The time is at hand for Jesus to complete His atonement for sin.

"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." (John 12:1-2)

           Jesus had several times, when threatened to be captured by the Jewish rulers, had evaded them stating that His time was not yet come. (See John 2:4, 7:8, 30, 8:20; 10:39) However, beginning in John 12:23 Jesus proclaims that the time had come for Him to be delivered into the hands of His enemies and crucified. (See John 13:1; 17:1) After retreating to Ephraim, the Lord now travels back to Jerusalem stopping at Bethany and the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to be refreshed after His journey. The active threat of the chief priests, the scribes and Pharisee which made up the Sanhedrin was certainly on all their minds. Everyone knew of the danger Jesus was in and the power of His enemies. It is interesting that none of the Gospels record that Jesus' disciples or His friends were being sought or were in danger because of their association with the Lord. The focus was solely on Jesus. The threat and what was about to happen would not be shared by anyone but Jesus Christ Himself. Although His disciples and friends were with Him they had no part in God's plan. Satan's focus was on destroying Jesus the Messiah.

          This is the third time the feast of the Passover is mentioned in the Gospel. "Passover and the Feast of Unleaven Bread [Hebrew: Pesah, or Pesach pronounced "p-sah"or "PAY-sahch"] always begins after sundown on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar around March or April and is a reminder of God's protection during plagues in Egypt and their deliverance from Egypt. It is an eight day feast beginning on the 14th day of Nisan, [pronounced nes-san] the first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, about the time of the vernal equinox and ends on the Nisan 21st. The Passover meal is eaten on the first day. God commanded that Israel keep this feast perpetually. It is still celebrated by the Jews today, however in a modified form.¹

          Jesus arrived in Bethany with His disciples six days before the Passover which was on Wednesday, Nisan 14 which was the day the Lord was crucified. Therefore Jesus came to Lazarus' home on Thursday, Nisan 8, probably arriving in the afternoon. ² (More on the chronology of the crucifixion will be added later)

          Lazarus and his sisters had many time before given the hospitality of their home Jesus and His disciples. It is the custom of the Jews to welcome guests in their home and part of the hospitality was to serve them a meal. Lazarus' sisters and their servants took special care in preparing the supper (evening meal) for their guests. Probably to dispel any notion of Lazarus' physical condition after his being restored to life, John records he was at the meal. The implication was he was fully healthy and participated in the meal. John further tell us that Martha personally served the meal which would normally be the task of the household servants. We can picture Martha, true to her personality, as the careful hostess fussing over the preparation of the every detail of the meal and giving instruction to everyone. The women would not have been seated with the men during the meal, but in another place.

"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. 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." (John 12:3-6)

           Of the four Gospels only Luke does not record this event.³ Mary was devoted to the Lord. In Luke 10:30-41 is an earlier account of Jesus visiting their home. As like this event Martha was busy preparing and fussing over the meal, but Mary was found at the Lord's feet listening to teachings. When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her Jesus mildly rebuked her. "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42) Although Martha was working hard in devotion to the Lord, Jesus rather commended Mary for choosing the "good part." Martha was serving the Lord in a material way but she seems to be resentful of having to do the work alone. She did not recognize the more important spiritual service in listening to the Lord's teachings. He also stated that because of her attitude her hard work would not be rewarded, thus taken from her. It was their individual attitude for service that the Lord was interested in. In this last stay in their home it seems Martha is still working very hard, but there is no hint that she resented her labor, but rather was deeply pleased to attend to the Lord's needs and to honor Him as their guest.

           Mary's spikenard contained a pound of ointment which was worth, according to Judas, three hundred pence. One pence was worth about a day's wage, thus this ointment was very expensive and represented almost a year's wages. The perfume was a "spikenard" called a"nard" that is the oil from a flowering plant of the Valerian family which comes from a the mountains of the Himalayas. ⁴ When crushed it becomes a thick amber colored pleasant odorous oil.

           Some commentators state that the account in Mark 14:3 is the same as John 12:3. Mark 14:3 records that Jesus later was also staying in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper and an unidentified woman broke an alabaster box of spikenard and poured it on the Lord's head. This was not Mary who was the Lazarus' sister. The two accounts are different as to the place, the day, and where the oil was poured on the Lord.

           Three times the New Testament records women anointed Jesus' feet with expensive oil. Luke 7:37-50 was the first time this happened. In this anointing the woman is not identified except that she is described as being a sinner. From the narrative it appears this woman had been a great sinner. Jesus was in the city of Nain in Galilee and at the house of a Pharisee named Simon. This woman stood behind the Lord, weeping and with her tears she washed the Lord's feet with her hair, kissed his feet, and then anointed them with oil. Some have pointlessly and without fact concluded that this must have been Mary Magdalene. The woman is unnamed, but her remorse for her past sinners should touch every heart with love and compassion for a sinner who turned in faith to the Lord for forgiveness. What wonderful words, "And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48)

           The hypocrite's true character will be in time revealed. Judas, who betrayed the Lord, responded showing what was truly in his heart. The sin of greed robs a person of any true compassion and blinds one's heart to love and affection. Mary's act of love exposed Judas' cold sinful heart. One might wonder why the Lord chose him as a disciple knowing His character and that he would betray Him. We can only understand this in that he was given a unique privilege in being a disciple of the Lord. Knowing the love of the Lord Jesus he could have repented of his sins and by faith believed the Lord and been saved. He did not have to be the betrayer, yet a life time of sin had harden his heart. Jesus gives us the reason is John 3:19-20 saying, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20) You could substitute the words ". . .and Judas loved money rather than the light, because his deeds were evil." To Timothy Paul wrote "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10) Judas exemplifies the truth that the wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23)

           Judas had no regard for the Lord Jesus although he had been with him for three years. He had seen the miracles and repeatedly heard the Christ's message of redemption, yet he would not believe. No matter how hard the hypocrite tries to hide his true self in time it will show its ugly self. He was the treasurer of the Lord and the disciples. (John 13:29) Sadly, over the years I can recount a number of dishonest treasurers in churches who blatantly stole from the Lord and their church. What is sad is that I do not know of even one of them that repented of their sin of robbing God. It shows how overpowering is the "love of money" which is greed. The Synoptic gospels record that Judas Iscariot was the one who betrayed the Lord, but only John gives the details of his true character. In this verse John states that Judas was a thief. John 6:70-71 records that Jesus said Judas was a devil. After the Lord's last Passover meal Jesus told His disciples again that one of them would betray Him and identified the traitor as the one who took sop with Him and then Judas left the room to betray the Lord. (John 13:16,30)

           Note to how Judas feigned caring for the poor. Judas cared for no one but himself and used the poor to cover his greed. Selfishness and pride are most evil sins. Judas loved the world and the things of the world. John said in his First Epistle "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15)

           "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." (John 12:7-8)

           Jesus rebuked Judas for his objecting to Mary's compassionate act. His statement that Mary's anointing His feet was "eis" meaning for His coming burial. He was referring to the custom of the Jews to put spices and ointment on the dead for embalming.

           Jesus had persistently mentioned His coming death. After His transfiguration Jesus instructed His disciples not to tell of the vision they had seen until He was risen from the dead. (Matt. 17:9, 22-23) Mark also records that Jesus explained to His disciples that He would be betrayed , killed and He would rise on the third day. (Mark 9:31) Luke records that after Jesus cast the demon from the child in which the disciples had failed to do, He said to them, when they marveled at His power , "Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men." (Luke 9:44) Verse 45 states that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was telling them, but we know that after His resurrection what He said came back to their minds and the then understood.

           Jesus' statement concerning the poor always being with them was not an aspersion against charity, but rather was said to bring attention to closeness of His betrayal and death. Mary was the only one who understood what was happening and this seems to have prompted her to anoint His feet. To his disciples, who did not understand the situation, Jesus commended Mary. "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." (Mark 14:9) (Also see Matt. 26:13) The disciples, who were the closest to Him, missed the significance of her act.

           "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. 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." (John 12:9-11)

           The words "much people" is "polus ochus" and basically means "common rabble" or "common people." When the word went out that Jesus was at Bethany a throng of common people began to arrive. They did not come necessarily to see Jesus, but mainly to see Lazarus whom He had been raised from the dead. This shows a common trait of men that they are drawn to the unusual out of curiosity. This should be apparent to the modern churches and preachers who seek to draw crowds to their assemblies with entertainment. Most who respond to their performances come for the wrong reasons. Like these Jews who came to see Lazarus, they do not come hungering in their hearts to find forgiveness of sin and truth, but rather come to experience some pleasant uplifting feeling. They come out of curiosity to see some oddity. It is a shame what many preachers and churches do in the name of Jesus Christ. These who came to Bethany saw a man who was once dead and the Lord who had performed miracles and presented to them the way of salvation, but they left spiritually empty. Most left unconverted and in unbelief. What they sought they received which was nothing but to satisfy a passing curiosity.

           Yet, some in the crowd perceived that the One who they saw was the Messiah and they believed. The proof of His being the Messiah was the miracle that Lazarus who was dead four days they saw now alive. The crowds being attracted to Jesus greatly upset the chief priests and Pharisees. Not only were great numbers of people seeking after Jesus, but because of Lazarus they were believing in Him. Many of the Jews began to question the actions of their Jewish rulers and now were turning from following them and were accepting that Jesus was the Messiah. Thus the threat to their leadership was now greater than before and they sought more in earnest to not only kill Jesus, but also Lazarus.

           "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 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." (John 12:12-15)

           The next day was Friday, Nisan 9. ⁵ This day has been named the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem that is also called Palm Sunday. On this day the prophecy of Daniel 9:26 was fulfilled. Jesus was entering Jerusalem presenting Himself to Israel as the promised Messiah. Each of the Gospels record this event. (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-44) John's account is the shortest with less detail. John's Gospel was written some time after 90 AD at the end of the First Century . The Synoptic Gospels with their fuller accounts had been written as least thirty to forty years earlier and therefore the events of the Triumphal Entry and the events leading to the resurrection were well known.

           As was normal, there were great numbers of people gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and many were wondering, as they had before, if Jesus would attend the feast. (John 11:56) The Joachim Jeremias, estimates of the size of the Passover crowd range from 180,000 on the low end to 3 million on the upper end. ⁶ Matthew states that as Jesus prepares to leave Bethany He instructed the disciples to go to the "village against you" meaning Bethphage which bordered Bethany. He told them they would find a a donkey tied and a young colt with her. He further says to loose the donkey and bring it to Him and if anyone questioned them they were to simply tell say "The Lord hath need of them" they would be allowed to proceed. (Matthew 21:1-3)

           When the crowds heard that Jesus was coming they ran to meet Him stripping palm branches from the trees. Matthew 21:8 records that the people spread their garments and the palm branches on the road as Jesus entered the city

           John records that this fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." (Zechariah 9:9) The disciples then put their garments on the colt and Jesus proceeded to enter Jerusalem.

           The palm has always been a symbol of victory. For example, in Revelation 7:9 John saw a heavenly scene of an unnumerable group of saints from every nation on earth and they were standing before the throne in white robes and they had palms in their hands. Ezekiel states there will be palm trees in the Millennial Temple. (Eze. 40-41)

           One can understand the great excitement of the moment as Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem as a conquering hero would do. For a long time the people had questioned Him about His being the Messiah, and although He had clearly stated who He was, most still wondered, because He had taken no action to proclaim Himself as such. All of Israel was weary of the yoke of their Roman conquerors and they longed for one to come and deliver them. As they saw Him coming they were overjoyed because He has shown Himself to be all powerful even to raising the dead. With great expectation they cheered Him crying "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." (Matt. 21:9) The word "Hosanna" is taken from Palm 118:25 "Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." The words "Save now" is the Hebrew word "Hosanna." They were calling for Jesus to save them by becoming the king of Israel.

          There was great expectation that now finally, they would see Jesus demonstrate His great power and take charge of ruling the nation. Israel would be restored to it former glory and the nation would prosper as the Messiah brought peace by destroying their enemies, ruling with a rod of iron. (Psa. 2:9, 29:11, 72:1-20) However, today we look back at these events and see the tragedy of what their unbelief brought upon them. In their short sightedness they sought only a temporal peace when Jesus was offering then an eternal one. Jesus said "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Jesus was offering them the promised kingdom, the kingdom of God, but they only wanted a worldly one. Had they believed God they could have had not only a material kingdom, but an eternal and spiritual one as well.

           "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. 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." (John 12:16-18)

           John tells us that the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant in referring to Zechariah's prophecy, but later after Jesus' resurrection they remembered and realized they had been a part in fulfilling this Messianic prophecy. Those who had witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead were in the forefront of the crowd leading the procession and "baring record" of the power of Jesus Christ. Others who had heard of the miracle from these witnessed also went out before Jesus proclaiming Him as the Messiah.

           "The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him." (John 12:19)

          The Pharisees had been afraid of Jesus before, but now they were alarmed. The whole city was in an uproar and the cheers and shouts of Hosanna, "Save now" echoed down the narrow streets between the building. The cries of the people went forth like electricity through the streets. These Jewish leaders worse fears had come to full volition. They feared the uproar would cause the Romans to investigate and assume that the Jews were not in open revolt against them. Among themselves they openly admitted in anguish "Perceive ye how ye prevail in nothing." They had plotted to kill Jesus and then Lazarus, but they had accomplished nothing and not stopped what they thought was a civil uprising or revolt. Now the whole matter was out of their hands.

           "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. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. " (John 12:20-23)

           It does not seem strange that these Greeks showed up asking to see Jesus. Clearly, these were not ordinary Greeks, but proselytes to Judaism as was the Roman centurion, Cornelius whom the Lord sent Peter. (Acts 10) It seems they were aware of Jesus' miracles and had witnessed the excitement of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It was natural that they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee and told him they wanted to see Jesus. Robertson says, "We desire to see Jesus." This is not abrupt like our "we wish" or "we want," but perfectly polite. However, they could easily "see" Jesus, had already done so, no doubt. They wish an interview with Jesus."7 ⁷

           Philip's name was Greek and he was from Galilee the area of Israel where Greek culture prevailed and their language spoken. These were Gentiles who believed God and surely had studied the Old Testament. They too knew of the promises concerning the Messiah and the promised kingdom. They came wanting to inquire of Jesus personally about His being the Messiah. Philip told Andrew of the Greeks inquiry and they both went to Jesus. Most commentators conclude that Jesus did not respond to their request. However, John 12:33 says "And Jesus answered them . . ." Most assume the word "them" refers to Philip and Andrew, but there is nothing in the passage that would restrict Jesus words only to these two disciples. His response when looked at closest shows He did answer their question. Jesus stated the hour was come " . . . that the Son of man should be glorified." Would it not seem reasonable to accept that this is what the Greek wanted to know.

           The reason seems clear. Jesus was the Messiah come to Israel and as Paul later said the Gospel goes first to the Jew and then to the Greek. In a short time the Greeks would be fully aware of who Jesus was and that salvation was also come to the Gentile. (Rom. 1:16, 2:9-10; Acts 11:18) As Jesus paid the sin debt of the whole world the "middle wall of partition" was broken down as the veil in the Temple was rent from top to bottom. (Eph. 2:14; Matt. 27:51) From that moment on the Gentiles would not have to come through the Jews to receive salvation, but could boldly enter the throne of grace and obtain mercy for themselves. (Heb. 4:16) Note Jesus response addressed their inquiry and concerns.

           "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." (John 12:24-26)

          Jesus' response is found five other times in the Scriptures which show the importance of His teaching. (Matt. 10:39, 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24, 17:33) John does not record whether the Greeks heard Jesus or not. But Jesus' response revealed what was about to happen. He responded with the illustration of a grain of wheat, stating if the seed did not fall into the ground and die it would not produce fruit. Clearly, He was speaking of Himself. The Greeks may have, like the Jews, thought that Jesus was presenting Himself as the civil Redeemer of Israel who would conquer the Romans. However, Jesus did not speak of His forming an army or beginning a great civil conquest, but rather they He would soon die. Those that would follow and serve Him, He said if they loved their life they would lose it, and if they lost their life for His sake they would find it. The Greeks as proselytes were following God and Jesus was saying that as the Messiah those who would receive eternal life would have to love Him more than their lives.

          In other words Jesus was not offering a worldly kingdom, but a spiritual one. He was of course presenting Himself to Israel as their Messiah and offering them the Kingdom, but those who inherited the kingdom would be those who believed in Him. The Kingdom He offered was not a worldly, but a heavenly kingdom whose citizens had eternal life. If a man wanted to serve the Lord, then let him follow Him, because where He was, His servant would be also and the Father would honor him. Note this was stated in the context of Jesus telling them of His death. To truly serve the Lord with one's heart means to be "with Him" not just physically but spiritual giving Him the pre-eminent in one's life (Col. 1:18b) The scope of following Jesus Christ is all encompassing and not a trivial matter. Jesus was reminding His disciples and those who heard Him, following Him would not be a bed of roses, but required true sacrifice. Often those caught up in the excitement of the moment fail to see the whole picture. (See Rom. 12:1-2)

           "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." (John 12:27-28)

          Jesus showed He was fully aware of the coming trials, beatings and agonizing crucifixion that faced Him. He was setting the example before them. He said His soul "psuche" was troubled, meaning His mind and heart was deeply stirred thinking of what lie ahead. He seems to address this question to those around Him who seemed so eager to follow Him. He explains to them, warning them of the sacrifice they might have to make. Maybe He knew some of them upon hearing of His coming death were having second thoughts. He refers to His coming sufferings and says asks the question, should He ask the Father to save Him or spare Him from the hour because of the magnitude of His coming suffering? He immediately answers with a resounding No! It was for this hour He came into the world. Jesus response was always the same, "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (Matthew 26:42) This was the example He was giving them.

          Later, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane made the same statement that His soul was sorrowful (grieved all around Strongs 4012). (Matt. 26:38) Luke records, "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44) ⁸ We often hear men trying to describe the suffering of the Lord on the cross by giving the details of the agony of crucifixion. But always such attempts are futile because Christ's suffering was not just the physical pain of being nailed to a cross. Many thousands of men died on Roman crosses, but Christ experience more than physical pain. As He hung there between heaven and hell He was enduring the penalty for all the sins of the world. No man can describe or even comprehend what Jesus was experiencing. Mark records that as He hung there on the cross taking upon Himself sins of the whole world even nature responded to the scene of His suffering and darkness fell over the land.

          In response to Jesus' proclamation and prayer, God the Father answered immediately from heaven saying ". . . I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." The Father by speaking from heaven at this shows the intensiveness of the moment and the magnitude of Jesus' commitment to the will of the Father. We cannot fathom the love of the Lord for us that would endure the penalty for our sins in order that we might be able by faith to receive His grace, mercy, forgiveness and eternal life. God the Father says I glorify you now and will glorify you in your coming crucifixion and sufferings for the sins of the world.

           "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. 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. This he said, signifying what death he should die." (John 12:29-33)

           Those that were close by heard the Father' speaking and thought it was thunder. Others supposed they had heard an angel speak to Him. This was also the response of those who were with Paul on the Damascus road when the Lord spoke to him. It appears only the Lord heard the words, but Jesus tells them this was a voice they heard, but it was not for His sake but for their's. The Father spoke to confirm His approval of Jesus' statement, and to confirm to those who heard it that He, the Father assured them of His approval. The Father was affirming the events that were unfolding were His plans.

           We can be sure that the people were listening for Jesus to declare His coming to present Himself as the king of Israel, but instead Jesus spoke of His coming death. He did not offer stirring a speech to meant to encourage and rally the Jews. They understood He was saying He would be killed and this puzzled and dismayed the people.

           "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?" (John 12:34)

           The Jews were looking for the Messiah to appear at any time. Daniel had prophesied there would be four hundred and ninety years until Israel's sins and transgression and to bring righteousness and anoint the most Holy the Messiah.(Dan.9:24-27) Israel, when Daniel fortold this, was in captivity in Babylon and Jerusalem lay in waste. Daniel said the promised kingdom would come four hundred and eight three years after the commandment was given to build the streets and restore the walls of Jerusalem. Artaxerxes issued a decree to Nehemiah in 445 BC which allowed him to rebuild the city and the walls. Therefore prophetically it was time for the Messiah to come and bring in the kingdom. Prior to these events for centuries the Jews had expected the coming of their Messiah. In the Apocryphal Book of Enoch written in the Inter-Testamental period spoke of the coming Messiah, ". . .the judgement and condemnation of the wicked; the establishment of the New Jerusalem; the conversion of the Gentiles, who become subject to Israel; the gathering-in of the dispersed Israelites; the resurrection of the righteous dead and the setting-up of the Messianic Kingdom on the appearance of the Messiah (xc. 20-38)." ⁹

           The Jews understood the Messianic prophecies spoke of the coming Messiah as reigning forever. ( See Psalm. 89:29; Psalm. 110:4; Isa. 9:7; Dan. 2:44; Dan. 7:14; Rom. 11:25) The question on the Jews minds was that if Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), why is He speaking of His death? He had shown He had power over nature, disease, and even death. The question was why then would the true Messiah be killed which seemed to be inconsistent with their understanding of the role of the promised Messiah. They had been taught the positive side of the Messiah's coming, but had missed Daniel's prophecy. Daniel foretold Jesus' death. "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." (Daniel 9:26) David also in the Messianic Psalm 22 gives graphic details of the Messiah's suffering and death. This certainly did not fit their picture of the conquering Messiah come to liberate Israel.

           "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." (John 12:35-36)

           Jesus did not answer their question about the Messiah enduring forever. It was true that He and His kingdom were eternal. However, they did not know enough about how the He would bring about the kingdom for Him to explain it then. He simply tells them to believe or accept the light they have which was the knowledge that He was the Messiah as demonstrated by His miracles and message. The implication is plain that He was telling them to trust what He was telling and in time their question would be answered. They had the light and should believe it, but if they rejected what they knew, then in the darkness of unbelief they would never understand nor be the enlightened children of light. The principle is that believers do not know all the mind of God, but if they truly are trusting in the Lord, they will accept and be thankful for what God does allow us to know because we know it is sufficient. Unbelief, however, will can always find some excuse to question and support a lack of faith.

           Jesus after this statement left them and hid Himself. This was Jesus' last appeal to them to believe and accept Him and thus received forgiveness of sins and eternal life. From the preceding events it seems apparent the people were greatly disappointed by what He said. They were not looking for a humble Messiah, but bold and conquering one. A short time before they were praising Him, hailing Him as the conquering hero, but His statements about His death they could not accept. In just a short time these fickle Jews who had honored Him by crying "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel" would be crying "Crucify Him, Crucify Him." Jesus had explained to them that His death would bring forth much fruit, but they only heard what they wanted to hear and that was a not of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ.

           "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." (John 12:37-41)

           This paragraph seems to burst forth from the heart of the Apostle John in the frustration he surely felt in seeing Israel blindness and rejection of Jesus. The proof of who was Jesus was plain before them in the multitude of miracles He has preformed. What haunting words " . . . yet they believed not on him."

           John clearly marveled at the unbelief of people. Isaiah had predicted their unbelief and rejection of the Lord, just his prophecy was fulfilled. John quotes Isaiah 53:1, who said "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1) Those who have believed down through the centuries can appreciate John and Isaiah's feelings of futility at presenting God's wonderful message of grace and seeing it fall on cold death ears. How many of us can recall witnessing to so many times to someone, reading them God's very words of warning of the coming judgement message of redemption by simple faith, and yet see most turn away in unbelief. What a tragedy for a man to hear God's truth and judge it not applicable to himself . Peter said, "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." (2 Peter 2:21)

           The statement " 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" must be interpreted in the analogy of the faith. John quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 which is quoted six times in the New Testament. (Matt. 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:26-27; Rom.11:8) At first reading it seems that the passage is saying God is the cause of their unbelief because He blinded their eyes so they could not see and be saved and healed. However this interpretation is inconsistence with other statements of God's desire to see all men believe and be saved. God cannot contradict Himself so this is not the correct interpretation. God states His desire is that none perish and all come to repentance. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) It would be a contradiction of God's word for Him to desire that no one perish, and then to blind their eyes to the truth thus preventing them from believing and being saved. Therefore we must look closer for God's meaning.

           Jesus explained why men are condemned saying "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20) Why did Jesus say men reject the light? He says it is because their deeds are evil and they reject the truth because it exposes and reproves them of their sin. Note Jesus states plainly this is the reason that men are condemned. He does not say, nor does the Bible anywhere say that God condemns men inadvertently by decreeing their condemnation to the Lake of Fire by withholding His grace. God is love and it is a false teaching contradicts the very nature of God who desires all men to be saved to interpret this passage as saying God was the cause of their eyes being blinded.

           Luke in Acts 28:27 explains why men's eyes are blinded. "For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." This is quoting Isaiah 6:9-10 and tote the underlined words "their eyes have they closed." Here the Bible interprets itself and says it was their willing unbelief that prevented them from seeing the truth and accepting it. These who refused to believe were not converted because they did not want God in their lives or be saved. These were blinded by their sins, but could have been saved if they had accepted the truth that clearly was shown to them.

           God did blind their eyes and hardened their hearts, but it was because of they refused to believe. What He blinded their eyes to was to spiritual truth. The unsaved do not understand God's word or spiritual things. Paul explains this saying "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) God will not let the lost man see more than the truth of the Gospel because not having a spiritual nature he has no ability to understand. Only the saved born again believer who has the new nature and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can see the spiritual things of God. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:10)

           Paul also explained the reason for the blindness of most men. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:4) Note Paul says that Satan blinds "the minds of the that believe not." How then can Satan blind the minds of men....only when they will not believe. Satan does not force unbelief on the unsaved, but finds futile ground to influence them when the harden their hearts to God's truth. This passage does not support the false idea that God in His sovereignty withholds His grace from anyone because He has decreed their condemnation and will not allow them to believe.

           "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." (John 12:42-43)

           The question is were these chief rulers who are said to have believed saved? In Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 9:22-26 Jesus answers the question. The context of the Lord's statements in Luke was of His predicting His coming death and resurrection. "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:22-23) His statement of verse 23 is significant. Jesus ended this discourse saying "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:26)

           Certainly these chief rulers did not take up their cross and follow Jesus and they were ashamed of Him because they thought more of their position as rulers in the synagogue than of loyalty to Jesus. Their belief was in a worldly Messiah and not in Jesus as the Son of God. John says they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God which is without question is not the act of saving faith. Paul also speaks of those who profess Christ yet are ashamed of Him publicly. "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:33) Note three times in Romans 10:9-11 Paul stresses publicly acknowledging one's belief in Jesus Christ. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:9-11)

           "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." (John 12:44-46)

           John continues His summation of Jesus' message in verses 44-50 which parallels what Jesus said in John Chapter 3. Jesus proclaimed that if they believe on Him they were in fact believing on God the Father who had sent Him. He was affirming His deity and His ministry. If they rejected Him they were rejecting God whom they claimed they believed in and served. He declares His deity saying when they saw Him they were seeing the Almighty Father who sent Him. He explains to them that He is the light, meaning the truth and those who truly believed on Him would not abide in darkness. This statement was pertinent to the moment because some of the Jewish rulers said they believed, but refused by their silence remain 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." (John 12:47-50)

           Earlier when Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus He had concluded His discourse saying "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36) The Lord warned repeatedly of their not believing Him. In John 3:16 He expressed His love for the world saying if anyone believed they would not perish but have everlasting life. He said in verse 27 that "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)

           Jesus warned them that if they rejected Him, He would in the end be their Judge. Their rejection was not the end of the matter, because ahead for them all was the coming judgment. (See Heb. 9:27, Rev. 20:11-15) Jesus made it sharply clear that it was God the Father they were rejecting by rejecting Him. His message was not His own as He said in John 8:50. (See John 5:23) All that Jesus hand done and said was at the direction of the Father. If the Jews were to receive eternal life they absolutely must accept Jesus' message as coming from God. What is amazing is that He said this to people who claimed to be the zealous believers in God whose whole culture and beliefs were represented as being from the Father, but most of them rejected Him offhand. (See John 14:7, 16:3) What a tragedy and shock to these unbelieving and willing blind Jews, that when they died, being so confident in their heritage and works saving them, to awake in the torrents of Hades forever separated from God.

END NOTES:

1 Cooper Abrams, The Day of Atonement", https://bible-truth.org/Feasts-Passover.html.

2 Cooper Abrams, What Day was Christ Crucified?, https://bible-truth.org/WhatDayDidChristDie.html.

3 See Matt. 26.7, Mark 14:3, John 12:3.

4 "Nard" (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=71&letter=N&search=nard) is one of the herbs used in the temple and is mentioned twice in the Song of Solomon (1:12, 4:13-14)

5 Most commentaries state that the next day was Sunday. If the "next day" was Sunday, Jesus would have had to travel the long distance from Ephraim on Saturday the Sabbath day. This would have violated the law. However, if the Passover Sabbath was on Thursday, five days earlier would have been Friday Nisan 9 and this would present no problem. There were two Sabbaths that week. One was the Passover Sabbath on Thursday and also the regular Sabbath on Saturday.

6 Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, 27 77-84

7 Robertson, John 12:21.

8 Note that the verse says Jesus' sweat was "as it were" great drops of blood which is a metaphor. Jesus was perspiring profusely and with great intensity, but He was not sweating blood.

9 R. H. Charles, the Book of Enoch, London:Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge , 1917, Chapters LXXXIII.-XC.

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