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John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 12
MacArthur - That John describes Lazarus as one of the guests reclining at the table with Jesus suggests that the feast was not in his and his sisters' home. Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 make more than a suggestion, stating specifically that the meal was held in the house of Simon the leper....Although it tends to be overshadowed by Mary's dramatic act of worship, Martha's humble service on this occasion was no less commendable and pleasing to the Lord. (See John Commentary) J
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MacArthur - This act by Mary, as in the case of Caiaphas (Jn 11:49-52) revealed a far greater reality than she realized at the time. Her anointing prefigured the one Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus would later perform on His body after Jesus' death (John 19:38-40+). (See John Commentary) NET NOTE - Greek "Leave her alone, that for the day of my burial she may keep it." The construction with hina is somewhat ambiguous. The simplest way to read it would be, "Leave her alone, that she may keep it for the day of my burial." This would imply that Mary was going to use the perfumed oil on that day, while Jn 12:3 and Jn 12:5 seem to indicate clearly that she had already used it up. Some understand the statement as elliptical: "Leave her alone; (she did this) in order to keep it for the day of my burial." Another alternative would be an imperatival use of hina with the meaning: "Leave her alone; let her keep it." The reading of the Byzantine text, which omits the hina and substitutes a perfect tense tetereken, while not likely to be original, probably comes close to the meaning of the text, and that has been followed in this translation. Grant Osborne on Let her alone - This is difficult Greek and can be translated several ways (cf. Carson 1991:429-430): (1) “Let her alone so she can keep it [the perfume] for the day of my burial,” but she has already poured it all out onto Jesus; (2) she has “done this [i.e., saved the perfume] for the day of my burial,” a definite possibility; (3) an imperative: “let her keep it [the perfume] for the day of my burial,” but this does not quite fit the Greek; or (4) “let her keep the credit for having poured this [perfume] out for the day of my burial,” but this adds too much to the actual Greek. On the whole, the second is preferable. (See The Gospel of John) John MacArthur explains it this way - "While commentators disagree on how to understand these words, the most satisfactory solution is to understand an ellipsis in the Lord's statement. Supplying the missing words, the sense would be, "Let her alone; she did not sell the perfume [as you wish she had], so that she could keep it for the day of my burial" Illustration (From a sermon by Adrian Rodgers) Children were bringing to Sunday School class show and tell items. One boy brought some water, and that illustrated, "I'm the Water of Life." The other brought some flowers, and that illustrated, "Jesus was the Rose of Sharon." And somebody else brought some bread, and "Jesus is the Bread of Life." A little boy brought a banty egg. (I know you know what a banty hen is?) He brought one of those little eggs, and the teacher said, "What does that represent?" The little fellow said, "She hath done what she could." Illustration of this woman's love - A famous king, depressed by circumstances in his realm and feeling rejected by many of his subjects, called for his three daughters to comfort and reassure him. After they had talked awhile, he asked how much they loved him. Two of them answered that they cared for him more than all the gold and silver in the world; but Mary, the youngest, said she loved him like salt. The king wasn't pleased with her answer, for he considered salt to be of very little value. The cook, who overheard the conversation, knew that the child's reply had more significance than the father imagined. She dared not speak to the monarch about the matter, but devised a subtle way to emphasize the true meaning of the young girl's words. The next morning at breakfast she withheld the salt from everything she served, and the meal was so insipid that the king didn't enjoy it at all. Then he realized the full force of his daughter's remark. She loved him so much that nothing was good without him! With a smile he said, "I understand now, Mary. Your love is the greatest of all!" ILLUSTRATION - RIGHT PRIORITIES - Dr. Pierce Harris, a former pastor of the First Methodist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, preached to some prisoners. One of the prisoners got up and introduced him to the others with these words: “Several years ago, two boys lived in a town in north Georgia. They went to the same school, played together and attended the same Sunday school. One dropped out of Sunday school and said that it was ‘sissy stuff.’ The other boy kept on going. One rejected Christ; the other accepted Him. The boy who rejected Christ is making this introduction today. The boy who accepted Christ is the honored preacher who will speak to us today!” Right priorities and choices made the difference in the lives of one of these two men and will make the difference in our own lives too. D L Moody - I CAN imagine that Mary thought that if she waited until Jesus was dead she might not have a chance to anoint His body, and so she came before His death to anoint Him. There is a lesson there. How very kind and thoughtful we are to a family that has lost some member, and what kind words are said after the person is dead and gone! Would it not be better to say a few of those good things before they go? Wouldn’t it be well to give some of your bouquets before a man dies, and not go and load down his coffin? F B
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MacArthur writes that the next day is "The day after the crowds came to visit Him and Lazarus in Bethany (cf. 12:9). Jesus arrived in Bethany on Saturday (see 12:1 [note]). Then on Sunday a great number of Jews visited Him, angering the Jewish leaders (12:9-11). It would not have been until the following day (Monday) that Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem through the East Gate of the city. (SEE MacArthur Study Bible) (Bolding added) The large crowd who had come to the (Passover) feast (heorte) - This of course refers to the Passover feast. It was a large crowd because it was one of the 3 feasts all Jewish men were to attend each year. (Ex 23:14-17; Ex 34:23; Dt 16:16 = "Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks [Passover] and at the Feast of Booths" > Passover = Lk 2:41, Feast of Unleavened Bread = Lk 22:1, Feast of Tabernacles = Jn 7:2). At these feast times the population of Jerusalem would increase from three to five times normal as pilgrims came from the Diaspora (up to 2.5 million) When they heard (akouo) that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem - "on his way - NIV" - Exactly how the crowds got the news that Jesus was coming to town is not clear from the Scriptures. After His three years of public ministry, Jesus' reputation had spread far and wide, so that the pilgrims who had come to the feast were eager to see Jesus, anticipating that He would liberate the nation from Roman rule. Rod Mattoon - It is estimated that over 2 ½ million people are in the city. A census was taken one year of lambs that were slain at the Passover Feast. Over a quarter of a million lambs were slain at the feast. There had to be a minimum of ten people per lamb. The streets were filled with sheep as the Lamb of God entered the city.....Christ’s entry into Jerusalem is so important that it is recorded in all four Gospels: Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19, and John 12. Up to this time, Jesus has been telling others to keep quiet about Him. (Matthew 16:20) This event is the first public demonstration of praise that the Lord has permitted. Why now? Jesus presented Himself to His people as the Messiah and the King of the Jews. In Luke 19:41-44+ Jesus explains that the people should have known about His arrival. When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known (they should have known Da 9:25+) in this (DEFINITE ARTICLE = THE SPECIFIC) day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. 43 “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because (WHY WOULD JERUSALEM BE LEVELED?) you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Gotquestions adds that "Jesus’ purpose in riding into Jerusalem was to make public His claim to be their Messiah and King of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy." John MacArthur on the prophetic significance of Jesus' entrance and why the Jews should have been able to "recognize the time of your visitation.” (Lk 19:44+) - The exact day that the Lord chose to enter Jerusalem fulfilled one of the most remarkable prophecies of the Old Testament, Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks (Da 9:24-26+). Through Daniel, the Lord predicted that the time from Artaxerxes' decree ordering the rebuilding of the temple (in 445 B.C.) until the coming of the Messiah would be "seven weeks and sixty-two weeks" (Dan. 9:25+; cf. Neh. 2:6), that is, 69 weeks total. The literal translation is "seven sevens and sixty-two sevens," seven being a common designation for a week. In the context of the passage, the idea is 69 weeks of years, or 69 times 7 years, which comes to a total of 483 Jewish years (which consisted of 360 days each, as was common in the ancient world). Several different systems of reckoning have endeavored to determine the chronology of the 483 years after Artaxerxes' decree, putting the date at either a.d. 30, 32, or 33, depending on the actual decree date and the complex calculations through those years. Of these explanations, the most detailed are Sir Robert Anderson's The Coming Prince (Pdf) and Harold Hoehner's Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ (BORROW). Based on all of the historical data, it is best to understand the triumphal entry as taking place on 9 Nisan, A.D. 30. But even the other dates offered by these authors (a.d. 32 or 33) leave one thing remaining undeniably clear: whatever may be the precise chronology, Jesus Christ is the only possible fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic timetable. (See John 12-21 MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (See Daniel's Seventieth Week) Brian Bell - Bart Starr, former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, was describing to a group of businessmen how his coach, Vince Lombardi, held absolute power. He stated that, as you entered Vince’s office, you noticed a huge mahogany desk with an impressive organization chart behind it on the wall. The chart had a small block at the top in which was printed: “Vince Lombardi, Head Coach and General Manager.” A line came down from it to a very large block in which was printed: “Everybody Else!” Feast (1859) heorte has the basic meaning of performance, fulfilment (for the benefit of a deity) and means feast, feast day, festival, holy day. In the NT heorte always denotes Jewish feasts or pilgrimage festivals. Jesus and His disciples celebrated the feasts (Jn 2:23; 5:1; 7:10, 14). More than half of the occurrences of heortē are found in John (Jn 12:12; 13:1), where the beloved disciple demonstrates that the OT feasts find their true significance in Christ (Jn 7:37). Heorte - 24v - Matt. 26:5; Matt. 27:15; Mk. 14:2; Mk. 15:6; Lk. 2:41; Lk. 2:42; Lk. 22:1; Lk. 23:17; Jn. 2:23; Jn. 4:45; Jn. 5:1; Jn. 6:4; Jn. 7:2; Jn. 7:8; Jn. 7:10; Jn. 7:11; Jn. 7:14; Jn. 7:37; Jn. 11:56; Jn. 12:12; Jn. 12:20; Jn. 13:1; Jn. 13:29; Col. 2:16 QUESTION - . What is Palm Sunday? WATCH THE VIDEO (MacArthur favors Monday and calls it "Palm Monday") ANSWER - Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11). As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time—this was the place—to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Palm Sunday was the “beginning of the end” of Jesus’ work on earth. Palm Sunday began with Jesus and His disciples traveling over the Mount of Olives. The Lord sent two disciples ahead into the village of Bethphage to find an animal to ride. They found the unbroken colt of a donkey, just as Jesus had said they would (Luke 19:29–30). When they untied the colt, the owners began to question them. The disciples responded with the answer Jesus had provided: “The Lord needs it” (Luke 19:31–34). Amazingly, the owners were satisfied with that answer and let the disciples go. “They brought [the donkey] to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it” (Luke 19:35). As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him. This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet—although Jesus had tried to tell them so (Luke 19:11–12). The crowd’s actions along the road give rise to the name “Palm Sunday”: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matthew 21:8). In strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment—King Jehu was given similar honor at his coronation (2 Kings 9:13). John records the detail that the branches they cut were from palm trees (John 12:13). On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ / ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ / ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9). In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalm 118:25–26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ. The allusion to a Messianic psalm drew resentment from the religious leaders present: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’” (Luke 19:39). However, Jesus saw no need to rebuke those who told the truth. He replied, “I tell you . . . if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). Some 450 to 500 years prior to Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the prophet Zechariah had prophesied the event we now call Palm Sunday: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! / Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! / See, your king comes to you, / righteous and victorious, / lowly and riding on a donkey, / on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). The prophecy was fulfilled in every particular, and it was indeed a time of rejoicing, as Jerusalem welcomed their King. Unfortunately, the celebration was not to last. The crowds looked for a Messiah who would rescue them politically and free them nationally, but Jesus had come to save them spiritually. First things first, and mankind’s primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation. Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason for Jesus’ presence. They could neither see nor understand the cross. That’s why, “as [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies . . . will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” (Luke 19:41–47). It is a tragic thing to see the Savior but not recognize Him for who He is. The crowds who were crying out “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday were crying out “Crucify Him!” later that week (Matthew 27:22–23). There is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). The worship will be real then. Also, John records a scene in heaven that features the eternal celebration of the risen Lord: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9, emphasis added). These palm-bearing saints will shout, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (verse 10), and who can measure sum of their joy? Palm Sunday Calendar: 2023 — April 2 2024 — March 24 2025 — April 13 GotQuestions.org Larry Richards - Who’s on First? (John 12:12–24) Abbott and Costello are credited with the baseball comedy routine, “Who’s on First?" (What is on second base, Where plays third, and I think Why is shortstop.) If I’m confused about the players and their positions, well, this report in John shows a somewhat similar confusion existed in first-century Jerusalem as Jesus approached that city for the last time. John tells us He was met by cheering crowds, who greeted Him as “the King of Israel.” The raising of Lazarus had convinced the crowds: Jesus must be the expected Messiah after all. And so they shouted out praises and cried, “Hosanna,” which means “Save Now!" At last, they thought, Jesus would get on with the Messiah’s real business, throw out the Romans, and make Israel a world power. A little later some Greeks approached one of Jesus’ disciples, and politely expressed their interest in seeing Him. So Philip and Andrew passed on the message. “Some nice Greek folk would like to see You, Lord.” Perhaps they were thinking it would be good politics for Jesus to establish relationships with foreigners. Maybe Philip or Andrew would do for a diplomatic posting to a major city, like Corinth or Philippi! I can understand the crowds, the Greeks, and the disciples. They all had agendas that were important to them. And each had a big role for Jesus in his plans! There was only one problem. Not one had stopped to ask the truly critical question: “Who’s on first?" Jesus cleared up the confusion, though, just as He clears up ours. After speaking of His death, Jesus said, “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be” (v. 26). You see, the mistake made by the cheering crowds, the Greeks, and even the disciples—the mistake still made by us, that causes so much confusion—is that all forgot who’s on first. God’s blunt and simple answer is, Jesus is on first. We don’t lead, and expect Jesus to follow. We let Jesus go first, and we follow Him. If you and I keep this order in mind, it will clear most of our confusion about life. We’ll seldom become depressed or anxious about why God doesn’t do things our way. We won’t expect Him to. And we’ll seldom wonder why God hasn’t blessed our plans, when we’ve gone to all the trouble of making them and then asking Him to bless. As Jesus’ servants we’ll have sought His will first—and then done our very best to follow closely where He leads. So enjoy the Abbott and Costello routine when you hear it. But don’t let yourself be confused about who’s on first in the Christian life, and who follows. Personal Application - Don’t try to use Jesus. Follow Him. (BORROW Lawrence O. Richards The 365 Day Devotional Commentary) John 12:13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel." BGT John 12:13 ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐκραύγαζον· ὡσαννά· εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου, [καὶ] ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ. KJV John 12:13 Took 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. NET John 12:13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. They began to shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!" CSB John 12:13 they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: " Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One-- the King of Israel!" ESV John 12:13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" NIV John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" NLT John 12:13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!" NRS John 12:13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord-- the King of Israel!" NJB John 12:13 They took branches of palm and went out to receive him, shouting: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.' NAB John 12:13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel." YLT John 12:13 took the branches of the palms, and went forth to meet him, and were crying, 'Hosanna, blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord -- the king of Israel;' MIT John 12:13 They took fronds from palm trees and went out to meet him, chanting: Hosanna! Blessed is he who arrives in Yahveh's name, The king of Israel! branches: Lev 23:40 Rev 7:9 Hosanna: Ps 72:17-19 118:25,26 Mt 21:9-11 23:39 Mk 11:8-10 Lu 19:35-38 the King: Jn 12:15 1:49 19:15,19-22 Isa 44:6 Ho 3:5 Zep 3:15 Rev 15:3 19:16 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: ("TRIUMPHAL ENTRY" IN ALL 4 GOSPELS) Matthew 21:1-11+ When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. 3 “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5“SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, ‘BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!” 10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:15-16+ But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?” Location of Bethany - About 2 Miles East of Jerusalem Mount of Olives is Between Bethany and Jerusalem Mark 11:1-11+ As they *approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He *sent two of His disciples, 2 and *said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 3 “If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” 4 They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they *untied it. 5 Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission. 7 They *brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. 9 Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. Luke 19:29-38+ When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. 37 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, 38 shouting: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” 41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. 43 “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Revelation 7:9+ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; John 1:49+ Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” "TRIUMPHAL ENTRY" AS THE KING ENTERS JERUSALEM Warren
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MacArthur - The Old Testament does not associate palm branches with Passover, but rather with the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:40). In the intertestamental period, however, palm branches became a general symbol of victory and celebration. When the Jews, led by Simon the Maccabee, recaptured Jerusalem from the Syrians, they "entered it with praise and palm branches" (1 Macc. 13:51; cf. 2 Macc. 10:7). (See John Commentary) And began to shout - The imperfect tense pictures the crowd beginning to shout (kraugazo) and, kept crying out, continuing to shout over and over the following Old Testament passages. The bitter, tragic irony is that here the Jewish crowd is welcoming the long awaited Messiah, but only a few days later the Jewish crowd "cried out (same verb - kraugazo), “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” (Jn. 19:15) The fickle crowds went from CROWN Him to CRUCIFY Him! COMMENT - Warren Wiersbe however does not necessarily agree writing "You sometimes hear it said that the same people who cried “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday (MacArthur favors Monday and calls it "Palm Monday") ended up crying “Crucify Him!” on Good Friday, but this is not true. The crowd that wanted Him crucified came predominantly from Judea and Jerusalem, whereas the Galilean Jews were sympathetic with Jesus and His ministry." I'm not sure that one can make make this statement dogmatically. I agree with the consensus opinion that the Sunday applause soon turned to Friday cries to crucify. Those same lips that uttered His praises on Sunday were soon saying, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Hosanna! - The only use of hosanna in the OT is Ps 118:25, the words the Jewish crowd began to shout as Jesus came riding in on the donkey. Psalm 118:25-26 "O LORD, do save (Hebrew = הוֹשִׁיצָה נָּא = hoshiya na'; Lxx = sozo in the aorist imperative), we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!" 26 Blessed is the one (ESV, NIV, YLT = HE) who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. See in depth discussion of Hosanna The paradox is that the Jewish crowd was shouting Hosanna which means save and in fact Jesus to give His life a ransom for many (Mk 10:45), to seek and to save the lost and even His Name "Jehovah saves" (cf Mt 1:21) spoke of His rescue mission, but sadly the Jews did not have eyes to see this life changing truth. As John wrote in his prologue "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him." (Jn 1:11) They received Him ostensibly as a conquering King, but rejected Him as a humble Savior. Rod Mattoon - The crowd shouted “Hosanna” which means “Give Salvation Now!” It is from Psalm 118:25–26.… Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. [26] Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord." Psalm 118 is between the longest and shortest chapters of the Bible. The middle verse of the Scriptures is Psalm 118:8 which has a pivotal message for mankind: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118 is the last of a section known as the Hallel (Ps. 113–118). Hallel means “praise God.” These are psalms that consist of praises to God. They were sung in the Temple choir, especially at Passover. This was the first section that Jewish boys memorized. Psalm 118 was also known as the Conqueror Psalm by the Jews. Many of these Jews were looking to Jesus to conquer the Romans and bring deliverance from Roman oppression, not deliverance from their sins. As Jesus was praised by the Jews, what did the Romans think of all this? This parade was nothing like the Roman triumphal parades. It was not near as impressive. Roman generals were given victory parades when they destroyed 5000 enemies. Trophies and captured leaders were displayed in the parade. The generals rode in golden chariots with incense being burned to honor him. His name would be shouted to honor and praise him. It’s ironic, in a few months from this event, the Gospel would conquer over 5000 hearts. Jesus would triumph. Life would conquer death, love would conquer hate, and truth would conquer lies. Whitacre on Hosanna - The cry of Hosanna! is a Hebrew word (hôsî'ah-na) that had become a greeting or shout of praise but that actually meant "Save!" or "Help!" (an intensive form of imperative). Not surprisingly, forms of this word were used to address the king with a need (cf. 2 Sam 14:4; 2 Kings 6:26). Furthermore, the palm branches the people carry are symbolic of a victorious ruler (cf. 1 Macc 13:51; 2 Macc 10:7; 14:4). Indeed, in an apocalyptic text from the Maccabean era, palms are mentioned in association with the coming of the messianic salvation on the Mount of Olives (Testament of Naphtali 5). The cry of Hosanna! and the palm branches are in themselves somewhat ambiguous, but their import is made clear as the crowd adds a further line, Blessed is the King of Israel! (v. John 12:13). Clearly they see in Jesus the answer to their nationalistic, messianic hopes. (Jesus Enters Jerusalem as King of Israel) A T Robertson on "BLESSED..." - Quotation from Psalm 118:25-26, written, some think, for the dedication of the second temple, or, as others think, for the feast of tabernacles after the return (Ezra 3:1-2). It was sung in the processional recitation then as a welcome to the worshippers. Here the words are addressed to the Messiah as is made plain by the addition of the words, "even the king of Israel" as Nathanael called him (John 1:49+). Jesus is here hailed by the multitudes as the long-looked for Messiah of Jewish hope and He allows them so to greet Him (Luke 19:38-40+), a thing that He prevented a year before in Galilee (John 6:14-15). It is probable that "in the name of the Lord" should be taken with "blessed" as in Deut. 21:5; 2 Samuel 6:18; 1 Kings 22:16; 2 Kings 2:24. The Messiah was recognized by Martha as the Coming One (John 11:27) and is so described by the Baptist (Matthew 11:3). Mark (Mark 11:10) adds "the coming kingdom" while Luke (Luke 19:38+) has "the king Who comes." "It was this public acclamation of Jesus as King of Israel or King of the Jews which was the foundation of the charge made against him before Pilate (John 18:33)" (Bernard). BLESSED (eulogeo) IS HE WHO COMES (erchomai) IN THE NAME (onoma) OF THE LORD, even the King (basileus) of Israel - This cry by the Jews was with the hope that Jesus was indeed their long expected Messiah. Matthew 21:9, 15 says the crowd added another Messianic title as they shouted "“Hosanna to the Son of David." Son of David was a well-known title for the Messiah. And do not miss the significant shift in Jesus' attitude, for this time He did not refuse their cries to crown Him King in contrast to the situation in John 6:15+ where the Jews "were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king." (cf Lk 19:38, 39, 40+) The shout of the crowd recorded in Luke 19:38+ was slightly different, replacing "He" with "King" shouting “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Unfortunately the crowd was expecting a king who would conquer the Romans, a political and military Deliverer. Rodney Whitacre - The crowd chants a line from a Psalm of Ascent: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (v. John 12:13, from Ps 118:26). This line applies to Jesus in a way it never had to anyone else before. Jesus is the one who makes known the Father and has come in the Father's name (John 5:43), and he desires that the Father's name be made known (John 17:6, John 17:26). So of him it is uniquely true that he comes in the name of the Lord. This expression is one way of summarizing his whole mission. All glory, laud and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children make sweet hosannas ring: Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son, who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One! The company of angels are praising Thee on high, and mortal men and all things created make reply: The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went; our praise and prayer and anthems before Thee we present. To Thee, before Thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise; to Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise: thou didst accept their praises—accept the praise we bring, who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King! --Theodolph of Orleans, 760–821 F F Bruce makes a great point that "One who could summon a dead man back to life would certainly be able to deliver the holy city from the yoke of Caesar.” Note also the irony of the crowd's acclamation that Jesus was the "He Who comes in the Name of the Lord," for that is what He had been testifying to over and over! For example in John 8:42 He clearly declared "I proceeded forth (exerchomai) and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent (apostello) Me." John's description of Jesus as sent from/by the Father - 41 times total so this is clearly a key truth - Jn 3:17, 34; Jn 4:34; Jn 5:23; 24, 30, 36, 37, 38; Jn 6:29, 38, 39, 44, 57; Jn 7:16, 18, 28, 29, 33, Jn 8:16, 18, 26, 29, 42; Jn 9:4, Jn 10:36, Jn 11:42, Jn 12:44, 45, 49, Jn 13:20, Jn 14:24, Jn 15:21, Jn 16:5, Jn 17:3, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25; Jn 20:21 Bob Utley on even the King (basileus) of Israel - This phrase was not part of the Psalm, but was added by the crowd. It seems to be a direct reference to Jesus as the Messianic King promised in 2Sa 7:16+ (cf. John 1:49; John 19:19). NET NOTE says that Hosanna "probably by this time (New Testament times) a familiar liturgical expression of praise, on the order of "Hail to the king," although both the underlying Aramaic and Hebrew expressions meant "O Lord, save us." In words familiar to every Jew, the author is indicating that at this point every messianic expectation is now at the point of realization. It is clear from the words of the psalm shouted by the crowd that Jesus is being proclaimed as messianic king. Jesus later prophesied in Matthew 23:39 that the Jews would again cry out Ps 118:26 when He returns in power and glory (Second Coming - on a white horse - a conquering king) for then they would be pierced in their hearts for they will recognize Him for Who He truly is (see Zech 12:10+)... “For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’” Observe that the crowds proclaimed Jesus as the King of Israel, (cp Lk 19:38+). The multitude waved palm branches in anticipation of Jesus bringing salvation from their Roman oppression (cp similar "victory parade" described in the apocryphal book 1Macc 13:50, 51). Indeed, here is a victory celebration coming when palm branches that will again declare salvation wrought by the King of kings. John records that… After these things (time phrase) I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."… These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:9, 10, 14+) Larry Richards: The raising of Lazarus seems to have convinced the crowd that Jesus truly was the Messiah, the Ruler promised by the prophets (Jn 12:9). They greeted Him with shouts acclaiming Him Israel’s King. Even “Hosanna” suggests the thought, for it means “Save Now!" While the Triumphal Entry did fulfill prophecy, it also showed that even the many who had come to “believe” in Jesus accepted on their terms, not His. They believed what they wanted to believe about Him—that He would free them from Rome and set up God’s kingdom on earth. It’s not unusual for folks today to believe Jesus will act in ways they expect or want Him to. Not unusual, but still a mistake… Don't Try to Use Jesus. Follow Him! (BORROW The 365 day devotional commentary) Marvin
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MacArthur - Significantly, just days before Jesus' own people would verbalize their final rejection in the cry for His crucifixion, Gentiles sought to know more about Him. Israel's willful rejection would be sealed by divine judgment, as God set the nation aside and turned to the rest of the world (cf. Jn 10:16; Jn 11:52) with the gospel and the commission to be a witnessing people on His behalf....God has temporarily set aside the nation aside in favor of the church, which consists of Gentiles and the believing remnant of Israel (cf. Rom. 9:27; 11:5,17). Thus God's setting aside of the nation as a whole does not preclude individual Jews from being saved (cf. Rom. 10:1). Nor is it a final abandonment of Israel. Paul is clear in affirming the future salvation and restoration of Israel (Ro 11:26-29). (See John Commentary) Rodney Whitacre on wish to see Jesus - Indeed, their request sums up the right attitude of any disciple and the core focus of any ministry. This request, "Sir, we would see Jesus," has been attached to more than one pulpit as a guideline for the preacher. (Jesus' Hour Arrives Jn 12:20-36) THOUGHT - Dear preacher and teacher of God's Word, this request of the Greeks who wish to see Jesus should resound continually in our heart and mind, with our great objective being to continually preach and teach Jesus! Is that your objective? It should be! It must be! As Paul a preacher and apostle and teacher (2Ti 1:11+) rightly said "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void." (1Cor 1:17+) "We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness." (1Co 1:23+) "we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.." (2Co 4:5+) Lowell
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MacArthur on troubled - The anticipation of bearing the shame of sin, experiencing God’s wrath, and being separated from the Father caused Christ’s soul to become troubled. Troubled translates a form of the verb tarasso, which literally means, “to shake,” or “to stir up” (cf. John 5:7, where it describes the stirring up of the pool of Bethesda). It is a strong word, used figuratively to speak of severe mental or spiritual agitation; of being disturbed, upset, unsettled, or horrified (cf. Mt 2:3; 14:26; Lk 1:12; 24:38; Jn 11:33; 13:21; 14:1, 27; Acts 15:24). The perfect tense of the verb suggests that this was an ongoing struggle for the sinless Savior, as He recoiled in revulsion from the implications of bearing divine judgment for sin (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). (SEE John Commentary - click for full page) And what shall I say, 'Father (pater), save (sozo) Me from this hour'? - We see Jesus' humanity reacting to the horror of His imminent crucifixion. A T Robertson suggests that "The request of the Greeks called up graphically to Jesus the nearness of the Cross (THIS HOUR)....Here as in Gethsemane the soul of Jesus instinctively and naturally shrinks from the Cross, but he instantly surrenders to the will of God in both experiences (For this purpose I came to this hour). Leon
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MacArthur explains this puzzling passage - In keeping with Semitic idiom (cf. BORROW R. V. G. Tasker, The Gospel According to St. John, The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries 152–53 - "The form of expression not because of me, but for your sakes is probably an example of the Semitic way of expressing comparison, rather than a strict contrast -- i.e., 'more for your sake than Mine.' It is clear that on this occasion the voice had considerable significance for Jesus Himself." ), the meaning appears to be that the voice did not come exclusively for Jesus’ sake (since He did not need to hear the Father’s audible voice to know that His prayer was answered [cf. 11:42]). The voice came to strengthen the faith of those standing nearby (cf. similar expressions in v. 44; 4:21). In particular, "this miraculous reply was for the disciples, that they might hear directly and with their own ears both that the Father had, indeed, answered Jesus and what that answer was. It was another attestation of the Father, of the clearest and the strongest kind, that Jesus was his well-beloved Son. (R. C. H. Lenski, BORROW The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel 872) Even though the bystanders did not understand the words, the Father’s audible answer to Jesus’ prayer still conveyed to them divine affirmation of the Son. (ED: THAT IS POSSIBLE BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SIMPLY THOUGHT IT THUNDERED!) (See John Commentary - click for full page and scroll down) Jesus knew He always had His Father's approval. The Father's words were His "seal of approval," on His Son, but in my opinion the crowds missed it! Their problem was that they did not have spiritual ears to hear supernatural words (Mt 11:15, cf Jn 12:40). It is interesting that John does not say the disciples understood the words. Some writers (See R C H
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MacArthur- Based on such passages as Isaiah 9:7, Ezekiel 37:25, and especially Daniel 7:13 where Messiah is called the “Son of Man” (cf. Dan. 2:44), they assumed that He would come to defeat all God’s enemies and establish an everlasting kingdom of peace and righteousness. That, of course, is exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ will do at His second coming. The crowd, however, overlooked the clear teaching of the Old Testament that at His first advent Messiah would come to die as a sacrifice for sins....In light of that misunderstanding, the crowd’s mocking question, “Who is this Son of Man?” (i.e., “What kind of a Son of Man are you talking about?”) can only signal their belief that Jesus was not him. They could not reconcile Jesus’ prediction of His death (Jn 12:23–26) with their belief that the Messiah was to be a triumphant conqueror (cf. Jn 6:14–15). (See John Commentary) R V G Tasker comments "This Son of Man, whoever else He may be, cannot, they feel sure, be the Christ predicted in their Scriptures. For had not Ezekiel said that God's servant David would be a prince forever (Ezek 37:25)? And had not the Psalmist foretold that God would establish David's see forever, and build up His throne to all generations (Ps 89:4) (BORROW The Gospel according to St. John PAGE 150) Instead of replying to their question, Jesus gave them a practical admonition
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MacArthur - AVOID THE CAVE Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. JOHN 12:35 When a Christian sins and engages in the deeds of darkness, it’s as if he has had a relapse. Imagine yourself lost in a cave. As you attempt to find your way out, you only proceed deeper and deeper into the network of tunnels. Soon you’re in the belly of the earth. You’re scared. Your heart is pounding. Your eyes are wide open, but all you can see is an oppressive blackness. You grope for hours, and the hours become a day, and then another day. All hope seems lost. Suddenly, off in the distance, there is a pinpoint of light. You move toward it, groping lest you fall into a deeper pit. Finally the light begins to widen and you find yourself at an opening in the cave! With your remaining strength you charge out into the daylight. You then know a freedom like nothing you had ever conceived was possible. However, not long after your escape you decide there were several things you enjoyed in the cave. So you go back in. How foolish! Yet that is essentially what a Christian does when he follows after deeds of darkness. (BORROW Truth for today : a daily touch of God's grace) Trust the Light Believe in the light . . . so that you may become children of light. John 12:36 Today's Scripture & Insight: John 12:25–33, 35–36 The weather forecast said bomb cyclone. That’s what happens when a winter storm rapidly intensifies as the atmospheric pressure drops. By the time night fell, the blizzard conditions made the highway to the Denver airport almost impossible to see. Almost. But when it’s your daughter who’s flying home to visit, you do what you have to do. You pack extra clothes and water (just in case you get stranded on the highway), drive very slowly, pray without ceasing, and last but not least, trust your headlights. And sometimes you can achieve the almost impossible. Jesus foretold of a storm on the horizon, one that would involve His death (John 12:31–33), and one that would challenge His followers to stay faithful and serve (v. 26). It was going to get dark and be almost impossible to see. Almost. So what did Jesus tell them to do? Believe, or trust, the Light (v. 36). That was the only way they could keep going forward and stay faithful. What dark season have you been through lately? How did Jesus, the Light, help you keep going? Jesus, thank You for being the light in my darkness. Help me to trust and keep going. John 12:37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. BGT John 12:37 Τοσαῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ σημεῖα πεποιηκότος ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν οὐκ ἐπίστευον εἰς αὐτόν, KJV John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: NET John 12:37 Although Jesus had performed so many miraculous signs before them, they still refused to believe in him, CSB John 12:37 Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. ESV John 12:37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, NIV John 12:37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. NLT John 12:37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. NRS John 12:37 Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. NJB John 12:37 Though they had been present when he gave so many signs, they did not believe in him; NAB John 12:37 Although he had performed so many signs in their presence they did not believe in him, YLT John 12:37 yet he having done so many signs before them, they were not believing in him, MIT John 12:37 Although he had done so many miraculous signs in their presence, they were not trusting in him. Jn 1:11 11:42 15:24 Mt 11:20 Lu 16:31 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE TRAGEDY OF TRAGEDIES! But though (although, even though) - What a sad contrast! despite the fact that. In His words and works, Jesus showed Israel the light, but they chose to walk in darkness. MacArthur on John 12:37-40 says "In these verses, John gave the scriptural explanation for such large-scale, catastrophic unbelief on the part of the Jewish nation. The explanation was that the unbelief was not only foreseen in Scripture but necessitated by it. (BORROW The MacArthur Study Bible) He had performed (poieo) so many (miraculous) signs (semeion) before (emprosthen) them - These signs were miracles that had been seen by the Jews and neither they nor their leaders denied seeing them. They believed what they had witnessed was true, but they did not believe the One Who performed the miraculous signs. And they were not a few but many (cf "many other signs" Jn 20:30+). And He performed them "in plain sight," the word emprosthen signifying in front of, in the sight of. These were not hidden riddles (as when Jesus taught in parables) but clear, visible signs, their purpose being to point to a destination, in this case to a belief in Messiah. The old saying is "seeing is believing," but it would not prove true for these Jews who had so many supernatural signs. THOUGHT - Dear skeptic, dear seeker, dear agnostic, etc, etc. Do not say that you will believe in Jesus if you see a sign! That is a smokescreen! They had been given MANY SIGNS and yet did not believe. Neither will you believe even if you see many signs! In fact you do not need a sign today, for you have His Word which is far better than a sign. Here is His Word - Believe (pisteuo - aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31+). And here is His clear warning repeated twice for emphasis "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24+) Many signs... John 2:11+ This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. John 2:23+ Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. (BUT JESUS DID NOT BELIEVE IN THEIR BELIEF IN THIS CONTEXT!) John 3:2+ (NICODEMUS) this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” John 4:54+ This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee. John 6:14+ Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 20:30-31+ Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these (SIGNS) have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. All mentions of sign(s) in John - Jn. 2:11; Jn. 2:18; Jn. 2:23; Jn. 3:2; Jn. 4:48; Jn. 4:54; Jn. 6:2; Jn. 6:14; Jn. 6:26; Jn. 6:30; Jn. 7:31; Jn. 9:16; Jn. 10:41; Jn. 11:47; Jn. 12:18; Jn. 12:37; Jn. 18:32; Jn. 20:30; Jn. 21:19 Yet they were not (ouk = absolutely not) believing (pisteuo) in Him - NET = "They still refused to believe in Him." Not believing is absolute negative imperfect active (volitional choice) meaning "they kept on not believing in Him!" It is as if He would give them another sign and another sign but they kept on not believing each time He gave them a sign, repeatedly manifesting stubborn refusal in face of the light (Jn 12:35). This concluding passage brings tears to my eyes. It also in essence brings fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10 which is quoted in the following verses. Now their hearts would be rendered dull! How this must have grieved our dear Lord's heart (cf Lk 13:24+). What more could He have done?! Nothing. And sadly, their eternal punishment would be much greater for having refused the direct personal Light of the world (Mt 11:21-24+). While this is not the classic unpardonable sin, their blatant, overt rejection of Jesus was certainly comparable. John MacArthur makes an interesting statement - The fact of unbelief in the face of such irrefutable and powerful evidence makes clear the limitations of apologetics. While evidences can be given for gospel truth, the response of the sinner is not limited to the mind and human reason—salvation requires a regenerated heart, the work of the Holy Spirit (Ezek 36:26-27+)....John lists two causes for Israel’s unbelief, one divine and the other human. Taken together, they illustrate the interface between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. (See John Commentary) John had earlier explained why the Jews would not believe in Jesus the Light of the world writing "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for (EXPLAINS THE ROTTEN FRUIT OF THEIR "LOVE") their deeds were evil. “For (EXPLAINS THE LOVE OF DARKNESS AND THE EFFECT) everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (Jn 3:19-20+). In a word, they loved their sin more than Jesus! THOUGHT - Are you obeying the light that God has given you or are you suppressing the truth because you love your sins? This question is for believers and non-believers! Steven
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MacArthur - The sobering truth is that when sinners persistently reject Him, God may ultimately remove His grace and judge them (ED: darkness will...overtake them). (See John Commentary) He who walks (peripateo) in the darkness (skotia) does not know (eido) where he goes - Walks (peripateo) is in the present tense describing one who continually walks in spiritual darkness, one who is dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-2+). This is one who is spiritually blind and cannot even know where he is going, which (unless the Light "goes off!") ultimately will be to hell. He lacks divine guidance, and stumbles through life. -- William MacDonald A T
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MacArthur comments that "In Jn 12:38, John quotes Isa 53:1 and in Jn 12:40 he quotes Isa 6:10 (see Ro 10:16+), both of which stress the sovereign plan of God in His judicial hardening of Israel (cf. Paul's argument in Ro 9-11+). Although God predestined such judgment, it was not apart from human responsibility and culpability (see Jn 8:24+). (BORROW The MacArthur Study Bible) LORD (kurios), WHO HAS BELIEVED (pisteuo) OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD (kurios) BEEN REVEALED (apokalupto)?- What's the answer? NOT MANY! He is quoting Isaiah 53:1+ and the answer to the question is very few Jews believed. The question implied that, in spite of these and other prophecies (AND COUNTLESS SIGNS), only a few Jews would recognize the Servant when He appeared. The arm of the Lord speaks of the power of God in action, in context probably a reference to the countless miraculous signs Jesus had performed before the Jews! It is ironic that the verb revealed (apokalupto) means to in effect to take the lid off so that what was previously hidden can be clearly seen. Jesus had clearly revealed the arm of the Lord, but sadly it had not been spiritually seen. Steven Cole "By citing these verses from Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:10, John makes two startling claims: (1) The Jews’ rejection of Jesus was in order to fulfill prophecy; (2) The Jews were incapable of believing because God had blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts....Jesus cited the same text (Isa. 6:9-10) to explain why He spoke to the multitudes in parables (Matt. 13:14-15+). And Paul quoted the same verses to the unbelieving Jews who visited him in Rome to justify why he had turned to the Gentiles (Acts 28:25-27+). (Why People Don’t Believe in Jesus) Verses from Isaiah 53 are quoted at least six times in the New Testament, always indicating prophetic fulfillment in Christ more than 700 years later. Polycarp called the Isaiah 53 prophecy the “Golden Passional of the Old Testament” and Augustine said, “Methinks Isaiah writes not a prophecy but a gospel.” Brian Bell - Quick Infomercial on Isaiah: 1. Isaiah is quoted far more in the NT, than any other prophet. 2. He is mentioned 21 x’s by name. 3. Ch.53 is quoted, or alluded to, at least 85 x’s in the NT! Isaiah known as the Mini-Bible! - 66 chapters/66 books. The 1st 39 chapters are like the OT’s 39 books. The next 27 chapters are like the NT. Ch.1-39 = a message of Judgment (on immorality & Idolatry) regarding: Judah; surrounding nations; & whole earth. Ch.40-66 = A message of Hope (Messiah is coming as Savior & Sovereign) To bear a cross, & to wear a crown) Isaiah = “Yahweh is Salvation” (excellent summary of the book!) Deutero-Isaiah, or 2nd Isaiah theory (Deuteronomy=2nd Law; early & later Isaiah) is destroyed here, with Jesus quoting from both “sides” of Isaiah (Isaiah 6 and Isaiah 53). a) John said it & he’s a pretty good bible teacher & contributed a few books to the NT b) Jesus quoted from Isaiah 8 x’s from the early section & 8 x’s from the later section & each time Jesus uses Isaiah’s name. John 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, BGT John 12:39 διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἠδύναντο πιστεύειν, ὅτι πάλιν εἶπεν Ἠσαΐας· KJV John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, NET John 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said, CSB John 12:39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: ESV John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, NIV John 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: NLT John 12:39 But the people couldn't believe, for as Isaiah also said, NRS John 12:39 And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, NJB John 12:39 Indeed, they were unable to believe because, as Isaiah says again: NAB John 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said: YLT John 12:39 Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said, MIT John 12:39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said: they: Jn 5:44 6:44 10:38 Isa 44:18-20 2Pe 2:14 because: Isa 6:9-10 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Isaiah 6:9-10 He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ 10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” THEY WOULD NOT SO THEY COULD NOT For this reason - What reason? Because the prophecy of Isaiah had to be fulfilled. John 12:37 says because they "were not believing in Him." They could not (ouk = absolutely not) believe (pisteuo) - They in context refers to the Jews (the majority of the nation of Israel). Because the Jews would not believe, God fulfilled the prophecy of judicially blinding them (described in the quote from Isaiah 6:9-10 in Jn 12:40) so that they could not believe. Do not misunderstand. The Jews were not absolved of moral responsibility. In the mystery of free will and God's sovereignty, the Jews would still be held culpable for choosing not to believe. The more men reject the Gospel, the harder it becomes for them to receive it. Temple aptly puts it: ‘God does not cause sin, but He does cause its appropriate consequence to result from it by the law of the order of creation." Brian Bell - They could not believe - not because their freedom of choice had been removed from them, but because they had purposely rejected God and chosen evil. Thus God turned them over to their own choices. This dynamic of would not/could not believe reminds me of the description of the world in the last days in 2 Th 2:8-12+ Then that lawless one (ANTICHRIST) will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming (Rev 19:15, 20+); 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan (Rev 13:3-8+), with all power and signs and false wonders (cf Rev 13:13-15+), 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because (TERM OF EXPLANATION - EXPLAINS WHY THEY PERISH) they did not receive (dechomai - plural, aorist middle [reflexive~they themselves - conscious choice/decision of their will to reject Truth] indicative) the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason (WHAT REASON? CLEARLY THEIR REFUSAL TO BELIEVE) God will send upon them a deluding influence (RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE!) so that (PURPOSE CLAUSE) they will believe what is false (THEY "WOULD" NOT BELIEVE, THEN THEY "COULD" NOT BELIEVE!), 12 in order that (hina - ANOTHER PURPOSE CLAUSE) they all may be judged who did not believe the truth (THE ROOT PROBLEM), but took pleasure in wickedness (cf Jn 3:19+). For Isaiah said again - "For" (dia touto = "for this reason") introduces the explanation. Again is used because Isaiah had just been quoted in Jn 12:38. What John is going to explain is that when men ignore, deny, refuse and reject the Light, God will make it more difficult for them to see the Light. John 12:40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM." BGT John 12:40 τετύφλωκεν αὐτῶν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ ἐπώρωσεν αὐτῶν τὴν καρδίαν, ἵνα μὴ ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ νοήσωσιν τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ στραφῶσιν, καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς. KJV John 12:40 He 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. NET John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and turn to me, and I would heal them." CSB John 12:40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I would heal them. ESV John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." NIV John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn--and I would heal them." NLT John 12:40 "The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts-- so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them." NRS John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them." NJB John 12:40 He has blinded their eyes, he has hardened their heart, to prevent them from using their eyes to see, using their heart to understand, changing their ways and being healed by me. NAB John 12:40 "He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with their eyes and understand with their heart and be converted, and I would heal them." YLT John 12:40 'He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn back, and I might heal them;' MIT John 12:40 He blinded their eyes. And he made their heart a callous, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn around, that I might heal them. has: Jn 9:39 1Ki 22:20 Isa 29:10 Eze 14:9 Mt 13:13-15 15:14 Mk 4:12 Lu 8:10 Ac 28:26 Ro 11:8-11 hardened: Ex 4:21 Ex 7:3,13 Ex 14:4,8,17 Jos 11:20 Ro 9:18 Ro 11:7 that they: De 29:4 Ps 135:10-18 Isa 26:11 Isa 42:19-20 Jer 5:21 Eze 12:2 Mk 8:17-18 and be: Ac 3:19 15:3 Jas 5:19,20 heal: Ps 6:2 41:4 147:3 Isa 53:5 57:18,19 Jer 3:22 Ho 6:1 14:4 Lu 4:18 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 29:1-4+ These are the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the sons of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He had made with them at Horeb. 2 And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and all his servants and all his land; 3 the great trials which your eyes have seen, those great signs and wonders. 4 “Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear. Ezekiel 12:2+ “Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house. Exodus 4:21+ The LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. (Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? | GotQuestions.org) John 9:39+ And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind (JUDICIAL BLINDNESS FOR REFUSING TO SEE - THEY WOULD NOT AND THEN COULD NOT! ).” Romans 9:18+ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens (skleruno) whom He desires. Romans 11:7+ What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen (THE ELECT) obtained (were successful in achieving or gaining what they sought - SALVATION) it, and the rest were hardened (poroo); Psalm 81:12 “So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices. Romans 1:28+ And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer (MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY), God gave them over to a depraved mind (GOD'S JUDICIAL ACTION), to do those things which are not proper, THE HEART OF THEIR PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM OF THEIR HEART! Now in light of the fact (pun intended) that the Jews would not believe a veritable avalanche of evidence (an explosion of Light), they would receive the just retribution from God. Retribution in English means punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act. Their wrong was unbelief! Refusing to see would result in judicial blindness! HE HAS BLINDED (tuphloo) THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED (poroo) THEIR HEART (kardia) - Blinded is in the perfect tense signifying past completed action (judgment) with enduring effect (impact). Blinded is not literal blindness but far more deadly spiritual blindness, inability to see and recognize the truth that can save one's soul from hell! Do not blame God here. They first closed their eyes and hardened their hearts, and then He blinded and hardened them, all of which had been described by Isaiah evidencing God's perfect foreknowledge. Again we see the juxtaposition of that great mystery, man's free will and God's sovereignty. David
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MacArthur writes "Israel’s rejection of Christ was not merely foreseen, it was by God’s sovereign design (cf. Rom. 9–11); it was a judgment act on His part. In His sovereign grace, God has brought good out of that rejection. As Paul wrote in Romans 11:11, it was “by [Israel’s] transgression [that] salvation has come to the Gentiles.” God’s plans cannot be thwarted by anything sinful people can do (Gen. 50:20 [cf. Ge 45:5]; Ps. 76:10). (See John Commentary) They could not because they would not! THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES - They were spiritually blinded by God, because they refused to believe the many miraculous signs performed in plain sight! Now they could not because they would not! And as noted above the verb blinded is in the perfect tense signifying spiritual blindness was now their fixed state! THOUGHT- Dear unbeliever, beware of refusing the Light of the Gospel. One day you may refuse it and God's judgment of spiritual blindness falls on you and your malady is terminal and irremediable! To this day Israel rejects the true Messiah
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MacArthur says "The religious authorities had already decreed that dreaded punishment, which cut a person off from Jewish religious and social life, for anyone who confessed Jesus as the Messiah (Jn 9:22; cf. Jn 7:13). That they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God gives further evidence that these rulers possessed no more than a superficial religion. (See John Commentary) The Wycliffe Bible Commentary - Unwillingness to confess Christ, however, throws doubt on the complete genuineness of the faith of these men (cf. Jn 2:23-25+). They proved themselves unworthy of divine commendation. Kenneth Gangel voices another interpretation - How are we to take the effectiveness of their faith? Westcott says, "This complete intellectual faith (so to speak) is really the climate of unbelief. The conviction found no expression in life. . . the belief only lacked confession, but this defect was fatal" (Westcott, pp. 185-86). I disagree with Tenney especially in the light of the three verses which follow in which John seems to indicate that Jesus equated the frightened faith of the leaders with the genuine faith of salvation. This would also be a great representation of the remnant idea—God preserving a small number of trusting people even in the midst of great public opposition. (Holman New Testament Commentary – John) While Gangel as a point, the closest context of Jn 12:43 clearly explains why they would not confess Jesus as Messiah. Gerald Borchert - these "believers" were unwilling to confess openly (homologoun) their commitments because of pressure from the Pharisees and the potential of excommunication from the synagogues similar to that experienced by the blind man (cf. the fear of the parents in Jn 9:22 and the exclusion of the blind man in Jn 9:34). The church has always had people who remain borderline believers, unwilling to confess openly their attachment to Jesus because of all sorts of pressure. For many today, especially in Muslim countries, the pressure is not merely a matter of membership, prestige, or economics like these secret believers but of life itself, a situation the early Christians soon encountered. The cost of discipleship is often high, and some, like the leaders in this story, remain borderline believers because of fear of exclusion (Jn 12:42) or loss of popularity (Jn 12:43). (See John 12-21: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition) John Heading has a somewhat "middle of the road" interpretation - In our verse, we cannot decide whether this belief was genuine faith in weakness, or whether it was a mere consent to the facts of the Lord's works. For John sometimes has used the idea of belief as relating to the mind knowing facts rather than to the heart knowing the Person of Christ. Certainly here the flesh dominated in these men, for their minds were held by the synagogue and also by the glory of men. (The word "praise" in v. 43 should twice be "glory", doxa.) They were more interested in their own glory rather than in the glory of Christ (v. 41). Moreover, the power of outward observation attracted them, for in Matt 6:1-8 the Lord showed that there was a desire for outward show in the matter of alms, prayer and fasting.Their fear was that they would be cut off from the synagogue and its service that they loved. The true confession of Christ should bring about a complete separation from all forms of religion that are contrary to God's word. Young believers do not find that step easy today, any more than it was easy in the Lord's day. Today, of course, the separation occurs as an exercise on the part of the convert; but then, it would take place by the religious leaders excommunicating those whose contact with Christ they loathed; see 9:22. Such excommunication might be for a prescribed period, or by being cut off permanently with a curse. More positively, Moses was glad to be separated from the treasures in Egypt (Heb 11:24-26), as was Paul from his past Pharisaical profession, for as a believer he had no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:4-7). (What the Bible teaches – John) (See also Rod Mattoon's interpretation which is somewhat similar to Heading) Leon Morris favors these rulers as true believers writing - John does not leave us with the impression that none of the leaders believed. On the contrary, many from among them did just this. They “believed in him,” where the construction signifies a genuine faith. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are the only ones of whom we have knowledge, but evidently they were but two of a much greater number. The ministry of Jesus was not without its effect even in the highest circles. But by now the opposition to Jesus on the part of the Pharisees was so great that it meant excommunication to confess him. So they were silent. (BORROW The Gospel according to John PAGE 604) For fear that they would be put out of the synagogue (aposunagogos used in Jn Jn 9:22 and Jn 16:2 = "make you outcasts from the synagogue") - They feared men more than God! The proverb that relates to them is "The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. " (Pr 29:25) One writer said fear God and you will have nothing to fear. The Jews had great fear of ostracism from their synagogue! It is a slippery slope to prefer the glory and praise of men more than the glory and praise of God! Brian Bell - Remember how severe this was, putting out of the synagogue meant, separation from public worship & from social interactions. They were like the parents of the blind man healed in John 9, John recording "His parents said this (Jn 9:20-21) because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed (homologeo) Him to be Christ (MESSIAH), he was to be put out of the synagogue (aposunagogos)." (Jn 9:22+) There are many who know the truth, who, nevertheless, keep very quiet about it.
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MacArthur says the fact that they loved (agapao) the approval (doxa) of men "gives further evidence that these rulers possessed no more than a superficial religion."Tragically, they loved their self-exalting religion and their prestigious position in the synagogue and the Sanhedrin so much that they refused Christ. Such love for the world showed that they did not love God (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). (See John Commentary) So some writes believe these were Camouflaged Christians, but others believe they were Counterfeit Christians. D A Carson concludes that these lovers of men's approval "still knew nothing of the powerful new birth that could make them children of God and enable them to enter the messianic kingdom (Jn 3:3, 5; 1:12, 13; cf. 12:26). Perhaps after the resurrection they joined other Jewish leaders in becoming true Christians (cf. Acts 6:7+).(BORROW The Gospel according to John) Brian Bell - They loved the praise of men - & so do I, & so do you. But, I don’t want to offend anyone! I don’t want to be a freak! I don’t want to be embarrassed! I don’t want to be hated! I love the praise of men; I love what people think of me; I love my glory; I love my reputation; I love myself...more than God. (WOE!) Jesus received praise from the Father audibly (Jn 12:28), we most likely won’t. Well, we will later “well done my good & faithful servant”. Can we wait, or do we need it now? b) Do you want to hear that from our Father who art in heaven or men on the street? In his study Bible MacArthur says "This is one of the saddest statements about spiritual leadership, for they preferred the praises of men above the praises of God in their refusal to publicly acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and Son of God." (BORROW The MacArthur Study Bible)