CHAPTER XII.
John shows. logical order in developing the causes of the hostility of
the Jewish authorities to Christ, which is not found in the other
Gospels. From the time when, at his first Passover, the Lord drove the
money changers out of the temple, their hatred had grown deeper at
every fresh... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOINTED FOR BURIAL (JOHN 12:1-16)
One cannot enter upon the study of the portion of the Gospel that now
opens before us without feeling that he is entering upon the most
tender, solemn and sacred portion of the sacred story. This journey to
Jerusalem is the last journey, is the Lord's last appeal... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE THEY MADE HIM. SUPPER; AND MARTHA SERVED.
It is not said at whose house the feast took place, only that it was
at Bethany, that Martha served, that Lazarus was one of those at the
table, and that Mary was there. Matthew and Mark say that it took
place at the house of "Simon the leper." Of him... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TOOK MARY. POUND OF OINTMENT OF SPIKENARD, VERY COSTLY.
Spikenard, from which the ointment was, made, was an aromatic herb of
the valerian family. It was imported from an early age from Arabia,
India, and the Far East. It was the costliest anointing oil of
antiquity, and was sold throughout th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAITH ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, JUDAS ISCARIOT.
Matthew (26:8) states that "_ the disciples_ " had indignation; Mark
reports that "_ some_ had indignation;" John (12:4), as knowing who
had whispered the first word of blame, fixes the uncharitable judgment
on "Judas Iscariot, Simon's son." The narr... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY WAS NOT THIS OINTMENT SOLD FOR THREE HUNDRED PENCE?
About $45.. penny here is the denarius,. Roman silver coin worth 15 to
17 cents. The wretch, who is just going to sell the only Son of God
for 30 pence (pieces of silver), values at 300. little ointment,
perfume, and vapor.--_ Quesnel._ As the... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE HE HAD THE BAG.
Judas was treasurer of the little company. They must have had. meagre
purse; and it was too much for him to see all this money thrown away
on the mere sentiment of love, when it might have gone into their
treasury, from which he could steal it, for he was. thief. But he
conc... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HER ALONE: AGAINST THE DAY OF MY BURYING HATH SHE KEPT THIS.
Their indignation was roused against the poor, shrinking Mary as if
she had robbed them. No doubt Judas felt as if he had been robbed.
Then Christ interposed with authority and silenced them, adding.
commendation, saying, "She has ant... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE POOR ALWAYS YE HAVE WITH YOU.
You will have plenty of opportunities to aid them; and the more they
did for their Master, the more they would do for the poor, for the
poor are left in his stead, and through them will be expressed the
increased love of the Master. It is the want of _love,_ no... [ Continue Reading ]
MUCH PEOPLE OF THE JEWS THEREFORE KNOW THAT HE WAS THERE.
The language indicates that he tarried there for several days, from
Friday till Sunday, and throngs came to see him. He was not seeking
privacy now.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF PRIESTS CONSULTED..... PUT LAZARUS TO DEATH.
Lazarus was. living testimonial to the divine power of Christ and they
desired to get him out of the way.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE NEXT DAY.
This was Sunday, often called Palm Sunday, because on this day the
multitude took the branches of palm trees.
MUCH PEOPLE THAT WERE COME TO THE FEAST.
Josephus says that from two to three millions attended. Passover. All
the Gospels give an account of this entry into Jerusalem an... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK BRANCHES OF PALM TREES, AND WENT OUT TO MEET HIM.
They carpeted the Savior's pathway with their garments and the
gigantic leaves of the palm tree. The "branches of palm trees" are not
strictly, branches at all, but the enormous leaves, twelve to sixteen
feet long, which spring from the top of t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS, WHEN HE HAD FOUND. YOUNG ASS, SAT THEREON.
This was Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the people
expected him to become king at once. The _outside_ of this triumph was
very mean. He rode upon an ass's _colt,_ which made no figure. This
colt was _borrowed._ Christ went upon the... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF SION: BEHOLD, THY KING COMETH.
Each of the four evangelists goes back to the prophecy (Zechariah 9:9)
as fulfilled in this remarkable event,--the only known instance in
which Jesus ever rode upon any animal.--_ Cowles._ Hitherto he had
entered the holy city on foot: this day h... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS UNDERSTOOD NOT HIS DISCIPLES AT FIRST.
There was much connected with his ministry that never became clear
until he had suffered and risen. Then in the clear light of the Holy
Spirit all was like. sunbeam.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
1. Affection desires to express itself in costly sacrif... [ Continue Reading ]
GENTILES SEEKING CHRIST (JOHN 12:17-36)
17. The people... bare record.
John has just narrated. wonderful passage in the life of the Redeemer,
his entry into the city of his enemies, who had resolved to slay him,
in triumphal procession with vast crowds raising acclamations and
shouting his kingly... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAME ALSO THE PEOPLE MET HIM.
Thousands who had not seen the miracle were moved by the story of the
eye-witnesses, and eagerly went out to meet him and joined in the
acclamations. They could not be regarded as believers but belonged to
the fickle throng who went with the tide; who would on... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHARISEES THEREFORE SAID AMONG THEMSELVES.
These subtle opposers, were astounded and frightened by the proofs of
the popularity of Jesus. They had joined with the Sanhedrim in.
determination to put Christ to death; he had retired from the city and
disappeared for. time from sight; an order had b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WERE CERTAIN GREEKS AMONG THEM THAT CAME UP TO WORSHIP AT
THE FEAST.
A remarkable circumstance is related. The Passover feast was for the
Jews, and those who came there to worship were of the seed of Abraham,
but on this occasion, "among those who came to worship" were Greeks,
members of t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME CAME TO PHILIP.
In the court of the Gentiles where the Lord then was waiting and
"looking around." He observed much that required correction and on the
next day, Monday, he again drove out the stock traders and the money
changers. The name Philip is Grecian, as well as Andrew, and those of... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIP COMETH AND TELLETH ANDREW.
Andrew was also of Bethsaida and he and Philip seem to have been
inseparable friends. The fact that Philip wanted some one to go with
him to Christ shows how his character had inspired with awe even those
who were nearest to him. Perhaps the Greeks followed the two... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUR IS COME, THAT THE SON OF MAN SHOULD BE GLORIFIED.
The answer of Christ may have been to Philip and Andrew, and the
Greeks may have heard and understood it. The substance is that the
time for his glorification had come and that glorification would draw
all men, Greek, Gentiles as well as Je... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT. CORN OF WHEAT FALL INTO THE GROUND AND DIE, IT ABIDETH ALONE.
This statement, prefaced by the verily, verily, that gives solemn
emphasis, enforces. great truth. The grain of wheat may remain in the
granary for. thousand years and be preserved, but it is useless there.
It neither reproduces,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT LOVETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT.
Then he announces. principle that underlies all exaltation. He gave
his life and found eternal exaltation; the grain gives its life and
lives. hundred fold; those who consecrate their lives, give them up
for others, dedicate them to their holy work, will live... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN SERVE ME, LET HIM FOLLOW ME.
This is Christ's direct answer to the Greeks. His service is to be
rendered, not by secret interviews, but by obeying him, for so the
word "follow." is to be understood.
IF ANY MAN SERVE ME, HIM WILL MY FATHER HONOR.
God demands that "every knee should bow... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IS MY SOUL TROUBLED.
"Now. sudden change comes over the spirit of the Redeemer. His eye
closes on the crowd without; he ceases to think of, or to speak with
man; he is alone with the Father.. dark cloud descends and wraps him
in its folds."--_ Hanna._ It is the shadow of the cross and the tomb.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CAME. VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING,. HAVE GLORIFIED IT, ETC.
At Gethsemane the angel came to strengthen him; here the Father's
voice speaks in approval. Three times the Father's voice was heard
from the sky; _first,_ when Christ was buried in Jordan,. type of his
own burial; _second,_ when Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL SPAKE TO HIM.
All heard the sound of the divine voice, but it was not clear to all
what it was. Like those who were with Saul of Tarsus when on the way
to Damascus, they heard, but did not comprehend.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS VOICE CAME NOT BECAUSE OF ME.
He had already won the victory before the voice came. It was rather to
confirm the faith of his disciples who still stumbled over the
prospect of his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IS THE JUDGMENT OF THIS WORLD.
_Now,_ "this hour," the "hour" referred to in verses 23d and 27th, the
hour for which he had come into the world, the hour of the cross; that
was to be the hour of judgment, the _crisis,_ which should determine
who should rule the world. The cross became. throne.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF. BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH,. WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME.
Lifted up, _first,_ to the cross; _second,_ from the grave; _third,_
to heaven and the eternal throne. The crucified, risen and exalted
Savior becomes. power to draw all men, Jews and Gentiles, all nations.
Christ does not declare that he... [ Continue Reading ]
SIGNIFYING WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD DIE.
And the great events that followed it as. regular sequence.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW THAT CHRIST ABIDETH FOREVER.
The multitude were perplexed. They had cried, "Hosanna to the King of
Israel who cometh in the name of the Lord." They believed Christ to be
the king. Their idea of the Messiah was an eternal king. Now he spoke
of death. They ask two questio... [ Continue Reading ]
YET. LITTLE WHILE THE LIGHT IS WITH YOU.
He refuses to answer their questions directly, but imparts to them
needed truths. The light was then present with them. He was shining,
teaching. Let them seek the light and walk in it while they had
opportunity. The opportunity might soon pass away and the... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT, THAT YE MAY BE THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT.
That they might receive the light of the light of the world they must
believe on him. Unbelief closed their spiritual eyes to his words.
Unless there was belief and. reception of the light they could not
become children of the light. With... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CAUSE OF UNBELIEF (JOHN 12:37-50)
If that view is correct which assigns the last discourse to the temple
on Monday it belongs to Christ's farewell words to Israel. From
thenceforth he entered the temple no more. In the conflicts recorded
in Matthew, Chapter s XXII and XXIII, he had been finally... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE SAYING OF ESAIAS THE PROPHET.
The saying here recorded is found in Isaiah 53:1. John means to say
that God had by Isaiah predicted the very state of things in Israel
and the Jews so acted that it might be fulfilled.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE, BECAUSE THAT ESAIAS SAID.
Isaiah 6:10. The Revision is clearer, which reads: "For this cause
they could not believe, for that Isaiah has said again." The cause of
their unbelief is not that Isaiah _said_ thus and thus, but he points
out the cause of their unbelief... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HARDENED THEIR HEART.
This explains why they could not believe. Whether they were morally
responsible for their unbelief depends on how God blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart. If he did it by. direct act, regardless of
their moral condition, then they were no... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS AMONG THE CHIEF RULERS MANY BELIEVED ON HIM.
These were members of the Sanhedrim. They had an intellectual faith,
but it was not. power over their hearts. "With the heart man believes
unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation" (Romans 10:10). These rulers... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS CRIED AND SAID.
John does not say when, or where, but. think, gives. sort of summary
of what he had said, now that his appeal to the Jewish nation was
closed. In verses 44 and 46 he declares his oneness with him who sent
him.... [ Continue Reading ]
AM COME. LIGHT INTO THE WORLD.
It was the office of Christ to make all things clear. His mission and
person illuminate the mysteries of our being and destiny when they are
seen in their fulness. In many respects he is. Sun. Those who abide in
his light will have their doubts solved, mysteries cleare... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGE HIM NOT.
In declaring that he judges not those who hear his words and believe
not, he is not inconsistent. In the day of judgment he shall sit upon
the throne, not to condemn the world that he came to save. It will
always be either saved or condemned. The words that he left in it as
his will... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF MYSELF.
Of my own mind and will, but it was the Father who had spoken in him.
He gave. commandment what the Son should say. It will be seen that
this summary repeats ideas that have been made prominent in discourses
of the Savior that John has already reported.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW THAT HIS COMMANDMENT IS LIFE EVERLASTING.
The commandment of the the Father is not only directed to the
bestowment of life on men, but it is life. There is life in the truth
of God when it is received into the heart and becomes the law of life.
His commandment is truth. Christ says: "My words... [ Continue Reading ]