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Bible Commentary for Luke 17 thru John 7


Luke 17

Jesus now warns his disciples to be very careful about what they do or what they say, especially as this can cause some to stumble. Anyone causing someone else to stumble will not be forgiven. They are to correct their brothers when they sin and to forgive them when they repent. There is no limit given to the number of times they are to forgive their repentant brothers. The apostles thought that they would need a good amount of faith to do this but Jesus told them that faith the size of a mustard seed could do seemingly impossible things.

Jesus next illustrates the importance of the disciples recognizing that, even when they have done all that is required of them, their attitude should be that they have done only what they should have done and not anything extraordinary.

As Jesus was going into a village along the border of Samaria and Galilee, there were ten men with leprosy standing at a distance that called out to him to help them. Jesus told them to go to the priest and on their way they were healed. (Leviticus 14:2) After all ten were healed, only one of them came back to Jesus to praise God and he was not a Judean but a Samaritan. Afterwards Jesus told the Samaritan that because of his show of appreciation to Jehovah that he had been restored to health.

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming and he told him that there would not be any observable events to herald the coming of the kingdom. People would not be able to point to anything and say that this event indicated that the kingdom was here. For those in the first century, the kingdom was among them in that the king of this kingdom was presently with them.

He tells his disciples that in later days, many would long for those days when he was among them. They would pretend to have knowledge of when the kingdom would begin its rule but Jesus told them that the coming of the kingdom would be like lightening, that is, it would appear suddenly and without warning. But first, he must suffer and be rejected by the generation.

During this time, people would be busy with their everyday occupations, not paying attention to the more important things. He uses the days of Noah when he entered the Ark and the days of Lot when fleeing Sodom to illustrate the suddenness of the revealing of the Son of Man and the consequences of not paying attention. When this day comes, no one will have time to make preparations, but will have to flee, so to speak, with the clothes on his back. Not everyone will be on the alert, so that even close companions will be separated at this time, ‘one taken and one left behind.’ Jesus indicated how important it was to be alert by saying: “where the dead body is, there the eagle will be.” The eagle is a far-sighted bird that can spot prey miles away, so Jesus’ disciples must also be far-sighted, discerning events ahead of time so as to be prepared.

Luke 18

Jesus tells his disciples they should be persistent in prayer. He used an illustration to highlight this matter. He describes a persistent widow who constantly besieged a judge to give her justice against her adversary. The judge is described as a man who was not a caring person and who did not fear God. But because of her persistence, the judge was forced to give her justice. Jesus reasoned that if an unrighteous judge will give justice to a individual, would not a righteous God give justice to His chosen one who cry out to Him day and night?

Jesus also showed that having the proper attitude when approaching God in prayer was very important. He used another parable to underscore his point. There were two men who were praying, a Pharisee and a tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he was full of self-righteousness, thanking God that he was not like the rest of men. Unlike the Pharisee, the tax collector, that was not willing to even raise his eyes heavenward, asked for mercy from God because of his sinful condition. Jesus then said that the tax collector proved more righteous than the Pharisee, because he refused to humble himself before God.

Jesus again emphasizes the necessity of being humble by using little children as an example. Although his disciples thought that it was a waste of time for parents to bring their children to Jesus because they would be too young to understand what he was saying. But Jesus encouraged them to come to him as he said that the kingdom of God belongs to those whose attitudes were like those of young children, those who are humble and teachable.

A wealthy young man approached Jesus and asked what must he do to inherit everlasting life. Jesus reminded him that he knew the commandment and he admitted that he did and had kept them since his youth. This was admirable but there was still something lacking. Jesus tells him that he needs to sell everything he has, give it to the poor and then follow him. This made the young man sad because he had great wealth. Jesus commented that it would be difficult for those having money to get into the kingdom of God. He emphasized this difficulty by saying that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle, an impossible situation. Why? It is because those who have wealth tend to put their trust in it rather than in God. Jesus had already said that a person could not serve two masters, wealth and God as he would love one and hate the other. (Matthew 6:24) It is more common for people to choose wealth over serving God as this young man did.

Peter became concerned about what would happen to them as they had chosen a path different than that rich ruler had. Jesus told them that since they had given up all that they had, including family members, for the sake of the kingdom, they would receive many times more of these things in the present system as well as having them in the future system or things. Since we know that the first century Christians did not accumulate other material things after giving up their possessions, Jesus’ words are more applicable to a modern-day fulfillment. Their hope was to live and rule from heaven, whereas we today have the hope of living on the earth.

Jesus now predicts his coming death a third time. He took his twelve disciples aside and told them that everything that was written by the prophets about him would be fulfilled. He would be handed over to Gentiles, who would mock, insult, spit at, and finally they would kill him. Even after hearing this three times, yet, they did not understand what he was talking about.

Luke Chapter 19

As Jesus was passing through Jericho, a wealthy chief tax collector, whose name was Zacchaeus, wanted to get a look at him. As he was of short statue and a crowd surrounded Jesus, he needed to climb a tree to get a view of him. Jesus spotted him in the fig tree and told him to come down and as he would dine at his home that day. The crowd began complaining because they viewed Zacchaeus as a sinner of the highest order. Tax collectors were hated by the Jewish population because they worked for the
Roman government and they were accustomed to extorting more money that they were contracted to give to the Roman government, and this is where they got their wealth.

Zacchaeus said before all of them that he would give half of his possessions to the poor and would pay back four fold to anyone that he had ever cheated. Jesus then said that salvation had come to his house because he was “a son of Abraham.” Zacchaeus had shown the kind of repentance that Jesus was looking for from the nation of Israel. His attitude was the opposite of that of the rich young ruler that had approached Jesus earlier.

As they neared Jerusalem, some in the crowd were expecting the kingdom of God to instantly appear; therefore Jesus used a parable to dispel this notion. He said that there was a man of noble birth who went to a distant land to receive the appointment as king. He gave ten of his servants ten minas to do business while he was away. There were those in that city who hated him so they sent a delegation after him to those in charge to tell them that they did not want him to be their king.

The man does receive the appointment and returns home. He calls his servants to him to give an accounting for his money. Those who had earned more money for their master were rewarded. The one who simply buried the money was castigated because of his laziness and his mina was taken away from him. Then the ones who did not want him to be their king were brought before him and were killed.

Here Jesus showed his followers that he would leave them for a while but would later return with the necessary authority. He would leave them work to do and when he returned, he would expect them to have increased his belongings while he was away. He would then give them their reward or punishment whatever the case may be. He would also call the nation to account because they did not want him to become their king. This all happened in 70 CE when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and killed more than a million Jews and scattered the remainder throughout the Roman empire. This would also be the time when Jesus rewarded his servants and abandoned those he deemed wicked. (Luke 17:34, 35)

For a more in-depth discussion of this parable and its modern-day application, see the article: Jesus Second Parousia or Coming – When?

Jesus now prepares to present himself to the people of Jerusalem as their king. Before he got to Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples into a nearby village to bring a colt that no one had ridden on. (1 Kings 1:23) They put Jesus on the beast and as he begins his ride into the city, the disciples spread their cloaks on the road and began to publicly praise God, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of Jehovah.” There were also Pharisees in the crowd that day and some of them told Jesus to rebuke his disciples for saying such a thing. But this was in fulfillment of prophecy. (Zechariah 9:9)

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, he began weeping over the city because he knew what was going to happen to it. He knew that the people had not taken advantage of the means that would bring peace for them but it was now too late. They had failed to recognize that Jehovah was inspecting them as to their worthiness for blessing for themselves. They were now in line for destruction by their enemies in due time. They had failed to recognize Jesus as the one Jehovah God had sent to them and now this would be hidden from their eyes.

When he entered the temple area, he drove out the people who were buying and selling for the second time. He told them they have made his Father’s house a “den of robbers.” (Jeremiah 7:11) Each day he taught at the temple and the chief priests and others schemed to kill him but they could not find a way to do so as the people were enthralled by his words.

Luke Chapter 20

While Jesus was teaching the people in the temple the religious leaders came and asked him where he got the authority to do what he was doing. Jesus agreed to answer their question if they would first answer his question. He asked them who gave John the authority to baptize. After a short discussion, they decided not to say what they really thought, so they said that they did not know. This is because if they said it was from “heaven,” he would say “why is it you did not believe him?” And if they said “from men,” the people would stone them because they believed that John was a prophet. Jesus therefore refused to answer their question.

Jesus now describes the situation that exists for the nation of Israel because of their wicked leadership. A man planted a vineyard. He then rented it out to farmers and left for a long time. During the harvest time, the owner sent a servant to receive some of the fruit from the vineyard. The farmers beat him and the servant left empty handed. The owner sent others also with the last one being wounded. Finally, he sent his son but they killed him and thought that the inheritance would become theirs. The owner of the vineyard came and killed those tenants and gave the vineyard to others. The people were appalled at this idea and said they hoped this would never happen.

Jesus then asks the crowd what did Psalm 118:22, which says, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" mean? The people may not have understood what Jesus was saying but the scribes and chief priests did. They wanted to take Jesus into custody at that moment because they recognized that he had them in mind when he spoke this illustration.

The religious leaders kept a close watch on Jesus in hope that he would do or say something that would give them the legal right to arrest him. They even took steps to try and trap him in his speech. They sent spies to question him. They asked him if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. Taxation by the Roman government was always a sore spot for them. He knew what they were up to so he asked for a Roman coin. He asked whose face was on the coin and they replied, ‘Caesars.’ Since the coin belonged to Caesar then they should give to Caesar what was his and to God what was His.

Later some Sadducees approach Jesus with a question about the resurrection. They gave a scenario about a woman who had married seven brothers with each one dying before producing a child with her and finally the woman died. They wanted to know to whom would she belong at the resurrection. Jesus replied that those who were resurrected from the dead would not marry or be given in marriage. He was of course speaking of the resurrection to heaven. Their question dealt with the Jewish custom of “levirate marriage” and they assumed that in the resurrection people would be reunited in marriage to their previous mate.

They did not really believe in the resurrection from the dead and Jesus knew this. So he told them that Moses believed in the resurrection because he called Jehovah the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men who were long dead. Jehovah is the God of the living and His being called their God was assurance that they would be resurrected. Some who heard his answer had to admit that he had silenced those questioning him. And of course, Jesus left them with something to think about. He quoted Psalms 110:1 and asked if David called the ‘christ’ lord in this verse, how then could the ‘christ’ be called David’s son? (Matthew 1:1)

Luke Chapter 21

While still in the temple he saw the rich putting offerings into the temple treasury. He noticed a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He commented that she had given more that the wealthy had as they gave out of their surplus, but she gave out of her want, all that she had.

One of his disciples made a comment about the temple and the beautiful stones that adorned it. Jesus told them that the time would come when not one of those stones would be left upon another stone and not be torn down. The thought that this temple would be destroyed had not occurred to his disciples. So they ask him when would this happen and what sign would be given of this impending destruction. Jesus began listing the things that they should look for to indicate where they were in the stream of time. Although they were able to apply some of his words to themselves, they have more application to us today than to his first century disciples.

He warned to expect false messiahs whose aim was to mislead them; there would be much unrest among the nations and they should expect to be persecuted. Persecution would be a large part of their lives. They would have to defend their faith before kings and governors. Jesus told them not to worry about what they would say because he would give them a mouth to speak, meaning they would have “forceful speech,” and also the wisdom which none of their adversaries would be able to resist or dispute. They would also be betrayed by close relatives and hated by all men because of Jesus’ name.

He also told them that he would be with them throughout this time period and that not a hair on their head would perish. The Barnes' Notes, Volume IX, page 142, says: "'A hair on your head perish.' This is a proverbial expression, denoting that they should not suffer any essential injury. This was strikingly fulfilled in the fact that in the calamities of Jerusalem there is reason to believe that no Christian suffered. Before those calamities came on the city they had fled."

When they saw Jerusalem being surrounded by encamped armies, they would know that its desolation was near. So those living in Judea should then begin fleeing to the mountains and those in the country places should not enter into the city of Jerusalem. This was going to be a time of great distress for everyone because Jerusalem was going to be trampled on by the nations. This trampling would continue until the time period called “the times of the Gentiles” ended.

Signs in the sun, moon and stars would be seen, and on the earth, anguish of nations not knowing the way out. Men would become faint out of fear because of the things coming upon the inhabited earth. At that time, men would see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But as these things start to occur, his disciples were to act in an opposite manner than the rest of mankind. They would be joyful because these events indicated that their deliverance was getting near.

But they were to remain watchful, not letting their hearts become weighed down with drunkenness, dissipation or anxieties of life. They needed to be on watch and to pray continually so that they would escape these things and stand before the Son of Man when he arrived.

Luke Chapter 22

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was approaching and the religious leaders were looking for a way to arrest Jesus. Satan emboldened Judas Iscariot to go to these leaders and discuss with them how he might betray Jesus. Delighted with this turn of events, they agreed to give him money. Thereafter, Judas was on watch for an opportunity to betray him.

Jesus sent two of his disciples to make preparation for the Passover. When the time for the celebration came, they reclined at the table and Jesus spoke of his eagerness to celebrate this festival with them before he died. He took the cup of wine, gave thanks and passed it among the disciples. He told them that the cup represented the new covenant by means of his blood that would be poured out for them. He then took the bread, broke it and gave it to them telling them that it meant his body given for them.
He also told them that the one who would betray him was at the table with them.

Jesus again has to explain the necessity for their cultivating humility as they again argue among themselves about which of them is the greatest. Jesus explains that the greatest will be the one that serves. Jesus used his own example of ministering to them even though he was their lord. Since they were the ones that had stuck with him in his trials, he was making a covenant with them just as his Father made a covenant with him, for a kingdom. They would sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him after he tells Jesus he is willing to go to prison or even to die with him. Peter is told that a cock will not crow that day until he had denied knowing Jesus three times. He now warns them that life would be different from that time onwards. Whereas before when he sent them out, their needs were taken care of. But after his death, people would not be so cordial. They would now have to take their own supplies along with them, even a sword, because Jesus would die as a criminal and his followers would be treated as such also. Of course, they missed Jesus’ point about having a sword.

They left the room where they had been meeting and went to the Mount of Olives and again Jesus encouraged them to pray that they would not fall into temptation as they would face that threat that night. He, himself, begin praying that he would not have to drink the cup he had been given but only if it was his Father’s will. An angel from heaven came to strengthen him. He began praying even more earnestly and his sweat was so profuse that it looked like drops of blood coming from a wound.

He rose from prayer and found the disciples to be sleeping. He told them to rise and carry on prayer that they do not enter into temptation. While he was still speaking, the man Judas came with a crowd following him to betray Jesus. The disciples saw what was going on and asked if they should strike with the sword. One of them did strike the slave of the high priest and took off his ear. Jesus touched the ear and healed it. Jesus was seized and taken to the house of the high priest and Peter followed them. Here Peter denied Jesus three times. The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.

The council of elders, the Sanhedrin, met at daybreak and Jesus was brought before them. They wanted to know if he was the Christ. Jesus told them that they wouldn’t believe him if he were to tell them. He did say that from that time onward, the Son of Man would be seated at the right hand of God. For them, this was an admission that he was the Christ and it was all of the testimony that they needed to hear. They could now take him before the Roman authority for crimes against the state.

Luke Chapter 23

The assembly took him to Pilate and so the trial moved to Roman jurisdiction. They brought three charges against him. They were: 1) Jesus was subverting the nation, 2) he opposed the payments of taxes to Caesar, and 3) he claimed to be their king. Among other questions not mentioned in this account, Pilate asks him if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus’ answer to Pilate did not convince him that he was, in fact, making such a claim. Pilate then tells the assembly he sees nothing that he can charge Jesus with. After finding out that Jesus lived in Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent him to Herod.

Herod was pleased to see Jesus because he had heard about him and was hoping to see a miracle. Herod asked many questions but Jesus gave no answer to them. So, Herod with his guards made fun of him and dressed him in a bright purple robe, which was meant to mock Jesus’ claim to be king, and sent him back to Pilate.

Pilate told the crowd he has found no basis for their charges against Jesus and neither had Herod. He wanted to punish him first and then release him. But the Jews shouted for him to be killed. Three times he tried to release him because he was innocent of any charges, but the more he tried, the louder they cried for his death. Under such protests, Pilate finally caved in to their request.

So Jesus was taken to a place called Golgotha or ‘the Skull’ to be executed along with two criminals. (Isaiah 53:12) The NIV Life Application Bible, page 2204 says, "The place called the Skull, or Golgotha, was probably a hill outside Jerusalem along a main road. The Romans executed people publicly as examples to the people."

A large crowd of people followed him to the site. As the women were weeping, Jesus told them that they should not weep for him but for themselves and their children because the time would come when they would wish that they had not given birth to children. These days would be so difficult that they would beg for protection because of what was happening to them. (Hosea 10:8)

After they hung him on the stake, Jesus asked his Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. The religious leaders as well as the soldiers hurled insults and taunted him. In fulfillment of scripture, the soldiers cast lots for his clothing (Psalms 22:18) and offered him sour wine to drink (Psalms 69:21). There was a sign above his head that read: “This is the king of the Jews.” It would appear that even the two criminals had heard of Jesus. One of them insulted him by saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Then save yourself and us.” The other one was more compassionate. He did not believe that Jesus had done anything wrong, and he asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise.

Around the sixth hour, darkness fell over the area and lasted until the ninth hour (about noon until three p.m.). Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," then he died. (Psalms 31:5) The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume VIII, page 1045 says, “Normally a person in the last stages of crucifixion would not have the strength to speak beyond a weak groan, but each synoptic Gospel says that Jesus spoke with a “loud voice.”

A man called Joseph came afterwards and asked Pilate for Jesus' body. Although he was a member of the Sanhedrin, he had not agreed with the majority that Jesus should die. He took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a new tomb. The women from Galilee who had watched the execution followed Joseph in order to know where Jesus would be buried. They went home to prepare spices and perfumes but could not anoint the body until after the Sabbath.

Luke Chapter 24

On the next day, the first day of the week, the women took their spices to the tomb. The stone that covered the face of the tomb had been rolled away and so they entered but did not find Jesus’ body. Two men appeared suddenly and told the women that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead. The angels reminded them that Jesus had told them that what would happen to him and they then remembered his words to them. So they then went back and reported the news to the eleven and the others. But, they did not believe what the women told them, because it seemed foolish. The Expositors’ Bible Commentary, Volume VIII, page 1049, says, “While the witness of women was not acceptable in those days, nevertheless Luke records their testimony”. However, Peter did run to the tomb and saw only the linen cloth that Jesus had been wrapped in. Even he did not understand what had happened.

On that same day, Jesus appears to two of his disciples who were traveling to Emmaus. He joined them as they walked along the road discussion the events that had happened to Jesus. Jesus walks alongside them but neither recognizes him. He asked them what were they discussing and they told him. Their explanations of the events showed that they still did not grasp the full meaning of these events. So Jesus explained to them all the scriptures that pertained to himself, but they still did not recognize him. As they neared their destination, they invited Jesus to stay with them since the hour was late. So he went in to stay with them. At the table, their eyes were opened and they recognized him when he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to the two. They now recognized that it was Jesus who had been speaking to them. At once, the two disciples went back to Jerusalem and told the eleven and others with them what had happen.

As they were still talking about what had happened, Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst and said to them “Peace be with you.” They thought he was a ghost and were frightened. Jesus told them to touch him and he showed them his hands and feet. He then asked for something to eat and they gave him a piece of fish, which he ate before them.

Jesus explained to them the scriptures that pertained to him, enabling them to understand them. He said that everything that had been written about him would be fulfilled. He reminded them that they were witnesses of these things and they are to stay in the city until they receive what the Father had promised, holy spirit. He led them to the vicinity of Bethany where he blessed them and while they looked on, he was taken into heaven. His disciples did obeisance to him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy!

John Chapter 1

John was one of Jesus twelve apostles and was a Galilean who lived the longest of all of them. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome. John was also the younger brother of James. John was the only apostle to die of a natural death. All the other apostles died as martyrs. In times of pressure, he was the closest one to Jesus (John 13:23). John was the one that Jesus entrusted his mother to (John 19:27).

The book of John reveals a little more about Jesus' betrayer Judas Iscariot in the ointment incident. Only in John, is the person and reason revealed of the complaint made about the costly ointment that Mary placed on Jesus before his death (John 11:2, 12:3). Here, John reveals the person as Judas Iscariot, who was not concerned about the poor. Instead, he was a thief that had the moneybox and often stole money from it (John 12:4-6).

This gospel contains no parables but it does contain information on seven miracles, five of which are not recorded elsewhere: changing water to wine, curing of the official's son, curing of the paralytic, feeding the multitude, walking on water, giving sight to the blind, and raising Lazarus from the dead.

John refers to Jesus, in his heavenly existence, in the first verse of this gospel as the Word that was in the beginning with God. He was the beginning of Jehovah’s creative works and His chief spokesperson. He was used to create all other things. (Colossians 1:16)

John the Baptist was sent forth to the world by Jehovah God to prepare the way for Him. (Isaiah 40:3) He is not the light but came to testify concerning the one that is the light, who was coming into the world. The world would not accept this one who was sent to them. But for those who do accept him, they would be given the opportunity to be called children of God.

The Word became flesh and lived among men. John the Baptist said of Jesus that although he would come after John began his work, yet he would surpass him as he existed before he did. The nation would receive many blessings because of him.

Now the Jews sent some priests to question John as to who he was or claimed to be. First they asked him if he was the promised “Christ,” which means “anointed one.” He denied this. Then they ask if he is Elijah (Malachi 4:5), which he also denied. Finally they ask him if he is “The Prophet” (Acts 3:22; Deuteronomy. 18:15) and he says, “No!” He told them that he was the one spoken of in Isaiah 40:3 as the “one crying out in the wilderness ‘MAKE the way of Jehovah straight.’” Then they wanted to know why he was baptizing people if he was not Elijah or the prophet. He told them he was baptizing with water but there was someone that they did not know who was coming after him who was more worthy than he was. He was baptizing so that this one would be revealed to Israel.

Although the actual account of Jesus’ baptism is not given in this chapter, John does say that he did not know Jesus personally but had been told by Jehovah that the one on whom the spirit came down and remained on would be the one to baptize with holy spirit. The next day when two of his disciples were with him, John saw Jesus and told them that this was the Lamb of God. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, heard this and accepted John's testimony concerning Jesus and he went and found his brother, Simon. He told him he had found the “Messiah” and brought Peter to Jesus. When meeting Simon, Jesus gave him the name, Cephas (Aramaic), or Peter, (Greek), both names mean “a rock.” Interesting to note is that both were followers of John the Baptist before meeting Jesus.

The next day Jesus found Philip and offered him the opportunity to be his follower. Then Philip found Nathanael and told him that he had found the one Moses and the prophet wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth. Philip was skeptical, but Philip urged him to come and see for himself. Upon seeing Nathanael, Jesus told him that he was a true Israelite and a man in whom there was no deceit. He also told him that he had seen him under a fig tree before Philip called him. The NIV Bible Commentary, page 301, says this of Jesus’ statement. “Jesus’ phrase ‘under the fig tree’ (v. 48) was used in rabbinic literature to describe meditation on the Law.” In further conversation with Nathanael, Jesus told him that he would see heaven open with angels from God coming to the Son of Man. This statement may have been a reference to a dream that Jacob had while on his way to Paddan-aram. (Genesis 28:12) It is possible that Nathanael was meditating on this account just before Philip came to him.

John Chapter 2

Three days later, Jesus revealed his glory to his disciples at Cana in Galilee when he performed his first miracle and they put their faith in him. There was a wedding there and Jesus’ mother and his disciples were invited. Because there was not enough wine for the wedding his mother got him involve. So Jesus turned six jars of water into wine that was deemed to be the best wine at the feast. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume VIII, page 43, says, "The effect of this miracle is noteworthy. It marked the beginning of a ministry accompanied by supernatural power and it proved so convincing to the new disciples that they 'put their faith in him.' The deed helped confirm the conclusion they had drawn from their previous interviews with him: Jesus must be the Messiah."

Jesus, his family and his disciples went to Capernaum and stayed for a few days. It was near the time for the Passover and Jesus went to Jerusalem and entered the temple courtyard. There he saw men selling cattle, sheep, and doves to use in the sacrifices. Using a whip made from ropes, he drove them from the temple saying that they have turned his Father's House into a market. Jesus’ disciples then remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (Psalm 69:9)

The Jews asked for a sign to prove he had the authority to do what he had just done. Jesus told them that if they destroyed this temple and he would raise it in three days. The Pharisees thought Jesus was referring to Herod’s temple, which had been under construction for forty-six years and still was not complete yet. Only after Jesus’ resurrection did his disciples understand what he meant. During the Passover celebration, Jesus performed many miracles and many Jews put faith in him.

John Chapter 3

One night a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus came to Jesus. He told Jesus that he knew that he was a teacher from God because of the miraculous signs he performed. But Jesus told him that no one could “see” [perceive the reality of] God's Kingdom unless he is born again. In the footnote for verse 3, the NIV Study Bible says this: “The Greek also may mean “born from above.” Nicodemus thought Jesus was referring to another physical birth. But Jesus said that this birth that he was speaking of was that of being born of water and spirit, a birth that was of God’s doing.

Nicodemus still did not understand what Jesus was saying even though he was a teacher of the Law. But Jesus told him that he was speaking to him about heavenly things, not earthly things which he did not understand either. He, Jesus was the one who had come from heaven and would lifted up, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that those believing in him would have eternal life. (See Numbers 21:7-9)

Jesus tells Nicodemus that Jehovah loved the world, the Jewish world, that he sent his son that they might gain life through him. Those putting faith in him would not be condemned and those who will not are already condemned. He continued by saying that though “light” has come into the world, men would actually prefer the darkness because of their evil deeds. And only those who live by “truth” will come into this “light,” so that Jehovah’s hand in the matter can be seen. Jesus explained that God sent forth his “means of salvation” and everyone not putting faith in this one will be judged by his own reaction. And this would be the basis for their judgment.

Jesus and his disciples now go into the Judean countryside where his disciples begin baptizing those who were following Jesus. John is also continuing to baptize as people keep coming to him. But his disciples become concerned because they learn that Jesus’ disciples are also baptizing people. John reminds them that he told them he was not the christ but was sent ahead of him. He describes himself as the friend of the bridegroom who becomes full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. Jesus’ disciples would become many and he would have fewer disciples. Then John emphasizes that obedience to the son is crucial in obtaining everlasting life.

John Chapter 4

Jesus was just beginning his ministry and the time was not right for him to confront the Pharisees openly. When he learned that the Pharisees were talking about the fact that he was gaining more disciples then John, he decided to return to Galilee. To do this he had to go through Samaria. He came to Sychar; a town that was near Jacob's well, where he stopped to rest. This well was located at the foot of Mount Gerizim, which was the center of Samaritan worship.

A Samaritan woman came to draw water and Jesus asks her for a drink and this surprised this woman as no Jew would speak to a Samaritan nor asked for a drink from one. She wanted to know why he was asking her for water and he told her that if she knew who he was and what he could give her, she would have been asking him for living water. She is still thinking about physical water when he tells her that anyone drinking the water that he gives will never be thirsty again. She still misunderstands what he is telling her because she asks him to give her some of this water so that she will have to keep coming to the well to draw water.

Jesus then asked her to go and get her husband, as this was proper etiquette not to talk to a woman unless her husband was present. Jesus was aware of her situation but he wanted her to admit it. She did and he told her what he knew about her. She concluded from that that he must be a prophet. The question came up concerning where one should go in order to render acceptable worship to God. Jesus told her that the Jews did know about salvation and the Samaritans did not. But the day was coming when true worshippers would not look to a particular place to worship but would do so in spirit and truth.

Then this Samaritan woman said that she knows that the Messiah is coming and will teach them all things. Her basis for this statement was that the Samaritans believed that Moses was describing the Messiah in Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus openly tells her that he is the foretold Messiah. Jesus’ disciples return from buying food for them and they ask him why is he talking to a woman. The woman was so excited that she left her water jar and ran to tell those living in the town that she may have met the ‘christ.’ Interesting to note, this is the one occasion that Jesus declares his messiahship voluntarily.

Jesus disciples wanted him to eat something as he had to be tired from their journey. But Jesus said that his food was to the will of his Father, showing that there was more satisfaction from doing the will of his Father than in eating literal food. He then explained to them that there was much spiritual work to do and that even at this time the reapers were harvesting the crop for everlasting life. He also said that there would be sowing and reaping at the same time and that he would send them forth to reap where they had not sown. About that time many Samaritans came from the town because of the woman's testimony. They convinced Jesus to stay with them for two more days. Many of them became believers during this time.

At the end of the two days with the Samaritans, Jesus entered Galilee where he was welcomed because many of them has seen his miracles while they were at the Passover feast in Jerusalem. He then visited Cana where a royal official, whose son was near death, begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus did so without ever going near the boy. The fever left his son that same hour that Jesus said he would live. The official and his whole household put faith in Jesus that day. This was the second miracle that Jesus did in Galilee.

John Chapter 5

There was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus again went up to Jerusalem. He encountered a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years lying by the pool called Bethesda. He asked the man if he wanted to get well and the man replied that there was no one to help him into the pool. Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk and he did. This occurred on the Sabbath and the Jews rebuked the man for carrying his mat on this day. The man told them that the one who had healed him told to pick up his mat. They wanted to know who this man was but he did not know. Later, Jesus found him and told him to stop sinning or else something worse may happen. Jesus here meant his sinning against God’s Law, the Mosaic Covenant. Jehovah had promised Israel that if they obeyed His laws they would not experience sicknesses and diseases. (Deuteronomy 7:11-15) The NIV Life Application Bible, page 2231, says, "This was a great miracle. But he needed an even greater miracle - to have his sins forgiven. The man was delighted to be physically healed, but he had to turn from his sins and seek God's forgiveness to be spiritually healed."

The Jews began opposing Jesus because of what he had done on the Sabbath. Jesus’ response to them was that he could do nothing by himself but only what he sees his Father doing, and that these things the Son also does in like manner. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. He that hears his word and believes in the one that sent him has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life. He then tells them that the Son of Man has been given authority to judge and a time will come when all those in the graves will hear his voice and come out. Those who practiced good things will be resurrected to life and those who practiced evil things will be resurrected to condemnation.

Jesus told them that he has many witnesses who could vouch for his authority. First, he had the backing of the highest authority, God. Then there was John the Baptist who testified about Jesus and they did not believe. The works that he was doing were an even greater witness than that of John. And the scriptures also are a witness to his authority.

He told them that he, unlike them, did not accept praise from men. He came in his Father’s name but they did not accept him. But anyone who comes in his own name is acceptable to them. Because they accept praise from each other, they do not seek the praise that comes from the only important Personage in the universe, Jehovah.

He would not be the one who accuses them before the Father, but Moses would do that. They study the scriptures and place their hopes in Moses, yet Moses wrote about him. If they truly believed Moses then they would have no problem believing what he says about himself.

John Chapter 6

Jesus now crosses to the far side of the Sea of Galilee where many people follow him because of the signs he performed. Later he and his disciples went up on a mountainside. After seeing a large crowd coming towards them, Jesus asked Philip where were they going to get sufficient food to feed them. Philip did not know. Andrew mentioned a young boy who had some provisions but these would not be enough for everyone. Then Jesus told them to have the people sit on the grass. This account only refers to the five thousand men there and does not say how many women or children were also present (Matt. 14:21). This miracle is mentioned only in this account by the apostle John.

Jesus took the five barley loaves, gave thanks, and handed them to his disciples to hand out to all the people. They crowd had as much as they wanted to eat. Twelve baskets of food were leftover when all was done eating. Because of this miraculous sign, many in this crowd were saying that this must be the prophet that Moses prophesized about. (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18) Jesus knew the crowd now wanted to make him king by force so he withdrew to a mountain alone.

That evening, his disciples got in a boat to go to Capernaum. They were at least 3 miles out on a lake when a strong wind began blowing making it difficult to row the boat. They saw Jesus walking on water towards them and became terrified. He told them not to be afraid so they let him onto the boat. The boat immediately reached the area where they were trying to go.

The next day the same crowd that ate the bread and fish went looking for Jesus and found him on the other side of the lake. Jesus knew that it was not because of the miraculous sign he performed but because they ate and were filled. He told them to work for the food that endured to everlasting life, which he would give them.

They then asked how could they do the works that God required. Jesus told them God wanted them to believe in the one he sent. So, the crowd asked Jesus for a sign so that they could believe him. Had not Moses fed their forefathers bread from heaven for forty years? Would Jesus perform a more powerful sign that this? Jesus then told the crowd that it was Jehovah, not Moses, who had provided bread from heaven for them. This bread had come directly from heaven and would give life to the world. They then said that they wanted this bread. Jesus told them that he was this bread of life and anyone who came to him would never go hungry and never thirst. He had come to do the will of his Father and this will was that none who believed in him would be lost, but would inherit everlasting life being resurrected in the last day.

The Jews began to murmur because Jesus told them he was the bread that came down from heaven. They could not understand this because they only saw him as the human son of Joseph. Jesus told them to stop grumbling among themselves. The Father would draw all those who were worthy to him and he would raise them up in the last day. Their forefathers ate manna from heaven but they died. He told them his flesh was the living bread that had come from heaven, and anyone that ate this bread would live forever. But, they did not understand how Jesus could give them his flesh so the argued about it. Jesus affirmed that only if they ate his flesh and drank his blood would they remain in him and he in them.

Many of his disciples then deserted him and quit following him because they reasoned his teaching was just too hard. Jesus then asked his twelve if they would also leave him. Peter replied they had no where else to go and they believed his words were sayings of everlasting life. Jesus then told his twelve he has chosen them yet one of them would betray him.

John Chapter 7

The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was drawing near and Jesus stayed away from Judea because the Jews there wanted him dead. Jesus brothers were having a hard time believing in him. So they told him to go back to Judea and show himself to the world and let his disciples see more of his miracles. Jesus’ brothers were not exercising faith in him. Jesus told them that the time is not right yet and that they should go to the feast, but Jesus remained in Galilee.

Later, Jesus went to the feast in secret. In the temple courts he began teaching. There the Jews ask how he knew so much without ever studying at their schools. Jesus replied that his teaching did not belong to him but had come from the one who sent him. If any of them wanted to do God’s will then they would learn whether his teachings were of his own originality or whether they came from God. One who spoke on his own was seeking was seeking honor for himself. But the one who worked to honor God was a man of truth.

He then said to the crowd that Moses had given them the law, but not one of them obeyed it. So why did they want to kill him? The Jewish crowd told him that he was demon-possessed as no one was trying to kill him. Jesus asks why they were angry with him for healing a man on the Sabbath when the law could be broken on the Sabbath to circumcise a child. They needed to stop judging by mere appearances and to look deeper into the matter.

The people began wondering why the official did not arrest Jesus as he was speaking publicly. Maybe they had concluded that he really was the christ. But others did not agree because they believed that when the christ came no one would know where he was from and they knew where Jesus was from. Jesus again reaffirmed that even though they did know where he was from, he had not come on his own but had been sent by the Father, someone that they did not know. At this many put faith in him because they reasoned that his many miraculous signs proved that he was the christ. So, his enemies tried to seize him by having the temple guards arrest him.

When the last day of the Feast came, Jesus spoke to the crowds urging anyone who was thirsty to come to him and to get drink. Anyone who drank from him, streams of living waters would flow from within him. Jesus had reference here to the coming spirit that he would send to those who believed in him. On hearing these words, some of the people began to believe that he was really the Prophet or the Christ, but others stumbled over the fact that he had come from Galilee. Amazed at his words, the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees without bringing Jesus to them. When the leaders asked why, the guards told them that they were amazed at the way Jesus spoke. Nicodemus, one of their number asks why would they condemn Jesus before hearing him. But, they told him that the scriptures did not say that a prophet would come out of Galilee.




***©2006 by YORWW Congregation