Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 12

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 12


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
John 12

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Anointing at Bethany The Anointing at Bethany The Anointing at Bethany Jesus is Anointed at Bethany The Anointing at Bethany Joh_12:1-8 Joh_12:1-8 Joh_12:1-8 Joh_12:1-6 Joh_12:1-8 Joh_12:7-8 The Plot Against Lazarus The Plot to Kill Lazarus The Plot Against Lazarus Joh_12:9-11 Joh_12:9-11 Joh_12:9-11 Joh_12:9-11 Joh_12:9-11 The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem The Triumphal Entry Palm Sunday The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem The Messiah Enters Jerusalem Joh_12:12-19 Joh_12:12-19 Joh_12:12-19 Joh_12:12-13 Joh_12:12-19 Joh_12:14 Joh_12:15 Joh_12:16 Joh_12:17 Joh_12:18-19 Some Greeks Seek Jesus The Fruitful Grain of Wheat Jesus' Public Ministry Concludes Some Greeks Seek Jesus Jesus Foretells His Death and Subsequent Glorification Joh_12:20-26 Joh_12:20-26 Joh_12:20-26 Joh_12:20-21 Joh_12:20-28 a Joh_12:22-26 The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross Jesus Speaks About His Death Joh_12:27-36 a Joh_12:27-36 Joh_12:27-36 a Joh_12:27-28 a Joh_12:28 b Joh_12:28 b Joh_12:29 Joh_12:29-32 Joh_12:30-33 Joh_12:33-36 a Joh_12:34 Joh_12:35-36 a The Unbelief of the Jews Who Has Believed Our Report? The Unbelief of the People Joh_12:36-43 Joh_12:36-43 Joh_12:36-38 Joh_12:36 b Conclusion: The Unbelief of the Jews Joh_12:37-41 Joh_12:37-38 Joh_12:39-40 Joh_12:39-40 Joh_12:41 Joh_12:41 Walk In the Light Joh_12:42-43 Joh_12:42-50 Judgment by Jesus' Words Joh_12:42-50 Judgment by Jesus' Words Joh_12:44-50 Joh_12:44-50 Joh_12:44-50 READING CYCLE THREE

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_12:1-50

A. All four Gospels record the anointing of Jesus by a woman. Therefore, this event must have held significance to the Gospel writers. However, Mar_14:3-9, Mat_26:6-13, and Joh_12:2-8 identifies her as Mary of Bethany, Lazarus' sister, while Luk_7:36-50 identifies her as sinful woman in Galilee.



B. Chapter 12 closes the public ministry of Jesus (cf. Joh_12:29). He had tried over and over again to bring the Jewish leaders to faith. Chapter 11 was His attempt to bring the townspeople of Jerusalem to faith.



C. There are five groups of people mentioned in this chapter.

1. the crowd who witnessed Lazarus' resuscitation, Joh_12:17

2. a crowd from Jerusalem, Joh_12:9

3. the crowd of pilgrims coming to the Passover, Joh_12:12; Joh_12:18; Joh_12:29; Joh_12:34

4. possibly a crowd of Gentiles, Joh_12:20

5. possibly a crowd of Jewish leaders who believed in Him, Joh_12:42



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why did Mary, Lazarus' sister, anoint Jesus' feet?

2. Why are Matthew, Mark and John slightly different in their accounts of this incident?

3. What was the significance of the crowd meeting Jesus with palm branches and the quote from Psalms 118?

4. Why was Jesus so moved by the Greeks' request to speak with Him?

5. Why was Jesus' soul so deeply troubled? (cf. Joh_12:27)

6. Explain why John uses "believe" in several senses.