John Background Info Session 6: John 11-12

John Background Info Session 6: John 11-12

Chapter 11

Context

Beginning of chapter Jesus is standing in the shadow of the cross
Death on the cross is only a few days away
Scene changes in these last few days from hatred and rejection to blessed witness of the glory of Christ
All the hatred and rejection of the Jews could not dim Christ’s glory which was proven through the resurrection of Lazarus
Most dramatic and climatic sign in the book of John
Evidences Glory in 3 ways:

Pointed to Christ as being a deity
Strengthen faith of disciples
Led directly to the cross

Keys to the Text

Mary and Martha: this is the family of John. Friends of Jesus. Same Mary who anoints the feet of Christ and same Martha and Mary from Luke 10: 38-42 where Mary sits at the feet of Jesus while Martha does all the work to welcome Christ to the home appropriately.
Caiaphas: high priest; supreme religious head of his people. Distinguished by the clothes he wore, the duties he performed and the particular requirements placed upon him. High Priest from 18 to 34 AD. Close relationship with the Romans and the Herodians allowing him to have a long tenure in that position. Son-in-law of predecessor Annas. Controlled the temple and personally benefitted from the corrupt merchandising.

Why do you think Caiaphas had a very heated hatred of Jesus?

The Text Chapter 11

Verse 1: Bethany is a different town than mentioned in 1:28. This one was located on the East side of the Mount of Olives, 2 miles from Jerusalem, along the road to Jericho
The use of “he whom you love” hints at the closeness of the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus and the whole family

What was the real purpose of Lazarus’ illness?

What do you think of verses 5 and 6?

Staying was a sign of love for the family because by raising Lazarus he would be giving them a gift of strength of faith
We see that the disciples are concerned for Jesus’ safety as he went to Bethany because they had sought to stone him before; Jesus shows a courage and faith as he went to his friends who were in need
Jesus makes reference again to walking by light and stumbling in the dark.

What is the meaning of this passage?

Meaning is about faith journeys, the light being what Christ has to offer the darkness is life without Christ
Verse 11 – sleeps was a NT euphemism for death; regards to believers.
When they arrive Lazarus had been in the tomb, a stone sepulcher made out of a cave , for 4 days. Soul was believed to have moved on from the body at this point.
Martha approaches Jesus in pain saying that he should have been there when they called for help.
Still shows faith despite her very obvious anger.

Resurrection – in Jewish tradition that Mary and Martha belonged to they believed in a future resurrection on the last day when God sends the savior. Sometime in the distant future.Jesus redefines resurrection to indicate that he was that resurrection: He is God and thus he is the source of resurrection.

Jesus teaches Martha in her time of mourning that all who have faith have eternal life and Martha goes and shares in the hope with Mary
Verse 33 – Mary shared her same grief with Jesus while being followed by all those sitting shiva with her and Jesus groans in spirit

Why did Jesus groan in his spirit?

Ancient Jewish funerary customs: sitting shiva with combination of friends, relatives, and professional mourners, two flute players and a professional wailing woman to mourn the dead were a requirement

Groaned: In Greek the word was embrimaomai which has several translations anger, outrage, or emotional indignation. Taken in context it was most likely that Jesus was angered at the deep unbelief evident in this procession, grieving as pagans with no hope.

Verse 35 – the shortest verse of the Bible; Why was Jesus weeping?

Grieved for the state of the world
Those with the women questioned the weeping as well and whether Jesus had the ability to have prevented this death and the subsequent pain.
Jesus wants the tomb opened
Lazarus was not embalmed just some fragrant oils to mask the smells of decay
Jesus prayed and then Lazarus was raised and many came to believe in Jesus

What was the response of the Pharisees when they heard about the resurrection of Lazarus?

Read verses 48 – 50

Feared a rising Messianic Movement which would cause anger in the Romans
Caiaphas predicted the death of Jesus on behalf of the nation
Verse 52 includes all those who believe who are scattered all over the known world at that time
Jewish leaders decided that they must affect the death of Christ and looked for opportunities

The Text chapter 11:55 – 12:50

Context

Contrasting the differing reactions of love and hatred, belief and rejection of Christ leading up to Jesus’ arrest, trial, and Crucifixion.

Following Mary’s anointing of Christ John notes the events surrounding Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
Mentioned in all four Gospels
Jesus presents self to the nation officially as the Messiah and the Son of God
Sanhedrin and the other Jewish leaders wanted him dead but couldn’t during the Passover fearing the mob
Jesus forces the issue with his entry so they would have to deal with him on the day when the lambs were sacrificed in the temple for the Passover

Keys to the Text

Passover Feast: Important feast day in Jewish calendar and linked to the Exodus from Egypt. Marked the day of redemption from Egypt. Passover began with the slaying of the Passover Lamb, a lamb without blemish. Friday of Passover would have begun on Thursday night at sunset. According to Josephus, it was customary to sacrifice the lamb at 3PM. This was the time of day that Christ died.

The Text 11:55 – 12:50

Purification was required of all before participating in the rituals of the holiday

Instead of worrying about preparations the religious leaders worried themselves about the where about of Jesus fearing what might happen if he were to make a scene during the celebrations

Passover celebrations in Jesus’ time

2.7 million Jews would journey to Jerusalem
Would sacrifice lambs
Would need places to celebrate
Ritual cleaning of feet and hands
Getting rid of all leavening
Sacrificing of the lamb
Lamb of no blemish, 1 year old, male

Pharisees commandment someone to capture Jesus

Why? Did they want to kill him quickly or prevent his making a scene in a densely populated area?

Why was it significant for Jesus to enter Jerusalem at Passover?

Chapter 12

Still in Bethany

Feast of honor following the resurrection of Lazarus
Mary anointed Christ
Costly oil of spikenard: expensive oil extracted from a root grown in India
Represents Mary’s extravagant love of Christ
300 Denari would be equal to a year’s wages for a laborer at the time
Judas is upset at the perceived waste – could have gone to charity

How was Mary’s attitude different towards Christ than Judas’?

Christ informs that this is in preparation for his burial

What was the response of the religious leaders to Lazarus’ resurrection?

To kill him also
Desperately trying to prevent the continuing growth of faith in Jesus

More Jews followed Jesus to Jerusalem for the feast

Increased population meant increase Roman military presence
Increased likelihood of revolt
Celebrating the release from slavery; translated into perfect time to seek independence

Entry into Jerusalem

Use of Palms – plentiful in and around Jerusalem
Palms national symbol and signaled that the Messiah liberator had arrived

Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus had convinced many without a doubt that he would be their liberator.

Hosanna – translation of Hebrew word which means to give salvation now; used for praise and acclamation
Enters on a donkey and quotes scripture

Pharisees are frustrated that they people in general were supporting Jesus and their call for his apprehension came to no avail – had to bid their time now

Reference to Greeks is important – Greek proselytes came to celebrate the Passover and in the hopes of meeting Jesus – supported Christ despite the religious leaders.
Greeks begins the spreading of the message of salvation from just the Jews to the Gentile world
Jesus says that his time of death has come

Read verses 25-26

What does Christ mean when he says this?

Christ becomes distress and scared of the task of taking on the entirety of God’s wrath for the people yet he goes forth anyway.

Christ lived and died to glorify the Lord
Ruler of the world is in reference to Satan’s work in the world
Lifted up from the Earth – reference to Christ’s crucifixion
The people do not understand the death of the Messiah – in the OT the messiah was supposed to be eternal and forever. Jesus is talking about dying.
Have faith now while you can because he will be leaving them
The people’s disbelief was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah – human responsibility and culpability

Read Verse 40: Reference to Isaiah 6, IDs Jesus as God or Yahweh in the OT

Why is Isaiah so often referenced in John?

Many believed in Christ but hid it because of the Pharisees

Why hide faith?

Christ says that to believe in him is to believe in God

Read verse 47-48: What is to be taken from this verse

Support Text: Psalm 118: 1-29

How does this Psalm compare with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem?