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John 12: Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Compared to the previous journey to Bethany, were the disciples more apprehensive or less? Why?
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John 12:1–2 Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the town where he had raised Lazarus from the dead. A dinner was prepared for him. Martha served and Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table.
King James
John 12:1–2 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Where did Jesus stop for dinner on the way to Jerusalem? Who was present?
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Matthew 26:6 At Bethany, Jesus was in the home of Simon the leper
Mark 14:3 At Bethany, Jesus was in the home of Simon the leper when a woman came with a jar made of fine gypsum filled with expensive perfume, broke the seal, and poured it on Jesus’ head as he sat at the table.
John 12:1–2 Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the town where he had raised Lazarus from the dead. A dinner was prepared for him. Martha served and Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table.
King James
Matthew 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
John 12:1–2 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
What motivated Mary to anoint Jesus with expensive perfume?
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John 12:3 Mary brought a jar of very expensive perfume. She anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair until the house was filled with the fragrance.
King James
John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
This was not the first time for someone to object to the waste of expensive perfume? Why did Judas object at this time?
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Luke 7:37–38 A sinful woman from the town heard Jesus was there and brought a jar made of fine gypsum filled with perfume. Kneeling behind him, she wept. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissed them, and rubbed them with the perfume.
John 12:4–6 Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, the one who later betrayed Jesus, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the moneybag and could take some for himself.
King James
Luke 7:37–38 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
John 12:4–6 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
How did the disciples feel when Jesus explained Mary’s action as preparation for his burial?
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John 12:7–8 “Leave her alone,” Jesus said. “She has prepared my body for burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”
King James
John 12:7–8 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
If word spread about his location, why wasn’t Jesus arrested in Bethany?
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John 12:9 Word spread among the Jewish leaders that Jesus was there, and many came, not just to see Jesus, but also Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
King James
John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Why did the chief priest plan to kill Lazarus? If this plan became known to Jesus’ disciples, how would they have felt?
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John 12:10–11 Therefore, the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus because he had swayed many Jews to believe.
King James
John 12:10–11 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
How did people in Jerusalem hear that Jesus was coming?
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John 12:12 The next day, many who had come to Jerusalem for Passover heard that Jesus was coming.
King James
John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
What kind of king would ride into the capitol city on a donkey?
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John 12:13–15 People cut branches from palm trees and went to meet him, shouting, “Hail to the King. Blessed is the one who comes in God’s name.”
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, fulfilling the words of the prophet: Have no fear, people of Zion. Look! The king is coming, riding upon a colt, a donkey’s foal.
King James
John 12:13–15 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. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Why didn’t the disciples understand the fulfillment of prophecy before the ascension? What brought the revelation later?
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John 12:16 At the time, the disciples did not understand that prophecy was being fulfilled. After Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into Heaven, they remembered the scriptures and saw how what had happened matched what had been predicted.
King James
John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
How widespread was the news about Lazarus’s resurrection?
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John 12:17–18 Those who had been with Jesus at the raising of Lazarus from the dead had spread the word about what they had seen. Some went out to meet Jesus because they had heard about the miracle.
King James
John 12:17–18 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
The number of people following Jesus was far from being “the whole world,” so why did the Pharisees say that?
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John 12:19 The Pharisees said to one another, “Look! The whole world is following him, and there is nothing we can do about it.”
King James
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Why did Greeks go to Passover and want to see Jesus? Why did they go to Philip instead of approaching Jesus directly? Why did Philip go to Andrew instead of Jesus?
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John 12:20–22 Some Greeks were among those who had come to worship during Passover. They went to Philip with their request. “Sir, we want to meet with Jesus.”
Philip told Andrew, and the two of them asked Jesus if he would meet with the Greeks.
King James
John 12:20–22 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
What did Jesus say to the Greeks? What do you think his words meant to them?
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John 12:23–28 “The time has come,” Jesus said, “for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, until a grain of wheat is put into the ground and dies, it lives alone. But if it dies, it produces a great harvest. A man who loves life in this world will lose it, but he who hates life here will live forever. If you want to serve me, you must follow me and be wherever I am. If you serve me, you will be rewarded by my Father. Right now, my soul is troubled. Should I say, ‘Father, save me from what I am about to face’? No. This is why I came. Father, bring glory to your name.”
A voice from above said, “I have already glorified my name and will do so again.”
King James
John 12:23–28 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
How did the Father bring glory to his name? Why did some hear a booming sound but not God’s words?
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John 12:28–30 “Father, bring glory to your name.”
A voice from above said, “I have already glorified my name and will do so again.”
Many bystanders heard only a sound they thought was thunder.
Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus said, “That voice was for your benefit, not mine.”
King James
John 12:28–30 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
If two thousand years ago was time for the prince of this world to be cast out, why is he still hanging around?
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John 12:31–32 “Now is the time for the prince of this world to be judged and cast out. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.”
King James
John 12:31–32 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Would you want to know when and how you are going to die? Why?
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John 12:33 In saying this, he predicted how he would die.
King James
John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
How did the crowd know what scriptures said about the Messiah?
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John 12:34 The crowd said, “Scriptures say the Messiah will live forever. How can you say the Son of Man must be crucified? Who is this Son of Man?”
King James
John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
What does it mean to “walk in the light”?
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John 12:35–36 “For only a little longer,” Jesus said, “my light will be with you. Walk in that light while you can so you will not be caught in the darkness. Those who walk in darkness do not know where they are going. Trust the light while there is still time, and you will become children of light.”
After saying these things, Jesus left and hid from the people.
King James
John 12:35–36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Why did Isaiah prophesy that people hearts would be hardened, their ears closed, and their eyes covered?
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John 12:37–41 Despite all the miracles he had done, the people still did not believe in him, fulfilling what the prophet Isaiah wrote: Who would have believed what we have prophesied? Who can see the Lord’s hand at work? They had no faith, as Isaiah wrote elsewhere: Harden the hearts of these people and close their ears and cover their eyes so they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts and be forced to turn to me and be healed. Because he had seen the Messiah’s glory, Isaiah said these things about him.
King James
John 12:37–41 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 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. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
What distinguished those who believed in Jesus from those who did not?
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John 12:42–43 Even so, many people did believe in Jesus, including some of the Jewish leaders. Fearing the Pharisees who would put them out of the synagogue, they did not openly confess their faith. They were more concerned about human approval than pleasing God.
King James
John 12:42–43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
What is the difference between believing in Jesus and believing in God?
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John 12:44–50 With a loud voice, Jesus told them, “Those who believe in me are also believing in the one who sent me. Those who see me are also seeing the one who sent me. I come as light into the world so those who believe in me will not remain in the dark. I am not the judge of those who hear but will not believe. I came, not to judge, but to save the world. Those who reject me and will not hear my message will face the Day of Judgment, when the words I have spoken will judge them. My teaching is not my own, but the Father, who sent me, has determined the lessons and dictated the words. I know that his commandment leads to eternal life, so I will only say what he tells me to say.”
King James
John 12:44–50 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.