John
12:20-36
Lesson 196
12:20-36
Lesson 196
John 12:20-36
Jesus predicts His crucifixion 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. |
Margin notes:
"Certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast." (12:20) - These visitors came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. Many Bible scholars believe this was on Tuesday of Passion Week. If so, Jesus had three days to live. "The same came therefore to Philip." (12:21) - The Greek visitors probably approached Philip while at the Temple worshiping. "Desired him." (12:21) - Means, "asked him." "The hour is come." (12:23) - Means the time of the crucifixion and resurrection has arrived. "Verily." (12:24) - "Truly." "Corn of wheat." (12:24) - "Grain of wheat." "It abideth alone." (12:24) - Means, "It remains alone." "He that loveth his life shall lose it." (12:25) - Those who love life in this world will lose their eternal life. This is an important message reinforced from Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24 and 17:33. This is Jesus' second most quoted phrase in the Bible. His most quoted is "follow me." "If any man serve me, let him follow me." (12:26) - Anyone can follow Jesus, Jew, or Gentile. "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." (12:26) - This teaching is repeated in John 14:3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17. "Now is my soul troubled." (12:27) - Troubled because Jesus felt the all to human dread of His pending beating, scouring, and crucifixion. "For this cause came I unto this hour." (12:27) - "This is why I came." "The prince of this world." (12:31) - The prince of this world is Satan. Satan is the lord of evil and the enemy of God and all humanity. Jesus described Satan as "a murderer from the beginning." He lives "not in the truth, because there is no truth in him," "He is a liar" (John 8:44). Satan is a real figure, a fallen angel who constantly works against mankind's best interest. "If I be lifted up." (12:32) - "When I am lifted up (on the cross)." "This he said, signifying what death he should die." (12:33) - Being the Son of God, Jesus knew how He would die, and when (12:23; 12:35). "We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever." (12:34) - The law refers to the Mosaic Law of The Old Testament. Jesus "is the end of the law" (Romans 10:4), and shall abide (live) forever (Daniel 7:14). "Yet a little while is the light with you." (12:35) - The "light" in verses 12:35-36 refers to Jesus. "These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them." (12:36) - From this point on, Jesus ceases His public ministry to concentrate on teaching His disciples. |