Search The Scriptures —Study 13— John 6:41-71

Study 13 From the Book of John is: John 6:41-71

Today's portion falls into four pars: (a) verses 41-51, Jesus' reply to murmurings of the Jews; (b) verses 52-59, Jesus answers to the wranglings of the Jews; (c) verses 60-65, Jesus reply to murmurings of His disciples; (d) verses 66-71, Jesus asks the Twelve, 'Will you also go away?'

1. Comparing verses 36, 37 with 43-45, why do you think some people will not accept Jesus' words? By what steps do others come to experience salvation?
2. The closing verses 60-71 make clear that what Jesus offers to men is not fleshly or material gain (cf verse 27), but spiritual life through union with Himself. What three reasons does Peter give why he and his fellow disciples remained faithful when many others went back?
3. How did Jesus give His flesh for the life of the world? What is meant by eating His flesh and drinking His blood?

Notes

1. Verse 62. The return of the Son of man to heaven (cf. 3:13) will be a greater wonder than the words just spoken. It will confirm the divine characters of Jesus and of His words.
2. The approaching Passover Feast was clearly in our Lord s' thought as He spoke, and there may be anticipating allusions to the Lord's Supper; but Jesus is speaking in this discourse, not of the sacrament itself, but of the truths of which the sacrament is only one expression. Note the manner of true participation (verses 35, 63, 68, 69).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — John 6:22-40

Study 12 From the Book of John is: John 6:22-40

The miracle of verses 4-13 is the basis of the dialogue between Jesus and the Jews in verses 25-59.

1. The people saw the outward form of the outward miracle, but failed to discern what it signified spiritually (verse 26). Why? From what motives did they seek Jesus? Are you more concerned about spiritual development than material prosperity? (verse 27)?
2. 'Labour' in verse 27 is literally 'work for'. How did the people relate this word (a) to the work they were expected to do (verse 28), (b) to the work of Moses compared with Jesus (verses 30, 31)? What work did Jesus (a) require from them (verse 29 )and (b) offer from Himself (verse 32-40)? What, therefore is the answer to the question in verse 28?
3. How do verses 35-40 present God's answer to man's hunger?

Note. Verse 22-25 explain the astonishment of the crowd at finding Jesus next day on the Capernaum side of the lake. They had noticed that He had not gone with the disciples.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — John 6:1-21

Study 11 From the Book of John is: John 6:1-21

1. Taking this fourth 'sign' in the context of verses 1-13, note what it reveals concerning (a) why the people were attracted to Jesus; (b) His own attitude to the people; (c) His testing of His disciples faith; (d) His use of their co-operation; (e) the source of the answer to men's need. What over all lesson was this miracle intended to convey?
2. Verse 15. Why did not Jesus wish to be made king by these people? What may we learn from His withdrawing from the place of success to be by Himself? Cf. Lk. 5:15, 16.

Notes

1. Verse 7. A denarius may be valued as a day's wage for a labourer; cf. Mt. 20:2
2. verse 14. 'The prophet who is to come': cf. Dt. 18: 15; Mt. 11: 3; He is here identified by the people with the Messiah, as verse 15 shows.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — John 5: 30-47

Study 10 From the Book of John is: John 5:30-47

1. To what four different testimonies to Himself does Jesus appeal? Which does He Himself regard as of least importance, and why? Contrast 8:14.
2. Verses 39, 40. Is i still possible to study the Bible without finding life? If so, what is lacking? What reasons does Jesus give for the Jews failure? Cf. 2 Cor. 3: 14-16.

Note. Verse 31. 'Not true': in the sense of not being accepted as true. Cf. Dt. 19:15; Mt. 18:16; Jn. 8: 13, 14.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — John 5:1-29

Study 9 From the Book of John is: John 5:1-29

1. Verses 2-9, the third 'sign'. What features of Jesus' power does it reveal? What did He do for the man, and demand from the man, apart from making him walk? See verses 6 and 14.
2. Verses 17-29. In what terms is Jesus's relationship with God described? What functions concerning judgment has God given to Jesus, and why? How do these truths concern us?
3. Verses 16-18. What connection has Jesus' statement in verse 17 with His healing on the Sabbath? How does this agree with Gn. 2:2,3 and how does it answer the Jews' criticism of His action?

Note. Verse 25. What is meant here is spiritual resurrection from the death of sin. Contrast verses 28,29.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — John 4:27-54

Study 8 From the Book of John is: John 4:27-54

1. How do the previous verses explain and verses 35-38 develop the truth which Jesus expressed in verse 34? What gives you most satisfaction in life?
2. Two groups of Samaritans and the Carpernauam official all believed in Jesus, but through different means. What was the particular truth about Him which brought each of them to faith? To what did 'the second sign' (verse 54) point? What aspect of the Lord's character or power led you to Him?
3. Verses 48 seems to be a test of the man's sincerity. How would you explain Jesus words here?

Note. Verses 35-38. In the natural world there were yet four months until harvest, but in the spiritual sphere in this instance reaping was possible at once. Someone else had done the sowing.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — John 4:1-26

Study 7 From the Book of John is: John 4:1-26

1. What did our Lord mean by 'living water' (verse 10)? Why, when He had wakened in the woman a desire for it, did He not at once grant her request? What was necessary before He could do so?
2. Trace the successive steps by which Jesus brought the woman to feel her need of Salvation, and pointed her to Himself. What can we learn from this to help us as we seek to lead others to Him?
3. In verses 19, 20 was the woman evading the demand for a personal response? How does Jesus answer meet the need of those today who evade the claims of God by professing to follow a correct form of worship? Where must all look for salvation?

Note. Verse 20. 'This mountain': i.e., Mount Gerizim, where the Samaritans had built a temple. The temple had been destroyed, but the Samaritans regarded the place as holy.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — John 3:22-36

Study 6 From the Book of John is: John 3:22-36

1. How might one have expected John to have replied to the statement of verse 26? Consider the quality of character and the principles brought out in his answer. How far do you share his attitude to Christ? How does it apply to your situation?
2. What is said about Jesus in verses 31, 32, 34, 35, which set Him apart from and above all others?
3. 'Receives his testimony', believes in the Son', 'does not obey the Son' (verses 33, 36). What kinds of response to Jesus Christ do these phrases describe? To what consequences do they lead?

Notes

1. Verse 32. 'No one': i.e., generally speaking; it is qualified in verse 33.
2. Verse 33. 'Set his seal': he both confirms his acceptance of the truth of God's word and in his consequent experience proves the truth of it. Cf. 7:17.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — John 2:23 – 3:21

Study 5 From the Book of John is: John 2:23 – 3:21

1. Why was Jesus not satisfied with the faith spoken of in 2:23? Cf. 4:48; 6:26, 30; Mt. 13:14. Is my faith the kind that pleases God?
2. What was right and what was lacking in Nicodemus's assessment of Jesus? How did Jesus's answer correct to him. What is involved in being 'born of the spirit', and why is it needed? Cf. Mt. 18:3; Jn. 1:12, 13; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:8, 9.
3. Why was the lifting up of the Son of man necessary? (Note 'must' in verse 14.) On what ground are men judged and condemned? Where do you stand in relation to these truths?

Notes

1. Verse 5. 'Born of water' probably refers to John's baptism.
2. Verse 8. As with the wind, so with the movement of the Spirit, the effect is real and recognizable, although the process is hidden
3. Verses 12, 13. The gospel speaks of heavenly things, of which Christ is the sole revealer. Cf. 3:31, 32; Mt. 11:27.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — John 2:1-22

Study 4 From the Book of John is: John 2:1-22

1. Verses 1 -11. present the first of the seven 'signs' (see introduction), which reveal the identity of Jesus and stimulate faith (verse 11). What particular aspect of Jesus's glory does this miracle display? What change in our life does turning the water into wine represent? Cf. 2 Cor. 5:17. What can we learn from Mary's response to Jesus?
2. The idea of the 'Temple' unites verses 13-17 with 18-22. How does Jesus appear in each incident? By what authority does He drive out the traders? Cf. Mal. 3:1-3. What crisis does this incident foreshadow in the mind of Jesus? What did He foresee concerning the cost and character of His mission?

Notes

1. Verse 4. The English, even in RSV, makes Jesus' words seem disrespectful, but in the Greek the form of address is perfectly courteous. Jesus makes it clear that He depends upon no human instructions, even from His mother, but only upon that which God appoints. He is awaiting His Father's instructions.
2. Verses 14-16. See TNTC. (p.61) for discussion whether there were two cleansings of the Temple, one at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, as here, and one at the end, as recorded in the Synopstics

ABBRVIATIONS:

TNTC stands for Tyndale New Testament Commentary

RSV stands for Revised Standards Version (1946-52)

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