Bible Commentary - John 8 thru Acts 3
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:26 pm
Bible Commentary - John 8 thru Acts 3
John Chapter 8
Jesus is seen in the temple court where the people gathered around him and he speaks to them telling them that he is the light of the world. If they follow him, they will have light and never walk in darkness. The Pharisees challenged this statement because they believed that there must be others who could testify to this fact. Jesus assured them that his testimony was valid, that the Father who sent him was with him. Jesus said “I am the one that bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They continued their challenge and asked Jesus “Where is your Father?” He answered them and said that they knew neither him nor his Father, because if they had known him, they would also know his Father.
Jesus spoke concerning his origin that he is not from the earth but from heaven above. If they do not accept that he was who he claimed to be, they would suffer the consequences. He went on to say to them “You are from the realms below: I am from the realms above. You are from this world; I am not from this world. Therefore, I say to you, you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” In answer to their question, “Who are you?” Jesus tells them that after they have put him to death, they would know who he was and that the things that he had told them were from the Father. Many hearing these things believed him, or put faith in him.
To those who put faith in him, he said that they would prove to be his disciples by holding to his teachings. These teachings would set them free. Some in the crowd objected to this and stated they were Abraham's descendants and had never been slaves. Jesus replies that anyone who sins is a slave to sin and that slaves cannot be permanent members of the household unless they are set free, something that Jesus tells them he can do. Then, Jesus acknowledges they are Abraham's descendants yet they want to kill him. Therefore, they are doing the desires of their Father for the people would love him if their Father were God. Because they cannot hear his message, Jesus reveals to the crowd that their father is the devil and that is why they want to kill him. The devil has been a murderer from the beginning. Hence, he that is from God listens to the sayings of God. They do not listen to him because they are not from God.
Jesus surprised the crowd by telling them he has seen Abraham, and that he was alive before Abraham existed. Those listening to him were now sure that he was either a Samaritan or was demon-possessed. They stated that Abraham and the prophets died but Jesus was asserting that he had been alive since the time of Abraham and the prophets and was of course making himself out to be someone very important. Jesus assured them that he was not saying these things because he was attempting to glorify himself because his Father would do this. He told them that even Abraham looked forward to seeing the day that he would come to the earth and that he existed even before Abraham was born. After the Jewish crowd heard this, they became angry and so picked up stones to throw at him. Jesus slipped away from the temple and hid.
John Chapter 9
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been born blind. His disciples wondered who was to blame for his condition, this man or his parents? Jesus answered neither, but it happened so that God's work could be displayed. He spit on ground, picked up the mud, and put it on the man's eyes. The man listened to what Jesus told him to do, and went to the Pool of Siloam, washed his eyes and then he could see. After receiving his sight, some of his neighbors accepted that he was the man who had been born blind while others said he only looked like this man. The formally blind man would say to them, “I am he”. They asked him how his eyes had been opened and he explained it to them. They then wanted to know where was the man who healed him and he said he did not know.
Because the blind man was healed on the Sabbath it was a serious case, so he was taken to the Pharisees to be questioned. They asked him how he received his sight and the man told him. The Pharisees became divided about Jesus because he did not observe the Sabbath as they did. They asked the man who he thought Jesus was and he told them that he was a prophet. The Jews still did not believe that this man had been blind all of his life, so they sent for his parents. His parents acknowledged that he was born blind but they did not know how he was now able to see. His parents did not want to be expelled from the synagogue because of acknowledging Jesus, so they told the Pharisees to ask their son. So they asked him again. Insults were hurled at the man because he asked them why they wanted to hear the story again, could it be that they want to become disciples of Jesus. The man was surprised that the leaders did not know about Jesus as he had performed a miracle that only someone from God could do. He said it has never happened before that anyone opened the eyes of one born blind, so if this man was not from God, he couldn’t have done that. Then the Pharisees said “You were born in sins and yet you are teaching us?” They then threw him out of the synagogue!
Jesus heard what had happened to the man so he finds him and asks him if he is putting faith in the Son of Man. The man said that he did not know who the Son of Man was and Jesus tells him that he is looking at him. Then he says “I do put faith in him” and he did obeisance to him. Jesus then said that he had come into the world so that the blind would see and those seeing would not become blind. The Pharisees ask Jesus “We are not blind also, are we?” Jesus answered them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, “We see”. Your sin remains.”
John Chapter 10
Jesus speaks to the crowds using an illustration of sheep and their shepherd. He tells them that any man that does not enter the sheep pen by the gate but finds some other way in is a thief and a robber. But, the man that enters the sheep pen by the gate is the good shepherd and the watchman opens the gate for him. Only this man can call his sheep by their name and lead them. His sheep will follow only him because they know his voice so will not follow a stranger whose voice they do not recognize. But the people do not get the point of this illustration.
He goes on to tell them that he is the gate and the good shepherd. And only the good shepherd will lay his life down for the sheep. The one hired to watch the sheep runs away, abandoning the sheep, when wolves come. He does not really care for the sheep because he is only a hired hand. Jesus adds by saying that he has other sheep that are of another sheep pen. These he will bring and they will listen to his voice. Jesus tells the Jewish crowd that he will voluntarily lay down his life in behalf of the sheep because his Father has given him authority to do so.
When winter came, Jesus went to the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume VIII, page 111 says, " The Feast of Dedication, now known as Hanukkah, was established as a memorial to the purification and rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus on Kislev (December ) 25, 165 B.C." While there, the Jews asked him to plainly say whether he was the Christ. Jesus told them that question had already been answered by the miracles that he did in his Father's name, yet they still did not believe. They therefore were not his sheep because his sheep recognize his voice, follow him and he gives them everlasting life. Nobody can snatch his sheep out of his hand because his Father gave them to him because he and the Father are one. The Jews then picked up stones to kill him. Jesus asks them why did they want to kill him. They told him that it was because he was blaspheming God because he claimed God as his Father. Jesus escapes them and goes back to where John had been baptizing in early times, across the Jordan. Many came to him there and put faith in him.
John Chapter 11
Lazarus, from Bethany, became very sick. He was the brother of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary was the woman that poured expensive perfumed oil on Jesus and cleaned his feet with her hair. (Mark 14:3) Both sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him how sick Lazarus was. Jesus got the message but stayed away two more days. The Barnes' Notes, Volume IV, page 296 says, "Probably Lazarus died soon after the messengers left him. Jesus knew that and did not hasten to Judea, but remained two days longer where he was that there might not be the possibility of doubt that he was dead, so that when he came there he had been dead four days."
Later, Jesus tells his disciples that their friend had fallen asleep but they did not understand, so Jesus told them that Lazarus was dead and that he was glad he was not there because this will give them another occasion to believe in him. They arrived and found that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Only Martha came out to greet Jesus and he told her Lazarus would rise again.
When Mary heard that Jesus was present, she got up quickly and left to meet him. She fell at his feet when she saw him, and told him if he had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus asked where they had laid him, and they took him to the tomb. Even Jesus himself became emotional at this moment causing the people to remark about his affection for Lazarus. He asked that the stone be removed but Martha said there would be a bad odor coming from the tomb since it had been four days. Jesus reminded her that he had told her if she believed that she would see the glory of God. They took the stone away and Jesus offered a prayer giving thanks to his Father who always listened to him. But his words were for the benefit of the people standing there because he wanted them to believe that God had sent him to them. Then in a loud voice, Jesus called to the dead man to come out. Lazarus came out wrapped in linen. When many of the Jews that had come to Mary saw what Jesus had done, they put faith in him while others went and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done.
The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together. They concluded that if they allowed Jesus to continue doing miraculous signs, everyone would end up on his side. If this were to happen, the Romans would take away whatever freedoms they enjoyed. The NIV Bible Commentary, page 336, says this about their fears: “They anticipated that the miracles of Jesus would bring such a wave of popular support that the Romans, fearing a revolution would intervene by seizing complete authority, thus displacing the Jewish government and destroying the national identity.”
The high priest, Caiaphas, then prophesied that it would be better that one man should die for the nation rather than that the entire nation should be destroyed. This he said not of his own volition but because he was high priest Jehovah caused him to utter this prophecy. So from that day on they took council to find a way to kill him.
Therefore, Jesus decided to limit his public appearances among the Jews and chose to retire to a small village in the desert called Ephraim. When the Passover was near, many Jews entered Jerusalem looking for Jesus in the temple area, asking one another if they thought he would show up. The Jewish leaders had given orders that if anyone knew the whereabouts of Jesus, they were let them know so that they could arrest him.
John Chapter 12
Six days before the Passover, a dinner was given in Jesus' honor in Bethany. Martha served and her brother Lazarus was at the table with Jesus. There, Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. Judas Iscariot asked why the oil was not sold and the money used to help feed the poor as it was worth a year’s wages. But Judas was not really worried about the poor. He was a thief and use to take money from the moneybox as he had charge of it. Jesus told Judas to leave her alone because she was doing this in view of the day of his burial. They would always have the poor with them but they would not always have him.
The footnote in the NIV for verse 3 says this: “Nard. The name of both a plant and the fragrant oil it yielded. Since it was very expensive, Mary’s act of devotion was costly. It was also an unusual act, both because she poured the oil on Jesus’ feet (normally it was poured on the head) and because she used her hair to wipe them (a respectable woman did not unbind her hair in public). Further it showed her humility, for it was a servant’s work to attend to the feet.”
Many people wanted to see Jesus and Lazarus after hearing that he had been raised from the dead and so a great crowd formed. The chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus also, because on account of seeing him, the people were putting faith in Jesus.
The next day, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. The great crowd heard he was going to Jerusalem and went to meet him. They greeted Jesus waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Blessed is the King of Israel!” The Pharisees, seeing this event, said that the ‘whole world was following Jesus.’ Jesus’ disciples did not understand the meaning of these events, that Bible prophecy was being fulfilled, until after his resurrection.
The NIV Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition, page 1497 says, "'Hosanna = save now.' The acclamation is a quotation based on Ps. 118:25-27, sung at the Feast of Tabernacles. The crowd wanted salvation from the oppression of Rome, not the spiritual salvation that Christ offered."
When Jesus was told that some Greek worshippers wanted to see him, he said to his disciples that it was time for the Son of Man to be glorified and that his death would produce many seeds. They must be willing give up their lives if they wanted eternal life and those who were willing to serve him would be honored by his Father. Jesus did not desire to be relieved from what he was about to face but prayed to his Father that He would glorify His Name. A voice spoke from heaven saying “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Jesus told those who heard the voice that it was for their benefit because it was time for judgment to begin upon them. He was going to be lifted up and would draw all sorts of men to himself. The crowd did not understand because they had been taught from the Law that the Christ would remain forever.
Jesus tells them that the light would be among them just a little while longer and then darkness would overtake them. So while they have the light, they should exercise faith in the light in order that they could become sons of light. He was speaking to them about the time period between his death and Pentecost when the helper or counselor would be sent to them.
After all the miracles he did, most of the people still did not believe Jesus. This, of course, was in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:1 as Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus. Many Jewish leaders believed in Jesus but did not admit it openly because they were afraid of being expelled from the synagogue and were more concerned about receiving glory from men than from Jehovah.
Jesus summarizes his message. Anyone that believes in him also believes in his Father. He came to bring light so that the people would not continue to walk in darkness. The words that he spoke to the people did not come from him but he spoke what his Father commanded him to speak. He would not judge anyone hearing these words and not keeping them, but the words themselves would condemn them in the last day. He came, not to judge the world but to save it and the words that he spoke to them would lead to eternal life.
John Chapter 13
When Jesus and his disciples were gathered for the Passover meal, he taught them a lesson in humility. He got up when the meal was being served, poured water in a basin, washed his disciples' feet, and dried them with a towel. When Peter objected, he told him that he would not understand what he was doing until later. When he finished, he asked them if they understood what he just did. He as their ‘Lord’ and ‘Teacher’ had just performed at act that is usually delegated to servants. So they were to imitate his example in showing humility because a servant is not greater than his master. If they do these things, they will be blessed.
But he wasn’t talking about all of them. It had been prophesied in the scriptures that a close companion would betray him. Psalms 41:9 says: ‘He that used to feed on my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’ Jesus told them this so that their faith in him would be strengthened when this event occurred. He then plainly stated to them that one of them would betray him. Everyone was at a loss as to which one it would be. When they asked him who it was, he answered by saying: “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Afterwards he gave it to Judas and told him to ‘do what you are about to do quickly.’ Judas then left the room.
The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, New Testament, page 343 say this: “For a host to select a tidbit from the main dish and give it to a guest would be a mark of courtesy and esteem. The disciples, seeing this, would conclude only that Jesus regarded Judas as a close friend.”
Jesus tells them that the Son of man is glorified and God is glorified in connection with him. He speaks to his eleven remaining apostles, using an endearing term that shows his love and concern for them by calling them “little children” and he tells them that he is going away and they cannot follow him. Then he gives them a new commandment that they are to love one another just as he has loved them. This love would identify them as his disciples. The love that Jesus was recommending was new in that it would require them to be self-sacrificing even to the point of being willing to die for one another. The love spoken of in the Law Covenant did not require this.
John Chapter 14
Jesus tells his disciples his Father's house has many rooms, and he is going there to prepare a place for them. Then he will return to take them to be with him and that they knew the way to where he was going. Thomas tells Jesus they do not know where he is going so how can they know the way? He tells his disciples that he is the way and nobody can come to his Father unless they go through him. He said: “if you men had known me, you would have known my Father also, from this moment on you know him and have seen him.”
Philip wanted to see Jesus' Father. So, Jesus told him that anyone who has seen him has seen his Father. The words that he spoke were not his but it was the Father living in him doing His work. The miracles that they had witnessed were evidence of this fact. If they have faith in him they will do what he has been doing and they would do even greater works than he did because he was going to his Father. He told them that in order to bring glory to his Father he would do whatever they ask of him.
By their obeying him, they will prove their love for him and Jesus would ask his Father to give them another counselor to be with them forever - the Spirit of truth. When he comes, the world would not accept him because it neither sees the Father nor does it know Him. Jesus tells them he would not leave them as orphans but will come to them, and that he and his Father will love those who obey his commands.
In answer to Judas’ question, Jesus tells them that if anyone loves him, he will obey his teachings. His Father would love him, and he and his Father would come to him and make their home with him. The one that does not love him will not obey his teaching. Jesus said that these words were not from him but from his Father.
The Counselor or holy spirit, whom the Father would send in Jesus’ name would teach them all things and would remind them of everything Jesus had said to them. They are not to let their hearts trouble them or be afraid. Although he was going away, he had told them many things before they happened so that when did occur they will believe. He would not speak to them for much longer because Satan was coming. Satan had no hold on Jesus but the world needed to learn that he loves the Father and he does exactly what his Father has commanded him.
John Chapter 15
Jesus used an illustration to show the importance of the disciples remaining in union with he and his Father. He chose something very familiar to his disciples, the vine and vineyard. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume IX, pages 150 and 151, says this about this illustration: “He stressed certain features. The first is that there is genuine stock. The major essential in horticulture is to plant the right kind of vine or tree in order to assure the proper quality of fruit. No fruit can be better than the vine that produces it.”
“The second feature is that God the Father is the gardener. Success in raising any crop depends largely on the skill of the farmer or gardener. The relation of the believer to God is that of the vine to the owner of the vineyard. He tends it, waters it and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.”
“Another emphasis is on pruning. Two aspects are noted: the removal of dead wood and the trimming of live wood so that its potential for fruit bearing will be improved. Pruning is necessary for any vine. Dead wood is worse than fruitlessness, for dead wood can harbor disease and decay. An untrimmed vine will develop long rambling ranches that produce little fruit because most of the strength of the vine is given to growing wood. The vine-grower is concerned that the vine be healthy and productive.”
Jesus is the true vine while his Father is the gardener or cultivator. His Father cuts off the branches that bear no fruit and prunes those that bear fruit so that it bears more. Every branch must remain in the vine to bear fruit. Jesus tells his disciples that he is the vine and they are the branches and that a man must remain in union with him on order to bear fruit otherwise he will wither and be thrown into the fire. Their bearing much fruit would bring glory to his Father and would show that they were his disciples.
Then Jesus tells them, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.” (Revised Standard Version)
Jesus told them that the world would hate them as they had hated him because they did not belong to the world but had been chosen out of the world. The world loves only what is its own. They would mistreat them because they did not know him or his Father. They would also to be persecuted because of Jesus’ name. The world would have no excuse for their sin because they had seen sufficient evidence that Jesus had been sent to them by the Father. But the fact that they hated him fulfilled what had been written in the Law, ‘They hated me without reason.’ (Psalms 69:4, NIV) Both the Spirit of truth and the disciples were to testify about him.
John Chapter 16
Jesus’ disciples can expect to be expelled from the synagogue and some of them would be put to death. The people will do these things because they do not know him or the Father. When these things happen they will remember that he gave them this warning.
It is for their benefit that he is going away. This will make way for the “Helper” or “Counselor,” as some translations use, to come to them. The Counselor will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin because they did not believe in him; in regard to righteousness because he was going to the Father; and in regard to judgment because the prince of the world now stands condemned.
Jesus had much more to tell them but they would not be able to understand it. But when the “Spirit of Truth” comes, he would guide them into all truth. He would bring glory to Jesus by taking from what belonged to him and declaring it to them. All that belongs to the Father now belongs to Jesus. So he would allow the Sprit of truth to take from these things that belonged to him and make it known to the disciples.
For a more in-depth discussion of the Spirit of Truth in our modern time, see the article "The Spirit of Truth and Elijah."
The disciples were in a quandary about what Jesus was telling them that they would see him and again that they would not see him but they were afraid to say anything about it. He explained to them why they would not see him any more. He also tells them that the world would rejoice at this but the disciples would weep and mourn but their grief would later turn to joy. At this time they would not have any more questions. But they would be able to ask the Father for anything in his name and they would have what they asked for. This will be done for them because they believed that The Father had sent him, therefore Jehovah loved them.
The disciples at this time believed that they understood more clearly what Jesus was telling them. But Jesus said to them that a time was coming when they would be scattered to their homes and would leave him all alone. But Jesus said that he would not really be alone, as his Father would be with him.
John Chapter 17
This entire chapter consists of a prayer in which Jesus summarizes his relationship to his Father and the relationship of his disciples to him and his Father. He first prays for himself. The hour has come for Jehovah to glorify him so that he can glorify his Father. The Father has given him authority over all people so that he can give eternal life to those who have come to know the Father and the one He sent. He has now completed the work his Father gave him to do so Jesus asks his Father to restore him to the original glory that was his before the world began.
Jesus then prays for his disciples, as he is much more concerned for them than for himself. He wants his disciples to know the full joy he has had with them. Jesus makes it clear that his Father gave these men to him and they had accepted the words that he spoke to them. He had protected these men while he was in the world and only the ‘son of destruction’ had been lost. He was not asking his Father to take them out of the world but to protect them from the wicked one. He also prayed that they should have the same unity that he enjoyed with his Father. Just as the Father had sent him into the world, he would now send them into the world.
Jesus finally prays for future ones that will believe in him through his disciple’s preaching message. He prays that they all will be united with each other and with him and his Father so that the world will believe that Jehovah had sent him. Jesus also prays that these believers will be with him so that they would see the glory that he had before the world was. Jesus is the only one that knows the Father and he has made him known to the disciples. He prayed that because he has made his Father known to them that the Father would love them just as He loves the son.
John Chapter 18
Jesus and his disciples retire to an olive grove across the Kidron Valley called Gethsemane where they often went. Judas Iscariot knew this place and he brought soldiers and some Jewish leaders to the olive grove. The soldiers were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons, and were spotted by Jesus and so he quickly went out to meet them and asked who they were looking for. Jesus told them to let the others go because he was the one they are looking for. He said this to fulfill the words that he had spoken to them. (John 6:39) Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus told him to put it away as he must drink the cup that the Father had given him. He is then bound and taken to Annas, a former high priest and now father-in-law to the current high priest, Caiaphas.
Peter and one other unnamed disciple followed Jesus. The officials stood around a fire as Annas questioned Jesus about his teachings. Jesus answered that he had always spoken openly and had said nothing in secret. He should ask those who heard him what he said. An official struck Jesus because he was upset about the way Jesus answered Annas’ questions. Annas then sent Jesus to Caiaphas the high priest. Peter, during this time, denies knowing Jesus the first time.
John does not record the questioning of Jesus by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin where he was condemned to die, but does record the second and third time that Peter denied knowing Jesus. Jesus is now led to the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, because the high priest did not have the authority to execute a death sentence.
It was early morning and Jesus has been led before Pilate. Because Passover was near, his accusers would not go into the governor’s house and risk being unclean for the next seven days. The Jews told Pilate that Jesus was a criminal and they didn't have the power to execute him. This was important that they do this because Jesus had already indicated the kind of death he would suffer. (John 3:14; 12:32, 33) The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, page 361 has this to say: “The introduction of Roman action at this point ensured death by crucifixion, if the Jews could persuade Pilate to render a verdict against Jesus. Jewish capital punishment was inflicted by stoning, but the Roman crucifixion would place Jesus under the curse of God (Dt 22, 23; cf. Gal 3:13). His messianic claims would be discredited and the rejection would be justified.”
Pilate asks Jesus if he is the king of the Jews. The reason that he asked Jesus this question was to try and determine why the Jewish leaders hated him so much. Jesus answers that his kingdom does not receive its authority from any worldly source and that, yes, he is a king. He came to testify to the truth and those on the side of the truth listen to him, probably meaning that the Pharisees were not on the side of truth. The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, page 362 has this to say concerning Pilate’s statement to Jesus: “Pilate’s reply, “What is truth?” is difficult to interpret. Was it facetious, scornful, impatient, despairing, or sincere? Even from the context it is not possible to be sure what he meant.”
But he does not find any reason to put Jesus to death so he tries to find a way to release him. He remembers that there is the custom of releasing a prisoner to the Jews on Passover, so he asks the crowd if they wanted him to release Jesus to them and they shouted back “No, give us Barabbas,” who was a murderer. This, of course, was at the urging of the religious leaders.
John Chapter 19
Pilate then has Jesus flogged. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume IX, page 176,177 says this: “The scourging of Jesus was the usual accompaniment of crucifixion. The Roman scourge consisted of a wooden handle to which several rawhide thongs were fastened. Into each thong small butterfly shaped pieces of metal or bone were fixed. Wielded by a powerful arm, the scourge was a deadly weapon, which in a few strokes would strip the flesh from a man’s back. Frequently death followed immediately so that the victim did not survive for crucifixion. Evidently Pilate intended to make an appeal to the sympathy of the mob, in hope that they would be satisfied with the scourging and would call for Jesus’ release.” The NIV Life Application Bible footnote for verse 1, page 2277 says, "The usual procedure was to bare the upper half of the victim's body and tie his hands to a pillar before whipping him with a three-pronged whip. The number of lashes was determined by the severity of the crime; up to 40 were permitted under Jewish law (Deuteronomy 25:3)." The soldiers then placed a crown of thorns on his head and put a purple robe around him and struck him in the face.
Pilate brought Jesus back out to the Jews and said that he found no basis for a charge against him, but they shouted for him to be put to death. Pilate wanted to release Jesus but they persisted that he be put to death because according to their law he was guilty of blasphemy. (Leviticus 24:16) At this, Pilate became afraid and went back to question Jesus further but Jesus made no reply to his questions. When Pilate continued to try and release Jesus the crowd became even more insistent that he dies. At the urging of the chief priest, they said that Pilate was not a friend of Caesar if he let Jesus go and that anyone who claimed to be a king was an opposer of Caesar. According to the footnote for verse 12 in the NIV, “there was an implied threat that if he released Jesus, Pilate would be accused before Caesar. His record was such that he could not face such a prospect without concern." So, after trying once more to release their king, Jesus, to them and being told by the crowd that the only king they had was Caesar, Pilate caved in and turned Jesus over to be put to death.
The Enhanced Strong's Lexicon, page G4717 says this concerning the Greek word, ‘stauroo’: "translates as 'crucify' 46 times. 1. to stake, drive down stakes. 2. to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade. 3. to crucify. 3a to crucify one. 3b metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain)."
Jesus’ actual execution and burial have already been described in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke, so we will only review the portions recorded in this book that give additional information not contained in those other accounts. John’s account is the only one that mentions the fact that Jesus put the care of his mother in the hands of ‘the disciple that he loved,’ possibly John. Jesus made a concerted effort to make sure that all scriptures pertaining to his death were fulfilled. When Jesus said, "It is finished" he was indicating that he had completed all that his Father has sent him to do, then he voluntarily died.
John is also the only writer who relates that Nicodemus came with Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. This is the same one mentioned in John chapter 3 that Jesus spoke to. Nicodemus bought about seventy-five pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes to put on the body.
According to the NIV Bible Commentary, page 364, “the method of Jesus’ death has been described as the most diabolical form of death ever invented.”
John Chapter 20
When Jesus’ disciples learned from Mary that his body was not in the tomb, Peter and another disciple ran to the tomb to see for themselves. After looking into the tomb and seeing the grave cloth lying there and no body, they still did not fully understand that the scripture that foretold Jesus’ resurrection was now fulfilled. This is why they simple returned to their lodgings rather than making an effort to look for him, although Mary did wait at the tomb. Her wait was rewarded because she did see Jesus though she did not recognize him at first. After he spoke to her and called her by name, she recognized him. She then went back and told the disciples that she had seen ‘the Lord.’
That evening Jesus appeared to the disciples who were meeting behind locked doors. He said to them, "peace be with you!" He also told them the he was sending them forth just as his Father had sent him and he imparted holy spirit to them. Thomas was not there when this happened, so he did not believe them when they told him what had happened. He said: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.”
One week later they were at the same place again and Jesus appeared again but this time Thomas was there also. Jesus told Thomas to reach out and touch him and to start believing and quit his doubting. Jesus told him he believed only because he saw Jesus with his own eyes, but blessed were those who believed without seeing. So Thomas was not given any commendation for his belief.
John Chapter 21
Later, when the disciples were fishing at the sea of Tiberias, Jesus appeared to them. Peter and others had been out in the boat all night and had not caught anything. At dawn, Jesus stood on the beach, and told them to throw their nets on the right side and they would catch some fish. They did this and pulled in more fish than their nets could hold. The disciple that Jesus used to love said to Peter “it is the Lord!” Upon hearing this, Peter put on his garment and jumped into the sea, for they were close to shore. The others came in the little boat, dragging the net of fishes. When they got onto shore, they saw a charcoal fire and fish lying upon it and here was bread also. Jesus said to them to bring some of the fish they had just caught. Simon Peter went on board and drew the net to land full of big fishes, one hundred and fifty-three of them. Even though the net was full of fish, it did not burst.
After they had finished eating, Jesus asks Simon Peter three times if he loves him. Jesus used two different Greek words in his questions. In the first two he used the Greek word, “agapeo,” and in the third question he used “phileo.” “Agapeo” is defined, in the NIV Bible Commentary, page 373, as “divine love and usually carries the connotation of will or purpose as well as that of affection. “Phileo” implies affinity, friendship, and fondness.” Peter used “phileo” in his answer to each of Jesus’ question. Peter grieved because Jesus kept asking him this, so Peter tells Jesus that he knows all things. Jesus’ point in asking him three times was to emphasize the weighty responsibility of the work he would leave his disciples to do in taking care of the sheep.
Jesus then indicates to Peter the kind of death he would experience and Peter wanted to know what would happen to the disciple that Jesus loved. Jesus said to Peter, "If I want him to remain alive until I return what is that to you? You must follow me." The disciples viewed this statement, for a long time afterward, to mean that John would never die. But that is not what Jesus meant. We, of the Yorww Congregation, believe that Jesus returned in the first century, in 70 CE. Much proof needs to be presented to prove this point, as there is much controversy surrounding this subject. For more information on the subject of Jesus’ return, see the article: “Jesus 2nd Parousia or Coming”
Acts Chapter 1
Luke begins this book with a summary of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and the instructions he gave to his disciples after his resurrection. During a forty-day period he appeared to them many times and told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promised holy spirit to be poured out on them. They did not fully understand what this meant and so asked Jesus if he was restoring the kingdom to Israel at that time. Jesus’ answer was that the Father kept times and dates to Himself. They were to concentrate on the work that he assigned them to do, that of being witnesses to him throughout Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
After this he was taken up to heaven and a cloud hid him from their sight. Then two angels appeared and told them that Jesus would return in the same way that they beheld him leaving. They then returned to their lodgings and continued in prayer.
Peter then spoke to the group about the need for a certain scripture to be fulfilled regarding Judas Iscariot’s position among them. (Psalms 69:25, 109:8). His replacement would come from among those who had been with them for the entire period of Jesus’ ministry. Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias were nominated. They then prayed to Jehovah for His guidance, cast the lots and the lot fell to Matthias, who became the twelfth apostle.
Acts Chapter 2
Early on Pentecost, all Jesus disciples were together at the same place. A loud sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind and all were filled with the Holy Spirit, the visible representation being tongues of fire settling upon their heads. They then began speaking in other languages. Jews from all parts of the world had assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate this festival and were stunned when they heard the disciples speaking in their native languages because they knew these men to be Galileans. Some wondered what this could mean and others just thought they were drunk.
The NIV Bible Commentary, page 389 tells us how Galileans were viewed. “Galileans had difficulty pronouncing gutturals and had the habit of swallowing syllables when speaking; so they were looked down upon by the people of Jerusalem as being provincial. (cf Mk 14:70) Therefore, since the disciples who were speaking were Galileans, it bewildered those who heard because the disciples could not by themselves have learned so many different languages.”
Peter addressed the crowd. He told them that what had just happened was in fulfillment of the prophecy at Joel 2:28-32. He told the crowd that Jehovah used Jesus to perform many miracles for their benefit but that He knew that they would put him to death. But God had raised him from the dead as had been prophesied by David and recorded at Psalms 16:8-11. Jehovah has now exalted him by seating him at His right hand, and has given him charge of holy spirit, which has now been poured out on those disciples as promised. Peter then quotes from Psalms 110:1 showing that this verse had been fulfilled because Jesus was now the reigning king, sitting on Jehovah’s throne.
The crowds are deeply moved and now want to know what to do to rectify their present standing with Jehovah God. Peter told them to repent and get baptized in Jesus' name so that their sins can be forgiven. After Peter had warned them and pleaded with them to ‘save themselves,’ around three thousand Jews accepted his message and were baptized that day.
The above is an example of community guilt. Even though many of the people that Peter was speaking to did not live in Israel, they were still responsible for what had gone on there, as they were a part of this nation. The fact that they repented indicates that they understood their responsibility in this matter. For more information about community guilt and how Jehovah's Witnesses today are affected, see the article “The Prophet Daniel and the Question of Community Guilt”
Afterwards, all those who had been baptized continued listening to the teachings of the apostles, praying and fellowshipping together. The apostles performed many miraculous signs and all believers were as one, selling their possessions and goods to help those who were in need so that they could all continue in Jerusalem praising God together. And Jehovah continued to add to their numbers daily.
Acts Chapter 3
Peter and John were in the temple near the gate called Beautiful. A crippled man who sat at this gate every day and begged for money asked them for money. Peter told him that he had no money but he would give him what he had. He ordered him, in the name of Jesus, to walk. He helped him up and the man was able to stand. The man went running and praising God in the temple courts and those who knew him were astonished by what had happened to him.
They followed the man to Solomon’s Colonnade where Peter was. Peter asked them why they se surprised that this man had been healed. It had been accomplished through Jesus; the one that they had put to death but who had now been glorified by Jehovah. He accuses them of being responsible for his death because they had opportunity to save him as Pilate wanted to release him but they preferred to have a murder released to them. They had killed the chief agent of life but God had raised him from the dead and Peter and John were witnesses to this fact. It is, therefore, in the name of and faith in this one, Jesus, that this man was healed.
Peter tells them that he recognizes that they acted in ignorance and that God had used this occasion to fulfill His word by allowing His christ to suffer. But now they needed to REPENT so their sins could be forgiven them and seasons of refreshing could come to them through Jesus.
Peter now speaks to them concerning restoration and he indicates that Jesus would remain in heaven till the time comes for God to completely restore everything. This restoration would occur when the words of Moses recorded at Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, 19, were fulfilled that Jehovah would raise up a prophet that they would have to listen to, otherwise they would be destroyed. This prophet would be the one involved in this restoration, essentially he would be the last prophet sent to God’s people.
For further information about this prophet and the restoration of Israel, see the article “Who will be the Last Prophet that God Sends?”
***©2006, 2007 by YORWW Congregation
John Chapter 8
Jesus is seen in the temple court where the people gathered around him and he speaks to them telling them that he is the light of the world. If they follow him, they will have light and never walk in darkness. The Pharisees challenged this statement because they believed that there must be others who could testify to this fact. Jesus assured them that his testimony was valid, that the Father who sent him was with him. Jesus said “I am the one that bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They continued their challenge and asked Jesus “Where is your Father?” He answered them and said that they knew neither him nor his Father, because if they had known him, they would also know his Father.
Jesus spoke concerning his origin that he is not from the earth but from heaven above. If they do not accept that he was who he claimed to be, they would suffer the consequences. He went on to say to them “You are from the realms below: I am from the realms above. You are from this world; I am not from this world. Therefore, I say to you, you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” In answer to their question, “Who are you?” Jesus tells them that after they have put him to death, they would know who he was and that the things that he had told them were from the Father. Many hearing these things believed him, or put faith in him.
To those who put faith in him, he said that they would prove to be his disciples by holding to his teachings. These teachings would set them free. Some in the crowd objected to this and stated they were Abraham's descendants and had never been slaves. Jesus replies that anyone who sins is a slave to sin and that slaves cannot be permanent members of the household unless they are set free, something that Jesus tells them he can do. Then, Jesus acknowledges they are Abraham's descendants yet they want to kill him. Therefore, they are doing the desires of their Father for the people would love him if their Father were God. Because they cannot hear his message, Jesus reveals to the crowd that their father is the devil and that is why they want to kill him. The devil has been a murderer from the beginning. Hence, he that is from God listens to the sayings of God. They do not listen to him because they are not from God.
Jesus surprised the crowd by telling them he has seen Abraham, and that he was alive before Abraham existed. Those listening to him were now sure that he was either a Samaritan or was demon-possessed. They stated that Abraham and the prophets died but Jesus was asserting that he had been alive since the time of Abraham and the prophets and was of course making himself out to be someone very important. Jesus assured them that he was not saying these things because he was attempting to glorify himself because his Father would do this. He told them that even Abraham looked forward to seeing the day that he would come to the earth and that he existed even before Abraham was born. After the Jewish crowd heard this, they became angry and so picked up stones to throw at him. Jesus slipped away from the temple and hid.
John Chapter 9
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been born blind. His disciples wondered who was to blame for his condition, this man or his parents? Jesus answered neither, but it happened so that God's work could be displayed. He spit on ground, picked up the mud, and put it on the man's eyes. The man listened to what Jesus told him to do, and went to the Pool of Siloam, washed his eyes and then he could see. After receiving his sight, some of his neighbors accepted that he was the man who had been born blind while others said he only looked like this man. The formally blind man would say to them, “I am he”. They asked him how his eyes had been opened and he explained it to them. They then wanted to know where was the man who healed him and he said he did not know.
Because the blind man was healed on the Sabbath it was a serious case, so he was taken to the Pharisees to be questioned. They asked him how he received his sight and the man told him. The Pharisees became divided about Jesus because he did not observe the Sabbath as they did. They asked the man who he thought Jesus was and he told them that he was a prophet. The Jews still did not believe that this man had been blind all of his life, so they sent for his parents. His parents acknowledged that he was born blind but they did not know how he was now able to see. His parents did not want to be expelled from the synagogue because of acknowledging Jesus, so they told the Pharisees to ask their son. So they asked him again. Insults were hurled at the man because he asked them why they wanted to hear the story again, could it be that they want to become disciples of Jesus. The man was surprised that the leaders did not know about Jesus as he had performed a miracle that only someone from God could do. He said it has never happened before that anyone opened the eyes of one born blind, so if this man was not from God, he couldn’t have done that. Then the Pharisees said “You were born in sins and yet you are teaching us?” They then threw him out of the synagogue!
Jesus heard what had happened to the man so he finds him and asks him if he is putting faith in the Son of Man. The man said that he did not know who the Son of Man was and Jesus tells him that he is looking at him. Then he says “I do put faith in him” and he did obeisance to him. Jesus then said that he had come into the world so that the blind would see and those seeing would not become blind. The Pharisees ask Jesus “We are not blind also, are we?” Jesus answered them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, “We see”. Your sin remains.”
John Chapter 10
Jesus speaks to the crowds using an illustration of sheep and their shepherd. He tells them that any man that does not enter the sheep pen by the gate but finds some other way in is a thief and a robber. But, the man that enters the sheep pen by the gate is the good shepherd and the watchman opens the gate for him. Only this man can call his sheep by their name and lead them. His sheep will follow only him because they know his voice so will not follow a stranger whose voice they do not recognize. But the people do not get the point of this illustration.
He goes on to tell them that he is the gate and the good shepherd. And only the good shepherd will lay his life down for the sheep. The one hired to watch the sheep runs away, abandoning the sheep, when wolves come. He does not really care for the sheep because he is only a hired hand. Jesus adds by saying that he has other sheep that are of another sheep pen. These he will bring and they will listen to his voice. Jesus tells the Jewish crowd that he will voluntarily lay down his life in behalf of the sheep because his Father has given him authority to do so.
When winter came, Jesus went to the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume VIII, page 111 says, " The Feast of Dedication, now known as Hanukkah, was established as a memorial to the purification and rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus on Kislev (December ) 25, 165 B.C." While there, the Jews asked him to plainly say whether he was the Christ. Jesus told them that question had already been answered by the miracles that he did in his Father's name, yet they still did not believe. They therefore were not his sheep because his sheep recognize his voice, follow him and he gives them everlasting life. Nobody can snatch his sheep out of his hand because his Father gave them to him because he and the Father are one. The Jews then picked up stones to kill him. Jesus asks them why did they want to kill him. They told him that it was because he was blaspheming God because he claimed God as his Father. Jesus escapes them and goes back to where John had been baptizing in early times, across the Jordan. Many came to him there and put faith in him.
John Chapter 11
Lazarus, from Bethany, became very sick. He was the brother of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary was the woman that poured expensive perfumed oil on Jesus and cleaned his feet with her hair. (Mark 14:3) Both sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him how sick Lazarus was. Jesus got the message but stayed away two more days. The Barnes' Notes, Volume IV, page 296 says, "Probably Lazarus died soon after the messengers left him. Jesus knew that and did not hasten to Judea, but remained two days longer where he was that there might not be the possibility of doubt that he was dead, so that when he came there he had been dead four days."
Later, Jesus tells his disciples that their friend had fallen asleep but they did not understand, so Jesus told them that Lazarus was dead and that he was glad he was not there because this will give them another occasion to believe in him. They arrived and found that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Only Martha came out to greet Jesus and he told her Lazarus would rise again.
When Mary heard that Jesus was present, she got up quickly and left to meet him. She fell at his feet when she saw him, and told him if he had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus asked where they had laid him, and they took him to the tomb. Even Jesus himself became emotional at this moment causing the people to remark about his affection for Lazarus. He asked that the stone be removed but Martha said there would be a bad odor coming from the tomb since it had been four days. Jesus reminded her that he had told her if she believed that she would see the glory of God. They took the stone away and Jesus offered a prayer giving thanks to his Father who always listened to him. But his words were for the benefit of the people standing there because he wanted them to believe that God had sent him to them. Then in a loud voice, Jesus called to the dead man to come out. Lazarus came out wrapped in linen. When many of the Jews that had come to Mary saw what Jesus had done, they put faith in him while others went and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done.
The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together. They concluded that if they allowed Jesus to continue doing miraculous signs, everyone would end up on his side. If this were to happen, the Romans would take away whatever freedoms they enjoyed. The NIV Bible Commentary, page 336, says this about their fears: “They anticipated that the miracles of Jesus would bring such a wave of popular support that the Romans, fearing a revolution would intervene by seizing complete authority, thus displacing the Jewish government and destroying the national identity.”
The high priest, Caiaphas, then prophesied that it would be better that one man should die for the nation rather than that the entire nation should be destroyed. This he said not of his own volition but because he was high priest Jehovah caused him to utter this prophecy. So from that day on they took council to find a way to kill him.
Therefore, Jesus decided to limit his public appearances among the Jews and chose to retire to a small village in the desert called Ephraim. When the Passover was near, many Jews entered Jerusalem looking for Jesus in the temple area, asking one another if they thought he would show up. The Jewish leaders had given orders that if anyone knew the whereabouts of Jesus, they were let them know so that they could arrest him.
John Chapter 12
Six days before the Passover, a dinner was given in Jesus' honor in Bethany. Martha served and her brother Lazarus was at the table with Jesus. There, Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. Judas Iscariot asked why the oil was not sold and the money used to help feed the poor as it was worth a year’s wages. But Judas was not really worried about the poor. He was a thief and use to take money from the moneybox as he had charge of it. Jesus told Judas to leave her alone because she was doing this in view of the day of his burial. They would always have the poor with them but they would not always have him.
The footnote in the NIV for verse 3 says this: “Nard. The name of both a plant and the fragrant oil it yielded. Since it was very expensive, Mary’s act of devotion was costly. It was also an unusual act, both because she poured the oil on Jesus’ feet (normally it was poured on the head) and because she used her hair to wipe them (a respectable woman did not unbind her hair in public). Further it showed her humility, for it was a servant’s work to attend to the feet.”
Many people wanted to see Jesus and Lazarus after hearing that he had been raised from the dead and so a great crowd formed. The chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus also, because on account of seeing him, the people were putting faith in Jesus.
The next day, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. The great crowd heard he was going to Jerusalem and went to meet him. They greeted Jesus waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Blessed is the King of Israel!” The Pharisees, seeing this event, said that the ‘whole world was following Jesus.’ Jesus’ disciples did not understand the meaning of these events, that Bible prophecy was being fulfilled, until after his resurrection.
The NIV Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition, page 1497 says, "'Hosanna = save now.' The acclamation is a quotation based on Ps. 118:25-27, sung at the Feast of Tabernacles. The crowd wanted salvation from the oppression of Rome, not the spiritual salvation that Christ offered."
When Jesus was told that some Greek worshippers wanted to see him, he said to his disciples that it was time for the Son of Man to be glorified and that his death would produce many seeds. They must be willing give up their lives if they wanted eternal life and those who were willing to serve him would be honored by his Father. Jesus did not desire to be relieved from what he was about to face but prayed to his Father that He would glorify His Name. A voice spoke from heaven saying “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Jesus told those who heard the voice that it was for their benefit because it was time for judgment to begin upon them. He was going to be lifted up and would draw all sorts of men to himself. The crowd did not understand because they had been taught from the Law that the Christ would remain forever.
Jesus tells them that the light would be among them just a little while longer and then darkness would overtake them. So while they have the light, they should exercise faith in the light in order that they could become sons of light. He was speaking to them about the time period between his death and Pentecost when the helper or counselor would be sent to them.
After all the miracles he did, most of the people still did not believe Jesus. This, of course, was in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:1 as Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus. Many Jewish leaders believed in Jesus but did not admit it openly because they were afraid of being expelled from the synagogue and were more concerned about receiving glory from men than from Jehovah.
Jesus summarizes his message. Anyone that believes in him also believes in his Father. He came to bring light so that the people would not continue to walk in darkness. The words that he spoke to the people did not come from him but he spoke what his Father commanded him to speak. He would not judge anyone hearing these words and not keeping them, but the words themselves would condemn them in the last day. He came, not to judge the world but to save it and the words that he spoke to them would lead to eternal life.
John Chapter 13
When Jesus and his disciples were gathered for the Passover meal, he taught them a lesson in humility. He got up when the meal was being served, poured water in a basin, washed his disciples' feet, and dried them with a towel. When Peter objected, he told him that he would not understand what he was doing until later. When he finished, he asked them if they understood what he just did. He as their ‘Lord’ and ‘Teacher’ had just performed at act that is usually delegated to servants. So they were to imitate his example in showing humility because a servant is not greater than his master. If they do these things, they will be blessed.
But he wasn’t talking about all of them. It had been prophesied in the scriptures that a close companion would betray him. Psalms 41:9 says: ‘He that used to feed on my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’ Jesus told them this so that their faith in him would be strengthened when this event occurred. He then plainly stated to them that one of them would betray him. Everyone was at a loss as to which one it would be. When they asked him who it was, he answered by saying: “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Afterwards he gave it to Judas and told him to ‘do what you are about to do quickly.’ Judas then left the room.
The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, New Testament, page 343 say this: “For a host to select a tidbit from the main dish and give it to a guest would be a mark of courtesy and esteem. The disciples, seeing this, would conclude only that Jesus regarded Judas as a close friend.”
Jesus tells them that the Son of man is glorified and God is glorified in connection with him. He speaks to his eleven remaining apostles, using an endearing term that shows his love and concern for them by calling them “little children” and he tells them that he is going away and they cannot follow him. Then he gives them a new commandment that they are to love one another just as he has loved them. This love would identify them as his disciples. The love that Jesus was recommending was new in that it would require them to be self-sacrificing even to the point of being willing to die for one another. The love spoken of in the Law Covenant did not require this.
John Chapter 14
Jesus tells his disciples his Father's house has many rooms, and he is going there to prepare a place for them. Then he will return to take them to be with him and that they knew the way to where he was going. Thomas tells Jesus they do not know where he is going so how can they know the way? He tells his disciples that he is the way and nobody can come to his Father unless they go through him. He said: “if you men had known me, you would have known my Father also, from this moment on you know him and have seen him.”
Philip wanted to see Jesus' Father. So, Jesus told him that anyone who has seen him has seen his Father. The words that he spoke were not his but it was the Father living in him doing His work. The miracles that they had witnessed were evidence of this fact. If they have faith in him they will do what he has been doing and they would do even greater works than he did because he was going to his Father. He told them that in order to bring glory to his Father he would do whatever they ask of him.
By their obeying him, they will prove their love for him and Jesus would ask his Father to give them another counselor to be with them forever - the Spirit of truth. When he comes, the world would not accept him because it neither sees the Father nor does it know Him. Jesus tells them he would not leave them as orphans but will come to them, and that he and his Father will love those who obey his commands.
In answer to Judas’ question, Jesus tells them that if anyone loves him, he will obey his teachings. His Father would love him, and he and his Father would come to him and make their home with him. The one that does not love him will not obey his teaching. Jesus said that these words were not from him but from his Father.
The Counselor or holy spirit, whom the Father would send in Jesus’ name would teach them all things and would remind them of everything Jesus had said to them. They are not to let their hearts trouble them or be afraid. Although he was going away, he had told them many things before they happened so that when did occur they will believe. He would not speak to them for much longer because Satan was coming. Satan had no hold on Jesus but the world needed to learn that he loves the Father and he does exactly what his Father has commanded him.
John Chapter 15
Jesus used an illustration to show the importance of the disciples remaining in union with he and his Father. He chose something very familiar to his disciples, the vine and vineyard. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume IX, pages 150 and 151, says this about this illustration: “He stressed certain features. The first is that there is genuine stock. The major essential in horticulture is to plant the right kind of vine or tree in order to assure the proper quality of fruit. No fruit can be better than the vine that produces it.”
“The second feature is that God the Father is the gardener. Success in raising any crop depends largely on the skill of the farmer or gardener. The relation of the believer to God is that of the vine to the owner of the vineyard. He tends it, waters it and endeavors to protect it and cultivate it so that it will produce its maximum yield.”
“Another emphasis is on pruning. Two aspects are noted: the removal of dead wood and the trimming of live wood so that its potential for fruit bearing will be improved. Pruning is necessary for any vine. Dead wood is worse than fruitlessness, for dead wood can harbor disease and decay. An untrimmed vine will develop long rambling ranches that produce little fruit because most of the strength of the vine is given to growing wood. The vine-grower is concerned that the vine be healthy and productive.”
Jesus is the true vine while his Father is the gardener or cultivator. His Father cuts off the branches that bear no fruit and prunes those that bear fruit so that it bears more. Every branch must remain in the vine to bear fruit. Jesus tells his disciples that he is the vine and they are the branches and that a man must remain in union with him on order to bear fruit otherwise he will wither and be thrown into the fire. Their bearing much fruit would bring glory to his Father and would show that they were his disciples.
Then Jesus tells them, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.” (Revised Standard Version)
Jesus told them that the world would hate them as they had hated him because they did not belong to the world but had been chosen out of the world. The world loves only what is its own. They would mistreat them because they did not know him or his Father. They would also to be persecuted because of Jesus’ name. The world would have no excuse for their sin because they had seen sufficient evidence that Jesus had been sent to them by the Father. But the fact that they hated him fulfilled what had been written in the Law, ‘They hated me without reason.’ (Psalms 69:4, NIV) Both the Spirit of truth and the disciples were to testify about him.
John Chapter 16
Jesus’ disciples can expect to be expelled from the synagogue and some of them would be put to death. The people will do these things because they do not know him or the Father. When these things happen they will remember that he gave them this warning.
It is for their benefit that he is going away. This will make way for the “Helper” or “Counselor,” as some translations use, to come to them. The Counselor will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin because they did not believe in him; in regard to righteousness because he was going to the Father; and in regard to judgment because the prince of the world now stands condemned.
Jesus had much more to tell them but they would not be able to understand it. But when the “Spirit of Truth” comes, he would guide them into all truth. He would bring glory to Jesus by taking from what belonged to him and declaring it to them. All that belongs to the Father now belongs to Jesus. So he would allow the Sprit of truth to take from these things that belonged to him and make it known to the disciples.
For a more in-depth discussion of the Spirit of Truth in our modern time, see the article "The Spirit of Truth and Elijah."
The disciples were in a quandary about what Jesus was telling them that they would see him and again that they would not see him but they were afraid to say anything about it. He explained to them why they would not see him any more. He also tells them that the world would rejoice at this but the disciples would weep and mourn but their grief would later turn to joy. At this time they would not have any more questions. But they would be able to ask the Father for anything in his name and they would have what they asked for. This will be done for them because they believed that The Father had sent him, therefore Jehovah loved them.
The disciples at this time believed that they understood more clearly what Jesus was telling them. But Jesus said to them that a time was coming when they would be scattered to their homes and would leave him all alone. But Jesus said that he would not really be alone, as his Father would be with him.
John Chapter 17
This entire chapter consists of a prayer in which Jesus summarizes his relationship to his Father and the relationship of his disciples to him and his Father. He first prays for himself. The hour has come for Jehovah to glorify him so that he can glorify his Father. The Father has given him authority over all people so that he can give eternal life to those who have come to know the Father and the one He sent. He has now completed the work his Father gave him to do so Jesus asks his Father to restore him to the original glory that was his before the world began.
Jesus then prays for his disciples, as he is much more concerned for them than for himself. He wants his disciples to know the full joy he has had with them. Jesus makes it clear that his Father gave these men to him and they had accepted the words that he spoke to them. He had protected these men while he was in the world and only the ‘son of destruction’ had been lost. He was not asking his Father to take them out of the world but to protect them from the wicked one. He also prayed that they should have the same unity that he enjoyed with his Father. Just as the Father had sent him into the world, he would now send them into the world.
Jesus finally prays for future ones that will believe in him through his disciple’s preaching message. He prays that they all will be united with each other and with him and his Father so that the world will believe that Jehovah had sent him. Jesus also prays that these believers will be with him so that they would see the glory that he had before the world was. Jesus is the only one that knows the Father and he has made him known to the disciples. He prayed that because he has made his Father known to them that the Father would love them just as He loves the son.
John Chapter 18
Jesus and his disciples retire to an olive grove across the Kidron Valley called Gethsemane where they often went. Judas Iscariot knew this place and he brought soldiers and some Jewish leaders to the olive grove. The soldiers were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons, and were spotted by Jesus and so he quickly went out to meet them and asked who they were looking for. Jesus told them to let the others go because he was the one they are looking for. He said this to fulfill the words that he had spoken to them. (John 6:39) Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus told him to put it away as he must drink the cup that the Father had given him. He is then bound and taken to Annas, a former high priest and now father-in-law to the current high priest, Caiaphas.
Peter and one other unnamed disciple followed Jesus. The officials stood around a fire as Annas questioned Jesus about his teachings. Jesus answered that he had always spoken openly and had said nothing in secret. He should ask those who heard him what he said. An official struck Jesus because he was upset about the way Jesus answered Annas’ questions. Annas then sent Jesus to Caiaphas the high priest. Peter, during this time, denies knowing Jesus the first time.
John does not record the questioning of Jesus by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin where he was condemned to die, but does record the second and third time that Peter denied knowing Jesus. Jesus is now led to the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, because the high priest did not have the authority to execute a death sentence.
It was early morning and Jesus has been led before Pilate. Because Passover was near, his accusers would not go into the governor’s house and risk being unclean for the next seven days. The Jews told Pilate that Jesus was a criminal and they didn't have the power to execute him. This was important that they do this because Jesus had already indicated the kind of death he would suffer. (John 3:14; 12:32, 33) The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, page 361 has this to say: “The introduction of Roman action at this point ensured death by crucifixion, if the Jews could persuade Pilate to render a verdict against Jesus. Jewish capital punishment was inflicted by stoning, but the Roman crucifixion would place Jesus under the curse of God (Dt 22, 23; cf. Gal 3:13). His messianic claims would be discredited and the rejection would be justified.”
Pilate asks Jesus if he is the king of the Jews. The reason that he asked Jesus this question was to try and determine why the Jewish leaders hated him so much. Jesus answers that his kingdom does not receive its authority from any worldly source and that, yes, he is a king. He came to testify to the truth and those on the side of the truth listen to him, probably meaning that the Pharisees were not on the side of truth. The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, page 362 has this to say concerning Pilate’s statement to Jesus: “Pilate’s reply, “What is truth?” is difficult to interpret. Was it facetious, scornful, impatient, despairing, or sincere? Even from the context it is not possible to be sure what he meant.”
But he does not find any reason to put Jesus to death so he tries to find a way to release him. He remembers that there is the custom of releasing a prisoner to the Jews on Passover, so he asks the crowd if they wanted him to release Jesus to them and they shouted back “No, give us Barabbas,” who was a murderer. This, of course, was at the urging of the religious leaders.
John Chapter 19
Pilate then has Jesus flogged. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume IX, page 176,177 says this: “The scourging of Jesus was the usual accompaniment of crucifixion. The Roman scourge consisted of a wooden handle to which several rawhide thongs were fastened. Into each thong small butterfly shaped pieces of metal or bone were fixed. Wielded by a powerful arm, the scourge was a deadly weapon, which in a few strokes would strip the flesh from a man’s back. Frequently death followed immediately so that the victim did not survive for crucifixion. Evidently Pilate intended to make an appeal to the sympathy of the mob, in hope that they would be satisfied with the scourging and would call for Jesus’ release.” The NIV Life Application Bible footnote for verse 1, page 2277 says, "The usual procedure was to bare the upper half of the victim's body and tie his hands to a pillar before whipping him with a three-pronged whip. The number of lashes was determined by the severity of the crime; up to 40 were permitted under Jewish law (Deuteronomy 25:3)." The soldiers then placed a crown of thorns on his head and put a purple robe around him and struck him in the face.
Pilate brought Jesus back out to the Jews and said that he found no basis for a charge against him, but they shouted for him to be put to death. Pilate wanted to release Jesus but they persisted that he be put to death because according to their law he was guilty of blasphemy. (Leviticus 24:16) At this, Pilate became afraid and went back to question Jesus further but Jesus made no reply to his questions. When Pilate continued to try and release Jesus the crowd became even more insistent that he dies. At the urging of the chief priest, they said that Pilate was not a friend of Caesar if he let Jesus go and that anyone who claimed to be a king was an opposer of Caesar. According to the footnote for verse 12 in the NIV, “there was an implied threat that if he released Jesus, Pilate would be accused before Caesar. His record was such that he could not face such a prospect without concern." So, after trying once more to release their king, Jesus, to them and being told by the crowd that the only king they had was Caesar, Pilate caved in and turned Jesus over to be put to death.
The Enhanced Strong's Lexicon, page G4717 says this concerning the Greek word, ‘stauroo’: "translates as 'crucify' 46 times. 1. to stake, drive down stakes. 2. to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade. 3. to crucify. 3a to crucify one. 3b metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain)."
Jesus’ actual execution and burial have already been described in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke, so we will only review the portions recorded in this book that give additional information not contained in those other accounts. John’s account is the only one that mentions the fact that Jesus put the care of his mother in the hands of ‘the disciple that he loved,’ possibly John. Jesus made a concerted effort to make sure that all scriptures pertaining to his death were fulfilled. When Jesus said, "It is finished" he was indicating that he had completed all that his Father has sent him to do, then he voluntarily died.
John is also the only writer who relates that Nicodemus came with Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. This is the same one mentioned in John chapter 3 that Jesus spoke to. Nicodemus bought about seventy-five pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes to put on the body.
According to the NIV Bible Commentary, page 364, “the method of Jesus’ death has been described as the most diabolical form of death ever invented.”
John Chapter 20
When Jesus’ disciples learned from Mary that his body was not in the tomb, Peter and another disciple ran to the tomb to see for themselves. After looking into the tomb and seeing the grave cloth lying there and no body, they still did not fully understand that the scripture that foretold Jesus’ resurrection was now fulfilled. This is why they simple returned to their lodgings rather than making an effort to look for him, although Mary did wait at the tomb. Her wait was rewarded because she did see Jesus though she did not recognize him at first. After he spoke to her and called her by name, she recognized him. She then went back and told the disciples that she had seen ‘the Lord.’
That evening Jesus appeared to the disciples who were meeting behind locked doors. He said to them, "peace be with you!" He also told them the he was sending them forth just as his Father had sent him and he imparted holy spirit to them. Thomas was not there when this happened, so he did not believe them when they told him what had happened. He said: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.”
One week later they were at the same place again and Jesus appeared again but this time Thomas was there also. Jesus told Thomas to reach out and touch him and to start believing and quit his doubting. Jesus told him he believed only because he saw Jesus with his own eyes, but blessed were those who believed without seeing. So Thomas was not given any commendation for his belief.
John Chapter 21
Later, when the disciples were fishing at the sea of Tiberias, Jesus appeared to them. Peter and others had been out in the boat all night and had not caught anything. At dawn, Jesus stood on the beach, and told them to throw their nets on the right side and they would catch some fish. They did this and pulled in more fish than their nets could hold. The disciple that Jesus used to love said to Peter “it is the Lord!” Upon hearing this, Peter put on his garment and jumped into the sea, for they were close to shore. The others came in the little boat, dragging the net of fishes. When they got onto shore, they saw a charcoal fire and fish lying upon it and here was bread also. Jesus said to them to bring some of the fish they had just caught. Simon Peter went on board and drew the net to land full of big fishes, one hundred and fifty-three of them. Even though the net was full of fish, it did not burst.
After they had finished eating, Jesus asks Simon Peter three times if he loves him. Jesus used two different Greek words in his questions. In the first two he used the Greek word, “agapeo,” and in the third question he used “phileo.” “Agapeo” is defined, in the NIV Bible Commentary, page 373, as “divine love and usually carries the connotation of will or purpose as well as that of affection. “Phileo” implies affinity, friendship, and fondness.” Peter used “phileo” in his answer to each of Jesus’ question. Peter grieved because Jesus kept asking him this, so Peter tells Jesus that he knows all things. Jesus’ point in asking him three times was to emphasize the weighty responsibility of the work he would leave his disciples to do in taking care of the sheep.
Jesus then indicates to Peter the kind of death he would experience and Peter wanted to know what would happen to the disciple that Jesus loved. Jesus said to Peter, "If I want him to remain alive until I return what is that to you? You must follow me." The disciples viewed this statement, for a long time afterward, to mean that John would never die. But that is not what Jesus meant. We, of the Yorww Congregation, believe that Jesus returned in the first century, in 70 CE. Much proof needs to be presented to prove this point, as there is much controversy surrounding this subject. For more information on the subject of Jesus’ return, see the article: “Jesus 2nd Parousia or Coming”
Acts Chapter 1
Luke begins this book with a summary of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and the instructions he gave to his disciples after his resurrection. During a forty-day period he appeared to them many times and told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promised holy spirit to be poured out on them. They did not fully understand what this meant and so asked Jesus if he was restoring the kingdom to Israel at that time. Jesus’ answer was that the Father kept times and dates to Himself. They were to concentrate on the work that he assigned them to do, that of being witnesses to him throughout Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
After this he was taken up to heaven and a cloud hid him from their sight. Then two angels appeared and told them that Jesus would return in the same way that they beheld him leaving. They then returned to their lodgings and continued in prayer.
Peter then spoke to the group about the need for a certain scripture to be fulfilled regarding Judas Iscariot’s position among them. (Psalms 69:25, 109:8). His replacement would come from among those who had been with them for the entire period of Jesus’ ministry. Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias were nominated. They then prayed to Jehovah for His guidance, cast the lots and the lot fell to Matthias, who became the twelfth apostle.
Acts Chapter 2
Early on Pentecost, all Jesus disciples were together at the same place. A loud sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind and all were filled with the Holy Spirit, the visible representation being tongues of fire settling upon their heads. They then began speaking in other languages. Jews from all parts of the world had assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate this festival and were stunned when they heard the disciples speaking in their native languages because they knew these men to be Galileans. Some wondered what this could mean and others just thought they were drunk.
The NIV Bible Commentary, page 389 tells us how Galileans were viewed. “Galileans had difficulty pronouncing gutturals and had the habit of swallowing syllables when speaking; so they were looked down upon by the people of Jerusalem as being provincial. (cf Mk 14:70) Therefore, since the disciples who were speaking were Galileans, it bewildered those who heard because the disciples could not by themselves have learned so many different languages.”
Peter addressed the crowd. He told them that what had just happened was in fulfillment of the prophecy at Joel 2:28-32. He told the crowd that Jehovah used Jesus to perform many miracles for their benefit but that He knew that they would put him to death. But God had raised him from the dead as had been prophesied by David and recorded at Psalms 16:8-11. Jehovah has now exalted him by seating him at His right hand, and has given him charge of holy spirit, which has now been poured out on those disciples as promised. Peter then quotes from Psalms 110:1 showing that this verse had been fulfilled because Jesus was now the reigning king, sitting on Jehovah’s throne.
The crowds are deeply moved and now want to know what to do to rectify their present standing with Jehovah God. Peter told them to repent and get baptized in Jesus' name so that their sins can be forgiven. After Peter had warned them and pleaded with them to ‘save themselves,’ around three thousand Jews accepted his message and were baptized that day.
The above is an example of community guilt. Even though many of the people that Peter was speaking to did not live in Israel, they were still responsible for what had gone on there, as they were a part of this nation. The fact that they repented indicates that they understood their responsibility in this matter. For more information about community guilt and how Jehovah's Witnesses today are affected, see the article “The Prophet Daniel and the Question of Community Guilt”
Afterwards, all those who had been baptized continued listening to the teachings of the apostles, praying and fellowshipping together. The apostles performed many miraculous signs and all believers were as one, selling their possessions and goods to help those who were in need so that they could all continue in Jerusalem praising God together. And Jehovah continued to add to their numbers daily.
Acts Chapter 3
Peter and John were in the temple near the gate called Beautiful. A crippled man who sat at this gate every day and begged for money asked them for money. Peter told him that he had no money but he would give him what he had. He ordered him, in the name of Jesus, to walk. He helped him up and the man was able to stand. The man went running and praising God in the temple courts and those who knew him were astonished by what had happened to him.
They followed the man to Solomon’s Colonnade where Peter was. Peter asked them why they se surprised that this man had been healed. It had been accomplished through Jesus; the one that they had put to death but who had now been glorified by Jehovah. He accuses them of being responsible for his death because they had opportunity to save him as Pilate wanted to release him but they preferred to have a murder released to them. They had killed the chief agent of life but God had raised him from the dead and Peter and John were witnesses to this fact. It is, therefore, in the name of and faith in this one, Jesus, that this man was healed.
Peter tells them that he recognizes that they acted in ignorance and that God had used this occasion to fulfill His word by allowing His christ to suffer. But now they needed to REPENT so their sins could be forgiven them and seasons of refreshing could come to them through Jesus.
Peter now speaks to them concerning restoration and he indicates that Jesus would remain in heaven till the time comes for God to completely restore everything. This restoration would occur when the words of Moses recorded at Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, 19, were fulfilled that Jehovah would raise up a prophet that they would have to listen to, otherwise they would be destroyed. This prophet would be the one involved in this restoration, essentially he would be the last prophet sent to God’s people.
For further information about this prophet and the restoration of Israel, see the article “Who will be the Last Prophet that God Sends?”
***©2006, 2007 by YORWW Congregation