John 12:34

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? THE PEOPLE [`THE MULTITUDE' ochlos (G3793 )] ANSWERED HIM, WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW - meaning the Scriptures of the Old Testament: referring, no doubt, to such places as Psalms 89:28-19; Psalms 110:4; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13. That Christ (the Christ,' the promised Messiah), abideth forever: and...

34._We have heard from the law. _Their intention undoubtedly was, to carp malignantly at the words of Christ; and therefore their malice blinds them, so that they perceive nothing amidst the clearest light. They say that Jesus ought not to be regarded as the Christ, because he said that he would die, while _the Law _ascribes perpetuity to the Messiah; as if both statements had not been expressly made in _the Law _that Christ will die, and that afterwards his kingdom will flourish to the end of the world. But they seize on the second clause, and make it a ground of calumny. The origin of their error was, that they judged of the splendor of Messiah’s kingdom according to their carnal views; in consequence of which, they reject Christ because he does not correspond to their foolish notion. Under the term _the Law _they embrace also the Prophets, and the present tense — _remaineth _— -is use...

34-36 The people drew false notions from the Scriptures, because they overlooked the prophecies that spoke of Christ's sufferings and death. Our Lord warned them that the light would not long continue with them, and exhorted them to walk in it, before the darkness overtook them. Those who would walk in the light must believe in it, and follow Christ's directions. But those who have not faith, cannot behold what is set forth in Jesus, lifted up on the cross, and must be strangers to its influence as made known by the Holy Spirit; they find a thousand objections to excuse their unbelief....

Verse 34. _WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW_] That is, out of the sacred writings. The words here are quoted from Psalms 110:4; but the Jews called every part of the sacred writings by the name, _The_ _Law_, in opposition to the words or sayings of the scribes. John 10:34, John 10:34. _THAT CHRIST ABIDETH FOR EVER_] There was no part of the law nor of the Scripture that said the Messiah _should not die_; but there are several passages that say as expressly as they can that Christ must die, and die for the sin of the world too. See especially Isaiah 53:1, c....

WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW - Out of the Old Testament; or rather we have been so taught by those who have interpreted the law to us. THAT CHRIST - That the Messiah. ABIDETH FOR EVER - Will remain forever, or will live forever. The doctrine of many of them certainly was that the Messiah would not die; that he would reign as a prince forever over the people. This opinion was founded on such passages of Scripture as these: Psalms 110:4, “Thou art a priest forever;” Daniel 2:44; Daniel 8:13. In the interpretation of these passages they had overlooked such places as...

EXPOSITION The twelfth chapter neither belongs intrinsically to that which precedes nor to that which follows. It is a paragraph of high significance, as bearing on the construction of the Gospel. It is the transition between the public and the private ministry, the great pause between the two classes of manifestation forming the climax of the public ministry. III. CONSUMMATION OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY. JOHN 12:1 1. _The feast of love and gratitude_. JOHN 12:1 JESUS THEREFORE, SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER. Every preliminary of that solemn feast is memorable to our evangelist. The coincidence of the

THE PEOPLE ANSWERED HIM,.... Not the Greeks, but the Jews, and these not such as were friends to Christ, but cavillers at him: WE HAVE HEARD OUT OF THE LAW; not the five books of Moses, but the Prophets, and Hagiographa; even all the books of the Old Testament are called the law; John 10:34; THAT CHRIST ABIDETH FOR EVER; referring to those places which speak of the perpetuity of his priesthood and the everlasting duration of his kingdom, Psalms 110:4, in which last text express mention is made of the son of man, and that and the first may be more especially respected; from whence it appears, that these passages were understood of the Messiah by the ancient Jews: they knew he was designed in...

John 12:1. _Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead._ The days Christ was to spend upon the earth were getting to be very few so he paid another visit to that Bethany home where he was always so welcome, and more so than ever since he had raised Lazarus from the dead. John 12:2. _There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment._ All the members of the re-united family were present, Martha busy as usual with the domestic duties which fell to her share, La

CHAPTER 12 1. The Feast at Bethany. (John 12:1 .) 2. The Entrance into Jerusalem. (John 12:9 .) 3. The Inquiring Greeks and His Answer. (John 12:20 .) 4. His Final Words. (John 12:34 .) From the close of the previous chapter we learn that the Lord had gone with His disciples to a city called Ephraim. Six days before the Passover He came to Bethany again. They made Him a feast. Lazarus is especially mentioned as well as Martha, who served; Mary also was present with others who were of His disciples. It is a beautiful type of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when He will have His own with Him. Lazarus represents the Saint

THE REQUEST OF THE GREEKS. This incident is chosen to illustrate the Lord's consciousness that only through death could the final success of His work be brought about. If it was invented to gain His authority for the admission of the Gentiles, it must again be confessed that it is very badly done. The Greeks are apparently not even admitted to His presence. The mention of Philip and Andrew is natural if their home Was Bethsaida (John 1:45), in a region largely Hellenic in population. The incident seems to bring before the Lord's mind the vision of a wider mission accomplished without the dreaded sacrifice. But it is put aside. The seed must die if it is to bring forth fruit. On earth He was confined to Judaism; only through death could the wider mission be accomplished. And if His disciples would serve they must follow even through death, to gain the support of His presence in their true...