Search The Scriptures —Study 24 — John 12:20-36

Study 24 From the Book of John is: John 12:20-36

The Greeks who inquired for Jesus were a token of the world of people beyond Israel who would be saved through Jesus' atoning death and resurrection (cf. 10:16; 12-32) Their coming therefore introduces the consummation of Jesus' work; see verse 23.

1. Give examples of the ways in which you can love your life, or hate it. To whom does Jesus primarily refer in verse 24? In view of this, what is involved in following Him (verse 26)?
2. In what sense did the coming 'hour' (verse 23) bring about the glorifying of the Son of man and the Father (verse 28)? How did His being lifted up involve the judgment of this world (verse 31-34)?
3. Verses 35, 36 give Jesus's last appeal to the nation. What is meant by walking and believing in the light? Are you doing this?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 23 — John 11:45 – 12:19

Study 23 From the Book of John is: John 11:45 – 12:19

1. Observe the varied effects of the miracle. See especially 11:45., 46, 47-53, 54; 12: 11, 17-19; and cf. Lk. 16:31. How is it that the same act quickens faith in some, and hatred in others? Cf. 11:47, 48; 12:11, 19; Mt. 27:18.
2. 12:1-8. What insights does Mary's action reveal? How far does your love for the Lord lead you to understand Him, and to serve Him without counting the cost?
3. In 11:47-53 and 12:12-16 there are two examples of God overruling men's words and actions to fulfill His own purposes. What is the real purpose of God to which each points?

Note. 11:48. The Jewish leaders feared that Jesus might lead a revolt for which the Romans would exact severe punishment.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 22 — John 11:28-44

Study 22 From the Book of John is: John 11:28-44

1. What is the special significance of this seventh 'sign'? How is it related to the events which Jesus was shortly to experience as the climax of His work? In what way was the glory of God revealed?
2. Why did Jesus pray aloud before calling Lazarus from the tomb? What does this teach about the means by which His miracles were accomplished? Cf. Jn. 5:19, 20; 14:10.

Note. Verses 33-38. The word 'weep' in verse 33 is the wailing of mourners that in verse 35 implies silent tears of sympathy. The rendering of rsv in verse 33. 'he was deeply moved in spirit', does not give the full force of the Greek, for which Prof. Tasker suggests, 'He was enraged in spirit and troubled Himself' (TNTC, p. 140) His anger was roused against the evil powers of death, which caused such distress to mankind, and which He was about to conquer, here by a mighty display of divine power, and finally on the cross by His own death and resurrection.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 21— John 11: 1-27

Study 21 From the Book of John is: John 11: 1-27

The seventh 'sign'.

1. Compare verse 4 with 9: 3. Explain the apparent contradiction both in verse 4 and also in verses 5, 6. See verses 14, 15. Can you see why God sometimes seems to delay answering your prayer?

2. What direction and assurance do verses 9, 10 give for the conducts of your life? Cf. 9:4, 5.
3. In verses 21, 22, 24 Martha makes three correct but limited statements. In respect to each of them Jesus' answer in verses 25, 26 reveals that He has within Himself infinitely greater powers than she knew. What are they?

Note. Verse 26. 'Shall never die': for the believer death is no longer death. It introduces him into a new state of life. See Note on Jn. 8: 51.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 20— John 10:22-42

Study 20From the Book of John is: John 10:22-42

1. Why would a plain answer to the Jews' question of verse 24 have been useless? What indications of the nature of Jesus' Person were already being given? See verses 25, 32, 37, 38. Why were the Jews incapable of seeing this? Do your works corroborate your words?
2. In the statements of verses 27, 28 how is the sheep's relationship to the shepherd described, and how the shepherd's relation to the sheep? On what grounds given in verses 28, 29 can you be sure that you will never perish?
3. In what terms does Jesus describe His relationship with God, and what evidence does He give in support of His claim? How far are the words of the Jews at the end of verse 33 correct? What ought they to have done?

Notes

1. Verse 30. The word 'one' is neuter in the Greek: 'a unity', not 'one person'.
2. Verses 34-36. See Ps. 82:6. Even the judges of Israel, acting as God's representatives, were called 'gods'. The Jews should have seen that Jesus was far superior to them. This comparison with the men of the Old Testament is sufficient argument to refute the charge of blasphemy. Jesus does not imply that He is merely a man like them.

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Study 19 From the Book of John 10:1-21

Study 19 From the Book of John is: John 10:1-21

Compare Je. 23: 1-4. By their attitude to the blind man of chapter 9, the Pharisees, who claimed to be the spiritual guides of Israel as the people of God, had shown themselves to be 'thieves and robbers' (verses 1-8), like the false prophets of the Old Testament.

1. Verses 1-10. Why does Jesus call Himself ' the door of the sheep'? What are the privileges and blessings of those who enter in? How do the sheep recognize the true shepherd? What does he do to them? Do you know his voice?
2. What are the marks of the good shepherd? Can you find in verses 11-18 (a) proof that our Lord's death was not a mere martyrdom (b) the purpose of His life and death, and incentive to missionary work? Cf. Rev. 7:9, 10, 15-17.

Notes

1. Verse 3. 'Hear': i.e., listen attentively to, and so obey.
2. Jesus is both 'door' and 'shepherd'. Other also are under -shepherds (Acts 20-28, 29; 1 Pet. 5:2-4) who must themselves first enter through the 'door'.

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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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