John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Jesus had friends in the town of Bethany—Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Lazarus had become sick. Mary is identified as the one who poured perfume on the LORD and wiped His feet with her hair. The sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. They knew He would want to know because He “loved” (phileo—had a special bond of friendship) Lazarus. I think it is also a message with expectation. They knew Jesus was the Great Physician and could heal their brother; He was known for His miracles of healing.
I was listening to Jon Courson recently, and he made an interesting point. The sisters didn’t identify their brother as the one who loved Jesus, but as the one that Jesus loved. That is such a powerful truth. The LORD’s love for us is faithful and never-ending. It is not dependent on what we are doing for Him. It’s dependent only on our position in relationship to Him—as friend, child, brother/sister, bride.
John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
When Jesus got the message, He stated that this sickness would not end in permanent physical death. God would use Lazarus’ condition to glorify His Son. Although Jesus loved this family, He did not leave to go to them until two days after hearing the news. It is important to note that Jesus’ love for this family was shown by allowing them to experience a time of testing that would result in a stronger faith for them as God is glorified through the miracle yet to come.
Wiersbe: “God’s love for His own is not a pampering love; it is a perfecting love. The fact that He loves us and we love Him is no guarantee that we will be sheltered from the problems and pains of life. After all, the Father loves His Son, and yet the Father permitted His beloved Son to drink the cup of sorrow and experience the shame and pain of the cross. We must never think that love and suffering are incompatible.”
McGee: “Jesus never moves by sentiment. That is what spoils people and that is how parents spoil their children. He is motivated by love, and that love is for the good of the individual and for the glory of God.”
John 11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
John 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
Then Jesus told His disciples that they were heading back to Judea. They tried to discourage Him and reminded Him that it had not been long since the Jews had tried to stone Him. Jesus basically told them there were twelve hours of daylight, and one who walks in the light of day won’t stumble because he sees by the light. It is when one walks by night that he stumbles—because he can’t see.
I think Jesus was basically telling them—“You are not telling me anything I don’t know. I know what to expect from these people—I see where I am going. You can make wiser choices when you can see. It’s when you walk in the dark—go places and confront people without knowledge of what to expect—that you can expect to get into trouble.”
Another paraphrase of McGee: Walking in the light is walking in the Father’s will. Our steps are sure and secure in His will.
How do we know His will? Predominantly through His word.
Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Then Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was asleep, and He was going to wake him up. They quickly responded that if he was just sleeping, he would soon get better. The disciples didn’t realize that Jesus meant Lazarus was dead—so He told them what He meant. He also explained that this was better since it would provide solid proof for them to believe that He was God’s Son.
The disciples still didn’t get it. Pastor Bob compared life to a puzzle. It gets bigger and harder as we grow spiritually. We don’t have the picture for reference; we have to put it together a piece at a time in faith.
John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Thomas spoke up and said, “Let’s go,” even though he felt that they would all be killed in the process. I don’t know what exactly Thomas believed about Jesus, but he obviously believed that he was better off dead with Jesus than alive without Him.
I found an interesting comment by David Guzik: “Church tradition says that Thomas was called "The Twin" because he looked like Jesus, putting him at special risk. If any among the disciples of Jesus were potential targets of persecution, it would be the one who looked like Jesus.”
Whether true or not, that statement is thought-provoking. The more we are conformed to the image of Jesus and “look” like Him through our testimony, the more likely we are to be targeted for persecution. Though not so apparent in America in the past, it is becoming more and more apparent as we adopt new laws and the rulers of our land continue to position themselves in direct opposition to the will of God. Sadly, it is not only the rulers of our land, but also many who are serving as “pastors” and leaders in the church today.
John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
John 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish leaders had come to comfort Mary and Martha.
I decided to do some extra research on the four days and found a teaching by John MacArthur (www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1533.htm) that stated that Jewish tradition held that “a person's spirit floated around the body of the deceased for four days, hoping to gain a reentry. On the fourth day, because the face was no longer recognizable, it was believed that the spirit would depart.” This miracle should have definitively proven Jesus to possess the authority He claimed to have through God the Father.
John 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
John 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha ran to meet Jesus when she heard that He was coming. Martha confronted Jesus and appeared to rebuke Him; she knew that if He had been there Lazarus would not have died. However, she also showed her faith in Jesus when she added that she knew that even now God would give Him whatever He asked. Jesus then told her that Lazarus would live again. Martha thought He was speaking of the resurrection in the “last days” even though she had just expressed her faith in the fact that He could ask for Lazarus to live now.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Then Jesus told her that He was the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Him will live (spiritually) even if he dies (physically); and whoever lives and believes in Him will never die spiritually nor would he ever be physically separated from God. Then He asked her if she believed what He said. She answered by saying that she believed He was the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. (cf notes on 6:41-43)
Martha’s answer to Jesus seems strange at first. But in her statement of belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, she was declaring her belief in all that He taught whether she understood the teaching or not.
Several things jumped out at me as I read this story. Martha spoke of a “resurrection at the last day.” Jesus had taught that the dead would be resurrected for judgment (5:28-29). Since Martha believed Jesus to be the Messiah, I’m not sure when she expected this to be—probably soon if she expected Him to reign as King. I don’t know if the words used made it clear to Martha the difference in physical and spiritual death (ref vs 25). By her answer, it sounds like her response was like mine often is when I don’t really understand what I’m reading in the Word. It is a response of—I may not understand all that you are trying to tell me LORD—but I know whatever it is, IT IS TRUE because of who you are.
Pastor Bob – God uses us, like Lazarus, as tools for His glory as He works in our life. Our reactions to the trials in our life impact others.
John 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
John 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
John 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
Then Martha went back to tell Mary that Jesus was there and asking for her, and she immediately went to Him. He was waiting where Martha had met Him outside of town.
“secretly” – She probably didn’t want to announce His presence because of the animosity of many of the Jewish leaders toward Him.
John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
The Jews who had come to mourn with her thought she was going to the tomb and followed her. When she came to Jesus, she fell at His feet in tears saying that Lazarus would not have died if He had been there. As I think about this encounter, I can’t help but remember the account of the adoring Mary at the feet of Jesus drinking in His every word; yet she still didn’t understand the power of Jesus as the Son of God. She knew He could heal, but she didn’t understand His authority over life and death. Her faith was limited to what she knew Christ had done; she hadn’t yet discovered that His power had no limits. He would demonstrate that through faith nothing is impossible with God.
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
Jesus was deeply moved by her tears (another reminder of His human emotions). He asked where Lazarus had been laid, so they told Him to come and see. Evidently, when they got to the grave, Jesus wept; He shed tears. The friends of the family who had come to mourn with Mary and Martha noted how Jesus must have loved Lazarus—because of His tears.
John 11:37 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?
Then some of them began to reason—if He could open the eyes of the blind man, couldn’t He have kept Lazarus from dying. (We always want to analyze things from our own logic and limited point of view).
In going through this scripture another time, I was caught up with the statement of Jesus “groaning” in verses 33 and 38. Following is the entry for the word groan: ejmbrima¿omai embrimaomai, em-brim-ah´-om-ahee…(to snort with anger); to have indignation on, i.e. (transitively) to blame, (intransitively) to sigh with chagrin, (specially) to sternly enjoin:—straitly charge, groan, murmur against.
This was not what I expected to see, so I decided to look for further help. One of the commentaries noted that this was a reaction to the hypocritical tears and sarcastic remarks of the “Jews” (Jewish leaders) who were there to support the sisters. As I read over these verses several more times, that really made a lot of sense. We know that hypocrisy brought out some of the greatest displays of emotion from the Savior. (See Matthew 23)
In searching for some help in another area I ran across a better explanation by John MacArthur in reference to Jesus “groaning.”
“The phrase ‘groaning in Himself’ means that Jesus was deeply moved in His inner man. It is difficult to translate because it can have so many shades of meaning. But perhaps the best translation is ‘indignation.’ Jesus was in a state of holy indignation against the effects of sin and death. He looked around and saw the sorrow and the curse of sin and experienced internal anguish. Combine His indignance over sin with His love and the anticipation of His own atoning death and you'll know why He was emotionally distraught. Jesus was no Stoic; He was ‘a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief …' (Isa. 53:3). He stood in front of the tomb facing death, the evidence of sin's curse. His spirit was grieved, so consequently He groaned again in an empathetic expression of His humanity even though He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead.”
John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
John 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
As Jesus came to the tomb, His emotion was evident. The tomb was a cave with a stone in front of it. He told them to remove the stone. Martha reminded Jesus that it had been four days, and the odor would be terrible. Then Jesus reminded her that faith was the key to revealing God’s glory.
John 11:41 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 thee that thou hast heard me.
John 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
So the stone was removed. Then Jesus spoke to God the Father out loud for the benefit of the people who were there. He thanked the Father for hearing His prayer and acknowledged that He always heard the prayers of His Son. Jesus knew that He was asking according to the will of the Father and was assured of a positive response. He emphasized that He was asking for this miracle so that the people would believe that He was sent by God.
John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Then Jesus called in a loud voice for Lazarus to come out. (I’ve often heard preachers say that if He had not specified for Lazarus to come out that all of the dead in that tomb would have come forth.) Lazarus came out still covered in His burial linens. Jesus told them to remove the grave clothes and set him free.
This is a vivid picture of what happens to us through the new birth. We are loosed from the bonds of death inherited from Adam by the authority of Jesus through the empowerment of the Father through the working of His Spirit.
John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
John 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
John 11:48 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.
Jesus’ purpose was accomplished—many of the Jews believed in Him. Some of them, however, went and told the Pharisees what had happened. The chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the council (the Sanhedrin). They decided it was too dangerous to let Jesus stay alive. If they let Him continue to perform miracles, the people would believe in Him; and the Romans would come and remove them from power and not allow them any say in their government. Note that they admit that Jesus was doing MANY miracles (most of which are not recorded in scripture). It’s interesting that they weren’t at all considering the fact that Jesus could actually be who He said He was. They were just concerned about their own positions of power and leadership.
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Caiphas, the high priest, pointed out that it would be better for one man (Jesus) to die for the people rather than let the nation perish. The scripture goes on to say that this prophecy from Caiphas was divinely inspired—although that wasn’t his intent. The scripture goes on to add that Jesus’ death would bring together all the children of God who were scattered over the face of the earth. (I think that this was additional explanation on the part of the John, and not what Caiphas said.) I, of course, think that this refers to the time when He comes as King to reign on earth. Over and over again God shows us that His plan will be accomplished in spite of any action on our part or Satan’s to try and change things.
It was at this point that they decided to kill Jesus.
John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
After raising Lazarus, Jesus decided to stay out of the more public places until His time had come. He and His disciples went to the village of Ephraim near the desert and stayed away from the Jews.
John 11:55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
John 11:56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
John 11:57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
As the time for the Passover approached, many people went to Jerusalem from all over the country for a ceremonial cleansing. They hung around the temple area looking for Jesus. They were speculating as to whether or not He would come to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. The chief priests and Pharisees had ordered that anyone who knew where Jesus was should report it. They wanted to arrest Him.
John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus returned to Bethany to visit Lazarus (whom He had brought back to life from the dead), Mary and Martha. They prepared a dinner in His honor. (Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 tell us that this dinner was held at the home of Simon the leper.) Martha served. Mary took a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet and then wiped them dry with her hair. (Her hair must have been long, thick and beautiful……..maybe in heaven.) The fragrance filled the whole house. (Note: Martha is still busy doing and serving; Mary is still in worship at the feet of the Savior. Cf Luke 10)
John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Judas Iscariot, the treasurer for the disciples, complained about the waste of money; the perfume was worth a year’s wages. He argued that it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. (Matthew 26:8 indicates that other disciples agreed with Judas’ thoughts.) John reveals that Judas didn’t really care about the poor; he was a thief and stole from the treasury. Though he appeared to be a faithful disciple, he was not. His testimony was false. He professed a faith he did not possess.
This reminds me of a lot of the so-called messengers of the gospel on TV nowadays. They cry out for people to send them their hard earned money on behalf of the LORD’s work, but their real reason is that they want to maintain their luxurious lifestyles and keep themselves in the spotlight.
Pastor Bob – “What is your motivation for hanging around Jesus (church)?
John 12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
John 12:8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Jesus rebuked Judas and told him to leave her alone. The perfume was intended for His burial. He pointed out that the poor would continue to be a part of their society, but He would not always be with them.
That sounds arrogant and unloving. Since we always take scripture as a whole, we know that is not the case. He is trying to prepare them for His death and the fact that they will be left with their faith to carry on. God will provide for all, rich and poor, who depend on Him. Anything He withholds from us or allows to impact us is for our good when our desire is to serve Him in love.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
I liked McGee’s thoughts: “What He is saying here is that we can always be of service to the poor—they are always with us—but that our service should not be a substitute for sitting at His feet.”
John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
John 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came to see Jesus and Lazarus, the man He had raised from the dead. The chief priests decided that they should also kill Lazarus, since he was a big reason that many of the people believed in Jesus. Eliminate the proof of the miracle of Jesus’ power over death, and that eliminates the threat to their positions of power. It’s also interesting to me how many times the fact that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead is repeated. This was a well-known truth at that time. It was not disputed. Only the Son of God could perform that miracle.
John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
John 12:14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
The next day the great crowd that had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to the city. They grabbed palm branches and headed out to meet Him. They were shouting “Hosanna!” “Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Jesus entered the city riding on a young donkey in fulfillment of prophecy. We know this event as Palm Sunday; it was a week before Jesus would resurrect from the grave.
Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
The disciples didn’t realize this until after the resurrection. We always have better hindsight than foresight.
“Sion” is the Greek word for the Hebrew word “Zion,” the temple mount.
John 12:17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
John 12:18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Those who had seen the miracle of Lazarus kept telling their story, and many more came out to meet this Jesus who could do such a miracle. To the Pharisees it appeared that the whole world had gone after Him. No one was listening to their warnings that He was demon-possessed and a blasphemer.
This makes me think of how it must be going to be during the Tribulation when the antichrist comes on the scene. We are told that he will be able to perform miracles that would deceive the very elect if that were possible. It is a shame that the people were drawn to Jesus because of the miracles He performed, yet were unwilling to accept them as proof that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. Sadly, we know that the Antichrist will be believed.
John 5:43 “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
John 12:20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
John 12:22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Feast approached Philip and asked to see Jesus. Philip went to tell Andrew and together they told Jesus. Another thing jumps out at me, these people knew who to go to; they knew who the disciples were. They went directly to Philip. Obvious application—Would someone be able to identify me as a follower of Jesus? It is also interesting to me that Philip went to Andrew before going to Jesus. I’m not sure why. It would seem that there were those among the disciples recognized for their leadership and wisdom and others who needed more affirmation and direction—just as in the church today.
This time through I decided to look up the word “see” in verse 21; its meaning included the words “to know, consider, understand.” This helps me to understand Jesus’ answer in the following verses. He is explaining to these seekers who He is and giving them insight into His character and purpose.
John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
John 12:24 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.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
John 12:26 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.
Then Jesus proceeds to “answer” them. Obviously, He is responding to the request of the Greek visitors. I think His first words indicate that it is time to fulfill that for which He came. “The hour is come.” That specific place in time appointed by the Father had arrived. (Which obviously makes me think about the next specific place in time that will take us home to be with Him.)
I think it is a deliberate choice of phrasing that Jesus used to describe Himself as the “Son of man.” He declared Himself to be fully man who will be revealed to be fully God after His resurrection.
As He continued to explain further, He again emphasized that this is a truth you can depend on (“verily, verily”). A single kernel of wheat has to fall to the ground and die before it can produce many kernels. Jesus is the single kernel that died and resurrected into new life to produce many kernels, people of faith.
Then He explains that the man who loves his life in this world and puts all his energy into getting all he can in this life will end up losing it. But the man who “hates”(loves less) his life in this world will live eternally. He is telling them that those who obey Him and serve Him are those who will live eternally in His presence. The way you invest of your energy, time and money shows where your love is focused.
Jesus calls for His servants to follow Him. In following Jesus we are always in His presence. In following Jesus we will never find ourselves somewhere we shouldn’t be—out of His will. Following Jesus means that we are walking in His footsteps, confident in our direction and destination. Following Jesus will cause others to want what we have or despise us for the truth we represent.
Jesus emphasized that God, His Father, will honor (treat as valuable) those who serve His Son.
“if it die…much fruit” – This takes my thoughts to the founding of the church, a mainly Gentile body of believers, as represented by these Greeks who had sought to see Jesus. I am sure that is where Jesus’ thoughts were as He responded to the disciples.
John 12:27 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.
John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
John 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
Reminder—This is still part of Jesus’ answer to the Greeks who came seeking to “see” Him.
Now we get another glimpse of Jesus’ humanity. His heart is troubled. He is dreading the ordeal He is about to endure. So He starts to reason—What am I supposed to say? “Father save me from this hour.” Then He answers His own question—but this is the reason I came to earth. Then He prays for the Father’s name to be glorified. (How many times have I talked to myself before the LORD when I was worried or hurt or mad, and the LORD has given me the answer through the process!)
Instead of focusing on the trial to come, the Son focuses on bringing glory to the Father. He sets the example that we are to follow of the principle established in Isaiah 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Then a voice from heaven, which sounded like thunder to the people who were there, said, “I have both (kai; a prim. conjunc.; and, even, also: ) glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Some of the people thought they had heard thunder, and others thought an angel had spoken to Him. I think that the voice was an affirmation that God’s name had been glorified through Jesus and that it would be glorified again when His work was finished—His death and resurrection.
Thunder is often associated with the voice of God.
Job 40:9 “Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?”
Psalm 77:18 “The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.”
Psalm 104:7 “At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.”
John 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Jesus told them that the voice they heard had been for their benefit as another affirmation of who He was. He told them that the time had come for judgment of this world and for the prince of the world to be driven out. He is basically saying that His death will serve as the judgment for sin. He is paying the penalty for all who will accept Him.
I’m a bit thrown by the phrasing that now the prince of this world is cast out. I think the truth is that the death and resurrection of Jesus effectively assured Satan’s defeat. Paul declared this truth clearly in his letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 2:14–15 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Satan is still at work and in power now, but his time is limited. It is also important to note that those who trust Jesus now have the power to defeat him at will if only they will appropriate that power.
Ephesians 6:13–16 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Then Jesus referred to His death when He said, “if I be lifted up from the earth.” He was talking about being lifted up on the cross. That act of love and obedience would draw all men unto Him. Jesus is constantly wooing ALL men to follow Him in faith through the ministry of the Holy Spirit—in fact, the Greek for “draw” indicates “to drag.” He is aggressively presenting Himself to mankind through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and doing everything short of coercing them to follow Him. This makes me think of the verses earlier in John 6:43-51. “They will ALL be taught by God.” His death was for ALL.
John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
The crowd did not understand Him. According to their interpretation of the law, the Christ, the Messiah, was coming to stay. They expected Him to assume the throne as King. He was claiming to be the Christ, so they wanted to know who “The Son of Man” was and what it meant for Him to be lifted up?
John 12:35 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.
John 12:36 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.
Sometimes Jesus gives a straight, simple answer. Other times His answer is more elusive. I know He is trying to teach them truth to draw from in the future; but speaking from the human point of view, I would rather my answers come more directly. Sometimes, however, as I look back over life, I realize that I would not have grown through an experience if the answer had been direct and immediate. Learning to walk by faith is a process. Like any loving parent, the Father wants us to learn from our mistakes and from the hard times. Our nature is such that without those mistakes and His gentle correction and provision through the hard times, we would never grow.
Back to verse 35—Jesus told them that they would have the light with them just a little while longer. (Remember, He had already told them that He was the light of the world.) “Walk while ye have the light” – I think He is telling them to learn what they can while He is with them. Walking shows forward progress. “Lest darkness come upon you” – They would not have the benefit of His person to question and come to for help. “He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” I think He is telling them that if they believe in Him and practice what He has taught them they will have direction. Those who reject Him will have no direction. Those who follow Him and His direction will be able to spread that light to others who will come to know Him because of their witness. Then Jesus left and hid from them. It was time for them to meditate on what He had taught them and time for Him to prepare for His act of sacrificial obedience.
MacArthur: "I don’t know when the darkness falls for you as an individual. I don’t know when the darkness falls for us as a culture, as a nation. I don’t know when the final darkness falls in judgment, divine judgment on the world, but I know that God’s mercy doesn’t last forever. That’s the warning. Receive Him while you are able.”
John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
John 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
In spite of all Jesus’ miracles, the Jews refused to believe in Him. This too was in fulfillment of prophecy as foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 53). The danger of hardening one’s heart is that there can come a point where the LORD says, “OK, if that is the way you want it, you’ve got it.” He hardened their hearts just as He had hardened Pharoah’s. It was their choice, and He used that choice to bring glory to Himself. (This time through causing the death of His Son.)
John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
This verse says that Isaiah said this because He saw Jesus’ glory when he was blessed with a vision (Isaiah 6).
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Even so, many among the Jewish leaders believed Jesus. They would not openly acknowledge their belief for fear of being thrown out of the synagogue by the other Pharisees. Even though they believed, their desire was to have the praise of their fellow man more than praise from God. No more is said to determine their true position. It sounds like they believed with their head, but not with their heart. It is the faith from the heart that motivates one to action. Faith from the heart results in salvation.
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
John 12:44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
John 12:45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Verse 44 indicates that Jesus shouted out His next statement. He must have wanted to ensure that it was heard clearly. He explained that anyone who believed in Him, believed in the One who sent Him (God the Father). When anyone looks at Jesus, they are seeing the Father. Remember, He had said earlier, “I and the Father are one.”
I got to wondering how many times John had recorded the fact that Jesus equated Himself to the Father—5:17-47, 7:28-29, 8:18-19, 8:26-29, 41-42, 54-55, 58, 9:35-37, 10:29-30, 36-38, 11:4 (from a quick review).
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Jesus told them He had come into the world as a light (the revealer of truth and love) and that no one who believed Him would stay in darkness (unaware of their need, without direction, and lacking hope without Him).
John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Those who hear the words of the LORD and choose to ignore them are not judged by Him (they are already condemned—3:18). His purpose for coming into the world was to provide salvation (an escape from their just condemnation, a sacrifice that would pay the penalty for their sin). Jesus’ purpose in coming was to save the “world”—the earth and its inhabitants, not just some but all.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 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.
John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Those who reject Jesus will be judged by the very words they rejected because His words were spoken in obedience to the direct command of the Father.
There will be no argument at the judgment since Christ is the Word of God in flesh and will be witness to each person’s response to that message which was delivered with great sacrifice on His part.
Guzik: “These are the last words in John’s gospel from Jesus to the public. In this last speech to the multitude, Jesus emphasized the themes of all His previous preaching in John. It included a reminder of His teaching, a challenge to decide, a warning to those who decided against Him and a promise to those who decided for Him.”