John 12
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Commentaries
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Six days before the Passover - Reckoning the day of the Passover to be the last of the six. Our Lord came on our Sabbath, the first day of the Jewish week, to Bethany, where he supped; and on the next day he made his public entry into Jerusalem: Joh 12:12. Calmet thinks that this was about two months after the resurrection of Lazarus, on the 9th of Nisan, (March 29), in the thirty-sixth year of our Lord's age. It has been observed before - that Calmet adds three years to the common account.
Open source ↗THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY. (Joh 12:1-11) six days before the passover--that is, on the sixth day before it; probably after sunset on Friday evening, or the commencement of the Jewish sabbath preceding the passover.
Open source ↗Then Jesus, six days before the passover,.... Or "before the six days of the passover"; not as designing the days of that feast, for they were seven; but as reckoning so many days back from it, that is, before the sixth day from the ensuing passover: if there were six complete days between this and the passover, as this way of speaking seems to imply; then this must be the day before the Jewish sabbath, and this is more likely, than that Christ should travel on the sabbath day: but if this was the sixth day before it, it was their sabbath day, and so at the going out of it in the evening, a supper was made for him, which with the Jews on that night, was a plentiful one; for they remembered the sabbath in its going out, as well as in its coming in (e), and this was to prevent grief at the going out of it: so some days before the passover, the lamb was separated from the flock, and kept up till the fourteenth day, Exo 12:3 particularly it may be observed, that seven days before the day of atonement, the high priest was separated from his own house, and had to the chamber Palhedrin (f); and much such a space of time there was, between the day of the great atonement by Christ, and his unction by Mary; which is said to be against the day of his burial, which being the same day with his sufferings, was the great day of atonement: at this time Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead; the last clause is left out in the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions: whom he raised from the dead; that is, "Jesus", as the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions express; and the Ethiopic version adds, "in Bethany". This was the town of Lazarus; here he lived, and here he died, and here he was raised from the dead; and here he continued and d…
Open source ↗In these verses we have, I. The kind visit our Lord Jesus paid to his friends at Bethany, Joh 12:1. He came up out of the country, six days before the passover, and took up at Bethany, a town which, according to the computation of our metropolis, lay so near Jerusalem as to be within the bills of mortality. He lodged here with his friend Lazarus, whom he had lately raised from the dead. His coming to Bethany now may be considered, 1. As a preface to the passover he intended to celebrate, to which reference is made in assigning the date of his coming: Six days before the passover. Devout men set time apart before, to prepare themselves for that solemnity, and thus it became our Lord Jesus to fulfil all righteousness. Thus he has set us an example of solemn self-sequestration, before the solemnities of the gospel passover; let us hear the voice crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. 2. As a voluntary exposing of himself to the fury of his enemies; now that his hour was at hand he came within their reach, and freely offered himself to them, though he had shown them how easily he could evade all their snares. Note, (1.) Our Lord Jesus was voluntary in his sufferings; his life was not forced from him, but resigned: Lo, I come. As the strength of his persecutors could not overpower him, so their subtlety could not surprise him, but he died because he would. (2.) As there is a time when we are allowed to shift for our own preservation, so there is a time when we are called to hazard our lives in the cause of God, as St. Paul, when he went bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem. 3. As an instance of his kindness to his friends at Bethany, whom he loved, and from whom he was shortly to be taken away. This was a farewell visit; he came to take leave of them, and to leave with them wor…
Open source ↗12:1-50 Two stories build simultaneously. A growing number of people are praising Jesus (this climaxes in 12:12-13), and the authorities are increasingly determined to arrest him and put him to death. • John records three events that occurred just days prior to Passover (12:1-11, 12-19, 20-36). Then he explains why most of the people refused to believe and details Jesus’ final public appeal (12:37-50). 12:1 Pilgrims from throughout Israel began arriving in Jerusalem the week before the Passover. The festival was on Thursday that year; Jesus arrived late the preceding Friday, just before the Sabbath.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἕξ (héx, G1803) — six ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to πάσχα (páscha, G3957) — the Passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Βηθανία (Bēthanía, G963) — date-house; Beth-any, a place in Palestine ὅπου (hópou, G3699) — what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot Λάζαρος (Lázaros, G2976) — Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Israelites (one imaginary) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) θνήσκω (thnḗskō, G2348) — to die (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δεῖπνον (deîpnon, G1173) — dinner, i.e. the chief meal (usually in the evening) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Μάρθα (Mártha, G3136) — Martha, a Christian woman διακονέω (diakonéō, G1247) — to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively)… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Λάζαρος (Lázaros, G2976) — Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Israelites (one imaginary) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one συνανάκειμαι (synanákeimai, G4873) — to recline in company with (at a meal)
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) Μαρία (María, G3137) — Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females λίτρα (lítra, G3046) — a pound in weight μύρον (mýron, G3464) — "myrrh", i.e. (by implication) perfumed oil νάρδος (nárdos, G3487) — "nard" πιστικός (pistikós, G4101) — trustworthy, i.e. genuine (unadulterated) πολύτιμος (polýtimos, G4186) — extremely valuable ἀλείφω (aleíphō, G218) — to oil (with perfume) πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκμάσσω (ekmássō, G1591) — to knead out, i.e. (by analogy) to wipe dry αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil Ἰούδας (Ioúdas, G2455) — Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them… Ἰσκαριώτης (Iskariṓtēs, G2469) — inhabitant of Kerioth; Iscariotes (i.e. Keriothite), an epithet of Judas the traitor Σίμων (Símōn, G4613) — Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit
Open source ↗διατί (diatí, G1302) — through what cause ?, i.e. why? πιπράσκω (pipráskō, G4097) — from the base of G4008 (πέραν)); to traffic (by travelling), i.e. dispose of as… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing μύρον (mýron, G3464) — "myrrh", i.e. (by implication) perfumed oil τριακόσιοι (triakósioi, G5145) — three hundred δηνάριον (dēnárion, G1220) — a denarius (or ten asses) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… πτωχός (ptōchós, G4434) — akin to G4422 (πτοέω) and the alternate of G4098 (πίπτω)); a beggar (as cringing), i.e.…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μέλω (mélō, G3199) — to be of interest to, i.e. to concern (only third person singular present indicative used… περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… πτωχός (ptōchós, G4434) — akin to G4422 (πτοέω) and the alternate of G4098 (πίπτω)); a beggar (as cringing), i.e.… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) κλέπτης (kléptēs, G2812) — a stealer (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;…
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀφίημι (aphíēmi, G863) — an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἐνταφιασμός (entaphiasmós, G1780) — preparation for interment τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… πτωχός (ptōchós, G4434) — akin to G4422 (πτοέω) and the alternate of G4098 (πίπτω)); a beggar (as cringing), i.e.… πάντοτε (pántote, G3842) — every when, i.e. at all times ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐμέ (emé, G1691) — me οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest βουλεύω (bouleúō, G1011) — to advise, i.e. (reflexively) deliberate, or (by implication) resolve ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἀποκτείνω (apokteínō, G615) — to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy Λάζαρος (Lázaros, G2976) — Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Israelites (one imaginary) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah ὑπάγω (hypágō, G5217) — to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗ἐπαύριον (epaúrion, G1887) — occurring on the succeeding day, i.e. (G2250 (ἡμέρα) being implied) to-morrow πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἑορτή (heortḗ, G1859) — a festival ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosólyma, G2414) — Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine
Open source ↗λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) βαΐον (baḯon, G902) — a palm twig (as going out far) φοῖνιξ (phoînix, G5404) — a palm-tree καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὑπάντησις (hypántēsis, G5222) — an encounter or concurrence (with G1519 (εἰς) for infinitive, in order to fall in with) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κράζω (krázō, G2896) — properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek,… ὡσαννά (hōsanná, G5614) — oh save!; hosanna (i.e. hoshia-na), an exclamation of adoration εὐλογέω (eulogéō, G2127) — to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon,… βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl, G2474) — Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) ὀνάριον (onárion, G3678) — a little ass καθίζω (kathízō, G2523) — to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down);… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.
Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.
The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.
Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.