Psalm 22

I chose to study this Psalm quite by design, given that we are currently looking into John’s chapters. We might have often come across this psalm of David’s during our Passion Week meditations, more so since the Psalm is prophetic about Christ’s suffering. However, it was on a rather depressing day in July that this Psalm took a whole new meaning, when I realised that my ‘sufferings’ were nothing when compared to what poor Jesus had to suffer. In fact, I’d recommend that one should read this if you are ever feeling depressed.

1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
The psalm opens with a wretched cry out to God, intoning ‘My God’, signifying the personal relationship. Why has the great God, his own God, abandoned him? Why isn’t He deigning to help him, why is He physically and mentally far away during the time of suffering, and why isn’t he listening to the agonised cry for help from His own?

Jesus repeats the very words on the cross. Like a forsaken sinner, Jesus cried out to his own Father asking why has He forsaken him? Jesus had to bear the sins of the entire world, without the aid of anyone. He was the traditional sheep which was slaughtered for redeeming the lives of others. Was it cruel of God to desert His son? No, it was the ultimate sacrifice which a Father could do- for it is only by the death of Jesus that we all have been saved.

2O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
The psalmist is persistently appealing (‘crying’) to God- he never ceases his prayers, but it seems as if God isn’t listening.
Perhaps, when we are in trouble and when we do not get an answer from God, we should not stop praying though we might be tempted to do just that… God takes His time in solving our problems, and often we realise that it happened for the best.

3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Despite his anguish, the psalmist praises God instead of cursing Him. God is holy.

4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
In the past, Israelites had suffered, but they also trusted in God and cried out to Him (again, there is emphasis on heartfelt crying instead of just stating). Because of that trust, God Himself delivered them.

6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
This refers to Jesus. After being tortured prior to the crucifixion, he was barely recognisable. The fairest of the fair was demoted to resembling a contemptible worm. He was scolded and derided, probably by the very people whom he had healed.
Isn’t it obvious that if Jesus was treated in this manner by those whom he came to help, heal, and save, wouldn’t the world treat us likewise?

7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
People scorned and mocked at him. His sufferings are providing much delight to the sadistic and ungrateful onlookers..

8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
They mocked him saying: Since he trusted in God, let God deliver this person.
These people, probably traditional Jews, very likely didn’t believe in the existence of God, or that God could deliver those who cried out to Him. In the case of Jesus, these words were spoken by the mockers who had gathered around the cross.

9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
The psalmist points out how he was called by and inspired by God, even when he was just a foetus. In fact, it was God who delivered him from the womb and who inspired him when he was a baby.

11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
The psalmist requests God not to be far away since trouble is close by and there is none to help him. This might resound in our lives when we trust on humans to help us, but eventually, we understand that they can’t.

12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
One is surrounded by dangerous bulls/people/situations. Is there a way of escape when you know that you cannot outrun them, and when you are likely to face a fate similar to that of Dirce?

13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
These evil creatures (bulls/lions) are determined to destroy the believer. Their very sight is fearsome. In fact, they are like a hungry and roaring lion- one which cannot wait to tear you apart due to its hunger.
With a zoo nearby, I am all too aware of a ravening and roaring lion: The heavy and muscular body (which can break you into pieces by pouncing over you), the strong paw with sharp claws (which is said to deliver fatal blows, and to tear apart the skin), the brutal teeth (adapted for tearing apart flesh), and the immobilising roar (destined to freeze anyone).

14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Although this might be relevant to the psalmist, to David (his life was not all that rosy), and to any suffering believer, this is what happened to Jesus. The anguish and torture, which Jesus had to endure, can be summed up by the verse: ‘My life is flowing away like discarded water, and all my bones are dislocated: my heart is melting like wax because of agony’. One might remember that water and blood rushed out when Jesus was stabbed in the chest, after his death on the cross. This is medically true since mental agony can cause the accumulation of pericardial fluid.

15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
‘My strength is non-existent: all that remains is a husk; and I can barely speak due to thirst (‘my tongue cleaveth to my jaws’); and you have brought me close to death’.

16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Apart from bulls and lions, the sufferer is surrounded by dogs (‘the assembly of the wicked’). This again takes us back to where Jesus hung on the cross, with his hands and feet pierced, with the Jews and the clergy standing around, mocking and cursing the one who came to save them. Obviously, the dog is not as exalted as the bull and lion, but still can deliver painful bites, and a pack can certainly seal the doom of an individual.

17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
The bones are all distinct. The mockers stare at the sufferer (on the cross)

18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
As seen at the crucifixion, they divided his garments amongst them, and cast lots.

19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
The psalmist again beseeches God (his ‘strength’): ‘Do not be far away from me, O lord, and hurry yourself to help me’.

20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
With the sword denoting destruction/mortality, the psalmist requests God to deliver his soul from eternal death. I am unsure about what darling implies, since various translations indicate different meaning. Probably, he wants to be rescued (or his dearest, perhaps his soul?) from ferocious people.

21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
The psalmist goes on to request God to rescue him when trapped in the lion’s mouth/jaws, or when threatened by the lion (v. 13):
For, the Lord has already heard his prayers and had delivered him from the horns of the unicorns. If we are considering the legendary animal, unicorn possesses a horn which could be a very effective spear. Also, it was a Dirce-ish punishment to tie a person to the horns of the bulls.

22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
Yet, the psalmist will proclaim the Lord’s name unto his brethren and to the congregation since he has been delivered.

23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
All those who fear the Lord should praise Him; the descendants of Israel/Jacob (Jews) should fear and glorify Him.

24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
For the Lord did not disregard or close eyes to the troubles faced by the afflicted psalmist/believer. But He heard when he cried out to him.
The onus, thus, is on us to cry out to the Lord.

26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
The psalmist continues to praise the Lord. The humble will eat and be satisfied: those who seek the Lord will praise Him: His heart will endure forever.
(note the use of colons)

27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
This probably refers to the Second Coming, when all nations and all people (dead or alive) shall remember (because the evidence will be right in front of them) about Jesus, and will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord. Thus, they will turn unto the Lord, will bow down, and worship Him. No one can save his own soul except through the Lord. The redeemed (His people) will serve Him.

28For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
For the kingdom/country/Israel/the world/ the universe belongs to the Lord. And he governs the nations and the multitude of people.

John 14

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Jesus tells the disciples (and believers) not to be troubled by the forthcoming events (his death, crucifixion, and ascension, and the subsequent struggles of the early church). Being firm believers in God, the disciples are told to believe in Jesus. In fact, there is no point in believing in the unseen God without believing in Jesus (Word manifested as flesh).

Moreover, one must not be troubled by anything, given that our guardian is none other than God Himself.

2In 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.

There are many mansions (note: not cottages, nor palaces!) in Jesus’ (my) Father’s (God) house (heaven): all waiting to be filled by the Saved. Jesus would have told them hadn’t there been any mansions. He is going to heaven to prepare a place for them (and essentially, all believers).

3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And if Jesus goes and prepares such places for them, he will come again and receive them personally unto himself in heaven; so that they will be wherever he is. Like a good shepherd, he will keep his lambs near him.

4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

‘You know where I am going, and the course to that place’.

5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Thomas, doubting as ever, says- ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going; and how can we know the way?’

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus utters the absolute truth: He is the (only) way to the true God; He is truth regarding the true God; and, he is only method by whom one can attain eternal life. No one can reach the Father (God) except via him. Thus, mediation using saints or religious figures, and other religions will not take an individual to the Father.

7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Jesus points out that if the disciples had known him, they would have known his Father too: and thus, they have not only known Him but has also seen Him.

8Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Despite all of Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and even hearing the voice of God Himself, it is evident that the disciples are unaware of Jesus’ divinity. Thus, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father.

9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Jesus asks Philip why he hasn’t understood his true divinity despite having been with them for a long time. Whoever has seen Jesus, has seen the Father. Do they not believe that Jesus is in the Father, and the Father in him? The words which he spake to them were not from himself: but it was God, who dwells in Jesus, who did the works.

All of Jesus’ teachings and miracles were performed by God himself for His glory. The duality of the two is best visualised as a water molecule: The molecules of Hydrogen and Oxygen, by itself, does not form water. But it is their combination, which creates a water molecule.

12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Whoever believes in Jesus, he will receive the power to perform the same miracles which Jesus did. And he shall do greater works because Jesus will be with the Father in all his power and majesty. This is also an authority which Jesus promises to his followers.

If Jesus’ disciples love him, they will rejoice over his leaving, for he is going to the Father: who is much greater than Jesus. And Jesus will personally intercede with the Father.

13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

And Jesus promises to do whatever one asks in his name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. There is a clause though: If we love him, we will keep his commandments. More often, we love ourselves and make our own commandments, or try to make compromises. Is it because we do not love him enough?

Later on, Jesus stresses twice that those who love him are those who follow his commandments (keep my words). Those who love him will not only be loved by the Father, but also by Jesus, who will appear unto him. In fact, the Father and the Son will dwell with him… in fact, they will make their abode with him – in modern day terms, they will move into the same house!

Those who do not love Jesus will not follow his commandments. These commandments (the word) are not from Jesus, but from the Father who sent him.

16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jesus will request the Father to send another Comforter (The Spirit of truth), in Jesus’ name (in my name), to the believers, so that they will be guided and taught by the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) during Jesus’ physical absence, and will remind them of Jesus’ words. This Comforter will abide with them forever and the world cannot receive this Spirit since it/they cannot see him or know him- after all, how can they if they do not believe in Christ? But the Spirit will dwell with the believers and will be in them because they will know him. Jesus will not abandon them, and he himself will come to them.

19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

In a little while, Jesus will be crucified, and thus will not be physically present as far as the unbelievers are concerned. Nor will they see him, for they do not believe in him. But those who believe in Jesus (and the disciples) will see him. And since Jesus lives for all eternity, so shall they.

Another Judas cannot comprehend how Jesus can appear only to the disciples, and not to the rest of the people.

20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

On the final day, the believers will know the mystery of the Duality: the relationship between God and the Son, and the relationship between Jesus and his followers.

25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Jesus is able to convey all this since he is still with them.

27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus bestows his own peace with them: Peace, which is denied to many rich and powerful, but which is given to his own loved. Therefore, there is no reason for the disciples (and believers) to be troubled or afraid, for Jesus’ peace will keep them calm.

29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Jesus is telling them before it all happens, so that they will remember and believe when it happens.

30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

Jesus indicates that he will not talk much with them, for Satan (the prince of this world, with whom Jesus has nothing in common) is approaching to carry out the betrayal.

31But 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 hence.

Jesus loves the Father, and is sacrificing himself for all mankind as per the commandments of the Father. Thus, one can notice how Jesus does the same which he advises his disciples to do in v. 13-15; 21-24.

Psalm 121

This psalm is meant to be recited before embarking on a journey.

1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

This can interpreted in two ways:

- I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. Where will my help come from? Will the mountains give me safety?

- I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from where my help comes (allusion to Horeb from where God communicated with Moses?)

One must place trust in the Lord and not on humans. The psalmist who doesn’t talk about lifting his eyes towards the king or the temple, but towards the Lord.

2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

It is the powerful Lord (the creator of heaven and earth) who helps me. A nondescript human is helped by none other than the maker of heaven and earth! How much more protected can one be?

3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

The Lord will not permit your foot to waver in any circumstances. He will keep you strong, and will guide you. The Lord is your keeper (He is your guardian)- He will not fall asleep.

4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The guardian of Israel shall neither take a nap or sleep. He is always vigilant.

5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The Lord is physically very close to you- He is as close as your shadow; Shade can also imply a spiritual being = so, it could mean that He is present next to you.

6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord’s presence ensures that you won’t be harmed by the sun, or by the moon.

7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil. He will take care of your soul (which is far much more important)

8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in, from today and forever.

John 13

1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

Jesus knew that his tenure on earth was close to ending, but he loved his followers (‘his own’) unto the end.

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

It was the devil who incited Judas to betray Jesus. The devil was not conscious of God’s plan of Jesus dying for the sins of others. As far as the devil was concerned, the death of Jesus would imply that people will not flock to Jesus, and will persist sinning. Moreover, the devil would have thought that it would be much easier to kill a mortal Jesus (when he is most vulnerable) than the Son of God.

3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Jesus had been given all authority by the Father. He came from God, and was going back to God.

4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Before any feast, it is customary for Jewish householders to wash the feet of their guests, to kiss it, and to wipe it. This duty is generally performed by the house owner or by the youngest of the family. However, as read elsewhere, since none of the disciples were keen to do the task, Jesus humbled himself and performed the tradition.

6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

When Peter protested, Jesus sternly insists otherwise.

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

Jesus says to Peter that those who are already clean (‘washed’) need only to wash their feet. But there were people in the room who were not clean at all (implying Judas).

12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Jesus asks them whether they understood what he did. The disciples hailed Jesus as their Master and Lord (which he is). But if he, being the Lord and Master, humbled himself and washed their feet, then his disciples should do the same to each other in humility, love, and seeing each other as equals. Jesus has given them an example so that they will do as he has done to them.

16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

The servant can never be greater than his master. Similarly, Jesus (he that is sent), although his miracles demonstrate his power, is not greater than God (he that sent him)- the person who performs the miracles through him.

17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

One is happy if one knows all the wise words and instructions of Jesus, and practices it. Jesus does not intend people to be unhappy whilst following his teachings, but the teaching are meant to make one happy.

18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus is not referring to all of his disciples, re: betrayal, for he knows those whom he has chosen. But in order to fulfill the scripture (Psalm 41:9¹), he chose Judas who will partake with him in the feast and still betray him.

19Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

Jesus is telling the disciples before the betrayal happens, so that they will believe that the scriptures were referring to Jesus when it happens.

20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Whoever welcomes (receives and accepts the teachings) those whom Jesus sends, receives Jesus himself. And by receiving Jesus, the person is receiving God (him that sent me). This also implies that by receiving Jesus into our life, we are receiving God himself.

21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Quite often, we notice how Jesus, being the Son of Man, shares human emotions. The impending treachery and crucifixion troubles him, and he mentions again that it is one of his disciples who will be betraying him.

22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

25He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

The disciples were now suspicious of each other. John (whom Jesus loved), upon being requested by Peter, asks Jesus about the identity of the betrayer.

26Jesus 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, the son of Simon.

Jesus answered that it is the person to whom he gives the sop, after dipping it into the fruit sauce. This dipped sop was given to Judas.

The Jewish Passover comprised of lamb, bread (of affliction to symbolise Israel’s ordeal in Egypt), fruit sauce, and bitter herbs. Jesus replaced the lamb.

27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Upon receiving the sop, Satan entered into the weak link amongst the disciples (the one who was known to dip into the money bag). Jesus then told him, ‘Do quickly whatever it is that you are doing’. The disciples didn’t understand, and some thought that Jesus might be asking him to buy things required for the feast, or to distribute something to the poor. Judas went out immediately.

The question is whether Judas ate the sop or not, i.e., whether he participated in the communion. The next striking comment is in verse 30 ‘: and it was night’. The significance of night as a time for evil seems to be stressed. It is also worth noting that Jesus presence did not prevent Satan from entering into Judas at the table. Therefore, was Satan always close by like a cunning hyaena, waiting for a weak place in the armour? More striking is that the disciples failed to comprehend the identity of the betrayer although Jesus gave them a blatant clue. Were their eyes closed?

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

The exit of Judas (and Satan) permits Jesus to advise the disciples. The crucifixion (in which Jesus dies for the sins of the entire world- past, present, and future) and resurrection (in which Jesus triumphs over death) will result in the glorifying of Jesus, and thus, the glorifying of God.

32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

When the Father glorifies Jesus, it is not only Jesus who is glorified, but the Father is glorified through the glorification of Jesus.

33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

Jesus refers to his disciples as ‘little children’ (cf. Matthew 18²). Jesus is with them for a few more hours. After that although they will seek him, they cannot go to the same place where Jesus is going (does this mean that the disciples are not taken up to heaven after their death, but has to ‘sleep’ until the second coming?).

34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Jesus gives them a new commandment: That they should love each other just as he loved them. By this, everyone will understand that they are the disciples of Jesus. This commandment also incorporates all the 10 commandments (Exodus 20³). If one loves another just like Jesus did, love will enable following of the commandments.

36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Peter is curious about the destination of Jesus. He asks ‘Quo vadis’? And Jesus answers: ‘You cannot follow me to the place where I am going to; but you will follow me later’.

37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Peter is quick to emphasise that he will lay down his life for Jesus. Upon which Jesus, knowing the future, asks him, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? The cock will not crow, until you have denied me three times’. Although Jesus knows about Peter’s impending denunciation, he is not angered… something which Christians should learn.

¹ Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

²And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

³

3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

13Thou shalt not kill.

14Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15Thou shalt not steal.

16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.