Chapter 12

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12• Jesus’ friends show deep respect & humility for Him!– “Martha served” (John 12:2).– “Mary…anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her

hair” (John 12:3).• She gave the very best for Him – “very costly” (John 12:3).

– His servants (1) follow Him, (2) honor the Father, and (3) will be where He is (12:26).

• Doing good to others is no substitute for worship (v. 3-7)!– There are lots of times (and always will be times) to serve

others, including the poor.– There are only a limited number of opportunities to truly

worship the Lord.

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12• Believing in Jesus alone is not sufficient to be saved from

sin (John 12:42-43)!– “Even among the rulers many believed in Him” (John 12:42).– The very next word indicates that belief is not enough – “but…”– These believers in Jesus kept on, continually, not confessing

Him (John 12:42).– The Bible clearly teaches that believing in Jesus is not sufficient

to please God!• Loving “the praise of men more than praise of God” will

cost your soul (John 12:42-43)!

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12• The words of Jesus are the authority by which we will be

judged in the last day (12:48)!– Jesus plainly taught that those who truly believe in Him are

those who obey Him.– Jesus said, He who “hears My words and does not keep

them…” (John 12:47).• Abides in darkness (John 12:46).• Is not judged/condemned without opportunity to obey (John 12:47).• Is condemned already (Jn. 3:18) because of his own stubborn actions &

choices.

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 12• The words of Jesus are the authority by which we will be

judged in the last day (12:48)!– Jesus continued, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My

words…” (12:48).• Is already being judged because there is a universal standard/authority!• Is judged by the very thing he has rejected – the words of Jesus!• Is judged now by the words of Jesus and will be judged in the last day!

– Jesus and His words have all authority today (cf. Matt. 28:18).• The words of Jesus are the words of the Father – no more and no less

(12:49-50).• He will be our judge & will use the standard He left for us in His word!• Rejecting anything in His word is a rejection of Jesus Himself.• We must hold fast to His word and do as He commands—no more and

no less!

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• Jesus transitioned from “His hour had not yet come” to “The hour has come.”– Up to this point, Jesus had said His hour/time had not yet come

(2:4; 7:6, 30; 8:20).– Now, for the first time, Jesus said, “The hour has come…” (John

12:23).– From this point on, “Jesus knew that His hour had come”

(12:27; 13:1; 16:32; 17:1).

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• The hour that had come was the hour of Jesus’ death!– John 12 begins the last week of Jesus’ life (“six days before the

Passover,” 12:1).– Jesus knew He only had a few days remaining:

• “Me you do not always have” (12:8); “a little while longer” (12:35-36).– Jesus spoke of His death as the time when He would be

“glorified.”• “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified” (v. 23, 16).• “For this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name” (27-28).• By death He would be glorified:

– He would achieve the purpose for which He came – the redemption of man.– He would be able to return to the glory of heaven, from whence He came.

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• The hour that had come was the hour of Jesus’ death!– Jesus knew and affirmed that His death on the cross was

absolutely essential!• He taught that if the grain does not die, fruit is not produced (24).

– Only in death (specifically, His death) could life (eternal) be produced!– If Jesus did not die, life would not be possible!

• His soul was “troubled” about death; His Father’s will must be done!– He would not ask the Father to “save [Him] from this hour” (John 12:27).– The very purpose Jesus came into the world was for His “hour” to die (27).– His chief desire was to honor the Father – “Glorify Your name” (John 12:28).

• The manner of His death was not unknown. He knew He’d be crucified.– “‘Lifted up from the earth’…signifying by what death He would die” (32-33).– Jesus knew it was essential to fulfill His purpose and secure redemption.

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• The voice of the Father thundered at Jesus’ hour (28-30).– A voice came from heaven three times during the life of Jesus:

• At His baptism—the “beginning” of His ministry (Matt. 3:17).• At His transfiguration—near the “middle” of His ministry (Matt. 17:5).• Just days before the cross—at the “end” of His ministry (John 12:28).

– The voice of the Father confirmed (John 12:28):• “I have both glorified” My name already (through the work of Christ).• “And will glorify [My name] again” when work is completed on cross.

– Jesus said that the voice was not for His sake, to reassure Him (John 12:30).• He told the people that the voice was for their sake (John 12:30).• The people needed to be assured (again) of the glory & deity of Christ.

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• In His death, Jesus brought an end and a beginning (John 12:32)!– He ended the domination of Satan, seizing power over sin,

death & the grave (32a).– He made the gospel, and life through the gospel, available to all

men (John 12:32b).

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• Knowledge of Jesus and faith in Him was spreading!– “A great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came…” (John

12:9).– “A great multitude…heard that Jesus was coming…went out to meet Him”

(12:13).– “The people, who were with Him” when He raised Lazarus, “bore witness”

(12:17).– “The people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign”

(12:18).– “The Pharisees therefore said…, ‘Look, the world has gone after Him!” (John

12:19).– “There were certain Greeks” who came, saying, “We wish to see Jesus”

(John 12:21).

An Overview/Theme of John 12: “Jesus’ Hour Had Come”

• Jesus gave instructions during “His hour,” so that we might be ready for “our hour.”– “Hate” (i.e., love less) “life in this world,” making it secondary

to eternal life (12:25).– Serve Jesus and follow Jesus (both verbs indicating continuous

action) (John 12:26).– “Walk in the light” that you may not “walk in darkness” (12:35-

36; cf. 1 John 1:7).– Believe in Jesus & faithfully keep His words to be prepared for

judgment (12:44-48).

How Chapter 12 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John

• A great many of the Jews came – saw – and believed (John 12:9-11).

• Readers are reminded three times about raising Lazarus from the dead (12:1, 9, 17).

• Jesus fulfilled O.T. prophecy—prophecies that “were written about Him” (12:12-16).

• Jesus did “so many signs before them” (John 12:37, 18).• The Jews, unknowingly and unintentionally, fulfilled O.T.

prophecy (John 12:37-41).