SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER. The other Gospels tell us that Jesus went from Ephraim across the Jordan and came back through Jericho with the large crowd of Galileans who came to Jerusalem for Passover. This dinner at Bethany would be on Saturday [the Sabbath], six days before he would die on Friday... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PREPARED A DINNER FOR HIM. For notes on this dinner and the anointing, see Matthew 26:6-16. FOR THE DAY OF MY BURIAL. Before the week ended, he would be in the grave. It was the custom to anoint bodies for burial. A LARGE CROWD OF THE JEWS. People from Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE CHIEF PRIESTS MADE PLANS TO KILL LAZARUS TOO. Lazarus was living proof of the divine power of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NEXT DAY. McGarvey says this would be Sunday, April 2, 30 A.D. [by the corrected calendar]. For notes on the Triumphant Entry, see Matthew 21:1-11.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WAS WHY THE CROWD MET HIM. John explains both the crowd and their attitude as they meet Jesus in the Triumphant Entry.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK, THE WHOLE WORLD IS FOLLOWING HIM. At this point, Jesus could have proclaimed himself King, and the people would have followed him! But see John 6:15 and note there. The whole city was in an uproar (Matthew 21:10-11).... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME GREEKS. These are Gentiles who have converted to Judaism. [Not Greek-speaking Jews, as in Acts 6:1.] They had come to worship in Passover.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIR, WE WANT TO SEE JESUS. They want an interview with the one whom all Jerusalem is talking about! [Philip probably spoke the Greek language.]... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIP WENT AND TOLD ANDREW. They were close friends.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ANSWERED THEM. He speaks to the two disciples, but likely the Greeks were there also and heard his answer. THE HOUR HAS NOW COME. When he is _lifted up,_ he will draw all men, Greeks, Gentiles, as well as Jews, to himself. See John 12:32; and compare note on John 8:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT DOES DIE. A grain of wheat may be preserved for centuries in a storage bin, but is useless there. When it is dropped into the ground, it _dies,_ but in the process, it produces many grains. It is a paradox that the _death_ of Christ is the source of _life_ to the whole world! There is also a l... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER LOVES HIS OWN LIFE WILL LOSE IT. Christ gave his life and was given great glory. The grain of wheat dies, and lives a hundred grains. Those who hate [_love less,_ see note _on_ Luke 14:26] their own lives _for Jesus' sake,_ will live eternally [and _reproduce_ many new Christians].... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER WANTS TO SERVE ME. This is his direct answer to the Greeks. To _serve_ Jesus is to give yourself to him as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), adopt his methods and goals, and_ follow him_ even to the point of death! God will honor those who do this.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW MY HEART IS TROUBLED. The best explanation of this is the account of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-46 and notes there). Shall I say? His whole life on earth has been preparation for this _hour._ His death will fulfill God's purpose (Luke 9:31). Without his death, he would be a seed preserved but not... [ Continue Reading ]
FATHER, BRING GLORY TO YOUR NAME! In Gethsemane, an angel came to help him (Luke 22:43); here it is God who speaks. Three times God spoke from heaven during Christ's life: _first,_ as Jesus is buried in baptism, symbolic of his own burial in the grave; _second,_ at Transfiguration, when Moses and El... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL SPOKE TO HIM. All heard the sound of the voice, but could not identify it. They knew only that it was something supernormal!... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT FOR YOURS. The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "It was of immense importance that the disciples, and the people generally, should understand that the sudden transition from the throne offered by the triumphal acclamation of the previous day to the cross, was not a defeat but a fulfilment of th... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE WORLD TO BE JUDGED. The Cross became his throne, and he received the Crown! See Philippians 2:5-11. NOW THE RULER OF THIS WORLD. It must be frustrating to be the Devil! He never can win, and the Cross turned out to be his greatest defeat! See Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8; Reve... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I AM LIFTED UP. Lifted up: _first,_ to the Cross; second, from the grave; _third,_ to heaven and the Throne. See notes on John 6:37; 1 Corinthians 1:23-25.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE MESSIAH WILL LIVE FOREVER. They do not see how his death will fit _in_ with their idea of an _eternal king._ WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN? They begin to think that perhaps "Son of Man" is not the same as "Messiah." Two distinct _lines_ of prophecy in the Old Testament spoke of a Messiah who would... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIGHT WILL BE. This is their only answer. Use the opportunity you now have, before it is taken away from you.... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT. To be "people of the light" is _to find life in the truth_ of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY DID NOT BELIEVE IN HIM. Mighty works do not produce faith in one whose heart is wicked and bitter.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THE PROPHET ISAIAH HAD SAID. God's law is that those who refuse to see will not be allowed to see (compare 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY JEWISH AUTHORITIES BELIEVED IN JESUS. We know two of the Council who did: Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. DID NOT TALK ABOUT IT OPENLY. Those who did would be expelled (John 9:22)... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT JUDGE HIM. The word which he has spoken will measure everyone! God sent the Son into the world to be the world's Savior. God acted in history through Jesus. Because this is true, we may be changed (2 Corinthians 5:17) from enemies into friends of God. He is the source of Eternal Life, and... [ Continue Reading ]