There Will Be Tribulation, But Christ Has Overcome the World

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(John 16:1) "These things I have spoken to you that you should not be offended."

In the last chapter, Jesus had told His disciples of His love for them, how He desired that they continue in that love and love one another as He had loved them.  He told them that they would be persecuted for His name's sake, but that if they stayed connected with Him as branches to a vine, He would send His Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth.  He now told them that He had told them all those things that they not be offended or discouraged by any persecution they might receive.  By knowing that it would occur, they need not be taken aback and dissuaded from continuing their work.

(2) "They shall put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he does God service."

Jesus told His disciples that they could expect to be put out of the synagogues, and that the time was coming when someone could kill them thinking they were doing a good service to God.  Just as the Pharisees had accused Jesus of blasphemy, they would be likewise accused and condemned as blasphemers.

(3) "And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me."

Jesus explained they would do those things to them because they had not known God and His word nor their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

(4) "But these things I have told you that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning because I was with you."

Jesus again told them that He had told them these things that they not be shocked when persecution happened, and that they remember Jesus had forewarned them.  He explained that He had not told them these things in the beginning because He was with them.  He was the target of the persecution, but now that He would no longer be with them, they would be the targets because of their relationship with Him.

(5) "But now I go My way to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'"

Jesus said He was now going His way back to His Father, and none of them were asking Him where He was going.  Peter and Thomas had asked Him before (John 13:36 and 14:5), but they had not pursued it to the point of understanding truly where He was going and why.  And now none of them asked.

(6) "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart."

They did not ask Him for further explanation because they were too deep in sorrow that He was leaving them.

(7) "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send Him to you."

The disciples had not asked Jesus to explain because they had yielded to their grief, but He wanted to explain anyway.  He said it was good for them that He go away.  If He didn't go away, His Holy Spirit could not come to them.  However, they might wonder why the Holy Spirit would be better than having Jesus Himself.  The Holy Spirit was of Jesus, of God, and could fill all of them at once, and could inhabit others who became followers of Jesus.  Therefore He could be in many places at once, rather than just one human Jesus in one place at a time.  His Holy Spirit would be with them always.  Once He left them, He could send His Spirit to them.

(8) "And when He has come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment."

The meaning of the original word "elegcho" which was translated as "reprove" also means "convict" or "convince" which is probably the best sense here.  When the Holy Spirit came, He would convict the people of their sins, and of righteousness and judgment, as He explains:

(9) "Of sin, because they do not believe in Me;"

First, the Holy Spirit would convict people of their sins, primarily the sin of rejecting Jesus and not believing in Him.

(10) "Of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you see Me no more;"

The Holy Spirit would convince people of Jesus's righteousness when they see He was resurrected back to heaven and sent back His Spirit of Truth that would guide them in righteousness and remind them of Jesus's words.

(11) "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

The people would be convinced of Jesus's righteous judgment in judging and overcoming Satan.  The Holy Spirit would open the eyes and hearts of man to reveal what they had done to the Savior of the world, to the fact that Jesus was indeed from the Holy God in heaven, and that He was the righteous judge against the actions of Satan demonstrated in people.  As Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and came to know good and evil (Genesis 3:22), the Holy Spirit would convict people of good and evil and would direct them to the path of their salvation through Jesus Christ from their condemned states which were the result of Adam's fall.

(12) "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. (13) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He shall hear, He shall speak, and He will show you things to come."

Jesus said He had many more things to tell His disciples, but they would not be able to bear and understand them at that time.  However, when the Holy Spirit came, after they had witnessed Jesus's death and resurrection and ascension back to heaven, they would be better able to understand the mysteries of Jesus's Gospel of salvation.  The Holy Spirit of truth would tell them the things Jesus wanted them to know because He spoke not from Himself, but directly from Jesus, and He would tell them of things to come.

(14) "He shall glorify Me for He shall receive of Mine and shall show to you."

The Holy Spirit's purpose was to glorify Jesus by taking what was directly from Jesus, His commission and instruction, and communicating those things to Jesus's followers.

(15) "All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that He will take of Mine and will show to you."

Jesus asserted to His disciples His authority to give and receive everything as given and received by His Father.  He had every nature and being of His Father.  He and His Father were one, so He had the full authority and pleasure of God to tell the Holy Spirit how to communicate with and guide His followers.

(16) "A little while and you shall not see Me, and again, a little while and you shall see Me because I go to the Father."

Jesus told His disciples that in a little while they would no longer see Him, because of course, He was about to die.  However, a little while after that, they would see Him again when He was risen from the dead, and that was possible because He was resurrected to ascend back to His Father in heaven.

(17) Then said of His disciples among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while and you shall not see Me, and again, a little while and you shall see Me'? And 'because I go to the Father'?"

His disciples discussed among themselves what the meaning of Jesus's words could be.

(18) They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We cannot tell what He says."

The disciples surely knew that Jesus was about to die soon, in a little while, but that they would see Him again in a little while?  That made no sense to them, so they didn't understand what He meant.

(19) Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask Him, and said to them, "Do you inquire among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while and you will see Me’?"

Jesus knew what His disciples were discussing among themselves and that they wanted to know what He meant, so He asked them directly if they were discussing His words to them, "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while and you will see Me.'"

(20) "Verily, verily, I say to you that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice, and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."

Jesus told them that they would most assuredly weep and lament when they saw Him crucified and laid in a tomb, but the world would rejoice because they thought they had killed and eliminated Jesus.  The disciples would remain sorrowful after His death, but their sorrow would be turned to joy when they saw that He had defeated death and rose again.

(21) "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come, but as soon as she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."

Jesus said that just as a woman in labor had much pain and sorrow, as soon as she had delivered that new life into the world, she no longer remembered all the pain and anguish because of the joy she had for her child.

(22) "And you now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man can take from you."

Jesus confirmed that He knew they had sorrow at that time, but He would see them again and then their hearts would rejoice and would be filled with joy that no man would be able to take from them from that point forward when they began to understand more fully Jesus's purpose on earth and the fulfillment of that purpose.

(23) "And in that day you shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you."

Jesus said that in that day, they would have no need to ask Him anything.  For one, they would have a more complete understanding of all that Jesus had said; and they would then have direct access to the Father to ask anything of Him in the name of Jesus, because through Him the way was opened to the Father.  And whatever they asked in Jesus's name, because of Jesus and for His purpose, the Father would give to them.

(24) "Until now you have asked nothing in My name; ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full."

Jesus explained that up to that point, they had not asked anything in His name, rather, they had asked Him directly.  He would no longer be there to ask directly, but anything they asked in His name, because of Him and for His purposes, they would receive, and that was to increase their joy and confidence in their work.

(25) "These things I have spoken to you in proverbs, but the time comes when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father."

Jesus said He had up to that point spoken to them in proverbs or parables, in figurative language.  However, the time was coming when He would speak to them plainly through His Holy Spirit about the nature and purposes of the Father.

(26) "At that day, you shall ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, (27) For the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from God."

At that time, they would ask the Father directly in Jesus's name.  Before then, they did not have direct access to the Father, but Jesus would pray to the Father for them.  However, because of His sacrifice and atonement for their sins, they would then have the ability to go directly to the Father because they had loved and believed in Jesus for their redemption from sin, knowing He came directly from God.

(28) "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; again, I leave the world and go to the Father."

Jesus had come directly from Father God into the world, and He would leave the world and go back to His Father again.

(29) His disciples said to Him, "Lo, now You speak plainly, and speak no proverb. (30) Now we are sure that You know all things and have no need that any man should ask You; by this, we believe that You came forth from God."

Jesus's disciples told Him that He was then talking plainly so that they understood Him.  They were sure that He knew all things, even men's very thoughts, so that there was no need for them to ask Him anything for He already knew what they wanted.  They could plainly see that He had come from God.

(31) Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? (32) Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own and shall leave Me alone; and yet, I am not alone because the Father is with Me."

I believe Jesus's point was to question whether or not they truly believed, because as much as they thought they had strong faith, the time was at hand when they would all scatter and leave Him alone.  Yet He would not really be alone as His Father would be with Him.  Or it could have been Jesus was suggesting that they now believed, but soon they wouldn't.

(33) "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Jesus had told His disciples all those things that they not be taken by surprise.  They might have peace when they unfolded because they knew the truth and the outcome.  They would have tribulation and persecution in the world, but Jesus had overcome the world and death.  What a beautiful end to this chapter and a blessing of great encouragement to His disciples!

Christ the True Vine Professes His Love to His Disciples

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(John 15:1) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the farmer."

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus and His disciples (minus Judas Iscariot) had just risen from their table where they had been reclining and listening to Jesus.  He had told them He was leaving them, but He would be back, and He would send them the Holy Spirit to teach them and remind them of all He had taught them.  Jesus continuing speaking to them, telling them He was the true vine, similar as having described Himself as the living bread.  He was the one true vine from which fruit would come.  His Father would be considered the farmer, the one who planted and cared for the vine, as He had planted Jesus in the earth.

(2) "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every one that bears fruit, He prunes it that it may bring forth more."

Every branch or follower in Jesus that did not produce any fruits of righteousness, God would take away.  The branches or followers that bore good fruit, God would prune or refine so that they would bring forth even more fruit.

(3) "Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you."

Jesus said that His disciples were now clean and pruned (and Judas removed) through the words with which He had spoken to them.

(4) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine, no more can you, except you abide in Me."

Jesus told them to abide in Him, hold close to His word and teachings, and be closely united with Him in prayer and in Spirit, because just as a branch by itself broken from the vine could not bear fruit, neither could they bear fruit if they were not connected with the true vine that is Jesus Christ.

(5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing."

Jesus reinforced that He was the vine, and they were the branches. Those who abode in Him and He in them would bring forth much fruit of righteousness.  Without Jesus they would be able to do nothing, just as a branch removed from a vine could do nothing of itself, but eventually die.

(6) "If a man does not abide in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered, and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned."

If a man does not abide in Christ, he will be cast forth as an unfruitful branch and will wither and die.  Those dead branches will be gathered and cast into the fire and burned, representing hellfire where those who do not wish to abide in Christ will find themselves.

(7) "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you."

Jesus had told His disciples in the last chapter that whatever they asked in His name would be given them.  He now qualified that promise with the stipulation that they abode in Him and that His words, His doctrine and commandments, abode in them, and then whatever they asked in His name, for His sake, would be done.  That is the key, what they asked must be for Christ's purposes, which it was more likely to be if they abode in Christ and His words abode in their hearts.  James would later say in James 4:3 that, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts."

(8) "In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples."

Jesus said His Father would be honored and glorified if they bore much fruit, just as a farmer would be honored by the vine he planted that bore much fruit that displayed the marvelous work of his hands.  And so would they show themselves to be good disciples of Jesus.  They were His disciples already, but by their good fruits, they would show themselves to the world to be good disciples of Jesus and bring glory to Him and to His Father.

(9) "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; continue in My love. (10) If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."

Jesus told His disciples He had loved them with the sincere deep love with which His Father had loved Him.  He asked that they continue in His love.  By keeping His doctrine and commandments, they would be abiding in His love, just as He had been true to the Father's word and commandments and abode in His love.

(11) "These things I have spoken to you that My joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full."

Jesus had told them these things that they might know and have the joy that comes with continually abiding in Christ and in His word, and that it might be full.

(12) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus reiterated the new commandment He instituted in John 13:34, that they love one another as He had loved them.  That's a commandment that we all should live by.  When we remember how much love Christ had for us that He died for us that we might live, we can share Christ's love with others when we realize that but for the grace of God we would have died an eternal death in our sins.

(13) "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

The greatest love a man could have is that he lay down his life for his friends.  Jesus was about to do that for His friends and for the world.  That demonstrated the greatest love there could ever be.

(14) "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."

Jesus told them that His friends were the ones who did what He commanded.  His closest relationships were with those who did as He commanded and demonstrated His love to others and carried forth His word to a lost world.  That is what He desired from His disciples, His friends.

(15) "Henceforth, I do not call you servants, for the servant does not know what his lord does, but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known to you."

Jesus told His disciples that from then on He would not refer to them as servants, because mere servants didn't know what their lord was doing, but He had told them the most intimate details from God Himself; therefore He considered them friends, intimate friends.

(16) "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give you."

Jesus told them that they had not chosen Him, but that He had chosen them.  He chose them and ordained them as His apostles to go and bring forth lasting fruit.  What a sobering and humbling thought when we consider that it was never within our power to come to Jesus to be saved (John 6:44 and 6:65).  That is why we can have love for sinners, because again, there but by the grace of God, go I.  I could be still dead in sin, looking forward to an eternal death in hell, if God had not started calling me to Him.  We can put ourselves in the place of such sinners and wish for them what we have received ourselves through nothing good of ourselves.

To finish verse 16, Jesus had chosen them as His apostles to go forth and do His work, and that whatever they asked of God in Jesus's name, for the benefit of Jesus and His works, He would give them.

(17) "These things I command you, that you love one another."

All the things Jesus had spoken to them, about them all being branches from the true Vine, His love in laying down His life for them, accounting them as friends, not servants, and having chosen them in the beginning, all those things were bound up in one great commandment, that they love one another as He had loved them displayed in all those things.

(18) "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before you."

Jesus went on to tell them that if they found the world hated them, it was because of their allegiance to Him, and that the world first hated Him. 

(19) "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Jesus explained to them that if they were of the world, with the same spirit and selfish desires of it, the world would accept them.  However, because Jesus had chosen them out of the world, and they no longer had those worldly desires, but desired only Jesus and His doctrines and commands, the world hated them.

(20) "Remember the word that I said to you, 'The servant is not greater than his lord.' If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also."

Jesus reminded them that He had told them that a servant was not greater than his lord.  Therefore if they persecuted Jesus, the disciples would not be given better treatment because they were servants, or friends, as they were now called.  They would also be persecuted.  However, if they kept Jesus's word, then they would also keep their word as they were His disciples.  Some commentators have suggested that a better translation of the last part of the verse, which might be more in line with Jesus's meaning in this verse is, "If they have watched My saying, they will also watch yours."  The original word "tereo" that was translated as "kept" as it is most often used can also mean "watch, keep an eye upon," which might mean that Jesus had meant if the world watched His words closely to catch Him in what it considered a contradiction, just as the Pharisees had done, then it would be carefully watching their words, as well.

(21) "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."

The world will persecute them and watch to catch them in their words because of Jesus, and because it does not know God who sent Him.  That is a very sad thing.  For the time will come when all people will know the truth, when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess (Romans 14:11), but then it will be too late.

(22) "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin."

If Jesus had not come and told the Jews about Him and His Gospel, they would not have sinned in this matter.  That's not to say they would have no sin, because obviously all had sinned (Romans 3:23), but they would be able to claim ignorance with regard to Jesus being their Messiah.  However, because Jesus had come and told them the truth and even proved it with His many spiritual insights and miracles, and they rejected Him, they had no excuse for that terrible sin of rejecting God's salvation.

(23) "He who hates Me hates My Father also."

Anyone who hated Jesus hated God also.  There was no separating the two.  Jesus was God, and He was God's plan to save the world; Jesus and God were One.

(24) "If I had not done among them the works which no other man did, they had not had sin, but now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father."

In addition to telling them who He was, Jesus had done many works which no man could do, only God.  If Jesus had not done those works, the Jews may have had an excuse because of ignorance.  But because they had seen His works and still rejected Him, they had seen and rejected His Father also.  They hated Jesus and His Father both.

(25) "But that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'"

But as those things had come to pass, that they hated Jesus and therefore God because they rejected Jesus and His works that could have only come from God, they fulfilled a prophecy in Psalms (Psalm 35:19 and 69:4), that said they hated Him without a cause.

(26) "But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me."

When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit who proceeded directly from God, He being the Spirit of truth, He would testify of Jesus and confirm everything Jesus had told them.

(27) "And you also shall bear witness because you have been with Me from the beginning."

Jesus told His disciples that they also would be able to testify about Him because they had been with Him since the beginning of His ministry and had a more intimate knowledge of His doctrines and all that He did.

Although this chapter was devoted to Jesus's apostles, it is meant as a lesson to all who follow Christ, as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  In it we learned we need that spiritual union with Christ as close as branches to the vine, and we will have His Holy Spirit within us to guide us and teach us truth.  We must bring forth the fruits of Christianity to show our love for Him and to show the world we are His, and number one among the fruits is the love we must have for one another.  The love we show the world is to profess Jesus Christ and spread His gospel, but we know that the world will persecute us because of Him.  But we can pity those who persecute us because they are lost souls who do not know the truth of what they are doing.  We can love them and pray for them because of Jesus Christ's love for us.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples Before His Death

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(John 14:1) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus had told His disciples He would be leaving them soon.  He now told them not to be troubled by that.  He told them to believe in God and believe in Him also, to trust in Them and have confidence in Their faithfulness.

(2) "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

Jesus told His disciples that in His Father's house, that is heaven, there were many mansions.  Actually the original word translated as "mansions" just meant "abode, dwelling."  Jesus was telling them that there was more than enough room for all of them.  And if that was not true, He would have never given them such false hope.  He was about to go and prepare a place for them.

(3) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also."

Jesus assured them that if He went to prepare a place for them, He would surely come again and receive them into His heavenly abode with Him.  They would indeed be able to follow Him there later as Jesus had told Peter at the end of the last chapter (John 13:36).

(4) "And where I go you know, and the way you know."

He told His disciples that they did know about where He was going, and they knew the way there, which was through Him.  Although they may not have understood exactly what that meant, they had accepted and believed in Jesus as the Messiah, therefore they had known the way to Him.

(5) Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"

Thomas demonstrated that they didn't understand what Jesus had meant when he told Him that they didn't know where He was going, so how could they know the way?

(6) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me."

Jesus answered Thomas that He was the way.  He was the way, the truth, and the everlasting life He had often talked about with His disciples.  He explained how He was the way, as no one could come to the Father, and therefore to His Father's house, except through Him.

(7) "If you had known Me, you should have known My Father also, and from now on, you know Him and have seen Him."

Jesus answered that if they knew Him, they should have known His Father also, as He and His Father were one, as He had previously said (John 10:30).  From that point forward, they should understand that they did know God and they had seen Him in the form of Jesus who was one with God, God Himself.

(8) Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father and it is sufficient for us."

Philip, still not grasping Jesus's meaning, asked Jesus to just show them the Father and that would be enough for them.

(9) Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; and how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

Jesus answered Philip by asking how it was he could have been so long with Him and still not know Him.  He again stated that whoever had seen Him, had seen the Father.  Therefore, how could he ask Jesus to show them the Father, as He already had shown them, in Himself.

(10) "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I speak not of Myself, but the Father who dwells in Me, He does the works."

Jesus went on to ask Philip if he believed that Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him as He had said in John 10:38.  Jesus said that He did not speak from His human self, but from God who dwelt in Him.  It was God Himself who did the works, therefore He had already shown them the Father.

(11) "Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the very works' sake."

Jesus told him to believe that He was in the Father and the Father was in Him.  Or at the very least, believe in Him as one with God because of the works that He did that could only be of God.

(12) "Verily, verily, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he shall do also, and greater than these will he do because I go to my Father."

Jesus told His disciples that very assuredly, he who believed in Him would do the works that He did.  In fact, he would do greater works than what Jesus had done because He was going to His Father.  It was because of Jesus's resurrection and ascension back to heaven that they could actually bring people to everlasting life.  Once Jesus had finished His work of salvation to the world, they could help save people immediately, not having to look forward to the time when Jesus finished His work.  Additionally, once Jesus returned to heaven, He would send His Holy Spirit that would indwell them.  "Greater works" may have meant a greater number of works, as surely all of them preaching and teaching and spreading the word to others who could in turn preach the Gospel to even others was a work far greater than Jesus was able to do in His three and a half years of ministry.

(13) "And whatever you shall ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Jesus went on to say that whatever they asked in His name, for His purposes, like in preaching His word, or performing miracles to confirm His word, or even to give them the means to go forth and teach all nations (Matthew 28:19), Jesus would do those things for them to glorify His Father, which was always His goal.  

(14) "If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it."

Jesus reiterated His promise to do whatever they asked in His name.

(15) "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Jesus went on to instruct them to keep His commandments if they loved Him.  It was not that Jesus doubted that His disciples loved Him, but the evidence of that love would be that they kept His commandments, to love one another, to deny themselves, take up their own crosses, and follow His teachings.  Rather than tears at His leaving, they could better show their love by continuing His ministry and keeping His commandments.

(16) "And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever."

After Jesus died on the cross and made atonement for the sin of the world, He became Mediator between God and man in the causes of men's souls.  After He returned to the Father, He would send the Holy Spirit, said to be Comforter (parakletos), which more precisely defined is Advocate, Defender, Counsellor.  The Holy Spirit would be able to abide with them (and us who receive Jesus) forever, being our Advocate between God and us, and counseling us and showing us truths, and making intercession for us "with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).

(17) "The Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him neither know Him, but you know Him for He dwells with you and shall be in you."

Jesus continued explaining that Comforter He would send, the Holy Spirit, was the Spirit of truth.  The world would not be able to receive the Spirit because it had not received Jesus and did not know the Holy Spirit, and they certainly couldn't see the Spirit.  However, Jesus's sheep knew the Holy Spirit of God for they knew and received Jesus, and soon the Holy Spirit would dwell with and within them after Jesus's ascension into heaven.  I cannot help but feel sadness for those who don't accept Jesus and therefore don't have His Holy Spirit guiding and comforting them.  It is such a scary time in history right now, but Jesus and the Holy Spirit comfort and guide us, and we know that they intercede for us with prayers we don't know how to pray, but that always work out for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

(18) "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."

What a beautiful and encouraging promise!  Jesus will not leave us alone and defenseless!  The original word defined as "comfortless" was "orphanos."  Jesus will not leave us as an orphan in the world.  His Holy Spirit is there to comfort and protect us by guiding us in all truth as a loving parent would.  And I can attest to that comfort and peace knowing that He will guide me through any difficult times.  And that's what makes me sad for those who don't know that peace.

(19) "Yet a little while and the world sees Me no more, but you see Me; because I live, you shall live also."

Jesus said the world would only see Him for a short time more.  However, because they had received Jesus, they would continue to see Him and feel Him and be led by Him, and because He continued to live eternally, so would they.

(20) "At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me and I in you."

At that day when He would come to them (verse 18) as He did after His resurrection, they would have assurance that He was indeed one with the Father and equal to Him.  They would come to have assurance in that day that they were in Him, in union with Him, and He would be in them by His Holy Spirit.

(21) "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me, and he who loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him."

Jesus said that the one who had His commandments and kept them within his heart and lived according to them, was one who truly loved Jesus.  We may talk about loving Jesus, but Jesus Himself said that to truly love Him was to know and keep His commandments, proof that he loved Jesus both in word and in deed.  The one who truly loved Jesus would be accepted and loved by His Father.  And Jesus would manifest Himself in him by His Holy Spirit.

(22) Judas said to Him, not Iscariot, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us and not to the world?"

It was Judas Thaddeus, author of the book of Jude, who asked Jesus the question, not Judas Iscariot.  He wondered how Jesus could manifest Himself to them without the world seeing Him, as well.

(23) Jesus answered and said to him, "If a man loves Me, he will keep My words, and My Father will love him and make our abode with him. (24) He who does not love Me does not keep My sayings, and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent Me. (25) These things I have spoken to you, being present with you."

Jesus began His answer by reiterating what He had already said.  If anyone loved Him, they would keep His words, and His Father would love them, and they would reside with Him in heaven.  Anyone who did not keep His words did not love Him.  The words Jesus spoke were those of the Almighty Father God in heaven.  Jesus said He had told them these things while He was still present with them.

(26) "But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatever I have said to you."

However, after He was gone, God would send His Holy Spirit to them, and He would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance the things that Jesus had told them.  In this way He would be manifested to them.

(27) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Jesus said He was leaving them His peace.  This was a common blessing among the Jews, "Peace be with you."  However, Jesus said He didn't give them His peace as the world gave, just an empty wish and show of good will.  Jesus's peace surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and was able to meet all the needs of one's soul and could quiet anxiety and fear.  Therefore Jesus told them not to let their hearts be troubled at what was about to happen, nor let them be afraid, and this He said because He was on the throne and their future was secure.

(28) "You have heard how I said to you, 'I go away and come back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I go to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I."

Jesus reminded them that He had told them that He was going away, but that He would come back to them.  He told them if they loved Him, they would rejoice with Him because He had told them He was going to the Father.  And that was the most wonderful thing!  It's just like when a righteous Christian loved one dies, we can be honestly happy that their trials are over and they are with Jesus!  The only reason we are sad is for selfish reasons, but we should rejoice when our loved one has achieved his ultimate reward!  They should rejoice that Jesus was going back to His original state as an equal part of the Godhead, for that was far greater than what He was with his human nature on earth that must suffer the trials on earth.

(29) "And now I have told you before it comes to pass that when it comes to pass, you might believe."

Jesus told His disciples that He had told them those things before they came to pass that when they did come to pass, they would believe.  Although it may have been hard to believe and understand at the present, once those things unfolded, they would understand the things Jesus had said and it would be fully confirmed in their hearts that Jesus was from God.

(30) "Hereafter, I will not talk much with you, for the prince of this world comes and has nothing in Me."

Jesus told them He would not be talking with them much anymore because the prince of the world was coming for Him, but he would find nothing in Him, for there was no sin in Him.  Isn't it interesting that Jesus blames only Satan for what was about to happen to Him.  He didn't blame Judas or the chief priests and Pharisees.  He knew they had only surrendered to temptation by Satan to kill their "enemy."  However, Jesus could never surrender to such temptation; it wasn't in His nature.  Satan would have loved for Jesus to surrender to him to save His life, but that was never going to happen.

(31) "But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here."

So that the world would know that Jesus loved Father God, He would do as His Father had willed, even unto death.  The fact that Jesus endured such a cruel death and separation from God when He had the power to stop it at any time showed His great love for His Father and for the people He came to save.  Jesus then instructed them to rise from the table and leave.  

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet and Commands Them to Likewise Love One Another

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(John 13:1) Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus had had His final discourse with the people.  Now, knowing His time was very short, He would spend the rest of His time with His disciples whom He loved and would demonstrate that love to the very end of His life, and actually beyond.

(2) And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him;

Now had come the time for the Passover Feast, the Lord's Last Supper.  "Being ended" was not the correct translation of the original "ginomai."  It meant more properly "having been made" or "having come into existence."  So the feast had been prepared, and by that time, the devil had put it into Judas Iscariot's heart to betray Jesus.  John keeps going out of his way to tell us Judas was Simon's son.  I'm not sure why, other than the fact Simon Iscariot must have been well known by the readers at the time John wrote his gospel account, as I can find no other information about him.

(3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands and that He had come from God and was going to God, (4) He rose from supper and laid aside His garments and took a towel and girded Himself.

Jesus, even knowing that God had given Him all Godly power and that He was sent by God and would return to God, humbled Himself and rose from the table, laid aside His garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist as an apron.

(5) After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Jesus then poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples' feet and He then wiped them dry with the towel He had wrapped around His waist.  This was the ultimate act of humility and love He would show to His disciples while He was still living.

(6) Then He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You wash My feet?"

When Jesus came to Peter, Peter stopped Him, asking if He intended to wash his feet, apparently feeling unworthy of having His Lord wash his feet.

(7) Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do, you do not know now, but you will know afterward."

Jesus told Peter that He did not understand what Jesus was doing for him at present, but He would later know, as Jesus would explain it to them all when He was finished washing all their feet.

(8) Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."

Peter told Jesus he could never allow His Lord to demean Himself to such a lowly task as washing his feet.  However, Jesus told him that if He didn't wash him, Peter could have no part in Him.

(9) Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also hands and head!"

At that, Peter then asked the Lord to not only wash his feet, but his hands and head, too.  He wanted to be as much a part of His Lord as possible, and even more so.

(10) Jesus said to him, "He who is washed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean, and you are clean, but not all."

Jesus responded that if one was washed and clean, he only needed his feet washed; there was no need to clean his whole body again.  He told His disciples that they were clean, but then added that not all were clean.  With that, He surely meant Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him.

(11) For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean."

Indeed, John then told us what Jesus had meant when He said they were not all clean.  He referred to the unclean heart of Judas who would betray Him.

(12) So after He had washed their feet and had taken His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?"

After Jesus had washed all His disciples' feet, He put back on His outer garments and sat down again.  He asked the disciples if they understood the meaning of what He had just done for them.

(13) "You call Me Master and Lord, and you say well, for I am. (14) If I then, Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. (15) For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."

Jesus acknowledged that His disciples called Him Master and Lord, and He admitted that He was.  If their Lord and Master lowered Himself to serve them by washing their feet, then they should do likewise.  Jesus had given them an example of how they should treat one another, never considering it beneath them to do any such menial task but do as He had done.

(16) "Verily, verily, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither he who is sent greater than he who sent him." 

Jesus's point was that if He, Lord and Master, humbled Himself to serve in the most menial way, then they should not think themselves too good to do such tasks, as that would be setting themselves up as greater than their Lord and Master.  Neither is the one sent out, as a disciple or a messenger, to think of himself as greater than the one who sent him.  If the one who sent him, in this case, Jesus sending out His disciples, was so humble as to perform menial service for His disciples, then they should do the same, as they certainly weren't greater than Jesus.  

(17) "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them."

Jesus added that if His disciples knew these things, which now they did, they would be happy and blessed if they did them.  It gives one great joy to do for others, and especially as they are doing it for their Lord.

(18) "I do not speak of all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but that the scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.'"

Jesus said that He did not speak these things to all of them.  He knew all the disciples He had chosen, and He knew that Judas would betray Him, but it was necessary for him to be chosen to fulfill God's purpose.  It also fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 41:9, which said, "Yes, My own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of My bread, has lifted up his heel against Me."  As an unruly horse might kick up its heels and throw its rider, so Judas would trip up and remove Jesus.

(19) "Now I tell you before it comes that when it has come to pass, you may believe that I AM."

Jesus told His disciples that He was telling them what would happen before it happened, that when it did happen, they would know that He was the Messiah and the Great I AM, Lord God of the universe.

(20) "Verily, verily, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."

Jesus told them most assuredly that as He sent them out, whoever received them and their word as taught them by Jesus, received Him even though He would no longer be with them.  And whoever thus received Him in that way was also receiving God Himself.  They should be comforted and strengthened by the knowledge that they would be doing the work of Jesus and people would be saved by their preaching and teaching just as if it had been Jesus doing it, because the people who received and believed their word were receiving Jesus and therefore also receiving God.

(21) When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Verily, verily, I say to you that one of you will betray Me."

After Jesus had spoken these things, He became troubled in His spirit, knowing that one of His beloved disciples was going to betray Him.  He told His disciples plainly and directly that one of them would betray Him.  Not merely because of what was about to happen to Him, but probably grieved for Judas's soul that he would betray Him, Jesus may have been giving Judas warning that He knew what he was going to do, perhaps so he could repent from it.

(22) Then the disciples looked at one another, in doubt about whom He spoke.

The disciples began looking at each other, wondering which one of them it could be who would betray Jesus.

(23) Now there was leaning on Jesus's bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (24) Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spoke.

Leaning on Jesus's chest was a disciple whom He loved.  We know from all such scripture references that that disciple was John himself, the author of this gospel account.  He confirmed it in John 21:24.  Peter gestured to John to ask Jesus who the disciple was who would betray Him.

(25) He then lying on Jesus's breast, said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" (26) Jesus answered, "He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it." And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, of Simon.

John, still reclining against Jesus, asked Him who it was of whom He spoke.  Because they were so close, it must be that Jesus only quietly told John, as the disciples do not seem to know as the evening progresses.  He told John that it was the one to whom He would give a bite of food to after He dipped it.  Then He dipped a bite and gave it to Judas.

(27) And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

Immediately after Jesus passed the bite to Judas, it is written that Satan entered Judas.  From verse 2 we learned that Satan had already put the plan to betray Jesus in Judas's heart, but he now must have possessed him to press onward with his plan.  Jesus told Judas to go ahead and do what he planned quickly.  He once again let Judas know that He knew what he was planning.  

(28) Now no man at the table knew for what intent He spoke this to him. (29) For some thought because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy what we have need of for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.

No man at the table knew what Jesus had meant when he spoke to Judas.  Some of them thought that because he held the money bag, Jesus may have told him to go buy things they would need for the feast, as it lasted seven days, or perhaps He had told him to go give something to the poor.  You would think that John knew.  He surely knew that Jesus had meant that it was Judas who would betray Him, but I suppose John didn't know why Jesus was sending him out, and may have decided to just trust Jesus's plan, and keep the secret.

(30) He then having received the sop, went immediately out, and it was night.

After he had received the bite from Jesus and Jesus had directed him to do what he planned to do quickly, he immediately went out.  It was night by this time.

(31) Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him."

After Judas had left, Jesus said to His other disciples that the time had come for Him to be glorified.  Things had been put into motion and His death was sure and imminent.  He would be glorified in that horrific death when He fulfilled His purpose to provide salvation for the world.  God was glorified in what Jesus did as it was His plan for salvation that Jesus fulfilled.

(32) "If God is glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall immediately glorify Him."

If God was glorified in Jesus, which He was, then God would also glorify Jesus in Jesus Himself.  Jesus was the Messiah and deserving of all honor and glory.  Jesus was God and deserving of glory, as He would later pray to His Father in John 17:5, "And now, O Father, glorify Me with Your own self with the glory which I had with You before the world was."  Jesus would be glorified as God, the Word of God, as He was in the very beginning before God created the world.  God would immediately glorify Jesus after He finished His work with His death on the cross.

(33) "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek Me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I go, you cannot come,' so now I say to you."

Jesus told His disciples that He would be with them only a short time now, and referenced the time He told the Jews there would be a time when they would seek Jesus and would not find Him, because where He was going, they could not go.  Therefore, He wanted to tell them the following:

(34) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (35) By this shall all know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

As Jesus would not be with His disciples, He told them He was leaving them with a new commandment, that they should love one another as Jesus had loved them.  By demonstrating such love for one another, as Jesus had loved them, they would be showing the world how much like their Savior they were.  Albert Barnes wrote in his Notes on the Bible that it was well known and often remarked by the pagans, "See how they love one another! They are ready to lay down their lives for each other!"  Imagine such a powerful demonstration of love that would distinguish Christians from the rest of the people!  Barnes continued, lamenting the fact that the spirit of the Christian world had changed so much since then.  And it was almost 180 years ago that he wrote that!  Imagine what he would think now.  Genuine love for one another, and Jesus meant Christians loving other Christians, means denying ourselves, doing nothing through selfish ambition or conceit, "but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).

(36) Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterwards."

Peter then asked Jesus where it was that He was going.  Jesus answered only that Peter could not follow Him at that present time, but that he would be able to follow Him later.

(37) Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can't I follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake."

Peter asked Jesus why he couldn't follow Him.  I'm sure it was in all sincerity that he said he would lay down his life for Jesus.

(38) Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Verily, verily, I say to you, the cock will not crow till you have denied Me three times."

Although he may have been sincere in what he said, Jesus told him he, in fact, would not lay down his life for Him.  He would actually deny Him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning.  Peter did not know his own strength of will.  He may have thought he was willing to die for Jesus, but when the time came, he could not do it.  Adam Clarke, in his Commentary on the Bible, pointed out something I had not considered before now.  "Christ must first die for Peter, before Peter can die for Him."  Christ had to die first to save Peter from his sins and the just punishment he rightly deserved.  So actually, Peter could not have given his life at that time.  He didn't understand God's plan.  In this is a lesson for all of us, though we may be self-confident, we can do nothing of ourselves!  It is only through God that we are able to accomplish any of the hard things in life.  We must always be dependent on Him to get us through the hard times.

Jesus's Triumphal Entry and Final Discourse with the People

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(John 12:1) Then six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead whom He raised from the dead, (2) There they made Him a supper and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus had left Bethany and went out into the country to steer clear of the Jews who wanted to kill Him.  As the Passover was near, Jesus went back to Bethany to have supper with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.  Lazarus sat with Jesus at the table with others who had been invited, and Martha served.

(3) Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

Mary took a pound of an ointment of spikenard, which was a very costly and fragrant oil, and anointed Jesus's feet with it and then wiped His feet with her hair.  The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

(4) Then said one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, (5) "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor?"

One of Jesus's disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, saw what Mary did and considered it wasteful.  He asked why the ointment hadn't been instead sold with the proceeds going to the poor.

(6) This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the bag and lifted what was put in it.

It's not that Judas really cared for the poor, but he was actually a thief.  He held the money bag for Jesus and the disciples and often stole from it for himself.  He desired for himself that three hundred pence the ointment could have brought.

(7) Then Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burying."

Jesus told Judas to leave Mary alone.  She had saved that ointment for the purpose of anointing Jesus before His death and burial.  Of course, Mary did not know that Jesus was soon to die, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit she had chosen this time to anoint Jesus with it.

(8) "For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."

Jesus went on to say that there would always be poor to be helped, but He Himself would not always be there.  Therefore the time to anoint Him was right then, as there would be soon no more chance to do so.  It's not that Jesus did not believe in giving to the poor; He taught that we should (Matthew 25:35-36, Mark 10:21, Luke 14:13-14).  However, I believe Jesus was teaching a proper order of things.  If two good duties are in competition with each other, then it makes sense to do the one that needs to be done immediately as there may be no chance to do it later.  Additionally, God and Jesus come first in our lives.  It's always right to do the things of God over other things we may perceive as good.  I can't help but think of some of the extreme environmental things like ones that are done to save a toad that harm God's people.  God gave His people dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:26-28).  That does not mean that we should torture and kill animals for no good reason.  However, when it comes to the needs of animals versus the needs of humans, humans come first.

(9) Many people of the Jews therefore knew that He was there, and they came, not for Jesus's sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the dead.

Many of the Jews knew that Jesus was there and came, not just to see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus as he had been raised from the dead.

(10) But the chief priests deliberated that they might put Lazarus to death also, (11) Because on account of him, many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

However, the chief priests discussed how they should also put Lazarus to death; because of what had been done for him, many of the Jews were deserting them and turning to Jesus.

(12) On the next day many people who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (13) Took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet Him, and cried, "Hosanna! Blessed the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord!"

The next day, many people who had arrived early for the Passover Feast, when they heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took palm tree branches and went out to meet Jesus, crying, "Hosanna!" which was an exclamation of adoration that meant "Oh save!"  Then they quoted Psalm 118:26, "Blessed He who comes in the name of the Lord..."  The palm tree branches signified victory and triumph.

(14) And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat on it; as it is written, (15) "Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold your King comes sitting on an ass's colt."

The other gospel writers told us that Jesus directed two of His disciples to go into the village and there they would find the colt of a donkey and they were to bring it back to Jesus.  Jesus sat upon the young donkey, and that fulfilled prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 which said, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey."

(16) These things His disciples did not understand at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and they had done these things to Him.

At that time, Jesus's disciples did not understand what Jesus was doing and saying, but after His ascension, they remembered the things said about Him in the Old Testament prophecies and they fully comprehended the fulfillment of that prophecy at that time.  They remembered the things the people had done to and for Him, the taking of palm tree branches and crying "Hosanna," putting Jesus on the donkey's colt, and then as the other gospels told us, laying their clothes and branches under Him and before Him, paving His way into Jerusalem.

(17) The people therefore who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from the dead, bore record.

The Jews who had gone from Jerusalem to Bethany to comfort Lazarus's sisters, had been there to witness Jesus calling Lazarus out of the grave and raising him from the dead.  Therefore, they were able to bear witness of Jesus to the others in Jerusalem.

(18) For this reason the people also met Him, for they had heard that He had done this miracle.

That is why the people in Jerusalem met Jesus as He was coming into the city, because they had heard about what He had done for Lazarus.

(19) The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "Do you perceive how you prevail nothing? Behold, the world has gone after Him."

However, the Pharisees were greatly dismayed at what they saw, and discussed among themselves how they had so far accomplished nothing to stop the people from believing in Jesus.  In fact, it looked to them like the whole world had gone after Him.

(20) And there were certain Greeks among them who came up to worship at the feast.

There were some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast.  They may have been Jews who had been living in Greece, or perhaps converts to the Jewish religion, or it's even possible they were Gentiles who came to worship in the outer court of the temple that was called the court of the Gentiles.

(21) The same came therefore to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired of Him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

Those Greeks went to Philip and asked if they could see Jesus.  The reason they may have gone to Philip is probably answered in the fact that John told us Philip was of Bethsaida in Galilee.  They could have been from the Greeks who dwelt on the borders of Tyre and Sidon, which was not far from Bethsaida.  Perhaps they had had occasion to see or know Philip.  Additionally, as Philip is a Greek given name, some have thought it plausible that Philip's parents may have been from the Jews living in Greece.  They had apparently heard the fame of Jesus and wished to see Him and thought Philip could help.

(22) Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Philip and Andrew told Jesus.

Philip went and told Andrew of the Greeks' request, probably because Andrew was from the same place and may have known of the Greeks, also.  Then they both went and told Jesus.

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

The scripture does not say whether or not the Greeks were with them when they asked Jesus, nor whether or not He directly acknowledged and agreed to their request, but the fact that John mentioned it, must mean Jesus spoke in the presence of them.  He told all within His hearing that the hour had come for Him to be glorified, which of course, we understand to mean His ascension into heaven after His death and resurrection.

(24) "Verily, verily, I say to you, except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit."

Jesus likened His life on earth to a kernel or grain of wheat.  It's just a lonely grain of wheat unless it falls to the ground and dies and then shoots forward with much fruit.  So although Jesus was just one Man, when He died, He would bring forth a huge harvest of Christians.

(25) "He who loves his life shall lose it, and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

Jesus's point was that whoever loved his temporal life so much that they did everything in their power to preserve it, would ultimately lose it.  The one who hated his temporal life in the world, realizing he was only passing through to true life in Christ, who did nothing to preserve his life, but lived it for God and for heaven, he would have eternal life.

(26) "If any man serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there shall also My servant be. If any man serves Me, him My Father will honor."

Perhaps Jesus was saying this for the benefit of the Greeks.  Even though they may not have been Jews who could fully partake of the Passover, if they followed Him, imitating Him, following His Word, then they would also be with Him where He went, to heaven.  His Father God in heaven would honor them, as well.

(27) "Now is My soul troubled and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this cause, I came to this hour."

Jesus admitted He was troubled in His human soul about what was about to happen to Him.  However, could He really ask His Father to save Him from it?  After all, that was His purpose in coming into the world, to suffer and die for our sins, and be resurrected again for the salvation of the world.

(28) "Father, glorify your name." Then came a voice from heaven, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."

Jesus asked His Father to glorify His own name.  A voice came from heaven saying that He had already glorified it, obviously in the life and work of Jesus up to that point, and that He would glorify it again in Jesus's resurrection and ascension.

(29) The people therefore who stood by and heard, said that it thundered; others said, "An angel spoke to Him."

Some of the people who stood by and heard the voice misunderstood it as thunder, as it probably did come forth in thunder.  Others heard the voice and assumed that an angel had spoken to Jesus.  They may have understood it as the word of God, but they may have assumed He spoke through angels.

(30) Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sakes."

Jesus answered the people's confusion and confirmed it was a voice and it had not come in answer to His prayer, at least not chiefly, as it was not necessary, for Jesus knew the mind of His Father and vice versa.  The voice had come for their sakes, that they might know that He was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God.  I can't help but think about what an honor and a privilege it was to the Greeks, Gentiles, to hear all this.  They not only saw Jesus but heard from God confirming just who He was.  What a beautiful picture of how Jesus is for all of us, no matter what our background or religion.

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

Jesus went on to say that that particular time was the judgment of the world, and that the prince of the world would be cast out.  He said, "Now," because He knew His death was very near.  The original word translated as "judgment" is "krisis."  How similar it is to our "crisis."  And this would certainly be a crisis point in the lives of the people.  It would be a turning point.  On one hand, Jesus will have defeated death and Satan, the prince of the world.  No longer would people have to die in their sins.  However, Satan would still be around for those who would not receive Jesus's gift of salvation.  One of the definitions of "krisis" is "justice."  There would be justice for the world when Jesus saved it from death and Satan was cast out.

(32) "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Me."

Jesus's meaning was more likely just His death lifting Him out of the earth.  However, He would of course, be lifted up into the heavens in His resurrection and ascension.  If He was killed, which He knew He would be, He would draw all people to Him.  He would have power over death and would save those who came to Him through His drawing.

(33) This He said, signifying what death He would die.

John explained that Jesus was describing what type of death He would die by what He said.  Being lifted up on a cross, He would draw all people to Himself.  We do look up to the cross to be saved, just "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness" (John 3:14), and all who looked up to it were saved from the deadly bites of the fiery serpents, "even so must the Son of man be lifted up" (John 3:14 cont.) and those who look to Him will be saved.

(34) The people answered Him, "We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever, and how do You say, 'The Son of man must be lifted up.'? Who is this Son of man?"

The people answered Jesus saying that they knew from the law that Christ abides forever, so how was it that Jesus said the Son of man must be lifted up from the earth, meaning He must die?  They asked Him who was the Son of man.

(35) Then Jesus said to them, "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have light lest darkness come upon you, for he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going."

Jesus did not answer their question directly, but called Himself the light, the Light of the world, and urged the people to walk with that Light and learn from Him while they had the Light because it would only be with them a little while longer.  Once the Light was extinguished, darkness would come upon them, and they would not see the pits and snares that awaited them and would eventually destroy them.

(36) "While you have Light, believe in the Light, that you may be the children of Light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and hid Himself from them.

Jesus finally urged the people to believe in that Light while they had it, that they might become the children of Light and knowledge.  He then left and hid Himself away from them.

(37) But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they did not believe in Him.

John tells us that even though Jesus had done so many miracles in the presence of these people, they still did not believe in Him.

(38) That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"

John went on to say that this fulfilled a prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 53:1, "Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"  Who believed Jesus's words and the miracles and works He did by the arm of the Lord?

(39) Therefore they could not believe because Isaiah said again, (40) "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart that they should not see with eyes nor understand with heart, and be converted and I should heal them."

Because they refused to see the truth no matter how many things they had heard and seen, God left them in their blindness and hardness of hearts, and they could not believe Jesus.  Again John quoted prophecy in Isaiah 6:9-10, "And He said, Go, and tell this people, hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed."  Because they would not listen to the Lord and see His great works, God would leave them with their hard and stupid hearts, ears, and eyes, and they would not be able to be converted and saved as they could have been if they had only listened and opened their hearts to what they saw.

(41) These things Isaiah said when He saw His glory and spoke of Him.

John explained that Isaiah had spoken those things when he had seen a vision of the Messiah in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-13).

(42) Nevertheless, among the chief rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, (43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

However, there were those (it says many, in fact) among the chief rulers who did believe in Jesus, but they would not publicly admit it for fear the Pharisees would put them out of the synagogue.  At first I wondered if that was always a bad thing.  You certainly never reject Jesus if confronted, but do you always broadcast your belief, if by not doing so, you could do more good in the synagogue to open people's eyes to the truth?  However, that objection was put to rest by the next verse that stated those men loved the praise of men more than they loved God's praises.  God knows the truth of one's heart and His Holy Spirit will guide Christ's follower in what he should do.

(44) Jesus cried and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me!"

Verse 36 said that Jesus had left and hid Himself from the people, so either this was said at another time, or as He was, by what follows, still talking about the Light, perhaps He cried out as He left the unbelievers, or perhaps He had even said the words before He actually left.  Jesus cried out that anyone who believed in Him as Jesus the man, was actually believing in the One who sent Him, God Himself, who came down to earth in the human form of Jesus to save the world.

(45) "And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me."

Jesus said more directly that anyone who saw Him was seeing the One who sent Him, God Himself in heaven.  It was perhaps a difficult concept to grasp, but at the very least, they should have faith that He was one with God.

(46) "I am come a light into the world that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness."

Jesus explained that He was the Light that came into the world that whoever believed in Him would not stay in their darkness of sin and unbelief.

(47) "And if any man hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him, for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world."

Jesus said that if anyone heard Him and did not believe in Him, He was not there to judge them.  They had actually already been judged and condemned; He had come to save them and the entire world from that condemnation.

(48) "He who rejects Me and does not receive My words has one that judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day."

However, those who do not believe in Jesus and reject Him and will not receive His word, that Word of God spoken by Jesus will be the judgment against him in the great Judgment Day.  That is the truth that the one who rejected Christ will come to know was true all along.  In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess, everyone will know the truth (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10-11), and those who rejected Christ will be judged by that truth that they will know themselves.

(49) "For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father who sent Me gave Me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak."

Jesus did not speak on His own human accord, but God who sent Him told Him what He was to say.  Actually, as Jesus was God come down to the world, He spoke the words of God.  It was God and His very Word that people who rejected Christ were rejecting.

(50) "And I know that His commandment is life everlasting; whatever I speak therefore, just as the Father said to Me, so I speak."

That commandment or commission that God gave Jesus was the path to everlasting life, and everything God had purposed in sending Jesus was for that end, that all be saved.  As Jesus was God, He spoke God's words and was there to fulfill God's purpose in saving all people from their sin and from Satan and his workers of iniquity.

The Biblical commentators that I study tell me that this was the end of Jesus's public ministry.  From this point on, He would spend His time teaching His disciples.  What a beautiful summation Jesus gave to the people.  Jesus cried it out to them!  Believe in Him because He said and did the very works of God; He was the very mind of God.  He was God!  In the end, all would know it, and those who had rejected Him rejected God's gift of salvation and would be judged by what they would know was true.