John 12

1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Jesus knew that he would be crucified on the day after the Passover, becoming the human substitute for the customary young lamb sacrificed at the Temple of Jerusalem, for the sins of others, by the high priest. Thus, six days later, Jesus comes back to Judea- and to Bethany, which was near to Jerusalem (the place where the Pharisees were plotting his death- any human would have kept away, but Jesus knew that he will have to make the triumphant entry, institute the communion, be betrayed by one of his own disciples, be crucified, and ultimately, triumph over death). Lazarus, who was raised from the dead, was also at Bethany.

2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

The household made him a supper which Martha, as always, served. A very alive Lazarus also sat nearby.

3Then took Mary 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 odour of the ointment.

As a gesture of gratitude and probably realising the divinity of Jesus, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with spikenard (a very expensive fragrance) and wiped his feet with her hair. Since they don’t seem to be affluent, I wonder whether she sold all her valuables to buy the ointment for 300 silver coins.

4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Annoyed at the gesture, Judas admonished her- ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for 300 silver coins, and given to the poor?’

6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

John comments that Judas’ admonishing Mary didn’t have to do with his concern for the poor. But he was the carrier of the group’s money bag, and stole money as it suited him (Jesus had previously said of how he chose 12 disciples, of whom one is the devil).

7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

Jesus tells him to leave her alone. The entombment ritual involved women preparing the body with spices and fragrance. Jesus knew that, it would be Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who would be preparing his body after the crucifixion. Later on, we shall read of how spikenard was not among the spices and fragrances which they used. Thus, God gave Mary the opportunity to daub Jesus’ feet with spikenard as a prelude to the burial.

8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

The poor will always be physically present around, and thus one can be benevolent towards them anytime. But Jesus would be crucified soon.

9Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

Many Jews knew that Jesus was in Bethany. They came to the house not just to see Jesus, but also to observe Lazarus.

10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

The chief priests discussed about killing Lazarus since he was the reason why the Jews started to believe in Jesus. The creative miracles performed by Jesus might have eventually convinced the Jews, but the priests were reluctant to believe- rather than seeing Jesus as a heretical prophet or the Messiah, it seems as if they were more concerned that the Romans would kick them out from their positions and annihilate the Jewish nation. Moreover, it is likely that Jesus’ popularity led to Jews not attending prayers at the synagogues, thus resulting in a loss of revenue.

12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Upon hearing that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Jews, who had already congregated in Jerusalem for the feast, took branches of palm trees, and went to give him a king’s welcome.

14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

To fulfill the prophecy, Jesus rode into the city on a young ass (one which no one else used).

16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

The disciples did not comprehend this then. But after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, they remembered that the Old Testament prophecies referred to him.

17The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The calling of Lazarus out of the grave by Jesus was publicised by the people who witnessed it. Thus, more people also met him.

19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Seeing the huge following behind Jesus, the Pharisees were frustrated- ‘Can’t you see how our plans aren’t working. The whole world has followed him’.

20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Certain Greeks had come to worship at the feast. I believe that these are Jews who had been settled in Greece. They went to Philip (native of Bethsaida) and requested him to arrange a meeting with Jesus. The nature of their request suggests that they were educated.

22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

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

Jesus met them, and it is evident that it is an important meeting. After all, the first church was established in Greece, probably aided by the same people who discoursed with Jesus. Jesus said that the hour has come when he should be glorified

24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

A corn of wheat on the plant itself will not bear fruit. In order to germinate and bear much fruit, it has to fall to the ground and die. And the cycle would repeat. It is only by his death that the Christian church will flourish.

25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

He who loves his earthly life, the trappings, and the indulgences, shall lose eternal life. But he who despises the carnal life, will gain eternal life.

26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

If anyone wants to serve Jesus, let them follow him and his teachings. Wherever Jesus will be, there will his servant be. And God will honour anyone who serves Jesus.

27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus is troubled again because it is a momentous time. He requests God to save him from that hour but he knows the magnitude of the happenings.

28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Jesus asks God to glorify His name. And a voice was heard from the heaven which said- ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again’.

29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

The people around heard the voice thought that it thundered, whilst others thought that it was an angel.

30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Jesus points out that the voice was not for him but for the people to listen.

31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The judgment of the world was about to begin. Since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden, the devil (prince of this world) had authority over the sinning humans. The Old Testament shows of how the devil continually went to God to claim the souls of God’s children. Jesus’ sacrifice for the sins of others will destroy the hold which devil has, and will lead to his permanent expulsion from heaven.

And if Jesus is lifted up from the earth (this, as per John’s suggestion, could imply the crucifixion which involves hanging him from the cross, or could also mean his ascension and glorification), he will draw all people unto him. There will be the option for everyone to become Jesus’ follower and gain redemption from the death grip of sin.

34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

The listeners are confused and points out that the Old Testament refers to the eternal reign of the Messiah. The prophecies regarding the Messiah in Isaiah’s book were not in chronological order, and thus they expected the Messiah to come once and reign forever. However, deep scrutiny of Isaiah reveals that the prophet refers to the 1^st and 2^nd coming of Christ.

35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Jesus said unto them: ‘The light (Jesus) will be with you for a little more time. Walk in the light before it is dark (‘darkness come upon you’). For, if you walk in the dark, you will not know where you are going’. During ‘darkness’, the people will not have any guidance due to Jesus’ absence. Moreover, Jesus used ‘darkness’ to refer to the reign of Anti-christ- when there will not be an opportunity to preach, profess, or pray, and when the church and Christians will be persecuted.

36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

When the light (Jesus) is still present, believe in him, so that you will be the children of light.

After speaking this, Jesus left and hid himself from the people.

37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Irrespective of all the miracles, the people did not, and could not, believe. They could not see and their hearts were hardened like that of the Pharaoh in Exodus. It was God’s will that they should not believe for Jesus had to be slain for the majestic conquest over sin and death.

42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Although many important Jews believed in Jesus, they did not admit their faith since the Pharisees would expel them from the society. Obviously, they were more concerned about being honoured by men than being honoured by God.

44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

The following verses show the oneness of the Father and the Son. Whoever believes (and sees) in Jesus, is not believing (or seeing) in Jesus, but believing in (or seeing) God.

46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Jesus has come as a light into the world, so that whoever decides to believe in him, will enter light (salvation, truth) and will not remain in darkness (sin).

47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Jesus has come to save the world and not to judge people- thus, he will not judge anyone who hears the message but yet doesn’t believe.

48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

As for those who reject Jesus and don’t follow his words, the same will be judged on the last day, by the very words/commandments which Jesus has spoken.

49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

The words spoken by Jesus are not his own- God has commanded Jesus about what he should say and what he should speak. Thus, Jesus is speaking whatever God has said unto him.