may have asked this because of his deep concern for John's future, since he was an intimate friend.
Jesus' reply "Follow Me," signified that his primary concern must not be John, but his continued devotion to the Lord and His service. I.e., Christ's service must be his all-consuming passion and nothing must detract from it
John 21:20 "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?"
This is speaking of John the beloved.
Perhaps John added this account to counteract a commonly believed notion that Jesus had predicted that John would not die. He did outlive all the other disciples. In fact, all the others were probably dead by the time John wrote this beloved gospel.
John 21:21 "Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?"
Peter is trying to get Jesus to tell him what work Jesus will have John to do. This is not the Lord's way though. The Lord will tell John, and only John, what the work is that He has for him to do.
Verses 22-23: "Until I come": Jesus' hypothetical statement for emphasis was that, if John lived until His second coming, it was none of Peter's concern. He needed to live his own life in faithfulness, not compare it with any other.
John 21:22 "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."
Jesus is telling Peter that each of us has a special work to do that the Lord called only us to do. We should not be concerned about someone else's work, only the work God has given us to do. There is no place for jealousy in God's kingdom.
This also indicates here, that maybe John never died. He could have been like Enoch. On one of the times he went to heaven, maybe he just stayed. There is no record of John ever dying. It really is not any of Peter's business or ours, what happened to John.
That is Jesus' business. He closes this statement to Peter by saying; you just do the work I have given you to do.
John 21:23 "Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"
This statement is still brought up today even among Christians. We know that Elijah was carried to heaven in a whirlwind without dying, because he pleased God. John was John the beloved; he pleased God also, so it would not be unlikely that the same thing would happen to him. As I said, it is not our concern.
John 21:24 "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true."
John is speaking of himself here. John was very close to Jesus. He was called the disciple of love, because of the great love he had for Jesus. He understood Jesus more than any of the others.
John is a personal witness of the truth of the events that he recorded. The "we" most likely is and editorial device referring only to John (see 1:14; 1 John 1:1-4; 3 John 12), or it may include the collective witness of his apostolic colleagues
John 21:25 "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."
We see from this last statement here (in another way), John is telling us that every miracle and every word uttered by Jesus upon this earth was revealing to mankind the overwhelming fullness of the Godhead.
John explain that he had been selected rather than exhaustive in his testimony. Although selective, the truth revealed in John's Gospel is sufficient to bring anyone to faith in the Messiah and Son of God (14:26; 16:13).
That the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit are all somehow beautifully manifested to man in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ upon the earth. John is so awed by the person of Jesus Christ that he does not have the words to express His greatness.
In (1 John 5:7), he comes as close as possible for any man to describe this completeness "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
In Jesus Christ, the Son of God dwelled all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. God is everything to everyone, in every way.
John Chapter 21 Continued Questions
1. In verse 14, John explains that Jesus had revealed Himself to them after the resurrection how many times?
2. What name did Jesus call Peter in verse 15?
3. What question did Jesus ask Peter?
4. How did Peter answer?
5. What did Jesus tell Peter to do?
6. What had Jesus told Peter he was earlier?
7. Who had revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the living God?
8. In Matthew 16:17-19, Jesus had placed Peter as what?
9. What are lambs spiritually?
10. What did Jesus ask Peter the second time?
11. What is the only difference in the work Jesus gave Peter to do in the second question?
12. Whose son was Jonas?
13. What one name has Peter called Jesus that tells what Peter's life will be?
14. In verse 18, what is Jesus forewarning Peter of?
15. Verse 19, says this message of Jesus' to Peter signifies what?
16. Who are they speaking of when they say he leaned on Jesus breast at supper?
17. What question does Peter ask Jesus about John?
18. What did Jesus reply to Peter?
19. What saying went abroad among the brethren after Jesus' answer to Peter about John?
20. Whose concern is it what happened to John?
21. What broad statement did John say about Jesus in verse 25?
22. What was every word Jesus uttered on earth trying to do?
23. What does 1 John 5:7 say?
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