The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John – Taught by: Pastor David F.
Reagan
The Gospel of John

By: Pastor David F. Reagan
I. Introduction 2
II. Jesus Christ, the Word of God John 1:1-18 9
III. John: the Forerunner of Christ John 1:19-51 21
IV. The Beginning of the Ministry of Christ John 2 29
V. The New Birth John 3 37
VI. Reaching Souls from Samaria to Cana John 4 49
VII. The Witness of Christ Rejected John 5 56
VIII. Jesus as the Bread of Life John 6 62
IX. Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles John 7 74
X. Jesus as the Light of the World John 8 80
XI. From Darkness into Light John 9 86
XII. The Good Shepherd John 10 92
XIII. The Resurrection of Lazarus John 11 100
XIV. Return to Jerusalem John 12 105
XV. Christ’s Love to the End John 13 111
XVI. A Message for Troubled Hearts John 14 116
XVII. Basic Principles for the Fruit-bearer John 15 123
XVIII. The Coming of the Comforter John 16 130
XIX. The Intercessory Prayer of Christ John 17 136
XX. The Forsaking of Jesus John 18 140
XXI. The Cross and the Tomb John 19 144
XXII. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ John 20 151
XXIII. The Commission of the Risen Saviour John 21 158
www.learnthebible.org 1
The Gospel of John – Taught by: Pastor David F. Reagan
Introduction
I. THE STATISTICS
A. 21 Chapters, 879 Verses, 19,099 Words
B. 43rd Book in the Bible, 4th Book in the New Testament
C. Other Statistics
1. One other book with 21 chapters: Judges
2. Averages about 42 verses per chapter
3. Fifteenth largest book in the Bible as to number of verses
II. THE HUMAN AUTHOR
A. Established in the Book of John
1. Never named in the Gospel of John

2. The disciple who leaned on Jesus’ breast (John 21:20-24)
3. The disciple whom Jesus loved; often called the beloved disciple
a. At the Lord’s Supper (John 13:23-26)
b. At the cross (John 19:26-27)
c. At the tomb (John 20:1-8)
d. On the fishing boat (John 21:3-7)
B. His Life
1. His name, John, corresponds to the OT name, Jonah, and means a dove.
2. His parents were Zebedee and Salome (Luke 5:10; cp. Matthew 27:56
with Mark 15:40).
3. He was brother to James (Mark 1:19) who died as a martyr early (Acts
12:1-2).
4. He was a fisherman (Mark 1:19).
5. Jesus named James and John “Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder”
(Mark 3:17).
6. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist (Acts 1:21-23).
7. He was one of the inner circle of three (with James and Peter).
a. As a witness of the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37)
b. As a witness of the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9)
c. As an inquirer of the things to come (Mark 13:3-4)
d. As a witness to the agonies of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-34)
C. His Writings in the New Testament – compared to other human authors
1. Paul – 100 chapters (38.5%) –this includes the 13 chapters of Hebrews

2. Luke – 52 chapters (20.0%) –Luke, Acts
3. John – 50 chapters (19.2%) –John, 1John, 2John, 3John, Revelation
4. Matthew – 28 chapters (10.8%)
5. Mark – 16 chapters (6.2%)
6. Peter – 8 chapters (3.1%) –1Peter, 2Peter
7. James – 5 chapters (1.9%)
8. Jude – 1 chapter (0.4%)
III. THE PLACE OF THE BOOK
A. In Relation to the Four Gospels
1. The significance of four gospels

a. Four is the number of the earth.
(1) The four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:12)
(2) The beasts of the earth that “go on all four” (Leviticus 11:27)
(3) The four winds of the earth (Revelation 7:1)
(4) Four quarters of the earth (Revelation 20:8)
(5) The four gospels tell of the earthly ministry of Christ.
b. As to the deity and humanity of Christ in relation to His person
and work
(1) Matthew presents Jesus Christ as King of the Jews; this is His
work as God.
(2) Mark presents Jesus Christ as Servant of man; this is His work
as man.
(3) Luke presents Jesus Christ as the Son of man; this is His person
as man.
(4) John presents Jesus Christ as the Son of God; this is His person
as God.
c. As to Old Testament prophecy concerning the Branch
(1) Matthew is portrayed by the Branch which is the King
(Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 33:15-16).
(2) Mark is portrayed by the Branch that is God’s Servant
(Zechariah 3:8).
(3) Luke is portrayed by the Branch who is the Man (Zechariah
6:12-13).
(4) John is portrayed by the Branch of the Lord (Isaiah 4:2).
d. In comparison to the four beasts of Revelation 4:7
(1) The first beast like a lion, the king of the beasts – Matthew
(2) The second beast like a calf – Mark
(3) The third beast like a man – Luke
(4) The fourth beast like a flying eagle, the most majestic of the
birds - John
2. A comparison with the other gospels
a. As to number of chapters
(1) Matthew – 28 chapters; 4 (earthly view) times 7 (heavenly
work)
(2) Mark – 16 chapters; 4 (earthly view) times 4 (earthly work)
(3) Luke – 24 chapters; 4 (earthly view) times 6 (humanity)
(4) John – 21 chapters; 3 (divine view) times 7 (heavenly work)
b. As to where the gospel begins with the life of Christ
(1) Matthew begins with Abraham and David (Matthew 1:1).
(2) Mark begins from His baptism (Mark 1:9).
(3) Luke begins from Adam (Luke 3:38).
(4) John begins from the beginning (John 1:1).
c. As to main audience (this is a general statement only)
(1) Matthew – the Jews
(2) Mark – the Gentiles
(3) Luke – the Saved
(4) John – the Lost
d. As to miracles
(1) Matthew records 20 of which 4 are exclusive to Matthew.
(2) Mark records 18 of which 2 are exclusive.
(3) Luke records 19 of which 6 are exclusive.
(4) John records 8 of which 6 are exclusive.
(5) Notes:
a) Only the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is found in all
four gospels.
b) John has the fewest number of miracles but the greatest
percentage of exclusive miracles (6 out of 8).
e. As to parables
(1) Matthew records 27 of which 15 are exclusive.
(2) Mark records 10 of which 2 are exclusive.
(3) Luke records 28 of which 19 are exclusive.
(4) John records 2; both are exclusive.
(5) Note: John does not commonly use parables as a teaching tool.
f. Words and phrases more common in John than the other gospels
(1) Believe with various forms – 99 times (10 for Matthew, 17 for
Mark, 11 for Luke)
(2) Love with various forms – 57 times (13 for Matthew, 7 for
Mark, 15 for Luke)
(3) Life – 44 times (15 for Matthew, 8 for Mark, 15 for Luke)
(4) Light – 24 times (14 for Matthew, 1 for Mark, 13 for Luke)
(5) Love (exact word only) – 22 times (11 for Matthew, 5 for Mark,
12 for Luke)
(6) Eternal or everlasting life – 13 times (2 each for Matthew,
Mark, and Luke)
(7) Verily – 50 times (always used in sets of two in John)
B. In Relation to the Other Writings of John
1. John wrote of the Holy Ghost’s provision for three categories of New
Testament writings.
a. He will “bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26).
b. He will “teach you all things” (John 14:26) and will “guide you into
all truth” (John 16:13).
c. He will “shew you things to come” (John 16:13).
2. This corresponds to the three major categories of writing in the New
Testament.
a. Things brought to remembrance are books of History (Matthew
through Acts).
b. The teaching of all things and guidance into all truth are the books
called the Epistles (Romans through Jude).
c. The things to come would refer to the New Testament book of
Prophecy (Revelation).
3. Of the New Testament authors, only John wrote major books in all three
categories:
a. History – the Gospel of John
b. Teaching – the Epistles of John
c. Prophecy – the Book of Revelation
4. These books follow a divine pattern in their chapter totals:
a. A total of 50 chapters (7 times 7 plus 1)
(1) The Gospel of John has 21 chapters (3 times 7).
(2) The Epistles of John have a total of 7 chapters (7).
(3) The Book of Revelation has 22 chapters (3 times 7 plus 1).
b. This pattern is found elsewhere in scripture:
(1) In the feast of weeks, also called Pentecost
a) Measured from the feast of firstfruits as seven sabbaths and
the morrow after the seventh sabbath (Leviticus 23:15-16)
b) This is 7 times 7 plus 1.
c) The feast of weeks is a picture of the coming power of the
Holy Ghost at Pentecost [Pentecost means fifty].
(2) In the year of Jubilee
a) Measured as seven sabbaths of years and the year after the
seventh sabbath year (Leviticus 25:8-13)
b) This is 7 years times 7 plus 1.
c) The year of jubilee was a time of rest, celebration, and
liberty; it is a picture of the coming rest when God will
reign over all.
c. The fiftieth chapter written by John is Revelation 22.
(1) There is no more curse (Revelation 22:3).
(2) God’s servants shall serve Him (Revelation 22:3).
(3) The Lord God is the light and there is no more need for the sun
(Revelation 22:5).
IV. THE STATED PURPOSE
A. Keys to Analyzing a Book in the Bible
1. Explanation: The analysis of a book in the Bible gives an overall view of

the purpose and direction of the book. It is not a destructive study, but an
instructive one. It seeks to know God’s purpose or theme for the book
and to understand the approach He takes in the book. One of the best
ways to analyze a book is to read it completely through several times.
The Holy Spirit will begin to reveal the organization and direction of the
book as you continue to read. Other helps involve looking for the
following:
2. First key: Statement of Purpose – Some books have a direct statement
telling the purpose of the book and some do not. John has one of the
clearest statements of purpose in the Bible in John 20:30-31.
3. Second key: Natural Divisions – Most books of the Bible have some
natural divisions of thought, though some are better defined than others.
John has some easy places to divide and some not so easy.
4. Third key: Key Word Distribution – Key word distribution refers to the
use of key words and how they are used more commonly in some
portions of the book than they are in other portions. John, as mentioned
above, has some important key words. However, it is difficult to glean
much from how these key words are distributed throughout the book.
5. Fourth key: Key Shifts in the Text – Key shifts can refer to many things
like a shift in the person of the pronoun, a shift in audience, location, key
person, etc. John has some important key shifts that will help you
understand what is meant by this.
B. John’s Statement of Purpose
1. John 20:30-31 – “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence
of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written,
that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name.”
2. Key words in this statement:
a. Signs
(1) Signs normally refer to miraculous events.
(2) John has eight miracles or signs.
a) The signs of John are especially chosen from many
possible ones.
b) The signs of John have the special purpose of
demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
b. Believe; the Gospel of John is written so that people might believe.
c. Life; John is written so that those who believe might have life.
C. The Signs in the Gospel of John
1. The changing of water into wine (John 2:1-11)

a. Revealing the power of Christ over quality (John 2:9-10)
b. Caused the disciples to believe on Christ (John 2:11)
c. Named the first miracle (John 2:11)
2. The healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54)
a. Revealed the power of Christ over distance (John 4:46)
b. Caused the nobleman and his house to believe (John 4:53)
c. Named the second miracle (John 4:54)
3. The healing of the lame man (John 5:1-9)
a. Revealed the power of Christ over time; He did not have to wait for
the stirring of the water (John 5:5).
b. Brought faith and forgiveness to the lame man (John 5:13-15)
4. The feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)
a. Revealed the power of Christ over quantity (John 6:9-13)
b. Caused the multitude to believe that He was “that prophet” (John
6:14)
5. The walking on the water (John 6:16-21)
a. Revealed the power of Christ over natural law (John 6:19-20)
b. Caused the disciples to believe in Him as the Son of God (Matthew
14:32-33; John 6:67-69)
6. The healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-12)
a. Revealed the power of Christ over darkness (John 9:1-7)
b. Caused the blind man to believe in Christ and to worship Him (John
9:35-38)
7. The raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-46)
a. Revealed the power of Christ over death (John 11:25-26, 38-44)
b. Caused many of the Jews to believe on Jesus (John 11:45; John
12:9-11, 17-19)
c. These seven miracles were performed during the regular earthly
ministry of Christ. The eighth is recorded after the resurrection of
Christ.
8. The draught of fishes (John 21:4-11)
a. Revealed the power of Christ in the work of His disciples (John
15:5)
b. Caused the disciples to know Jesus as Lord (John 21:12)
D. Key Shifts in the Gospel of John
1. The coming of His hour

a. Not yet come (John 2:4; John 7:30; John 8:20)
b. Now come (John 12:23, 27; John 13:1; John 16:32; John 17:1)
2. The identity of “his own”
a. In John 1:11, “his own” are the Jews who reject Jesus.
b. In John 13:1, “his own” are the disciples who believed in Jesus.
3. Growing rejection of Jesus and His message
a. First unorganized attempt to kill Him (John 5:16-18)
b. First major departure of His disciples (John 6:66)

c. First organized attempt to seize Him (John 7:30-32)
d. First organized attempt to kill Him (John 11:47-51, 57)
e. Final rejection of His miracles (John 12:37)
V. THE DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK
A. Discovery
1. Chapters 1-4
2. He reveals Himself
a. To the disciples of John (chapter 1)
b. To the Jews of Galilee (chapter 2)
c. To Nicodemus of the Pharisees (chapter 3)
d. To the woman of Samaria (chapter 4)
B. Division
1. Chapters 5-10
2. The key word division is found three times in John (John 7:43; John
9:16; John 10:19); all within this section of the book.
3. This is the time when opposition to Jesus develops and grows.
C. Denial
1. Chapters 11-12
2. Because of the resurrection of Lazarus, the Jewish council and high
priest make specific plans to put Jesus to death; their rejection is final.
D. Devotion
1. Chapters 13-17
2. Jesus speaks to “his own” (John 13:1), not as simple servants, but as
friends (John 15:15). Many look at this section of John as the holy of
holies in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
E. Death
1. Chapters 18-19
2. Jesus is taken in judgment and is crucified.
F. Deliverance
1. Chapter 20
2. Jesus rises again from the dead in complete triumph.
G. Direction
1. Chapter 21
2. After His resurrection, Jesus gives encouragement and direction to His
faithful disciples.
Jesus Christ, the Word of God
John 1:1-18
I. THE IDENTITY OF THE WORD (John 1:1-5)
A. Seven References to Christ as the Word
1. In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1).

2. The Word was with God (John 1:1).
3. The Word was God (John 1:1).
4. The Word was made flesh (John 1:14).
5. The disciples saw Him who is the Word of life (1John 1:1-2).
6. The Word is three in one with the Father and the Holy Ghost (1John
5:7).
7. He who returns to earth in power is called The Word of God (Revelation
19:13).
8. NOTES:
a. All references to Christ as the Word are in the writings of John.
b. These references to Christ as the Word are in all three types of New
Testament writings: history, teaching, and prophecy.
c. 1John 5:7 is a much disputed verse. Notice that if it were removed,
there would no longer be seven references to Christ as the Word, but
only six.
B. The Fourfold Work of the Word
1. Thought
a. A word is the most basic unit of language that expresses thought. By
doing so, it declares the hidden thought of the speaker.
b. Christ, as the Word, expresses the hidden thoughts of God. The
Word declared the unseen God (John 1:18).
2. Revelation
a. A word opens a window to the understanding of the one speaking. It
reveals his true character, personality, and intellect.
b. Christ, as the Word, revealed the true nature of God to man. The
only way for man to know the Father is for the Son to reveal Him
(Matthew 11:27). In seeing the Son, we see the Father (John 14:6-9).
The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is seen in the face of
Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 4:6).
3. Communication
a. A word imparts knowledge and truth to the listener. Through words,

we understand what someone is saying to us.
b. Christ, as the Word, makes us to understand the Father and His truth
for us. The words Christ spoke were not of Himself, but of the
Father (John 3:34; John 8:28; John 12:49; John 14:10; John 17:8).
The Father speaks to us through the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
4. Transformation
a. The active listener understands the word spoken to him and is
changed by the experience. He may increase his knowledge or
understanding. He may change his opinion or beliefs. But, in some
way, he is changed.
b. Christ, as the Word, transforms those who listen to Him. He may be
rejected (John 1:10-11) or received (John 1:12). To receive Him as
the Word is to be empowered to become the sons of God. The
believer who beholds the Word will be changed into the same image
they behold (2Corinthians 3:18).
C. Seven Truths Concerning the Word (John 1:1-5)
1. The eternity of the Word (John 1:1a)

a. In the beginning
(1) The beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:10)
(2) The beginning of God’s way (Proverbs 8:22-23)
(3) The beginning of beginnings (John 17:5, 24)
b. The Word already was; that is, He already existed (Micah 5:2; John
8:58).
c. Therefore, He is co-eternal with the Father (Psalm 90:2).
2. The personality of the Word (John 1:1b)

a. This refers to His identity as separate from the Father. He is “with
God.” That is, He is the companion of the Father, alongside the
Father.
b. Doctrinally, the Word, though equal to and in union with the Father,
is distinct from the Father in His person. This allows Him to
fellowship with the Father (John 17:24).
c. This establishes the plurality of the Godhead (Genesis 1:26; Genesis
11:6-7; Isaiah 6:8; 1John 5:7).
3. The deity of the Word (John 1:1c)

a. The “Word was God.” He is one with the Father and the Spirit (John
10:30; 1John 5:7).
b. This establishes the deity of Jesus Christ.
c. This establishes the unity of the Godhead. Notice Isaiah 6:8, which
asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The “I” of God
is equal to the “us” of the Godhead.
4. The immutability of the Word (John 1:2)

a. Immutability refers to the unchanging nature of God.
b. The “same was in the beginning with God.” The same Word who
“was God” and “was with God” is now made flesh (John 1:14).
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews
13:8).
c. This refutes the Mormon doctrine: “As we are, so he once was; as he
is, so we may become.”
5. The creativity of the Word (John 1:3, 10)

a. Jesus Christ, as the Word, is the person of the Godhead who directly
created all things. See Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews
1:2; Hebrews 2:9-10.
b. Jesus Christ created all things by His word (Genesis 1:3; Psalm
33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3).
c. This verse (John 1:3) refutes the doctrine that makes Christ a created
being.
6. The vitality of the Word (John 1:4)

a. The Word is life (John 11:25; John 14:6).
b. The Word has life in Himself (John 5:26; John 10:18).
c. The Word gives life to man (John 3:16; John 10:10).
7. The luminosity of the Word John 1:4-5)

a. A light to men (John 1:4b; John 8:12; John 12:46)
b. A light to shine in darkness (John 1:5a; John 12:35-36)
c. A light rejected by darkness (John 1:5b; John 3:19-20)
D. Both Christ and Scripture as the Word of God
1. Both are called the word of God.

a. Christ (John 1:1-2, 14; Revelation 19:13)
b. Scripture (1Thessalonians 2:11-13; Ephesians 6:17)
2. Both are called wonderful.
a. Christ (Isaiah 9:6)
b. Scripture (Psalm 119:129)
3. Both are called truth.
a. Christ (John 14:6)
b. Scripture (John 17:17)
4. Both are called the light.
a. Christ (John 1:6-9)
b. Scripture (Psalm 119:105, 130)
5. Both are called the life.
a. Christ (John 11:25; John 14:6)
b. Scripture (Philippians 2:14-16)

6. Both have been tried.
a. Christ (Isaiah 28:16)
b. Scripture (Psalm 12:6; Psalm 18:30)
7. Both are a stone of stumbling.
a. Christ (1Peter 2:6-8)
b. Scripture (1Peter 2:7-8)
8. Both are called precious.
a. Christ (1Peter 2:6-7)
b. Scripture (2Peter 1:4)
9. Both are essential to the new birth.
a. Christ (1John 5:1)
b. Scripture (1Peter 1:23, 25)
10. Both are eternal.
a. Christ (John 1:1)
b. Scripture (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:6-8)
11. Notes:
a. The living Word and the written word are inseparable.
b. No one can reject the scriptures without rejecting Christ.
c. Christ as the Word can be known only through scripture as the word
of God.
E. John Proves the Son to be Equal with the Father.
1. Equal in creation (John 1:3; Genesis 1:1)

2. Equal in His work (John 5:16-18)
3. Equal in life (John 5:26)
4. Equal in eternal existence (John 8:56-59; Exodus 3:14)
5. Equal in power (John 10:27-33)
6. Equal in glory (John 17:5)
7. Equal in receiving worship (John 20:27-29)
II. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE WORD BY JOHN THE BAPTIST (John 1:6-9)
A. He Was Sent from God ( John 1:6-7).
1. The man – John (John 1:6) “There was a man.”

a. God uses men.
(1) He seeks for a man (Jeremiah 5:1; Ezekiel 22:30).
(2) Opening words of Power Through Prayer by E. M. Bounds:
“We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new
methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church
and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend
of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the
man in the plan of organization. God’s plan is to make much of
the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s
method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is

looking for better men. ‘There was a man sent from God whose
name was John.’”
b. God takes note of certain men.
(1) Job (Job 1:1, 8)
(2) Simeon (Luke 2:25)
c. God gave a special calling to John (Luke 1:13-17; Matthew 11:7-
11).
2. His Master – God (John 1:6) “sent from God”

a. He is called the prophet of the Highest (Luke 1:76).
b. He received the word of God (Luke 3:1-2).
c. Our highest calling is to please God (2Timothy 2:4).
3. His mission – to witness (John 1:7) “came for a witness”

a. The prophecies concerning John (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1)
b. The practice of his work (John 1:15, 29; John 5:32-35)
4. His message – to believe on the Light (John 1:7) “might believe”
B. He Pointed to the Light (John 1:8-9).
1. He was not that Light (John 1:8).

a. He separated himself from the Light (John 1:19-20).
b. He exalted the Light above himself (John 1:26-27, 30).
c. He receded to the background in the presence of the Light (John
3:26-30).
2. He bore witness to that Light (John 1:8, 29).
3. He bore record of that Light (John 1:9).

a. As the true Light
b. As the universal Light – “which lighteth every man”
(1) Lighting every man that came into the world (Psalm 98:2; Titus
2:11)
a) Through the crucifixion (John 12:32; Romans 1:16-17)
b) Through the circumstances of history (Romans 1:18)
c) Through the conscience (Romans 1:19)
d) Through creation (Romans 1:20)
(2) This refutes the Calvinistic doctrines of unconditional election
and irresistible grace.
III. THE IMPACT OF THE WORD (John 1:10-13)
A. He Was Refused by the World (John 1:10; Acts 4:26-27; 1Corinthians 2:6-8;
2Corinthians 4:3-4; 1John 3:1).
1. Despite His presence in the world (John 18:19-21)

2. Despite His creation of the world (John 1:3)
B. He Was Rejected by His Own (John 1:11).
1. They were the object of His coming (Matthew 10:5-6; Matthew 15:24;
Romans 15:8).
2. He was the object of their scorn (John 11:47-53; John 19:14-15; Acts
3:13-15).
C. He Was Received by the Few (John 1:12-13).
1. Their belief (John 1:12)

a. They believed on His name (John 3:18; Acts 4:12).
b. They received Him as their Saviour (Colossians 2:6).
c. They were enabled to become the sons of God (Galatians 3:26;
1John 3:1-2).
(1) Notice that the power to become is given to those who believe
and receive; they are not given power so that they can believe
and receive.
(2) This, as the teaching of universal enlightenment in verse nine,
refutes Calvinism. Christ draws all men to Him (John 12:32)
and thereby enables them to trust in Him (John 6:44). But He
only enables those who believe and receive to become the sons
of God. This is how He can be the Saviour of all men, but
“specially of those that believe” (1Timothy 4:10).
2. Their birth (John 1:13)

a. Not by family association – “not of blood” (John 8:33-44)
b. Not by fleshly motions – “nor of the will of the flesh” (Romans 7:5)
c. Not by forceful decision – “nor of the will of man” (Romans 7:18)
3. Note: Four ways by which men can be the sons of God:

a. By creation (Luke 3:38)
b. By redemption (Exodus 34:20); to redeem is to buy back – God
bought us back from sin by the death of His Son on the cross.
c. By regeneration (1John 5:1) – We are born into the family of God
(John 3:5-7).
d. By adoption (Galatians 4:5)
4. The seven “I am’s” of Christ in the Gospel of John (John 8:58; John
18:5-6)
a. The bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51)
b. The light of the world (John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46)
c. The door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9)
d. The good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)

e. The resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
f. The way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
g. The true vine (John 15:1, 5)
IV. THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD (John 1:14-18)
A. The Word Was Made Flesh (John 1:14).
1. The Word was God (John 1:1). The same Word (John 1:2) became man
(John 1:14).
2. Accomplished by the Holy Ghost and the power of the Highest (Luke
1:35) – the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23)
3. Called the mystery of godliness (1Timothy 3:16); as opposed to the
mystery of iniquity (2Thessalonians 2:7)
4. Made of a woman (Galatians 4:4); as the seed of the woman (Genesis
3:15)
5. Made of the seed of David (Romans 1:3) – Jesus is called the “son of
David” 14 times, all in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Matthew 1:1;
Matthew 9:27; Matthew 21:9).
6. Made like unto his brethren (Hebrews 2:16-17)
7. Made in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3)
a. He had the limitations of sinful flesh.
(1) He hungered (Luke 4:2; Matthew 21:18).
(2) He thirsted (John 19:28).
(3) He needed sleep (Mark 4:38).
(4) He suffered pain (Acts 1:3; Acts 3:18).
b. He did not have the corruption of sinful flesh (Hebrews 7:26).
(1) He did no sin (1Peter 2:22).
(2) He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
(3) He had no sin in Him (1John 3:5).
(4) He knew no sin (1Corinthians 5:21).
(5) No man convinced Him of sin (John 8:46).
B. The Word Dwelt among Us (John 1:14).
1. The child is born but the Son is given (Isaiah 9:6); this reveals His pre-
existence.
2. Doctrinal Issue: How much did the Son give up when He came to earth?
a. What He gave up
(1) He gave up His heavenly glory (John 17:5, 24); this refers to the
outward appearance of His brilliance and majesty (Matthew
16:27; Matthew 24:30; Revelation 21:23).
(2) He gave up His heavenly reputation (Philippians 2:5-7).
(3) He gave up His heavenly riches (2Corinthians 8:9).

(4) He limited His earthly knowledge (Mark 13:32).
b. What He did not give up
(1) He did not give up His deity (Matthew 1:23; 1Timothy 3:16).
(2) He did not give up His omnipresence (John 3:13).
(3) He did not give up His omniscience (John 2:25); He only
limited Himself in some areas.
(4) He did not give up His omnipotence (Matthew 8:26-27; John
2:9; John 6:11-14, 19).
(5) He did not give up His holiness – “in him is no sin” (1John 3:5).
(6) He did not give up His spiritual authority (Mark 1:27; Luke
5:20-24).
C. The Purpose of the Incarnation
1. To do the Father’s will (John 4:34; John 5:30; John 6:38)

2. To give His life a ransom (Matthew 20:28; John 12:27)
3. To be touched with our infirmities (Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:14-16)
4. To leave us an example to follow (John 13:15; 1Peter 2:21; 1John 2:6)
D. They Beheld His Glory (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:3; 2Corinthians 4:6).
1. The glory of His birth (Luke 2:8-14)

2. The glory of His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17)
3. The glory of His miracles (John 2:11; John 11:4, 40)
4. The glory of His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5; 2Peter 1:16-18)
5. The glory of the Father’s third testimony (John 12:27-28)
6. The glory of His resurrection (John 12:16; Philippians 3:21)
7. The glory of His ascension (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 2:9)
E. The Witness of John (John 1:15)
1. He cometh after me (John 1:15).

2. He is preferred before me (John 1:15).
3. He was before me (John 8:58).
F. Having Received His Fullness (John 1:16)
1. The fullness of the Son

a. He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
b. All fullness dwells in Him (Colossians 1:19).
c. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians

2:9).
2. The filling of the saints
a. We are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).
b. We are to be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).
c. We are to grow unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
G. Having Received Grace for Grace (John 1:16)
1. Grace in the place of grace; new grace to replace old grace

a. This is the doctrinal or dispensational meaning.
b. Old Testament Grace
(1) The emphasis is on grace being found.
a) There are 28 references to grace being found in the Old
Testament.
b) There is only one reference to grace being found in the
New Testament (Hebrews 4:16).
c) The picture is that of grace being found by those who seek
it.
(2) Examples of grace being found
a) Noah (Genesis 6:8)
b) Moses (Exodus 33:13, 17)
c) Gideon (Judges 6:16-17)
c. New Testament Grace
(1) The emphasis is on grace being given.
a) There are 14 New Testament references to grace being
given.
b) There are only two Old Testament references to grace
being given (Psalm 84:11; Proverbs 3:34, which is quoted
in the New Testament).
(2) Examples: Romans 12:3, 6; Romans 15:15; 1Corinthians 1:4;
1Corinthians 3:10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2, 7-8; Ephesians
4:7; 2Timothy 1:9; James 4:6; 1Peter 5:5)
2. Grace on top of grace; continual gifts of grace according to the need
a. This is the practical or spiritual meaning.
b. Salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:7).
c. Daily living for Christ is by grace.
(1) By the grace of God we are and we labor (1Corinthians 15:10).
(2) By the grace of God we abound to every good work
(2Corinthians 9:8).
(3) By the sufficiency of God’s grace, His strength is made perfect
in our weakness (2Corinthians 12:9).
a) “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
b) “Our sufficiency is of God” (2Corinthians 3:5).
(4) At the throne of grace, we can find grace to help in time of need
(Hebrews 4:16).
H. Interpretation of John 1:17
1. The key comparison is between the law and Christ.

a. Both came from God.
(1) Law (Deuteronomy 30:10)
(2) Christ (John 8:42)
b. Both were sent down to earth.
c. Both were empowered or written by the finger of God.
(1) Law (Exodus 31:18)
(2) Christ (Luke 11:20)
(3) The identity of the finger of God (cp. Luke 11:20 with Matthew
12:28) is the Spirit of God.
(4) Applied to Christ (John 3:34)
d. Both are called the truth.
(1) Law (Psalm 119:142)
e. Both are called light.
(1) Law (Proverbs 6:23)
f. Both are called bread.
(2) Christ (John 6:48, 51)
g. Both were broken by the sins of the people.
(2) Christ (Luke 22:19)
h. Both were resurrected by the power of God.
(2) Christ (Acts 2:23-24)
i. As the two tables of stone represented one law, so Jesus Christ,
being both God and man, is one person.
j. As the two tables of stone were written within and without (Exodus
32:15), so Christ was totally pure within and without.
2. God, even in the Old Testament, is both truth and grace (Exodus 34:5-7).
3. The law that God sent down was truth (Psalm 119:142), but instead of
being grace, it was full of judgment (Exodus 24:3).
4. But Christ contained within Himself all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily (Colossians 2:9). He could not show only a part of the nature of
God, but must reveal the fullness of the nature of God (John 14:9).
Therefore, in Christ, we see both truth and grace together in their fullest
sense.
5. In addition, the Old Testament has numerous references to truth and

mercy (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 57:3; Psalm 61:7; Psalm 85:10; Psalm 89:14;
Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 16:6).
6. But it is in the New Testament in Christ Jesus that grace and truth are
fully joined on earth (John 1:14, 17).
7. Colossians 1:5-6 brings the two concepts together:
a. Our hope is based on “the word of the truth of the gospel”
(Colossians 1:5).
b. By this gospel we “knew the grace of God in truth” (Colossians
1:6); this explains how Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth.
I. No Man Hath Seen God (John 1:18)
1. No man has seen God in His full glory while in the flesh (Exodus 33:20;
John 6:46; 1Timothy 6:16; 1John 4:12).
2. God has at times appeared in a veiled glory (Exodus 33:20-23; 1Kings
8:12).
3. But we can see the Father in the face of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:27;
2Corinthians 4:6).
J. The Only Begotten Son (John 1:18)
1. The Biblical use of “only begotten”

a. Once refers to Isaac (Hebrews 11:17)
b. Five times refers to Christ (John 1:14, 18; John 3:16, 18; 1John 4:9)
c. Indicates a unique relationship
2. The different ways in which Jesus is the Son of God

a. He is the Son of God by merit of His eternal relationship with the
Father (John 17:24).
(1) Nature of the eternal Sonship of Christ. It shows the mysterious
(not physical) nature of this relationship; it does not mean that
Christ had a beginning or birth. As with Isaac (Hebrews 11:17;
see Genesis 22:12), it refers to His special relationship more
than to His origin.
(2) Proofs of the eternal Sonship of Christ
a) He was God’s Son before He was born as a baby in the
manger.
i) He was given (Isaiah 9:6; John 3:16).
ii) He was sent (1John 4:9).
b) He is “as of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14);
the word as shows that this title deals with His relationship
to the Father and not with His origin.
c) How could Christ be born more than once? If you are
saved, you have been born twice.
d) How could Christ exist as the Son before He was born as

the Son?
i) This can also be answered by referring to believers.
If you are saved, you have been born two times, but
you existed before either of those births.
ii) In like manner, Christ was the Lamb slain before
the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). In this
sense, He was slain before He was even born.
b. He is the Son of God by merit of His rule over all creation
(Colossians 1:15; compare Revelation 3:14); in this, He is declared
to be the firstborn of every creature as Israel is declared to be the
firstborn of God (Exodus 4:22); it is simply an exalted position.
c. He is the Son of God by merit of the virgin birth (Luke 1:35).
d. He is the Son of God by merit of His resurrection from the dead
(Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5; Romans
1:3-4; Hebrews 5:5).
(1) Psalm 2 is a kingdom psalm. It refers to the glorious reign of
Christ. The context refers to His coming to power over all the
earth. The begetting of Psalm 2:7does not refer to His virgin
birth in a manger. It refers to His exaltation on a high throne. It
matches the victory of Colossians 2:15.
(2) Acts 13:33 interprets the begetting as referring to the
resurrection.
(3) Christ is identified as the “firstborn from the dead” (Colossians
1:18) and the “first begotten of the dead” (Revelation 1:5).
These verses refer to His resurrection.
(4) In Romans 1:3-4, Christ is declared to be the Son of God by the
resurrection from the dead. That matches, “Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee.”
(5) In Hebrews 5:5, the glorification of Christ is connected with the
fulfillment of Psalm 2:7.
John: the Forerunner of Christ

John 1:19-51
I. DAY ONE: JOHN THE BAPTIST IDENTIFIES HIMSELF (John 1:19-28)
A. The Record of the Gospel of John
1. Use of the word record

a. Found 30 times in the entire Bible
b. Found 10 times in the Gospel of John; in 7 different verses
c. Also prominent in the other writings of John (1John 5:7, 10, 11;
3John 1:12; Revelation 1:2)
d. A record is an official notation of events, facts, etc.; usually refers to
a written account as a permanent and authoritative description of the
facts as they occurred.
2. The records of the Gospel of John
a. The record of John the Baptist (John 1:19, 32, 34)
b. The record of Jesus (John 8:13-14)
c. The record of the witnesses of the resurrection of Lazarus (John
12:17)
d. The record of John the Apostle (John 19:35; Revelation 1:2)
B. The Identity of John (John 1:19-24)
1. Who he is not (John 1:19-21)

a. He is not the Christ (John 1:19-20).
b. He is not Elijah (John 1:21a).
(1) Malachi’s prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6)
(2) John’s denial (John 1:21)
(3) Christ’s explanation (Matthew 11:13-15)
c. He is not that Prophet (John 1:21b).
(1) That Prophet prophesied (Deuteronomy 18:15-18)
(2) That Prophet identified (Acts 3:20-23)
2. Who he is (John 1:22-24)
a. What he said of himself (John 1:22)
b. He is the voice of one crying in the wilderness (John 1:23-24; Isaiah
40:3).
C. Seven Interesting Facts about John the Baptist
1. He was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-5; Matthew 3:1-3).

2. He was the voice crying in the wilderness (John 1:23).
3. He came to prepare the way of the Lord (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:3).
4. He had a miraculous birth (Luke 1:5-25).
5. He was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb (Luke 1:15).
6. He did not drink wine or strong drink (Luke 1:15; 7:33).
7. He came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:16-17).
D. The Temptations of John the Baptist
1. The temptation of pride in his identity (John 1:19-22)

a. What the angel said of him (Luke 1:15)
b. What he said of himself (John 1:23)
2. The temptation of jealousy for his following
a. How his disciples exalted him (John 3:26)
b. How John humbled himself (John 3:28-30)
3. The temptation of doubt in his calling
a. His questions of doubt (Luke 7:19-20)
(1) Art thou he that should come?
(2) Or look we for another?
b. The answers of Christ (Luke 7:21-23)
c. The testimony of Christ (Luke 7:24-28)
E. John the Baptist’s Sevenfold Witness of Christ (John 1:19-34)
1. He is the pre-existent One (John 1:15, 30).

2. He is the Lord (John 1:23).
3. He is the preferred One (John 1:27; John 3:28-31; Colossians 1:18).
4. He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36).
5. He is the Spirit-anointed One (John 1:32; John 3:34).
6. He is the One who baptizes with the Holy Ghost (John 1:33).
7. He is the Son of God (John 1:34).
F. The Baptism of John (John 1:25-28)
1. The authority for his baptism (John 1:25, 33)

2. The mode of his baptism (John 1:26a; John 3:23; Matthew 3:16)
3. The purpose of his baptism
a. Repentance from sin (Mark 1:4)
b. Remission of sins (Mark 1:4)
c. Revealing of Jesus (John 1:26b-27, 31; Luke 1:76-77; Acts 19:4)
(1) Unknown to the Jews (John 1:26)
(2) Coming after John (John 1:27)
(3) Preferred before John (John 1:27)
(4) Unworthy to loosen shoe latchet (John 1:27)
4. The place of his baptism (John 1:28)
a. Matches Bethbarah of Judges 7:24
b. Located “beyond Jordan” (east of the Jordan) in the north, not too
far from Galilee
II. DAY TWO: JOHN THE BAPTIST IDENTIFIES THE LAMB (John 1:29-34)
A. Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
1. The Surrendered Lamb (Genesis 22:7-13; John 10:17-18; Philippians

2:8)
2. The Suffering Lamb (Isaiah 53:4-7, 10-11; 1Peter 1:18-19; 1Peter 2:21-
25)
3. The Substitutional Lamb (Leviticus 1:1-9; Ephesians 5:2; 2Corinthians
5:21; 1Peter 3:18)
4. The Saving Lamb (Exodus 12:1-3, 11-13; 1Corinthians 5:7); “that taketh
away the sin of the world”
5. The Sovereign Lamb (Revelation 5:1-14)
B. The Seven in John Who Bore Witness to the Deity of Christ
1. John the Baptist (John 1:29, 34)

2. Nathanael (John 1:49)
3. Peter (John 6:68-69)
4. Jesus (John 10:36)
5. Martha (John 11:27)
6. Thomas (John 20:28)
7. John the Apostle (John 20:31)
C. The Spirit Likened to a Dove (John 1:32)
1. Brings comfort
a. The dove (Genesis 8:8-12)
b. The Spirit (John 14:16, 26: John 15:26; John 16:7; Philippians 2:1)
2. Available to the poor
a. The dove (Leviticus 5:7)
b. The Spirit (Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2; Matthew 5:3; Luke 11:13)
3. Untiring in flight
a. The dove (Psalm 55:6; Isaiah 60:8)
b. The Spirit (Zechariah 4:6; 1Corinthians 2:4; 2Timothy 1:7)
4. Found in secret places
a. The dove (Song of Solomon 2:14; Jeremiah 48:28)
b. The Spirit (Psalm 91:1; Matthew 6:6)
5. Known for its purity
a. The dove is white, a color that symbolizes purity (Song of Solomon
5:2; Song of Solomon 6:9).
b. The Spirit is called the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost (Romans 1:4;
Ephesians 1:13).
6. Can be grieved
a. The mourning of the dove (Isaiah 38:14; Isaiah 59:11)
b. The grieving of the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 4:30)
7. Gentle in nature
a. The dove (Matthew 10:16)
b. The Spirit (Romans 8:6; Galatians 5:22)
8. Sign of coming spring
a. The dove (Song of Solomon 2:10-13; Jeremiah 8:7)
b. The Spirit (2Corinthians 1:22; 2Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14)
9. Sweet in voice
a. The dove (Song of Solomon 2:14)
b. The Spirit (1Kings 19:12; Isaiah 30:21)
D. The Holy Spirit in the Life and Ministry of Christ (John 1:32-33)
1. At His birth (Luke 1:35)

2. At His baptism (John 1:32-33)
a. Descending on Him
b. Remaining on Him
3. In His temptation (Luke 4:1, 14)
4. In His ministry
a. Anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:17-21; Acts 10:38)
b. Unlimited possession of the Spirit (John 3:34)
5. In His miracles (Matthew 12:28)
6. In His crucifixion (Hebrews 9:14)
7. In His resurrection (Romans 1:4; Romans 8:11; 1Peter 3:18)
8. In His post-resurrection ministry (Acts 1:2)
9. In baptizing with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:33)
III. DAY THREE: ANDREW AND PETER FOLLOW JESUS (John 1:35-42)
A. Four Methods of Soul-Winning Illustrated (John 1:35-51)
1. By public proclamation (John 1:35-39)

a. John preached Jesus and pointed to Him (John 1:35-36).
b. Two disciples of Jesus followed Jesus (John 1:37).
(1) Andrew
(2) The second is unnamed, but is probably the Apostle John
c. Jesus asked them: What seek ye? (John 1:38); NOTE: Jesus always
went to the heart of any situation. He asks them their purpose in
following him.
d. The men replied (John 1:38).
(1) They call Him Rabbi.
a) This means Master or Teacher (John 3:2)
b) Since John commonly defines words like this, it shows that

he is writing the book for a Gentile audience who would
need to have such words defined.
(2) They asked: Where dwellest thou?
a) They wanted to be able to find Him again.
b) They wanted to know how He lived.
e. Jesus replied (John 1:39).
(1) Come and see.
(2) They abode with Him that day.
(3) It was about the tenth hour.
a) Bible students argue over whether this is Roman time
(10AM) or Jewish time (4PM).
b) It was probably Roman time.
i) Roman time is used in John 19:14.
ii) If it had been 4PM, they would have stayed with
Him that night.
iii) The recruiting of John 1:40-42 evidently occurred
on the same day (see John 1:43). This points to the
earlier time.
2. By personal invitation (John 1:40-42)
a. Andrew is one of the two disciples (John 1:40).
b. Andrew finds his brother Simon (John 1:41).
(1) He does this first. That is, he leaves everything else undone
until he takes care of this business. He counts introducing his
brother to Christ as his first priority.
(2) He counts his discovery as belonging to Peter as well. He says,
We have found.
c. Andrew brings Peter to Christ. He does not just tell him about
Christ, but He brings him to Him.
d. Andrew’s witnessing habit
(1) He brought his brother to Christ.
(2) He brought the lad with the fishes to Christ (John 6:8-9).
(3) He brought the Greeks to Christ (John 12:20-22).
(4) NOTE: Andrew is not one of the prominent apostles. He
certainly does not have the importance of his brother Peter. But
Andrew is always bringing someone to Christ. What a
testimony this is to us.
3. By providential intervention (John 1:43-44)
a. Jesus goes into Galilee and finds Philip. He is specifically sought
out by the Lord. (John 1:43)
b. Jesus gives Philip a specific call to follow Him (John 1:43). This can
be compared to the conversion of the Apostle Paul.
4. By patient instruction (John 1:45-51)
a. The testimony of Philip (John 1:45)
b. The doubt of Nathanael (John 1:46)
c. The testimony and insight of Jesus (John 1:47-48)
d. The belief of Nathanael (John 1:49-51)
B. The Meaning of Messias (John 1:41)
1. Messias (John 1:41; John 4:25) is the New Testament spelling of

Messiah (Daniel 9:25-26).
2. Messias is the Hebrew word for the Greek word Christ (John 1:41).
3. Christ and Messiah have the meaning of anointed (cp. Acts 4:25-26 with
Psalm 2:1-2).
4. All this can be determined by comparing scripture with scripture
according to the built-in dictionary in the Bible.
C. Simon Peter Called Cephas (John 1:42)
1. Cephas is an Aramaic word meaning a stone.

2. Cephas is given as the name for Peter six times in the Bible (John 1:42;
1Corinthians 1:12; 1Corinthians 3:22; 1Corinthians 9:5; 1Corinthians
15:5; Galatians 2:9).
3. Cephas is roughly equivalent to the Greek name Peter, which also means
a stone. See Matthew 16:18 where “this rock” may refer to Jesus Christ
but most likely refers to Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the
Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). The church is built on the rock
of faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:5, 16-17). It certainly does not refer to
Peter. Here, Peter as a stone is being contrasted with the rock upon
which the church is to be built.
4. In 1Corinthians, chapter three, Paul carefully distinguishes between
Christ as the only foundation (1Corinthians 3:11) and Cephas as one in
which not to glory (1Corinthians 3:21-22). Obviously, Paul did not think
of Peter as the rock.
5. In 1Peter 2:4-8, Peter pens a significant passage referring to Jesus Christ
as “a living stone” (1Peter 2:4), as “a chief corner stone” (1Peter 2:6), as
“the stone which the builders disallowed” (1Peter 2:7), and as “a stone of
stumbling” (1Peter 2:8). And, although he refers to all believers as
“lively stones” (1Peter 2:5), he never singles himself out as a stone or
rock of any significance. Evidently, Peter did not consider the statement
of Christ about the rock to be referring to him.
IV. DAY FOUR: PHILIP AND NATHANAEL FOLLOW JESUS (John1:43-51)
A. Anything Good out of Nazareth (John 1:46)
1. Nazareth was located in Galilee, an area considered void of prophets

(John 7:52).
2. Nazareth has no recorded Old Testament history; why would God use
this town?
3. The Jews knew that Bethlehem of Judah was to be the birthplace of the
Messiah (Matthew 2:4-6; John 7:41-42).
4. They ignored the spoken words of some of the prophets saying that He
would be a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23).
B. The Character of Nathanael (John 1:47-49)
1. Only mentioned by name in the Gospel of John (John 1:45-49; John

21:2)
2. Probably identical to Bartholomew in the other gospels (Matthew 10:3;
Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14)
3. Christ testified that he was an Israelite in whom was no guile (John
1:47).
a. Guile speaks of craftiness or slyness in nature. Deceit is the habit of
which deception is the act, but guile applies to the inner character of
a man out of which deceit and deception grow and also to their
actual practice.
b. In scripture, guile is most often seen in the words that a person
speaks (Psalm 34:13; 1Peter 2:22; Revelation 14:5).
c. Evidently, Nathanael was a man who by nature practiced no
deception. But it is also probable that he recognized this trait and
congratulated himself because of his lofty character. Jesus was not
only pointing out the truth of his character, He was also pointing out
its flaw. Nathanael did not deny his guilelessness, but only wanted
to know how Jesus knew.
4. Christ then proved that He knew the heart of Nathanael (John 1:48).
a. Nathanael asked, “Whence knowest thou me?”
b. Jesus told Nathanael that He saw him when he was under the fig
tree.
(1) This sight was beyond natural vision because Jesus had not
been there in person.
(2) But this sight went even deeper. Jesus knew what was going on
in the heart of Nathanael when he sat under the fig tree.
(3) We are not directly told what was going on in Nathanael’s heart
at this time. However, we know that it was an answer to the
question about how Christ knew the character of Nathanael.
Perhaps Nathanael was considering his heart at the time and
feeling pride that he was a true man and not full of deceit as
most men that he knew. We do know that this vision of Christ
convinced Nathanael that He was the Son of God and the King
of Israel.
C. Jesus Christ as the Ladder to Heaven (John 1:51)
1. This picture goes back to Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:12-13).

a. The ladder is set up on earth.
b. The ladder reached to heaven.

c. The ladder had angels ascending and descending on it; this meant
that the ladder was a connection between heaven and earth.
d. The Lord stood at the top of the ladder.
2. The ladder is fulfilled in Jesus Christ .
a. He is set on earth in His humanity.
b. He reaches to heaven in His deity.
c. He makes a way between the two for angels to ascend and descend;
also, He makes a way for man to ascend to heaven.
d. He satisfies the demands of the Father at the top of the ladder.
The Beginning of the Ministry of Christ

John 2:1-25
I. THE FIRST MIRACLE (John 2:1-12)
A. The Setting for the Miracle (John2:1-5)
1. The day of the miracle: a dispensational picture (John 2:1)

a. A thousand years as a day (Psalm 90:4; 2Peter 3:8)
b. The first four days (John 1:19, 29, 35, 43)
c. The last three days (John 2:1; Hosea 6:1-3)
d. The events of the seventh day (matching the thousand year reign –
Revelation 20:4-6)
(1) Jesus attends a marriage feast (John 2:1-2; Revelation 19:1-9).
(2) Dead religion runs dry (John 2:3-6; Hebrews 9:14).
(3) Jesus provides new wine (John 2:7-10; Isaiah 55:1-3;
Revelation 21:3-7).
(4) Jesus manifests His glory (John 2:11; Isaiah 40:5; Matthew
24:29-30).
2. The definition of a marriage

a. The attendance of Jesus at this marriage feast brings up the question
of what constitutes a marriage. In recent years, some have taught on
the basis of Genesis 2:23-24, Matthew 19:5-6, and 1Corinthians
6:15-16 that the sexual joining of flesh is the point at which a
marriage takes place. But there is much more to this in the teaching
of scripture. First, look at the custom of marriage in the Bible.
(1) Differences in the Old Testament
a) Polygamy allowed (Deuteronomy 21:15; 1Samuel 1:1-6)
b) Divorce allowed (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
c) The teaching of Christ (Matthew 19:3-9)
(2) Choice of a wife made by the parents (Genesis 24:1-4); though
sometimes the children might be consulted (Genesis 24:58)
(3) The husband and the wife were expected to love one another
because God, through their parents, had selected them for each
other; not because they were romantically attracted to one
another.
(4) Love before marriage, though rare considering the lack of
opportunity, was possible (Genesis 29:10-18; Judges 14:2;
1Samuel 18:20).
(5) The marriage dowry
a) The dowry was a gift from the young man to the young
woman’s family as compensation for the loss of her
services. NOTE: Whereas the men remained a part of their
immediate clan when they married, the women left to join
the clan of their husband.
b) The dowry was settled by negotiation between the parents
of the girl and the representative of the young man and his
parents (“the friend of the bridegroom” – John 3:29).
c) Sometimes a dowry could be rendered in service (Genesis
29:18; 1Samuel 18:25).
d) Some of the dowry was usually given to the bride as a
safety net in case the marriage failed (Luke 15:8-9).
e) Sometimes the father of the bride would give a special
wedding gift, or dowry, to his daughter (Genesis 24:59,61;
Judges 1:15).
(6) The betrothal
a) A promise of marriage was sometimes given. This promise
was much like a modern engagement and could be broken.
b) In the betrothal, the two parties entered into a covenant
(Ezekiel 16:8); one that required the equivalent of a divorce
to disannul.
c) The betrothal, though binding, did not allow physical union
(Matthew 1:18-25).
d) The betrothal included the signing of a written document
and the giving of a ring or some other sign from the groom
to the bride as a promise of future marriage.
e) A year or so elapsed from the time of the betrothal to the
actual wedding (Deuteronomy 20:7).
(7) Wedding ceremony
a) Both the groom and the bride were dressed as elaborately
as the family could afford or borrow (Jeremiah 2:32;
Revelation 21:2); the groom was dressed as much like a
king as possible (Isaiah 61:10).
b) The bridegroom would go to the house of the bride in order
to bring her to his house for the wedding (Matthew 25:1-10
– the ten virgins); he would bring her in a grand procession
to his house (Jeremiah 7:34).
c) At the house, the bride and groom would stand under a
canopy as words of blessing on their marriage were given
(John 2:1-11; Ruth 4:11).
d) The ceremony was followed by a great wedding feast (John
2:8-9; Judges 14:12-18).
b. Reasons a physical union is not identical to marriage in the Bible
(1) The Bible calls a wedding ceremony a marriage (John 2:1-2).
(2) The Samaritan woman had a man who was not her husband
(John 4:16-18); though she had had five husbands.
(3) Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled (Hebrews

13:4). This would not be possible if all physical unions were
marriage.
(4) The reason fornication (and adultery) is such a great sin comes
from the fact that it commits an act that is to be reserved for
husband and wife (1Corinthians 6:15-20). However, this does
not make the act identical to marriage.
c. Three biblical aspects of marriage
(1) The spiritual aspect (Malachi 2:14; Matthew 19:6)
(2) The civil aspect (John 2:1-2)
(3) The physical aspect (1Corinthians 6:16-20)
d. Biblical teaching concerning divorce
(1) God opposes the practice of divorce (Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew
19:3-8; Matthew 22:23-30).
(2) God recognizes the fact of divorce even when it is unscriptural
(John 4:16-18); Note: There is no biblical teaching supporting
the idea of “living in adultery.” Like murder, adultery is a sin
that is committed. It has consequences and requires God’s
forgiveness for a right relationship with Him. But divorce and
remarriage does not constitute any sort of continual state of
sinning.
(3) God allows for divorce when the marriage union has already
been broken.
a) Death (Romans 7:1-3)
b) Adultery/fornication (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9)
c) Desertion (1Corinthians 7:10-15)
d) Danger of life (as in an abusive situation) is not mentioned
in scripture but would probably come under the principle of
self-defense (Exodus 22:2-3).
(4) Unscriptural divorce and remarriage is adultery (Matthew 19:9;
1Corinthians 7:10-11).
(5) God seems to allow for remarriage in the case of the victims in
an allowed divorce. Certainly, this is the case with death
(Romans 7:1-3) and it probably applies to desertion
(1Corinthians 7:15) and adultery (Matthew 5:32).
3. The relationship of Jesus to His mother (John 2:3-5)

a. Mary is called the mother of Jesus.
(1) Before His birth (Luke 1:43)
(2) While He is a child (Matthew 2:11; Luke 2:33, 43)
(3) During His adult ministry (Luke 8:19; John 2:1, 3, 5, 12)
(4) After His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:14)
b. Jesus submitted to Mary while He was a child (Luke 2:51).
c. Jesus separated Himself from Mary’s rule when He began His
earthly ministry.
(1) He refused to let her lead (John 2:3-4).
(2) He called her by the title, Woman (John 2:4).

a) We have no record of Jesus calling Mary, Mother.
b) Though “Woman” was not a demeaning name, it was used
to put distance between them. It is the same title that Jesus
used in reference to the Samaritan woman (John 4:21) and
the woman taken in adultery (John 8:10).
c) Jesus used it again when He made provision for Mary after
His death (John 19:26-27).
(3) He identified His mother and brethren as those who are faithful
followers of the Father (Matthew 12:46-50).
d. After Jesus made His point about not following Mary, He was free
to do something anyway, possibly out of love or from the fact that
the time for acting was right.
e. Mary gave a righteous command to the servants: “Whatsoever he
saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5; Deuteronomy 18:15; Luke 5:5-6).
4. The hour of Jesus (John 2:4)

a. The hour of Jesus is the hour of His suffering (John 12:27; Matthew
26:45).
b. Jesus mentions this hour seven times in John.
(1) As not yet come (John 2:4; John 7:30; John 8:20)
(2) As having come (John 12:23, 27; John 16:32; John 17:1)
B. The Performing of the Miracle (John 2:6-10)
1. The definition of wine in the Bible

a. The biblical word wine refers to the liquid that comes from grapes.
It can be used to refer to fermented wine or to unfermented grape
juice. Meaning must be determined from biblical context.
b. Despite the teaching that grape juice could not be preserved in an
unfermented form in Bible times, this view has been proven false by
William Patton in his book called Bible Wines: or, The Laws of
Fermentation and Wine of the Ancients. The following methods
were used either separately or in combination by ancient peoples to
retard or to halt fermentation by removing the air or the yeast
required for the process.
(1) Boiling it to a syrup to kill the yeast
(2) Sealing out air in an airtight vessel to prevent the fermentation
process
(3) Straining out the yeast
c. Kinds of wine identified in the Bible
(1) New wine
a) Refers to grape juice
b) Found in the cluster of the vine (Isaiah 65:8)
c) Called the “pure blood of the grape” – (Deuteronomy
32:14)
d) Called the “fruit of the vine” (Matthew 26:29)

e) A rich and tasty beverage
(2) Old wine (Luke 5:39)
a) In order to preserve wine, it was often boiled to a thick
paste and stored in wax-sealed pottery. When time came to
use it, it was mixed with water and served. Even that which
had some alcohol (because the process was not always
perfect) would be watered down to the point of low content
(Isaiah 1:22).
b) This was probably the condition of the wine used at the
marriage feast in John 2.
c) The wine that Jesus made was tasty and refreshing. It was
evidently like the fresh juice from the vine.
(3) Active wine
a) This was fermented wine (Proverbs 23:31-32) and was to
be avoided.
b) This wine was a mocker (Proverbs 20:1).
c) To make wine strongly alcoholic like what we have today
(10%-15%) requires the addition of much sugar and yeast.
Natural grape juice does not have enough of these elements
to make strong fermented wine.
d) Wine does not naturally ferment to alcohol. Fermentation
requires the right proportions of sugar, yeast, and water
with an air temperature between 50 and 75 degrees. In the
conditions found in the Middle East, grape juice naturally
turns to vinegar, not alcoholic wine.
2. The typology of wine; we will just consider the positive typology of

wine since this is what would be applicable in our passage where the
wine is obviously good.
a. Blessing (Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 7:13; Proverbs 3:10; Isaiah
65:8; Amos 9:13)
b. Joy (Psalm 4:7; Psalm 104:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Jeremiah 48:33;
Zechariah 9:17; Zechariah 10:7)
c. Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-6)
3. The typology of the miracle: a picture of dead Judaism, or any other

form of dead religion
a. The wine; it ran out (John 2:3); they lost their joy and blessing.
b. The woman. Note: Mary tried to take the lead (John 2:3). This
reminds us of the emphasis of Catholicism on Mary.
c. The waterpots
(1) They were to provide for the purification of the Jews (John 2:6);
this is a picture of religious ceremony.
(2) They were empty (John 2:7); as are the empty ceremonies of
man.
(3) There were six of them (John 2:6); the number of man.
(4) They were made of stone (John 2:6); like their stony hearts
(Ezekiel 36:26).
d. The water
(1) The waterpots were to be filled with water (John 2:7). Water is
a picture of the word of God (Ephesians 5:26) and of the Spirit
of God (John 7:38-39). This is the starting place for any revival.
(2) They were filled to the brim (John 2:7).
a) A firkin was about 9 gallons. That made the total about 120
gallons or so.
b) By filling the waterpots to the brim, they were emptied of
everything else.
e. The work
(1) The water was drawn out and taken to the guests (John 2:8). We
must take the truth of God to others.
(2) Only the servants knew the full extent of the miracle (John 2:9).
Those who do the will of the Father know the doctrine (John
7:16-17).
C. The Aftermath of the Miracle (John 2:11-12)
1. The purpose of the miracle (John 2:11)

a. It proved the deity of Christ (John 1:14).
b. It strengthened the faith of the disciples (John 2:11).
2. The short stay in Capernaum (John 2:12)

a. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:13)
b. Called “his own city” (cp. Matthew 9:1 with Mark 2:1)
a. The place of much teaching and numerous miracles
b. A place especially condemned by Christ (Matthew 11:23-24)
II. THE PASSOVER IN JERUSALEM (John 2:13-25)
A. Jesus Cleansed the Temple (John 2:13-17).
1. The first cleansing

a. At the beginning of the ministry of Christ
b. The second cleansing is similar but not identical and it occurs at the
close of His earthly ministry (Matthew 21:12-13).
2. The act of cleansing the temple (John 2:14-16)

a. He made a scourge of small cords (John 2:15).
b. He drove out the sheep and oxen and their owners (John 2:15).
c. He poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables (John
2:15).
d. He commanded those who sold doves to leave (John 2:16).
3. The purpose of the cleansing (John 2:16-17)

a. To show Himself the keeper of the temple – “my Father’s house”
(John 2:16)
b. To oppose the greed connected with religion – “an house of
merchandise” (John 2:16)
(1) As the shepherds that feed themselves (Ezekiel 34:1-10) or who
serve as hirelings (John 10:11-13)
(2) As those who suppose that gain is godliness (1Timothy 6:5,10)
c. To demonstrate His zeal for the house of the Lord (John 2:17; Psalm
69:9)
d. Christ foreshadowed His later work as judge (John 5:22; Acts
17:31).
B. Jesus Gave the Sign of the Temple (John 2:18-22).
1. The Jews ask for a sign (John 2:18).

a. This is the practice of the Jews (1Corinthians 1:22).
b. On another occasion Christ gives them the sign of Jonah (Matthew
12:38-39), which is the same sign He gives in this passage. Christ
also states here that it is an adulterous and evil generation that seeks
after a sign.
c. As demonstration of this last point, the Jews seek for a sign from
Jesus (John 6:30) immediately after they saw Him feed the five
thousand (John 6:1-13).
2. Jesus gives the sign of the temple (John 2:19-22).

a. He had just cleansed the temple and now He presents Himself as the
temple (John 2:19-20).
(1) Destroy this temple
(2) In three days I will raise it up. Notice that He raises up this
temple Himself (John 10:17).
b. The Jews understood Him to refer to Herod’s temple (John 2:20-21).
(1) In building for 46 years
(2) Still not completed
(3) But He spake of His body.
(4) Note: If this is at the beginning of His ministry, Herod’s temple
would be 49 years in building at His death three years later.
Forty-nine is seven times seven. At this point, the temple of His
body was destroyed and raised again in three days while
Herod’s temple had its veil rent in twain from top to bottom and
was made superfluous.
c. The disciples remembered the words of Jesus after His resurrection
(John 2:22).
3. The typology of the temple

a. Various types
(1) Jesus Christ (John 2:19-21)
a) The tabernacle is a picture of the earthly Christ. Note: Peter
referred to his earthly body as a tabernacle that he was
preparing to put off—emphasizing its temporary nature
(2Peter 1:13-14; see also 2Corinthians 5:1, 4).
b) The temple is a picture of the glorified Christ.
(2) The New Testament body of believers (Ephesians 2:19-22;
2Corinthians 6:16; compare 1Timothy 3:15)
(3) The individual New Testament believer (1Corinthians 6:19-20)
(4) The individual local church (1Corinthians 3:16-17); Note: many
believe that this refers only to the individual believer.
b. Resources
(1) Solomon’s Temple Spiritualized by John Bunyan (1688)
(2) The Temple and Its Teaching by Arthur E. Smith (1956) by
Moody Press
(3) The Temple of Solomon by Kevin J. Conner (1988) by City
Bible Publishing
(4) Note: much benefit can be found in a study of Solomon’s
temple as it is a picture of Christ and of the New Testament
believers. This is a much neglected study today.
C. Jesus Responded to the Results (John 2:23-25).
1. The many (John 2:23)

a. They saw the miracles.
b. They believed in His name.
2. The man Jesus (John 2:24-25)
a. His knowledge
(1) He knew all men (John 2:24; John 5:42; John 6:64).
(2) He knew what was in man (John 2:25; Psalm 44:21; Psalm
90:8; Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 21:17).
b. His response
(1) He did not commit Himself to men John 2:.24).
(2) He needed not that any should testify of man (John 2:25).
The New Birth

John 3:1-36
I. THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS (John 3:1-21)
A. The Necessity of the New Birth (John 3:1-3)
1. The man Nicodemus

a. Mentioned on three occasions
(1) He desired an understanding of Jesus (John 3:1-12).
(2) He defended an injustice against Jesus (John 7:45-53).
(3) He delivered a gift for the burial of Jesus (John 19:39-40).
b. His identity
(1) A man of the Pharisees (John 3:1)
(2) A ruler of the Jews (John 3:1)
(3) A master of Israel (John 3:10); Note: a master often (and
probably here) refers to a teacher (Malachi 2:12). So, here, we
have a teacher who needs to be taught (Isaiah 29:11-12;
1Timothy 1:6-7).
(4) One of them (John 7:50; see John 7:48)
(5) Nicodemus means victor over the people.
c. His character
(1) Fearful or shy
a) He is always identified as the one who came to Jesus by
night (John 3:2; John 7:50; John 19:39).
b) A study of his three mentions in John is a good lesson on
what the shy can do for the Lord.
(2) Natural in his understanding, he has trouble grasping the
spiritual concepts presented by Jesus (John 3:4, 9-10).
(3) Hungry to know the truth, as indicated by his coming to Jesus
(Jeremiah 29:13)
(4) Willing to stand for justice (John 7:50-51)
(5) Willing to make a stand in the end (John 19:39)
2. The knowledge of the Pharisees

a. Explanation
(1) The Pharisees and rulers of the Jews did not receive Jesus as
their Messiah.
(2) However, they knew that He was from God.
(3) And in this knowledge, they rejected Him.
b. Evidence
(1) The testimony of Nicodemus (John 3:2)
a) We know that thou art a teacher come from God.

b) No man can do these miracles…except God.
(2) The testimony of the council (John 11:47-48)
a) He does many miracles (they knew He was doing these
miracles).
b) All men will believe on Him.
c) We will lose our place and nation. Note: this was their real
fear. They knew who He was but refused to believe on
Him.
(3) The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:22-32)
a) They knew Jesus did the miracle.
b) They knew that it had to be by the power of God.
c) They purposefully rejected Him and accused Him of doing
this work by the power of the devil.
d) This explains the hideous evil of their sin and why the
punishment (of never receiving forgiveness) was so great.
(4) They were indeed born of the devil who is a liar and the father
of it (John 8:41-44). Although this passage certainly refers to
every lost man as having the devil as his father, it may refer
further to a new birth substitute that the devil gives to those who
hear him. He may give them a false religious experience in
order to counterfeit the genuine one offered by Jesus Christ
(2Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15).
3. The kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5)

a. Its identity
(1) A king(dom) is the (dom)ain of a king.
(2) The kingdom of God is the domain of God as King.
(3) Here, and in other New Testament passages, the kingdom of
God refers to a spiritual kingdom (see Luke 17:20; Romans
14:17; 1Corinthians 15:50).
b. Its necessity
(1) We see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).
a) This requires the new birth.
b) This refers to discernment; to spiritual sight (1Corinthians
2:9-14).
(2) We enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).
a) This requires the new birth.
b) Cannot be done by riches (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:24)
c) This is the only alternative to hell (Mark 9:47).
d) Must be entered in the spirit of a child (Mark 10:14-15;
Luke 18:17)
e) Often entered through much tribulation (Acts 14:22)
(3) We receive the kingdom of God (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17);
compare to our receiving of Christ (John 1:12; Colossians 2:6).
B. The Nature of the New Birth (John 3:4-8)
1. The identity of the water (John 3:5)

a. Used as a proof text for baptismal regeneration.
(1) But baptism is never used as a picture of birth but of death and
resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).
(2) Also, the immediate context gives no support for this
interpretation.
(3) Therefore, we reject this interpretation as doctrinally false.
b. Water is one of the most versatile types in the gospel of John.
(1) Everlasting life (John 4:14-15)
(2) Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39)
(3) Word of God (cp. John 15:3 with Ephesians 5:26)
c. In each of the above types, the meaning is easily identified by the
context (try making all of them refer to water baptism). The context
in John, chapter three, also identifies the meaning.
(1) Nicodemus asks (John 3:4).
a) The first birth was in the mother’s womb.
b) How can we return to our mother’s womb?
(2) Jesus answers (John 3:5).
a) You must be born of water.
b) And, you must be born of the Spirit.
(3) Jesus interprets (John 3:6).
a) That which is born of the flesh is flesh – the first birth.
b) That which is born of the Spirit is spirit – the second birth.
(4) In order to do justice to the parallelism of this passage, the birth
of water must be the first birth of the flesh.
a) In order to enter the kingdom of God, it is not enough to be
born (that is, of water). You must be born a second time of
the Spirit. Though this may seem common sense to us
today, the Jews thought that they would go to heaven
because they were born of Abraham. One of the great
teachings of the New Testament is to explain to these who
were the people of God by natural birth that this was not
enough for them to enter the kingdom of God (John 8:33,
37-39; Romans 3:28-29; Romans 9:7-8; cp. Matthew 8:11-
12 with Matthew 13:38).
b) Water is an appropriate picture of the physical birth since
the infant is preserved in a sack of water in the womb.
c) This is probably the meaning of water in 1John 5:6.
2. Wind as a type of the Holy Spirit (John 3:8)

a. Wind, breath, and spirit are often interrelated in scripture.
(1) Wind and breath (Ezekiel 37:9)
(2) Wind and spirit (John 3:8)
(3) Breath and spirit (Job 33:4; Isaiah 42:5)
b. This is borne out in the words for spirit.

(1) Respiration and inspiration are both based on the word spirit.
(2) Pneumonia and pneumatic drill are both based on the Greek
word pneuma which means spirit or breath.
c. The work of the Spirit as the wind
(1) The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is invisible in His ministry (John
3:8).
(2) The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is mysterious in His ministry
(John 3:8).
(3) The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is powerful in His ministry
(Luke 1:17; Luke 4:14; 1Corinthians 2:4).
(4) The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is purifying in His ministry
(Romans 1:4; 1Peter 1:22).
3. The agents used in the new birth

a. The Spirit of God (John 3:5-8; John 6:63; John 16:7-11)
b. The Word of God (John 5:39; James 1:18, 21; 1Peter 1:23-25)
c. The preaching of the gospel (Luke 4:18; Romans 10:13-17;
1Corinthians 1:18-25)
4. The doctrine of regeneration

a. The word
(1) Means to be born again
(2) Used only two times in the Bible
a) In Matthew 19:28, it refers to a period of time when the
earth will in effect be born again and Jesus will sit upon the
throne in Jerusalem.
b) In Titus 3:5, it refers to the new birth that is a part of
eternal salvation.
(3) Though the word is used only once in reference to salvation, the
idea of being born again or born of God is found many times in
the Bible (John 3:3-8; John 1:12-13; 1Corinthians 4:15;
Galatians 4:29; Philemon 1:10; James 1:18; 1Peter 1:3, 23-25;
1John 5:1).
(4) There are many other scriptures which speak of the believer
being a son or a child of God. These verses for the most part go
back to the doctrine of regeneration.
b. Regeneration and faith: the proper order
(1) Calvinistic theology teaches that regeneration must precede
faith. This is based on the logical assumption that a sinner must
be given life from above before he will be able to believe in
God. This removes any element of the individual will in
receiving Christ by, in effect, making the person saved before
they believe in Christ.
(2) However, the Bible teaches otherwise.

a) John 1:12 teaches us that the power to become the sons of
God is given to those that receive Jesus Christ. This places
faith before regeneration.
b) Ephesians 1:12-13 places the order as such: 1) hearing the
word; 2) trusting or believing; 3) being sealed with the
Holy Spirit. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is not exactly the
same as regeneration. But the order is clear. There is no
reason to teach that regeneration occurs before the sealing.
c) John 3:16 teaches that the everlasting life (which is a
product of regeneration) comes to those believe in Jesus
Christ.
d) The belief of the sinner that leads to salvation does not
have to be perfect. It only needs to be an honest and sincere
response to the drawing of the Spirit. We believe to the best
of our ability but our faith is completed by the perfect faith
of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:22; Philippians
3:9).
(3) Bible teaching concerning regeneration
a) Regeneration imparts the eternal life of God to the believer
(John 10:10; Romans 6:23).
b) Regeneration makes us partakers of the very life and nature
of God (2Peter 1:3-4).
c) Regeneration births the sinner into the family of God (John
1:12-13).
d) Regeneration puts the believer into a relationship where he
can go to God as his Father .
e) Regeneration makes us heirs of God and joint-heirs with
Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16-17).
C. The Certainty of the New Birth (John 3:9-13)
1. Unknown by the wisdom of man (John 3:9-10; 1Corinthians 1:18)

2. Confirmed by the Son of God (John 3:11)
a. Openly revealed (Acts 26:24-25)
b. Assuredly received (1John 5:12-13)
3. Bringing together things of heaven and earth (John 3:12)
a. Occurring as events on earth (Acts 2:22-23)
b. Leading to a home in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21)
4. Established by the omnipresence of Jesus Christ (John 3:13)
a. Most theologians apply this to after the ascension of Christ.
b. However, if Jesus Christ is God, then He must retain all the
attributes of God. One of these is that of omnipresence—being in all
places at the same time. Though He limited Himself in the form of
human flesh, He transcended that body in His eternal existence

(Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 14:23; Ephesians 1:23).
D. The Provision of the New Birth (John 3:14-17)
1. The typology of the brazen serpent (John 3:14; Numbers 21:4-9) –

According to John 3:14, the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness is
a direct picture of God’s offer of eternal salvation through the death of
Christ on the cross. The following outline compares the healing of the
Israelites in Numbers with the statement of the gift of salvation in John
3:16.
a. A Divine remedy
(1) Numbers 21:8 – “The LORD said”
(2) John 3:16 – “For God” (1Peter 1:18-21)
b. A simple remedy
(1) Numbers 21:8 – “a fiery serpent…upon a pole”
(2) John 3:16 – “his only begotten Son” (John 12:32)
c. An instantaneous remedy
(1) Numbers 21:8 – “when he looketh”
(2) John 3:16 – “”shall have” (Acts 16:30-32)
d. An effectual remedy
(1) Numbers 21:8 – “he…shall live”
(2) John 3:16 – “everlasting life”
e. An individual remedy
(1) Numbers 21:8 – “every one that is bitten”
(2) John 3:16 – “whosoever” (Romans 10:13)
f. The only remedy
(1) Numbers 21:9 – “when he beheld the serpent of brass”
(2) John 3:16 – “in him” (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
g. A free remedy
(1) Numbers 21:9 – “when he beheld”
(2) John 3:16 – “he gave” (Romans 6:23)
2. The use of typology in scripture

a. Definition: a type is a divinely designed object lesson or picture that
anticipates a later truth, known as the antitype.
b. Scriptural evidence for the use of types
(1) The lifting up of the brasen serpent as a type of the crucifixion
of Christ (John 3:14): Note: this is only one of many designated
types in the New Testament.
(2) Adam as “the figure of him that was to come” (Romans 5:14)
(3) The faults of the children of Israel as examples to us
(1Corinthians 10:6-11)
(4) The tabernacle, the priesthood, and the offerings as:
a) Examples (Hebrews 8:5)
b) Shadows (Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1)
c) Figures (Hebrews 9:9)

d) Patterns (Hebrews 9:23)
(5) The veil removed in the Old Testament (2Corinthians 3:12-16)
c. Classes of types found in the Bible
(1) People (Adam, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, etc.)
(2) Events (deliverance of Noah in the ark, redemption from Egypt,
passing through the Red Sea)
(3) Things (tabernacle, laver, lamb, oil, Jordan River, city of
refuge)
(4) Institutions (priesthood, kingdom, the sabbath)
d. Guidelines for the use of types
(1) True types are designed by God to be types, though some are
directly indicated and others are simply obvious to the
spiritually minded.
(2) Types point to something in the future. However, they are not
strictly prophecy. Prophecy clearly predicts future events. Types
picture them in such a way that the design can be seen only after
the fulfillment (the antitype) occurs.
(3) The primary purpose of types is to illuminate or illustrate truth.
Types are not to be used to establish doctrine not clearly taught
elsewhere in scripture.
e. Bible students disagree on how far to develop types. Some only use
types that are identified as such in scripture. Others find typology in
every detail of an Old Testament passage. Some of this typology can
become quite speculative. One way to help in safely identifying
types is to classify types according to clarity. Though Bible students
will still disagree on how to classify the various types, the very act
of classifying will help us put varying weights to different
interpretations.
(1) Designated types: these are types that are clearly said to be
types in scripture. See John 3:14; 1Corinthians 5:7;
1Corinthians 10:4; Revelation 8:3.
(2) Supported types: these types have indirect but strong evidence
for their use. These types are often built from evidence found in
several Bible passages.
a) Oil as a type of the Holy Spirit. Just as a prophet was
anointed with oil, so Jesus Christ was anointed with the
Spirit (Isaiah 61:1).
b) The table of showbread as a picture of the part the word of
God plays in our approach to the presence of God; taken
from the comparison of the word with bread (Deuteronomy
8:3)
(3) Speculative types: these types are developed by comparing
certain characteristics in the type with those in the antitype.
Although they are valuable in study and teaching, they do not
have the scriptural backing of the other two classes of types.
Often, it might be best to refer to these as parallels or

resemblances in order to avoid confusing people into thinking
that they have equal weight with other types.
3. Eternal and everlasting

a. Eternal and everlasting are synonyms. They both refer to that which
endures in time without end. The following distinctions are very
subtle and refer to connotation (emphasis) and not to denotation
(exact meaning).
b. Everlasting
(1) Used 93 times in the Bible; 67 times in the Old Testament and
26 times in the New Testament
(2) Emphasizes quantity: something that has no ending, duration,
length without end
(3) Everlasting life or life everlasting (found 15 times in the Bible)
refers to a life that will never have an end.
c. Eternal
(1) Used 47 times in the Bible; 2 times in the Old Testament and 45
times in the New Testament
(2) Emphasizes quality: designates the special nature of that which
has no end.
(3) Eternal is often used in the English language to refer to those
things that have no beginning or ending (like the eternal God);
everlasting usually refers only to those things that have no
ending.
(4) Eternal life or life eternal (found 31 times in the Bible) refers to
the quality of life possessed by one who has a unending life
with prospect of spending an unending future with God.
4. In His first coming, Christ did not come:

a. Of Himself (John 7:28)
b. To do His own will (John 6:38)
c. To condemn the world (John 3:17)
d. To judge the world (John 12:47; compare John 5:22; Acts 17:31)
E. The Rejection of the New Birth (John 3:18-21)
1. The condemned state of man (John 3:18)

a. He is condemned already (John 3:18); that is, he presently exists in a
state in which he stands condemned before God as guilty and worthy
only of hell.
b. The wrath of God presently abides on him (John 3:36).
c. He is cursed because of his disobedience to the law of God
(Galatians 3:10).
d. He is dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5).
e. As such, he does not need to become lost to go to hell, but only fail
to become saved.
2. The relationship of light to darkness (John 3:19-21)

a. The light of God came into the darkness of the world (John 3:19).
(1) The world is a place of darkness (Ephesians 6:12; 1John 5:19).
(2) Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 1:9; John 8:12; John
12:46).
b. Men chose (loved) darkness in preference to the light (John 3:19).
(1) Because their deeds were evil (John 7:7)
(2) Because the light would reprove their deeds (Ephesians 5:13)
c. Men rejected the light (John 3:20).
(1) They hated the light.
(2) They refused to come to the light.
d. Some exceptional men choose light over darkness (John 3:21).
(1) Because their deeds are deeds of truth
(2) Because they wish their deeds to be revealed as wrought in God
3. The application of light in our lives (John 3:19-21)

a. Recognize the true sources of light in the world.
(1) Jesus Christ
(2) The word of God
(3) Believers (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15)
b. Examine your own reaction to the light.
(1) Are you drawn to it?
(2) Are you repulsed from it?
c. Observe the secret portions of your life.
(1) The danger of secret sins (Deuteronomy 27:15; 2Kings 17:9;
Psalm 10:8; Psalm 19:12; Psalm 44:20-21; Psalm 90:8;
Proverbs 9:16-18; Jeremiah 23:24; Daniel 2:22; Luke 8:17;
Romans 2:16; Ephesians 5:12)
(2) Are you willing to shine the light of God on every portion of
your life?
(3) Do you strive to keep your life in the light?
(4) Do you avoid secret places or times that could be special
opportunities for temptation? (2Samuel 12:11-12)
II. THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN (John 3:22-36)
A. The Counting of Baptisms (John 3:22-26)
1. The baptizing of Jesus (John 3:22)
a. In the land of Judaea

b. In numbers exceeding John (John 4:1)
c. Through His disciples (John 4:2); Note: What is done by the

authority of Christ is as though Christ had done it directly (see
2Corinthians 5:20).
2. The baptizing of John (John 3:23-24)
a. In a place of “much water” (John 3:23)

(1) Would not be a requirement for sprinkling or for pouring
(2) Would be a requirement for immersion
a) Jesus, at His baptism, “went up straightway out of the
water” (Matthew 3:16).
b) Philip took the eunuch down into the water and they came
up out of the water (Acts 8:35-39). This is totally
unnecessary for sprinkling or pouring.
c) Baptism is compared to a burial (Romans 6:3). This
requires immersion.
(3) When his time was running short (John 3:24)
a) He was not yet cast into prison.
b) But he would be soon (Matthew 4:12).
3. The struggles of John (John 3:25-26)
a. A doctrinal question (John 3:25)

(1) Between John’s disciples and the Jews
(2) Concerning the doctrine of purifying – a matter of tradition and
not of law (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-16)
b. A practical question (John 3:26)
(1) John bare witness to Jesus.
(2) Now the crowds are going to Jesus.
(3) The warning against comparison (2Corinthians 10:12-18)
(4) The example of John in refusing to envy (Galatians 5:26;
1Timothy 6:3-5)
a) The example of Moses (Numbers 11:26-29)
b) The example of Paul (Philippians 1:14-18)
B. The Comparison of the Two (John 3:27-31)
1. Concerning the gifts of heaven (John 3:27-28)
a. The precept: each man received what he has from heaven (John
3:27; Romans 12:6; 1Corinthians 4:7).
b. The contrast (John 3:28)
(1) John was sent before the Christ as a forerunner (Mark 1:1-3).
(2) Jesus came as the Christ.
2. Concerning the marriage of the groom (John 3:29)
a. Precept: he that has the bride is the bridegroom.

b. Contrast
(1) John is the friend of the groom.
a) He stands beside the groom.
b) He hears the voice of the groom.
c) He rejoices because of the groom’s voice.
d) His joy is fulfilled in the marriage of the groom.
c. The identity of the bride
(1) The work of the friend; that is, the best man
a) To ask the hand of the young woman in marriage
b) To serve as an intermediary between the couple during the
time of betrothal
c) To officiate at the marriage feast
(2) The application in this passage
a) Cannot refer to the body of New Testament believers. John
does not bring the grace age believes to Christ.
b) Must refer to the Jewish believers in Christ as Messiah (see
Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19)
c) The marriage was postponed because of the refusal of the
bride to accept her call to the marriage.
(3) Different scriptural uses of the bride as a type
a) The body of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32)
b) The local church (2Corinthians 11:1-3)
c) Israel (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19; John 3:29)
d) The land of Israel (Isaiah 62:1-5; this passage also refers to
the people)
e) The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2, 9-10)
3. Concerning the blessings of their work (John 3:30)
a. Precept: He must increase but we must decrease.

b. Contrast
(1) John is decreasing.
(2) Jesus is increasing.
4. Concerning the source of their existence (John 3:31)
a. Precept: He that cometh from above is above all.

b. Contrast (1Corinthians 15:47)
(1) John is from below.
a) He is of the earth: earthy.
b) He speaks of the earth; Note: The message of John pointed
to an earthly kingdom for an earthly people.
(2) Jesus is above all.
a) He comes from above.
b) He comes from heaven.
C. The Case for Jesus (John 3:32-36)
1. He was confirmed by His words (John 3:32).
a. He spoke of what He had seen and heard (John 8:26).

b. Though men rejected His testimony
2. He was confirmed by true believers (John 3:33)
a. There were those who received His testimony.

b. These true believers confirmed the truth of His words.
c. To “set to his seal”
(1) A seal of wax was often used to close a letter or document.
(2) The seal was set by pressing the mark of the seal in the wax.
This identified the maker of the seal as would a signature on a
letter today.
(3) True believers in Christ confirm the truth of His words by their
own faith. Their testimony makes an impression in the seal
(2Timothy 2:19).
(4) The Father has set His own seal on the Son (John 6:27).
3. He was confirmed by the Spirit of God (John 3:34).
a. He spoke the words of God (John 6:63; 1Corinthians 2:13).

b. He had the Spirit without measure (Isaiah 11:1-2; Colossians 2:9).
4. He was confirmed by the Father (John 3:35).
a. He was loved by the Father (John 17:24-26).

b. He was given all things by the Father (John 5:19-27).
5. He was confirmed by the division He made among men (John 3:36).
a. Those who believe on the Son – have everlasting life.

b. Those who do not believe the Son
(1) Shall not see life
(2) Have the wrath of God abiding on them
Reaching Souls from Samaria to Cana

John 4:1-54
I. CHRIST’S TRIP THROUGH SAMARIA (John 4:1-6)
A. Comparison of the Witness of Christ in John 3 and 4
1. A named man (John 3:1) and an unnamed woman (John 4:7)

2. A ruler (John 3:1) and a woman of lowly means (John 4:7)
3. A favored Jew (John 3:1) and a despised Samaritan (John 4:9)
4. One of high reputation (John 3:1) and an outcast (John 4:18)
5. One who sought Christ (John 3:2) and one who was sought by Christ (John
4:4; Isaiah 65:1)
6. One who came by night (John 3:2) and one who came at midday (John 4:6)
7. One who is self-righteous and told he must be born again (John 3:3) and
one who knows she is a sinner and is told of the gift of God (John 4:10)
B. The Purpose of His Departure (John 4:1-2)
1. Jesus was baptizing more disciples than John (John 4:1).

2. The Pharisees heard of His success (John 4:1).
3. Note: though Jesus did not do the baptizing (John 4:2)
4. Comments
a. Those being baptized were disciples before they were baptized; they
were not made disciples by being baptized.
b. Baptism does not save because Jesus is the Saviour of men (Luke
19:10; but He did not baptize men.
c. Compare this with the testimony of the apostle Paul (1Corinthians 4:15;
1:14-15).
C. The Path of His Journey (John 4:3-4)
1. From Judaea to Galilee (John 4:3)

2. Requiring a trip through Samaria (John 4:4)
a. Though orthodox Jews would sometimes bypass the city because of its
perversion of doctrine
b. Though Jesus told His own disciples to avoid the cities of the
Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6)
3. The “musts” of the life of Christ
a. He must be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49).
b. He must preach the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).
c. He must increase (John 3:30).
d. He must work the works of Him that sent Him (John 9:4).
e. He must needs go through Samaria (John 4:4).

f. He must abide at the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5).
g. He must walk today and tomorrow (Luke 13:33).
h. He must suffer many things (Mark 8:31; Mark 9:12; Luke 9:22; Luke
17:25).
i. He must be killed (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; Luke 24:7;
John 3:14; John 12:34).
j. He must rise again the third day (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke
9:22; Luke 24:7; John 20:9).
k. The scriptures must be fulfilled (Mark 14:49; Luke 22:37; Luke 24:44).
l. He must bring the other sheep (John 10:16).
D. The Place of His Resting (John 4:5-6)
1. The context (John 4:5-6a)

a. A city of Samaria called Sychar
b. Near land given to Joseph by Jacob (Genesis 48:21-22)
1) Possessed by Jacob
2) Presented to Joseph
3) A picture of salvation and of the victorious Christian life
c. At the site of Jacob’s well
2. The occasion (Luke 4:6b)
a. Jesus resting
1) Wearied with His journey – God never gets weary (Isaiah 40:28),
but Jesus in His humanity became weary.
2) The disciples gone to town for food (John 4:8)
3) Jesus sat at the well; He will use His surroundings and the occasion
of the woman coming for water as the beginning point for His
witness to her. Note: a great study is to be found in all the events in
the Bible connected to wells.
b. About the sixth hour
1) If Roman time, this would be about six in the morning.
2) Probably Jewish time, which would put the time around noon.
3) This would be when the day was hot and not the normal time of
coming for water; the Samaritan woman was evidently an outcast
among her own and especially from the women (even when she
spread the word of Christ, she went to the men – John 4:28).
Therefore, she was coming when the others were not there.
3. The Samaritans
a. Partial Jews who were the result of intermarriage of the ten tribes with
foreign races after the captivity of Israel (2Kings 17:24-41)
b. Claimed that Mt. Gerizim was the true sanctuary (John 4:19-22;
Deuteronomy 11:29)
c. Accepted only the Pentateuch as scripture
d. Not recognized by the Jewish purists (John 4:9)
II. CHRIST’S TESTIMONY TO THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (John 4:7-26)
A. His Encounter with the Woman (John 4:7-9)
1. The opportunity (John 4:7-8)

a. Christ and the woman at the well while the disciples were gone
b. The importance of seeking, recognizing and using doors of opportunity
for witnessing (Colossians 4:3-4; Revelation 3:8)
2. The request (John 4:7), “Give me to drink.”
a. Connected to the place and occasion
b. Creating a question in the mind of the woman
c. Leading to the subject of salvation
3. The confusion (John 4:9)
a. He was a Jew.
b. He spoke to a woman.
c. He made request of a Samaritan.
B. His Exposition on the Water of Life (John 4:10-14)
1. The gift of God (John 4:10)

2. The gift to those who ask (John 4:10; Isaiah 55:1; Acts 8:20)
3. The gift of Jesus Christ (John 4:10-12; Romans 5:15)
4. The gift of everlasting life (John 4:13-14; Revelation 22:17)
C. His Examination of her Heart (John 4:15-19)
1. Her pining (John 4:15); there must be something better than this.
2. Her problem (John 4:16-18); her sinful condition kept her from the water of
life.
3. Her perception (John 4:19); that Christ was a prophet
D. The Explanation of True Worship (John 4:20-24)
1. The meaning of worship

a. The word worship comes from worth+ship. It means to declare the
worthiness of (Revelation 5:9-12).
b. Therefore, worship is not limited to a place or the performance of a
ceremony. Rather, it is an inward attitude of reverence and exaltation
expressed by an outward act of praise (Psalm 29:2).
2. The place of worship (John 4:20-21)
a. Not Mount Gerizim
b. Soon not to be Jerusalem
c. But wherever God’s people meet with Him (Matthew 18:20)
3. The character of true worship (John 4:22-24; Isaiah 29:13; Ezekiel 33:31)
a. Sane (John 4:22) – “we know what we worship” (1Corinthians 14:14-
15, 26-33; Colossians 3:16).
b. Spiritual (John 4:24) – “in spirit” (Philippians 3:3)
c. Sincere (John 4:24) – “in truth”
1) Matching our deeds (1John 3:18)
2) Without hypocrisy (Philippians 1:18)
3) Without falsehood (Mark 12:14)
4. The participants of worship (John 4:23)
a. True worshippers
b. Sought by the Father – “the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
5. The object of true worship (John 4:23-24)
a. The Father
b. God who is a Spirit
1) Changed in most bibles with “a” being removed so that “God is
spirit.” However, this denies the personality of God making Him
impersonal.
2) That God is a Spirit means that He is a spiritual being. He does not
have a fleshly body. Therefore, He is not pleased by fleshly
actions. A spiritual being demands spiritual worship.
6. The actions of true worship (John 4:24)
a. Praise (Psalm 138:2)
b. Prayer (Psalm 95:6)
c. Song (Psalm 66:4)
d. Giving (1Chronicles 16:29)
e. Obedience (Hebrews 13:15-16)
E. Special Notes: What the New Testament Says about the Jew [Does the New
Testament teach us to look on Jews as Christ-killers? Is the blood of Christ still
on their hands?]
1. Salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22); Jesus came to fulfill the Jewish law
(Matthew 5:17).
2. God’s word came through the Jews (Romans 3:1-2); this includes the New
Testament books.
3. God’s gifts to man came through the Jews (Romans 9:4-5).
a. The law – the basis for all good law
b. The promises – the basis for all hope for man
c. Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 9:15; Hebrews 2:16; Isaiah 9:6)
4. The Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah (Acts 2:22-23).
a. They accepted the blood of Christ (Matthew 27:22-25).
b. But Christ prayed for their forgiveness because of their ignorance
(Luke 23:34; Acts 3:17).
c. Jesus was rejected by all men (Acts 4:24-28; 1Corinthians 2:8).
5. The Jews attempt to establish their own righteousness (Romans 10:2-3).
a. The example of Paul (Philippians 3:5-9)

b. The need of all (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1Kings 8:46; Psalm 14:3)
c. The curse of the law (Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 7:10-14; Galatians
3:21-22)
d. The redemption of Christ (Galatians 3:10-13; Romans 8:3)
e. The power of imputation (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1-8; 2Corinthians
5:21)
6. The Jews will yet receive their kingdom (Acts 1:6-7; Romans 11:25-27).
7. Some Jews will come to Jesus as Messiah even today (Romans 11:1-5).
F. His Expression of His Identity (John 4:25-26)
1. Her expectation of Christ (John 4:25)

a. He will come.
b. He will tell us all things.
2. The identity of the Christ (John 4:26)
III. CHRIST’S TEACHING OF HIS DISCIPLES (John 4:27-38)
A. The Wondering Disciples (John 4:27)
1. Their surprise – “marveled”

2. Their silence – “no man said”
B. The Witnessing Woman (John 4:28-30)
1. Her thrill (John 4:28) – “left her waterpot”

2. Her target (John 4:28) – “to the men”
3. Her testimony (John 4:29) – “is not this the Christ?”
4. Her triumph (John 4:30) – “they…came unto him.”
C. The Working Saviour (John 4:31-34)
1. The meat of the disciples (John 4:31)

2. The meat they knew not of (John 4:32-33)
3. The meat of the Master (John 4:34)
a. To do the will of God (John 5:30; John 6:38; Hebrews 10:7)
b. The meat offering (Leviticus 2); the bloodless sacrifice points to a living
sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).
(1) A picture of the life of Christ
(1) A picture of the life of the surrendered believer
D. The Waiting Harvest (John 4:35-38)
1. Readiness of the harvest (John 4:35)
a. The tendency to deny its readiness (Romans 13:11-12)

b. The time to reap is now.
(1) Causing a need for laborers (Matthew 9:36-38)
(1) Requiring an expectation (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)
2. Reward for the harvest (John 4:36a)
a. Wages to be received (1Corinthians 3:11-15)
b. Fruit unto eternal life (Galatians 6:7-9)
3. Rejoicing over the harvest (John 4:36b)
a. The joy of the harvest (Psalm 126:5-6)
b. The joy in heaven (Luke 15:10)
4. Responsibility for the harvest (John 4:37)
a. The work of sowing
b. The work of reaping
c. Laborers together with God (1Corinthians 3:5-10)
5. Recognition for the harvest (John 4:38)
a. The reapers often bestow less labor.
b. The reapers enter into the labor of others.
IV. CHRIST’S TARRYING WITH THE SAMARITIANS (John 4:39-44)
A. The Testimony of the Woman (John 4:39-40)
1. The power of her testimony (John 4:39a) – “many…believed on him.”

2. The plainness of her testimony (John 4:39b) – “all that ever I did”
3. The plea that He tarry (John 4:40)
B. The Truth of His Own Words (John 4:41-42)
1. The faith that comes by hearing (John 4:41; Romans 10:17)

2. The fullness of His witness (John 4:42)
a. He is the Christ.
b. He is the Saviour of the world.
C. The Trip to Galilee (John 4:43-44)
1. The leaving of Samaria (John 4:43)

2. The lesson of His success (John 4:44); so much greater than He had in His
own country (Matthew 13:54-58)
V. CHRIST’S TESTING OF THE NOBLEMAN (John 4:45-54)
A. The Nobleman’s Request (John 4:45-47)
1. The popularity of the Saviour (John 4:45)

a. Received by the Galileans
b. Remembered for His works
2. The problem of sickness (John 4:46)

a. The place of a past miracle
b. The need for a new miracle
3. The plea for a son (John 4:47)
a. He heard that Jesus had come.
b. He asked the Saviour to come down.
c. He feared the coming death of his son.
B. The Saviour’s Reply (John 4:48-50)
1. Signs and wonders are not the foundation of faith (John 4:48).
2. The Lord’s physical presence is not the foundation of faith (John 4:49).
3. The word of the Lord is the foundation of faith (John 4:50; Matthew 4:4;
Romans 10:17).
C. The Nobleman’s Response (John 4:50-54)
1. The faith of the nobleman (John 4:50)

a. Jesus gave His word.
b. The nobleman believed.
c. The nobleman went his way.
2. The confirmation of his faith (John 4:51-53a)
a. The good news from the servant (John 4:51)
b. The time of the healing (John 4:52-53a)
(1) At the seventh hour of the day before (John 4:52)
(1) At the time Christ spoke the word (John 4:53a)
3. The salvation brought by faith (John 4:53b)
a. The faith of the nobleman
b. The faith of his entire family (Acts 16:14-15, 30-34; Acts 18:8)
D. Seven Lessons Concerning Faith (John 4:43-54)
1. Familiarity hinders faith (John 4:44; Malachi 1:13; Isaiah 43:22).

2. Experience increases faith (John 4:45; Genesis 30:27; Romans 5:3-5).
3. True faith leads to action (John 4:46-47; James 2:17-26).
4. Weak faith seeks evidence (John 4:48-49; Judges 6:36-40).
5. Strong faith accepts God’s word (John 4:50; Romans 4:16-22).
6. God responds to our faith (John 4:51-53; Matthew 17:14-21).
7. Faith bears fruit and multiplies (John 4:53; Mark 9:24).
The Witness of Christ Rejected
John 5:1-47
I. THE HEALING OF THE LAME MAN (John 5:1-16)
A. The Occasion (John 5:1)
1. A feast of the Jews

2. A trip to Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16)
B. The Location (John 5:2)
1. At Jerusalem
2. By the sheep market
3. At a pool
a. Called Bethesda; meaning house of mercy
b. With five porches
C. The Need – “a great multitude” (John 5:3)
1. All sick
a. Impotent – without strength (Romans 5:6)
b. Blind – without sight (2Corinthians 4:3-4)
c. Halt – without steadiness
d. Withered – without full growth
2. All waiting
D. The Expectation (John 5:4)
1. An angel (Hebrews 1:13-14)

a. To go into the pool
b. To trouble the water
2. A cure
a. To the first who stepped in
b. To be made whole
E. A Certain Man (John 5:5-9)
1. His helpless condition (John 5:5-7)

a. 38 years without health (John 5:5-6)
b. 38 years without help (John 5:7; Psalm 142:4; Acts 8:30-31; Roman
10:13-17)
c. Note: Israel wandered 38 years in the wilderness after the rebellion of the
spies and congregation (Deuteronomy 2:14).
2. His merciful Deliverer (John 5:8)
a. Rise.
b. Take up your bed.
c. Walk.
3. His sudden change (John 5:9)
a. No waiting – immediately (Acts 3:6-7; Ephesians 1:13)
b. No water – no works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
c. No winning – no competition (John 3:16)
F. The Hostility of the Jews (John 5:10-16)
1. The accusation of the Jews (John 5:10)

a. It is the Sabbath day
b. It is not lawful to carry your bed.
(1) This is true concerning bundles of merchandise (Jeremiah 17:21-22;
Nehemiah 13:19).
(2) But this man had a bed probably consisting of a rough blanket or
garment.
2. The answer of the man (John 5:11-13)
a. He was obeying the One who healed him (John 5:11; Matthew 12:8).
b. They wanted the identity of the One who healed him (John 5:12).
c. He did not know the identity of his healer (John 5:13).
(1) Christ had left.
(2) Because a multitude was there
3. The revelation of the Christ (John 5:14)
a. He reveals Himself to the man.
b. He admonishes the man to sin no more (John 8:11).
c. Note: the man was healed before he even knew who Jesus was, much less
was able to believe on Him.
4. The testimony of the man (John 5:15)
a. He spoke to the Jews.
b. He identified Jesus as his healer.
5. The reaction of the Jews (John 5:16)
a. They determined to persecute Jesus.
b. They sought to slay Jesus.
c. Their cause is that Jesus did these things on the Sabbath day.
II. THE ONENESS OF CHRIST WITH THE FATHER (John 5:17-30)
A. One in Service (John 5:17-19)
1. His personal relationship – “My Father” (John 5:17; John 2:16; Luke 2:49)
2. His working relationship (John 5:17; John 14:10)
3. His identical relationship (John 5:18) – brings the wrath of the Jews
a. Because He broke the Sabbath
b. Because He made Himself equal with God (John 10:30-33)
4. His unifying relationship (John 5:19)
a. He does nothing of Himself (John 5:19, 30).
b. He does only what the Father does (John 5:19).
c. Note: This passage does not teach the inability of the Son, but the
impossibility of separating the Son from the Father.
d. In His oneness with the will of the Father and complete submission to
Him, Jesus is the perfect example to the believer (Philippians 2:5-8).
B. One in Knowledge (John 5:20)
1. Because of love (John 3:35)

2. Revealing all things (Matthew 11:27)
3. Greater works to come (John 14:12)
C. One in Resurrection Power (John 5:21)
1. As the Father (Acts 2:22-24)

2. So the Son (John 10:17-18)
D. One in Judgment (John 5:22)
1. Not the Father

2. But the Son
3. But not in the first coming of the Son (John 12:47)
4. Note: Although the Father and Son are equal in authority, they may be diverse
in practice. Their works may also change according to time.
E. One in Honor (John 5:23)
1. As the Father
a. Positive – should be honored
b. With equality – honored as the Son
2. With the Father
a. Negative – to refuse to honor the Son
b. Without distinction – is to refuse to honor the Father
F. One in Saving Power (John 5:24-29)
1. To give everlasting life (John 5:24-26)

a. As the result of believing (John 5:24)
(1) The hearing of the word
(2) The believing on the Father
(3) The possession of everlasting life (John 3:15-16; Romans 6:23)
a) A present possession
b) Impossible to have today and lose tomorrow
(4) The deliverance from condemnation (Romans 8:1, 33-34)
(5) The passing from death to life (Romans 5:17; 2Timothy 1:10)
b. With the reward of resurrection (John 5:25; 1Thessalonians 4:16)
(1) The hour of resurrection
a) It is coming.
b) It now is.
(2) The dead
a) Shall hear the voice of the Son
b) Shall live
c. Through the power of Christ (John 5:26; John 1:4; John 14:19)
(1) The Father has life in Himself.
(2) The Son given to have life in Himself
2. To execute judgment (John 5:27-29; Acts 17:31)

a. As the Son of man (John 5:27; Hebrews 2:14-18)
b. At the time of resurrection (John 5:28-29)
(1) The resurrection of the dead (John 5:28)
a) In the hour to come
b) When those in the graves hear His voice
(2) The two kinds of resurrection (John 5:29; 2Timothy 4:1)
a) The resurrection of life (Revelation 20:5-6)
b) The resurrection of damnation (Revelation 20:11-15)
G. One in Will (John 5:30)
1. Not distinct in judgment – “as I hear, I judge”

2. Not distinct in will – “I seek not mine own will” (John 4:34; Hebrews 10:5-7)
III. THE WITNESS TO THE DEITY OF CHRIST (John 5:31-47)
A. His Witness Concerning Himself (John 5:31)
1. The testimony of Christ (John 8:12-18)

2. The need for two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2Corinthians 13:1)
B. The Witness of John the Baptist (John 5:32-35)
1. A second witness (John 5:32)

2. A true witness (John 5:32)
3. A confirmed witness (John 5:33) – you sent unto him and proved that you
thought he was a reliable witness (John 1:19-29).
4. An unnecessary witness (John 5:34-35) – unnecessary in the sense that more

and greater witnesses are available
a. The testimony of men not needed to verify the ministry and deity of Christ
(John 5:34)
b. But salvation is so important that the proofs accepted by men need to be
given (John 5:34).
c. But the testimony of John was valued by the Jews for a time (John 5:35).
(1) As a burning and shining light
(2) As a light you rejoiced in for a season
C. The Witness of His Works (John 5:36)
1. Greater than the witness of John

2. Given by the Father to the Son
a. As a job to be finished
b. As a witness that the Father sent Him
D. The Witness of the Father (John 5:37-38)
1. The testimony of the Father (John 5:37)

a. At the baptism of Christ (Matthew 3:16-17)
b. At the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:5-6)
c. At the triumphal entry of Christ (John 12:28-30)
2. The ignorance of the Jews (John 5:37)
a. Not hearing His voice
b. Not seeing His shape
3. The rejection of the Jews (John 5:38)
a. The absence of the abiding word (John 8:47)
b. Their denial of the Sent One (John 1:11)
E. The Witness of the Scriptures (John 5:39-47)
1. The testimony of scripture (John 5:39)

a. They are worthy to be searched (Jeremiah 15:16).
b. They are the source of eternal life (1Peter 1:23; James 1:18, 21).
c. They are the true witness of the Son (Luke 24:27, 44; Hebrews 10:7).
2. The rejection of the Jews (John 5:40-47)
a. Their rejection of God’s life (John 5:40)
(1) They will not come to the Son.
(2) They will not receive eternal life.
b. Their rejection of God’s love (John 5:41-42)
(1) The divine honor of the Son (John 5:41)
(2) The absence of love in the Jews (John 5:42)
(3) Note: the assumption is that they cannot receive the Son of God if they
do not know His love.
c. Their rejection of God’s Son (John 5:.43-44)

(1) Their rejection of Him who comes in the name of the Father (John
5:43)
(2) Their acceptance of those who come in their own name (John 5:43;
Matthew 24:5; 1John 4:1-3)
(3) The fatal flaw in their ability to believe (John 5:44)
a) They receive honor one of another.
b) They do not seek the honor that comes only from God.
c) Note: it is a question of authority. Because man is their authority
for truth, they cannot find the truth. Truth is found only when we
have the correct authority for truth.
d. Their rejection of God’s law (John 5:45-47)
(1) The accusation of Moses against them (John 5:45)
a) He will accuse them to the Father.
b) He is the one in whom they trust.
(2) Their rejection of the writings of Moses (John 5:46-47)
a) Seen in their rejection of Christ (John 5:46)
1) Proves their unbelief of Moses
2) Since Moses wrote of Christ
b) Confirmed their rejection of Christ (John 5:47)
1) Since they believe not the writings of Moses
2) They could not believe the words of Jesus.
Jesus as the Bread of Life

John 6:1-71
I. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND (John 6:1-15)
A. The Compassion of Jesus for the Multitudes (John 6:1-5; Mark 6:32-34)
1. Their location (John 6:1, 3)

a. Over the sea of Galilee
(1) The sea of Tiberias
(2) The lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1)
b. A desert place (Matthew 14:13)
c. Up into a mountain (John 6:3)
2. The multitude (John 6:2)

a. Five thousand men plus women and children (Matthew 14:21)
b. Seeking a miracle-worker (John 6:2)
c. Weary (Mark 6:32-33)
d. Hungry (Matthew 14:15)
e. Lost (Mark 6:34) – “as sheep not having a shepherd”
3. The time – near the time of the Passover (John 6:4)
4. The compassion of Jesus and its power to move (John 6:5)

a. Moved to pray (Matthew 9:36-38)
b. Moved to heal (Matthew 14:14)
c. Moved to teach (Mark 6:34)
d. Moved to feed (Mark 8:2)
e. Moved to raise the dead (Luke 7:12-15)
B. The Conference of Jesus with His Disciples (John 6:6-9)
1. He taught them their obligation to the multitude (John 6:5-6).

a. Their debt (Romans 1:14-16)
b. Their necessity (1Corinthians 9:16)
c. Their enemy (2Corinthians 4:3-4)
d. Note: The proving of Philip by Christ is a common practice of God with
His people (Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:1-3; Deuteronomy 13:1-3;
Hebrews 11:17)
2. He taught them their true helplessness (John 6:7-9).

a. Their need (John 6:7)
(1) More than 200 pennyworth of food
(2) The value of a penny (Matthew 20:1-2)

b. Their resources (John 6:8-9)
(1) The lunch of a lad
(2) Five loaves and two fish
c. Their incapability (John 6:9; John 15:5)
(1) His command (Luke 9:13)
(2) Their complaint (Luke 9:13)
3. He taught them the sufficiency of the Lord – “he himself knew what he would
do” (John 6:6).
a. The source of our sufficiency (2Corinthians 3:1-5)
b. The splendor of our sufficiency (2Corinthians 4:6-7)
c. The supply of our sufficiency (2Corinthians 9:8)
C. The Completion of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes (John 6:10-13)
1. The work of the disciples (John 6:10)

a. To seat the men in the grass
b. To organize the people into companies and ranks (Mark 6:39-40;
1Corinthians 14:40); by hundreds and by fifties (see Exodus 18:21)
2. The work of the Lord (John 6:11)

a. He began with existing material (Exodus 4:2-4).
b. He broke the bread (Luke 9:16).
c. He distributed to the disciples (1Corinthians 15:3).
d. The miracle of multiplication
(1) Old Testament illustration (Exodus 16:4, 14-15)
(2) Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 132:13-15)
3. The further work of the disciples (John 6:12-13)

a. To gather the fragments so that “nothing be lost”
b. They filled twelve baskets – one for each of the disciples.
D. The Confidence of the People in Christ (John 6:14-15)
1. They recognized Him as that Prophet (John 6:14).

a. Old Testament teaching (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18)
b. New Testament denial (John 1:21)
c. New Testament fulfillment (Acts 3:20-22)
2. They desired to make Him king (John 6:15).

a. Ready to take Him by force
b. He departed to a mountain alone.
II. THE CALMING OF THE STORM (John 6:16-21)
A. The Strategy of the Lord (John 6:16-17)
1. He sent the disciples across the sea (Matthew 14:22).

2. He dismissed the multitudes (Matthew 14:23).
3. He retired to a mountain (John6:15).
a. Away from the multitudes (John 6:3; Mark 6:31-32)
b. To spend some time alone (Matthew 14:23; Genesis 32:24)
c. For the purpose of prayer (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Proverbs 18:1)
B. The Struggles of the Disciples (John 6:16-18)
1. They had to go down (John 6:16; Psalm 107:23-31).
2. They were in darkness (John 6:17; Matthew 14:25) – the fourth watch (3-
6AM).
3. They were in a storm (John 6:18-19).

a. A great wind (John 6:18)
b. Tossed with waves (Matthew 14:24)
c. Three or four miles out from land (John 6:19); one furlong is about one-
eighth of a mile.
4. They toiled and struggled in vain (Mark 6:48).

a. Against the wind (Mark 6:48)
b. A type of the Spirit (John 3:8; Ezekiel 37:9, 14)
(1) Cannot be seen
(2) Presence can be felt
(3) Cannot be controlled by man
(4) Sent by God
(5) Has tremendous power
(6) Supplies our breath
(7) Necessary for life
C. The Stilling of the Storm (John 6:19-21)
1. The frightened disciples (John 6:19)

a. Troubled by the storm
b. Troubled by the appearance of Christ (Matthew 14:25-26)
(1) Walking on the water
(2) Supposed to be a spirit (compare Acts 12:13-15)
2. The assuring Saviour (John 6:20)

a. He calmed them by His words.
b. He assured them of His identity.
3. The received Christ (John 6:21)

a. The wind ceased (Mark 6:51).
b. The disciples responded.
(1) They wondered (Mark 6:51-52).
(2) They worshipped (Matthew 14:33).
c. The ship landed (John 6:21).
D. The Application of the Miracle
1. Christ sends us on our journey of life.

2. Darkness and emptiness is all around us.
3. We sometimes travel through great storms.
4. We try to succeed by our own struggles.
5. Often we strive contrary to God’s Spirit.
6. Despite our efforts nothing is accomplished.
7. Yet Christ never takes His eyes off of us (Mark 6:47-48).
8. He is always there when we need Him.
9. When we take Christ on board the storm ceases.
10. With Christ we will arrive where He wants us to be.
III. SEEKING FOR THE SAVIOUR (John 6:22-32)
A. Their Discovery (John 6:22-25)
1. On the one side of the sea (John 6:22-23)

a. No other boat except that of the disciples (John 6:22)
b. No Jesus on the boat of the disciples (John 6:22)
c. Only some boats from Tiberius (John 6:23); this note is given to take care
of the comments that would have been made by the critics. John 6:22
states that there were no other boats save that taken by the disciples. John
6:24 states that the Jews went shipping (by boats) to Capernaum looking
for Jesus. Where did the boats come from? John 6:23 tells us that after the
miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, boats had come from Tiberias. This
provided the boats that took the people to Capernaum. This protects this
passage from the false accusation of contradiction. It also demonstrates
why we sometimes see contradictions where there are none.
2. On the other side of the sea (John 6:24-25)

a. No Jesus to be found on the original side of the sea (John 6:24)
b. Ships taken to Capernaum to seek Jesus (John 6:24)
c. Jesus discovered on this side of the sea (John 6:25)
d. Jesus questioned concerning His coming to the other side (John 6:25)
B. Their Desire (John 6:26-27)
1. Revealed as selfish (John 6:26)

a. Not because they saw the miracle (John 5:36; John 10:25; John 14:11)
b. But because they were filled with bread (Isaiah 56:11-12; Romans 16:18;
Philippians 3:18-19)
2. Revealed as worldly (John 6:27)

a. Laboring for the meat that perishes (Isaiah 55:2; compare John 4:13-15)
b. Laboring not for the meat that endures
(1) Providing eternal life (John 6:58)
(2) Given by the Son of man (John 10:28; Romans 6:23)
(3) Assured by the sealing of the Father (John 3:33-34)
C. Their Deceit (John 6:28-29)
1. Their request (John 6:28)

a. Offered to do a work
b. Offered insincerely
2. The requirement (John 6:29)

a. The work of God
b. To believe on the Son (1John 3:23; Acts 16:30-31)
D. Their Demand (John 6:30-32)
1. Their demand made (John 6:30-31)

a. Show us a sign (John 6:30; Matthew 12:38-40).
b. Give us bread to eat (John 6:31).
2. Their demand rejected (John 6:32)

a. The bread of Moses was the type.
b. The bread that stands before you is the real thing (John 6:47-51).
IV. DISCOURSE ON THE BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:33-51)
A. Christ’s Presentation as the Bread of Life
1. His titles
a. The true bread (John 6:32)
(1) The true light (John 1:9)
(2) The true vine (John 15:1)
b. The bread of God (John 6:33)
c. The bread of life (John 6:35, 48)
d. The bread from heaven (John 6:41, 50, 58)
e. The living bread (John 6:51)
2. His typology
a. As the heavenly bread
(1) As was manna (John 6:31; Exodus 16:4, 14-15)
(2) Not sent by Moses, but by God (John 6:31-32; Psalm 78:22-25)
(3) Pictures the incarnation (John 6:33; John 3:13; Galatians 4:4)
b. As the life-giving bread
(1) As was manna (John 6:33; Deuteronomy 8:3)
(2) As the supplier of life (John 6:35; John 4:13-14)
(3) As the source of life (John 6:51; John 5:26)
(4) Pictures our salvation (John 6:47-51; John 5:24)
c. As the broken bread
(1) As was the custom in eating (Lamentation 4:4; Matthew 14:19;
Matthew 15:36)
(2) Pictures the crucifixion (John 6:51; 1Corinthians 11:23-24)
B. Jewish Reaction to the Bread of Life (John 6:33-46)
1. Their request for bread (John 6:33-34)

a. Christ introduced the bread of God (John 6:33).
(1) It came down from heaven.
(2) It gives life to the world.
b. They desired to have this bread (John 6:34).
(1) Lord
(2) Evermore
(3) Give us this bread.
2. Christ’s revelation to the multitude (John 6:35-40)

a. The identity of the bread (John 6:35-37)
(1) Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35).
(2) He satisfies those who believe (John 6:35).
(3) The multitude has not believed (John 6:36).
a) They have seen.
b) They have not believed.
(4) Special Outline: Seeing is Believing – Or Is It?
a) Those who believe not because they see not
1) They claim they would believe if they saw (Mark 15:32).
2) They require signs and wonders in order to believe (John 4:48).
(a) They have already rejected what they have been shown
(John 6:14, 30).
(b) They will not be given signs and wonders (Matthew 12:38-
40).
b) Those who see but believe not
1) They use any excuse to reject the truth (John 6:28-36).
2) They are like the brethren of the rich man (Luke 16:27-31).
c) Those who see and believe

1) They are touched by what they see (Lamentations 3:51; John
11:45).
2) They are convinced by what they see (John 20:24-29).
3) They believe the Son and receive eternal life (John 6:40).
d) Those who believe without seeing
1) The special blessing on those who believe without seeing (John
20:29)
2) The special response of those who believe without seeing
(1Peter 1:7-8)
(a) A special love for Christ
(b) A special joy in faith
3) Their special reliance on the word of God
(a) The unbelief of the disciples (Mark 16:14)
(b) The faith based on the word of God (Romans 10:13-17)
e) Those who see because they believe
1) Those who believe will see the glory of God (John 11:40).
2) Those who believe will see Him who is invisible (Hebrews
11:27).
3) Those who believe to see shall be strengthened (Psalm 27:13-
14).
(5) Those who come to the Son (John 6:37)
a) Are given by the Father
b) Will not be cast out
(6) Note: The acceptance of the Son
a) By those who have God’s word abiding in them (John 5:38)
b) By all who know the Father (John 6:37, 45; John 8:42)
c) By those who are His sheep (John 10:24-30)
d) Given by the Father to the Son (John 17:6-11, 24)
e) All that belongs to the Father will be given to the Son (John
16:15).
f) Given to the sheep to come to the Son (John 6:44-45, 64-65)
g) Never to be lost by the Son (John 6:39; John 17:12; John 18:9)
b. The revelation of God’s will (John 6:38-40)

(1) The purpose of Christ’s coming (John 6:38)
a) Not to do His will (John 4:34; John 5:30)
b) But to do the will of the Father (Mark 14:36)
(2) The preservation of the saints (John 6:39)
a) Of those given to the Son by the Father – First group
b) None should be lost.
c) All should be raised at the last day.
(3) The provision of eternal life (John 6:40)
a) To those who see the Son and believe on Him – Second group
b) To be raised at the last day
c) To those who believe in the Son without seeing Him – Third

Group (John 20:29; 1Peter 1:8)
3. Their rejection of the Son (John 6:41-42)

a. The point of objection (John 6:41)
(1) He claimed to come down from heaven.
(2) They murmured at this claim.
(3) There is always a crucial point where Christ is believed or rejected.
Here, it is His testimony as having come from heaven. For the Jews in
the early church age, it might be the offer of salvation to the Gentiles
(Acts 22:21-23). Today, the crisis often comes in the acceptance or
rejection of the resurrection (Acts 17:32). Whatever the crisis, it must
be dealt with for the person to come to Christ.
b. Their proof of His error (John 6:42)
(1) They knew He was the son of Joseph.
(2) They knew His father and mother.
(3) Of course, they did not know what they thought they knew.
4. Christ’s reply to the Jews (John 6:43-46)

a. The drawing of the Father (John 6:43-44)
(1) Must be drawn by the Father
(2) Must be given the ability to come to Christ (John 6:65)
(3) God can give repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2Timothy
2:25-26).
(4) Christ has promised to draw all men to Himself (John 12:32).
(5) No man is required to come to God when he is drawn (Matthew
23:37).
b. The teaching of the Father (John 6:45)
(1) Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 54:13; Isaiah 2:3)
(2) Fulfillment during the ministry of Christ (John 6:45)
(3) Fulfillment in the New Testament church
a) Taught by Christ (Ephesians 4:20-21)
b) Taught of God (1Thessalonians 4:9)
c) Taught by the Holy Ghost (1Corinthians 2:9-16); the unction from
the Holy One (1John 2:20-21, 27) – Note: an unction is an
anointing with oil. In the Bible, oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. As
Christ was anointed with the Spirit (Isaiah 61:1), so we are
anointed (2Corinthians 1:21-22; 1John 2:27).
(4) Fulfillment in the Kingdom Age (Isaiah 2:3; Jeremiah 31:33-34;
Hebrews 8:10-11)
c. The revealing of the Father (John 6:46; John 1:18; Matthew 11:27)
C. Universal Invitation to the Bread of Life (6:47-51)
1. To him that believes (John 6:47-48)

a. Will have everlasting life (John 6:47)
b. Will have the bread of life
2. To any man who eats (John 6:49-51)

a. Contrasted with manna (John 6:49)
(1) Eaten by the fathers
(2) Eaten in the wilderness
(3) Followed by death
b. Defined (John 6:50-51)
(1) The bread which comes down from heaven (John 6:50)
(2) The bread which keeps a man from dying (John 6:50)
(3) The bread which is alive (John 6:51)
(4) The bread which may be eaten (John 6:51)
(5) The bread which gives eternal life (John 6:51)
(6) The bread which is the flesh of Jesus Christ (John 6:51)
(7) The bread which Christ will give for the life of the world (John 6:51)
D. NOTE: John 6:48 has the first of seven great titles of Christ all beginning with “I
am” and all found nowhere else in the Bible.
1. I am that bread of life (John 6:48).

2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12).
3. I am the door (John 10:9).
4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11).
5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
7. I am the true vine (John 15:1).
V. PARTAKING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (John 6:52-59)
A. The Necessity of Eating the Flesh of Christ (John 6:52-53)
1. The problem of eating the flesh of Christ (John 6:52)

2. The necessity (John 6:53)
a. Of eating His flesh
b. Of drinking His blood
B. The Benefits of Eating the Flesh of Christ (John 6:54-59)
1. Will have eternal life (John 6:54)

2. Will be raised at the last day (John 6:54)
3. Will have the genuine provision (John 6:55)
4. Will dwell in Christ (John 6:56)
5. Will have the indwelling Christ (John 6:56)
6. Will live by Christ (John 6:57); as Christ lives by the Father
7. Will live forever (John 6:58)
C. Not a Form of Cannibalism; throughout the Bible, the drinking of blood is

prohibited (Genesis 9:3-4; Leviticus 17:14; Acts 15:29).
D. Not the Lord’s Supper (1Corinthians 11:23-36)
1. Baptism is a picture of what happened to us in Christ at the time of our

salvation.
2. The Lord’s Supper is a picture of what Christ did for us in order to obtain our
salvation.
a. Done in remembrance (1Corinthians 11:24-25)
b. Done until He comes (1Corinthians 11:26)
c. It has nothing to do with salvation or with the receiving of eternal life.
E. But a Spiritual Partaking of Christ (see John 6:63; Colossians 1:27)
1. Like the spiritual birth (John 3:3-8)

2. Like the spiritual water (John 4:13-15)
3. So the spiritual bread (John 6:51)
F. Four Important Facts About the Bread of Life
1. The identity of the bread of life – Jesus Christ (John 6:32-35)

2. The securing of the bread of life – by believing (John 6:47-51)
3. The reward of the bread of life – everlasting life (John 6:35, 47-50)
4. The invitation of the bread of life – universal (John 6:51)
VI. DIVISION AMONG THE DISCIPLES (John 6:60-71)
A. The Difficult Sayings of Christ (John 6:60-62)
1. I came down from heaven (John 6:41-42).

2. You must eat my flesh (John 6:51-52).
3. I will ascend back to heaven (John 6:61-62).
a. The offense of the disciples (John 6:61)
(1) Offended by His hard saying
(2) Murmured at the saying
b. The giving of another hard saying (John 6:62)
(1) Since the way to come to Christ is by faith
(2) He will keep giving you things until He gives you something too
difficult for you to grasp.
(3) This will be a test to see if you trust in Him by faith.
B. The Content of the Words of Christ (John 6:63)
1. Not flesh (John 1:13; Matthew 26:41)
a. The words of Christ not words of flesh
b. The inability of the flesh

(1) The flesh profits nothing (John 6:63).
(2) The flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).
(3) The flesh has no good thing (Romans 7:18).
2. But spirit
a. Words that come by the Spirit of God (2Samuel 23:2; John 3:34;
1Corinthians 2:4)
b. Words recognized by the spirit in us (Proverbs 1:23)
c. Words that influence the spirit world (Matthew 8:16; Luke 4:36)
d. Words that teach spiritual things (1Corinthians 2:12-16)
e. Words used by the Spirit of God (Ephesians 6:17)
C. The Lack of Spiritual Understanding (John 6:64-65; 1Corinthians 2:12-16)
1. Those who believe not (John 6:64)

a. The existence of non-believers (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40)
b. The knowledge of Jesus Christ
(1) From the beginning
(2) Of those who believed not
(3) Of him who would betray Him (John 13:10-11)
2. Those who come to Jesus Christ (John 6:65)
a. Must be able to come to Christ
b. Must receive this ability from the Father (2Timothy 2:24-26)
c. Note: We cannot come to Christ without receiving this ability from the
Father. However, this does not mean that man’s will is negated in the
process. John 1:12 teaches that those who receive Christ will be given
power to become the sons of God. 2Peter 3:9 teaches us that God is not
willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. All
of these passages and more must be weighed in order to understand how
men come to God in salvation. In summary, God draws all men through
Jesus Christ but only enables those who respond to His drawing with the
ability to come to Christ in faith to receive eternal life.
d. Those who reject the light God has given them may be blinded from
seeing further light (John 12:37-40).
D. The Loss of Disciples (John 6:66; 2Timothy 1:15; 2Timothy 4:10; 1John 2:19)
E. The Faithfulness of the Few (John 6:67-69; see Matthew 16:15-17)
1. The question of Jesus (John 6:67)

2. The testimony of Peter (John 6:68-69)
a. No other place to go (John 6:68)
b. You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68).
c. We believe and are sure (John 6:69).
d. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:69; Matthew 16:13-
17).
F. The Betrayer in the Midst (John 6:70-71)
1. The twelve chosen by Christ (John 6:70; Luke 6:12-13)

2. One of them is a devil (John 6:70).
3. A reference to Judas Iscariot (John 6:71)
4. Notes on Judas Iscariot:
a. Chosen as one of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke
6:16)
b. Served as treasurer for the apostles (John 13:29)
c. Called a thief because he stole from the “bag” (John 12:4-6)
d. Recognized by Christ as the betrayer (John 6:64)
e. Given two names that point to a sinister connection with the spiritual
authority of Satan:
(1) He is “a devil” (John 6:70-71); this is either a metaphorical use of the
term (as Herod is called “that fox” – Luke 13:32) or else Jesus is
identifying him as an evil spirit. The second choice has problems but it
is one possibility.
(2) He is “the son of perdition” (John 17:12). This title is found one other
time in scripture where it is used as a title for the Antichrist
(2Thessalonians 2:3). The Antichrist can rightly be viewed as the devil
in the flesh (as Christ is God in the flesh). That these two titles are
used for Judas brings questions as to his identity. But there are also
problems as can be seen in the remainder of these notes on Judas.
f. When the time came for Judas to betray Jesus, the Bible teaches:
(1) That the devil put it into his heart (John 13:1-2)
(2) That Satan entered into him (Luke 22:3; John 13:26-27)
(3) The question arises: Can Satan enter a devil? Certainly this is true if a
devil is an evil spirit. After all, is it not true that the Spirit of God
entered Christ?
g. Judas betrayed the Son of God:
(1) With a kiss (Matthew 26:47-49)
(2) As Jesus called him Friend (Matthew 27:50; Psalm 41:9; Psalm 55:13-
14)
(3) For thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16; Zechariah 11:12-13)
h. Judas repented himself of his betrayal (Matthew 27:1-10).
(1) He confessed to betraying the “innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4).
(2) He cast down the thirty pieces of silver in the temple (Matthew 27:5).
(3) He went and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).
(4) The problem here is the repentance and confession of Judas. It is not a
problem because it should be considered a genuine repentance. The
Bible clearly says that he “repented himself” (Matthew 27:3). If he
was nothing more than a devil, then why would he repent himself? We
will have to leave this riddle unsolved for now.
Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles

John 7:1-53
I. JESUS URGED TO ATTEND THE FEAST (John 7:1-13)
A. The Occasion – the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:1-2)
1. The danger in Judea (John 7:1)

a. Jesus walked in Galilee.
b. Jesus did not walk in Jewry.
(1) This refers to the strongest area of Judaism at the time: Jerusalem
and the surrounding area of Judea.
(2) The Jews there sought to kill Jesus.
2. The three required feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16)

a. Passover or Unleavened Bread
b. Pentecost or Feast of Weeks
c. Tabernacles or Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16)
3. Feast of Tabernacles celebrated:

a. The end of the agricultural year (Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:22)
b. The completion of the yearly harvest (Deuteronomy 16:13-15;
Leviticus 23:39)
c. Release from Egyptian bondage (Leviticus 23:40-43)
4. Typified the Jewish Kingdom Age

a. The end of time for those waiting Jews
b. Harvesting or salvation of the Jewish people (Romans 11:26-29)
c. Deliverance from control by the kingdoms of the world
d. The time of rest when the Lord will make His tabernacle with men
(Leviticus 23:40; Leviticus 26:11-12; Revelation 21:3)
B. The Urging of Christ’s Brethren (John 7:3-5)
1. Their identity (John 7:3)

a. Not cousins – a teaching of Jerome in the fourth century to support the
superiority of virginity by teaching the perpetual virginity of Mary
b. Not Joseph’s children from an earlier marriage (Matthew 13:55-56)
c. The younger brothers of Jesus born to Joseph and Mary (Matthew 1:25)
2. Their motive (John 7:3-4)
a. Show your works (John 7:3).

b. Show yourself (John 7:4).
(1) Do nothing in secret (but see Proverbs 18:1; Matthew 6:1-6;
Matthew 23:5).
(2) Seek to be known (Luke 16:15; John 5:44; John 7:18; John 12:43;
2Corinthians 10:12-13).
(3) Show thyself to the world.
3. Their unbelief (John 7:5; see Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19)
C. Christ’s Refusal to Go with Them (John 7:6-9)
1. His reason (John 7:6-8)

a. The timing of God (John 7:6)
(1) Christ’s time has not yet come (John 7:6, 8, 30; cp. John 16:32;
John 17:1).
(2) The world’s time is now (Galatians 1:4).
b. The hatred toward Jesus (John 7:7)
(1) The world cannot hate its own (John 15:19).
(2) The world hated Jesus (John 17:14-16; Luke 6:26).
(a) Because He was not of the world
(b) Because He testified of the world’s evil (John 3:19-20)
c. The plot to kill Jesus (John 7:1; John 5:16, 18)
2. His reaction (John 7:8-9)

a. To send his brethren on (John 7:8)
b. To wait in Galilee (John 7:9)
D. Christ’s Attendance at the Feast (John 7:10-13)
1. The secrecy of Jesus (John 7:10)

2. The seeking of Jesus (John 7:11)
3. The separation of Jesus (John 7:12; Acts 17:32-34)
a. Those who thought Him a good man
b. Those who thought Him a deceiver
4. The silence concerning Jesus (John 7:13; John 12:42-43)
II. JESUS IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM (John 7:14-53)
A. His Teaching in the Temple (John 7:14-36)
1. Reaction to Christ’s teaching (John 7:14-15)

a. His wisdom (Matthew 13:54); when they expected Him to be ignorant,
not having been trained by them (Luke 2:46-47; Acts 4:13;
1Corinthians 1:27)
b. His doctrine (Matthew 7:28-29; Matthew 22:33; Mark 1:22)
c. His power (Luke 4:32; Mark 4:39-41; John 7:46)
2. Source of Christ’s teaching (John 7:16)

a. The Son speaks of the Father (John 8:28; John 12:49-50; John 14:10).
b. The Spirit speaks of the Son (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13-15).
3. Confirmation of Christ’s teaching (John 7:17-18)

a. Through obedience (John 7:17; John 8:31-32; Psalm 25:12, 14)
(1) If you do the will of the Father
(2) You will know the doctrine of Christ.
(3) Principle: obedience leads to understanding
b. Through humility (John 7:18; Philippians 2:3-5; Acts 17:10-11)
(1) Those who seek their own glory speak of themselves.
(2) Those who seek God’s glory speak of God.
(a) Their speech is true and honest.
(b) Their life is righteous.
4. Justification in Christ’s teaching (John 7:19-24)

a. Disobedience to the law (John 7:19-21; James 2:10)
(1) Their rejection of the law (John 7:19)
(a) Given by Moses (Nehemiah 10:29; John 1:17)
(b) Kept by none (Romans 3:19-20; Galatians 3:10)
(c) Their intention to murder Christ (John 7:25; John 5:16, 18;
John 10:31; John 11:53)
(2) Their denial of guilt (John 7:20)
(a) Redirection of guilt – by accusing Christ of having a devil
(John 8:48; John 10:20; Matthew 12:24)
(b) Pretended surprise – by asking who
(3) Their cause for concern (John 7:21)
(a) The work of Christ in Jerusalem (John 5:9-11)
(b) The astonishment of the people – they marvel
b. Correct usage of the law (John 7:22-23)
(1) Moses established the law of circumcision to be performed on the
eighth day after the birth of a son (John 7:22; Leviticus 12:3).
(2) Sometimes this eighth day falls on the Sabbath; yet it is still
performed on that day (John 7:22).
(3) This is not considered a breaking of the Sabbath, but obedience to
the law of Moses (John 7:23).
(4) How is it that the healing of a man on the Sabbath is not given the
same prerogative? (John 7:23)
(5) What cause do the Jews have at a man being healed? (John 7:23)
c. Practice of righteous judgment (John 7:24; 1Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 11:3-
4)
5. Note: Four lessons of Christ’s teaching

a. They that do His will shall know His doctrine (John 7:16-17).
b. They who seek His glory shall speak the truth (John 7:18).
c. They that judge righteously look not on appearance (John 7:24).
d. They that know God shall recognize His servant (John 7:28-29).
6. Christ’s teaching concerning Himself (John 7:25-36)

a. His origin (John 7:25-32; John 6:32-33, 38, 41-42)
(1) The confusion of the people of Jerusalem (John 7:25-27)
(a) Is this the wanted man? (John 7:25)
(b) Do the rulers know something they have not told us? (John
7:26)
(c) How could this be the Christ? (John 7:27)
i. We know whence this man came.
ii. We will not know this about the Christ.
(2) The confession of the Christ (John 7:28-29)
(a) What the people know (John 7:28)
i. They know Jesus.
ii. They know whence Christ is.
iii. Note: Jesus is obviously speaking superficially here;
they know He is of Nazareth.
(b) What the people do not know (John 7:28)
i. That Christ is not come of Himself
ii. Who it is that sent Him
(c) What Jesus Christ knows (John 7:29)
i. He knows the Father – “But I know him” (John 17:3;
Jeremiah 9:23-24; Philippians 3:8-10; 2Peter 1:3; 2Peter
3:18; 1John 5:20).
ii. He knows that He is of the Father.
iii. He knows that He is sent by the Father.
(3) The reactions of the people (John 7:30-32)
(a) Some sought to take Him (John 7:30).
i. But no man laid hands on Him
ii. Because His hour was not yet come
(b) Some believed on Him (John 7:31).
i. They saw His miracles.
ii. They determined that they were the miracles of the
Christ.
(c) The Pharisees sent to arrest Him (John 7:32).
b. His destination (John 7:33-36; John 14:12, 19)
(1) The teaching of Jesus (John 7:33-34)
(a) I will be with you a little while (John 7:33).
(b) I will go to Him that sent me (John 7:33).
(c) I will be sought but not found (John 7:34; Matthew 28:11-15).
(d) I will go where you cannot come (John 7:34).
(2) The doubting of the Jews (John 7:35-36)
(a) Concerning His destination (John 7:35)
i. Where could He go?
ii. Would it be among the dispersed? (James 1:1; 1Peter

1:1)
(b) Concerning His saying (John 7:36)
B. His Closing Message in the Temple (John 7:37-53)
1. Invitation to the water (John 7:37-39)

a. Prophecy concerning water (Isaiah 55:1-4)
b. Preaching concerning water (John 7:37; John 4:10, 13-14; John 6:35;
Revelation 21:6)
c. Offer of living water (John 7:38)
(1) Note: living water is a phrase that can refer to a spring because the
spring flows up from the earth on its own and does not have to be
drawn as water is drawn from a well.
(2) From Jerusalem (Psalm 46:4-5; Ezekiel 47:1; Joel 3:18; Zechariah
14:8)
(3) From the heart (Psalm 1:3; Isaiah 58:11; John 4:10-11)
d. Source of the living water (John 7:39)
(1) The sending of the Father (Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13)
(2) The indwelling of the Spirit (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9-13;
1Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:13-14)
e. Note: Our life in the Spirit
(1) Three men
(a) The thirsty man – lost (John 7:37)
(b) The quenched man – saved (John 7:37-38)
(c) The overflowing man (John 7:38; John 10:10)
(2) History of Spirit relationship
(a) With you (John 14:16-17)
(b) In you (Romans 8:9; 1Corinthians 6:19-20)
(c) Filling you (Ephesians 5:18-21)
(3) The work of the Spirit in us
(a) We live in the Spirit (Romans 8:5-13; Galatians 5:25).
(b) We walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-24; Romans 8:1-4).
(c) We are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18).
2. Division among the people (John 7:40-44; John 9:16; John 10:19)
a. Cause of the division (John 7:40-42)
(1) The question of identity (John 7:40-41a)
(2) The question of origin (John 7:41b-42)
b. Results of the division (John 7:43-44)
(1) Separation (John 7:43; Genesis 1:4, 14; Luke 12:51-53)
(2) Hatred (John 7:44a; John 15:18-20)
(3) Fear (John 7:44b)
3. Division among the rulers (John 7:45-53)

a. The officers (John 7:45-46)
(1) They did not bring Him (John 7:45).

(2) They testified of Him – “Never man spake like this man.” (see
Matthew 7:29; Luke 4:22).
b. Note: How to preach like Jesus

(1) Preach the Word (Mark 2:2).
(2) Preach with authority (Matthew 7:28-29).
(3) Preach with boldness (Matthew 10:27; see Acts 4:31).
(4) Preach with urgency (Luke 4:43; see 1Corinthians 9:16).
(5) Preach with plainness (Mark 12:37; John 16:29).
(6) Preach with compassion (Matthew 4:23; Mark 6:34).
(7) Preach with God’s anointing (Luke 4:16-19; see 1Samuel 10:26).
c. The Pharisees (John 7:47-49)
(1) Argument by ridicule (John 7:47)
(2) Argument by position (John 7:48)
(3) Argument by scholarship (John 7:49)
d. Nicodemus (John 7:50-53)
(1) A call for fairness (John 7:50-51); according to their law
(2) Opposed by ignorance (John 7:52-53)
(a) They dismissed Christ because He was from Galilee (John
7:52; cp. John 1:46).
(b) They dismissed the council and went home (John 7:53).
Jesus as the Light of the World

John 8:1-59
I. A SINFUL WOMAN FINDS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John 8:1-11)
A. The Continued Ministry of Christ (John 8:1-2)
1. Prayer (John 8:1; Luke 21:37-38; 22:39-40)

2. Teaching (John 8: 2; 1Timothy 3:2)
B. The Vicious Plot of the Pharisees (John 8:3-6)
1. Their accusation of the woman (John 8:3-4; Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3,
21-22)
2. Their reference to the law (John 8:5; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22);
Note: both the man and the woman were to be put to death.
3. Their tempting of Christ (John 8:5-6; Matthew 22:15)
C. The Quiet Dispersion of the Pharisees (John 8:7-9)
1. The challenge of the Saviour (John 8:7-8; see Deuteronomy 17:6-7)

2. The writing on the ground (John 8:8)
a. What did He write?
(1) The Bible does not say.
(2) But perhaps it was the portions of the law that condemned both the
woman and the man to be put to death for adultery. The man was
not brought to Jesus.
b. Scripture references to writing by God
(1) The two tables of testimony (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10)
(2) The writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5)
(3) The writing of Jesus on the ground (John 8:8)
c. The finger of God
(1) Identified as the Spirit of God (cp. Luke 11:20 with Matthew
12:28)
(2) Delivers the word (Exodus 31:18)
(3) Convicts the sinner (John 8:6-9)
(4) Imparts life (Exodus 8:19)
(5) Defeats the devil (Luke 11:14-26)
3. The conviction of the accusers (John 8:9)
a. God reveals to man’s conscience that there is a personal God (Romans
1:18-20)
(1) Who in great power created the universe
(2) Who should be obeyed
b. Man’s conscience reveals that there is a right and a wrong.

(1) This conscience is possessed by all men (John 8:9).
(2) This conscience tells man that it is his duty to do the right thing
(Romans 2:13-15).
c. Man’s conscience is not always a dependable indicator of what is right.
(1) It can be weak (1Corinthians 8:7).
(2) It can be defiled (Titus 1:15).
(3) It can be seared; that is, burned to the point that it has not feeling
(1Timothy 4:2).
(4) Only God’s word is infallible (Psalm 119:9).
d. The righteous can develop their conscience so that it provides spiritual
guidance in this life.
(1) It can be exercised by the application of the word to our lives
(Hebrews 5:12-14).
(2) It can be kept sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit by
exercising ourselves to keep it void of offense (Acts 23:1; Acts
24:16; Romans 13:5; 1Timothy 1:5, 19; 1Timothy 3:9).
(3) As such, it becomes a tool by which the Holy Ghost bears witness
to the actions of our life (Romans 9:1).
D. The Great Salvation of the Saviour (John 8:10-11)
1. No accusers (John 8:10: Romans 8:33)

2. No condemnation (John 8:11; John 3:17; Luke 19:10; Romans 8:34)
II. CHRIST PRESENTS HIMSELF AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John 8:12-
47)
A. A Proof of His Deity (John 8:12-29)
1. The testimony of the Son (John 8:12)

a. The light of the world (John 3:19-21)
(1) The Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)
(2) His face as the sun (Matthew 17:1-2; Revelation 1:13, 16)
(3) A light from heaven (Acts 9:3-5)
(4) The image of God (2Corinthians 4:4-6)
(5) The brightness of His glory (Hebrews 1:2-3)
b. The light of life (John 1:4-9)
2. The record of the Son (John 8:13-20)

a. His own witness (John 8:13-16; cp. John 5:31)
b. The Father’s witness (John 8:16-20, 54; John 5:37)
3. The blindness of the Pharisees (John 8:21-24)

a. As to His destination (John 8:21-22)
(1) The lost (John 7:33-36)
(2) The saved (John 14:1-3)

(3) Every man will either die in his sins (John 8:21, 24) or he will die
in faith (Hebrews 11:13) which today means to die in Christ (or
“sleep in Jesus” – 1Thessalonians 4:14).
b. As to His origin (John 8:23; John 17:13-16)
c. The condition of the believer illustrated
(1) He is “in the world” (John 17:11).
(2) But he is not “of the world” (John 8:23).
d. As to His identity (John 8:24; John 3:36; Revelation 21:8)
4. The sending of the Father (John 8:25-29)

a. His judgment (John 8:25-26; John 5:22; Acts 17:31)
b. His words (John 8:26-28; John 3:14; John 12:32-33)
c. His presence (John 8:29, 16; John 10:30)
d. His will (John 8:29; John 4:34; John 5:30; John 6:38; Hebrews 10:5-7;
Romans 12:1-2)
B. An Obstacle to the Jews (John 8:30-47)
1. The shallow belief of the Jews (John 8:30)

a. Not true belief (cp. John 8:48, 59)
b. As before (John 6:14-15; John 7:31)
c. As the devils (James 2:19)
2. The requirements of true discipleship (John 8:31-32)

a. To continue in the word (John 8:31; Romans 10:17)
b. To know the truth (John 8:32; John 17:17)
c. To be made free (John 8:32)
3. Doctrinal problem in John 8:31
a. The problem
(1) Does this verse teach a works salvation?
(2) Does this verse teach that salvation can be lost?
b. The frequency of the problem

(1) The problem is not limited to John 8:31.
(2) It is found in the Jewish epistle of Hebrews (Hebrews 3:6, 14 ).
(3) It is found in the Gentile epistles of Paul (1Corinthians 15:1-2;
Colossians 1:21-23).
c. What do the passages say?

(1) They make a statement about the present
(a) “then are ye my disciples” – John 8:31
(b) “ye are saved” – 1 Corinthians 15:2
(c) “yet now hath he reconciled” – Colossians 1:21
(d) “whose house are we” – Hebrews 3:6

(e) “we are made partakers of Christ” – Hebrews 3:14
(2) The statement about the present (above) is made contingent on an
“if.”
(3) The “if” clause refers to actions to be found in the future.
(a) “If ye continue in my word” – John 8:31
(b) “if ye keep in memory what I have preached unto you” – 1
Corinthians 15:2
(c) “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled” – Colossians
1:23
(d) “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope
firm unto the end” – Hebrews 3:6
(e) “if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the
end” – Hebrews 3:14
(f) Summary – All of these passages state that we now are
something if our future actions prove it to be so. They do not
say that our future actions will give us these things; else they
could not be a present possession. Since future action cannot
be the cause of a present condition, it can only be proof that
the apparent present condition is genuine.
(g) For instance, 1 Corinthians 15:2 does not say that you will be
saved if you keep in memory what was preached to you.
Rather, it says that you are now saved if you keep these things
in memory. Your future actions will prove your present
possession. In other words, if you can forget the preaching of
the gospel and live as if you never believed, then you prove
that “ye have believed in vain”-your faith was not true faith in
the gospel of Christ. This interpretation applies to all five
passages studied in this section.
d. What do these passages mean?

(1) They do not teach a works salvation or the possibility of losing
salvation.
(2) They do teach that someone can claim to be saved and can go
through the outward motions of believing without truly being born
again. This is consistent with other passages of scripture (Matthew
7:21-23; Acts 8:9-13, 18-23; 2Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16).
(3) They do teach that those who turn totally from God after they have
professed to know Him indicate by their actions that they were
never truly saved (Matthew 13:18-21; Mark 4:14-17; 1John 2:19;
2Peter 2:20-22). [NOTE: This does not change the fact that only
God can know in every case and we must trust Him to sort things
out in the end (Matthew 13:24-30).]
(4) They do teach the importance of making sure of the validity of our
salvation even after we have trusted in the Lord (2Corinthians
13:5; 2Peter 1:10).
(5) They do teach that one of the proofs of our salvation is our
faithfulness to the things of God (1John 2:3-4; cp. Titus 1:16).
4. The only source of freedom (John 8:33-36)

a. The denial of the Jews (John 8:33)
b. Their bondage in sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:16-17); contrast with our
liberty in Christ (2Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 2:4; Galatians 5:1, 13;
James 1:25; 1Peter 2:16)
c. The strength of the Son (John 8:35; Hebrews 3:5-6); our sonship
(Galatians 4:5-7)
d. The provision of the Son (John 8:36; Luke 4:18, 21)
5. The real lineage of the denying Jews (John 8:37-47)

a. Not the children of Abraham (John 8:37-40); Abraham’s seed but not
Abraham’s children (Romans 9:7-8)
b. Not the children of God (John 8:41-43; Galatians 3:26)
c. But the children of the devil (John 8:44-47)
(1) The devil (John 8:44)
(a) A murderer (1John 3:12)
(b) A liar (Genesis 3:1, 4; 1John 3:8)
(2) The children (John 8:45-47)
(a) Seeking to murder Christ (John 8:37, 40, 59)
(b) Rejecting the truth (John 8:45-47); cp. John 8:46 with
2Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1Peter 2:22
III. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD HONORED AND DISHONORED (John 8:48-
59)
A. Dishonored by the Jews (8:48-52)
1. Accused of being a Samaritan (John 8:48)

a. Their hatred of the Samaritans (John 4:9; Matthew 10:5)
b. The history of the Samaritans (2Kings 17:22-28, 32-34; Ezra 9:1-3)
2. Accused of having a devil (John 8:48-49, 52)

a. Because of His knowledge of them (John 7:19-20)
b. Because of His hard sayings (John 10:19-20)
c. Because of His power with God (Mark 3:22-23)
3. The cause of their accusations (John 8:50-52); His offer of everlasting life
(see Luke 5:18-26)
B. Honored by the Father (John 8:53-55)
1. The greatness of the Son (John 8:53)

a. Greater than Abraham (Hebrews 7:6-8)
b. Greater than the prophets (Matthew 12:40-41)
2. The glorifying of the Son (John 8:54; John 12:27-30)
3. The Father’s relationship with the Son (John 8:55)
C. Greater than Abraham (John 8:56-59; see John 8:33, 39)
1. Making Abraham glad (John 8:56)
2. Coming before Abraham (John 8:57-58; Micah 5:2)
3. The great “I AM” (John 8:58; Exodus 3:13-14)
4. Hated by the Jews (John 8:59)
From Darkness into Light

John 9:1-41
I. THE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN (John 9:1-7)
A. The Circumstances of the Healing (John 9:1)
1. Jesus passed by; there were no chance circumstances in the life of Jesus; He
always passed by at the right time.
a. Two blind men – “when they heard that Jesus passed by” (Matthew
20:30)
b. Levi [Matthew] – “as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus
sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me” (Mark
2:14).
2. Jesus saw the blind man.
a. Jesus saw what others did not see (John 4:35).
b. Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree (Luke 19:5).
B. The Cause of the Blindness (John 9:2-3)
1. The question of the disciples (John 9:2)

a. Who did sin? – They assumed that the blindness was caused by the
particular sin of someone. This was a common practice of the Jews.
(1) The accusations of the friends of Job (Job 4:7-8; Job 8:20; Job
11:6; Job 22:5-10)
(2) The Jewish take on evil events (Luke 13:2-5)
b. The choices offered by the disciples
(1) Did this man sin?
(2) Did this man’s parents sin?
2. NOTE: The Bible teaches that the physical afflictions of this life (illness,
accident, suffering, etc.) can be traced to three moral causes:
a. Personal sins (Jeremiah 31:30; Ezekiel 18:4)
b. Parental sins (Exodus 20:5)
c. Adamic sin (Romans 5:12; 8:20-23; 1Corinthians 15:21-22)
d. However, as seen in this passage of John, the Jews tended to emphasize
the first two causes at the expense of the third. In Luke 13:2-5, Jesus
gives a correction to this attitude.
3. How could a man be born blind in punishment for his own sins? There are
three possibilities:
a. Reincarnation: perhaps the man was paying for sins of an earlier life.
(1) It is possible that pagan religious teaching had seeped into popular
Jewish beliefs (see Matthew 16:13-14).
(2) However, the Jewish teachers rejected this doctrine.
(3) Also, the Bible clearly rejects the doctrine of reincarnation

(Hebrews 9:27).
b. Fetal sins: Some taught that a child could sin in the womb.
(1) Jacob and Esau struggled in the womb (Genesis 25:22, 26).
(2) David spoke of his sinfulness in the womb (Psalm 51:5).
(3) On the other side, John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost
from the womb (Luke 1:15).
(4) However, these passages do not speak of personal guilt or merit in
the womb. David speaks of the sin nature in all men. The struggle
between Esau and Jacob foretold of a later struggle, but it did not
refer to sin. The filling of John the Baptist was a work of God and
had nothing to do with his internal merit. He was still a sinner by
nature and by practice.
c. Future sins: Perhaps the man was being punished for sins God knew he
would commit after his birth.
(1) Elisha mourned over the evils Hazael would commit (2Kings 8:10-
13). Could not God anticipate our sins?
(2) Though certainly possible, there is no indication in scripture that
God gives out such punishment.
d. Conclusion: the Jews were probably influenced by certain popular, but
incorrect, teachings. Jesus would change their focus from speculating
on the cause to understanding the purpose.
4. The response of Jesus (John 9:3)
a. Not because of a particular sin. Clearly, the sin nature in a fallen world
was enough to explain the cause of this man’s blindness.
b. For the purpose of revealing the works of God in him (John 11:4)
C. The Cure for All Blindness (John 9:4-5)
1. The One who does the works of God (John 9:4)

a. The man was blind so that the works of God might be manifest (John
9:3).
b. Christ came to do the works of God (John 9:4).
c. The blind man was blind in order to bring glory to Christ when he was
healed.
2. The time to do the works of God (John 9:4)
a. While it is day
b. Before the night comes
c. Note: There is always an urgency to the work of the Lord. Work must
be completed while there is time to do it. The time will soon come
when no more work can be finished (Matthew 24:42-44; Romans
13:11-12; 2Corinthians 6:2; 1Thessalonians 5:6).
3. The light of the world (John 9:5)
a. Jesus is the light of the world (John 1:9; John 8:12; John 12:46).
b. As long as He is in the world
D. The Cure of the Blind Man (John 9:6-7)
1. Jesus anointed his eyes with clay (John 9:6).

a. The dust of the ground: a picture of the human nature (Genesis 2:7;
Genesis 3:19)
b. The spittle: though many refer to the healing nature of spittle, the true
emphasis in scripture is on its disgusting nature. It is a source of shame
and uncleanness in the Bible (Leviticus 15:8; Numbers 12:14;
Deuteronomy 25:9; Job 30:10; Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30). This must
then picture the sinfulness of man.
c. The clay: this pictures the sinful, fallen nature of man (Job 10:9; Job
33:6; Isaiah 45:9).
d. The anointing of the eyes: this pictures the true cause of blindness in
this man, but also in all men. In effect, Jesus was answering the
question of the disciples on the cause of the man’s blindness. His
blindness was caused by his Adamic nature. But this was also a picture
of the cause of blindness in all men. They are blind to spiritual things
because of their sinful nature (Matthew 23:24-26; John 9:39-41;
2Cornithians 4:3-4; Ephesians 4:17-18; Revelation 3:17).
2. Jesus sent him to the pool of Siloam (John 9:7).
a. The meaning of Siloam is Sent. This is especially significant because
the interpretation is given by the Holy Ghost in the text.
b. Who or what is identified in scripture as Sent?
(1) Jesus is the Sent One (John 8:18; John 3:17, 34; John 5:24, 30, 36-
38; John 6:38-40).
(2) The Holy Ghost is sent (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7).
(3) The disciples are sent (John 17:18; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).
c. This pictures the need of those who are spiritually blind to go to the
sent ones in order to receive sight.
3. Jesus commanded him to wash in the water (John 9:7).
a. Water is a picture of the word of God (John 15:3; John 17:17;
Ephesians 5:26).
b. The man received his sight by washing in the water. We are saved by
the working of the word of God on our blindness (James 1:18, 21;
1Peter 1:23).
c. Conclusion: we are sent to take the water of the word to those blinded
by sin so that they might wash their eyes and see.
II. THE RESPONSE OF THE NEIGHBORS (John 9:8-13)
A. They Determined His Identity (John 9:8-9) – What?
1. He was the same man who begged (John 9:8).

2. But he seemed to be a different man too (John 9:9); this pictures the change
salvation makes in a man (2Corinthians 5:17).
B. They Inquired of His Healing (John 9:10-11) – How?
1. They want to know how it happened (John 9:10).

2. He gave them his testimony (John 9:11; Acts 14:3; 20:24).
C. They Inquired of His Healer (John 9:12) – Who?
D. They Brought Him to the Pharisees (John 9:13); one of the dangers to one newly
born again is that he might be led to the religious who are spiritually dead. These
will try to make a disciple out of them (Matthew 23:15).
III. THE RESPONSE OF THE PHARISEES (John 9:14-18)
A. The Time of the Healing (John 9:14)
1. On the Sabbath Day

2. A continual point of contention (John 5:9, 16; John 7:21-23)
3. The answer of Christ (Matthew 12:7-14)
B. The Method of the Healing (John 9:15)
C. The Accusation of the Pharisees (John 9:16)
1. They declared that Jesus could not be of God because He broke the Sabbath
traditions (Matthew 15:1-6).
2. Others questioned the possibility of such blessed miracles coming from an
evil man.
3. A division was created among the people (John 7:43; John 9:16; John
10:19).
D. The Testimony of the Blind Man (John 9:17) – “He is a prophet.”
E. The Proof of the Healing (John 9:18)
1. The Jews heard the testimony of the man’s parents

2. The Jews now believed that he had been healed. Note: their continued
rejection of Jesus was not based on disbelief of the identity of Christ, but on
a knowing rejection of His lordship (John 11:45-48).
IV. THE RESPONSE OF HIS PARENTS (John 9:19-23)
A. They Identify Their Son (John 9:19-20).
1. He is our son.
2. He was born blind.
B. They Claim Ignorance of the Method (John 9:21).
C. They Fear Exclusion from the Synagogue (John 9:22-23).
1. Their fear of religious retribution (John 9:22; John 7:13; Luke 12:4-9)
2. Their knowledge of Jewish policy (John 9:22, 34; John 12:42-43)
3. Their deferring to their son (John 9:23)
a. He is of age.
b. Ask him.
V. THE REJECTION OF THE MAN BORN BLIND (John 9:24-34)
A. The Man Refused to Reject Jesus (John 9:24-25).
1. The attack of the Jews (John 9:24)

a. Give God the praise.
b. This man is a sinner.
2. The response of the blind man (John (John 9:25)
a. His identity may be unknown.
b. The miracle is sure.
B. The Man Challenged the Religious Authorities (John 9:26-27).
1. The Jews asked again of the method (John 9:26).

2. The man questioned their motives (John 9:27).
a. Why do you want to hear it again?
b. Would you also be His disciples?
C. The Jews Rejected the Identity of Jesus (John 9:28-29).
1. They revile the man born blind (John 9:28).

a. You are His disciple.
b. We are the disciples of Moses.
2. They reject the person of Christ (John 9:29).
a. God spoke to Moses.
b. The source of Jesus is not known.
D. The Man Testified of the Identity of Jesus (John 9:30-33).
1. He is the worker of this marvelous miracle (John 9:30).

2. He is one who is heard by God (John 9:31).
a. Sinners are not heard by God (Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 1:15).
b. Those heard by God must meet His qualifications (Proverbs 15:29).
(1) He must be a worshipper of God.
(2) He must do the will of God (1John 3:22).
3. He must be of God (John 9:32-33).
E. The Jews Cast the Man Out of the Synagogue (John 9:34).
1. Accused of being born in sins. Note: although this is true, it is also true of
those who were accusing him (Job 15:14-16; Job 25:4; Psalm 51:5).
2. Unable to teach them (Romans 2:17-21)
3. Cast out of the synagogue (see John 9:22)
VI. THE FAITH OF THE MAN BORN BLIND (John 9:35-38)
A. The Challenge of the Saviour (John 9:35)
1. He heard that the man had been cast out.

2. He sought and found the man.
3. He asked the man if he believed on the Son of God (1John 5:13).
B. The Identity of the Son of God (John 9:36-37)
1. The man only needed to know who He is (John 9:36).

2. Christ identified Himself as the Son of God (John 9:37).
C. The Faith of the Man Born Blind (John 9:38)
1. He believed in Him.
2. He worshipped Him (see Exodus 4:31 where the people believe and then
worship); worship is the natural response to faith in God.
VII. THE BLINDNESS OF THE PHARISEES (John 9:39-41)
A. The Purpose of Christ (John 9:39)
1. To give sight to the blind (Luke 4:18; 2Corinthians 4:4-6)

2. To blind those who see (John 12:37-41; Romans 11:7-10)
B. The Question of the Pharisees (John 9:40) – Are we blind also?
C. The Response of Christ (John 9:41)
1. The blind are able to get their sins removed.

2. The seeing will have their sins remain on them.
3. Note: Those who recognize their blindness seek the light and are able to
find Christ and get their sins forgiven. Those who do not recognize their
blindness but insist that they can see are unable to accept Christ as their
light and so their sins remain on them (Isaiah 42:18-20; Revelation 3:17).
The Good Shepherd

John 10:1-42
I. THE PARABLE OF THE SHEPHERD (John 10:1-6)
A. His Entrance into the Sheepfold (John 10:1-2)
1. The pretenders (John 10:1; Jeremiah 14:15; Jeremiah 23:21, 32; Ezekiel
13:2-6; Matthew 7:15; 2Peter 2:1)
a. Their entrance into the sheepfold
(1) Not by the door
(2) Climb in some other way
b. Their identity (Ezekiel 34:2-5; Zechariah 11:16-17; Romans 16:17-18;
2Corinthians 11:13-15; Titus 1:11; 2Peter 2:3, 18-19)
(1) A thief
(2) A robber
2. The true (John 10:2)
a. He enters by the door.
b. He is the shepherd of the sheep.
c. First mention of shepherd in the Bible (Genesis 46:34) – an
abomination to the Egyptians
d. God as the Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1; Psalm 23:1; Ecclesiastes
12:11; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 31:10)
e. Jesus Christ as our Shepherd
(1) In prophecy (Genesis 49:24; Zechariah 13:7); the reference to
David in Ezekiel 34:23-24 may also partly apply to Christ.
(2) As the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
(3) As the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20)
(4) As the Shepherd of your Souls (1Peter 2:25)
(5) As the Chief Shepherd (1Peter 5:4)
B. The Voice of the Shepherd (John 10:3-5)
1. His voice is recognized (John 10:3).

a. By the porter – perhaps a reference to the Holy Ghost
b. By the sheep
(1) They hear His voice.
(2) He calls them by name (Exodus 31:2; Exodus 33:12, 17; Esther
2:14; Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26; Isaiah 43:1, 7; Isaiah 45:3-4;
Isaiah 63:19; 3John 1:14).
(3) He leads them out (Psalm 78:52-53).
2. His voice is followed (John 10:4).
a. He goes before them.
b. The sheep follow Him.
3. His voice is distinct (John 10:5).

a. They follow not the voice of strangers.
b. They flee from the voice of strangers.
C. The Confusion of the Disciples (John 10:6)
1. They heard the parable.

2. They did not understand the parable.
II. THE IDENTITY OF THE DOOR (John 10:7-10)
A. Heard by the Sheep (John 10:7-8)
1. Christ as the door of the sheep (John 10:7; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18;
Hebrews 10:19-20)
2. Those who are imposters (John 10:8)
a. Who came before Christ
b. Identified as thieves and robbers
c. Not heard by the sheep
B. Bringing Life to the Sheep (John 10:9-10)
1. The door of salvation (John 10:9)

a. The identity of the door – “I am the door”
b. The offer of the door – “by me if any man”
c. The entrance through the door – “enter in”
d. The assurance of the door – “he shall be saved”
e. The privilege of the door – “and shall go in and out”
(1) Our safety – “in”
(2) Our service – “out”
f. The blessings of the door – “and find pasture”
2. The purpose of the thief (John 10:10)
a. To steal
b. To kill
c. To destroy
3. The purpose of the door (John 10:10)
a. That they might have life
b. That they might have life more abundantly
c. Note: the life that Christ gives
(1) Spiritual life (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5)
(2) Abundant life (1Corinthians 15:58; 2Corinthians 2:14;
2Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:9-10)
(3) Resurrected life (1Corinthians 15:19-22, 51-57)
(4) Remembered life (Malachi 3:16; 2Timothy 4:6-8)
(5) Eternal life (John 10:27-30)
III. THE IDENTITY OF THE SHEPHERD (John 10:11-18)
A. Will Give His Life for the Sheep (John 10:11-13)
1. The Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

a. Identified as Jesus Christ
b. Known by His willingness to die for the sheep
2. The hireling (John 10:12-13; Isaiah 56:10-12)
a. The sheep are not his own (John 10:12).
b. He flees at the sight of the wolf (John 10:12).
(1) To be caught
(2) To be scattered
c. He cares not for the sheep (John 10:13).
B. Knows and is Known by the Sheep (John 10:14-15)
1. His relationship with the sheep (John 10:14)

a. He knows His sheep.
b. He is known of the sheep.
2. His relationship with the Father (John 10:15)
a. The Father knows Him.
b. He knows the Father.
3. His sacrifice for the sheep (John 10:15) – “I lay down my life for the
sheep.”
C. Will Gather All the Sheep (John 10:16)
1. The other sheep (Isaiah 56:3-8)

a. Not of this fold (Psalm 86:9; Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 49:6; Zechariah 2:11)
b. To be brought also
c. They shall hear the Shepherd’s voice.
2. In one fold (Ephesians 2:11-22)
3. Under one shepherd
D. Will Lay Down His Life for the Sheep (John 10:17-18)
1. Cause of His Father’s love (John 10:17)

2. His supreme love (John 10:18)
a. No man can take His life from Him.
b. He lays down His life of His own will.
3. His absolute power (John 10:18)
a. Power to lay His life down: crucifixion
b. Power to take His life again: resurrection
4. His complete obedience (John 10:18; John 4:34)
IV. THE IDENTITY OF JESUS (John 10:19-30)
A. Accused of Having a Devil (John 10:19-21)
1. Another division among the Jews (John 10:19)

2. Another accusation of having a devil (John 10:20-21; John 7:20; John 8:48,
52)
B. Refused to Please His Accusers (John 10:22-25)
1. The feast of the dedication (John 10:22)

a. In Jerusalem
b. In the winter
2. In the temple in Solomon’s porch (John 10:23; Acts 3:11; Acts 5:12)
3. Approached by the Jews (John 10:24)
a. Remove all doubt.
b. Tell us plainly if you are the Christ.
4. Reproved by Jesus (John 10:25)
a. I told you.
b. You believed not.
c. My works bear witness of me.
C. The Feast of the Dedication in Application (John 10:22) - Though Hanukkah is a

Jewish feast, the New Testament teaches that Jesus honored this feast with His
attendance.
1. History
a. In 165BC, Judah Maccabee led a force of Jewish fighters who took the
city of Jerusalem from under the control of the Syrian ruler Antiochus
Epiphanes. Antiochus had tried to force the Jews to leave their customs
and cease to obey the Mosaic Law in order to conform to the Greek
society of the day. Many of those Jews who opposed him were killed.
In order to destroy the Jewish religious practice, Antiochus desecrated
the temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing pigs on its altar. He then made it
into a house of worship to the Greek god Zeus.
b. After Antiochus desecrated the temple, a priest named Mattathias and
his five sons rose up in rebellion against him. Their family name was
Hasmonean but they came to be known as the Maccabees, a name that
means Hammer. They certainly were used as the Hammer of God
against Antiochus. Though poorly armed and greatly outnumbered,
they won battle after battle against the superior Syrian forces. Though
Mattathias did not live to see it, shortly after his death his son Judas
entered the city as a victor.
c. Judas spent several months cleansing the temple and its environs. He
then proclaimed the 25th of Kislev as the beginning of a holy feast
given to the rededication of the temple for the priestly service. This
date marked the third anniversary from the time the temple was
originally desecrated by Antiochus. Though the calendars do not match
perfectly, the eight day feast of Hanukkah generally corresponds to the
Christmas season.
2. Celebration
a. Hanukkah is celebrated each year by the eating of special foods like the
potato pancakes called latkes and other fried foods. (They are fried in
oil because of the miracle of the oil told below.) Children play a game
with a holiday top called a dreidel. Also, the people give gifts to one
another. This last part of the celebration used to be a minor part.
However, many Jewish parents now feel that they must compete with
Christmas so they often give their children gifts for each of the eight
days of the feast.
b. But probably the most characteristic tradition of the feast is the lighting
of the Hanukkah candles. This is why Hanukkah is also called the
Festival of Lights. Tradition teaches that when the priests went in to
light the menorah (or candlestick), they only found one unopened and
uncontaminated cruse of oil that could be used for the lighting of the
lamps. And, it only had enough oil for one day. But, when they filled
the lamps and lit them, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days. The
lighting of the eight Hanukkah candles commemorates this miracle.
3. Application
a. First: Hanukkah means “dedication.” Its initial purpose was to
rededicate the temple that had sat filthy and had been used for the
worship of false gods. This feast celebrated the fact that once again the
house of God was cleansed and sanctified for His use alone. In like
manner, we who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Saviour should cleanse
our lives and set them apart for God’s use. We should dedicate
ourselves to God and live only for Him.
b. Second: The two great Jewish teachers, Shammai and Hillel, argued
over how the candles should be lit. Shammai taught that all the candles
should be lit the first night of the feast and that one should be snuffed
out each succeeding evening. Hillel, whose view won out, said that one
candle should be lit each night until all of the candles were lit at the end
of the eight days. His argument was that we should be increasing in
holiness and not decreasing. We should still be increasing and not
decreasing; we should grow in the grace of the knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
c. Third: According to Jewish tradition, the candles are placed in the
Hanukkah candlestick (when facing it) from right to left. However, the
candles are lit from left to right. This way, the candles that are set in
place last are lit first and the candles that are set in place first are lit
last. This reminds us of the saying of Jesus that “the last shall be first,
and the first last.” He is teaching that those who seem to be the most
important may not have an equal place in heaven. And, those who
seem to be lowly here may have a much higher position in the world to
come.
d. Fourth: In a similar teaching, both men and women are to have part in
the lighting of the candles. This is not true in many of the Jewish
ceremonies. Usually, men do most of that which is visible. However,
Hanukkah teaches that both men and women had an equal part in the
deliverance of the Jewish people in the time of the Maccabees. Many
stories of the heroism of women are told. Also, under the teaching of
the New Testament, women often take a back seat in the public
ministry. However, the apostle Paul makes it clear that all, including
male and female, are one in Christ Jesus. Different roles do not
indicate different standings with God.
e. Fifth: Each family is to place its Hanukkah candlestick so that it is
visible to the outside—whether in a window or in a special place near a
door. So, Jesus tells us not to light our candle and put it under a bushel.
We should put it on a candlestick and let it shine as a testimony to all
men. Also, each candle is to be lit right after sundown. As this world
gets darker and darker, so we should be lights in the world.
f. Sixth: The Hanukkah menorah is purposely designed to be different
from the temple menorah. The temple menorah has seven lamps. The
Hanukkah candlestick has eight (plus the ninth, which will be explained
in the next paragraph). Also, it is actually called the hanukkia in order
to distinguish it from the holy menorah. It is like the temple menorah
but it is not to be confused with it. So, we are to be like Christ. He is
our example in every aspect of the Christian life. We are to be
recreated in His image. However, we should never get the idea that we
are identical to Him. We will always come far short of His glory. He
will always be “the first” and “the last.”
g. Seventh: Finally, the Hanukkah menorah has a ninth candle called the
shamash which means “servant.” None of the eight candles are ever to
be used to light any of the other eight candles. All of them are to be lit
from the ninth, or servant, candle. God the Father calls Jesus Christ
“my servant, whom I have chosen.” Jesus came not to be ministered
unto but to minister. We cannot find our light in the light of another
believer. Each of us must have our candle lit by the light of all
mankind, by Jesus Christ Himself. He is truly the Servant and the sole
source of our light. Do you know the Light of the world? Are you lit
by His flame? Are you showing your candle to the outside world for
all to see? There is so much for us to learn from this feast attended by
Christ—the Feast of Dedication.
D. Identified Himself with the Father (John 10:26-30)
1. The proof of the sheep (John 10:26-27)

a. Those who do not hear the Shepherd are not His sheep.
b. Those who hear the Shepherd and follow Him are the sheep.
2. The possession of the sheep (John 10:28)

a. They are given eternal life.
b. They shall never perish.
3. The preservation of the sheep (John 10:28-30)
a. Kept by the Son (John 10:28)
b. Kept by the Father (John 10:29)
c. The Oneness of the Father and Son (John 10:30; 1John 5:7)
V. AN ATTEMPT TO KILL JESUS (John 10:31-42)
A. Attacked for Making Himself God (John 10:31-33)
1. They took up stones to stone Him (John 10:31).

2. Jesus questioned their motives (John 10:32).
3. They accused Jesus of blasphemy (John 10:33) – “because that thou, being
a man, makest thyself God.”
B. Gave Answer to His Accusers (John 10:34-36)
1. Jesus quoted scripture (John 10:34; Psalm 82:6).

2. Jesus answered the charge of blasphemy John 10:35-36).
a. They were called gods (John 10:35).
(1) The promise of Satan (Genesis 3:5)
(2) The rulers of the people are connected with gods (Exodus 22:28).
(3) The judges of the people are called gods (Psalm 82:1-7).
(4) There are many that are called gods (1Corinthians 8:4-6).
(5) The title, god, carries the idea of one who is exalted and powerful.
Only God has all power and is fully exalted. In this sense, He alone
is God (Psalm 86:8-10; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:22). We are to have
no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3).
b. The scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35).
(1) Not to be altered in any way (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6;
Revelation 22:18-19)
(2) No jot or tittle will pass away (Matthew 5:18).
(3) All things must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44).
(4) The word of God is not bound (2Timothy 2:9).
(5) Jesus is arguing that the authority of scripture must be accepted.
c. The presentation of the Son (John 10:36)
(1) Sanctified by the Father
(a) To sanctify is to set apart as holy for a special purpose.
(b) Christ will sanctify Himself so that those who believe in Him
may be sanctified (John 17:19).
(c) Hebrews 10:29 (though controversial) is probably referring to
Jesus Christ as the Son of God when it speaks of “the blood of
the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified.” If this is the case,
then Jesus was sanctified, or set apart as holy, by His shed
blood. He was sanctified in this manner so that He might

sanctify others (John 17:19; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 10:10).
(d) This would go further to explain why Jesus did not allow
Mary to touch Him until He had ascended to the Father (John
20:16-17). Jesus still had to make the heavenly offering of His
own blood (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24-26).
(2) Sent into the world – the teaching that Jesus Christ is the One sent
from the Father into the world is a major theme of the book of
John.
d. The refutation of the charge of blasphemy (John 10:36)
(1) Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.
(2) In the light of the preceding argument, this could not be called
blasphemy.
e. The purpose of the argument
(1) Jesus was not denying that He was God.
(2) He was only answering their charge of blasphemy in arguments
that they could understand.
C. Escaped the Hands of His Accusers (John 10:37-39)
1. The importance of His works (John 10:37-38)

a. Reject Him if His works are false (John 10:37).
b. Accept Him if His works are true (John 10:38).
2. What His works should lead them to believe (John 10:38)
a. That the Father is in Him
b. That He is in the Father
3. Their continued rejection of His works (John 10:39)
a. They sought to take Him.
b. He escaped from their hands.
D. Departed beyond the Jordan (John 10:40-42)
1. His return to beginnings (John 10:40)

a. Where John at first baptized
b. Where Jesus abode
2. His ministry in the wilderness (John 10:41-42)
a. Many resorted to Him there (John 10:41).
b. Many accepted John’s testimony of Jesus (John 10:41).
c. Many believed on Him there (John 10:42).
The Resurrection of Lazarus

John 11:1-57
I. THE SICKNESS NOT UNTO DEATH (John 11:1-10)
A. The Sickness of Lazarus (John 11:1-2)
1. The city of Lazarus (John 11:1) – Bethany

a. On the backside of the Mount of Olives (Mark 11:1)
b. The home of Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6)
2. The family of Lazarus – Mary and Martha (John 11:1; Luke 10:38-42)
3. The identity of Mary (John 11:2; John 12:1-3)
B. The Message of his Sickness (John 11:3)
1. The sisters sent for Jesus.

2. The sisters appealed to His love for Lazarus.
C. The Purpose of his Sickness (John 11:4)
1. For the glory of God (John 11:4; John 9:3)

2. For the glory of the Son of God (John 11:4)
3. For the benefit of the disciples (John 11:14-15)
4. For the benefit of Martha (John 11:21-23)
5. For the benefit of Mary (John 11:32)
6. For the benefit of the Jews (John 11:45)
7. To reveal Christ’s power of resurrection (John 11:25-26)
D. The Delay of Christ’s Response (John 11:5-6)
1. A delay of love (John 11:5; cp. 2Corinthians 7:8-10)

2. A delay of two days (John 11:6)
a. Jesus was beyond Jordan (John 10:40), probably two to three days
journey from Bethany.
b. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days
(John 11:17, 39).
c. Therefore, Jesus would not have arrived before his death (humanly
speaking) even if He had left immediately.
d. The leisurely pace of Jesus in coming to Bethany:
(1) Demonstrates the confidence of the One who knew all things and
could do all things. He, who knew all things and who did all things
well, never needed to get in a hurry.
(2) Prepares the scene for a greater miracle. There was less chance for
accusation of simple swooning and recovery after four days.
E. The Return to Judaea (John 11:7-10)
1. The danger of returning (John 11:7-8)

2. The daytime ministry of Christ (John 11:9-10)
a. The twelve hours of the day (John 11:9)
b. He who walks in the day (John 11:9; Ephesians 5:8, 14; 1Thessalonians
5:5-8)
(1) He does not stumble (1John 2:10).
(2) He sees the light of this world.
c. He who walks in the night (John 11:10)
(1) He stumbles (Proverbs 4:18-19).
(2) There is no light in him (Luke 11:34-35).
II. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS DEATH (John 11:11-16)
A. The Sleep of Lazarus (John 11:11)
1. Sleep is a biblical synonym for the death of a believer (1Corinthians 11:29-

30).
2. This and similar passages do not teach soul-sleep (that the soul sleeps, or
has no conscious knowledge of its existence from the time of death until the
time of resurrection). See 2Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-24.
3. The sleep of the believer is a picture of several things:
a. The peacefulness of their death (John 11:12-13; 1Corinthians 15:6, 18;
1Thessalonians 4:13-18)
b. The temporary nature of their death (Mark 5:39-42; 2Peter 3:4)
c. A change in state that does not destroy the identity of the person
(1Corinthians 15:51; 1Thessalonians 5:10)
B. The Misunderstanding of the Disciples (John 11:12-13)
C. The Explanation of Jesus (John 11:14-15)
1. Lazarus is dead (John 11:14).

2. The death of Lazarus is good (John 11:15).
a. Because of the temporary absence of Christ
b. Because of the opportunity to increase the faith of the disciples
D. The Misunderstanding of Thomas (John 11:16)
1. He thought that Jesus referred to following Lazarus in death.

2. He proclaimed his willingness to follow in death also.
III. THE COMFORT GIVEN TO THE FAMILY (John 11:17-27)
A. The Comfort of Friends (John 11:17-19)
1. Four days after his death (John 11:17)

2. Fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem (John 11:18) – that is, about two miles
3. Many Jews were there to comfort Martha and Mary (John 11:19; Romans
12:15).
B. The Comfort of Christ’s Presence (John 11:20-22)
1. The reaction of the sisters (John 11:20)

a. Martha went to meet Jesus.
b. Mary sat still at home.
2. The reasoning of Martha (John 11:21-22)
a. The presence of Jesus would have kept Lazarus alive (John 11:21, cp.
John 11:32, 37; John 4:49; Luke 8:49).
b. The absence of Jesus does not destroy her faith in Him (John 11:22);
this does not mean that she anticipated the resurrection of Lazarus at
this time. She was simply affirming that the loss of her brother did not
cause her to turn away from Christ.
C. The Comfort of the Resurrection (John 11:23-27)
1. The promise of Jesus (John 11:23) – “Thy brother shall live again.”
2. The understanding of Martha (John 11:24) – at the last day
3. The declaration of Jesus (John 11:25-26)
a. His identity as life (John 11:25)
(1) As the life (John 1:4; John 14:6)
(2) As the resurrection
(a) For Himself (John 10:17-18)
(b) For believers (John 6:40; John 14:19)
b. His offer of life (John 11:25)
(1) An offer to the dead (Ephesians 2:1, 4-6)
(2) An offer through faith (John 20:31)
(3) An offer to life (John 10:10; Romans 8:11)
c. His power in life (John 11:26)
(1) A life of faith (Romans 10:8-10)
(2) A life in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:9-10)
(3) An everlasting life (John 5:24)
4. The faith of Martha (John 11:26-27)
a. The challenge of Christ (John 11:26)
b. The confirmation of Martha (John 11:27)
(1) He is the Christ.
(2) He is the Son of God.
(3) He is the One who should come into the world.
IV. THE COMPASSION OF THE SAVIOUR (John 11:28-37)
A. The Call for Mary (John 11:28-30)
1. Martha sent for Mary (John 11:28).

a. She sent secretly; this shows us that Mary is a picture of the private life
of the believer.
b. The Master is come.
c. The Master calls for you.
2. Mary responded to the call (John 11:29).
a. She heard the call.
b. She arose quickly.
c. She came to Jesus.
d. Note: Mary did not come when she heard the news that Jesus had
arrived (John 11:20). She evidently took the absence of Jesus at the
time of crises as a rejection by Him (John 11:32). Therefore, she waited
until He personally called before she came to Him (John 11:29). She
did not yet understand that God sometimes does His greatest work at
times when we do not sense His presence.
3. Jesus had not yet entered the town of Bethany (John 11:30).
B. The Weeping of Mary (John 11:31-32)
1. The Jews rose up to follow Mary to the grave (John 11:31).

2. Mary fell down to worship at the feet of Jesus (John 11:32).
3. Mary voiced her struggles with the ways of her Lord (John 11:32).
C. The Weeping of Christ (John 11:33-37)
1. The compassion of Christ (John 11:33-34)

a. He saw the weeping of Mary and the Jews with her (John 11:33).
b. He groaned in the spirit and was troubled (John 11:33).
c. He asked to see the tomb (John 11:34).
2. The love of Jesus (John 11:35-37)
a. He wept at the sight of the tomb (John 11:35).
b. The Jews recognized His love for Lazarus (John 11:36).
c. The Jews realized that He could have healed Lazarus (John 11:37).
V. THE MIRACLE OF RESURRECTION (John 11:38-44)
A. The Command to Remove the Stone (John 11:38-41)
1. Their obedience requested (John 11:38-39) – “Take ye away the stone.”

2. Martha’s objection answered (John 11:39-40; Hebrews 11:1).
3. Note: believing is seeing.
B. The Command to Come Forth (John 11:41-44)
1. The prayer of Christ – 37 words (John 11:41-42)

a. The prayer of Elijah – 63 words (1Kings 18:36-38)
b. The warning against vain repetitions (Isaiah 1:15; Matthew 6:7)
2. The command of Christ (v.43) – “Lazarus, come forth.”
3. The obedience of Lazarus (John 11:44, 25; John 5:25; 1Thessalonians 4:16)
C. The Command to Loose Him (John 11:44) – “Loose him, and let him go.”
1. He was alive but bound.

2. He needed help from others (Romans 15:1-2).
3. Note: these three commands are instructive in how God uses man. Jesus
commanded the Jews to do the things they could do: remove the stone and
loose him. But Christ directly accomplished that which only He could do.
4. Note: this is a picture of how to reach the lost for Christ. We remove the
stone. That is, we are to remove those obstacles that keep the dead man
from Jesus. Then, Jesus must give life. Finally, we will find that the newly
saved still have many grave clothes wrapped around them. We must work to
help them remove these things that hinder their Christian walk.
VI. THE RESULTS OF RESURRECTION (John 11:45-57)
A. Division (John 11:45-46)
1. Belief (John 11:45)

2. Unbelief (John 11:46)
B. Opposition (John 11:47-53)
1. The fear of the chief priests (John 11:47-48; Luke 14:7-11; Proverbs 25:6-7)
a. He does many miracles (John 11:47).
b. All will believe in Him (John 11:48).
c. We will lose our place and nation (John 11:48).
2. The prophecy of Caiaphas (John 11:49-52; Galatians 4:4-5)
a. Sometimes God honors the position (John 11:49).
b. He prophesied that one man should die for the whole nation (John
11:50). He likely understood it to mean that the death of Christ would
keep the nation from being destroyed by Him.
c. God gave the prophecy (John 11:51-52).
3. The strategy of the Jews (John 11:53) – to put Jesus to death
C. Withdrawal (John 11:54-57)
1. Not able to show Himself openly (John 11:54)

2. Sought at the time of the Passover (John 11:55-57)
Return to Jerusalem
John 12:1-50
I. PREPARED FOR BURIAL (John 12:1-11)
A. The Supper at Bethany (John 12:1-2)
1. Six days before the Passover (John 12:1); this is the beginning of the last
week of Christ on earth before His crucifixion. This week takes up a larger
portion of John (about one-half the book) than it does in the other gospels.
2. Bethany: known as the city of resurrected Lazarus (John 12:1)
3. Supper held there in His honor (John 12:2)
a. Martha served (John 12:2).
b. Lazarus sat (John 12:2).
c. Mary sacrificed (John 12:3).
B. The Work of Mary (John 12:3)
1. The Bible events in the life of Mary

a. She sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:38-42).
b. She waited for the Master’s call (John 11:28-29).
c. She anointed the Saviour’s feet (Matthew 26:6-13).
2. The anointing of the feet of Jesus
a. She took a pound of ointment of spikenard.
(1) An aromatic oil that comes from an Asian plant that grows in the
Himalayas
(2) Mentioned five times in the Bible (Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of
Solomon 4:13, 14; Mark 14:3; John 12:3)
(3) Very costly (1Chronicles 21:24)
b. She anointed the feet of Jesus (John 11:2).
c. She wiped His feet with her hair.
d. She filled the house with the odor of the ointment. Application: the
gracious act of Mary filled the house with a sweet savor (Genesis 8:20-
21; 2Corinthians 2:15).
3. The sacrifice of Mary
a. Of her possessions (John 12:3, 5)
b. Of her pride (John 12:3)
c. Of her reputation (John 12:5)
C. The Objection of Judas (12:4-6)
1. His criticism of Mary’s sacrifice (John 12:4-5; 1Peter 2:12)

2. His desire for money (John 12:6; Matthew 26:14-16)
3. His influence over the disciples (Matthew 26:8-9)
D. The Purpose of the Anointing (John 12:7-8)
1. Against the day of burying (John 12:7; Matthew 26:12)

2. The poor can be helped another day (John 12:8).
a. We have the poor always (Deuteronomy 15:11).
b. Christ is not always here bodily.
E. The Attraction of Lazarus (John 12:9-11)
1. The people came to see Lazarus (John 12:9).

2. The priests plotted to kill Lazarus (John 12:10).
3. Many believed because of Lazarus (John 12:11).
II. PRESENTED TO THE MULTITUDES (John 12:12-36)
A. The Reception of the People (John 12:12-13)
1. The news of the coming of Jesus (John 12:12)

a. Crowds came to Jerusalem in preparation for the feast.
b. They heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
2. The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem (John 12:13)
a. They took palm branches.
(1) A symbol of refreshment (Exodus 15:27)
(2) A symbol of rejoicing (Leviticus 23:40)
(3) A symbol of righteousness (Psalm 92:12)
(4) Palm trees decorated Solomon’s temple (1Kings 6:29, 32, 35;
1Kings 7:36).
b. They went forth to meet Him.
c. They cried, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the
name of the Lord.”
(1) Hosanna means “Save now.”
(2) This greeting taken from Psalm 118:25-26; see also Matthew 21:9
d. They laid down garments and branches in His path (Matthew 21:8).
e. The people will quickly change their allegiance (John 19:14-15;
compare Acts 14:8-11, 18-19).
B. The Transportation of Jesus (John 12:14-15); He rode in upon the colt of an ass.
1. This was the fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).

2. This was a declaration of His royalty (Judges 5:10; Judges 12:14; 2Samuel
16:2; 1Kings 1:33).
C. The Confusion of the Disciples (John 12:16)
1. They did not understand (Luke 18:31-34).

2. They would remember afterwards .
D. The Fear of the Pharisees (John 12:17-19)
1. The people sought Jesus because of Lazarus (John 12:17-18).

2. The Pharisees feared His influence (John 12:19; John 11:47-48; Acts 4:13-
16).
a. They seemed to be helpless in stopping Him.
b. The whole world seemed to go after Him (cp. Acts 17:6).
E. The Seeking of the Gentiles (John 12:20-23)
1. Their worship at the feast (John 12:20; Acts 2:10; Acts 8:27)
2. Their request to see Jesus (John 12:21; Matthew 2:1-2)
3. Their audience with the Saviour (John 12:22-23); with the help of Andrew
(John 1:40-42; John 6:8-9)
4. Note: the relationship of Gentiles to Christ
a. In the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)
(1) Thamar (Matthew 1:3; Genesis 38)
(2) Rachab (Matthew 1:5; Joshua 2:1; Joshua 6:25)
(3) Ruth (Matthew 1:5; Ruth 1:3-5)
(4) Bathsheba (Matthew 1:6)
(a) Wife of Urias (2Samuel 11:3)
(b) Granddaughter of Ahithophel (2Samuel 23:34)
b. In the Gentiles who came to Jesus
(1) The wise men from the east (Matthew 2:1-2)
(2) The Syrophenician woman (Matthew 15:21-28)
(3) The Greeks (John 12:20-21)
c. In the teaching of Christ
(1) Go not to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5).
(2) The Gentiles are dogs (Matthew 15:26).
(3) He is a light to lighten the Gentiles (Luke 2:32).
(4) The Gentiles will trust in Him (Matthew 12:18-21).
(5) They are the other sheep not of this fold (John 10:16).
F. The Message of the Saviour (John 12:23-33)
1. Glorified in death (John 12:23-26)

a. The death of the seed unto germination (John 12:23-24; 1Corinthians
15:35-38)
b. The death of the Saviour unto resurrection (John 12:23, 32-33)
c. The death of self unto salvation (John 12:25; Mark 8:34-37; Romans
6:1-6)
d. The death of self unto sanctification (John 12:26; Romans 6:11-16;

Romans 8:13; 2Corinthians 4:10; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:12;
Colossians 3:3-4; 2Timothy 2:11)
e. The death of the saints unto glorification (John 12:17-19; Psalm
116:15; 1Corinthians 15:36-38, 42-44, 51-57)
2. The hour is come (John 12:27; cp. John 12:23 with John 7:30; John 8:20).
3. Glorified by the Father (John 12:28-30)
a. Past: the three witnesses from the Father (2Peter 1:16-18)
(1) At His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17)
(2) At His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2, 5)
(3) Before His crucifixion (John 12:28)
b. Future (Ephesians 1:20-23)
(1) The fact of glorification (Acts 3:13; 1Peter 1:21)
(2) The act of glorification (Hebrews 2:5-9)
(3) The time of glorification (John 12:23; John 13:31)
(4) After His glorification (John 7:39; John 12:16)
(5) The restoration of glory (John 17:1,5)
(6) The taking of His priestly office (Hebrews 5:5)
4. Glorified in conquest (John 12:31-33)
a. Victorious over the devil (John 12:31; John 16:11)
b. Victorious over death (John 12:32-33; John 14:19; Hebrews 2:14-15)
(1) Mode of death (John 19:16-18; Galatians 3:13)
(2) Power of death (John 10:17-18; John 19:10-11; Revelation 1:18)
G. The Light of the World (John 12:34-36)
1. The question of the people (John 12:34)

a. The Messiah is to live forever (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14).
b. How can the Messiah die?
c. Who is the Son of man?
2. The presence of the light (John 12:35-36)
a. Walk in the light (John 12:35; Ephesians 5:8).
(1) While the light is with you (John 1:6-9; John 3:19-21; John 8:12;
John 9:5; John 12:46)
(2) Unless darkness come upon you (Jeremiah 13:16-17; Romans
11:7-10; 2Corinthians 3:14)
b. Believe in the light (John 12:36; John 8:12).
(1) While you have the light
(2) To become the children of light (Ephesians 5:8; 1Thessalonians
5:5)
III. PASSED OVER BY THE MANY (John 12:37-50)
A. The Boldness of Their Rejection (John 12:37)
1. Despite His miracles (John 5:36)
2. Refusing to believe (cp. Matthew 13:58)
B. The Prophecy of Their Rejection (John 12:38-41)
1. The first quotation (John 12:38; Isaiah 53:1)

a. Also quoted in Romans 10:16
b. The true believers will be a minority.
2. The second quotation (John 12:39-41; Isaiah 6:1, 8-10)
a. One of the most often quoted passages in the New Testament (Matthew
13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:38; Acts 28:26.27; Romans
11:8)
b. The majority will be blinded.
C. The Cause of Their Rejection (John 12:42-43)
1. Not the lack of belief (John 12:42; Acts 26:26-29)

a. They believed on Him (John 3:2).
b. They did not confess Him (Luke 12:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; 1John 4:2-3,
15; 2John 1:7).
c. Note: it is possible to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and still not
be saved (John 8:30-37, 44; James 2:19).
d. Lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 9:22, 30-34)
2. But the fear of man (John 12:42; Proverbs 29:25; Galatians 1:10)
3. Note: the sin of seeking the praise of men (John 12:43)
a. Seeking their own glory (Proverbs 25:27; Galatians 5:26;
1Thessalonians 2:6)
b. Desiring to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1-6, 16; Matthew 23:5-7; Luke
20:47)
c. Desiring to appear righteous (Matthew 23:28; Luke 16:15)
d. Desiring to compare favorably (2Corinthians 10:12)
e. Declaring their own praise (John 7:18; 2Corinthians 10:18)
D. The Extent of Their Rejection (John 12:44-46)
1. Rejecting the sender of the light (John 12:44-45; John 13:20)

a. To believe on the Son is to believe on the Father (John 12:44).
b. To see the Son is to see the Father (John 12:45; John 14:9-10; Matthew
11:27).
2. Rejecting the light of the world (John 12:46; John 1:6-12; John 3:19-21)
a. Christ is the light of the world.
b. Faith in Christ is the only escape from the darkness of this world
(2Corinthians 4:5-6).
E. The Judgment of Their Rejection (John 12:47-48)
1. The judgment by the word (John 12:47-48; Deuteronomy 18:19)
a. First coming was not for judgment (John 12:47; John 3:17; John 8:11)
(1) Not to judge
(2) But to save (Matthew 20:28; Luke 9:56)
b. True judgment will come from the word of Christ (John 12:48).
(1) They received not His words.
(2) They will be judged by His word (cp. Romans 2:16).
2. The judgment of their words (Matthew 12:36-37)
F. The Target of Their Rejection (John 12:49-50)
1. Christ spoke not of Himself (John 12:49).

a. Christ’s presence among men is the presence of God (John 1:14, 18;
John 12:45; John 14:9; 1Timothy 3:16).
b. Christ’s words are the words of God (John 3:31-34; John 6:63; John
12:47-48; John 14:23-24).
c. Christ’s love is the love of God (John 3:16; 1John 4:7-10).
d. Christ’s salvation is the salvation of God (Acts 28:28; Romans 1:16;
Romans 15:16; Titus 2:11-14).
e. Christ’s judgment is the judgment of God (John 5:22-23, 27, 30; John
12:48).
2. Christ spoke the commandment of the Father (John 12:49; John 8:26; John
14:10; John 15:15; John 17:8).
3. Christ spoke the commandment of everlasting life (John 12:50; John 6:63,
68; John 17:3; John 20:30-31; 1John 2:25; 1John 5:11-12, 20).
Christ’s Love to the End

John 13:1-38
I. THE EXAMPLE OF LOVE (John 13:1-17)
A. The Preparation for the Foot Washing (John 13:1-3)
1. The time of the foot washing (John 13:1-2)

a. Before the feast of the Passover (John 13:1)
b. When the hour of Christ was come (John 13:1)
1) Defined as the time He should depart
a) Out of this world
b) Unto the Father
2) The hour for which He came to the world (John 12:27)
3) The hour not yet come (John 2:4; John 7:30; John 8:20)
4) The hour is come (John 12:23; John 13:1; John 16:32; John 17:1)
c. When the supper was ended (John 13:2)
d. When Judas was set to betray Him (John 13:2); put into his heart by the
devil (compare Ezra 7:27; Nehemiah 2:12)
2. The love of the Saviour (John 13:1)
a. A personal love – “his own” (John 10:3-4)
b. A condescending love – “which were in the world”
c. An enduring love – “unto the end” (Jeremiah 31:3)
3. The knowledge of the Saviour (John 13:3)
a. His knowledge of His power (Matthew 28:18)
b. His knowledge of His person (John 3:13)
1) Come from God
2) Went to God
B. The Practice of Foot Washing (John 13:4-5)
1. The actions of the Saviour (John 13:4-5)

a. He arose from supper (John 13:4).
b. He laid aside His garments (John 13:4).
c. He took a towel (John 13:4).
d. He girded Himself (John 13:4).
e. He poured water into a bason (John 13:5).
f. He washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:5).
g. He wiped their feet with His towel (John 13:5).
2. The biblical custom of washing feet
a. Water is offered to the guest to wash his feet (Genesis 18:4; Genesis
19:2; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 43:24; 1Samuel 25:41).
b. A servant will often wash the feet of the guest (John 13:4-5).
c. This is an important test of hospitality (Luke 7:44; 1Timothy 5:10).

d. Note: foot washing was always practiced in the home; it is never found
in scripture as a practice in the church.
3. A picture of the incarnation
a. Christ left His place in heaven (John 1:18).
b. He laid aside His apparent glory (John 1:14).
c. He took on the form of a man – towel (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:16-
17).
d. He took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-8).
e. He brought the water of the word (John 15:3).
f. He cleansed through the word (John 17:17).
g. He condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3).
C. The Purpose of the Foot Washing (John 13:6-17)
1. The washing of Peter (John 13:6-11)

a. His objection (John 13:6)
b. His ignorance (John 13:8a) – “Thou shalt never wash my feet.”
c. His choice (John 13:8b)
1) You must have your feet washed
2) Or else you have no part in Christ (compare Hebrews 12:5-8)
d. His extravagance (John 13:9-10)
1) Wash feet, hands, and head (John 13:9)
2) One already washed (John 13:10)
a) Is clean every whit (Colossians 2:13)
b) Needs only to wash his feet (1John 1:9)
3) Note: observe the paradox of this truth. They are clean every whit;
that is, entirely. Yet, they still need to wash their feet. This
illustrates the two-fold nature of our cleansing. As to our standing
before God, we are perfectly righteous in Jesus Christ
(2Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:6). However, as to our present
relationship, or state, we become soiled by the filthiness of this
world and need repetitive cleansing (Psalm 32:5; 2Corinthians 7:1;
2Timothy 2:21). This is illustrated in the Old Testament tabernacle
worship by the Burnt Altar (a type of salvation through the
sacrifice of Christ) and the Laver (a type of daily cleansing).
e. His counterpart (John 13:11) – Judas; “not all clean” refers to the
presence of one who is not clean. It does not refer to a partial cleansing
of believers.
2. The lesson brought home (John 13:12-17)
a. The question (John 13:12)
1) Jesus finished the washing.
2) He sat down again.
3) He asked them what He had done.
b. The contrast (John 13:13-14)
1) I am your Master and Lord (John 13:13).
2) Yet I have washed your feet – the job of a servant (John 13:14).
c. The admonition (John 13:14-15)
1) You ought to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14).
2) You should follow my example (John 13:15).
3) Note
a) Christ is not establishing a new ordinance. There is no record
of the New Testament church every practicing foot washing as
an ordinance.
b) Christ is giving an example of humility and servant-
leadership. Those who lead are to be servants. (See Matthew
20:25-28; Matthew 23:10-12; Luke 22:26-27; 1Corinthians
9:19)
c) Christ was also our example in suffering (1Peter 2:21-24). Yet
we are not to follow the steps of His suffering in every detail
and seek to be crucified. We are to follow His internal
character, not His external actions.
d. The point (John 13:16-17)
1) The disciples are under the Christ who washed their feet (John
13:16).
a) As His servants
b) As His sent ones
2) The disciples are not greater than the Christ (John 13:16).
3) The disciples should follow the example of the Christ (John
13:17).
a) Know these things.
b) Do these things.
c) Be happy in your obedience.
II. THE EXCEPTION TO LOVE (John 13:18-30)
A. Declaration of a Traitor (John 13:18-20)
1. By the written word (John 13:18; Psalm 41:9)

2. By the living Word (John 13:19-20; John 14:29)
B. Infiltration of the Traitor (John 13:21-25)
1. The accusation of the Son (John 13:21; John 6:70-71)

a. He was troubled in spirit.
1) Christ (John 11:33; John 12:27; Mark 3:5)
2) Paul (Acts 17:16; Romans 9:2)
b. He testified of His betrayer.
2. The confusion of the disciples (John 13:22; Matthew 26:22)
3. The petition of John (John 13:23-25; compare John 19:26)
a. The relationship of John to Jesus (John 13:23)
1) Leaning on Jesus’ bosom

2) Whom Jesus loved
b. The request of Simon Peter (John 13:24) – asked through an
intermediary; Peter here is a picture of those who feel they have to go
through someone else in order to get to Jesus.
c. The request of John (John 13:25) – asked directly of Jesus
C. Identification of the Traitor (John 13:26-29)
1. The sign of the sop (John 13:26; Matthew 26:21-25)

2. The entering of Satan (John 13:27; Luke 22:3)
3. The command to make haste (John 13:27)
4. The ignorance of the disciples (John 13:28-29)
a. They did not know the purpose of the sop (John 13:28).
b. They thought he was being sent for supplies (John 13:29; John 12:4-6);
it is evident that the apostles were impressed with the continued desire
of Judas to do something for the poor. They were completely fooled by
his hypocrisy.
D. Departure of the Traitor (John 13:30)
1. Without hesitation – “immediately”

2. Into the night; he went out into the darkness
3. Note: Judas was not present for the first observation of the Lord’s Supper
(compare Mark 14:17-22).
III. THE EXHORTATION TO LOVE (John 13:31-38)
A. The Glorification of the Son (John 13:31-33)
1. The Father glorified in the Son (John 13:31; John 17:4)

2. The Son glorified in the Father (John 13:32; John 17:5)
a. God shall glorify the Son in Himself.
b. God shall glorify the Son straightway.
3. The Son’s departure from the disciples (John 13:33; John 7:33-34)
a. He refers to them as little children; this is how we come to God
(Matthew 19:13-14).
b. His time with them is now short.
c. He will soon go where they cannot follow.
B. The Commandment of Brotherly Love (John 13:34-35)
1. The commandment to love (John 13:34a)

a. The love commandments (Mark 12:28-34)
1) To love God
2) To love your neighbor

3) To love one another
b. The place of brotherly love – a sign of advanced spiritual growth
(2Peter 1:7)
2. The example of love (John 13:34b)
a. A self-denying love (Romans 15:1-3; Romans 12:10)
b. A serving love (Philippians 2:1-4; Galatians 5:13-16; Galatians 6:2)
c. A sacrificial love (Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1John 3:16)
3. The testimony of love (John 13:35)
a. Positively: we show the love of God to the world (1John 4:7-12;
2Corinthians 3:2-3)
b. Negatively: we testify against our own profession (1John 4:20-21;
1John 5:1).
C. The Warning of Selfish Pride (John 13:36-38)
1. Peter demands an answer (john 13:36).

a. He demands to know where Christ is going.
b. He is only given a mysterious answer.
1) You cannot follow now.
2) But you will follow afterwards.
2. Peter declares his loyalty (John 13:37; Matthew 26:31-35, 56).
a. He questions why he cannot follow now.
b. He declares his willingness to die for Christ.
3. Peter denies his Lord (John 13:38; Luke 22:60-62).
a. Christ questions Peter’s willingness to die for Him.
b. Christ prophesies Peter’s denial of Him.
1) Before the cock crow
2) He will deny Him three times.
A Message for Troubled Hearts

John 14:1-31
I. THE MESSAGE OF COMFORT (John 14:1-14)
A. The Comfort of a Place (John 14:1-3)
1. A place of hope (John 14:1; Philippians 3:20-21)

a. A solution for troubled hearts (John 14:1, 27; Luke 24:38)
b. A solution founded on faith
1) Faith in God (1Peter 1:21)
2) Faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:17)
2. A place of plenty (John 14:2a)
a. The Father’s house (Psalm 23:6; Hebrews 11:10, 16; Hebrews 13:14;
Revelation 21:10-11, 22-23)
1) A house of mercy (Psalm 5:7; Psalm 52:8)
2) A house where God is honored (Psalm 26:8; Psalm 84:4)
3) A house to be desired (Psalm 27:4)
a) To behold the beauty of the Lord
b) To enquire of the Lord
4) A house of joy and praise (Psalm 42:4; Psalm 116:18-19; Psalm
134:1-3; Psalm 135:1-2)
5) A house of sweet fellowship (Psalm 55:14)
6) A house where we will be satisfied (Psalm 65:4; Psalm 84:10)
7) A house where God’s saints will flourish (Psalm 92:13; Psalm
122:9)
8) A house of holiness (Psalm 93:5)
b. The many mansions (Hebrews 12:22-23); compare these mansions to
the chambers of the temple (1Kings 6:5-10; Ezekiel 41:5-7;
1Chronicles 9:33; Ezra 10:6; Nehemiah 13:4-9; Jeremiah 35:1-4).
c. The certainty of this promise – “I would have told you.”
3. A place of perfection (John 14:2b; Ephesians 1:3)
a. Prepared by Jesus Christ
b. The purpose of His departure
4. A place of welcome (John 14:3a; Matthew 11:28-30)
a. I will come again.
b. I will receive you.
1) Those who have received Him (John 1:11-12; Acts 2:41;
Colossians 2:6)
2) Will be received by Him (Romans 15:7)
5. A place of communion (John 14:3b; 1Thessalonians 4:16-18)
a. The place of the Son
b. Is the place of the saints
B. The Comfort of a Path (John 14:4-6)
1. The path declared (John 14:4)

a. The whither; that is, where He is going
b. The way; that is, the way to get there
2. The path concealed (John 14:5; 2Corinthians 4:3-4)
a. Not even the whither
b. Certainly not the way
c. The recorded comments of Thomas
1) A foolish offer to go die with Jesus (John 11:16)
2) A question of where Christ is going (John 14:5)
3) A refusal to believe without seeing (John 20:24-25)
4) A strong statement of faith in the Saviour (John 20:26-29)
3. The path revealed (John 14:6)
a. In the person of Jesus Christ – the I AM (Exodus 3:14)
1) The way (John 1:51; Hebrews 10:19-20)
2) The truth (Revelation 19:11)
3) The life (John 11:25; Colossians 3:3-4; 1John 5:11-12)
b. As the only way to the Father (Acts 4:12)
C. The Comfort of a Person (John 14:7-9)
1. The revelation of His person (John 14:7)

a. To know the Son is to know the Father.
b. The way to know the Father is to get to know the Son (John 14:6).
2. The question concerning His person (John 14:8)
a. The request of Philip
b. Show us the Father.
3. The manifestation of His person (John 14:9; John 1:14, 18)
a. His time with the disciples
b. The ignorance of Philip
c. The Father is seen in the Son.
d. The Father has already been shown to the disciples.
D. The Comfort of God’s Power (John 14:10-12)
1. The power of the Father (John 14:10)

a. The requirement of faith
1) That the Son is in the Father
2) That the Father is in the Son
b. The source of His words
1) Spoken by the Son
2) Originating from the Father
c. The source of His works
1) Seen in the Son
2) Accomplished by the indwelling of the Father
2. The power of the Son (John 14:11)

a. Faith in the words of the Son
1) That He is in the Father
2) That the Father is in Him
b. Faith in the works of the Son
3. The power of the disciples (John 14:12)
a. By the application of faith
b. To do the works of the Son
c. To do greater works than the Son
1) Greater in variety (Mark 16:17-20)
2) Greater in volume (Acts 5:12, 16)
3) Greater in eternal importance (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4)
4) Greater in geographical extent (Romans 15:20; 2Corinthians
10:16)
d. To do them after the departure of the Son
E. The Comfort of Our Prayer (John 14:13-14)
1. The particulars of prayer – “whatsoever ye shall ask” (John 14:13a)

a. The subject of prayer is not limited (Philippians 4:6).
b. The scope of God’s power is not limited (Matthew 21:22; John 15:7;
Ephesians 3:20; 1John 3:22; 1John 5:14-15); this does not mean that
there are no qualifications for the answering of prayer. Even the
scriptures just listed require faith, praying in Jesus’ name, abiding in
Christ, obedience, and praying in the will of the Lord.
2. The person of prayer – “in my name” (John 14:13b, 14; John 15:16; John
16:23, 24, 26)
a. The biblical concept of name
1) Name in scripture represents the very essence of the person.
2) A person's personality, character, reputation and authority are all
wrapped up in his name (Proverbs 22:1; Ecclesiastes 7:1).
b. The importance of God’s name
1) God’s name is a declaration of the greatness of His person (Psalm
8:1; Psalm 103:1; Psalm 113:1-3; Psalm 148:13).
2) Because God’s name is excellent, we are to exalt it in our prayer
and in our praise.
a) Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Hallowed be thy name"
(Matthew 6:9).
b) One day every knee shall bow at the feet of Jesus (Romans
14:11). “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His
exalted name brings worship and praise.
c. Acting in the name of another
1) First, you come by the authority of the other person.
a) You are not coming in your own authority but because
someone else authorized you to take these actions.
b) When David fought Goliath, he came unto him "in the name
of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom
thou hast defied" (1Samuel 17:45).
2) Second, when you come in someone’s name, you come in his
stead.
a) The person to whom you come is expected to react to you, not
on the basis of who you are, but as if the person who sent you
was there himself. They are to treat you as they would treat
the one who authorized you to come.
b) When David sent servants to Nabal to ask for food, "they
spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of
David" (1Samuel 25:9). Therefore, when Nabal insulted
David's servants (who came in David's name), he insulted
David just as directly as if he had spoken to him to his face.
d. Application to praying in the name of Jesus
1) First, it means that when we come to the Father, we come because
Jesus sent us.
a) We are sent to Him by His own Son.
b) We walk into the throne of grace in boldness (Hebrews 4:16).
2) Second, the Father is obligated to treat us as He would His own
Son because we come in His stead.
a) We represent the Son when we come to the Father.
b) We are accepted in the beloved. Since Christ is the beloved
Son, that means that the Father accepts us as He would His
own Son (Ephesians 1:5-6).
c) We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We share in the same
inheritance (Romans 8:17).
e. Conclusion: You see the benefit of coming to the Father in the Son’s
name. However, is this just referring to adding a phrase to the end of
our prayers? No! It is much more than that. It means that you come to
the Father with the knowledge that your only right in approaching Him
is that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He Himself has
sent you to the Father. It means that you know that you are totally
unworthy of receiving anything from God and that the only reason God
should grant your requests is that you come in Jesus’ name. It is not a
magic formula, but a heart attitude.
3. The purpose of prayer – “the Father…glorified” (John 14:13c)
a. The Father to be glorified
b. The Son to be the instrument (John 13:31; Romans 8:31-32)
4. The product of prayer – “I will do it” (John 14:14).
II. THE MESSAGE OF A COMFORTER (John 14:15-31)
A. The Promise of the Comforter (John 14:15-17)
1. The requirements of the Son (John 14:15)

a. Love the Son (John 8:42; John 16:27; John 21:15-17; 1Corinthians
16:22; Ephesians 6:24; 1Peter 1:7-8; 1John 5:1).
b. Keep the Son’s commandments (Matthew 28:20; John 13:34; John
15:10-12; Acts 1:1-3; 1Corinthians 11:23; 1Corinthians 14:37;
1Thessalonians 4:1-2; 1Timothy 6:3; 1John 3:23-24; 2John 1:5-6).
c. The connection between love and obedience (John 14:21-24;
Deuteronomy 30:16; Matthew 6:24; 2Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians
5:6; 1John 2:3-5; 1John 5:2-3)
2. The request made of the Father (John 14:16a; John 15:26; John 16:7; Acts
1:4)
3. The reception of the Spirit (John 14:16b-17)
a. The Spirit of comfort (John 14:16b)
1) The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter four times, all in the
crucifixion week teaching of Christ as found in John (John 14:16,
26; John 15:26; John 16:7).
2) Most Modern Bible versions change the title Comforter to
something else.
a) Comforter - ASV
b) Helper – NKJV, NWT, NASV
c) Counselor – NIV, RSV, NLT
d) Advocate – NRSV, NAB
e) Friend – NIRV
f) Spirit who will help you (and other forms) – CEV
3) A Comforter is One (-er) who comes alongside of another (Com-)
and gives strength (-fort-) in times of need. The middle of the word
(-fort-) is related to the words fort, fortress, and fortify. The prefix
(Com-) means with or together and also acts to intensify the
meaning of the base. That is, the Holy Ghost is One who comes
alongside us and strengthens us, in fact, provides great strength to
us. The picture of the Holy Ghost in this title is of One who goes
with us wherever we go and provides a traveling fort of protection
for the believer.
4) Modern scholars argue against Comforter as the correct title in
English. They argue that the Greek word paraklesi means to call to
one’s side for either consolation or exhortation. But, strangely
enough, that is exactly what Comforter means. Also notice that all
of the titles used to replace Comforter in some way weaken the
power of Comforter. A Helper gives aid; a Counselor gives advice;
an Advocate pleads your cause; a Friend is there in time of need;
but the Comforter is all of these together and more. Clearly, the
King James Bible is the inspired word of God in English.
5) Comparison of scripture with scripture also strengthens the use of

Comforter.
a) The world can find no comforter (Ecclesiastes 4:1; Psalm
69:20).
i. Not among the oppressed
ii. Not among the oppressors
b) The Father is a comfort to His people (Isaiah 40:1-2; Isaiah
49:13; Isaiah 51:12; Isaiah 52:9; Zechariah 1:17).
c) Jesus was a comfort to His disciples.
i. During His earthly ministry (Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49)
ii. He promised not to leave them comfortless (John 14:18).
d) The Holy Ghost now comforts God’s people (Acts 9:31;
Philippians 2:1; Romans 5:5; Romans 14:17; Romans 15:13).
6) How scriptural comfort works
a) By the speaking of words (Isaiah 40:2; Hosea 2:14; Zechariah
1:13)
b) By the promises of scripture (Psalm 119:50; Romans 15:4;
1Thessalonians 4:18)
c) As a mother comforts her child (Isaiah 66:13; see
1Thessalonians 2:11)
d) By bringing joy to those who sorrow (Jeremiah 31:13)
e) By giving strength in times of affliction (2Corinthians 1:3-7;
2Corinthians 7:6)
f) By showing us His love (Philippians 2:1)
g) By working in our hearts (Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 2:2;
Colossians 4:8; 2Thessalonians 2:17)
b. The Spirit of truth (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13; 1John 4:6)
1) We are to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
2) The Spirit is truth (1John 5:6).
c. The Spirit of believers (John 14:17; Romans 8:9)
d. The indwelling Spirit (John 14:17; 1Corinthians 6:19-20)
B. The Power of the Comforter (John 14:18-25)
1. In the resurrection of Christ (John 14:18-20; 1Peter 3:18)

a. Christ will come again (John 14:18).
b. Christ will live again (John 14:19; 1Corinthians 15:14-17).
1) The loss of the world – to see Him no more
2) The presence of the Son – “ye see me.”
3) The promise of resurrection – “ye shall live also.”
c. Believers shall know Him (John 14:20).
1) That the Son is in the Father (John 14:10)
2) That the believers are in Christ (John 15:5, 7; Romans 8:1;
2Corinthians 5:17; 2Corinthians 13:5)
3) That Christ is in the believers (John 6:56; Romans 8:10; Galatians
2:20; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27)
2. In the obedience of men (John 14:21-25)

a. The evidence of love (John 14:21; 1John 5:3)
b. The manifestation of God (John 14:22-23; Colossians 1:25-28)
c. The confirmation of the word (John 14:24-25; 2Corinthians 3:2-3)
C. The Provisions of the Comforter (John 14:26-27)
1. Truth (John 14:26a; 1Corinthians 2:7-16)

2. Remembrance (John 14:26b)
3. Peace (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7)
D. The Purpose of the Comforter (John 14:28-31)
1. To glorify the Son (John 14:28)

2. Note: the word greater means to be more than something else by some
measurement of degree. When Christ was on the earth, the Father was
greater than the Son:
a. In height (John 3:16-17); though the Son was preparing to ascend back
to heaven
1) The Father in heaven (Matthew 6:9)
2) The Son on earth (John 1:14)
b. In glory; though the glory would soon return to the Son
1) Past (John 17:5)
2) Present (2Corinthians 8:9)
c. In position; though the Godhead would soon be rejoined (1Corinthians
15:28).
1) The humiliation of Christ (Acts 8:33; Philippians 2:5-8)
2) The illustration of Joseph (Genesis 41:40)
3) The example of Christ (John 13:16; Luke 22:24-27)
d. While declaring the Father greater than Himself, the Son also declared
Himself to be one with the Father (John 10:30). This passage in no way
denies the deity of Christ.
3. To strengthen the disciples (John 14:29; John 13:19)
4. To bear witness to the world (John 14:30-31)
a. In battle with the prince of this world (John 14:30; John 12:31; John
16:11; Ephesians 2:2)
b. In expression of Christ’s love to the Father (John 14:31)
c. In obedience to the commandment of the Father (John 14:31)
Basic Principles for the Fruit-bearer

John 15:1-27
I. HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE TRUE VINE (John 15:1-11)
A. Seven Individuals in the Parable (John 15:1-7)
1. The Son (John 15:1) – as the true vine

a. Israel is the vine (Psalm 80:8-9, 14-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21;
Hosea 10:1).
b. Jesus is the true vine, not that all other vines are false, but in the sense
that He is the chief and perfect vine.
1) Jesus is the “true Light” (John 1:9), though John the Baptist was “a
burning and a shining light” (John 5:35).
2) Jesus is the “true bread” (John 6:32), though God gave manna as
“bread from heaven to eat” (John 6:31).
3) Jesus is the minister of the “true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2), though the earthly tabernacle
served as “the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews
8:5).
2. The Father (John 15:1) – as the husbandman

a. The husbandman is the tiller of the soil, the cultivator of the crop, the
manager and owner of the farm.
1) Noah (Genesis 9:20)
2) Uzziah (2Chronicles 26:9-10)
3) Parable of the husbandman (Matthew 21:33-34)
4) The coming Lord (James 5:7)
b. The work of the Father (1Corinthians 3:6-9)
3. The lost (John 15:6) – who abide not in Christ

a. All who are saved are in Christ.
1) Salvation places us in Christ (Romans 8:1; 2Corinthians 5:17;
Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:13).
2) Even carnal believers are in Christ (1Corinthians 3:1).
b. The man in this verse is not saved.
1) He does not abide in Christ.
2) He is “as a branch” – that is, he appears to be a branch, but is not.
He is a hypocrite.
3) He receives the reward of a lost man.
a) He is cast forth and withered (Matthew 15:13).
b) He is gathered and cast into the fire.
c) He is burned (Matthew 3:10-12; Hebrews 6:7-8).
4. The fruitless Christian (John 15:2)

a. He is a branch (Proverbs 11:28; Isaiah 60:21).
1) The branch must be connected to the vine.
2) The branch receives all nourishment and health from the vine
(John 15:4-5).
3) The branch is the conduit through which the vine bears fruit
(Genesis 40:10).
b. He is in Christ – that is, he is saved.
c. He does not bear fruit (Mark 4:7, 18-19; Luke 8:14; Luke 13:6-9; Titus
3:14; 2Peter 1:8).
d. He is taken away (1Corinthians 11:27-30; 1John 5:16).
5. The Christian with some fruit (John 15:2-3)

a. He is a branch in Christ.
b. He bears some fruit.
c. He needs to bear more fruit.
d. To this end he is purged.
1) To purge is to cleanse from impurity (Psalm 51:7; Psalm 79:9).
2) Purging can be accomplished by removing the dead (Matthew
3:12; 1Corinthians 5:7), the impure (Isaiah 1:25; 2Timothy 2:21),
the unneeded growth (Ezekiel 34:2).
3) The dead branches and the unneeded growth are pruned so that the
branch might bear more fruit (Hebrews 12:5-11).
e. He needs the cleansing of the word.
1) The initial cleansing of salvation (John 13:10; James 1:18, 21;
1Peter 1:23-25)
2) The continual cleansing of sanctification (Psalm 119:9, 11; John
3) The necessity of the word for the bearing of fruit (Matthew 13:22;
Luke 8:15; Psalm 1:1-3)
6. The Christian with more fruit (John 15:2); as a result of purging
7. The Christian with much fruit (John 15:4-5)

a. His twofold connection with Christ (John 15:4) – “Abide in me, and I
in you.”
1) He must abide in Christ.
a) This is the believer positionally placed in Christ.
b) This is the lot of all true saints of God (Romans 8:1; Ephesians
1:6).
2) Christ must abide in him.
a) This is the life of Christ actively operating in the believer
(Colossians 1:27).
b) This is the life of Christ operating through the believer
(Colossians 3:4).
b. His essential union with Christ (John 15:5) – “I am the vine, ye are the
branches.”
1) The branch has no life apart from the vine.
2) The branch bears no fruit apart from the vine.
a) Cannot bear fruit of itself (John 15:4)
b) Can without Christ do nothing (John 15:5)
3) What this union is not
a) It is not just salvation, though salvation is required.
b) It is not sinlessness.
c) It is not eradication; that is, the old nature is not destroyed.
d) It is not imitation; it is not us trying to be like Christ in the
strength of our flesh (1Corinthians 11:1 is often perverted in
modern versions to say imitators).
4) What this union is
a) It is our identification with Christ in His crucifixion (Romans
6:3; Galatians 2:20).
b) It is our identification with Christ in His resurrection (Romans
6:4-5; Galatians 2:20).
c) It is the life of Christ lived through us by faith (Galatians 2:20;
Ephesians 3:16-17; Galatians 4:19).
5) The twofold life illustrated in scripture
a) The purpose of Christ’s coming – John 10:10
i. Life
ii. Life more abundantly
b) Water of the Spirit
i. John 4:14 – “the water that I shall give him shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” –
this is salvation.
ii. John 7:38-39 – “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water” – this is the sanctification of the Spirit.
c) Our relationship to Christ
i. 2Corinthians 5:17 – “if any man be in Christ” – this is
salvation.
ii. Galatians 4:19 – “My little children, of whom I travail in
birth again until Christ be formed in you” – this is
sanctification through the union of the believer with
Christ.
c. This is the only path to much fruit – “the same bringeth forth much
fruit”
1) The hundredfold fruit of the good ground (Matthew 13:23)
2) The fruit that remains (John 15:16)
3) Fruit unto holiness and everlasting life (Romans 6:22)
4) Gold, silver, and precious stones (1Corinthians 3:11-14)
5) Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9)
6) Fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11; Colossians 1:10)
7) Never barren or unfruitful (2Peter 1:8; 1Corinthians 15:58;

Galatians 6:9)
d. The inner workings of the abiding Christ
1) Indwelling Spirit (John 7:38-39; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 5:18)
2) Indwelling word (John 15:3, 7; Colossians 3:16; 1John 2:14)
3) Faith (2Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17)
4) Love (2Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 3:17-19; Philippians 1:9-
11)
B. Blessings of a Life of Abiding in Christ (John 15:7-11)
1. Blessing of answered prayer (John 15:7)

a. To better know the will of God (1Corinthians 2:11-16)
b. To pray according to His will (Romans 8:26-28; 1John 5:14)
c. To receive answers to our prayers (Psalm 37:4; 1John 5:15)
2. Blessing of much fruit (John 15:8)

a. By which to glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16; 1Corinthians 6:20;
10:31; Philippians 1:11; 1Peter 4:11)
b. By which to be His disciples (John 8:31; John 13:35)
3. Blessing of sustaining love (John 15:9-10)

a. The love of Christ toward us (John 15:9)
1) Patterned after the Father’s love to the Son
2) Bestowed to the disciples
3) Required that we continue in this love (John 13:34; Ephesians
b. The practice of abiding in Christ’s love (John 15:10)
1) Maintained by keeping the commandments of Christ (John 14:15,
21; 1John 2:5; 1John 5:3)
2) Exemplified by the obedience of Christ to the Father (John 6:38;
John 8:29; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8)
4. Blessing of fullness of joy (John 15:11)

a. Comes by the practice of abiding in Christ – “These things have I
spoken.”
b. Allows the joy of Christ to remain in the believer (John 17:13; Romans
5:11)
c. Causes the joy of the believer to be full (John 16:24; Philippians 4:4-7;
1John 1:4)
II. HIS RELATIONSHIP TO OTHERS (John 15:12-17)
A. The Importance of Love (John 15:12-13)
1. The commandment to love (John 15:12; John 13:34-35)
2. The height of human love (John 15:13)

a. The laying down of life for a friend
b. The greater love of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-10)
1) For the ungodly (Romans 5:6)
2) For sinners (Romans 5:7-8)
3) For His enemies (Romans 5:9-10)
3. The proof of Christian love (1John 3:16); the love of Christ in us (Ephesians
3:17-19)
1) The example of Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-4)
2) The example of Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30)
3) The example of Paul (Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13; 2Corinthians 12:15;
Philippians 2:17)
B. The Relationship of Love (John 15:14-15)
1. The position of friendship (John 15:14; Galatians 4:5-7; Philemon 1:16)

2. The test of friendship (John 15:14; John 14:21; 1John 5:3)
3. The weakness of servitude (John 15:15)
a. Not knowing what his master does (Matthew 8:9)
b. The disciples no longer exclusively servants
1) They are still servants (John 15:20; Romans 1:1; Romans 6:22).
2) But no longer only servants
4. The privilege of friendship (John 15:15; Romans 16:25-26; 1Corinthians
2:9-10; Ephesians 1:7-9; Colossians 1:25-27)
C. The Fruitfulness of Love (John 15:16-17)
1. Chosen (John 15:16)

a. The act of being chosen
1) We did not choose Christ.
2) Christ chose us (Compare 1John 4:10, 19).
b. As applied to salvation
1) God’s call to salvation is universal (1John 2:1-2; 2Peter 3:9).
2) Our acceptance of salvation is personal (1Timothy 4:10; Matthew
22:14).
3) Those who accept the call are the chosen (Ephesians 1:4;
2Thessalonians 2:13; 1Peter 2:9).
c. As applied to service
1) In context, this verse refers directly to the choosing of the apostles
(John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:19).
2) By application, it refers to God’s particular plan of service for each
of us (Acts 9:15; 1Corinthians 1:27-28; 2Timothy 2:4).
2. Ordained (John 15:16)
a. To ordain is to order; to establish in a position (Psalm 8:3).
b. Often refers to the act of placing someone in a particular position

(Jeremiah 1:5; Mark 3:14; Acts 1:22; Acts 14:23; Romans 13:1;
1Timothy 2:7; Titus 1:5)
c. Also refers to the particular calling of any Christian (Ephesians 2:8-10)
3. Sent (John 15:16)
a. Sent by God (John 1:6)
b. Sent to the world (Matthew 21:28)
c. Sent to bear fruit (Psalm 126:5-6)
4. Enabled (John 15:16)
a. To bear fruit (John 15:4-5)
b. To see the fruit remain (Galatians 4:11; Philippians 2:15-16)
5. Empowered (John 15:16)
a. To ask in the name of Jesus
b. To receive of the Father what is asked (John 14:13)
6. Commanded (John 15:17)
a. Commanded by the Son
b. Commanded so that we might love one another (1John 3:14)
III. HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORLD (John 15:18-27)
A. Hated by the World (John 15:18-19; 1John 3:13)
1. The origin of the world’s hatred (John 15:18)

a. Not its hatred of the disciples
b. But its hatred of the Master
2. The cause of the world’s hatred (John 15:19)
a. Their separation from the world – not “of the world” (John 17:14)
b. Their selection by Jesus Christ – “I have chosen you”
c. Their removal from the world – “out of the world” (John 17:6)
B. Persecuted by the World (John 15:20-21)
1. The key aid to the persecuted (John 15:20) – “Remember the word.”
2. The key reason for the persecution (John 15:20)
a. The servant is under his lord.
b. The lord has been persecuted.
c. The servants will be persecuted (2Timothy 3:12).
3. The key relationship to others (John 15:20; 1Samuel 8:7)
a. If they obey the Lord
b. They will obey His servants (1Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17).
4. The key purposes of the persecution (John 15:21)
a. For His name’s sake (Matthew 10:22; Acts 9:16)
b. Because they are ignorant of the Father
C. Hated Because of the Son (John 15:22-25)
1. His revelation (John 15:22)

a. The revelation of God’s word (John 12:48)
b. The revelation of their sin (John 9:41; John 16:8-9; Romans 3:19-20)
c. No more cloak for their sin (Romans 2:1; 1Peter 2:16)
2. His works (John 15:23-24)
a. The hatred of the Son and Father (John 15:23; 1John 2:23)
b. The revealing power of the works of Jesus (John 15:24)
1) His works revealed their sin (John 3:2; John 5:36)
2) They responded in hatred (John 10:32; John 12:37; Acts 2:22-23)
3. His word (John 15:25)
a. The action fulfilled a prophecy.
b. They hated him without a cause (Psalm 35:19; Psalm 69:4).
D. Empowered in the World (John 15:26-27)
1. By the coming of the Comforter (John 15:26)

a. The Comforter comes.
b. The Son sends the Comforter.
c. The Comforter comes from the Father.
d. The Comforter is the Holy Ghost or Spirit of God.
2. By the testimony of the Spirit of truth (John 15:26)
a. Proceeding from the Father
b. Testifying of the Son (John 16:13-14)
3. NOTE: Key passages on the relationships within the Trinity
a. The Son proceeded from the Father (John 8:42).
b. The Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son (John 15:26).
4. For the purpose of bearing witness (John 15:27)
a. The commission to bear witness (Acts 1:8)
b. The importance of their witness (Luke 1:1-2; Acts 1:21-22)
The Coming of the Comforter

John 16:1-33
I. OUR NEED FOR THE HOLY GHOST (John 16:1-6)
A. The Coming of Persecution (John 16:1-4)
1. The purpose for the warning (John 16:1)

a. That they should not be offended
b. The definition of offend in scripture
(1) Its most basic meaning is to strike against.
(2) Used mostly today in the sense of hurting one’s feelings in a
manner that causes resentment (Proverbs 18:19; Matthew 13:57;
Matthew 15:12; John 6:61; James 3:2)
(3) Also used in the sense of crossing a line and committing a trespass
or sin (Job 34:31; Isaiah 29:21; Hosea 13:1; Acts 25:8, 11; James
2:10)
(4) Used often in the Bible in a stronger sense with the meaning of
causing someone else to stumble or being caused to stumble
(a) Refusing to be offended (Psalm 119:165; Matthew 11:6)
(b) Offended into hell (Matthew 5:29-30)
(c) Offended by tribulation (Matthew 13:21)
(d) Danger of offending the little ones (Matthew 18:6)
(e) Offending the weaker brother (Romans 14:21; 1Corinthians
8:13)
(f) Offended by the persecution of Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35;
John 16:1)
2. The manner of the persecution (John 16:2)

a. They will put you out of the synagogue (John 9:22, 34; John 12:42;
Luke 6:22).
b. They will kill you (Acts 5:33; Acts 7:57-60).
c. They will think that they have done God service (Acts 22:3-4;
Philippians 3:6).
3. The cause of the persecution (John 16:3; compare 1John 5:1)

a. They have not known the Father.
b. They have not known the Son.
4. The timing of the warning (John 16:4)

a. So they will remember (compare John 14:29)
b. Since Christ is now departing
B. The Departure of Christ (John 16:5-6)
1. The confusion of the disciples (John 16:5)

a. He tells them of His departure.
b. They do not ask of His destination.
(1) In John 13:36-37, Peter asked the question in ignorance, thinking
that Jesus was referring to an earthly journey (see John 7:33-35).
He was actually opposing the departure.
(2) In John 14:4-9, the disciples avoid directly asking the identity of
His destination.
2. The sorrow of the disciples (John 16:6)
a. The source of their sorrow: His words (Acts 20:38)
b. The effect of their sorrow: filled their heart
II. THE WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST (John 16:7-15)
A. In Relationship to the Believer (John 16:7)
1. The advantage of Christ’s departure: the coming of the Comforter. The

coming of the Spirit is such a blessing that it will be worth having Christ
depart so that the Spirit will come (John 7:38-39; John 14:17).
2. The ministry of the Holy Ghost
a. To regenerate (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5)
b. To indwell (John 4:14; John 7:38-39; John 14:16-17)
c. To comfort (John 14:16; John 16:7)
d. To empower (Ephesians 3:16; Acts 4:31)
e. To teach (John 14:26; John 16:13)
B. In Relationship to the Unbeliever (John 16:8-11)
1. Reproving the world (John 16:8); reprove means to blame, rebuke, convict.
2. Reproving of sin (John 16:9; Romans 3:9-10)
a. He will reprove them of the sin they have committed.
b. The primary sin is that they do not believe on Jesus Christ.
3. Reproving of righteousness (John 16:10; John 15:22; Romans 3:23)
a. He will reprove of the righteousness they have failed to attain.
b. When Christ was on the earth, He gave the perfect example of
righteousness. Now that He is going away, the Holy Spirit will convict
men of their failure.
4. Reproving of judgment (John 16:11; Romans 6:23)
a. He will reprove of the judgment to come (Acts 24:25).
b. The prince of this world (John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2)
C. In Relationship to Jesus Christ (John 16:12-15)
1. To speak of Jesus Christ (John 16:12-13)

a. New truth (John 16:12)
(1) Much needs to be said (see Acts 1:3).
(2) You cannot yet bear them (Hebrews 5:11).
(a) Their hope rested in His physical presence (Luke 24:19-21).
(b) Their expectation was of the earthly kingdom (Acts 1:6).
b. All truth (John 16:13)

(1) From the Spirit of truth (1John 5:6)
(a) An extension of Christ as the truth (John 14:6; John 16:7)
(b) A teacher of the word of truth (John 17:17)
(2) He will guide into all truth (Psalm 119:128); those who need to be
guided are:
(a) The blind: who cannot see (2Corinthians 4:4)
(b) The weak: who need help to go (2Corinthians 12:9-10)
(c) The stranger: who does not know the land in which he travels
(Hebrews 11:13)
(3) He will not speak of Himself; this is a key principle concerning the
Holy Ghost. He exalts the Father and the Son and does not speak
of Himself. Those who are empowered and influenced most by
Him will also exalt the Son. They will not spend a great amount of
time and energy exalting the Spirit.
(4) He will speak what He hears; as the Son (John 15:15).
(5) He will show of things to come (see Revelation 1:4, 10).
2. NOTE: The promise of the New Testament books through the influence of
the Holy Ghost
a. Gospels (John 14:26) – “bring all things to your remembrance”
b. Epistles (John 16:13) – “guide you into all truth”
c. Revelation (John 16:13) – “shew you things to come”
3. To glorify Jesus Christ (John 16:14-15; 1Peter 1:12)
a. The things that the Spirit shows
(1) They are the things of the Father.
(2) They were made the things of the Son.
(3) They will be shown to us by the Spirit (1Corinthians 2:9-10).
b. The Spirit glorifies the Son.
(1) In continuing the work of the Son
(2) In exalting the person of the Son (1John 4:13-14)
III. THE MESSAGE OF THE HOLY GHOST (John 16:16-33)
A. Their Loss Turned to Gain (John 16:16-19)
1. The declaration of Christ (John 16:16)

a. His departure (John 13:31-33)
(1) In a little while
(2) Out of their sight
b. His return (John 14:19-20; Acts 2:32-33)
(1) A little while
(2) They shall see Him (1Corinthians 15:5-7).
(3) Evidently referring to the resurrection
c. His departure to the Father
(1) After they have seen Him
(2) Refers to His ascension (Acts 1:9-10)
2. The confusion of the disciples (John 16:17-19; Mark 9:31-32; Luke 9:43-
45)
a. Their confusion at His statements (John 16:17)
b. Their confusion at “a little while” (John 16:18); this phrase is found
seven times in John 16:16-19.
c. Their fear to ask questions (John 16:19)
B. Their Sorrow Turned to Joy (John 16:20-24)
1. The joy of sorrow removed (John 16:20)

a. The coming sorrow of the disciples (Mark 16:10)
b. The coming joy of the world
c. The sorrow turned into joy (Psalm 30:5; Isaiah 51:11; Luke 6:21; Luke
24:52; John 20:20)
2. The joy of sorrow replaced (John 16:21; Psalm 126:5-6; 1Peter 1:6-8)
a. The sorrowful travail of a woman at birth
b. The sorrow turned to joy at the birth of the child
3. The joy of enduring quantity (John 16:22-23)
a. The coming of joy at the presence of the Lord (John 16:22)
b. The joy that no man can take away (John 16:22)
c. The power of praying in the name of Jesus (John 16:23)
(1) Not to ask of the Son. This is not a command against praying to the
Son under all circumstances. Rather, it is a change in standard
practice. Instead of asking the Son to speak to the Father in our
behalf (John 16:26), we can boldly come to the throne of grace
(Hebrews 4:16) in the name of and by the authority of the Son. See
also Romans 8:32.
(2) But to ask of the Father
(a) In the name of the Son
(b) To receive of the Father (see Romans 8:34)
4. The joy of complete quality (John 16:24)

a. To ask in the name of the Son
b. To ask and to receive
c. To have fullness of joy (John 15:11; 1John 1:4). The joy of the
Christian life is directly related to asking requests of the Father and
having them granted (1Samuel 2:1; Job 33:26; Isaiah 56:7; Romans
12:12; Philippians 1:4; 1Thessalonians 5:16-17).
C. Their Confusion Turned to Understanding (John 16:25-30)
1. Speaking in proverbs (John 16:25)

a. The time past: a time of proverbs (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark 4:33; John
16:12)
b. The time to come: a time of plainness (2Corinthians 3:12)
(1) No more in proverbs; there are no parables in the New Testament
epistles.
(2) To plainly show the Father
2. Speaking plainly (John 16:26-28)
a. Concerning prayer (John 16:26-27)
(1) The change in protocol concerning prayer (John 16:26)
(a) The old way: ask the Son to ask the Father for you.
(b) The new way: ask the Father in the Son’s name.
(2) The change in relationship to the Father (John 16:27)
(a) The Father Himself loves you.
(b) The cause for the change
i. You have loved the Father’s Son.
ii. You have believed in the Son.
b. Concerning His leaving (John 16:28)
(1) The Son came
(a) From the Father
(b) Into the world
(2) The Son leaves
(a) The world
(b) To go to the Father
3. Surprising the disciples (John 16:29-30)
a. They recognize His plainness of speech (John 16:29).
b. They believe that He came from the Father (John 16:30).
(1) Because He knows all things
(2) Because He does not need men to ask Him
D. Their Tribulation Turned to Peace (John 16:31-33)
1. The scattering of the disciples (John 16:31-32)

a. Jesus questions the fullness of their faith (John 16:31).
b. Jesus prophesies the failure of their faith (John 16:.32).
(1) The hour has come.
(2) The disciples will be scattered (Matthew 26:31, 56; Zechariah
13:7).
(a) Every man to his own
(b) Leaving Jesus alone
i. Yet not alone
ii. For the Father is with Him
2. The overcoming of the world (John 16:33; John 14:27; Romans 8:37)
a. Peace is available in Jesus Christ.
b. Tribulation will be had in the world.
c. But Christ has overcome the world.
d. The disciples can be of good cheer.
The Intercessory Prayer of Christ

John 17:1-26
I. CHRIST’S PRAYER FOR HIMSELF (John 17:1-5)
A. His Request Stated (John 17:1)
1. His act of prayer

a. Jesus lifted up His eyes.
b. Jesus spoke.
c. Jesus addressed the Father.
2. The initial requests of His prayer
a. Because the hour is come (see John 2:4; John 7:30; John 8:20; John
12:23, 27; John 16:32); this is the seventh and last reference to the hour
of Christ in the gospel of John.
b. That the Son might be glorified (John 7:39; John 13:31-32; Acts 3:13;
1Peter 1:21)
c. That the Son might glorify the Father
B. His Request Supported (John 17:2-4)
1. His power (John 17:2-3; Matthew 28:18)

a. The power of the Son (John 17:2)
1) Over all flesh (Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 2:8-9)
2) To give eternal life (John 6:27; John 10:28)
b. The meaning of eternal life (John 17:3)
1) To know the only true God (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
2) To know Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 4:6; 1John 5:20)
2. His work (John 17:4; John 4:34; John 19:30)
a. To glorify the Father on earth (John 13:31)
b. A work that the Son has finished (John 4:34; John 5:36); compare with
the finished work on the cross (John 19:30)
C. His Request Repeated (John 17:5)
1. Glorify with thine own self (John 17:5; Colossians 2:9)

2. Glorify with previous glory (John 17:5, 24)
II. CHRIST’S PRAYER FOR HIS IMMEDIATE DISCIPLES (John 17:6-19)
A. His Identification of His Disciples (John 17:6-8)
1. Given of the Father (John 17:6; John 6:37, 45; John 8:42)
a. They were the Father’s.
b. The Father gave them to the Son.
c. Jesus manifested the Father’s name to them (John 17:26; Matthew
11:27; 2Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 2:12; 1John 5:20).
d. They have kept the Father’s word (John 8:31-32; John 14:21-23).
2. Knowing of the Father (John 17:7)
3. Receiving the Father’s words (John 17:8a)
a. Given from the Father to the Son
b. Given by the Son to the disciples
c. Received by the disciples
4. Believing the Father’s Son (John 17:8b)
B. His Requests for His Disciples (John 17:9-19)
1. For their preservation (John 17:9-16)

a. Kept by the Father (John 17:9-11)
1) The subjects of His prayer (John 17:9-10)
a) Not the world (John 17:9)
b) But the disciples (John 17:9-10)
i. They are the Father’s (John 17:9).
ii. They are the Son’s John 17:10).
iii. The Son is glorified in them (John 17:10).
2) The purpose of His prayer (John 17:11a)
a) The Son is no more in the world.
b) The disciples are still in the world.
3) The content of this prayer (John 17:11b)
a) Keep them.
i. Through your name
ii. Those you have given
b) Make them one as we are one.
b. Kept by the Son (John 17:12; John 10:27-30)
1) Kept while the Son was in the world
2) None of them was lost.
a) Except the son of perdition – Judas (compare 2Thessalonians
2:3)
b) According to the scriptures
c. Kept in the world (John 17:13-14)
1) That the Son’s joy might be fulfilled in them (John 17:13)
2) They have been given the word (John 17:14).
3) The world has hated them (John 17:14).
4) They are not of the world (John 17:14).
d. Kept from evil (John 17:15-16)

1) Not to be taken out of the world (John 17:15)
2) They are not of the world (John 17:16).
2. For their sanctification (John 17:17-19)
a. By the power of God’s word (John 17:17; John 8:31-32; Ephesians
5:26)
b. For the purpose of God’s work (john 17:18)
1) The Father sent the Son.
2) The Son sent the disciples (John 20:21).
c. Through the person of God’s Son (John 17:19; 1Corinthians 1:30)
1) The Son sanctifies Himself (Hebrews 10:29)
2) That the disciples might be sanctified through the truth
III. CHRIST’S PRAYER FOR HIS FUTURE DISCIPLES (John 17:20-26)
A. His Request for their Unification (John 17:20-23)
1. In the unity of the Godhead (John 17:20-21)

a. For them which shall believe through their word (John 17:20)
b. That they may all be one (John 17:21)
1) As the Father and Son are one
2) That they may be one in the Father and Son
3) That the world may believe that the Father sent them (John 13:34-
35)
2. In the glory of the Godhead (John 17:22)
a. The Father gave glory to the Son.
b. The Son gave glory to His disciples (2Corinthians 3:18; 1Peter 1:8;
2Peter 1:3).
c. That they may be one
3. In the perfection of the Godhead (John 17:23; Ephesians 2:13-18); fulfilled
at His coming (Ephesians 4:13; Ephesians 5:27; 2Thessalonians 1:10)
B. His Request for their Glorification (John 17:24-26)
1. In the presence of the Son (John 17:24a; John 14:3)

2. In the glory of the Son (John 17:24b; 2Corinthians 4:6)
3. In the love of the Son (John 17:25-26)
a. His knowledge of the Father (John 17:25)
1) His righteous Father
2) Unknown by the world
3) Known by the Son
4) The disciples knowing that the Father sent the Son
b. His declaration of the Father (John 17:26a)
c. His demonstration of the Father’s love (John 17:26b)
1) That the Father’s love may be in them
2) That the Son may be in them
IV. SPECIAL NOTES FOR THIS PRAYER
A. Christ’s Sevenfold Prayer for His Disciples
1. Their preservation (John 17:11); “keep”

2. Their jubilation (John 17:13); “might have my joy”
3. Their deliverance from evil (John 17:15)
4. Their sanctification (John 17:17)
5. Their unification (John 17:21)
6. Their association with Him (John 17:24); “be with him”
7. Their glory (John 17:24); “that they may behold my glory”
B. The Believer’s Sevenfold Relationship to the World
1. Saved out of the world (John 17:6)

2. Left in the world (John 17:11)
3. Not of the world (John 17:14)
4. Hated by the world (John 17:14)
5. Kept from the evil in the world (John 17:15)
6. Sent into the world (John 17:18)
7. Manifested in unity before the world (John 17:23)
C. Exceptions to the Prayer for Unity; though we are spiritually one with all who
know Jesus Christ, this oneness is not to be used to allow all sorts of perversion
and doctrinal error into the churches. According to the scriptures, we are to
separate from:
1. Those who are unbelievers (2Corinthians 6:14-18; Acts 15:14; 1Peter 2:9)
2. Those who pervert the doctrine of Christ (2John 1:7-11; 1Corinthians
16:22; Jude 1:4)
3. Those who pervert the doctrine of salvation (2Corinthians 11:4; Galatians
1:6-9; Galatians 5:1-12)
4. Those who deny the word of God (Romans 16:17; 1Timothy 4:1-3;
1Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 1:9; Jude 1:3)
5. Those who try to reestablish the law (Acts 15:5; Galatians 3:1-5; Galatians
4:8-11, 17; Titus 1:10-16)
6. Those who live according to their lusts (2Timothy 3:1-8; 2Peter 2:1-3, 10-
14, 19; Jude 1:4)
7. Those who cause divisions and love disputes (Romans 16:17; 1Timothy
1:3-7; 1Timothy 6:4, 20-21; 2Timothy 2:14, 16-18; Titus 3:9)
8. Those who follow a false spirit (2Corinthians 11:4; 1John 4:1)
The Forsaking of Jesus

John 18:1-40
I. HIS BETRAYAL BY JUDAS (John 18:1-14)
A. Christ Coming to the Garden (John 18:1-2)
1. A place of prayer (John 18:1; Luke 22:39-40)

a. Over the brook Cedron; another spelling for the brook Kidron
(2Samuel 15:23)
b. Where was a garden
1) Arrested in a garden (John 18:1, 26)
2) Buried in a garden (John 19:41)
3) To conquer the sin problem that started in a garden (Genesis 2:8-9;
Genesis 3:1, 8, 22-24)
a) Where man brought judgment on himself
b) Where man condemned himself to die
2. A place known to Judas (John 18:2)
a. He knew the place.
1) A place of prayer
2) A place where Jesus went often
b. He did not know the person – but betrayed Him.
B. Christ Confessing His Identity (John 18:3-6)
1. The band of soldiers (John 18:3)

a. Their leader – Judas
b. Their source – chief priests and Pharisees
c. Their tools
1) Lanterns and torches
a) They had no light (John 3:19-20).
b) They came at night (1Thessalonians 5:6-8).
2) Weapons – carnal weapons of the flesh (2Corinthians 10:3-5;
Ephesians 6:10-12)
2. The question of Jesus (John 18:4)
a. The fullness of His knowledge (Mark 10:33-34)
b. The forwardness of His action – “went forth” (John 14:31); at this
point, there is no hesitation. Jesus is ready and prepared to fulfill the
will of the Father.
3. The surprising admission (John 18:5)
a. Their search for Jesus of Nazareth
b. His reply, “I am he” (John 8:58)
c. In the presence of the betrayer
4. The power of the Son (John 18:6)
a. The power of His words (Ecclesiastes 8:4; Luke 4:32; Hebrews 1:3)
b. The power of His person – the great I AM (Exodus 3:14)
c. The weakness of His enemies
1) They went backward (Jeremiah 7:24).
2) They fell to the ground.
C. Christ Cooperating with the Soldiers (John 18:7-9)
1. His concern for the disciples (John 18:7-8)

a. He again identifies Himself (John 18:7-8a).
b. He asks His disciples to be released (John 18:8b).
2. The fulfillment of His word (John 18:9, John 17:12)
D. Christ Calming Simon Peter (John 18:10-11)
1. Peter’s single swing (John 18:10)

a. The sword of Peter
b. The right ear of Malchus
c. Application: When we fight the Lord’s battles with the weapons of the
flesh, we only destroy the ability of the world to hear our message.
2. Christ’s willing heart (John 18:11; Luke 22:50-51)
a. He instructs Peter to put up the sword.
b. He expresses His willingness to drink the cup (compare Matthew
26:42).
E. Christ Arrested by the Soldiers (John 18:12-14)
1. Bound by the soldiers (John 18:12)

2. Led to Annas (John 18:13-14)
a. The prominence of Annas (John 18:13)
b. The proclamation of Caiaphas (John 18:14; John 11:47-53)
II. HIS DENIAL BY PETER (John 18:15-18, 25-27)
A. Peter’s Progressive Backsliding (John 18:15-18; Psalm 1:1)
1. Peter followed (John 18:15; Luke 22:54).

2. Peter stood (John 18:16, 18, 25).
3. Peter sat (Luke 22:55).
B. Peter’s Three Denials
1. To the damsel (John 18:16-17)

2. To the men (John 18:18, 25)
3. To the servant (John 18:26-27)
C. Peter’s Bitter Repentance
1. The crowing of the cock (John 18:27; Luke 22:60)

2. The look of the Lord (Luke 22:61)
3. The conversion of Peter (Luke 22:31-34, 62)
III. HIS TRIAL BEFORE ANNAS (John 18:19-24)
A. His Questioning (John 18:19)
1. Of His disciples
2. Of His doctrine
B. His Defense (John 18:20-21)
1. The manner of His teaching (John 18:20)

a. He spoke openly.
1) In the synagogue
2) In the temple
3) Where the Jews resort
b. He said nothing in secret.
2. The testimony of His doctrine (John 18:21)
a. No need to ask Him
b. Ask those who heard Him.
C. His Abuse (John 18:22-24)
1. He is struck by an officer (John 18:22).

a. With the palm of his hand
b. For not answering properly
2. He is refused explanation (John 18:23).
a. Bear witness of any evil (John 8:46)
b. The smiting itself is evil
3. He is sent to Caiaphas (John 18:24)
IV. HIS TRIAL BEFORE PILATE (John 18:28-40)
A. The Setting (John 18:28)
1. The time
a. Early in the day
b. Before the time of the Passover
2. The place
a. In the hall of judgment
b. Where the Jews could not go
1) Lest they defile themselves before the Passover
2) Note: yet they did not consider themselves defiled by the putting to
death of an innocent man.
B. His Accusation by the Jews (John 18:29-32)
1. Their assumption (John 18:29-30)

a. No need to bring formal charges (John 18:29)
b. Just take our word that He is bad (John 18:30).
2. Their intention (John 18:31-32)
a. That He be judged by the secular court (John 18:31)
b. That He be put to death (John 18:31)
c. That He die the death of crucifixion (John 18:32)
C. His Questioning (John 18:33-38)
1. Are you the King of the Jews? (John 18:33-34)

2. What have you done? (John 18:35-36)
a. Pilate’s assumption – delivered of His own nation (John 18:35)
b. Jesus’ reply
1) My kingdom is not of this world.
a) Or else my servants would fight
b) And I would not be delivered up.
2) Now is my kingdom not of the world (Acts 1:6).
3. Are you a king? (John 18:37)
a. I came to bear witness of the truth.
b. I am heard by those who are of the truth (John 8:47).
4. What is truth? (John 18:38)
D. Pilate’s Initial Decision (John 18:38-40)
1. The testimony of Pilate (John 18:38)

2. The request of Pilate (John 18:39)
3. The rejection of the Jews (John 18:40)
E. Seven Accusations Made against Jesus
1. He perverted the nation (Luke 23:2).

2. He forbade tribute to Caesar (Luke 23:2).
3. He made Himself king (Luke 23:2; John 18:33-37).
4. He stirred up the people (Luke 23:5).
5. He was a malefactor (Luke 23:32-33; John 18:30).
6. He threatened to destroy the temple (Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:58; see
John 2:18-22).
7. He made Himself the Son of God (John 19:7).
The Cross and the Tomb

John 19:1-42
I. THE HUMILIATION OF JESUS CHRIST (John 19:1-15)
A. The Unjust Treatment of Jesus Christ (John 19:1-4)
1. The scourging of Christ (John 19:1)

a. An attempt by Pilate to appease the Jews (Luke 23:16)
b. An act prophesied by Jesus Himself (Luke 18:31-33)
c. A cruel punishment that lacerated the flesh (Psalm 22:17; Isaiah 52:14)
2. The mocking of Christ (John 19:2; Psalm 22:6-8)
a. The crown of thorns (John 19:2)
1) Made by the soldiers
2) Put on His head
b. A purple robe (John 19:2)
1) A purple robe (John 19:2; Mark 15:17); indicating His royal
position as King of kings and Lord of lords
2) A scarlet robe (Matthew 27:28); indicating the fact that He became
sin for us (Isaiah 1:18; 2Corinthians 5:21)
3) A gorgeous robe (Luke 23:11); indicating the glorious beauty of
the One who would leave the splendor of heaven in order to save
our souls by becoming sin for our sakes
3. The smiting of Christ (John 19:3)
a. Their mocking praise (John 19:3)
b. His continued torture (John 19:3) – “they smote him with their hands”
(Matthew 27:29-30; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53:3).
1) Hit with their hands
2) Hit with the reed
3) Spit upon
4. The testimony of Pilate (John 19:4)
a. I bring him forth to you.
b. I find no fault in him (John 18:38; John 19:6).
5. Note: The gospel record of the trial and crucifixion of Christ gives a
sevenfold testimony of the innocence of Jesus Christ:
a. Judas – “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood”
(Matthew 27:3-5).
b. Pilate’s wife – “Have nothing to do with that just man” (Matthew
27:19).
c. Those who stood with the centurion – “Truly this was the Son of God”
(Matthew 27:54).
d. Herod – “Nothing worthy of death” (Luke 23:15)
e. The dying thief – “This man hath done nothing amiss” (Luke 23:41).
f. The Roman centurion – “Certainly this was a righteous man” (Luke

23:47)
g. Pilate – “I find no fault in him” (John 18:38; John 19:4, 6).
B. The Unjust Sentence against Jesus Christ (John 19:5-15)
1. The verdict of the Jews (John 19:5-6)

a. The presentation of Jesus (John 19:5)
1) Wearing the crown of thorns and robe
2) “Behold the man!” (John 19:5)
a) Behold the virgin born Son (Isaiah 7:14).
b) Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
c) Behold the man of the cross (John 19:5).
b. The rejection of Jesus by the Jews (John 19:6)
1) The chief priests and officers
2) “Crucify him, crucify him.”
c. The attempt to pass responsibility (John 19:6)
1) Take Him yourself.
2) I find no fault in Him.
2. Pilate’s fear of God (John 19:7-8)
a. The claim of Jesus to be the Son of God (John 19:7)
b. The law that He should be put to death (John 19:7; Leviticus 24:16); of
course, Jesus did not blaspheme God.
c. The greater fear of Pilate (John 19:8)
1) He thought he might be dealing with someone who had some claim
to the Jewish throne.
2) Now he realizes that he is also dealing with someone who may
have claim to being deity.
3. Christ’s testimony of power (John 19:9-11; Romans 13:1)
a. Pilate’s further interrogation (John 19:9-10)
1) Whence art thou? (John 19:9)
a) He wants to know if Jesus claims to be from heaven.
b) Jesus refuses to answer.
2) Speakest thou not unto me? (John 19:10)
a) I have power to crucify you.
b) I have power to release you.
b. Jesus’ answer to Pilate (John 19:11)
1) Any power against me must be permitted from heaven (Daniel
5:18-20; Romans 13:1).
2) He that delivered me has the greater sin (Matthew 27:1-4).
4. Pilate’s fear of man (John 19:12-15; Proverbs 29:25; John 12:43)
a. The threat of the Jews (John 19:12)
1) Note: They had no love of Pilate (Luke 13:1).
2) To release Jesus would be an affront to Caesar.
3) Any man who makes himself king speaks against Caesar.
b. The final rejection of the Jews (John 19:13-15)

1) The presentation of Jesus (John 19:13-14)
a) Sat down in the judgment seat
i. The Pavement; compare 2Kings 16:17 where King Ahaz
removed the brazen oxen from under the sea that
Solomon built for the temple and placed the sea on “a
pavement of stones.” In this and other acts, Ahaz
surrendered to idolatry (2Kings 16:10-16). In comparison,
when Pilate brings Jesus to the Pavement, he has
surrendered Him to the desires of the wicked Jews.
ii. Gabbatha
b) At the preparation of the Passover
i. About the sixth hour
ii. Most likely, this is Roman time (6AM) and not Hebrew
time (Noon), although other explanations have been given
by Bible students.
c) With Pilate’s declaration, Behold your King!
2) The final position of the Jews (John 19:15)
a) Away with Him (Matthew 27:24-25; Acts 3:13-15).
b) We have no king but Caesar (1Samuel 8:5-7; Hosea 3:4).
II. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST (John 19:16-27)
A. The Path to the Cross (John 19:16-17)
1. A path of rejection (John 19:14-15; Isaiah 53:3; Psalm 94:20-21)

2. A path of surrender (John 19:16; Isaiah 53:7)
a. Jesus delivered
b. Jesus taken
c. Jesus led away (Isaiah 53:7)
3. A path of labor (John 19:17; Matthew 27:31-32)
a. Jesus bore His cross (Genesis 22:6 – wood laid on Isaac).
b. Jesus went to the place of crucifixion (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22).
1) The place of a skull – Gentile name is Calvary (Luke 23:33).
2) Called in the Hebrew, Golgotha – a place of death
a) Bethesda – a place of mercy (John 5:2)
b) Gabbatha – a place of judgment (John 19:13)
3) A place outside the city (Hebrews 13:12-13; Leviticus 16:27)
4) A place “nigh to the city” (John 19:20)
4. A path of physical suffering (John 19:1-5, 18; Isaiah 53:5-7)
5. A path of public disgrace and shame (Mark 15:19-32; Psalm 69:4-9)
6. A path of darkness (Mark 15:33)
7. A path of boundless suffering (Isaiah 53:6; 2Corinthians 5:21; Psalm 88:6-
7, 16, 18)
8. A path of substitution (1Peter 3:18; Galatians 2:20)
9. A path of a finished work (John 19:30; John 17:4; Revelation 21:6)
B. The Person on the Cross (John 19:18-24)
1. His portion among the wicked (John 19:18; Isaiah 53:9, 12)
a. Crucified with Him
b. Crucified on either side of Him
1) Thieves (Matthew 27:38)
2) Malefactors (Luke 23:32)
2. The posting of His title (John 19:19-22)
a. The title (John 19:19-20)
1) Written by Pilate (John 19:19)
2) Put on His cross (John 19:19)
3) “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John
19:19)
4) Read by many of the Jews (John 19:20)
5) Written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (John 19:20)
b. The argument concerning the title (John 19:21-22)
1) The Jews wanted the wording softened (John 19:21).
2) Pilate refused to change the wording (John 19:22).
3. The parting of His garments (John 19:23-24)
a. The garments parted into four parts (John 19:23)
b. The coat was without seam (John 19:23).
c. They cast lots for the coat (John 19:24).
d. The scripture was fulfilled (John 19:24; Psalm 22:18).
C. Those Who Stood by the Cross (John 19:25-27); Note: These five were the only
ones who had the courage to stand “by the cross.” They had obviously died to
self and did not fear the wrath of the Roman soldiers.
1. Mary, the mother of Jesus (John 19:25a)

2. Mary’s sister (John 19:25b); probably a sister-in-law
3. Mary, the wife of Cleophas (John 19:25c)
4. Mary Magdalene (John 19:25d; Mark 16:9)
5. The apostle John (John 19:26-27)
a. Mary told to look to John for support (John 19:26)
b. John told to take care of Mary (John 19:27)
c. John took Mary into his own home (John 19:27).
III. THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST (John 19:28-37)
A. The Expression of His Suffering (John 19:28-29)
1. He cried, I thirst (John 19:28).

2. He fulfilled the scriptures (John 19:28; Psalm 22:15; Psalm 69:21).
3. They gave Him vinegar (John 19:29).
a. Put upon hyssop – picture of cleansing (Psalm 51:7)
b. Put to His mouth
B. The Completion of His Work on the Cross (John 19:30)
1. He received the vinegar; Note: There were two occasions where Jesus was
offered vinegar. The first He refused (Matthew 27:34) and the second He
received (Matthew 27:48).
2. He said, It is finished.
3. He bowed His head.
4. He gave up the ghost (Genesis 25:8).
C. The Soundness of His Bones (John 19:31-33)
1. The request of the Jews (John 19:31)

a. It was the day of preparation.
b. They did not want bodies on the cross on the sabbath day.
1) An high day
2) The feast of unleavened bread (Leviticus 23:4-7)
3) One of seven annual sabbath days which were held on calendar
days of the year and not on a specific day of the week (Leviticus
23:7, 8, 21, 25, 28, 35, 36)
4) They understood the curse of the cross (Deuteronomy 21:22-23;
Galatians 3:13).
c. They asked Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken so they
might die quickly.
2. The work of the soldiers (John 19:32-33)
a. Breaking the legs of the other men (John 19:32)
b. Finding Jesus already dead (John 19:33)
c. Not breaking the legs of Jesus (John 19:33)
D. The Piercing of His Side (John 19:34-37)
1. The work of the soldier (John 19:34)

a. He pierced the side of Jesus with a spear.
b. Out came blood and water
2. The truth of the record (John 19:35)
3. The fulfillment of the scriptures (John 19:36-37)
a. Not a bone broken (John 19:36; cp. Exodus 12:46 with 1Corinthians
5:7; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20)
b. He shall be pierced (John 19:37; Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7).
E. The Sayings of Christ on the Cross
1. The words of provision

a. The provision of forgiveness (Luke 23:34)
b. The provision of salvation (Luke 23:43)
c. The provision of security (John 19:26-27)

2. The words of suffering
a. The suffering of His body (John 19:30)
b. The suffering of His soul (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1)
3. The words of completion
a. The completion of His work (John 19:30)
b. The completion of His life (Luke 23:46)
F. Prophecy Fulfilled on the Cross
1. Pierced His hands and feet (John 19:17-18; John 20:25; Psalm 22:16;
Zechariah 13:6)
2. Lifted Him up from the earth (John 3:14; John 12:32-33)
3. Parted His garments (John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:18)
4. Revealed His thirst (John 19:28; Psalm 69:21)
5. Broke none of His bones (John 19:31-33, 36; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12;
1Corinthians 5:7)
6. Pierced His side (John 19:34, 37; Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7)
G. Salvation Provided through the Cross
1. Substitutionary in its character – He died for the ungodly (Romans 4:24-25;

Romans 5:6-8; 1Corinthians 15:3; 1Peter 3:18; Galatians 2:20; 2Corinthians
5:21).
2. Complete in its scope – Finished once and for all (John 19:30; Romans 6:9-
10; Hebrews 10:10-14; Revelation 16:17; Revelation 21:22)
3. Practical in its aim – For whosoever will (John 3:14-16; John 10:9;
1Timothy 1:15; Titus 2:11; 2Peter 3:9)
4. Personal in its application (John 1:11-12; John 3:3-8; Acts 8:37; Romans
10:8-17)
IV. THE BURIAL OF JESUS CHRIST (John 19:38-42)
A. The Request for His Body (John 19:38; Matthew 27:57-58; Mark 15:42-43;
Luke 23:50-52)
1. By Joseph of Arimathaea
a. A disciple of Jesus
b. A secret disciple for fear of the Jews
2. The request granted
3. With the rich in His death (Isaiah 53:9)
B. The Removal of His Body (John 19:38; Matthew 27:58; Luke 23:53; Mark
15:45-46)
C. The Preparation of His Body (John19:39-40; Matthew 27:59)
1. Visited by Nicodemus (John 19:39)

a. Who came to Jesus by night
b. Bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes
2. Wound in linen clothes (John 19:40)
3. Wound up with spices (John 19:40)
4. According to the manner of the Jews (John 19:40)
D. The Burial of His Body (John 19:41-42; Matthew 27:60; Mark 15:46; Isaiah
53:9)
1. Near the place where He was crucified (John 19:41)

2. In a place with a garden (John 19:41)
3. In a new sepulcher (John 19:41)
4. In a place nigh at hand (John 19:42)
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

John 20:1-31
I. THE FACT OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (John 20:1-18)
A. The Discovery of Mary Magdalene (John 20:1-2)
1. The time (John 20:1)

a. On the first day of the week
1) The morrow after the Sabbath
a) The time of the feast of the firstfruits (Leviticus 23:10-11); a
picture of the resurrection of Christ (1Corinthians 15:20, 23)
b) The time of the feast of weeks – Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-
17); a type of the coming of the Spirit and the marking of a
new dispensation
2) The time of the resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,
9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1)
3) The time when the risen Christ met with His disciples (John 20:19)
4) The time when the church at Troas met to hear Paul preach (Acts
20:7)
5) The time when the collections were gathered of the congregation
(1Corinthians 16:2)
6) Early called “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10) because it was the
day of resurrection and the day when the people of God especially
met to worship the Lord. Note: many Bible students limit the
meaning of Revelation 1:10 to a reference to the day of the Lord as
defined in the Old Testament. Although this may be a good
application, John seems to be referring to a particular day as “the
Lord’s day.” This day would be Sunday.
b. When it was dark
1) Jesus Christ was already risen from the dead before daylight.
2) This would fit into the concept of the Jewish 24-hour day
beginning when the sun goes down in the evening.
2. Her discovery (John 20:1)
a. A removed stone (Matthew 27:60; Matthew 28:1-2; Mark 16:1-4)
b. An empty sepulchre
3. Her reaction (John 20:2)
a. She ran.
1) To Simon Peter
2) To John – “whom Jesus loved”
b. She said,
1) They have taken the Lord out of the sepulchre.
2) We know not where they have taken Him – “we” (Mark 16:1).
B. The Investigation of Peter and John (John 20:3-10)
1. Their run to the sepulchre (John 20:3-6a)

a. Peter and John both run to the tomb (John 20:3).
b. John outran Peter and came first to the tomb (John 20:4).
c. John stopped at the door of the tomb (John 20:5).
1) He stooped down.
2) He looked in.
3) He saw the linen clothes.
d. Peter ran inside the tomb (John 20:6a).
2. The evidence at the sepulchre (John 20:6b-7)
a. The linen clothes (John 20:6b; John 19:40; John 11:44)
b. The folded napkin (John 20:7)
1) It had been about His head.
2) It was not with the linen clothes.
3) It was wrapped together in a place by itself; this was not the act of
a robbery or of anything being done in a hurry.
3. The faith of John (John 20:8-9)
a. John then went into the sepulchre (John 20:8).
b. John saw the empty tomb and believed (John 20:8).
1) He was the first to believe in the resurrected Christ without seeing
the resurrected Christ.
2) Compare this with the other disciples (Mark 16:11-14).
3) As such, he received a special blessing from the Lord (John 20:29).
c. The disciples did not yet know the scriptures that prophesied of the
resurrection of Christ (John 20:9; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:9-12).
4. Their return to their home (John 20:10)
C. The Appearance of the Angels (John 20:11-13)
1. The despair of Mary (John 20:11)

a. Without
b. Weeping
c. Watching
2. The two angels sitting (John 20:12); compare with Luke 24:4 – “two men
stood by them in shining garments.”
a. In white (Matthew 28:3)
b. Sitting
1) One at the head
2) One at the feet
3. The question of the angels (John 20:13)
a. They asked why Mary was weeping.
b. She answered that someone had taken away her Lord.
D. The First Appearance of Jesus (John 20:14-18)
1. The unnoted presence of Jesus (John 20:14-15; John 21:4; Genesis 28:16)
2. Her conversation with the unknown Jesus (John 20:15)
a. He asked her why she was weeping (as in John 20:13).
b. She supposed him to be the gardener.
c. She asked where the body of Jesus had been laid.
3. The revealed person of Jesus (John 20:16; Mark 16:9)
a. He called her name: Mary.
b. She turned herself.
c. She responded: Rabboni.
1) Meaning Master (John 1:38)
2) Refers to Him as a teacher (John 3:2)
3) Rabboni specifically means “my Master.”
4. The first ascension of Jesus (John 20:17)
a. The statements of Christ
1) Touch me not.
2) I am not yet ascended.
3) I ascend to my Father.
b. The problem
1) Jesus will not visibly ascend for forty days (Acts 1:3).
2) The other women will be holding His feet (touching Him) in a
short time (Matthew 28:9).
c. The biblical solution
1) Note: the following is not the solution of the majority of the
commentators. They try to make the expression symbolic, but the
result does not satisfy the details of the conversation.
2) There is a temple in heaven (Revelation 11:19; Revelation 15:5).
This temple was the pattern for the earthly tabernacle (Exodus
25:40; Hebrews 8:5).
3) Jesus made an offering of His own blood for the sins of man; but
He made this offering in the heavenly temple and not in the earthly
one (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24-26; Acts 20:28).
4) Jesus followed the pattern of making atonement as given in the law
for the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:15-19).
a) No man was to be in the tabernacle (Leviticus 16:17).
b) The priest must not be touched by an unclean person
(Leviticus 22:5-6).
c) Note: Mary was unclean being in the flesh and Jesus with His
offering of blood could not be touched by her or anyone else
before He made His offering at the heavenly mercy seat.
5) Jesus, therefore, ascended into heaven to make atonement in the
heavenly temple for our sins and then made a quick return to earth
(Matthew 28:9). The sacrifice could have been completed in a half
hour (compare Revelation 8:1-4) or less. The trip to and from
heaven did not need to take up any time at all. The later slow
ascension into heaven was for the viewing of the disciples.
5. The testimony of Mary (John 20:18)

a. She had seen the Lord Jesus.
b. She had heard His words.
II. THE APPEARANCE OF CHRIST TO HIS DISCIPLES (John 20:19-31)
A. When Thomas was Absent (John 20:19-23)
1. The appearance of Jesus (John 20:19-20)

a. The fear of the disciples (John 20:19)
1) On the first day of the week
2) Meeting behind closed doors
3) Assembled in secret for fear of the Jews (contrast Acts 4:31)
b. The comfort of the Saviour (John 20:19)
1) He is not hindered by the closed doors.
a) He appeared in the midst of them.
b) His glorified body was not hindered by physical obstructions.
2) He gave them a message of peace (John 14:27; John 16:33)
c. The joy of the disciples (John 20:20; John 16:22)
1) He showed them His hands and side.
a) He was not a spirit (Luke 24:39); He had flesh and bones,
though no mention is made of blood.
b) He proved His resurrection in a very powerful way (1John
1:1-3).
2) The disciples were glad (John 16:19-22; Matthew 28:8; Luke
24:41).
2. The provision of Jesus (John 20:21-23)
a. Their commission (John 20:21; Mark 16:15)
1) He gives them His peace.
a) The message of peace (Acts 10:36; Romans 10:15; Ephesians
2:17; Ephesians 6:15); see connection with Holy Ghost (John
14:26-27)
b) The empowerment of peace (Romans 15:13, 33; Romans
16:20; Philippians 4:7, 9; Colossians 3:15; 2Thessalonians
3:16)
2) He gives them His commission (John 17:18).
a) As the Father sent Him
b) So sends He them
b. Their power (John 20:22; Luke 24:49)
1) He breathed on them (Job 33:4; Isaiah 42:5).
2) “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
a) Bible students disagree with one another over the exact
meaning here. Some think Jesus is referring to the day of
Pentecost. However, this does not adequately explain the
passage.
b) Evidently, the disciples received the firstfruits of the Spirit

(Romans 8:23) before Pentecost. It is very likely those present
were indwelt by the Spirit at this time.
c) Jesus sent the Holy Ghost.
i. When He was glorified (John 7:38-39)
ii. When He went away (John 16:7)
d) Consider the early (before Pentecost) results of their reception
of the Holy Ghost.
i. They were filled with great joy (Luke 24:52); this comes
from the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17; 1Thessalonians
1:6).
ii. They continually worshipped Jesus Christ (Luke 24:52-
53); this is a work of the Spirit (John 4:24; Philippians
3:3).
iii. They joined together in unity (Acts 1:14 – “in one
accord”); this is a work of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3).
iv. They continued in prayer and supplication (Acts 1:14);
this is a work of the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20; Ephesians
6:18).
v. They chose the replacement for Judas (Acts 1:23-26); the
work of the Holy Spirit is to lead the children of God
(Luke 4:1; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18).
e) Conclusion: although they had not received the fullness of His
power, they had already received the Holy Ghost and were
enabled by Him to do His work.
c. Their authority (John 20:23)
1) Their special apostolic authority (Matthew 16:18-19)
a) To determine which sins are remitted; that is, forgiven and not
paid for immediately. To remit means to refrain from exacting
or requiring payment for a debt.
b) To determine which sins are retained; that is, held to the
person’s account and paid for immediately.
2) Two examples in the ministry of Peter
a) The case of Ananias (Acts 5:1-5)
b) The case of Simeon (Acts 8:17-24)
B. When Thomas was Present (John 20:24-29)
1. The doubts of Thomas (John 20:24-25)

a. His absence at the first appearing of Jesus to the disciples (John 20:24)
b. His rejection of the spoken testimony of the disciples (John 20:25)
1) A common phenomenon (Mark 16:9-14)
2) An illustration of the need for signs (Mark 16:17-20)
c. His demand for physical proof of the resurrection (John 20:25)
1) To put his finger in the print of the nails
2) To place his hand in the side of Christ

3) Note: The demand of Thomas for physical proof is a blessing to
those of us who do not have such proof. He did it for us.
2. Special outline on the Apostle Thomas as the Skeptic
a. Faithful in his service
1) Called to be an apostle (Luke 6:12-16)
2) Faithful in difficult times (John 6:66-68)
3) Faithful to the end (Acts 1:13-14); tradition says that Thomas went
west to Persia; perhaps as far as India. He is said to have died by
being thrust through with a spear.
b. Dominated by his mind
1) Elevated logic above the spiritual (John 11:11-16); took things
literally and came to logical conclusions
2) Elevated understanding above faith (John 14:1-6); tried to figure
things out and needed to ask questions
3) Elevated seeing above believing (John 20:24-29); had to have
proof and had to see for himself
c. Genuine in his surrender
1) He was ready to die for his Master (John 11:16).
2) He desired to understand God’s word (John 14:5).
3) He was ready to proclaim his faith (John 20:28); although he was
slow in coming to a place of faith, he was thereafter bold in his
expression of that faith.
3. The appearance of Jesus (John 20:26)
a. After eight days
b. When Thomas was present
c. The doors being shut
d. Jesus stood in the midst of them.
4. The invitation of Jesus (John 20:27; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:6)
a. Get the proof you need.
b. Be not faithless, but believing.
5. The confession of Thomas (John 20:28)
a. My Lord
b. My God – a testimony to the deity of Jesus Christ
6. The blessing of faith (John 20:29; Hebrews 11:1)
a. Those who believe because they have seen
b. Those who believe though they have not seen – these receive a special
blessing from Jesus (1Peter 1:7-8).
C. The Purpose of this Book (John 20:30-31)
1. Not to record all (John 20:30; John 21:25)

a. Many other signs were done.
b. Many signs were not written in this book.
2. But to reveal Christ (John 20:31)

a. That you might believe
1) That Jesus is the Christ
2) That Jesus is the Son of God
b. That you might receive (John 1:12)
1) Eternal life
2) Through His name (1John 5:13)
The Commission of the Risen Saviour

John 21:1-25
I. THE ONLY TRUE METHOD OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE – THE LORD’S (John
21:1-14)
A. The Failure of Man’s Program (John 21:1-5)
1. The failure of human design (John 21:1-3; Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 14:12)
a. Appearance of Jesus at the sea of Galilee (John 21:1)
b. To seven of the disciples (John 21:2)
c. Following the lead of Peter (John 21:3)
1) He returns to fishing – “I go a fishing” probably meant that he had
decided to return to his old career.
2) These disciples go with him – someone follows you wherever you
go.
2. The failure of human effort (John 21:3; John 15:5; Zechariah 4:6)
a. They entered a ship immediately.
b. They caught nothing all night (compare Luke 5:5).
3. The failure of human vision (John 21:4; Proverbs 29:18)
a. The morning was come.
b. Jesus stood on the shore.
c. They knew not that it was Jesus (John 20:14; Luke 24:15-16).
4. The failure of human provision (John 21:5; Psalm 49:7)
a. Question: “have ye any meat?”
b. Answer: “No”
B. The Success of God’s Program (John 21:6-14)
1. God’s design in His word (John 21:6; Psalm 119:105, 133)

a. The instructions of the Lord
b. The promise of the Lord – “ye shall find.”
c. The obedience of the disciples
d. The abundance of the blessing
e. The end of their abilities – “not able to draw it”
2. God’s opening of their eyes (John 21:7; 2Kings 6:15-17; Hebrews 11:27)
a. His recognition by the disciple closest to Him
1) John – the disciple whom Jesus loved
2) He said, It is the Lord.
b. The response of Peter
1) He heard the message.
2) He covered his nakedness (Genesis 3:7-10).
3) He cast himself into the sea.
3. God’s blessing on their effort (John 21:8-9; Psalm 127:1)
a. The other disciples (John 21:8)

1) Came in a little ship
2) Only 200 cubits from land
3) Dragging the net of fish
b. The ready meal (John 21:9)
1) The fire of coals
2) The fish on the coals
3) The bread on the coals
4) Problem: where did Jesus get all this? He shows that He is the
source of all provision (Psalm 23:1; Romans 8:32; Philippians
4:19).
4. God’s preserving of His fruit (John 21:10-11; John 15:16; 2Timothy 1:12)
a. Commanded to bring their catch (John 21:10)
b. A total of 153 great fish (John 21:11); similar to the number of
strangers – 153,600 – Solomon counted in the land of Israel
(2Chronicles 2:17). Perhaps Jesus is showing them that the greatest part
of their catch of men will be among the strangers, or Gentiles.
c. So many, yet the net was not broken (John 21:11); God’s callings are
God’s enablings (1Thessalonians 5:24).
5. God’s provision for His own (John 21:12-14)
a. Feasting (John 21:12-13; Psalm 23:5)
1) Come and dine (John 21:12).
2) They knew it was Jesus (John 21:12).
3) Jesus ate with them (John 21:13; Luke 24:41-43).
b. Fellowshipping (John 21:14; 1John 1:3, 7)
1) His third appearance to the disciples
2) Further proof of His resurrection
II. THE ONLY TRUE MOTIVE FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE – LOVE (John 21:15-
25)
A. The Example of Peter (John 21:15-19)
1. His love questioned (John 21:15-17)

a. Peter’s threefold denial (Luke 22:54-62)
b. Christ’s threefold rebuke (John 21:15-17)
1) First request: “Lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15;
Matthew 26:31-35). Christ is asking Peter if he still claims to love
Him more than the other disciples love Him (1Corinthians 10:12);
He is looking for humility.
2) Second request: “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:16). That is, do you
love me for my own sake without any comparison with others?
3) Third request: “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:17). That is, will you
keep loving me? Will you love me as much as you denied me?
c. Peter’s threefold assurance (John 21:15-17)
1) “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” (John 21:15)
2) “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” (John 21:16)
3) “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”
(John 21:17)
a) Not according to Peter’s confidence
b) But according to Christ’s knowledge – “thou knowest’
d. Christ’s threefold commission (John 21:15-17)
1) Feed my lambs (John 21:15; Isaiah 40:11); lambs are young sheep.
2) Feed my sheep (John 21:16; 1Peter 5:1-3).
3) Feed my sheep (John 21:17; Acts 20:28-32); keep feeding them.
2. Our love for Christ: The Bible states in no uncertain terms that if God is our
Father, then we will love Christ (John 8:42). Therefore, a lack of love for
Christ is a proof of a lost condition. This truth is backed up by Paul in
1Corinthians 16:22 where he states, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus
Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” That is, let him be accursed. Your
love for Christ, therefore, is a very serious thing. We should love Him:
a. Responsively (1John 4:19; 2Corinthians 5:14-15)
b. Believingly (1Peter 1:7-8)
c. Sincerely (Ephesians 6:24; 2Corinthians 8:8; 2Corinthians 6:6)
d. Supremely (Matthew 10:37; Colossians 1:18)
e. Obediently (John 14:15, 21-24)
f. Humbly (John 21:15-17)
1) Peter had bragged about his devotion and had failed (Matthew
26:33-35, 73-75).
2) Peter is now grieved that Christ asks him three times about his
love.
g. Faithfully (John 21:15-17); three requests of Christ and three
commands to feed His sheep point to the importance of faithfulness in
our love for Christ.
3. His death prophesied (John 21:18-19)
a. His time of death (John 21:18)
1) In youth
a) You clothed yourself.
b) You went where you wanted to go.
2) In old age
a) He will stretch forth his hands.
b) Another will clothe him.
c) He will be carried where he would not go.
d) Note: this indicates that Peter will get to old age. Some have
taught that this explained his ease of mind (“sleeping”) when
he was imprisoned by Herod (Acts 12:6). He was not yet old,
and therefore had nothing to worry about.
b. His mode of death (John 21:19; 2Peter 1:13-14)
1) The description of John 21:18 indicated “by what death” he should
die.
a) According to tradition, it was by crucifixion – though upside
down at his own request.
b) Crucifixion would agree with the phrase, “shalt stretch forth

thy hands.”
2) His death would be one that glorified God.
3) But the present instructions are still the simple, Follow me.
a) The call of the sheep (John 10:3-4, 27)
b) The call of the student-disciple (Luke 5:27; John 1:43)
c) The call of the servant (John 12:26)
d) The call of the soul-winner (Matthew 4:19)
e) The call of the sold-out (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23)
B. The Example of John (John 21:20-25)
1. His responsibility to the Lord (John 21:20-23)

a. Peter’s unrestrained curiosity (John 21:20-21)
1) Peter looked at John (John 21:20).
a) The disciple whom Jesus loved
b) The disciple who leaned on His breast
c) The disciple who asked who the betrayer was
d) He was following Jesus.
2) Peter asked what John would do (John 21:21).
3) Note: Peter had the same problem of keeping his eyes on Jesus
when he sunk in the waves of the storm when he walked on the
water (Matthew 14:29-31).
b. Christ’s stern rebuke (John 21:22; compare Romans 14:12)
1) John might tarry till the return of Christ.
2) But what is that to Peter?
3) That is, mind your own business.
c. John’s death revealed (John 21:23)

1) The rumor: that John would not die
2) The fact: Christ was telling Peter that He would do with John as
He pleased.
a) John did die, but not until he saw the coming of Christ
(Revelation 19:11-16).
b) The typology of Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24)
2. His testimony of the Lord (John 21:24-25)
a. The faithful witness of John (John 21:24)
1) John identifies himself as the unnamed disciple.
2) John is the human author of this book.
3) The testimony of the Apostle John is true (1John 1:1-3).
b. The limited witness of John (John 21:25; John 20:30)
1) The many other works of Jesus
2) The books of the world not able to contain them.

The Gospel of John

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The Gospel of John

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The Gospel of John – Taught by: Pastor David F.

The Gospel of John

A. 21 Chapters, 879 Verses, 19,099 Words

B. 43rd Book in the Bible, 4th Book in the New Testament

II. THE HUMAN AUTHOR

A. Established in the Book of John

1. Never named in the Gospel of John

C. His Writings in the New Testament – compared to other human authors

1. Paul – 100 chapters (38.5%) –this includes the 13 chapters of Hebrews

III. THE PLACE OF THE BOOK

A. In Relation to the Four Gospels

1. The significance of four gospels

2. A comparison with the other gospels

IV. THE STATED PURPOSE

A. Keys to Analyzing a Book in the Bible

1. Explanation: The analysis of a book in the Bible gives an overall view of

B. John’s Statement of Purpose

C. The Signs in the Gospel of John

1. The changing of water into wine (John 2:1-11)

D. Key Shifts in the Gospel of John

1. The coming of His hour

b. First major departure of His disciples (John 6:66)

V. THE DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK

Jesus Christ, the Word of God

A. Seven References to Christ as the Word

1. In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1).

B. The Fourfold Work of the Word

a. A word imparts knowledge and truth to the listener. Through words,

C. Seven Truths Concerning the Word (John 1:1-5)

1. The eternity of the Word (John 1:1a)

2. The personality of the Word (John 1:1b)

3. The deity of the Word (John 1:1c)

4. The immutability of the Word (John 1:2)

5. The creativity of the Word (John 1:3, 10)

6. The vitality of the Word (John 1:4)

7. The luminosity of the Word John 1:4-5)

D. Both Christ and Scripture as the Word of God

1. Both are called the word of God.

b. Scripture (Philippians 2:14-16)

E. John Proves the Son to be Equal with the Father.

1. Equal in creation (John 1:3; Genesis 1:1)

A. He Was Sent from God ( John 1:6-7).

1. The man – John (John 1:6) “There was a man.”

method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is

2. His Master – God (John 1:6) “sent from God”

3. His mission – to witness (John 1:7) “came for a witness”

4. His message – to believe on the Light (John 1:7) “might believe”

B. He Pointed to the Light (John 1:8-9).

1. He was not that Light (John 1:8).

2. He bore witness to that Light (John 1:8, 29).

3. He bore record of that Light (John 1:9).

III. THE IMPACT OF THE WORD (John 1:10-13)

1. Despite His presence in the world (John 18:19-21)

B. He Was Rejected by His Own (John 1:11).

C. He Was Received by the Few (John 1:12-13).

1. Their belief (John 1:12)

2. Their birth (John 1:13)

3. Note: Four ways by which men can be the sons of God:

d. The good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)

IV. THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD (John 1:14-18)

A. The Word Was Made Flesh (John 1:14).

B. The Word Dwelt among Us (John 1:14).

(3) He gave up His heavenly riches (2Corinthians 8:9).

C. The Purpose of the Incarnation