A COMMENTARY

ON THE
GOSPEL OF JOHN
by

Rev. Dr Jeffry David Camm

Contents
Dedication ................................................................................................. 3
Copyright: ................................................................................................. 3
Reference Codes: ........................................................................................ 3
Overview of the New Testament Timeline ........................................................ 4
Overview of the Gospel of John ..................................................................... 5
Chapter One: The Divinity, Humanity & Office of Christ .................................... 17
Chapter Two: Christ Turns Water Into Wine .................................................... 23
Chapter Three: Nicodemus is Taught the Necessity of Regeneration .................... 25
Chapter Four: The real reason Jesus had to go to Samaria ................................ 29
Chapter Four: verses 43-54: the Noblemans’ Son is healed ............................... 34
Chapter Five: An Impotent Man Healed.......................................................... 34
Chapter Six: The Feeding of the Five Thousand ............................................... 38
Chapter Seven: Jesus Reproves His Kinsmen .................................................. 43
Chapter Eight: Jesus Proclaims He is the Light of the World .............................. 48
Chapter Nine: A Blind Man Receives His Sight ~ On the Sabbath ....................... 52
Chapter Ten: Christ is the Door, and the Good Shepherd................................... 55
Chapter Eleven: Sickness and Death of Lazarus .............................................. 58
Chapter Twelve: Christ’s Feet Anointed by Mary .............................................. 61
Chapter Thirteen: Christ’s Humility ~ The Traitor Revealed ............................... 67
Chapter Fourteen: Christ Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. ............................ 71
Appendix #1: Tithing in the New Testament ................................................... 73
Chapter Fifteen: The Mutual Love of Christ & His Members................................ 76
Chapter Sixteen: The Holy Ghost Promised to the Disciples ............................... 79
Chapter Seventeen: Jesus Prays to His Father for the Apostles & the Believers ..... 81
Chapter Eighteen: Christ Apprehended, Brought to Caiaphas............................. 83
Chapter Nineteen: The Crucifixion, Piercing, & Death of Christ ........................... 86
Chapter Twenty: His Resurrection & Appearance to Mary Magdalene ................... 90
Chapter Twenty-One: The Draught of Fish, Christ’s Repeated Charge to Peter ...... 93

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DEDICATION
This commentary is dedicated to the hundreds of Hebrew men and women, who have
gone before us, and who have been prepared to spread the word of God Almighty; to
serve and honour Him, and to preach the gospel in many nations, and who have risked,
and in some cases, given up their lives, for the gospel.
To my wife, Rani, who is my soulmate, and my encouragement, for these last 42 years,
as we have travelled and preached in many nations. There have been many good
experiences, (and some not so good ones), but throughout these travelling adventures
for the Lord, He has always been faithful; He is a person we know that we can trust, in
ALL situations ~ in the good, the bad, and the ugly!
COPYRIGHT:
The contents of this book remain the copyright property of the author, Rev. Dr Jeffry
David Camm, and his estate, in succession. Permission is given for the use of parts, or
all-of this document for Bible Study Groups, Evangelism, or Private Study. Permission
is given for the whole of this document to be reproduced by Christian organisations for
evangelistic and/or Bible College reference purposes, provided it is not sold for
profit.
REFERENCE CODES:
The following codes will be used in this book to identify/highlight specific explanations.

Verse Codes Timeline Description

A After the Millennium
D The Diaspora of the Jews to many nations
F The First Coming (Birth & Life of Jesus Christ)
I Israel
LD Last Days
M Millennium Reign
R Jesus appearing in the clouds to claim His saints, as HIS
CHURCH
S Second Coming ~ back to the earth
T Tribulation Period
[P] A promise in God’s Word
[BP] A Broken Promise
[FP] A fulfilled Promise in God’s word
[CP] A Conditional Promise in God’s Word. [IF ... Then ...]
[C] An Express Commandment of God
(Israel) Means the 10 rebellious tribes; not the geographical land.
Footnote code [h]~ Meaning of the Hebrew text
Footnote code [g]~ Meaning of the Greek text
Footnote code [L]~ Meaning of the Latin text
*** Therefore [Conclusion]: go back & read what it is “there”
“for”.

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OVERVIEW OF THE NEW TESTAMENT TIMELINE
The books in the New Testament, were not written in the order they appear in the Scriptures. Below is a timeline
of the actual dates and historical events of this era, obtained from scriptural and historical documents.

New Testament Timeline

Books of the Bible Written Approximate Dates: AD Historical Events
30 The Church Begins: (Acts 1)

The Dispersion and Saul’s persecution of the Christians (Acts 8:1).

35
Paul’s Conversion: (Acts 9)

Paul attends Holy Spirit School in the Arabian desert, then called by
40
Barnabas to the church at Antioch, as “teacher” (Acts 11)

46 Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13)

It is accepted by most scholars that the Book of James was in fact

James & Galatians 49
the first New Testament document ever written.

50 Jerusalem Council and Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15)

1 & 2 Thessalonians 51-52

54 Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18) Nero becomes Emperor

1 Corinthians, Mark: between 55–65 55

2 Corinthians 56–57

Romans 57

58 Paul Arrested (Acts 21)

Luke, Matthew: between 60–65 60

Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon 61

61–63 Paul’s Roman Imprisonment (Acts 28)

Philippians 1 Peter: about 62–64 62

Acts 63–65
1 Timothy & Titus 64 Rome Burns
Jude 65

2 Timothy 66–67

2 Peter 67

Hebrews a
67–68 Paul and Peter Executed

Essenes hide their Library of Bible Manuscripts in Caves in Wadi

68
Qumran by the Dead Sea.

70 AD 70 Jerusalem & the Temple Destroyed, as prophesied by Jesus

John Begins Ministry in Ephesus. Rome Begins Construction of the
75
Coliseum.

79 Mt. Vesuvius Erupts in Italy – great destruction.

John 80–85

1 John 85–90

2 & 3 John 90 In about 94 A.D., John is banished to the Isle of Patmos.

Revelation 95

98 John’s Death at Ephesus

a
I believe that Apostle Paul
wrote the Epistle to the
Hebrews just before His
death, to reinforce his Messiah. This belief is
testimony to the Jewish also confirmed in some
Christians that Jesus is the Bible Translations.
4
OVERVIEW OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

1. Introduction

Elohim (God the Father) spoke, and galaxies whirled into place, stars burned the
heavens, and planets began orbiting their suns — words of awesome, unlimited,
unleashing power. He spoke again, and the waters and lands were filled with plants and
creatures, running, swimming, growing, and multiplying — words of animating,
breathing, pulsing life.
Again, He spoke, and man and woman were formed, thinking, speaking, and loving
words of personal and creative glory. Eternal, infinite, unlimited He was, is, and always
will be, the Maker and Lord of all that exists ~ both seen and unseen, things that are
understood, and things which are still a mystery.
And then He came in the flesh, to a tiny spot in the universe called planet Earth ~ the
mighty Creator becoming part of His creation: now limited by time and space, and
susceptible to age, sickness, and death. Propelled by love, He came to rescue and save,
offering forgiveness and life. He is the Word: He is Jesus Christ! The only way
into Heaven!
It is this truth that the Apostle John presents in this book. John’s Gospel is not
the life of Christ; it is a powerful argument for the incarnation, a conclusive
demonstration that Jesus was, and is, the very heaven-sent Son of God - the only source
of eternal life.

2. The Writer of this Gospel & His Character:

Author: John the Apostle, son of Zebedee and Salome, and younger brother of James.
Thunder evokes fear and images of a pending storm. We use thunder to describe a
deafening sound, such as in “thunderous applause”; approaching danger, as in
“thundering herd”; and explosive anger, as in “thundered response.” So, we would
expect someone nicknamed Son of Thunder to be powerful, loud, and unpredictable.
That’s what Jesus named two of his disciples—Zebedee’s sons; James and John, (Mark
3:17) — for he knew their tendency to explode.
Sure enough, when Jesus and the twelve were rebuffed by a Samaritan village, these
rough-necked fishermen suggested calling down fire from heaven to destroy the
whole village. Jesus had to calm down the outspoken brothers and explain that
vengeance was not his way (Luke 9:52-56).
Just before that incident, John had told Jesus that he had tried to stop a man from
driving out demons “because he is not one of us.” Jesus had explained that he didn’t
have an exclusive club, “for whoever is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:49-
50 NIV).
In addition to being forceful and angry, James and John also seem to have been quite
self-centred. They implored Jesus “to do for us whatever we ask.” Then they requested
seats of honour and power in the kingdom. When the other disciples heard about what
James and John had said, they became indignant (Mark 10:35-44). Yet Jesus also saw
potential in these thundering brothers — he knew what they would become.
So, Jesus brought both (James & John) with Peter, into his inner circle, allowing them
to see him transfigured on the mountain (Mark 9:2-13). And as Jesus was dying on the
cross, he entrusted Mary, his mother, into John’s care, the only disciple recorded
to be present at the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:26-27).
John was following in his father Zebedee’s footsteps as a fisherman, when Jesus called
him (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19-20). His mother was Salome (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark
15:40). His brother, James, was also one of the Twelve and the first apostle to be
martyred (Acts 12:2). They fished on the Sea of Galilee with Peter and Andrew.

5
One might predict that someone with a personality like John’s would self-destruct.
Certainly, this person would die in a fight or in a clash with the Roman government. At
the very least, he would be discarded by the church as self-seeking and power-hungry.
But such was not the case.
Instead, John was transformed into someone who was strong but gentle,
straightforward but loving, courageous but humble.
There is no dramatic event to account for John’s transformation — it must have
come from being with Jesus, being accepted, loved, and affirmed by the Lord,
and then being filled with the Holy Spirit.
So overwhelmed was John by Jesus that he did not mention himself by name in the
Gospel that bears his name. Instead, he wrote of himself as “the disciple whom Jesus
loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:20, 24). What a humble change for one who,
at first, had wanted power, position, and recognition.
➢ John stands as a great example of Christ’s power to transform lives.
➢ Christ can change anyone — no-one is beyond hope!
➢ Jesus accepted John as he was, a Son of Thunder, and changed him into what he
would become, The Apostle of Love.
John’s ministry. John was a Galilean, and his native tongue would have been Galilean
Aramaic, although he would also have been familiar with Hebrew and Greek. He was
not from Jerusalem, but from the country. This is why John shows such familiarity in his
writing with the geography of the area and perhaps why John singles out the system of
religious leaders who were in control in Jerusalem.
Many believe that John was first a disciple of John the Baptist. His mentor pointed him
to Jesus when Jesus passed by. Then Jesus and John spent the day together (1:35-39).
At that time, John must have become a part-time disciple, for later we find him back
fishing with his brother, James, and their father, Zebedee.
But the next time Jesus called them, John and James left everything, father and
boat included, and followed him. This was after Jesus had turned water into wine (2:1-
11), had cleared the temple the first time (2:12-25), and had been visited by
Nicodemus at night (3:1-21).
It was also after Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist (Luke 3:19-20), Jesus had
spoken with the woman at the well (Luke 4:1-26), and Jesus had been rejected at
Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30).
In the Gospels, John is mentioned by name when he was selected as one of the Twelve
and called a Son of Thunder (Mark 1:19; 3:13-19), when he saw Jesus transfigured
(Luke 9:28-36), when he told Jesus about stopping a man who was driving out demons
(Luke 9:49), when he asked Jesus about calling down fire on the Samaritan village
(Luke 9:52-56), when he asked Jesus about sitting next to him in the kingdom (Mark
10:35-44), and when he was sent with Peter by Jesus to make preparations for the Last
Supper (Luke 22:8).
John was a member of the Twelve, of the Inner Circle of the disciples.
➢ John was an “eyewitness” to the miracles,
➢ An “ear-witness” to the parables, and
➢ He saw the confrontations with the Pharisees and other leaders, and
➢ John was a student of Jesus’ special words of instruction.
➢ John helped prepare the Last Supper,
➢ and was in the Garden of Gethsemane.
➢ He was the only one of the Twelve at the cross.
➢ John also saw the empty tomb and,
➢ John was in the upper room, at Pentecost,
➢ He was also on the beach after the resurrection, and at the Ascension.
6
➢ We read more about John in the first chapters of Acts. There he is numbered
among the Twelve (Acts 1:13) when they chose a replacement for Judas Iscariot.
➢ Then we see him ministering with Peter at the temple (Acts 3:3-11) and,
➢ In the confrontation with the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-31).
➢ During the growing persecution, after many believers had been scattered, Peter
and John were sent by the other apostles to verify the validity of the conversions
in Samaria (Acts 8:14-25).
➢ John is mentioned only one other time in Acts (in 12:2), as the brother of James,
who was executed by King Herod.
➢ Beyond being a leader in the Jerusalem church (as mentioned in Galatians 2:9),
little is known of John’s ministry.
When John wrote his epistles to Gentile congregations (1 John), “the chosen
lady” (2 John NIV), and Gaius (3 John), he simply identified himself as “the elder.” So,
it is thought that John must have been the only surviving apostle at that time. He wrote
those letters from Ephesus about AD 85–90, just after writing his Gospel.
In about AD 94, John was banished to the island of Patmos (during the reign of
Domitian), because he refused to stop preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ.
There, this wise and elder apostle received the dramatic vision of the future from Jesus,
given to us as the Book of Revelation. John probably returned to Ephesus during Nerva’s
reign and then died there during the reign of Trajan, around AD 100.
John provides a powerful example of a lifetime of service to Christ. As a young man,
John left his fishing nets to follow the Saviour. For three intense years he watched Jesus
live and love and listened to him teach and preach. John saw Jesus crucified and then
risen!
John’s life was changed dramatically, from an impetuous, hot-tempered youth, to a
loving and wise man of God. Through it all, John remained faithful, so that at the end
of his life, he continued to bear strong witness to the truth and power of the gospel.

Points to ponder:

➢ How strong is your commitment to Christ?

➢ Will it last through the years? The true test of an athlete is not in the start, but the finish of any race.
So too with faithfulness to Christ—how will you finish that race?
➢ What would you do if you were told to stop teaching/preaching/witnessing about Jesus Christ?
➢ Are you prepared to be banished, imprisoned, or even killed for Jesus Christ?
➢ This is where the rubber hits the road, will you be able to last till the end of the race; or will you
crash and burn along the way?

The Gospel mentions no author by name, but the evidence (both from textual and
historical sources) points to John as the author. Certainly, the writer had to be an
“earwitness” and an “eyewitness” of the events, and one of Jesus’ close associates.
Irenaeus (AD 120–202) wrote, “Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had
leaned upon his breast, did himself publish a gospel during his residence at Ephesus in
Asia”. John’s authorship of this Gospel was also affirmed by other early church fathers:
Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Hippolytus, Justin Martyr, and Tertullian. Those who
proposed a later writing (middle of the second century) were disproved when the Ryland
Papyrus (a fragment of John’s Gospel) was discovered and dated from AD 110–125.
Setting: Written between AD 85–90 from Ephesus, after the destruction of Jerusalem
(AD 70), and before John’s exile to the island of Patmos. The Gospel of John contains

7
no references concerning where it was written. But according to the earliest traditions
of the church, John wrote this Gospel from Ephesus.
The church at Ephesus had been founded by Paul on his second missionary journey
in AD 52 (Acts 18:19-21). The church grew under the ministry of Apollos, Priscilla (the
first reference in the New Testament to a Female Pastor), and Aquila (Acts 18:24-26).
Paul returned to Ephesus on his third missionary journey, and had an incredible ministry
there (Acts 19:1–20:1).
Later, during his first Roman imprisonment, Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians
(about AD 60). That church is described in Revelation 2:1-7. We don’t know how old
John was when Jesus called him. But assuming that John was a little younger than
Jesus, John would have been in his eighties when writing this Gospel, quite old for a
time when the life expectancy was much shorter. And considering the fact that all the
other apostles had died as martyrs, John was indeed the church’s elder statesman.
We can imagine him teaching and counselling the Christians in this well-established
church, as well as doing some writing.
Can you imagine the following:
➢ Paul has planted this church in Ephesus.
➢ The church grew and prospered under Apollos, Priscilla (woman pastor) and
Aquila.
➢ Paul then returns and then ministers there for some time. Then in prison, Paul
writes the Epistle to the Church at Ephesus, to guide and challenge them. (AD
60)
➢ After the death of all the other Apostles, including Paul (67 AD), and Thomas in
India in (72 AD), John is left as the only surviving Apostle and elder Christian
statesman. He ministers and teaches at Ephesus for possibly 20 years. Before he
is exiled to the Isle of Patmos.
➢ John is known as the “Jesus is Love” apostle. He was so close to God through the
Holy Spirit that it was said that He lay in the Spirit many times, just quietly
saying: “Jesus is love”.
➢ Then after being their pastor for many years, Jesus gives John the spiritual
revelation, which is recorded in the Book of Revelation.
➢ In this book in Rev. 2:1-7 Jesus condemns the church at Ephesus, because
they have lost their first love.
➢ Even though the “Love Apostle” was teaching them, they still fell away, and
had to be brought back to a place, where Jesus would find them acceptable in
the day of Judgement.
Lesson: We cannot take anything for granted. We must continually keep short accounts
with God, and continually meditate on His word, and let the Holy Spirit guide us at all
times, so that we become the hands and feet of Jesus, wherever we go – AT ALL TIMES,
AND IN ALL SITUATIONS!!!
Audience: This Gospel was written to new Christians, and searching non-Christiansa.
John does not reveal his audience directly, but several characteristics of the book
provide insight into the people he was trying to reach.
1. The Gospel of John differs greatly from the other three Gospels in content and
approach. Matthew, Mark, and Luke present much historical data with few
explanations, or interpretations.
2. John, however, selected key events and took time to explain and apply them. (See,
for example, 11:51-52 and 12:37-41.) In addition, John chose to write about a

a
That is why it is good to and those searching for before any others in the
recommend new believers truth, to read this book Bible.
8
 few important, miraculous signs (20:30-31) in order to give a clear picture of the
person of Christ.
3. John illustrates the tension between faith and unbelief; and emphasizes the
importance of responding to Christ. He states this fact at the very beginning and
carries it throughout the book— “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed
in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (1:12 NIV).
4. John uses simple vocabulary but chooses special words and loads them with
meaning — for example, word, truth, light, darkness, life, and love.
5. John repeats four main points:
➢ the true identity of Jesus,
➢ the necessity of responding to Christ in faith,
➢ the gift of eternal life, and
➢ the church’s mission to the world.
6. John explains his purpose clearly: “But these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in
his name” (20:31 NIV). These unique characteristics of the book seem to indicate
that John was trying to convince people of the truth about Christ. Written almost
as an evangelistic tract, John presents the evidence for Jesus as the God man, and
the Saviour of the world, and he challenges readers to follow his Lord. So, we can
conclude that John wrote to unbelieving Asians, Jews, and Gentiles.
But John also wrote to Christians, to help strengthen their faith. John was the last
surviving apostle, and one of the few still living who had seen Jesus in the flesh.
It would be easy for young believers ~ removed from Christ’s life, death, and
resurrection, by a generation, and surrounded by a hostile government, and
unbelieving neighbours ~ to have doubts and second thoughts about their faith.
Remember, this is the late eighties, after the terrible persecutions by Nero (AD 54–
68) and the total destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70). The church had flourished
under persecution, but believers needed reassurance of the truth of Christianity.
John, the venerable eyewitness to all that Jesus had done, and the faithful follower
of his Lord, would give that assurance through his personal account of the gospel
story.
Purpose: John gives a clear and straightforward statement of his purpose for writing
this book: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name”
(20:31 NIV). To achieve this purpose, John shows, throughout the Gospel, that Jesus
was in fact, the Christ of God, the prophesied one, and the only source of salvation.
This is the dominant theme of the entire book. The Gospel of John was written, to
convince those who had not seen Jesus to believe in him, to help believers deepen their
faith, and to convince unbelievers to trust in Jesus Christ, as their Saviour. In addition,
John has several other emphases worth noting:
1. John shows that the Jewish leaders were completely wrong in rejecting Jesus as
the Messiah. John 1:11 makes this clear: “He came to that which was his own, but
his own did not receive him” (NIV). John continues this emphasis throughout the
book. Consider, for example, Jesus’ discussion with the Jews in 8:33-59. There
Jesus calls them “illegitimate children” whose real father is the devil. Then the
Jews accuse Jesus of being “demon possessed.” Finally, after Jesus says, “I tell you
the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” the Jews pick up stones to kill him—
but Jesus escapes their deadly intent. In chapter 9, we find another confrontation
with the Pharisees after Jesus heals a man who has been blind since birth. These
incidents and many others are found only in the Gospel of John.

9
2. John shows that Jesus is much greater than John the Baptist. It may be that some
followers of John the Baptist were still claiming that he was more important than
Jesus. Whatever the reason, John emphasizes the pre-eminence of Christ and John
the Baptist’s special role in preparing the way for him (see 1:6-8, 15-18, 19-
27, 35-38; 3:25-30).
3. John emphasizes the deity and humanity of Jesus. This awesome mystery is
expressed in the words of the prologue: “The Word was God, and …the Word
became flesh” (John 1:1, 14). Elsewhere in the Gospel, Jesus himself declares that
he was one with the Father—even the visible expression of the Father
(10:30; 14:9-11). And at the end of the Gospel, Thomas makes the wonderful
acclamation to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (20:28). While emphasizing Jesus’
divinity and heavenly origin, John also presented Jesus as a real man. It is possible
that he did this to confront a docetica heresy promoting the false notion that Jesus
only seemed to be living a human life—that he was not fully human. So, John
states directly that “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us”
(1:14 NIV).
John also mentions Jesus’ family ties (2:12; 7:3-5), explains how Jesus became
tired (4:6), and shows that Jesus really died on the cross (19:33-34). John clearly
presents Jesus as the God-man.
4. John shows how people misunderstood Jesus’ actions and words. For example,
Jesus’ listeners misunderstood the identification of his body with the temple (2:18-
22), the new birth (3:3-10), spiritual, living water (4:10-15), spiritual “bread,”
obedience to God (4:32-34), Jesus’ authority (5:31-47), the true bread of life
(6:30-36), and the true origin of Jesus (7:25-29). Jesus often explained deeper,
spiritual truths by using physical examples. Often, however, his listeners couldn’t
make the connection; they couldn’t get beyond the physical, to the deeper, spiritual
understanding.
5. John describes the work of the Holy Spirit, assuring believers of the presence of
the risen Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, Christians have Christ living within them;
they don’t have to face life alone. John records Jesus teaching that the Spirit would
be sent to “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, and righteousness, and
judgment” (16:8 NIV), to guide believers into ALL TRUTH (16:13), and to bring
glory to Christ (16:14). John speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit more than
any other Gospel writer.
6. John reminds believers, that unbelief and opposition to God and his plans, does
not surprise God, or thwart his purposes. This includes the betrayal by Judas
(foretold by the prophets, and known by Jesus—6:64; 13:18; Psalm 41:9), the
death of Jesus on the cross (a necessary part of God’s salvation plan—3:14-18),
and the rejection of Christ by unbelievers (1:10-11). Although conflicts are
inevitable, God is sovereign and in control, and his goals will be accomplished
(whether we agree, and participate with His plans, or not!)
Because of John’s special purpose for writing this book, he describes many
incidents in the life of Christ, that are not recorded in the other Gospels. These
events include: John the Baptist declaring Jesus to be the Messiah, Jesus turning
water into wine, Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night, Jesus talking to a Samaritan
woman at the well, Jesus healing a government official’s son, Jesus healing a lame
man by the pool, Jesus’ brothers ridiculing him, Jesus healing the man who was
born blind, Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus teaching about the Holy

a
Docetism: in the early of Jesus Christ, his real. This word originates the Greek: Dokêtaim from
Christian church: This was sufferings, and his death, from the Latin: Docêtae, a dokein ~ to seem.
a heresy that the humanity were apparent, rather than “a” continued) and from
10
 Spirit, Jesus teaching about the vine and the branches, and Jesus appearing to
Thomas and reinstating Peter after his resurrection.
John, the Son of Thunder turned evangelist, knew that people needed to know
about the real Jesus. He also knew that as a contemporary of Christ, and one of
the chosen Twelve, he was uniquely suited to tell the story. So, compelled by love,
and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John wrote the Gospel.
Message: “Jesus Christ, Son of God,” “eternal life,” “believing,” “Holy Spirit,”
“resurrection”— because John’s purpose was to convince people to believe in Christ, it’s
not surprising that his message follows the themes listed here.
In order to trust Christ, a person must understand Jesus’ true identity, the promise of
eternal life, the necessity of faith, and the resurrection of Christ. And to live for Christ,
a person must understand the person, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ, Son of God: (1:1-18; 2:1-11; 4:46-54; 5:1-15; 6:5-14; 6:16-
21; 9:1-12; 11:1-44; 19:1–20:30). Because this is a “Gospel,” the entire book tells
about Jesus. But in relating the life of the Lord, John chose eight “signs” (miracles) that
illustrate and prove Jesus’ true identity as God’s Son.
These chosen signs (seven miracles plus the Resurrection) display Christ’s glory and
reveal his true nature.
1. John. 2:1-11—Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding at Cana. John concludes
this story by explaining, “This, the first of his miraculous signs; Jesus
performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their
faith in him” (NIV). Evidently this miracle was an important turning point for the
disciples. They trusted Jesus, and began to understand that he was more than just
a great teacher.
2. Jn. 4:46-54—Jesus heals the royal official’s son. Back in Cana, Jesus encountered
a Roman official who asked Jesus to heal his son. In addition to demonstrating
Christ’s power over sickness, this incident also shows that Jesus was the Saviour
for all people, not just the Jews. John states that this was the second
miraculous sign (4:54).
3. Jn. 5:1-15—Jesus heals the invalid by the pool at Bethesda. This was a significant
miracle because the man had been disabled for thirty-eight years! It was also
important because Jesus performed the healing on the Sabbath, incurring the
wrath of many Jews. John explains: “For this reason the Jews tried all the harder
to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his
own Father, making himself equal with God” (5:18 NIV).
4. Jn. 6:5-14—Jesus feeds the five thousand. This miracle had a tremendous effect
on the multitudes. “After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they
began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world’” (6:14 NIV).
Jesus had fed thousands from only five barley loaves and two small fish!
5. Jn. 6:16-21—Jesus walks on water. In this dramatic event, Jesus displayed his
power over nature. Seasoned fishermen like John knew the great difficulty of
guiding a boat over wind-tossed seas. Yet Jesus encountered no resistance from
the sea and defied all they knew about sinking, and floating, as he strolled across
the waves. The sad thing about this miracle, is that only Peter had enough faith to
step out of the boat onto the water and go to Jesus. All of the disciples had this
opportunity and missed it! We have to make sure that we never miss an
opportunity to be obedient to God’s calling on our lives.
6. Jn. 9:1-41—Jesus heals a man blind from birth. Although all the healings recorded
by John were wonderful miracles, they increase in dramatic effect and significance
throughout the book. First, we read about a very sick boy being cured, then a man

11
 who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. Here we find Jesus restoring sight
to a man who had been born blind—incredible!
7. Jn. 11:1-44—Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. For those impressed by Jesus
healing the blind man, John tells of a miracle even more amazing raising a dead
man to life. Surely, this is the Son of God!
8. 20:1-29—The greatest sign of all, of course, is the Resurrection. By conquering
death, Jesus gave final, definite proof that what He said is true, that He is the Son
of God, that our sins can be forgiven, and that we can have eternal life through
him. John was an eyewitness—he was one of the first to the empty tomb (20:3-
9), and he saw Jesus alive again (20:19-29; 21:1-24). John’s readers did not have
that privilege, but they too could believe. In fact, as Jesus had told Thomas,
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not
seen and yet have believed” (20:29 NIV). In addition to these signs, in every
chapter Jesus’ deity is revealed. John also underscores Jesus’ true identity through
the titles he is given — Word, the One and Only, Lamb of God, Son of God,
true bread, life, resurrection, vine. And the formula is “I AM.” When Jesus
used this phrase, he was affirming his pre-existence and eternal deity. Jesus
said, “I AM the bread of life” (6:35); “I AM the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5); “I
AM the gate” (10:7); “I AM the good shepherd” (10:11, 14); “I AM the
resurrection and the life” (11:25); “I AM the way, (I AM) the truth and (I AM)
the life” (14:6); and “I AM the true vine” (15:1).
John shows us that Jesus is unique as God’s special Son, yet he is fully God.
Because he is fully God, Jesus is able to reveal God to us, clearly and accurately.
Importance for Today: The person and work of Christ, forms the core of Christianity,
and give us our hope for forgiveness, and eternal life. John affirms that Jesus is the
God-man—that is, he is fully God and fully Man. This truth, of course, is impossible for
our finite minds to comprehend. John does not try to explain it; he just presents the
facts—Jesus, the incarnate Word, living as one of us and dying for us.
Because Jesus is God, he has the nature, ability, and right to offer eternal life. When he
died on the cross, he was the perfect sacrifice, and only mediator, between God and
people (14:6).
Because Jesus became a man, he identified fully with us, enduring temptation,
persecution, hardship, and suffering. And when he died on the cross, he really died;
he wasn’t pretending. Through the Incarnation, the infinite, holy, and all-powerful God,
demonstrated his love for us — “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son” (3:16 NIV). As believers in Christ, we must affirm both sides of his nature
and not exclude or diminish one side in favour of the other. Jesus is fully God and fully
man.
Eternal life:
3:15-16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 39,40; 6:27, 40, 47, 54, 58; 8:51; 10:10, 27-30;
11:25-26; 12:25, 49-50; 20:30-31.
Jesus came to bring us life, eternal life. This life begins now, on this earth, through faith
in Christ. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (or
in some translations “more abundantly”~ (10:10 NIV).
Eternal life is not just a promise for the future; believers can have it now!!! a
(see 3:36; 5:24; 6:47). The life that Christ offers also continues beyond death, in
heaven: “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (3:16 NIV); “In
my Father’s house are many roomsb; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going

a
Please read: Living in the nlmcs@live.com.au for b
In the King James there are many mansions.”
Secret Kingdom: email your free copy. translation this is said to This is a mistranslation,
be: “In my father’s house because you cannot have a
12
there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am … I am the way and
the truth and the life. No one comes to The Father except through me” (14:2-3, 6 NIV).
Eternal life is life that does not end, so it has a quantitative meaning. But eternal life
also has a qualitative sense, referring to the very life of God himself. John emphasizes
both meanings. Because Jesus is God, he lives forever. Before the world began, he lived
with God (1:1-2), and he will reign forever with the Father (14:1-4).
In John we see Jesus revealed in power and magnificence even before his resurrection.
Obtaining eternal life is not automatic or magic. People aren’t saved just because Jesus
became a man and died and rose again. Individuals must believe in Jesus; they must
trust in him.
John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep
(10:11, 15, 17). His death is said to be a saving death—he is the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world (1:29, 36). He is the one who saves us from the
penalties of our sins (Romans 3:23)
But his sacrifice is applied only to those who repent and believe (1:12; 2:11; 3:15-
16, 18, 36; and many other passages).
Importance for Today: Life on earth is short, and filled with struggles, suffering, and
hardships. Of course, there are moments of ecstasy and joy, but for many those
moments are very few. And because all human beings are mortal, eventually everyone
dies. That description is not mere pessimism, but the truth. But God offers hope amidst
the suffering—eternal life. Through faith in Christ, we have abundant life now and life
unending after we die. The assurance of eternal life gives hope, meaning, and purpose
as we live each day.
Jesus offers eternal life to us. We are invited to begin living in a personal, eternal
relationship with him that begins now. Although we must grow old and die, we can have
a new life that lasts forever by trusting Jesus.
Believing: 1:12, 50; 2:11,23; 3:15-18; 4:39-42,48-53; 5:24,47; 6:30,47,64;
8:24,31; 9:38; 10:25-27; 12:37-46;14:11-14; 16:9; 17:8, 20: 25-30.
Belief in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God is the central theme of this book and the
desired response from all who read it. Knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, and that
eternal life is available only through him, people must believe in Jesus as their Saviour
and Lord.
John chose eighta signs (miracles) that show the nature of Jesus’ power and
love to convince people to believe in Christ. John explains this as he states his purpose:
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31 NIV).
John wrote to a sceptical world (just like our world is today). The Jews were looking for
their Messiah whom they thought would be a mighty hero, one who would free them
from Roman tyranny and restore Israel to her former glory.
Jews found it difficult to believe in a gentle rabbi, one who taught love and servanthood
could possibly be their Messiah and their Deliverer.
The religious Jews were especially sceptical of Jesus. After all, he exposed their
hypocrisy and called people to a personal relationship with God through him alone
(14:6). He ruffled their feathers, and he threatened their power base, their wealth, and
their jobs. He had to go!!!

house inside another “In my father’s house are a

house. The NIV is more
correct here. The word
could also be translated as:
many places to abide (live,
or dwell).”
Wherever “8” is used, it
signifies “a new
beginning”, hence the
number for Jesus is “888”.
13
Greeks, with their history of philosophical dialogue and intellectual acumen, would be
naturally sceptical of a man claiming to be God in the flesh. And what about the Romans?
With their multitude of gods, they would find it difficult to embrace one who claimed to
be the only way.
So, John presents the evidence and the facts to support the claims of Christ, to convince
readers that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
The first step toward eternal life is to believe the facts about Jesus. Through
the eight signs and other incidents in the life of Christ, John presents these facts, not
as statements about Jesus, but as scenes of Jesus in action. He describes the effects
on those who witnessed each event. “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed
in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’ So, when
the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two
days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman,
‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world’” (4:39-42 NIV). But having
saving faith (“believing”) involves much more than mental assent to the truth.
John emphasizes Jesus’ strong teaching that those who truly believe in Christ turn
from their sin, follow him closely, and obey his teachings.
Jesus told the crowds, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk
in darkness but will have the light of life” (8:12 NIV), and, “I tell you the truth, if anyone
keeps my word, he will never see death” (8:51 NIV). When the formerly blind man
believed, he worshipped Jesus (9:38).
At another time Jesus taught the disciples, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while
the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me
must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one
who serves me” (12:25-26 NIV). The person who puts his or her faith in Christ (believes
the facts about him, trusts him, follows close to him, and obeys his commands) is
forgiven and gains eternal life.
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands
condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only
Son” (3:18 NIV).
Importance for Today: Believing is active, living, and continuous trust in Jesus
as God. When we believe in his life, his words, his death, and his resurrection, we are
cleansed from sin and receive power to follow him.
But we must respond to Christ by believing. This believing begins with the facts about
Jesus, but it must go deeper, involving total commitment to him. Do you truly believe
in Jesus? Remember, too, that we also live in a world of sceptics. Most people won’t
believe that something is true simply because we tell them, especially regarding
religion. They need to see Jesus in action, to read about his claims and his miracles,
and to understand his teachings.
As we explain to relatives, friends, neighbours, and co-workers about how they can
have eternal life, we need to present the evidence that Jesus is the Son of God and their
only hope.
Holy Spirit: 1:32-34; 3:5; 6:63; 7:39; 14:16-26; 15:26; 16:7, 15.
The first mention of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John is John the Baptist’s explanation
that when he baptized Jesus, he saw, “The Spirit come down from heaven as a dove
and remain on him” (1:32 NIV). He adds that Jesus will “baptize with the Holy
Spirit” (1:33 NIV).

14
We know, therefore, that Jesus possessed the Spirit. In addition, we read in John’s
Gospel that a person must be born “of water and the Spirit” (3:5 NIV) and that “the
Spirit gives life” (6:63 NIV).
In other words, when we believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us new birth into the
family of God. John also explains that the Holy Spirit was not fully given to believers
until after Christ had been glorified (7:39).
The main teaching about the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John, however, describes him
as the Paraclete. This Greek word (parakletos) is also used to describe Jesus. Its literal
meaning is “the one who comes alongside” and can also be translated “counsellor.”
Therefore, the Holy Spirit is like Jesus; he comes alongside believers to guide and teach
them, working for them and with them. The main works of the Holy Spirit as the
Paraclete are these:
1. He would come and abide in the disciples after the departure of Jesus, to teach
them, remind them of his words (“But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of
everything I have said to you”—14:26 NIV), and show them the truth (“But when
he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth”—16:13 NIV). This
work of the Holy Spirit is very important in understanding the doctrine of
inspiration. In these passages, Jesus is promising his disciples that the Holy Spirit
would help them recall what he had taught them and the important incidents in
his life. The Holy Spirit would also open their eyes to understand Christ’s true
identity. This would ensure that their records of Christ’s life would be accurate.
2. He would bear witness to Jesus through the disciples before the world (“When the
Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who
goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for
you have been with me from the beginning”—15:26-27 NIV) and will do his
convicting work in the hearts of men and women in the world (“Unless I go away,
the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he
comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and
judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to
righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;
and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands
condemned”—16:7-11 NIV). All of these actions of the Holy Spirit are parallel to
the work of Jesus on earth. Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life
(14:6), and he preached about sin (8:24), righteousness (8:42-47), and judgment
(9:39). Jesus taught his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after he left the
earth. The Holy Spirit would then indwell, guide, counsel, and comfort those who
follow Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s presence and power are multiplied
in all who believe.
Importance for Today: God has sent the Holy Spirit into the world to draw people to
Himself and to work in the lives of believers. As we read and study God’s Word, the Holy
Spirit will guide us into the truth (16:13), helping us understand about Christ and about
God’s principles for living. One of our responsibilities as believers is to testify about
Christ in the world (15:27), passing on what the Holy Spirit tells us (15:26). As we do
this, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit will be working in the lives of men and
women, convicting them of their sin and their need to trust Christ as Saviour (16:7-
11). We must know the Holy Spirit to understand all Jesus taught. We can experience
Jesus’ love and guidance as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.
Resurrection: (20:1–21:23).
The final and greatest sign presented by John of the divinity of Jesus is his resurrection
from the dead. Just as Jesus really lived as a man on the earth, he really died on the
cross. The witnesses to Jesus’ death were many: the Roman soldiers (19:23-24, 32-
15
34), the chief priests and other Jewish religious leaders (19:21), the crowd (19:20), a
small collection of his loyal followers (19:25-27), and those who buried him, Joseph of
Arimathea and Nicodemus (19:38-42). Jesus was dead, and with his death, all hope
seemed to vanish from the disciples.
Most of them fled and followed from a distance (Matthew 26:56; John 18:15). Peter
denied even knowing Jesus (18:15-18, 25-27). They were a disorganized and fearful
group (20:19). But Jesus’ death was not the end of the story. He arose, triumphant over
death.
Mary Magdalene, John, and Peter found the tomb empty (20:1-9). Then Mary Magdalene
met the risen Christ face to face (20:10-18). Later, the disciples saw Jesus alive (20:19-
29; 21:1-23). The fact of the Resurrection changed the disciples’ lives—from fearful
men who fled danger to courageous witnesses who took the gospel to every corner of
their world, from discouraged and disillusioned followers to hopeful and joyful “Christ-
ones” (i.e., “Christians”—ones belonging to Christ). The fact that Jesus rose from the
dead is the foundation of the Christian faith.
Importance for Today: The resurrection of Christ from the dead is important for us
for several reasons;
1. Truth. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that he is, in fact, the Son of
God, and that all he taught is true. People choose religions for a variety of reasons
(for example, to please parents, to feel good, to advance socially, or to “earn their
way to heaven”); but the most important and basic reason for becoming a Christian
is because the gospel is true. Jesus said that he was the truth (14:6), and his
resurrection confirmed it!
2. Hope. Jesus taught that whoever believes in him will have eternal life (3:16-18).
Because Jesus is God and truthful, we know that his promise of eternal life is also
true. In the face of danger, disease, and death, we can remember the words of
Jesus to Martha at Lazarus’s tomb: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in
me will never die” (11:25-26 NIV). We can hope.
3. Presence. Jesus is alive; therefore, we worship and serve a living Saviour. Jesus
promised his followers that he would be with them always (Matthew 28:20). He
said that when he left the world, he would send his Spirit to us (16:7). When Jesus
rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with us
and in us.
4. Confidence. After the Resurrection, the disciples were confident and bold,
knowing that with God for them, no one could stand against them (Romans 8:31).
They also knew that they also would rise from the dead. We can be changed as
the disciples were and have the confidence that someday our bodies will be raised
to live with Christ forever. The same power that raised Christ to life can give us
the ability to follow him each day, because it lives inside of us.
If Jesus can change John by his encounter with Jesus Christ, then we all can
be changed, renewed and set free from our “natural character” and start
to put on the “Character of Jesus Christ”.
1. John learned the lessons of love in “the School of Christ” Jn. 13:23, 1 Jn. 2:9-
10, 3:14-18, 4:7-11.
2. This change was in John’s character, and is recognised by Jesus, as John is
entrusted with the responsibility to care for Jesus’ mother (Jn. 19:20).
3. In the Epistles of John, John refers to Christian love more than 25 times. As this
Gospel was written under the divine inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit,
God therefore must consider Christian Love very important.

16
CHAPTER ONE: THE DIVINITY, HUMANITY & OFFICE OF CHRIST

To get a full understanding of this book, in relation to the Old Testament scriptures, let
us add in an “explanation verse”, and called it Genesis 1:0. “Before time existed,
GOD was! And in that place (outside of time & space), God created the seraphim and
the cherubim, and seven aarchangels, and all-of the other angels, that are available to
worship God and to do His bidding. Then came the rebellion, and the archangel Lucifer
(Satan) was drop-kicked out of this place, like lightning, to roam the second level of
heaven, whilst the rebellious angels were locked up in the second level of Gahanna
(hell). After time has been forever extinguished ~ God still will be!”
1. In the beginningb was cthe Word, and the Word was dwith God [Elohim] ~ God the
Father], and the Word ewas God. [John in writing this book, makes it very clear
from the outset, that this book is also for Jews, as well as Gentiles. The first 13
verses of John’s gospel are written in the style and structure of the Judaic Second
Temple period. John reminds the Jews of Genesis 1:1, where it starts with creation,
signifying all three elements of the Godhead were present, namely the Father (the
one speaking), The Word (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit (empowering the spoken word
and hovering over creation.) Jesus also confirms in John 1:3 that nothing was ever
created without Himself being present.]
2. The same was in the beginning with God. [Jesus, in His position, as the Son of the
Most-High God, was there in Genesis 1:0, BEFORE the creation of the universe
even started.]
3. f
All things were made by Him; and without Him, want not anything made that was
made. [John makes it very clear that the second person of the Godhead, (THE
WORD) was directly involved in every aspect of all-of the elements of creation.
And we know that God never makes mistakes, so in Genesis 1:1, we need to know
and understand that God created the universe “perfectly”. Satan’s rebellion caused
darkness and chaos to appear in God’s creation, so further actions had to be taken
to restore God’s creation to a liveable habitat for the elements to be created in
days 2 through six. When mankind was created, it was Jesus who decided how
many ribs you would have, how many fingers & toes, how big your brain would be
and, gave you an extra attribute then none of the other living creatures possessed;
Jesus gave mankind a soul and freedom of choice. Sadly, mankind chose to do
evil, and a salvation plan needed to be put into action, to redeem them from
themselves, otherwise they would self-destruct.]
4. g
In Him was life: and hthe life was the light of men. [John reminds us that Jesus
IS the breath of life that was breathed into mankind at creation. Therefore, without
Christ in our lives, we have no life, only existence. Jesus is the light which devours
the darkness, because light and darkness cannot exist in the same space.]
5. And ithe light shines in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [God
is the light in this dark world that we live in. His light brings healing, hope,
and direction, to those who are lost and hurting. The darkness doesn't stand a
chance because light is greater than darkness. For followers of Jesus, this should
change everything about their life. We should live in the revelation of what Jesus
has done for us.]
6. There was a man jsent from God, whose name was kJohn. [This is John the Baptist,
the cousin whose mother was Elizabeth, who Mary went to visit while pregnant
with Jesus. John the Baptist came, with the Spirit of Elijah, to prepare the way for
the coming of the LORD. Jesus later proclaimed that John the Baptist was the
greatest of all-of the prophets, but one greater than He was among them.]

a
Referred to in the Book of c
See verse 14; Revelation f
1 Corinthians 8:6; h
8:12
Enoch 19:13 Ephesians 3:9; Colossians i
3:19
b
[h] ~ Beerashit ~ the same d
1 John 1:2 1:16; Hebrews 1:2 j
Malachi 3:1
word used in Genesis 1:1 e
Philippians 2:6 g
11:25; 1 John 5:11 k
Luke 3:2
17
7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through
him might believe. [John the Baptist came in the Spirit of Elijah, to prepare the
way for the coming of the LORD. It is believed that in his early years in the desert
seeking the LORD, he may have been part of the Essenes, a religious group of
Jews who also “separated themselves from normal life” to write copies of the
a
Torah and the bTanach and the cTalmud. It was these documents that were hidden
in jars and placed into the caves in Wadi Qumran, for safekeeping, which we now
know as the Dead Sea Scrolls. All-of these three sets of scrolls, (the sacred
writings) were available in the synagogues, at the time of Jesus, and are referred
to by him in His teachings.]
8. He was not the light but was sent (by God Almighty) to bear witness of that light.
[Remember, his mother Elizabeth was barren, but an angel came to Zechariah, his
father, while He was ministering in the Temple, but He did not believe the angel’s
message, so he was struck dumb, until his son was born. This is a clear
confirmation of scripture, which states that God Almighty calls each one of us BY
NAME, and according to His DIVINE PLAN & DIVINE PURPOSE. So, do you know
what God Almighty has called you to do for His glory?]
9. That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. [There
is no limitation. Jesus came into the world so that we may His Light and that we
may have it to the fullness of Christ Himself.]
10. He was in the world, and dthe world was made by Him, and the world knew Him
not. [When He came into the world, the world that He created, the animals, the
birds, and even mankind, did not recognize him.]
11. He came unto eHis own, and his own received Him not. [He is a Jew, He was born
a Jew, in Bethlehem Ephratah as prophesied, but his own relatives of the tribe of
Judah refused to recognize him.]
12. BUT, as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of
God, even to them who believe on His name. [You can have all-of these promises,
even in this day and age, if you hear His words and recognize who His is and
believe the word of God ~ in His name.]
13. Which was born, fnot of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,
but of God. [This was a divine birth, planned for the purposes of God, before the
foundations of the world.]
14. And gThe Word hwas made flesh and dwelt (tabernacled incarnate) among us, (and
we beheld His glory; the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) ifull of grace
and truth. [Jesus left His place in glory to come down to earth, submit Himself to
nine months in a womb, then to be born of a woman, and live a life as the Son of
Man, so that He can experience all of our trials, our hurts, and our joys. Jesus,
who knows the end from the beginning, had to experience how mankind’s brain is
activated, and how mankind learns and remembers things. He was fully man and
also fully God.]
15. John (the Baptist) bare witness of Him, and cried, saying; This was He of whom I
spoke, jHe that comes after me, is preferred before me: kfor He was lbefore me.
[John the Baptist had been preaching and teaching a new revelation about sin.
Prior to John the Baptist, sin was related to the king, or to the nation, and as a
result, the king, or the whole nation, was punished for that sin. Under Old
Testament writings, the High Priest went into the Temple once a year, and made
a sacrifice, firstly for himself, and then for the whole nation, and through this blood

a
The Torah is the Bible: Torah (Instruction, sacred and normative by g
See verse 1.
compilation of the first or Law, also called the Jews from the time it was h
Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy
five books of the Hebrew Pentateuch), Neviʾim compiled until modern
3:16; Hebrews 2:14
Bible, namely the books (Prophets), and Ketuvim times, and still so regarded i
of Genesis, Exodus, (Writings). by traditional religious Exodus 34:7
j
Leviticus, Numbers and c
The Hebrew term Talmud Jews ~ even today. Matthew 3:11
Deuteronomy. (“study” or “learning”) d
See verse 3. k
8:58
b
an acronym derived from commonly refers to a e
Acts 3:26 l
See verse 30.
the names of the three compilation of ancient f
3:3,6,7
divisions of the Hebrew teachings regarded as
18
 sacrifice, God “covered the sins of the nation of Israel” for one year ~ BUT
HE DID NOT FORGET THEM! John the Baptist got the revelation that sin was an
INDIVIDUAL ISSUE. Each person was directly accountable to God for his own
sins; sins of thought, sin by one’s actions, and also sins of omission ~ not doing
things when you should have! To repent, people must be baptized, by total
immersion.]
16. And of His afulness have all we received, and grace for (upon RSV) graceb. [We
have received the total package of His grace, which is so large an amount that it
overflows us, so that we can share it with others.]
17. For the law was given (from God) by Moses, cBUT dgrace and etruth came by Jesus
Christ. [This is the separation of the first Covenant, which was impossible to
achieve, and the second Covenant, prophesised in Jeremiah 31:31, and activated
when Christ arose from the dead, so that all who believe in Him can be saved and
once again have fellowship with God the Father.]
18. fNo man has seen God at any time: gthe only begotten Son, which is in hthe bosom
of the Father, He has declared Him.
[Extract from the Jewish Gospel of John, by Dr Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, page 9:
From the first century, Christian believers continued to debate, mostly with each other,
the importance of the Mosaic Law. While both verse 16 and verse 18 have much that is
important and certainly worth being discussed at length, we will concentrate on verse
17 – “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through
Jesus Christ.” (ESV)
As the Protestant Christian movement emerged, one of the biggest disagreements
between those who would one day become Protestants, and those who would remain
Roman Catholic, was the issue of the function of the law in the life of the believer.
One of the five most important theological shortcut phrases of the Reformation was:
“by faith alone.” This phrase indicated how one was “saved” from God’s eternal
judgment. The intention was to highlight “faith alone” as opposed to “faith and good
works of the believers” or “Christ and good works of the believers.” [ref. 7 Cf. 2 Sam
7:13‐14; 4Q174 3:10‐13; for other messianic texts at Qumran, see the Messianic
florilegia of 4Q175.]
This 15th-16th century conflict between Protestants and Catholics was later read back
into the Pauline writings, and projected back into Paul’s own words. Today, hardly
anyone will object to that fact that Paul must be read through first century Israelite
interpretive lenses, and not through the later lenses of Catholic-Protestant conflict
historically unrelated to Paul.
While the juxtaposition of law and the gospel was present in the Church Fathers, it is
not until the time of the Reformation that the juxtaposing of law and grace became
pronounced. This became a dominant emphasis. The opposite of grace became law; the
opposite of law became grace. In all reality, the opposite of law was never grace, but
lawlessness. Just as the opposite of grace was never law, but disgrace.
Like Paul, John has also been greatly misunderstood and interpreted anachronistically.
In John 1:17, for example, some important English Bible translations (such as KJV and
NET Bible) insert the additional word ~ “but.” This word is not present in the original
Greek. Moreover, even when the translations do not add the word “but” (see the ESV
quoted above) the verse is normally understood as if the “but” is implied. It is almost
impossible for us to read this text and not juxtapose law and grace in our contemporary
minds.
In the mind of the author of this Gospel, the Law/Torah was something very good. The
reason for this was his Israelite heritage, entrusted to his people Israel, by her God and

a
Ephesians 4:13; Colossians comma, or a semi- f
Deuteronomy 4:12; h
Luke 16:22
1:19; 2:9,10 colon. Matthew 11:27; Luke
d
b
Exodus 34:6,7 See verse 14; Romans 6:14 10:22; John 5:37, 6:46;
c e
8:32; 14:6 1Timothy 6:16; 1 John
BUT is not in the Hebrew
4:12,20
Text, only a g
See verse 14: 3:16, 18.
19
nurtured, treasured, and protected for centuries by his people - Israel. If one ignores
the negative reading and instead interprets the phrase (vs. 17) positively – “The Law
came through Moses; (and) grace and truth comes through Jesus Christ” - then the text
will begin to flow organically. In this case, it will be connected with the previous
confession by the Gospel’s author that grace was given in addition to the grace already
provided. (16. “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”) Perhaps
a translation that can help us get rid of this inbred dichotomy would go like this: “For
the Torah was given through Moses and grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
The moment we see that Greek Nomos (νόμος) does not need to be translated as “law,”
or could be translated as “Law only” in the sense of the Torah of Moses, then more
interpretive options become available.]
19. And this is the record of John (the Baptist), when the Jews sent Priests and Levites
from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” [They had heard his radical new
messages about salvation, that he was baptising people in the river Jordan and
that many people came to Him from the surrounding towns/villages to hear his
message and get baptised. They wondered ~ was he the Messiah?]
20. And he confessed and denied not: but confessed, I am not the Christ. [They asked
him, “Are you the Christ?” and he answered, “no I am not the Christ.”]
21. And then they asked him, “What then? Are you aElias?” And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you that prophet?” And he answered, “No.” [The Priests and the Levites
recognized that he was different to them; there was an anointing in his words and
upon his presence. They needed to know who he was. In our world today, is the
anointing of the Holy Spirit so intense upon your life, that the religious leaders of
the day come to you and want to know who you are and why are you here? That
should be the case for all-of us. Being born again Christians should be so obvious
to all the people around us, that they would be asking questions about who we
are, and why we say and do things differently, than the existing “worldview.”]
22. Then they said unto him, “Who are you? That we may give an answer to them that
sent us. What do you say of yourself?” [Please tell us who you are as we need to
tell those that sent us your identity, and what is your purpose of being here.]
23. He said, “I am bthe voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of
the LORD, as said the Prophet Isaiah. [I am the fulfilment of the prophecy spoken
by Prophet Isaiah. I have come to prepare the hearts of the people to hear the
Word of the LORD, who is coming to this earth personally, to teach us His ways.
Don’t close your hearts and minds any longer. Recognize that you (as an
individual) have sinned, and you (as an individual) are now outside the covenant
that God made with Moses for the nation of Israel. Repent and be baptized, so that
your sins can be forgiven.]
24. And they which were sent were the Pharisees. [The Sadducees were the elite
political class of the Jews, but who unfortunately colluded with the Romans, to
maintain their wealthy businesses and places in the Priesthood. The Sadducees did
not believe in the resurrection, nor in an after-life, or in angels.
Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead and the afterlife. They believed,
like all Jews, that God created the world, chose Israel as his chosen people, and
rewarded and punished them according to His law. They also felt that the Law of
Moses contained ambiguities which they strove to fix, by developing rules and
regulations for every possible human action, in order to adhere to the will of God,
as outlined in the Torah. They were also priests and were mostly the teachers of
the Law in the synagogues and the temple in Jerusalem. Some were wealthy, but
most were not. Later, Jesus had Pharisees as followers.]
25. And they asked him, and said unto him, “Why baptize you then, if you are not the
Christ, nor Isaiah, neither that prophet?” [“We don’t understand it; why are you

a
Matthew 11:4 [Elijah, the translated, soul and body, little before the coming of b
Isaiah 40:3
prophet; the Tishbite, as to heaven: the Jews had a the Messiah. They got it
Nonnus in his paraphrase notion that that prophet half right, as John came
expresses it; who was would come in person a “in the spirit of Elijah!”
20
 baptizing people, if you are not Christ, or Isaiah? Under whose authority are you
baptizing these people?” The Pharisees wanted to know under what scripture John
had the authority to baptize people.]
26. John answered them, saying, “aI baptize with water: but there stands one among
you, whom you know not. [There is a greater man than I am, standing among you,
and you don’t even recognise Him.]
27. “He it is, who is coming after me, who is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet
I am not worthy to unloose.” [John answered them with a riddle; I baptize people
with water, but there is one coming after me who is higher in authority, than I am;
who is so holy, that I am not even worthy to touch his shoes, let alone unloose his
shoe latchets. You study the scriptures and the prophets; don’t you know who He
is?]
28. These things were done in Bethabara, beyond the Jordan, where John was
baptizing.
29. The next day, John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, “Behold, bthe Lamb
of God, which ctakes away the sins of the world. [God’s timing is always perfect;
the very next day, while his comments of the previous day are still in their minds,
Jesus appears on the scene to be baptized.]
30. “dThis is of whom I said: After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for
He was before me. [“Remember what I said yesterday? This is the man I was
telling you about; he is more preferred than I am, because He was before me. He
was at creation and sits beside the throne in heaven.”]
31. *** (Conclusion) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to
Israel. eTherefore, am I come baptizing with water. [Jesus was the cousin of John
the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit in John stirred him when he was still in Elizabeth’s
womb. So, John knew him as a child growing up, but not as the one chosen to be
the Christ.]
32. And John bare record saying, “fI saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a
dove, and it abode on Him.” [Apostle John does not mention Jesus being baptised
in the Jordan River, because he was not an eyewitness to this event, but He records
what John the Baptist says took place, after He was baptized by John the Baptist.
He recalls seeing the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and abiding on Jesus. This
was the confirmation of what the Holy Spirit had told Him, before the baptism took
place, that the one upon whom the Holy Spirit descends, He is the one who will
baptise with the Holy Spirit.]
33. [P] “And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said
unto me, ‘Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him,
the same is He which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.” [John receives this instruction
from Heaven: When you baptize this person and you see the Spirit descending
down from heaven looking like a dove, and resting upon Him, then you will know
that He is the Christ, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Notice that John
the Baptist did not get all-of the picture of what Jesus would do; but only enough
for Him to proclaim that He is the Holy One, the one who will take away the sins
of the whole world.]
34. “And I saw, and I bare record, that this IS gthe Son of God. [John the Baptist
relates that all I heard from Heaven actually took place. I saw it with my own eyes,
and I bare record to these events taking place, THEREFORE, I can proclaim with
certainty that Jesus is the SON of GOD.]
35. Again, then next day after John stood, and two of his disciples. [Now, do not be
misled, this is NOT the second day after John the Baptist, encountered Jesus at
the Jordan River and baptised Him ~ but the second day that he encountered
Jesus. If you check with the other gospels, there is at least 40 days which have
elapsed between the next day referred to in verse 29 and the next day

a c e g
Matthew 3:11 [h]~ Or, bears Luke 1:17,76,77 Matthew 14:33; John 1:49
b d f
Exodus 12:3 See verse 15. Matthew 3:16
21
 referred to in this verse. This is where Jesus goes into the wilderness to be
tested and tried by Satan, who then leaves Him alone until the garden of
Gethsemane.]
36. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, “aBehold, the Lamb of God.” [This
is the second time that John the Baptist confirms that Jesus is the “sacrificial Lamb
of God. John the Baptist spoke the truth, but only two of his disciples reacted to
that truth. In today’s society, the truth is spoken; many may hear it, but few react
to it! Many are called ~ but few are chosen!]
37. And his two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?”
And they said unto Him, “Rabbi” (which is interpreted as Master) “Where do you
b
dwell?
39. And He said unto them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He dwelt, and
abode with Him that day: for it was cabout the 10th hour. [Notice Jesus is never
forceful. He invited them to come and see where He lived. It was their choice
whether they did or not. At 2 hours before nightfall, they chose to spend the night
with Jesus, and I imagine that they talked well into the night. This is confirmed by
their actions the following morning.]
40. One of the two (of John’s disciples) which heard John speak, and followed Jesus,
was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [His first action upon getting the revelation of
who Jesus was, is to find his own brother and tell Him the good news! We must all
react the same way; tell someone about your discovery!]
41. He (Andrew) first finds his own brother, Simon, and says to him, “We have found
the dMessias (Messiah), which is being interpreted, ethe Christ. [“Great news, we
have found the Messiah, the one that was promised, the Anointed One, come and
see!”]
42. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, “You are Simon
the son of Jona: You shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a small
stone. [In Greek, it is a play on words, “Petros” ~ means giant rock, like the Rock
of Gibraltar, “Petras” ~ means small pebble. Jesus is (Petros) the giant rock upon
which Salvation is given to the believers, whilst Peter (Petras) is the small pebble
that is to lead the Apostles, after the ascension the Christ back into heaven.]
43. [C] The day following, Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and says
unto him, “Follow me.” [With the previous disciples, Andrew, and Simon Peter,
they had a choice to accept or reject the invitation to follow Jesus. But here the
tone changes, Jesus commands Philip to follow Him! If he refuses, he is in direct
rebellion against God.]
44. Now fPhilip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45. Philip finds gNathanael, and said unto him, “We have found Him, of whom hMoses
in the Law, and ethe prophets did write, Jesus iof Nazareth, jthe son of Joseph.”
[The early disciples got it wrong. And that is why Nathanael makes his sneering
comment in the next verse. Jesus is really Jesus of Bethlehem Ephratah, the one
that fits all-of the prophetic puzzles together.]
46. And Nathanael said unto him, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said, “Come and see.” [Up until, this point in Jewish history, Nazareth, had
a bad name! Now Jesus is about to change that!]
47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold an Israelite indeed,
in whom is no guile!” [Nathanael had never previously seen the Saviour, but Jesus
knows the character of Nathanael upon meeting him. He describes Nathanael as a
man “without guile”. This word “guile” is defined in the dictionary as “insidious
cunning, or deception, or duplicity”. So, Nathanael is “without deception”. Notice

a c e h
See verse 29. [h]~ That was about 2 [h]~ The Anointed One; Luke 24:27
b
[h]~ Or, where do you hours before nightfall. Psalm 2:2 i
Matthew 2:23
d f
abide? 4:25 6:5,7; 12: 21,22; 14:8,9 j
6:42
g
21:2
22
 Jesus, (who knows everything), makes no mention of Nathanael’s comment about
“nothing good coming out of Nazareth”.]
48. Nathanael says unto Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said unto
him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you sitting under a fig tree. [Jesus reveals
some of His “hidden gifts” to those around Him, Jesus has all-of the attributes and
gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent.
Omnipotent ~ having great power and influence; Omniscient ~ knowing all things;
Omnipresent ~ being present everywhere at the same time.]
49. Nathanael answered and said unto Him, “Rabbi, you are athe Son of God; You are
b
the King of Israel.” [What Nathanael proclaimed was prophetic. Pilate insisted that
there be a plague nailed above the head of Jesus on the Cross, stating Jesus Christ
King of the Jews, which is also King of Israel.]
50. Jesus answered and said unto him, “Because I said unto you, that I saw you under
a fig tree, you believed? You shall see greater things than these.”
51. And He said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter you shall see
heaven open, and cthe angels of God ascending and descending upon dthe Son of
man.
CHAPTER TWO: CHRIST TURNS WATER INTO WINE

1. And the ethird day (the 3rd encounter), there was a marriage in fCana of Galilee;
and (Mary) the mother of Jesus was there:
2. And both Jesus was called, and gHis disciples, to the marriage. [So, the whole
family gets an invitation to the wedding ceremony & feast. Mary and Jesus are
invited, but Joseph is not mentioned, because it is believed by this time Mary is a
widow. Not only was Jesus invited, but His half-brothers, (see verse 12) and His
disciples as well; so, Apostle John is an “earwitness” and “eyewitness” to this
miracle.]
3. And when they wanted wine, (Mary) the mother of Jesus said unto Him, “They
have no wine.” [This is a very interesting verse, because it infers that Mary knew
that Jesus could solve this problem, and save the bridegroom’s family from
embarrassment. Some historians and early biblical scholars, have indicated that
Jesus may have already performed some minor miracles at home, while He was
growing up, but these were not made public.]
4. Jesus said unto her, “hWoman, what have I to do with you? iMy hour is not yet
come.” [Jesus is not talking to His earthly mother (Mary) as the Son of Man, but
is now talking to her as the Son of God, when He says, “My hour has not yet come.”
~ it is not time for me to start my ministry on earth yet ~ but as I must honour
my mother and my father according to scripture, I will do as you ask.”]
5. His mother says unto the servants, “whatsoever He says unto you, do it!”
6. And there were set the six waterpots of stone, after the manner of jthe purifying
of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. [A firkin is a unit of
measurement roughly equal to a Hebrew bath (another unit of measurement),
which is about 9 gallons. Some scholars say it was precisely 8 7/8 gallons. So, the
waterpots each held 2-3 firkins, or a total of 27-36 gallons, and there were six
waterpots. Using 30 gallons as the mean example, this means that there was about
180 gallons of new wine made by this miracle.]
7. Jesus said unto them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to
the brim.
8. And He said unto them, “Draw out now, and bare unto the governor of the feast.”
And they bare it.

a c f i
Matthew 14:33; John 1:34; Genesis 28:12 4:46; 21:2 7:6
6:69. d
Daniel 7:13 g
1:40,42,43,45 j
Mark 7:3,4
b
Matthew 27:42 e
1:29 h
19:26
23
9. 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.
10. And said unto him, “Every man at the beginning does set forth the good wine; and
when men are well drunk, then that which is worse (inferior in quality): but you
have kept the good wine until now. [In the situation described above, Satan had
established a situation to bring embarrassment to the bridegroom and his family
at this wedding feast. Mary was prompted to tell Jesus the situation, so that what
Satan planned for evil, can be turned around for good. Instead of embarrassment
for running out of wine, the bridegroom gets praise for keeping back the best wine
until the end.]
11. This beginning of (public) miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested
forth aHis glory; and His disciples believed on Him. [When the disciples heard the
conversation between Mary and Jesus, they may have been surprised at His words
of response. But Mary seems to have ignored His rebuke, and gone straight on and
told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you to do!” They watched events unfold
with interests and then with amazement, as they see the water change colour and
the Governor of the feast complimenting the bridegroom, for keeping the best wine
until the last. Yes, upon this miracle they believed that Jesus IS the Son of God.
12. After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and his mother, and bHis brethren,
and His disciples; and they continued there not many days. [So, after the wedding
was over, Jesus and Mary (His Mother), and his other relatives, and His disciples,
went down to Capernaum and stayed there for a few days.]
13. And the Jewish cPassover was at hand, and Jesus dwent up to Jerusalem. [This is
the first Passover recorded in the Gospels that occurred after Jesus started His
ministry, after His baptism in water in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. But
we know that Jesus was without sin, which means that He attended the Passover
every year since His birth.]
14. e
And found in the Temple those that sold oxen, and sheep and doves, and the
changers of the money sitting. [These merchants were defiling the Holy Temple,
by turning it into a place of merchandise, which was contrary to the scriptures.
They needed to be taught a lesson!]
15. And when he had made a scourge (whip) of small cords, He drove them all out of
the Temple, and the sheep and the oxen,; and poured out the changer’s money,
and overthrew the tables; [Now this is NOT “gentle Jesus meek and mild”, but
Jesus in righteous anger, showing His displeasure at the lack of reverential fear
that these people had for God’s word and for God’s Temple.]
16. And He said unto them that sold doves, “Take these things hence; make not My
Father’s house, a house of merchandise.” [He made the merchants realise that
they had broken the commandment of God., He also links His relationship to God
the Father, by referring to the temple as being “My Father’s House”.]
17. And His disciples remembered that it was written, “fThe zeal of thine House has
eaten me up!”
18. Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, “What sign do you show us that you
do these things?” [“Who do you think you are? Under whose authority do you do
this? Who told you to cast us out of the temple? We have been doing this for
years?”]
19. Jesus answered and said unto them, “Destroy gthis Temple, and in three days, hI
will rise it up again.” [Jesus is referring to a spiritual Temple, but the Jews are
referring to a physical temple.]

a e g
1:14 See verse 17: Compare Matthew 26:61; 27:40;
b
Matthew 12:46 with Matthew 21:12,13; Mark 14:58
c Mark 11:15-17 h
10:18
Exodus 12:14; John 6:4 f
d Psalm 69:9
Luke 2:4
24
20. Then the Jews answered and said, “It took forty-six years to build this Temple,
and you will raise it up in three days?”
21. But He spoke of athe Temple of His Body. [Don’t you know that your body is the
Temple of the Holy Spirit?]
22. *** 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 words that
Jesus has said. [Sometimes people hear words and don’t believe them straight
away. But after a related event happens, then they believe, because the spoken
word actually came to pass.]
23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed
in His name, when they saw bthe miracles that he did.
24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because He knew all men.
25. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he cknew what was in man.

CHAPTER THREE: NICODEMUS IS TAUGHT THE NECESSITY OF

REGENERATION

1. There was a man of the Pharisees, named dNicodemus, ea ruler of the Jews.
2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, “Rabbi, we know that you
are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that you do,
except God be with Him.” [Here was a man, of the Tribe of Levi, a priest, a teacher
of the law in the Synagogue, coming to Jesus, and proclaiming that Jesus, was the
Master Teacher, able to do more than any normal man can possibly do. He
recognizes that the power of God is with Him to allow Him to do these mighty
miracles. Now, as “born-again” Christians, filled with same Holy Spirit, and
remembering that Jesus said that we will do greater things that He did, once He
goes back to the Father, when the Holy Spirit comes upon us; do people come us
to us and say the same thing? Can they recognize by what we say and do, that we
are operating under the power and authority of God Almighty? THAT IS THE
CHALLENGE FOR THE CHURCH TODAY. In many places, the church is no different
to the world, because Satan has infiltrated the church.]
3. Jesus answered and said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man fbe born
g
again, He cannot see the kingdom of God.” [Here Jesus is talking about a Spiritual
rebirth, being born again from above, having your spirit-man reactivated. Jesus
goes on to say, that if this does not happen, you will not even “see” God, let alone
have fellowship with Him.]
4. Nicodemus says unto Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter
again into his mother’s womb, and be born?” [Nicodemus did not get it. He did not
understand that Jesus was talking about a spiritual re-birth, but this is clarified in
the next verse.]
5. Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of hwater
and of ithe Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” [This time, Jesus
make it very clear to Nicodemus (and to us today) that these two conditions must
be met, if you want to enter into the kingdom of God. The First condition is the
baptism by total immersion (which is what Jesus did at the Jordan river, as the
example), which is a public confession of your changed life, leaving behind your
old sinful life and taking up a life following Jesus Christ, as your LORD and Saviour.
The Second condition is confirmed in Acts 2:38, which is a “Package deal”. (a)
Repent of your sins, (b) Be baptised by total immersion, and (c) Receive the Holy
Spirit. Sadly today, many people repent of their sins, are baptised, and they
receive the Holy Spirit, (because it is a package deal), but they never ask Jesus
for the manifestation of the Spirit to come upon them. It is like they receive it, put

a d f h
1 Corinthians 6:19 17:50; 19:39 1:13; Galatians 6:15; 1 Mark 16:16
b
3:2; 4:45 e
Luke 23:35: 24:20 John 3:9 i
Acts 2:28; Titus 3:5
g
c
6:61,64; 13:11; 21:17 [h]~ from above
25
 it in a box, and tuck it away in a drawer somewhere, and never experience the
power and the peace of having the Holy Spirit in-dwelling in their hearts, which
allows you to commune with Jesus and the Father.]
6. a
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit IS
Spirit. [Even though Nicodemus was a part of the Ruling Sanhedrin, a teacher of
the Law, he has failed to understand the very basics of Jewish teachings, of the
stages of Jewish learning, starting from birth, then circumcision, then bar mitzvah
(at around 13 years of age) followed by years of study of the Torah, the Tanach
and the Talmud and then becoming a priest at age thirty (if you are of the tribe of
Levi), followed by old age, and finally death. [See verse 10.]
7. “Marvel not that I said unto you, that you must be born bagain. [I am explaining
spiritual things to you that the unbelieving man cannot understand, because they
think it is foolishness, but a man born of the spirit clearly understands these things,
because the Spirit of God dwelling within him, gives him revelation.]
8. “The wind blows where it will, and you hear the sound thereof, but you cannot tell
from where it comes or where it is going: So is everyone that is born of the Spirit.”
9. Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, “cHow can these things be?” [“How can
these things possibly be? I still don’t get it! How can our physical bodies and our
minds be changed, like you are explaining to me?”]
10. Jesus answered and said unto him, “Aren’t you a Master of Israel, and know not
these things?
11. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, we speak about things we do know, and dtestify
what we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
12. “If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe
heavenly things? [As a teacher in the Temple you should already understand these
things. I have told you about earthly things, testifying to you as a witness, and
yet you do not believe our witness, or the evidence. Then how can you possibly
understand spiritual things, which are foolishness to people whose internal spirits
have not been activated by God’s Holy Spirit?]
13. “And eno man has ascended up to heaven, but fHe that came down from heaven,
even the Son of Man, which is in heaven. [No man has ascended up to heaven by
His own strength. Both Enoch and Elijah were “taken up” into Heaven by God’s
strength. Even in the Book of Revelation, when the two witnesses “come down
from heaven”, and then die, and after three days they are “taken back into
Heaven,” it is by God’s power, not man’s strength.]
14. “And gas Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of
Man hbe lifted up. [As Moses was instructed by God to lift up the serpent in the
wilderness, so that all who saw it would be saved from their snake bites; so must
Jesus be lifted up on the cross, so that all men who believe He is the Christ, can
call upon His name and be saved and once again be restored into an eternal
relationship with the Father, through the blood sacrifice of His only begotten Son.]
15. [P] “That iwhosoever, believes on Him shall not perish, but jhave eternal
life. [This statement from Jesus is very important. Jesus states that this promise
is available to everyone ~ to ALL nations, ALL tribes, and ALL tongues “who
believes who Jesus IS”, and that [IF] you do believe, [THEN] you shall have eternal
life.]
16. “For kGod (the Father) so loved the world, that He lgave His monly begotten Son,
that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [This
shows how much God the Father wanted to reconcile mankind back to Himself. He
was prepared to send down to earth, His ONLY begotten Son, who was with Him
from before the creation of the universe, to be a God-witness among His created

a e i m
1:13; 1Corinthians 15:50 6:62 See verse 36. 1:18
b f j
[h]~ from above 6:38,42,51,58 6:40,47
c g k
6:52;60 Numbers 21:9 Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9
d h l
See verse 32. 8:28; 12:32,34 Romans 8:32
26
 people, to show the power and the wisdom of God. He was also prepared to allow
Him to be captured, put through a “kangaroo court, be handed over to the Romans
to be tortured beyond recognition, and then to be nailed to a cross, to take upon
Himself the sins of the whole world, from the time of Adam, until He returns to
earth to take up His Kingdom. That is how much God loves us!]
17. “For aGod sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; bbut that the world
through Him might be saved. [That is how wonderful this promise from God the
Father is: The whole world has an opportunity to be saved. Whether they choose
to be saved, or reject the salvation message, is up to each individual. God is not
forcing anyone to be saved. God gave us the freedom, the ability to choose, to
either be saved ~ or choose to go to hell. THERE ARE ONLY 2 CHOICES!]
18. c
He that believes on Him is NOT condemned: but he that believes not IS
condemned already; because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God. [God Almighty makes it very clear in this verse: There are only two
choices ~ Choose Life!]
19. And this is the condemnation, that dlight is come into the world, and men loved
e
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [October 7th is a prime
example of people preferring the darkness to the light, because their deeds are
evil!]
20. For feveryone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his
deeds be greproved. [Followers of Islam and criminals are afraid of the Light,
because it shines on their evil deeds. That is why they want to eliminate Israel,
because it stands for the Light of God, and they know that their time of judgement
is at hand.]
21. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest,
that they are wrought in God. [He that does righteous deeds always wants to be
in the light; but those who do evil deeds, associates with other people who also do
evil deeds, and hide in the darkness.]
22. After these things, came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judea: and there
He tarried with them, and hbaptized. [Now don’t jump to conclusions, refer to
chapter 4, verse 2; Jesus did not baptize, but His disciples did. There is no record
of Jesus baptizing His own disciples, or anyone else in a water baptism, because
John the Baptist came to baptise in water; and Jesus came to baptise in the Holy
Spirit, which Jesus does before He sends out the 72 people (the 12 disciples ~ with
each having 5 people to mentor and teach, with “on the job practical training”), to
prepare the cities & towns for the coming of the Messiah. Sadly, it is not recorded
that any town or city recognized Him as the Messiah, prior to the cross,
resurrection and ascension.]
23. And John the Baptist was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was
much water there: and they came and were baptized.
24. For iJohn the Baptist was not yet cast into prison.
25. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about
j
purifying.
26. And they came unto John and said unto him, “Rabbi, he that which was with you
k
beyond the Jordan, lto whom you bear witness, behold, the same baptises, and
all men come to Him. [So, we now have the Disciples of Jesus baptizing unto
repentance, under the Old Covenant), and John the Baptist, also baptizing unto
repentance under the Old Covenant. The disciples were a little bit confused, hence
the question, which John answers in the next verses.]
27. And John the Baptist answered and said, “A man can mreceive nothing, except it
be given him from Heaven. [You cannot take anything of value, which takes you

a e h l
10:36 1:5 4:2 1:7; 15:34
b f i m
Matthew 18:11 Romans 13:12; Ephesians Matthew 4:12 [h]~ Or, take unto himself.
c
5:24 5:13 j
2:6
g
d
1:4,9 [h]~ Or, discovered. k
1:28
27
 to eternal life, UNLESS it is given to you from Heaven. In other words, you cannot
work your way into heaven, you cannot steal your way into heaven, and as a
terrorist, you cannot take hostages and force your way into heaven!]
28. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “aI am not the Christ, but bthat I am
sent before Him.” [As my disciples, you are my witnesses that when asked, I
replied that I am not the Christ, but am coming as a voice crying in the wilderness,
prepare ye the way of the LORD.”]
29. *** (Conclusion) He that has the bride is cthe bridegroom: but the friend of the
bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the
bridegroom’s voice: this my joy is therefore fulfilled. [When you best friend is
getting married, he has already chosen His bride and has had the betrothal
ceremony, in the presence of both families. You rejoice when you hear his voice
because you know soon the marriage vows will be taken by both partners, and
they will be married in the eyes of God until death they do part. John is making it
very clear here that Jesus is the bridegroom; and He has already selected the
people to be included in the 9th Church ~ His Perfect Church, the church without
spot or wrinkle ~ the Bride of Christ. The bridegroom’s best friend rejoices when
He hears the voice of the Jesus, knowing that He has come in the clouds to select
His bride and take her to the marriage ceremony in heaven, ready to return with
her to the earth in Revelation chapter 19 and claim His kingdom and reign on this
existing earth for 1,000 years.]
30. d
He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease. [Here you see the humbleness of
John the Baptist. Even though Jesus says that there was no greater prophet than
John the Baptist, he did not get a swelled head, or let pride takeover his life and
detract him from the calling that God put upon his life ~ even unto death.]
31. e
He that comes from above, is above all: fhe that is of the earth is earthly; and
speaks of the earth: He that comes from heaven is above all. [God of wonders
beyond our galaxy, He is holy, and He is above all things in authority, holiness,
and wisdom. But those who were created from the earth, speak only of earthly
things, and has only limited knowledge of God.]
32. And what He has gseen and hheard, that he testifies; and ino man receives His
testimony. [Jesus' message is based on His own first-hand knowledge. This is why
He is the only valid source of spiritual truth. Only Jesus has come from Heaven
(John 3:13). Only those who believe His message can be saved (John 3:18). Those
who won't listen to the common, ordinary things Jesus teaches have no hope of
understanding the spiritual things (John 3:12). The Greek word translated
"testimony" is martureo, which means "to report," or "to affirm," in the same
sense that a person's statement in court is called their "testimony." The apostle
John uses this term very often, more than 30 times in this gospel, and 40 times
overall (John 1:7; John 5:36; John 19:35; John 21:24).j]
33. He that has received His testimony khas set his seal that lGod is true. [By making
this proclamation, the person is moving from the earthly understanding of
mankind, to the heavenly understand of God and His creation, His power,
wisdom, and purpose, for the reason He is coming to earth, to show God’s infinite
love for mankind.]
34. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God give not the Spirit
by measure unto Him. [Jesus later expands upon this scripture in John chapter 14,
with these words. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I
have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to
the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son (of
God) may bring glory to the Father.]

a e h k
1:20,27 See verse 13. 8:6; 15:15 6:27
b i l
1:23 1:10,11 1 John 5:10
f
c
Mathew 25:1 1 Corinthians 15:47 j
Extract from Bible
g
d
Matthew 3:11 See verse 11; 1:18 Ref.com
28
35. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. [But the Father
a

kept back one thing from His son. He did not tell Him the day, nor the hour that
He is to return to the earth, to establish His kingdom reign for one thousand years.]
36. bHe that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son,
shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him. [You cannot make a
statement any clearer than this: He that believes on the Son of God, who follows
His ways, and is obedient to His commandments, shall have eternal Life: but He
that hears the Word of God, and refuses to believe the truth of it, shall not have
eternal life, but shall be subjected to the full wrath of God’s anger. Now this is a
pretty good reason for believing in God because not even the demons want to face
the wrath of God.]

CHAPTER FOUR: THE REAL REASON JESUS HAD TO GO TO SAMARIA

Introduction:
Before we start this chapter today, I want to lay some foundation rules, so that we all
start on the same page. The reason I want to do this, is because many Christians have
come from different church backgrounds, and have different viewpoints about certain
sections of the scriptures.
The Bible:
• The Bible is the divine, irrefutable, infallible, Word of God.
• God’s Word is unchanging – it is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb.
13:8)
• Not one verse in the Bible is there to make the book bigger! Every verse is
there for our: Edification, exhortation, comfort, correction, guidance, prophetic
promise, or prophetic confirmation.
• Despite there being over 40 authors of the 66 books in the Protestant Bible, there
is continual continuity throughout the Old & New Testaments, without any
contradictions.
• If you think there are contradictions, then it is because the Holy Spirit has yet to
give you understanding of those passages of scripture. The Scripture tells us that
the Holy Spirit will lead us into ALL Truth.
• In the ministry of Jesus Christ, He says what He means, and He means
what He says!
• Wherever Jesus confronted sin, (in any of its forms) Jesus dealt with it
immediately; He cast it out, and sent the afflicted one, on his/her way,
completely healed.
Today I am going to kill some western theological sacred cows, so don’t get offended,
if this comes as a surprise to you.
Apostle Paul told us in Galatians 1, Verse 6: I marvel that you are so soon removed
from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Verse 7: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ.
Verse 8: But though we, or an Angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Verse 9: As we said before, so say I now again; if any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
What I want you to do today is check out what I say against the scriptures – not against
what somebody else has told you!

a b
Matthew 3:17; John 5:20 Habakkuk 2:4; John 1:12;
6:40,47
29
• This is the first step towards Christian maturity.
• Learn to test the scriptures yourselves, with confirmation from the Holy Spirit.
So now that we have set the ground rules, let us get into the detailed study of John.

Chapter 4, Verse 1 states: the word “therefore” ~ (Conclusion), so go back and

read chapter 3, to see what this word is “there for”.
Verse 3: But Jesus leaves Judea and heads back to Galilee. A statement of fact; Jesus
leaves one province of Israel and goes to another province.
Verse 4: And He “must go” through Samaria.
Jesus is the Son of God; He never “has to do anything”, so why is this scripture in
the Bible? This scripture is in the Bible, to remind us that Jesus only did the will of
the Father who sent Him.
Therefore, it is the Father’s will that “Jesus must go to Samaria!”
This revelation is important. Jesus is on an assignment from the Father and that
assignment will take place in Samaria.
Verse 5: Jesus arrives in the province of Samaria, to a city called Sychar, which has
historical significance, because it is near the plot of land that Jacob gave to Joseph.
Verse 6: This is the land upon which Joseph built his well. This well is still there today.
This land and this well signify inheritance for the Jewish nation – but alas it is in
the hands of the 10 rebellious nations, who have rejected God’s word and gone after “a
form of religion” but not the religion of the Old Testament Law.
Jesus is on assignment in Samaria trying to get these 10 tribes back under the Covenant
with God, so that they can once again have communion with the FATHER.
➢ Remember, Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is near.
Notice that after travelling for some time, Jesus sits down; because He is physically
weary. Even though Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, He is a man
like you and me. He gets tired after a long journey. The secret here is that Jesus gets
His refreshing from above. Verse 6 also tells us the time of day – the sixth hour – which
is midday.
Verse 7: A Samaritan woman comes to Jacob’s well to draw water. Jesus does not
politely ask: “Would you be so kind as to please give me a drink of water”? No! Jesus
commands her to give Him a drink!
It is an order issued with authority. Where are the disciples? Verse 8 has the answer;
They have gone into the town to get food for their lunch.
This confrontation occurs between Jesus and this woman, alone, in a public place.
Verse 9: The woman asks the question: “How come you – a Jew asks water from me a
Samaritan? You already know that Jews and Samaritans have no dealings with each
other?” The woman was reminding Jesus that Jews hated the Samaritans and
Samaritans hated the Jews.
Why did the woman remind Jesus of a fact He already knew? Why did the Jews hate the
Samaritans & vice versa?
The answer to this question will tell you why Jesus was on an assignment from the
Father in Samaria.
To understand this hatred, we have to go back in Jewish history to the reign of King
Solomon. There was peace in the land for 40 years, but despite King Solomon being the
“wisest man” in history, He rebelled against God and God sent a prophet to tell him that
the kingdom would be taken from him and split in two.
Because of His love for King David, Solomon’s father, the prophet said the kingdom
would be torn apart after his death, in the reign of the next king. This actually took
place! The kingdom was split into two, with the tribe of Levi and the tribe of Judah
staying loyal to God Almighty and His word and remaining with Jerusalem as their
capital. Remember, Jesus is from the line of the tribe of Judah.
The other 10 tribes of Israel, rebelled against the King of Israel, left the country of
Israel, and established their domicile in the Province of Samaria.

30
Later in history, the King of Assyria came down from Damascus and waged war against
the 10 tribes. They made an alliance with the King of Assyria to join forces with him to
attack Jerusalem.
When the armies conquered Jerusalem the King of Assyria, with the help of the 10
rebellious tribes of Israel, took 120,000 women and children as prisoners, as wives,
concubines, or slaves. This hatred between to two parts of the nation of Israel had been
festering ever since. These events took place some 700 years, or some 18 generations
before Jesus walked the earth. So, for over 700 years, this hatred had been going on
between the original 12 tribes of Israel.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expounded His doctrine of Divine Love.
Matthew 5:43-45: Ye have heard that it has been said: Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Here Jesus was saying that in the New Testament there was to be a “better way”.
Love everybody – even your enemies, people who hurt you, and wrongly accuse you,
who even turn their backs on you. Just love them!
Why? So, you can become children of the Father, which is in Heaven. God’s love is so
great that despite 18 generations of hatred between these tribes, God still loves them
and wants to show it in a significant way to the 10 rebellious tribes of Israel.
So back in Samaria, Jesus is on an assignment to bring restoration to the 10 tribes of
Israel. He is there, as a personal witness from the Father in Heaven, putting into practise
this sermon statement – “love your enemies”.
When the Samaritan woman asks Him why, He answers in verse 10: If you knew the
gift of God, and who it is that says to you: Give me to drink, you would have asked of
Him, and He would have given you living water.
Notice Jesus gives a “spiritual” answer to her question, but her next question is a
“natural” question.
She cannot yet grasp the significance of what Jesus is saying to her.
Verse 11: She makes the observation that Jesus has no bowl to draw water, so how is
he able to give her “living water”?
Verse 12: Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who built this well? Jesus could
have revealed Himself then and there by answering her question: “Are you greater than
Jacob”? He could have said “Yes” and it would have been a truthful answer, but that
answer would have confused her further.
Jesus had to use the rabbinical teaching method, to draw the woman to a place of higher
spiritual understanding, before He can reveal Himself to her.
So, He goes back to using a spiritual example once again. Whoever comes to this
physical well and drinks of this water will thirst again. But whoever drinks 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.
Verse 15: The woman requests that Jesus give her some of this water so that she won’t
have to come to the well to draw water ever again.
Again, Jesus could have given her what she asked for, but she was still not ready to
understand the real significance of what Jesus was really saying.
Now we move into the part of this chapter so often misunderstood by western
theologians, so please listen carefully and take notes.
Verse 16: Jesus says to her: Go, call your husband, and come back here.
Verse 17: the woman replies: I have no husband. Jesus replies to her: You have spoken
truthfully that you have no husband. You have had 5 husbands; and he that you are
now living with is not your husband. In your answer you have spoken the truth.
The reply of Jesus is important to understand. Jesus says what he means and means
what he says. Jesus says that the woman has spoken the truth!

31
He reveals to her by revelation knowledge that she has had 5 husbands. If you
understand the Eastern culture, then you will know that this means:
• There have been 5 betrothal ceremonies, just like is described with Joseph and
Mary, attended by members of both families.
• There have been 5 weddings, attended by all the relatives of both families.
• There have been 5 funerals, again attended by members of each family.
• There have been 5 times that the woman has had to live in the house of a relative
of her late husband, for 1 year, to make sure that she was not pregnant when
her husband died; because if she was, that child would have been entitled
to the inheritance of the father.
Jesus goes on to say that the person in whose house she was living was not her
husband. Jesus knew her situation and circumstance. The woman was living in the
house of a relative of her last late husband, while they waited to see if she was
pregnant, or to decide if they would arrange a 6th husband for her.
As I said in the opening statements, whenever Jesus was confronted by sin ~ He
dealt with it right there and then!
Did Jesus accuse her of living in a sinful relationship? NO! Jesus said she spoke the
truth. He did not accuse her of any blame, for her existing living situation or relationship.
With this revelation from Jesus about her life, the woman perceives that Jesus is a
prophet, but she is still not ready to accept that He is the Son of God.
In verse 20 the woman asks Jesus a “spiritual question” about where the correct place
is to worship: either on this mountain, or in Jerusalem?
The answer that Jesus gives back to her is a “spiritual answer” which increases her faith.
Here Jesus gives us a very good example of how to witness to unbelievers – one
question and answer at a time.
“Woman, believe me the hour comes when you shall neither in this mountain, nor in
Jerusalem, worship the God the Father. You (Samaritans) do not know who you worship,
but we (Jews) know what we worship; for salvation is for the Jews.
But the hour comes, AND NOW IS, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father
in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.
God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth!”
We need to understand that this revelation also applies to us today. The only worship
that is acceptable to the Father is worship that is “in Spirit and in truth”a.
The woman is still not convinced about who Jesus really is, so she poses another
“spiritual question” for Jesus.
Verse 25: I know that the Messiah comes who is called the Christ. When he comes, he
will tell us all things.
In making this testimony of her faith, the woman proclaims to Jesus that she believes
in the God of Abraham and the promise of the Messiah, which was proclaimed by the
prophets down through the ages.
Now it is time for Jesus to reveal His true identity to her. Verse 26: “I THAT SPEAK
TO YOU AM HE.”
At this time, the disciples returned and were quite surprised to see Jesus alone, talking
to a Samaritan woman in public. But you notice nobody questions Jesus about this.
Then the woman left her water-pot, her most prized possession, and went back to the
city (to where the elders and the businesspeople conducted their business), at the gates
of the city. She invited them to come and see a man who had told her all about her life.
Is this not the Christ?
Now, if she was a prostitute, as western theologians tell us, the leaders of the city would
not have listened to her in the first place, nor went with her in public; they would have
shunned her, or even thrown stones at her. But they went with her back to the well.

a
When we misquote longer be worshipping
scripture, or misinterpret Him in spirit and in truth.
scripture, we can no
32
In the meantime, the disciples encouraged Jesus to eat, but His reply confused them.
(Verse 32)
I have meat that you don’t know of. The disciples asked one another did anyone bring
him food to eat. Jesus was talking about “Spiritual food”, but the disciples’ thought Jesus
was talking about “natural food”.
Then Jesus gives them a mini-sermon, about the real reason they had come to Samaria.
Verse 34: “My meat is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish the work. Don’t
say to Me that there are 4 months to the harvest. Behold I say to you Lift up your eyes
and look at the fields; they are white already for the harvest. Jesus clearly revealed
to the disciples why He “had to come to Samaria.”
Firstly, to do the will of the Father, which is to show the Love of God to these 10
rebellious tribes, and to encourage them to turn from their wicked ways and come back
to God Almighty.
Jesus was reminding them that God loves all sinners – (not their sins) and does not
desire that any should perish.
Verses 36-38: He that reaps receives wages and gathers fruit unto eternal life. [John
15:16, tells us that our fruit must remain].
This is so that he that sows and he that reap may rejoice together. And herein this place
is this saying true. One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap (in Samaria) where
you did not labour: other men laboured, and you have now entered into their labours.
Many of the Samaritans believed because of the testimony of the woman, who told them
that Jesus had told her all I ever did.
Verse 39: Here is an important piece of information to note. This woman led
Samaritans to Jesus Christ, by the words of her testimony.
Verse 40: They invited Jesus, (this Jew that they hated), to stay with them and to teach
them ~ and Jesus stayed with them for 2 days.
Verse 41: Many more believed when they heard His own words.
Verse 42: And the men said unto the woman: Now we believe, not just of your
testimony, but because it has been confirmed to us, because we have heard
him ourselves. We know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the World.
So, as a result of Jesus obeying the will of His Father, many of the people in the rebellious
tribes believed and were once again brought back into the covenant of Israel.
After 2 days Jesus left Sychar in Samaria and journeyed into Galilee. The reason for this
assignment was to turn the rebellious tribes back to God. The incident with the
woman was to show that God uses ordinary people in his plans for the
salvation of others.
After the resurrection Jesus commanded the disciples in Acts 1:8 to go to Samaria and
to confirm all that they had seen and heard, so as to strengthen the small group of
believers in Sychar.
History shows that since the visit to the woman at the well, her testimony, and the
teachings of Jesus Christ in that town for 2 days, there has been a church operating in
that place for nearly 2,000 years, and the aSyriac translation of the Bible, from the
Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek documents is very accurate.
So, the challenges I give to you today are these:
1. Do you belong to the tribe of Judah, or do you belong to the 10 rebellious tribes,
who worship a form of godliness, but not the true God of Israel?
2. Do you worship God “in Spirit and in Truth” ~~ or is it another form of worship,
which does not glorify God?
3. Imagine what you could do if you had an encounter with Jesus Christ and you
obeyed His commandments in your life? Let us pray.

a
Peshitta Bible.
33
CHAPTER FOUR: VERSES 43-54: THE NOBLEMANS’ SON IS HEALED

43. Now after atwo days (in Sychar) He departed thence and went into Galilee.
44. For Jesus Himself testified, bthat a prophet has no honour in His own country.
[That is why there is no record of Jesus ever preaching in Bethlehem, because on
the day of His visitation, (when He was born), very few people recognized Him.]
45. Then, when He was come into Galilee, the Galileans creceived Him, dhaving seen
all-of the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the
Feast. [The Feast being referred to here is the first of the three mandatory Feast,
which must be attended in Jerusalem, representing Passover.]
46. So, Jesus came again into eCana of Galilee, where He made the water into wine.
And there was a certain fnobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47. When heard the Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and
besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point
of death. [Here is a common plight we see among people today. They are sick,
they go to the doctor, they are put in hospital, and then they are told that they
may not recover, so only then do they pray to Jesus and make all sorts of vows,
which unfortunately many do not keep after the healing has taken place. This is
what Jesus is pointing out in the next verse.]
48. Then said Jesus unto him; gExcept you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
[Jesus was prophetically saying what would be spoken by one of the robbers on
the cross. “If you really are the Son of God, then get yourself down off your cross
and save us also. If you can do that, then I will believe!]
49. The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down otherwise my child dies.” [The
nobleman was confessing His faith; “I believe that if you come my child will live,
otherwise he shall die.”]
50. Jesus said unto him, “Go thy way; your son lives.” And the man believed the word
that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. [This miracle shows that
Jesus does not even have to be in the same town for the miracle to become a
reality. Christians today forget the triune attributes of God; that God is Omnipotent
(All-powerful), Omniscient (All-knowing), and Omnipresent (Able to be everywhere
at the same time).
51. And as he was now going down (to Capernaum) his servants met him, and told
him saying, “Your son lives!”
52. Then he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend (recover). And they
said unto him, “Yesterday, at the 7th hour, the fever left him.”
53. So that father knew that it was at the same hour, that Jesus said unto Him, “Your
son lives”: and (as a result of this miracle) he believed, and his whole household.
54. hThis is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He came out of Judea into
Galilee.

CHAPTER FIVE: AN IMPOTENT MAN HEALED

1. After this, there was a feast of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [This
was Shavuot (the festival of weeks ~ Pentecost, held 50 days after Passover), the
2nd of the 3 mandatory feasts that all Jews have to attend in Jerusalem.]
2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep imarket a pool, which is called in the
Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3. In these days lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered,
waiting for the moving of the water.
4. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water:
Whosoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole

a d g
See verse 40. 2:23; 3:2 Matthew 12:38
b e h
Matthew 13:57 2:1 2:11
c f i
Luke 9:53 [h] ~ Or, courtier, or ruler [h]~ Or, sheep gate
34
 of whatsoever disease he had. [This was like a healing lottery, You had to be there,
you had to see the waters troubled and then be the first one to step into the pool,
to be healed. which makes the miracle more special, because Jesus shows that He
is the one to heal ALL MANNER OF SICKNESS AND DISEASE, just be believing in
Him.]
5. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity for thirty-eight years.
6. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that that he had been now a long time,
in that case, He said unto him, “Will you be made whole?” [Jesus asked the man
a “spiritual question”, ‘Do you want to get healed’? But the man answers from a
worldly perspective in verse 7.]
7. 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 steps down (in to the
pool) before me.” [The man was indicating his faith. He believed that if he could
get into the pool first, he would be healed. Jesus responded to that faith in verse
8.]
8. Jesus said unto him, “aRise, take up your bed, and walk.” [Yes, if you are able to
be the first one into the pool stirred up by the angel you will be healed: But one
greater than the angel is here. “Rise, take up your bed and walk”: you don’t have
to step into the pool, all you have to do is have faith and believe.]
9. And immediately, the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and
on the same day bwas the Sabbath. [Now the religious Jews had made many rules
in the Talmud about what was considered “work” which was forbidden under the
Law of Moses. You could not do anything that changed the physical, or chemical
properties of anything. That is why it was forbidden to light a match on the
Sabbath, because it changed wood into charcoal, and gave off light, and a gas, as
smoke. But this issue will be addressed by Jesus later in the scriptures.]
10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, “It is the Sabbath Day, cit is not
lawful for you to carry your bed.”
11. He answered them, “He that made me whole, the same said unto me, ‘Take up
thy bed and walk’.” [Now upon hearing this testimony, and recognising that this
was the man that had laid for many years beside the pool of Bethesda, one would
think that they would have rejoiced with him, that he was healed, and that he was
strong enough to walk and carry his bed. NO! In their “religious eyes” miracles
were forbidden on the Sabbath! He should be punished for breaking the Sabbath
Law.]
12. Then they asked him, “What man is that which said unto you, ‘Take up your bed
and walk’?” [Sadly, this happens when the “religious spirit” comes into a body of
believers, all mercy and compassion disappear and they no longer follow after God,
they follow after a set of rules, without any love, joy or compassion.]
13. And he that was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had conveyed Himself
away, da multitude being in that place. [At this time, Jesus did not want His name
known, until He was ready to reveal Himself to the “religious Jews”, who would
then want to kill Him.]
14. Afterwards, Jesus finds the man he had healed in the temple, and said unto him,
“Behold, you have been made whole: esin no more, otherwise a worse thing shall
come upon you.” [Now many people, if asked, would tell you that Jesus would
never threaten anyone with punishment if they continued to sin, but here is a case
where Jesus makes it very clear that a worse thing will happen to him if he sins,
again. This is an attribute of Jesus that many people do not recognize. They have
been told in Sunday school of a “gentle Jesus that is meek and mild,” and not a
Jesus who would warn people not to sin, otherwise you will suffer worse afflictions,
or a Jesus that would go into the temple with a whip and force all of the merchants

a c d e
Mark 2:11 Exodus 20:10; Nehemiah [h]~ Or, from the 8:11
b
9:14 13:19; Jeremiah 17:21,22 multitude that was in that
place.
35
 and moneychangers out, proclaiming that “My Father’s House shall be a house of
prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”]
15. The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus, who had made him whole.
[Now an ethical question for the bible scholars: Did the man sin when He told the
Jews that it was Jesus that had healed him?]
16. *** (Conclusion) And therefore, did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to kill
Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day. [But Jesus is now
going to start to teach them; and what He says angers them even more, because
their spirits are being led by the evil one; not by God Himself.]
17. But Jesus answers them, “My Father works here, aand I work also.” [Jesus
proclaimed that His Father works upon the earth, wherever and whenever He
chooses. He then states that He also works upon the earth.]
18. *** (Conclusion) Therefore, the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because not
only had He broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, bmaking
Himself equal with God. [They are still blinded in their rigid misunderstanding of
God’s laws. They think that the Sabbath is law over mankind; but Jesus later
straightens out their thinking, when He tells them that Mankind is Lord of the
Sabbath.]
19. Then Jesus answered and said unto them; “Verily, verily I say unto you, the Son
can do nothing cof Himself, but what He sees the Father doing: for what things
soever He does, these also does the Son likewise. [Jesus starts to further explain
what He does, and why He does it; but the people’s eyes, ears, and minds, were
closed to the revelation of truth that he was telling them. They just did not want
to know; because if they did know, then they would have to deal with the revelation
of the scriptures, which told of His coming, that He indeed was the Messiah!]
20. “For dthe Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He does: and He will
show Him greater works that these, that you may marvel. [Jesus is proclaiming
that His Father shows Him what to do and His is an obedient Son. And He only
does what the Father tells Him to do, but He will show Him greater things than
what you marvel at now, for His glory.]
21. “For as the Father raises up the dead, and equickens them; even so the Son
quickens whom He will.
22. “For the Father judges no man; but fhas committed all gjudgement unto the Son:
[For it is the Father that raises up the dead, and quickens them, therefore, seeing
this, the Son also chooses who He may quicken also. Remember that the Father
judges no man, but has delegated judgement responsibility to the Son, to judge
all-of the nations of the earth, and the individuals in each nation. He judges with
mercy and righteousness.]
23. “That all men (and women) should honour the Son, even as they honour the
Father. hHe that honours not the Son, honours not the Father which sent Him.
[God the Father has sent His only begotten Son to this earth, because of His eternal
love for mankind. Because of this reason, mankind should honour the Son ~ have
“reverential” fear of the Son. However, if you do not honour the Son, then you do
not honour the Father who sent Him. It is either you honour both (the Father and
the Son), or your honour neither. You cannot love one, and not the other!]
24. [CP] “Verily, verily I say unto you, iHe that hears My word, and believes on Him
that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but jis
passed from death into life. [Here Jesus makes a Conditional Promise: [IF] people
hear the words of Jesus, and believes on the Father who sent Him, [THEN] Jesus
has promised that person everlasting life, and He has also promised that He will

a e g
9:4; 14:10 Romans 4:17; 8:11; 9:39
b
10:33; 19:7; Philippians 2:6 Ephesians 2:5; Colossians h
1 John 2:23
c 2:13 i
See verse 30; 8:28; 14:10 f
3:18; 8:51; 20:31
d Acts 10:42; 17:31 j
3:35 1 John 3:14
36
 come into condemnation, but pass from death into life. This is a glorious promise
from Jesus to an unbelieving world.]
25. [CP] “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. [Jesus was
prophesying that He would go down into hell and preach to the dead, and those
that hear His words and accept them, shall live.]
26. “For as the Father has life in Himself: aso has He given to the Son to have life in
Himself;
27. “And bhas given Him authority to execute judgement also, because He is the Son
of man.
28. [P] “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, when all that are in the graves shall
hear His voice,
29. [P] 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. [Jesus makes it
very clear here that there will be two resurrections. The first being the
resurrections of those who have done good. This is also confirmed in 1
Thessalonians 4:16, where it says that the “Dead in Christ” shall rise first to meet
Jesus in the air. The second resurrection, is for those that have done evil, and they
face the White Throne Judgement, as described in Revelation 20:11. These two
events could be more than 1,000 years apart.]
30. “cI can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, so I Judge: And my judgement is
just; because dI seek not my own will, but ethe will of the Father which has sent
Me. [Jesus is telling the Jews and Us, that He is His Father’s obedient Son, and He
does nothing of His own choice, or His own agenda, but only what He hears His
Father tell Him; for this reason, all-of His judgements and just and true.]
31. ”fIf I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. [Jesus says the to Jews, If I
give witness about myself, that witness is not true because it is only bragging! But
what I say and do are in obedience to MY Father in Heaven.]
32. “There is ganother that bears witness of me; and I know that the witness that he
witnesses of me is true. [Jesus is referring the His Father in Heaven. When Jesus
was baptised in the Jordan river by John the Baptist, the Voice came from heaven
saying, ‘This in beloved Son, in whom I AM well pleased.”]
33. “hYou sent unto John the Baptist, and ihe bears witness unto the truth.
34. “But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say that you might be
saved. [If you are drowning, a lifesaver can rescue you and bring you to the beach.
You have been “saved” from that one drowning event, but it does not save you for
the rest of your life. You can still get into difficulties again and this time drown.
That is the difference between “being saved” and experiencing “eternal life”: Jesus
not only saves you, but he prevents you from ever drowning again, because He is
always with you, when you have your “born-again” experience.]
35. “He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice
in his light.
36. “But I have a jgreater witness than that of John the Baptist: for kthe works that
the Father has given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me,
that the Father has sent Me. [The miracles that I do, the deeper revelation of the
scriptures, and raising people from the dead, all bear witness to Me, and confirms
that the Father has sent Me.]
37. “And the Father Himself, which has sent Me lhas borne witness of Me: You have
neither heard His voice at any time, nor mseen His shape. [What do you really
know about God the Father? You have not even heard His voice, let alone seen His
appearance! Who are you to talk to Me about God?]

a e i m
1:4; 6:57 4:34 1:7,15 1:18
b f j
See verse 22. 8:14,54; 18:21 1 John 5:9
c g k
See verse 19. See verse 37. 10:25,38; 14:11
d h l
6:38 1:19 Matthew 3:17; 17:5
37
38. “And ayou do not have His Word abiding in you: for whom He has sent, Him you
believe not. [You do not have His Word abiding in you, because if it was in you,
then you would recognize from the scriptures who has been sent, and you would
believe in Him Your own actions prove My statement.]
39. “Search the scriptures; for in them you think that you have eternal life: and bthey
are they which testify of me. [Search the scriptures for in them it talks about
eternal life, and they are the same scriptures which are talking about Me. In John
14:6, Jesus clarifies this statement, so there is no more misunderstanding! The
only way to receive eternal life is through Me.]
40. And cyou will not come to me, that you might have life. [Because you will not come
to Me, you will not have eternal life.]
41. I receive not honour from men. [This is the second time in this chapter that Jesus
has made this statement, just so that you don’t miss it.]
42. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. [I know by your
actions & lack of actions) that you do not have the love of God in you, which is a
mandatory requirement of a born-again believer, because God IS love.]
43. I AM come in my Father’s name, and you receive Me not: if danother shall come
in his own name, him you will receive. [I AM come in My Father’s name. Moses
received Me at the burning bush; but you received Me not; But if someone else
comes to you in their OWN name, you will receive him. How easy it is for you to
be misled.]
44. How can you believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the
honour that comes from God only? [Why do you refuse to receive the greatest
honour of all, the honour from God Almighty Himself, through His Son?]
45. “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you,
even Moses, in whom you trust. [From Ellicott’s Commentary we have the following
explanation of this verse: Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. His
words were words of direct accusation, which must have cut to the very quick. He
had come from the Father, and it might have seemed to follow from what He said,
that He would accuse them to the Father. He guards against this misinterpretation.
Love cannot accuse; He cannot be an accuser. He is ever a judge, only because
love must judge hatred, and light must judge darkness, by revealing it. And yet
the very revelation of love and light condemns hatred and darkness. The heart,
then, needs no accuser, for it accuses itself; it needs no sentence, for it condemns
itself. There is no penalty so fearful, as that of the soul, which is awakened to its
own sin, and cannot itself forgive that sin, and, therefore, cannot receive the
forgiveness of the Infinite Love, which always forgives. Their accusation was their
rejection of light and love in the past, and Moses was their accuser.]
46. “For had you believed Moses, you would have (recognised Me) and believed Me:
for he wrote of Me.
47. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words? [It is clear
from your actions that you do not believe the words of Moses; because if you did
believe them, you would have recognized Me and believed the words the I speak.]
CHAPTER SIX: THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
1. After these things, eJesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
[After the events in chapter 5, where He healed the lame man at the pool of
Bethesda, and then started to re-teach the “Religious Jews” about the message
from Moses; he went over the Seas of Galilee, also called the sea of Tiberias, to
have a break, but as we see in this chapter, the people were hungry for the word
of God, and to see the miracles that Jesus performed, to the glory of His Father.]
2. And a great multitude followed Him because they saw His miracles which He did
on them that were diseased.

a c d e
1 John 4:13,14 1:11 Matthew 24:5; 2 See verse 13, Matthew 14:
b
Luke 24:27 Thessalonians 2:3,4,8-10 13-21; Mark 6: 32-44;
Luke 9:10-17
38
3. And Jesus went up into aa mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. [Jesus
wanted some quiet time with His disciples, to prepare them for the upcoming
Passover in Jerusalem.]
4. And bthe Passover, a feast of the Jews was near. [Notice that the feast of Passover
is near, and it is mandatory that all Jews go up to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast.
But we see in the next few verses that compassion for the people takes precedence
over a mandatory feast, because saving lives is the most important thing ~ that
is why Jesus came.]
5. When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He
said unto cPhilip, “Where shall we buy bread that these shall eat?” [Jesus is up the
mountain with His disciples, and then He lifted up His head, because He had either
been sleeping, or praying, and sees a great company of people that had come to
hear Him teach and to see Him perform more miracles. He challenges Philip, who
was 5th in the ranking of the disciples, how they were going to get enough food for
them to provide traditional hospitality and feed all-of the people.]
6. And this He said to prove him (to test him): for He Himself knew what He would
do. [When you know the end from the beginning, you can always ask challenging
questions to others, to test their faith. This was what Jesus was doing with Philip
in this situation. Jesus was asking Philip a “spiritual question”, but Philip perceived
the question to be a “worldly question”. He had already forgotten the incident in
John chapter 4, where Jesus said, “that I have food that you know not of”, meaning
“spiritual food” from heaven.]
7. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred pennyworth of bread in not sufficient for them,
that every one of them may take a little.” [Philip continues with his “worldly
assessment” of the situation, stating that even 200 pennyworth of bread is
insufficient to feed them. In reality, Philip was saying we can’t do it! We don’t have
the finances, or the ability to provide food for this many people.]
8. One of His disciples, dAndrew, Simon Peter’s brother says unto Him,
9. “There is a lad here which has five barley loaves, and two small fish: but what are
they among so many?” [When asked the question, Philip was not able to give a
reasonable answer. On the other hand, Andrew had heard that same question,
and had done something about the problem. He had gone among the people
searching for anyone who had food, and brought that person to Jesus, believing
that Jesus could do something with that food. He had faith that Jesus could
provide, given the ingredients to commence a multiplication miracle.]
10. And Jesus said, “Make the men sit down”. Now there was much grass in that place.
So, then men sat down, in number about 5,000. [The scripture states that there
were about 5,000 men. It does not say how many women and children were also
present at this gathering, it could have been even 10,000 in total.]
11. And Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed (the
bread) to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were sitting down: and
likewise of the fish, as much as they needed. [The first thing that Jesus did when
taking the bread and the fish, was to give thanks to His Father in Heaven, believing
already in the miracle of multiplication, even though this is the first time it is
recorded in scripture. This brings us back to an earlier statement of Jesus; “I only
do what I see My Father do, and I only what My Father tells me to do!” Back in
verse 6, He already knew what He was going to do to solve this problem and bring
glory to His Father. This is why we should always give thanks when we sit down to
eat, giving thanks to the Father for the provision of our food. Jesus gives us the
example for us to follow.]
12. When they were filled, he said unto His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that
remain, that nothing be lost.” [Jesus makes it clear with this statement, that we
should never waste food. Our modern society has lost this concept, as tons of food
goes to the waste disposal centres around the world each week, whilst in other

a b c d
Mark 6:31,32 1 John 5:9 1:44 1:40,44
39
 nations there are famines and people dying of starvation. This is a sin that we will
be judged upon by Jesus.]
13. *** (Conclusion) 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. [The disciples gathered up the leftovers of the
barley loaves and there were twelve baskets of food, over and above that which
had been consumed by the large crowd. There is no mention that they collected
the leftovers of the fish. This was a lesson to the disciples~ one leftover basket for
each of them, clearly showing them that each of them could have provided food
for this crowd, if they had enough faith in Jesus, and in His Father in Heaven. Now
there is no mention of what happened to the 12 baskets of food that was collected
after this miracle. Some scholars suggest that is was given back to the young boy
who donated his lunch to feed the 5,000, showing that your good deeds shall be
multiplied 10, 50, or 100 times what you had given. Others suggest that it may
have been given to the poor. But one thing is for sure; It was not wasted!]
14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, “This is of
a truth, athat prophet that should come into the world.” [They recognised by this
miracle that He was the one spoken of by the prophets, and they marvelled at this
revelation.]
15. *** (Conclusion) bWhen 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. [Jesus knew by revelation knowledge that the crowd were going to seize
Him, and make Him their king, expecting Him to use His miracle-powers to
overcome the Romans, and re-establish the kingdom of Israel. But Jesus did not
come to the earth as a conquering king, (this first time). He came as a servant-
king to take away the sins of the world, by dying on a cross, and then being
resurrected, and ascending back into Heaven, to send the Holy Spirit upon all flesh,
as prophesied in Joel 2:28, awaiting the commandment from His Father, to go
back to the earth (with His bride ) as specified in Revelation 19:11-16, to destroy
the enemies who are attacking Israel and to establish His 1,000 year kingdom, on
this existing earth. Jesus already knew the long-term plan of salvation for this
world]
16. And when evening was now come, His disciples went down unto the sea,
17. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward cCapernaum. And it was
now dark, and Jesus had not come to them. [Now it does not say who owned the
boat, but they took possession of it.]
18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. [Sudden storms were not
unusual on the Sea of Galilee, but they could cause ships to founder and sink.]
19. So, when they had rowed between dtwenty-five and thirty efurlongs, they see
Jesus, walking on the sea, and drawing near unto the ship: and they were afraid.
[According to biblical terms a furlong was approximately 200 metres. So, they
have rowed between 5 & 6 kilometres from the shore, when the storm descends
down upon them, and then they see Jesus, walking on the water. It says that they
were afraid; in fact, they thought they were seeing a ghost, and in today’s terms,
they were freaking out!]
20. But He said unto them, “It is I; be not afraid.” [Don’t you recognize Me? It is I,
therefore be not afraid, because no harm will come to you, when I AM with you.]
21. Then they willingly received Him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at
the land wither they went. [When they received Him into the ship, it does not say
that the storm ceased, but another miracle took place; they were translated from
the place where Jesus entered the boat, to the land in an instant, just like what
happened later, when Philip was translated, after baptising the eunuch in the water
beside the road in Acts 8:27-40.]

a b c e
Deuteronomy 18:15; John See verse 21; Matthew Mark 6:45 11:18
1:21; 4:19; 7:40; 9:17; 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-51 d
Matthew 14:24
40
22. The following day, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea, saw
that there were no other boats there, save the one that His disciples had entered,
and that Jesus went not with His disciples into the boat, but that His disciples were
gone away alone; [The crowds were not privy to the miracle which had taken place
during the night, when Jesus had appeared to the disciples, as they rowed across
the Sea of Galilee, and had arrived on the other side of the sea with them. They
assumed that the disciples were alone, and that Jesus was somewhere else.]
23. (Howbeit, there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they
did eat bread, after that the LORD had given thanks:)
24. *** (Conclusion) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither
His disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him, “Rabbi,
when did you come here?” [They wanted to know how and when He crossed the
sea, because there were no boats available? Jesus does not reveal to them how
He crossed the sea, by walking on the water.]
26. 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. [Jesus knows their innermost thoughts, and He replies to them, “I know why
you are really here, it is not for the miracles, but for the free food!]
27. aLabour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat, bwhich endures unto
everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: cfor Him has God the
Father dsealed. [Search not for the meat of this world, which perishes and goes
bad; but search diligently for the meat of the word of God, which leads to eternal
life, sealed through the blood of Jesus Christ.]
28. Then said they unto Him, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of
God?” [If you were witnessing to a person and they asked you this question, how
would you answer them? Jesus gives the answer to this question in the very next
verse.]
29. Jesus answered them and said unto them, “This is the work of God, that you
believe on Him that was sent.” [The work of God is to believe that Jesus is the Son
of God and that the Father sent Him to this earth as a witness, and to die on the
cross for our salvation, because the Father loved us more than He loved His Son.
He was prepared to allow His Son to die, so that mankind could live for eternity,
with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and the Father.]
30. *** (Conclusion) They said therefore unto Him, “What sign show us then, that we
may believe You? What does you work? [Ok, if you say these things, prove it to
us, so that we may believe you. We don’t want political words, which turn out to
be untrue, but actions speak louder than words, show us the signs that prove that
you are, who you say you are.]
31. “Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread
from heaven to eat’.”
32. 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.
33. “For the ‘bread of God’ is He which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto
the world.” [The people said to Jesus, “Moses gave us manna from Heaven.” But
Jesus showed them the difference. The manna bread had to be collected 6 days
each week and only sustained you for one day; but the bread that Jesus is talking
about is an everlasting bread, you eat it once, and it gives you, life everlasting.]
34. Then said they unto Him, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” [In John chapter 4,
Jesus convinces the woman at the well that she can have everlasting water. Here,
Jesus is revealing to these men that they can have everlasting bread, because
Jesus is the river of life, and He is also the bread of life. Jesus is revealing His
heavenly attributes to the people, one attribute at a time.]

a b c d
[h]~ Work not. 4:14; See 35, 54, 58 Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 3:33
1:33; 5:37; 8:18
41
35. And Jesus said unto them, “I AM athe bread of life: he that comes to Me shall never
hunger; and bhe that believes on Me shall never thirst.
36. “But I say unto you, That you also have seen me, and believed not.
37. [P] “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me, I
will in no ways cast out. [If you come to Me, I promise that I will not cast you out.]
38. “For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent
Me.
39. “And this is the Father’s will which has sent Me, that of all that He has given Me, I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”
40. [CP] “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone that sees the Son,
and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last
day. [Now they were confused; Jesus was revealing to them spiritual promises
about the salvation of men, and the promise of them being raised up to heaven,
on the last day. It was too much for them to take in.]
41. The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said, ‘I AM the bread which came
down from heaven.’
42. And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we
know? How is it that He says, ‘I came down from heaven?’ [The Jews were
surprised and confused at His sayings, because they knew that He was Jesus, the
son of Joseph and Mary. How could He possibly say that He came down from
heaven. What is He really talking about? How can He be who He says He is ~ it
does not make sense. Is He crazy, or is He talking in riddles?]
43. *** (Conclusion) Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, “Murmur not
among yourselves. [Stop murmuring among yourselves, I will explain further.]
44. “No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me, cdraws him: and
I will raise Him up on the last day.
45. *** (Conclusion) “It is written in the prophets, ‘dAnd they shall be all taught of
God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes
unto Me. [Remember, what is written in the Prophets; this is the fulfilment of that
promise in your hearing.]
46. “eNot that any man has seen the Father, save He, which is of God, He has seen
the Father.
47. “Verily, verily I say unto you, fHe that believes on Me has everlasting life.
48. I AM that bread of life.
49. “Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50. “This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat, and not
die. [Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, which gave them life for only one
day, and now that are all dead. But the bread that I shall give you to eat, will give
you eternal life.]
51. “I AM the living bread, gwhich came down from heaven: if any man eats of this
bread, he shall live forever: and hthe bread that I will give is My flesh, which iI will
give for the life of the world.”
52. *** (Conclusion) The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, “How can
this man give us His flesh to eat?”
53. 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 (eternal) life in you.
54. “Whosoever eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, has eternal life; and I will raise
him up at the last day.
55. “For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
56. “He that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, dwells in Me, and I in him.
57. As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father: so that he that eats Me,
even he shall live by Me.

a
4:10; see verse 51. d
Isaiah 54:13 g
3:13
b e h
4:14; 7:37 1:18 Hebrews 10:5, 10
c f i
12:32 3:36: see verse 40. Luke 22:19
42
58. “This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat
manna, and are dead, he that eats of this bread shall live forever.
59. These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.
60. *** (Conclusion) Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This
is a hard saying: who can hear it?”
61. When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them,
“Does this offend you?” [Why are you offended? Don’t you really understand what
I am telling you here?]
62. “aWhat and if you see the Son of Man bascend up cwhere He was before?” [Jesus
is prophesying what will happen to Him after the cross. They may not understand
it now; but they will remember that Jesus said it after He has resin, and ascended
back into heaven.]
63. “It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak
unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. [Now understand this, what I have
been telling the people are spiritual promises, not worldly things, and that is why
they are having a hard time trying to understand what I AM saying.]
64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning
who they were that believed not, and dwho should betray Him.
65. *** (Conclusion) And He said, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come
unto Me, except it were given unto Him of My Father.”
66. From that time, many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.
[They left because they did not understand the significance of what Jesus was
explaining to them. What they had been taught all-of their lives in the synagogue,
just did not line up with what Jesus was telling them now; they could not recognise
the truth, even when it was standing right there in front of them.]
67. Then Jesus said unto the twelve, “Will you also go away?”
68. Then eSimon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to who shall we go? You have fthe words
of eternal life!”
69. “hAnd we believe and are sure that you are the Christ, gthe Son of the Living God.
70. Jesus answered them, “Have hI not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71. He spoke of Judas Iscariot, ithe son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him,
being one of the twelve. [Jesus was challenging His disciples, Are you going to
desert me also? But Peter’s remarks confirmed that they got the message; they
knew who He was without question. Only Judas Iscariot would be the traitor. He
shall be known as the son of perdition. Imagine for the rest of your life, being
labelled as the father of the one who betrayed Jesus!]

CHAPTER SEVEN: JESUS REPROVES HIS KINSMEN

1. After these things, Jesus walked in Galilee: for jHe would not walk in Jewry (Judea),
k
because the Jews (of Judea) sought to kill Him. [Once Jesus’ most dramatic
statement about the nature of his person and mission was delivered in Capernaum,
he began to spend more time in Galilee. The reason is given in the text - He was
avoiding Ioudaia (Judea) because the Ioudaioi (Judeans) were trying to take his
life. This is one of the texts that powerfully connects with the opening statements
of the Gospel in John 1:11b (his own received him not). The land of Judea, Jesus’
natural home, became a place that was hostile, even to the point of death. (Extract
from the Jewish Gospel of John)]
2. Now the Jews’ lFeast of Tabernacles was at hand. [It is one of the mandatory feasts
that Jews must attend in Jerusalem. It has three significant aspects:
a) Agricultural significance: It is autumn, the “ingathering of the LAST
HARVEST”.

a d g j
Matthew 24:48 See verse 71; 13:11 Matthew 14:33 11:54
b e h k
Luke 24:51 Matthew 16:16 13:18 5:16,18
c f i l
3:13 See verse 63. 12:4; 13:2, 26 Leviticus 23:34
43
 b) Pilgrimage Festival” with many activities in the Temple (now the
synagogue).
c) Spiritual Significance: To remember the Jews wandering around in the
wilderness for 40 years. It is the only feast where they blow the TRUMPETS!
All-of the other feasts they blow the Shofars. It is stated that Jesus will return
in the clouds, “at the sound of the Trumpets”, to “gather the last of His
Harvest”. Those who are still alive at that time.]
3. a
His brethren therefore said unto Him, “Depart hence, and go into Judea, that your
disciples (there) may also see the works that you do.
4. “For there is no man that does anything in secret, and He Himself seeks to be
known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”
5. For neither did his brethren believe in Him. [In these 3 verses we see that not
even His own relatives (his half-brothers) believed He could do these miracles that
people were saying that Jesus had performed in Galilee. [IF] you really can do
these miracles; You are of the tribe of Judah [THEN] go to Jerusalem, among your
own tribe, and among your own Judean disciples and show them what you can do
publicly.]
6. Then Jesus said unto them, “bMy time is not yet come ~ but your time is always
ready. [My time is not ready to go to the cross, but your time is always ready to
recognise that the Messiah has already come.]
7. c
The world cannot hate you: but Me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works
thereof are evil. [The world cannot hate you, because you are part of the world;
but the world hates Me, because I speak the truth, and the truth shines a light on
the evil that exists in the world.]
8. “Go up unto the feast: I will not go up yet unto the feast; for My time in not fully
come.” [“You guys go up to the feast now. I will not go up to the feast just yet, as
My time has not fully come. My Father in heaven has not told me to go up yet, and
I must only do what My Father tells Me to do.”]
9. When He had said these words unto them, He abode still in Galilee. [Jesus stayed
behind in Galilee, to commune alone with His Father, to get the strategies He was
to adopt when He goes to Jerusalem, to teach in the Temple.]
10. But when His brethren had gone up, then went He also up unto the feast, not
openly, but as it was in secret. [Jesus already knew that the Jewish religious
leaders would be looking for Him at the feast, so He came secretly into Jerusalem,
not drawing attention to Himself.]
11. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” [They were
looking for Him, not to invite Him to teach in the temple, but to kill Him.]
12. And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him: for some said,
“He is a good man”: others said, “NO, for He deceives the people.” [The first group
of people recognized Him as a good man, the second group of people was calling
truth a lie, and a lie as truth; they were clearly under the spiritual influence of
Satan. BUT NEITHER GROUP recognized Him as the Messiah.]
13. Howbeit that no man spoke openly of Him, for fear of the (“Religious”) Jews. [Sad
that people have to fear people who are supposed to be there as God’s instruments
to help you, but they are not doing the jobs properly.]
14. Now about the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the Temple and taught. [The
Feast of Tabernacles goes for about 8 days; so, after about 4 days, Jesus appears
in the temple and starts to teach them, with revelation knowledge, words of
wisdom, and with authority.]
15. And the Jews dmarvelled, saying, “How knows this man eletters (learning), having
never learned?” [“How come this man understand learning, when He has never
been taught at a Hebrew Seminary? Who is His teacher?]

a c e
Matthew 12:46 15:18 [h]~ academic learning
b d
Matthew 26:18; John 7:30; Matthew 13:54; Mark
8:20 6:2,3
44
16. Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent Me.”
[This doctrine that I am teaching you is not mine; but it is from the One that sent
me to you.]
17. [CP] “[IF] any man will do His will, [THEN] He will know of the doctrine, whether
it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. [IF] you tested my words against the
scriptures, you would already know this doctrine is from God and not from me,
speaking for myself! You people, who are supposed to teach the Laws of Moses,
should already know and recognize these truths that I am teaching.]
18. “He that speaks of Himself seeks his own glory: but He that seeks the glory that
sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
19. “Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet anone of you keeps the Law? bWhy go
you about the kill me?” [Did not Moses give you the Law, handed down from God?
Yet none of you can keep that, Law; So, why do you go about trying to kill me ~
which is also against God’s Law?]
20. The people answered and said, “cYou have a devil: who goes about to kill you?”
21. Jesus said unto them, “I have done done work, and you all marvel.”
22. *** (Conclusion) “Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; not because it is
of Moses, and you on the Sabbath Day circumcise a man.”
23. “If a man on the Sabbath Day receives circumcision, that the Law of Moses should
not be broken; are you angry at Me, because I made a man every whit whole on
the Sabbath Day? [Jesus now lays out the problem that they have to solve. Moses
gave you permission to do work on the Sabbath Day, when you undertake to
partake in the ceremony of circumcision. Why therefore do you want to kill me for
healing a man of the Sabbath Day?]
24. “Judge not according to the appearance; but judge righteous judgements. [Jesus
is saying to them; If it is ok for a priest to perform circumcision on the Sabbath
Day, which changes the physical properties of a man, why is it not OK for me to
heal a man who is lame on the Sabbath Day? Do not judge by appearance as the
world judges, but judge in righteousness, as God the Father judges.]
25. Then said some of them; “Is this not He, whom they seek to kill?
26. “But lo, He speaks boldly, and they say nothing unto Him. Do ethe rulers know
indeed that this is the very Christ?” [Is this the person that the religious Jews want
to kill? But He speaks boldly and with authority, and no-one says anything unto
Him. Do the religious rulers realise that this the Christ? The Promised One, the
Messiah, the Holy One of Israel?]
27. fHowbeit we know this man whence He is: BUT when Christ comes, no man known
g
whence He is. [The religious leaders were saying, “we have known about this
person’s ministry for nearly three years, and that He came out of Galilee. According
to the Prophet Micah, the Messiah will be born is Bethlehem Ephratah, so then, He
could not possibly be the Messiah”. Sadly, they did not do their homework
properly, otherwise that would have found that He was born of a virgin in
Bethlehem and that angels had come down to pronounce His birth and that
Shepherds saw the evidence and proclaimed it in Bethlehem, some 30 years
earlier. See how easy it is to miss revelations in scripture, IF you don’t search
thoroughly for your answers.]
28. Then cried Jesus in the Temple, as He taught, saying, “You both know Me, and you
know whence I am, and hI am not come of myself, but He that sent Me is itrue,
j
whom you know not. [“You all know Me, where I come from and what I do, but I
do not come for my own glory, I come to do the mission that I was sent here to
do, and the one who sent Me is righteous and true, but you do not know Him. Even
though you claim to know the Laws of Moses, you do not know the one who gave
that Law to Moses”.]

a d g j
5:45 See verse 23 Isaiah 53:8 8:55
b e h
See verses,1, 20, 25. 3:1; see verse 48 8:42
c f i
8:48; 52; 10:20 Matthew 13:55 8:26
45
29. “But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He has sent Me.” [“But I know God, the
Creator of heaven and earth, I AM from Him, and He has sent Me to you”.]
30. THEN athey sought to take Him: but bno man laid hands on Him, because cHis hour
has not yet come. [They tried to capture Him, but no hands could touch Him, for
His hour for capture had not yet come.]
31. And many of the people believed on Him, and said, “When Christ comes, will He
do more miracles than these, which this man has done?” [And the people were
saying, “Do you think that the Messiah would more even more miracles than this
man is doing? We believe that the Messiah is here already”.]
32. The Pharisees heard that the people were murmuring such things concerning Him;
and the Pharisees and the Chief Priests sent dofficers to take Him. [The Pharisees
heard that the people were saying even the Messiah could not do greater miracles
than Jesus is doing, believing that Jesus IS the Messiah. They reported this to the
Chief Priests, and conspired to capture Jesus, sending the “Temple Guards” to
capture Him.]
33. [P] Then Jesus said unto them, “Yet a little while I AM with you, and then I go unto
Him that sent Me. [Prophetically Jesus was telling them, “I am here for you for a
little while yet, and then I go back to My Father in Heaven, who sent Me to you”.
They did not understand what Jesus was saying at that time, but later after the
crucifixion, resurrection, and the ascension, they remembered the words that
Jesus spoke at this time and believed upon His name.]
34. ‘You will seek Me, and not find Me; and where I AM, thither you cannot come. [In
verse 32-34, the High Priests and the Pharisees ordered the Temple Guards to go
and seize Jesus, who was preaching in a public square. On the other hand, Jesus
was saying, the one who sent me, has higher authority than the guards that have
been sent to capture Me, and even the Temple Guards cannot go to the place
where I am going. None of you can go to that place.]
35. Then said the Jews among themselves, “Where will He go that we shall not find
Him? Will He go to ethe dispersed (Jews) among the fGentiles, and teach the
b
Gentiles” [The fact that they thought that Jesus was going to possibly teach the
Gentiles made a big impact upon them, because there are several verses in the
Old Testament which alludes to this happening, but it also meant that God
Almighty was turning His back on the Jews.] [Hosea 2:23; Hosea 1:10;
Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65:1; Isaiah 29:10; Psalm 69:22,23]
36. “What manner of saying is this, that He said, ‘You shall seek Me, and shall not find
Me; and where I am, there you cannot come’?” [Here again, Jesus was telling them
that they were the teachers of the Law, but that they do not understand the Law,
because if they DID understand the Law, they would already know what Jesus was
talking about, as it is prophesied in the book of Isaiah.]
37. In the Last Day, gthat great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, “hIf
any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. [In the Last Day of the Feast of
Tabernacles, Jesus cries out with a loud shout (and the sound of the trumpets), “If
there is any man among you who is thirsty, let him come unto Me and drink, for I
AM the River of Life. Jesus was publicly proclaiming who He was, but many did not
believe, because they thought that He was born in Galilee, failing to check where
He actually was born.]
38. “He that believes on ME, as the scriptures have saidi, ‘out of his belly shall flow
rivers of jliving water’.” [Jesus makes an interesting statement here, when He
reminds the people, by saying “as the scriptures have said” out of His belly
shall flow rivers of living water. He was referring to the statements made in Ezekiel
chapter 47, where the water flows out from beneath the new Temple in Jerusalem.]

a e h j
See verse 44. James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:13,14; 4:10
b
See verse 44. f
[h]~ Or, Greeks; 12:20 6:35; Revelation 21:6;
c g 22:17
12: 23, 27; 13:1 Leviticus 23:36 i
d Ezekiel chapter 47
Matthew 26:58
46
39. (But this He spoke of athe Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive:
b
for the Holy Ghost was not yet cgiven; because Jesus was not yet glorified). [Here
Jesus is prophesying what will happen, at the first Pentecost after His resurrection
and ascension back into Heaven. He was saying that people who believe in Him
and who are pure in heart, and filled with the Holy Spirit (after Pentecost) will have
Spiritual living water bubbling up inside of them, as a witness to others.]
40. *** (Conclusion) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said,
“Of a truth this is dthe Prophet.” [The Prophet that they are referring to is the one
that Moses mentions in Deuteronomy 18:15, where states “that God will raise up
another prophet like me, and you must listen to Him”.]
41. Others said, “eThis is the Christ.” But some said, “Shall Christ come fout of Galilee?”
[Some in the crowd believed that Jesus IS the Christ, based upon what has says
and what He does; based upon His witness. But others, remembered the prophecy
in Micah, which states that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem Ephratah. Sadly,
these people (of the Tribe of Judah) never checked up to see where Jesus was
actually born. He was of the tribe of Judah, and yet, they did not recognize Him.]
42. Have not the scriptures said, ‘that Christ comes gof the seed of David, and out of
the town of hBethlehem, iwhere David was?’ [They knew their scriptures and the
answers are all there in front of them ~ but still they never asked anyone where
Jesus was born. How easy it is to miss the revelation of the truth.]
43. So, there was division among the people because of Him; but no man laid hands
on Him. [This is the same situation that we have in the world today: Islam believes
that Jesus is a Prophet, while Christians proclaim He is the Messiah, and orthodox
Jews, say He was a criminal. The evidence is all out there to be seen and revealed,
but sadly, the scales are still on millions of eyes in the world today.]
44. And some of them would have taken Him; but no man laid hands on Him.
45. Then came jthe officers to the Chief Priest and the Pharisees; and they said unto
them; “Why have you not brought Him?”
46. The officers answered, “Never man speaks like this man.”
47. Then answered them the Pharisees, “Are you also deceived?
48. “Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on Him?” [Can you show us
any leader or person of religious authority that has believed in Him?]
49. “But this people who know not the Law are cursed.” [The Pharisees, who should
know the Law, and the Prophets, were prophesying their own fate, because in 70
A.D., when the Temple was destroyed, they were cursed.]
50. kNicodemus said unto them, (lHe that came mto Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51. Does nour Law judge any man, before it hears Him, and knows what He does?
[Nicodemus asked them a valid theological question, but the Pharisees were so
blinded by the evil one, that they ignored his question altogether. Christians today
must also be aware that the same thing can happen; we must use the Spirit of
Discernment, to identify the intention of the heart of the person speaking, and/or
answering the question, otherwise you can easily be led down the wrong spiritual
path.]
52. They answered and said unto him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look:
for out of Galilee arises no prophet.” [See what happens when a wrong assumption
(that Jesus was born in Galilee) becomes a truism. It leads to further mistakes.]
53. And every man went unto his own house. [To maintain peace, every man went
back to their own houses, to consider the events, and to pray about what they had
seen and heard.]

a
16:7
e
4;42; 6:69 j
See verse 33. n
Deuteronomy 1:17;
b
Acts 2:4,17,33,38.
f
1:46; see verse 52. k
3:1 17:6, 8-11; 19:15
c
1:32,33; 3:5,8,34.
g
Matthew 1:1 l
3:2
d
Deuteronomy 18:15;
h
Micah 5:2 m
[g]~ to Him
6:14
i
1 Samuel 16:1,4
47
CHAPTER EIGHT: JESUS PROCLAIMS HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Many scholars say that verses 2-11 were not included in John’s writings. However, it is
consistent with John’s other teachings, so others say that it should remain; I also agree
that it should remain!

1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. [Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to
commune with His Father.]
2. And aearly in the morning He went again into the Temple, and all-of the people
came unto Him; and bHe sat down, and taught them. [Jesus came back into the
Temple, and sat down and taught them. Notice He did not stand up and brow-beat
them with hellfire and damnation, He sat there and taught them conversation
style.]
3. And the Scribes and the Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery:
and when they had set her down in the midst, [Notice they did not bring the man,
who also committed this sin.]
4. They say unto Him, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5. Now cMoses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what do
you say?”
6. 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. [The scribes and the Pharisees are so intent on removing this threat to their
religious power system, that they have set up a case to accuse Jesus, if He says
anything against the Laws of Moses. Of course, they do not realise that Jesus was
there when the “finger of God” wrote the 10 commandments on the two tablets
and gave them to Moses ~ twice. Now many scholars have made assumptions
about what Jesus wrote in the sand. One suggestion is that He wrote ~ forgiven,
which is what He told her later.]
7. So, when they continued to ask Him, He lifted up Himself and said unto them,
“dHe that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” [This answer
was so unexpected that it caused each of them to look inward at their own sins,
and they were all convicted of their sins.]
8. And again, He bent down and wrote on the ground. [Again, we do not know what
Jesus wrote on the ground, but it added to the spiritual pressure on those who
were the accusers of this woman.]
9. 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 with
the woman standing in the midst. [The words of Jesus were so powerful, that it
caused each of the accusers to look inward, and their own consciences convicted
each of them of their own sins, causing each of them to slink away to consider
their lives before God, and the same laws of Moses that they were using against
the woman.]
10. When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her,
“Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?”
11. She said, “No man, LORD.” And Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn you:
go and esin no more.” [Now Jesus was the only person present who was without
sin. He could have followed the Law of Moses, and picked up a stone and threw it
at her, condemning her ~ but He did not. Instead, He told her to go and sin no
more. He acknowledged her sin, but did not condemn her, but forgave her instead
~ a much better outcome.]
12. Then Jesus spoke again unto them, saying, “fI AM the light of the world: he that
follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

a
Luke 21:37, 38 c
Leviticus 20:10; d
Romans 2:1 f
1:4, 9
b
Matthew 26:55 Deuteronomy 22:22 e
5:14
48
13. The Pharisees therefore said unto Him, “You bear record of thyself: your record is
not true.” [In this reply, the Pharisees were actually calling Jesus a liar; but Jesus
does not react in a worldly fashion. He continues with His teaching to them, who
have accused Him.]
14. Jesus answered and said unto them, “aThough I bear record of myself, yet my
record is true: for I know bwhere I came from, and cwhere I am going; but you
cannot tell when I come from, nor where I am going to.
15. “You judge after the flesh; dI judge no man.
16. “And yet if I do judge, my judgement is true; for eI am not alone, but I and My
Father that sent Me.
17. “It is also written fin your law that the testimony of two men is true.
18. “I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness
of me. [Jesus gives them the evidence that His word is true, quoting that His Father
that sent Him is His second witness, but that answer confuses them even more.]
19. Then they said unto Him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “gYou neither
know Me, nor My Father: h[IF] you had known Me, [THEN] you should have known
My Father also. [Jesus was making it very clear that the Pharisees, (who are
supposed to know the law and the prophets), do not have a clue who He is, and
who his Father is. They are the blind leading the blind.]
20. These words spoke Jesus in ithe Treasury, as He taught in the Temple, and jno
man laid hands on Him: for His hour was not yet come. [Which location was the
“Treasury” that Jesus was teaching in the Temple? The place where the thirteen
chests stood, into which the people put their voluntary contributions for the
sacrifices, and service of the temple: (the Ethiopic version renders it, "at the alms
chest")]
21. Then Jesus said again unto them, “I go my way, and kyou shall seek Me, and shall
die in your sins: Where I am going, you cannot come.” [Because you refuse to
acknowledge who I am, you shall seek me after I go to My Father, but you will die
in your sins, because you did not acknowledge me on the day of my visitation.]
22. Then said the Jews, “Will he kill himself? Because He said, ‘Where I go, you cannot
come’.” [Here again, the Pharisees look at His statements from a worldview. “Is
he going to kill himself, is that the place where we cannot go?”]l
23. And He said unto them, “mYou are from beneath; nI am from above; you are of
this world; oI am not of this world. [You are made of the earth, you belong to this
world; but I was not made from the earth, because I am not of this world.]
24. *** [CP] (Conclusion) “I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins:
for [IF] you believe not that I am He, [THEN] you shall die in your sins.” [IF you
do not believe that I AM the Messiah, THEN you will die in your sins.]
25. Then said they unto Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said unto them, “Even the
same that I said unto you from the beginning. [Jesus says to them, “I have told
you many times who I am ~ but you still have not got that revelation, and if you
fail to get that revelation, you will die in your sins.”]
26. “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.”
27. They did not understand that He was speaking to them of His Father in heaven.
28. Then said Jesus unto them, “When you have plifted up the Son of man, THEN shall
you know that I AM He, and that qI do nothing of myself; but ras My Father has
taught Me, I speak these things. [When you lift me up on the cross and there is
darkness in the heavens for three hours, and I arise again after three days, THEN
you will know who I am.]

a
5:31 e
16:32 j
7:30 o
17:14,16
b
7:29; 13:3; see f
Deuteronomy 19:15 k
7:34,36; 13:33 p
3:14; 12:31,34
verse 42. g
16:3 l q
5:19
c
16:28 h
14:7 m
3:31 r
7:16
d
12:47 i
Mark 12:41 n
18:36
49
29. And He that sent Me is with Me: athe Father has not left me alone; bfor I always
do those things that pleases Him. [And God the Father who sent me to the earth
is with Me. I am in direct contact with Him all-of the time. And I only do the things
that He tells me to do, so therefore I please Him.]
30. As He spoke these words, cmany believed on Him. [They believed, because they
heard the words that Jesus spoke. We are commanded to GO and speak His words,
so people will believe that Jesus Christ IS the Son of God. But how can we speak
His words unless we know them? How can we be real born-again Christians, unless
our actions agree with our words? Are we really Christians, or just a “watered
down” version, which is compromised, because we have not completely separated
ourselves from worldly things? Do we have a form of godliness, but are not holy?
That is the challenge of our century.]
31. [CP] Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on Him, “[IF] you continue in my
word, [THEN] YOU ARE INDEED MY DISCIPLES.” [This is a conditional promise
given by Jesus and we must clearly understand it. [IF] you believe that I AM the
Son of God, AND you continue in my Word, (2 conditions), [THEN] you are indeed
My disciples. However, if you believe I AM the Son of God, and do not continue in
MY word, [THEN] you are NOT my disciples. Many people have been taught that
believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is enough, but that is a lie from Satan.
As we will see from John 15:16, you have to bear fruit that must remain, and that
can only happen when you learn and act upon the Word of God.]
32. “And you shall know dthe truth and the truth shall make you free.” [And because
you have been continuing in My word, you will have the revelation of truth,
righteousness, and holiness, and these truths will set you free, and keep you free
from the deceptions of this world.]
33. They answered Him, “eWe be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any
man: how can you say, ‘You shall be made free?” [From their answer it is clear
that they still did not understand what Jesus was telling them. They were looking
at the words of Jesus from a worldly view, but Jesus is speaking about spiritual
things, which He explains in the next verse.]
34. Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, fWhosoever commits sin is
the servant of sin. [Whosoever commits sin, is a SLAVE TO SIN, you are in bondage
to sin.]
35. And gthe servant abides not in the house forever: But the Son abides forever,
36. *** [P] & Conclusion: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free
indeed. [You cannot do this by yourself! Only the Son of God can set you free from
sin!]
37. “I know that you are Abraham’s hseed; but you seek to kill Me, because my words
have no place in you.
38. “I speak that which I have iseen with My Father: and you do that which you have
seen with jyour father.”
39. [CP] They answered and said unto Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said unto
them, “[IF] you were Abraham’s children, [THEN] you would do the works of
Abraham.
40. “But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have
heard of God, This did not Abraham. [You claim to be Abraham’s seed, but your
actions show that you are not truly of Abraham’s seed, because Abraham was
righteous.]
41. “You do the deeds of your father.” Then said they to Him, “kWe be not born in
fornication; we have lone Father, even God.”

a
See verse 16. d
Romans 6:18, 22; f
Romans 6:16,20; 2 i
3:32; 5:19
b
4:34; 5:30; 6:38 8:2 Peter 2:19 j
See verses 41,44
c
7:31; 10:42; 11:45; e
Matthew 3:9 g
Galatians 4:30 k
Hosea 2:4
12:11, 42 h
Romans 9:7 l
Deuteronomy 32:6
50
42. Jesus said unto them, “IF God were your Father, you would love Me: for aI
proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent Me.
43. “Why do you not understand my speech? Even because you cannot hear my words.
[If God was you Father, then you would love me and recognise Me because I came
from the Father; but you cannot understand My speech, because your spirit is
blinded to the truth of what I am saying.]
44. “You are of your father ~ the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He
was ba 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.
45. “And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.” [Your genealogy comes
from the devil, because you were born in sin, and you have been living in sin all
of your lives, believing your father, who is the father of lies.]
46. “cWhich of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe
me?
47. “He that is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you
are not of God.” [Jesus explains to them that IF they were of God, THEN they
would hear from God and recognise the Truth that He was saying. But because
they are from Satan, they refuse to hear the truth.]
48. Then answered the Jews, and said unto Him, “Say we not well that you are a
Samaritan, and dhas a devil? [You say these things to us who are Jews, because
you are a Samaritan, whom we hate, and you are possessed with a devil.]
49. Jesus answered, “I have not a devil: but I honour My Father, and you dishonour
Me. [I am not devil possessed, but I honour MY Father who sent me to You, and
you dishonour Me by not recognising that I come from MY Father.]
50. “And I seek not My own glory: there is one that seeks and judges.
51. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man ekeeps my sayings, He shall never see
death.” [If you follow My laws and MY ways, you will honour the Father who sent
Me, and you will never see death]
52. Then the Jews said unto Him, “Now we know that you have devil. Abraham is dead,
and the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keep my sayings, he shall never taste
death’.
53. “Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are
dead: who makes you thyself” [Are you greater than Abraham and the prophets
who are all dead? Who made you, that you claim that you will not see death?]
54. Jesus answered, “If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is My Father that
honours Me; of whom you say, that He is your God.
55. “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 sayings. [You say
that you are of the seed of Abraham and that you know God, but you have only
“heard about God”, you do not know Him, you have not got a personal relationship
with God, like I have. If you did know God like I do, then you would recognise that
I am speaking the truth.]
56. “Your father Abraham frejoiced to see my day: and He saw it, and was glad.”
57. Then the Jews said unto Him, “You are yet not fifty years old, and you have seen
Abraham?”
58. Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you; Before Abraham was, I AM.”
59. Then they took 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. [They were going
to stone Him to death, because He proclaimed that He was alive before Abraham.
They could not accept the truth, because they were still in sin, and in bondage to
Satan, the father of all lies.]

a
13:3; 16:27,28,30 c
Hebrews 4:15 f
Matthew 13:17; Luke
b
Genesis 4: 8,9; 1 d
7:20 10:24
John 3:12,15 e
14:23; 15:20; 17:6
51
CHAPTER NINE: A BLIND MAN RECEIVES HIS SIGHT ~ ON THE SABBATH

1. And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind for his birth.
2. And his disciples asked him, saying, “Master, who did sin, this man, or ahis parents,
that he was born blind?” [The Jews at the time believed that if a person was born
with any form of disability, it was the result of sin. Either the sin of the afflicted
person, or their parents. Of course, there is little logic to this concept, because
how can a child in the womb commit sin?]
3. Jesus answered, “Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but bthat the works
of God should be made manifest in him.” [God knew you even before you were
placed in the mother’s womb, so this man was selected by God to receive a miracle,
even before He was born.]
4. “I must work cthe works of Him that sent Me, dwhile it is day: the night comes
when no man can work.
5. “As long as I AM in the world, I AM the light of the world.” [Jesus told His disciples
that He must do the works of His Father that sent Him, while it is still day. While
He is still in the world, He is the Light of the world and His light will shine, But
when He leaves the world, His light will diminish, and darkness will come.]
6. When He had spoken these things, eHe spat on the ground, and made clay with
the spittle, and He fanointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. [Now Jesus
was at creation, when He took the dust of the earth and made mankind (because
Jesus said that nothing was made without Him being involved in the making).
Therefore, Jesus took the dust and made it into clay, and placed it upon the blind
man’s eyes, and gave him new eyes.]
7. [C] And said unto him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” ~ which means sent. He
went His way therefore, and washed and came seeing. [The blind man had to obey
the words of Jesus to receive His healing! Christians have to learn this same
lessons! We should not only be the “Happiest People on earth ~ but the healthiest
people on the earth, because there is healing in the words of God.]
8. *** (Conclusion) The neighbours therefore, and they which had seen him which
were blind, said, “Is this not he that sat and begged?”
9. Some said, “This is he:” others said, "He is like him:” but he said, “I am he.”
[People saw him, and some recognised the blind man that can now see, whilst
others could not accept that He was healed, saying it looks like Him. But the man
himself confirmed He was the blind man that can now see.]
10. *** (Conclusion) Therefore, said they unto him, “How were your eyes opened?”
[“Please tell us how this miracle happened? What did you do?”]
11. He answered and said, “A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my
eyes, and said unto me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash’: and I went and
washed, and I received my sight.”
12. Then they said unto him, “Where is he?” He said, “I know not.”
13. They brought to the Pharisees him that beforetime was blind. [This was required
so that it could be seen that he was now whole, and could now be allowed to
worship inside the Temple.]
14. And git was the Sabbath Day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. [So
now, as we have seen before, the Pharisees will get upset because Jesus is
performing miracles on the Sabbath Day. This is the second miracle that Jesus has
performed on the Sabbath Day. He IS the Word of God, so two miracles confirm
the doctrine, that people can receive their healing on the Sabbath Day, but the
Pharisees still don’t get it yet!]
15. Then again, the Pharisees asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto
them, “He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and I do see.” [The blind man

a
Exodus 20:5 d
11:9 f
[h]~ Or, spread the g
5:9
b
11:4 e
Mark 7:33; 8:23 clay upon the eyes of
c
4:34; 5:19,36; 17:4 the blind man.
 gave a practical answer; He did not see how He made the clay, or from where He
got the clay, only that He put clay upon his eyes, and He told him to go to the pool
of Siloam and wash. So, he did and now he can see.]
16. *** (Conclusion), 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 division among them. [The Ultrastrict
Jews, were so incenced that someone would perform a miracle on the Sabbath
Day, that they are blinded to the fact that a miracle has taken place! The second
group argued that a sinner could not possibly have performed a miracle, on any
day of the week. All-of them should have been rejoicing. The church has not
learned anything in the last 2,000 years; whether we should attend church on the
Sabbath day, or whether we should attend church on the first day of the week;
whether everyone speaking in tongues in church is wrong, because it says that
only 3 should speak in tongues, and one interpret for all-of them. See how easily
Satan can divide the Body of Christ ~ just like is happening here among the Jews.]
17. They said unto the blind man again, what do you say of him that has opened your
eyes? He said, “He is aa prophet.” [The Pharisees cannot comprehend what has
taken place. They do not even believe that He was blind. They completely ignore
that He said that Jesus was a prophet.]
18. But the Jews did not believe that he was blind, and had received his sight, until
they called the parents of him that had received his sight. [It was easier for the
Jews to reject the miracle, than to accept it; and then have to deal with the
implications, that there was a miracle-worker walking amongst them.]
19. And they asked the parents, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How then does he now see?” [“Can you confirm, here in the temple before God,
that this is your son, who you say was born blind?”] [They answer in two parts.]
20. His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he
was born blind:
21. “By what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know
not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.” [They confirmed that He is
their son and that he was born blind. They also stated that they did not know how
he was healed, or who it was that healed him. They pointed out that he was now
a grown man, and that he can now speak for himself.]
22. These words spoke their parents, because bthey feared the Jews: for the Jews had
agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ (the Messiah), che
should be put out of the synagogue. [It is sad when people fear repercussions from
the leadership, IF they speak the truth in the Temple, synagogue, or in church!
See how far we have fallen away from the truth of God’s word!]
23. *** (Conclusion), Therefore said his parents: “He is of age: ask him.” [The
parents, distance themselves from this miracle, by reminding the Jews, for a
second time, that He is of age: he is now responsible for his own actions, therefore
ask him!]
24. Then again, they called the man that was blind, and said unto him, “Give God the
praise: we know that this man is a sinner.” [They wanted to take the glory away
from Jesus for this miracle, and have it focussed on God Almighty, but they still
did not realise that by stating this, there were in fact denying that Jesus IS the
Messiah, and for that sin, they shall all be damned! (Mark 16:16).]
25. He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not, I know not: one thing I
know, that, whereas I was blind, and now I see!”
26. Then said they unto him again, “What did He to thee?” [Tell us again what He did
to you. They said this to try to find any inconsistencies in his statements.]
27. He answered them, “I have told you already, and you did not hear: (understand),
wherefore would you hear it again? Will you also be His disciples?” [I told you the

a
6:14 b
7:13 c
12:42; 16:2
53
 first time, and you did not believe me. If I tell you again, will you believe me, and
become one of His disciples?]
28. Then they reviled him, and said, “You are his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.”
[Again, they refuse to accept the truth that Jesus is the Messiah. Sometimes you
have to hit someone with a piece of wood between the eyes, before you get the
truth inside your skull! Like Pharoah, their hearts were hardened to the truth!]
29. “We know that God spoke unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from where
he is.” [We know from the scriptures, that God Almighty spoke to Moses; but we
don’t know where this man (Jesus) comes from, and who is speaking unto Him.
Even though they had the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible, written by
Moses) and the Historical books, and the Judges, and the Prophets; all-of which
pointed to the Messiah being born of a virgin in Bethlehem, they never asked His
mother where He was born, and still refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah.]
30. The man answered and said unto them, “Why herein is a marvellous thing, that
you know not from where He is, and yet He has opened my eyes.
31. “Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and does His will, ahim He hears.
32. “Since the world began, was it not heard, that any man opened the eyes of one
that was born blind?
33. “If this man was not of God, He could do nothing! [In these 4 verses, the blind
man now starts to teach those that should already know the truth. “Isn’t it
marvellous that the teachers of the Law, who are supposed to know all things,
doesn’t even know where this man comes from, and who it is that is giving Him
this power to heal. Is there any record in all-of the scriptures where a man who
was born blind has been healed before? Yes/No? If God has not sent this man to
us, He could do nothing.”]
34. They answered and said unto him, “You were altogether born in sin, and you do
teach us?” And they cast him out. [Firstly, they refused to acknowledge the truth
of his statements. Secondly, they say that he was born in sin, but refuse to
acknowledge their own sins. Thirdly, they refuse to be teachable. And finally, they
cast him out of the Temple. This also broke the teaching of Moses, which says that
God’s house is a house of prayer for all nations.]
35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto
him, “Do you believe on bthe Son of God?” [Jesus is testing his faith.]
36. He answered and said, “Who is He Lord, that I might believe on Him?” [The man
is confirming his faith in God’s word.]
37. And Jesus said unto Him, “You have both seen him, and it is He that is talking with
you.” [This is the second time that Jesus reveals who He is to individuals at this
time. The first being the woman at the well, in John chapter 4, and now here in
chapter nine.]
38. And he said, “LORD, I believe.” And he worshipped Him. [When you know the truth
of the gospels, it sets you free to worship Jesus in spirit and in truth. Sadly, the
“disciples of Moses” still had not got that revelation.]
39. And Jesus said, “For judgement, I come into this world, that they that see not
might see; and they which see may be made blind.” [Those who admit their
need, and trust in God, are those who will be granted sight ~ just as the
blind man was given both sight and knowledge by Jesus, in response to his sincere
faith. Those who are arrogant, and presume they already know, will be
hardened by the presence of Jesus, instead.]
40. And some of the Pharisees which were with Him heard these words, and said unto
Him, “Are we blind also?”

a
Psalm 34:15,17; b
10:36
145:19; Proverbs
15:29
54
41. *** (Conclusion), Jesus said unto them, “If you were blind, you should have no
sin: but now you say, ‘We see’; therefore, your sin remains. [Jesus was clearly
saying to the Pharisees, you say that you see, therefore, your sin remains with
you, because you have not repented of your sins.]

CHAPTER TEN: CHRIST IS THE DOOR, AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD

1. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold,
but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [Jesus makes it
very clear that anyone who enters into the sheepfold by any other way than
through the door, is a criminal, and will ultimately be punished for their crimes.]
2. But He that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [He is the legal
guardian of the sheep.]
3. To him the porter opens (the door), and the sheep hear His voice: and He calls his
own sheep by name, and leads them out. [To understand these verses, you must
first understand the culture. Many shepherds graze their sheep in the same pasture
areas each day, and for security purposes, they build structures in which to keep
all-of the sheep overnight, to protect them from wolves and thieves, with the
shepherds taking turns to stand guard over the whole flock. Next morning, the
man on guard is at the door opening, to make sure that only genuine shepherds
are coming to claim the sheep (not robbers in disguise). Upon recognition the
guard open the gate for the shepherd. He enters and calls to His own sheep; he
calls his sheep by name. They follow Him because they recognize his voice.]
4. And when He puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow
him: for they know His voice.
Here we see this in action in the Sultanate of
Oman. There has been no rain for 4 years, and
no grass, as it had been burned up by the hot
sun. The shepherd is hitting the tree with his
staff, so that the leaves will fall so that the
sheep have food to eat. They had been feeding
on the leaves of another tree about 50 metres
away and then he called them. We watched as
they heard his voice; their heads all came up.
He called again and their heads turned towards
the sound of his voice, and they all trotted
towards him to receive their next meal. The
bottom picture shows the shepherd hitting the
tree again to give them more food.

5. And the stranger they will not follow, but

will flee from him: for they know not the voice
of the stranger. [As Christians, we should also
be the same. We need to have such a close
relationship with Jesus, that we recognize His
voice, when He speaks directly to us; either
through His word, through dreams and visions,
or through His Holy Spirit. We should also be
able to recognize the voice of a stranger, a
deceiving spirit that tries to lead us away from
God’s chosen path, and God’s chosen food.]
6. This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but
they understood not what things they were,
which He spoke unto them.

55
[They had seen this happen many times in the hills and valleys in Israel, but they looked
at the words of this parable, from a worldview, and therefore completely missed the
scriptural teachings that Jesus was saying to them. So, in the following verses, He
explains it in simpler terms, so that these so called “learned people” would get the
spiritual message.]
7. Then said Jesus unto them again, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I AM the door of
the sheep.
8. “All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear
them. [He was saying that all-of the judges and prophets who came before Him
are like thieves and robbers, because you did not hear them, and recognise their
voices, because if you did, then you would have recognised my voice, as the true
shepherd that they had been telling you about throughout the ages.]
9. “I AM athe door: by Me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and
out, and bfind pasture. [Jesus tells them that He is the eternal door; if any man
enters, because they believe in Him, they shall be saved; they shall freely travel
in and out of the sheepfold, and He will provide their protection and their spiritual
food. Psalm 23 says: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want; He leads me into
green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul … They knew
the words of this psalm, but they did not understand or recognise who was the
shepherd when He appeared amongst them, because they did not recognize His
voice. Do you know who He is? Do you recognise His voice?]
10. The thief comes not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, I AM come that they
may have life, and that they may have life more abundantly. [Those people who
are under the influence of Satan, come to deceive, rob, kill, and destroy. We saw
that on 7th October, when Hamas ATTACKED. JESUS, who is the Good Shepherd,
comes to give life, and give it more abundantly. That is why Joshua challenged the
Jews, as they entered the Promised Land. Choose this day whom you will serve;
will it be the gods of the nation from where you come, (the gods of the wilderness),
or will it be the gods on this nation (the gods of the evil tribes, that dwelt here
before God gave us this land)? But as for me and my household, we choose to
serve the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel. Everyone on earth has to make
that decision. Who will you serve: EVIL, or GOOD?]
11. “I AM the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives His life for His sheep. [Jesus
makes it clear from the above statements that He knows His sheep by name, and
He gives His life for His sheep. There are others who think they are His sheep, but
in the last days, He does not call their names, and they are left behind.]
12. But he that is a hireling (an employee), and not the shepherd, who does not own
the sheep, seeing a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf
catches them, and scatters the sheep. [When a person comes in amongst the
sheep, who does not own the sheep, but is employed as a shepherd (pastor): when
he sees the wolves of the world, coming to attack the flock that He has been
employed to protect, He flees, and leaves the sheep unprotected. Then the evil
men come and attack the flock, killing some by leading them to a deceiving spirit,
and scattering the rest of the flock. Now not ALL pastors do that! Some stay and
do spiritual battle, protecting the sheep that are placed in their care. They will
receive recognition in heaven.]
13. The hireling flees, because he is a hired employee, and ccares not for the sheep.
[The employee has no emotional care or responsibility for the sheep, He is not the
owner; his is not prepared to die for someone else’s sheep; he only thinks of his
own skin.]
14. “I AM the good shepherd; and dknow MY sheep, and am know of mine. [Jesus
again makes it clear that He IS the Good Shepherd, and He knows each of His

a
See verse 7; 14:6; b
Psalm 23:2 d
2 Timothy 2:19
Ephesians 2:18 c
Zechariah 11:16
56
 sheep by name; He also states that each of His sheep know Him by name also,
and have a personal relationship with Him.]
15. “aAs the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father: and bI lay down My life for
the sheep. [As a Father knows His son, so a Son also knows His Father, and
because I love my Father, I will readily lay down My life for the sheep.]
16. And cother sheep I have, which are not of this fold: dthem also I must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one-fold, and one shepherd. [Up until
now, Jesus has been referring to “Jewish sheep” who recognize Him as the
Messiah. But now Jesus speaks about "other sheep," not part of the current fold,
which He plans to bring together, to be united under a single shepherd. This
is a reference to the Gentiles—the non-Jewish nations—and their acceptance
by God, through the ministry of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:6).]
17. *** (Conclusion), eTherefore, does My Father love Me; fbecause I lay down my
life, that I may take it up again. [My Father loves Me, because I am prepared to
lay down my life unto death, and then take it up again. Jesus was proclaiming to
the people in the temple that He was going to die and be raised up again. [Now
this will cause division amongst the Sadducees and the Pharisees, because the
Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, whilst the Pharisees believe it to be
possible, because people had been raised from the dead in the Old Testament,
(Elijah raised the Shunamite woman’s son, after He had been dead for some
time.)]
18. No man takes it from Me, but gI lay it down myself. I have power to lay it down,
and hI have power to take it up again. This icommandment have I received from
My Father. [No man can take my life from Me. I lay it down freely for My sheep.
My Father has given Me the power to lay down my life and at the appointed time,
to take it up again.]
19. *** (Conclusion), There was a division therefore among the Jews for these
sayings. [Here again there were divisions between the Sadducees (who did not
believe in the resurrection; hence Jesus could not take up His life again), and the
Pharisees, (who did believe in the resurrection). But they both had a problem that
Jesus was saying that His Father gave Him this commandment. He was saying that
He is the Son of God, and neither of these groups would accept that!]
20. And many of them said, “jHe has a devil and kis mad; why do you listen to Him?”
21. Others said, “These are not the words of him who has a devil. Can a devil lopen
the eyes of the blind?” [These are not the words of a devil, because they glorify
God, and devils only glorify Satan. Have you ever heard of any demon that
performs a miracle that glorifies God?]
22. And it was at Jerusalem at the feast of dedication, and it was winter.
23. And Jesus walked into the Temple, min Solomon’s Porch.
24. Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, “How long do you nmake
us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.” [Don’t keeps us in suspense any
longer. If you really are the Christ. Please tell us plainly.]
25. Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you believed Me not: othe works that I do
in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.
26. “But you believed not, because you are not of My sheep, as I said unto you.
27. “My sheep hear MY voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: [Because you do
not know me ~ you do not follow Me.]
28. [P] “And I give unto them (that follow Me) eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.
29. [P] My Father, pwhich gave them to Me, is greater than all: and no man is able to
pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

a
Matthew 11:27 e
Philippians 2:9 i
6;38; 14:31 n
[h]~ Or. hold us in
b
15:13 f
Isaiah 53:7,8,12; j
7:20 suspense.
c
Isaiah 56:8 Hebrews 2:9 k
Mark 3:21 o
5:36
d
11:52; Ephesians 2: g
19:30; 1 Peter 2:23 l
9:7, 32, 33 p
6:37; 17: 2, 6, 9, 11,
14-17 h
2:19; Acts 2:24 m
Acts 3:11; 5:12 12, 24
57
30. I, and my Father, are ONE!
31. Then the Jews atook up stones again to stone Him. [Jesus made some strong
statement, which they were able to handle. But when He proclaimed that, “I and
MY Father are ONE”, that was too much! They could not allow Him to say that. He
was proclaiming that He was equal with God. So, they all grabbed stones to stone
Him to death. But this time Jesus did not hide Himself and disappear. He
challenged them with statements for the rest of the chapter.]
32. Jesus answered them, “Many good works have I showed you from My Father: for
which of these good works do you stone?” [Jesus asked them a very challenging
question. Which of these good works of My Father do you wish to stone Me?]
33. The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we stone thee not: but for bblasphemy;
and because that you, being a man, makes yourself God.” [We do not stone you
for any of the good works that you have done. But we stone you for blasphemy;
because you are a man, and you are claiming that you are God.]
34. Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in cyour law, dI said, ‘You are gods?’
35. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scriptures
cannot be broken;
36. “Say you of Him, whom the Father ehas sanctified, and sent into the world, you
blaspheme; fbecause I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ [Do you not agree that it is
written in the Law that it says, “you are gods?” If you believe that what is written,
and that law cannot be broken, then how can you accuse me of saying I am the
son of God, because it says that we are all gods? Your logic does not make sense.]
37. [CP] “[IF] I do not the works of My Father, [THEN] believe Me not!
38. “But if I do, though you believe Me not, (then) believe the works: that you may
know, and believe, that MY Father is in Me, and I in Him.” [IF you don’t believe
Me, at least believe the works that I do, so that you will understand that the power
of My father is in Me, and I am in Him.]
39. *** (Conclusion), Therefore, they sought again to take Him: but He escaped out
of their hand. [Every time they try to stone Him, or catch Him He escapes, because
His time of capture has not come.]
40. And He went away beyond the Jordan into the place gwhere John (the Baptist)
first baptized; and there He abode. [So, Jesus left Jerusalem and went back over
the Jordan River, into the place where John the Baptist started to baptise people,
and there he set up camp.]
41. And many resorted to Him, and said, “John (the Baptist) did no miracles: but hall-
of the things that John spoke of this man were true.” [Many came to see Him and
spoke the truth, saying that John did not do any miracles, but all the things that
He said about the man that would come after Him ~ are true.]
42. And imany believe on Him there, (in the wilderness).

CHAPTER ELEVEN: SICKNESS AND DEATH OF LAZARUS

1. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of jBethany, the town of kMary and
her sister Martha.
2. (It lwas that Mary which anointed the LORD with ointment, and wiped His feet with
her hair, whose brother Lazurus was sick.)
3. *** (Conclusion), Therefore, his sisters sent unto Him, saying, “LORD, behold He
whom you love is sick.” [Jesus was a regular guest in their house, and the sisters
sent Jesus an urgent message, telling them that Lazurus was sick. Their faith was
such, that they believed that Jesus could heal Lazarus from a distance; He did not
have to come to them; all He had to say was send back a message that He is well.]

a
8:59 e
17:19 i
8:30 l
Matthew 26:7; John
b
Leviticus 24:16 f
5:17,18 j
Matthew 21:17 12:3
c
12:34; 15:25 g
1:28: 3:26 k
Luke 10:38,39
d
Psalm 82:6 h
1:29-34; 3:30; 5:33
58
4. When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, abut for the glory
of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” [When the disciples heard
the reply from Jesus, they assumed that He was going to heal Him, but that was
not the case.]
5. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary), and Lazarus.
6. *** (Conclusion), When He heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days
still bin the same place where He was. [Instead of going to be with His sick friend
(as His disciples expected) Jesus remained in the same place for a further two
days, awaiting the next news.]
7. Then after that (two days), says He to His disciples, “Let us go into Judea again.”
8. His disciples say unto Him, “Master, cthe Jews of late sought to stone you: and you
want to go there again?” [His disciples are in worldview mode, they have not even
considered what Jesus had previously told them ~ “This sickness in not unto death,
but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”]
9. Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? dIF any man walks in the
day, he stumbles not, because He sees the light of this world.
10. But eif a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.
11. These things said He: and after that He said unto them; “Our friend Lazarus sleeps;
but I go that I may awaken him out of his sleep.”
12. Then said His disciples, “LORD, if he sleeps, he shall do well.”
13. Howbeit, Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking
a rest in sleep. [His disciples completely misunderstood what Jesus had told them.
They thought He meant that Lazarus was sleeping, and in recovery mode, from
his illness.]
14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, “Lazarus is dead!” [OK, I will tell you plainly,
so that you understand. Lazarus is Dead. Notice that they do not ask Jesus how
He knows that Lazarus is dead. There have been no messengers from Bethany.]
15. “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent that you may
believe; nevertheless, let us go unto him.” [Jesus is telling them that his death is
to increase their faith and belief in the Son of God.]
16. Then said fThomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, “let us go
also, that we may die with him.” [Little did He know that all-of the disciples would
die for the glory of the LORD, except Apostle John, who would die a natural death,
but only after being boiled in oil, and then suffered in the salt mines, on the Isle
of Patmos, before returning to the church at Ephesus.]
17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave gfour days already.
[When they arrived in Bethany, they were told that Lazarus had been already
buried fours days ago.]
18. Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, habout fifteen furlongs off. [Bethany is about
2 miles from Jerusalem]
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their
brother. [As is culture, many come to give comfort to family members at the death
of another family member.]
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him; but
Mary sat still in the house.
21. Then Martha said unto Him, “IF you have been here, THEN my brother would not
have died.”
22. “But I know, that even now, whatsoever you will ask of God, God will give it to
you.” [This is a marvellous statement of Faith. Martha believed that even now,
after four days in the grave, that if Jesus asks His Father, anything, then His Father
will give it to Him.]
23. Jesus said unto her, “Your brother shall rise again.”

a
9:3 d
9:4 g
See verse 6.
b
10:40 e
12:35 h
[h]~ that is, about 2
c
8:59; 10:31 f
14:5; 20:24, 26-29 miles.
59
24. Martha said unto Him, “I know that He will rise again, ain the resurrection at the
last day. [Here we see that Martha is quoting her belief that there will be a
resurrection, and at that time, Lazarus will be raised up. But she does not
understand that Jesus is telling her that it will happen, in just a few minutes.]
25. Jesus said unto her, “I AM bthe resurrection and the clife: he that believes in Me,
though He were dead, yet shall he live:
26. “And whosoever lives and believes in Me, dshall never die. Do you believe this?”
27. She said unto Him, “Yes LORD; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
which shall come into the world.” [Martha has made her confession of faith before
Jesus.]
28. And when she had said this, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly,
saying, “The master is come and calls for you.”
29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came unto Him.
30. Now Jesus was not come into the town, but remained in the place where Martha
had met Him.
31. The Jews which were with her in the house, when they saw that Mary rose up
hastily, they followed her, saying, “She goes to the grave to weep there.”
32. Then when Mary was come to where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His
feet, saying unto Him, “LORD, IF you have been here, my brother would not have
died.” [Again, we see the faith statement of Mary, believing that Jesus would have
healed Lazarus~ if he had been present in Bethany.]
33. *** (Conclusion), When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also
weeping which came with her, He groaned in the Spirit, and ewas troubled. [The
Greek word means that He troubled Himself.]
34. And said, “Where have you laid him?” They said unto Him, “LORD come and see,”
35. Jesus wept! [There are only 3 times that Jesus is recorded as weeping in the
scriptures. John 11:35; Luke 19:41; Hebrews 5:7-9 But Jesus was weeping
because the Jews did not recognise or believe who He was.].
36. Then said the Jews, “Behold how He loved Him!”
37. 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?” [If Jesus could heal a man
who was blind from birth; Could he not also have healed this man, so that he did
not die? Some actually believed that He could have healed Lazarus, so that He did
not die. But Jesus was about to do a miracle much greater than that!]
38. *** (Conclusion), Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself comes to the grave.
It was a cave, and fa stone lay upon it.
39. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said
unto Him, “LORD, by this time he stinks, for he has been dead four days.”
40. Jesus said unto her, “Said I not unto you, that, if you would believe, you should
see the glory of God?” [“Don’t you remember what I told you just a few minutes
ago? That if you believed, then you would see the glory of God?”]
41. 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 You that You have heard Me.
42. “And I know that You hear Me always: but because of the people which stand by I
said it, that they may believe that You have sent Me.”
43. And when He had thus spoken (to His Father), He cried with a loud Voice, “Lazarus,
come forth!”
44. And he that was dead, came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and
his face was bound about him, with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, “Loose him,
and let him go.”
45. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and ghad seen these things which
Jesus did, believed on Him. [Actually, it would be very hard NOT to believe, if you

a
Luke 14:14; John c
14:6; Colossians 3:4 e
[g]~ He troubled f
Matthew 27:60; John
5:29 d
8:51, 52 Himself. 20:1
b
6:39, 40, 44, 54 g
2:23; 12:18
60
 saw a man who had been dead for four days, get up out of His tomb and come out
into the light once again, still wrapped in his graveclothes.]
46. But some of them, went their ways to athe Pharisees, and told them what things
Jesus had done.
47. Then bgathered the Chief Priests, and the Pharisees a council, and said, “What do
we do? For this man does many miracles.” [They acknowledged that Jesus did
many miracles, but they were worrying about their own status and security.]
48. “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. [If we don’t do anything, there will be a
great revival and everyone will believe on Him, and we will lose our positions in
the temple, and our status in society; even the offerings will go down. Sadly, I
have heard similar arguments in churches, during my 65 years on the mission
field. Oh, we cannot upset the status quo, otherwise there will be political
repercussions.]
49. And one of them, name bCaiaphas, being the High Priest, cthat same year, said
unto them, “You know nothing at all.”
50. “Nor consider it expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that
the whole nation perish not.”
51. And this he spoke not of himself; but being High Priest that year, He prophesied
that Jesus should die for that nation.
52. And dnot for the nation only, ebut that also He should gather together in one, the
children of God, that were scattered abroad. [Caiaphas was stating prophetically,
as High Priest, that it is better for one man to die and save the nation, than for
everyone to die and the nation be lost.]
53. Then from that day forth, they took counsel together for to put Him to death.
54. *** (Conclusion), Jesus therefore fwalked no more openly among the Jews; but
went unto a country, near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there
continued with His disciples.
55. And the gJewish Passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country,
up to Jerusalem before the Passover, hto purify themselves. [This is the second
Passover Feast that John has mentioned in this Gospel.]
56. Then sought they for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the
temple, “What do you think? Will He come to the feast?”
57. Now, both the Chief priests and the Pharisees, had given a commandment, that,
if any man should know where He were, he should show it, that they might capture
Him. [Here we have the Chief Priests and the Pharisees, the teachers of the Law,
(which forbids murder), plotting to capture Jesus and have Him killed. What Satan
and his servants plan for evil, God turns around for Good. Little did they know that
it was part of God’s plan, for the salvation of the whole world, for those that
believed upon His name.]

CHAPTER TWELVE: CHRIST’S FEET ANOINTED BY MARY

1. Then iJesus came six days before jthe Passover to Bethany, where kLazarus was
which had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. [So, Jesus, who had
previously raised Lazarus from the dead, has gone into the wilderness, with His
disciples, and now has returned back to Bethany, six days before the Passover to
see the family of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.]

a
See verse 57. e
10:16 i
See verse 8;
b
Matthew 26:3 f
7:1; 12:36 Matthew 26:6-11;
c
18:13 g
2:13; 6:4 Mark 14:3-7
d
Isaiah 49:6; 1 John h
Numbers 9:10; Acts j
11:55
2:2 21:24 k
11:1
61
Now, in athree of the gospels, it is recorded that Lazarus died and was buried, and Jesus
raised him from the grave on the 4th day. Then later, after the death, resurrection, and
ascension of Jesus, Lazarus dies again.
After Lazarus was raised from the dead, he returned to the home he shared with Mary
and Martha (John 12:1–2). He was present when Mary poured expensive perfume on
Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. Knowing the miracle Jesus had recently
performed, we understand why Lazarus’ sister was so overcome with gratitude that she
would go to such extravagant lengths. Lazarus may have been his sisters’ only provider,
and his death could have meant poverty for both sisters. Jesus had returned to them,
not only the brother they loved, but the protector and provider they needed to survive.
The Bible gives us no further information about Lazarus. The scriptures tell us that
Satan is defeated by our Testimonies.
Lazarus had a great testimony. “Hi, my name is Lazarus, I got sick and died, and they
buried me in the grave. Four day later, Jesus turned up at my village in Bethany, about
2 miles out of Jerusalem, and ordered that the stone be rolled away, and Jesus cried
out, in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth;” and I rose up and walked out of the grave
in my graveclothes, in obedience to His command. I am the one that is mentioned in
three of the gospels. I serve Jesus because He gave me a new life.”
Any additional details stem from church history, and may (or may not) be accurate.
One tradition holds that, after Jesus’ ascension back into heaven, Lazarus and his
sisters moved to Cyprus, where Lazarus became the bishop of Kition, and died of
natural causes in AD 63. Another theory claims that Lazarus and his sisters moved to
Gaul, to preach the gospel, and Lazarus became the bishop of Marseilles, where he
was beheaded under the tyranny of Emperor Domitian. Whatever happened to Lazarus
is unknown. But we can be certain that his physical body died a second time.
And we know that, according to 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17,
Lazarus will be raised again from the dead to join all God’s saints in eternity.
Here, we can raise two very interesting theological questions, which did not appear,
until the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrewsb was written and published in
approximately 67 A.D., just before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the
Romans in 70 A.D.
The FIRST theological question: Was Lazarus saved under the First Covenant,
because He believed that Jesus was the Messiah, before the cross; or was He saved
under the New covenant, promised in Jeremiah 31:31, and activated when Jesus rose
again from the dead?
The SECOND Theological question: Hebrews 9:27 says, “People are destined to
die once, and after that to face judgment.” Jesus said that people will be judged
based on what they did (or did not do – the son of omission) during their lives.
Based upon the statement in Hebrews chapter 9 verse 27, does Lazarus get judged
“once”, or “twice”, because He dies twice?
Now that you all have your thinking caps on, let us continue with this chapter of the
gospel of John.

2. There cthey made Him supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them
that sat at the table with Him. [As per Jewish custom, the guests were offered food
upon arrival at one’s house. Martha, who had the gift of hospitality, made the food,
and offered it to the disciples, and her own brother, (the head of the household,)
who sat at the table with them.]
3. Then Mary took da pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and eanointed the
feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the
odour of the ointment. [Why did Mary anoint the feet of Jesus with spikenard?
What was its significance in biblical times? It was used as an “incense offering”
a
Matthew, Mark & another in Hebrew, c
Matthew 26:6; Mark
John and then translated 14:3
b
Dictated by Paul, into Greek by Luke. d
19:39
written down by e
Luke 7:38
62
 by the Hebrews in the Jerusalem Temple. In Old Testament times, pungent
perfumes and oils were used to prepare a body for burial, which was why the act
of anointing Jesus' feet with spikenard, prior to His crucifixion was highly
symbolic.]
4. Then said one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray
him. [The spirit of the evil one is now operating in him.]
5. “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?”
6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor: but because he was a thief, and ahad
the bag, and bare what was put therein. [As the scripture states, Judas was a thief,
and even though Jesus knew this, he was given the responsibility to carry their
money bag. He wanted the ointment sold, so that there would be another 300
pence in the money bag, so he could steal some for himself!]
7. Then Jesus said, “Let her alone: against the day of My bburying has she kept this.”
[Leave her alone ~ for she has kept this expensive oil for my burial, and is now
symbolically & prophetically proclaiming My death.]
8. “For the poor always, you have with you; but Me you have not always.” [Jesus was
acknowledging what Mary had done was prophetic. But the rest of those present
did not understand what He was saying. It was only after His crucifixion,
resurrection, and ascension, that they remembered His words spoken here.]
9. *** (Conclusion), Many Jewish people therefore knew that He was there: and they
came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom He was
raised from the dead. [Many people who were coming up to Jerusalem for the
Passover had heard of this miracle, but were not present when it happened, so
they came to see both Jesus (the miracle-worker) and Lazarus, the one that they
had been told had been raised from the dead. They needed to see this miracle for
themselves.]
10. But the Chief Priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death. [Here
were the Chief Priests of God’s Holy Temple, plotting to kill Lazarus, as well as
Jesus, so that they could say that the miracle never happened. Here were the Chief
Priests actively plotting to break God’s commandments given to Moses (You shall
not Murder), by plotting to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, to protect their own
positions in society. In doing this action, they were also defiling the Temple.]
11. Because that by reasons of him (Lazarus), many of the Jews went away (from the
Temple), and believed on Jesus. [The people were following Jesus because they,
heard His teachings, saw the miracles, and remembered the Old Testament
Prophecies. The Chief Priests and the Pharisees, who should “know the Law” and
who should also recognise the fulfilment of prophetic statements, have failed to
recognise the truth about Jesus, that HE IS the Messiah. They are more interested
in their positions and status in the Temple and among the people. Pride comes
before the fall!]
12. On the next day (5 days before the Passover) cmany people were come to the
Feast (of Passover) when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. [Many
people (even estimated in the thousands) came to the Festival of Passover, when
they heard that Jesus, who had raised up a man from the dead, was coming to
Jerusalem.]
13. They took branches of palm leaves, and went forth to meet Him, and cried
“Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel, that comes in the name of the LORD.”
But this was not the first time that they had waved palm branches, as a victorious king
entered Jerusalem. It also happened in the 400 year “silent period”, as history recounts.
The 400 years of silence refers to the time between the Old Testament and New
Testament, during which, so far as we know, God did not speak— no Scripture was
written (except 1, 2 & 3 Maccabees ~ written between 150 > 100 BC.) The 400 years
of silence began with the warning that closed the Old Testament: “Behold, I am going

a
13:29 c
See verse 15; Mark 11:7-10; Luke
b
Matthew 26:12 Matthew 21: 4-9; 19:35-38
63
to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the
LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the
children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse" (Malachi
4:5-6) and ended with the coming of John the Baptist, the Messiah’s forerunner.
At the time of Malachi’s warning, about 430 B.C., the Jews had returned to Israel from
the Babylonian captivity (as merchants, not shepherds). The Medo-Persian Empire still
ruled Israel, and the temple had been rebuilt. Both the Law and the priesthood of
Aaron’s line had been restored, and the Jews had given up their worship of idols.
Nevertheless, Malachi’s warning was not without cause. The Jewish people were
mistreating their wives, marrying pagans, and not tithing, and the priests were
neglecting the temple and not teaching the people the ways of God. In short, the Jews
were not honouring God.
In 333 B.C., Israel fell to the Greeks, and in 323 B.C. it fell to the Egyptians. The Jews
generally were treated well throughout those reigns, and they adopted the Greek
language and many of the Greek customs and manners, and in Egypt the Old Testament
was translated into Greek. That translation, the Septuagint, came into widespread use
(and is quoted frequently in the New Testament).
Jewish law and the priesthood remained more or less intact until Antiochus the Great of
Syria captured Israel in 204 B.C. He and his successor, Antiochus Epiphanes, persecuted
the Jews and sold the priesthood, and in 171 B.C. Epiphanes desecrated the Holy of
Holies. This desecration resulted in an uprising by Judas Maccabeus of the priestly line
of Aaron, and in 165 B.C., the Jews recaptured Jerusalem, and cleansed the
temple. However, fighting continued between the Jews and the Syrians until the
Romans gained control of Israel in 63 B.C., at which time Pompey walked into the Holy
of Holies, once again shocking and embittering the Jews. In 47 B.C., Caesar installed
Antipater, a descendant of Esau, as procurator of Judea, and Antipater subsequently
appointed his two sons as kings over Galilee and Judea.
As the New Testament opens, Antipater’s son, Herod the Great, a descendant of Esau,
was king, and the priesthood was politically motivated and not of the line of
Aaron. Politics also resulted in the development of two major factions, the Sadducees
and the Pharisees. The Sadducees favoured the liberal attitudes and practices of the
Greeks. They held to only the Torah as regards religion but like most aristocrats they
did not think God should have any part in governing the nation. The Pharisees were
conservative zealots who, with the help of the scribes, developed religious law to the
point where the concerns and care of people were essentially meaningless. Additionally,
synagogues, new places of worship and social activity, had sprouted up all over the
country, and religious and civil matters were governed by the lesser and the greater
Sanhedrin’s, the greater Sanhedrin being comprised of a chief priest and seventy other
members that handed out justice, sometimes by 39 lashes administered with full
force. Between the time of Malachi and the coming of the Messiah, several prophecies
were fulfilled, including the 2,300 days of desecration between 171 and 165 B.C. (Daniel
8:14). However, the people did not put to good use either the fulfilled prophecies, nor
the 400 years the nation was given to study Scripture, to seek God (Psalm 43-44), and
to prepare for the coming Messiah. In fact, those years blinded and deafened the nation,
to the point where most of the Jews could not even consider the concept of a humble
Messiah. (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 6:10; John 12:40). Almost two millennia have passed
since the New Testament canon was completed, and though the Word is full of grace
and truth, and though the birth, life, and death of Jesus, fulfilled a staggering array of
prophecies, the Jews as a people, have yet to open their eyes and ears. But Jesus is
coming again, and one day, a remnant will both see and hear.
14. And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15. ‘Fear not, adaughter of Zion, behold the King comes, sitting on an ass’s colt.’
16. bThese things understood not His disciples at the first: BUT when Jesus was
glorified, THEN they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that

a
Zechariah 9:9 b
Luke 18:34
64
 they had done these things unto Him. [Even though it was written in the scriptures
that this would take place; when it actually happened, they did not recognise the
event, nor its significance. Even today, events are happening in the heavens, on
the earth, and under the earth ~ all around us, which fulfills prophecy, and points
us to the next events to happen on the earth; but just like the disciples, many
Christians do not connect the dots, when these events take place, and are thus
not prepared for the events which comes next.]
17. *** (Conclusion), The people therefore that was with him, when He called Lazarus
out of the grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18. a
For this cause the people also met Him, for that they heard that He had done this
miracle.
19. *** (Conclusion), The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “bPerceive you,
how you prevail nothing? Behold, the world has gone after Him.”
20. And there were certain cGreeks among them dthat came up to worship eat the
Feast. [These were Jews living in Greece, and proselytes from Greece]
21. *** (Conclusion), The same came therefore to fPhilip, which was of Bethsaida of
Galilee, and desired him, saying, “Sir we would see Jesus.”
22. Philip comes and tells Andrew: and Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. [There were
thousands which had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, and many of
them wanted to see Jesus as well; but here we have Greeks who want to jump the
queue, and get preference, by talking to a Greek speaking disciple; but it does not
work.]
23. And Jesus answered them saying, “gThe hour is come, that the Son of man should
be glorified.
24. “Verily, verily, I say unto you; hExcept a corn (grain) of wheat fall into the ground
and die, it abides alone: but if it dies, THEN it brings forth much fruit.
25. “iHe that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall
keep it unto life eternal.
26. [CP] “[IF] any man serves me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also
My servant be: [THEN] if any man serves Me, him will My Father honour. [If you
serve Me, and follow Me, and obey all-of My commandments and teachings;
wherever I am, you will be there also. If any man serves Me, My Father in Heaven
will recognise him, and honour him.]
27. “jNow is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? “Father, save Me from this hour:
but for this cause came I into this hour. [Jesus gives us a great example here;
when our souls are troubled, we should turn to God in prayer, because we cannot
solve these problems in our own strength.]
28. “Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both
glorified it; and will glorify it again.”
29. *** (Conclusion), The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that “it
thundered”: others said, “An angel spoke to Him.”
30. Jesus answered them and said, “kThis voice came not because of Me, but for your
sakes.
31. “Now is lthe judgement of this world: now shall mthe prince of this world be cast
out! [Now God is going to judge this world and the Prince of this world will be
defeated and cast out.]
32. “And I, if I be nlifted up from the earth, I owill draw all men (and women, and
children) unto Me.” [Jesus prophetically states how He is going to die; but still His
disciples don’t get the message.]
33. This He said, signifying what death He should die. [When the original prophecy
about Christ’s method of death was pronounced, in Isaiah 53, this method of death
did not even exist!]

a
See verse 11. e
11:55: 1:12 i
Matthew 10:39 m
14:30; 16:11
b
11:47 f
1:44 j
Matthew 26:38,39 n
3:14; 8:28
c
7:35 g
7:30 k
11:42 o
6:44
d
Acts 8:27 h
1 Corinthians 15:36 l
16:11
65
34. The people answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that Christ abides
forever: and how says you, ‘The son of man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son
of man?” [The people were confused because what Jesus was saying seemed to
be contrary to the Book of the Law; but it wasn’t; they just did not have the
spiritual revelation of what He was saying, in the spiritual realm.]
35. Then Jesus said unto them, “Yet a little while athe light is with you. bWalk while
you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for che that walks in darkness
knows not where He goes. [For a little while longer, the light is here with you,
therefore walk while you have the light, so you can see where you are going,
otherwise the darkness will come upon you, and when that happens, you will not
know where you are going. Jesus was giving them a spiritual warning.]
36. “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you maybe the children of light.”
These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and ddid hide Himself from them. [While
I am still among you, believe in Me, that you may be the children of light, because
I AM the Light.]
37. But although He had done so many miracles, before them, yet they believed not
on Him:
38. That the sayings of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, ‘Lord,
e
who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been
revealed?’ [Lord, who of them have believed your miracles, and your teachings,
and your parables? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed, that you
are The Messiah?]
39. *** (Conclusion), Therefore, they could not believe, because Isaiah said again,
40. ‘He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; that they should not see
with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I should
heal them’. [God has blinded their spiritual eyes, and hardened their hearts, so
that they cannot see the truth, nor understand in their spirits, and be converted
from the darkness to the light, that I can heal them of their sins.]
41. These things said Isaiah, fwhen He saw His glory, and spoke of Him. [These were
the words that Isaiah spoke, when He saw the Glory of the Lord.]
42. Nevertheless, among gthe chief rulers, also many believed on Him; BUT because
of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him, lest hthey should be put out of the
synagogue. [Just like today, we have many “silent Christians”, who are afraid to
confess their faith in Jesus Christ, because they do not want to be ostracized by
their friends and their work colleagues. But Jesus said, “If you confess Me before
the world, I will confess you before My Father, but if you don’t, THEN I will not
confess you before My Father. He also said, “Get away from Me, because I DO NOT
KNOW YOU!” Today we have to make a choice! Are we going to actively promote
Jesus Christ, or are we going to sit and say nothing? Saying nothing means we are
NOT supporting Jesus Christ!]
43. For they loved the praise of men MORE THAN the praise of God. [As the chief rulers
of the people and the Temple, these “silent believers” loved the praises of men,
more than the praise of their God. They were “silent believers”: they definitely
were not Disciples ~ disciplined one, who were prepared to “GO” and “MAKE” more
“DISCIPLES. Today, Christians have to make that choice: are you a “silent
believer”? Or are you a “Disciple” ~ a disciplined one?]
44. Jesus cried out and said, “He that believes on Me, believes not on Me, but on Him
that sent Me.
45. “And iHe that sees Me, see Him the sent Me.
46. [P] “jI AM come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on Me, should not
abide in darkness.

a
1:4, 9 d
8:59; 11:54 g
3:1; 7:48 j
3:19
b
Ephesians 5:8 e
Isaiah 53:1 h
9:22
c
11:10; 1 John 2:11 f
Isaiah 6:1 i
14:9
66
47. [P] “If any man hears My words, and believe not, aI judge him not: for bI came not
to judge the world, but to save the world.
48. [P] “He that rejects Me, and receives not My words, has one that judges Him: cthe
word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49. [C] “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.
50. [P]*** (Conclusion), “And I know that His commandment is life everlasting:
whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak. [Jesus
makes it very clear in these verses, that He is the messenger, sent from God, and
that he speaks nothing of Himself. He only speaks what His Father commands Him
to speak. Those people, who believe what they hear and follow Him; His Father
promises eternal life: However, those people who hear these words, and reject
them; Those same words will judge them on the last day; Because Jesus IS the
Word, made flesh, which came and dwelt amongst us: and He will judge the word
in the last days, at the White Throne Judgement.]

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CHRIST’S HUMILITY ~ THE TRAITOR REVEALED

1. NOW, dbefore the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come,
that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own
e
which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. [In the other gospels, more
attention is attached to this Last Passover Supper with His disciples, (not with His
own family) which had occurred in the previous two Passover meals during His
ministry, and for the previous thirty years of His life, growing up.]
2. And supper being ended, fthe devil, having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot,
Simon’s son, to betray Him; [Up until this point in Judas’s life, he has been listening
to Jesus, has seen the miracles, has had the Holy Spirit breathed upon him, just
like the rest of the disciples, and gone out with the 72 people (the 12 disciples,
with each having 5 “disciples in training”), to prepare the way for Jesus to come
into those towns and cities. Now in this chapter we see “the devil” being allowed
to test the disciples. Here, Satan puts the idea into the heart of Judas to betray
Jesus. It is part of God’s plan, for the salvation of the world.]
3. Jesus, knowing that the Father has given all things into His hands and that He
was come from God, and went to God. [In this verse, we have “an apparent” Bible
contradiction, because here it says that the Father has given ALL THINGS into His
hands: but in Matthew chapter 24:36 it says, “But of that day and hour knows no
man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”.
One thing the Father held back from His Son, (and all-of creation) was the day,
and the hour, that Jesus is to return to this earth, (after the last martyr has been
killed), to fight against the armies at Armageddon, and to sit on His throne in
Jerusalem for 1,000 years. Even Satan does not know when this is going to
happen.]
4. He rises from supper, and laid aside His garments: and took a towel, and girded
Himself.
5. After that, He had poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet,
and to wipe them with the towel, wherewith He was girded. [Here Jesus did
something that He had never done to His disciples. Here, Jesus was declaring to
His disciples, by His actions that He was “the Servant of the LORD” spoken of in
the scriptures in Ezekiel and Isaiah, and that He would suffer to bring salvation
unto the world. Did His disciples understand what He was doing at this time? NO!
which is made clear in the next verses.]

a
8:15 d
12:1, 12, 20 f
6:70; Compare with
b
3:17 e
17:11 Matthew 26:14;
c
Deuteronomy 18:19 Mark 14:10
67
6. Then He comes to Simon Peter: and aPeter says unto Him, “LORD, do you wash
my feet?”
7. Jesus answered and said unto him, “What I do you know not now, but you shall
know hereafter.” [You do not understand what I am doing now, as I wash your
feet for service, but your will clearly understand the meaning of what I am doing
in the future.]
8. [CP] Peter says unto Him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him,
“b[IF] I wash you not, [THEN] you have no part of Me.” [ [IF] you don’t allow me
to wash your feet, [THEN] you do not belong to Me. My Father in Heaven, who
sees everything is watching as I anoint and claim each of you, as MY disciples. In
chapter 17 He refers to them again.]
9. Simon Peter says unto Him, “cLord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my
head.” [OK Lord, I’m all in! Wash not only my feet, but my hands and my head
also.]
10. Jesus says to him, “He that is washed, needs not save to wash his feet; but is
clean everywhere: and you are clean, but not all.” [If I wash your feet, your whole
body, soul and spirit are all clean. But sadly, not all-of you here clean, for Jesus
knew already, even from the time 3 years earlier, when He selected His disciples,
whom it was who would betray Him.]
11. *** (Conclusion), For He knew who should betray Him: therefore, He said, “You
are not all clean.” [Right throughout His ministry, when Jesus was confronted with
sin, sickness, or disease, He dealt with it, there and then: casting it out, and
making the people whole. But here, Jesus knows that Judas will betray Him: but it
is part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world, so He stays His hand.]
12. So, after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was sat down
again, He said unto them, “Do you know what I have done to you?” [Do you
understand the spiritual significance of what I have just done for you?]
13. “You call me Master, and LORD: and you say well; for so I am.
14. “[C] IF I then, your LORD and Master, have washed your feet; dyou ought to wash
one another’s feet.” [If I, your Lord and Master, can become a humble servant,
and wash your feet, then you must also learn to do the same, to one another.]
15. “For I have given you and example, ethat you should do, as I have done.” [Jesus
confirms here once again that He has given them and example for them to follow.
If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all.]
16. [C] “Verily, verily, I say unto you, “fThe servant is not greater than His LORD:
neither is He that is sent, greater than He that sent Him.” [Jesus a makes a clear
line of authority here. The servant is not greater than Him Lord, nor is the LORD,
greater than His Father who sent Him.]
17. [CP] “[IF] you know these things, [THEN] happy are you if you do them”. [This
Conditional Promise makes it very clear.
• If you want to happy,
• Learn God’s word,
• Understand God’s word, and
• Do God’s word.]
18. [P] “gI speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen, that the scripture maybe
fulfilled, hHe that eats bread with Me, has lifted up His heel against Me. [Old
Testament prophecy indicated that this would take place. Even my own familiar
friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up His heel against
me. Psalm 41:9 (NKJV). I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me
my wages; but if not, never mind!” So, they weighed out thirty shekels of silver
as my wages. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent
price, at which I was valued by them.” So, I took the thirty shekels of silver and

a
[g]~ The Greek says b
3:5; 1 Corinthians d
1 Timothy 5:10 g
See verses 10,11.
He (not Peter by 6:11 e
Matthew 11:29 h
Psalm 41:9
name) c
Luke 5:8 f
15:20
68
 threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Zechariah 11:12-13, (NASB)
Thirty pieces of silver was the price to be paid by a land owner, if one of his bulls
gored a servant, or member of the public. In this particular case, Jesus is gored
by a spear from a Roman soldier on the cross, from which both blood and water
came out.]
19. a
Now, bI tell you before it comes, that, when it comes to pass, you may believe
that cI am He. [Now, I want you to pay attention, as I am going to tell you what is
going to happen, before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may
believe that I AM the Messiah.]
20. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, dhe who receives whomsoever I send, receives Me;
and he that receives Me, receives the one that sent Me. [After I ascend, I will send
many people all over the world in My name; Those who receives the one I have
sent, receives Me; and if they receive the Son of God, they also receive the Father
who sent Him.]
21. When Jesus had said this, He ewas troubled in His Spirit, and testified, and said,
“fVerily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” [Jesus, like us,
can be troubled in His Spirit, which we both have. He testified, through revelation
knowledge, to His chosen discipled that one of them would betray Him.]
22. Then the disciples look one on another, doubting on whom He spoke. [They looked
at each other and thought; No, He is mistaken, it could never happen! But God’s
plans always come to Pass! Whether we agree with them or not!]
23. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom, one of Jesus’ disciples gwhom Jesus loved.
[Now Apostle John never mentions himself by name, although it was well known
that John was the disciple who rested his head on the bosom of Jesus, and Jesus
loved him. But don’t get misled. Jesus loves each of us equally, but He blesses us
according to the fruit that we create.]
24. *** (Conclusion), Therefore, Simon Peter beckoned unto him, that he should ask
whom it should be of whom He just spoke. [Peter beckoned John to ask Jesus who
it was that would betray Him. Notice He was too afraid to ask Jesus Himself ~ lest
Jesus answered and said it was Him, who would betray Him three times before the
cock crows.]
25. He (John) then lying on His breast said unto Him, “LORD, who is it?” [John asked
Jesus, “who is it that is going to betray you?”]
26. Jesus answered, “He it is, to whom I shall give a hsop, when I have dipped it,” And
when He had dipped the sop, iHe gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27. And after the sop jSatan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, “That you
do, do quickly.” [Now, some things to notice here. Jesus knew that it was going to
be Judas that would betray Him, from before the time He selected the 12
disciples, some three years before. His heart was not completely given over to
following Jesus. But as it says in this scripture, the “intent” to betray Jesus was
not in His mind before the sop was given to him. AFTER the sop was given to
him, Satan entered into Him. He is now completely demonic in his behaviour, to
fulfil the prophecies that “one of His friends” would betray Him. But do not be
deceived, Jesus the Son of God is still in control of these events as it is Jesus,
that is going to “willingly give up His life.” Zechariah prophesied that the
Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12). This
prophecy refers to the Apostle Judas’s betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver,
during the final week of the Savior’s mortal life (see Matthew 26:14–16). 30 pieces
of silver was the price that an owner of a bull, must pay to a servant, if he is gored
by the bull. Jesus came as a servant, and was gored whilst on the cross by a
Roman soldier, who speared Him in His side, and water and blood flowed out.]

a
[h]~ From e
11:33 h
[h]~ a morsel of j
Luke 22:3; see verse
henceforth f
Matthew 26:21; Mark bread, dipped in 2.
b
14:29 14:18 wine.
c
8:24 g
19:26; 20:2; 21:7, i
Matthew 26:25
d
Matthew 10:40 20
69
28. Now, no man at the table knew for what intent He spoke this unto him. [The other
disciples sitting at the feast did not understand the significance of the words that
Jesus spoke to Judas, at that time.]
29. For some of them thought, because Judas had the (money) bag, that Jesus had
said unto him, buy these things that we have need of against the feast; or, that
he should give something to the poor. [The other disciples thought Jesus gave him
instructions to buy for the needs during the feast, as the shops would all be closed.
Or remembering that Jesus had previously said “THE POOR will always be amongst
us”, He was sent out to give them a gift, so that they could buy provisions for the
feast.]
30. He (Judas) then having received the sop, went immediately out: and it was night.
[Evil is always plotted in darkness and executed in the light.]
31. *** (Conclusion), Therefore, when He was gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son
of man aglorified, and bGod is glorified in Him.
32. “If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall
straightway glorify Him. [Notice Jesus did not say, I am being betrayed and I have
to suffer a terrible death on the cross, for your sins. Jesus states that now He is
glorified. He is going to show the world how much God the Father loves His
children.]
33. “Little children, yet a little while, I AM with you. You shall seek Me: cand as I said
unto the Jews, ‘Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say unto you.” [Jesus is
now reminding His disciples of words that He has already spoken, so that after the
cross, death, resurrection and ascension, they will remember His words.]
34. [C] “A NEW Commandment I give unto you, that you shall love one another; as I
have loved you, that you also love one another.
35. [C] “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, [IF] you have love one
to another.
[Now this was a totally new concept for the Jews, who have been taught in Exodus
and in Leviticus, to love your neighbours, and hate your enemies, with a perfect
hate. Now Jesus was telling them to LOVE their enemies also? Jesus was telling
them to love their conquerors ~ the Romans? This was a radical new Teaching!]
So, the challenge for Christians today:
• Do people outside, in your daily life, know that you are a Christian, by
watching you fulfill this New Commandment?
• Do you love everyone in your Church? [Yes/No]
• Is there anyone that you hate? [Yes/No]
Like, the disciples, they had to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help them
change their attitudes to people. We have to do the same, to bring glory and
honour to Jesus.]
36. Simon Peter said unto Him, “LORD, dwhere are you going?” Jesus answered him,
“Where I am going you cannot follow Me now; but eyou will follow Me afterwards.”
[Jesus was telling Him, I am going to die, and you cannot come with me yet (before
the Holy Spirit comes upon the earth), But you will come with me after that event
takes place.]
37. [BP] fPeter said unto Him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my
life for your sake.” [Peter thought in his own mind that he was ready to lay down
his life for Jesus, but Jesus brings Peter up short, with the following prophecy.]
38. [P] Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Verily, verily I
say unto you, The cock shall not crow until you have denied Me three times.” [You
say that you are prepared to lay down your life for Me ~ well I am telling you that
before the cock crows, you will have denied Me three times!]

a
7:39 d
See verse 33; 14:5. f
See verses 37, 38;
e
21:18,19; 2 Peter Matthew 26:33;
b
14:13; 17:4 1:14 35:34; Mark 14: 29-
c
7:34,36; 8:21 31
70
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.

After stating in chapter thirteen that He is going to be betrayed by not one, but two of
His disciples, namely Judas; who betrays Him to the High Priest, and by Peter; who
denies Him 3 times, to the people around the fire, before the cock crows.
[One, without repentance, leads to death; and the other, with repentance leads to life.
From that backdrop, John opens this chapter 14 with this statement.

1. Let anot your heart by troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2. 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. [From a world view, you cannot have mansions
inside of a house; that does not make sense. Other translations, say that in my
Father’s house there are many rooms. That makes sense from a world view until
you realise that from the time of the first Pentecost until today in 2024,
approximately 2,000 years, there may be over 5 billion people, who are to be
called up to heaven. That has to be a very big house! But then again, if God can
make the universe, I am sure that He can make a very, very large house.]
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, bI will come again, and receive you unto
Myself; that where I am, there you maybe also. [[IF] Jesus knows you, [THEN] He
goes to prepare a place for you, and He promises that because He knows you, He
will come back for you. That is why elsewhere Jesus says; “Get away from Me, I
do not know you.”]
4. And where I go, you know, and the way you know.
5. c
Thomas said unto Him, “LORD, dwe do not know where you are going, and how
can we know the way?” [Lord, we don’t know where you are going, and therefore
how can we find the way to you?]
6. [P] Jesus said unto Him, I AM ethe way, (I AM) fthe truth, and (I AM) gthe
life, no man (woman or child), comes to the Father, hbut by Me (I AM).
[Jesus makes it very clear, He is the ONLY WAY, to the Father in heaven ~ not
through the Pope, not through Mary, not through Peter, or any of the other
Apostles. He is the only way! Anyone who tries to enter through any other way ~
will be rejected!]
7. [P] “[IF] you had known Me, you should have known My Father also: and from
henceforth you know Him, and have seen Him.”
8. Philip said unto Him, “LORD, show us the Father, and it suffices us.” [Philip says,
“LORD, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”]
9. Jesus said unto him, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet you have not
known Me Philip? iHe that has seen ME, has seen the Father; and why do you say
then, show us the Father?” [Philip; Don’t you recognise the Father in Me?]
10. “Believe you 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 dwells in Me, He does
the works.” [We are in Jesus; Jesus is in the Father; therefore, the Father is in us!]
11. “Believe Me, I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: jor else believe Me for the
very works sake. [IF you do not believe that the Father is in Me, and I in the
Father, at least believe in the Works that I do for His glory.]
12. [P] “Verily, verily I say into you, He that believes on Me; the works that I do, shall
He/she do also; and GREATER WORKS than these shall he/she do, because I go to
the Father. [Jesus makes it very clear that all-of the works that Jesus did during
His ministry on the earth, everyone that believes on Him, shall also be able to do
them. Then Jesus goes on to say that greater works that these shall He/she do,
because I go to the Father. So, every miracles that Jesus did, as recorded in the 4
a
16:6, 22, 33 d
13:36; 20:25 g
11:25
b
See verses 18,28; e
Hebrews 10:20; h
10:9
Acts 1:11 Ephesians 2:18 i
10:30; 12:45
c
11:16 f
1:17 j
5:36
 gospels, Jesus says we can do, IF we believe in Him. And greater miracles that
these can we do. A prime example occurs in the Book of Acts, where Philip baptises
the Ethiopian Eunuch and then is translated by the Holy Spirit to a new location
about 60 Kms away, where He continued to minister the word to others.]
13. [P] “aAnd WHATEVER you shall ask bin My name, that will I do, that the Father
may BE GLORIFIED, in the Son.” [We must all proclaim; I am going to do greater
things, because the word says so; so that the Father may be glorified in the Son!]
14. [CP] “[IF] you ask anything in My name, [THEN] I will do it! [Jesus reaffirms His
previous promise, so that HIS DISCIPLES & US, WILL HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT HIS
PROMISE!]
15. [C] “[IF] you love Me, [THEN] KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS! [Now we have the
problem: What are the commandments that Jesus gave to His disciples?
1) When you worship the Father, you must worship Him, in SPIRIT & in TRUTH.
(John chapter 4)
2) Love the Lord YOUR God, with all-of your heart, all-of your mind, and all-of your
strength, and love you neighbour as yourself! (Mark 12:30-31)
3) Love your enemy. (Matthew 5:44)
4) Tithe as per the New Covenant Teachings, of grace and generosity. This is
a separate subject which must be researched, and correctly taught to the Body of
Christ; because you cannot walk in two covenants. As Paul stated” if the Old
Testament was perfect, there would have been no need for God to promise a new
covenant in Jeremiah 31:31, and to enact that new covenant, at the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead.] (See Appendix # 1 at the end of this chapter).
16. [P] “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another cComforter, that He
may abide with you for ever;
17. [P] Even dthe 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. [In verse 16, Jesus Promises that the Holy Spirit will come, and abide with
us forever. He also states in verse 17, that the world cannot receive Him, because
they don’t recognise Him, nor do they want to receive Him; But born-again
Christians will receive Him and He will abide inside of our souls., and be our
permanent guide towards holiness & righteousness.]
18. [P] “I will not leave you ecomfortless: I will come to you.
19. “Yet a little while, and the world sees Me no more; But fyou see Me: gBecause I
live, you shall live also. [Jesus was prophesying His death, (the world will not see
Me), and His resurrection (but the believers will see Me), and because you see Me
and believe in ME, you shall live.]
20. “hAt that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21. [CP] “He that has My commandments, and KEEPS them, He it is the loves Me: and
he that loves Me, shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and manifest
Myself to him.” [This statement was not understood by the disciples, hence the
question in the next verse.]
22. i
Judas (not Iscariot) said unto Him, “LORD, how is it that You will manifest Yourself
unto us, and not unto the world? [How is it that you can reveal yourself to us and
not to the whole world?]
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, “IF a man loves Me, he will keep My words:
and My Father will love him, and WE will come unto him, and make OUR abode
with him. [Jesus makes it very clear in this verse that BOTH the Father and the
Son will come to that disciple and abide in Him. Of course, this will not happen to
those who do not believe.]
24. He that loves Me not, keeps not My sayings: and the word that you hear is not
Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me. [Now there are people who have “heard”

a
Matthew 7:7; c
See verse 26; 15:26; e
[h]~ Orphans; James g
1 Corinthians 15:20
15:7,16; 16:23,24 16:7. 1:27 h
16:23,26
b
Ephesians 2:18 d
15:26; 16:13 f
16:16 i
Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13
72
 about God, and may even “believe in God”, but Jesus makes it very clear in these
scriptures, that “hearing” & “believing” in not enough! If you do not “LOVE” God,
and “OBEY” God, then Jesus does not consider you to be one of His disciples. This
maybe a surprise to some Christians, who think that making a salvation prayer 20
years ago is enough to get them into Heaven. Jesus makes it very plain, that is
not the case. Disciples will be accepted ~ believers, will not! On the day of
“Choosing the Bride,” Jesus will pick the “disciples” and leave the “believers”
behind.]
25. “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.”
26. “But athe Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom bthe Father will send in My
name, cHe shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. [I am not going to leave you comfortless. My
Father is going to send The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be with you, and inside
of you, so that you will remember everything I have told you, and He will teach
you ALL Things, so that you understand completely why I was on the earth, and
what you are now to do in My name, after I return to My Father.]
27. “dPeace I leave with you, eMy peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [Jesus started
this chapter with these words, to reinforce them He repeats them here, near the
end of the same chapter.]
28. “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, ‘fI go unto My Father’: for gMy Father
is greater than I.”
29. [P] “And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it comes to pass,
you might believe.”
30. “Hereafter, I will not talk much with you: for hthe prince of this world comes, and
has nothing in Me. [Jesus tells them that Satan (the prince of this world) is coming
back to test Him once again, just like He did in the wilderness for 40 days and
nights, after He was baptised in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.]
31. “But that the world may know that I love My Father; and as the Father gave me
Commandment, even so do I, ‘Arise, let us go hence’.” [All-of this testing is so that
the world may know that the Father gave commandments to Me, and so I give
commandments to you; Therefore, let us are and go forth from here.]

APPENDIX #1: TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Tithing in the New Testament: What Does It Say?

What does the New Testament say about tithing? Is it a requirement, and should we
continue to give our money to the church? We look at Bible verses to answer your
questions!
To tithe or not to tithe – that is the question.
At some point, every Christian will face the question, of whether they choose to
tithe or not.
More important than relying on your bank account statement. or personal feelings about
tithing, however, is looking at biblical truth on tithing.
What does the New Testament say about tithing?
• What did Jesus say about tithing?
• What is the purpose of giving money to church anyway, and when did tithing
start in the church?

a
See verse 16, c
2:22; 12:16; 16:13: e
16:33; Philippians g
10:30; Philippians
b
Luke 24:49; see 1 John 2:20, 27 4:7; Colossians 3:15 2:6
verse 16. d
Luke 24:36; John f
See verse 12. h
12:31
20:19, 26;
73
In this guide, let’s clarify what the Bible actually said about tithing. We’ll unpack the
origins of “giving 10% of your money to God” to figure out how biblical and relevant
the practice is today.
What Does the Bible Say About Tithing One Tenth?
The first reference about tithing 10% in The Bible, is when God hands down the
Laws to Moses, which are included in the 613 Levitical Laws.
The verse about tithing one-tenth of your income is found in Leviticus 27:30: “‘A tithe
of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees,
belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” The 10% requirement specifically comes
from the Hebrew translation of tithe, “‫ ”עשר‬or “ten”.
Other passages also talked about tithing, such as the following:
• Numbers 18:26: “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from
the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of
that tithe as the Lord’s offering.” Even the Priests/Pastors, had to tithe from the gifts
that they had received from the people.
• Deuteronomy 14:22: “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce
each year.”
• 2 Chronicles 31:5: “As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave
the first fruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields
produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.”
So, does the Bible actually say to give 10%? Yes. Even before tithes were required by
Mosaic law, Abraham tithed once “of it all”, but no numerical number is specified at that
point in time (Genesis 14:20) and Jacob pledged to tithe all that he had (Genesis 28:22).
Later, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes for the Levites, temple operations,
and feasts, and the poor and unfortunate. In total, tithes came out to 20-30% of
incoming money, plus any additional voluntary giving of first fruit, and freewill
offerings, which we’ll detail in the next section.
Law of Tithes and Offerings
In the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, God
gave Moses the Law, that included instructions on how to generously give to God and
His people.
Here are some of the required tithings and offerings that the Israelites had to give:
• The First Tithe: All Israelite families were asked to give one-tenth of their
produce, flocks, and herds. That amount was set aside and given to the Lord
annually to support the Levites in their priestly service, as they had no other source
of income or land ownership (Leviticus 27:30-33 and Numbers 18:21-24).
• The Festival Tithe: Israelites, mainly in Jerusalem, had to give another tenth of
their resources to sponsor religious feasts and festivals throughout the year. These
events were grand religious celebrations, so the Israelites spared nothing to bring
thanks and praise to God (Deuteronomy 14:22-27).
• The Poor Tithe: Israelites had to give a tithe to the poor and needy, every
third year. It’s unclear whether this is a third full tithe, or the second Festival Tithe
was being donated to the poor that year (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), but there was
certainly a tithe set aside for the unfortunate.
The point of tithing is to support the ongoing work of God’s people. This is
different from the purpose of offerings, which was acted as a personal
thanksgiving and repentance of sins:
• Propitiatory Offerings: These offerings were meant as a material sacrifice to atone
for one’s sins, both known and unknown. There are two types in this category:
The Sin Offering mentioned in Exodus 29:14, 36, and Leviticus 4, and The Guilt
Offering mentioned in Leviticus 5:14 to 6:7. [These offerings are NOT the same.
Sin and Guilt are dealt with differently in the OLD Testament.]

74
• Dedicatory Offerings: These offerings reminded the Israelites of the ongoing
goodness of God. There were three types in this category: the Burnt Offering,
mentioned in Leviticus 1:3-17, the Cereal Offering, in Leviticus 2:1-16, and the
Drink Offering, in Numbers 28:14 and 29:6.
• Communal Offerings: These offerings include the Peace Offering, in Leviticus 3
and 7:11-26 and the Votive Offering, in Leviticus 7:16-17 and Numbers 6:21. A
vow often accompanies the Votive Offering.
What Does the New Testament Say About Tithing?

We’ve established that the Old Testament had a lot of tithing and offering rules, but
what does the New Testament say about tithing? After Jesus saved humanity from
eternal death, He introduced a new perspective on tithing and offerings (John 3:16).
Jesus endorses tithing – but expects His followers to exceed the righteousness of
the Scribes and Pharisees whom He encouraged to continue tithing (Matthew
23:23).
Here are the key ideas of the principle of giving in the New Testament:
• God owns everything, and His people are “money managers.” God continues
to give everything they need, including money (Matthew 6:33, and 1 Corinthians
10:26). In turn, they are to manage the money, so His blessings and generosity are
not wasted. Moreover, gaining money is only possible through Him, so Christians
MAY show (not MUST show) their gratitude by returning a portion to Him.
• Giving to God is the best antidote for materialism. Money can’t buy happiness!
Instead, happiness is gained by who a person has (God) rather than by what the
person has gained (things). “Command those who are rich in this present world not
to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth… But to put their hope in God, who
richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17)
• Christians are to give to the church in proportion to God’s provision. Instead
of asking, “How much is required?”, Christians are to ask, “How much can I give?”
Tithing in the Old Testament established rules for proportionate giving. Today,
anybody dedicated to Christ, should be able to offer an appropriate portion of their
wealth voluntarily to support the ongoing operations of their church.
Finally, a note on Hebrews 7, a passage that parallels Melchizedek–the priest to whom
Abraham gave one-tenth of what he had–to Jesus.
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham
returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth
of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also,
“king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy,
without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest
forever. (Hebrews 7:1-3)
The Old Covenant of keeping Laws to gain forgiveness is fulfilled in the New Covenant
of faith in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews makes it plain that Jesus is a High Priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek. The first tithe was given to Melchizedek by Abram.
Christians are children from the seed of Abraham. Jesus receives tithes from
believers who deem Him their High Priest, just as Melchizedek did from Abram.

Is Tithing 10%?
A dictionary definition of today, says that a tithe is a tenth, but it doesn’t have
any intrinsic spiritual value. But our dictionary does not give the definition of a tithe
at the time of Melchizedek. The tithe of the spoils Abram, gave could be interpreted
as "top of the heap." It was the first and best Abram had, and he decided to give it.
The reason that I make this statement should become clear. You can look up the
dictionary and get a definition for an aeroplane, BUT at the time of Melchizedek that
word had absolutely no meaning at all.
75
Likewise, you cannot put a word identified at the time of Moses, and try to make its
meaning retrospectively back to Genesis, BEFORE THE LAW WAS GIVEN!
Paul makes it clear that generosity should be cheerful and voluntary.
(2 Corinthians 9:6-7). We should not allow the Old Covenant law of tithing, to become
a stumbling block to embracing the New Covenant's behaviour of tithing with
generosity.
Some people may start at 1%, and work their way from there. The point is breaking
the curse of "love of money," through rearranging our priorities, on building the
Kingdom of God.
Eventually, EVERY CHRISTIAN will have to decide how valuable do they consider the life
that Jesus gave for their individual sins (both known & unknown), with the promise of
eternal life. Is it worth 1% of your income, or 10% of your income, or even 50% your
income? That is something each individual Christian must decide. But one thing is sure,
Jesus expects that you contribute, to His kingdom, be it money, skills, or time, or a
combination of all three.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE MUTUAL LOVE OF CHRIST & HIS MEMBERS

In this chapter we learn of the Attributes of the Godhead. In Isaiah 11:10, it was
prophesied that a slender root would rise up from the root of Jesse, (Christ) and in
Romans chapter 11, Apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians, are grafted into the
root of Jesse, through Christ, so that we make the Jews jealous, as we received the
blessings from God, that were originally destined for them.

1. “I AM athe TRUE vine, and My Father is the husbandmen. [Jesus says that I AM
the vine, and My Father is the husbandmen, the vine dresser, the one that looks
after the vine. We also learn that the Holy Spirit is the source of energy that flows
through the vine. So, in this series of scriptures we have the various attributes of
the three parts of the Godhead.]
2. “bEvery branch in me that bears not fruit, He (the husbandman) takes away; and
every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
[Every branch has an opportunity to bear fruit, because all-of the branches are
connected to the life-giving vine. But Jesus makes a clear distinction here. There
is a separation (like the sheep and the goats). If a branch does not bear fruit, then
the vinedresser, cuts off that branch, and leaves it in the sun to dry, before it is
thrown into the fire and burnt.
However, each branch that bears fruit, is carefully pruned, so that it bears more
fruit. In fact, in John 15:16 it says that our fruit must remain. It must not develop
and fall to the ground, but must ripen and be able to multiply.]
3. “Now, cyou are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you!”
4. “dAbide 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.” [No branch can bear fruit,
if it is not connected to its life-source. Jesus says that we, like the branch, cannot
bear good fruit, worthy of repentance, unless we are connected to OUR life-source,
which is Christ.]
5. [P] “I AM the vine, eyou are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the
same brings forth much fruit: for without Me, you can do nothing.” [Jesus says
that He is the root, and that we are the branches, that make up the “Tree of Life”;
And because we are connected to the life-source, we can bear fruit. But without
that connection, we can do nothing, except shrivel up and die.]

a
Psalm 80:8 c
13:10 e
Romans 6:5; 5:30; Colossians
b
Matthew 15:13 d
6:56 Ephesians 4:15,16; 2:19
76
6. “If a man abides not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and amen
gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [So, any man that
is not connected the Jesus, who does not bear the right sort of fruit, They will be
gathered up by men chosen by God for this task. And they will throw them into
the fire. God makes this distinction, because there are in life, trees that bear fruit,
but it is poisonous.
7th October was a good example; The Hamas terrorists bore fruit, but it was fruit
of the Devil, (rape, torture, and murder, of innocent civilians). And God says that
the penalty for that type of fruit will be capture (either in this life, or the one to
come) and being put into the fire of eternal destruction.]
7. [CP] “[IF] you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, [THEN] you shall ask what
you will, and it shall be done unto You. [So, this conditional promise has 2
conditions for us disciples: [IF], (1) WE must abide in Christ; and (2) The Words
of Jesus, MUST abide in US: [THEN] Jesus promises we can ask what we will, and
it shall be done unto you.]
8. “Herein is My Father glorified. that you bear much fruit; so, shall you be My
disciples. [Jesus makes it clear. His Father is glorified, not when you bear some
fruit, but only when you bear much fruit! It is only when you bear much fruit
that Jesus recognises you as one of His disciples. This relates to attitude of the
heart. People only bear some fruit, if they are only putting some of their effort
towards God’s work. Total commitment to God, results in total fruit.]
9. “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you: continue you in My Love. [The
Father loves Me with a total love. This same total love I have loved you. Therefore,
continue in My total love towards others.]
10. [P] “[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 do not keep My
commandments, the Love of God will not be in you.]
11. These things have I spoken unto you, thatbMy joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full. [If you love Jesus with all-of your heart, mind, and strength,
and obey His commandments, you joy will be full to overflowing; but if you do not
obey My commandments My joy will not be in you, and your joy will not be full;
there will always be an emptiness, a void which you are trying to fill.]
12. [C] “This is My commandment, cthat you love one another, as I have loved
you”. [Now, If you obey this commandment, you will not rob them, covert their
goods, kill them, or steal their wives, or any other thing against them.]
13. [C] “dGreater love has no man than this, ethat a man lay down his life for
his friends.” [How much do you love Jesus? He laid down His life for you: Are you
prepared to lay down your life, for your friends?]
14. “You are My friends, [IF] you do what whatsoever I command you.” [Many people
say that Jesus Christ is their Saviour, and He is their friend; But Jesus says that
you are only His friend [IF] you do whatsoever He commands you to do. IF the
Holy Spirit tells you to do something. For example; to go and speak to some
stranger in the street, Jesus will recognise you as His friend if you obey; however,
IF you do not obey this prompting from the Holy Spirit, Jesus (Himself) says, that
He does not consider you His friend anymore.]
15. “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his LORD does;
BUT I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father, fI have
made known unto you.” [From now on, I will no longer call you servants, for
servants do not know what their master does. I now call you friends and I have
not kept anything back from you. Whatever I have heard from MY Father, I have
passed on to you.]

a
Matthew 13:40-42 c
13:34; see verse 17. d
Romans 5:7,8; e
10:11
b
2 Corinthians 2:3 Ephesians 5:2 f
17:20
77
16. [C] “You have not chosen Me, but aI have chosen you, that you should go, and
bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that bwhatsoever that you shall
ask of the Father, in My name, He may give it to you.” [Many Christian believers
think that they decided to follow Jesus, but that is NOT the case. Jesus knew you
from before you were placed in your mother’s womb, and He chose you by name,
and according to His divine plan and His divine purpose. (Isaiah 43:1, Romans
8:28b) And He chose you to “GO” (action word) and bear good fruit that remains
(another action word). Jesus then goes on the say that whatsoever you ask the
Father in My name, He “MAY” give it to you. (Other translations leave no doubt.
They say He “WILL” give it to you.”)]
17. [C] “These things I command you, that you love one another.”
18. “IF cthe world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
19. *** (Conclusion), “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 hates you”. [If you are subject to hate and persecution, it is because the
world hates you; but rest assured, it hated Me before it hated you. If you were still
in the world (as an unbeliever), then the world would not persecute you, but would
love you. But because Jesus has taken you out of the kingdom of darkness into
His glorious light, Satan and his cronies want you back in their kingdom. That is
why they hate you. Warning: IF the world does not hate you, THEN the world does
not see you as a threat to the kingdom of darkness. This means that you are
ineffective AS A DISCIPLE!]
20. “Remember the Word that I said unto you, d‘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.
21. “But all-of these things shall they do unto you efor My name’s sake, fbecause they
know not Him that sent Me.
22. “IF I had not come and spoken unto them, gthey had not had sin: but now no
h
cloak for their sin. [If I had not come and spoken to them, their sins would have
remained covered; But now that I have come and spoken to them, there is no
cloak that is able to hide their sins from Me any longer.]
23. “He that hates Me, hates My Father also.” [So, it is a conditional love: You cannot
love Jesus, and hate His Father, or vice versa. You love both, or you hate both.]
24. “If I had not done among them ithe works which no other man did, that had not
had sin (revealed to them): but now they have seen and hated both Me and My
Father. [ Had I not come and did miracles among them, they would not have been
convicted of their unrighteousness: but now that their unrighteousness has been
uncovered, they hate Me and My Father, who sent Me.]
25. “But this comes to pass, that the word (of prophecy) might be fulfilled, that is
written in jtheir Law; kThey hate me without a cause.”
26. “But when lthe Comforter is come, mwhom I will send unto you from the Father,
even nthe Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me;
[I am sending the Spirit of Truth to you from the Father, He will be your Comforter
and He will testify to you of Me.]
27. [C] “And you shall also bear witness, because you have been with Me, ofrom the
beginning. [ And you shall be My witnesses, because you have been with Me from
the beginning of My ministry, as an ear witness and eye witness of the miracles
and the teachings.]

a
6:70 f
16:3 i
3:2; 7:31; 9:32; m
14:26
b
14:13; see verse 7. g
9:41 10:37 n
14:17
c
1 John 3:13 h
[h]~ Or, excuse for j
10:34 o
Luke 1:1; Acts 1:21
d
13:16 their sin! k
Psalm 35:19; 69:4
e
1 Peter 4:14,16 l
14:16
78
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE HOLY GHOST PROMISED TO THE DISCIPLES

1. “These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not abe offended.
[Elsewhere in scripture it says: And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be
offended in me. (Matthew 11:6). (Ephesians 4:31) warns, "Get rid of all bitterness,
rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour." When
we're offended, it's easy to talk negatively about the person who hurt us. The Bible
reminds us to avoid gossip and slander, and instead focus on resolving the issue
peacefully.
2. [P] “They shall bput you out of the synagogues: yes, the time is coming, cthat
whatsoever kills you will think that they do God’s service. [In Acts 1:8 the disciples
were told: “That you shall receive power when the Hoy Spirit comes upon you, and
you shall by My witnesses in Jerusalem (where they were) then Judea (the next
province,) then Samaria (the next province after that), and unto the ends of the
earth. But sadly, they did not willingly obey this instruction, so God raised up Saul
to persecute the (“Followers of the Way ~ later called Christians) and they fled for
fear of their lives, as stated in Acts 8:1 to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth, Just like Jesus Prophesied.]
3. [P] “And these things they will do unto you, because they have not known the
Father, nor Me.” [Because they do not recognise who the Father in Heaven is, or
Me, whom He sent, they will persecute you.]
4. [P] “But these things have I told you, (so) that when the time shall come, you may
remember that I told you these things, (before the took place.) And these things
I said not unto you sat the beginning, because I was (still) with you.” [I am telling
you all of these things now, so that when they happen you will remember this
prophecy, after I have gone again to My Father.]
5. [P] “But now dI go My way to Him that sent Me; and none of you asked Me; “Where
are you going?”
6. [P] “But because I have said these things unto you, esorrow has filled your heart.”
7. [P] “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for
if I do not go away, fthe Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will
send Him unto you.”
8. [P] “And when He is come, He will greprove (convince) the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgement:
9. [P] “hOf sin, because they believe not on Me;
10. [P] “iOf righteousness, because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more;
11. [P] “Of judgement, because jthe prince of this world is judged.
12. [P] “I have many yet many things to say unto you, kbut you cannot bear them
now.
13. [P] “Howbeit, when He, lthe Spirit of truth is come, mHe will guide you into ALL
truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He
speak; and He will show you things to come. [Jesus lays out in prophecy what is
going to happen to Him in the next few days, and then also what will happen when
the Holy Spirit comes, so that they will remember that He told them all-of this in
advance, so that they can recognise that these events are from God Almighty, not
from the deceiver, the evil one!
Likewise, today, we have to able to read the scriptures and understand that they
also identify events which are happening in our world right now, and other events
which are still about to happen; so that we can be prepared and ready for those
events, and not be swayed by deceiving spirits in the churches, or woke news from
the media. Know the truth, because the truth will set you free!]
14. [P] He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

a
Matthew 11:6 d
7:33; 13:3, 33; g
[h]~ Or, convince. k
Mark 4:33
b
9:22: 12:42 14:12, 28 h
Acts 2:36, 37 l
14:17
c
Acts 8:1; 9:1; e
14:1 i
Acts 17:31 m
14:26
26:9,11. f
14:16 j
12:31
79
15. *** (Conclusion), “aAll things that the Father has are mine: Therefore, said I, that
He (The Holy Spirit) shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” [Jesus is again
reminding them what He has just said in verse 13, “He will guide you into all truth,
and remember; I AM the Way, the truth, and the Life, no-one comes to the Father
except through Me. (John 14:6)]
16. “[P] “A little while, and you shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and byou
will see Me, because I go to the Father.” [In a little while ~ in just a few days’
time, I am going to the cross, and then I will willing give up my life for the sins of
this world, and three days after that, you will seem Me again, risen from the dead;
and then I will go back to My Father who sent Me to this earth. He told them what
would happen, but they did not understand it, and that is why we see them flee,
when it actually takes place; Until He is seen after the resurrection and then it
comes back to them what He had already spoken of before the cross.]
17. Then said some of His disciples amongst themselves; “What is this that He says
unto us; ‘A little while, and you shall not see Me, and again, in a little while, and
you shall see Me: and because I go to My Father’?” [From this statement it is very
clear that the disciples did not really understand the scriptures in Isaiah 53, which
foretold of these actual events, relating to Christ; nor the events described in
Psalm 22. But afterwards, they would remember His words, which have now come
to pass.]
18. *** (Conclusion), They said therefore, “What is this that He says; ‘A little while?’
We cannot tell what He says. [“What does He mean when He says, ‘in a little
while’? How long is a little while? What is He trying to tell us here?”]
19. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask Him, and said unto them, “Do you
enquire amongst yourselves of what I have said, ‘A little while, and you shall not
see Me: and then again, in a little while you shall see Me’?” [Are you asking these
questions amongst yourselves, because you do not understand what I am telling
you? Or is it because you don’t believe that this can possibly happen?]
20. [P] “Verily, verily I say unto you, that you shall weep and lament, but the world
shall rejoice, and you shall be sorrowful, BUT cyour sorrow shall be turned into
Joy.” [For 3 days you are going to weep, lament and mourn, but then when I
appear again, your mourning is going to be turned into Joy. The world will rejoice
because they think that they had defeated God and that now Satan can rule over
the earth, but they will be wrong!]
21. “A dwoman when she is in travail, has sorrow, because her hour has 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.”
22. *** (Conclusion), “And you now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again,
and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.”
23. [P] “And ein 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 to you.”
24. [P] “Hitherto you have asked nothing in My name: ask and you shall receive, fthat
your joy maybe full.” [Up until now, you have not asked anything in My name, But
I am telling you that If you do ask the Father in My name, you shall receive what
you asked for, and your joy maybe full. This promise is available to everyone who
believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and you have accepted Him as your
own personal Saviour.]
25. “These things have I spoken to you in gproverbs (parables): but the time comes,
when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs (parables), but I will show you
h
plainly of the Father.”
26. “At that day you shall ask in My name, and I say not unto you, that I will pray the
Father for you:

a
Matthew 11:27; John c
Matthew 5:4 f
15:11 h
7:13,26; 10:24;
17:10 d
Isaiah 26:17 g
[h]~ Or, parables. 11:14,54; 18:20
b
14:19 e
14:20
80
27. “For athe Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have bbelieved
that I have come out from God. [My Father knows you and loves you, because you
have loved Me, and you have believed that I was sent from God.]
28. “cI came forth from the Father and have come into the world: again, I leave the
world, and dgo to the Father. [As was prophesied, I was sent down from the Father
unto the earth, to make you aware of the Father; and now I will leave this earth
and go back to My Father in heaven.]
29. His disciples said unto Him, “Lo, now speak plainly, and speak no eproverbs.”
[Please speak plainly to us, so we can understand, not in parables.]
30. “Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask
you: by this we believe that you came forth from God.”
31. Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?”
32. “Behold the hour comes, yes, is now come, that fyou shall be scattered, gevery
man to hhis own (home), and shall leave Me alone: and iyet, I am not alone,
because the Father is with Me. [These verses were spoken to the 11 disciples,
because Judas Iscariot has left the group to go and visit the Temple, and arrange
the betrayal of Jesus.]
33. [P] “These things I have spoken unto you, that jin Me, you might have peace. In
the world kyou shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: lI have overcome the
world. [I have told you these things, so you will have peace, because I AM the
Prince of Peace; I am telling you that in the world you are going to face tribulation,
but rejoice, for I have overcome the world.]

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: JESUS PRAYS TO HIS FATHER FOR THE APOSTLES

& THE BELIEVERS

This chapter is the longest prayer of Jesus to His Father that is recorded in
scripture. It is not known whether John was the only one present to hear this
prayer, or that Jesus told them about this prayer later; or that the Holy Spirit
revealed it to John, like in the Book of Revelation. However, Chapter 18, verse 1,
seems to indicate that Jesus prayed this prayer over them, and then in
Matthew 26:30, it says they then sang a hymn and left and crossed over the to
Mount of Olives.
1. “These words spoke Jesus, and mlifted up His eyes, to heaven, and said, “Father,
n
the hour is come; oglorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify You.
2. “pAs you have given Him power over ALL flesh, that He should give eternal life to
q
as many as You have given Him. [As we have seen in John 15:16, we did not
choose Jesus ~ He chose us and commanded us to go and bear fruit that must
remain.]
3. “And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only rTRUE God, and Jesus
Christ, swhom You have sent. [The definition that Jesus gives for eternal life may
surprise some Christians, who think of eternal life as living with Jesus forever: but
in this scripture, Jesus defines eternal life as KNOWING the Father as the only
TRUE GOD, and that Jesus is the One that God sent to the earth. {IF} you know
the true God, {THEN} the truth about Jesus, as the Son of God, will also be
revealed to you; that He IS the Messiah!]
4. “tI have glorified You on the earth: uI have finished the work which You gave Me
to do. [Here Jesus says that I have finished the work that you gave Me to do. This
is said BEFORE THE CROSS. The works ON THE CROSS was the Father glorifying

a
14:21,23 h
[h]~ his own home n
12:23 s
3;34; 5:36,38; See
b
17:8 i
8:16,29 o
12:23,28; 13: 31,32 verses 8, 18, 21, 23,
c
8:42; 13:3 j
14:27 p
Matthew 28:18 25.
d
14:12 k
15:20 q
6:37; 18:9 t
13:31
e
[h]~ Or parables. l
Romans 8:37; 1 John r
1 John 5:20 u
19:30
f
Matthew 26:31 4:4; 5:4
g
21:1-3 m
11:41
81
 Himself through His Son, who even unto Death, obeyed the instructions of His
Father. (Not my will but thine be done).]
5. “And now, O Father, aglorify thou Me with thine own self, with the glory bwhich I
had with You, before the world was (created). [Now Father, give Me back the glory
that I had, when I was with You, when we created the universe.]
6. “I have manifested Your name unto the men cwhich You gave Me out of the world:
Thine they were, and You gave them to Me; and dthey have kept Your word. [These
12 men belonged to You, and You gave them to Me, so I could manifest Your name
to them, and give them the revelation of who the Father really is.]
7. “Now they ehave known that ALL things whatsoever You have given to Me are from
You. [All-of the things that You have given to Me, I have given to them. I have not
withheld anything from them.]
8. “For I have given them the words which You gave to Me; and they have received
them, and have surely known that I came from You, and they have believed that
You did send Me.
9. “fI pray for them: I gpray not for the world, but for them which You have given Me;
for hthey are Mine! [Jesus says He prays for all those that the Father has already
chosen for Him; Jesus says that He does not pray for the world, (the ones that the
Father has NOT given to Him), but only for those that belong to Him, for they are
His.]
10. “And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I am glorified in them. [Both
Jesus and the Father share equal ownership in the chosen saints.]
11. “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 You have given Me,
that ithey maybe one, jas we are (One). [Jesus prays this prayer BEFORE the cross,
and states that He is no longer in the world, and I come to You. He knows the end
from the beginning, and can already see the prize, beyond the cross and the
resurrection.]
12. “While I was in the world, I kept them in Your name, those that You gave Me I
have kept. And knone of them is lost, but lthe son of perdition; mthat the scripture
might be fulfilled. [While I was in the world, I guarded them that You gave Me,
and none of them are lost, except the son of perdition, who was chosen, so that
the prophecies maybe fulfilled, that I would be betrayed by one of My friends.]
13. “And now I come to You: and these things I speak in the world, that they might
have nMy joy fulfilled in themselves. [And now I come to You, and I speak these
things in the world before I come to You, so that My joy maybe fulfilled in them.]
14. “I have given them Your Word: and the world has hated them; obecause they are
not of the world (any longer); even as I am not of the world. [I AM the WORD, and
I have given Myself unto them, and the world has hated them, (because the world
first hated Me), as I am not of the world, nor am I under Satan’s control.]
15. “I pray that You should take not them out of the world, but that You should Keep
them from pthe evil. [I Pray that you do not take them out of the world, but that
you protect them from the evil in the world, and leave them in the world as a
witness for the words that I have spoken from You.]
16. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [They were born into
the world, but they are no longer of the world, as I am not of the world, they have
been changed, because they now believe in Me.]
17. “qSanctify them through your truth; ryour word is truth! [Sanctify them through
Your Truth, I Am the Word, I am the Truth, therefore sanctify them through Me.]

a
13:32 f
Luke 22:32 j
10:30 o
15:19
b
1:1,2 g
See verses 20, 21, k
18:9 p
Matthew 13:29
c
See verse 2. 23. l
2 Thessalonians 2:3 q
1 Peter 1:22
d
8:51 h
See verse 6 m
Psalm 109:7,8 r
15:3
e
6:69; 16:27,30 i
See verses 21,22. n
15:11
82
18. “aAs You have sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
[As You have sent Me into the world, to be a witness for You unto the world, so I
have sent them into the world to be a witness for You and for Me.]
19. “And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself; that they also might be sanctified through
the Truth.
20. “Neither pray I for these (disciples) alone, but for them also which shall believe on
Me through their word;
21. “That bthey all maybe ONE; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that cthey also
may be one in US: that the world may believe that You have sent Me. [That they
all may be One, as You Father and I are one; that they also maybe one in US, so
that the world may believe that You sent Me into the world with a salvation
Message, for all who will believe; both Jew and Gentile alike.]
22. “And dthe glory which You have given Me, eI have given them; that they may be
ONE, even as we are ONE:
23. “I in them, and You in Me, that fthey may be made perfect in One; and gthat the
world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved
Me.
24. “Father, I will that hthey also, who You have given Me, be with Me where I am;
that ithey may behold My glory, which You have given Me: for You loved Me, jbefore
the foundation of the of the world. [Father, I ask that you allow the disciples that
you have given Me, to be with Me wherever I am, so that they may see My glory,
the glory that You gave Me, even before the foundations of the world.]
25. “O righteous Father, the world has not known You: but I have known You, and
these (disciples) have known that You have sent Me.
26. “And kI have declared unto them Your name; and will declare it: that the love
l
wherewith You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: CHRIST APPREHENDED, BROUGHT TO CAIAPHAS

After praying the prayer in Chapter 17 to the Father, for the Apostles and for future
believers, we continue in chapter 18:
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, mHe went forth with His disciples over the
brook Cedron (also known as Kidron), where was a garden, into which He entered,
and His disciples. [Matthew, Mark & Luke all mention that they went across the
Cedron into the Garden, but only John records the Prayer itself.]
2. And Judas (Iscariot) also, which betrayed Him, knew the place: nfor Jesus often
times resorted there with His disciples.
3. o
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the Chief Priests and
Pharisees, comes here with lanterns and torches and weapons. [All-of this just to
arrest one man.]
4. *** (Conclusion), Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him,
went forth, and said unto them, “Whom do you seek?” [Jesus who knows the end
from the beginning, did not hide from them like a criminal does; No, He went out
to meet them, and asked them who they were looking for, because he had no fear
in Him.]
5. They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said unto them, “I AM He.” And
Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them.

a
20:11 f
1 John 2:5; John j
Ephesians 1:4: 1 n
Luke 21:37; 22:39
b
See verses 11,22; 4:12,17 Peter 1:20 o
See verse 11:
Romans 12:5; g
13:35 k
15:15 Matthew 26:47-56;
Galatians 3:28 h
12:26 l
15:9 Mark 14: 43-50;
c
See verse 11. i
2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 m
Matthew 26:30,36; Luke 22:47-53
d
1:14; see verse 24. John 3:2 Mark 14:26,32; Luke
e
Romans 8:30 22: 39
83
6. As soon then as He had said unto them, “I AM HE,” they went backwards (by the
power of His words), and fell to the ground. [By speaking just three words, Jesus
defeated the power of the enemy, sent to capture Him.]
7. The asked He them again, “Whom seek you?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8. *** (Conclusion), Jesus answered, “I have told you that I AM He: if therefore you
seek Me let these go their way: [Jesus told them twice that He is Jesus of Nazareth,
so then let the disciples go on their way.]
9. [P] That the saying might be fulfilled, which He spoke, “aOf them which you gave
Me have I lost none.” [Jesus had previously prayed to is Father that none of His
disciples would be lost, save the son of perdition, who would betray Him.]
10. 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.
11. [C] Then said Jesus unto Peter, “Put up your sword into the sheath: bthe cup which
My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” [Jesus was saying to Peter; Don’t
you understand that this is the cup that My Father has given Me to drink, so that
He may be glorified?]
12. Then the band and the captain of the officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound
Him. [Notice, in this gospel, John does not mention that Jesus picked up the fallen
ear, and replaced in on Malchus’ ear and healed the ear, before He was bound by
the men.]
13. And cled Him away to dAnnas first: for he was father-in-law to eCaiaphas, which
was the High Priest, fthat same yearg. [And Annas sent Christ bound unto Caiaphas
the High Priest.]
14. [FP] Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, hthat it was expedient
that one man should die for the people. [Caiaphas was a politician; He said it was
better for one man to die for the people, and to placate the Governor of Israel,
than for the Roman guards “to slaughter innocent Jews.”]
15. i
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: That disciple was
known unto the Hight Priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high
priest. [All 4 gospels record that Simon Peter followed Jesus to the Palace of the
High Priest, and John’s gospel recorded that he was also there (as the “other
disciple”), because John never records His name. John was known to Caiaphas and
that is why both Peter and John were allowed to enter in outer court of the Palace.
John was allowed to enter into the Palace itself.]
16. j
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that “other disciple” (John),
which was known unto the High Priest, and spoke unto her that kept the door, and
brought in Peter. [John used His influence to allow Peter to enter into the palace.]
17. Then said the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this
man’s disciples?” He said, I am not! [Peter denies Jesus the first time!]
18. And the servants and the officers stood there, who made a fire of coals: for it was
cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them and warmed
himself.
19. k
The High Priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine. [The High
Priest was trying to find something that He said, to use that against Him, but Jesus
answers in the following verses.]
20. Jesus answered Him, “I spoke openly to the world; I even taught lin the synagogue,
and min the Temple, where the Jews always resort, and in secret have I said
nothing. [You already know that I have taught in the synagogue, and in the
Temple, where the Jews come to listen to the message from God. Why not ask

a
17:12 g
[h]~ And Annas sent i
Matthew 26:58; Mark Mark 14:55-65; Luke
b
Matthew 20:22 Christ bound unto 14:54; Luke 22: 63-71
c
Matthew 26:57 Caiaphas the High 22:54 l
Luke 4:15; John 6:59
d
Luke 3:2 Priest. j
See verses 16,17. m
Matthew 26:55
e
Matthew 26:3 h
11:50 k
See verse 24;
f
11:49 Matthew 26:59-68;
84
 them what I preached? I made no statements in secret. I only made My statements
in public, for all-of the world to hear.]
21. “Why do you ask Me? Ask them that heard Me, what I have said to them: behold,
they know what I said.” [Why are you asking me these questions? Why not go and
ask the people in the synagogue and in the Temple what I said unto them; they
all know what I said, and I did not make any other statements in secret.]
22. And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus
a
with the palm of his hand, saying, “bAnswer you the priest so?” [How dare you
answer the priest like that!]
23. Jesus answered Him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well
why do you smite Me?” [If I have spoken evil, show me the evil I have spoken:
but if I have spoken well, without any evil, why do you smite Me? Jesus was
reminding Him that He is responsible for His actions, to one that is higher than the
High Priest.]
24. Now Annas had sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25. *** (Conclusion), And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore
unto him, “Are you not one of His disciples?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.”
[Peter denies Jesus the second time!]
26. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman cwhose ear Peter cut off,
says, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” [Aren’t you the guy that cut off
my relative’s ear, when we went to arrest Him?]
27. [FP] Peter than denied again: and immediately the cock crowed. [Peter denies
Jesus the third time, fulfilling the prophecy made by Jesus earlier the same
evening.]
28. Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into dthe hall of judgement: and it was early;
and they themselves went not into the judgement hall, elest they should be defiled:
but fthat they might eat the Passover. [If they had entered the hall of judgement
hall, they would have been defiled, and would not have been allowed to enter the
temple, until they had gone through the purification process of 7 days. This would
have meant that they would have missed the Passover Feast that year.]
29. g
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, “What accusation bring you against this
man?” [Pilate, understood the Israeli culture, came out of his house to them in the
courtyard, so that they would not defile themselves and could still attend the
Passover Feast.]
30. They answered and said unto him, “If he was not a malefactor (reprobate or
lawbreaker), we would not have delivered him up to you.” [We would not have
brought him to you unless He has committed a serious offence.]
31. *** (Conclusion), Then Pilate said unto them, “Take Him, and you judge Him
according to your law.” The Jews therefore said unto him, “It is not lawful for us
to put any man to death:” [It is not lawful for us to put Him to death, but we want
Him dead anyway!]
32. [P] That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spoke, hsignifying what
death He should die.
33. Then Pilate entered into the judgement hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto
Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34. Jesus answered Him, “Do you say this thing of yourself, or did others tell you this
of Me?” [Are you making this declaration from your own mind, or did someone else
say this fact to you?]
35. Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the Chief Priests have delivered
you unto me: what have you done?” [Don’t you realise that this is serious? Your
own nation and the Chief Priests have delivered you unto Me for sentence; What
have you done?]

a
[h]~ or, with a rod ~ b
Acts 23:4 e
Acts 10:28; 11:3. g
See verse 38;
which was more c
See verse 10. f
19:14 Matthew 27:11-14
likely. d
[h]~ Pilate’s House h
12:32,33
85
36. [CP] Jesus answered, “aMy kingdom is not bof this world: [IF] My kingdom was of
this world, [THEN] would My servants fight, that I should not cbe delivered to the
Jews: but now but now is My kingdom not from here.” [My kingdom is not of this
world; it is in another place in the universe. [If] my kingdom was of this world,
[then] My servants would come and fight to prevent Me being placed into the
hands of these Jews, who want to kill me, because at present My kingdom is not
of this world.]
37. *** (Conclusion), Pilate therefore said unto Him, “Are you a King then?” Jesus
answered, “dYou say that I am a king. eTo this end I was born, and for this cause
I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto fthe truth. gEveryone ‘that
is of the truth’ hears My voice.” [Pilate says to Him, I want a straight answer, Are
you a King? Jesus replied, You say that I am a King and for this purpose I was
born into this world, to bear witness to the truth. Anyone who has truth in their
hearts, will hear My voice and recognise this truth.]
38. Pilate says unto Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, He hwent out
again unto the Jews, and said unto them, “I find in Him, no fault at all.”
39. *** (Conclusion), “But you have a custom, that I should release unto you one at
Passover: will you therefore that I release unto you ‘the King of the Jews’? [Pilate
comes out to the High Priests and says that He finds no fault in this man, who you
say is the King of the Jews. But Pilate reminds them of the custom at Passover. He
was referring to the custom where the High Priest takes two goats, draws lots and
selects one, upon whom he lays his hands, prays for the forgiveness of the sins of
the nation and releases that goat out into the wilderness. The remaining goat is
then killed and offered up to God Almighty, as a sacrifice for the nation. This also
confirms what the High Priest had previously stated that one man should die to
save the whole nation.]
40. Then cried they all again, saying, “Not this man, but Barrabas. Now Barrabas was
a robber. [Here we have the situation; If you know the truth, the truth will set you
free. But sadly, the Chief Priest and his followers were blinded of this truth. So,
they selected the “innocent one” to be killed, to take away the sins of “the evil
one.” Jesus was actually going to die in the place of Barrabas, the one whose crime
was worthy of crucifixion. Barabbas should have been crucified along with the other
two robbers who were on the cross with Jesus! According to worldly laws, there
should have been 3 robbers crucified on the cross, But God Almighty is supreme,
His plans always come to pass. Jesus is willingly going to the cross for all-of the
other sinners throughout time, since the sin of Adam, so that once again we can
be reconciled back to God Almighty, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.]

CHAPTER NINETEEN: THE CRUCIFIXION, PIERCING, & DEATH OF

CHRIST

Pilate, after making the decision in Chapter 18 to crucify Christ, instead of Barrabas, “to
kill the innocent, to protect the guilty”, we move to a momentous event in the history
of the Universe ~ a once in a universe event! It has never happened before, and it will
never happen again.
1. *** (Conclusion), Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him. [The
dictionary says scourge, means to use a whip to inflict punishment or torture.]
2. And ithe soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and they put it on His head, and they
put on Him ja purple robe,
3. And said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they smote Him with their hands. [They
mocked Him, they put a crown of thorns on His head, and dressed Him in a purple
Robe, both signs of royalty, but they scourged Him, showing that they were

a
6:15 d
Matthew 27:11 g
1 John 3:18,19 i
See verse 5;
b
8:23 e
12:27 h
See verse 33. Matthew 27:27-29
c
19:16 f
17:17,19 j
See verse 5.
86
 mightier than He was, but He withheld His power from them, to fulfill God’s plan
for the salvation of the world.]
4. *** (Conclusion), Pilate therefore awent forth again, and said unto them, “Behold,
I bring Him forth to you, that you may know that bI find no fault in Him. [Pilate
was a weak Governor, making decisions to protect His own position with the
Emperor, not ruling the people with true justice. Twice He has stated that He finds
no fault in Jesus, yet He allows the soldiers under His command, to torture Him
with a whip, make a crown of thorns and place it upon His head, and dress Him in
a purple robe, all actions to humiliate Him.]
5. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And
Pilate says unto them, “Behold the man!” [Notice that Pilate makes no comment
about his beatings, or His crown of thorns, or His purple robe, or that He is a King;
but He says, “Behold the man!” Even today, unrighteous kings and dictators try to
get away with murder ~ but God the Father is watching their every move, both in
the light, and also in the darkness.]
6. *** (Conclusion), When the Chief Priests therefore and the officers saw Him, they
cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” Pilate says unto them, “Take Him
and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him.” [This is the third time that Pilate states
that he finds no fault in Him; but he bows to the pressure of the crowd, fearful
that they may send an unfavourable report to Ceasor in Rome, and He will lose
him position as Governor of Jerusalem and Judea.]
7. The Jews answered Him and said, “cWe have a law, and by our law He ought to
die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”
8. *** (Conclusion), When Pilate therefore heard that saying, dhe was more afraid.
[Now they were not just saying that he was King of the Jews; but they were now
saying He is the Son of God. This is more serious, because He has allowed His
soldiers to torture Him.]
9. And (Pilate) went again into the Judgement hall, and said unto Jesus “Whence
(which means ~ from what place) are you?” But Jesus gave no answer. [“Tell me
plainly, from where are you come from?” But Jesus did not answer.]
10. Then said Pilate unto Him, “Speak you not unto me?” Do you know that I have
power to crucify you, and also have power to release you? [“Why don’t you answer
me? Don’t you understand as the Governor of Jerusalem and Judea, I have the
power to order your execution, or to set you free?”]
11. *** (Conclusion), Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me,
except it were given to you from above: therefore, he that delivered Me unto you,
has the greater sin. [You have no power at all against Me, unless it was given to
you from My Father in Heaven above; Therefore, the Chief Priest who has delivered
Me unto you has the greater sin. Notice that Jesus does not absolve Pilate of His
sin, He just says that the Chief Priest’s sin is greater than His.]
12. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release Him: but the Jews cried out, saying,
“If you let this man go, you are not Ceasar’s friend; whosoever makes himself a
king speaks against Caesar.” [The Jewish leaders, who were supposed to be
righteous; teaching the correctness of the Law to the Jewish nation, were in fact
blackmailing Pilate, with threats, that [IF] he let Jesus go free, [THEN] he was no
friend of Caesar, and was supporting someone who was claiming to be a king, in
the land that is ruled by Caesar.]
13. *** (Conclusion), When Pilate therefore heard that saying, ehe brought Jesus
forth, and sat down in the judgement seat, in a place that is called the pavement,
but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14. And it was fthe preparation of the Passover, and about gthe sixth hour (midday):
And He said, “Behold your King!”

a
18:38 d
Matthew 27:19 f
Matthew 27:62; John g
Mark 15:25
b
See verse 6. e
See verse 9 18:28; see verses
c
Leviticus 24:16 31,42.
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15. 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.” [Here we have apostate Judaism; the Chief Priests (plural); all who
have been ordained and appointed to their offices, to teach the Jews about
“Elohim”, the God of Creation, the “giver of the Law to Moses”, and His Word to
the Prophets, are now turning their backs on the Son of God ~ whom they should
have all recognised, as the fulfilment of many of those same prophecies, that they
had already studied; now in unity (but the wrong unity) crying out for His
crucifixion.]
16. *** (Conclusion), Then delivered he (Pilate) Him therefore unto them to be
crucified. And athey took Jesus and led Him away.
17. And He, bbearing His cross, went forth into a place called the place of the skull,
which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.
[Now, many people believe the stories
that, Jesus was crucified on the Hill
called mount Calvary, but in fact is it
was called “Golgotha”, which is a
quarry. The reason it was called the
“place of the skull”, was because the
quarrymen had selected different parts
of the quarry to take out rock leaving
holes in the quarry face, that made it
look like a very large skull. This a
picture is very much the same as when
I was there in 1995, teaching at the
Centre for Biblical studies in Jerusalem.
I have seen this place.]
18. Where they crucified Him and two others with Him, one either side and with Jesus
in the middle. [This is where Barabbas should have been!]
19. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was, cJESUS OF
NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. [Pilate was proclaiming the truth, and the
Jews were proclaiming the lie. As the scripture says, in the last days, LIES will be
promoted as TRUTH, and TRUTH will be ridiculed as LIES. Anyone promoting the
actual TRUTH will be persecuted and even killed.]
20. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was
near to the city; (the old city inside the walls) and it was written in Hebrew, and
Greek and Latin.
21. 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’.”
22. Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” [I will not change my
proclamation. He is what He says He is!]
23. dThen the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made
four parts, to every soldier a part; and his coat; now the coat was ewithout seam,
f
woven from the top throughout.
24. *** (Conclusion), [FP] 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
says, ‘gThey parted His raiment among them, and for My vesture they did cast
lots’. These things therefore the soldiers did. [King David was born around 1,000
BC and reigned for 40 years; so, this psalm was written approximately 1,000 years
before the crucifixion took place. Consider the detail of God’s plans, that He even
prophecies the little things about clothing up to 1,000 years before they take place.
This gives us confidence that each and every prophecy that has been recorded In

a
Matthew 27:31; c
Matthew 27:37 f
[h]~ Or wrought, it
Mark 15:20; Luke d
Matthew 27:35; Mark was woven in one
23:26 15:24; Luke 23:34 whole piece.
b
Luke 14:27 e
Exodus 28:32 g
Psalm 22:18
88
 scripture will actually take place, exactly on time, according to God’s Divine Plan
and Purpose. So, If God has said in His word, that he has called us each by name,
and according to his divine plan and purpose, we had better believe it!]
25. a
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary,
the wife of bCleophas (Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. [So, to avoid confusion, let
us identify the three women.
1. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who was married to Joseph, but now is a widow.
2. Mary, the wife of Cleophas (also called Mary),
3. And Mary Magdalene
26. *** (Conclusion), When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing
by cwhom He loved, He said unto His mother, “dWoman, behold thy son!” [At this
stage, all-of the other disciples have fled. John and the women are the only ones
mentioned, who were there because they were His followers ~ except Joseph of
Arimathea, his secret disciple. Jesus, knowing how each of the apostles would be
killed in the coming few years, and also knowing that John would be the only
apostle who would die a ‘natural death’, assigned the responsibility to John to care
and provide for His mother, for the rest of her life.]
27. Then said He to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And from that hour, that disciple
to her unto His own home. [John accepted the responsibility immediately to
become the protector and provider of Mary, the mother of Jesus, for the rest of
His life.]
28. [FP] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that ethe
scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.” [Psalm 69:21 prophesied that they
would give Him Vinegar to drink.]
29. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and fthey filled a sponge with vinegar,
and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth.
30. *** (Conclusion), [FP] When Jesus had therefore received the vinegar, He said,
“gIT is Finished”: and He bowed His head, and (willingly) gave up the Ghost.
[We have to understand that the Romans did not kill Jesus on the cross; The Jews
did not kill Jesus on the cross; Because Jesus who is “the Life”, who has control
over Life and Death, willingly gave up His own life, for the ransom of many, so that
all-of the prophecies about Jesus could be fulfilled, and we could be reconciled
back to the Father, through the suffering of the Son.]
31. *** (Conclusion), The Jews therefore, hbecause it was the preparations (of the
Passover Feast), that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath
Day, (for the Sabbath Day was a High Day), besought Pilate that their legs might
be broken, and that they might be taken away. [They requested that the legs be
broken which then causes the body to slump downwards, making it more difficult
to breathe and hence speeding up the person’s death.]
32. Then came the soldiers and broke the legs of the first (robber), and of the (other
robber) that was crucifies with him.
33. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they broke not
His legs:
34. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out
i
blood and water.
35. And he (John) that saw it, bare record, and his record is true: and jhe knows that
He says true, that you might believe.
36. [FP] For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, ‘kA bone of
Him shall not be broken.’
37. [FP] And again another scripture says; “lThey shall look upon the one they have
pierced.
a
Matthew 27:55,56; c
13:23 g
17:4 k
Exodus 12:46;
Mark 15:40; Luke d
2:4 h
See verses 14,42; Numbers 9:12; 1
23:49 e
Psalm 69:21 Mark 15:42 Corinthians 5:7
b
[h]~ Also called f
Matthew 27:48; Mark i
1 John 5: 6,8 l
Zechariah 12:10;
Clopas. 15:36; Luke 23:36 j
21:24 Revelation 1:7
89
38. *** (Conclusion), And after this, Joseph of Arimathea, 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. [Now Joseph of Arimathea, was a Pharisee, of the Sanhedrin, who came to
Jesus, and became a secret believer. He kept his belief in Jesus a secret, because
he feared persecution amongst the Pharisees; If they found out that He was a
believer of the Messiah. In fact, like Apostle Paul, He was a Messianic Jew, before
that name was even invented.]
39. And there came also aNicodemus, which at the first came by night, and brought a
mixture of bMyrrh and aloes, about one hundred cpound in weight. [These
ingredients were for the burial ceremony in the tomb.]
40. Then they took the body of Jesus and wound it in linen clothes, with the spices, as
the manner of the Jews to bury. [This would have been a very distressing time for
everyone concerned, as they went about their duties, remembering what Jesus
had told them, and now trying to work out how it had all come down to this. Now
it is not recorded whether John and Mary, the mother of Jesus were involved in
this process or not.]
41. Now in the place where He was crucified (Golgotha), there was a garden near the
quarry, and in that garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never a man yet laid.
[Some people believe that this was a newly constructed sepulchre that Joesph of
Arimathea had constructed for himself and his family, but up until this time it was
still unused.]
42. *** (Conclusion), There laid they Jesus because of the Jews preparation day: for
the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

CHAPTER TWENTY: HIS RESURRECTION & APPEARANCE TO MARY

MAGDALENE

1. The dfirst day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet still dark,
unto the sepulchre, and sees that the stone is take away from the sepulchre. [Now
the first day of the week, in this context, is the next day after the Jewish Sabbath.
This is not an argument about whether it is any of the days which are referred to
with pagan names, in the Gregorian Calendar, but specifically, the day referred to
in the Hebrew calendar.]
2. Then she runs and comes to Simon Peter, and to (John) the other disciple, ewhom
Jesus loved, and said unto them, “They have taken away the LORD out of the
sepulchre, and we know not where that have laid Him.” [She was possibly present
the day before the Sabbath, when they laid Him in this tomb, close in the garden
near to Golgotha, and assumed that they came early in the morning and moved
the body to a more permanent location. She may not have been aware (as
recorded in the other gospels), a stone had been placed over the entrance to the
tomb, and that soldiers had been placed at the scene to protect the grave, and to
stop the disciples of Jesus moving the body to then say later that He had risen,
(as suggested by the Chief Priests to Pilate.)]
3. *** (Conclusion), fPeter therefore went forth, and (John) that other disciple, and
came to the sepulchre.
4. So, they both ran together: and (John) the other disciple, did outrun Peter and
came first to the sepulchre. [At this point in time, there must have been total
confusion in their minds; what had happened to the Body of Jesus? The revelation
about His resurrection, had yet to come to them, even though He had told them
less than 3 days before, (this being the morning of the third day).]

a
3:1 c
12:3 Mark 16:1-8; Luke f
Luke 24:12, 24.
b
Psalm 45:8; Matthew d
See verses 1, 8; 24:1-9
2:11; Mark 15:23; Matthew 28:1-8; e
13:23
90
5. And He, (John) stooping down, and looking in, saw athe linen clothes lying (there):
yet went he not in. [John arrived at the sepulchre first, looked in and saw the linen
clothes that had been wrapped around the Body of Jesus, (as described in chapter
19), but the body was missing. In a worldly view, this did not make sense. If they
moved, or stole the Body of Jesus, the burial clothes would be still wrapped around
the Body.]
6. Then comes Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and sees the linen
clothes lie;
7. And the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but
wrapped together in a place by itself. [This indicates that it was taken off the head
and placed separately. No thief would have taken the time to unwrap Jesus' corpse
and fold his burial clothes neatly in the tomb, and then place the napkin that was
wrapped around his head in a separate location, to suggest He was resurrected.]
8. Then went in (John) that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and
saw, and believed!
9. For as yet they knew not the bscripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
[Even though this was prophesied in Psalm 16:10-11, some 1,000 years before.]
10. Then the disciples went away again, into their own home.
11. But cMary stood without, at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped
down, and looked into the sepulchre. [Now Mary Magdalene came back to the
sepulchre after the two disciples had come, seen the clothes, but not the Body and
had left again. In their haste and confusion, they had failed to see the two angels.]
12. And (Mary) sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at
the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13. And they say unto her, “Woman why do you weep?” She says unto them, “Because
they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid Him.” [She
saw them as angels, she talked to them as angels, and poured out her grief to
them.]
14. And when she had said this, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and
d
knew not that it was Jesus. [Jesus was standing there before her, dressed in
different clothes, and she does not recognise Him.]
15. Jesus said unto her, “Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek?” She,
supposing Him to be the gardener, said unto him, “Sir, if you have borne him,
hence tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” [Spiritually, her
assumption was correct, because Jesus is the gardener, and we are His plants that
He looks after.]
16. Jesus said unto Her, “Mary.” She turned herself, and said unto Him, “Rabboni”;
which is to say Master. [We, Like Mary, have to have such a close relationship to
Jesus, that when He just calls us by name, we recognise His voice.]
17. 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 to My God
and to your God.” [Jesus tells Mary not to touch Him as He has yet not ascended
to His Father; But to tell the disciples, that I ascend to My Father, and to MY God
and to your God. Now, we all say that we are waiting for the second coming of
Christ, back to the earth; assuming that event to be when He comes back to the
earth with His bride, in Revelation chapter 19; But here in this verse it clearly says
that Jesus ascends to His Father, and then later that same day He appears to them
through the walls, into a locked room to tells them, “Peace be still”. He has been
to the Father, and has returned to the earth! The reference in Revelation chapter
19, is in fact His Third Coming to the earth!]
18. e
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD and that
He had spoken these things to her. [I imagine that there would have been a lot of
questions about what Mary had seen and heard from the angels, and from Jesus

a
19:40 c
See verses 1,2. d
Luke 24:16; John e
Matthew 28:10; Luke
b
Psalm 16:10; 21:4 24:10, 22, 23
91
 Himself, for the rest of that day, and then remembering what Jesus had said to
them at the Last Supper.]
19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the (Hebrew calendar) week.
When the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, came Jesus into the midst, and said unto them, “Peace be unto you.” [Locked
doors, or rock tomb walls are not a barrier, for the resurrected Jesus!]
20. 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. [They were not sure, when Mary
told them that she had seen Jesus, but now, seeing Him themselves, all doubt and
fear is gone! Notice that Jesus does not tell them to not touch Him, like He did to
Mary in the garden. This is because He has already ascended to His Father and
returned back to the earth, in His new eternal, glorified Body.]
21. Then said Jesus to them again, “Peace be unto you: aAs My Father has sent Me,
even so I send you!” [Here Jesus confirms that the Father has sent Him (again)
and now He is telling them that He is sending them also.]
22. And when He had said this, bHe breathed on them and said unto them, “Receive
you the Holy Ghost.” [Jesus breathed the Holy Ghost onto the disciples (except
Thomas) before Pentecost.]
23. c
Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever
sins you retain, they are retained.
24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, dcalled Didymus, was not with them when Jesus
came. [He was not present when He first appeared to them, nor when He breathed
the Holy Ghost over them.]
25. *** (Conclusion), 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.” [I am a man who does not trust words. I need to see the
physical evidence, before I will believe.]
26. 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.” [In scripture, the number 8 means “a new beginning”, and it will be for
Thomas.]
27. Then said He to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and behold My hands; and reach
here your hand and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing!”
[Immediately, Thomas would have remembered what He had told the disciples,
when they told him that they had seen Jesus and how He had appeared to them
inside this locked room. Now He had done exactly the same thing and had given
them the same blessing.]
28. And Thomas said answered and unto Him, “My LORD, and MY God.”
29. Jesus said unto Him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed:
e
blessed are they who have not seen (Me), and yet have believed. [After hearing
the words of Jesus in verse 27, Thomas responds with a clear proclamation that
Jesus is His LORD, and His God. But Jesus chides Him by saying that you needed
physical proof that He had risen. You did not even believe the words of your fellow
disciples. Therefore, be no longer faithless (a doubting Thomas) but believe the
words that you have heard, and the scriptures that were written about Me long
ago and by the words of the Prophets. These words changed the life of Thomas
forever, enabling him to go as far as the Indian continent in AD 52, preaching the
word of God to the nations, and being martyred in India in AD 72, some 20 years
later. The Ma Tomah church in India (the Church of Saint Thomas), still bears His
name today, nearly 2,000 years later.]

a
Matthew 28:18-20; Timothy 2:2; Luke c
Matthew 16:19 e
2 Corinthians 5:7; 1
John 17:18; 2 5:10 d
11:16 Peter 1:8
b
Genesis 2:7
92
30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are
a

not written in this book:

31. bBut these are written that you might believe that Jesus IS the Christ, the Son of
God: and that believing, cyou might have life dthrough His name.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: THE DRAUGHT OF FISH, CHRIST’S REPEATED

CHARGE TO PETER

Now at least 9 days have passed since Jesus was resurrected and appeared first to Mary
Magdalene, and then among His disciples.
1. After these things, Jesus showed Himself again to His disciples, at the sea of
Tiberias, on this wise showed He Himself. [Jesus decides to show Himself to His
disciples, openly in a public place, on the sea of Tiberias, (also known as Lake of
Gennesaret, Lake Kinneret, and the Sea of Galilee.) Jesus is there because He
knows (in advance by revelation knowledge) that the disciples are going to go
fishing there.]
2. There was together Simon Peter, and Thomas, called Didymus, and eNathaniel, of
Cana in Galilee, and fthe sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two other of His
disciples. [7 out of the 11 remaining disciples are present, for the events described
in the boats and on the beach.]
3. Simon Peter said unto them, “I go fishing.” They said unto him, “We also go with
you.” They went forth, and entered into the ship immediately; and that night they
caught nothing! [See what happens when you make impulsive decisions, without
first asking God for His directions for your day? They wasted a whole night, fishing
on the “wrong side” of the boat! They were fishing on the world view side, NOT on
the “spiritual side of the boat”.]
4. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples
g
knew not that it was Jesus.
5. Then Jesus said unto them, “hChildren, have you any meat?” They answered him,
“NO!”
6. *** (Conclusion), [C] And then He said to 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 fish. [Interestingly, at this stage, they did not
recognise it was Jesus, but they obeyed His command without question.
Sometimes in our lives, Jesus has to send someone, empowered by the Holy Spirit,
to have us do something, to get us to recognise that Jesus is present amongst us.]
7. *** (Conclusion), Therefore that disciples iwhom Jesus loved (John), said to Peter,
“It is the LORD.” Now, when Simon Peter heard that it was the LORD, He girt his
fishes’ coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself int the sea. [This is
the third appearance of Jesus to the disciples, since His resurrection.; but this time
it is in a public place.]
8. The other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it
were two hundred cubits (approximately 300 hundred feet,) dragging the net with
fish. [There was such a large catch, that they needed the second boat to assist
them, to prevent the net from breaking.]
9. As soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire, of coals there, and fish laid
thereon, and bread. [Another theological question: They did not see a fishing net,
or a fishing line; so how did Jesus catch the fish, to cook on the fire? Did Jesus
stand on the water’s edge and say: “I need some fish volunteers?” and the fish
replied, “Pick me, pick me?”]
10. Jesus said unto them, “Bring of the fish which you have now caught.”

a
21:25 d
Acts 3:6,16; 4:10; 1 f
Matthew 4:21; Luke 5:10 h
[h]~ Or, Sirs
b
Luke 1:4 Corinthians 6:11 g
20:14 i
13:23; 21:20
c
3:15,16 e
1:45
93
11. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of fish; one hundred and fifty-
three, and for all there were so many, yet was the net not broken. [There has been
much discussion over the centuries of the significance of this number. Some
believe it means the magnitude of all-of the people that shall be saved.
Others say that the 100 means the large amount of Gentiles that shall be saved,
whilst the 50 means the smaller number of Jews that will be save (as the remnant),
plus the 3 being the number of the Trinity, which ordained this to take place.
Mathematicians point out that if you add all-of the numbers together, between 1
and 17 inclusive, the total is 153. Whilst others will point out that the 153 is
divisible by prime numbers, being 3 * 3 * 17 =153] Whatever is the true reason,
the scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead us into ALL TRUTH, when we
need to understand it!]
12. Jesus said unto them, “Come and dine”, And none of the disciples dare ask Him,
“Who are you?” Knowing that it was the LORD.
13. Jesus then comes, and atakes bread, and gives them, and then fish likewise. [Jesus
again performs a spiritual act, which they will remember later. Jesus gives them
bread, reminding them that “He is the Bread of Life”, and likewise He gave them
fish, reminding them, that that He had called them to become “fishes of men”, and
not a small number.]
14. This is now the bthird time that Jesus showed Himself to his disciples, after He was
risen from the dead. [But this is the first time in a public place.]
15. [C] So, when they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas,
love Me more than these?” He says unto Him, “Yes Lord, you know that I love
thee.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” [Jesus started testing Simon. “Do you love Me
more than you friends?” Simon answered, “You know I love You.” Then Jesus
commanded Him to become a shepherd, responsible for “feeding His chosen
Lambs.”]
16. [C] He says to him again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonas, Do you love Me?”
He (Peter) says unto Him, “Yes Lord: you know that I love you.” [Then Jesus
commanded Him a second time to become a shepherd, and to “Feed His sheep”.]
17. [C] He said unto him, a third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, “Do you love me?” Peter
was grieved because He (Jesus) had said unto him, the third time, “Do you love
Me?” And he (Peter) said unto Him, “LORD, you know all things: You know that I
love you. Jesus replied to him a second time: “Feed MY sheep”. [Three times Jesus
commanded Him to take on the role of shepherd; to be responsible for the young
sheep, the spiritually young believers in Christ, to teach them to become Disciples,
(Matthew 28:16-20,) and to be also responsible as a shepherd, to feed the more
mature sheep, giving them the pure food of the word of God, so that they grow
and bear more disciples.]
18. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself and
walked wherever you wanted: BUT when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth
your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not (want
to go).”
19. This He spoke, signifying cby what death he should glorify God. And when He had
spoken this, He said unto Him, “dFollow Me.” [Jesus prophesied how Simon Peter
would die, on a cross. But He gave Him the choice, You have to choose whether
you are going to follow Me, even unto death, or betray me once again.]
20. Then, turning about, sees the disciple, ewhom Jesus loved (John) following; which
also laid on His breast at supper, and said, “LORD, which is He that betrays you?”
21. Peter, seeing him (John) says to Jesus, “LORD, and what shall this man do?” [OK
Lord, you have told me how I am going to die, but what about John here? What is
He going to do for you?]

a c e
Luke 24: 30,43; Acts 1:4 2 Peter 1:14 13:23
b d
20:19,20 13:36
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22. Jesus said unto him, “If I will, that he atarries till I come, what is that to you?
Follow you Me!” [What is it to you, if I decided that John can remain alive until I
return? Don’t you understand that each person is called by name, according to My
Divine Plan, and My divine purpose? I have told you what you have to do, so
concentrate on your own tasks.]
23. Then went this saying abroad, among the brethren, that (John) should not die: Yet
Jesus said not unto him; but IF I will that He should tarry till I come, what is that
to you?” [Again, Peter misunderstood the words that Jesus spoke, about how John
should die. IF I choose, that John should stay alive until I come again, that is My
decision & you should not be concerned about it. But Jesus was really saying that
He will not die a martyr’s death, but will die a natural death in His old age.
We know that because of this saying, Satan’s pawns tried to kill John, by boiling
him alive in oil, but that did not work; they tried killing him by working him in the
salt mines on the Isle of Patmos, but what Satan had planned for evil, Christ turned
around for good, giving Him the visions and revelations, which resulted in the Book
of Revelation of the end times being written and distributed among the churches.]
24. This (John) is the disciple that testifies of these things, and wrote these things:
and bwe know that His testimony is true.
25. cAnd there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, If we should write
down everyone, I suppose that even the world itself, could not contain the books,
that should be written. Amen!

After the completion of the Gospel, John went on the write 3 Epistles, and the book of
Revelation, before dying a natural death of old age in approximately 100.AD.

a b c
1 Corinthians 15:6 1 John 3:2,14; 5:15,18-20 20:30
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