The Womans Study Bible

N E W I N T E R N A T I O N A L V E R S I O N

E D IT O RIA L C O M M I T T ee

Dorothy Kelley Patterson Rhonda Harrington Kelley General Editor, First Edition Managing Editor, First Edition Jan Dargatz Topical Notes Contributing Editor, Second Edition Jeanne Hendricks Portraits Janice Meier General Consultant Sharon Sterrenburg Pentateuch Helen Rhea Stumbo Ann L. Bowman History Gospels, Acts

Constance N. Wieler Poetry

Patty Comber Pauls Letters

Paula Rinehart Mary Kassian Major Prophets General Letters, Revelation Karen H. Jobes Minor Prophets Carmen Leigh Howell Index

T H E W O M A N S S t U D Y B I b L E , NI V Copyright 2012 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Bible map collection 2008 by GeoNova. The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide. New International Version and NIV are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. The NIV Concordance copyright 1982, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan. All rights reserved. The NIV text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without the express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted. Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page as follows: Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. When quotations from the NIV text are used by a local church in non-saleable media such as church bulletins, orders of service, posters, overhead transparencies, or similar materials, a complete copyright notice is not required, but the initials (NIV) must appear at the end of each quotation. Any commentary or other Biblical reference work produced for commercial sale, that uses the NIV text must obtain written permission for use of the NIV text. Permission requests for commercial use within the USA and Canada that exceeds the above guidelines must be directed to and approved in writing by Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530, USA. www.Zondervan.com Permission requests for commercial use within the UK, EU and EFTA that exceeds the above guidelines must be directed to and approved in writing by Hodder & Stoughton Limited, 338 Euston Road, London NW1 3BH, United Kingdom. www.Hodder.co.uk Permission requests for non-commercial use that exceeds the above guidelines must be directed to and approved in writing by Biblica US, Inc., 1820 Jet Stream Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, USA. www.Biblica.com Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this Bible are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of the Bible. All rights reserved. Printed in China 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 RRD 15 14 13 12 A portion of the purchase price of your NIV Bible is provided to Biblica so together we support the mission of Transforming lives through Gods Word. Biblica provides Gods Word to people through translation, publishing and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with Gods Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

John
A U T H O R

The apostle John was the son of Zebedee, a seemingly well-to-do man (Mk 1:20), and Salome, who was the sister of Jesus mother Mary (Jn 19:25; see also Mt 27:56,61; Mk 15:40,47). John wrote his Gospel toward the end of his life. Scholars have long debated the authorship of the Gospel since it claims only to have been written by the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jn 21:20,24). Clement of Alexandria called the Gospel of John the spiritual Gospel. John (lit. Yahweh has been gracious) was joined by Peter and James in Jesus inner circle (Mk 5:37; 9:2; 14:33). As fishermen, John and his brother James lived in Capernaum. Jesus labeled them Boanerges (lit. sons of thunder, Mk 3:17). John and Peter were described as unschooled, ordinary men (Ac 4:13). John referred to himself throughout this Gospel as the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jn 21:20,24). He was an eyewitness to the life and ministry of Jesus and ministered longer than any other disciple. John was present at the Last Supper (Jn 13:2326), stood at the cross with Jesus mother (Jn 19:2527), accompanied Peter to the empty tomb (Jn 20:210) and recognized Jesus after his resurrection (Jn 21:7). John is also credited with writing the letters of 1, 2 and 3 John as well as the book of Revelation. He played an active role in the Jerusalem church (Ac 3:1) and later served as pastor of the church at Ephesus. The book of Revelation was written while he was in exile on the island of Patmos during the reign of Emperor Domitian (Rev 1:9).
D a T E

Most scholars believe that Johns Gospel was the last of the four Gospels to be written. Although dates have been suggested from AD 60 to 90, church tradition narrows the date to sometime between AD 80 and 95.
B a C K G R O U N d

SETTING: Irenaeus supports the theory that John wrote the Gospel when he lived in Ephesus, a large and cosmopolitan city housing one of the largest Christian communities in the Gentile world of the first century. PURPOSE:The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the divine Word, the Logos (Gk., lit. Word), the Christ and the Son of God. Jesus is the Revealer and Redeemer. He is the sacrificial Lamb who came to take away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Johns Gospel is often seen as the most evangelistic of the four Gospels. AUDIENCE:John wrote this evangelistic Gospel to fellow Jews, encouraging them to confess Jesus as the Christ. The Jews who accepted Christ were expelled from the synagogue and were persecuted by the Jewish community. Johns Gospel helped provide the Christian community with purpose and identity.

LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS:The Gospel of John is a theological retelling of history. It is written in narrative form. While it does not contain parables, as do Matthew, Mark and Luke, the book does record allegories and extended discourses used by Jesus in his teaching ministry.
T H E M E S

More than any other book in the New Testament, John introduces Jesus as the unique Son of God (Jn 20:31). The Gospel begins with an introduction (Jn 1:151), then proceeds into the ministry of Christ (Jn 2:14:54), the opposition he experienced (Jn 5:112:50) and finally his deeds and words (Jn 13:121:25).
O U T L I N E
Introduction: The Prologue (1:118) I. Jesus Preparation for Public Ministry (1:1951) A. The ministry of John the Baptist (1:1934) B. Jesus calling of his disciples (1:3551) II. Jesus Public Ministry (2:14:54) A. The first miracle: water to wine (2:112) B. The cleansing of the temple (2:1325) C. Jesus encounter with Nicodemus (3:121) D. The affirmation of Jesus by John the Baptist (3:2236) E. Jesus witness to the Samaritan woman (4:142) F. Jesus arrival in Galilee (4:4354) III. Jesus Opposition (5:112:50) A. Jesus healing at the pool of Bethesda (5:115) B. Jesus authority (5:1647) C. The events around the Sea of Galilee (6:171) 1. The feeding of the ve thousand (6:114) 2. Jesus walking on the sea (6:1521) 3. Jesus as the bread of life (6:2240) 4. Jesus rejection (6:4171) D. Jesus and the Festival of Tabernacles (7:153) E. Jesus discourse (8:159) 1. The adulterous woman (8:111) 2. Jesus as the light of the world (8:1259) F. Jesus healing of a man born blind (9:141) G. Jesus as the Shepherd (10:142) H. Jesus and Lazarus (11:157) I. The final days of public ministry (12:150) 1. Jesus anointing by Mary (12:18) 2. The plot to kill Lazarus (12:911) 3. The Triumphal Entry (12:1219) 4. Jesus response to the Greeks (12:2036) 5. Jewish unbelief (12:3750) IV. Jesus Final Deeds and Words (13:121:25) A. Jesus private ministry to his disciples (13:116:33) 1. The washing of the disciples feet (13:117) 2. The identication of Judas as the betrayer (13:1830) 3. The giving of a new commandment (13:3135) 4. The prediction of Peters denial (13:3638) 5. Jesus as the only way to the Father (14:111) 6. Prayer and the Holy Spirit (14:1231) 7. Jesus as the vine (15:117) 8. The worlds hatred and rejection of Jesus (15:1816:4) 9. The work of the Holy Spirit (16:533) B. Jesus high priestly prayer (17:126) C. Jesus arrest and trials (18:119:16) D. Jesus death and burial (19:1742) E. Jesus resurrection (20:121:25) 1. Jesus post-resurrection appearances (20:129) 2. Johns purpose in writing (20:3031) 3. Jesus and the disciples in Galilee (21:114) 4. Jesus forgiveness and restoration of Peter (21:1525)

john 1:1
The Word Became Flesh

1402
me be cause he was be fore me.) 16 Out of his full ness we have all re ceived grace in place of en grace al ready giv en. 17 For the law was giv through Mo ses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but b the one and only Son, who is him self God and is in clos est re la tion ship with the Fa ther, has made him known.

In the be gin ning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the be gin ning. 3 Through him all things were made; with out him noth ing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the lightof all man kind. 5 The light shines in the dark ness, and the dark ness ait. has not over come 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.7 He came as a wit ness to tes ti fy con cern ing that light, so that through him all might be lieve.8 He him self was not the light; he came only as a wit ness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to ev ery one was com ing into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not rec og nize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not re ceive him.12 Yet to all who did re ceive him, to those who be lievedin his name,he gave the right to be come chil dren of God 13 children born not of nat u ral de scent, nor of hu man de ci sion or a hus bands will, but born of God. 14 The Word be came fleshand made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glo ry,the glo ry of the one and only Son, who came from the Fa ther, full of g raceand truth. 15 (John tes ti fied con cern ing him. He cried out, say ing, This is the one I spoke about when I said, He who comes af ter me has sur passed
1:12Jesus Christ has always existed and will exist eternally. He is the living Word. Jesus and God the Father, along with the Holy Spirit, have always had an intimate relationship as the triune God. Jesus is God who took on a human body and nature in order to redeem mankind (see chart, The Definitive Christological Passages). 1:4Gnosticism, a dualistic heresy that reached its full strength in the second and third centuries AD, regarded the spiritual as being inherently good and the earthly (that is, the created world) as inherently evil. Asceticism is another response to this concept that the created order is inherently evil. John may have emphasized Christs humanity in his Gospel in order to combat the beginnings of the philosophical-spiritual ideology called Gnosticism. Gnostics believed that the spirit world contained many different levels of knowledge and that everyone must ascend through them to achieve gno sis (Gk.), a secret inner knowledge resulting in salvation and available only to those who had their consciousness raised to such a level. Gnostics argued that through Christ they had experienced a spiritual resurrection and had arrived at knowledge (Gk., gno sis). Therefore, since the sins of the body were totally unconnected with the spiritual life, they were free on a spiritual plane to worship God through Christ Jesus and on a physical plane to do as they pleased. Paul strongly taught against this viewpoint as did the early church fathers (2Co 7:1; Eph 4:1724). First Timothy 1:37 and Jude 319 may also refer to teachers of incipient (or developing) Gnosticism.

John the Baptist Denies Being theMessiah

this was Johns tes ti mo ny when the ru sa lem sent priests and Jew ish lead ersc in Je Le vites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to con fess, but con fessed free ly, I am not the Mes si ah. 21 They asked him, Then who are you? Are you Eli jah? He said, I am not. Are you the Proph et? He an swered,No. 22 Fi nal ly they said, Who are you? Give us an an swer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say a bout your self ? 23 John re plied in the words of Isa iah the proph et, I am the voice of one call ing in the wild der ness,Make s traight the way for the Lord.
a5Or understood b18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who c19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in Johns Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 40:3 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19. d23Isaiah

19 Now

Since Gnostics believed the flesh is always evil, they taught that a sinless Christ could not have become truly human. Gnostics were divided over the incarnation. The Docetic Gnostics claimed that Christs human body was only an illusion, while Cerinthian Gnostics taught that Gods divine spirit filled the human Jesus at his baptism but fled before his death. Like all other tenets of Gnostic belief, Scripture refutes both of these positions (Col 1:15 18; Heb 2:14; 1Jn 4:26; see 1Co 1, Heresies; Gal 4, Christology; Eph 2, Salvation). 1:14Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God and Second person of the Trinity, became flesh. To his divine nature he added a perfect human nature. As Paul later explained, this involved his having taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Php 2:7). As the incarnate God, his wholly divine and perfectly human natures are forever unitedwithout change, mixture or separationin one person (Jn 10:30; Col 2:9; 1Jn 1:15). Made his dwelling (Gk., ske noo , sharing its root with ske ne , lit. tent) refers to the fact that God dwelt temporarily among his people as the perfect God-Man, Jesus Christ, just as God manifested his presence to his people in the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 24:16; 40:35; see chart, The Plan of the Tabernacle). 1:23John the Baptist was thought by some to be the prophet Isaiah (see Isa 40:3), while others believed he was Elijah. The Jews believed that Elijah would appear on earth before the Messiah would come, and John resem-

1403

john 1:37

THE DEFINITIVE CHRISTOLOGICAL PASSAGES

the christ
The Gospel of John (Jn 1; 14)

his divine relationship

The Word (Jn 1:1,14) Radiant glory (Jn 1:14; 14:7) One and only (Jn 1:14,18) Son (Jn 3:16) Form of God (Php 2:6) Equal with God (Php 2:6) Servant (Php 2:7) The image of the invisible God (Col 1:15,19) Firstborn (Col 1:15,18) The Son he [God] loves (Col 1:13) The revelation of God (Heb 1:2) Firstborn (Heb 1:6) Son (Heb 1:2,5,8)

his divine work

Creation of all (Jn 1:13) Salvation (Jn 1:1213)

his divine name

Theos (Gk., lit. God) (Jn 1:1,18)

his divine nature

Fully God (Jn 1:18; 14:6) Fully man (Jn 1:14)

The letter to the Philippians (Php 2)

Salvation (Php 2:68)

Theos (Gk., lit. God) (Php 2:6)

Fully God (Php 2:6) Fully man (Php 2:78)

The letter to the Colossians (Col 1; 2)

Creation of all (Col 1:1618) Salvation (Col 1:45,1922; 2:6,1315) Creation of all (Heb 1:23,10) Salvation (Heb 1:3; 2:1011)

Theottos (Gk., lit. Godhead) (Col 2:9)

Fully God (Col 1:19; 2:9) Fully man (Col 2:9)

The letter to the Hebrews (Heb 1; 2)

Theos (Gk., lit. God) (Heb 1:8)

Fully God (Heb 1:3) Fully man (Heb 1:6; 2:1418)

24 Now the Phar is ees who had been sent 25 questioned him, Why then do you bap tize if you are not the Mes si ah, nor Eli jah, nor the Proph et? 26 I bap tize witha wa ter, John re plied, but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes af ter me, the straps of whose san dals I am not wor thy to un tie. 28 This all hap pened at Beth a ny on the oth er side of the Jor dan, where John was bap tiz ing.

32 Then John gave this tes ti mo ny: I saw the Spir it come down from heav en as a dove and self did not know re main on him. 33 And I my him, but the one who sent me to bap tize with wa ter told me, The man on whom you see the Spir it come down and re main is the one who will bap tize with the Holy Spir it. 34 I have seen b and I tes ti fy that this is G ods Cho sen One.

John Testifies About Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus com ing to ward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, A man who comes af ter me has sur passed me be cause he was be fore me.31 I my self did not know him, but the rea son I came bap tiz ing with wa ter was that he might be re vealed to Is ra el.

Johns Disciples Follow Jesus

1:40-42pp Mt4:18-22; Mk1:16-20; Lk5:2-11
35 The next day John was there again with Jesus passtwo of his dis ci ples. 36 When he saw ing by, he said, Look, the Lamb of God! 37 When the two dis ci ples heard him say this,

a26Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice) b34See

Isaiah42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.

bled Elijah. He dressed like a prophet; he was rugged; he lived in the wilderness; and, like Elijah, he was a prophet. Jesus praised John as a great prophet and he was popular among the Jews of his day. His ministry began near the Jordan River around AD 26. He was sent as a voice to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.

1:29John called Jesus the Lamb of God.In this title, John pictured the Passover lamb slain at the time of deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery (see Ex 12:1213). To the Jews, the slaughtered lamb represented meekness, innocence, sacrifice, redemption and the substitutionary forgiveness of sins (see chart, The Plan of the Tabernacle).

Perspective
john 1:38

1404
 y Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli (From Forever in Love With b Jesus, 6568)

JESUS, GODS REFrESHINg WOrD

When The Word spoke the world into being in Genesis, it was Jesus, in the mystery of the Trinity, speaking the world into existence. When the Word of the Lord came to Hosea, it was Jesus, in the mystery of the Trinity, speaking to Hosea. When the law was given to Moses, it was Jesus communicating to the heart of his people. Not only does the Word include memra, or Gods supportive presence among his people, but it contains the Law: the words, and the holy judgment of God as seen in the Torah. (The Torah is the first five books of Moses: Genesis through Deuteronomy.) This communicative aspect of the Word has both a terrible and wonderful side. It can feel terrible when it convicts us of sin. It can seem harsh when you read of someone being cast out into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. It can be wonderful when we hear how wide and high his love is, when he tells us he will never leave us and when he promises us that one day, we will no longer weep. Because God is always good and just, what may seem terrible is not. It is a holy mystery. The picture of Jesus coming on a white horse one day with fire in his eyes and a sword in his mouth causes us to tremble. And yet, that day is when he is waging war against all the enemies of his bride, because he is holy and just. We have come to love this picture of Jesus because we see the sword being used on our behalf and in our defense. The sword, Paul told us in Ephesians 6, represents the Word of God, and we can use it, as well, to defeat our spiritual enemies. When the enemy comes, and he will, we can use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, against him. Jesus, as the Word, is here with us and is filled with wisdom, power and comfort. And as he, through his Spirit and his Word, falls upon hearts eager to receive, he cannot help but produce fruit. Hosea talked about the Lord coming to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth (6:3). Likewise, Isaiah extends the analogy, and in his picture is an exciting truth: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (55:1011). Do you see? Once rain and snow have started falling, they never suddenly reverse their course. In the same way, once The Word has started speaking into our hearts, it doesnt all of a sudden, like a child say, I take it back. Once he has started a new creative work in us, he will bring it to completion (Php 1:6).

they fol lowed Jesus. 38 Turn ing around, Jesus saw them fol low ing and asked, What do you want? They said, Rab bi (which means Teach er), where are you stay ing? 39 Come, he re plied, and you will see. So they went and saw where he was stay ing, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the af ter noon. 40 An drew, Si mon Pe ters broth er, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who first thing An drew had fol lowed Jesus. 41 The did was to find his broth er Si mon and tell him, We have found the Mes si ah (that is, the brought him to J esus. Christ).42 And he Jesus looked at him and said, You are Si mon son of John. You will be called Ce phas (which, a ). when trans lat ed, is Pe ter
1:38Rabbi (lit. great one, master, or teacher) was a title of respect used by students of their wise teachers. The title later became especially identified with the teachers of the Law of Moses.

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

i lee. Find ing Phil ip,he said to him, Fol lowme. 44 Phil ip, like An drew and Pe ter, was from the town of Beth sa i da. 45 Phil ip found Na than a el and told him, We have found the one Mo ses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the proph ets also wrote Jesus of Naz a reth, the son of Jo seph. 46 Naz ar eth! Can any thing good come from there?Na than a el asked. Come and see, said Phil ip. 47 When Jesus saw Na than a el ap proach ing, he said of him, Here tru ly is an Is ra el ite in whom there is no de ceit.
a42

43 The next day Jesus de cid ed to leave for Gal-

Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock.

1:46Jesus gave prominence to Nazareth, a city not mentioned in the OT. Located between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea, Nazareth was Jesus hometown, where he grew from boyhood to manhood. With

1405
48 How do you know me? Na than a el asked. Jesus an swered, I saw you while you were still un der the fig tree be fore Phil ip called you. 49 Then Na than a el de clared, Rab bi, you are the Son of God;you are the king of Is ra el. 50 Jesus said, You be a be lieve cause I told you I saw you un der the fig tree. You will see great er things than that. 51 He then add ed, Very tru ly I tell you,b youb will see heav en open, and the an gels of God as cend ing and de scend ing onc the Son of Man.

john 2:15 jesus miracles among women

miracle
Healing Peters motherin-law Raising Jairuss daughter Healing the hemorrhaging woman Healing the Canaanite womans daughter Raising the widow of Nains son Healing the crippled woman Turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana at request of Jesus mother

references
Mt 8:1415 Mk 1:3031 Lk 4:3839 Mt 9:18,2325 Mk 5:22,24,3542 Lk 8:4042,4955 Mt 9:2022 Mk 5:2534 Lk 8:4348 Mt 15:2128 Mk 7:2430 Lk 7:1115 Lk 13:1113 Jn 2:111

Jesus Changes Water IntoWine

On the third day a wed ding took place at Cana in Gal i lee. Jesus moth er was there, 2 and Jesus and his dis ci ples had also been in vit ed to the wed ding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus moth er said to him, They have no more wine. 4 Wom an,d why do you in volve me? Jesus re plied. My hourhas not yet come. 5 His moth er said to the ser vants, Do whatev er he t ells you. 6 Near by stood six stone wa ter jars, the kind used by the Jews for cer em o ni al wash ing, each e hold ing from twen ty to thir ty gal lons. 7 Jesus said to the ser vants, Fill the jars with wa ter; so they f illed them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, Now draw some out and take it to the mas ter of the ban quet. They did so, 9 and the mas ter of the ban quet tast ed the wa ter that had been turned into wine. He did not re al ize where it had come from, though the ser vants who had drawn the wa ter knew. Then he called the bride groom aside 10 and said, Ev ery one brings out the choice wine first and then the cheap er wine af ter the guests have had too much to drink; but you have s aved the best till now. 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Gal i lee was the first of the signs through which he re vealed his glo ry;and his dis ci ples be lieved in him.
Nathanaels question, John revealed Nazareths poor reputation. The people of Nazareth would later reject Jesus (see Mk 6:4, note). 2:12The wedding at Cana was attended by Jesus, his mother and his disciples. The town was located in Galilee, although its exact location is unknown. A wedding in Jesus day could last as long as a week (see Weddings). To run out of wine was an embarrassing and inhospitable offense for the wedding host. At the request of his mother Mary, Jesus performed the first miracle of his public ministry by turning water into wine (see chart, Jesus Miracles Among Women). 2:4Jesus showed no disrespect when he addressed his mother as woman instead of mother. His public ministry had begun, and with the cross before him, he was possibly putting some distance between himself and his mother to spare her added suffering. This polite form of

this he went down to Ca per na um with his moth erand broth ersand his dis ci ples. There they stayed for a few days.

12 Af ter

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts

2:14-16pp Mt21:12,13; Mk11:15-17; Lk19:45,46
13 When it was al most time for the Jew ish Pass over, Jesus went up to Je ru sa lem. 14 In the tem ple courts he found peo ple sell ing cat tle, sheep and doves, and oth ers sit ting at ta bles ex chang ing mon ey. 15 So he made a whip out

TheGreek is plural. The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect. e6 Orfrom about 75 to about 115 liters
c51Gen. 28:12 d4

a50Or Do you believe...? b51

address was used by Jesus in addressing other women (Jn 4:21; 20:13; see Mt 15:28; Lk 13:12). Mary acknowledged her own confidence in her son and approval of his independent action as she instructed the servants to follow his instructions. Although Jesus was still her son, he was now more than her child: he was her Lord. Jesus was aware of Gods timing regarding his mission on earth. A miracle or sign would help the people understand his identity and purpose. 2:6The water jars, often made of clay but sometimes of stone, were vessels used for storing water. Each water jar contained about 17 to 25 gallons of water. Six water jars would have held 100 to 150 gallons. The Jews used water for cleansing and purification rituals, and these large stone water jars probably stored the water used for washing. Smaller water jars were used by women to transport water from wells.

john 2:16

1406
A PUBLIC COMMITMENT

w e d d i n g s

In Bible times, the period of engagement (or betrothal) was spent in preparationthe groom preparing a home for his bride and the bride preparing herself and her trousseau. When the time came for the marriage to be consummated, the groom went to the brides home (often at an unannounced time) to accompany her to his home where they met friends of the two families, as arranged by the groom, not the bride (see Jdg 14:511; Mt 25:113). Wedding celebrations generally lasted a week, during which time the bride and groom dressed and were treated as royalty amidst festivities and the presentation of gifts (Ge 29:27; Jdg 14:1218; Jn 2:111). In the modern era, weddings range from formal, solemn ceremonies to informal, private gatherings. The type of ceremony is not necessarily important, but these Biblical criteria are: (1) The marriage should be established in the name of the Lord Jesus (Mk 10:9), and (2) Thanks should be given to God (Col 3:17). A wedding should be a time of worship and should celebrate each marriage partners commitment grounded in the love of God. Weddings are much more than beautiful gowns, crowds of people and expensive decorating. A wedding is a time of COMMITMENT. It should include worship and giving thanks to God as well as the celebrating of the wonderful blessing God has given both the bride and groom. The wedding ceremony is an appropriate time to reflect on the example of unconditional love, which God has demonstrated (Ro 5:8). The couple should commit to follow the Lord in their home no matter what circumstances arise and til death do us part (see Mt 19:6). The importance of this permanency of the union grows out of the fact that the vows are not merely between one man and one woman but include the heavenly Father himself, and also because such commitment is modeled after Christs commitment to the church (Eph 5:2133). See also Ge 2:1525; notes on Celebrations and Holidays (Ex 12); Engagement (Mt 1); Marriage (Ge 2; 2Sa 6; Pr 5; Hos 2; Am 3; 2Co 13; Heb 12); Traditions (1Sa 7); Vows (Nu 30)

of cords, and drove all from the tem ple courts, both sheep and cat tle; he scat tered the coins of the mon ey chang ers and over turned their ta bles. 16 To those who sold doves he said, Get these out of here! Stop turn ing my Fa thers house into a mar ket! 17 His dis ci ples re membered that it is writ ten: Zeal for your house a will con sume me. 18 The Jews then re spond ed to him, What sign can you show us to prove your au thor i ty to do all this? 19 Jesus an swered them, De stroy this tem ple, and I will raise it a gain in three days. 20 They re plied, It has tak en for ty-six years to build this tem ple, and you are go ing to raise it in three days? 21 But the tem ple he had spoken of was his body.22 Af ter he was raised from the dead, his dis ci ples re called what he had
2:1922The temple in Jerusalem was the central place for Jewish worship, the dwelling place of the presence of God. King David planned to build the temple, but his son Solomon actually built it. This building stood for almost 400 years, but it was finally plundered and burned by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Jews in Babylon were given permission to rebuild the temple, and the new governor, Zerubbabel, completed the structure in 516 BC. Beginning in 19 BC, Herod added to the temple and refurbished it so that it was much more magnificent than Zerubbabels

said. Then they be lieved the scrip ture and the words that J esus had spo ken. 23 Now while he was in Je ru sa lem at the Passover Fes ti val,many peo ple saw the signshe was per form ing and be lieved in his name.b 24 But Jesus would not en trust him self to them, for he knew all peo ple. 25 He did not need any tes timo ny about man kind, for he knew what was in each per son.

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

Now there was a Phar i see, a man named Nic o de mus who was a mem ber of the Jew ish rul ing coun cil. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, Rab bi, we know that you are

a17Psalm 69:9 b23Or in him

temple. Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to be circumcised in this temple, and Jesus taught there at age 12. It was destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans under Titus. The Jews thought Jesus referred to Herods temple in Jerusalem. Jesus, however, did not say he would destroy the actual temple building. Jesus was speaking of himself as the temple and of his own death and resurrection. 3:1Nicodemus, a pious and knowledgeable teacher, was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. This highest Jewish court had 70 distinguished members.

1407

john 3:22

Women can splash the world with the love of Christ ... through kindness,
caring, touching, meeting needs and telling of their love for Christ.
Esther Burroughs
a teach er who has come from God. For no one could per form the signs you are do ing if God were not with him. 3 Jesus re plied, Very tru ly I tell you, no one can see the king dom of God un less they are a born again. 4 How can some one be born when they are old? Nic o de mus asked. Sure ly they can not en ter a sec ond time into their moth ers womb to be born! 5 Jesus an swered, Very tru ly I tell you, no one can en ter the king dom of God un less they are born of wa ter and the Spir it.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spir itb gives birth to spir it. 7 You c should not be sur prised at my say ing, You must be born again. 8 The wind blows wher ev er it pleas es. You hear its sound, but you can not tell where it comes from or where it is go ing. So d it is with ev ery one born of the Spir it. 9 How can this be? Nic o de mus asked. 10 You are Is ra els teach er, said Jesus, and do you not un der stand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we tes ti fy to what we have seen, but still you people do not ac cept our tes ti mo ny.12 I have spo ken to you of earth ly things and you do not be lieve; how then will you be lieve if I speak of heav en ly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heav en ex cept the one who came from heav en the e14 Just as Mo Son of Man. ses lift ed up the snake
Nicodemus came from an important aristocratic family in Jerusalem and was an authority on Scripture. His coming at night could have been for any of several reasons: he wanted to speak to Jesus in secret so as not to arouse suspicion or to evoke criticism among his Sanhedrin colleagues; he wanted the privacy that night afforded so as not to be competitive with, nor intimidated by, the daytime crowds that surrounded Jesus; because of the darkness of his own great sins, he may have wanted private counsel with Jesus, the Light (v. 2); or perhaps he simply could not wait until morning. Nicodemus later publicly participated in Jesus burial by supplying abundant spices to be folded within the shroud wrapped around Jesus body. 3:310Nicodemus was confused by Jesus emphasis on rebirth. The word again (Gk., anothen) has several meanings: from conception or the very beginning, anew or a second time, from above or from God. Nicodemus knew a physical rebirth was impossible. Spirit (Gk., pneuma) can also mean wind, depending on the context. Jesus used the word to illustrate the Spir-

in the wil der ness, so the Son of Man must be lift ed up,f 15 that ev ery one who be lieves may g have eter nal life in him. 16 For God so lovedthe world that he gavehis one and only Son,that who ev er be lievesin him shall not per ish but have eter nal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the worldto con demn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Who ev er be lieves in him is not con demned, but who ev er does not be lieve stands condemned al ready be cause they have not be lieved in the name of Gods one and only Son.19 This is the ver dict: Lighthas come into the world, but peo ple loved dark ness in stead of light be cause their deeds were evil.20 Every one who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be ex posed. 21 But who ever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plain ly that what they have done has been done in the s ight of God.

John Testifies Again AboutJesus

this, Jesus and his dis ci ples went out into the Ju de an coun try side, where he spent
a3

22 Af ter

b6Or but spirit c7The Greek is plural. d8

TheGreek for again also means from above; also in verse7. TheGreek for Spirit is the same as that for wind. e13 Some manuscripts f Man, who is in heaven 14 TheGreek for lifted up also means exalted. g15 Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 21.

its activity. Jesus made the point to Nicodemus that he must be born of the Spirit in order to understand the spiritual things of God. 3:13Jesus described himself as the One who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. The description Son of man appears more than 80 times in the Gospels, but only four times in the NT outside the Gospels. Son of man points to Jesus special ministry and commission from God; his suffering, death and resurrection; and his return. 3:1415John stressed both the shame of the cross and the majesty of the resurrection throughout his Gospel. God punished the Israelites in the wilderness with deadly serpents after they had complained and spoken against God and Moses (see Nu 21:49). Many people were bitten and died. When the people repented and begged for mercy, God told Moses to lift a fiery serpent high upon a pole within the camp. God promised that anyone looking at the raised bronze serpent would be healed of the snakes venomous bite and saved from death. The OT incident pointed to Jesus, who would be lifted up on a cross as the sacrifice necessary for salvation.

john 3:23

1408

w o m e n s

m i n i s t r i e s

WOMEN IN EVaNGELISM

Jesus affirmed the ministry of women in evangelism. This was most evident in his interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar (Jn 4:130). Culturally, Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. Moreover, for a rabbi to speak to a woman in public was considered improper. Christs regard for this woman was therefore truly revolutionary. After their meeting, she returned to her city and presented her witness. Many believed in him because of her testimony (vv. 28,39). At that time, women were not considered reliable witnesses; yet Christ chose a woman as his witness. God chose women as the first witnesses of Christs resurrection (Mt 28:18), and they were entrusted with Christs first post-resurrection message to his disciples (Jn 20:1518). The coming of the Spirit reinforced the role of women in evangelism. Women, together with men, were empowered to be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Ac 1:8). The establishment of the Philippian church involved women (Ac 16:1115), and women were also involved in spreading the gospel in Berea (Ac 17:12). New Testament women, along with men, were commissioned to be the light of the world and were thus extensively involved in the ministry of evangelism (Mt 5:1416). See also chart on Spiritual Gifts of Women in the Bible; notes on Evangelism (Jn 6; Col 4; 1Pe 3); Spiritual Gifts (Ro 12); Womens Ministries (Ac 2; 1Co 11; Eph 2; 1Ti 3; Titus 2)

some time with them, and bap tized. 23 Now John also was bap tiz ing at Ae non near Sa lim, be cause there was plen ty of wa ter, and peo ple were com ing and be ing bap tized. 24 (This was be fore John was put in pris on.) 25 An ar gu ment de vel oped be tween some of Johns dis ci ples and a cer tain Jew over the mat ter of cer e moni al wash ing. 26 They came to John and said to him, Rab bi,that man who was with you on the oth er side of the Jor dan the one you tes ti fied about look, he is bap tiz ing, and ev ery one is go ing to him. 27 To this John re plied, A per son can re ceive only what is giv en them from heav en. 28 You your selves can tes ti fy that I said, I am not the Mes si ah but am sent ahead of him.29 The bride be longs to the bride groom. The friend who at tends the bride groom waits and lis tens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegrooms voice. That joy is mine, and it is now com plete. 30 He must be come great er; I must a be come less. 31 The one who comes from aboveis above all; the one who is from the earth be longs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heav en is above all. 32 He tes ti fies to what he has seen and heard, but no one ac cepts his tes ti mo ny. 33 Who ever has
4:46Jesus did not follow the usual way for Jews to travel between Galilee and Judea, which was to avoid Samaritan territory by crossing to the east bank of the Jordan River (vv. 34). At Sychar, Jacob bought a piece of land from the children of Hamor for 100 pieces of silver and pitched his tent (v. 5; see Ge 33:1820). While Jesus was resting at Jacobs well, a site not mentioned in the OT, he met the Samaritan woman (see The Samaritan Woman).

ac cept ed it has cer ti fied that God is truth ful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the b gives the Spir itwith out words of God, for God ther loves the Son and has placed lim it. 35 The Fa ev er be lieves in ev ery thing in his hands. 36 Who the Son has eter nal life,but who ev er re jects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath re mains on them.

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

Now Jesus learned that the Phar i sees had heard that he was gain ing and bap tiz ing though in fact more dis ci ples than John 2 al it was not Jesus who bap tized, but his dis ci ples. 3 So he left Ju dea and went back once more to Gal i lee. 4 Now he had to go through Sa mar ia. 5 So he came to a town in Sa mar ia called Sy char, near the plot of ground Ja cob had giv en to his son cobs well was there, and Jesus, tired Jo seph. 6 Ja as he was from the jour ney, sat down by the well. It was a bout noon. 7 When a Sa mar i tan wom an came to draw wa ter, Jesus said to her, Will you give me a
a30

b34Greek he

Some interpreters end the quotation with verse 36.

4:7For a woman to come to the well at noon, the hottest part of the day, was unusual. Middle Eastern women usually filled their water jars in the early morning and at sunset, when it was cooler. The Samaritan woman was a woman of bad reputation and may have filled her jars at noon in order to avoid meeting other women who would shun her.

1409
drink? 8 (His dis ci ples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Sa mar i tan wom an said to him, You are a Jew and I am a Sa mar i tanwom an. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not as so ci ate a ) with Sa mar i tans. 10 Jesus an swered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have giv en you liv ing wa ter. 11 Sir, the wom an said, you have noth ing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can er you get this liv ing wa ter? 12 Are you great than our fa ther Ja cob, who gave us the welland drank from it him self, as did also his sons and his live stock? 13 Jesus an swered, Ev ery one who drinks ever this wa ter will be thirsty again, 14 but who drinks the wa ter I give them will nev er thirst. In deed, the wa ter I give them will be come in them a spring of wa ter well ing up to eter nal life. 15 The wom an said to him, Sir, give me this wa ter so that I wont get thirsty and have to keep com ing here to draw wa ter. 16 He told her, Go, call your hus band and come back. 17 I have no hus band, she re plied. Jesus said to her, You are right when you say you have no hus band. 18 The fact is, you have had five hus bands, and the man you now have is not your hus band. What you have just said is quite true. 19 Sir, the wom an said, I can see that you ces tors wor shiped on are a proph et. 20 Our an this moun tain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must wor ship is in Je ru sa lem. 21 Wom an, Jesus re plied, be lieve me, a time is com ing when you will wor ship the Fa ther nei ther on this moun tain nor in Je ru sa lem. 22 You Sa mar i tans wor ship what you do not know; we wor ship what we do know, for sal vaing and tion is from the Jews.23 Yet a time is com has now come when the true wor ship ers will wor ship the Fa ther in the Spir it and in truth, for they are the kind of wor ship ers the Fa ther it, and his wor ship ers must seeks. 24 God is spir wor ship in the Spir it and in truth. 25 The wom an said, I know that Mes si ah (called Christ) is com ing. When he comes, he will ex plain ev ery thing tous.
4:9Jesus simply disregarded the social rules of his day in order to talk with the Samaritan woman. 4:2024The ancient city of Samaria was located about 40 miles north of Jerusalem. Years before, a remnant of Israels Jews in Samaria had intermarried with Gentiles and had begun to worship foreign gods. The Samaritans worshiped at Mount Gerizim, where they had been given

john 4:44

26 Then Jesus de clared, I, the one speak ing to you I amhe.

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

then his dis ci ples re turned and were sur prised to find him talk ing with a wom an. But no one asked, What do you want? or Why are you talk ing with her? 28 Then, leav ing her wa ter jar, the wom an went back to the town and said to the peo ple, 29 Come, see a man who told me ev ery thing I ever did. Could this be the Mes si ah? 30 They came out of the town and made their way to ward him. 31 Mean while his dis ci ples urged him, Rab bi, eat some thing. 32 But he said to them, I have food to eatthat you know noth ing about. 33 Then his dis ci ples said to each oth er, Could some one have brought him food? 34 My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to fin ish his work.35 Dont you have a say ing, Its still four months un til har vest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for har vest.36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and har vests a crop for eter nal life, so that the sow er and the reap er may be glad to geth er. 37 Thus the say ing One sows and an oth er reaps is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Oth ers have done the hard work, and you have reaped the ben e fits of their la bor.
27 Just

Many Samaritans Believe

of the Sa mar i tans from that town be lieved in him be cause of the wom ans tes timo ny, He told me ev ery thing I ever did. 40 So when the Sa mar i tans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And be cause of his words many more be came be liev ers. 42 They said to the wom an, We no lon ger be lieve just be cause of what you said; now we have heard for our selves, and we know that this man real ly is the Sav ior of the world.
39 Many

Jesus Heals an Officials Son

43 Af ter 44 (Now

the two days he left for Gal i lee. Jesus him self had point ed out that

a9Or do not use dishes Samaritans have used

permission to build a temple. A small Samaritan community continues to worship there even now. 4:2526The Jews of Samaria were also awaiting the arrival of the promised Messiah (see Dt 18:15,18). Jesus told the Samaritan woman that he was the long-awaited Messiah. The woman believed Jesus self-disclosure and told others the Good News.

john 4:45

1410

THE SAMARItAN WOMAN

Perhaps in order to avoid the respectable townswomen who filled their water jars at sunrise and sunset, a Samaritan woman came to the well at noon, the hottest hour of the day. This immoral woman, who had had five husbands, now lived with a man who was not her husband. When Jesus purposely passed through Samaria on his way to Galilee, he met and spoke to the woman at Jacobs Well, near the city of Sychar, breaking three major social rules:

First, women were considered greatly inferior to men; in public no Middle Eastern man ever spoke to a woman, not even to his wife, mother or sister. Second, no Jew ever spoke to a Samaritan. Jews believed Samaritans had betrayed their faith
because they had intermarried with foreigners. The Jews and Samaritans hated and avoided each other. Third, no self-respecting man, especially a teacher, would ever speak to a woman of such despicable reputation. This woman was a well-known social outcast.

Jesus disregarded these social barriers when he conversed with the Samaritan woman. He revealed himself as the greatly anticipated Messiah, offering forgiveness, redemption and new life. She drank from his cup of living water, ran back to town to the very ones who despised her, the people of Samaria. There she proclaimed with unembarrassed excitement the arrival of the promised Messiah. The people of Samaria eagerly responded to Christ. They, too, yearned for his living water. Later, Jesus would challenge his disciples to witness in Samaria (Ac 1:8), and Philip, a deacon, would open a mission there (Ac 8:5). Yet the Good News of Jesus Christ was first proclaimed to the people of Samaria through the testimony of a sinful, immoral woman who drank the offered water and was forgiven, cleansed and renewed, never again to thirst. See also notes on Adultery (Hos 3); Forgiveness (Ps 51; Lk 17)

a proph et has no hon or in his own coun try.) he ar rived in Gal i lee, the Gal il e ans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Je ru sa lem at the Pass over Fes ti val, for they also had been there. 46 Once more he vis it ed Cana in Gal i lee, where he had turned the wa ter into wine. And there was a cer tain roy al of fi cial whose son lay sick at Ca per na um. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had ar rived in Gal i lee from Ju dea,he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was c lose to death. 48 Un less you peo ple see signs and won ders, Jesus told him, you will nev er be lieve. 49 The roy al of fi cial said, Sir, come down be fore my c hild dies. 50 Go, J esus re plied, your son will live. The man took Jesus at his word and de part ed. 51 While he was still on the way, his ser vants
45 When

met him with the news that his boy was liv ing. 52 When he in quired as to the time when his son got bet ter, they said to him, Yes ter day, at one in the af ter noon, the fe ver left him. 53 Then the fa ther re al ized that this was the ex act time at which Jesus had said to him, Your son will live. So he and his whole house hold be lieved. 54 This was the sec ond sign Jesus per formed af ter com ing from Ju dea to Gal il ee.

The Healing at the Pool

Some time lat er, Jesus went up to Je ru salem for one of the Jew ish fes ti vals. 2 Now there is in Je ru sa lem near the Sheep Gate a a and pool, which in Ar am a ic is called Be thes da
a2

Some manuscripts Bethzatha; other manuscripts Bethsaida

4:46The man was a royal official in the court of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Whether he was a Jew or Gentile is not known. The fact that a nobleman would request the help of a carpenter is extraordinary. 4:53An ordinary household with its variety of relationships was basic to society in ancient times. The word household could suggest an immediate family, the servants of that family, an extended family and even the descendants of a particular nation. The head of the household usually determined the faith of the household.

Thus, it was that the noblemans whole household followed him in believing in Jesus. 5:2Sheep Gate is one of the entrances carved into Jerusalems city wall. Pools were reservoirs, often cut from stone, that collected rainwater for drinking and other purposes. Water was a valuable and precious resource in the arid Middle East. These pools were usually deep enough for swimming. The pool at Bethesda was a famous place where the handicapped and sick gathered because of its reputed healing properties.

1411

john 5:35

Jesus did not take volunteers as disciples. He put his finger

on each one ... because he saw potential in them.
Gail MacDonald
hich is sur w round ed by five cov ered col onnades. 3 Here a great num ber of dis abled peo ple used to lie the blind, the lame, the par a lyzed. [4] a 5 One who was there had been an in val id for thir ty- eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him ly ing there and learned that he had been in this condi tion for a long time, he asked him, Do you want to get well? 7 Sir, the in val id re plied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the wa ter is stirred. While I am try ing to get in, some one else goes down ahead ofme. 8 Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jew ish lead ers said to the man who had been healed, It is the Sab bath; the law for bids you to car ry your mat. 11 But he re plied, The man who made me well said to me, Pick up your mat and walk. 12 So they asked him, Who is this fel low who told you to pick it up and walk? 13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 14 Lat er Jesus found him at the tem ple and said to him, See, you are well again. Stop sinning or some thing worse may hap pen to you. 15 The man went away and told the Jew ish leadersthat it was Jesus who had made him well. does. 20 For the Fa ther loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even great er works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Fa ther rais es the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 More over, the Fa ther judg es no one, but has en trust ed all judg ment to the Son, 23 that all may hon or the Son just as they hon or the Fa ther. Who ev er does not hon or the Son does not hon or the Fa ther, who sent him. 24 Very tru ly I tell you, who ev er hears my word and be lieves him who sent mehas eter nal lifeand will not be judgedbut has crossed over from death to life.25 Very tru ly I tell you, a time is com ing and has now come when the dead will hearthe voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Fa ther has life in him self, so he has grant ed the Son also to have life in him self. 27 And he has giv en him au thori ty to j udgebe cause he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, for a time is com ing when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By my self I can do noth ing; I judge only as I hear, and my judg ment is just, for I seek not to please my self but him who sentme.

Testimonies About Jesus

I tes ti fy about my self, my tes ti mo ny is not true.32 There is an oth er who tes ti fies in my fa vor, and I know that his tes ti mo ny about me is true. 33 You have sent to John and he has tes ti fied to the truth. 34 Not that I ac cept hu man tes timo ny; but I men tion it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to en joy his light.
a3,4

The Authority of the Son

16 So, be cause Jesus was do ing these things on

31 If

the Sab bath, the Jew ish lead ers be gan to per sefense Jesus said to them, cute him. 17 In his de My Fa theris al ways at his workto this very day, and I too am work ing. 18 For this rea son they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he break ing the Sab bath, but he was even call ing God his own Fa ther, mak ing him self equal with God. 19 Jesus gave them this an swer: Very tru ly I tell you, the Son can do noth ing by him self; he can do only what he sees his Fa ther do ing, be cause what ev er the Fa ther does the Son also
5:10The Sabbath was the seventh day of the week, the day God rested from creating the world (Ge 2:23). It was a holy day of rest for all Jews, as well as foreigners, slaves and even animals (see chart, The Principle of the Sabbath). Desecra-

Some manuscripts include here, wholly or in part, paralyzedand they waited for the moving of the waters. 4From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.

tion of the Sabbath could be punished by death. The prohibition against carrying ones bed on the Sabbath was just one of the numerous oral laws (a part of the tradition of the elders) that had grown from the Law of Moses.

john 5:36

1412

p r o b l e m

s o lv i n g

SEEKING GODS SOLUTION

The first step in overcoming problems, whether they are physical, emotional or spiritual, is to admit you are in need and desire a change. Jesus asked the man who had been lying by the Bethesda pool for thirty-eight years a very important question: Do you want to get well? (Jn 5:115). In other words, Do you care enough about your problem to do something about it even if it requires on your part some action, effort, sacrifice or even suffering? As is typical of so many in need, this man answered the Lord with self-pity. When Jesus sees you in need of help and sends a willing person to help, do you play the martyr role? Theres no hope for me. Nobody loves me. The person who clings to this attitude is unlikely to experience healing. Because Jesus is gracious and knows your deepest desires, he often cuts through your weeping and self-martyrdom and puts you to the test. Get up, he says. Take your problem and move on. Do not wait for other people to pity you. Get up. If you are in need of a touch from the Lord, ask yourself if you are so eager to be changed that you are willing to do something about your situation. When you let God know you are obedient to his will and eager to do whatever it takes for you to be whole, he will send Jesus in the form of a person, a verse from his Word or a new thought in your mind. Act upon what God tells you to do. He made you, and he knows how to fix precisely what is broken within you. Finally, when you feel Gods power bring about positive changes in your life, do not let doubters convince you these changes are only coincidence. Walk firmly away as did the man with his mat under his arm and say simply, Jesus healed me. See also Mt 6:14; Mk 5:2, note; Jn 9:141; Php 2:13; notes on Counseling (Pr 8); Decision Making (1Co 8); Healing (Ps 13; 133; Ecc 1; 2Co 5; Gal 6; Jas 5); Obedience (Phm); Surrender (Jas 4)

36 I have tes ti mo ny weight i er than that of John. For the works that the Fa ther has giv en me to fin ish the very works that I am do ing tes ti fy that the Fa ther has sent me. 37 And the Fa ther who sent me has him self tes ti fied concern ing me.You have nev er heard his voice nor seen his form,38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not be lieve the one he sent. 39 You studya the Scrip tures dil i gent ly be cause you think that in them you have eter nal life. These are the very Scrip tures that tes ti fy about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. 41 I do not ac cept glo ry from hu man be ings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Fa thers name, and you do not ac cept me; but if some one else comes in his own name, you will ac cept him. 44 How can you be lieve since you ac cept glo ry from one an oth er but do not seek b the glo ry that comes from the only God ? 45 But do not think I will ac cuse you be fore the Fa ther. Your ac cus er is Mo ses, on whom your hopes are set.46 If you be lieved Mo ses, you would be lieve me, for he wrote about me.47 But since you do not be lieve what he wrote, how are you go ing to be lieve what I say?

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

6:1-13pp Mt14:13-21; Mk6:32-44; Lk9:10-17

Sea of Ti be ri as), 2 and a great crowd of peo ple fol lowed him be cause they saw the signs he had per formed by heal ing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a moun tain side and sat down with his dis ci ples. 4 The Jew ish Pass over Fes ti val was near. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd com ing to ward him, he said to Phil ip, Where shall we buy bread for these peo ple to eat? 6 He asked this only to test him, for he al ready had in mind what he was go ing todo. 7 Phil ip an swered him, It would take more than half a years wag esc to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite! 8 An oth er of his dis ci ples, An drew, Si mon Pe ters broth er, spoke up, 9 Here is a boy with five small bar ley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? 10 Jesus said, Have the peo ple sit down. There was plen ty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thou sand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and dis trib ut ed to those who were seat ed as much as they want ed. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his dis ci ples, Gath er the piec es that are left over. Let noth ing be wast ed. 13 So they
a39Or 39Study b44

Some time af ter this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Gal i lee (that is, the

c7Greek take two hundred denarii

Some early manuscripts the Only One

1413

john 6:39

When you seek truth you seek God whether you know it or not.
Blessed Theresia Benedicta (Edith Stein)

gath ered them and filled twelve bas kets with the piec es of the five bar ley loaves left over by those who had eat en. 14 Af ter the peo ple saw the sign Jesus performed, they be gan to say, Sure ly this is the Jesus, Proph et who is to come into the world.15 know ing that they in tend ed to come and make him king by force, with drew again to a mountain by him self.

Jesus Walks on the Water

6:16-21pp Mt14:22-33; Mk6:47-51
16 When eve ning came, his dis ci ples went down

to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Ca per na um. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blow ing and the wa ters grew rowed about three or rough. 19 When they had a they saw Jesus ap proach ing the boat, four miles, walk ing on the wa ter;and they were fright ened. 20 But he said to them, It is I; dont be afraid. 21 Then they were will ing to take him into the boat, and im me di ate ly the boat reached the shore w here they were head ing. 22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the op po site shore of the lakere al ized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not en tered it with his dis ci ples, but that they had boats from Ti begone away alone.23 Then some ri asland ed near the place where the peo ple had eat en the bread af ter the Lord had giv en thanks. 24 Once the crowd re al ized that nei ther Jesus nor his dis ci ples were there, they got into the boats and went to Ca per na um in search of Jesus.

Jesus the Bread of Life

they found him on the oth er side of the lake, they asked him, Rab bi, when did you get here?
6:15The Jews awaited the Prophet (the Messiah) that Moses had promised to them (Dt 18:15). After the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd believed that Jesus was that Prophet, the Promised One. Jesus, like Moses, had miraculously fed the large crowds. They thought, however, that their Messiah would become a conqueror. Therefore, the crowd reacted strongly, even violently and sought to capture or kidnap Jesus to take him to Jerusalem and make him their king. They wanted Jesus to assume political leadership, to set up a kingdom and to release them from the yoke of Roman authority. Jesus
25 When

26 Jesus an swered, Very tru ly I tell you, you are look ing for me, not be cause you saw the signs I per formed but be cause you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that en duresto eter nal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Fa ther has placed his seal of ap prov al. 28 Then they asked him, What must we do to do the works God re quires? 29 Jesus an swered, The work of God is this: to be lievein the one he has sent. 30 So they asked him, What sign then will you give that we may see it and be lieve you? ces tors ate the manWhat will you do? 31 Our an na in the wil der ness; as it is writ ten: He gave b them bread from heav en to eat. 32 Jesus said to them, Very tru ly I tell you, it is not Mo ses who has giv en you the bread from heav en, but it is my Fa ther who gives you the bread of God true bread from heav en. 33 For the is the bread that comes down from heav en and gives life to the world. 34 Sir, they said, al ways give us this bread. 35 Then Jesus de clared, I amthe bread of life. Who ev er comes to me will nev er go hun gry, and who ev er be lieves in me will nev er be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still ther gives you do not be lieve. 37 All those the Fa me will come to me, and who ev er comes to me I will nev er drive away. 38 For I have come down from heav en not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has giv en me,but raise them up at the

a19

Orabout 5or 6kilometers b31 Exodus16:4; Neh. 9:15; Psalm 78:24,25

understood the situation and slipped away into the mountains to escape them. 6:3133God supplied manna to feed the Israelites as they fled Egyptian slavery and as they traveled, with Moses as their leader, for 40 years throughout the wilderness. Manna, a small, round substance, appeared each morning with the dew. This bread from heaven was then gathered, made into cakes and either baked or boiled (see Ex 16:1336). The people believed that when the Messiah came, he would bring them manna. The OT manna pointed to the true Bread of Heaven, Jesus.

john 6:40

1414
DIVINE AppOINTMENTS

e v a n g e l i s m

Jesus took every opportunity to make the message of Gods love and forgiveness known. Although he was weary as he sat by the well of Sychar, he accepted the arrival of a woman from Samaria as a divine appointment. Asking for a drink of water, he got her attention and engaged her in conversation, then proceeded to make his message relevant to her life and situation. What a great example of how believers can share their faith! Just as women are increasingly choosing the good life without regard for Biblical standards, this woman had chosen to live in a way that was not pleasing to God. Many are looking for what they perceive to be the best quality of life without regard for the relevancy of Christs message to their daily lives. Without an application of Biblical standards, individuals as well as an entire nation tend to sink into moral decadence and disintegrate. The Bible alone is Gods textbook about how to relate to God and to one anotherhusbands to wives, parents to children, employer to employee, friend to friend. Your view of God will determine much of your lifestyle. God has given his timeless blueprint, which when followed humbly and with obedience, gives the greatest quality of life the human heart can know. Christian women have the fresh water for which the thirsty hearts of all people yearn. They must learn to make his message relevant, to anticipate divine appointments and to be ready to show that the life Jesus offers is desirable and attractive. Jesus always met with those who had honest questions or needs on their terms regarding place, method of access or style of communication. He never, however, changed his message or altered the way in which he loved. See also Jn 4:542; 10:10; 17:23; notes on Access to God (Ro 10); Evangelism (Mt 28; Col 4; 1Pe 3); Salvation (Eph 2)

last day. 40 For my Fa thers will is that ev ery one who looks to the Son and be lieves in him shall have eter nal life,and I will raise them up at the last day. 41 At this the Jews there be gan to grum ble about him be cause he said, I am the bread that came down from heav en. 42 They said, Is this not Jesus, the son of Jo seph, whose fa ther and moth er we know? How can he now say, I came down from heav en? 43 Stop grum bling among your selves, Jesus less an swered. 44 No one can come to me un the Fa ther who sent me draws them, and I will ten in raise them up at the last day. 45 It is writ a the Proph ets: They will all be taught by God. Ev ery one who has heard the Fa ther and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Fa ther ex cept the one who is from God; only ly I tell you, he has seen the Fa ther. 47 Very tru the one who be lieves has eter nal life.48 I am the ces tors ate the man na bread of life. 49 Your an
6:5257Flesh and blood represented life, in particular Christs self-sacrificed life fueled by his self-sacrificing love. My flesh referred to Jesus body, which he gave up in death (v. 54). My blood referred to the shedding of his blood on the cross at Calvary (v. 54). This imagery would sound familiar to those from pagan backgrounds in ancient times. They routinely offered sacrifices to their gods and actually ate part of the cooked flesh of the sacrifice. They would have considered eating the sacrificed

in the wil der ness, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heav en, which any one may eat and not die. 51 I am the liv ing bread that came down from heav en. Who ev er eats this bread will live for ev er. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 Then the Jews be gan to ar gue sharp ly among them selves, How can this man give us his f lesh to eat? 53 Jesus said to them, Very tru ly I tell you, un less you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,you have no life in you. 54 Whoev er eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Who ev er eats my flesh and drinks my blood re mains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as
a45Isaiah 54:13

flesh as becoming one with a god, in the sense of sharing an identity with that deity. The Jew of Jesus day would have understood blood to stand for life. Thus, to drink Jesus blood would suggest bringing his life into their lives. This paradox then explains both the essence of the gospel (Christs sacrifice of his life) and the essence of personal holiness (our unique partaking of his life into our own). Christ came from the Father to offer the gift of himself to all who would receive him (vv. 51,54,56).

1415
the liv ing Fa ther sent me and I live be cause of the Fa ther, so the one who feeds on me will live bread that came be cause of me. 58 This is the down from heav en. Your an ces tors ate man na and died, but who ev er feeds on this bread will while teach ing in live for ev er. 59 He said this the syn a gogue in Ca per na um.

john 7:23

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

hear ing it, many of his dis ci ples said, This is a hard teach ing. Who can ac ceptit? 61 Aware that his dis ci ples were grum bling about this, Jesus said to them, Does this of fend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man as cend to where he was be fore! 63 The Spir it gives life; the flesh counts for noth ing. The words I have spo ken to you they are full of a and life. 64 Yet the Spir it there are some of you who do not be lieve. For Jesus had known from the be gin ning which of them did not be lieve and who would be tray him.65 He went on to say, This is why I told you that no one can come to me un less the Fa ther has en abled them. 66 From this time many of his dis ci ples turned back and no lon ger fol lowed him. 67 You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus a sked the Twelve. 68 Si mon Pe ter an swered him,Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eter nal life. 69 We have come to be lieve and to know that you are the Holy One of God. 70 Then Jesus re plied, Have I not cho sen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a dev il! 71 (He meant Ju das, the son of Si mon Is car i ot, who, though one of the Twelve, was lat er to be tray him.)
60 On

6 There fore Jesus told them, My time is not world yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The can not hate you, but it hates me be cause I testiti fy that its works are evil.8 You go to the fes c go ing up to this fes ti val, be cause val. I am not my time has not yet ful ly come. 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Gal i lee. 10 How ev er, af ter his broth ers had left for the fes ti val, he went also, not pub lic ly, but in se cret. 11 Now at the fes ti val the Jew ish lead ers were watch ing for Jesusand ask ing, Where ishe? 12 Among the crowds there was wide spread whis per ing about him. Some said, He is a good man. Oth ers re plied, No, he de ceives the peo ple. 13 But no one would say any thing pub lic ly about him for fear of the lead ers.

Jesus Teaches at the Festival

un til half way through the fes ti val did Jesus go up to the tem ple courts and be gin to there were amazed and asked, teach.15 The Jews How did this man get such learn ing with out hav ing been taught? 16 Jesus an swered, My teach ing is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.17 Anyone who choos es to do the will of God will find out wheth er my teach ing comes from God or ev er speaks wheth er I speak on my own. 18 Who on their own does so to gain per son al glo ry,but he who seeks the glo ry of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is noth ing false about ses giv en you the law?Yet not him. 19 Has not Mo one of you keeps the law. Why are you try ing to killme? 20 You are de mon-pos sessed, the crowd an swered. Who is try ing to kill you? 21 Jesus said to them, I did one mir a cle, and cause Mo ses gave you are all amazed. 22 Yet, be you cir cum ci sion (though ac tu al ly it did not come from Mo ses, but from the pa tri archs),you cir cum cise a boy on the Sab bath. 23 Now if a boy can be cir cum cised on the Sab bath so that the law of Mo ses may not be bro ken, why are you
a63Or are Spirit; orare spirit b1

14 Not

Jesus Goes to the Festival ofTabernacles

Af ter this, Jesus went around in Gal i lee. He b to go did not want about in Ju dea be cause the Jew ish lead ers there were look ing for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jew ish Fes ti val of Tab er na cles was near, 3 Jesus broth ers said to him, Leave Gal i lee and go to Ju dea, so that your dis ci ples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to be come a pub lic fig ure acts in se cret. Since you are do ing these things, show your self to the world. 5 For even his own broth ers did not be lieve in him.
6:6669The crowd that followed Jesus was very large, but they began to discover that his teachings were difficult to put into practice. In fact, following him pointed to the possibility of sharing in his suffering and violent death. Slowly his disciples began to fall away. Perhaps those who left Jesus could foresee or anticipate the tragedy that would befall Jesus at the hands of the Roman government. Others, perhaps, lost interest or hope in Jesus. Their action prompted Jesus to ask the 12 disciples if they, too, would leave. Jesus was not surprised by the

Some manuscripts not have authority c8 Some manuscripts not yet

many who turned away from him. He knew of their discontentment, for he could read their hearts. 7:2The Festival of Tabernacles (or Festival of Ingathering) lasted seven days (see chart, The Festivals of Israel). The celebrations included the ingathering of crops. Participants made booths or tabernacles of tree branches. These booths represented shelter and protection. The Israelites lived in these booths throughout the festival period in order to remember their fathers who, when they left Egypt and journeyed in the wilderness, had lived in similar structures.

john 7:24

1416
this he meant the Spir it,whom those who be lieved in him were lat er to re ceive.Up to that time the Spir it had not been giv en, since Jesus had not yet been glo ri fied. 40 On hear ing his words, some of the peo ple said, Sure ly this man is the Proph et. 41 Oth ers said, He is the Mes si ah. Still oth ers asked, How can the Mes si ah ture say come from Gal i lee? 42 Does not Scrip that the Mes si ah will come from Da vids de scendants and from Beth le hem, the town where ple were di vid ed Da vid lived? 43 Thus the peo ed to seize him, be cause of Jesus. 44 Some want but no one laid a hand on him.
39 By

an gry with me for heal ing a mans whole body on the Sab bath? 24 Stop judg ing by mere ap pearanc es, but in stead j udge cor rect ly.

Division Over Who Jesus Is

that point some of the peo ple of Je ru salem be gan to ask, Isnt this the man they are try ing to kill? 26 Here he is, speak ing pub lic ly, and they are not say ing a word to him. Have the au thor i tiesreal ly con clud ed that he is the Messi ah? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Mes si ah comes, no one will know where he is from. 28 Then Jesus, still teach ing in the tem ple courts, cried out, Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own au thor i ty, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29 but I know him be cause I am from him and he sentme. 30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, be cause his hour had not yet come.31 Still, many in the crowd be lieved in him. They said, When the Mes si ah comes, will he per form more s ignsthan this man? 32 The Phar i sees heard the crowd whis per ing such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Phar i sees sent tem ple guards to ar rest him. 33 Jesus said, I am with you for only a short time, and then I am go ing to the one who sent me.34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and w here I am, you can not come. 35 The Jews said to one an oth er, Where does this man in tend to go that we can not find him? Will he go where our peo ple live scattered among the Greeks,and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, You will look for me, but you will not find me, and Where I am, you can not come? 37 On the last and great est day of the fes ti val, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, Let any one who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoev er be lievesin me, as Scrip ture has said,riv ers of liv ing wa ter will flow from with in them.a
7:34Jesus spoke to nominal disciples, those who were not willing to invest their lives in a personal commitment to him. Jesus referred to his death, telling them that he would go to the Father and they would not be able to find him. These Jews had put their trust in belonging to the family of Abraham. They had not put their trust in Gods plan of salvation through Jesus. Jesus told them, in effect, that when they did come to an understanding of God and the Good News and wanted to place their faith in him, it would then be too late. 7:35God had given the Jews the land of Canaan, the promised land, for an inheritance. The dispersion or Diaspora, which took place over several centuries, was responsible for forcing the Jews out of the Holy Land. This scattering of the Jews throughout the world was due to the
25 At

Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders

the tem ple guards went back to the chief priests and the Phar i sees, who asked them, Why didnt you b ring himin? 46 No one ever spoke the way this man does, the guards re plied. 47 You mean he has de ceived you also? the ers or Phar i sees re tort ed. 48 Have any of the rul of the Phar i sees be lieved in him?49 No! But this mob that knows noth ing of the law there is a curse on them. 50 Nic o de mus, who had gone to Jesus ear li er and who was one of their own num ber, asked, 51 Does our law con demn a man with out first hear ing him to find out what he has been do ing? 52 They re plied, Are you from Gal i lee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a proph et does not come out of Gal i lee.
45 Fi nal ly

[The earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not have John7:53 8:11. A few manuscripts include these verses, wholly or in part, after John 7:36, John 21:25, Luke 21:38 or Luke 24:53.]
a37,38Or me. And let anyone drink 38who believes in me. As Scripture has said, Out of him (or them) will flow rivers of living water.

Assyrians capture of Israel (722 BC), the capture of Judah by the Babylonians (586 BC) and other wars fought in the Holy Land by the Romans and Greeks. Some simply came upon hard times and emigrated to other places to find work and resources. In Jesus time, as many Jews lived outside of the Holy Land as lived in the Land. 7:38The particular quotation from Scripture used by Jesus has never been identified with certainty. He probably had in mind Ps 78:1516 and Zec 14:8 (see also Eze 47:111; Rev 22:12). The original language for from within is the word belly, which was believed to be the seat of the emotions, the innermost being of a person. In essence, Jesus said that the person would have a continual, life-giving source of satisfaction within.

1417
Then they all went home, 1 but Jesus went to the ount of Olives. M 2 At dawn he ap peared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say? 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, Let any one of you who is without sin be the f irst to throw a stone at her. 8 Again he stooped down and w rote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones f irst, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman, w here are they? Has no one condemned you? 11 No one, sir, she said. Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.
53

john 8:24 the names for satan

name
Abaddon (Heb., lit. destruction) The accuser of our brothers and sisters The enemy (Gk., antidikos, lit. opponent) The angel of the Abyss Apollyon (Gk., lit. destroyer) Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons Belial The devil (Gk., diabalos, lit. one who casts through) The dragon The god of this age The king of Tyre Liar Morning star Murderer The ruler of the kingdom of the air A roaring lion The power of this dark world The prince of this world Satan (Heb., lit. adversary) The serpent The tempter The evil one

reference
Rev 9:11 Rev 12:10 Mt 13:39; 1Pe 5:8 Rev 9:11 Rev 9:11 Mt 12:24 2Co 6:15 Jn 8:44 Rev 12:7; 20:2 2Co 4:4 Eze 28:1119 Jn 8:44 Isa 14:1221 Jn 8:44 Eph 2:2 1Pe 5:8 Eph 6:12 Jn 12:31; 14:30 Mk 1:1213 Rev 20:2 1Th 3:5 Mt 13:19

Dispute Over Jesus Testimony

12 When Jesus spoke again to the peo ple, he said, I am the light of the world. Who ev er follows me will nev er walk in dark ness, but will have the l ight of life. 13 The Phar i sees chal lenged him, Here you are, ap pear ing as your own wit ness; your tes timo ny is not val id. 14 Jesus an swered, Even if I tes ti fy on my own be half, my tes ti mo ny is val id, for I know where I came from and where I am go ing. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am go ing. 15 You judge by hu man stan dards; I pass judg ment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my de ci sions are true, be cause I am not alone. I stand with the Fa ther, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is writ ten that the tes ti mo ny of two wit ness es is true. 18 I am one who tes ti fies for my self; my oth er wit ness is the Fa ther, who sentme. 19 Then they asked him, Where is your fa ther? You do not know me or my Fa ther, Jesus re plied. If you knew me, you would know my Fa ther also. 20 He spoke these words while teach ing in the tem ple courts near the place where the of fer ings were put.Yet no one seized him, be cause his hour had not yet come.

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is

more Jesus said to them, I am go ing away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you can not come. 22 This made the Jews ask, Will he kill himself ? Is that why he says, Where I go, you cannot come? 23 But he con tin ued, You are from be low; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.24 I told you that you would die in
would be accused of contradicting Gods Law. He wisely referred the question to the womans accusers, for Jewish law also called for the witness to cast the first stone in the case of capital punishment (see Forgiven Adulteress).
21 Once

8:45The Law of Moses had strict rules about sexuality (Ex 20:14). The punishment for adultery was death by stoning for both the man and the woman (Lev 20:10). If Jesus confirmed the death penalty, his compassion would be questioned; if he refused to confirm the penalty, he

john 8:25

1418

FORGIVEN ADULtEREss

The woman caught in the very act of sexual immorality is simply known as the adulteress. Israels covenant law prohibited adultery (Ex 20:14). The punishment of death was dictated for both the adulterous man and woman (Lev 20:10). Yet while this woman faced death, the man with whom she had been involved went free. The accusing scribes and Pharisees threw the woman at Jesus feet. They sought to trap Jesus between his allegiance to the law and his merciful love for all, even those who violated the law. The adulteress was guilty of sin. The Mosaic Law stated that she deserved the sentence of death (Dt 17:56). The zealous religious leaders quoted the law and waited impatiently for Jesus to respond. Then Jesus answered, slowly and wisely. For the Messiah clarified the laws intent and reminded each religious leader of his own sins and of his own guilt in breaking the Law of Moses. Each one knew, somewhere deep within his own sinful heart, that he, too, deserved the sentence of death. Jesus also affirmed the sanctity of marriage, making it clear that men, as well as women, are expected to keep their vows. He did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery. Instead, he forgave her, as he would later forgive the very people who nailed him to a cross (see Jn 3:17). Jesus faced the sentence of death himself, for the adulteress, for the sinful scribes and Pharisees, for everyone. His grace provides hope for every sinful soul (see Jn 8:12). See also notes on Adultery (Hos 3); Forgiveness (Ps 51; Lk 17)

your sins; if you do not be lieve that I am he,you will in deed die in your sins. 25 Who are you? they asked. Just what I have been tell ing you from the be gin ning, Jesus re plied. 26 I have much to say in judg ment of you. But he who sent me is trust wor thy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world. 27 They did not un der stand that he was tellJesus said, ing them about his Fa ther. 28 So a the Son of Man,then When you have lift ed up you will know that I am he and that I do noth ing on my own but speak just what the Fa ther has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I al ways do what spoke, many be lieved pleas es him.30 Even as he in him.

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus OpponentsAre

31 To the Jews who had be lieved him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teach ing,you are real ly truth, my dis ci ples. 32 Then you will know the and the t ruth will set you free. 33 They an swered him, We are Abra hams de scen dantsand have nev er been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?

34 Jesus re plied, Very tru ly I tell you, ev eryone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no per ma nent place in the fam i ly, but a son be longs to it for ev er. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free in deed. 37 I know that you are Abra hams de scen dants. Yet you are look ing for a way to kill me, be cause you have no room for my word. 38 I am tell ing you what I have seen in the Fa thers pres ence, and you are do ing b what you have h eard from your fa ther. 39 Abra ham is our fa ther, they an swered. If you were Abra hams chil dren, said Jesus, c do what Abra then you would ham did. 40 As it is, you are look ing for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.Abra ham did not do such things. 41 You are do ing the w orks of your own fa ther. We are not il le git i mate chil dren, they protest ed. The only Fa ther we have is God himself. 42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Fa ther, you would love me, for I have come

a28

Father. c39 Some early manuscripts If you are Abrahams children, said Jesus, then

b38Or presence. Therefore do what you have heard from the

TheGreek for lifted up also means exalted.

8:3236The Jews put blind trust in religious tradition and ceremonies. They depended on ancestry and obedience to the Law of Moses and the oral tradition of the elders for their hope. Throughout the years, they had been in bondage to Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, Aram and, at present, Rome. Regardless of their political slavery, they felt free spiritually because they were a holy nation, an elect race chosen by God. Jesus disagreed with them and thus angered them. He told them they were slaves of sin,

not sons of God, and that only through him could they find true spiritual freedom. 8:41With much pride, the Jews assured Jesus that they were born from the seed of Abraham. They probably meant to insult Jesus directly. The common belief among the Jews was that Mary had been unfaithful to Joseph and that Jesus was the illegitimate son of Mary, the result of an adulterous union.

1419

john 9:7

The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.
St. Elizabeth Seton
here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my lan guage not clear to you? Be cause you are un able to hear what I say. 44 You be long to your fa ther, the dev il, and you want to car ry out your fa thers de sires. He was a mur der er from the be gin ning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his na tive lan guage, for he is a liar and the fa ther of lies. 45 Yet be cause I tell the truth, you do not be lieve me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am tell ing the truth, why dont you be lieve me? 47 Who ev er be longs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not be long to God.
54 Jesus re plied, If I glo ri fy my self, my glory means noth ing. My Fa ther, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glo ri fies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I ther do know him and obey his word. 56 Your fa Abra ham re joiced at the thought of see ing my day; he saw itand was glad. 57 You are not yet fif ty years old, they said to him, and you have seen Abra ham! 58 Very tru ly I tell you, Jesus an swered, be fore Abra ham was born, I am! 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid him self, slip ping away from the tem ple grounds.

Jesus Claims About Himself

Jews an swered him, Arent we right in say ing that you are a Sa mar it anand de mon-possessed? 49 I am not pos sessed by a de mon, said Jesus, but I hon or my Fa ther and you dis hon or me. 50 I am not seek ing glo ry for my self; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very tru ly I tell you, who ev er obeys my word will never see death. 52 At this they ex claimed, Now we know that you are de mon-pos sessed! Abra ham died and so did the proph ets, yet you say that who ev er obeys your word will nev er taste death. 53 Are you great er than our fa ther Abra ham?He died, and so did the proph ets. Who do you think you are?
8:44The devil (Satan) is mentioned only a few times in the OT (see chart, The Names for Satan). The chief of the fallen angels, Satan is always an adversary to God (see chart, A Portrait of the Adversary). In the NT, the gospel writers taught that Satan is a personal being, the agent and originator of evil. John considered Satan the prince of this world (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). The self-righteous Jews claimed God as their Father. Jesus, however, told them that they were indeed Abrahams descendants and physical progeny. But in spirit, their father was not God, but the devil. Their behavior confirmed their parentage. 8:5859When asked his identity, Jesus responded, I am. This enraged the Jews. I AM is the name for God that he had revealed to Moses (Ex 3:1314). Thus, Jesus identified himself as One with God. The Jews considered this statement blasphemy (lit. harmful speech or slander). In the OT sense, blasphemy meant showing disrespect to the character and name of God. The penalty for
48 The

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His dis ci ples asked him, Rab bi, who sinned, this man or his par ents, that he was born blind? 3 Nei ther this man nor his par ents sinned, said Jesus, but this hap pened so that the works of God might be dis played in him. 4 As long as it is day,we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is com ing, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 After say ing this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the sa li va, and put it on the mans eyes. 7 Go, he told him, wash in the Pool of Si lo am(this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home see ing.
blasphemy (for a Jew or foreigner) was death by stoning (Lev 24:1416). 9:2Blindness was common in Jesus day, often resulting from a birth defect, infection, leprosy, cataracts or advanced age. The Jews associated blindness (and suffering in general) with sin: The man might have sinned while still in his mothers womb (some Jews believed in prenatal sin); The man, in his pre-existent state (an idea that emerged from the Greek philosopher Plato about 427327 BC) might have sinned before his conception; The blind mans parents might have sinned and brought the affliction of blindness upon their son. Jews believed the sins of the parents could cause suffering for the child (see Ex 20:5; 34:7; Nu 14:18). 9:67This healing was one of two healings in which Jesus used saliva (see Mk 7:33). No medicinal value was associ-

john 9:8

1420
ORDERING OUR DaYS

o r g a n i z a t i o n

The concept of organization in Scripture relates far more to our relationships with people than to the handling of things. Organization allows us to move through life with order and purpose. This discipline is not reserved only for organized people, for God delights in helping each person to turn weakness into strength and to bring order from chaos (1Co 14:40). He redeems our time as well as our souls (Col 4:5). Smooth communication, effective problem solving, successful task management and coordination of lifes pursuits is just as necessary for meaningful interpersonal relationships as for juggling events and sorting activities. The Lord insisted, through the advice of Jethro, that Moses establish a multi-tiered judicial system, which effectively placed capable men as rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens (Ex 18:1326). Jesus created order so that the hungry crowds could be fed by seating the people on the grass, allowing the disciples to move freely among them with bread and fish (Mt 15:35). Jesus, in sending out his disciples, organized them in teams of two and gave them wellordered guidelines (Mk 6:7). Decision making, assignment of space, accomplishment of tasks and clear lines of communication are thus ordered with one goal in mindthat our lives and environment might be so ordered as to give maximum freedom for achieving his goals. In organizing home or office, priority should be given to policies and structures that benefit and bless people. People always matter more to the Lord than rules, a principle readily evident in the ministry of Jesus, who frequently overstepped the boundaries set by the religious leaders of his day in order to bring truth, comfort and healing to those in need. See also Eph 5:1516; notes on Goal Setting (Isa 58); Priorities (Mt 6); Time Management (Ps 31)

neigh bors and those who had for mer ly seen him beg ging asked, Isnt this the same man who used to sit and beg? 9 Some claimed that he was. Oth ers said, No, he only l ooks like him. But he him self in sist ed, I am the man. 10 How then were your eyes opened? they asked. 11 He re plied, The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Si lo am and wash. So I went and washed, and then I c ould see. 12 Where is this man? they a sked him. I dont know, he said.

8 His

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

brought to the Phar i sees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the mans eyes was a Sab bath. 15 There fore the Phar is ees
ated with the Pool of Siloam, a water supply located just inside the southeastern city wall. The pool was an engineering feat for that day created by the construction of Hezekiahs tunnel, which diverted waters from Siloam to the Gihon spring (a less vulnerable point to the Assyrian armies). Dug through solid rock, this 583-yard tunnel of Hezekiah provided water diverted into the city from the Kidron Valley outside the city wall in the event of an enemy siege. The Siloam pool measured 20 by 30 feet and is still used as a source of water. 9:16A debate occurred when the Pharisees accused Jesus of not keeping the Sabbath:
13 They

also asked him how he had re ceived his sight. He put mud on my eyes, the man re plied, and I washed, and now I see. 16 Some of the Phar i sees said, This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath. But oth ers asked, How can a sin ner per form such signs?So they were di vid ed. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened. The man re plied, He is a proph et. 18 They still did not be lieve that he had been blind and had re ceived his sight un til they sent for the mans par ents. 19 Is this your son? they asked. Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see? 20 We know he is our son, the par ents an swered, and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his
Jesus had made clay, and they considered that work forbidden on the Sabbath; Jesus had healed the blind man (v. 14), and any non-lifethreatening medical attention was not allowed on the Sabbath; Jesus had put saliva on the mans eyes, a practice not allowed on the Sabbath. Therefore, the Pharisees thought Jesus could not have come from God. But others, astounded and impressed by Jesus miracles (signs), could not consider Jesus a sinner.

1421
eyes, we dont know. Ask him. He is of age; ents said he will speak for him self. 22 His par this be cause they were afraid of the Jew ish lead ers, who al ready had de cid ed that any one who ac knowl edged that Jesus was the Mes si ah would be put outof the syn a gogue. 23 That was why his par ents said, He is of age; ask him. 24 A sec ond time they sum moned the man who had been blind. Give glo ry to God by telling the truth, they said. We know this man is a sin ner. 25 He re plied, Wheth er he is a sin ner or not, I dont know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! 26 Then they asked him, What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? 27 He an swered, I have told you al ready and you did not lis ten. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to be come his dis ci ples too? 28 Then they hurled in sults at him and said, You are this fel lows dis ci ple! We are dis ci ples of Mo ses! 29 We know that God spoke to Mo ses, but as for this fel low, we dont even know where he c omes from. 30 The man an swered, Now that is re markable! You dont know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not lis ten to sin ners. He lis tens to the god ly per son who does his will. 32 No body has ever heard of open ing the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do noth ing. 34 To this they re plied, You were steeped in sin at birth;how dare you lec ture us! And they threw him out.

john 10:12

38 Then the man said, Lord, I be lieve, and he wor shiped him. 39 Jesus said, a For judg mentI have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will be come blind. 40 Some Phar i sees who were with him heard him say this and asked, What? Are we blind too? 41 Jesus said, If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt re mains.

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

Very tru ly I tell you Phar i sees, any one who does not en ter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some oth er way, is a thief and a rob ber. 2 The one who en ters by the gate keep er is the shep herd of the sheep. 3 The gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep lis ten to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and brought out all leads them out. 4 When he has his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep fol low him be cause they know his voice. 5 But they will nev er fol low a strang er; in fact, they will run away from him be cause they do Jesus used not rec og nize a strang ers voice. 6 this fig ure of speech,but the Phar i sees did not un der stand what he was tell ing them. 7 There fore Jesus said again, Very tru ly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come be fore me are thieves and rob bers, but the sheep have not lis tened to them. 9 I am the b gate; who ev er en ters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pas ture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and de stroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the good shep herd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shep herd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he aban dons the sheep and runs away.
a38,39

10

Spiritual Blindness
eard that they had h thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, Do you be lievein the Son of Man? 36 Who is he, sir? the man asked. Tell me so that I may be lieve in him. 37 Jesus said, You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speak ing with you.
9:3941Jesus used this situation in which individuals were responding to him so differently to make a point about blindness and sight. On one side was the man born blind, now fully seeing and on his knees worshiping the Lord. On the other side were the religious leaders, stubborn and hard-hearted, rejecting Jesus and calling for his death. In Jesus day, blindness was a metaphor for sin. Sight was a metaphor for righteousness. Jesus told the Pharisees that, even though they could see clearly physically, they were deliberately choosing to be blind spiritually. 10:25Sheep provided food, milk and clothing. A shepherd fed them, led them to water, guarded them lest they
35 Jesus

Some early manuscripts do not have Then the man kept safe said... 39Jesus said. b9Or

wander off and get lost, protected them from predators (usually wolves), carried them when they were sick or weak and constantly cared for them. The job of shepherding was a tiring and dangerous one. Often the shepherd spent years with a particular herd of sheep and called each sheep by its own descriptive name. The sheep knew and followed the voice of their shepherd, but they would not respond to a strangers voice. The shepherd went ahead of them to make sure the path was safe for the sheep (v. 4). The gate referred to the entrance of the sheepfold (v. 2). Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd, a metaphor the people of his day would have understood clearly.

john 10:13

1422

m e n t a l

h e a lt h

A SOUND MIND

When Jesus referred to the abundant life, he described a life in balance, all aspects of which are under the authority of God and one in which an individual would grow in the image of Christ. Elements necessary for positive mental health include: reasonable independence (Pr 31:1216), trustworthiness (v. 11), the ability to take responsibility (v. 13), the ability to work under rules and authority (Heb 13:7), tolerance of others (Eph 4:32), the ability to show friendliness and love (Pr 17:17), a sense of humor (v. 22), the capacity to give and take (Ecc 3:5) and most of all a devotion beyond self (1Jn 4:1011). Jesus not only provided salvation but also underscored the quality of life and set new standards for the abundant life. Because a healthy life is intertwined with a healthy mind, Christians are warned by Paul to guard what the mind absorbs so that they do not become blinded to the truth (2Co 3:14; 4:34). Scripture strongly states that what goes into the mind comes out in actions, good or negative (Pr 23:7; Mk 7:2023). In healing the Gerasene demoniac, Jesus put him in his right mind (Lk 8:35). The restored man surely returned to a useful role in his home and community, and he did not forget to testify of Gods goodness to him (Lk 8:39). Paul encouraged Timothy by saying, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2Ti 1:7). We can be certain the Lord wants us to enjoy excellent mental health. See also Jos 1:89; Ps 1:2; 16:79; 119; Mt 15:1020; Mk 5:120; 5:2, note; Php 2:511; notes on Conscience (2Co 1); Emotions (Ps 42); Healing (Ps 13; 133; Ecc 1; 2Co 5; Gal 6; Jas 5)

Then the wolf at tacks the flock and scat ters it. 13 The man runs away be cause he is a hired hand and cares noth ing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shep herd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15 just as the Fa ther knows me and I know the Fa ther and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 I have oth er sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will lis ten to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shep herd. 17 The rea son my Fa ther loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own ac cord.I have au thor i ty to lay it down and au thor i ty to take it up again. This com mand I re ceived from my Fa ther. 19 The Jews who heard these words were again di vid ed. 20 Many of them said, He is
10:16The other sheep was a reference to the Gentiles. This sheep pen was a reference to Judaism. Jesus anticipated the mission to the Gentiles after his death and resurrection. The Gentiles, as well as the believing Jews, would share an intimate relationship with him. 10:22The Festival of Dedication of the Altar or the Festival of the Purification of the Temple (Hanukkah) occurs in December and lasts eight days. A candle is lit each day in observance of this celebration, often called the Festival of Lights. The feast celebrates the victories of Judas Maccabaeus (165 BC). When Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Aram (175164 BC), tried to abolish the Jewish religion, he attacked Jerusalem. He killed 80,000 Jews, profaned the temple courts and chambers and sacrificed swine

de mon-pos sessed and rav ing mad. Why lis ten to him? 21 But oth ers said, These are not the say ings of a man pos sessed by a de mon. Can a de mon open the eyes of the blind?

Further Conflict Over Jesus Claims

came the Fes ti val of Ded i ca tiona at 23 Jesus was in the Je ru sa lem. It was win ter, and tem ple courts walk ing in Sol o mons Col on nade. 24 The Jews who were there gath ered around him, say ing, How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Mes si ah, tell us plain ly. 25 Jesus an swered, I did tell you, but you do not be lieve. The works I do in my Fa thers
a22That is, Hanukkah

22 Then

to the pagan god Zeus on the temple altar. Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers fought Epiphanes and won. They cleansed and restored the temple and rebuilt the altar. This Festival of Hanukkah is still celebrated by the Jews. John referred to the various Jewish feasts more than the other gospel writers (see chart, The Festivals of Israel). 10:23Jesus walked on Solomons Colonnade, a structure with a roof supported by rows of 40-foot-high pillars. This structure would have protected Jesus from the wintry weather. People often walked there to meditate, pray and teach. It is also called the portico of Solomon or Solomons porch. While Solomon had built the oldest of the porches on the east side, Herod had built the porch on which Jesus walked.

1423
name tes ti fy about me,26 but you do not be lieve sheep lis ten be cause you are not my sheep.27 My to my voice; I know them, and they fol low me. 28 I give them eter nal life, and they shall never per ish; no one will snatch them out of my ther, who has giv en them to me, hand. 29 My Fa a;no one can snatch them out is great er than all ther are one. of my Fa thers hand. 30 I and the Fa 31 Again his Jew ish op po nents picked up Jesus said to them, stones to stone him, 32 but I have shown you many good works from the Fa ther. For w hich of these do you stoneme? 33 We are not ston ing you for any good work, they re plied, but for blas phe my, be cause you, a mere man, c laim to be God. 34 Jesus an swered them, Is it not writ ten in your Law, I have said you are godsb? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came and Scrip ture can not be set aside 36 what about the one whom the Fa ther set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you ac cuse me of blas phe my be cause lieve me I said, I am Gods Son? 37 Do not be un less I do the works of my Fa ther. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not be lieve me, be lieve the works, that you may know and un der stand that the Fa ther is in me, and I in tried to seize him,but the Fa ther.39 Again they he es caped t heir grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jor dan to the place where John had been bap tiz ing in the ear ly days. There he stayed, 41 and many peo ple came to him. They said, Though John nev er per formed a sign,all that John said about place many this man was true. 42 And in that be lieved in Jesus.

john 11:20

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for Gods glo ry so that Gods Son may be glo ri fied through it. 5 Now Jesus loved Mar tha and her sis ter and Laz a rus. 6 So when he heard that Laza rus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his dis ci ples, Let us go back to Ju dea. 8 But Rab bi, they said, a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are go ing back? 9 Jesus an swered, Are there not twelve hours of day light? Any one who walks in the day time will not stum ble, for they see by this worlds light. 10 It is when a per son walks at night that they stum ble, for they have no light. 11 Af ter he had said this, he went on to tell them, Our friend Laz a rus has fall en asleep; but I am go ing there to wake himup. 12 His dis ci ples re plied, Lord, if he sleeps, he will get bet ter. 13 Jesus had been speak ing of his death, but his dis ci ples thought he meant nat u ral sleep. 14 So then he told them plain ly, Laz a rus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may be lieve. But let us go to him. 16 Then Thom as (also known as Did y musc) said to the rest of the dis ci ples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Jesus Comforts the Sisters ofLazarus

his ar riv al, Jesus found that Laz a rus had al ready been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Beth a ny was less than two milesd from 19 Je ru sa lem, and many Jews had come to Mar tha and Mary to com fort them in the loss of their broth er. 20 When Mar tha heard that Jesus was com ing, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
a29

17 On

The Death of Lazarus

Now a man named Laz ar us was sick. He was from Beth a ny, the vil lage of Mary whose and her sis ter Mar tha. 2 (This Mary, broth er Laz a rus now lay sick, was the same one who poured per fume on the Lord and wiped his ters sent word to feet with her hair.)3 So the sis Jesus, Lord, the one you loveis sick.
10:3033Jesus referred to himself as one with God, separate in person but identical in nature. The godhead includes Father, Son and Holy Spirita triunity of separate persons united in essence as one. The Jews regarded Jesus claim to be one with God as blasphemy. 11:1114Lazarus from Bethany, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, was a personal friend of Jesus (see chart, Women and Their Families in the New Testament). Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was asleep, using the term sleep as a euphemism for death (see Mt 9:24; Ac 7:60; 1Co 15:6; 1Th 4:13). 11:17Death and burial usually took place on the same day in Jesus time, due to the hot climate. The body was care-

11

Many early manuscripts What my Father has given me is 82:6 c16 Thomas (Aramaic) greater than all b34Psalm and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin. d18 Orabout 3 kilometers

fully but hurriedly wrapped in strips of cloth with expensive spices and ointments. Jesus probably began his journey to Bethany the day of, or the day after, Lazaruss death and burial. The journey took two to three days. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus would have been in the tomb four days, which John carefully noted. Jewish tradition taught that the deceased persons soul hovered over the body for three days after death in hopes of reunion. However untrue, this superstition was widely believed. The fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days instead of three left little doubt in Jewish minds that Lazaruss restoration to life by Jesus was, in fact, an unmistakable miracle.

john 11:21

1424
36 Then the Jews said, See how he loved him! 37 But some of them said, Could not he who pened the eyes of the o blind manhave kept this man from dy ing?

21 Lord, Mar tha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my broth er would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you what ev er you ask. 23 Jesus said to her, Your broth er will rise again. 24 Mar tha an swered, I know he will rise again in the res ur rec tionat the last day. 25 Jesus said to her, I amthe res ur rec tion and the life. The one who be lieves in me will live, ev er lives by even though they die; 26 and who be liev ing in me will nev er die. Do you be lieve this? 27 Yes, Lord, she re plied, I be lieve that you are the Mes si ah,the Son of God,who is to come into the world. 28 Af ter she had said this, she went back and called her sis ter Mary aside. The Teach er is here, she said, and is ask ing for you. 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quick ly and went Jesus had not yet en tered the to him. 30 Now vil lage, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, com fort ing her, no ticed how quick ly she got up and went out, they fol lowed her, sup pos ing she was go ing to the tomb to m ourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if you had been here, my broth er would not have died. 33 When Jesus saw her weep ing, and the Jews who had come along with her also weep ing, he was deep ly moved in spir it and trou bled. 34 Where have you laid him? he asked. Come and see, Lord, they re plied. 35 Jesus wept.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From theDead

38 Jesus, once more deep ly moved,came to the

tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the tone, he said. en trance.39 Take away the s But, Lord, said Mar tha, the sis ter of the dead man, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days. 40 Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you be lieve,you will see the glo ry of God? 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, Fa ther, I thank you that ways you have heard me. 42 I knew that you al hear me, but I said this for the ben e fit of the peo ple stand ing here, that they may be lieve that you sentme. 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Laz a rus, come out! 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of lin en,and a c loth around his face. Jesus said to them, Take off the grave clothes and let himgo.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

many of the Jews who had come to vis it Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, be lieved in him. 46 But some of them went to the Phar i sees and told them what Jesus had chief priests and the Phar idone. 47 Then the sees called a meet ingof the San he drin. What are we ac com plish ing? they asked. Here is this man per form ing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, ev ery one will be lieve
Jesus knew he could restore Lazarus to physical life, he wept with sorrow and sympathy. Here, the word wept did not refer to the wailing that customarily accompanied funerals in that day. Funeral wailing ordinarily meant uninhibited loud crying, even screaming or shrieking. This open display of emotion was often done by people who did not know or care about the dead person. The more dramatic the wailing, the greater tribute the Jews believed they paid to the deceased. In Jesus case, the word wept simply means shedding tears (see Ps 56, Tears). Obviously, Jesus suffered a deep agony of spirit and was genuinely moved by Lazaruss death. Jesus tears provided remarkable insight into his true humanity. 11:48Jesus raising of Lazarus from the dead caused many of the Jews to believe in him. Jewish authorities felt they could no longer allow Jesus to work miracles and convert the Jews. The Sadducees and Pharisees quickly called a meeting of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish supreme court) to discuss the problem (see chart, Jewish Sects). The Jewish nation held a privileged status within the Roman Empire, and the Sanhedrin feared that Jesus would gain a large following, cause a civil uproar and anger the governing
45 There fore

11:33Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled when he saw Mary and the others grieving and weeping (see chart, The Emotions of Jesus). The verb translated deeply moved may mean deeply disturbed. Deeply moved (Gk., tarasso ) has the connotation of being agitated or disturbed. Jesus could have been perplexed and grieved for several reasons: his heart was filled with indignation against sin, the cause of suffering and death. A large number of strangers had traveled from the Passover Festival in Jerusalem to wail at Lazaruss funeral, and he might have been angered by their hypocrisy. Often funeral wailing was only an artificial display of emotion. Tears might have come to Jesus because he entered so deeply into the agony of others. Jesus could have foreseen his own approaching crucifixion and grieved in advance for those who would mourn his death. 11:35John gave insight into the deep compassion of Jesus (see chart, The Emotions of Jesus). Even though

1425

john 12:12

Love him totally who gave himself totally for your love.
St. Clare of Assisi
in him, and then the Ro mans will come and take away both our tem ple and our na tion. 49 Then one of them, named Ca ia phas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, You know al ize that it is betnoth ing at all! 50 You do not re ter for you that one man die for the peo ple than that the whole na tion per ish. 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he proph e sied that Jesus would die for the Jew ish na tion, 52 and not only for that na tion but also for the scat tered chil dren of God, to bring them to geth er and make them ted to take one. 53 So from that day on they plot his life. 54 There fore Jesus no lon ger moved about pub lic ly among the peo ple of Ju dea. In stead he with drew to a re gion near the wil der ness, to a vil lage called Ephra im, where he stayed with his dis ci ples. 55 When it was al most time for the Jew ish Pass over, many went up from the coun try to Je ru sa lem for their cer e mo ni al cleans ingbe fore ing for Jesus,and the Pass over. 56 They kept look as they stood in the tem ple courts they asked one an oth er, What do you think? Isnt he comchief priests ing to the fes ti val at all? 57 But the and the Phar i sees had giv en or ders that any one who found out where Jesus was should re port it so that they might ar rest him. esus had J raised from the dead. 2 Here a din ner was giv en in Jesus hon or. Mar tha served, while Laz arus was among those re clin ing at the ta ble with a of pure nard, about a pint him. 3 Then Mary took an ex pen sive per fume;she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fra grance of the per fume. 4 But one of his dis ci ples, Ju das Is car i ot, who was wasnt this lat er to be tray him, ob ject ed, 5 Why per fume sold and the mon ey giv en to the poor? b 6 He did not say this It was worth a years wag es. be cause he cared about the poor but be cause he was a thief; as keep er of the mon ey bag,he used to help him self to what was put intoit. 7 Leave her alone, Jesus re plied. It was in tend ed that she should save this per fume for the ways have the poor day of my buri al. 8 You will al cbut you will not al ways haveme. among you, 9 Mean while a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only be cause of him but also to see Laz a rus, whom he had chief priests made raised from the dead.10 So the count of plans to kill Laz a rus as well, 11 for on ac him many of the Jews were go ing over to Jesus and be liev ing in him.

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem asKing

12:12-15pp Mt21:4-9; Mk11:7-10; Lk19:35-38
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the fes ti val heard that Jesus was on his

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

12:1-8Ref Mt26:6-13; Mk14:3-9; Lk7:37-39

12

Six days be fore the Pass over, Jesus came to Beth a ny, where Laz a rus lived, whom

a3Or about 0.5 liter b5Greek three hundred denarii c8See Deut. 15:11.

Roman Empire. If that happened, these religious leaders would lose their positions and political power. The high priest Caiaphas suggested that Jesus should be killed (v. 50). 12:3The perfumed ointment with which Mary anointed the feet of Jesus was genuine spikenard, scarce and thus very expensive. Spikenard was a fragrant herb obtained from the roots of a plant grown in the himalayas and transported to the Holy Land by camel. 12:37Jewish pilgrims were preparing for the Passover Festival, which was only six days away. Jesus visited his good friends Lazarus (whom he had raised from the dead), Martha and Mary in Bethany. Martha cooked and served the supper (see Martha). Jesus would die during the Passover Festival, and Mary seemed to sense Jesus approaching death. With actions symbolic of preparing a

body for burial, Mary took her most precious possession, perfume, and lovingly poured it over Jesus feet (v. 3; see Mary of Bethany). Then, not caring what the others thought of her, she wiped his feet with her hair. A woman in Marys day would never let her hair down in public but would keep it firmly bound or braided. The fact that Mary anointed his feet instead of his head demonstrated her humility. Only servants attended to the feet. When Judas (the money-keeper and betrayer) objected to Marys extravagance, Jesus silenced Judas and praised Marys actions. 12:1011The chief priests wanted to kill not only Jesus but also Lazarus, who had become important evidence of Jesus miracles (Jn 11:4345). The Sadducees feared an insurrection by Jesus and his followers. Such disruption of peace might cost them their position of power and influence. The chief priests, who were all Sadducees, did not

john 12:13

1426

MARY Of BEtHANY

A Committed Follower

Mary of Bethany stands as a role model for every dedicated disciple of Christ. She was apparently unmarried, living with her older sister Martha and their brother Lazarus. Their home was a friendly retreat for the Lord, who may have been in their age group. Mary, more than any other in the New Testament, is associated with sitting at Jesus feet, a testimony to her hunger for spiritual truth and understanding (Lk 10:39; Jn 11:32; 12:3). Yet she not only sat at his feet; she also served him by anointing him with costly ointment to show her desire to meet practical needs as well as to seek spiritual blessing. Marys example demonstrates her strong decision-making capability. She chose, Jesus said, to listen to him, and later her gift of ointment poured out in preparation for his burial was a premeditated act of worship. She was contemplative and sensitive, not given to verbal expression. When Lazarus died, tears and very few words expressed her hearts grief. Jesus understood and wept with her (Jn 11:35). True to Jesus prophecy, Mary has lived in history as one personifying commitment. Three Gospels include her significant sacrificial gestureten and one-third ounces of pure spikenard ointment, worth a years wages, lavished in humility upon her Savior (Mt 26:613; Mk 14:19; Jn 11:16). Mary, a woman characterized by spiritual insight and readiness to act upon her faith, was thus commended by Christ (Mt 26:13). See also Mt 26:613; Mk 14:19; Lk 10:3842; Jn 11:2836,45; 12:38; chart on Women and Jesus; note on Heroines (Heb 11)

es way to Je ru sa lem. 13 They took palm branch and went out to meet him, shout ing,
a Hosanna!

Jesus Predicts His Death

here were some t Greeks among those who went up to wor ship at the fes ti val. 21 They came to Phil ip, who was from Beth sa i dain Gali lee, with a re quest. Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus. 22 Phil ip went to tell An drew; An drew and Phil ip in turn told J esus. 23 Jesus re plied, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glo ri fied. 24 Very tru ly I tell you, un less a ker nel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it re mains only a sin gle seed. But if it dies, it pro duc es many seeds. 25 Any one who loves their life will lose it, while any one who hates their life in this world will keep it for eter nal life. 26 Who ev er serves me must fol low me; and where I am, my ser vant also will be.My Fa ther will hon or the one who servesme. 27 Now my soul is trou bled, and what shall I say? Fa ther, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very rea son I came to this hour. 28 Fa ther, glo ri fy your name! Then a voice came from heav en, I have glori fied it, and will glo ri fy it again. 29 The crowd
a13

20 Now

Blessed is he who comes in the name of b the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel! found a young don key and sat on it, as it is writ ten: 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, c seated on a donkeys colt.
16 At first his dis ci ples did not un der stand all this. Only af ter Jesus was glo ri fied did they re al ize that these things had been writ ten about him and that these things had been done to him. 17 Now the crowd that was with himwhen he called Laz a rus from the tomb and raised him from the dead con tin ued to spread the word. 18 Many peo ple, be cause they had heard that he had per formed this sign,went out to meet him. 19 So the Phar is ees said to one an oth er, See, this is get ting us no where. Look how the whole world has gone af ter him! 14 Jesus

AHebrew expression meaning Save! which became an 118:25,26 c15 Zech. 9:9 exclamation of praise b13Psalm

believe in the resurrection of the dead. Confronted with a clearly living Lazarus, they felt their foundation of power slipping away. 12:1314Large crowds met Jesus coming into Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. They spread palm branches in his entry path. Palm trees were among the earliest culti-

vated trees. They were a symbol of victory and success as well as of beauty. Images of the trees decorated the temple, and its branches were used as part of the Festival of Tabernacles celebration. The people received Jesus into Jerusalem as the promised Messiah, shouting Hosanna (Heb., lit. save now).

1427
that was there and heard it said it had thundered; oth ers said an an gel had spo ken to him. 30 Jesus said, This voice was for your ben ef it, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judg ment on this world;now the prince of this worldwill be driv en out. 32 And I, when I am lift ed upa from the earth, will draw all peo ple to my self. 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was go ing to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, We have heard from the Law that the Mes si ah will re main for ev er, so how can you say, The Son of Man must be lift ed up?Who is this Son of Man? 35 Then Jesus told them, You are go ing to have the light just a lit tle while lon ger. Walk while you have the light, be fore dark ness overtakes you. Who ever walks in the dark does not know where they are go ing. 36 Be lieve in the light while you have the light, so that you may be come chil dren of light. When he had finished speak ing, Jesus left and hid him self from them.

john 13:9

44 Then Jesus cried out, Who ever be lieves in me does not be lieve in me only, but in the one who sent me.45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who be lieves in me should stay in dark ness. 47 If any one hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that per son. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who re jects me and does not ac cept my words; the very words I have spo ken will con demn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Fa ther who sent me com mand ed me to say all that I have spo ken. 50 I know that his command leads to eter nal life. So what ev er I say is just what the Fa ther has told me to say.

Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet

It was just be fore the Pass over Fes ti val. esus knew that the hour had come for J him to leave this world and go to the Fa ther. Hav ing loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The eve ning meal was in prog ress, and the dev il had al ready prompt ed Ju das, the son of Si mon Is car i ot, to be tray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Fa ther had put all things un der his pow er, and that he had come from God and was re turn ing to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his out er cloth ing, and wrapped a tow el around his waist.5 Af ter that, he poured wa ter into a ba sin and be gan to wash his dis ciples feet, dry ing them with the tow el that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Si mon Pe ter, who said to him, Lord, are you go ing to wash my feet? 7 Jesus re plied, You do not re al ize now what I am do ing, but lat er you will un der stand. 8 No, said Pe ter, you shall nev er wash my feet. Jesus an swered, Un less I wash you, you have no part withme. 9 Then, Lord, Si mon Pe ter re plied, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!
a32 b38Isaiah 53:1 c40Isaiah 6:10

13

Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews

af ter Jesus had per formed so many igns in s their pres ence, they still would not be lieve in him. 38 This was to ful fill the word of Isa iah the proph et: Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord b been revealed?
39 For this rea son they could not be lieve, be cause, as Isa iah says else where: 37 Even

40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, c nor turn and I would heal them.
41 Isa iah said this be cause he saw Jesus glo ry and spoke a bout him. 42 Yet at the same time many even among the lead ers be lieved in him. But be cause of the Phar i sees they would not open ly ac knowl edge their faith for fear they would be put out of the syn a gogue;43 for they loved hu man praisemore than praise from G od.

TheGreek for lifted up also means exalted.

12:3132The prince of this world was Johns synonym for Satan (see chart, The Names for Satan). Through succumbing to Satans temptation, the man and woman had been driven out of the Garden of Eden by God. Though Jesus crucifixion seemed to indicate that the ruler of this world had won, actually his death on the cross would render Satan impotent and would forever break the power of this evil one. Lifted up referred to the way Jesus would die by crucifixion (v. 32). All people was a reference to people from all nations, regardless of nationality, race or status.

13:45To wash the feet of others was a slaves job in NT times. People wore sandals and walked along the unpaved dusty roads of the Holy Land. A servant would wash the guests feet as they came into the house. Jesus himself took a towel, knelt and washed his disciples feet. In doing so, Jesus gave his disciples a tremendous example to follow. They, too, must be willing to serve, to wash the feet of others. He showed them that love meant servanthood (see Mk 10, Servanthood). Through this passage, John gave keen insight into the character and love of Jesus.

john 13:10

1428

MARtHA

A Busy Hostess

Jesus often went to the home of Martha, who was apparently single, whether by choice or circumstances, and living in Bethany with her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus. Johns comment shows that Jesus and the family from Bethany were close friends (Jn 11:5). Martha seemed to enjoy her gift of hospitality and her probable position as the older of the two sisters. Three scenes appear to reveal Marthas intensity, which the Lord faced with loving firmness, as recorded by Luke (Lk 10:4142). Marthas irritation with her sister led to a confrontation with Jesus as, in effect, she blamed him for Marys lack of assistance. His loving response was not a condemnation of Marthas servants heart or a rejection of her zealous and gracious hospitality. He simply asked her to reconsider her priorities, to make her choices on the basis of eternal values instead of immediate pressures and he suggested that she allow Mary to make her own choices. Several months later, Lazarus became ill while Jesus was traveling many miles away. Although the sisters sent for him, by the time the Lord arrived in Bethany, Lazarus was dead and had been buried for four days. Ignoring the custom of mourners to remain in their homes, Martha took the initiative to meet Jesus as he approached the town and to attribute her brothers untimely death to Jesus delay in reaching Bethany (Jn 11:21). Again, with trusting faith, Martha acknowledged Jesus power over death (v. 22). Jesus explained that he himself was the resurrection. She agreed and saw an immediate manifestation of that faith in her brothers resurrection (v. 44). The third glimpse of Martha was reported by John (Jn 12:2). The simple fact that Martha assumed hostessing duties once more confirms the fact that her uncommon talents were being used. Undoubtedly she had become a disciple who experienced Gods power in practical service. Jesus, as well as countless others, needed the physical refreshment of Marthas warm hospitality. She did not consider her homemaking responsibilities as worthless drudgery. She obviously loved her home and counted it joy to pour her energies into the efficient management of her household. Martha is a poignant reminder to every woman of the balance between fellowship with the family and the work necessary to meet their mundane needs. See also Lk 10:3842; Jn 12:13; notes on Envy (Pr 14); Hospitality (1Pe 4)

an swered, Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not ev ery one of you.11 For he knew who was go ing to be tray him, and that was why he said not ev ery one was clean. 12 When he had fin i shed wash i ng t heir feet, he put on his clothes and re turned to his place. Do you un der stand what I have done for you? he asked them. 13 You call me Teach er and Lord, and right ly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teach er, have washed your feet, you also should wash one an oth ers feet. 15 I have set you an ex am ple that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very tru ly I tell you, no servant is great er than his mas ter, nor is a messen ger great er than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
13:23Some scholars believe that Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, was the disciple whom Jesus loved. It is more plausible, however, that John, the author of the book, was speaking of himself. However, this disciple who sat next to Jesus in the place of honor is not specifically

10 Jesus

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

am not re fer ring to all of you; I know those I have cho sen. But this is to ful fill this pas sage of Scrip ture:He who shared my bread a b has t urned against me. 19 I am tell ing you now be fore it hap pens, so that when it does hap pen you will be lieve that I am who I am. 20 Very tru ly I tell you, who ev er ac cepts any one I send ac cepts me; and who ev er ac cepts me ac cepts the one who sentme. 21 Af ter he had said this, Jesus was trou bled in spir itand tes ti fied, Very tru ly I tell you, one of you is go ing to be trayme. 22 His dis ci ples stared at one an oth er, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the dis ci ple whom Jesus loved, was re clin ing next to him. 24 Si mon Pe ter mo tioned
a18Greek has lifted up his heel b18Psalm 41:9

18 I

identified in the text. Reclining instead of sitting at the table for a meal was customary, although usually optional. Reclining next to him would be a natural position for a person reclining next to Jesus. Here, however, this position of honor also expressed an intimate fellowship.

1429
to this dis ci ple and said, Ask him which one he means. 25 Lean ing back against Jesus, he asked him, Lord, who isit? 26 Jesus an swered, It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish. Then, dip ping the piece of bread, he gave it to Ju das, the son of Si mon Is car i ot. 27 As soon as Ju das took the bread, Sa tan en tered into him. So Jesus told him, What you are about to derdo, do quick ly. 28 But no one at the meal un stood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Ju das had charge of the mon ey, some thought Jesus was tell ing him to buy what was need ed for the fes ti val, or to give some thing to the poor. 30 As soon as Ju das had tak en the bread, he went out. And it was night.

john 14:17

Fa thers house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am go ing there to pre pare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where place where I I am. 4 You know the way to the am go ing.

Jesus the Way to the Father

to him, Lord, we dont know here you are go w ing, so how can we know the way? 6 Jesus an swered, I amthe wayand the truth and the life.No one comes to the Fa ther ex cept ly know me, you will through me. 7 If you real c my Fa ther as well. From now on, you do know know him and have seen him. 8 Phil ip said, Lord, show us the Fa ther and that will be enough forus. 9 Jesus an swered: Dont you know me, Phil ip, even af ter I have been among you such a long time? Any one who has seen me has seen the Fa ther. How can you say, Show us the Fa ther? 10 Dont you be lieve that I am in the Fa ther, and that the Fa ther is in me?The words I say to you I do not speak on my own au thor i ty.Rath er, it is the Fa ther, liv ing in me, who is do ing his work. 11 Be lieve me when I say that I am in the Fa ther and the Fa ther is in me; or at least be lieve on the ev i dence of the works them selves. 12 Very tru ly I tell you, who ever be lieves in me will do the works I have been do ing, and they will do even great er things than these, be cause I am ev er go ing to the Fa ther. 13 And I will do what you ask in my name, so that the Fa ther may be glo ri fied in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will doit.
5 Thom as said

Jesus Predicts Peters Denial

13:37,38pp Mt26:33-35; Mk14:29-31; Lk22:33,34
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, Now the Son of Man is glo ri fied and God is glo ri fied in a God will glori fied in him, him. 32 If God is glo ri fy the Son in him self, and will glo ri fy him at once. 33 My chil dren, I will be with you only a lit tle lon ger. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am go ing, you can not come. 34 A new com mand I give you: Love one an oth er. As I have loved you, so you must love ery one will know that one an oth er. 35 By this ev you are my dis ci ples, if you love one an oth er. 36 Si mon Pe ter asked him, Lord, where are you go ing? Jesus re plied, Where I am go ing, you can not fol low now,but you will fol low lat er. 37 Pe ter asked, Lord, why cant I fol low you now? I will lay down my life for you. 38 Then Jesus an swered, Will you real ly lay down your life for me? Very tru ly I tell you, be fore the roost er crows, you will dis own me three times!

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 If you love me, keep my com mands.16 And I

will ask the Fa ther, and he will give you an oth er ad vo cateto help you and be with you for ev er 17 the Spir it of truth. The world can not ac cept him, be cause it nei ther sees him nor knows
a32

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14

Do not let your hearts be trou bled.You b; be be lievein God lieve also in me. 2 My

Many early manuscripts do not have If God is glorified in Believe in God c7 Some manuscripts If you him. b1Or really knew me, you would know

13:26Judas was a common name in Jesus day. Iscariot (Aram., lit. man of Kerioth) was the only disciple out of the 12 from Judea. He kept and managed the money for the disciples, often stealing portions for himself (Jn 12:5 6). Judas Iscariot is remembered primarily as the one who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. An unrepentant Judas later hung himself (see Lk 24:47, note). 13:38Roosters served as time indicators.They typically crowed first at midnight, then a second time at three oclock in the morning. So accurate was their crowing that

the Roman guards relied on roosters to signal a changing of the guard. True to Jesus prophecy, Peter had denied Jesus three times by a few hours before dawn. 14:1617Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as another advocate he would send to the disciples after he returned to the Father (v. 16). Jesus requested the Holy Spirit, and the Father gave the Spirit in answer to his request. When speaking of the Holy Spirit, John used Advocate (Gk., parakle tos, lit. one who is called beside) and Spirit of truth to designate the Holy Spirit, the third person of the

john

1430

WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

woman
Elizabeth
(Lk 1:525, 5780)

her family
Husband Zachariasa priest; Son John the Baptist forerunner of the Messiah Husband Joseph a carpenter; Son Jesusthe Messiah; Sons James, Joses, Judas, Simon; Daughters unnamed
(Mk 6:3)

comments
Homemaker; she had a pregnancy and bore a child late in life; her son was hated because of his prophetic ministry, and he was brutally murdered in the prime of life.

Mary of Nazareth
(Lk 1:2638; 2:121; Jn 19:2527)

Homemaker; she endured gossip and rejection from family and friends because of her unique pregnancy before her marriage to Joseph; she watched the crucifixion of her son Jesus; she showed an unwavering commitment to the Lord.

Unnamed mother-in-law
(Mk 1:3031)

Son-in-law Peter a fisherman; and one of the apostles Husband Zebedee a fisherman; Sons James and John Daughter possessed by demons

She had an illness that brought her close to death; Jesus healed her; she exhibited a servants heart.

Wife of Zebedee
(Mt 20:2028; 27:5556)

Homemaker; she was proud of her sons and encouraged their advancement; her unbridled ambition was unwise.

The woman of Canaan

(Mt 15:2128)

Member of minority race; single parent; her faith gained Jesus attention and brought healing to her daughter.

Jairus wife
(Mk 5:2224, 3542)

Husband Jairus synagogue leader; Daughter aged twelve None

Homemaker; experienced death of only child; turned to and trusted in Christ; experienced joy of having daughter restored to life. Widow (84 years of age) who served in the temple; she made prophetic pronouncement concerning the Christchild; alone most of her life but never bitter or self-centered. Single parent; she lost her only son, but Jesus restored the boy to her; her faith was noteworthy for all. Affluent; Joanna gave generously of her time and resources to further the work of the kingdom. Unmarried sisters; Martha offered hospitality to Jesus and his followers; Mary sat at Jesus feet to study and learn spiritual things; both sisters looked to the Lord in faith at the death of their brother, and Jesus raised him from the dead. Divorced (five previous husbands); she listened to Jesus and accepted his offer of salvation.

Anna
(Lk 2:3638)

Widow of Nain
(Lk 7:1116)

Son

Joanna (Lk 8:13)

Husband Chuza Herods steward Brother Lazarus

Mary and Martha of Bethany

(Lk 10:3842; Jn 11:141)

Woman of Samaria
(Jn 4:742)

Live-in lover who was not her husband

1431

john

WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (cont.)

woman
Woman caught in adultery
(Jn 8:311)

her family
None stated

comments
Lived in immorality; confronted about her sin, she was forgiven by Jesus.

Mother
(Jn 9:141)

Husband; Son who was blind

Homemaker; reared disabled child to adulthood; Jesus restored the sons sight; perhaps the nurture of these parents helped the son to remain loyal to Jesus even under pressures. Wealthy; tried to deceive the church and died under judgment of the Lord. Unmarried sisters living with their father and helping him in his ministry; they were committed to serving the Lord. Homemaker; an affluent woman; seemingly a single parent; opened her home to believers for meetings; reared her son in the nurture of the Lord; her son also made a great contribution to the kingdom of Christ.

Sapphira
(Ac 5:111)

Husband Ananias

Four sisters from Caesarea

(Ac 21:9)

Father Philipan evangelist

Mary
(Ac 12:1217)

Son John Marktraveled with missionary Barnabas (his kinsman); Rhodahousehold servant Husband (Gentile); Son Timothy; Mother Lois None mentioned

Eunice (Ac 16:1;

2Ti 1:37)

Homemaker; interfaith marriage; both she and her mother (Lois) invested wisely in young Timothys spiritual nurture. Businesswoman; hospitable; courageous in helping to begin a church in a hostile environment. Without children; partner in tentmaking business and in ministry; gift for mentoring.

Lydia of Philippi
(Ac 16:1340)

Priscilla
(Ac 18:128; Ro 16:3; 1Co 16:19; 2Ti 4:19)

Husband Aquila

Drusilla
(Ac 24:24)

Husband Felix

Jewish daughter of Herod Agrippa I; married Roman procurator of Judea; she was ambitious and without moral scruples. Daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Drusilla; lived in incest and immorality. Opened her home to meetings of believers; committed supporter of the apostle Paul.

Bernice
(Ac 25:1327)

Brother (and lover) Herod Agrippa II Husband Philemon (possibly); Slave Onesimus

Apphia (Phm 2)

john 14:18

1432

c h i l d

c a r e

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN

In Bible times, children seemingly always had care within the context of familyoften a large extended family. Children were rarely out of reach of familiar, loving arms and authoritative, life-shaping discipline. Seeking child care beyond the family circle necessitates that parents attempt to re-create the special nurturing a parent can best provide in the protection and peace of the family circle. To build self-confidence, trust and contentment from afar can be a stressful challenge for all. Nothing seems worse, in Biblical terms, than for us to feel we have been left as orphans, isolated and alone. Jesus assured his disciples, when they began to fear the worst about their future with him, I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (Jn 14:18). Something in the nature of divine love finds its fullest realization when intimacy, nearness and availability are there for the taking. The story of divine love in the Bible reveals a being there quality from beginning to end. Child care outside the home may be expedient for some families, but such a decision should always be bathed in prayer and carefully weighed. If we, as parents, are Gods representatives to our children in this world, we must make sure that a being there quality is built into all our dealings with our children and make our decisions about child care accordingly. See also Dt 6:19; Ps 127128; 139; Eze 16:2021; Mt 18:3, note; notes on Children (2Sa 21; Ps 128; Pr 22; Lk 15); Employment (Isa 26); Motherhood (1Sa 1; Isa 49; Eze 16)

him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will bea in you. 18 I will not leave you as or phans; I will come to you. 19 Be fore long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Be cause I live, you also will live. 20 On that dayyou will re al ize that I am in my Fa ther,and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Who ev er has my com mands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Fa ther,and I too will love them and show my self to them. 22 Then Ju das (not Ju das Is car i ot) said, But, Lord, why do you in tend to show your self to us and not to the world? 23 Jesus re plied, Any one who loves me will obey my teach ing. My Fa ther will love them,
Trinity. The Holy Spirit as mediator or intercessor indwells the believer and serves as the revealer of Gods will, the Teacher, the Agent of empowerment, the Comforter and the Counselor (see chart, The Work of the Holy Spirit). 14:18Jesus compared himself to an earthly father who would die and leave helpless children as orphans. No doubt, the disciples already sensed that tragedy would follow. Speaking here of the resurrection, Jesus promised to return to the disciples. 14:26The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and thus should be referenced as He, not it (Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:7,13). He possesses all Gods attributes and is fully God. Throughout history God has acted, revealed his will, empowered individuals and disclosed his personal presence through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has specific functions. In the OT, the Holy Spirit was given to an individual at a specific time to aid in accomplishing a particular assignment or mission (Nu 11:26; Eze 2:2). He was not constantly present in the

and we will come to them and make our home with them.24 Any one who does not love me will not obey my teach ing. These words you hear are not my own; they be long to the Fa ther who sentme. 25 All this I have spo ken while still with you. 26 But the Ad vo cate, the Holy Spir it, whom the Fa ther will send in my name, will teach you all thingsand will re mind you of ev ery thing I have said to you.27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trou bled and do not be afraid.
a17

Some early manuscripts and is

life of every follower of Yahweh. However, from the coming of the Spirit in the NT until the end of the age, the Holy Spirit indwells all believers from the moment they trust completely in the Lord and his saving power. When an individual accepts Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell, never to leave (Eph 4:30). The Holy Spirit is the believers greatest asset and is essential for survival in this sinful world. The Holy Spirit is the believers advocate (Gk., parakle tos, lit. one called alongside; Jn 14:16). In other words, the Holy Spirit is Advocate and Teacher (Jn 16:7,13). The Holy Spirit gives the believer help and advice for living the Christian life. As moment by moment believers surrender their lives to God and allow themselves to be used for Gods service, the filling of the Holy Spirit occurs. Through the filling of the Holy Spirit believers are controlled by the Spirit and equipped for service (Eph 5:1821; Ro 12, Spiritual Gifts; 2Co 1, Conscience; Eph 5, Gods Will; 1Pe 2, Priesthood of the Believer; see chart, the Work of the Holy Spirit).

1433
28 You heard me say, I am go ing away and I am com ing back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am go ing to the Fa ther,for the Fa ther is great er than I. 29 I have told you now be fore it hap pens, so that when it does happen you will be lieve.30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is com ing. comes so that He has no hold over me, 31 but he the world may learn that I love the Fa ther and do ex act ly what my Fa ther has com mand edme. Come now; let us leave.

john 16:4

from my Fa ther I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and ap point ed you so that you might go and bear fruit fruit that will last and so that whatev er you ask in my name the Fa ther will give mand: Love each oth er. you.17 This is my com

The World Hates the Disciples

longed to the world, hat ed me first. 19 If you be it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not be long to the world, but I have cho sen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Re mem ber what I told you: A ser vant is not se cut ed great er than his mas ter.b If they per me, they will per se cute you also.If they obeyed my teach ing, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way be cause of my name,for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spo ken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no ever hates me hates ex cuse for their sin. 23 Who among my Fa ther as well. 24 If I had not done them the works no one else did,they would not be guilty of sin.As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hat ed both me and my Fa ther. 25 But this is to ful fill what is writ ten in their Law: c They hat ed me with out rea son.
18 If the world hates you,keep in mind that it

The Vine and the Branches

I amthe true vine,and my Fa ther is the gar den er. 2 He cuts off ev ery branch in me that bears no fruit, while ev ery branch that a so that it will be even does bear fruithe prunes ready clean be cause of more fruit ful. 3 You are al main in me, the word I have spo ken to you. 4 Re as I also re main in you.No branch can bear fruit by it self; it must re main in the vine. Nei ther can you bear f ruit un less you re main inme. 5 I am the vine; you are the branch es. If you re main in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do noth ing. 6 If you do not re main in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and with ers; such branch es are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you re main in me and my words re main in you, ask what ev er you wish, and it will be done for thers glo ry,that you bear you.8 This is to my Fa much fruit, show ing your selves to be my disci ples. 9 As the Fa ther has loved me, so have I loved you. Now re main in my love. 10 If you keep my com mands,you will re main in my love, just as I have kept my Fa thers com mands and re main in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be com plete. 12 My com mand is this: Love each oth er as I have er love has no one than this: loved you. 13 Great to lay down ones life for ones friends. 14 You are my friendsif you do what I com mand.15 I no lon ger call you ser vants, be cause a ser vant does not know his mas ters busi ness. In stead, I have called you friends, for ev ery thing that I learned
15:15Vines grow all over the Holy Land. Every year, gardeners prune the branches in order to produce high-quality fruit. The branch is considered useless unless it produces fruit. Fruitless vines are drastically cut back. The pruned limbs are good for nothing and are destroyed. The OT pictured Israel as the vineyard of God. The vine became a symbol for the nation of Israel. Jesus called himself the true vine, using the vine and branches as an analogy to show how a believer must abide (live or remain) in him (v. 1). His followers who believed in him were the branches on Gods vine. The branches had no source of life within themselves but received life from the

15

The Work of the Holy Spirit

the Ad vo cate comes, whom I will send to you from the Fa ther the Spir it of truth who goes out from the Fa ther he will ti fy, tes ti fy about me. 27 And you also must tes for you have been with me from the be gin ning. All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the syn ag ogue; in fact, the time is com ing when any one who kills you will think they are of fer ing a ser vice to God. 3 They will do such things be cause they have not known the Fa ther their or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when time comes you will re mem ber that I warned
26 When

16

a2 TheGreek for he prunes also means he cleans. b20John 13:16 c25Psalms 35:19; 69:4

vine. Without the vine, the branches could produce no fruit and were good for nothing. 15:15While the disciples must be servants to others, as Jesus demonstrated when he washed their feet (Jn 13:4 5), Jesus considered them his friends. Only to his friends would Jesus give such a revelation of God and his purposes on the earth. The disciples did not choose Jesus; rather Jesus chose them. Jesus no longer called them servants (Gk., doulos, lit. slave). He offered them something far better than this, a personal and intimate relationship with God, the sort of rare relationship that exists between confidants or close friends.

john 16:5

1434
will no lon ger ask me any thing. Very tru ly I tell you, my Fa ther will give you what ev er you ask in my name.24 Un til now you have not asked for any thing in my name. Ask and you will re ceive, and your joy will be com plete. 25 Though I have been speak ing fig u ra tive ly, a time is com ing when I will no lon ger use this kind of lan guage but will tell you plain ly about my Fa ther. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not say ing that I will ask the Fa ther on your be half. 27 No, the Fa ther him self loves you be cause you have loved me and have be lieved that I came from God. 28 I came from the Fa ther and en tered the world; now I am leav ing the world and go ing back to the Fa ther. 29 Then Jesus dis ci ples said, Now you are speak ing clear ly and with out fig ures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have any one ask you ques tions. This makes us be lieve that you came from God. 31 Do you now be lieve? Jesus re plied. 32 A time is com ing and in fact has come when you will be scat tered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Fa ther is withme. 33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.In this world you will have trou ble. But take heart! I have over come the world.

you about them. I did not tell you this from the be gin ning be cause I was with you, 5 but now I am go ing to him who sent me. None of you er, you asks me, Where are you go ing? 6 Rath are filled with grief be cause I have said these ly I tell you, it is for your things. 7 But very tru good that I am go ing away. Un less I go away, the Ad vo catewill not come to you; but if I go, I comes, he will will send him to you. 8 When he prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righ teous ness and judg ment: 9 about sin, be cause peo ple do not be lieve in me; 10 about righ teous ness, be cause I am go ing to the Fa ther, where you can see me no lon ger; 11 and about judg ment, be cause the prince of this worldnow s tands con demned. 12 I have much more to say to you, more than it of you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spir truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to ri fy me be cause it is from me come. 14 He will glo that he will re ceive what he will make known longs to the Fa ther is mine. to you. 15 All that be That is why I said the Spir it will re ceive from me what he will make k nown to you.

The Disciples Grief Will Turn toJoy

went on to say, In a lit tle while you will see me no more, and then af ter a lit tle while you will seeme. 17 At this, some of his dis ci ples said to one an oth er, What does he mean by say ing, In a lit tle while you will see me no more, and then af ter a lit tle while you will see me,and Be cause ing, I am go ing to the Fa ther?18 They kept ask What does he mean by a lit tle while? We dont un der stand what he is say ing. 19 Jesus saw that they want ed to ask him about this, so he said to them, Are you ask ing one an oth er what I meant when I said, In a lit tle while you will see me no more, and then ly af ter a lit tle while you will see me? 20 Very tru I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world re joic es. You will grieve, but your grief an giv ing birth to a will turn to joy. 21 A wom child has pain be cause her time has come; but when her baby is born she for gets the an guish be cause of her joy that a child is born into the grief, world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of but I will see you againand you will re joice, and no one will take away your joy.23 In that dayyou
16:33The world represented the earthly system that was opposed to Jesus. John pictured the world and Christ as direct opposites. Through Jesus life, death and resurrection, he overcame the world. In his life, he overcame the temptation to sin directed at him by the evil one. In his death, he became sin for each person and thus overcame
16 Jesus

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17

Af ter Jesus said this, he looked to ward heav enand prayed:

Fa ther, the hour has come.Glo ri fy your Son, that your Son may glo ri fy you.2 For you grant ed him au thor i ty over all peo ple that he might give eter nal life to all those you have giv en him. 3 Now this is eter nal life: that they know you,the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glo ryon earth by fin ish ing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Fa ther, glo ri fy mein your pres ence with the glo ry I had with yoube fore the world be gan.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

have re vealed youa to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were
a6Greek your name

6 I

the power of sin. In his resurrection, he overcame death and arose victoriously from its stronghold. Jesus told the disciples that the world would bring them trouble but that he would bring them peace. John ended his discourse with this encouraging statement of victory.

1435

john 18:4

Right priorities and good time management demand an awareness

that today is the only time with which we ever have to work. The past is irretrievably gone, and the future is only a possibility.
Dorothy Kelley Patterson
ours; you gave them to me and they have y obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that ev ery thing you have giv en me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they ac cept ed them. They knew with cer tain ty that I came from you, and they be lieved that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not pray ing for the world, but for those you have giv en me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glo ry has come to me through them. 11 I will re main in the world no lon ger, but they are still in the world, and I am com ing to you. Holy Fa ther, proa your name, the tect them by the pow er of name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I pro tect ed them and kept them safe byb that name you gave me. None has been lost ex cept the one doomed to de struc tion so that Scrip ture would be ful filled. 13 I am com ing to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full mea sure of my joy with in them. 14 I have giv en them your word and the world has hat ed them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you pro tect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanc ti fy them byc the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world,I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanc ti fy my self, that they too may be tru ly sanc ti fied. and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may be lieve that you have sent me.22 I have giv en them the glo ry that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one23 I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to com plete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have lovedme. 24 Fa ther, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glo ry, the glo ry you have giv en me be cause you loved me be fore the cre a tion of the world. 25 Righ teous Fa ther, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.26 I have made d you known to them, and will con tin ue to make you known in or der that the love you have for me may be in themand that I my self may be in them.

Jesus Arrested
18:3-11pp Mt26:47-56; Mk14:43-50; Lk22:47-53

Jesus Prays for All Believers

prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will be lieve in me through their mes sage, 21 that all of them may be one, Fa ther, just as you are in me
17:1416In this beautiful prayer, which is actually the Lords prayer, since Jesus prayed these words before his approaching death, he asked the Father not to take the disciples out of the world (see chart, Lessons from the Model Prayer). Instead he asked the Father to protect thedisciples from the evil one, who is Satan. Jesus commissioned the disciples and sent them into the world to spread the Good News of the gospel.
20 My

When he had fin ished pray ing, Jesus left with his dis ci ples and crossed the Kid ron Val ley. On the oth er side there was a gar den,and he and his dis ci ples went intoit. 2 Now Ju das, who be trayed him, knew the place, be cause Jesus had of ten met there with his dis ci ples. 3 So Ju das came to the gar den, guid ing a de tach ment of sol diers and some of fi cials from the chief priests and the Phar isees. They were car ry ing torch es, lan terns and weap ons. 4 Jesus, know ing all that was go ing to hap pen to him, went out and asked them, Who is it you want?
a11Or Father, keep them faithful to b12Or kept them faithful

18

them to live in accordance with d26Greek your to c17Or name

17:20Jesus prayed to the Father in behalf of all believers, not just for his small band of disciples. These were the other sheep to whom Jesus referred (Jn 10:16). He prayed for the Jews as well as the Gentiles, for all the people who would come to believe in Jesus through the disciples testimonies. His prayer embraced the distant future.

john 18:5

1436
THE MIRaCLE OF BIRTH

c h i l d b i r t h

Although Scripture often uses childbirth and motherhood as a metaphor, the reality and importance of birth is also present. The womb is the natural incubator prepared by the Creator for the protection and growth of the child. If birth occurs prematurely (Ex 21:2225) the result could be tragic, such as the death of the mother (1Sa 4:1922) or the death of the child (Ps 58:8; Hos 9:14). Other allusions to the birth process in Scripture include personnel, such as the midwives (Ge 35:17; Ex 1:15); props, such as the delivery stool (Ex 1:16); procedures, such as the cutting of the navel cord that binds the child to the mother and the cleansing of the child (Eze 16:4); and penalties, such as the womans ritual uncleanness for forty to eighty days after the birth (Lev 12:18). Pain contrasts with joy in the miracle of childbirth. The conception and birth of a child exemplify Gods greatest creative masterpiece (Ge 1:2628). The bringing forth of young from the womb is an experience marked by extreme contrast. Most women who have borne a child will agree that carrying the child is very uncomfortable and the birth of the baby is downright painful. But the indescribable joy of the new life created encourages every mother to rejoice. The pain is quickly forgotten, because of her joy that a child is born into the world (Jn 16:21). See also Ge 3:16; Mt 18:3, note; 1Ti 2:15; notes on Children (2Sa 21; Ps 128; Pr 22; Lk 15); Fall of Creation (Ge 3); Infertility (Ge 11); Motherhood (1Sa 1; Isa 49; Eze 16); Pregnancy (Jdg 13)

5 Jesus of Naz a reth,they re plied. I am he, Jesus said. (And Ju das the trai tor was stand ing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, Who is it you want? Jesus of Naz a reth, they said. 8 Jesus an swered, I told you that I am he. If you are look ing for me, then let these men go. 9 This hap pened so that the words he had spoken would be ful filled: I have not lost one of a those you gave me. 10 Then Si mon Pe ter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priests ser vant, cut ting off his right ear. (The ser vants name was Mal chus.) 11 Jesus com mand ed Pe ter, Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Fa ther has giv enme? 12 Then the de tach ment of sol diers with its com mand er and the Jew ish of fi cials ar rest ed Jesus. They b ound him 13 and brought him first to An nas, who was the fa ther-in-law of Ca iaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Ca ia phas was the one who had ad vised the Jew ish lead ers that it would be good if one man died for the peo ple.

to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priests court yard,16 but Pe ter had to wait out side at the door. The oth er dis ci ple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the ser vant girl on duty there and brought Pe terin. 17 You arent one of this mans dis ci ples too, are you? she a sked Pe ter. He re plied, I am not. 18 It was cold, and the ser vants and of fi cials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Pe ter also was stand ing with them, warm ing him self.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

18:19-24pp Mt26:59-68; Mk14:55-65; Lk22:63-71
19 Mean while, the high priest ques tioned Jesus a bout his dis ci ples and his teach ing. 20 I have spo ken open ly to the world, Jesus re plied. I al ways taught in syn ag ogues or at the tem ple, where all the Jews come to geth er. I said noth ing in se cret.21 Why ques tion me? Ask those who heard me. Sure ly they know what I said. 22 When Jesus said this, one of the of fi cials near by slapped him in the face.Is this the way you an swer the high priest? he de mand ed.

Peters First Denial

18:16-18pp Mt26:69,70; Mk14:66-68; Lk22:55-57
15 Si mon Pe ter and an oth er dis ci ple were follow ing Jesus. Be cause this dis ci ple was known

a9John 6:39

18:15Peter and another disciple stayed, but the others fled. The identity of the unnamed disciple is uncertain. He is often connected with Joseph of Arimathea (who gave his new, stone-cut tomb for Jesus body). Nicodemus may

have been the one, for he helped Joseph prepare Jesus body for burial. Tradition holds that John himself was the disciple. Whoever this unnamed man might have been, he was well known to the high priest.

1437

john 18:39

p e r f e c t i o n i s m

AN UNREaCHaBLE GOaL

The compelling need to be more than what you are capable of ever becoming is the driving motivation behind perfectionism. It stems from deep insecurity, a gnawing fear that being the woman God made you to be is somehow not good enough. The longing for absolute perfection is rooted in the lost recollection of paradise. Within every believer is an internal barometer of how things ought to be, a deep yearning for the perfection that only heaven will bring. Something inside knows that no matter how good things arethey should be better. One day they will be, but not now. Knowing how it could be while living with how it actually is often causes an unhealthy tension. Understanding the innate desire for perfection can lead to a deeper anticipation and hope in eternity. It also helps release the demand that life in the present must satisfy all longings. At the same time, the Lord calls each believer to pursue wholeness and soundness of spiritconcepts that are frequently described as perfect in the New Testament (Mt 5:48). The foremost trait you are called to perfect in your life is the ability to love (1Jn 4:1719). Completion or perfection as human beings is not possible, however, as the result of your own striving. It is the manifestation of Gods work in you (Heb 13:2021). See also Isa 14:13; 2Co 12:9; Gal 6:15,1415; notes on Contentment (1Ti 6); Employment (Ecc 9; Ac 18; 2Co 2; Col 3; 1Pe 2); Humility (Php 2); Priorities (Mt 6)

I said some thing wrong, Jesus re plied, tes ti fy as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me? 24 Then An nas sent him bound to Ca ia phasthe high priest.

23 If

Peters Second and Third Denials

18:25-27pp Mt26:71-75; Mk14:69-72; Lk22:58-62
25 Mean while, Si mon Pe ter was still stand ing here warm t ing him self.So they asked him, You arent one of his dis ci ples too, are you? He de nied it, say ing, I am not. 26 One of the high priests ser vants, a rel a tive of the man whose ear Pe ter had cut off, challenged him, Didnt I see you with him in the gar den? 27 Again Pe ter de nied it, and at that mo ment a roost er be gan to crow.

Jesus Before Pilate

18:29-40pp Mt27:11-18,20-23; Mk15:2-15; Lk23:2,3,18-25
28 Then the Jew ish lead ers took Jesus from Ca ia phas to the pal ace of the Ro man gov ernor. By now it was ear ly morn ing, and to avoid cer e mo ni al un clean ness they did not en ter the pal ace, be cause they want ed to be able to eat the Pass over. 29 So Pi late came out to them and asked, What charg es are you bring ing against this man?

he were not a crim i nal, they re plied, we would not have hand ed him over to you. 31 Pi late said, Take him your selves and judge him by your own law. But we have no right to ex e cute any one, they ob ject ed. 32 This took place to ful fill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was go ing to die. 33 Pi late then went back in side the pal ace, sum moned Jesus and asked him, Are you the king of the Jews? 34 Is that your own idea, Jesus asked, or did oth ers talk to you a boutme? 35 AmI a Jew? Pi late re plied. Your own people and chief priests hand ed you over to me. What is it you have done? 36 Jesus said, My king dom is not of this world. If it were, my ser vants would fight to pre vent my ar rest by the Jew ish lead ers. But now my king dom is from an oth er place. 37 You are a king, then! said Pi late. Jesus an swered, You say that I am a king. In fact, the rea son I was born and came into the world is to tes ti fy to the truth.Ev ery one on the side of t ruth lis tens tome. 38 What is truth? re tort ed Pi late. With this he went out again to the Jews gath ered there and said, I find no ba sis for a charge against him.39 But it is your cus tom for me to re lease to
not enter the Praetorium (the governors residence), where Jesus was mocked by the soldiers before he was crucified, lest they be ceremonially defiled. If defiled, they could not eat the Passover.

30 If

18:28While the Sanhedrin could pronounce death, only the Romans could carry out the execution. Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, or palace of the Roman governor, which was probably located next to Herods palace. The members of the Sanhedrin, however, would

john 18:40

1438
WHOS IN CHaRGE?

a u t h o r i t y

God himself is the ultimate authority and the source of all human authority. Christians are commanded to recognize Gods authority behind human governing institutions by being compliant and respectful citizens. Even when human authority, corrupted by sin, is bent on evil purposes, God is working concurrently through that power to accomplish his perfect purposes. This paradox is never more strikingly revealed than when Jesus, standing before Pilate said, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above (Jn 19:11). The purposes of the human authorities that led to Jesus crucifixion were stained with evil. At the same time, Gods good, gracious and loving purpose of redemption was being accomplished through those human powers, even though they did not acknowledge him as the source of their authority. All power and authority is Gods alone and he uses it always for the ultimate good of his children. Even when we do not see the beginning or ending of Gods plan, we have to trust him to be the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and Ending of all things, including the events of our individual lives (Rev 22:13). See also Ro 13:1; Heb 13:7,17; notes on Government and Citizenship (Ro 13); Headship (Ge 1); Rebellion (Nu 16); Submission (1Pe 3)

you one pris on er at the time of the Pass over. Do you want me to re lease the king of the Jews? 40 They shout ed back, No, not him! Give us Bar ab bas! Now Bar ab bas had tak en part in an up ris ing.

Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified

19:1-16pp Mt27:27-31; Mk15:16-20

Then Pi late took Jesus and had him flogged.2 The sol diers twist ed to geth er a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a pur ple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, say ing, Hail, king of the Jews!And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pi late came out and said to the Jews gath ered there, Look, I am bring ing him out to you to let you know that I find no ba sis Jesus came for a charge against him. 5 When out wear ing the crown of thorns and the purple robe,Pi late said to them, Here is the man! 6 As soon as the chief priests and their of ficials saw him, they shout ed, Cru ci fy! Cru ci fy!
19:1Flogging was a severe form of punishment. The victim was tied to a post so that his back was fully exposed. Then he was whipped 39 times with a leather lash containing sharpened pieces of bone and lead. A servant or soldier administered the lashes, 13 to the victims chest and 26 to his back. The beating literally tore away the flesh. The punishment was not only cruel, but it was also used before crucifixion to hasten the death of the condemned person. Often the victim died before the 39th lash (see Dt 25:3, note). Pilate ordered that Jesus be flogged. 19:12Pontius Pilate, the anti-Semitic Roman governor/ procurator of Judea, wanted to release Jesus after he had been flogged (see chart, New Testament Political Rulers). The crowd threatened Pilate by saying that he would no

19

But Pi late an swered, You take him and cruci fy him. As for me, I find no ba sis for a charge against him. 7 The Jew ish lead ers in sist ed, We have a law, and ac cord ing to that law he must die,be cause he claimed to be the Son of God. 8 When Pi late heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back in side the pal ace. Where do you come from? he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no an swer. 10 Do you refuse to speak to me? Pi late said. Dont you re al ize I have pow er ei ther to free you or to cru ci fy you? 11 Jesus an swered, You would have no pow er over me if it were not giv en to you from above. There fore the one who hand ed me over to you is guilty of a great er sin. 12 From then on, Pi late tried to set Jesus free, but the Jew ish lead ers kept shout ing, If you let this man go, you are no friend of Cae sar. Anyone who claims to be a kingop pos es Cae sar. 13 When Pi late heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judges seat at a place
longer be a friend of Caesar unless he yielded to their demands and crucified Jesus. Pilate was directly responsible to the emperor, Tiberius Caesar, for the Roman judicial, military and financial operations in Judea. He feared that the Jews would draft a formal complaint against him, arousing the wrath of Tiberius. Such action would most certainly cost his position and perhaps even his life. John carefully recorded Pilates not guilty verdict of Jesus to prove that Jesus was innocent of any crime against the Roman government. 19:13After questioning him, Pilate brought Jesus out to the Stone Pavement. On this elevated platform (whether natural or man-made) in front of the Praetorium, Pilate sat in the judgment seat to pronounce his official decisions.

1439

john 19:30

The soul to be rescued, washed, redeemed, saved, sanctified and

glorifiedhe saw this glorious jewel and he gave himself for it.
Catherine Booth

nown as the k Stone Pave ment (which in Ar ama ic is Gab ba tha). 14 It was the day of Prep a rationof the Pass over; it was about noon. Here is your king,Pi late said to the Jews. 15 But they shout ed, Take him away! Take him away! Cru ci fy him! Shall I cru ci fy your king? Pi late asked. We have no king but Cae sar, the chief priests an swered. 16 Fi nal ly Pi late hand ed him over to them to be cru ci fied.

one for each of them, with the un der gar ment re main ing. This gar ment was seam less, wo ven in one piece from top to bot tom. 24 Lets not tear it, they said to one an oth er. Lets de cide by lot who will getit. This hap pened that the scrip ture might be ful filledthat said, They divided my clothes among them a and cast lots for my garment. So this is what the sol diers did. 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his moth er, his moth ers sis ter, Mary the wife of Clo pas, and Mary Mag da lene.26 When Jesus saw his moth er there, and the dis ci ple whom he loved standing near by, he said to her, Wom an,b here is your son, 27 and to the dis ci ple, Here is your moth er. From that time on, this dis ci ple took her into his home.

The Crucifixion ofJesus

19:17-24pp Mt27:33-44; Mk15:22-32; Lk23:33-43

So the sol diers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carry ing his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Ar a ma ic is called Gol gotha). 18 There they cru ci fied him, and with him two oth ers one on each side and Jesus in the mid dle. 19 Pi late had a no tice pre pared and fas tened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH,THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was cru ci fied was near the city, and the sign was writ ten in Ar ama ic, Lat in and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews pro test ed to Pi late, Do not write The King of the Jews, but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews. 22 Pi late an swered, What I have writ ten, I have writ ten. 23 When the sol diers cru ci fied Jesus, they took his clothes, di vid ing them into four shares,
19:14The Friday of Passover week, or Preparation Day, was used to prepare for the Sabbath, including such tasks as cooking food to be eaten on the Sabbath and drawing extra water, since any type of work was prohibited on the Sabbath. Jesus was sentenced, executed and buried on this Friday (see chart, The Last Week in the Life of Jesus). 19:1920Pilate, the Roman procurator (AD 2636), hated the Jewish people (see chart, New Testament Political Rulers). To ridicule them, he wrote a mocking title for Jesus and put it on the cross for public view. Often a tablet naming the criminals crimes was hung around the dying mans neck. The sign ironically declared the true title of Jesus. It was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, thus indicating, though unintentionally, that the death of Jesus Christ had universal implications. 19:2324Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross.Tra-

The Death of Jesus

19:29,30pp Mt27:48,50; Mk15:36,37; Lk23:36
28 Lat er, know ing that ev ery thing had now been fin ished, and so that Scrip ture would be ful filled, Jesus said, I am thirsty. 29 A jar of wine vin egarwas there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hys sop plant, and lift ed it to Jesus lips. 30 When he had re ceived the drink, Jesus said, It is fin ished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spir it.

a24Psalm 22:18 b26 The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.

dition holds that Mary wove the robe worn by her Son Jesus. The robe was woven in one piece as was the robe worn by the high priest (see chart, The High Priests Clothing). The symbolism here is rich, for the high priest served as a mediator between God and the people. Since the robe could not be torn without ruining it, the soldiers threw dice (cast lots, v. 24) for the garment, thus fulfilling the OT prophecy (Ps 22:18). 19:2627Several women (Jesus mother Mary and her sister Salome, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene), as well as John, one of the 12 disciples, stood beneath the cross as Jesus died (see chart, Women and Jesus). Jesus, even in his agony, was concerned about the future welfare of his mother. As the eldest Son, he took the responsibility of providing his mother with a protector and provider, the disciple whom he loved, John.

john

1440

WOMEN AND JESUS

woman event
The angels announcement
(Lk 1:2628,4655)

womans response
Questioning how this could happen but praising in obedience Pondering Jesus nature as divine and human Taking Jesus to the temple with Joseph Keeping all Jesus said in her heart

cultures response
Putting away an unmarried, pregnant woman Another illegitimate birth Curiosity over the prophecies and the rumors Insistence on complete obedience to parents Enjoying the result of Jesus miracle, while indifferent to his mission

jesus response
Sending his messenger to bless her Seeing the joyous event as part of his redemptive plan Prophecies of his birth through Simeon and Anna Gently telling his mother that he was doing the Fathers business Showing Mary that he was working within the Fathers timing, though answering her request Affirming to Mary that she (and his brothers) did not have special privileges Jesus seeing to the care of his mother Assuming his place with the Father in heaven The presence of the Holy Spirit

The Saviors birth

(Lk 2:911,19)

Jesus circumcision
(Lk 2:2528)

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS

Jesus visit to the temple (Lk 2:4152)

The wedding at Cana

(Jn 2:111)

Instructing servants to do what Jesus said

Jesus speaking to the multitudes

(Mt 12:4650; Mk 3:3135; Lk 8:1921)

Sending word for Jesus to come to her

Expecting Jesus obedience to his parents

Jesus death on the cross (Lk 23:27; Jn

19:26)

Witnessing this heart-rending event Continuing in prayer and supplication Giving thanks for Jesus and recognizing him as Redeemer

Observing curiously the events Surprised but apathetic Though occasionally acknowledging the contributions of women, rejecting their equality of personhood Feelings of aversion from the rabbis about conversing with or imparting spiritual truths to women Believing men were seduced by women

The events after the resurrection (Ac

1:11,14)

Jesus circumcision ANNA

(Lk 2:2526,3638)

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

The meeting at Jacobs well

(Jn 4:334)

Surprised that Jesus would speak to her, suspecting that he is the Messiah, and sharing the Good News Silent during the entire encounter until Jesus directly addressed her

Initiating the conversation, sharing the profound truths, and presenting himself as Messiah Not denying her sin, not condemning her, but freeing her

THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY

Attempt to trap Jesus

(Jn 8:111)

1441

john

WOMEN AND JESUS (cont.)

woman event
Her healing from demonic possession
(Lk 8:23)

womans response
Following and ministering to Jesus

cultures response
Rejecting any ministries by women

jesus response
Accepting support from those accompanying him, valuing their commitment to him as that of the men Letting her be the first to see and talk to him, the first to tell others Teaching her, encouraging her to learn Weeping with Mary in her sorrow Encouraging her to learn, while enjoying her hospitality Answering her questions, discussing profound doctrines

MARY MAGDALENE

The visit to the tomb

(Jn 20:1118)

Coming with other women, remaining, and weeping Sitting at Jesus feet, waiting to be taught

Rejection of a womans testimony as valid Refusing to see the teaching of spiritual truths as appropriate for women The refusal of rabbis to talk to women in public Not expecting women to learn Rejection on the part of religious leaders and others of any spiritual nurture for women Avoiding being touched by or touching any woman with an issue of blood A wifes duty was to wash her husbands feet The woman is in all things inferior to man (Josephus) Women should be secluded because lust is inevitable

MARY OF BETHANY

Jesus visit in her home (Lk 10:3842)

The death of Lazarus

(Jn 11:2836)

Weeping at Jesus feet Being distracted with service Questioning Jesus

Jesus visit in her home (Lk 10:3842) MARTHA OF BETHANY THE HEMORRHAGING WOMAN The death of Lazarus
(Jn 11:1727)

Her healing
(Mk 5:2534)

Touching Jesus garment

Stating that she touched him but forgiving rather than condemning her; acknowledging her great faith Jesus, the footwasher

Footwashing
(Jn 13:15)

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Encounter with prejudice

(Jn 4:729,3942)

Jesus treating women equally Men relating to women without lust

Adultery in the heart

(Mt 5:2730)

See also portraits of Anna (Lk 2); Forgiven Adulteress (Jn 8); the Hemorrhaging Woman (Mt 9); Martha (Jn 11); Mary of Bethany (Jn 11); Mary Magdalene (Jn 20); Mary of Nazareth (Lk 1); the Samaritan Woman (Jn 4).

john 19:31

1442
A COMMITMENT TO ELDERLY PaRENTS

c a r e g i v e r s

The Bibles plan for families is a fairly straightforward one: Parents care for children until they reach adulthood; then children have a responsibility for the care of their parents. This was considered an integral part of honoring mothers and fathers, as commanded by the Law (Ex 20:12). In Old Testament times, parents and children generally lived together or in proximity all their lives. Jacob and his wives, their maids, his children and grandchildren were considered a family unit as they journeyed to Egypt for provision at the hand of Joseph (Ge 46:527). Jesus was critical of those Pharisees who refused to provide for the material needs of their parents under the guise of giving their all to the Lord (Mk 7:1013). Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the responsibility of children to parents (1Ti 5:4). While on the cross, Jesus made certain that his widowed mother had a means of provision (Jn 19:2627). While obligated to provide materially for parents, an adult child is not obligated to meet all of a parents emotional or spiritual needs, and she is never to follow in a parents pattern of sin (Eze 18:1922). Children are to follow the leading of the Lord for their own lives (Mt 8:2122; Mk 10:2930). See also notes on Children (Lk 15); Family (Ge 32; 1Sa 3; Ps 78; 127); Parenthood (Pr 10); Widowhood (Ps 68; Jer 29; 1Co 2); portrait of Ruth (Ru 2)

31 Now it was the day of Prep a ra tion, and the next day was to be a spe cial Sab bath. Be cause the Jew ish lead ers did not want the bod ies left on the cross es dur ing the Sab bath, they asked Pi late to have the legs bro ken and the bod ies diers there fore came and tak en down. 32 The sol broke the legs of the first man who had been cru ci fied with Jesus, and then those of the othJesus and found er. 33 But when they came to that he was al ready dead, they did not break stead, one of the sol diers pierced his legs. 34 In Jesus side with a spear, bring ing a sud den flow of blood and wa ter. 35 The man who saw it has giv en tes ti mo ny, and his tes ti mo ny is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he tes ti fies so things hapthat you also may be lieve. 36 These pened so that the scrip ture would be ful filled: a37 and, as Not one of his bones will be bro ken, an oth er scrip ture says, They will look on the b one they have pierced.

by Nic o de mus,the man who ear li er had vis it ed Jesus at night. Nic o de mus brought a mix ture c of myrrh and al oes, about sev en ty-five pounds. 40 Tak ing Jesus body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spic es, in strips of lin en. This was in ac cor dance with Jew ish buri al cus toms. 41 At the place where Jesus was cru ci fied, there was a gar den, and in the gar den a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Be cause it was the Jew ish day of Prep a ra tion and since the tomb was near by,they laid Jesus there.

The Empty Tomb

20:1-8pp Mt28:1-8; Mk16:1-8; Lk24:1-10

The Burial of Jesus

19:38-42pp Mt27:57-61; Mk15:42-47; Lk23:50-56
38 Lat er, Jo seph of Ar i ma thea asked Pi late for the body of Jesus. Now Jo seph was a dis ci ple of Jesus, but se cret ly be cause he feared the Jewish lead ers. With Pi lates per mis sion, he came com pa nied and took the body away. 39 He was ac

Ear ly on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Mag da lene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been re moved from the en trance. 2 So she came running to Si mon Pe ter and the oth er dis ci ple, the one Jesus loved,and said, They have tak en the Lord out of the tomb, and we dont know where they have put him! 3 So Pe ter and the oth er dis ci ple start ed for the tomb. 4 Both were run ning, but the oth er dis ci ple out ran Pe ter and reached the tomb
a36 c39

20

Exodus12:46; Num. 9:12; Psalm 34:20 b37 Zech.12:10 Orabout 34kilograms

19:3132Crucifixion often would take days to kill its victim. Breaking the victims legs caused the body to go into shock and hastened death. Roman law demanded that a criminal hang on the cross until he died, no matter how long that took. The body was then fed to the vultures. Jewish law, however, required that a body be removed the same day and buried before evening. The Jews could not

allow a body to hang upon the cross on the Sabbath, which was the next day. Jesus legs were not broken, for he was already dead when the soldiers came and broke the legs of the criminals who were crucified on each side of him. The fact that none of Jesus bones were broken fulfilled another prophecy (v. 36; Ps 34:20; chart, Prophecies Fulfilled on the Cross).

1443
looked in at the strips first. 5 He bent over and of lin en ly ing there but did not go in. 6 Then Si mon Pe ter came along be hind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of lincloth that had en ly ing there, 7 as well as the been wrapped around Jesus head. The cloth was still ly ing in its place, sep a rate from the linnal ly the oth er dis ci ple, who had reached en. 8 Fi the tomb first, also went in side. He saw and still did not un der stand from be lieved. 9 (They Scrip turethat Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the dis ci ples went back to where they were stay ing.

john 21:4

21 Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the Fa ther has sent me, I am send ing you. 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, Re ceive the Holy Spir it. 23 If you for give anyones sins, their sins are for giv en; if you do not for give them, they are not for giv en.

Jesus Appears to Thomas

Thom as (also known as Did ym usa), one of the Twelve, was not with the dis ci ples when Jesus came. 25 So the oth er dis ci ples told him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Un less I see the nail marks in his hands and put my fin ger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not be lieve. 26 A week lat er his dis ci ples were in the house again, and Thom as was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you! 27 Then he said to Thom as, Put your fin ger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubt ing and be lieve. 28 Thom as said to him, My Lord and my God! 29 Then Jesus told him, Be cause you have seen me, you have be lieved; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have be lieved.
24 Now

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Mary stood out side the tomb cry ing. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two an gels in white, seat ed where Jesus body had been, one at the head and the oth er at the foot. 13 They asked her, Wom an, why are you crying? They have tak en my Lord away, she said, and I dont know where they have put him. 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus stand ing there, but she did not re al ize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, Wom an, why are you cry ing? Who is it you are look ing for? Think ing he was the gar den er, she said, Sir, if you have car ried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him. 16 Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned to ward him and cried out in Ar ama ic,Rab bo ni!(which means Teach er). 17 Jesus said, Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet as cend ed to the Fa ther. Go in stead to my broth ers and tell them, I am as cend ing to my Fa therand your Fa ther, to my God and your God. 18 Mary Mag da lenewent to the dis ci pleswith the news: I have seen the Lord! And she told them that he had said t hese things to her.
11 Now

The Purpose of JohnsGospel

per formed many oth er signs in the pres ence of his dis ci ples, which are not re cord ed in this book. 31 But these are writ ten b that that you may be lieve Jesus is the Mes si ah, the Son of God, and that by be liev ing you may have life in his name.
30 Jesus

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch ofFish

Af ter ward Jesus ap peared again to his c It hapdis ci ples, by the Sea of Gal i lee. pened this way: 2 Si mon Pe ter, Thom as (also known as Did y musa), Na than a el from Cana in Gal i lee,the sons of Zeb e dee,and two oth er disci ples were to geth er. 3 Im go ing out to fish, Si mon Pe ter told them, and they said, Well go with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that n ight they caught noth ing. 4 Ear ly in the morn ing, Jesus stood on the shore, but the dis ci ples did not re al ize that it was J esus.
a24

21

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

the eve ning of that first day of the week, when the dis ci ples were to geth er, with the doors locked for fear of the Jew ish lead ers, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ter he said this, he Peace be with you! 20 Af showed them his hands and side. The dis ci ples were over joyedwhen they saw the Lord.
20:7Upon hearing Marys story, Peter and John ran to the tomb. They expected to find the grave clothes gone, for they suspected a thief had stolen the body. Instead, they found the shroud resting exactly where the body had been placed. Instead of a disheveled mess, the clothes were still neatly folded as if around a body. Jesus was gone, but his
19 On

b31Or may continue to believe c1Greek Tiberias

Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.

grave clothes lay in the same folded fashion. A handkerchief (or towel or napkin) was used to cover the face of the dead for burial. The handkerchief that covered Jesus head was still in place where his head had lain. The position of the grave clothes puzzled Peter, John and Mary, for they had not yet understood that the resurrection had occurred.

john 21:5

1444

MARY MAGDALENE

A Devoted Woman

Mary lived in Magadan (now called El Mejdel, located south of the Plain of Gennesaret on the shores of the Sea of Galilee), an important agricultural, fishing and trade center. Suffering from demon possession, Mary met Jesus face to face, an encounter that changed her life. Jesus cast from Mary the seven evil demonic spirits that had ruled and ruined her life (see Mk 16:9). The gospel writers distinguished demon possession from other diseases. The New Testament clearly describes its symptomsfor example, speechlessness (Mt 9:33), violence (Mt 8:28), blindness (Mt 12:22), convulsions (Mk 1:26), foaming at the mouth (Lk 9:39). Marys demonic possession may have been physical, mental or spiritual illness, or perhaps even immorality (though there is no textual evidence for prostitution on her part). After her healing experience, Mary became a devoted follower of Christ. Unflappable in her faithfulness, she was counted among the small group of women who, at their own expense, served Jesus and his disciples as they preached and ministered to the masses. Mary became an important leader among the ministering women. Scripture mentions her fourteen times. She proved to be a passionate follower who gave her time, energy and wealth to the Lords work. She faithfully followed Jesus throughout his ministry. Even when nearly everyone fled with fear after Christs arrest, Mary lingered lovingly all the way to the cross and witnessed his painful death. Mary remained faithful to Jesus long after the others had given up hope. Early one morning, after the Jewish Sabbath ended, she crept through the predawn darkness to the tomb. In her arms she carried the customary spices to prepare the Lords body for burial. The Lord richly rewarded Mary for her faithfulness to him. For when she arrived at the tomb, the heavy stone slab that sealed the three-foot square entrance had been removed. To her horror, Mary discovered the tomb empty, but her grief turned to joy when she came face to face with Jesus, the risen Lord. In his incredible grace, God chose a faithful woman, Mary of Magadan, to proclaim to the disciples and to the world the glorious life-changing news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Imagine her excitement! I have seen the Lord! she shouted with unequaled enthusiasm to the small band of bewildered and unbelieving disciples (Mk 16:11). Mary Magdalenes devoted faithfulness to Jesus and her announcement of Christs victory over death shouts to women everywhere how an encounter with Christ changes a life forever. Mary Magdalene personifies the many women for whom Christ has demonstrated his depth of mercy and forgiveness. See also Mt 27:56,61; 28:1; Mk 15:40,47; 16:9; Lk 8:2; 24:10; charts on Women and Jesus in his Last Days; Women and Jesus; note on Commitment (Mt 16)

5 He called out to them, Friends, havent you any fish? No, they an swered. 6 He said, Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. When they did, they were un able to haul the net in be cause of the l arge num ber of fish. 7 Then the dis ci ple whom Jesus loved said to Pe ter, It is the Lord! As soon as Si mon Pe ter heard him say, It is the Lord, he wrapped his out er gar ment around him (for he had tak en it off) and jumped into the wa ter. 8 The oth er disci ples fol lowed in the boat, tow ing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a 9 When they land a hun dred yards. ed, they saw a fireof burn ing coals there with fish on it,and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fish you have just caught. 11 So Si mon Pe ter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so

many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, Come and have break fast. None of the dis ciples dared ask him, Who are you? They knew Jesus came, took the bread it was the Lord. 13 and gave it to them, and did the same with third time Jesus the fish. 14 This was now the ap peared to his dis ci ples af ter he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

they had fin ished eat ing, Jesus said to Si mon Pe ter, Si mon son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my lambs. 16 Again Jesus said, Si mon son of John, do you loveme?
a8

15 When

Orabout 90meters

1445
He an swered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Take care of my sheep. 17 The third time he said to him, Si mon son of John, do you loveme? Pe ter was hurt be cause Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me? He said, Lord, you know all things;you know that I love you. ly I tell Jesus said, Feed my sheep. 18 Very tru you, when you were youn ger you dressed yourself and went where you want ed; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and some one else will dress you and lead you where Jesus said this to in diyou do not want to go. 19 cate the kind of death by which Pe ter would glo ri fy God.Then he said to him, Fol lowme! 20 Pe ter turned and saw that the dis ci ple whom Jesus loved was fol low ing them. (This
21:1819Jesus prophesied that Peter would die as a result of following him. He made a comparison between Peters life as a youth and as an old man. Jesus indicated that Peter

john 21:25

was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the sup per and had said, Lord, who is go ing ter saw him, he to be tray you?) 21 When Pe asked, Lord, what a bout him? 22 Jesus an swered, If I want him to re main alive un til I re turn, what is that to you? You cause of this, the ru mor must fol low me. 23 Be spread among the be liev ers that this dis ci ple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, If I want him to re main alive un til I re turn, what is that to you? 24 This is the dis ci ple who tes ti fies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his tes ti mo ny is true. 25 Jesus did many oth er things as well.If ev ery one of them were writ ten down, I sup pose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that w ould be writ ten.
would die a martyrs death. Stretch out your hands referred to crucifixion. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome between AD 64 and 68.