John 12:1-36

Second Section: 12:1-36. The Last Days of the Ministry of Jesus.

This section includes three parts: 1. The supper of Jesus at Bethany: John 12:1 to John 11:2. His entry into Jerusalem: John 12:12 to John 19:3. The last scene of His ministry in the temple: John 12:20-36.

These three facts are selected by the evangelist as forming the transition from the public ministry of Jesus to His Passion. This appears, in the first part, from the discontent of Judas, the prelude of His treason, and from the response of Jesus announcing His approaching death; in the second, from John 12:19, which shows the necessity in which the rulers found themselves, after Palm-day, of rendering homage to Jesus or of ridding themselves of Him. Finally, in the third, from the entire discourse of Jesus in answer to the step taken by the Greeks, and from His final farewell to the Jewish nation, John 12:36. In the first two divisions, the evangelist at the same time sets forth the influence which the resurrection of Lazarus had upon the course of things as he describes it: John 12:2; John 12:9-11; John 12:17-19. Thus all things in this narrative, though apparently fragmentary, are in reality closely linked together. Luthardt rightly says: “This chapter is at once a closing and a preparation.”