John

JOHN
The Word
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and
without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the
light of men. And the light shine in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
‘In the beginning’ refers to the dateless past (Pro. 8:23) and the Word refers to Christ
(John 1:14; Rev. 19:13) and proves His pre-existence (Mic. 5:1-2; Rev. 1:8, 11; 2:8). He
is an eternal Being as are also the Father and the Holy Spirit (Ps. 90:1-2; Heb. 9:14).
They are the Divine Trinity as described in 1John 5:7. Not only was the Word with God,
but He was God and always will be as much divine as the other two members of the
Trinity (Isa. 9:6-7; Heb. 1:8-12; Rev. 22:13-16). God created all things by Jesus Christ
(Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 1:1-2). Not only were all things created by Him, but
redemption of creation is by Him (John 17:2; Col. 1:20). As all creation came by the Son,
through the Holy Spirit, so all redemption comes the same way. It was what Christ did on
the cross that made it possible for God to redeem through the power of the Holy Spirit
(John 3:3-5; Tit. 3:5). When we walk in Christ (1Pet. 2:21-23) who is life and the light
of men, we can begin to shine as the light of the world, as a city that is set on a hill that
cannot be hid. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16).
The Greek word for comprehended is katalambano which means to seize upon; to keep
down or under; stop; to catch up within the sense of to discover or detect. It means that
the satanic powers of darkness (Eph. 6:12) did not overcome the Word, but that the
Word spoiled (conquered) them on the cross (Col. 2:14-17). In John 8:12 Jesus states “I
am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life.”
To Bear Witness
John 1:6-11 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came
for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was
not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which
light every man that come into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made
by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him
not.
This John refers to John the Baptist, used 20 times in this gospel and never by the title
‘Baptist’ as in the other gospels; he is not to be confused with John the Apostle who is the
author of this gospel as well as 1,2,3 John and Revelation. John the Baptist was not the
light but came to witness of the Light - the true Light that is Jesus Christ the Messiah
(John 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-46) so that men can believe through Him (John 14:6) and be
reconciled with the Father.
solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 1

Jesus Christ became flesh – He came into the world – the same world (earth) He created
(Col. 1:15-17) and they (people) knew Him not – most people chose not to have a
relationship with God and when Christ came, He did not come as they would have
preferred: as a king and to set them free from earthy rulers, but instead He came as a
pauper and came to free us of sin, so the people rejected Him. Even His own nation, the
Jews (or Israel) through whom He could demonstrate to other nations what God
purposed for mankind.
Believe on His Name

John 1:12-14 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.
The gospel benefits only the individual (Mar. 16:16; John 3:16; 6:37) - as many as
received him – and to them did He delegated power; the liberty and right to use power. It
is the liberty and right for every man to be saved if he wills (1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev.
22:17) for they that believe on His name (Acts 2:21; 3:16; 4:12).
The Greek word for born is gennao which means a bringing forth. A word used of people
who are adopted into the family of God (John 3:3; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1, 5:18). It does not
mean in either of these uses that a new body, soul, and spirit have come into existence, as
when used of Christ who is the only begotten Son of God and the first begotten of Mary
(John 1:14, 18; 3:16). Not of blood, that is, not by right of natural descent from man. Not
by right of the flesh merely to escape punishment. Not by right of man’s theories and
religions, but of God who took man’s place to save him (John 3:16; Rom. 3:20-30; 2Cor.
5:14-21).
Christ was made flesh, not spirit; but man, not God; and earthly, not heavenly. This made
Him God’s Son, for sonship in connection with Jesus Christ always refers to humanity,
never to deity (Lk. 1:35; Acts 13:33).
Jesus is and was and always will be the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14,18; 3:16,
18; 1Jn. 4:9). Men never will be begotten or born in the same sense as Jesus was (Matt.
1:18-25; Lk. 1:34-35), for their sonship is on a different basis - that of adoption, not an
actual begetting and coming into existence (Rom. 8:15; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5).
Full of the grace by which we are saved and not an excuse to continue in sin (Rom. 6:1-3;
Heb. 10:26-31) and the truth which is the Gospel – the life of Jesus Christ that was set as
an example for us to live accordingly (1Pet. 2:21-23).
Grace for Grace

John 1:15-18 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke,
He that come after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness
have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and

truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son,
which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Christ was in existence before John, but after John in public earthly ministry (Mat. 3:11;
Lk. 3:17; John 1:31-33) “whose goings forth have been from of old, from
everlasting” Micah 5:2 (See also Isa. 9:6-7; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8.)
The Greek word for fullness is pleroma which means abundance, completeness. All needs
and lawful wants are promised by the gospel (2Cor. 1:20; Mat. 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:22;
Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-17; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26).
Grace upon grace means full grace, according to our needs and wants (Heb. 4:14-16;
10:19-38; Jas. 1:5-8).
The law that condemns in the moral life, and only typifies in the religious life is the law of
Moses. First of 13 times Moses is mentioned in John (John 1:17, 45; 3:14; 5:45-46; 6:32;
7:19-23; 8:5; 9:28-29). Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ - this does not mean that
there was no law before Moses, or no grace and truth before Jesus Christ. The law itself
is truth, and the New Testament is law. There are 1,050 commands in the New
Testament. The idea here is that the fullness of grace came by Jesus Christ. One can get
today in fullness what men received only in part in Old Testament times.
The Greek word for seen is horao which means to see with the eyes and also see with the
mind. That it means here to comprehend fully or understand is clear from the fact that
many men have seen God with the eyes (Gen. 18:2, 33; 32:24-30; Exo. 24:10; 33:11;
Jos. 5:13; Isa. 6:1-13; Ezek. 1:26-28; Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-6; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; 5:1-
7). The verse could read, “No man has ever comprehended or experienced God at any
time in all His fulness, save the only begotten Son . . . . He hath declared Him.” That
Christ is the first to experience God in the fullness of the Holy Spirit is clear from John
3:34; Acts 10:38; Isaiah 11:1-2; 61:1-2 and Luke 4:16-18.
The Greek word for declared is exegeomai which means revealed, expounded; where we
get our word exegesis.
The Testimony of John the Baptist

John 1:19-24 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I
am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not.
Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou?
that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say thou of thyself? He said, I am
the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the
prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
John the Baptist was not the Christ, Elijah, or anyone else who had lived in the past. He
was the natural son of Zacharias and Elizabeth (Lk. 1:24, 1:57). He came in the spirit and
power of Elijah to do for Israel before the first coming, what Elijah will do before the
second coming (Mal. 4:5-6; Lk. 1:17). This explains Matthew 11:14 and 17:10-13.

He was the prophet that Moses predicted would come (Deu. 18:15-18; Acts 3:22-23;
7:37).
‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said
the prophet Esaias’ is the first Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in the gospel of John.
Malachi 3:1 predicted of John “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare
the way before me: and the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple,
even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the
LORD of hosts.”
Baptism
John 1:25-28 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize thou then, if thou be
not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with
water: but there stand one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me
is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things
were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Jews were accustomed to making converts by ceremonial cleansing, but never without an
order from the Sanhedrin or before three magistrates or doctors of the law. They,
therefore, felt jealous of John, who not only baptized without Jewish authority but
baptized Jews contrary to the practice of the Pharisees.
John’s reason for baptizing was that the Messiah should be made manifest (known) to
Israel (John 1:26-31). There are seven baptisms in Scripture: John’s baptism in water to
introduce Christ to Israel (Matt. 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-45; Lk. 3:1-38; 7:29-30; John 1:31-33;
3:23-26; 10:40; Acts1:5; 11:16; 19:3); Christ’s baptism in water (John 3:22; 4:1-2)
which announced the beginning of His three year ministry and showed His purpose as the
one without sin that will clean the world with water (washing in the Word) and by
shedding His blood at His crucifixion (1Jn 5:7-8); Baptism in suffering (Lk. 12:50);
Baptism in the cloud and in the sea (1Cor. 10:2) refers to Moses and the nation Israel
going through the Red Sea that was a type of the washing that we have to go through for
salvation as we are called out of the bondage of sin (Egypt); and the last three that is
relevant and necessary for today’s Christians: Baptism into Christ and into His body (Rom.
6:3-7; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12) at repentance and the new birth; Christian
baptism in water (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12-16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-
48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1Cor. 1:13-17; 1Pet. 3:21) this is for testifying of dying
to one’s old nature after being reborn; Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11, 14; 20:22-
23; Mark 1:810:38-39; Lk. 3:16; John 1:33; 7:37-39; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:2-3) which is
the enduement of power for service.
The Holy Spirit is the agent to baptize into Christ and into His body; Christ is the agent to
baptize in the Holy Spirit, and the minister is the agent to baptize into water (Matt. 28:19).
Behold, the Lamb of God

John 1:29-34 The next day John see Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb
of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me

cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not:
but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with
water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,
and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the
same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on
him, the same is he which baptize with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that
this is the Son of God.
John the Baptist saw Christ and proclaimed “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away
the sin of the world.” This is the first New Testament prophecy fulfilled in John. Lamb of
God is a symbol of Christ, mentioned thirty-two times (Isa. 53:7; John 1:36; Acts 8:32;
1Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6-13; 6:1, 16; 7:9-17; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1-10; 15:3; Rev. 17:14; 19:7-9;
21:9-27; 22:1-3). The Greek word for taketh away is airo, which means to bear in the
sense of removing sin; doing away with the guilt and punishment (1Pet. 2:24; Psa. 103:12;
1Jn. 3:5). The Greek word for sin is hamartia, which means missing the mark; always in a
moral sense - a sin, whether by omission or commission, in thought, word, or deed. Christ
came to teach men how to shoot straight - to hit the moral bull’s eye every time (Tit. 2:11-
14; 1Jn. 2:1-2, 29; 3:9; 5:1-4, 5:18).
‘For he was before me’ - Christ lived before John as the second person of the Trinity
“whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” Micah 5:2 (See also Isa. 9:6-
7; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8.) John did not know Jesus, but he did know the Father who sent
Jesus (v33). The Greek word for manifest is phaneroo, which means to bring to light.
Here, it means to introduce the Messiah to Israel (John 1:11; Matt. 15:24).
John bare record, the Greek word martureo means bearing witness. There was seven
witnesses to the Messiah: The Father (John 5:30-38; 8:13-18); the Son (John 5:17-27;
8:14; 18:37); the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 16:13-15); the written Word (John 1:45;
5:38, 46); Divine works (John 5:17, 36; 10:25; 14:11; 15:24); John the Baptist (John
1:7,32-34; 5:33-35); and the Disciples (John 15:27; 19:35; 21:24).
The Greek word for abode is meno which means abide, dwell, remain. Occurs 41 times
in John and only 12 times in the other gospels.
‘He that sent me’ is a clear reference to the Trinity. The Son he did not know; the Father
he did know; and the Spirit he saw coming from the Father upon the Son (Matt. 3:16-17;
Lk.3:22). The Greek word for see is eidon which means to see; not only the mere act of
looking but the actual perception of the object. Thus, not only have the Father and Son
been seen with human eyes as separate and distinct persons at the same time and place
(Dan. 7:9-14; Acts 7:55; Rev. 5:7; 7:10), but the Holy Spirit as a separate person from
both the Father and the Son has been seen.
‘Spirit descending, and remaining on him’ is a fulfilment of Isaiah 11:2; 42:1; 61:1 and
recorded in Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10 and Luke 3:22. Christ is the one who baptizes
in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Lk. 3:16; 24:49; John 7:37-39; 15:16-17, 26; Acts 1:4-8;
11:16).

Calling of the First Disciples
John 1:35-42 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking
upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard
him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and
saith unto them, What seek you? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being
interpreted, Master,) where dwell thou? He said unto them, Come and see. They came
and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth
hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon
Peter's brother. He first finds his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found
the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And
when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called
Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Two of John the Baptist’s disciples, the one was Andrew (Peter’s brother), the other
probably John the Apostle, as he never mentions himself in this book. They looked upon
(Jesus) the Greek word emblepo, which means to look with fixed eyes upon or look
intently as they heard John the Baptist say: “Behold the Lamb of God!” A symbol of Christ
used thirty-two times in the Bible.
Andrew and John asked Jesus “Rabbi, (which means Master) where dwell thou?” Jesus
told them, “Come and see.” So, they came and saw where He stayed and stayed with
Him for that day because it was already the tenth hour – 4 pm.
‘found the Messias’ Finding Jesus changes one’s life (2Cor. 5:17-18). Messias is the Greek
transliteration of the Hebrew Mashiyach, meaning anointed (John 4:25; 1Sam. 2:10, 35;
Psa. 2:2; Dan. 9:25-26). The equivalent of mashiyach in the Greek is Christos, used of
Jesus 569 times in the New Testament.
‘Cephas’ is the Aramaic word for stone (1Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal. 2:9). And
‘stone’ is the Greek word petros which means little stone, rock and 161 other places
translated "Peter". This shows how Jesus could judge a man at the first look. He knew
Peter to be firm and strong in soul, and hard and unyielding in purpose.
Calling of Philip and Nathanael

John 1:43-48 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and find Philip, and
saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and
Peter. Philip find Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in
the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And
Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith
unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an
Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence know thou me?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou was under
the fig tree, I saw thee.
Philip was one of the twelve apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mar. 3:18; Lk. 6:14; Acts 1:13), a
brother of Nathanael, who brings him also to Jesus. Nathanael (means gift of God) is
Bartholomew, which is a patronymic of Nathaniel, also one of the twelve.

The question he asked “can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” was because
they were expecting the Messiah from Bethlehem, and not Nazareth. Never a better
person came from any place on earth than Jesus Christ!
Jesus knew Nathanael’s heart through the Holy Spirit’s gift of knowledge (John 3:34;
1Cor. 12:4-11) and said that he was an Israelite in whom is no guile – he was without
deceit.
Christ’s statement of seeing him by the Spirit before He could see him with His eyes
convinced Nathaniel of Christ’s Sonship.
The Son of God and of Man

John 1:49-51 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God;
thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I
saw thee under the fig tree, believe thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he
saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the
angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
The second New Testament prophecy fulfilled in John - thou shall see greater things than
these - Nathaniel did see many greater works when he saw all the works of Christ for over
three years. John 1:51 is to be fulfilled in the eternal kingdom of Jesus on earth when
angels will ascend and descend in a more literal way than now (Matt. 13:41-43; 24:31).
Verily, verily means Surely, surely or Amen, amen. So used for emphasis, and only by Him
who is the truth (John 14:6). Always used singly elsewhere: in the Old Testament only 16
times; 30 times in Matthew; 15 times in Mark; and 8 times in Luke and only by Christ.
The Son of man is used 88 times of Christ in the New Testament and once in Daniel 7:13
where it was predicted that He would come as the Son of man. It always has the definite
article when used of Christ, but not when used of ordinary men. He, Jesus, is God’s Man
to redeem mankind. He is God’s answer to satan to guarantee his defeat and restore man’s
original dominion.
Water in Wine
John 2:1-5 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of
Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when
they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith
unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother
saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
On the third day after Jesus left Jordan to start His ministry, He attended a marriage feast
that sometimes lasted a week. Cana of Galilee was located on a low hill on the side of a
rich upland plain, about eleven kilometres north of Nazareth. Called "Cana of Galilee" to
distinguish it from Cana of Asher. It is not known how many disciples Jesus had during this
first week of His ministry.
When they – the wedding party - ran out of wine (new/good wine = sweet juice) Mary
offered Jesus’ service to help create grape juice. ‘Wine’ is used of both fermented and
unfermented drink in Scripture. It speaks of the juice of grapes as ‘wine’ while it is still on

the cluster (Isa. 65:8) and calls it ‘new wine’ when it is just pressed out of the grapes. It is
blasphemous to say that Jesus would have made a wine containing alcohol, He was
without sin (1Pet. 2:21-22; Heb. 4:15) and He would not have transgressed Habakkuk
2:15 that says “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink.”
Jesus answered His mother: “Woman...” not a name of disrespect, but one of respect, like
our Madam (Matt. 15:28; John 4:21; 19:26; 20:15), “what have I to do with thee?”
What have I to do with you in this matter? My time for working a miracle is not fully
come. It is sad to see that the first miracle that was chosen for Christ - not chosen by Him
–as one that so many people use today to justify the use of alcohol. The Word of God is
very clear on the subject of being sober, which is a command to obey, not a request (1Th.
5:6,8; Tit. 2:2,4,6; 1Pet. 1:13, 5:8) and clear on not to drink (Pro. 23:21; 1Tim. 3:3; Tit.
1:7).
Miracles
John 2:6-12 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the
purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the
waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw
out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the
feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the
servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the
bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and
when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine
until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth
his glory; and his disciples believed on him. After this he went down to Capernaum, he,
and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many
days.
The six waterpots of stone were proportioned to the number of wedding guests and each
pot contained 122 litres an in total for the 6 pots there were 736 litres. The ruler of the
feast would have been either a chief guest, a friend of the bridegroom or a chief domestic
who attended to the supply of the others.
“Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine” This is man’s way. God’s way is to
give the best first, and always, and when they have “drunk well” which means to drink
freely, not when they are all drunk, as some suppose.
And with this wedding the miracles of Jesus Christ on earth began, not as some
apocryphal books state falsely that He did some childhood miracles.
The Greek word for miracles is semeion, a sign or token by which something is known; a
token of confirmation of a divine work or call. Generally used of miracles and wonders
done by people to confirm their call and mission from God (Matt. 12:38; 16:1-4; John
2:11, 18, 23; 3:2; 7:31; 9:16; 10:41; 11:47; Acts 2:22, 43; 8:6). It is also used of the
power by which false teachers seek to confirm their fallacies to be of God (Matt. 24:24;
Mark 13:22; 2Th. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:13-18; 16:14; 19:20). The last scriptures above refer
to the satanic powers in these last days to cause men to accept false teaching and be lost.

God does not want satan and his agents to manifest more power than His children! No!
We have been promised power over all satanic forces (Matt. 17:20; 18:18; 21:22; Mark
9:23; 11:22-24; 16:15-20; Lk. 10:19; John 14:12; Acts 1:8).
The manifestation of His glory is the purpose of all miracles of God. Does God get more
glory out of the weakness, helplessness, defeat, sin, sickness, and failure of His children
than their power, victories, holiness, health, and success? Which then is the will of God?
Cleansing the Temple

John 2:13-17 And the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And
found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money
sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the
temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew
the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my
Father's house a house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written,
The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
It started out to be ‘the Lord’s Passover’ (Exo. 12:11, 12:27; Lev. 23:5; Num. 28:16), but
now it had degenerated to be “the Jews’ Passover” (John 2:13; 6:4; 11:55). The feasts of
the Lord (Lev. 23:2) had now become the feasts of the Jews (John 5:1; 6:4; 7:2; 11:56;
19:42). Even the commandments were nullified by the traditions of men (Matt. 15:1-9;
16:6-12).
According to historians, 256,500 animals were sacrificed each Passover, so the market
must have been huge. The priests sold licenses to the vendors, so this profanation must
have been a large source of revenue.
Jesus made a scourge of small cords; He plaited a whip of rush-ropes and drove the
animals and the sellers out of the temple. These dealers were very unpopular because of
their extortions; they were also conscious that they were profaning the temple and
violating the law. They were a stumbling stone (Matt. 16:23; 18:7) for those who wanted
to reconcile with God.
My Father’s is a term used by Jesus 60 times of God (John 5:17, 43). The zeal of thine
house hath eaten me up is the second Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John (Psa.
69:9).
The Temple
John 2:18-22 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shew thou unto us,
seeing that thou do these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple,
and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple
in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his
body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had
said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
The Jews were as always acting as an evil and adulterous generation that seek after a sign
(see Matt. 12:39; 16:4) and Jesus gave them the same answer He would do later: that of
His death and resurrection (the sign of the prophet Jonas). The one sign that will

hopefully be the answer to all their doubts and unbelief so that they will accept Him as
their Saviour.
Here He gave the same answer in the form of the destruction of that temple (Herod’s)
that He will raise up in three days. This is the third New Testament prophecy in John
where He no doubt pointed to His body - this temple.
With Christ’s death, the New Testament period started (Matt. 26:28; 1Cor. 11:25; Heb.
9:15) and temple service was abolished. God now (during the New Testament period)
works through individuals and He clearly states in 1Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are
the temple of the Holy Ghost and He warns us through the Apostle John in Revelation
2:9; 3:9 that there will be those that blaspheme because they say they are Jews, and are
not, but are the synagogue of satan. Service to God now comes through the body of Christ
(1Cor. 12:27; Ep. 4:12), thus each individual that is consecrated to Him for His glory and
honour (1Pet. 2:21-22) and not through a temple or synagogue (Acts 7:48; 17:24).
The rebuilding of the temple was commenced by Herod the Great, 20 B.C. Herod tore
down Zerubbabel’s temple to make it larger and better.
When Jesus has risen from the dead (Matt. 27:51-53; 28:6; 1Cor. 15:12-23), His
disciples remembered His words and they believed the Scripture – that was given to Christ
of the Father (John 14:10).
What Is in Man?
John 2:23-25 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many
believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit
himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of
man: for he knew what was in man.
The purpose of miracles has always been that we must believe in His name – the name
above all names – Jesus (Php. 2:9). Jesus prayed in John 11:42 to the Father: “I knew
that thou hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may
believe that thou hast sent me.”
Jesus didn’t trust men, for He knew they were not genuine in faith and character. Here is
an example of the gifts of knowledge and discerning of spirits (1Cor. 12:4-11). In Jeremiah
17:9 we read that the heart (of all men) is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it? God answers in verse 10 that He searches the heart, He tries
the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
doings.
Be Born Again
John 3:1-4 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the
Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art
a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou do, except God be
with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto him, How can a

man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be
born?
There was a man - Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews; He was a Jewish Rabbi, member of
the Sanhedrin, and one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. He came to Jesus (John
3:1); He testified for Him (John 7:50-51); and He did service for Him (John 19:39).
Nicodemus didn’t come to Jesus by night because of personal shame like the disciples in
John 20:19. It was more from fear than shame (John 7:50; 19:38-39). Through centuries
Christians who were not ashamed of Christ did do things for fear of persecutors and this
was wisdom in most cases.
‘We know that thou art a teacher come from God’ - evidently, the rulers had come to this
conclusion, but the majority were too rebellious, to be honest and sincere.
‘God be with him’ – the secret of power (Acts 10:38) for those who belong to God.
‘Except a man be born again,’ the Greek word for born is gennethe, and again is anothen,
which means to be begotten from above. It literally means there must be a transformation
from God and a renewal in righteousness and true holiness to be saved (2Cor. 5:17-21;
Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 1:13-14, 20; 2:12-17; 3:1-16).
‘He cannot see the kingdom of God’ the Greek word for ‘to see’ is eidon, which is not so
much the mere act of looking, but the actual perception of the kingdom and its realities.
‘Be born’ Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus and thought only in human terms. Millions
today make the same mistake in comparing the new birth with the old birth. This is the
very thing Jesus did not want men to do (John 3:12). The truth is: one is a begetting and a
coming into existence; the other is an adoption (Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5).
Born of Water and of the Spirit

John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh
is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, You
must be born again. The wind blow where it listed, and thou hear the sound thereof, but
cannot tell whence it come, and whither it go: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
‘Born of water and of the Spirit’ does not refer to the natural birth, for Nicodemus already
had this birth and he was told he had to be born again of both water and Spirit. Not water
baptism; all Old Testament saints were saved and born again without water baptism
(Heb. 11:1-40; Rom. 3:23-25).
Water is used in a figurative sense of salvation (John 4:14; Isa. 12:3), of the Spirit baptism
(John 7:37-39), and of cleansing by the Word of God (John 15:3; Eph. 5:26). Since men
are cleansed and born again by the Word (Jas. 1:18; 1Pet. 1:23), it is clear that being
born of water means being born again by the Word of God.
‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ This
is a fundamental law in both natural and spiritual realms; that is, we live after the flesh or
after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-26).
‘So is every one that is born of the Spirit’ as the natural man hears the wind, so the man
who is born again hears the voice of the Spirit.

The Son of Man Be Lifted Up
John 3:9-14 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus
answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and know not these things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen;
and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how
shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up
The question Nicodemus asked Christ should have been clear to him if he had known
such Scripture as Jeremiah 31:33; 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; 36:25-27; Psalm 51:10;
Isaiah 1:18-20; 55:6 which says “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in
their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
‘Art thou a master of Israel, and know not these things?’ Jesus expected him to know the
Scriptures enough to be saved, but he was like most people today, even many ministers
who do not know what the new birth is.
‘You receive not our witness’ This is the only hint that Nicodemus at this time went away
in doubt about spiritual things, but later it is clear he accepted them (John 19:39).
The earthly things in this passage are in John 3:6 and 8 and the heavenly in John 3:3, 5, 6
and 8.
The Greek word for ‘ascended up’ is anabaino which means to go up of own power, not
taken up as was Enoch (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5), Elijah (2Kin. 2:11), Paul (2Cor. 12:1-3),
and John (Rev. 4:1). This refers to the ascension of Christ (John 3:13; 6:62; Acts 1:11;
Lk. 24:51; Eph. 4:8-10). Christ ascended and came back before His final ascension to
heaven to stay (John 20:17).
The verse ‘is in heaven’ proves that Jesus had already ascended when John wrote this
book; that the conversation with Nicodemus ended with John 3:12; and that Jesus was
now in heaven.
The fourth New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled ‘And as Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up (Num. 21:9; John
8:28; 12:32, 34; 1Pet. 2:24). It behoved Christ to be crucified in order to fulfil prophecy
and to redeem man (Lk. 24:26, 46; Acts 3:18; 17:3).
Faith
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
‘Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life’ this verse states the
reason for the crucifixion (John 3:15-17, 36; 5:24). There is no exception - all can be
saved (John 3:15-17; 1Tit. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9).
The word ‘believeth’ denotes the act and process of faith. It comes from the Greek verb
pisteuo which occurs 248 times in the New Testament. This use of the present tense
indicates that faith must be continued in to receive its benefits (Acts 14:22; Eph. 6:16; Col.
1:23; 1Tim. 2:15; 3:9; 6:12; 2Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:13; 2Pet. 1:5-10). Faith can be lost
(1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8, 12; 6:10, 21; 2Tim. 2:18; 3:8).

Faith means: To be persuaded of (Rom. 4:17-22; 8:38-39; 2Tim. 1:12); to place
confidence in (Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:6; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 10:35; 1Jn. 3:21; 5:14); it is the
substance or conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen (Heb. 10:19-
38; 11:1, 6; Rom. 4:17; 8:24); it is an absolute dependence upon and reliance in the
Word of God and of Christ (Matt. 8:8-10; 15:28; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1-12:3); it means
to fully surrender, yield, and have obedience to all known truth (Rom. 1:5; 6:11-23;
16:26; Jas. 2:14-26; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Heb. 11:6); to trust wholly and unreservedly in the
faithfulness of God (Matt. 6:25-34; 12:21; 1Tim. 4:11; 6:17; 1Cor. 10:13); to give one’s
self over to a new way of life (Rom. 1:17; 6:11-23; 8:1-16; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 12:1-15;
1Jn. 1:7; 2:6; 3:8-10; 4:17; 5:1-5, 18); it is the attribute of God and restored faculty of
man whereby both can bring into existence things that are unseen (Rom. 4:17; Gal. 5:22;
Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Lk. 17:6; Heb. 11:1-40); it is the whole body
of revealed truth (Rom. 10:17; 1Tim. 4:1, 6; 6:10; 2Tim. 3:16-17); to have joyful faith in,
and acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sin and our Savior whereby one receives
salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31); have access to grace
(Rom. 5:2); fulfillment of the promises (Heb. 6:12); the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14);
righteousness (Rom. 4:1-25; 9:30, 32; 10:6; Php. 3:9); sonship (Gal. 3:26); healing (Jas.
5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:24); eternal life (John 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 6:47); and answers to every
prayer (Mat. 7:7-11; 21:21; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16).
The Greek word for ‘perish’ is apollumi, which means to destroy (Matt. 10:28); lose
(Matt. 10:39); die (John 18:14); be lost (2Cor. 4:3); be marred (Mark 2:22); and perish
(Matt. 8:25; 18:14; Heb. 1:11). It never means annihilation. Here it simply means the loss
of the souls in eternal hell.
Be Saved
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his
Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believe on him is not condemned: but he that believe not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Greek word for world is kosmos which means the social system. ‘Only begotten of
the Father’ Jesus is and was and always will be the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14,
18; 3:18; 1Jn. 4:9). ‘Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish:’ there is no
exception - all can be saved 1Titus 2:3-4 says: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.”
Everlasting means aionios in Greek and translates as an unknown time, time out of mind
and eternity. The life itself is eternal. Man’s possession of it does not change its nature or
existence. It is eternal whether man ever gets it or not. It is still eternal whether man loses
it or not. It is like an eternal diamond or anything else eternal. Eternal life is only in Jesus.
All who are in Him have this eternal life and all out of Him do not have it.

Condemn – the Greek word krino - means to judge. The next time the Son is sent to the
world it will be to judge (Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46) at His second coming.
The ‘name of the only begotten Son of God:’ His name means Saviour and anyone who
does not believe it and take Him as such, cannot be saved.
Do Truth
John 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that do evil
hate the light, neither come to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that do
truth come to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in
God.
The word ‘condemnation’ is krisis in Greek and means judgment, or basis of judgment, and
not the result of it. Those who loved darkness rather than light are the lovers of sin (Job
15:16; Pro. 2:14-15; 2Pet. 2:20-22).
The ‘evil’ things they do are worthless, base things (Greek: phaulos). Those who sin hate
the light because the light brings reprove (rebuke, reprimand) to their actions, and
evildoers do not want to stop living in sin.
He that does truth will actively produce gospel fruit by being a doer of the Word (Jas.
1:22-27; 2:14-26; Mat. 5:16; 7:15-20) because he came to the light that his deeds might
be manifest. “You shall know them by their fruits.” Mat 7:16
All Things
John 3:22-27 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and
there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to
Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John
was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples
and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that
was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptize,
and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it
be given him from heaven.
Jesus left Jerusalem after the Passover and was either back in Samaria or Galilee (John
2:13). According to John 4:2, Jesus himself did not baptize, but His disciple did.
John the Baptist was baptizing in Aenon (Greek word Ainon which means springs), a
town on the west of Jordan, about 87 km northeast of Jerusalem in Samaria. There was
much water because of the many springs and streams that were suitable for baptizing.
The question that arose between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying,
was whether John’s baptism or the legal ceremonies of the Jews were the most effectual
to purify sin ceremonially.
John’s answer: “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” How
literally true! We earn and deserve nothing, but God gives us all things that pertain to life
and godliness - now and hereafter (2Pet. 1:3-11; 2Cor. 1:20).

Friend of the Bridegroom
John 3:28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am
sent before him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom,
which stand and hear him, rejoice greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy
therefore is fulfilled.
The friend of the bridegroom is the one who played an important part in the wedding
ceremonies, and sometimes conducted the negotiations between the bride and groom. The
friend, at the time of the first meeting of the bride and groom, stands just outside the door
to hear how delighted the groom is about his bride.
‘This my joy, therefore, is fulfilled’ This does not mean John was not to be a member of
the future bride of Christ, for he will be. The heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, is the
bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2, 9-10). All Old Testament saints (Heb. 11:10-16) and all New
Testament saints will go there (Heb. 13:14; John 14:1-3). This includes John the Baptist
and other saints of all ages from Abel to the end of the first resurrection (1Cor. 15:23, 51-
58; 1Thess. 4:16; Rev. 20:4-6). All John expresses here is the fact that he is not the
bridegroom, but his friend, as are all saints who are friends of the bridegroom (John
15:13-15). As John invited people to Christ, so do all the members of the bride (Rev.
22:17).
God is True!
John 3:30-33 He must increase, but I must decrease. He that come from above is above
all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is
above all. And what he has seen and heard, that he testify; and no man receive his
testimony. He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true.
‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ Jesus must be exalted in our lives above all else.
We are not to be arrogant and self-important, but to take a sane view of ourselves: that
we cannot be complete without Him.
Christ that comes from above is above all, and He testified of what He has seen and
heard, but men did not receive His testimony.
‘Set to his seal’ the Greek word sphragizo means to stamp, confirm, place beyond doubt.
So for those who do accept Christ’s testimony, will confirm beyond doubt that God is true!
Without Measure
John 3:34-36 For he whom God has sent speak the words of God: for God give not the
Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loves the Son, and hath given all things into his
hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life; but the wrath of God abide on him.
Christ said to Philip in John 14:10 that the words He spoke unto them (the disciples) He
spoke not of Himself: but of the Father that dwell in Him (was in union with Him). Jesus
was baptized with the Spirit and not just filled by measure. He had the Spirit ‘without
measure’ (Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1; Luke 4:16-21; Acts 10:38) and was thus endued with
power for service.

He that believes on Christ – His life, death and resurrection (1Jn. 1:6-7), His testimony
(1Pet. 2:21-23), and obey the Words He spoke, shall have eternal life; but judgement for
those who do not believe (Greek = apeitheo) who will not allow one’s self to be
persuaded to comply with, or to obey, where belief implies obedience and not only mental
acceptance of a historical fact.
‘The wrath of God abides on him’ where wrath in Greek here is the word orge, which
means temper, agitation of the soul, violent emotion, anger, wrath, indignation, hence used
of punishment itself. Here it is God’s attribute manifested in punishing the rebellion and sin
of man (Rom. 1:18; 4:15; 9:22; 2Thes. 1:1-12:16; Heb. 3:11; 4:3; Rev. 14:10).
Meeting the Samaritan Woman

John 4:3-9 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go
through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus
therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth
hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus say unto her, Give me to
drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then say the woman
of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a
woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus left Judaea to go to Galilee and needed to go through Samaria, firstly because it was
three days closer and secondly, to meet up with the Samaritan woman who was in need of
a Saviour. He arrived at Jacob’s well at the sixth hour - about 12:00 noon – in the city
Sychar, which means falsehood and drunkenness, a name of reproach given to Shechem.
Here He met the woman from Samaria, that came to draw water, and He asked her for a
drink because His disciples were in the city to buy meat. She responded by asking Him
why He as a Jew asked her, a Samaritan woman, for water because the Jews have no
dealings (Greek: sungchraomai), have no familiar interaction or hospitality with the
Samaritans’. Young men who wished to marry went to the wells where young women
were accustomed to come and draw water.
The Gift of God

John 4:10-15 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it
is that say to thee, Give me to drink; thou would have asked of him, and he would have
given thee living water. The woman say unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and
the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our
father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his
cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drink of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that
I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The
woman say unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
‘The gift of God’ according to the Word is Christ (2Cor. 9:15; Heb. 6:4; Rom. 8:32); the
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39; 8:20; 10:45; 11:17); Spiritual gifts (Rom. 1:11; 11:29; 12:6;

Eph. 3:7; 4:7); Salvation (Rom. 5:15-21; Acts 4:12; Eph.2:8-9); Eternal life (Rom. 6:23;
John 10:27-29); Divine call (1Cor. 7:7; Rom. 12:3-6; Eph. 3:7; 4:7); Good gifts (Jas.
1:17; Mat. 7:11); Ministers (Eph. 4:8-11).
‘The living water’ - ten gifts of this Gospel: Grace and truth (John 1:17); the Living water
(John 4:10); the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; 14:16); a perfect example (John 13:15);
God’s Word (John 13:34; 17:8, 14); the glory of God (John 17:22); the true bread (John
6:32); Eternal life (John 6:33; 10:27-29); Peace (John 14:27); and answers to prayer
(John 15:16; 16:23). The woman did request for this gift of God that was here the living
water that Christ offered to her.
Eastern travellers frequently carry a leather bucket with which to draw water from public
wells. This well was about 32 metres deep, 2.7m in diameter and had 4.5m of water. It
was cut out of solid rock and showed the engineering skill of ancient times.
The Gift of Knowledge

John 4:16-20 Jesus say unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman
answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no
husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy
husband: in that said thou truly. The woman say unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a
prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the
place where men ought to worship.
‘Go, call thy husband’ this was Christ’s way of getting to the root of her trouble, so He
could legally give her salvation. Christ knew by the Holy Spirit’s gift of knowledge that she
had five husbands; and the one whom she was with was not her husband, (1Cor. 12:4-
11). He could see her past and read her thoughts, as He did with others (Mat. 9:4; 12:25;
Luke 5:22; 6:8; 11:17; John 2:24-25).
This knowledge about her past life startled her and she concluded that He was a prophet
with power. She quickly changed the subject lest he exposes more of her life.
Mt. Gerizim, the mount of blessing, just across a narrow valley from Mt. Ebal, the mount
of cursing (Deut. 11:29; 27:12-26; Jos. 8:33). Jotham addressed Israel here (Jdg. 9:7).
About 332 B.C. Sanballet, governor of Samaria under the Persians, and who opposed
Israel under Nehemiah (Neh. 4:7-13:28), went over to the side of Alexander the Great
who gave him permission to build a temple on Mt. Gerizim like the one in Jerusalem. He
built it for his son-in-law, Manasseh, and made him High Priest. The Samaritans
established rival worship to Jerusalem and accepted the Pentateuch as their Bible. The
great controversy between Jews and Samaritans was whether to worship on Gerizim or
Moriah. Since Christ’s words proved Him to be a prophet, the woman seized upon the
opportunity to have this question answered.
The Hour Come

John 4:21-26 Jesus say unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour come, when you shall
neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship you know
not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour come, and

now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
Father seek such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth. The woman says unto him, I know that Messias come, which is
called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus say unto her, I that speak
unto thee am he.
Jesus answered the woman on her question from verse 20, the hour cometh, when you
shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father which is the sixth
New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled. The answer embodies a great principle,
that true worship is that of the heart and not of or at any particular place.
‘Father’ the Greek word is pater, and when used of God it expresses relationship and
parentage to His "only begotten Son," and to adopted sons (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph.
1:5).
‘Salvation is of the Jews’ - the salvation predicted by the prophets was to come through the
Messiah of the Jews (Luke 2:30; Rom. 3:1-2; 9:4-5; 1Pet. 1:10-12).
The hour is here now when true worshippers shall worship God in Truth, thus in Christ
who is the Word (John 1:1,14,17; 14:6). ‘In spirit’ the area of the mind where our
thoughts are produced and of which we are commanded to renew our minds (Rom. 12:2;
Eph. 4:23).
God is a Spirit Being, and must therefore, be worshipped ‘in spirit,’ not the sun, moon,
stars; nor an image of wood, stone, or metal; and not beast or man. He is not the air,
wind, universal mind, love or some impersonal quality. He has a personal spirit (Psa.
143:10; Isa. 30:1) with a mind (Rom. 11:34), intelligence (Gen. 1:26; Rom. 11:33), will
(Rom. 8:27; 9:19), power (Eph. 1:19; 3:7, 20; Heb. 1:3), truth (Psa. 91:4), faith and
hope (Rom. 12:3; 1Cor. 13:13), righteousness (Psa. 45:4), faithfulness (1Cor. 10:13),
knowledge and wisdom (Isa. 11:2; 1Tim. 1:17), reason (Isa. 1:18), discernment (Heb.
4:12), immutability (Heb. 6:17), and many other attributes, powers, and spirit faculties.
His Meat
John 4:27-34 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the
woman: yet no man said, What seek thou? or, Why talk thou with her? The woman then
left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and say to the men, Come, see a man,
which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the
city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you know not of. Therefore said the
disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus says unto them,
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
The disciples marvelled, not only because there were no dealings between Jews and
Samaritans, but because Jewish etiquette and the Talmud forbade Rabbis to converse
with women in public or instruct them in the law. No Rabbi could even converse with his
wife, sister, or daughter in public and in the street.

The woman then left her waterpot, and went into the city, and said to the men there”
“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” It may
be that Christ did tell her all about her life, so her report was no exaggeration.
‘I have meat to eat that you know not of’ Jesus referred to refreshment or soul satisfaction
that they have not learned. He delighted in converting the Samaritans (John 4:34).
‘My meat is to do the will of him that sent me’ – Jesus did the will of His Father and that is
the true sustenance of life for us, to do God’s will (Rom. 12:1-2; 1Jn. 2:17) and to
accomplish what we were created for – no matter what we choose as a profession or
where to life or whom to marry – to represent Christ on earth so that others can by our
walk in life, be turned to a godly life (1Pet. 2:21-22).
The Harvest
John 4:35-39 Say not you, There are yet four months, and then come harvest? behold, I
say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest. And he that reap receive wages, and gather fruit unto life eternal: that both he
that sow and he that reap may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One sow,
and another reap. I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labour: other men
laboured, and you are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city
believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I
did.
The harvest began after the Passover in April, so the four months before this would be in
December. ‘Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.’
This refers to the Samaritans that were coming out of the city to hear Him. The harvest of
souls was already at hand, produced in one day. The lesson is that we are not to sit and
wait four months for spiritual harvests; we can have an immediate harvest of the seed
sown by living out God’s love to us indeed (by our example) and not through our words (1
Jn. 3:18) in our daily dealings with others.
Christ had sown the seed in the woman and had already received wages of gratification of
saving souls. He had sown and gathered fruit unto life eternal the same day, so the sower
and the reaper, who here were one and the same person, rejoiced over the harvest of that
day (comp. 1Cor. 3:6-9).
Verse 38 simply states that Christ had sent the disciples out to reap benefits of the labours
and to carry on the work of the prophets and others before them, including Himself and
John the Baptist. They had already baptized many and had preached and healed many
(Matt. 10:1-42; Luke 9:1-62; 10:1-42; John 4:2). ‘Believed on him’ - This brings the new
birth and eternal life (John 3:15-18; 1Jn. 5:1).
There is no proof that the woman was a prostitute. Her five husbands could have died, or
they could have legally divorced her, for divorce then was easy to get. Men divorced for
"every cause" (Matt. 19:1-12). It was not always that Deuteronomy 24:1 applied: "and it
comes to pass that she find no favour in his eyes because he hath found some uncleanness
in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement." Rabbis now ignored this, giving
divorces for minor causes. Whether the Samaritan allowed divorce or repeated

widowhood is not known. The one "whom thou now hast" may have only been under
contract to her and they had not yet come together as man and wife (John 4:18).
Receiving Jesus
John 4:40-45 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he
would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of
his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for
we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the
world. Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself
testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Then when he was come into
Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at
the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
‘He abode there two days’ - This is another of many customs of the Jews that was broken
by Jesus. Talking to the woman itself was breaking rabbinical law, and having fellowship
with Samaritans for two days would have been unpardonable in the eyes of the Pharisees
(John 4:9). Jesus taught being neighbourly to those whom one could help, so here He
practised what He preached (Luke 10:29-37).
‘Many more believed because of his own word’ - Two groups of "many" (John 4:39,
4:41) made a large congregation.
These Samaritans believed He was the Saviour of Gentiles as well as Jews. They were
not like the other Samaritans that would not receive Him (Luke 9:51-56). Receiving Jesus
will make a change in any life, community, or nation.
Jesus and His disciples left after two days to continue their journey to Galilee. His native
country was Judea - His town, Bethlehem (Mic. 5:1-2; Matt. 2:1-23). His adopted
country was Galilee. Judea rejected Him, but Galilee received Him (John 4:45).
Nazareth, His adopted home town, rejected Him, but not all of Galilee (Luke 4:16-30).
The Nobleman
John 4:46-54 ...And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and
besought him that he would come down, and heals his son: for he was at the point of
death. Then said Jesus unto him, except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
The nobleman say unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go
thy way; thy son live. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and
he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him,
saying, Thy son live. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And
they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew
that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son live: and himself
believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he
was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
The nobleman was either an officer or prince, (Acts 12:20-21; Jas. 2:8) one of the royal
family or an officer of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. This was not the same

miracle like that of the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8:5-12 and Luke 7:1-10. The two
miracles differ as to time, place, plea, the Lord’s answer, and the man’s faith, as can be
seen from a comparison.
‘Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe’ - a statement showing the lack of
absolute faith that the centurion of Matthew 8 demonstrated. Signs and wonders are given
to make believers (Mark 16:15-20; John 5:20-36; 9:3-4; 10:25-38; 14:10-15). This is
why Jesus went with him. If he did not at first believe, he did after Jesus gave him the
promise of verse 50. Wanting to see works is nowhere condemned. It is when they are
done and men still reject God that judgment will fall (Mat. 11:20-23; Luke 10:13).
‘Thy son live’ – is the seventh New Testament prophecy fulfilled in John. ‘And the man
believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him and he went his way.’ - This, after all,
is faith (Rom. 4:17; 10:17; Heb. 11:1). When faith is truly exercised one can go his way
in absolute assurance that the work is done. Note that no definite prayer was given;
merely a prophecy and a promise.
‘Began to amend’ - One of the most used scriptures today by certain ones who pray for the
sick. It is said that Jesus did not always heal instantly, but sometimes gradually, so we are
not always to expect an instantaneous healing. This is not the truth. It not only belittles the
work of Christ but demonstrates that some teachers have no faith for an instantaneous
miracle. This boy was healed the very hour Jesus said he would live (John 4:53) without
medicine. If men today can get healing this quickly it will be like that which Jesus gave.
‘Whole house’ - If whole houses are saved, then they must all believe and be prepared to
serve God. God saves no one on the faith of others.
Bethesda
John 5:1-8 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew
tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of
blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a
certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the
troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a
certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him
lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he say unto him, Wilt thou
be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another step down before me.
Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
This was the second feast Jesus attended at Jerusalem where Jesus asked a man if he
wanted to be healed. The pool where the man laid was located at the Sheep Gate which
was not a market as stated in verse 2. (When a word is printed in italics, it means there is
nothing in the Greek language for this word.) It was a swimming pool in the shape of a
pentagon and it was called Bethesda, which means house of mercy - a public infirmary. It
had five arches, a covered colonnade where people could be protected from the weather.

Weak, sickly, and helpless people waited for the moving of the water by an angel that
came only seasonal into the pool to disrupt the water and whoever went in was made
whole of whatsoever disease they had.
Jesus knew that the man had been lame a long time and He asked him if he wanted to be
healed. This is the third great miracle recorded in John. Why Jesus did not heal others
that were here is not explained for we know it is God’s desire to heal everybody,
otherwise, He would be impartial and the stripes of Christ would be in vain for some (Isa.
53:4-5; Matt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24).
Jesus commanded the man to rise, take up his bed, and walk. A simple action necessary to
confirm obedience and faith to enable this miracle as is with all other miracles.
Made Whole
John 5:9-18 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked:
and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured,
It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that
made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they
him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was
healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in
that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art
made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told
the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews
persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath
day.
The man obeyed Christ by ‘rising-up’ and was healed even before he took his bed and
walked. It was on the sabbath and it was unlawful to carry anything from a public place to
a private place, and vice versa and thus the Rabbis asked him who told him to take up his
bed and walk? He answered them that it was ‘He that made me whole.’
When they questioned him more on the Healer’s identity, he could not answer them,
because he did not know that it was Jesus and because Jesus withdrew from the
multitude that was in that place. He knew the hatred of the leaders and the result of His
breaking their man-made laws.
Afterwards, Jesus found him in the temple, and said unto him, ‘Behold, thou art made
whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.’ Sin always brings back the curse
(sickness and disease – Pro. 26:2).
The man told the Jews that it was Jesus who healed him and it brought persecution
because it was done on a sabbath. God hated sabbaths and predicted He would do away
with them (Isa. 1:13-15; Hos. 2:11). God hates any law, ritual, or form of religion that
violates good and exalts pride and hypocrisy.

Emptied Himself
John 5:17-18 But Jesus answered them, My Father work hitherto, and I work. Therefore
the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said
also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
God the Father works on all days in upholding Heaven and Earth and running its infinite
mechanism; He works in providence, watching over and caring for all creation of
dependent creatures, so here Christ worked in healing on the sabbath, in providing food
for the hungry, and performing acts of mercy and love. This was the true principle of
sabbath observance if there is to be any recognition of one day above another (Rom. 14:5-
6). We are not to rest in indolence or merely rest from physical and mental toll, but we
are to follow the divine examples and "do good on the sabbath days" (Mat. 12:12; Mark
2:27-28; 3:4; Luke 6:9; 13:16; John 7:22-23; Gal. 4:9-10).
‘Hitherto, and I work’ refers to the delegated authority given to Jesus Christ by the Father
(John 5:19-40; Heb. 1:1-2). He was working the works that the Father gave Him to do.
‘But said also that God was his Father’ This was another reason for wanting to kill Him.
All Jews considered God as their Father, but here they understood Him to mean that God
was His personal Father making Him equal with God. Before becoming man, Jesus was
equal with both the Father and the Holy Spirit. He had a spirit body and all the natural
attributes and powers like them; but in becoming man He laid aside this God-form and
"emptied Himself" to be like man (Php. 2:5-11).
The Authority of the Son

John 5:19-27 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
The Son can do nothing of himself, but what He see the Father do: for what things so
ever He does, these also does the Son likewise. For the Father love the Son, and showed
him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that you
may marvel. For as the Father raise up the dead, and quicken them; even so the Son
quicken whom he will. For the Father judge no man, but hath committed all judgment unto
the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that
honour not the Son honour not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that hear my word, and believe on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son
of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given
to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also,
because he is the Son of man.
The Son does the same works as the Father in perfect union with Him and His will. No
person of the Trinity acts independently of the others. During His ‘self-emptying’ life He
was an agent of the Father, who worked through Him by the Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:2; 61:1;
Acts 10:38).
The Son was limited in knowledge and wisdom and power during the days of His flesh
(Isa. 50:4; Luke 2:40, 52; Mat. 11:25-27; 24:36; Acts1:6-8). The eight New Testament

prophecy in John ‘and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel’
was fulfilled in the increased works of Christ.
‘So the Son quicken whom He will.’ Jesus had unlimited and absolute authority from God
by the fullness of the Spirit (John 3:34) to act as He willed in resurrecting men (John
5:28-29; 6:39; 11:25). The Father will judge the world by Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31; 12:1-
25:48).
‘Even as they honour the Father’ This absolute equality with the Father in honour proves
His deity and membership in the Trinity (1Jn. 5:7).
He that obeys God’s Word and believe (trust without doubt) in the Father, have
everlasting (eternal) life and will not come to judgment before God, but as for all men the
law of sowing and reaping is always in effect (Gal. 6:7-8) and anyone can still fall away
from grace when they sin wilfully (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-31).
To pass from death unto life happens when 2 Corinthians 5:17 come to pass: “ Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new.” See also 1 John 3:14 and Galatians 5:24.
Resurrection of Life
John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
The ninth New Testament prophecy in John: ‘The hour is coming, and now is, when the
dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live’ are fulfilled and
continuously being fulfilled as men turn to God for salvation. They that hear shall live
(Acts 3:19; Rom. 10:9-17). ‘So hath He given to the Son to have life in himself’ - As God,
this could not be true, but as the Son of man all life-giving powers and all authority to
redeem and judge were given by the Father through the Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1;
Acts10:38; Mat. 12:28).
The tenth New Testament prophecy in John is unfulfilled ‘for the hour is coming, in the
which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have
done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.’ Jesus is saying that we must not marvel at
His power to resurrect souls from death in sin (John 5:25; Eph. 2:1-9) and that He will
also resurrect dead bodies from the grave (John 5:28-29; 1Cor. 15:20-23; Rev. 20:4-15).
Only the bodies die at physical death (Jas. 2:26) and only the bodies go into the graves to
await physical resurrection (John 5:28-29). All scriptures on the future resurrection of the
dead refer to the bodies that sleep in the graves, not to the souls and spirits which are
immortal and do not sleep in the graves. The righteous are in a conscious state in heaven
(2Cor. 5:8; Eph. 4:8-10; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev. 6:9-11) and the wicked are
conscious in hell (Luke 16:19-21; Isa. 14:9; Rev. 20:11-15). The souls and spirits of all
men will be brought back from heaven or hell to the place where the bodies were buried
and God will then resurrect them so that they will hear the voice of the Son of God and
come forth to live forever in heaven or hell (Dan. 12:2; 1Thes. 4:13-18). The bodies
cannot come forth out of the graves lifeless and dead, so when the souls and spirits reunite

with the bodies in the resurrection they will come forth like Christ did when His soul and
spirit came back from hell to the body in the tomb and He came out of the grave (Psa.
16:10; Mat. 12:40; 28:1-6; Eph. 4:8-10).
The righteous that ‘have done good’ (Greek: poieo, from which we get the word poem)
refers not so much to individual acts of goodness as to character, nature, and conduct. The
righteous that are ‘blessed and holy’ (Rev. 20:4-6); that ‘are Christ’s’ (1Cor. 15:23, 51-58;
Gal. 5:24); that are ‘worthy’ (Luke 21:36); that are ‘in Christ’ (1Thes. 4:16-17; 2Cor.
5:17); that are in ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:1-6); that have purified
themselves ‘even as He is pure’ (1Jn. 3:2-3); that are without spot or wrinkle and without
blemish and are the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:27; 1Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:18, 24) -
these will be resurrected to eternal life 1,000 years before the wicked (John 5:29; Dan.
12:2). The wicked will be resurrected to eternal punishment and damnation 1,000 years
after the resurrection of the righteous (Dan. 12:2; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:4-6, 11-15; 21:8;
22:15).
Witnesses to Jesus
John 5:30-38 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is
just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I
bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that bears witness of me;
and I know that the witness which he witness of me is true. You sent unto John, and he
bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say,
that you might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a
season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works
which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me,
that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne
witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And you
have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent him you believe not.
The Son can do nothing of Himself (John 5:17,19, 30; 8:18, 28); He seeks not His own
will, but the will of the Father (John 6:38); His doctrine is not His, but the Father’s who
sent Him (John 7:16; 8:26,38).John 5:31
‘If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.’ For a witness to be legally true and
acceptable there must be two or three witnesses (Deut. 17:6).
‘Another that bear witness of me’ this refers to the Father (John 7:28; 8:26; Mat. 3:17;
17:5). He did not here refer to John the Baptist who also witnessed of Him (John 5:33-
35), but to the Father and the works which are greater witnesses than John (John 5:36-
38).
John the Baptist ‘was a burning and a shining light’ which was a common rabbinic idiom
for a famous man; the Jews rejoiced in him for a season, thus did they believed John to be
a prophet. A prophet cannot lie, so why didn’t they believe what John said of Christ (John
1:29)?
‘You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His shape.’ - You Jews here today
have never heard the Father’s voice as did Israel at Sinai (Deut. 5:22-33 and others in

Mat. 3:17; 17:5); nor have you seen His shape as men in other ages have seen His
physical form (Gen. 18:1-8; 32:24-30; Exo. 24:9-11; Jos. 5:13-15; Jdg. 6:11-23; 13:3-23;
etc). This proves that God has both a voice and a bodily shape.
Search the Scriptures

John 5:39-47 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they
are they which testify of me. And you will not come to me, that you might have life. I
receive not honour from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I
am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own
name, him you will receive. How can you believe, which receive honour one of another,
and seek not the honour that come from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to
the Father: there is one that accuse you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you
believed Moses, you would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if you believe not
his writings, how shall you believe my words?
Jesus accused the Jews of searching the Scriptures because they think they can find
eternal life therein, whereas the Scriptures testify of Jesus giving eternal life to those who
believe He is from the Father, yet the Jews rejected Him and thus they searched in vain.
‘Testify of me’ - His "works" were only indirect testimonies; the Father Himself has given
direct testimony concerning Jesus (John 5:30-37; Mat. 3:17; 17:5). That kind of testimony
cannot be derived by the Jews, for they have never heard the Father’s voice; (John 5:37)
neither do they have the direct witness of the Spirit as all believers have, for they do not
have His Word in them and they refuse to believe in Christ whom the Father has sent
(John 5:38, 40). Yet there is one form of direct testimony of Jesus that they (and all
others) can know - that is, if you will search the Scriptures.
Christ has never sought men’s honour - Greek: doxa, meaning approval or praise. The
eleventh New Testament prophecy in John that is unfulfilled: ‘I am come in my Father’s
name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will
receive.’ All Christ’s works were done in the name of His Father (John 10:25). The
future Antichrist will be received by the Jews and they will make a seven-year covenant
with him (Dan. 8:25; 9:27). Just as so many come today in Christ Jesus’ name as
deceivers (Matt. 24:5, 11, 24) and they have so many followers, yet He will at the time of
judgement send them away (Matt. 7:22-23) for misusing His name and His Word (2Tim.
4:2-4).
Christ warned the Jews that they must not think He will have to accuse them, they
considered Him an enemy, but Moses whom they trusted as a friend will accuse and
condemn them in the judgment day.
‘But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?’ Here Christ bears
full testimony to the divine authorship and authority of the Pentateuch. He also affirms that
no man can believe His words if he does not believe Moses’ writings, for they confirm
each other.

Feeding the Five Thousand
John 6:1-3, 5-6,11 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea
of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he
did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with
his disciples. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto
him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he
said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. And Jesus took the loaves; and
when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that
were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
After Jesus’ second visit to Jerusalem to attend the second feast of the Jews, He went
back to Galilee and passed over the Sea of Galilee. Tiberias is a city on the western shore
of the Sea of Galilee from which the sea got its name. Great multitudes followed Him
because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased.
Jesus went up the mountains where He sat with His disciples and then saw a great
company come unto Him: He then asked where they shall buy bread so the multitudes can
eat; He already knew what He was going to do.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, solved the problem for a very few, but Jesus solved it for
the very many (John 6:9-13). He found a baker boy with his basket of barley loaves. Such
boys are seen among crowds even today in the East.
On all such occasions, Jesus gave thanks to God for blessings already provided, putting
emphasis on thankfulness rather than asking for food to be blessed. Everyone ate as much
as they could eat, not only "take a little," as expressed by Philip in John 6:7.
Twelve Baskets Filled

John 6:12-15 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments
that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve
baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto
them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did,
said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus
therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he
departed again into a mountain himself alone.
‘Nothing be lost’ It is always a divine principle to use everything possible and waste
nothing. God has always followed the principle of creating everything for a purpose and of
using everything according to the created purpose. They filled twelve baskets which was
twice as much leftover as when they started and yet 5,000 men were filled and fully
satisfied. The twelve baskets refer one for each of the apostles.
‘That prophet’ the one spoken of in the law and prophets, refers to the Messiah (John
1:21, 45).
‘Therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king’ -
this notable miracle was sufficient to cause an immediate political rally to make Christ king
of the Jews. A man that could do this could defeat the Romans and the whole world, so
they tried to take Him by force and make Him a king. Jesus did what every man must learn

to do in times of popularity and temptation to be exalted over success - He slipped away
from the crowd into some secret place to pray. What a lesson to learn! Would to God
many men today who are constantly seeking to exalt themselves as God’s man of the hour
would stumble on to this example and have grace to follow it. It is repulsive, to say the
least, to hear and see the self-exaltation of such men. Proverbs 16:18 will be fulfilled many
times in these days of pride and boastfulness over gifts and abilities, which, if really
received, should make men humble and dependent upon God and as nothing before men.
Jesus Walks on Water

John 6:16-21 And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And
entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and
Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So
when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on
the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is
I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship
was at the land whither they went.
The disciples went over the sea toward Capernaum when it was getting dark, and Jesus
was not with them. The sea became choppy and full of waves because of a great wind
that was blowing.
When they rowed about 6 kilometres or halfway across, they saw Jesus walking on the
sea. They perhaps thought Jesus would follow in a ship, but instead, He walked nearly 6
km on the water to help them in their new danger. He identified Himself to them by
saying: ‘It is I; be not afraid.’
‘Immediately the ship was at the land’ - this is one of the greatest miracles of all - a whole
ship taken from a storm in the middle of the sea was suddenly at the shore. It was no
doubt carried by God’s power like Philip was carried physically through the air (Acts 8:39-
40) about 40 kilometres to Azotus.
Everlasting Life
John 6:26-27 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, You seek me,
not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto
everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father
sealed.
The next day, the crowd from the previous day saw that there was no other boat there,
except the one His disciples entered with, and that Jesus did not go with His disciples in
the boat, but that His disciples left alone. When they therefore saw that Jesus was not
there, neither His disciples, they also went to Capernaum by ship, seeking Jesus.
When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him when He came over.
Jesus answered them that they seek Him not because they saw miracles, but because He
gave them food and they ate; not as being convinced by visible miracles, which should lead

godly men to acknowledge Him as Messiah, but as by appetite, which leads sensual men
like beasts through impulse of want and supply.
We get eternal life now and keep it forever if we meet the following conditions: Come to
Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65); know God and Christ (John 17:2-3); cause no offense
(Matt. 18:8-9); forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30); overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11,
17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21); live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14); fight
the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (1Tim. 6:12, 19); be sober and hope to the end for it
(Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13); endure temptations (Jas. 1:12); love everybody (1Jn.
3:14-15); keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24); be
faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15); believe and obey the gospel (John 3:15-
19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5); be born again, hear Christ, and
follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29).
BUT eternal life does not become an unforfeitable eternal possession until we enter into it
(Matt. 7:13; 18:8-9; 19:17; Rom. 6:22); receive it (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:13; Rev.
2:10); reap it (Gal. 6:7-8); and inherit it in the world to come (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark
10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30), and at the end of this life (Rom. 6:22).
‘Him has God the Father sealed’ - confirmed by giving Him the Holy Spirit without
measure (John 3:33-34).
Work the Works of God

John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works
of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on
him whom he hath sent.
‘Work the works of God’ - we are commanded to let men see our good works and glorify
God (Matt. 5:16) and to show faith by works (Jas. 1:22-27; 2:9-26). People "zealous of
good works" are the only kind that is redeemed (Tit. 2:11-14). A desire to do miracles is
not sinful if the motive is right. There can be a right and a wrong motive behind everything
and a right and wrong way to do everything. Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-14) and Adam (Gen. 3:1-
14) had a noble desire to be like God, but the motive behind it and the methods they used
were sinful. One should desire this more than his necessary food, but he must go about it
the way Christ set the example - by emptying Himself (Php. 2:5-11). Jesus did not rebuke
even these selfish people for wanting miraculous power. He gave them the only true
answer.
This answer to the question of what to do to work the works of God is the clearest one
possible. It gives the sum total of all answers to the question. It has been so lightly passed
over and limited in meaning to a mere faith that Jesus is the Son of God and to forgiveness
of sins only. How far from the whole truth this is! Faith and forgiveness are a part of what
is referred to, but not all. Receiving the power from on high to "work the works of God" is
included (Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:49; John 14:12).

I Am the Bread of Life
John 6:30-35 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may
see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it
is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives
you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from
heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us
this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
The Jews questioned Christ and asked Him to give them a sign to prove that He is the
Messiah and the Son of God. To them, His multiplying of bread didn’t prove it, because
Moses gave Israel bread for 40 years and He did not claim to be the Messiah or the Son of
God.
Jesus answers them that Moses did not give them the true bread that feeds the soul and
sustains eternal life, but mere temporal bread that feeds the body only (Exo. 16:15; Psa.
78:24). They still understood Him as speaking of temporal food.
John 6:35 is the twelfth New Testament prophecy in John that is being fulfilled. Jesus is
described as seven typologies in John: “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35-51); “I am the
Light of the World” (John 8:12; 9:5); “I am the Door of the Sheep” (John 10:7-9) “I am
the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11-14); “I am the Resurrection and Life” (John 11:25); “I
am the Way, Truth, and Life” (John 14:6); “I am the True Vine” (John 15:1-6).
Will never thirst because he can have "rivers of living water" flowing out of his innermost
being (John 7:37-39). The abundant fullness of the Holy Spirit will meet every need and
solve every problem (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; John 14:12-17, 26; 15:7, 16, 26; 16:7-15; Acts
1:4-8; 8:26).
Believe On Him
John 6:36-40 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. All that
the Father give me shall come to me; and him that come to me I will in no wise cast out.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him
that sent me, that every one which see the Son, and believe on him, may have everlasting
life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
‘That you also have seen me, and believe not’ Jesus explains to the Jews that God, and
not Moses, gave the bread to the Israelites, but the Jews have seen Him multiply bread
and do all kinds of signs and they still refuse to believe (trust) in Him. They only followed
Jesus from sensual motives (John 6:26-27).
The thirteenth New Testament prophecy is constantly being fulfilled in ‘All that the Father
gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out’ When one
‘comes to’ it means to come in faith, repenting and turning to Christ with a whole heart,

giving up sin, and consecrating himself forever to God and His Word and His will (Rom.
10:9-10; 2Cor. 7:10; 1Jn. 1:9; Acts 2:38-39; 3:19).
The fourteenth New Testament prophecy – ‘And this is the Father’s will… that of all
which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last
day….that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life;
and I will raise him up at the last day’ - is being fulfilled and will be completely fulfilled in
the resurrection (1Thess. 4:16-17; 1Cor. 15:23, 51-58).
The ‘last day’ is used six times of which five times refers to the last day of redemption of
the righteous when their bodies will be fully redeemed (John 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:24), and
of the last day when the wicked will be resurrected and judged (John 12:48; Rev. 20:11-
15).
Come Unto Me
John 6:41-46 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which
came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father
and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus
therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can
come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the
last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man
therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, come unto me. Not that any
man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.
As a last resort for their unbelief, the Jews always fell back on the excuse of ‘Is not this
Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith,
I came down from Heaven?’ The same excuse so many uses today to deny that Jesus is
God as the second person of the Trinity and not just a mere prophet.
The way the Father draws men to Him is always through the Word which is Jesus as
clearly explained in John 1:1, 14 and in John 14:6 it is stated that Jesus is the way, the
truth, and the life and no man can come to the Father, except through Jesus (the Word).
No man is able to come to God except by God’s Word through the Holy Spirit and his
own conscience, both of which are God-given (John 16:7-11; Rom. 2:12-16).
The Word must be heard for faith to grow (Rom. 10:11-17; 2Cor. 1:17-24) and the Holy
Spirit to convict of sin (John 16:7-11). Man’s conscience then condemns or sanctions his
own action as right or wrong according to the light received (Rom. 2:12-16; 2Cor. 2:15-
17; 1Jn. 1:7). God draws or allures but never drags or uses force.
‘It is written in the prophets’ - the Old Testament was known as the Prophets, (or the Law
and the Prophets) because it was the period that the Father spoke to the world through
prophets (Heb. 1:1; Lk. 16:16) for there were no Bibles yet, only book scrolls of the Old
Testament. ‘And they shall be all taught of God’ through the prophets that wrote the
books of the Old Testament man was told about God.
‘He has seen the Father’ For those – in the days of the apostles – who have seen Jesus
(His example) they have also seen the Father (John 14:7).

Bread of Life
John 6:47-59 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believe on me has everlasting life. I am
that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the
bread which come down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the
living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live
forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh
to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh
of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoso eat my flesh, and
drink my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat
indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eat my flesh, and drink my blood, dwell in
me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eat
me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as
your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eat of this bread shall live forever.
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
‘Believe on me’ - expresses an act and a continued process. It could not be that one act of
faith and no more will save the soul (Luke 8:13; 1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:12; Heb. 3:12-14;
10:23-38). The faith that saves is an ever-present active one; it cannot cease and still
produce results. Even Believers live by the faith of the Son of God and must always live by
faith (Rom.1:17).
The manna of the wilderness (Deut. 8:3) was not the ‘meat which endureth unto
everlasting life’ it was only the typology of the MAN that would have come in the flesh
(John 1:1,14) which is the sixteenth New Testament prophecy fulfilled in Christ’s first
advent. Any man that eats thereof will not die, refers to eternal life, not physical life which
all men have (Heb. 9:27; 1Cor. 15:51-58; 1Thess. 4:16-17).
The fourth and last time in this chapter Christ claims to be the bread of life, this bread is
His flesh which He gave for the life of the world (John 6:33, 51). Conditions must be met
by the world in order to get this life, for example: ‘if any man eat of this bread’ is one of
the first conditions one must meet to have everlasting life. Christ is the life-producing
bread, and eating of Christ simply means that man must accept by faith what Christ did for
him and live by obedience to Him without sin so the penalty will not have to be paid again.
We live when we accept Christ as our substitute and meet the Word’s conditions.
‘Eat my flesh, and drink my blood’ Eating and drinking is used figuratively of partaking of
the benefits of the death of Christ. We partake by faith and enjoy the benefits because
God gives them on the basis of what Christ did for us (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-11;
10:9-10; Acts 3:16; 4:12; 15:9; 26:18; Gal. 2:16-20; 3:1-26; 1Pet. 1:5-13). Eating is used
figuratively of partaking of spiritual food (1Cor. 10:1-3); of other benefits received (Psa.
69:9; Eze. 2:8; 3:1-3; Rev. 10:9); and even of the evil results of sin (Pro. 9:17; Hos.
10:13; Jas. 5:3). No figure of speech was more common to Jews at this time, so there
was no excuse for them to misunderstand His words. By comparing John 6:47-48 with
6:53-54 we see that believing on Christ is the same as eating and drinking Him.

Three times Christ here claims to be sent from heaven (6:38, 41, 42) and five times He
claims He was sent by the Father (6:38, 39, 40, 44, 57).
Seven times manna and the true bread are spoken of as coming from heaven (6:31, 32, 33,
50, 51, 58).
Six times here men are promised everlasting life if they meet certain conditions (6:40, 47,
50, 51, 54, 58).
The Words of Eternal Life

John 6:60-63, 65 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is
an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured
at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man
ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quicken; the flesh profit nothing: the
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. And he said, Therefore said I
unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
‘This is an hard saying; who can hear it?’ The Jews found Jesus’ message hard and they
found it intolerable and impractical for they could not digest such a doctrine as this. People
just want to hear of God’s grace and love and not of their role in the relationship. He must
keep on giving and doing and they only want to receive (see 1Cor. 15:19).
Jesus knew by the gift of discernment and knowledge (Isa. 11:2; 1Cor. 12:4-11) that this
time it was some disciples that were offended and that they murmured against Him.
He asked them that if the eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood offends them, what
if He told them an even harder doctrine? Suppose you saw the Son of Man ascend up to
heaven where He was before? This is the 18th New Testament prophecy that was
fulfilled with the ascension (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11; Eph. 4:8-10).
‘It is the spirit that quicken; the flesh profit nothing’ - Quicken must be understood
figuratively of the benefits of His sacrifice. He will give this bread, which symbolizes His
body given in death to save the world (1Pet. 2:24; Col. 1:20; 2:14-17). If they could
literally eat His flesh and drink His blood, it would not save their souls. The words He
spoke unto them were spirit, and are life – He spoke of spiritual and eternal life, not fleshly
life (2Cor. 3:6; Heb. 4:12).
Will You Also Go Away?

John 6:64, 66-71 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the
beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. From that time
many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the
twelve, Will you also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we
go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that
Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve,
and one of you is a devil? He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that
should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Jesus knew from the beginning of His ministry who they were that did not believe in Him
not, and who was to betray Him. Jesus knew two things from the beginning of His

ministry. Many disciples went back - left Christ and did not follow Him anymore - but not
the twelve for He asked: “Will you twelve also abandon Me?”
Peter answered that they had no one else to go to, that Christ alone had the words of
eternal life, that Jesus was the Christ and that Christ was the Son of the living God. This
kind of confession brings the new birth (1Jn. 5:1)
Christ chose the twelve when they were eager to follow Him and they were seeking to
hear God’s will. ‘One of you is a devil’ - Here it reveals Judas as an adversary of Christ
and under the influence of a devil (demon) and not as some say that he was satan.
Judas Iscariot was an ordinary man, the son of Simon (John 12:4; 13:2, 26); a genuine
chosen and empowered apostle (Matt. 10:1-20; Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:12-16; 9:1-10;
Acts 1:17); the one carrying the purse of the disciples (John 12:4-6; 13:29); and a
successful teacher and healer (Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:10). He was named "Iscariot,"
meaning "man of Kerioth," a place in Judah (Jos. 15:25). He became a "thief" and an
"adversary" of Christ late in His ministry (John 6:70; 12:4-6). He betrayed Jesus (Mat.
26:14-16, 47-50; Mark 14:10-11, 43-45; Luke 22:3-6, 47-49; John 13:2; 18:2-5; Acts
1:16-25), returned the money to the chief priests (Matt. 27:3-10), committed suicide and is
lost (Matt. 26:24; 27:5; Mark 14:21; Luke 22:22; John 17:12; Acts 1:16-25). There are
prophecies concerning him (Matt. 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:18-
26; 17:12; Acts 1:16, 20; Psa. 41:9; 69:25; 109:8; Zech. 11:12-13).
Be Known Openly
John 7:1-8 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry,
because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His
brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also
may see the works that thou does. For there is no man that does any thing in secret, and
he himself seeks to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world.
For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet
come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hates, because I
testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go you up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto
this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
After the things that happened in chapter 6, Jesus stayed in Galilee, for He could not walk
in Jewry - the land of the Jews - because they wanted to kill Him. The Jews’ feast of
tabernacles was held on the 15th to 22nd of September (Lev. 23:34-44; Deut. 16:13-16;
2Chr. 8:13; Zech. 14:16-21). This feast was about 7 months before the crucifixion (15 th
of April).
Christ’s brethren told Him to do to the feast so that His disciples (followers) in Judea may
see His miracles. They knew His miracles and no doubt accepted Him as a prophet, but
not as the Messiah, for they had found Him declining the kingship (John 6:15) which was
one of the Messiah’s chief offices. They could not believe that He would do this if He
was really the Messiah.
Jesus Christ was no ordinary man. Another would have taken every opportunity of
exhibiting himself before the public that he might become famous, but not so with Christ.

Their appeal was to leave the country - the small villages and the ignorant people - and go
to the city - the capital, among the learned people and rulers - to make Himself a name.
‘My time is not yet come’ He referred to the time of His sufferings and said to them (His
brothers) that the world cannot hate them because they still have its interests at heart and
they expected a worldly Messiah. But the world (the inhabitants) hated Christ because He
condemned its injustice, pride, ambitions, way of life, and doctrines.
Jesus did not say that He was not going to the feast, but "I go not up yet." It could have
been that He wanted to go alone with His disciples, so as not to bring criticism from His
enemies that He was exciting sedition; and also, to prevent any popular commotion from a
renewed effort to make Him king (John 6:15).
In the Midst of the Feast

John 7:9- 15 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But
when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it
were in secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there
was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man:
others said, No; but he deceive the people. Howbeit no man spoke openly of him for fear
of the Jews. Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How know this man letters, having never learned?
After Jesus’ brothers spoke to Him to go to the feast, He stayed in Galilee for about four
days and then went up in the middle of the feast. Any godly man who was seeking to save
the lost instead of seeking worldly fame and popularity would want to stay away from the
ever changeable mobs. The Rabbinical law required Him to be there the first day, for the
performance of many of the rites; but as they were mostly human invention, He would not
have thought them proper to attend.
The ‘Jews sought him’ - that is, the rulers of the Jews who were seeking to destroy Him.
From the following verses it is clear that many were for Him, but would not openly take a
stand for Him for fear of the rulers (vv. 12-13, 30-32, 40-53).
‘How know this man letters, having never learned?’ Most people could not read or write
in Bible times, that’s why they gathered at the temple so that a priest could read from the
scrolls. Jesus knew their Scriptures, traditions, history and future better than all others
combined. (Luke 2:42-47). He had great knowledge and wisdom from God and could
read from a young age (Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 50:6; 61:1; Luke 2:40, 52; John 7:16; 8:28, 47;
12:49; 14:10, 24; 17:8).
His Doctrine
John 7:16 – 18 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent
me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself. He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks
his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.’ - Seven times He claimed that He spoke
only God’s words at His direction (vv. 7:16; 8:28, 47; 12:49; 14:10, 24; 17:8). He was a
true ambassador and a true example to us (2Cor. 5:20).
‘Know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ The acid test
of a true doctrine is whether or not it is scriptural; whether it makes men love God
supremely and others as themselves; and whether it glorifies God and produces peace
among men. He challenged His enemies to judge His doctrine on this basis. Most doctrine
today is church doctrine and man-made and not scriptural at all, yet people still choose to
follow those instead of searching the Scriptures for themselves (reading the Word).
‘He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory’ - an infallible rule that was given to us by
Christ is that self-seekers’ will come in their own names creating their own ministries
seeking their own glory and secular interests, the same as it was in Jesus’ time.
‘But he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in
him.’ Christ promoted the Father’s glory, induced men to serve Him, proposed nothing
contrary to the Scripture or the fulfilment of it, and therefore was declared a true prophet.
If we add to this the miraculous works confirming His divine mission, then we must accept
the Messiah: Jesus Christ.
Judge Righteous Judgment

John 7:19-24 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keep the law? Why go
you about to kill me? The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who go about to
kill thee? Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and you all marvel.
Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the
fathers;) and you on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day
receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at me,
because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to
the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Moses gave the nation of Israel the Law as he received it from God, and the whole
summary of the Law (Matt. 22:37-40) was to love God, serve AND obey Him (Deut. 6:5;
7:9; 10:12; 11:1, 13). Jesus accused the Pharisees of violating the very law they
professed to respect and obey, they only kept up the Law for outward appearance that
would produce the praise of men and produce followers for their religion (Matt. 23).
Many strangers (people) at the feast were ignorant of the plots of the Pharisees to killed
Jesus, so they were astonished at His announcement that they seek Him to kill Him.
This ‘one work’ from verse 21 was the healing of the man on the sabbath (John 7:23; 5:1-
16). The Pharisees accused Him of breaking the law and, in the interest of religion,
thought He should be killed. He replied that they did more work on the sabbath in
circumcising a boy than He did in healing a man, so who was the greater sinner?
The law concerning circumcision was given to Abraham (Gen. 17:9-14); Moses only
mentioned the law in Exodus 12:44, 48 and Leviticus 12:3.
‘Judge not according to the appearance’ - Jesus answered those who tried to kill Him for
obeying His Father that the covenant of healing (Ex. 15:26) should be obeyed as much as

the covenant of circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14); that sickness in their midst proved that they
had broken God’s covenant.
Can This Be the Christ?

John 7:25-31 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
But, lo, he speak boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that
this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ
cometh, no man know whence he is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying,
You both know me, and you know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that
sent me is true, whom you know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he has sent
me. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was
not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ come, will
he do more miracles than these which this man has done?
The question arose under the people if Jesus was not the one whom the Pharisees seek to
kill because He spoke with such wisdom and authority; and if the rulers would indeed
know that He (Jesus) is the very Christ (the anointed)?
The Rabbis taught from Isaiah 53:8 that when the Messiah would be born He would hide
Himself and that when He appeared no man would know from whence He had come.
They had a proverb, "Three things come unexpectedly: a thing found by chance, the sting
of a scorpion, and the Messiah."
Isaiah 53:8 reads that “he was cut off out of the land of the living,” not that He would hide
Himself.
Christ answered in verse 28 and 29 their argument by saying that since they know Him
and know where He came from, they should add to their knowledge that He did not come
of Himself and was no self-appointed prophet. He came from God whom He knew, but
whom the Rabbis did not know.
They then wanted to arrest Him, but no man was able to touch Him until His time (to be
crucified) has come. God’s power backed up by innumerable angels would not allow Him
to be arrested at this time (Matt. 26:53; Luke 22:53; John 18:6).
Many of the people believed He was the Christ because of the miracles He has done.
Where I Am
John 7:32-36 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him;
and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto
them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. You shall seek
me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come. Then said the Jews
among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the
dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that
he said, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot
come?
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured about Jesus being the Christ and they and
the chief priests sent officers to arrest Him. Jesus responded by giving the nineteenth New

Testament prophecy which was fulfilled: that He will be with them only a little longer -
He was crucified 7 months later at the next Passover when He becomes the Passover
lamb for all men - and then He went back to the Father at the ascension. They shall seek
Him, and not find Him was a prophetic reference to the nation seeking a deliverer in vain
when the Romans would come and destroy their city in 70 AD.
And where He will be (in Heaven), they cannot come. One must meet certain conditions
to go up to where He now is. If one is cut off in his sins he will never be able to go there,
but if one is saved from them he will go there at death or after the rapture (2Cor. 5:8;
Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11).
The Jews thought that Jesus would go someplace else on earth and teach other nations
(Gentiles simply means non-Israelites nations). They did not comprehend that He would
die for them and return to Heaven.
Rivers of Living Water

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If
any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture
hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit,
which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
‘The last day, that great day of the feast’ it was the eighth day, the great day of the feast
because it was a day of great assembly and offering sacrifices for Israel. The first seven
days they professed to offer sacrifices for other nations (Lev. 23:34-36). On this day a
priest drew water from the pool of Siloam in a golden vessel and brought it to the temple.
When the morning sacrifice was on the altar he poured this water mingled with wine
upon it, while the people were singing with great joy. It was perhaps at this time that the
Lord made His great prophecy of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer
in Him.
The 20th New Testament prophecy that is being fulfilled for those who believe all that
Jesus has done and commanded in that they will receive the Holy Spirit after the new
birth. ‘Any man’ of every race and generation from the beginning of the fulfilment of this
prophecy can experience the ‘rivers of living waters’ (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32; Gal. 3:14).
The conditions of receiving the Holy Spirit as given in verse 37, are first to ‘thirst’ which
means the ardent, eager, famishing, keen, and all-consuming craving and passion of the
soul for complete union with God and the fullness of the Spirit (Psa. 42:2; 63:1; 143:6;
Isa. 41:17; 44:3). Secondly, to come unto Him meaning the complete surrender of the life
to do the whole will of God as light (knowledge of the Word) is received (Isa. 55:1; Matt.
11:28-30; 1Jn. 1:7). Thirdly, to drink, which means the whole-hearted reception into
one’s life of the gifts, the fruit, and operations of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-13; Gal. 5:22-
23). And lastly, it states in verse 38, to believe on Him which means to believe in and obey
to the letter the whole gospel program (John 14:12-15; Matt. 28:20; Mark 16:15-20;
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 5:32).

‘Out of his belly’ the Greek word for belly is koilia which refers to hollow, bowels, belly,
the midst of a thing. Here it means the innermost being or part of man; the soul and spirit,
as the seat of the intellect, emotions and desires (Psa. 31:9; Pro. 18:8; 20:27; John 7:38).
‘Shall flow rivers of living water’ - out of the believer will flow unlimited power to do the
works of Christ as John 14: 12 states. It will be a constant flow from the believer of the
Spirit without measure - the measure Christ experienced.
Division Among the People

John 7:40-53 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, of a truth
this is the Prophet. Others said, this is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of
Galilee? Hath not the scripture said that Christ come of the seed of David, and out of the
town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because
of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then
came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have
you not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. Then
answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the
Pharisees believed on him? But this people who know not the law are cursed. Nicodemus
said unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Do our law judge any
man, before it hear him, and know what he does? They answered and said unto him, Art
thou also of Galilee? Search and look: for out of Galilee arise no prophet. And every man
went unto his own house.
There was division amongst the people whether Jesus was a Prophet or the Christ. The
fourth Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled with Christ being born in Bethlehem and of
David’s seed (Isa. 11:1, 10; Jer. 23:5; Mic. 5:1-2).
They laid no hands on Him because they were powerless to arrest Him, not being
permitted by God.
The chief priests and Pharisees asked the officers if they were also deceived by Jesus
because none of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him. Rulers believing a thing or
not, does not prove it to be right or wrong. This is a standard held too long now by too
many people. Many rulers did believe in Him (John 12:42; 19:38-39). They also stated
that the people did not know the law and were therefore cursed. Neither knowing the law
nor keeping it saves the soul. The law only condemns and makes guilty (Rom. 3:9-23; 7:7-
25; 1Jn. 3:4).
Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee as well as a disciple of Christ, stated that their law
doesn’t judge anyone before hearing him and know what he knows.
The chief priests and Pharisees stated ignorance of facts that some claimed to know in
John 7:27, that when the Messiah would be born, He would hide Himself and that when
He appeared no man would know from where He had come. Christ was not born in
Galilee, but in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1-23; Luke 2:1-52). If they had searched, they would
have found that Jonah, Hosea, Elijah, Elisha, and others were from the Northern kingdom
and not from Judea.

Being Convicted
John 8:3-11 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery;
and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken
in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be
stoned: but what say thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse
him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he
heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he
stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by
their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last:
and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up
himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine
accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto
her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
The scribes and Pharisees attempted, yet again, to snare Jesus to arrest Him by bringing a
woman that was taken in adultery. Had He contradicted Moses (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22-
24), He would have been condemned as a false prophet. Had He condemned the woman
to death He would have been accused to the Romans as usurping authority, so He merely
wrote on the ground as if He did not hear them. When they continued to ask, He told
them that the sinless ones should first cast a stone. It is not recorded what He wrote on
the ground.
Capital punishment by stoning was lawful (Ex. 19:13; Deut. 13:10; 17:5; 22:21). The
Jewish method of execution was to cast the criminal from a 10 or 12 feet scaffold half-
naked, with hands tied in the back. The witnesses did the pushing with great force and if
this did not kill him a witness then would take a large stone and dash it upon the breast.
On occasions where mobs stoned a man no scaffold was used, but certain accusers threw
the first stones and then all could throw until the victim was dead (Num. 15:36; Jos. 7:25;
1Kings 21:13; Acts 7:58-59; 14:19; 2Cor. 11:25).
Conscience is a wonderful thing. It is the faculty that decides the lawfulness of our actions
as to right and wrong (Rom. 2:12-16). The causes of their conviction was their own evil
designs against Him, not so much against her; their failure to include the man who was
guilty with the woman; what Christ wrote on the ground; the challenge to start throwing if
they were sinless themselves; their hypocrisy which was known to Christ and others
present; and their guilt of committing the same sin (Rom. 2:1).
As they were convicted by their own consciences, they, her accusers, started to depart,
leaving the woman in the midst of the disciples and others who were present.
Jesus did not say He did not condemn adultery as a sin. He simply forgave the woman, as
He had done others who were sinful (Matt. 9:1-8; Luke 7:37-50). He was not a
magistrate and since no man of her accusers stayed to condemn, He was not going to pass
sentence on the woman, taking it upon Himself to execute the law of Moses. He had to
avoid the Jews accusing Him of taking magisterial authority in His own hands. Then, too,
Christ came to save men, not to destroy them, so forgiveness of her sin was as much His

obligation then as it still is when anyone repents and turns from sin (Matt. 12:31-32; 1Jn.
1:9). He frankly told her to sin no more, proving He did condemn adultery as a sin. He
did so elsewhere (Matt. 5:27-32; 19:9, 18-19).
I am the Light of the World

John 8:12-20 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he
that follow me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees
therefore said unto him, Thou bear record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus
answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I
know whence I came, and whither I go; but you cannot tell whence I come, and whither I
go. You judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I
am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the
testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that
sent me bear witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus
answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have
known my Father also. These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the
temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
‘Then spoke Jesus again unto them’ this statement proves that Jesus had been speaking to
the Jews but was interrupted by the scribes and Pharisees who brought the woman to
Him. ‘I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall
have the light of life’ The Jews added a ninth day to the feast on which they lit a lamp,
putting it in the chest instead of the sacred books to illustrate Proverbs 6:23 and Psalm
119:105. Christ could have alluded to this, as well as to scriptures referring to the Messiah
as a light from Isaiah 9:2; 49:6 and 60:1.
The Pharisees accused Jesus of testifying of Himself and made Him off as a liar. Jesus
answered them by saying that He did bear record of Himself and that it was the truth
because He knew where He came from and where He was going. He accused them of
judging after the flesh; but that He didn’t and when He did judge, His judgement was true
because He was not the only judge, but also the Father who has sent Him (Acts 17:32;
Rom. 2:16).
It is also written in the Law (also called the Pentateuch or five books of Moses) that the
testimony of two men is true. See Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 and 2 Corinthians 13:1. Jesus
counted Himself as one witness and His Father as another.
‘Where is thy Father?’ If they truly knew Jesus, they would have known His Father. They
really did not know Him as they claimed. A person cannot know one or the other without
knowing both, for no man can come to Christ unless he is drawn by the Father (John
6:37, 39, 44). Eternal life is to know both (John 17:2-3; 1Jn. 5:20).
Jesus taught in the treasury many times (Mark 12:41; Luke 21:1; John 8:20). It was in the
court of women. It had 13 chests, the 13th one for the women to put their offerings in.
The other 12, which had the names of the 12 sons of Jacob on them, were for the men’s
offerings.

‘For his hour was not yet come’ - they laid no hands on Him because they were powerless
to arrest Him, not being permitted by God.
From the Beginning

John 8:21-25 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and
shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill
himself? because he said, Whither I go, you cannot come. And he said unto them, You are
from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world. I said
therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you
shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus said unto them,
Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
‘I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot
come.’ This is the twenty-first New Testament fulfilled prophecy in John. They died in
their sin of unbelief.
‘Will he kill himself?’ Note the contrast between this question and the one in John 7:35,
both asked in connection with similar statements. They finally realized He was speaking of
death, not of going to preach elsewhere, but now they raised the question as to who
would kill Him.
‘You are of this world; I am not of this world’ they were capable of murder and suicide
because they were of this world, earthly, sensual, and devilish; but He was of another
world - from heaven - and was incapable of such. They confirmed His word by murdering
Him and by many of them committing suicide to escape famine in 70 A.D.
‘I am He’ there is no "he" in the Greek in John 8:24, 28, reminding us of the name of God
in Exodus 3:14-15. It means the Eternal, the ever-present One.
In verse 25 they ask Jesus: “Who art thou?” Where to Jesus answered them: “Even the
same that I said unto you from the beginning” which was that He was the light of the
world, as He said to them at the beginning of this discourse (John 8:12). Since there is no
‘from’ in the Greek, it could be literally translated, “that which I also say to you (now), the
beginning,” that is, the beginning of all things, the head of all principality and power (Eph.
1:20-23; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18; 2:10, 19; Heb.1:2-3).
Lifted Up
John 8:26-30 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true;
and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that
he spoke to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the
Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my
Father has taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath
not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spoke these words,
many believed on him.
While continuing the discourse with the Jews, Jesus said that He had many things to say
and to judge them of: but that the Father that sent Him is true; and He spoke to them

those things which He has heard of the Father. (John 8:14, 16, 18, 26). The Jews didn’t
understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
Jesus explained to them that when they have lifted up (crucified, John 3:14; 12:34) the
Son of Man, then by His resurrection and ascension shall they know that He is the light of
the world, the Son of God.
He did nothing of Himself; but as His Father taught Him; we learn from Christ’s Union
with the Father the following: The Son can do nothing of Himself (John 5:17, 19, 30;
8:18, 28); Christ did not seek His own will, but the will of the Father (John 5:30; 6:38);
He didn’t seek His own glory (John 8:50, 54); His doctrine was not His, but the Father
that sent Him (John 7:16; 8:26, 38); Christ always did those things that please the Father
(John 8:29); He came from God, not of Himself (John 8:42; 16:28); He did not speak of
Himself, but the Father commanded Him what to speak (John 10:25, 37-38; 14:10-11).
Be Made Free
John 8:31-36 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in
my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in
bondage to any man: how say thou, You shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committed sin is the servant of sin. And the servant
abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make
you free, you shall be free indeed.
‘If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed’ there are 1,595 ‘if’s’ in the
Bible and all of them express a condition if one of them does. The condition to be met if
these new believers were to remain as true disciples and have freedom from sin was:
“continue in My Word;” for if any man “committeth sin” he “is the servant of sin.”
‘You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’ this is the secret of freedom
from sin, sickness, and all the curses of this life that Christ – who is the Truth - died to set
men free from (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8).
‘We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man’ this is one of the many
false statements of the Jews, for their history in Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia,
Greece, and Rome, as well as many servitudes to other smaller nations round about for
1,800 years to 70 A.D., prove this false.
‘Whosoever committed sin is the servant of sin’ - No man can commit sin and not be a
servant of sin. No man can sin and not have to pay the penalty for sin (Eze. 18:4; Rom.
8:12-13; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8). The servant of sin does not abide in the
house of the Lord forever, but if we become free from sin we will abide with the Son of
God in God’s house forever (Rom. 6:16-23; John 14:1-3; 15:1-6; 1Thes. 4:16).
‘If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed’ If one is made free from
sin by the Son, he is free indeed and is no longer a servant of sin (Rom. 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-
26; Heb. 12:14; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:6-10; 5:1-4, 18). Greeks permitted a son and heir to adopt
brothers and Romans permitted him to free all slaves that were born in the house during
the father’s lifetime.

No Place In You
John 8:37-40 I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my
word has no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that
which you have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our
father. Jesus said unto them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of
Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have
heard of God: this did not Abraham.
‘Abraham is our father’ True, according to the flesh, but this does not make true children
of Abraham or true Israelites. One must not only be a descendant in the flesh but must also
be saved and a child of the promise to be a true Jew and an Israelite (Rom. 2:28-29; 9:4-
11). If they (the Jews) were really the spiritual seed of Abraham they would imitate him in
faith, obedience, and righteousness; but they seek to kill Jesus merely because He told
them the truth; Abraham never did anything like this.
The only place Jesus calls Himself a “man” (v 40) He generally refers to Himself as the
‘Son of God’ and ‘Son of Man’ (John 1:49, 51). He was truly man and truly God in
nature, being born of God and a virgin (Matt. 1:18).
There were ten reasons why the Jews killed Jesus: His Kingship (Matt. 2:2-3, 16; John
18:33-40; 19:12-22); for telling the truth (Luke 4:21-29; John 8:40); for healing on the
sabbath (Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; John 5:16; 9:16); for claiming Sonship (John 5:18;
10:24-39; 19:7); and for claiming to be God (John 8:53-59; 10:33); they were jealous of
Him (Matt. 26:3-4; 27:18; Mark 14:1; 15:10; Luke 22:2; John 11:48); they were
ignorant (Matt. 26:64-66; Mark 14:62-64; John 12:40; Acts 3:17); for fear of losing their
authority (John 11:46-53; 12:10-11, 19); for their unbelief (John 5:38-47; 6:36; 9:40-41;
12:36-38); they killed Him to fulfill prophecy (Luke 13:33-35; John 12:38-40; 18:31-32;
19:11, 28, 36-37; Acts 2:22-36; 3:18).
The Deeds of Your Father

John 8:41-47 You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of
fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your
Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of
myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot
hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of
it. And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convince me of sin?
And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He that is of God hears God's words:
you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.
‘You do the deeds of your father’ the fact that one does the deeds of the devil proves that
one is of the devil (1Jn. 3:8). Since they had sought to kill Jesus, He accused them of
being the offspring of satan who was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:41-44).
The Jews answered Him that they were not born of fornication. They said that they were
not idolaters, but that God was their Father. Idolatry refers to spiritual fornication or a

violation of the spiritual and covenant marriage between God and Israel (Jdg. 2:17; Isa.
1:21; Hos. 1:2; 4:12; 2Ch. 21:11; Eze. 16:1-63).
Jesus told them that if God were their Father they would have loved Him. They would
not persecute Him if they were of the same Father that He was.
They couldn’t understand Jesus because they cannot hear His Word; it exposed their
hypocrisy and condemned their sins, so they were determined not to hear just as others
today who refuse to change from a sinful life.
Jesus explained that they were of their father the devil whose lusts they will do (Greek
word for lust is epithumia) which means desires, craves and longing for. Satanic lusts are
like those of men but much stronger because of being agitated by spirit forces. Fallen
angels and men are capable of misusing their creative faculties in deeper and deeper
degrees of sin and rebellion as time goes by.
‘He was a murderer from the beginning’ this refers to the death of the whole human race
by sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12-21; Heb.2:14). Death comes through satan and he kills
those who fell away from God’s protection because of their sin.
Satan walked in truth for a time until he decided to rebel against God and this was before
he ‘abode not’ or rebelled against truth (Eze. 28:11-17; Isa. 14:12-14). This was before
Adam’s day for he was already a fallen creature when he came into Adam’s Eden (Gen.
3:1-24). The rebellion caused the flood of Lucifer (Gen. 1:2; Jer. 4:23-26; 2Pet. 3:5-8).
He chose to reject all truth in his period of probation as the Jews were doing here (vv. 39-
47). When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own falsehood, for he is a liar and the father
of lies and liars. When we believe lies, we reject the Truth (Word = Jesus) and make
satan our father.
Jesus asked the Jews that if they couldn’t convict Him of sin, error, or falsehood, why did
they not believed what He said? The fact that they didn’t hear God’s Word proved they
were not of God.
Obedience to Him
John 8:48-55 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art
a Samaritan, and has a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father,
and you do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seek and judge.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said
the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the
prophets; and thou say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou
greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make
thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that
honour me; of whom you say, that he is your God: Yet you have not known him; but I
know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know
him, and keep his saying.
The Jews accused Jesus of being a Samaritan, meaning that He was a heretic, a
schismatic, an idolater, a man self-excommunicated with whom no man should fellowship.

Jesus answered them and said that He had no devil; but that He honoured His Father,
and they dishonoured Him; that He didn’t seek His own glory, but that of His Father.
The Jews, however, was convinced by this answer that Jesus did have a devil, for all
people have died and Jesus said that those who believed in Him will never ‘taste death.’
This is a perversion of Christ’s words. Christ meant the second or eternal death and they
took Him to mean physical death which all men must meet who live before the rapture
(Heb. 9:27; 1Cor. 15:51-58).
‘If I honour myself, my honour is nothing’ this is not the answer of an insane man or a self-
seeker who would always be boastful of himself and his own abilities and wonderful self
(2Ch. 25:19; Psa. 49:6; 94:4; 97:7; Rom. 1:30). ‘It is my Father that honours me’ God
honoured Jesus by working miracles through Him and by supporting His every claim. He
asked the Jews that if the Father were their God, why they didn’t support Him also. He
accused them of lying when they said that they know the Father and that He would lie if
He said that He did not know Him. Jesus proved that He knew the Father by His
obedience to Him. The Jews proved that they didn’t know Him by rejecting Jesus whom
the Father has sent.
Rejoice
John 8:56-59 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen
Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple,
going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
‘Abraham rejoiced’ the Greek word for rejoice is agalliao which means to rejoice
exceedingly; ‘to see’ the Greek word eidon implying not the mere act of seeing with the
eyes, but the actual perception of the object; that which is seen, the form, shape, and
figure.
Abraham saw three things clearly: The plan of God in sending the Messiah for His people
to redeem them and guarantee to them the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession;
and he was happy (Gen. 12:1-3; 17:1-22); He saw the plan of God in the Messiah being
sent through his natural seed (Rom. 4:13-22; 9:4-7; Gal. 3:16) and rejoiced by faith (Rom.
4:1-25); He saw the second person of the Trinity in visible form (Gen. 18:1-8, 19-20;
19:24).
‘I am’ this is one of the eternal names of God, proving that He existed before Abraham
(Exo. 3:14-15; Mic. 5:1-2; John 1:1-2). The Jews understood that He applied this name
to Himself, thus declaring His deity. He claimed to be God, which was blasphemy to
them, so to fulfill the law of Leviticus 24:16 they started to stone Him.
For a little while until their wrath cooled; Jesus hid Himself and then He went through
their midst out of the temple.

The Fall and Sin of Man
John 9:1-5 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his
disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born
blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of
God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it
is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the
light of the world.
‘Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jews believed that pious
souls were reincarnated as a reward, not punishment; and that the wicked were put into
eternal prisons to be tormented forever (Josephus, Antiquities, Book 18, and War, Book
2). Some Asiatic nations and some Jews believed souls came back into bodies as a penalty
for sins committed in a pre-existent state. Controversies raged over whether some physical
infirmity was the result of one’s sins before birth, even in the womb, or sins by the parents.
They held that marks on the body proved sin in the soul. Some false religions identified the
sins of a previous life with afflictions of the present. For example, headaches were for
irreverence to parents; epilepsy for poisoning someone; pain in the eyes for coveting
another man’s wife; blindness for murder of mother; etc.
‘Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents’ Neither: all the theories of reincarnation,
pre-existent sins, physical infirmities proving personal sin is involved, and all fallacies that
go with such paganism are unscriptural. Personal and immediate sin is not necessarily
involved in the imperfection of reproduction. Mental, moral, and physical wrecks are
caused by the fall and sin of man, by satanic powers (Eph. 2:1-3; Luke 13:16; Acts
10:38), by continued depravities and sin, by imperfect and undeveloped cells, and by
overwork, worry, accidents, and violation of natural laws.
‘But that the works of God should be made manifest in him’ this was not the cause of his
blindness, but a simple declaration that the works of God were to be manifest regardless of
the cause. Jesus answered their question as to whether the man or his parents had sinned.
He did not state the cause, but it is certain God was not the cause. God was the healer
and satan was back of the cause (Matt. 12:22; Acts 10:38; John 10:10; 1Jn. 3:8).
Jesus Made Clay

John 9:6-16 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the
spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go,
wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore,
and washed, and came seeing. The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen
him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he:
others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were
thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and
anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went
and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know
not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath
day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked

him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I
washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God,
because he keeps not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do
such miracles? And there was a division among them.
‘He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay’ Jesus illustrates that sin causes
blindness (2 Pet. 1:9; 2:22).
‘Pool of Siloam’ this pool was made by Hezekiah (2Ki. 20:20); the Greek word for pool is
kolumbethra which means a swimming pool or a place for diving (John 5:2, 4, 7; 9:7).
The blind man’s neighbours and others which had seen him that he was blind before,
asked: ‘Is not this he that sat and begged?’ and ‘How were thine eyes opened?’
He answered and said that Jesus made clay, anointed his eyes, and told him to go to the
pool of Siloam. He went and washed and received his sight.
‘And it was the sabbath day’ this made it the unpardonable sin as far as the hypocrites
were concerned. Nothing good was to be done on this day except for material gain. One
could take a beast out of the ditch, but not save a man from death, hell and the grave. Such
utter senselessness exists even to this day in religion in many respects! Is it any wonder that
sensible men reject outward forms, rituals, and teachings that have no practical and
beneficial value at all!
Did keeping the sabbath help the Pharisees or prove they were of God? No more than in
many cases today where men maintain some mere outward show of religion before others.
Would they perform consistently the same things in private if no one was in the
grandstand?
Some of the Pharisees accused Jesus of not being of God because He didn’t keep the
sabbath day. Others didn’t agree and asked how can a sinner do such miracles? The
question that should have been asked was why could the Pharisees not heal the blind if
they were of God more than Jesus was?
Now I See
John 9:17-25 They say unto the blind man again, What says thou of him, that he hath
opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning
him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that
had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born
blind? how then does he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that
this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now sees, we know not;
or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for
himself. These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had
agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the
synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the
man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a
sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I
know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

The blind sinner was more sensible than all the religious leaders of the day. From only one
miracle and one brief contact with Jesus, he knew that He was a prophet.
‘Did not believe’ this is why they were so blind. The Jews would not believe facts when
they were seen. They would not believe that He was even a prophet, which, according to
the Jews themselves, permitted one to break the sabbath.
‘These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews’ most people church will
not stand up for truth and righteousness.
‘That if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.’
This means that anyone acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah was to be cut off from all
religious connections with synagogue worshipers. It was the first time a law was made
against Christians. This is why Christians had to form their own congregations.
‘Give God the praise’ these were the words used in making an oath. To give God praise
was equivalent of swearing to tell the truth (Jos. 7:19). While they sought to put him
under an oath they put their own words in his mouth to say that Jesus was a sinner, and
the man answered very wisely: “one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
Religious Wrath
John 9:26-31 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine
eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would
you hear it again? will you also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art
his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke unto Moses: as for this
fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why
herein is a marvellous thing, that you know not from whence he is, and yet he has opened
mine eyes. Now we know that God hear not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of
God, and does his will, him he hear.
This is the third time the Jews asked the healed blind man how he was healed (vv. 10, 15,
26). The blind man was the only one who was not afraid to talk up to the Pharisees. This
brought religious wrath and ex-communication upon him (9:28-34).
‘Then they reviled him’ the Greek word for reviled is loidoreo which means to vilify, rail
at; not merely to rebuke, but to abuse by words (Pro. 12:18). They claimed to be Moses'
disciples as they accused the blind man of being one of Jesus’ disciples.
‘As for this fellow, we know not from whence he is’ For the first time the Jews spoke the
truth, which confession alone should have moved each one to make an honest
investigation of the claims of Christ. On other occasions, His enemies claimed they knew
all about Him, that He was the son of Joseph and not God’s son (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3;
John 6:42; 7:27, 52).
‘We know that God hear not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his
will, him he hear.’ This statement of the blind man should not be taken as a direct
statement of God. It has been used for generations to prove too much - that no prayer of
any sinner will ever be heard of God. It should be understood only in connection with
what was uttered: God does not use sinners to heal the eyes of the blind and if He were
not of God He could do nothing. To take this as proof that no sinner will ever get any kind

of prayer answered is erroneous, for God has heard sinners in all ages and will always do
so if they pray the right kind of prayers. He has not promised sinners any particular answer
other than forgiveness if they repent (1Jn. 1:9).
No Longer in Ignorance
John 9:32-41 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of
one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They
answered and said unto him, Thou was altogether born in sins, and does thou teach us?
And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found
him, he said unto him, Does thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said,
Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both
seen him, and it is he that talks with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped
him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not
might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which
were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto
them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your
sin remain.
The blind man that was healed by Jesus, was cast out contrary to the agreement of the
Jews (John 9:22) -for crossing religious leaders by taking a stand for what was right. His
crime was being an honest man, true to his convictions. There were three grades of ex-
communication: The niddin, pronounced for 30 days during which offenders were
prohibited from public worship, were not allowed to shave, and were required to wear
garments of mourning; the cherem, pronounced on those who continued in rebellion. The
offender was formally cursed, was excluded from all interaction with other people, and
was prohibited from entering the temple or a synagogue; the shammatha, pronounced on
those who persisted in rebellion. They were cut off from all connection with the Jewish
people and were consigned to utter perdition.
‘For judgment I am come’ referring to the effect of His coming. Rejection of Him will bring
judgment. John 12:47 refers to the object of His coming. He came to save, but if men will
not have salvation they will finally be judged (John 3:16-20).
‘That they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind’ the idea
here is that the people became this way, little by little until they were past normal, vigorous
obedience to truth and righteousness.
The Jews claimed to see and therefore refused to admit or repent from their sins. Jesus
explained to them that if they were really ignorant they would have no sin, but they were
no longer in ignorance. They rejected Christ through enmity so their sin remained.
The Door
John 10:1-5 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enter not by the door into the sheepfold,
but climb up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enter in by the
door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter open; and the sheep hear his voice:
and he call his own sheep by name, and lead them out. And when he put forth his own

sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a
stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of
strangers.
‘Verily, verily’ means Surely, surely or Amen, amen. ‘I say unto you’ - this phrase "I say
unto you" is used by Christ 135 times and only twice by another person in the New
Testament (Luke 3:8; Acts 5:38). It expresses complete authority when used by Christ,
while in Acts 5:38 it is merely advice.
‘The sheepfold’ this refers to the place of shelter for flocks where they might repose at
night and be safe from the attacks of wild beasts. Sheepfolds were low buildings opening
into a court, surrounded by a stone wall or fence, with a layer of thorns on top for
protection. A doorway carefully guarded the entrance.
He that doesn’t come through the door (which is Christ 10:9) but climb up some other
way, is a thief and a robber: It is here applied to false teachers, who do not care to instruct
men, but abuse their confidence for gain.
‘He that enter in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep’ - the marks of a good leader is
personal knowledge of God and gospel experiences (2Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:16-26; 1Cor.
12:1-31); having a calling to serve God and others, not from greed, personal ambition,
respect, honor, self-interests, or love of ease (Acts 13:3; 1Cor. 12:28; Rom. 11:29); to
have consecrated motives: God’s will and glory, salvation of lost souls, and the best
interests of the body of Christ and all men (Luke 19:10; Acts 10:28; 2Cor. 5:14-21; Eph.
4:12); to have God’s anointing: not human education, wisdom, polish, and effort only, but
divine leading and help (John 7:37-39; 14:12-17, 26; 15:26; Acts 1:4-8; 5:32); to have
personal interest: private and public instruction, and helpfulness to others in all problems
(Acts 20:26-35; 1Thes. 2:4-13; 2Tim. 4:1-5; Heb. 13:7, 17); to set a good example: lead,
not drive; feed, not destroy; and live what is taught (1Cor. 4:9-13; 2Cor. 4:8-18; 6:1-10;
1Tim. 3:1-13; 4:11-16; 2Tim. 2:1-26; Tit. 1:1-16).
‘The porter’ – the doorkeeper of the fold who opens to the shepherds to get their flocks in
the morning and who receives them at night. ‘Call his own sheep by name’ Eastern
shepherds give names to their sheep as we do to dogs and horses. Every sheep recognizes
his own name and comes when called. Even when flocks are mingled, they speedily
separate at the command of the shepherd.
‘He goes before them’ Eastern shepherds go before their flocks to lead them to good grass
and water. ‘The sheep follow him’ Sheep always follow their own shepherd, but will pay
no attention to strangers.
Jesus Is
John 10:6-21 This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things
they were which he spoke unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and
robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to
steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might

have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd givets his life for the
sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees
the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters
the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am
the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me,
even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have,
which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there
shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay
down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of
myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment
have I received of my Father. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for
these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes
of the blind?
The parable here used by Jesus was the Greek word paroimia which means wayside
saying; proverb; a saying deviating from the usual manner of speaking. It is translated
"proverb" in John 16:25, 29; 2Pet. 2:22 and "parable" here. The record the truths here
taught are: Jesus is the door [way to the Truth] of the sheep (vv. 7, 9); Jesus is the way to
salvation (vv. 9; 3:15-20, 36; 5:24; 14:6); anyone can go in and out and be perfectly free
(v. 9; 8:32); all previously announced messiahs were false (v8); the devil’s work is to steal
(Luke 8:12), kill (Heb. 2:14), and destroy (John 10:10; Mark 9:22; Luke 13:16; Acts
10:38; Job. 2:7); Jesus came that men might have abundant life (John 10:10; Matt. 4:23;
8:17; Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; 1Pet. 2:24; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:1-12); He is the good
shepherd: the chief shepherd, and great shepherd (vv. 11, 14; 1Pet. 5:4; Heb. 13:20);
Jesus redeemed the sheep by dying in their place (vv. 11, 15, 17-18; Isa. 53:1-12; 1Pet.
2:24); hireling shepherds flee from danger and leave the sheep to death, destruction, and
division (vv. 10:12-13; Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 16:17; 2Cor. 11:14-15; 1Tim. 4:1-16; 2Tim.
4:1-22); Jesus knows His sheep and they know Him (vv. 14, 27; 17:1-3); He knows the
Father and the Father knows Him (v. 15; 7:29; 8:55); Jesus has other sheep (Gentiles =
other nations) which are not of this (Jewish) fold. They will hear His voice and come into
the fold, having one shepherd (v. 16; Rom. 10:12; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 1:10;
2:11-22; 3:6-15); The Father loves Him because He sacrificed His life for the sheep (v.
17; 1Pet. 2:24; Col. 2:20); No man can kill Jesus for He volunteered to die for men (v.
18; 19:11; Isa. 53:7); He was resurrected (vv. 17-18; 1Cor. 15:1-58; Mat_28:1-20); all
who hear His voice [His Word] and do not obey are not His sheep; all who hear His
voice and obey are His sheep. He knows His sheep, and they follow and obey Him daily.
To all who obey and follow Him He gives eternal life. They shall never perish, nor be
plucked from His hand (vv. 25-29; Matt. 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 9:23; 18:28-30;
Gal. 6:7-8; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13).

You Believed Not
John 10:22-26 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And
Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him,
and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us
plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my
Father's name, they bear witness of me. But you believe not, because you are not of my
sheep, as I said unto you.
‘The feast of the dedication’ the feast was appointed by Judas Maccabaeus to
commemorate the purification of the temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus
Epiphanes on the 25th of Chisleu (December), 164 B.C. He offered a sow on the altar
and polluted the temple by sprinkling its broth all around (1 Macc. 4:52-59). It lasted 2
days and could be celebrated elsewhere. It was about 3 1/2 months after the feast of
tabernacles of John 7:2 and about 4 months before the passover and the crucifixion.
‘Solomon’s porch’ the outer court of the temple or court of the Gentiles was surrounded by
cloisters supported upon ranges of marble columns. They were called porches and were
used by the Jews and strangers as public promenades. The eastern side of the court was
called Solomon’s porch, built by him and left standing, when Nebuchadnezzar took the
city, probably because of its grandeur and beauty. It was over 800 feet long.
The Jews confronted Jesus and asked Him how long He was going to make them doubt.
They felt that He held them in suspense, and excite their expectations. They really
wanted Him to declare Himself as King of the Jews so they could then accuse Him to
Pilate.
Jesus told them who He was, and what the Father sent Him to do, but they did not want
to believe Him, therefore, they cannot be His sheep. All His works were done in the
name of His Father (John 5:43).
Three things men must do and continue in to receive eternal life: believe, which implies
complete and continued obedience; hear His voice, and be not hearers only, but also
doers of His Word (Jas. 1:22-27; 2:9-26); and follow Christ, not only at the beginning of
a Christian experience, but daily and throughout life (Luke 9:23). To claim eternal life
when one does not follow is like these Jews claiming to know God and have eternal life.
Jesus declared such was not true (John 5:37-47; 8:54-55).
Hear His Voice

John 10:27-42 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give
unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of
my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck
them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones
again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my
Father; for which of those works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For
a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man,
make thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be

broken; Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou
blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father,
believe me not. But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may
know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to
take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the
place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and
said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true. And many
believed on him there.
Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice, and He knows them, and they follow Him and
He gives them eternal life, and they shall never perish or be plucked out of His hand.
The Father is greater than all the united forces of men, fallen angels, demons, and all
enemies, so no one need to fear of being snatched out of God’s hand. The only thing one
must do is come to God and permit His salvation and keeping power to be manifested.
God cannot keep one contrary to his will any more than He kept Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-14;
1Tim. 3:6), angels (2Pet. 2:4; Jud. 1:6-7), pre-Adamites (Jer. 4:23-26; 2Pet. 3:5-7),
demons (Matt. 8:29), Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1-24; Rom. 5:12-21), and many others who
willed to sin.
‘I and my Father are one’ One in unity (John 17:11, 21-23), not one in person or
individuality (Dan. 7:9-14; 1Jn. 5:7; Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:34; 1Cor. 8:6; 11:3; Eph. 1:20-
23; 4:1-6; 1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22).
They attempted to stone Jesus again for blasphemy (John 8:59; Lev. 24:14-16) for stating
He was in unity with the Father. ‘For which of those works do you stone me?’ Jesus
healed their sick, casted out demons, cleansed lepers, raised the dead, fed multitudes, and
taught them the truth at all times without charge. And this was His reward: being stoned.
‘You are gods?’ Quoted from Psalm 82:6. The word ‘law’ is sometimes used of all sacred
writings (John 12:34; 15:25). If ordinary judges were called gods, why should it be
blasphemy of Jesus to claim deity when He was the Son of God and one with God?
Jesus was sanctified by the Father and sent into the world by Him but the Jews said He
blasphemed because He said He is the Son of God. Jesus asked them to judge Him on the
basis of the works He did and to believe the works so that they might know and believe
that He is one [in unity] with the Father.
They sought again to arrest Him (John 7:30, 32, 44). How He escaped is not stated.
Jesus went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized and He
stayed here opposite Jericho from December to the time of going back to Bethany to
resurrect Lazarus. Then He went to Ephraim until April when He was crucified (John
11:54).
Many turned to Jesus for help and said John did no miracles but all things that he spoke of
Jesus were true. There is no record of any miracle by John; but he had the power to do
some, for he had Elijah’s power (Luke 1:17).

The Glory of God
John 11:1-4 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary
and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and
wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent
unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou love is sick. When Jesus heard that, he
said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might
be glorified thereby.
Lazarus means God helps. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and her sister Martha, who
was ministers to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42; John 12:2) and friends of Him (John 11:5). This
is not the same man as in Luke 16:19-31 who had died sometime before this Lazarus did.
Bethany (is called Eizariyya today) is a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives,
nearly three kilometres from Jerusalem. Jesus attended a feast here (Matt. 26:6-13) and
the colt on which He rode into Jerusalem with, was from here (Mark 11:1-11).
This is the same Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped His feet with her
hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. It does not prove she did this before this event.
John is simply recording this many years later.
A messenger was ‘sent’ (Greek word apostello = to send a messenger) to say that Lazarus
was weakening or sinking fast. They thought this would not fail to bring Him to them, but
Christ by divine guidance had other plans.
Lazarus’s sickness was not unto death and corruption, but God will permit [allow, not
cause it] a temporary death so that the glory of God can be manifest by a resurrection.
This was the message sent back to the sisters. Jesus was only about 29 kilometres away.
Had Lazarus not been resurrected there would have been no glory to God. So today, God
does not get glory out of sickness, but out of healing the sick. God may get some glory in
spite of some sickness, but the sickness itself is no glory. Anyone, young or old, can
certainly glorify God better and do more work for Him when well than when sick. Let no
person be deceived in thinking he is sick for God’s glory, for there is no scriptural
foundation for such modern fallacy.
Lazarus Sleeps
John 11:5-16 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard
therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then
after that said he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him,
Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goes thou thither again? Jesus
answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumble
not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles,
because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he said unto them,
Our friend Lazarus sleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his
disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they
thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly,
Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may

believe; nevertheless, let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus,
unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
‘Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus’ – this statement proofs that Jesus
loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus and that He was not neglecting His love, but awaiting
the time to demonstrate greater love and power to them. Thus Jesus waited two more
days after He was told of Lazarus and thereafter said to His disciples that they must go
into Judaea again.
The disciples were worried because the Jews wanted to stone Jesus but Jesus explained
that if any man walks in the day, he will not stumble because he sees the light of this
world; but if he walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.
Jewish days are as follows: sunrise to sunset: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or 12 equal parts, but they
varied in length according to the season of the year (Matt. 20:3-12). The night was also
divided into 12 equal parts or 4 watches of 3 equal parts or 3 hours each. The longest
summer day would be about 14 hours and 12 minutes and the shortest 9 hours and 48
minutes.
Jesus then said to them that their friend Lazarus sleeps; and that He must go to wake Him
from His sleep (referring here to death). The disciples took Lazarus’ sleep for rest and
stated that he would get better if he rests. Jesus then said to them plainly that Lazarus was
dead, indicating he died the day the messenger was sent. Jesus knew it by revelation.
Jesus was glad for their sakes that He was with Lazarus so that the disciples and others
can believe in God. This miracle, like all others, was to confirm further His claims to His
disciples that He was in reality the Messiah.
Introducing Thomas, called Didymus, or twin - it was customary for Jews to take a Greek
or Latin name similar to their own when going to a foreign land or having much interaction
with Greeks or Romans. He was one of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke
6:15; Acts 1:13-14). Thomas said that they must risk their lives, and if need be, dies with
Jesus. Jesus, through love of His friends in Bethany, exposed Himself to death by His
implacable enemies in Jerusalem. Thomas thought it certain death to venture again to this
city.
Resurrection and Life

John 11:17-27 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days
already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of
the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then
Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still
in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had
not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it
thee. Jesus said unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha said unto him, I know that
he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever live and believeth in me shall never die. Believe thou this? She said unto

him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into
the world.
‘Four days’ - two days after Jesus received the message from the sisters. At least one day
was spent on the road and another when the messenger went from the sisters. Bethany
was about three kilometres from Jerusalem.
The rabbis had an idea that the spirit wandered about the sepulchre for three days, called
days of weeping, seeking an opportunity to return to the body. When decomposition set in
on the fourth day, the spirit left the grave and the people beat their breasts in loud
lamentations four days, making seven days of mourning (Gen. 27:41).
It was a custom for formal visitations of friends to last several days. As soon as they
returned from the grave the mourners stood in a long row, and their friends passed by,
each speaking a word of comfort while passing. There were afterwards several visits of
sympathy at the house. ‘Sat still in the house’ this was a customary posture in time of grief
(Ps. 137:1; Isa. 47:1; Luke 1:79; Mat. 27:61).
‘Whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee’ Jesus had demonstrated His
success in getting answers to prayer for years, even to raising the dead, so her statement
was backed by many historical proofs. This is exactly the kind of answers Jesus promised
every believer without exception (John 14:1-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26). Jesus also knew this
to be a fact, hence His absolute confidence that He was going to raise Lazarus (John
11:11-16). Martha did not ask such a favour in direct terms; she only expressed the faith in
His ability to do it. This is why many prayers today are not answered.
In Him is all life (1Jn. 5:11-12; John 1:4; 3:15-20, 36; 5:24; 14:6). ‘Though he were
dead, yet shall he live’ even though Lazarus died physically (Heb. 9:27), yet he will be
resurrected physically to live forever (1Cor. 15:20-23, 51-58; 1Thes. 4:13-18).
Whosoever believes in Jesus in this life will live eternally.
‘Believe thou this?’ The answer confirmed Martha’s faith in His Messiahship and Sonship,
but her faith went no further concerning the pressing need of her brother. She was like
many others who stop short of a direct request and absolute faith for what they want.
Jesus Wept
John 11:28-37 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister
secretly, saying, The Master is come, and call for thee. As soon as she heard that, she
arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in
that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and
comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her,
saying, She goes unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus
was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou had been here,
my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also
weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said,
Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said
the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which
opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

‘The Master is come, and call for thee.’ Jesus had evidently requested Mary to be present
so she could witness the resurrection of her brother. Jesus waited for her to come before
proceeding to the grave.
Jewish burying places were outside the towns and villages. It was the custom of relatives
and friends to go often to the grave to weep during the three days of mourning and four
days of lamentation. It was about time for the spirit to leave the grave, as the rabbis taught.
‘If thou had been here, my brother had not died’ She also expressed faith in what would
have happened if Jesus had arrived before her brother died. She made no request
concerning the resurrection.
‘He groaned’ Greek word embrimaomai, be very angry, moved with indignation (John
11:33, 38; Mat. 9:30; Mark 1:43; 14:5). What He was moved against here was no doubt
the satanic powers that had Lazarus in their grip (Heb. 2:14-15). He became troubled,
Greek word tarasso meaning to stir or agitate) in mind. He faced a conflict with satan, the
power of death.
‘Jesus wept.’ The shortest verse in the Bible but very expressive of the humanity of Jesus
is generous and sympathetic feelings for His friends. He wept with those who wept and
caused even His enemies to acknowledge His love and compassion (John 11:33, 36; Isa.
53:3; Heb. 2:16-18; 4:15; Rom.12:15). Another cause of His weeping might have been
the fearful and universal ravages of sin and death, and the ever-darkening shadows of
unbelief of His race that would lead them to the final rejection of Him and total
destruction of the nation (John 11:46-54; Luke 13:34-35; 19:41; Mat. 23:37-39).
‘Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man
should not have died?’ Certainly He could! They had no idea that a greater miracle was
about to be performed than healing the blind.
Lazarus Raised
John 11:38-44 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a
cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him
that was dead, said unto him, Lord, by this time he stink: for he hath been dead four days.
Jesus said unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the
glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I
knew that thou hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that
they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a
loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot
with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said unto them,
Loose him, and let him go.
Jews generally cut their graves out of the faces of cliffs. The stone here did not lie upon
the grave-opening but leaned against it. Lazarus has putrefactive odour by now for he has
been dead four days.

‘Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God?’ This is
nowhere stated before this, proving that the record is not complete of everything said on
this occasion (John 21:25).
‘Lifted up his eyes’ Jesus looked up to heaven, having eyes open (Mat. 17:8; Luke 6:20;
16:23; John 4:35; 6:5; 17:1). ‘Father’ Fifteen times Christ used this name in prayer when
He prayed unto the Father who was in Heaven (Mat. 11:25-26; 26:39, 42; Luke 23:34,
46; John 11:41; 12:27-28; 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 24-25). ‘Thou hast heard me’ this suggests
that Christ had already prayed and was heard, receiving the will of God in this case before
He started on His trip to Bethany (John 11:3-6). He no doubt was led by God to delay
this trip as recorded here.
‘That they may believe that thou hast sent me’ There are 14 purposes of Christ’s miracles:
To make believers (John 2:23; 4:48; 11:42; 12:37; 14:11); to fulfil prophecy (Isa. 11:2;
61:1-2; Mat.8:17; Luke 4:18) to demonstrate God’s will (John 5:30; 6:38; 10:10; Heb.
10:7); to destroy works of satan (Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38; 1Jn. 3:8); to give abundant life
(John 10:10); to confirm His Sonship and Messianic claims (John 5:17-19, 30-36; 10:25,
36-38; 14:10-11; 15:24; 20:30-31; Acts 2:32); to confirm God’s Word and love (John
5:20; Heb. 2:3-4); to prove that God was with Him (John 3:2; Acts 10:38); to
demonstrate God’s power over satan (Luke 10:19; 13:16; Mat. 12:28; Acts 10:38); to
prove the kingdom of God present (Mat. 12:28); to glorify God (John 2:11; 11:4; Mat.
9:8; 15:31; Mark 2:12; Luke 4:15; 5:26; 7:16; 13:13); to set an example for all believers
(Mat. 10:1-8; 28:20; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:6; 10:9; John17:18); to demonstrate the
power of the Spirit baptism (Mat. 20:22-23; Luke 4:18; John 3:34); to demonstrate full
salvation for body, soul, and spirit (Mat. 4:23-24; 8:17; 9:35; 13:15; John 10:10; 1Pet.
2:24; Isa. 53:4-5).
‘Cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth’ He spoke loud enough that all standing
could hear the command and see that even the dead were subject to Him. Lazarus that
had been dead came forth. ‘bound hand and foot with grave clothes’ This does not
necessarily mean that his legs were bound together like a mummy, but bound separately,
so he could not walk freely until loosed from the grave clothes or strips of linen.
The Plot to Kill Jesus

John 11:45-53 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things
which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and
told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a
council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone,
all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and
nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto
them, You know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man
should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spoke he not of
himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of

God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for
to put him to death.
‘Some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had
done.’ Many believed, but some, perhaps the temple spies, went to report to the rulers.
They admitted the miracles, but their hearts were hardened to resist all claims of Jesus on
their lives.
They thought that if they did not get rid of Jesus, all men will believe in Him and make
Him king. They feared that the Romans will come against the Jews to destroy the nation
and take the temple from them. [Which came to past – Job 3:25] In the law the priests
were in office for life, but here it was an annual term; the Romans and Herod chose
whom they pleased for this office. According to Josephus (Antiquities 18:4:3), Joseph was
his name and Caiaphas his surname.
‘Expedient for us, that one man should die for the people’ Caiaphas prophesied that it was
in their interest that Jesus should die in the place of the whole nation. God seemingly used
the ungodly high priest as He used Balaam in Num. 22:38.
‘One’ referring to the Jews of the dispersion, this will be fulfilled at the second coming
(Mat. 24:31; Isa. 11:11-12; Eze. 37:1-28). ‘Together for to put him to death’ At other
times they had plotted His death, but the council had been divided. God used the divisions
to give time for the teaching, example, and miracles of Jesus to do their work.
The Jew’s Passover

John 11:54-57 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence
unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with
his disciples. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country
up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus,
and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think you, that he will not
come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a
commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might
take him.
From the day the Sanhedrin made its final decision to destroy Jesus (11:53), He no longer
walked openly among the Jews. The raising of Lazarus was the last of three great miracles
that brought this to a climax: There was the healing of the impotent man on the sabbath
(John 5:1-16); the healing of the blind man on the sabbath (John 9:16, 22, 34); and
raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:46-54).
Ephraim was a city about 32 kilometres north of Jerusalem near Bethel. Jesus stayed here
about two months until the passover.
‘Jew’s passover’ It started out to be ‘the Lord’s Passover’ (Ex. 12:11, 27; Lev. 23:5; Num.
28:16), but now it had degenerated to be ‘the Jews’ Passover’ (John 2:13; 6:4; 11:55).
The feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:2) had now become the feasts of the Jews (John 5:1; 6:4;
7:2; 11:56; 19:42). Even the commandments were nullified by the traditions of men (Mat.
15:1-9; 16:6-12).

‘Purify themselves’ in preparation of the passover they went through Levitical ceremonial
cleansing from touching the dead and other unclean things (Num. 9:6-10).
The Jews sought for Jesus at the temple and wandered amongst themselves whether He
would come to the feast. But the chief priests and Pharisees made a commandment, that, if
anyone knew where Jesus was, they should reveal Him so that He can be arrested.
Mary Anoints Jesus

John 12:1-8 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus
was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 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. Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray
him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag,
and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my
burying hath she kept this. For the poor always you have with you; but me ye have not
always.
‘Six days before the passover’ On the 9th day of Nisan (our April) – our Thursday sunset
to Friday sunset. He came to Jericho and spent Thursday night at the house of Zacchaeus
(Luke 19:1-10). He delivered the parable of the pounds and proceeded to Jerusalem
(Luke 19:11-28). He sent two disciples for the ass and her colt, making His first entry into
Jerusalem and returning to Bethany in the evening of Friday (Mat. 21:1-17).
This was the first of three suppers of the last week: the first one was six days before the
passover in the house of Lazarus. Jesus slept here Friday night and spent the last sabbath
in rest and at sunset when the sabbath ended the supper was served. Mary anointed the
Lord on this occasion. The second one took place two days before the passover in the
house of Simon the leper, also in Bethany (Mar. 14:1-9). At this supper an unknown
woman anointed Jesus. Then there was the last supper (John 13:1-20; Mat. 26:20; Mark
14:17; Luke 22:14).
Judas Iscariot complained about the use of the expensive ointment, for at this stage he was
in a backslidden stage and was accumulating wealth and wanted to steal the ointment for
profit, not to sell and give to the poor, for he was past caring for others. Jesus told him to
leave her alone for she was anointing Him for His death as He made another reference to
His death which the disciples failed to see.
Hosanna
John 12:9-19 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came
not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the
dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because
that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. On the next
day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to

Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna:
Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had
found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King
cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but
when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him,
and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him
when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For
this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The
Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive you how you prevail nothing? behold,
the world is gone after him.
The people wanted to see Lazarus and it shows the common curiosity of men in all ages to
see famous people. The chief priests however have decided to kill – the Greek word
apokteino which implies a violent death, not by judicial execution. What a crime! How far
will religious people go to commit sin to protect their own interests? These people
withdrew from the faction of the chief priests to those who were not willing to kill Jesus or
Lazarus.
The 4th day before the passover, the 11th of Nisan (April), our Saturday sunset to Sunday
sunset. The day of the second triumphal entry (Mark 11:1-7; Luke 19:29-35). Jesus left
Bethany and was met by multitudes from Jerusalem (Mark 11:8-10; Luke 19:36-40). He
wept over the city (Luke 19:41-44), entered the temple, looked around and returned to
Bethany to spend the night (Luke 11:11).
‘Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that come in the name of the Lord’ this is the 5th
Old Testament prophecy fulfilled (Psa. 118:25-26). Hosanna is Aramaic for God save or
help. ‘Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King come, sitting on an ass’s colt.’ The 6th
Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John (Zec. 9:9).
‘When Jesus was glorified’ after Jesus was crucified his disciples understood many things
He taught them for the first time.
‘Bare record’ These eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Lazarus gave public testimony to
the fact and caused many to believe in Jesus.
The Pharisees were frantic when they saw the multitudes leaving them and following
Jesus. Something had to be done, but caution must be exercised lest the people turn on
them and destroy them.
Corn of Wheat
John 12:20-26 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the
feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired
him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and tell Andrew: and again Andrew
and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of
man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it bring forth much fruit. He that loves his life
shall lose it; and he that hate his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man

serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man
serve me, him will my Father honour.
‘Certain Greeks’ these were Gentile proselytes to the Jewish religion (1Kin. 8:41-42; Mat.
23:1-39). They came to worship in the outer court of the Gentiles. They would not be
allowed to eat of the feast unless they were proselytes (Ex. 12:48).
Philip, one of the twelve apostles (Mat. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). His call
took place in chapter 1:43-50); he was the brother of Nathaniel and is mentioned three
other times (6:5-7; 12:20-22; 14:8-13).
Andrew, one of the twelve apostles (Mat. 10:2; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). He
was a fisherman and the brother to Peter (Mat. 4:18; John 1:41-44). He was a disciple of
John (1:40) at first and is mentioned three other times (Mark 13:3-4; John 6:8; 12:20-22).
The 24th New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled: The hour is come for Jesus’
sufferings and the glory that will come when the middle wall of partition is broken down
between the Jews and Gentiles so they can be united in one body (Mat. 27:51; 1Cor.
12:13; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-14; Eph. 2:12-18; 3:6; Gal. 3:28).
Jesus compares Himself to a grain of wheat: His death to a grain sown and decomposed
in the ground; His resurrection to the blade that springs up out of the dead grain; and His
manifestation and glorification to the abundant fruit of the many grains produced to sustain
life. He should have died to be glorified and fruitful. He could not establish a glorious
body of believers unless He was glorified (7:37-39; Acts 2:33; Eph. 1:1-23).
The many elements of mystery surround the death and resurrection of any seed. We
believe a dead grain multiplies itself and we are nourished by its multiplication, but we
cannot understand how it is done. We cannot tell how one grain becomes multiplied into
many - how the earth, air, water, and sunshine cooperate together to create new life. We
believe it, not because we understand it, but because it produces results. If we cannot
explain and fully understand these earthly things why do we have to understand the
infinite purposes and works of God in redeeming men through the death, burial, and
resurrection of Christ before we believe?
Lifted Up
John 12:27-36 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this
hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a
voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people
therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to
him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if
I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what
death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ
abide for ever: and how says thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of
man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you
have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walk in darkness know not whither

he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.
These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
The devil tried to kill Christ before He could get to the cross, but God heard Jesus’ prayer
and saved Him from death (Heb. 5:7; Luke 22:43-44). If satan could have succeeded in
killing Christ anytime from infancy to the cross he could have defeated God’s plan of
redemption. Christ had to get to the cross where He spoiled satanic powers and
triumphed over them (Col. 2:14-17; 1Pet. 2:24). His soul was troubled because of the cup
of death on the cross where He carried our sin on Him.
‘I have both glorified it’ referring to Christ glorifying God in satan’s defeat; (Matt. 4:1-11)
‘will glorify it again’ referring to satan’s final defeat at the cross (Col. 2:14-17).
The people heard the voice from Heaven as a sound, like those who heard Christ’s voice
to Paul as a sound, not hearing the distinction of the words the voice uttered (Acts 9:7
with 22:9).
‘For your sakes’ - for the sake of the Gentiles that had been brought to Jesus to confirm
their faith in Christ.
‘Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I,
if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’ The 25th New Testament
prophecy in John that is fulfilled through His crucifixion.
‘Judgment’ is the Greek word krisis. This refers to the judgment of the world upon the
cross. Yes, salvation came for those accepting Christ and living as commanded in
obedience, (1 Pet. 2:21-23) but judgment for those who seek their own glory or that of
other people.
‘The prince of this world’ the Greek word archon; applied to Satan as ruler of the world-
system (John 14:30; 16:11); ruler of demons (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22); and ruler of the
air (Eph. 2:2).
‘Lifted up’ from this we conclude that Jesus being "lifted up" refers more to the heavenly
exaltation through crucifixion than merely to the cross itself (John 3:14; 8:28).
‘Draw all men unto me’ It is because of His exaltation that He can draw all men to Him by
the Holy Spirit and miraculous works through believers in confirming the gospel (John
7:37-39; 14:12; Acts 2:33; Heb. 2:3-4).
‘Yet a little while is the light with you.’ The Messiah does abide forever, but like the sun
He is not always visible. He told them to believe in Him [trust on Him] while they can
and be children [followers] of light and that darkness was to come when they longed for
Him and couldn’t find Him (Luke 17:22; John 7:34; Matt. 21:43).
The Unbelief of People

John 12:37-43 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed
not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord,
who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their
eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand
with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias,

when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many
believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be
put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
‘They believed not on him’ For them to believe was the purpose of the miracles then, and
it still is today. Yet, so many still don’t ever become doers of the Word and also serve
Christ for earthly benefits and gain (1Cor. 15:19).
The 7th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John: ‘Lord, who hath believed our report?
and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?’
The "arm of the Lord" expresses His miraculous power (Psa. 98:1; Isa. 52:10; 53:1;
59:16; 63:5; Acts 4:30; 11:21; 13:11).
The 8th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John (Isa. 6:9-10) “He hath blinded their
eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes nor understand
with their heart and be converted, and I should heal them.”
‘Converted, and I should heal them’ Two things promised believers here: conversion, a
change of direction, a new walk with God (Psa. 19:7; 51:13; Isa. 6:10; 60:5; Matt. 13:15;
18:3; Mark 4:12; Luke 22:32; Acts 3:19; 15:3; 28:27; Jas. 5:19-20) and physical healing,
a change of health, a new health in God (Exo. 15:26; Psa. 91:1-16; 103:3; Isa. 6:10;
53:1-12; Matt. 8:17; John 10:10; Rom. 8:11; 1Pet. 2:24; 3Jn. 1:2; Jas. 5:14-16).
To accept the literal fulfilment of only half of this prophecy is wrong. The way Jesus
demonstrated healing and conversion together is proof that both are still for all men (Matt.
8:17; 9:5, 35; 10:1-8; 12:28; 13:15; John 10:10; Acts 10:38). Shall we say that it is easier
to forgive than heal? That it was only God’s will that He does this for men for a limited
time? That God does not care to bless His children this way today? That He loved them
for only a few years? That the work of Christ on the cross has lost its power? That the
promises, provision, and benefits started with the gospel were only temporary? Or, shall
we return to God and the original gospel benefits, trust Him in all our well-being?
‘His glory’ Jesus here applies Isaiah 6:1-13 to Himself, proving His deity and pre-
existence. ‘Many believed on him’ only two are named (John 19:38-39).
Many still love the praise of men more than the praise of God. They permit fear of
disgrace, love of the praise of men, riches, and temporal advantages to make them cowards
and too weak in faith to bear the reproach of Christ (Heb. 11:26; 13:13; 1Pet. 4:14).
Jesus Came to Save the World

John 12:44-50 Jesus cried and said, He that believe on me, believe not on me, but on him
that sent me. And he that sees me sees him that sent me. I am come a light into the world,
that whosoever believe on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my
words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the
world. He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word
that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of
myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say,
and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever
I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

With His last discourse to the people, Jesus spoke in a loud voice saying that he that
believes on Him, believe not on Him, but on the Father (John 7:27; 11:43). Faith in
Christ does not end here but passes on to recognize the Father (John 5:23; 7:14-19;
10:30; 13:20).
Three things all must do: HEAR in order to believe Christ’s words (Rom. 10:14, 17); then
he must BELIEVE in order to keep them and he must KEEP them in order to be saved
(Mat. 10:22; Rom. 6:22; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:11; 1Pet. 1:9, 13; Rev. 2:26). Hear = read
the words of the Bible so your mind can register and store the words; Belief = to know
that God’s word will come to pass: to trust in and rely on every promise, command and
judgment; Keep = to live in 100% obedience to every commandment we are giving with
regards to Christ’s example set for us (1Pet. 2:21-23).
‘I judge him not’ Christ’s first coming was not to judge, but to conquer death; His second
coming will be a judgment through His Word in the last day - the 26th New Testament
prophecy in John, unfulfilled.
Jesus never spoke of His own secular interest and personal gain as the teachers in His
days did, and in our times and days as well.
The Father’s commandment of life everlasting was given to Jesus to speak: that is the main
theme of the gospel of Christ, signed and sealed in His blood and by His life that He gave
to us. It must be the main focus of every believer’s living testimony!
This is John’s last mention of Christ’s public ministry – where He answered the people on
mostly accusations against Him.
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

John 13:1-17 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was
come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having
now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that
the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went
to God; He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded
himself. After that he pour water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and
to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then come he to Simon Peter:
and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto
him, What I do thou know not now; but thou shall know hereafter. Peter said unto him,
Thou shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part
with me. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my
head. Jesus said to him, He that is washed need not save to wash his feet, but is clean
every whit: and you are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore
said he, You are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his
garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know you what I have done to
you? You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have
given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto

you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that
sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
‘Before the feast of the passover’ refers to the preparation day for the passover, Nisan the
14th-15th, our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset, the day of the crucifixion. Judas
plots to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-29; Mark 14:10-25; Luke 22:1-38).
‘End’ to the furthest extent, referring not so much to a period of time, but to readiness to
do the most humble service in their behalf.
‘The Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went
to God’ note this statement of His divinity, authority, and coming glory, made just before
He humbled Himself to take the place of a slave to wash feet.
‘He rises from supper’ He arose from the supper table when the preparation had been
completed and began to wash the disciples’ feet. The reason for this was their argument
about who would be "the greatest" among them (Luke 22:24). Earlier He had rebuked this
kind of spirit by setting a little child in their midst and stating that they had to become as
little children and not seek to lord it over each other (Matt. 18:1-10). He had also rebuked
this spirit on other occasions (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45). Years had gone by now
and they had not yet learned their lesson on this point. He was seeking to get rid of this
passion for worldly honour and dignity which would have wrecked the foundation of the
congregations of believers after His death.
They removed their outer robes whenever they worked or slept. ‘Took a towel, and
girded himself’ this was the duty of the lowest slave. Some think He began with Judas, so
as to meet him with kindness and show how to act toward enemies.
‘Wash’ the Greek word nipto is used that means to wash part of the body and not bapto
which means to dip in, immerse, from which we get our word "baptize."
In verse 7 Jesus said that they won’t understand what He does until afterwards when He
explains His actions to them.
Peter didn’t want Christ to do something below His dignity, such as washing their feet.
Christ’s answer was that Peter would have no part of Him if he wouldn’t allow the
washing. There was something more than mere washing of feet involved. The reason for
such an example was to emphasize the absolute necessity of getting rid of self-exaltation
among Christians. One must get rid of the spirit of wanting to lord it over all other
Christians or he will not be saved. It will damn the soul (Matt. 18:1-8; 23:8-12; Luke
14:7-11; 18:14; 1Pet. 5:1-8).
Peter evidently understood Jesus to refer to spiritual cleansing, so wanted to be completely
washed he offered his hands and his head to be washed.
Jews bathed twice to prepare themselves for the passover, and, no doubt, the disciples
had done this as well. He that has so bathed needs only to wash his feet of the dust on
them from walking between the bath and the supper.
‘You are clean, but not all’ All the disciples were clean from sin except Judas who had
permitted satan to use him again. Studying God’s Word washes the mind (renew) and
then we can think and act according to the Word.
‘Master and Lord’ this double title was not given except to the most accredited teachers.

‘If I then ... have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’ Jesus
explained that if He can condescend to do this for them, then they should be willing to do
the lowest service for each other and prefer the least in honor to themselves (Php. 2:1-7).
The act of washing feet is given to inspire self-denying acts of kindness to all in need.
Literal washing of feet was not practiced among Christians as an ordinance until the fourth
century. No reference is made of it in any New Testament book, thus not commanded for
us to uphold, this was a mere illustration were Christ wanted to teach humility to His
followers.
Judas Became a Betrayer

John 13:18-20 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture
may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell
you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am he. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that
receives me receives him that sent me.
The ‘all’ of verse 18 refers to Judas again (vv. 10-11). Jesus prayed all night for the will of
God concerning whom He should choose (Luke 6:12-16) when He chose His disciples.
He chose Judas, not as a wicked man, nor that he should become such; but He foresaw
that he would not remain true to Him, and would deliver Him into the hands of His
enemies and bring ruin upon himself. Jesus even tried to prevent this, but Jesus would not
listen.
The 9th Old Testament prophecy in John which is fulfilled. Eating bread with Jesus made
the crime of Judas all the more sinful, for in the East it is a custom that eating bread with
an enemy makes you friends and rights of hospitality cannot be broken. It seals the bond of
mutual friendship, kindness, and protection of each other.
Plenty of facts are mentioned about Judas in the Word: he was an apostle (Matt. 10;
Mark 3:13-19); he was filled with the Spirit (Matt. 10:20); he was ordained to teach
(Mark 3:13); and ordained to heal (Mark 3:13-14); he was endowed with power (Matt.
10:1-8); a successful teacher and healer (Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:6,10); he baptized others in
water (John 4:1-2); and was a possessor of eternal life (John 17:2 with v12); he was a
saved man and had his name in the book of life (Acts 1:20 with Ps. 69:25-28; cp. Luke
10:20 with Mark 6:13); he was a familiar friend of Christ (Ps. 41:9) and trusted by Christ
(Psalm 41:9). Since Christ knew what was in men (John 2:25) He knew Judas could be
trusted like any saved man until he falls. He was not an enemy of Christ, not one that
hated Him, but an equal in grace, a guide, and an acquaintance who counselled and
fellowshipped with Him (Ps. 55:12-14). Later, he became a thief (John 12:4-6), an
adversary (John 6:70), and unclean (John 13:10-11), and "by transgression fell" like all
backsliders (Acts 1:25; Mark 14:21)
‘Lifted up his heel’ A reference to an ill-natured horse that sometimes kicks even the
person who feeds and cares for him.

One of You Will Betray Me
John 13:21-30 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and
said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples
looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus'
bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him,
that he should ask who it should be of whom he spoke. He then lying on Jesus' breast said
unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I
have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of
Simon. And after the sop satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou
doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy
those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the
poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, Judas was still with them, having his feet washed
along with the rest. The 27th New Testament prophecy in John, that is fulfilled: Jesus
said that one of them shall betray Him.
The disciples looked to one another, doubting of whom Jesus spoke. Judas was not
suspected. They had absolute confidence in him and Judas must have been a good actor
as well as demon-inspired to go through this ordeal of pretending such innocence. Were
not these dealings of Jesus to break him if possible and bring him to repentance?
John, the writer of this gospel was known as the one whom Jesus loved, was leaning on
Jesus’ bosom, sitting close by Him. Peter asked John to hear from the Lord who the one
was that would betray Him. The 28th New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled:
Jesus answered that it is he to whom He gave a sop after He dipped it.
‘Sop’ is the Greek word psomion meaning a morsel. It was a portion of the paschal supper,
collected in the fingers, dipped in the sauce, and handed to one of the guests. It was a
mark of honour for the guest who received it. The Lord had appealed to the conscience of
Judas, and now He appealed to his heart, but it was too hard to respond. Judas must have
been on the left of Jesus so he could take it from Him.
Satan had put it in Judas’s heart before this and the deal was already made (Mat. 26:14-
16). Judas hardened his heart at the last appeal of Jesus, so now he was open for satanic
control. Jesus now knowing that Judas had submitted to satan and that further appeal was
useless, dismissed him for the work he was to do. Satan entering into Judas simply means
Judas submitted to satan’s temptation to betray Jesus. He became one with satan, like men
become one in spirit with God when joined to Him in consecration (1Cor. 6:17).
A New Commandment
John 13:31-35 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man
glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him
in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you.
You shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, you cannot come; so now I
say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have

loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my
disciples, if you have love one to another.
The 29th New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled: Jesus said that He was
glorified by being appointed to save the world and the Father is glorified in Him saving the
world. The Father and Jesus are glorified together in seeing Their ruined work redeemed
and restored.
‘Little children’ a term used nine times in this epistle (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4,
21). It is used elsewhere only in John 13:33 and Galatians 4:19. There are four stages of
Christian experience: infants; newborn (1Jn. 2:12); little children; those able to walk and
talk (1Jn. 2:13); young men; those grown to the prime of life and no longer tossed about
like children by fallacies (1Jn. 2:13-14); fathers; those who are matured in the Lord (1Jn.
2:13-14).
Jesus warned that He was there with them for only a short time and then they will seek
Him, but cannot follow where He goes. Jesus was with them for one more day before the
crucifixion, and He remained dead for 3 whole days. Then they could see Him for 40
more days and no more after that (Mat. 12:40; Acts 1:3, 11). He said this to the Jews
(John 7:34; 8:21), and to His disciples: when He did finally go they cannot follow Him,
but He will come back for them at a later time (John14:1-3).
‘New’ the Greek word kainos meaning renewed. This is the same as the old
commandment in Leviticus 19:18, "Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself." The
renewed commandment here has an additional part, "as I have loved you." Christ more
than fulfilled the Mosaic precept. He not only loved His neighbour as Himself, but He
loved him more than Himself, for He laid down His own life for others. In this, He called
upon His disciples to follow Him: to be ready on all occasions to lay down their lives for
each other and for enemies, if it would save them from hell (Rom. 5:8-11). This surpassed
by far the moral systems of all religions. No system ever prescribed anything so pure and
unselfish.
Christ explained to them, that they have been ambitious, envious, and at strife for
supremacy. This cannot be. They must love as He loves. By this shall all people know
them to be Christians. Disciples of different teachers were known by their habits, or some
particular creed or rite; but the Disciples of Christ were to be known by the love they had
for one another (1Jn. 3:11-18; 4:7-21).
Peter's Denial Foretell

John 13:36-38 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goes thou? Jesus answered him,
Where I go, thou cannot follow me now; but thou shall follow me afterwards. Peter said
unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus
answered him, Will thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The
cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
The 30th New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled: ‘Where I go, thou cannot
follow me now; but thou shall follow me afterwards.’

Peter wanted to know just why He could not follow Jesus now. He was willing (so he
said) to die and go along with Him now. Christ knew Peter better than he knew himself,
so made a prediction that proved it.
Peter’s answer to Jesus was that he was ready to go with Him, both into prison and to
death. (Luke 22:33) This kind of pride and boastfulness was the cause of Peter’s downfall
(Pro. 16:18). Such is likely to happen to anyone who does not take heed (1Cor. 10:12-13).
The 31st New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled: The cock shall not crow, till
thou hast denied me thrice.’ This prophecy seems to have been uttered more than once: in
the upper room (John 13:38; Luke 22:34) and once after leaving it (Mat. 26:30-35; Mark
14:26-32).
In Luke 22:32 Jesus said the following to Peter: “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith
fails not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” This does not mean that
Peter had not been converted, for he had been and had served God for over three years. It
simply refers to the fact that he was headed for a fall, and that he would come back to
God and be reconverted becoming stronger than before. This is not the case with all men
that fall into pride.
The Truth and the Life

John 14:1-7 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my
Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare
a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go you know, and the
way you know. Thomas said unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how
can we know the way? Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
come unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him.
‘You believe in God, believe also in me’ Believing in God is no proof that you are justified
by faith alone, for even devils believe without justification. (Jas. 2:19) This trust is to have
confidence that God will do all that He says and we must live in obedience to all that He
commands.
The 32nd New Testament prophecy in John that is unfulfilled: ‘In my Father’s house are
many mansions … I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there
you may be also.’ This will be fulfilled at the rapture (1Thes. 4:16; 1Cor. 15:23, 51-58;
Php. 3:21; Col. 3:4; Eph. 5:27). At this time He will receive to Himself all the dead and
living in Christ who will come back to earth with Him 7 years later at the second coming
for the Battle of Armageddon (Zec. 14:5; Jud. 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21). Since Christ is in
heaven, that is where we are to go at the rapture (Acts 1:11; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:1; 9:24).
‘House’ Greek word oikia: dwelling place. The Father’s dwelling place is Heaven (2Cor.
12:1-4; Rev. 4-5; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:1; 9:24; Acts1:11).
‘I am the way’ Christ Is a Sevenfold Way: The only way to God (Matt. 7:14; John 10:1,
7, 9; 14:6); the way of escape (1Cor. 10:13); the way into the holiest (Heb. 9:8-15;

10:19-23); the new and living way (Heb. 5:9; 10:20); the way of truth (2Pet. 2:2); the
right way (2Pet. 2:15); the way of righteousness (2Pet. 2:21; 1Cor. 1:30).
‘Truth’ This word is used by Jesus in John 22 times. He is the truth of God that sets free
(John 8:32-36). He is the teacher and source of truth (Matt. 22:16; Mark 12:14; John
1:14, 17). The word is often quoted: “the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32) by the
world, but without knowing the Truth [having a relationship with Jesus] there shall be no
freedom.
‘Life’ This word is used 44 times in John. Christ is the only source of eternal life.
‘No man come unto the Father, but by me’ There is no other way to salvation, but through
Christ Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) “For through him we
both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. 2:18) If you know Christ, you also
know the Father; and if you are known by Christ, the Father knows you!
Greater Works
John 14:8-14 Philip said unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us. Jesus said
unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he
that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how say thou then, Show us the Father?
Believe thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto
you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwell in me, he does the works. Believe me
that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believe on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever
you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you
shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Philip asked the Lord to show them the Father, but Jesus explained that by knowing Him,
the Father is also known to them.
‘In the Father, and the Father in me’ This speaks of union with, not physical entrance into.
The Bible does speak of the Corinthians and Philippians being in Paul’s heart (2Cor. 7:3;
Php. 1:7); God being in Christ (2Cor. 5:19); Christ being in God (John 14:20); God and
Christ being in each other (John 14:10-11); men being in both the Father and the Son
(1Jn. 2:24); men being in Christ (2Cor. 5:17); men and the Spirit being in each other
(Rom. 8:9); Christ being in men (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10); man and Christ being in each
other (John 14:20); all creation being in God (Acts 17:28); and satan entering into men
(Luke 22:3; John 13:27). However, these passages refer to being in union with, being
consecrated to the same end - one in mind, purpose, and life. They do not teach physical
entrance of one being into another. It may be best understood by a man and woman
becoming one in life together, being in each other’s plans, life, etc.
‘Works’ refers to His miracles, healings, signs, wonders, and mighty acts of power (Matt.
11:20-23; 13:54-58; 14:2; John 5:20, 36; 9:3; 10:25, 32). His works consisted of healing
all manner of sickness and disease, casting out devils, raising the dead, cleansing lepers,
and doing innumerable acts of deliverance from all the works of satan (Matt. 4:23-24;

9:35; Acts 10:38). He controlled the elements, multiplied food, walked on water, restored
a severed ear, turned water into wine, accomplishing anything He undertook to do in the
material and spiritual realms.
‘Shall he do also’ the promise here is that each believer can be endowed with power (Luke
10:19; 24:49; Acts 1:4-8) and receive the Spirit without measure (John 7:37-39), so he
can do all the works of Christ and even greater works than what He did. To make this a
promise of spiritual works only when He did material and spiritual works is a poor excuse
for unbelief. To make it refer to saving souls is to ignore facts because He did this also. To
limit it to the works of the apostles will rob other believers of the benefits of the promise.
‘Greater works’ The thought is that each believer can have equal power with Christ to do
what He did as well as greater things if and when the occasion requires it. Reasons for
greater works: satan was cast out (John 12:31) and defeated on the cross (Col. 2:14-17;
1Pet. 2:24). Redemption was completed (John 19:30; Col. 2:14-17; 1Pet. 1:10-12) and
Spirit baptism came after Jesus was glorified (John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8; 2:33). Christ now
intercedes for believers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). Completed victory over death, hell and
the grave (Heb. 2:14-15; Rev. 1:18; Col. 2:14-15). The fullness of grace is now possible
in Christ (John 1:17; Col. 2:10).
‘That the Father may be glorified in the Son’ this is the purpose of the Christian’s power of
attorney. It glorifies God to answer all prayers and save, heal, and bless all people
materially, but He cannot do so unless they "ask in faith, nothing wavering" (Heb. 11:6;
Jas. 1:5-8; Mark 11:22-24).
The Holy Spirit Promised

John 14:15-19 If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and
he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit
of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but
you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you
comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you
see me: because I live, you shall live also.
If you love Jesus, keep His commandments. Be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.
(Jas. 1:22) Live in obedience to the Word.
‘And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you ...’ The 33rd New Testament prophecy
in John fulfilled and being fulfilled. Jesus became the Mediator between God and man
(1Tim. 2:5), and through His mediation and intercession, all blessings of grace shall come
to us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). ‘Another’ not Christ, but another divine person - the
Comforter is the Holy Spirit who is our helper.
‘Abide with you for ever’ for those who stay in Christ, there will always be access to the
Holy Spirit who is the one that convinces of sin and reminds us of the Word as long as we
don’t quench Him (1Thess. 5:19) or grieve Him (Eph. 4:30) by living in sin. He is the
Spirit of the truth because He teaches the Truth [the Word]. The world - unsaved -
cannot receive Him. Therefore, all men do not have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9, 14-16;
Gal. 4:6; 1Cor. 3:16-17) because they refuse to "see" or understand Him (1Cor. 2:14) or

become acquainted with Him by receiving the gospel and permitting His work in their lives
(John 1:12; 3:5, 16-20, 36; 5:24; 16:7-15).
‘You know him’ You disciples know the Holy Spirit or have experienced Him, for He
dwells in you in a measure and He shall come into your lives in all fullness when you are
baptized in the Spirit [that happened about 50 days later]. (John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:4-8)
The word ‘with’ in verse 17 is the Greek word para which means beside, alongside of,
proving that the Spirit was with the disciples. He was even "in" them (Matt. 10:1-8, 20;
cp. Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-10; 10:1-20). If He was in them and yet shall be in them it
could only refer to receiving the Spirit in greater, baptismal measure as Christ had (John
3:34). Christ came to give all disciples this fullness of the Spirit (Matt. 3:11; John 1:31-33;
7:37-39; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:16-21, 33, 38-39; 5:32; Gal. 3:14). The
doctrine of interpenetration does not mean physical entrance into, but union with, so the
idea is that there is a measure and a fullness, a partial union with and a complete union
with the Spirit.
‘Comfortless’ is the Greek word orphanos. Disciples of a particular teacher were called his
children and upon his death, they were considered orphans. Christ calls His disciples
children (John 13:33) and now promises that He will not leave them orphans.
‘I will come to you’ He did so as promised after His resurrection (John 20:1-31; Acts 1:3).
‘Yet a little while’ it was about 20 hours when He would be taken down from the cross.
Because He was resurrected, they will also one day be resurrected. His resurrection will
be a pledge and proof of ours (1Cor. 15:1-58).
Keep His Commandments

John 14:20-26 At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in
you. He that has my commandments, and keep them, he it is that love me: and he that love
me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas
said unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou will manifest thyself unto us, and not
unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him. He that loves me not keep not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not
mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet
present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
‘At that day you shall know’ the disciples knew after Jesus was resurrected that He was in
union with the Father. ‘I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.’ This passage
refers to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end - one in mind, purpose,
and life.
Not only must we have His commandments, but we must also keep them = obey them.
We have to follow Christ, not only at the beginning of a Christian experience but daily
and throughout life. When we live in obedience to the Word, God will know that we love

Him and we shall be loved by the Father. Jesus will also love us and manifest Himself to
us. This is a promise to each believer (John 7:37-39; 14:12-15; 15:16).
Judas, one of the apostles, who was the brother of James (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13) and who
was also called Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18), asked Jesus how He
will manifest Himself to them and not to the world?
Jesus answered that someone who loved Him, will obey His Word and by doing so allow
the Father’s love and They will be with you in union as they are made alive to others
through your life that must be according to Biblical standards as given in 1 Peter 2:21-23.
Someone who does not obey God’s Word loves Him not and rejects the Word from the
Father. The plural pronouns of this verse assert the unity in work and omniscient abiding
of both the Father and the Son. This refers to the time when He would leave them and
after the glory would be restored to Him (John 17:5). Now He is omnipresent, but in the
days of His life on earth, He was localized as all other human beings and limited in
knowledge and other powers.
The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in Jesus’ name, shall
teach us all the things written in the Word, and bring them to our remembrance. This is
the 34th New Testament prophecy in John fulfilled and being fulfilled. The Holy Spirit is
called ‘Comforter’ in John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, and ‘Advocate’ in 1Jn. 2:1. It means
one called to the side of another for help or counsel. The Spirit is our Paraclete or Helper
on earth and Christ is the Paraclete or Helper in heaven.
Peace
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world give, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
As the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), Jesus leaves us with His peace that passes all
understanding. We must permit this peace to garrison or keep our hearts and minds
through Jesus Christ (Php. 4:7). Start with renouncing all worry and then by prayer,
supplication, and thanksgiving, make all your requests known to God (Php. 4:6; Jas. 4:7).
We must always think on the right things (Php. 4:8) and keep our minds stayed on God
(Isa. 26:3). Use the weapons of spiritual warfare (2Cor. 10:4-6) when the enemy attacks
your mind and put on the whole armor of God so that you are able to stand against the
wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:10-18). Have faith in God (Matt. 6:25-34; 7:7-11; 17:20;
21:22; Mark 11:22-24) and live and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:1-
13). Do not cast away your confidence in Him (Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:11-12; 10:19-23, 35-
39) but cast all your cares upon God (1Pet. 5:7).
According to 2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, love,
and of a sound mind. He gave us a Spirit of boldness (Rom. 8:15); a Spirit of power (Luke
24:49; Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 16:10; 1Tim. 4:14); a Spirit of love (1Cor. 13:4); and a Spirit of a
sound mind, understanding, and judgment (Gal. 5:22-23). The spirit of fear mentioned
here is the Greek word deilia meaning cowardice. When we do fear we lose our power,
love and sound mind. That’s why your mind becomes frenzied in fear or with worries.
This is one of the first stages of backsliding. What you fear will come over you. You give

permission to fear to manifest it in the physical reality. That is the enemy’s greatest power
against all men. He brings the thought, we think upon it and make it ours and it will come
to pass (Job 3:25).
‘Power’ the Greek word dunamis means a power to reproduce itself, implying the need for
constant activity and use for continued reproduction. From this word, we get our English
dynamo and dynamics - the branch of mechanics dealing with the principles of motion or
active operation. Just as a dynamo needs to be in motion to produce power, so one needs
to stir up into flame the gift of God in his life (2Tim. 1:7; 1Tim. 4:14).
Nothing in Me
John 14:28-31 You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.
If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is
greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to
pass, you might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this
world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the
Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
This is the 35th New Testament prophecy in John fulfilled in Christ’s crucifixion,
resurrection and ascension and being fulfilled in that people will read these facts in the
Word and believe in Him.
‘Greater than I’ The Father is the head of the Divine Trinity (John 14:16; 16:23-26;
1Cor. 11:3). Christ is neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit.
‘Prince of this world’ refers to satan (John 12:31; Eph. 2:2; 2Cor. 4:4).
‘Nothing in me’ No relationship, no sin, no nature, and nothing of satan was ever in
Christ. He was not subject to death because He had not sinned. In the fall satan gained a
pseudo-sovereignty over a man on the principle of possession and consent of a responsible
agent, or government by consent of the governed. God recognized this and decided to
permit satan to defeat himself by causing him to kill an innocent victim over whom he had
no claim. When he inflicted death on Christ, he forfeited all his claims, rights, and
authority, including his right to liberty itself. He lost the right to inflict death on all others
who became the property of Christ by virtue of His redemption for them.
‘I love the Father’ the only place where Jesus speaks of loving the Father. Six times the
Father is spoken of as loving the Son (John 3:35; 10:17; 15:9; 17:23-26).
‘Gave me commandment, even so I do’ the Father gave Jesus commission, so He obeys.
‘Arise, let us go hence.’ John 14:1-31 was spoken before leaving the supper-room, and
John 15-17 was spoken on the road to the garden.
The True Vine

John 15:1-6 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me
that bear not fruit he take away: and every branch that bear fruit, he purge it, that it may
bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto
you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches:

He that abide in me, and I in him, the same bring forth much fruit: for without me you can
do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and
men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
‘True vine’ Israel turned out to be a false vine producing wild grapes (Isa. 5:1-7). Christ
as the true vine brings forth good fruit.
‘Every branch in me that bear not fruit he take away: and every branch that bear fruit, he
purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.’ Every believer in Christ is referred to by this
illustration or it is meaningless. If the believer is fruitful, he is purged to produce more fruit.
If he is fruitless, he is taken away or removed from being part of the vine. The Father does
this, not man. No man is able to pluck one branch from God’s hands, but if we say that
God cannot cut off any branch that is fruitless, then we limit God and make the dead,
fruitless, and useless branches to be more powerful than He is. To take this position
would be like saying to the vinedresser that it would be unlawful to prune the vine and
remove the dead branches. No man can cut off any branch that is not actually in the vine.
It is absurd and contrary to the letter and spirit of the parable here to talk about branches
that are cut off as merely professing to be branches. If the idea here is only professed
union of the vine and branches then there could only be a professed cutting off and
burning; so the passage would mean nothing because it would have said nothing to any
purpose.
God is the husbandman and Christ is the vine and believers are the branches in Christ.
Every fruitless branch "in me" is cut off, withered, gathered with other dead branches and
cast into the fire and burned. Every fruitful branch "in me" is purged that it might be more
fruitful. Every branch "in me" is clean (pure in heart by the Word if walking in the light,
Matt. 5:8; Eph. 5:26; John 3:5; Jas. 1:18; 1Pet. 1:23; 1Jn. 1:7). Branches must "abide in"
Christ and Christ in them to produce fruit. The branch is helpless to produce fruit of itself.
Christ is helpless to produce fruit through the branch unless it remains in Him. Branches
must abide in Christ or be cut off and burned.
‘Now you are’ Now - not, "you are going to be." The cleanliness referred to here was a
present experience before the cross and before Pentecost. They were clean because of
the Word that was spoken by Christ that washed them (Isa. 1:18).
‘Clean’ the Greek word katharos means pure, clean from anything that soils or corrupts.
Real heart purity is meant (Matt. 5:8).
‘Abide’ the Greek word meno meaning remain, continue, dwell, and abide. This is a
command to remain in Christ. The reason is given here as not being able to bear fruit
otherwise. Without following in His example and footsteps when He lived on earth, one
cannot remain in Him (1 Pet. 2:21-23).
Abide in Me
John 15:7-10 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will,
and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so
shall you be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue you

in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you’ Note the conditions of this chapter (John
15:6, 10, 18-20, 22, 24).
‘Ask what you will’ the promise is "ask what you will," plainly teaching that answered
prayer is up to the child of God as to what he wants. This is in perfect harmony with the
promises of both testaments. A true Christian can get what he wants as well as what he
needs (Psa. 23:1; 34:9-10; 84:11; Matt. 7:7-11; 17:20; 18:18-20; 21:22; Mark 9:23;
11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 16:23-26; Eph. 3:20; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8; 1Jn. 3:21-22;
5:14-15). A prayer saying, "If it be Thy will" concerning anything God has already
promised, and therefore has already made it clear that it is His will (providing we ask in
faith, nothing wavering), is really a prayer of unbelief. It is like saying, "I know You have
already promised and You have made it very clear by Your Word that it is Your will, but
do You really mean what You say? We insult God by constantly questioning His will that
is already revealed by His word. It is no less insulting to Him than it would be to a human
friend who had promised something and we continued to question him about his will in
the matter.
Branches must not only remain in Christ but must have His words abiding in them or
prayers will not be answered. God can only be glorified by the branches when they remain
in Christ and produce much fruit.
‘So have I loved you’ The Father heard Him always, so Christ promised to answer all
prayers prayed in His name (John 14:12-15; 16:23-26).
‘Keep my commandments’ is found 359 times in Scriptures and over half of these most
certainly command men to keep the commandments of God. This is not only true of the
Old Testament, but of the New Testament. Therefore, Christians are under obligation to
obey the gospel throughout life, not only during one brief act of faith.
‘Even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love’ Emphasizing to
what extent one must render obedience to God by keeping His commandments. If we are
to be as righteous as He was in the world (John 17:14-16; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:7-10; 4:17; 5:1-5,
18), then nothing short of complete obedience must be rendered. It is impossible to retain
a sense of pardoning grace without continuing in obedient grace.
Commandments
John 15:11-17 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and
that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have
loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not
servants; for the servant know not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all
things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. You have not chosen
me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and
that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he
may give it you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

‘That your joy might be full’ Getting complete answers to prayer is associated with this
idea in John 16:24. Would not joy be full if one lived in perfect obedience to God as did
Christ? Contrast "my joy" (John 15:11; 17:13) with "your joy" (John 15:11; 16:22, 24).
The conditions of joy and peace (John 14:27) are both based upon perfect obedience
(John 15:9-14).
‘This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.’ Christ’s
commandment to us is the same as His Father’s commandment to Him. We must love one
another to the extent that He loves us. He laid down His life for us; we must lay down
our lives for each other.
‘If you do whatsoever I command you’ If we obey we are His friends; but if we do not
obey we are not His friends.
‘Henceforth I call you not servants’ He did not make us bondslaves. He made us full
partners and His personal representatives on earth. We are to represent Him and
reproduce His works as He represented God and did His works (John 14:12; 17:18;
20:21-23). We will share equally with Christ in His inheritance if we share in sufferings
and work (Rom. 8:17). We are to share with Him all things the Father has made known
to Him.
‘Chosen you, and ordained you’ we were chosen and ordained to go and bring forth fruit,
produce eternal works and get an answer to every prayer.
True ministers of the Word must be united [of one mind] to the vine, chosen by God to
do the work and ordained for the work: Laborers to bring forth fruit, not idlers (John
6:27). Goers to the work, not waiters for the work (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 4:35-38; 16:15-
20; Acts1:4-8). Preservers of their fruit, not destroyers of it (John 6:27). Prayers that get
results. Lovers of all men (1Jn. 3:4-18; 1Cor. 13:1-13).
The Hatred of the World

John 15:18-25 If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If
you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hate you. Remember
the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have
persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep
yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they
know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin:
but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hate me hate my Father also. If I had not
done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now
have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the
word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
The 36th New Testament prophecy in John [vv.18-21] is fulfilled.
‘You were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world’ Three times Christ testifies this of His
disciples (John 15:19; 17:14-16).

Expect the world’s hatred because: Jesus predicted it; the world hates reproof (John
3:19). Its evils are exposed by true Christian living (Rom. 12:2; Tit. 2:11-12). Its darkness
is exposed by Christian light (John 3:18-20; Php. 2:15). It is blind (2Cor. 4:4). Christians
are not of it (John 17:14-16). It is at war with Christians (John 16:33; Eph. 6:12; 1Jn.
5:4). It has natural enmity against God (Jas. 4:4; Mat. 18:7). Christians hate its ways (1Jn.
2:15-17). Christians live separated from it (Jas. 1:27; Rom. 12:2; 2Pet. 2:20). It is ignorant
of Christian experience (Gal. 2:20; 2Cor. 5:17). It is ignorant of God.
‘For my name’s sake’ on account of Christ or His authority (Acts 4:7, 17-18; 5:40-41;
9:14-16, 21).
‘Sent me’ Jesus claimed that the Father sent Him 43 times in John. Only 4 times is it
referred to in the other gospels.
If Jesus had not come and proved to them beyond doubt that He was the Messiah they
would not have had the sin of rejecting Him, but now they have no excuse for this sin.
They wilfully hate both Jesus and His Father (John 15:22-24).
‘They hated me without a cause.’ The 10th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John
(Psa. 35:19; 69:4; comp. Psa. 109:3; 119:161).
The Comforter
John 15:26-27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceed from the Father, he shall testify of me: And
you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
The 37th New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4 when they and
others (120 Acts 1:15) were baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
‘I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth’ Jesus is the baptizer in the
Holy Spirit (Mat. 3:11; John 1:31-33).
‘Proceed from the Father’ the Father will send forth in Jesus name or by His authority
(John 14:26).
‘He shall testify of me’ The Holy Spirit bears witness by anointing men: for the Apostles
who were to preach the gospel (Luke 4:18; Acts 2:11-39; 1Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:1-16). In
prophesying by edifying, exhorting and comforting (Acts 3:21; 13:1, 32; 21:10; 1Cor.
12:10, 28; 14:3). In the exercise of other gifts (1Cor. 12:10, 30; 14:5, 13, 27). In making
audible intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered in words (Rom. 8:26). He
will teach us all the words that Christ spoke, therefore He is called the Spirit of truth, He
will guide us into all truth [the Word]. He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He
shall hear of Christ He will speak and show the Apostles the things to come. He shall
glorify Jesus Christ for He shall receive of Him, and show it all unto us (John 16:13-14).
‘You also shall bear witness’ The disciples also were to speak for Jesus (Acts 1:8, 22) so
that others may know Him (Isa. 43:10) and believe in Him and may understand that He is
the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. They shall witness that He is God (Isa. 43:12).

The Time Shall Come
John 16:1-7 These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended. They
shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kills you will
think that he does God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have
not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall
come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at
the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and
none of you ask me, Whither goes thou? But because I have said these things unto you,
sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I
go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will
send him unto you.
‘These things have I spoken unto you ...’ The 38th New Testament prophecy in John
fulfilled and is being fulfilled. ‘Offended’ the Greek word skandalizo which means to
stumble, to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and
obey.
‘Put you out of the synagogues’ that is to excommunicate you (John 9:22; 12:42) that
whosoever kills you will think that he does God service.
Because they have not known the Father, nor Jesus: their ignorance of God and Christ is
the foundation of all religious persecution and intolerance (John 15:21).
Jesus did not tell the disciples these things when He chose them, lest they should have
been discouraged; but it was at this time necessary to tell them so they could be on guard
when He left them.
‘Whither goes thou?’ This was asked twice before (John 13:36; 14:5), but now their
hearts were too full of sorrow to ask again.
It was expedient for the disciples that Jesus went away: for if He did not go away, the
Comforter [Holy Spirit] could not come unto them; but when Jesus departed, He did send
Him unto them.
It was ‘expedient’ for them that He should go - the Greek word sumphero meaning
profitable. It was necessary for Jesus to die and go away or the Spirit cannot come to save
men and anoint them to propagate the gospel.
The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Divine Trinity (1Jn. 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2Cor.
13:14). He has been sent by both the Father and the Son (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7;
Luke 24:49; Acts 2:33).
The Work of the Holy Spirit

John 16:8-15 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness,
because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of
this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them
now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will
show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show

it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of
mine, and shall show it unto you.
There are 12 offices of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the gospel of John: He is the Begetter
of the new birth (3:3, 5); the Life-giver (6:63; Rom. 8:11); the Imparter of power (7:37-
39; 14:12-17; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8); the Eternal Comforter or Helper (14:16, 26;
15:26; 16:7); the Teacher of Truth (14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:13; 1Jn. 2:20-27); the
Reminder of all truth (14:26); the Guide into all truth (16:13); the Revealer of Christ
(16:13-15); the Revealer of events (16:13); the Glorifier of Christ (16:14); the Chief
Witness for Christ (15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:8) and the Convincer of sin, righteousness,
and judgment (16:8).
‘Reprove’ is the Greek word elengcho which means to convince, convict, refute, expose, to
bring to shame the person reproved. It is found 17 times and translated "convince" (John
8:46; 1Cor. 14:24; Tit. 1:9; Jas. 2:9); "convict" (John 8:9); "tell one’s fault" (Matt.
18:15); "reprove" (Luke 3:19; John 3:20; Eph. 5:11, 13; 2Tim. 4:2); "rebuke" (1Tim.
5:20; Tit. 1:13; 2:15; Heb. 12:5; Jude 1:15; Rev.3:19).
‘The world of sin, because they believe not on me’ World = all men, not only the Jews;
Of sin: that unbelief is the foundation of sin and the source of sinfulness that will damn
men (Mark 16:16; Luke 8:13; John 3:16-20, 36; 5:24, 38; 8:24; 10:26).
‘Of righteousness’ that man’s righteousness is useless (Isa. 64:6; Rom. 10:3); that Christ is
our righteousness (1Cor. 1:30); and that in Him alone and by faith in His atonement can
we be righteous (Rom. 3:22-25; 4:1-22; 2Cor. 5:14-21).
Because Jesus went to His Father, and the disciples saw Him no more, the Holy Spirit
will them [and all men] in the Truth [Christ = gospel].
‘Of judgment’ that men who believe in Christ will escape the judgment of damnation
(John 3:15-20; 5:24); that all who refuse to believe will be damned with satan (Matt.
25:41; John 3:36; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8).
‘Because the prince of this world is judged’ All unbelievers are assured of judgment
because their master has already been defeated on the cross and is helpless to avert his
own doom much less theirs (John 12:31; Col. 2:14-17; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 20:10-15).
‘Bear’ the Greek word bastazo which means to carry or bear what is burdensome, not able
to understand a matter or receive it calmly (John 19:17; Acts 15:10; Gal. 6:2, 5). It was
for the best that Jesus did not tell the disciples that the whole Mosaic system must be set
aside; that the sabbath and Jewish festivals will be abolished; that Gentiles must be equal
members of the body of Christ; and that many cherished dreams of them about what the
Messiah will do when He returns, will not come to pass in their time. He revealed those
things to them after the Holy Spirit came (16:13-15).
Into Joy
John 16:16-24 A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you
shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among
themselves, What is this that he said unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and
again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said

therefore, What is this that he said, A little while? we cannot tell what he said. Now
Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you enquire among
yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while,
and you shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but
the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into
joy. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as
she is delivered of the child, she remember no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born
into the world. And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man take from you. And in that day you shall ask me
nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he
will give it you. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive,
that your joy may be full.
‘A little while’ He was with them for one more day and then crucified, where He
remained dead for 3 whole days. Then they saw Him for 40 more days and no more after
that (Matt. 12:40; Acts 1:3, 11). As He said to the Jews (John 7:34; 8:21), He said unto
the disciples: when He finally did go they couldn’t follow, but He will come back for them
[and us] later (John 13:36; 14:1-3) at the time of the Rapture.
‘Because I go to the Father’ Three times Jesus said that He was not going to be there to
continue His works, so He made full provision for believers to do them (John 14:12-17,
26; 15:7; Matt. 3:11; 17:20; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 38-39); He sends the Holy
Spirit to take His place and convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (16:8-
11) and He was going to His Father, so the disciples will not be able to see Him until He
comes again.
‘A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she
is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born
into the world.’ This is a literal illustration picturing the sorrow and joy of the disciples in
His death and resurrection.
‘In that day’ the day when Jesus went back to the Father they shall ask Him nothing, but
they shall ask the Father in Jesus name (John 14:1-3, 12, 19-20; 16:5, 10, 16, 23-27).
‘Whatsoever you shall ask’ again assuring no limitations to what believers may ask and
receive within the bounds of the promises.
‘In my name’ this repeats the doctrine of the Christian’s power of attorney and teaches
agency in divine affairs. Legally, any person capable of free and intelligent action may act
as an agent. A lunatic, imbecile, an infant, or anyone incapable of free and intelligent
action cannot act as an agent. The power of attorney means the legal and written authority
to transact business for another. One may be a general agent to represent another in all of
his business, or a special agent who is authorized to do some specific work, or transact
some special business. The agent can act with all authority within the bounds of the legal
authorization as much as the one who gave him this authority. All believers have full, legal,
redemptive, gospel, blood-bought, promised, and family rights to use the name of Jesus.
Free, unlimited, and unqualified use of His name is the body’s deposit. Checks will be
honoured in the amount signed with a steady and unwavering hand (Jas. 1:5-8).

‘Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name’ up until then the disciples have not asked
anything in Jesus name for He was with them and they could ask Him personally; but
after He left, they had to ask the Father in Jesus name.
‘Ask, and you shall receive’ Do not be afraid to ask - simply ask in faith and you shall
receive. Asking is not limited to salvation, but "whatsoever," "anything," and "all things" will
be given in Jesus name (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:16).
‘That your joy may be full’ the purpose of answering prayer is to help you and to confirm
the infinite Fatherhood of God (Matt. 7:11; Luke 11:9-13; Jas. 1:17), so do not hesitate to
ask any material, physical, or spiritual blessing - any need for body, soul, or spirit - for no
good thing will He withhold from you (Psa. 23:1; 34:9-10; 84:11; 91:1-12; Matt. 21:22;
Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15).
He Has Overcome
John 16:25-33 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh,
when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the
Father. At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the
Father for you: For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have
believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the
world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now
speak thou plainly, and speak no proverb. Now are we sure that thou know all things, and
need not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou came forth from God.
Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,
that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am
not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world.
Jesus spoke in proverbs to the disciples; He gave them instruction by numerous examples
and divine rules to govern all of their conduct - civil, religious, and business life.
Afterwards, He spoke to them plainly of the Father.
‘That I will pray the Father for you’ - we pray and Jesus will make intercession for us
(Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1Jn. 2:1-2). If we will pray and have faith, the Father will never
deny us what we want. He always hears His Son and if He did not spare Him in
sufferings and death, He will not refuse to give us what Christ died for to give to us (Rom.
8:32). When we pray in Jesus name or by His authority the Father will always hear and
answer, because this is what He sent Jesus to tell the disciples [and us], so let this be a
settled fact in our lives.
Jesus told the disciples that He came from the Father into the world; and will leave the
world and go back to the Father. They understood Him clearly and declared that He
knows all things and that He was sent from the Father to teach them [and us].
The 40th New Testament prophecy fulfilled in John: Jesus warned the disciples that a
time shall come when they will be scattered, every man to his own, and they shall leave
Him alone: this was fulfilled the night of His arrest (Matt. 26:56; Zech. 13:7). Jesus

comforted them so that they might have peace when the arrest took place, by saying that
He will not be alone because the Father will be with Him. He furthermore warned them
that they will have tribulation in the world, but they must be of good cheer; for He has
overcome the world. ‘Overcome’ the Greek word nikao which means conquered.
Jesus Prayed: Life Eternal

John 17:1-3 These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father,
the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him
power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou has given him. And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou have sent.
These words that Jesus spoke, refers to all of John 13:32-16:33. Then the Lord prayed
His longest recorded prayer, which may be divided into four sections: verses 1-5 for
Himself; 9-19 for His disciples; 20-24 for all disciples and 25-26 for His disciples again.
‘Power’ the Greek word exousia meaning the authority, delegated power and the right to
give eternal life to all whom God gives to Him. As He died for all, He has the power to
give eternal life (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17).
Man was given power over all creation and had he remained master of all things he would
have continued to live forever. Satan, evil spirits, and sin got the mastery over him and he
had to die (Gen. 2:17; Heb. 2:14; 1Jn. 3:8). Christ came to bring man complete mastery
over these powers so he can again live forever in union with God. Eternal correspondence
and relationship with the eternal God bring eternal life.
When man passes beyond the finite and the material realm where his life does not depend
upon these things he enters into the infinite, spiritual, and eternal. Because of partaking of
the nature of the eternal and having perfect correspondence with the spiritual and the
eternal he can live forever (John 17:3; 2Cor. 4:18; 2Pet. 1:4). Such a life in the spiritual
world possesses the elements of eternity, provided that this life, correspondence,
environment, and union with the eternal is not broken off by sin and rebellion thereby
incurring the death penalty (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 1:29-32; 6:16-23; 8:12-13;
1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21).
To know God eternally is eternal life. To know Him for a time like Adam is temporary life
(Gen. 2:17). Eternal life is not prolonged existence or eternal continuance of being, for all
the wicked have this and will be punished in conscious existence forever (Isa. 66:22-24;
Matt. 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-49; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15; 21:8). It is not merely eternal
existence, but eternal knowledge of God in eternal and perfect correspondence and
perfect, eternal, and infinite environment. This life is only in God’s Son (1Jn. 5:11-12).
Thus everlasting life is not merely an everlasting existence.
This scientific proof of the possibility of eternal life through eternal correspondence with
God also proves the possibility of the opposite - eternal death or separation from God
because of the lack of correspondence with God. If eternal life is only in God’s Son, then
all who are not in Christ do not have eternal life, even though they will continue to exist
forever. Furthermore, those who do not continue abiding in Christ lose true eternal life.

Just as anything in nature lives to the extent and as long as it continues in the environment
producing its life or keeping it from dying, so the believer lives according to his knowledge.
Like all things in nature die when they cease to have correspondence with and utilize the
environment which keeps them alive, so the believer dies and is separated from God when
he ceases to live in God and appropriate by faith the benefits provided him on the grounds
of obedience to the gospel (John 6:27; 10:1-28; 15:1-8). Nothing in nature is given
unqualified and unconditional life in itself, and nothing in nature is ever blessed with any
degree of life without meeting the conditions upon which that life is given and maintained.
The believer also must meet the conditions of maintaining life in God and in Christ,
according to Scripture, if he is to live forever.
‘Know thee’ Knowing God is eternal life. This is why knowledge is stressed in Scripture.
The words know, knowledge, known, etc. are found 1,401 times in the Bible. All
Scripture centres around the idea of knowing God and conforming to His eternal will.
Ignorance of Him and refusal to know and believe in Him are condemned many times.
This is what will damn the soul.
Jesus Prayed: Glorified

John 17:4-8 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gave
me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I
had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou
gave me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gave them me; and they have kept thy
word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou has given me are of thee. For
I have given unto them the words which thou gave me; and they have received them, and
have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou did send
me.
‘Glorified thee on the earth’ this is done by demonstrating the will of God in teaching,
healing, and holy living.
‘Work which thou gave me to do’ this is the work of Matthew 4:23 and Acts 10:38. The
work of redemption was to be finished in a few hours at the crucifixion (John 19:30). The
work in heaven is still going on (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25).
‘With the glory which I had with thee before the world was’ - a plain reference to His
self-emptying (see Php. 2:7) where the Greek word kenoo means to empty out, drain. It is
translated "make void," "make of none effect," and "make of no reputation."
Here He refers to three experiential states: Eternal pre-existence (Mic. 5:1-2; John 1:1-2;
Rev. 1:8, 11; 2:8; 22:13; Col. 1:15-18); Earthly self-emptying (Luke 2:40, 52; John 1:14;
Php. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:3-9; 2:9-18; 4:14-16; 5:7); and Restored glory (John 17:5; Matt.
28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Php. 2:9-11; 1Pet. 3:22; Heb. 12:2; Rev. 3:21).
‘Thy name’ – speak of authority in His name (John 5:43; 10:25). ‘The men which thou
gave me out of the world’ These men not only included the 12, but also the 70 disciples
and many others that had come to believe in Him. Note ten things about these men: Jesus
has manifested the Father’s name and glory to them (17:6, 22, 23); they were the Father’s
(17:6, 9); they had received and kept His Word (17:6, 8); they knew God and believe

that Jesus came from the Father (17:7, 8, 25); the world hated them (17:14); they were
not of the world even as Jesus was not (17:14-16); Jesus was glorified in them (17:10);
the Father gave them Jesus (17:2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24); Jesus gave them eternal life (17:2-3);
those that the Father gave Jesus He has kept, and none of them was lost, except for Judas
(17:12).
Jesus Prayed: Be One

John 17:9-12 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou has given
me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in
them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may
be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those
that thou gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the
scripture might be fulfilled.
‘I pray for them’ - here 7 things are mentioned that can be prayed for believers: to be kept
from evil (17:11, 15); unity of all believers, as God and Christ are one (17:11, 21-23); the
joy of Christ fulfilled in all believers (17:13); sanctification or separation of believers to the
full work of God, as He had been set apart for this work (17:17-19; 10:36); world
recognition of God’s love to believers (17:24); reunion with Christ (17:24); and to see His
glory (17:24).
‘And all mine are thine, and thine are mine’ - this is a claim to perfect equality with God.
Any believer can say that “all mine are Thine,” but only Christ can say all “Thine are
Mine.” The claim is that all of Christ was the Father’s and all of the Father, is Christ’s.
‘None of them is lost, but the son of perdition’ - none is lost, but Judas who fell from the
apostleship by transgression (Acts 1:20-25; Psa. 41:9; 69:25-29). Judas was included with
those whom God gave to Christ (Matt. 10:1-20; Mark 3:13-19; 6:7-13; Luke 6:12-16).
‘Lost’ the Greek word apollumi. Used in John: to lose (6:12, 39; 12:25; 17:12; 18:9);
perish (3:15-16; 6:27; 10:28; 11:50); destroy (10:10); and die (18:14).
‘Son of perdition’ – literally means the son of destruction, because he was destined to
destruction. Used also of the Antichrist (2Thess. 2:3), and in the Septuagint of children of
transgression (Isa. 57:4). Hebrews and Greeks called anyone who had a particular destiny,
quality, or trait, the child of that thing, as “children of the kingdom” (Matt. 8:12; 13:38);
“children of the bridechamber” (Matt. 9:15); “children of hell” (Matt. 23:15); “children of
wrath” (Eph. 2:3); “children of wisdom” (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:35); etc. Judas and the
Antichrist have no relationship to each other as to parents, birth, life, death, etc. Both are
simply destined to destruction by their own deeds. The Antichrist will die at the hands of
Christ, while Judas hung himself (Dan. 7:11; Isa. 11:4; 2Thess. 2:8; Rev. 19:20).
‘That the scripture might be fulfilled’ The 11th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John
(Psa. 41:9; 69:25-29; 109:8; Acts 1:20-25). Judas was not lost that prophecy might come
to pass, but prophecy foretold the fact of his willful sin and lost state. He was lost because
he refused to be saved; lost through his own avarice and stubbornness to come back to
Christ even after his crime.

Jesus Prayed: Be Sanctified
John 17:13-19 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they
might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath
hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not
that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth:
thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into
the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through
the truth.
‘Out of the world’ - He does not pray for them to die and leave the world, nor seclude
themselves in deserts or separate themselves from the world in communities and
monasteries to escape temptation, but to live as lights and examples of God in the world
(Matt. 5:16; Php. 2:15; Tit. 2:11-14; 1Cor. 5:10) and not to love the things of the world
or socialize with worldly people (1 Cor. 5:9-13; 1 Pet. 4:3-4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 2 Jn. 1:9-
11).
‘Sanctify’ the Greek word hagiazo which means to separate from a profane to a sacred
use; to consecrate yourself wholly to God and His service. The primary meaning is
separation, not making holy. It means to make holy only when the person or thing
sanctified needs to be cleansed from sin or defilement in order to be fit to be separated
unto God and His service. Material things such as a day (Gen. 2:3); the tabernacle (Ex.
29:43-44); clothes (Lev. 8:30); houses (Lev. 27:9-29); or the temple (2Chron. 7:16-20)
must be cleansed from all defilement in order to be fit to be presented to God for His holy
uses. God’s name (Ezek. 36:23); God (1Pet. 3:15); Christ (John 10:36; 17:19); or the
already cleansed disciples (John 13:10; 15:3; 17:2, 6, 14, 16) need not be cleansed from
sin.
‘As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world’ - this
being sent as God had sent Him applies to all disciples, for Christ is not praying “for these
alone, but for them also which belief on Christ through their word” (Matt. 28:20; Mark
16:15-20; John 14:12; 20:21). This ‘sent into the world’ is to do whatever one chooses as
their calling in life and then to daily implement the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:10-18)
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, so that wherever we go on
a day-to-day basis our ‘walking’ will demonstrate a life in Christ (1 Pet. 2:21-23) so that
others will be drawn unto Him.
‘I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.’ Jesus separated
Himself unto God to do His will, even unto death, so that all disciples may benefit through
His salvation for them and be sanctified continually as they get to know the Word (1Jn.
1:7; Eph. 5:26).
Jesus Prayed: Made Perfect in One

John 17:20-26 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me
through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, are in me, and I in thee,
that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou has sent me. And the

glory which thou gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I
in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may
know that thou have sent me, and have loved them, as thou have loved me. Father, I will
that they also, whom thou have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold
my glory, which thou have given me: for thou loved me before the foundation of the
world. O righteous Father, the world has not known thee: but I have known thee, and
these have known that thou have sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and
will declare it: that the love wherewith thou have loved me may be in them, and I in
them.
‘One’ - this request for absolute unity is made five times (17:11, 17:21-23). Unity among
Christians is necessary to convince the world that He had been sent by God. Is this why
the world has not been convinced?
‘Are in me, and I in thee’ - the so-called doctrine of interpenetration, that is, persons
entering physical into each other, is false. The Bible does speak of the Corinthians and
Philippians being in Paul’s heart (2Cor. 7:3; Php. 1:7); God being in Christ (2Cor. 5:19);
Christ being in God (John 14:20); God and Christ being in each other (John 14:10-11);
men being in both the Father and the Son (1Jn. 2:24); men being in Christ (2Cor. 5:17);
men and the Spirit being in each other (Rom. 8:9); Christ being in men (Col. 1:27; Rom.
8:10); man and Christ being in each other (John 14:20); all creation being in God (Acts
17:28); and satan entering into men (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). However, these passages
refer to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end - one in mind, purpose,
and life. They do not teach physical entrance of one being into another. It may be best
understood by a man and woman becoming one in life together, being in each other’s
plans, life, etc. Hence, satan entering into Judas simply means Judas submitted to satan’s
temptation to betray Jesus. He became one with satan, like men become one in spirit with
God when joined to Him in consecration (1Cor. 6:17).
‘That the world may know’ - if Christians want to know how to convince the world that
their religion is of God, then let them become one as God and Christ are one. Make no
mistake about it - this is the secret of the world’s recognition of Christianity. See what it did
in the early congregations when they were one (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24, 32; 5:12).
James 3:16 is so true: “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work.”
‘Before the foundation of the world’ this is the second statement here of Christ’s pre-
existence – see also Micah 5:1-2; John 1:1-2; Revelation 1:8, 11; 2:8; 22:13 and Col.
1:15-18.
‘Righteous Father’ - eight facts about the Father: He is righteous (17:25); He is holy
(17:11); He originates from heaven (Matt. 6:14, 26, 32); He is the Father of Mercies
(2Cor. 1:3); the Father of Glory (Eph. 1:17); the Father of Spirits (Heb. 12:9); the Father
of Lights (Jas. 1:17) and the Lord of Heaven (Matt. 11:25).
‘Them’ - there are 169 pronouns used in this prayer. Plural pronouns are used of God and
Christ in the same sense as used of disciples, proving plurality of persons in the Godhead

(17:11, 21-23). There are 65 singular personal pronouns used of Christ and 53 of the
Father; 43 plural pronouns are used of God and disciples.
Gethsemane
John 18:1-11 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over
the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And
Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often times resorted there with
his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests
and Pharisees, come there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore,
knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom
seek you? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And
Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them,
I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom
seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he:
if therefore you seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which
he spoke, Of them which thou gave me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a
sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's
name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup
which my Father have given me, shall I not drink it?
After the prayer Jesus made in John 17, He and His disciples left for Gethsemane. ‘Went
forth’ from the place where He was speaking.
‘Cedron’ also called Kidron (2Sam. 15:23; 1Kin. 15:13; 2Kin. 23:4). It was a small rivulet
about 2 meters wide in a deep ravine about 183 meters from the wall of Jerusalem,
beyond which the Mount of Olives began with a steep slope.
‘Garden’ - or an orchard, called Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-47; Mark 14:30-36; Luke
22:40-44). Jewish rich men had their gardens and recreational grounds outside the city. It
perhaps belonged to some friend of Jesus, for He often resorted there (John 18:2; Luke
22:40).
In Matthew 26:37-45 we see that Jesus took Peter, John the apostle and James his
brother with Him, where He became sorrowful and heavy unto death as He prayed to the
Father: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will,
but as thou will.” Jesus did not pray against being crucified because He came for this
purpose, but He was made a curse for us (Gal. 3:13) and was to be forsaken by the
Father (Matt. 27:46). This was no doubt the hardest part of His sufferings to come: being
separated from the Father because of our sin and have been with the Father from all
eternity without the slightest separation, it was hard to be forsaken even for a moment.
This was necessary because God could not condone sin even if it were borne by His only
begotten Son. This emphasizes the awfulness of sin and that it must be put away if
fellowship with God is desired (Isa. 59:2; 1Jn. 1:7; Heb. 12:14; Tit. 2:11-14).
In Luke 22:44 we read of Christ’s agony while He prayed and His sweat was as great
drops of blood. It is a recognized fact that under extreme mental pressure the pores may be

so dilated that blood may issue from them, so there may be bloody sweat. A number of
cases are on record of such agony.
‘Band’ the Greek word speira which is a military cohort of 600 men (18:3, 12; Acts 10:1;
21:31; 27:1; Matt. 27:27; Mark 15:16). This cohort was accompanied by the officers of
the chief priests (7:32, 45-46).
‘Fell to the ground’ - this proves that Christ could have killed them by His power if He had
chosen to do so. This was a lesson to rebels that they had no power over Him without
His consent and to the disciples that He could have escaped if He had desired and if it
were not His time to go back to the Father after completing His work of redemption for
mankind.
‘Let these go their way’ these weren’t words of weakness and entreaty, but of authority.
Jesus gave Himself to them voluntarily, but they were warned not to hurt one of His
disciples. He has already given them proof of His power over them. He wouldn’t use it on
His behalf, for He laid down His life for His sheep; but He would have used it if need be
to protect His sheep. It was certainly the power of Christ that protected them, especially
after Peter began to use the sword (18:10).
‘Of them which thou gave me have I lost none’ this is the 41st New Testament prophecy
in John that is fulfilled.
‘Cut off his right ear’ perhaps Malchus advanced to seize the Lord so Peter acted intending
to cleave his skull; but God no doubt permitted only the ear to be severed so as to cause
another great miracle and further convince the soldiers that they were powerless to act
without His consent (Matt. 26:51-56).
‘Malchus’ John alone gives the name of this servant and who smote him, but he does not
mention the healing of the ear (Luke 22:51).
Christ commanded Peter to put his sword into the sheath because He came for this
purpose – for this cup which His Father had given Him to drink. This was the cup of
sufferings which befell Him for taking up the world’s sin on Himself (Matt. 20:22-23).
Peter’s Denial
John 18:12-18, 25-27 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus,
and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas,
which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to
the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter
followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest,
and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door
without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and
spoke unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then said the damsel that kept the
door unto Peter, Are not thou also one of this man's disciples? He said, I am not. And the
servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they
warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. And Simon Peter
stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Are not thou also one of his
disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his

kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter
then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
‘Captain’ the Greek word chiliarchos - the commander of 1,000 men; one of 6 tribunes
attached to a legion, showing the importance the Romans attached to the arrest of Jesus,
the Jews have represented it as a dangerous case of sedition.
‘Annas’ - he was perhaps the head of the Sanhedrin. He had been appointed high priest
several times and had five sons and a son-in-law who had held this office. ‘Same year’ the
office was no longer for life, as originally. Now it was by appointment by civil rulers and
not by God.
‘He, which gave counsel to the Jews’ - he had already passed sentence that Jesus should
be killed (11:49-52), hence he was disqualified to be His judge. But Christ was not tried
by rules of justice or He would not have been crucified.
‘That disciple’ perhaps John himself who always refers to himself in the third person
(13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20). Or it could have been Nicodemus or Joseph (19:38).
‘Damsel that kept the door’ tradition says her name was Ballila. Women were doorkeepers
(Acts 12:13). ‘Are not thou also one of this man’s disciples? I am not.’ first of three lies
(18:17, 18:25-26). In verse 27 the third lie and denial of Jesus are stated.
‘They’ the officers and servants of the high priest, the Roman Chiliarch and his soldiers
had gone back to the barracks, leaving Jesus in the hands of the Jews.
‘Warmed himself’ - a dangerous thing to do - to warm one’s self by the fire of his enemies.
Twelve steps in Peter’s backsliding from Matthew: he boasted (Matt. 26:33; Pro. 16:18);
he made Christ a liar (Matt. 26:33-35); he slept instead of praying (Matt. 26:40); he failed
to mortify his flesh (Matt. 26:41); he relied on the arm of flesh (Matt. 26:51); he forsook
Christ and fled (Matt. 26:56); he followed afar off (Matt. 26:58); he sat with the Lord’s
enemies (Matt. 26:58); he gave up hope and became discouraged (Matt. 26:58); he
became afraid of men (Matt. 26:69-74); he lied (Matt. 26:69-74); and he cursed (Matt.
26:69-74). Jesus had predicted his backsliding and his re-conversion (Luke 22:31-34).
Jesus Questioned
John 18:19-24 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus
answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the
temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask thou
me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I
said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with
the palm of his hand, saying, Answer thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I
have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite thou me? Now Annas
had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
‘Asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine’ they questioned Him as to His authority
of collecting disciples, forming a different sect, preaching new doctrines and setting
Himself up as a reformer. Annas perhaps was seeking something whereby he could legally
accuse Him, but he found nothing. All this was at night, which was contrary to the law of
the Jews. The Talmud says, “Criminal processes can neither commence nor terminate,

but during the course of the day” (Sanhedrin c, iv, s. 1). If a person was condemned the
sentence could not be until the next day. No judgment could be executed either on the eve
of the sabbath, or the eve of any festival. All these laws were broken in the trial of Christ
which was in the night, on the eve of the passover, and the eve of the special sabbath of
the feast – on Tuesday. It had been predicted that justice and judgment would be taken
away during His trial (Isa. 53:8; Acts 8:33).
‘I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the
Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.’ Jesus has spoken openly to all
people, in synagogues in the cities and even in the temple at Jerusalem, and has said
nothing in secret. If they have not heard Him, they could have asked those who have.
They and their spies have watched Him everywhere. Jesus has said nothing contrary to
the law and the prophets [the name of the Old Testament]. He has not disturbed the state
by rebellion. He asked that they would judge Him righteously according to their laws if He
has done something wrong.
‘One of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand’ - this was an
outrage against justice, for a prisoner before trial and condemnation were under special
protection of the court. This is the fifth definite law of justice and judgment broken before
the trial really got under way. They sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death,
this was contrary to their law which required them to begin a trial with those things that
would acquit the accused, not with those things that made for his condemnation. In this
case, not one thing was sought that would acquit Christ. They were determined to kill
Him so they looked for every excuse possible, not realizing they were fulfilling prophecy.
Not any two witnesses agreed on any one point of accusation, yet they condemned and
killed the only sinless man that ever lived.
‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite thou me?’ - A
Christian is bound to bear injuries and injustices without revengeful retaliation; but he is
privileged, even by the example of the Lord, to call to question such mistreatment. This
does not break the law of Matthew 5:39.
‘Now Annas’ all of this happened in Annas’ presence. John omits the trial before Caiaphas
(Matt. 26:57-68).
Jesus Before Pilate

John 18:28-32 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was
early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but
that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What
accusation bring you against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a
malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them,
Take you him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It
is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled,
which he spoke, signifying what death he should die.
‘Let they Jesus from Caiaphas’ Jesus was led by the mob to Annas (18:13); by the mob to
Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54; John 18:24); by the Jews to Pilate

(Matt. 27:2; Luke 23:1; John 18:28); by soldiers to Herod (Luke 23:7); by soldiers to
Pilate again (Luke 23:11-25); by soldiers to be scourged and mocked (Mark 15:16-19); by
soldiers to be crucified (Matt. 27:31; Mark 15:20; Luke 23:26, 32; John 19:16).
‘The hall of judgment’ Pilate’s house, called the Praetorium, the dwelling place of the
praetor, the chief ruler of the province. It was where he held court (Mark 15:16).
‘Early’ it was early in the day of preparation, from our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday
sunset. It was perhaps between 11:00 p.m. to midnight, for a little later it was the 6th hour
or midnight (19:14).
‘Passover’ Jesus had eaten of the passover before the time (Matt. 26:18-20; Mark 14:12-
16; Luke 22:7-15), and was Himself slain at the time of the offering of the paschal lamb
(1Cor. 5:7).
‘Pilate then went out unto them’ he went out to them lest they be defiled by coming into
him. The Romans had agreed to permit the Jews the free use of their rites and
ceremonies, so this was all Pilate could do.
‘Malefactor’ the Greek word kakopoios which means evildoer. They did not want Pilate to
judge, but to execute the sentence they had already illegally passed. Pilate was not willing
to execute a man whom he had not tried and who was not guilty, so offered to turn Jesus
over to them for execution (John 18:31).
‘It is not lawful for us to put any man to death’ this was another sin of the Jews. They had
the power to stone anyone breaking their law (8:1-11, 59; 10:31; Acts 7:59), but in this
case, they lied and, fearing the people, determined to raise the plea of rebellion against
Caesar, throwing the responsibility of the Lord’s death upon Pilate (19:7, 12). He had to
die by crucifixion to fulfil prophecy (Matt. 20:19; 26:2; John 3:14; 12:32-33). Jews did
not crucify and they had no power to do so with criminals that were accused of crimes
against the state, so they intimidated Pilate by accusing him of not being a friend of Caesar
if he let Christ go (19:7, 12).
Not of This World

John 18:33-40 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and
said unto him, Are thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Say thou this thing of
thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation
and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what have thou done? Jesus answered,
My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from
hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Are thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou say
that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I
should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate said
unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews,
and said unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But you have a custom, that I should
release unto you one at the passover: will you therefore that I release unto you the King of
the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas
was a robber.

‘Are thou the King of the Jews? ... Say thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of
me?’ This shows their accusation of treason. They did not charge Him with what were
the chief reasons for wanting Him crucified.
There are ten reasons why the Jews killed Jesus: over His Kingship (Matt. 2:2-3, 16;
John 18:33-40; 19:12-22); for telling the truth (Luke 4:21-29; John 8:40); for healing on
the sabbath (Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; John 5:16; 9:16); out of jealousy of Him (Matt.
26:3-4; 27:18; Mark 14:1; 15:10; Luke 22:2; John 11:48); because of their ignorance
(Matt. 26:64-66; Mark 14:62-64; John 12:40; Acts 3:17); to fulfill prophecy (Luke 13:33-
35; John 12:38-40; 18:31-32; 19:11, 28, 36-37; Acts 2:22-36; 3:18); He claimed
Sonship (5:18; 10:24-39; 19:7); because of their unbelief (5:38-47; 6:36; 9:40-41; 12:36-
38); because He claimed to be God (8:53-59; 10:33; cp. 1:1-2; Heb. 1:5-14); out of fear
of losing their authority (11:46-53; 12:10-11, 19).
‘Say thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?’ Jesus asked if His enemies
told Pilate this or if he was suspicious of Him, that he asked the question?
‘Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what
have thou done?’ Pilate answered that if Jesus didn’t profess to be the king of the Jews,
what has He done that they desire His life?
‘Of’ the Greek word ek meaning out from. Christ’s kingdom is not from this world. His
kingdom is from heaven. It will be an earthly kingdom when the Millennium begins (Dan.
2:44; 7:13-27; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 5:10; 11:15).
‘Thou say that I am’ - a common expression for “yes, it is so.” Jesus was born to be a king
and He came into the world to bear witness of the truth. All who are of the truth hear and
obey Him.
‘What is truth?’ Pilate was no doubt confused by all the religions and philosophies
clamouring for recognition. He did not stay to get an answer and in this, he is like millions
today who do not honestly seek to know the truth but follow every wind of doctrine that
comes along. Christ is the truth and anyone who finds Him and obeys Him will know the
truth (8:32-36; 14:6).
‘He went out again unto the Jews’ this is the second time Pilate left the judgment hall to
reason with the Jews (18:28-29). This time he declared the innocence of Christ as
treason.
‘Will you therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?’ Pilate thought surely they
would wish the release of Jesus instead of a common criminal, but this only gave them
further occasion to demand the death of Jesus (18:40).
‘The King of the Jews’ this insincere taunt of Pilate about their king only led them to retort
by the threat of high treason against Pilate himself (19:12). ‘Robber’ the Jews chose a
highway robber and a murderer instead of Messiah.
Jesus Scourged
John 19:1-7 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted
a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said,
Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth

again, and said unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that you may know that I find
no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.
And Pilate said unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers
saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, Take you
him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law,
and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
‘Scourged him’ had Him scourged in the Roman manner which was more severe than the
Jewish. It was customary to scourge a person before crucifixion, but Pilate hoped that this
punishment would satisfy the Jews so he could release Jesus (Luke 23:16). This did not
satisfy the bloodthirsty Jews who wanted Him dead and out of their way.
A scourge was a Roman implement for severe physical punishment. It consisted of a
handle with about a dozen leather cords with jagged pieces of bone or metal at each end
to make the blow more painful and effective. The victim was tied to a post and the blows
were applied to the bareback and loins and sometimes to the face and bowels. The flesh
was cut in several places by each blow. So hideous was the punishment that the victim
often fainted and some died under it. Flogging was permitted by the law up to 40 stripes
(Deut. 25:3). Jews reduced this to 39 stripes (2Cor. 11:23-25). If the scourge used on
Jesus had 12 thongs and He was hit even 39 times this would make 468 stripes. If some
struck in the same place and cut deeper each time one can see how His body, because of
the intense hatred back of each blow, was marred more than any other man’s (Isa. 52:14).
‘Crown of thorns’ for cruelty and mockery, fulfilling His own prophecy spoken in Matthew
20:17-19 in which manner He shall be killed.
‘Hail’ or, Health, success, and prosperity to the King of the Jews!
‘I bring him forth to you’ Pilate made his third appearance from the Praetorium to the Jews
outside and brought the scourged, bleeding, crowned, and kingly-clothed Christ of God
before them, hoping they would be willing to let Him go after such suffering. But, as ever,
religious persecutors have no love and mercy on their victims. They cried for crucifixion
until Pilate wanted to turn Him over to them to crucify, declaring the innocence of Christ
two more times (19:4, 6).
‘Behold the Man’ Pilate hoped against hope that this awful spectacle would melt their
hearts, but it only whetted their appetite for more suffering to the man they considered
their rival in religion and power.
‘Because he made himself the Son of God’ this new charge to Pilate was another of ten
reasons for condemning Him to die. This new angle made Pilate all the more afraid, so he
took Him into the judgment hall again to question Him (19:8-11).
Pilate Defends Jesus

John 19:8-15 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went
again into the judgment hall, and said unto Jesus, Whence are thou? But Jesus gave him
no answer. Then said Pilate unto him, Speak thou not unto me? know thou not that I have
power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou could have
no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that

delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release
him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou are not Caesar's friend:
whosoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that
saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called
the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover,
and about the sixth hour: and he said unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out,
Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, Shall I crucify your
King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
‘More afraid’ Pilate was torn between two fears: that of offending the Sanhedrin and the
populace who would file formal charges against him to Caesar, and perhaps cause
immediate rebellion; and that of killing an innocent man, a miracle-worker, a prince and an
offspring of Deity, and one whom he had been warned of by his wife (Matt. 27:19) and
his own growing conviction not to have a part in His death.
‘Whence are thou? ... Speak thou not unto me? know thou not that I have power to
crucify thee, and have power to release thee?’ The first question concerned whether He
was a real offspring of Deity or not. Was this man, who was so different from all others he
had ever seen, really a supernatural being? Christ gave no answer, so he threatened
boastingly of his power to release or crucify Him.
‘Thou could have no power at all against me, except it was given thee from above’ Jesus
answered Pilate that he could not do one thing unless God willed. It was a sin for him to
condemn Christ, for he was convinced by his conscience of His innocence; but the Jews
have the greater sin, because they wilfully sin against Jesus.
‘Thenceforth Pilate sought to release him’ Pilate sought all the more to release Him, but
the Jews now brought up the accusation of high treason to force his decision. They
wanted to accuse him to Caesar for preferring another king to his own emperor.
‘Caesar’s friend: whosoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar’ they hated
Caesar, but they hated their own Messiah more.
‘When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth’ when Pilate heard their
accusation against him of high treason, he brought Jesus out before the Jews again and
made his fifth attempt to deliver Him (Luke 23:4, 15, 20, 22; John 18:38; 19:4, 6, 12-14).
He knew that Tiberius was one of the most jealous and distrustful rulers in the world and
that during his reign accusations and conspiracies were plentiful, being founded on foolish
pretences, and being punished with excessive rigour.
‘Judgment’ the Greek word bema, a stone platform in the open court in front of the
Praetorium; the place of final sentence (Matt. 27:19; John 19:13; Acts 12:21; 18:12-17;
25:6, 10, 17). Used also of the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10; 2Cor. 5:10).
‘Gabbatha’ a raised pavement higher than the rest of the pavement. ‘Sixth hour’ about
12:00 midnight.
‘Away’ the Greek word airo, the same word translated “take up” serpents in Mark 16:18.
It is never used in the sense of making a side show or demonstration to prove faith, but it
means to remove, destroy, and put out of the way by death, as in Matthew 22:13; John
1:29; 19:15; Acts 21:36; 22:22; 1John 3:5.

‘We have no king but Caesar’ deeper and deeper these religious people were going into
sin and rebellion - choosing an enemy instead of a friend, satan instead of God, and eternal
damnation instead of eternal life.
Jesus Delivered
John 19:16-22 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took
Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place
of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two
other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put
it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE
JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified
was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the
chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am
King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
‘Delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified’ Pilate now surrendered to the
pressure of facing Tiberius in the trial for not yielding to the Jews to crucify their King. He
delivered Jesus to their will (Luke 23:25). Thus the Jews are accused of crucifying the
Messiah (Acts 2:23). The Romans merely carried out the will of the Jews, Pilate having
pronounced no sentence but having washed his hands of the whole affair (Matt. 27:24).
John omits the insults of the soldiers (Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:16).
‘He bearing his cross’ He bore the cross at first until He could no longer carry it alone,
then Simon was forced to help Him (Matt. 27:32). ‘Skull, which is called in the Hebrew
Golgotha’ the skull: called calvaria, a skull (Luke 23:33), a place outside Jerusalem (Heb.
13:12). Origen (185-253 A.D.) refers to a tradition that Christ was crucified where Adam
was buried and where his skull was found.
In Luke 23:27 we read of a great company of people that followed Jesus, of whom were
mostly women, which also bewailed and lamented Him in His sufferings. These women
that were of the sex that first sinned now stayed more true to the Saviour than those of the
sex which chose to sin without being deceived (1Tim. 2:14).
Jesus responded saying: “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me ...” with the 51st New
Testament prophecy in Luke that was fulfilled in 70 A.D., when Jerusalem was destroyed.
These women were of Jerusalem. They were told to weep for themselves and for their
children. Christ foresaw their terrible sufferings about 40 years later when many in this
same crowd perished in the horrible carnage which took place on the capture of the city.
‘Pilate wrote a title’ John alone mentions that Pilate wrote it Himself. Much controversy
has raged over the differences of what was written on the cross, as all four gospels have
different wording. Mark and Matthew mention “the accusation” which might be different
from the “title” of John 19:19. The accusation in Matthew and Mark is identical except
Mark omits “This is Jesus.” He only gives part of it while Matthew gives the whole. They
do not say the writing was in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as in Luke 23:38 and John
19:20. Different wording could be in these three languages and this could explain the
difference.

‘Place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city’ probably just outside the north wall
between the Damascus and the Herod gates, near the so-called “grotto of Jeremiah,”
about half a mile from the Praetorium.
‘The chief priests of the Jews’ this expression is used only here. They were no longer
God’s priests.
‘What I have written I have written’ Roman laws forbade the sentence to be altered when
once pronounced. The inscription named the only crime for which He was crucified. It
was a true statement, for He was and will always be King of the Jews, and will be so
acknowledged by them at the second coming (Matt. 23:39; Isa. 9:6-7; Zech. 12:10-13:1;
Rev. 1:7).
Crucified
John 19:23-27 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and
made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam,
woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it,
but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which said, They
parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things
therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his
mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore
saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said unto his mother,
Woman, behold thy son! Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that
hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Jesus was crucified on the Wednesday during the Lord’s Passover (Lev. 23:4-8) which
fell on the 15th of Nisan [April]. From the fact that He was fully three days and three
nights in Hell while His body was in the tomb (Matt. 12:40; Eph. 4:7-11; Ps. 16:10) and
that He rose early the first day of the week, which was after sunset on the Saturday (Matt.
28:1; Mark 16:1-2; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1-10). Jewish days are from 6pm to 6pm, not
like our 12 am to 12 am. If He had been buried on the Friday, He would have been in the
grave only one night and one day and this would make Jesus Himself a liar, for He said
He would be there three days and three nights. This proves that He was crucified on
Wednesday and was put in the tomb before sunset that day, for Jews always buried on
the same day of death. He remained dead Wednesday night, Thursday, Thursday night,
Friday, Friday night, and Saturday. He was resurrected soon after sunset Saturday, for He
had been resurrected before early morning of the first day, Sunday.
‘Four parts, to every soldier a part’ Four soldiers were employed in nailing Him to the
cross. These were the military guards - the executioners mentioned in Matthew 27:36 that
sat down and watched him, for their duty was to watch the person crucified lest his
friends should rescue him.
‘Coat’ the Greek word chiton, a tunic or inner garment which was worn next to the skin. It
usually had sleeves, and generally reached down to the knees and sometimes to the ankles.
Wearing two of them was for luxury, so they were forbidden to the disciples (Matt.

10:10; Mark 6:9; Luke 3:11; 9:3). When a person had on no other garment but this, he
was said to be naked (1Sam. 19:24).
‘They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.’ This is the
12th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John that was given in Psalm 22:18. One of 333
prophecies given of Christ’s first coming.
In Luke 23:34 we read that Jesus prayed to the Father to forgive these soldiers; for they
didn’t know what they were doing when they parted His raiment by casting lots and in
verse 36 they were mocking Him. This could be expected of heathen soldiers out of
contempt for the Jewish nation and loyalty to their emperor, whose sovereignty they
thought was insulted by the Lord’s claim of being born King of the Jews. One would not
expect religious leaders to be so hard-hearted as these, regardless of how just their cause
might seem to be at the time.
Also omitted by John are the two thieves that were crucified with Christ (Matt. 27:38).
There is some evidence that two malefactors were led with Him to be crucified with Him
(Luke 23:32). Then later two thieves were brought and were crucified (Matt. 27:38). No
scripture says that only two men were crucified with Him. It is said that both robbers
reviled Him (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32), while only one of the malefactors railed on Him
(Luke 23:39-40).
We see the contrasts between the two dying criminals in Luke 23:39-43. One mocked
Christ, demonstrating utter lack of reason (23:39) and the other demonstrated the highest
type of intelligence in 8 ways (23:40-43): by fearing God (23:40); rebuking another for not
fearing God (23:40); acknowledging his own condemnation and helpless state (23:40) as
well as justice for crime committed (23:41); confessing faith in the innocence of Christ
who had been cleared by all civil rulers of any wrongdoing and who was being crucified
solely because of religious jealousy and malice, as could be seen by all men (23:41);
confessing Jesus as Lord (23:42) and faith in the eventual triumph of Christ’s kingdom
(23:42); asking mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ (23:42).
Jesus answered him: “Verily I say unto thee, Today shall thou be with me in paradise.”
(Luk 23:43) This is the 52nd New Testament prophecy in Luke fulfilled when Christ and
the penitent criminal went to paradise in the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:8-10; Psa.
16:10; Matt. 12:40; Heb. 2:14-15). The rebellious one went to hell where the rich man
was (Luke 16:19-31). The paradise here is the one in the lower part of the earth and was
later moved next to the third heaven (2Cor. 12:1-3).
‘Cleophas’ he was called Alpheus (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; 24:18), he was the
father of James the Less, and husband of Mary, the sister of Mary (Luke 24:10, 18; John
19:25).
‘Disciple standing by, whom he loved’ John (13:23; 21:7, 20, 24). Christ wanted His
mother cared for and trusted John to do so. Joseph was now dead and His brethren were
not yet convinced that He was the Messiah (Luke 8:19-21).

It is Finished
John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the
scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and
they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When
Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost.
In Matthew 27:45 we read the following of these final moments of Jesus: “Now from the
sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” There was literal
darkness between the hours 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. while Jesus hung on the cross. He
died at 3 p.m. at the time when the passover lamb was slaughtered and other sacrifices
were offered for the feast of Passover of Leviticus 23:4-8. He died after being on the cross
for about six hours. In Matthew 27:51 and 54 we read that there was also an earthquake,
‘I thirst’ this is the 13th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John that was given in Psalm
69:21. It was customary to give a stupefying potion to intoxicate and help alleviate
sufferings (Pro. 31:6), but Christ refused it so as to suffer the full penalty for sin, sober and
in His right mind. Three drinks were offered to Christ: Upon His arrival at Calvary (Matt.
27:33-34, Mark 15:22-23); when He was on the cross before the criminal cried for mercy
(Luke 23:36); and at the end of His life (Matt. 27:48; John 19:29).
In Matthew 27:46 we read that about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice and
said: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why has thou forsaken
me?” Controversy still rages as to what language Christ spoke here. Some say Hebrew,
others say Syriac, and still, others say Aramaic. One thing is certain - no one near the cross
seemed to understand what He said and there were people there who could understand
all these languages (Mark 15:35). This was no doubt the hardest part of His sufferings and
also the cup to pass Him by [being separated from the Father because of our sin] that He
referred to when praying in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39). Having been with the Father from
all eternity without the slightest separation, it was hard to be forsaken even for a moment.
This was necessary because God could not condone sin even if it were borne by His only
begotten Son. This emphasizes the awfulness of sin and that it must be put away if
fellowship with God is desired (Isa. 59:2; 1Jn. 1:7; Heb. 12:14; Tit. 2:11-14).
In Matthew 27:51 we see that when He finally died the veil of the temple was rented in
two from the top to the bottom. There were two veils: one at the entrance of the Holy
Place and the other between this and the Holy of Holies into which the high priest alone
went once a year to atone for the sins of the people (Heb. 9:2-9). They were 18 meter
high from the ceiling to the floor. The rending of the veil signified that the middle wall of
partition between Jews and Gentiles was broken down (Eph. 2:14-18) and that each
believer now could have personal access to God (Heb. 9:8; 10:19-23; Eph. 2:14-18).
Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39 and Luke 23:47 mentions the centurion - a Roman officer of
100 men - and they that were with him, that were watching Jesus while all these things
happened and he said: “Truly this was the Son of God.”
‘It is finished’ the Greek word teleo meaning to “make an end” (Matt. 11:1); “finish” (Matt.
13:53; 19:1; 26:1; John 19:30; 2Tim. 4:7; Rev. 10:7; 11:7; 20:5) etc. Sixteen things are

finished: Fulfilment of all scriptures of the sufferings of Christ (Psa. 22:1-31; Isa. 53:1-12;
Luke 24:25-26, 44; John 19:28; 1Pet. 1:11; 3:18). The defeat of satan (John 12:31-32;
Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 2:14-15). The breaking down of the middle wall of partition to make
Jews and Gentiles one (Eph. 2:14-18; 3:6; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:1-21). Way
for personal access to God (Eph. 2:18-19; Heb. 10:19-38). The cancellation of the reign
of death (Rom. 5:12-21; 6:9; 8:2; 1Cor. 15:1-58; 2Cor. 3:6-15; Heb. 2:14-15) as well as
the cancellation of sin’s power (Rom. 6:1-23; 8:2; 1Cor. 15:54-58). The demonstration of
obedience and love to death (Php. 2:8; Heb. 5:8-10; 1Pet. 2:21; 4:1). The perfection of
Christ (Heb. 2:10; 5:8-11). Salvation from all sin (Matt. 26:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb.
9:15; Rev. 1:5; 5:9-10). Making peace between God and man (Rom.5:1-11; 2Cor. 5:14-
21; Col. 1:20-22). The death penalty is paid for all (Rom. 5:6-8; 1Cor. 6:19-20; 2Cor.
5:14-21; Heb. 2:9-15; 1Pet. 1:19). The cancellation of the mortgage claim of satan and
freeing of man and his dominion from sin and satan (Rom. 8:18-24; 14:7-9; 1Cor. 6:19-
20; 2Cor. 5:14-15; 1Thess. 5:10; Heb. 2:9-15; 1Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:9-10; 21:1-22:5). The
satisfaction of the full justice of God (Gen. 2:17; John 3:16; Rom. 3:21-26; 5:1-11).
Physical healing for all (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:17; 13:15; John 10:10; Jas. 5:14-16; 1Pet.
2:24). A way for the full endowment of power and full anointing of the Holy Spirit (Luke
24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8,33; Gal. 3:13-14). Blotting out of the Old Covenant and
making and sealing of the New Covenant (Matt. 26:28; 2Cor. 3:6-15; Gal. 3:13-25; 4:21-
31; Eph. 2:14-18; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 7:11-28; 8:6 - 10:1-18)
‘Gave up the ghost’ gave up His soul and spirit which left the body and went into hell to
preach (1Pet. 3:19), and liberate all righteous souls (Psa. 16:10; Matt. 12:40; Eph. 4:8-10;
Heb. 2:14-15). The soul never goes to the grave with the body nor is it unconscious (Psa.
16:10; Isa. 14:9; 2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-23; Jas. 2:26; Rev. 6:9-11; 20:11-
15). All souls are immortal (Matt. 10:28; Luke 16:19-31; 1Pet. 3:4; 4:6). Souls go out at
death and come back into the bodies in resurrection (1Kin. 17:20-22; 2Sam. 12:19-23;
Job 14:10; Luke 8:49-56; 16:22; 23:43-46; 2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Jas. 2:26; 2Pet.
1:13-15; Rev. 6:9-11).
Jesus' Side Is Pierced

John 19:31-37 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies
should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high
day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was
crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they
brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith
came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true:
and he knows that he said true, that you might believe. For these things were done, that
the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another
scripture said, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
‘Sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was a high day)’ this was Tuesday sunset to
Wednesday sunset. The next day was a “high day” (John 19:31), a special sabbath of the

feast, not the ordinary weekly sabbath, which was two days later (Lev. 23:6-11). Bodies
were not to hang all night (Deut. 21:22-23).
‘Legs might be broken’ it was common practice to break the legs of criminals upon the
cross to hurry their death, but law again was broken to fulfil a prophecy that no bone of
Him shall be broken which is the 14th Old Testament prophecy in John (Ex. 12:46;
Num. 9:12; Ps. 34:20).
‘Came there out blood and water’ – there is nothing symbolic or spiritual intended to be
conveyed here, but the fact of His literal death. The prophecy in Psalm 22:14 was being
fulfilled during His crucifixion: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of
joint, my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.” The loss of tissue fluids
- after He had been scourged: ripped open - had reached critical levels; and His
compressed heart was struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood to the tissues, and
the tortured lungs were making a frantic effort to inhale small gulps of air as He was trying
to get oxygen as He pushed Himself up for every breath against the nails that held Him to
the cross. The markedly dehydrated tissues sent their flood of stimuli to the brain was why
Jesus cried of thirst. Again we read in the prophetic Psalm: “My strength is dried up like a
potsherd; my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death”
(22:15). To make doubly sure of death, a legionnaire drove his lance between the ribs,
upward through the pericardium and into the heart. ‘And immediately there came out
blood and water.’ Thus there was an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the
heart and the blood of the interior of the heart. This is rather conclusive post-mortem
evidence that Jesus died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure
due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.
‘He that saw it bare record’ this was John the apostle himself (19:25-26; 21:24-25).
‘They shall look on him whom they pierced’ the 15th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in
John (Psa. 22:16) and be fulfilled as we read from Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7
that they who pierced Him – or rather their descendants - shall mourn for Him. This
identifies the Jews as the ones responsible for the sufferings and death of the Messiah.
Peter confirmed this (Acts 2:23). Having been the ones who pierced Him, or had Him
pierced, the Jews will then, in that future day, lament and mourn in bitterness over their
deed, upon seeing Him and the marks of His wounds. They will at last make supplication
to Him for mercy and forgiveness (Zech. 12:10-14).
Jesus Is Buried
John 19:38-42 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly
for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate
gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also
Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and
aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in
linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place
where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein

was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation
day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
‘Joseph of Arimathaea’ - a secret disciple of Jesus and member of the Sanhedrin (Matt.
27:57-60; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56). He was from Ramah, called in the Septuagint
Armathaim (1Sam. 1:1, 19).
‘Nicodemus’ – he was one of the Jewish’s rulers and a Rabbi, as well as a member of the
Sanhedrin, and one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. He was known as
Bartholomew which is a patronymic for Nathaniel. He was the brother of Philip (1:45-51;
21:2) and one of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13).
‘By night’ - at first, he came by night, but now openly, proving no shame.
‘Myrrh’ the Greek word smurna meaning a fragrant gum used in anointing oil (Ex. 30:23),
perfume (Psa. 45:8), and embalming (Mark 15:23). Myrrh is a gum which comes from the
stem of a low, thorny, ragged tree growing in Arabia and East Africa. ‘Aloes’ a perfume of
fragrant aromatic wood.
‘Hundred-pound weight’ A hundred litre of 12 ounces each would make only 75 of our
pounds. It is not known how much it costs per pound, but great quantities were used in
embalming the dead body of respected persons. When Herod died 500 servants bearing
aromatics attended the funeral (Josephus, Antiquities, Book 15:3:4). The women also
brought spices (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56; 24:1).
‘Wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews’ this was not
embalming as practised by Egyptians. Jews simply anointed the body and wrapped it in
fine linen, putting the spices and ointments in the folds. In Christ’s case, the operation was
not completed due to the coming of the sabbath. As soon as the sabbath was over the
women came back to complete the work (Mark 16:1). The linen was bound around each
leg and arm and a napkin over the face (11:44; 20:7; Acts 5:6).
‘Sepulchre’ is the Greek word mnemeion translated as the grave. It is never the place of
the soul, and is always located on the earth as the place where the body goes. The Bible is
clear when it states that man puts bodies into the grave and that graves are made, dug,
touched and seen. Thus can the hell [Greek: gehenna] and the grave [Greek: mnemeion]
not be the same place because no wrath, sorrow, fire, degrees of torment, consciousness,
souls, gates, bars, keys, prayer, conversations, pains, angels, demons, satan, punishment,
remorse, feelings, emotions, desires, suffering, memory, comfort, or life is ever mentioned
as being in graves; but all these things are mentioned many times as being in hell. Men can
put into the grave after killing the body, but God alone can cast into hell (Rev. 20:11-15;
Psa. 9:17).
‘Nigh at hand’ - indicating that they had to make haste to bury Him before the special
sabbath began at sunset Wednesday to sunset Thursday. Also, it appears that they
planned a better tomb and that they had no hopes of Him ever being resurrected, as He
had repeatedly said. They considered Him a great prophet and planned on treating Him
as such by making a great tomb for Him.
In centuries past, superstition, fraud, and all manner of sinfulness have been carried on in
connection with the holy sepulchre. Greeks and Armenians for centuries pretended that

divine miracles came through it and even immunity from hellfire would accompany anyone
buried in cloth that was singed in the candle fires of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The fire was thought to miraculously come from heaven each Easter which has always
been a pagan festival observed long before Christ. It is not a Christian name but is derived
from Ishtar, one of the Babylonian titles of an idol goddess, the Queen of Heaven. The
Saxon goddess Eastre is the same as the Astarte, the Syrian Venus, called Ashtoreth in the
Old Testament. It was the worship of this woman by Israel that was such an abomination
to God (1Sam. 7:3; 1Kin. 11:5, 11:33; 2Kin. 23:13; Jer. 7:18; 44:18). This church was
burned down Oct. 11, 1808, after 1400 years of idolatrous practises in it.
The Resurrection
John 20:1-10 The first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet
dark, unto the sepulchre, and saw the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she ran,
and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said unto
them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they
have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the
sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came
first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying;
yet went he not in. Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre,
and saw the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the
linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other
disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they
knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went
away again unto their own home.
‘First day of the week’ literally, the first day of the sabbaths, referring to the seven sabbaths
to Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-17). ‘Sabbath’ the weekly sabbath, not the special sabbath of the
feast which was two days before (Lev. 23:7). It is certain that it took place on the first day
of the week after the regular weekly sabbath (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2, 16:9; Luke 24:1;
John 20:1, 19) and three days and three nights after the crucifixion (Matt. 12:40).
In Matthew 28:2 we read there was a great earthquake that took place sometime between
sunset Saturday and dawn Sunday. The resurrection had already happened by the time
the women [Mary Magdalene and the other Mary] arrived at the tomb before daylight
(Mark 16:4; Luke 24:2). It is the second earthquake one in three days (Matt. 27:51).
We read in Matthew and Mark that an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and
came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it (Matt. 28:5; Mark 16:5).
‘Early, when it was yet dark’ before it became light on Sunday morning, which day began
at sunset Saturday and ended sunset Sunday. A Jewish day runs from 6 pm to 6 pm the
following day. Mary is mentioned in particular here because she was the one who left the
women to get Peter and John.
‘Disciple, whom Jesus loved’ this is John himself who always referred to himself in the
third person (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 21:20-25). He was not loved more than others by
Christ, but he accepted His love and chose to call himself accordingly. God does not have

respect for persons, with regards to their looks, races, classes and sexes (Acts 10:34; Rom.
2:11; Gal. 3:28; Jas. 2:1-4).
‘They have laid him’ Mary thought Joseph and Nicodemus had removed the body of
Jesus.
‘Did outrun Peter’ no proof that John was younger than Peter. He could have simply been
faster at running.
‘Wrapped together in a place by itself’ these things were lying in place as they were when
they were wrapped about Him. He had merely passed out of them without disturbing
them, not needing as Lazarus to be loosed (11:44). It was proof that a resurrected body
could come out without disturbing material objects. The door was opened, not to let Him
out, but to show the disciples that He had risen. He later went through closed doors
(20:19).
The 16th and last Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John (Psa. 16:10-11) is ‘that he
must rise again from the dead.’
‘Own home’ that is, places where the disciples were temporarily residing.
We read in Matthew 27:52-53 that after Christ’s resurrection the graves were opened;
and many bodies of the Old Testament saints arose and went into Jerusalem and they
appeared unto many. These bodies made part of the multitude of captives Christ captured
from satan in the underworld of departed spirits and which He took captive with Him
when He ascended on high (Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 2:14-15; Isa. 61:1). Now when
Christians die they no longer go into the lower parts of the earth held captive by the devil
against their will, but to paradise next to heaven to await the resurrection of the body
(2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Rev. 6:9-11; Heb. 12:22). The wicked continue to go to hell to
await their resurrection (Luke 16:19-31; Rev.20:11-15).
Appearance to Mary Magdalene

John 20:11-18 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she
stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And saw two angels in white sitting, the one
at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto
her, Woman, why weep thou? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my
Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned
herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her,
Woman, why weep thou? whom seek thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said
unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will
take him away. Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto him, Rabboni;
which is to say, Master. Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to
my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your
Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that
she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
‘Mary stood without at the sepulchre’ Mary stayed at the sepulchre after Peter and John
had gone. She saw this time two angels in the tomb (20:12). This was evidently the

second appearance of angels. The one in Matthew 28:1-6 and Mark 16:1-6 was before
Mary reported to Peter and John in 20:1-2.
‘I know not where they have laid him’ - compare John 20:2 where it is “we” because she
was with other women (Mark 16:1). Here it is “I” because she was evidently alone.
‘Knew not that it was Jesus’ it is not clear why she did not recognize Him (cp. Luke
24:16).
‘Woman, why weep thou? whom seek thou?’ He knew whom she was seeking, but He
wanted to hear what she had to say and whether she had any understanding as to the
resurrection. He had told the disciples many times that He would be raised after three
days and not one seemed to believe it. The ungodly Jews remembered it when the
disciples did not (Matt. 27:63).
‘Gardener’ the Greek word kepouros meaning the overseer of the garden in charge of the
workmen and produce to render account to the owner.
‘I will take him away’ “Love feels no load” seemed true in her case, yet how could she
have borne Him?
‘Mary’ she now recognized Jesus. He showed Himself to her first and she became the
first herald of the resurrection.
‘Rabboni’ Aramaic for Rabbi (20:16) and translated “Lord” (Mark 10:51). Rabbi means my
teacher.
‘Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my
brethren, and say unto them, unto my Father, and Your Father; and to my God, and your
God.’ the 42nd New Testament prophecy in John that is fulfilled when Jesus ascended to
heaven to the Father. ‘Touch’ the Greek word haptomai, to fasten to, cling to. Mary
attempted to hold Him and Jesus said, “Touch me not;” that is, “Do not cling to Me. I am
going immediately to heaven. Go tell My brethren that I ascend to God but will be back
again to see them.” That very day He did ascend to heaven and came back to appear to
the disciples (20:19-23).
‘For I am not yet ascended to my Father’ this is the reason why He did not want Mary to
detain Him. He permitted women to touch Him (Matt. 28:9), but not detain Him.
‘Brethren’ Christ made it clear who His brethren were - they were His disciples, not His
fleshly brothers (Matt. 12:49; 28:10; Luke 8:19-21; Heb. 2:11).
‘Told the disciples that she had seen the Lord’ they did not believe (Mark 16:11).
Appearance to the Disciples

John 20:19-23 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the
doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and
stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he
showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw
the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father had sent me,
even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them,
Receive you the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them;
and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained.

‘Then the same day at evening’ after having gone to heaven and back (20:17). ‘First day of
the week’ this and John 20:26; Acts 20:7 and 1Corinthians 16:2 disprove the theory that
no Christian gathering ever took place on Sunday or the first day of the week. From John
20:19 and 20:26 it is clear that Christ honoured this day twice to meet with His disciples.
Then, too, Pentecost fell on the first day of the week and they had gathered at least one
other first day during the ten days of waiting for the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:1-8;
2:1). Christians did gathering on the first day or Sunday (Acts 20:7; 1Cor. 16:1-2) but no
specific day is given because neither Christ nor any apostle commanded us to keep the old
Jewish sabbath, or any other day, but did command all people not to be bound by any
particular day (Rom. 14:5-6; Gal. 5:9-11; Col. 2:14-17).
‘Doors were shut’ proving that resurrected bodies do not need openings to get into houses.
They are called “spiritual” bodies in 1Corinthians 15:42-44. They evidently are like spirit
beings that can appear and disappear or be visible and invisible at will.
‘Where the disciples were assembled’ perhaps the upper room in the friend’s house where
the passover was eaten (Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12; Acts 1:13).
‘Peace be unto you’ this was the common salutation of Hebrews (Matt. 10:12-13).
Salutations became meaningless to the average person, but Jesus informed the disciples
that when He used the word “peace” it meant something (14:27; 16:33).
‘He showed unto them his hands and his side’ proof of His physical resurrection (Luke
24:39).
‘As my Father has sent me, even so send I you’ the Son sends His disciples with the same
impartation of power and the fullness of the Spirit that the Father gave to Him (7:37-39;
14:12; 17:18; 20:21; Luke 24:49; Acts1:4-8).
‘Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins you
retain, they are retained.’ This is simply another form of expressing power to bind and to
lose and to do the works of Christ. Binding and losing means more than declaring
something lawful or unlawful. It also means to confirm the truth by power as Christ and
the apostles did (Matt. 16:19; 18:18).
Jesus and Thomas

John 20:24-31 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when
Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he
said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into
the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight
days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors
being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then said he to Thomas,
Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into
my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My
Lord and my God. Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou have seen me, thou have
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs
truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But

these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing you might have life through his name.
‘Thomas’ the third mention of him in John (11:16; 14:5; 20:24). He is one of the 12
apostles, called also Didymus (twin, 20:24; 21:2; Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts
1:13). He is known as “doubting Thomas” because he doubted (20:25), but on the same
basis, we can call all the apostles doubters and unbelievers (Matt. 28:17; Mark 16:11-14;
Luke 24:11, 25, 41). He simply had not been with the others when Christ had appeared.
He missed out by not being faithful to gather with the rest, and so it is today (Heb. 10:25).
He is thought to have laboured in India and left many Christian converts. There,
idolatrous priests tortured him with red-hot plates. Then they cast him into an oven which
had no effect on him. They then pierced him with spears while in the furnace until he
died. Jerome says that his body, unconsumed, was buried at a town called Calamina.
‘I will not believe’ all unbelief is unreasonable, obstinate, rebellious, prejudiced,
presumptuous, insolent, stubborn, self-willed, boastful, insensible, hardening, and
deceitful. Thomas’s unbelief was temporary as we can see how much faith he had in the
eternal life Christ provided for all who choose to believe.
‘After eight days’ the 8th day after the last meeting of Christians on the first day of the
week (20:19) the second Sunday after the resurrection - Thomas went to the gathering
where the other disciples were. Again Christ appeared with them and gave the usual
salutation (20:19, 21, 26). The doors were again shut, emphasizing again that resurrected
bodies can go through material substance without an opening. He simply appeared in their
midst, as on other occasions and after teaching them He vanished out of their sight (Luke
24:31). Six more Sundays after this 18th day after the resurrection made 50 days, the day
of Pentecost. His time on the other 4 Sundays while He remained on earth with them was
spent in teaching (Acts 1:3). The 40th day, or Thursday, He ascended (Acts 1:11),
leaving 10 days until the 2nd Sunday after His ascension and the 7th Sunday after His
resurrection, which was the 50th day or Pentecost (Acts 2:1; Lev. 23:15-16).
‘Thomas with them’ Thomas was not with the first gathering of Christians (20:19), but
when he heard that they had seen Jesus alive and that He had appeared to them on the
first Sunday, he was determined to be present on the next time when they were to gather
again. Jesus, as usual, satisfied the doubting and unbelief of Thomas (20:27-28).
‘My Lord and my God.’ This is not a mere exclamation, but one of the plainest and most
irresistible testimonies of the deity of Jesus Christ. Whether he did feel the nail prints and
the spear wound in the side is not stated. He was the first to give the title of God to Jesus,
other than the prophets in predicting these events (Isa. 9:6-7; Psa. 45:6-7; etc; cp. John
1:1-2; 5:17-47; 10:33-36; Acts 20:28; Php. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 1:8-9).
‘Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed’ no special blessings are
pronounced on those who have seen God over those who have not seen Him.
‘Signs’ referring to the two signs of 20:19 and 26, or to all the many signs of the gospel
(Acts 1:3; Heb. 2:1-4; Mark 16:15-20; etc.).
‘Which are not written in this book’ here was the chance for the writers of the apocryphal
gospels, of which they were not slow to avail themselves. What we need to know have

been written, adding or taking away from God’s Word have serious consequences (Deut.
12:32; Rev. 22:18-19). The apocryphal books were not written or approved by prophets;
they were not recognized by the Jews as inspired and a part of Scripture. The last Old
Testament prophet predicted that the next messenger coming to Israel from God would be
the forerunner of Christ (Mal. 3:1). Most of the Apocryphal books were written during the
period between Malachi and Christ when God did not give Word. The books contain
statements at variance with the Bible history and they are self-contradictory and in some
cases opposed to doctrines of Scripture.
‘That you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you
might have life through his name’ To prove beyond all doubt that Jesus of Nazareth is the
promised Messiah and God’s Son and that we might have full redemption and the benefits
of the gospel by faith.
It Is the Lord
John 21:1-14 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of
Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and
Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and
two other of his disciples. Simon Peter said unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him,
We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that
night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the
shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, Children,
have you any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the
right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able
to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said unto
Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's
coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other
disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred
cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a
fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus said unto them, Bring of the fish
which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great
fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net
broken. Jesus said unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him,
Who are thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then come, and take bread, and give
them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his
disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
‘After these things’ After Christ’s resurrection and His two appearances to the disciples,
He showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias where they were catching
fish. ‘Showed’ the Greek word phaneroo which means He manifested His power and
glory after His resurrection.
Seven disciples of which were Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael and the sons of Zebedee,
and two other of His disciples went on a fishing trip. They didn’t catch anything repeating
the same results as when they went on the last fishing trip. In both instances, Christ gave

them a miraculous catch, which convinced them that it was the Messiah. On both
occasions, they received a call to preach the Word as it was given to them (Luke 5:1-11;
John 21:1-20).
‘Knew not that it was Jesus’ Because of darkness, distance, or another reason is not stated.
‘Children, have you any meat?’ the word child is used for a term of endearment here for
His followers, which are stated in the Word in various forms for believers and
unbelievers: children of light (or darkness); children of righteousness (or unrighteousness);
children of God (or of the devil); etc.
‘Meat’ the Greek word prosphagion which mean something to eat with bread. Here it was
used of fish.
John said to Peter: “It is the Lord,” whereby Peter wrapped his fishermen’s coat around
himself. ‘Naked’ means he had only his tunic or undergarment on. He cast himself into the
sea, perhaps the shallow water to help draw the boat and net to shore.
‘They saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread’ this was as miraculous as
the catch of fish, demonstrating that the Lord could supply every need and that they did
not have to go back to the fishing business to make a living.
‘Dine’ the Greek word aristao, to eat the morning meal (Luke 11:37); not deipnon which is
supper (Mark 6:21; Luke 14:12-24; John 12:2; 13:2, 4; 21:20; 2Cor. 11:20-21; Rev.
19:9, 17). Christ no doubt ate with them to prove He was real and His friendship in them
and that resurrected people still eat (Luke 24:42-43). Even God and angels eat (Gen.
18:1-33; Ex. 24:9-11).
‘Third time that Jesus showed himself’ the third time to show Himself to the majority of
apostles (20:19, 26; 21:1-14). It was the seventh appearance since the resurrection.
The twelve appearances of Christ is as follows: To Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John
20:15-16); to the women at the tomb (Matt. 28:9); to two disciples on the road to
Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31); to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1Cor. 15:5); to the ten apostles (20:19);
to the eleven apostles (20:26); to the seven apostles (21:1-22; this was after the second
Sunday); to the eleven apostles on a certain mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16); to the
twelve apostles, including Matthias (1Cor. 15:5; Acts 1:26); to five hundred brethren
(1Cor. 15:6); to James, the Lord’s brother (1Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19); to all the apostles
(1Cor. 15:7; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:3-12, 26).
Follow Me
John 21:15-19 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas,
love thou me more than these? He said unto him, Yea, Lord; thou know that I love thee.
He said unto him, Feed my lambs. He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of
Jonas, love thou me? He said unto him, Yea, Lord; thou know that I love thee. He said
unto him, Feed my sheep. He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, love thou
me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Love thou me? And he
said unto him, Lord, thou know all things; thou know that I love thee. Jesus said unto him,
Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou was young, thou girded thyself,
and walked whither thou would: but when thou shall be old, thou shall stretch forth thy

hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou would not. This spoke he,
signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said unto
him, Follow me.
‘Simon, son of Jonas, love thou me more than these?’ Peter is always addressed as
“Simon” except in Luke 22:34. The question from Jesus to Peter was if he really loves
Jesus more than the rest of the disciples, as he boasted (Matt. 26:33-35)? He had boasted
of greater love than the rest and yet, no one (except Judas) had treated Him so basely.
Peter in his reconverted state gave a most modest reply.
‘Love’ Jesus used the Greek verb agapao in the first two questions, which means ardently,
supremely, perfectly, while Peter answered with the verb phileo to like, be fond of, feel
friendship for another. The third time the Lord used phileo which deeply humbled Peter.
‘Feed’ the Greek word bosko, to feed, tend a flock, provide pasture for, take care of,
guide, lead, defend, govern, and shepherd His lambs. ‘Lambs’ the Greek word arnion.
Only here and 27 times in Revelation, and always of Christ except John 13:11. The other
word for lamb is amnos as used in John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32 and 1Pet. 1:19. ‘Sheep’ the
Greek word probation for sheep. Used figuratively of Christ (Acts 8:32); lost people (Matt.
9:36; 10:6; 15:24; 1Pet. 2:25); saved people (Matt. 10:16; 26:31; John 10:1-27; 21:16-
17; Rom. 8:36; Heb. 13:20); and people in general (Matt. 25:31-46).
‘Third time’ Peter had denied the Lord three times before the cock crowed; now Christ
caused him to make a triple confession. ‘Grieved’ the Greek word lupeo, to make
sorrowful, to affect with sadness, cause grief, make uneasy. It is translated “grieve;” “sorry”
and “sorrowful;” and “be in heaviness.”
‘Lord, thou know all things; thou know that I love thee.’ This might have been the
confession and the humility Christ was looking for. A few days before, he knew more
about himself than Christ did and was frank enough to say so, but his fall and repentance
had greatly humbled him. Now he was not so sure of himself, but he was sure that he
loved Jesus.
‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee’ the last of 25 times in John meaning surely, surely or Amen,
amen.
‘When thou was young, thou girded thyself, and walked whither thou would: but when
thou shall be old, thou shall stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry
thee whither thou would not.’ The 43rd and last New Testament prophecy in John
fulfilled. A prediction of the kind of death Peter should glorify God with. This was written
after his death. Ancient writers say he was crucified head down as per his own request
because he thought he was unworthy to die with his head up like his Master.
‘Young’ the Greek word neoteros that means younger. The word neos generally applied to
people under thirty. The use of this word and the fact John outran him (20:4) gave rise to
the tradition that he was a middle-aged man.
‘Carry’ the Greek word phero means lead, carry, bear, or bring forth. This refers to the
time when Peter would die. Another would take him to where he would not desire to go -
to death and the grave.

‘Follow’ in Greek is akoloutheo and is used of a servant, soldier, or pupils following their
leader even to death (Matt. 8:19; 9:9; 19:27; John 12:26; 21:22). This statement no
doubt relieved Peter, showing that Christ was not going to make any more predictions of
his weaknesses and failure. Twice he is commanded here to follow (21:19, 22).
The Beloved
John 21:20-25 Then Peter, turning about, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following;
which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayed thee?
Peter seeing him said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus said unto him, If I
will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying
abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him,
He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarries till I come, what is that to thee? This is the
disciple which testified of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his
testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they
should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the
books that should be written. Amen.
‘The disciple whom Jesus loved’ the last of five times, referring to John (13:23; 19:26;
20:2; 21:7, 20, 24). He was not loved more than others by Christ, but he accepted His
love and chose to call himself accordingly. God does not have respect for persons, with
regards to their looks, races, classes and sexes (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 3:28; Jas.
2:1-4).
‘Lord, which is he that betrayed thee? ... what shall this man do? ... If I will that he tarries
till I come, what is that to thee?’ Peter had his instructions; now he wanted to know what
John was supposed to do. Jesus rebuked his curiosity by stating that if He wanted John to
live to the second coming that was none of his concern. He told Peter to follow Him and
let John do likewise. This statement about John not dying is explained in John 21:23. He
did die about the close of the first century after he finished the book Revelation on the isle
of Patmos (Rev. 1:9).
‘This is the disciple which testified of these things, and wrote these things’ this is proof of
the authorship of John. ‘Many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be
written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that
should be written.’ This verse simply expresses the idea that Jesus had done so many
things which are not written, that if they should be written in books the world (Greek
word kosmos: social world) would not have room for them. Men would not even take time
to examine or digest them.

John

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John

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JOHN

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 1

Believe on His Name

Grace for Grace

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 2

The Testimony of John the Baptist

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 3

Behold, the Lamb of God

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Calling of Philip and Nathanael

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The Son of God and of Man

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solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 8

Cleansing the Temple

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Born of Water and of the Spirit

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solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 15

Meeting the Samaritan Woman

The Gift of God

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The Gift of Knowledge

The Hour Come

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solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 18

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 19

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solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 21

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 22

The Authority of the Son

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Search the Scriptures

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 26

Twelve Baskets Filled

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 27

Jesus Walks on Water

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 28

Work the Works of God

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solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 31

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 32

The Words of Eternal Life

Will You Also Go Away?

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In the Midst of the Feast

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Judge Righteous Judgment

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Can This Be the Christ?

solaScriptura Bible College – John Page | 37

Rivers of Living Water

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Division Among the People