People's New Testament Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 12:1 The Royal Entrance into Jerusalem
SUMMARY OF JOHN 12: The Feast at Bethany. The Anointing by Mary. The Anger of Judas. The Jews Purpose to Put Lazarus to Death. The Entrance into Jerusalem. The Greeks Seeking Jesus. The Hour Is Come. The Voice from Heaven. The Son of Man to Be Lifted Up. The Cause of Unbelief. Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany. From the other Gospels we learn that he went from Ephraim beyond the Jordan and came back through Jericho with the great company of Galileans who came to attend the passover. The supper at Bethany was Saturday evening before he was crucified. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 12:2 There they made him a supper. For notes on this supper and the anointing, see Mt 26:6-16. Compare Mr 14:3-11 Lu 7:36-50.
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 12:5 Three hundred pence. Silver to the amount of USD45, equivalent to about USD300 now, owing to the change of values.
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 12:7 Against the day of my burying hath she kept this. Before a week he was to be in the tomb. It was customary to anoint dead bodies for burial.
For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 12:9 Much people... came. From Jerusalem to Bethany.
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 12:10,11 The chief priests consulted. Lazarus was a living proof of the Divine power of Christ, and they wished him out of the way.
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. 12:10,11 The chief priests consulted. Lazarus was a living proof of the Divine power of Christ, and they wished him out of the way.
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 12:12-15 On the next day. Sunday. For notes on the entrance to Jerusalem, see Mt 21:1-11. Compare Mr 11:1-11 Lu 19:29-44.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. 12:19 The world is gone after him. The Pharisees observed the vast crowds that attended him and were filled with alarm. The city was filled with commotion (Mt 21:10,11).
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 12:20 And there were certain Greeks, etc. Among those who came to worship were Greeks, members of the Gentile division of the race which embraced all that were not Jews. These were not Jews who spoke the Grecian language and lived in Greek countries; those are called in the original Greek Hellenistoi. We find the latter in the Jerusalem church in large numbers. See Ac 6:1. These who sought to visit Jesus were Hellenes, a term only used of the Greek race. It is probable that they belonged to the large class of devout Greeks, met elsewhere by Paul (Ac 17:4), who were sick of heathenism and were attracted by the grand Hebrew revelation of the unity of God. On this great national occasion they had accompanied Jews settled abroad as they returned to worship in the city of David.
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip. The name Philip is Grecian ( Philippos, lover of horses ), as well as Andrew ( Andreas, manly ), and those of the seven deacons of (Ac 6:5). It is not unlikely that Philip was a Jew born among the Greeks, who spoke the Greek language.
We would see Jesus. They wish to find out more about the great teacher from Galilee. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 12:22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew. Andrew was also of Bethsaida (Joh 1:44 12:21), and he and Philip seem to have been inseparable friends.
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 12:23 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 of his glorification had come and that glorification would draw all men, Greek, Gentiles as well as Jews, to him.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 12:24 Verily, verily. These prefatory words give solemn emphasis.
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone. This statement enforces a great truth. The grain of wheat may remain in the granary for a thousand years and be preserved, but it is useless there. It neither reproduces, nor is food. It is when it falls into the ground and undergoes dissolution, that it brings forth fruit. It is fruitful by giving itself up. So, too, Christ must give himself up. His death was needful in order that he might impart life to the nation. There is a lesson here for disciples who would bear much fruit (Joh 15:8). He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it. He announces a principle that underlies all exaltation. He gave his life and found eternal exaltation; the grain gives its life and lives a hundred-fold; those who consecrate their lives, give them up for others, dedicate them to their holy work, will live eternally.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 12:26 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.
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 12:27 Now is my soul troubled. It is the shadow of the cross and the tomb. The best comment on this verse is to compare it with the account of the agony in the garden. Here he exclaims:
Father, save me from this hour. There, If it be possible, let this cup pass from me (Mt 26:39). Here, he adds: But for this cause came I unto this hour. There, Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done (Lu 22:42). Here the perfect resignation that follows the struggle in his soul is in the prayer, Father, glorify thy name (Joh 12:28). Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 12:28 Then came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it. 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: (1) when Christ was buried in Jordan, a type of his own burial (Mt 3:17); (2) when Moses and Elijah talked with him on the holy mount about his death (Mt 17:5); (3) when he had his struggle of soul in view of death portrayed here, and triumphed.
Will glorify it again. God had glorified his name by the wonders wrought by Jesus; he would glorify it by his resurrection, his exaltation, the scenes of Pentecost, and the triumphs of the church. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 12:29 An angel spake to him. All heard the sound of the divine voice, but it was not clear to all what it was.
Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 12:30 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.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now, this hour, the hour referred to in Joh 12:23,27. This was 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 a throne. It gave him the crown.
Now shall the prince of this world be cast out. The cross cast him out, dethroned him; he is now a usurper and shall finally be cast into the lake of fire (Re 20:10). And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 12:32 If I shall be lifted up from the earth. Lifted up: (1) to the cross; (2) from the grave; (3) to heaven and the eternal throne.
This he said, signifying what death he should die.
The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 12:34 We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever. The multitude were perplexed. Their idea of the Messiah was an eternal king. Now he spoke of death.
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 12:35 Yet a little while is the light with you. He refuses to answer their questions directly, but imparts to them needed truths. The light was then present with them. Let them seek the light and walk in it while they had opportunity. The opportunity might soon pass away and the darkness come.
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. 12:36 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.
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 12:37 Yet they believed not on him. They had a kind of intellectual faith, but were filled with doubts when they could not understand. There was no real trust.
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 12:38 The saying of Esaias the prophet. See PNT Mt 13:14. They were blinded because they closed their eyes, and God's law is that those who will not see, shall not see.
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 12:42 Among the chief rulers also many believed on him. Members of the Sanhedrin. We have the names of two, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. See Joh 19:38,39.
They did not confess him. For fear of excommunication. The Pharisees had decided to excommunicate those who did. See Joh 9:22. The two rulers just named afterwards became bolder. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 12:47,48 I judge him not. He shall sit on the throne of judgment, not to condemn the world he came to save. The words he left in the world will decide the destiny of every man. All shall be judged by the things written in the books (Re 20:12).
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 12:47,48 I judge him not. He shall sit on the throne of judgment, not to condemn the world he came to save. The words he left in the world will decide the destiny of every man. All shall be judged by the things written in the books (Re 20:12).
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 12:47,48 I judge him not. He shall sit on the throne of judgment, not to condemn the world he came to save. The words he left in the world will decide the destiny of every man. All shall be judged by the things written in the books (Re 20:12).
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 12:47,48 I judge him not. He shall sit on the throne of judgment, not to condemn the world he came to save. The words he left in the world will decide the destiny of every man. All shall be judged by the things written in the books (Re 20:12). The People's New Testament by B.W. Johnson [1891] Bible Hub |
    |