John 12

 

 1 Then (*) Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who died, whom he had raised from the dead.

 

(*) Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3 .

 

 2 There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

 

 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of Spikenard very costly, and anointed Jesus’ (*) feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the savor of the ointment.

 

(*) Even from the head to the feet.

 

 4 Then said one of his disciples, even Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,

 

 5  (1) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

 

(1) A horrible example in Judas of a mind blinded with covetousness, and yet pretending godliness.

 

 6 Now he said this, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and (*) had the bag, and bare that which was given.

 

(*) John 13:29 .

 

 7  (2) Then said Jesus, Let her alone, against the day of my burying she kept it.

 

(2) This extraordinary anointing which was for a sign, is so allowed of God, that he witnesseth how he will not be worshipped with outward pomp, or costly service, but with alms.

 

 8 For the poor always ye have with you, but me ye shall not have always.

 

 9  (3) Then much people of the Jews 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.

 

(3) When the light of the Gospel sheweth itself, some are found to be curious, and others (which least ought) to be open enemies; others in a rage honor him, whom they will straightway fall from; and very few do so reverently receive him as they ought; Notwithstanding Christ beginneth his spiritual kingdom in the midst of his enemies.

 

 10 The high Priests therefore consulted, that they might put Lazarus to death also,

 

 11 Because that for his sake many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus.

 

 12  ¶ (*) On the morrow a great multitude that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus should come to Jerusalem,

 

(*) Matthew 21:8; Mark 11:8; Luke 19:35 .

 

 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.

 

(*) That is, save I beseech thee.

 

 14 And Jesus found a (*) young ass, and sat thereon, as it is written.

 

(*) This doeth well declare that his kingdom stood not in outward things.

 

 15  (*) Fear not, daughter of Sion; behold, thy King cometh sitting on an ass’s colt.

 

(*) Zechariah 9:9 .

 

 16 But his disciples understood not these things 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, bare witness that he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead.

 

 18 Therefore met him the people also, because they heard that he had done this miracle.

 

 19  (4) And the Pharisees said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the (*) world goeth after him.

 

(4) Even they which go about to oppress Christ, are made instruments of his glory.

(*) Or, the press.

 

 20  ¶ Now there were certain (*) Greeks among them that (a) came up to worship at the feast.

 

(*) They were of the race of the Jews, and came out of Asia and Grecia; for else the Jews would not have permitted that they should worship with them in the Temple.

(a) After the solemn custom; the Grecians were first so called by the name of the country of Greece, where they dwelt; but afterward, all that were not of the Jew's religion, but worshipped false gods, and were also called Heathens, were called by this name.    

 

 21 And they came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

 

 22 Philip came and told Andrew; and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

 

 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man must be (*) glorified.

 

(*) Which is, that the knowledge of him should be manifest through all the world.

 

 24  (5) Verily, verily I say unto you, Except the wheat corn fall into the ground and (b) die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

 

(5) The death of Christ is as it were a sowing, which seemeth to be a dying to the corn, but indeed is the cause of a far greater harvest; and such as is the condition of the head, so shall be of the members.
(b) A wheat corn dieth when it is changed by virtue of the ground, and becometh a root of a fruitful blade.        

 

 25  (*) He that (♣) loveth his life, shall lose it, and he that (♠) hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.

 

(*) Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33 .

(♣) If the love thereof let him from coming to Christ.

(♠) And so loveth it for Christ’s sake.

 

 26  (*) If any man serve me, let him follow me; for where I am, there shall also my servant be; and if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

 

(*) John 17:24 .

 

 27  (6) Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this (c) hour; but therefore came I unto this hour.

 

(6) Whilest Christ went about to suffer all the punishment which is due to our sins, and whilst his divinity did not yet shew his might and power so far as this satisfaction might be thoroughly wrought, now when he is stricken with the great fear of the curse of God, he crieth out and prayeth, and desireth to be released; yet notwithstanding he preferreth the will and glory of his Father before all things, whose obedience the Father alloweth even from heaven.
(c) To wit, of death that is now at hand.

 

 28 Father, (d) glorify thy Name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

 

(d) So then the Father's glory is Christ's his glory.

 

 29 Then said the people that stood by, and heard, that it was a thunder; others said, An Angel spake to him.

 

 30  (7) Jesus answered, and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

 

(7) Christ foretelleth to the deaf, the manner of his death, the overcoming of the devil and the world, and in conclusion his triumph.

 

 31 Now is the (*) judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

 

(*) The reformation and restoring of those things, which were out of order.

 

 32  (*) And (♣) I, if I were (e) lifted up from the earth, will draw (f) (♠) all men unto me.

 

(*) John 3:14 .

(♣) The cross is the means to gather the Church of God together, and draw men to heaven.

(e) Christ used a word, which hath a double meaning; for it signifieth either to lift up, or to rid out of the way, for his meaning was to put them in mind of his death, but the Jews seem to take it another way.
(f) Chrysostom and Theophylact refer this word. All, to all nations; that is, not to the Jews only.

(♠) Not only the Jews but also the Gentiles.

 

 33 Now this said he, signifying what death he should die.

 

 34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the (*) Law, that Christ bideth forever; and how sayest thou, that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is that Son of man?

 

(*) Psalm 89:37; Psalm 110:4; Psalm 117:2; Isaiah 40:8; Ezekiel 37:25 .

 

 35  (8) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is (*) the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest the darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in the dark, knoweth not whither he goeth.

 

(8) Immeasurable is the mercy of God, but a horrible judgment followed, if it be contemned.

(*) John 1:9 .

 

 36 While ye have that light, believe in the light, that ye may be the (g) children of the light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and hid himself from them.

 

(g) That is, partakers of light.

 

 37  ¶ (9) And though he had done so many miracles before them, yet believed they not on him,

 

(9) Faith is not of nature, but of grace.

 

 38 That the saying of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled, that he said, (*) Lord, who believed our report? And to whom is the (h) arm of the Lord revealed?

 

(*) Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:16 .

(h) The arm of the Lord, is the Gospel, which is the power of God to salvation to all that believe; And therefore the arm of the Lord is not revealed to them, whose hearts the Lord hath not opened.

 

 39 Therefore could they not believe, because that Isaiah saith again,

 

 40  (*) He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should (♣) heal them.

 

(*) Isaiah 6:9; Matthew 13:14; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:26; Romans 11:8 .

(♣) By delivering them from their miseries, and giving them true felicity.

 

 41 These things said Isaiah when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

 

 42  (10) Nevertheless, even among the chief rulers, many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should (*) be cast out of the Synagogue.

 

(10) Such as believe, are not only few in number, if they be compared with the unbelievers, but also the most of those few (yea and that especially the chiefest) do fear men more than God.

(*) Or, excommunicated.

 

 43  (*) For they loved the (♣) praise of men, more than the praise of God.

 

(*) John 5:44 .

(♣) To be esteemed of men.

 

 44  (11) And Jesus cried, and said, He that believeth in me, believeth (i) not in me, but in him that sent me.

 

(11) The sum of the Gospel, and therefore of salvation, which Christ witnessed in the midst of Jerusalem, by his crying out, is this; to rest upon Christ through faith, as the only Saviour appointed and given us of the Father.
(i) This word Not, doth not take any whit of this from Christ which is here spoken of, but is in way of correction rather, as if he said, He that believeth in me, doth not so much believe in me, as in him that sent me. So it is in Mark 9:37 .

 

 45 And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me.

 

 46 I (*) am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me, should not abide in darkness.

 

(*) John 3:19; John 9:39 .

 

 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.

 

(*) John 3:17 .

(♣) Or, condemn.

 

 48 He that refuseth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that (♣) judgeth him; (*) the word that I have spoken, it shall judge him in the (♠) last day.

 

(♣) Or, condemneth.

(*) Mark 16:16 .

(♠) For that day shall be the approbation of God.

 

 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.

 

 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting; the things therefore that I speak, I speak them so as the Father said unto me.