Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — John 9

Study 18 From the Book of John is: John 9

1. This is the sixth of the seven 'signs'. To which aspect of Jesus's work does it point? See verses 5, 39. In how many ways is the opening of this man's eyes to be compared with the giving of spiritual sight? Does your personal experience of Jesus's power give you the same assurance in answering His critics as this man had?
2. Explain verses 39-41. Detail the ways in which the words and actions of the Pharisees in verses 13-34 illustrate this passage.

Note. Verses 14. The 'work' for which the Pharisees condemned Jesus as breaking the Sabbath was making clay, as well as healing. The latter was allowed, but only in an emergency.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — John 8:30-59

Study 17 From the Book of John is: John 8:30-59

1. The form of expression in Greek in verse 31 shows that 'the Jews' here did not commit themselves to Jesus as much as the 'many' in verses 30. What steps leading to full freedom are seen in verses 31-36? What is this freedom? In what sense did the Jews claim to be free? Are you truly free?
2. This section is concerned with the real meaning of parentage. For what reasons did Jesus argue that these Jews were not truly the children of Abraham or of God's Son? Why were they were they not able to see this?

Notes

1. Verse 51. 'He will never see death': i.e., know the experience of that death which is God's judgment on sin; cf. Gn. 2:17; Jn. 5:24; 11:26.
2. Verse 56. 'My day': Abraham in faith saw ahead to the day of Christ's incarnation, and anticipated His saving work.
3. Verse 58. 'I am': the divine name, as in Ex. 3:14.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — John 7:53 – 8:29

Study 16 From the Book of John is: John 7:53 – 8:29

1. For the passage 7:53 – 8:11, see Introduction. It has perhaps been introduced here as an illustration of 8:15. What two different types of sinner can you see in the Pharisees and in the woman? Why did Jesus treat her so gently? His words to her bring conviction of her sin?
2. In verses 13-29 what does Jesus say about His origin, His ultimate destination, His relation to the world, His relation to God?
3. What was lacking in the Pharisees which prevented them from recognizing the truth of Jesus' words? How can I see the light of truth? How does light lead to life? See verses 12:24

Notes

1. 8:12. An allusion to the pillar of fire which guided the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness (see Nu. 9:15-23), and which was commemorated during the Feast of Tabernacles by brilliant lighting of the Temple.
2. Verses 13, 14. There is no contradiction with 5:31. There Jesus says that if He had been the sole witness in His own cause, His witness would not have been true. But in both passages He goes on to point out that He is not alone in His witness. See verses 17, 18.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — John 7:25-52

Study 15 From the Book of John is: John 7:25-52

1. What illustrations are found in these verses (a) of the deep impression made by the Lord Jesus upon many; and yet (b) how their incipient faith was checked by ignorance (verses 27-29), or prejudice (verses 35, 36), or pride (verses 48-52)? Is one of these hindering me?
2. The chief priests and the Pharisees by no means saw eye to eye in most matters, but they were united against Jesus. What action did they take at this time, and what prevented its success? It is often said, 'No thinking person now believes that ...' . What examples of this attitude can you find in this passage?
3. In what way is the promise of verses 37, 38 in advance on that of 4:13, 14? What difference does the Holy Spirit make to your life? Cf. Acts 1:8.

Note. Verse 39. The Spirit was already present and active in the world, but the particular promise of Joel 2:28 was not fulfilled until the ascended and enthroned Christ gave the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. See Acts 2:16-18, 33.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — John 7:1-24

Study 14 From the Book of John is: John 7:1-24

Chapter 7:1-10 give account of Jesus' visit to Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles six months before His death. The story vividly portrays the various attitudes towards Jesus among different groups. These groups fall into two main classes: one, 'the Jews, who included the chief priests, Pharisees, rulers and the people of Jerusalem', and the other, 'the people'. That is, the general multitude from all parts, who were attending the feast. The first of these two classes was, in the main, hostile to Jesus.

1. How do the words of Jesus' brothers in verses 3-8 show that they did not understand Him? What did Jesus mean by 'my time'? The world's attitude to Jesus prevented Him from showing Himself to them, as other men might (verses 4, 7). Can you expect any different reception from the world (cf. 15:18-21)? Has verse 13 any reproach for you?
2. Verse 17, 18. What two tests does our Lord suggest by which a man can discover whether Jesus' teaching was true and of divine origin? What will it cots you to apply these tests?

Notes

1. Verses 8, 10. Jesus did not break His word. He meant that He was not going up to the feast just then, and at their direction.
2. Verses 21-24. The law of Moses commanded circumcision on the eight day after birth ( Gen. 17:12; Lv. 12:3), and it was the practice of the Jews to perform the rite on that day, even if it feel upon the sabbath, Jesus argued that to make a man's whole body well on the sabbath had even more justification than to circumcise him.

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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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