1.
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Then = Therefore.
Jesus. App-98 .
six days , &c.: i.e. on the ninth day of Nisan; our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset. See App-156 .
before . Greek pro. App-104 .
to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
Lazarus . See note on John 11:1 .
which had been dead. [L Tr. A] T WI R and Syriac omit these words.
raised . Greek. egeiro. App-178 .
from = out of. Greek ek. App-104 .
the dead . There is no article. See App-139 .
2.
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
a supper . The first of the three suppers. It was on Saturday evening, at the close of the Sabbath, on the tenth day of Nisan. See App-157 .
Martha . Aramaic. See App-94 .
served = was serving. Greek diakoneo. Occurs twenty- two times in the Gospels: thirteen times translated "minister" (Matthew 4:11 to Luke 8:3 ); nine times "serve" (Luke 10:40 to John 12:26 ). Compare Luke 10:40 . Same word as in Luke 22:27 .
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.
Mary . See App-100 .
pound . Greek. litra Latin. libra = about 12 oz. App-51 . Occurs only here and John 19:39 .
ointment . Greek. muron. Aromatic balSamaritan Pentateuch
spikenard. See note on Mark 14:3 .
anointed. Three anointings are recorded in the Gospels. The first, probably in Capernaum in the house of Simon the Pharisee ( Luk 7:36-60 ): a woman anointed His feet. The one here was the second, and again His feet were anointed. At the third, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman (unnamed) anointed His head. For the last two see App-156 and App-168 .
with = out of, or from. Greek. ek. App-104 .
4.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
Judas Iscariot . See note on John 6:71 .
Simon's son . These words are omitted by T Tr. WH R here, but found in all the texts in John 6:71 , John 13:2 , and John 26. In some places the word Iscariot is made to agree with Simon.
should betray Him = was about to deliver Him up.
5.
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
not . Greek. ou . App-105 .
three hundred pence = about See App-51 .
poor . See App-127 .
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.
for = concerning. Greek peri. App-104 .
thief. Greek. kleptes. The same word as in John 10:1 , John 10:8 , John 10:10 . Matthew 6:19 ; Matthew 24:43 , &c. Not the same as in Matthew 21:18 ; Matthew 26:63 ; Matthew 27:38 . Luke 10:30 . That is lestes, and should be translated "robber", as in John 10:1 , John 10:8 ; John 18:40 .
the bag . Greek. glossokomon. Only here and John 13:29 . Used in the Septuagint of the chest made by command of Joash (2 Chronicles 24:8-11 ). The word means a bag to keep the tongues or reeds of wind instruments, and if Judas was a shepherd (Kerioth being in the hilly district of southern Judah), the bag might be the pouch or wallet for the reeds of the pipes so much used by the eastern shepherd.
7.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
Let her alone , &c. L T Tr. A WI R (not the Syriac) read, "Let her alone, in order that she may keep it, "&c.
against = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
8.
For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
with you = among yourselves: i.e. not the outside poor, but the Lord's poor.
with . Greek. meta. App-104 .
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.
knew = got to know. Greek ginosko. App-132 . for.
sake = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 12:2 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
see . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
10.
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
put . . . to death . Greek. apokteino = kill. Occurs seventy-five times, and mostly implies violent death, not by judicial execution. Compare Matthew 14:5 .Luke 9:22 ; Luke 20:14 .Acts 3:19 ; Act 7:62 ; Acts 23:12 .Revelation 13:10 .
11.
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
by reason of = on account of. Greek. dia, as in John 12:8 .
went away = withdrew: i.e. from the chief priests' faction.
believed on . See App-150 .
12.
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
On the next day: i.e. the fourth day before the Passover, the 11th of Nisan. Our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset. See App-156 . much people a great crowd.
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.
to meet for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) meeting. cried. Greek. Imperative mood of krazo. Same word as in John 12:44 , but LT Tr. A WH R read imperative mood of krazo = were shouting out; used once of the Lord, John 11:43 Other occurances: John 18:40 ; John 19:6 , John 19:15 .Matthew 12:19 ; Matthew 15:22 .Acts 22:23 . In the Septuagint, only in Ezra 3:13 .
Hosanna , &c. See note on Matthew 21:9 .
in . Greek en. App-104 .
Lord. App-98
14.
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
thereon = upon (Greek. epi. App-104 .) it.
written . See App-153 . Quoted from Zechariah 9:9 .
15.
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
not . Greek me. App-105 .
on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
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.
17.
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
The people = The crowd.
out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
grave . See note on John 11:17 .
bare record . = were testifying. See note on John 1:7 .
18.
For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
For this cause = on account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .) this.
for that = because. Greek. hoti, as in verses: 6, 11.
miracle = sign. Greek semeion. See App-176 ., and p. 1511.
19.
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
The Pharisees . See App-120 .
among. Greek. pros. App-104 .
Perceive. Greek. theoreo. App-133 . I. 11.
prevail = profit. Greek. opheleo. Occurs fifteen times, always translated profit, except here; Matthew 27:24 ; Mark 5:26 and Luke 9:25 .
nothing = nothing at all. Greek. ouk ouden, a double negative,
behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 .
20.
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
And , &c. This was the third day before the Passover, 12th of Nisan, our Sunday sunset to Monday sunset.
Greeks . Greek. Hellenes: i.e. Gentiles, not Greek-speaking Jews, or Grecians (Acts 6:1 ; John 9:29 ).
among = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
came up = were coming up, according to custom.
worship . Greek. proskuneo. App-137 . This would be in the outer court of the Temple, called the Court of the Gentiles. Compare Revelation 11:2 .
at = in. Greek. en. App-104 .
the feast . They would not be allowed to eat the Passover, unless they were proselytes (Exodus 12:48 ).
21.
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Philip . . . of Bethsaida . See App-141 . Probably these Greeks were from Galilee ( App-169 ), and, as Philip bore a Greek name, had some acquaintance with him.
of. Greek. apo. App-104 .
desired = prayed. Greek. erotao. App-134 .
Sir . Greek. kurios. App-98 .
we would see = we wish (Greek. theta. App-102 .) to see (Greek. eidon. App-133 .)
22.
Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
Andrew . See App-141 . Andrew belonged to the first group of the Apostles, Philip to the second.
23.
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
the Son of man . App-98 and App-99 .
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.
Verily, verily . The seventeenth occurance of this double amen. See note on John 1:51 .
Except = If not. Greek. ean ( App-118 ).
a corn of wheat = the seed-corn of the wheat. The Greek word kokkos occurs seven times: in Matthew 13:31 ; Matthew 17:20 . Mark 4:31 .Luke 13:19 ; Luke 17:6 (of mustard seed); here; and 1 Corinthians 15:37 .
into . Greek. eis. App-104 .
ground . Greek. ge. App-129 .
abideth . Greek. meno, one of the characteristic words in this Gospel. See p. 1511.
if. Greek. ean. App-118 .
bringeth forth = beareth.
25.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
loveth . Greek. phileo. App-135 .
life . Greek psuche. App-110 and App-170 . Compare Matthew 10:39 ; Matthew 16:25 , Matthew 16:26 . Mark 8:35-37 . Luke 9:24 ; Luke 17:33 .
keep = guard, or preserve. Greek. phulasso. See note on John 17:12 .
unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
life . Greek. zoe. App-170 .
eternal. Greek. aionios. App-151 .
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.
Now = At this moment. Not the "Now" of John 11:1 , John 11:5 .
soul. Greek. psuche; here used in the personal sense = I myself: App-110 .
troubled . Compare John 11:33 ; John 13:21 ; John 14:1 , John 14:27 .
and what shall I say? , &c. Supply the Ellipses ( App-6 ) that follow, thus: (Shall I say) "Father, save Me from this hour? "(No!) It is for this cause I am come to this hour. (I will say) "Father, glorify Thy name".
Father . App-98 . See John 1:14 .
28.
Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
heaven (singular) See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
I have, &c. The Father's name was glorified in the wilderness by the Son's victory over the "tempter". It was about to be glorified again by the final victory over Satan, in the contest beginning in Gethsemane and ending at the empty tomb.
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.
answered , &c. See App-122 .
because of = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .John 12:2 .
for your sakes = on account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .) you.
31.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
judgment . Greek. crisis ( App-177 .); i.e. the crisis reached when the world pronounced judgment against Christ and His claims.
prince = ruler. Greek. archon; applied to Satan as prince of this world (kosmos. App-129 .) three times, here, John 14:30 , and John 16:11 ; as prince of the demons in Matthew 12:24 .Mark 3:22 ; and as prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2:2 . The same word used in Revelation 10:5 of the Lord. The prince of this world was a well-known Rabbinical term (Sar ha `olam, prince of the age) for Satan, "the angel", as they say, "into whose hands the whole world is delivered". See Dr. John Lightfoot's Works, xii, p. 369.
cast out. Same word as in John 9:34 , John 9:35 .Matthew 21:39 . Mark 12:8 . Luke 20:15 . Act 7:68 ; Acts 13:50 . In Luke 4:29 , rendered "thrust".
out (Greek. exo) = without, outside.
32.
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
lifted up. Greek hupsoe. Occurs twenty times. Always in John refers to the cross; see John 12:34 ; John 3:14 , John 3:14 , and John 8:28 . In fourteen other passages (Matthew 11:23 ; Matthew 23:12 , Matthew 23:12 .Luke 1:52 ; Luke 10:15 ; Luke 10:14 .; John 18:14 , John 18:14 .Acts 2:33 ; Acts 5:31 ; Act 13:17 . 2 Corinthians 11:7 . 1 Peter 5:6 ) rendered "exalt", and in James 4:10 , "lift up".
earth. Greek ge. App-129 .
draw . Greek. helkuo. Same word as in John 6:44 . Used else- where in John 18:10 ; John 21:6 , John 21:11 and Acts 16:19 . The classical form helko occurs in Acts 21:30 . James 2:6 . It was thought the form helkuo was peculiar to the N.T. and Septuagint, but it is found in one of the Oxyrhyncus Papyri. See Deissmann, Light, &c., pp. 437-9.
all . Compare John 6:37 , John 6:39 .
unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .
Me = Myself. Greek. emautou.
33.
This he said, signifying what death he should die.
what death = what kind of death.
should die = was about to 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?
We have heard = we heard. The Greek tense (aorist, refers to a definite time, and may refer to a portion of the law (compare note on John 10:34 ) read on the Great Sabbath, two days previously. The quotation is usually referred to Psalms 89:29 , but it may rather be Psalms 92 (Psalms 92:1 ), which is said to have been read on the Sabbath from the days of Ezra.
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.
unto = to. them: i.e. the people around Him.
light . App-130 .
with . Greek. meta, as in verses: John 12:8 , John 12:17 , but all the texts read en, among.
while. All the texts read "as".
lest darkness = in order that (Greek. hina) dark ness may not (Greek. me. App-105 ).
come upon = seize. Greek. katalambano. Same word as in John 1:5 .Mark 9:18 . Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:12 , Philippians 1:13 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:4 .
knoweth . Greek. oida. App-132 .
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.
in = on. Greek. eis. App-104 .
be = become,
children = sons. App-108 .
did hide Himself = was hidden.
from = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
them : i, e. the Greeks of John 12:20 . Compare Matthew 10:5 .
37.
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
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?
saying. Greek. logos. See note on Mark 9:32 . This is quoted from Isaiah 53:1 . See note there.
Esaias . Greek form of Isaiah.
fulfilled . Greek pleroo = filled full or accomplished. See John 13:18 ; John 15:25 ; John 17:12 ; John 18:9 , John 18:32 , John 19:24 , John 19:36 .
believed . App-150 .
the arm of the Lord = Messiah, as the executant of His decrees. Isaiah 51:9 ; Isaiah 52:10 . Compare "polished shaft", Isaiah 49:2 .
39.
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
Therefore = On account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .) this: i.e. the unbelief of John 12:37 .
could not = were not able to.
believe . App-160 . Judicial blindness follows persistent unbelief.
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.
He hath blinded , &c. Quoted from Isaiah 6:9 , Isaiah 6:10 . See notes there. This was the second occasion of this prophecy being quoted, the first being in Matthew 18:14 (compare Mark 4:12 .Luke 8:10; Luke 8:10 ), when the Lord explained why He spoke to the people in parables; the other two being Acts 28:26 , Acts 28:27 and Romans 11:8 .
41.
These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
when. Greek hote. All the texts read hoti, because.
glory . Greek. doxa. One of the characteristic words in John's Gospel. See John 1:14 .
of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .
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:
43.
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
loved . Greek. agapao. App-135 .
praise = glory. Same word as in John 12:41 .
men . Greek anthropos. App-123 .
God . App-98 .
44.
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45.
And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
seeth . Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
46.
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
I am come , &c. Compare John 8:12 .
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.
words = sayings. Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
judge. Greek. krino. App-122 .
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.
rejecteth . Greek. atheteo. Occurs sixteen times in twelve passages. The others are: Mark 6:26 ; Mark 7:9 . Luke 7:30 ; Luke 10:16 . 1 Corinthians 1:19 . Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:21 ; Gal 3:15 . 1 Thessalonians 4:8 . 1 Timothy 5:12 .Hebrews 10:28 . Jude 1:8 . Often translated despise. It means to count as nothing. See 1 Corinthians 1:19 .
word . Greek. logos. Same word as "saying" in John 12:38 . See note on Mark 9:32 .
the last day . The sixth and last occurance of this expression in John. See John 6:39 , John 6:40 , John 6:44 , John 6:54 ; John 11:24 .
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.
I have not spoken of Myself : i.e. from Myself. The Lord's constant claim was that His very words were what the Father had given Him to speak. Compare John 3:34 ; John 7:16-18 ; John 8:28 , John 8:47 ; John 14:10 , John 14:24 ; John 17:8 , John 17:14 .
say. Greek. eipon. This has to do with the matter, or subject.
speak. Greek. laleo. This word. which is very common in John's Gospel, and occurs eight times in this chapter, refers to the words in which the message
was delivered. See note above and next verse.
50.
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
His commandment, &c. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 . The result of obeying His commandment is life everlasting. Compare 1 John 3:23 ; 1 John 5:11 .
everlasting. Greek. aionios. Same as "eternal" in John 12:25 . See App-151 .