CHAPTER XII. John shows. logical order in developing the causes of the hostility of the Jewish authorities to Christ, which is not found in the other Gospels. From the time when, at his first Passover, the Lord drove the money changers out of the temple, their hatred had grown deeper at every fresh... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOINTED FOR BURIAL (JOHN 12:1-16) One cannot enter upon the study of the portion of the Gospel that now opens before us without feeling that he is entering upon the most tender, solemn and sacred portion of the sacred story. This journey to Jerusalem is the last journey, is the Lord's last appeal... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE THEY MADE HIM. SUPPER; AND MARTHA SERVED. It is not said at whose house the feast took place, only that it was at Bethany, that Martha served, that Lazarus was one of those at the table, and that Mary was there. Matthew and Mark say that it took place at the house of "Simon the leper." Of him... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TOOK MARY. POUND OF OINTMENT OF SPIKENARD, VERY COSTLY. Spikenard, from which the ointment was, made, was an aromatic herb of the valerian family. It was imported from an early age from Arabia, India, and the Far East. It was the costliest anointing oil of antiquity, and was sold throughout th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAITH ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, JUDAS ISCARIOT. Matthew (26:8) states that "_ the disciples_ " had indignation; Mark reports that "_ some_ had indignation;" John (12:4), as knowing who had whispered the first word of blame, fixes the uncharitable judgment on "Judas Iscariot, Simon's son." The narr... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY WAS NOT THIS OINTMENT SOLD FOR THREE HUNDRED PENCE? About $45.. penny here is the denarius,. Roman silver coin worth 15 to 17 cents. The wretch, who is just going to sell the only Son of God for 30 pence (pieces of silver), values at 300. little ointment, perfume, and vapor.--_ Quesnel._ As the... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE HE HAD THE BAG. Judas was treasurer of the little company. They must have had. meagre purse; and it was too much for him to see all this money thrown away on the mere sentiment of love, when it might have gone into their treasury, from which he could steal it, for he was. thief. But he conc... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HER ALONE: AGAINST THE DAY OF MY BURYING HATH SHE KEPT THIS. Their indignation was roused against the poor, shrinking Mary as if she had robbed them. No doubt Judas felt as if he had been robbed. Then Christ interposed with authority and silenced them, adding. commendation, saying, "She has ant... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE POOR ALWAYS YE HAVE WITH YOU. You will have plenty of opportunities to aid them; and the more they did for their Master, the more they would do for the poor, for the poor are left in his stead, and through them will be expressed the increased love of the Master. It is the want of _love,_ no... [ Continue Reading ]
MUCH PEOPLE OF THE JEWS THEREFORE KNOW THAT HE WAS THERE. The language indicates that he tarried there for several days, from Friday till Sunday, and throngs came to see him. He was not seeking privacy now.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF PRIESTS CONSULTED..... PUT LAZARUS TO DEATH. Lazarus was. living testimonial to the divine power of Christ and they desired to get him out of the way.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE NEXT DAY. This was Sunday, often called Palm Sunday, because on this day the multitude took the branches of palm trees. MUCH PEOPLE THAT WERE COME TO THE FEAST. Josephus says that from two to three millions attended. Passover. All the Gospels give an account of this entry into Jerusalem an... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK BRANCHES OF PALM TREES, AND WENT OUT TO MEET HIM. They carpeted the Savior's pathway with their garments and the gigantic leaves of the palm tree. The "branches of palm trees" are not strictly, branches at all, but the enormous leaves, twelve to sixteen feet long, which spring from the top of t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS, WHEN HE HAD FOUND. YOUNG ASS, SAT THEREON. This was Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the people expected him to become king at once. The _outside_ of this triumph was very mean. He rode upon an ass's _colt,_ which made no figure. This colt was _borrowed._ Christ went upon the... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF SION: BEHOLD, THY KING COMETH. Each of the four evangelists goes back to the prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) as fulfilled in this remarkable event,--the only known instance in which Jesus ever rode upon any animal.--_ Cowles._ Hitherto he had entered the holy city on foot: this day h... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE THINGS UNDERSTOOD NOT HIS DISCIPLES AT FIRST. There was much connected with his ministry that never became clear until he had suffered and risen. Then in the clear light of the Holy Spirit all was like. sunbeam. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 1. Affection desires to express itself in costly sacrif... [ Continue Reading ]
GENTILES SEEKING CHRIST (JOHN 12:17-36) 17. The people... bare record. John has just narrated. wonderful passage in the life of the Redeemer, his entry into the city of his enemies, who had resolved to slay him, in triumphal procession with vast crowds raising acclamations and shouting his kingly... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAME ALSO THE PEOPLE MET HIM. Thousands who had not seen the miracle were moved by the story of the eye-witnesses, and eagerly went out to meet him and joined in the acclamations. They could not be regarded as believers but belonged to the fickle throng who went with the tide; who would on... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHARISEES THEREFORE SAID AMONG THEMSELVES. These subtle opposers, were astounded and frightened by the proofs of the popularity of Jesus. They had joined with the Sanhedrim in. determination to put Christ to death; he had retired from the city and disappeared for. time from sight; an order had b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WERE CERTAIN GREEKS AMONG THEM THAT CAME UP TO WORSHIP AT THE FEAST. A remarkable circumstance is related. The Passover feast was for the Jews, and those who came there to worship were of the seed of Abraham, but on this occasion, "among those who came to worship" were Greeks, members of t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME CAME TO PHILIP. In the court of the Gentiles where the Lord then was waiting and "looking around." He observed much that required correction and on the next day, Monday, he again drove out the stock traders and the money changers. The name Philip is Grecian, as well as Andrew, and those of... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIP COMETH AND TELLETH ANDREW. Andrew was also of Bethsaida and he and Philip seem to have been inseparable friends. The fact that Philip wanted some one to go with him to Christ shows how his character had inspired with awe even those who were nearest to him. Perhaps the Greeks followed the two... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUR IS COME, THAT THE SON OF MAN SHOULD BE GLORIFIED. The answer of Christ may have been to Philip and Andrew, and the Greeks may have heard and understood it. The substance is that the time for his glorification had come and that glorification would draw all men, Greek, Gentiles as well as Je... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT. CORN OF WHEAT FALL INTO THE GROUND AND DIE, IT ABIDETH ALONE. This statement, prefaced by the verily, verily, that gives solemn emphasis, enforces. great truth. The grain of wheat may remain in the granary for. thousand years and be preserved, but it is useless there. It neither reproduces,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT LOVETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT. Then he announces. principle that underlies all exaltation. He gave his life and found eternal exaltation; the grain gives its life and lives. hundred fold; those who consecrate their lives, give them up for others, dedicate them to their holy work, will live... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN SERVE ME, LET HIM FOLLOW ME. This is Christ's direct answer to the Greeks. His service is to be rendered, not by secret interviews, but by obeying him, for so the word "follow." is to be understood. IF ANY MAN SERVE ME, HIM WILL MY FATHER HONOR. God demands that "every knee should bow... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IS MY SOUL TROUBLED. "Now. sudden change comes over the spirit of the Redeemer. His eye closes on the crowd without; he ceases to think of, or to speak with man; he is alone with the Father.. dark cloud descends and wraps him in its folds."--_ Hanna._ It is the shadow of the cross and the tomb.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CAME. VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING,. HAVE GLORIFIED IT, ETC. At Gethsemane the angel came to strengthen him; here the Father's voice speaks in approval. Three times the Father's voice was heard from the sky; _first,_ when Christ was buried in Jordan,. type of his own burial; _second,_ when Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL SPAKE TO HIM. All heard the sound of the divine voice, but it was not clear to all what it was. Like those who were with Saul of Tarsus when on the way to Damascus, they heard, but did not comprehend.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS VOICE CAME NOT BECAUSE OF ME. He had already won the victory before the voice came. It was rather to confirm the faith of his disciples who still stumbled over the prospect of his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IS THE JUDGMENT OF THIS WORLD. _Now,_ "this hour," the "hour" referred to in verses 23d and 27th, the hour for which he had come into the world, the hour of the cross; that was to be the hour of judgment, the _crisis,_ which should determine who should rule the world. The cross became. throne.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF. BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH,. WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME. Lifted up, _first,_ to the cross; _second,_ from the grave; _third,_ to heaven and the eternal throne. The crucified, risen and exalted Savior becomes. power to draw all men, Jews and Gentiles, all nations. Christ does not declare that he... [ Continue Reading ]
SIGNIFYING WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD DIE. And the great events that followed it as. regular sequence.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW THAT CHRIST ABIDETH FOREVER. The multitude were perplexed. They had cried, "Hosanna to the King of Israel who cometh in the name of the Lord." They believed Christ to be the king. Their idea of the Messiah was an eternal king. Now he spoke of death. They ask two questio... [ Continue Reading ]
YET. LITTLE WHILE THE LIGHT IS WITH YOU. He refuses to answer their questions directly, but imparts to them needed truths. The light was then present with them. He was shining, teaching. Let them seek the light and walk in it while they had opportunity. The opportunity might soon pass away and the... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT, THAT YE MAY BE THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. That they might receive the light of the light of the world they must believe on him. Unbelief closed their spiritual eyes to his words. Unless there was belief and. reception of the light they could not become children of the light. With... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CAUSE OF UNBELIEF (JOHN 12:37-50) If that view is correct which assigns the last discourse to the temple on Monday it belongs to Christ's farewell words to Israel. From thenceforth he entered the temple no more. In the conflicts recorded in Matthew, Chapter s XXII and XXIII, he had been finally... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE SAYING OF ESAIAS THE PROPHET. The saying here recorded is found in Isaiah 53:1. John means to say that God had by Isaiah predicted the very state of things in Israel and the Jews so acted that it might be fulfilled.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE, BECAUSE THAT ESAIAS SAID. Isaiah 6:10. The Revision is clearer, which reads: "For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah has said again." The cause of their unbelief is not that Isaiah _said_ thus and thus, but he points out the cause of their unbelief... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HARDENED THEIR HEART. This explains why they could not believe. Whether they were morally responsible for their unbelief depends on how God blinded their eyes and hardened their heart. If he did it by. direct act, regardless of their moral condition, then they were no... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS AMONG THE CHIEF RULERS MANY BELIEVED ON HIM. These were members of the Sanhedrim. They had an intellectual faith, but it was not. power over their hearts. "With the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). These rulers... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS CRIED AND SAID. John does not say when, or where, but. think, gives. sort of summary of what he had said, now that his appeal to the Jewish nation was closed. In verses 44 and 46 he declares his oneness with him who sent him.... [ Continue Reading ]
AM COME. LIGHT INTO THE WORLD. It was the office of Christ to make all things clear. His mission and person illuminate the mysteries of our being and destiny when they are seen in their fulness. In many respects he is. Sun. Those who abide in his light will have their doubts solved, mysteries cleare... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGE HIM NOT. In declaring that he judges not those who hear his words and believe not, he is not inconsistent. In the day of judgment he shall sit upon the throne, not to condemn the world that he came to save. It will always be either saved or condemned. The words that he left in it as his will... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF MYSELF. Of my own mind and will, but it was the Father who had spoken in him. He gave. commandment what the Son should say. It will be seen that this summary repeats ideas that have been made prominent in discourses of the Savior that John has already reported.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW THAT HIS COMMANDMENT IS LIFE EVERLASTING. The commandment of the the Father is not only directed to the bestowment of life on men, but it is life. There is life in the truth of God when it is received into the heart and becomes the law of life. His commandment is truth. Christ says: "My words... [ Continue Reading ]