Swindoll Study Bible - Book of John - Flipbook - Page 39
J ohn 1 2 : 9
9 When all the people* heard of Jesus’ arrival, they
flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man
Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading
priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted
them* and believed in Jesus.
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
12 The
next day, the news that Jesus was on the way
to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd
of Passover visitors 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!”*
14 Jesus
found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15
“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.*
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey’s colt.”*
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that
this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus
entered into his glory, they remembered what had
happened and realized that these things had been
written about him.
17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus
from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they
were telling others* about it. 18 That was the reason
so many went out to meet him—because they had
heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Phar
isees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do.
Look, everyone* has gone after him!”
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some
Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the
Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was
1300
from Bethsaida in Galil ee. They said, “Sir, we want to
meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they
went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the
Son of Man* to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the
truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil
and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce
many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it.
Those who care nothing for their life in this world will
keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me
must follow me, because my servants must be where I
am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray,
‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very
reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have
already brought glory to my name, and I will do so
again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some
thought it was thunder, while others declared an
angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your
benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world
has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be
cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I
will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from
Scripture* that the Messiah would live forever. How
can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this
Son of Man, anyway?”
35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a
little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the
darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the
darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your
trust in the light while there is still time; then you will
become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was
hidden from them.
LIVING INSIGHTS
12:9 Greek Jewish people; also in 12:11. 12:11 Or had deserted their traditions; Greek reads had deserted. 12:13a Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise adapted
from a Hebrew expression that means “save now.” 12:13b Ps 118:25-26; Zeph 3:15. 12:15a Greek daughter of Zion. 12:15b Zech 9:9. 12:17 Greek were testifying.
12:19 Greek the world. 12:23 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. 12:34 Greek from the law.
A FAITHFUL BROTHER John 12:20-22 Andrew appears
THE PAIN LEADING UP TO THE CROSS John 12:27
by name on the pages of John’s Gospel three times. Not
one time does he seem significant, but all three times he’s
involved in bringing people to Christ. The first time is in
John 1:40-42, where he brings his brother Simon Peter to
Jesus. A few chapters later, when the disciples are challenged to feed more than five thousand people, Andrew is
the one who finds the little boy who ends up sharing his
lunch. That’s Andrew, bringing the little boy to meet Christ
(John 6:8-9). Now here in John 12 are some Greeks who
have come to the festival and want to meet Jesus, and
Andrew is ready to take them.
Maybe Andrew never stands out as a leader or wows the
crowds, but he is faithful to bring people to Christ. That’s
our job as well.
In our familiarity with the story of the Cross, we have a
tendency to forget the emotional time Jesus endured before
facing it. His agony was so severe that when Jesus got to
Gethsemane He sweat great drops of blood and asked that
the cup of suffering be taken from Him (Matt. 26:36-46;
Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46). The pain leading up to
our salvation and freedom was great, severe, and crushing. Although Jesus knew what was coming, He submitted
Himself to God’s plan—and He did it for the sake of you
and me.
