GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 13

REMEMBER ME

The last Supper

INTRODUCTION TO JOHN CHAPTER 13

In chapter 12 we studied the resurrection of Lazarus and found Jesus delayed his departure to Bethany.  We saw faith in action.  We saw Jesus perform miracles which only God could do.  We saw humility and worship when Mary anointed Jesus with costly aromatic oil (Nard).  In chapter 13 begin with what has become to be known as “The Lords Super”.  We will study why this super was so important for His disciples, and especially for we who believe in Jesus The Christ.  We will see Jesus washing His disciples feet, showing them humility.  We also learn of the betrayal of Jesus by one of His chosen

As quoted from an essay entitled Passover in the Time of Jesus
Study By: Daniel B. Wallace
“Our records are scanty in some places, but the majority of aspects of the evening are certifiable as authentic at that time. We will not eat gifilta fish, nor have a boiled egg or a bare lamb shank bone on our plates, since this practice does not date back to the time of Jesus.  1 The meal itself will be simple: hors d’oeuvres, lamb, unleavened bread, and wine; the symbolic significance of the meal, however, will be rich and complex. The Passover was a festive occasion—a celebration of the nation’s release from Egyptian bondage.  …disciples did, for only later did they realize the irony of this joyous occasion that pointed to the death of the Messiah.”
…try to reflect on what may have been going through the disciples’ minds as well as our Lord’s, as [they partook] of that last Passover before His death.

JESUS OBSERVES PASS OVER WITH HIS DISCIPLES

[1] Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
Who were His own?  Those who loved Him and believed He was the Christ.

[2] and during supper, the devil having already entered into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him.  The devil is Satan the deceiver, for he knew the heart of Judas.  Judas had love in his heart for money “for the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil” (I Tim 6:10).  Judas was, the only apostle from Judea; the rest were from Galilee Satan uses our weaknesses to deceive us To divert our lives from worshiping God to one of self justification of our thoughts and actions.

[3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, (X JN 3:35); That which is of this world remains in this world; That which is of heaven returns to heaven (X JN 8:23)

[4] *got up from supper, *and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

A LESSON IN HUMILITY

[5]  Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  This task was reserved for the lowest of house servants, A very unpleasant task; certainly not a job for their teacher.  This task performed by Jesus made the disciples very uncomfortable.  They believed that this was certainly not a job for their teacher.  Or was it?  The lesson taught by Jesus washing their feet was one of humility.

[6] and so *He came to Simon Peter. *He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”
If anything Peter must have felt that he should be should be washing Jesus’ feet, and yet this was not offered to Jesus when he entered the room.  Peter acted quite understandably reluctant to allow Jesus to wash his feet. Why was the washing of feet otherwise significant?  Having the feet bathed signified the status of an honored guest and was reserved for an honor which was a common Jewish custom at formal banquets.  Foot washing took place either on arrival or before the feast.  Christians adopted the Hebrew foot washing ceremony and in some religious faiths this is still considered as one of the three ordinances (sacrament) i.e. baptism, the Lord's Supper,and  foot washing.  For some Christian communities foot washing acts as a renewal of baptism and commitment to living God's way of life.  Foot washing is still practiced in one form or another throughout the world on the Thursday before Good Friday.

  [7] Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.”  They had never witnessed an honored guest do such a lowly task.  Jesus demonstrates that position in life does not make a person any better than others.  Humility and pride: pride is a selfish state of being and brings about a fall; humility is an unselfish state of being and brings eternal honor (X Prov 29:23)
A Levitical statute (X Lev 16:31)

 [8] Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”  Jesus desired an intimate relationship with His disciples.  He desired to sanctify them (set them apart) from other followers.  Theologians believe Christ's action demonstrated service rather than status

  [9] Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”
Peter did not want to be separated from Jesus, and not understanding the significance of Jesus’ action; was
Willing to submit  all to Jesus to show his love.  The feet washing was not a physical cleaning as Peter thought, But rather a lesson in humility.  Jesus was also cleansing the soul not the body
Jesus explains this in verse 10

[10] Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”  Once again Jesus was speaking figuratively, he was saying they were clean because their belief in His personal teachings (X JN 15:3; EPH 5:26).  Even though they were cleaned in spirit by His words.  Their feet were exposed to the filth daily, and their lives were like wise exposed to sin daily. They, and we who are believers, need to be cleansed by Jesus daily, so they/we would be continually and completely be cleansed of the filth of sin.  Jesus is teaching us to come to Him daily asking for cleansing.  Although all His disciples heard the word not all were washed clean.  Scripture does not tell us if Jesus washed Judas Iscariot's feet, I doubt that He did for He knew Judas' heart and that Satan would  entered into Judas.

[11] For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

[12] So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  He was teaching them not to just be humble before God but also with each other.  Jesus knew that the disciples had been arguing as to who was the greatest among them (X LK 9:46; MAR 9:34).  Jealousy crowds out love and fosters hate.  The humble shall be the greatest in heaven (X MAT 18:4)

[13] “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.

[14] “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

[15] “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.
 The disciples washing of each others feet was an act of forgiveness by them to each other (MAT 5:23-24).  Have you sought out forgiveness from a brother/sister for a wrong you've done them?

[16] “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 

[17] “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (X MAT 10:24; JN 15:24).  A teacher trains the student, who once trained will be like not greater than the teacher (X LK 6:40).  Soon we shall see Jesus sending His disciples out none being greater than He but yet all being one with Jesus.
Jesus chose all 12 disciples an yet one was a devil (X JN 6:70).  Why would Jesus pick a disciple knowing He knew was a devil?  The answer is found in verse 18b

[18] “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; b but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’  18b is a quote from PS 41:9 and speaks of a friends betrayal

[19]“From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He." (PS 41:9)  Jesus was concerned that the events which were to come would cause His disciples to stumble in their belief. (X JN 16:1).  Jesus also wanted His disciples to know that He knowingly would give Himself up for persecution and crucifixion.

[20]  a “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; b and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”  As we learned in verse 16 the pupil is like the teacher and teaches those things learned from the teacher.  Jesus is telling His disciples, Those who receive their teaching will be receiving Jesus who sent them.

JESUS REVEALS HIS BETRAYAL
[21] When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me
Jesus was troubled in that one He loved would betray Him All the disciples recorded the same statement “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.”  Jesus knew Satan would use Judas.  Jesus loves all who followed Him, even the one who would betray Him.   Jesus did not want that any should perish, but knew also this betrayal must be; to fulfill prophesy

[22] The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.
Why didn't Jesus just say it is Judas Iscariot?  Judas must be allowed to complete the betrayal.  If his name was revealed I believe they, possibly, would have killed Judas.  Peter was known to have a quick temper and a very loyal spirit.  We will see this temper demonstrated when Jesus is taken in the garden in the valley of Kidron. Yet they must have suspected it was  Judas, after all they thought him to be a  thief why not then a betrayer as well ?

[23] There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Which disciple is spoken of here?  Although not identified by name here; it is thought that this was John himself .  Why was John singled out as “the one Jesus loved”?  While Jesus loved all His disciples there was a special spot in Jesus’ heart for John Jesus looked into Johns heart and saw love. We can see this through out the gospel of John.

[24] So Simon Peter *gestured *to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.”  Why didn't Peter just ask Jesus himself?  Peter knew Jesus loved John and would more likely have told John  Jesus had not as yet told John and would not identify Judas by name not even to John

[25] He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
Now Jesus knowing who it was chose not to name Judas.  He identified him only by an offering of bread.
Jesus had stated that He was the bread of life.  The morsel offered to Judas was later identified as such.  (X Luke 22:19) The bread which was broken was unleavened which we have learned is symbolic of sin, and in fact the Jewish people still search the house for leaven before celebrating the Passover
Jesus was sinless a perfect offering

[26] Jesus then *answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, *He took *and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
Judas took the morsel offered by Jesus

[27] After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
Judas lust for money made him weak.  Satan used this weakness to entice Judas to betray Jesus
Judas was to receive thirty pieces of silver for his service.  Satan prays upon the weaknesses of man
Guard well the portals of good and evil; the eyes, The ears

[28] Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him.
Why didn’t Jesus just make a bold announcement?  The other apostles would have killed Judas and the prophesy would not have been fulfilled

[29] For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. (Ref bible.org/ariticle Passover
It’s not clear why they supposed Judas was to buy things needed for the feast as they had already began to feast.  They had completed six pulmonary Nisan (actions) of the Passover meal
Nisan 10—Selection of a lamb
Jesus was the Lamb of God to slaughter on a colt
Nisan 13—Searching for leaven:
There was no sin found in Jesus
Nisan 14—Foot washing
Jesus had come as a servant not a king

[30] So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
It was customary for the host to offer one of the guests a morsel of bread as a gesture of special friendship.
Because Jesus gave Judas this honor the disciples assumed this was the customary gesture.
“…It was night.” is significant in that the hour for which Christ, the light of the world, had been waiting , when the powers of darkness attempt to ensnare Him, begins in darkness

[31] Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus *said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him;
In His death Christ and the Father will be glorified (v31). In the resurrection and exaltation the Father will glorify Christ and validate all His claims (v32)

[32]  if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.
[33] “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
Why does He now call His disciples “Little children”?  because of their belief they became adopted into the family of God

[34] “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another

[35] “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

[36] Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”
Was Jesus talking about His crucifixion or ascension?  Peter is said to have been crucified under Emperor Nero, the cross being upside down at his own request since he saw himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ.

[37] Peter *said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.”
Jesus’ reply in verse 38 was shocking to Peter (the rock).  Peter truly loved Jesus but as we will see later he would deny I believe that at that moment Peter would have laid down his life.  We will see later that Peter tried to prevent Jesus from being taken prisoner.

[38] Jesus *answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.
John is the only disciple who named Peter as the one who cut of the ear of Macchus Matthew, Mark, and Luke only wrote “one of the ones who was stood by Jesus’’… We see Peter fulfilling this prophesy in JN 18:27

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 12

INTRODUCTION TO JOHN 12

In chapter 11 we studied the death and resurrection of Lazarus.  We discovered Jesus knew and loved Lazarus, but delayed His return to Bethany with purpose and intent.  His return to this area would place His life in danger.  Jesus delayed His departure to Bethany so that God may be glorified.  We also learned of the continued plotting to rid the threat of Jesus.
In Chapter 12 we will learn of Mary anointing Jesus with very expensive oils and perfumes, while totally humbling herself.  The high priest conspires to kill Lazarus who was a living testimony of the Christ.  We will see the threat Jesus presents to the ruling body of Israel.  We will see interest among the Greeks (non Jew) grow.  Jesus prepares His followers for His death

Mary Anoints Jesus  John 12 1: 11

1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. It would appear there was only one person doing all the work.
What thoughts did Martha harbor (X Luke 10: 39-42)?  Answer: Envy, Anger, Not appreciated

3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  Nard is a very expensive perfume who’s proper name is Spikenard from the Valerian family which grows in Nepal and in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,000-5,000 This partially explains the cost, three hundred denarius, of this aromatic oil.  Why did she use her hair to dry Jesus’ feet? The answer:  Perhaps she wanted to make the anointing an intimate experience.  Perhaps she felt this would be the supreme act of humility

4 But Judas Iscariot, [X John 6:71] one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” The answer:  One denarius is the equivalent of one days pay.  It would have taken her nearly a year [ 11+ months] to save that much money denying herself of any living expenses.  This would have been the greatest sacrifice she could have made  Do you think Judas desired to help the poor?  The answer:  He was the treasurer of the 12 (X JN 12:6)  It is written by John that Judas was a thief pilfering from the collections received by the twelve.  I believe it was jealousy ruling Judas.  Or he was simply greedy and would have stolen even more

6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.  If this was known or even suspected why was there no action taken to discipline Judas?  The answer:  To take action by Jesus would have violated His own teaching.  (X Luke 6:30)

7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. (X JN 19:40) 8 “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”  No one but Jesus knew just how quickly that time was approaching.  Jesus is not saying don’t give to the poor, He is saying prioritize and put Jesus first.

9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.  Seeing is believing, I believe the word of the resurrection traveled quite fast Because  there is a tendency, when  a story is retold several times, of embellishments or distortion it would be natural to validate it with ones own eyes.  To the Jew of that time, the resurrection story, must have seemed to fall into this category.  Today we tend to stop, look, or desire to see the results of any unexpected or unbelievable event

10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; Why did the priests want Lazarus death?  The answer is found in verse 11;  "because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing".  Lazarus had became the validation of the deity of Jesus, for who else but God could raise someone from death.  If they could put Lazarus to death they would be able to spin the story as a hoax.  Seeing is believing if Lazarus was not there then people could not see for themselves if the story was true

Jesus Enters Jerusalem John 12: 12-19

12  On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” …Blessed is He… is referenced also in the old testament (X PS 118:26) Nathaniel also proclaims Jesus as King of Israel (X John 1:49)

14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, (X Zechariah 9:1)
Why did Jesus ask for a donkey to ride into Jerusalem?  Answer, to He would fulfill the prophesy of Zechariah

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”
Why was Jesus to enter Jerusalem on an unbroken donkey
One might say the colt was a virgin signifying  the purity of its rider.  The donkey is a beast of burden carrying heavy loads.  Jesus was to enter Jerusalem in humility as a servant not a king

16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. (X MAR 9:32) This is the first time Jesus does not walk to His destination.  This surprised His disciples and were confused by it.  If it were merely transportation Jesus wanted He could have asked them to get a stallion, or a camel.  It was not until the Holy Spirit brought back remembrance did they understand (X JN John 14:26)

17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him.  These people followed Jesus as He road into Jerusalem
Others in Jerusalem would hear of His coming  18 For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.
I believe it was more than idol curiosity that brought these people to see the man who raises the dead
Some believed Jesus to be the Christ (X JN 12:11).  Perhaps some who had recently lost someone believed they would be resurrected also.

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”  The Pharisees spoke against Jesus to the Jews, often to no avail.
As news spread of Lazarus’s resurrection more and more people believed that Jesus was the promised one.

Greeks Seek Jesus John 12:20-26

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;
will honor him.  Who were these Greeks?  Many Jew outcasts lived among the Greeks (unbelievers) (X John 7:35) perhaps the term Greeks apply to them or perhaps this term refers to Jewish converts.
What feast were they observing?  They were observing the Passover ( X John 12:1)

21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip *came *and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip *came *and told Jesus.
Did Philip have any special connection to Andrew?  Andrew was a “home boy” of Phillips coming also from Bethsaida of Galilee (X John 1:44)

  23 And Jesus *answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Jesus knew His time of betrayal, torture, sacrifice in which He would be glorified very near (X JN 12:31-32)
Jesus spoke these things at the feast.
NOTE: The glorification did not come from man but from the Father who sacrificed His son for our sins

24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death.  Paul quotes this very parable to the church of Corinth  (X 1 COR: 15:36).  We can also draw this as an illustration of our salvation.  As believers we allow the death of the old self to come alive again as a new self in Christ Producing much fruit

25 “He who loves his life loses it,
The word life is translated from the Greek word psuche pronounced psoo-khay meaning soul or spirit.
Not willing to let go of the worldly things of the old self.  He will lose his eternal soul because there is no room for the self centered in heaven, Literal translation of life here is soul. Only room for those who worship God and not self and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
The person who puts his value in eternity does not prize the worldly self centered life
Because of this he will desire those promises given to us by God

26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me;
[You can’t serve two masters; you can’t follow your own self centered will and do the will of the Lord]
 and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father honor him.
Jesus had prayed to the Father (X John 17:24)

Jesus Foretells His Death John 12:27-50

27 Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
When was another time when the Father spoke?  The answer is at the baptism of Jesus as recorded in these gospels( MAT Matthew 3:17, 17:15; Mark 1:11, 9:7; Luke 3:22, 9:35) When did, God the Father glorify Jesus At His baptism and on the cross

29 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.”  Why did the gospel writers hear what God the Father said, and not the crowed?  It is recorded in scripture that angels do speak bearing messages from the Father
At the birth of Jesus to the shepherds Referenced also in ACT 23:9
Their eyes had been opened that they may believe (X John 12:30)
For the most part Jesus prayed in private, however on a few occasions He did pray publically always with a purpose in mind (X  JN 11:42)

30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.

31 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
The world refused the light (X John 3:19)
Jesus came into the world for judgment ( X John 9:39) Judgment came upon the world through disbelief (X John 16:11)  Who was the ruler of this world who will be cast out?  Satan the great dragon, the serpent of old, the devil (X Revelation of John 12:9)


32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
Jesus must be lifted up as foreshadowed in John 3:14 Jesus must be lifted up so they may believe (X John 8:28).  The Father draws souls to Jesus (X John 6:44).  Jesus is speaking of His glorification and ascension into heaven  33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.
I believe this to mean Jesus was physically to be lifted up on the cross by man.  Then afterwards be lifted up to God the Father.  Because of Jesus’s sacrifice for all mankind the Holy spirit draws men to Jesus
These souls then become the bride of Christ

34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’ ? Who is this Son of Man?”
The crowd was obviously led astray by those who would-be wolves disguised as shepherds.  The Jews had been taught the Christ (messiah) would deliver them from oppression and reign as sovereign King for eternity
They had the cart before the horse.  The enemy Satan or the dragon of old must be defeated, the lands must be purged of all sin through the suffering sacrifice and judgment of the Lamb.   Then the eternal kingdom will be established

35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.  Once again Jesus uses the metaphor to describe His relationship with His followers (X  John 12:46) He is telling His followers they must use their time wisely while He is among them
A time is approaching whereby the light of the world will not be there to enlighten them.  Fortify themselves with His teachings that they might not fall pray to those who would lead them astray

36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”  (X John 8:12)These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.
The Greek word for believe is pisteuo pronounced pist-yoo'-o meaning trust
Jesus is telling them to trust in what He was teaching them
If they followed His teachings, they would be as sons to Jesus
37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.
They were not convicted by the Holy Spirit who was yet to come (X ACTS 1: 6-8)

38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
What does the arm of the Lord mean?  The arm is translated from the Greek word brachion pronounced brakh-ee’, which to wield or figuratively: strength Now the arm of strength would be one that performs work protection through strength The arm of the Lord is the Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father
Isaiah 53:1 – 12 describes the Messiah and How He would suffer

39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.”
Why would God blind or hide the truth from these people?  It was not the time for the Jew alone to be the people of God, but rather the truth would be told to all.  It is Gods desire that none should perish (X 2 PET 3:9).  If the truth was revealed to the leadership or the arm of God then the Jews only would have been saved.  We know from scripture Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to minister to His followers that they might go into all the world and preach the gospel as recorded in MAT 24:14)

41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. (X Isaiah 6:1- 42) Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; The Pharisees were An Influential group of Jews whose name means separated ones ( Matthew 23: LUK 5:30-21; 14-16) believing in ritual and separation from common sinners and to prepare themselves for the coming Messiah and as a rule did not accept Jesus.  In contrast the Sadducees followed traditions of the priests believing only in the law, denying the resurrection (X Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27) Other rulers would have been priests and elders (used in lieu of local judges; elderly males revered for their wisdom)  (X Eodus 24:14)

43 for they loved the approval [ or glory] of men rather than the approval [glory] of God.
There are several examples of shepherds today who preach not for the glory of God but their own glory.  Be alert to television evangelist who have followers in the thousands, who stray from the literal revelation of scripture.  Those shepherds who seek donations at every opportunity, where their appeal is for good works and the money ends up going towards administrative costs.  Those who seemly perform miraculous healings usually seen on television.  Be on guard for those who are wolves in sheep's clothing Leaders of cults
Teachers who lead you astray with interpretation of scripture which can not be validated in scripture.

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.  The word believe was translated from the Greek wordpisteuo pist-yoo'-o meaning to have faith in or upon or with respect to a person or thing implies: entrusting ones spiritual well-being to Christ
If they and we believe in Jesus and what He says; then we must believe also that the Father sent Him (X Matthew 10:40).  This truth holds true also for the believers of today many wonder and asked what does the Father looks like?  Jesus tells us in V45 (X John 14:9)

45 “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me
Do you think Jesus was talking about a physical appearance of the Father? The expression like father like son comes to mind this expression does not mean a physical duplication but rather an overall spiritual likeness.  Hence I believe Jesus was saying if you believe in me and see my spirit you see the Father for the Father is Spirit and the Father is: (X John 4:24; 1John 4:2 ), Love, Light, Righteous (Truthful), Holy and omnipotent.

46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. (X JN 8:12)
The world light is translated from the Greek word Phos foce with means illumination
Jesus dispels the darkness of the second death by revealing (shedding light) that He is the ONLY path to everlasting life.  If anyone believes that Jesus and the Father are one in the same and repents their sins. Then ask Jesus for forgiveness and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  For this purpose Jesus was brought into this world that we might have eternal life

47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
The first time Jesus came He was Gods sacrificial Lamb, providing a path to ever lasting life to anyone who accepts Him.  Jesus did not come to judge the non believer for they have judged themselves by not believing.
I usual say this to non believer who deny the Christ.  “If you are right in your lack of belief and I am wrong then I have lost nothing in this life; however if I am right and you are wrong then you have lost everything, and are lost for all eternity.

48 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
The Greek tense aorist usually is translated as the English past, “He did”.  On the other hand, not all aorists have been rendered as English pasts tense(“He has done “He did”).  The context would dictate just what tense would be used.  We can see this verse is written in the present tense, Jesus was speaking to his followers both then and now us.
Note the word one is not capitalized and therefore means ones self.  Those who deny Jesus as the Christ have already judged themselves by their own disbelief

49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.
Sound familiar?
Jesus felt this concept was so important He referenced it seven times as recorded in the book of John:
Cross Referenced in John 3:11, 7:16, 8:26, 8;28, 8:38, 14:10, 14:24


50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”  Jesus did not come to rule but rather He was on a mission of conviction and salvation.  You might say Jesus was given His marching orders by the Father, who desires that none should perish.  One must be convicted of his own sin before he will seek redemption from it. When did Jesus get these instruction?  Before His birth while one with the Father, during His mortal life in prayer being one with Father.  Jesus was alone in prayer is nearly every instance.

Note:  Bible verses and reference were obtained at Cross Wire.org. which appear in italics.  [ are used to insert my clarifications], Jesus speaking is identified by the use of red lettering.  Hyper links appear as blue.

The Gospel of John Chapter 11

 

JOHN CHAPTER 11

The Death and Ressurection of Lazarus

INTRODUCTION JOHN 11

 

In chapter 10 we studied Jesus the good shepherd.  We discovered why and how Jesus used the metaphor of a shepherd and sheep to describe His relationship with us.  We learned that for a shepherd to be a good shepherd they must have a shepherds heart.  Jesus is the good shepherd because He alone is the only one who can take care of our daily needs and protect us from the evil one.  In chapter 11 we will be learn of the death and resurrection of Lazarus.  We will discover why this act by Jesus is so important, and how this miracle was used by Jesus.  In the later part of the chapter we will see the ruling body of the Jewish theocracy conspiring to put Jesus to death.

The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus John 11: 1-46

 

 

1. Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

• All we know about Lazarus is that his name was derived from the Hebrew Elazar (Eleazar) meaning “God has helped
• We are told that Mary and Martha were sisters and that Lazarus was their brother.

2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. (X Luke 7:38; John 12:3)

• Not even the twelve showed this much love and gratitude towards Jesus
• Interesting to note that Lazarus given name means God helped, and so He did

3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
Jesus felt compassion for the sisters of Lazarus (X John 11:5)

• He knew what He was about to do but felt deeply for their sadness

4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”

• Although Lazarus did die, Jesus was referring to a permanent condition of death
• This was a foreshadowing of the resurrection of Jesus
• The promise of our resurrection through

MATTHEW HENERY’S COMMENTARY on  John 11:1-6

 

“It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions, but to save them from their sins, and from the wrath to come;

however, it behooves us to apply to Him in behalf of our friends and relatives when sick and afflicted. Let this reconcile us to the darkest dealings of Providence, that they are all for the glory of God: sickness, loss, disappointment, are so; and if God be glorified, we ought to be satisfied. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
The families are greatly favoured in which love and peace abound; but those are most happy whom Jesus loves, and by whom He is beloved. Alas, that this should seldom be the case with every person, even in small families. God has gracious intentions, even when he seems to delay. When the work of deliverance, temporal or spiritual, public or personal, is delayed, it does but stay for the right time.” (Quoted from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible) 

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.

 

Why did Jesus linger?

• He lingered to ensure Lazarus would be entombed long enough so none could say it was a trick
• Now decomposition would have begun
• The purpose of this miracle was not just a healing but rather a glorification of the Son of man Jesus

 

7 Then after this *He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples *said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?”

• This miracle was so important, nothing could have prevented Jesus from going
• He knew his life was not in danger at that point
• Jesus answers them in verse 9

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

• Jesus repeated what He said in John 9:4
• He repeated this to remind His disciples that He must be about His Fathers work
• He would not be with them much longer and their was much to show them (X John 12:35 )
• I believe Jesus is also telling us, who do not know our appointed time, must not tarry with Gods work

10 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

• Jesus the light of the world shows them and us the way
• Without Jesus’ teachings we would be in spiritual darkness with no hope

11 This He said, and after *that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” 12 The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”

• Jesus was telling them He would raise Lazarus from the dead.
• They thought He was using the word sleep literally
• We will see this verified in verse 13

13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.  14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, …  

• Jesus was in no hurry to aid Lazarus
• His intention was to show his disciples what?
• He was the messiah
• The Father granted Him authority over death

15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.”

• They were still reluctant to believe that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God
• They had to be shown who Jesus was by this work He would do, that they may see and believe
• Like the Pharisees the disciples needed to see to believe

16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

• Didymus means double or twin in Hebrew
• Thomas is known as doubting Thomas (X John 20:27)but shows his love for Jesus here

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.
21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

Now she believed Jesus could have healed her brother

Once Lazarus was dead and entombed she thought no one not even the greatest of prophets could do anything

22 “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

She believed that not only was Jesus sent by God but also had great favor from God

I don’t believe she really understood exactly who Jesus was; but knew there was nothing God would not grant Him

• She showed faith in Jesus without full knowledge of who He was, Why He was sent

24 Martha *said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
23. Jesus *said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha *said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

• How did Martha know about resurrection day?
• The prophet Job wrote of a day of great clamity and fury (X Job 21:30 ) 
• The prophet Daniel told of the day of resurrection (X Daniel 12:2 )
• The Jews knew of the day of judgment but did not know Jesus would be the judge
• Daniel did not call the judge by name nor did he use the word Messiah in this verse but rather called the One who would judge as “the Ancient of Days” (X Daniel 7:9 )

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26. and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

• Jesus is saying that He will be the victor over death (X I Corinthians 15:55)
• Through Jesus we who believe will be resurrected to eternal live
• Jesus is not talking about physical death but rather spiritual death in V26

27 *She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

29 And when she heard *it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.

• We read in John 10:40 Jesus was where John baptized Him
• Jesus was baptized at Bethany beyond the Jordan (X John 1:28)

31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

• She did not ask Jesus to raise her brother from the dead
• She felt death was final and no one had authority over death except God

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” *They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

• Why was Jesus troubled
• I believe He was also saddened by the disbelief in His relationship with the heavenly Father

35 Jesus wept.

• Why was Jesus weeping?
• He felt compassion for the suffering of the grievers
• The shortest verse in scripture which shows the depth of Jesus’ love for them

36 So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?”

• Of course Jesus could have prevented Lazarus death.
• No one believed Jesus could do anything after Lazarus’ death, except morn
• If Jesus had prevented his death then there would not have been the proof of Jesus’ power over death
• Had He performed the healing they would have seen Jesus as a great healer with the power to prevent death

38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, *came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
39 Jesus *said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, *said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

• It was this very reason Jesus delayed His arrival
• So know one would say this way a trick or he wasn’t really dead

40 Jesus *said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Jesus not only demonstrated the power of faith but also the glory of God

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

• Jesus was praying thankfully to the Father
• The Father knew Jesus’ intention was not just to save a friend from death but to bring glory to God.
• We know when we pray in the name of Jesus our prayers are heard, knowing God will answer
• How many times do we give thanks that our prayers are heard
• We will read in the next verse, …”Jesus knew the Father heard Him

42 “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”

• Jesus sensed their disbelief and desired to once again affirm with them, and His relationship with the Father

43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”

• He could have whispered and Lazarus would have come

44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus *said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.

• Seeing is believing for most people even today
• An example of this can also be seen in John 2:23
• In today’s world you can not believe what you see with your own eyes, you must have faith

46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.

Conspiracy to Kill Jesus

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

• Were they that fearful of Roman retaliation?
• We have looked at the status and power the Pharisees held in Israel.
• I find it difficult to believe the Pharisees were that fearful of the Romans
• The Pharisees were quite secure in their posts
• The Romans were quite content to allow the priests to control the people
• The codependency of the Romans and the Pharisees is quite evident.
• The Pharisees kept the Jews in line
• The Romans provided the prophetic solution to the Pharisees problem (Jesus)

49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”
51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,

• The high priest was used by God to do Gods will to fulfill Gods plan of redemption
• There is no limit as to who or how God will use people for His own purpose

52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.  (X John 10:16)

• The nation spoken of here is the Jewish nation
• Gods plan is being revealed here
• Not just the Jewish people but all people all over the world would be given offered the sacrificial Lamb of God.

53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

• They also were planning to kill Lazarus (X John 12:10)

54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.

  

JOHN CHAPTER 10 THE DEITY OF JESUS

Chapter 10 begins @ 9:59

CHAPTER 10

Parables of the Good Sheppard

And

Jesus Asserts His Deity

INTRODUCTION TO John Chapter 10

In chapter nine we see the miracle of the blind man.  We learned about the significance of this healing.  We also saw the controversy surrounding this miracle.  We learned how man is a slave to his own sin. The chapter ends with Jesus confirming His deity.

In chapter 10 we will learn about the parable of the good Sheppard.  We will lean why Jesus used this parable and what this parable reveals about Jesus.  We will discover how this parable bears the same message to us today as it did to those who Jesus was speaking to.  We will also in verse 30 Jesus describing Himself and God as one in the same.


THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SHEPPARD JOHN 10: 1-20


John 10:1 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 

• Here again we see Jesus using a metaphor to illustrate; there is no deception in Him
• He is to be trusted because He is straight forward

JN 10:2 “But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

• Sheep were very valuable to the Jewish people for their wool, meat, and milk
• Jesus refers to us as sheep because we too are very valuable to Him
• Jesus stands at the door watching and guarding His sheep
• A Sheppard's main responsibilities were to protect the sheep from wolves and to care for the daily needs of the sheep
• This is a perfect metaphor to describe Jesus
• Guardian, protector, Healer, provider; in short He cares for all of our daily needs 

JN 10:3 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

• Jesus knows us (X Jer 1:5) 
• Jesus hears our voice and is attentive to our needs (X JN 10:27) 
• Not only does Jesus know who His sheep are but also knows their name
• This fact tells us of His intimate closeness to us
• Jesus leads His followers by:
• Teaching us with His written word
• Giving us His example to follow
• Disciplines us as needed 
• We see numerous examples of the Lord disciplining both people and nations throughout the Bible
• How then do we know when hard time come whether it is the Lord’s discipline or Satan attacking?
• The Lord disciplines to teach us Satan afflicts us with trials to destroy our relationship with God ( the story of Job)
• The Lord disciplines us when we are disobedient, whereas Satan rejoices when we disobey because he has won a victory 

JN 10:4 “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

• Soldiers are taught to follow the unit guide-on 
• A guide-on is a unique flag, held high and is always in front of the company.
• The guide-on can not be seen by all any where else but the front of the company
• As soldiers in Christ’s army we follow Jesus’ lead which is always in our sight 
• Like sheep we are comforted by what Jesus has said to us and know His voice to be true
• We are guided by the familiar voice of the Holy Spirit within us 

JN 10:5 “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

JN 10:6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. 

• They did not understand because they were not His sheep.
• Jesus knows His sheep and knows who will understand His message.

JN 10:7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

• Jesus prepares a place for us (X  JN 14:2)
• He stands at the door beckoning us to enter in      (X REV 3:20 )
• Jesus know who will knock and who won’t (X JER 1:5
• For those who are not His sheep the door will be closed (X LUK 13:25 )
• Jesus is not just the door keeper He is the door
• You can only enter the kingdom through Him
• Much the same way as a person might be sponsored by a member to a very restricted club

JN 10:8 “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  (X JN 10:1 )

• Who was Jesus talking about in this verse?
•  All who would call themselves shepherds but were and are concerned not for the flock but for themselves. (X EZ 34:2 )  
• Those who would say there is another way to enter the kingdom
• The warning found in JER 23:1 is  ominous      
• Why did He call them thieves and robbers?
• Those who would deceive the flock are thieves because they rob the flock of the truth of salvation as stated in verse 9  

JN 10:9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 

• Jesus states He is the door and through Him is salvation.
• Jesus’ use of a door as a metaphoric description of Himself is interesting
• A good shepherd makes sure there is only one entrance to the sheep’s enclosure, and that entrance is guarded by the shepherd at all times.
• To enter the safety of the enclosure one must pass through the shepherd
• One must go through Jesus to reach the safety of salvation

JN 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Jesus strengthens the statement found in verse 8
Not only does the thief come to rob but to kill and destroy
To kill the chance for salvation
To destroy every lasting life with Jesus
Jesus promises abundant life
not just existence but a life overflowing with joy and fulfillment

JN 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

• Jesus is telling them and us that like a good shepherd He will lay down His life for all who would believe in Him
• A prophetic statement of Calvary
• A statement of undying love and faithfulness
•  The supreme sacrifice is to give ones life for another (X JN 15:13 ; JN 3:16 )
• Could you give your life for a friend?

JN 10:12 “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 

• A hired hand refers to a person who has no vested interest in the safety of his flock
• No job is worth your life is it
• The hired hand will flee to avoid danger
• Christians sometimes flee to avoid difficult situations, Peter did (X  MAT 26:34 )
• Strong indication in the last sentence that Jesus is talking directly about the future of the Jews
• Jesus is implying ownership of His flock here

JN 10:13 “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.   JN 10:14 & 15 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 


JN 10:15  even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

• This is a statement of a very intimate relationship between Jesus His Father and His flock flock
• Jesus prophesized His own death on Calvary

JN 10:16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. “

• The first part of this verse announces the gentile ministry (X IS 56:8 ; JN 11:52; EP 2:16)
• Isaiah prophesied the Lord would gather others to those already gathered
• We see now that it was God’s plan all along to gather all who would accept His Son to Himself
• God the Father offering the only sufficient sacrifice you and I and all who would believe
• Not all will hear His voice, only those who seek Him with all there heart (X JER 29:13)

JN 10:17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.”

• This prophetic verse speaks of the ultimate sacrifice and devotion to the Father according to His will
• Also prophesied the resurrection of Jesus to glory  
• We too must be willing to lay down our life and allow Jesus to pick it up
•  When one chooses to lay down his life he will be reborn in Christ a new person, a new life 

JN 10:18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

• Jesus points out that He is in control of His life (X MAT 26:53)
• No one can take His life unless He allows it 
• It was the Fathers commandment that Jesus lay down His life but it was always Jesus’ choice to do so
• By laying down His live He not only showed His love for the Father but us as well

JESUS ASSERTS HIS DEITY John 10:22 - 42 

John 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem;

• The feast of dedication is also know as the festival of lights (Hanukkah)
• Which commemorates the purification of the temple by Juda Maccabeaes in 164 BC

John 10:23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.

John 10:24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 

• He told them He was before Abraham (X JN 8:58)
• If they believed in the prophets and what was foretold they would know Him by His works (X JN 5:36 )

John 10:26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.

• They can’t hear His words because they are not right with God (X JN 8:47 ) 
• 27 “My sheep ear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 
• All who hear Jesus are of God for the Holy Spirit dwells with in each disciple (X II TIM 1:14 1:14;  ACTS 13:52 )
• Each believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit (X EP 4:30 )

John 10:2728 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

• Jesus will never leave nor forsake the believer (X JN 6:37 )

John 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 

• We will not perish because Jesus will raise us up on the last day (X JN 6:39 )
• Satan will give us trials but has no power to take us from Jesus

John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” 

• They asked for plain talk from Jesus and this statement leaves no room for doubt who Jesus was
• Of all that Jesus said this one sentence caused the most detention 
• How could Jesus be God?
• To the Jew there is but on God (X DEU 5:7 )
• They screamed blasphemy because; they did not know the existence of the trinity Father Son and Holy Spirit  (X JN 17:21 )
• Even though we are blessed with the New Testament the Jew had the writing of Moses (X Gen 1:26; GEN 3:22)
• This is a huge subject warranting it’s own study 

“The Godhead - Father, Son and Holy Spirit


God exists in three Persons -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is called the doctrine of the Trinity. Although the word Trinity is not in the Bible, it expresses a scriptural truth; in fact, it was coined by one of the early Latin Christian writers to set forth the truth that God is a Tri-unity of Persons.
   The term Godhead (Godhood) refers to God's essence or divine Being; and is a proper statement of truth to say that there are three Persons in the Godhead.
The Old Testament emphasizes the unity of God; that is, it asserts that there is but one God, in contrast to the many false gods of the heathen; nevertheless, there are intimations in the Old Testament of the fact that God exists in a plurality or Trinity of Persons. For example, the Spirit of God is mentioned in Genesis 1:2; the Son is mentioned in Psalm 2:7, 12; and there are plural expressions in a number of places which show that God is a Trinity.
   "And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Genesis 1:26).    The New Testament, while fully recognizing the unity of God, emphasizes the fact of the three Persons.”  (Ref:  http://www.montney.com/inspire/trinity.htm )   [1]

John 10:31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.  

• The law as recorded in LEV 24:16 requires the people to stone a blasphemer
• Now to blaspheme is “To slander, insult the honor of, injure the reputation of, attack, say untruths about.  
• Usually refers to cursing God or using abusive and cutting language about Him, His name, or His Word (X Rom 2:23, 24;  TIT 2:5 ) [2 ]

John 10:32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”


John 10:33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

• They were saying Jesus was lying 
• They limited God in their eyes by saying He could or would not become a man
• Some of Jesus’ followers may have thought He had gone to far, as not all believed He was God incarnate

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?  ( PS 82:6) 

• The Greek word used here for gods is theos pronounced theh'-os of uncertain affinity
• Notice the use of theos and not elohiym pronounced el-o-heem (supreme God, plural)
• God (eloheem) the creator of man would in fact be the father of man
•  and conversely man would be the sons of the heavenly Father, made slightly lower than the angels.
• Jesus while is human form was said to have been made slightly lower than the angels for a little while   (X HEB 2:7, 9)

John 10:35 “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 

• Men were called gods in PS 82:6
• To say that Jesus was wrong would have been tantamount to saying the scriptures are wrong

John 10:36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?

• The word sanctify means to give something holy status [3]
• God spoke and said this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Matthew 3:17
• Jesus being declared Gods Son confirmed to man His sanctification
• His holy sanctification acknowledged by His disciple Peter John 6:69

John 10:37 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; John 10:38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”

• Jesus is challenges those unbelievers 
• If you don’t believe what I am telling you then believe the works I do are the Fathers works
• If you can believe that the work I do is the Fathers works then believe also then that the Father is in me and I am in the Father (X John 15:24 )
• Jesus did nothing of His own desire but only that of the Father (X John 8:28 )
• We too can take a lesson from this and apply it to our lives 

John 10:39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.  

• Not from fear but because His time had not come
• His blood must be shed (sacrificed as a lamb to slaughter) by Israel for the salvation of both the Jew and the Gentile.
• This is why Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God

CREDITS AND REFERENCES USED IN THIS STUDY
Credit 1 – http://www.montney.com/inspire/trinity.htm
Unknown author
Credit 2 – The student Bible Dictionary
(by: Daren Dockrey Johnnie & Phyllis Godwin published by Barbour publishers)
Credit 3 – Encarta Dictionary
(by: Microsoft publishers)
All scripture verses used in this publication were copied from Cross Wire Online Study Bible