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.
