The Book of John chapters 17-21

John 17
Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus,
and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that
thy Son also may glorify thee: Jesus looked up to heaven
and said, Father, the hour has come. (John 12:23). "Glorify Your Son so He can
give glory back to you." (John 13:31). It was soon time for Christ to be
crucified and He was praying to the Heavenly Father. Note: His eyes were on
heaven. Our eyes should be focused on heaven when we also pray. Too often our
eyes and hearts are on other things when we pray. (Matthew 6:5). When you pray,
don't be like the hypocrites who pretend piety by praying publicly in front of
others, or in the church where everyone can see you. If so, that is all the
reward you will ever get, and your prayers may not be answered. It may make you
feel so holy or religious in front of others, but that is about the extent of
it.
Joh 17:2 As thou
hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many
as thou hast given him. The Father has given Christ all
authority over everyone. (Over all flesh). Now Jesus gives eternal life to each
one that the Father has given Him. "His people are said to have been given
to Him
by the Father throughout the entire prayer." (John 17:2, 17:6, 17:9, 17:11,
17:12, 17:24). It is the Heavenly Father who chooses us and gives us to Jesus.
(John 6:44).
Joh 17:3 And this
is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent. The way to eternal life is to know
the One True God and Jesus Christ, the One the Father has sent. (1 John
5:11-12). Through the Word of God, (His written record). God has given us eternal life
through Christ. "Your choice." Eternal life through Christ, or death through
Satan. Yes, as we said many time before, the devil holds the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14). But, Satan's
power was broken by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Joh 17:4 I have
glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to
do. Christ is praying to the Father and saying that He has
brought glory to Him by completing the work the Father gave Him to do. "Jesus
gives us work to do also; the work of telling others the "Good News" about the
wonderful grace of God." (Acts 20:24). This is your main purpose if you are a
disciple of Christ.
Joh 17:5 And now,
O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with
thee before the world was. Now Father, bring Me into the
glory We shared before the world began. (John 1:1-2). "Before this world age
began." Read our newsletter study topic: "Three Earth Ages."
Joh 17:6 I have
manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine
they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
I revealed You to the ones You gave Me from this world. They were always Yours.
(From the beginning in the first world age). You gave them to Me, and they kept
Your word.
Joh 17:7 Now they
have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you. What kind of things?
(John 12:49-50). "God gave Jesus His words."
Joh 17:8 For I
have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received
them,
and have known surely that I came out from thee,
and they have believed that thou didst send me. Jesus
passed on the message the Heavenly Father has given Him. They accepted the
message and now "believe" that He has come from the Father.
"God gave the words to Christ, Christ passed on the words to the disciples, they
passed the word to us, we pass the word to others." (It goes on and on
forever; the word is eternal).
Joh 17:9 I pray
for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for
they are thine. Christ' prayer was not for the world in
general, but for His disciples. Are you a disciple of Christ? "The ones the
Father has given Him." Those who are written in the book of life. (Revelation
13:8).
Joh 17:10 And all
mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
All souls belong to God. (Ezekiel 18:4). God gave Christ authority over all
souls to bring Him glory.
Joh 17:11 And now
I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy
Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may
be one, as we
are. I am departing from this
world (going back to the Father), but they are staying in this world. We must
remain in the world for now. But, Jesus asked the Father to protect us by the
power of His name so that we will be united just as the Father and the Son are
united as one. "The holiness of God has separated the disciples from the world."
(1 John 2:15-16). If you are involved
and love the things of this world, this shows that you do not really love God.
Always thinking of money and material things. Always trying to stay ahead of the
other guy. Those who live by the ways of the world better wake up and get their
act together; the day of the Lord is coming. (2 Peter 3:10).
Joh 17:12 While I
was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I
have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the
scripture might be fulfilled. Christ protected the disciples while He was
here and guarded them so no one was lost. Except one (son of perdition), who was
headed for destruction as the Scriptures foretold. Who is this son of perdition?
(2 Thessalonians 2:3). Do not be deceived! Remember, Christ will not return
until the "Great Apostasy." (rebellion against God, fallen away of the church, or
one who gives up their professed beliefs). Who is this son of perdition?
Satan! "The false messiah." (Revelation
17:8).
Joh 17:13 And now
come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my
joy fulfilled in themselves. Now I am coming to you
Father. I told them many things while I was with them in the world so they would
be filled with joy. "Don't miss out on all the joy as a Christian." (Psalm 16:11,
Galatians 5:22).
Joh 17:14 I have
given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world. I have given them
Your Word Father, and the world hates them because they do not belong to the
world, just as I do not belong to the world. (1 John 4:5-6, 1 John 5:19-20). As
true Christians, we don't belong to the world, and don't follow the ways of the
world. i.e. If you belong to the world, you will follow the ways of the world,
but if you belong to God, you will follow His ways, and those who know God will
listen to you.
Joh 17:15 I pray
not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil. I am not asking You to take them out
of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13, 1 John
5:19). "The Lord's Prayer." God will always deliver us from evil as stated in
(1
Corinthians 10:13). He will never let any temptation come upon us that we
cannot handle. He will always show us a way out. There were three things the
Lord requested for His disciples: To be kept from the evil one (Satan, verse
15), to be sanctified through the truth (the Word, verse 17), and to behold His
glory (verse 24).
Joh 17:16 They
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. They
no longer belong to this world anymore than I do.
Joh 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Make
them holy by Your truth; teach them Your Word, which is truth. "The truth is a
great separating force." Even among family and friends. (Matthew 10:35). Isn't
that common with families and friends today? It is hard to get two people to
believe the same way in the home today, let alone the whole family. It appears
everyone wants their own little belief or way to worship. If people you hang
with don't know the truth, or will refuse to receive it, move on. (Many
that are hungry for the truth will listen to you).
Joh 17:18 As thou
hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Just as You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. (Ephesians
3:7). It is by God's grace we are given the privilege of serving Him by spreading the
Good News.
Joh 17:19 And for
their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the
truth. I gave Myself as a holy sacrifice, so that they can
be made holy by Your truth. (This shows the meaning of sanctify; not making holy
as to moral character, but setting apart for God. The Lord was the antitype of
all the offerings, which were holy unto Yahveh).
Joh 17:20 Neither
pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word; I am not praying only for these disciples, but also for all
who will ever believe in Me through their message. (Romans 16:26, Hebrews 7:25). Jesus Christ
is able to save all those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to
intercede with God on their behalf. (Romans 8:34, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1-2,
Revelation 8:3-4).
Joh 17:21 That
they all may be one; as thou, Father,
art
in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one
in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are One. You are in Me,
Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us, so that the world will believe
You sent Me. "The unity that comes from a common relationship with God." (1 John
1:3). The disciples have seen it and experienced it; you can also have this
same fellowship with Christ.
Joh 17:22 And the
glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we
are one: I gave them the glory You gave Me Father, so they
will be one as We are One. (Colossians 3:4). We will all share the glory with
Christ when He returns.
Joh 17:23 I in
them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world
may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience the same perfect unity, that
the world will know that You sent Me, and that You love them as much as You love
Me. "The Heavenly Father does love you as His own child." We are
to love God and others as He loves us. (1 John 4:19). Our love for Him comes as
a result of Him loving us first. He chose you for His own pleasure. (Revelation
4:11).
Joh 17:24 Father,
I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they
may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the
foundation of the world. Jesus wants us all to be where He
is, then we can see the glory the Father has given Him, because the Father loved
Jesus even before the world began. (Before the foundation of the world).
Joh 17:25 O
righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and
these have known that thou hast sent me. Heavenly Father,
the world doesn't know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me.
(John 16:27).
Joh 17:26 And I
have declared unto them thy name, and will declare
it:
that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be
in them, and I in them. "I have revealed You to them, and
I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be
in them." (Psalm 119).
John 18
Joh 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples
over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his
disciples. After Jesus said all these things, He crossed
the Kidron Valley (a brook near Jerusalem), with His disciples, and entered a
grove of olive trees. "The Garden of Gethsemane, at the bottom of the Mount of
Olives." (One of Jesus' favorite places).
Joh 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus
ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas
(the
betrayer), knew this place because Jesus had often gone there with His
disciples. It was like of a camping spot for Jesus and the disciples. (Luke
21:37).
Joh 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from
the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and
weapons. Judas led a "corhort"
(Roman military cohort), a
squad of men (tenth of a legion, about 600 men). Along with the "chief
priests," these were the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), and the Pharisees. You see, the
Sadducees and Pharisees put aside their differences in order to destroy Jesus,
just as Herod and Pilate were became friends (Luke 23:12), over His condemnation.
Joh 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing
all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them,
Whom seek ye? Jesus
knew what was going on and what was going to happen to Him, so He stepped
forward to meet them. Who are you looking for Jesus asked?
Joh 18:5 They answered him, Jesus
of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them,
I am
he.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
With Judas by their side they said to Jesus, "We are looking for Jesus
the Nazarene." (Matthew 2:23). "I AM HE," Jesus said to them. "Remember what was
said about anyone from Nazareth." (John 1:46). For some reason Nazareth had an
evil name, and so a Nazarene was a term of reproach.
Joh 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went
backward, and fell to the ground.
As Jesus said "I AM HE," they all drew back and
fell to the ground. "Divine intervention." (Psalm 27:2). God
could have wiped them all out right then, but He didn't.
Joh 18:7 Then asked he them
again, Whom seek ye?
And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Once more Jesus
asked them, "Who are you looking for?" Again they replied, Jesus the Nazarene.
(I think that after they fell back on their asses the first time, they were a
little hesitant to ask again, but they did).
Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am
he:
if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
"I told you that I AM HE," Jesus said. Since I am the one you want, let the
others go.
Joh 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which
thou gavest me have I lost none. Jesus said
"let the
others go," to fulfill His own statement: "I did not lose a single one of those
You have given Me." (John 17:12, John 6:39). Christ protected the disciples
while He was here and guarded them so no one was lost. It is the Heavenly
Father's will that Jesus should not lose even one of all those He has given Him.
But, that He should raise them up in the last day. Future sense: "The Lord's
Day." (1 Peter 1:5). Through your faith, God will protect you by His power until
salvation is revealed in the last days.
Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high
priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
When the servant of the high priest Malchus advanced towards Jesus, Simon Peter
drew his sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus. Many scholars think
that this was just a lucky stroke that Peter made, and was aiming for the head
of Malchus. But, I can tell you as an experienced martial artists, Peter was an
expert (master) swordsman. If he had wanted his head, he would have cut it off.
Peter just wanted to let him know to back off, or we will stand and fight. (Luke
22:49-51).
Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto
Peter, Put up thy sword into the
sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away. "Shall I not drink from the cup of
suffering the Father has given Me?" (Jesus was just following the
will of is Father). Cup of Suffering: Also referring to the "cup of wrath" that
will be poured out among the nation in the end times. (Revelation 16).
Joh 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus,
and bound him, The Roman soldiers, the commanding officer,
and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied Him up.
Joh 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to
Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. First
they led Him to Annas (father-in-law of Caiaphas), the high priest at the time.
(Luke 3:2).
Joh 18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was
expedient that one man should die for the people. Caiaphas
was the head honcho who told the other Jewish leaders, "It's better that one man
should die for the people." (John 11:49-52). The Jews regarded any official
utterance of the High Priest as inspired. Here Caiaphas was used by God, as
Balaam was (Numbers 22:38, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:27-28).
Joh 18:15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple:
that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the
palace of the high priest. Simon Peter followed Jesus, as
did another of the disciples. "A disciple that was known to the high priest."
Hmmm, who could that be? Many believe that it was John "the disciple Jesus
loved." However, it is more probable that it was someone of influence, as
Nicodemus, or Joseph of Arimathaea, both members of the Sanhedrin. I believe that
it was Joseph of Arimathaea. (There is
speculation that Joseph of Arimathea, or Joseph of Glastonbury as he later
became known, was the uncle of Mary, mother of Jesus. The relationship to Mary
made him a Great Uncle of Jesus).
Joh 18:16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other
disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the
door, and brought in Peter. Peter had to stay outside the
gate because only members of the Sanhedrin were aloud in. But Joseph of
Arimathea tells the woman at the gate to let Peter into the courtyard.
Joh 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou
also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.
The woman says to Peter; your not one of that man's disciples, are you? "No,"
Peter said, "I am not." Remember what Jesus told Peter about denying Him three
times. "This was the first."
Joh 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of
coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them,
and warmed himself. Peter stood with
the group warming
himself trying to blend in and not cause any trouble.
Joh 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his
doctrine. Meanwhile inside, the high priest began to
question Jesus about His followers and teachings. (He was trying to elicit
something to be used against Jesus).
Joh 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught
in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in
secret have I said nothing. Jesus tells the high priest,
"everyone knows what I teach." I have taught regularly in the synagogues and the
Temple, where the people gather. I have never spoken in secret. (Isaiah 45:19,
Matthew 9:35, Luke 21:37).
Joh 18:21 Why
askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold,
they know what I said. Why are you asking Me Jesus said?
Ask those who heard Me, "they know what I have said."
Joh 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by
struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest
so? Then one of the Temple guards (no doubt a kenite),
slapped Jesus across the face and said; "Is that the way to answer the high
priest?" (This officer has just struck and rebuked the King of Kings, and Lord
of Lords, Heaven's own High Priest). I wouldn't want to be in his shoes in the
end times. Wouldn't you like a piece of this guy? "I know I would."
Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him,
If I have
spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Jesus replied, If I said anything wrong, prove it. "I am speaking the truth, so
why are you beating Me?"
Joh 18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas, then He would be sent to Pilate. Pilate would send
Jesus to Herod, and then Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate. The book of John does
not record the details of the trial before Caiaphas, but (Luke 22:66-71) does.
Joh 18:25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto
him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and
said, I am not. Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing by the
fire getting warm and they asked him again, "Your not one of His disciples, are
you?" Peter denied it again saying, "No, I am not." (The second denial).
Joh 18:26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman
whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter being accused again by one of the household slaves
of the high priest. "Didn't I see you out in the olive grove with Jesus?"
Joh 18:27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. Peter getting a little
upset here denies Jesus again. (The third time). "Then the rooster crowed."
(Matthew 26:74, Luke 22:60-62).
Peter left the courtyard weeping bitterly. How he must of felt after this
experience. He just betrayed all that he believed in. (Satan was rejoicing over
this one).
Joh 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it
was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should
be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
The
trial before Caiaphas ended in the early in the morning. (In the early hours of
the Passover preparation between 11:00 p.m. and midnight). The accusers of Jesus
didn't go inside because it would have defiled them, and they wouldn't be
allowed to celebrate Passover. Bunch of hypocrites! These Jewish leaders didn't want to become
contaminated and miss out on the Passover, yet Jesus Christ was actually the
fulfillment of the Passover. (The Passover Lamb of the New Testament). "Christ
became our Passover." (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Jesus would be that
perfect sacrifice whose blood would save us from death. "They just didn't get
it."
Joh 18:29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye
against this man? So the governor Pilate, went out to them
and asked, "What is your charge against this man?"
Joh 18:30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we
would not have delivered him up unto thee. They answered
Pilate and said, "we wouldn't bring Him to you if He wasn't a criminal." They
expected Pilate to take their word for it, and condemn Him unheard. (Acts
25:16). However, Roman law does not convict a man unless he faces his accusers and has a
chance to defend himself.
Joh 18:31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to
your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any
man to death: The Jews and Pilate didn't get along that
well, so Pilate tells them to take Jesus away and judge Him by their own law.
The Jews tell Pilate, "Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone." You
see, by the Jewish law, they seem only to have power of stoning to death. (Acts
7:59). But, they feared the people, and determined to raise the plea of
rebellion against Caesar and throw the odium of the Lord's death upon Pilate.
Joh 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake,
signifying what death he should die. This would fulfill
the prediction of Jesus about how He would die. Remember if the Jews were
allowed to put Jesus to death He would have been stoned. Jewish stoning involved
breaking bones. However, the prophecies of the Messiah's death said that not one
bone would be broken. (Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20). Jesus would say Himself that
He would be crucified. (Matthew 20:18-19).
Joh 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus,
and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Pilate
asked Jesus, "Are You the King of the Jews?" (This shows the malicious charge
the Jews had made).
Joh 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did
others tell it thee of me? Jesus replied to Pilate, "Is
this you question, or did others tell you about Me?"
Joh 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests
have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Pilate
answers, "Am I a Jew?" Your own people and their leaders brought You to me for a
trial. "What have you done?" Pilate wanted to know what Jesus had done to upset
these guys. Is Pilate having a little compassion for Jesus? Matthew records
their reason. (Matthew 27:18). For he knew that
for envy they had delivered him. Delivered up for jealousy
because of His popularity with the people.
Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my
kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be
delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Jesus answers Pilate, My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My
followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders.
But My Kingdom is not of this world. What Jesus is saying here is that He is
not a threat to Pilate, or the Roman Empire. His Kingdom is eternal from Heaven.
(Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:14). Jesus would be given ruling power over all nations
of the world. "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said
unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered,
Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I
born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto
the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Pilate says to Jesus, "So, you are a king?" Jesus replies, "You say I am a king."
Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who
love the truth recognize that what I say is true. (Truth is what the
kingdom of God is all about). Twenty-five times in the gospel of John Jesus
says; "I'm telling you a truth." We are in a time today
when people are moving farther from the truth. It is written: (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
"People won't listen
to sound doctrine." They follow teachers that teach traditions of men and feed
them whatever they want to hear to make them feel comfortable. They reject
the truth and chase after myths and traditions. How is your church doing?
Remember it is the truth that will set you free from mans religion. (John 8:32,
John 14:6).
Joh 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he
went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at
all. Pilate asked Jesus,
"What is truth?"
(Pilate wasn't jesting here, he was doubtless sick of the various philosophies
and religion which contended for acceptance). Then Pilate went out again to the
people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime."
Joh 18:39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the
passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Pilate says to the people. You have a custom of asking me to release one
prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this man Jesus,
"King of the Jews?"
Joh 18:40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now
Barabbas was a robber. The crowd shouted back,
"No!" Not
this man. We want Barabbas! (Barabbas was a robber, a murderer, and a
revolutionary). (Acts 3:14). They chose the robber over "the King of Kings and
Lord of Lords." (Matthew 27:20). The kenites were the ones doing the dirty work
here and stirred up the crowds against Jesus. Again, if your not familiar with
the kenites, read our study topic titled: Son of Cain.
John 19
Joh 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
Pilate gave the order to have Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. This
was a common practice for "Romans" to whip their prisoners with a device called
a "flagrum." (A handle with long leather straps that had pieces of bone and lead
pieces imbedded in the straps). It is interesting to know that third century
records show that the soldiers (auxiliary soldiers), in Pilates charge weren't
even from Rome, but recruits from the nearby province of Syria, who were very
hostile of the Jews. (The beating of Christ may have been more severe than
normal).
Joh 19:2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his
head, and they put on him a purple robe, The soldiers wove
a crown of thorns and put it of the head of Jesus. Then they put a purple robe
on Him. (Purple being a sign of royalty). The thorns were a sign of the earth's
curse. (Genesis 3:18).
Joh 19:3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their
hands. The soldiers yelled "Hail! King of the Jews!"
Mocking Him and then slapping Him across the face. They were doing more than
slapping Him, they were punching Him in the face. Isaiah and Mark describe it a
little better. (Isaiah 52:14, Mark 15:19).
Joh 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I
bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
Pilate told the people again, "I will bring Him out to you now, but understand
clearly that I find Him not guilty." Even though Pilate found Him not guilty, he
still had Him illegally scourged, hoping to satiate the blood thirst of the
Jews. (Remember that these so called Jews that wanted Jesus crucified were the kenites, not our brother Judah).
Joh 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple
robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe; Pilate
saying, here is the man! Even after the horrible torture of the flagellum, Jesus
had to endure the insults and cruelties of the soldiers. (Isaiah 50:6). Pilate
was hopping that the pitiable spectacle would melt their hearts. "Not a kenite!"
It only whetted their appetite. (Kenites were sons of Satan)!
Joh 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried
out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them,
Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
The leading priests and temple guards began shouting, Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
"Perhaps they were a little upset over what Jesus did in the temple when He
overthrew the money changers." (Matthew 21:12-15). Pilate being a little
reluctant to put Jesus to death says, "take Him yourselves and crucify Him," I
find Him not guilty. Pilate just didn't want anything to do with it, even though
he knew that crucifixion was not a Jewish, but a Roman mode of punishment.
Pilate was getting a little nervous here, and I think he was hoping that they
would let Jesus go. "But, that's not going to happen."
Joh 19:7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to
die, because he made himself the Son of God. The Jewish
leaders replied to Pilate, "By our law He should die because He called Himself
the Son of God." The law they were referring to was written in (Leviticus 24:16,
Matthew 26:63-66), punishment for blasphemy. (The charge on which the Sanhedrin
condemned Him). The only problem here is that Jesus was telling the truth, "He
was the Son of God."
Joh 19:8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
When Pilate heard this He was more afraid than ever.
Pilate heard of the miracles that Jesus had done. Not only that, but earlier
that morning Pilate received a disturbing message from his wife. (Matthew
27:19). Pilate's wife sent him a message to "leave that good man alone; because
she had a terrible nightmare concerning Him the night before." If that wasn't
enough, now he hears that Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God.
Joh 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence
art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate took Jesus
back into the headquarters again and asked Him, "Where are you from?" But Jesus
did not answer him. It was written in the old testament that Jesus would not
open His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7). Sometimes we need to just keep our mouths shut
and trust in God.
Joh 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou
not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
"Why don't you talk to me Pilate asked Jesus?" "Don't you realize that I have
the power to release You, or crucify You?"
Joh 19:11 Jesus answered,
Thou couldest
have no power at
all against me,
except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee
hath the greater sin. Jesus answers Pilate, "You would
have no power over Me at all unless it were given to you from above."
(Romans 13:1). We are to submit to government authorities, because all authority comes
from God, and those in position of authority have been placed there by God.
(Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-17).
Obey the law of our
governments and you will have freedom of religion.
Be a good citizen and bring forth God's Word. The lawmakers are here to protect
those who are doing good and can protect you to further God's Word. Therefore
he that delivered Me: "So the one who handed Me over to you has the greater
sin." We know that Judas betrayed Jesus and handed Him over to the Romans, but
who was the one/one's that delivered Jesus to Pilate? It was the high priest
"Caiaphas" and the kenites. Caiaphas knew the scriptures and the prophecies
about the coming Messiah. Yet he willingly (with a little help from Satan),
ignored the evidence about Jesus being the Messiah. He stirred up the people
with the help of the kenites to ask for Jesus to be put to death. It was
"Caiaphas" that had the greater sin than Pilate.
Joh 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews
cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend:
whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but the Jewish leaders shouted, "If you release
Him, you are no friend of Caesar." (Anyone who declares himself a king
is a rebel against Caesar). i.e. The Jewish leaders knew that Pilate wasn't convinced
by hearing about their laws, so they are going to bring up Pilate's political
responsibilities.
Joh 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth,
and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in
the Hebrew, Gabbatha. Pilate now brings Jesus out to the
Jewish leaders again. Then Pilate sat down on his raised stone platform (in
Hebrew Gabbatha).
Joh 19:14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth
hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! i.e.
the day before the Passover was eaten ("at even" on the 14th of Nisan). All four
Gospels state that our Lord was entombed on the preparation Day. (John 19:31,
42, Matthew 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54). The sixth hour: (Midnight). The
hours in all the Gospels are according to Hebrew reckoning: i.e. from sunset to
sunset. Some have though that the events from (John 13:1), could not be crowded
into so brief a space, but the Jews were in deadly earnest to get it all finished
before the Passover, and in such a case events more quickly. Just for the
record: Christ was crucified on a Wednesday between 12 noon and 3:00p.m. then
put in the tomb on Wednesday at sundown. Wednesday at sundown to Thursday at
sundown was (1) day. Thursday at sundown to Friday at sundown was (2) days.
Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown was (3) days, and He arose sometime
during Saturday night, or Sunday morning.
Joh 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him,
crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief
priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. "Away with
Him they yelled." Crucify Him! Pilate replies, "What? Crucify your King?" But
the leading priests (mostly kenites), shouted, "We have no king but Caesar."
Joh 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they
took Jesus, and led him away. Then Pilate turned
Jesus over to them to be crucified, and they took Jesus away. i.e. delivered to
their will (Luke 23:25), thus the Lord's execution was in Jewish hands. (Acts
2:23). By the plan of God, He let you use the Roman government to nail Him to
the cross and crucify Him. (Written 1,000 years ago in Psalms 22). The centurion
and his quaternion of soldiers merely carried out the decision of the chief
priests, Pilate having pronounced no sentence, but washed his hands, literally
as well as metaphorically, of the matter.
Joh 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the
place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Jesus carried the cross by Himself, He went to the place called (Golgotha),
"place of the scull." (Matthew 27:33-34, Mark 15:21-22, Luke 23:33). In
the book of Luke it tells us a little more of what happened when He was carrying
the cross.
And there followed him a great company of people, and of
women, which also bewailed and lamented him. (Luke 23:27).
The large crowds followed behind Him as He carried the cross,
including many grief stricken women. (Matthew 27:55, Mark 15:40).
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but
weep for yourselves, and for your children. (Luke 23:28). Jesus turned to
the daughters of Jerusalem and said, don't weep for Me, but weep for yourselves
and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming,
in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never
bare, and the paps which never gave suck. (Luke 23:29). God's elect that
do not follow Satan, remain spiritual virgins. What about those who do not
remain spiritual virgins? (Matthew 24 and Mark 13). And woe unto
them that are with child , and them that give suck in those days. (Matthew
24:19). Those who fall for the false messiah. Those who do not remain
"spiritual virgins" in the end times at the return of Messiah,
will be deceived.
Joh 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side
one, and Jesus in the midst. There Jesus was nailed to the
cross. Two others were also crucified with Him, one on each side of Jesus.
Another fulfillment of prophecy. (Isaiah 53:12).
Joh 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the
writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the
Jews."
Joh 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus
was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and
Greek, and Latin. The place where Jesus was
crucified was near the city. The sign was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
Because this title was written in three different languages, it might have
slightly varied in each language. Luke and John wrote for the Gentiles, and
would prefer the Greek inscription. Matthew, addressing the Jews, would use the
Hebrew. Mark writing to the Romans, would naturally give the Latin.
Joh 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The
King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
Then the leading priest (Caiaphas), objected and wanted Pilate to
change what was written. Caiaphas wanted it to say "I am King of the Jews,"
because he didn't want people thinking that Jesus was actually the "King of the
Jews," but only that He claimed to be the King. (Devine intervention). God
wanted His Son to die on the cross that proclaimed Him the "King of the Jews."
Joh 19:22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
Pilate replies, "No way!" "What I have written, I have written." It therefore
stands written forever. Caiaphas as representative of the Jews proclaimed the
Lord as Savior for the world. Pilate fastens upon the Jews the hated name of the
Nazarene as their King.
Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his
garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his
coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among
the four of them. They also took His seamless robe. (Chiton - tunic, an
undergarment, usually worn next to the skin).
Joh 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast
lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which
saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.
These things therefore the soldiers did. The robe had more
value together than in pieces, so rather than tear it apart and divide it among
them, the soldiers decided to throw dice (cast lots), for it. Fulfilling the
scripture of: (Psalms 22:18), the Psalm of the crucifixion, written 1,000 years
before.
Joh 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's
sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John omits the name of his own mother Salome, who was there also. (Matthew
27:56, Mark 15:40-41).
Joh 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by,
whom he loved, he saith unto his mother,
Woman, behold thy son! John was the disciple whom Jesus
loved, and Jesus was pointing His mother towards John, and telling John to take
care of His mother.
Joh 19:27 Then saith he to the
disciple, Behold thy mother!
And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own
home. Jesus said to John. "Here is your mother." From then
on John took care of His mother.
Joh 19:28 After this, Jesus
knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be
fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture He said,
"I am thirsty." The last prediction (Psalm 69:21).
Joh 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a
spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his
mouth. A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they
soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch (a long reed), and held it to
His lips.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore
had received the vinegar, he said,
It is finished: and he bowed his
head, and gave up the ghost. When Jesus had tasted it, He said, "It is
finished." Then He bowed His head and released His Spirit. (John 10:17-18, Luke
23:46).
Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies
should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was
an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that
they might be taken away. It was the high Sabbath, the
first day of the feast, the 15th Nisan. (Leviticus 23:6-7). Our Wednesday sunset
to Thursday sunset. They didn't want the bodies hanging there during the
Passover feast. (Deuteronomy 21:23). They wanted to speed up the process by
breaking the legs of those who were hanging so they would die (by asphyxiation),
and then could take the bodies down.
Joh 19:32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the
other which was crucified with him. Broke the legs of the
two men hanging with Jesus. Again, this would let the person hanging on the
cross fall enough so they could not catch their breath, and would die from
asphyxiation.
Joh 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they
brake not his legs: Jesus had already given up His Spirit
and He was dead, so they didn't break His legs.
Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and
forthwith came there out blood and water.
However, one of
the soldiers did pierce His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out.
"The blood and water may have been symbolic of the sprinkling with blood and
cleansing with water of the Old Covenant." (Hebrews 9:12-14, 19:22, 1 John
5:6-8).
Joh 19:35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and
he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. This
is an eye witness report and accurate account, so that you can also believe.
(Acts 10:39, 1 John 5:13). The apostles witnessed all Jesus had done throughout
the land of Judea, as well as His crucifixion.
Joh 19:36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled,
A bone of him shall not be broken. These things happened
just as they were written in the scriptures. "Not one of His bones will be
broken." Reference to: (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 22:14, Psalm
34:20).
Joh 19:37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they
pierced. "They will look on the One they pierced." (Psalm
22:16-17, Zechariah 12:10). Also a future prophecy when Jesus Christ returns in
the end times. (Revelation 1:7). There will be no mystery when He comes at the
seventh trump. (This is when we will all be changed to our spirit bodies).
Everyone will see Him come, even those who pierced Him. All nations will weep in
sorrow and terror when He comes.
Joh 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but
secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body
of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body
of Jesus. The great uncle and disciple of Jesus
(Joseph of Arimathaea), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus' body. It was
granted and he took the body away. (Isaiah 53:9). He was buried in a rich man's
tomb. Joseph of Arimathaea (know as the tin man), dealt in tin and other metals
and was very wealthy.
Joh 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by
night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound
weight. Nicodemus was the man who came to Jesus in
John 3. (Jesus told him that he needed to be born again). Nicodemus was a
Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin (John 3:1). He was trying to get the
Sanhedrin to listen to Jesus before judging Him. Nicodemus was the one who
brought the mixture of spices to perfume the body of Jesus. (About 100 pounds of
spice that was very costly).
Joh 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes
with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus' body with spices and long
sheets of linen cloth. Swathing the bodies of the rich. (Isaiah 53:9). The
criminals were wrapped in old rags.
Joh 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in
the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
The garden tomb (wealthy mans vineyard), of Joseph of Arimathaea.
(Matthew 27:59-60).
Joh 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation
day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Because it
was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover, and the tomb being close at
hand, they laid Jesus there. (Acts 13:29). When it was fulfilled by the
prophecies concerning His death, He was taken from the cross and placed in a
tomb.
John 20
Joh 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when
it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the
sepulchre. This should read "the first day of the
Sabbaths," (Sabbaton). "Sabbaths" should not be rendered
"week." Reference:
(Leviticus 23:15-17), shows that this "first day" is the first of the days of
reckoning the seven Sabbaths to Pentecost. On this day, the Lord became the
"first-fruits" of God's resurrection harvest. Now, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb
of Jesus and saw that the stone covering the entrance was taken away. Again,
Christ was crucified on a Wednesday between 12 noon and 3:00p.m. then put in the
tomb on Wednesday at sundown. Wednesday at sundown to Thursday at sundown was
(1) day. Thursday at sundown to Friday at sundown was (2) days. Friday at
sundown to Saturday at sundown was (3) days, and He arose sometime during
Saturday night, or Sunday morning. Keep in mind that the stone that was covering the
entrance of the tomb was around 1 to 1.5 tons and was sealed and watched by
Roman soldiers. Then the stone was sealed with rope and melted wax. If you broke
the seal, you would be dealing with the wrath of Rome. (Matthew 27:62-66). The
stone also had to be rolled uphill to be removed. Not an easy task to roll a 1
ton stone uphill. So, this should satisfy those who think Jesus didn't really
die, but escaped from the tomb with the help of the disciples. "I don't think
so." (This was a divine act of God).
Joh 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other
disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord
out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
After Mary had seen the stone removed, she ran to Peter and John and told them.
They have taken the body of Jesus out of the tomb, and we don't know where they
have put Him she tells them.
Joh 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the
sepulchre. Peter and John started out for the tomb.
Joh 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter,
and came first to the sepulchre. They were both running
towards the tomb, but John outran Peter and reached the tomb first. This affords
no ground for assumption by so many commentators, that John was younger than
Peter. (It just means that John might have been in better shape).
Joh 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes
lying; yet went he not in. When John approached the tomb,
he looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not enter the
tomb.
Joh 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre,
and seeth the linen clothes lie, When Peter caught up he
went inside the tomb and also noticed the wrappings lying there.
Joh 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen
clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
The
handkerchief (a "soudarioin" in the Greek), that covered the face of Jesus was
folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. (Here it implies that the
cloth had been folded (coiled) around His head like a turban. The linen clothes
also lay exactly as they were when swathed round the body). i.e. The Lord passed
out of them, not needing, as Lazarus (John 11:44), to be loosed. It was this
sight that convinced John that the Lord had risen. (John 20:8).
Joh 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the
sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
The other disciples
that reached the tomb first also went in, and he (John), saw and believed.
Joh 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from
the dead. Until then, they still didn't understand the
scriptures that said, "Jesus must rise from the dead." (Out from among the
people).
Joh 20:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
The disciples broke up and went to their own homes.
Joh 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept,
she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
Mary Magdalene was standing outside the tomb crying, and she stooped down and
looked into the tomb. Mark's account says there were other woman with Mary.
(Mark 16:1).
Joh 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the
other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Mary
saw two robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the
place where the body of Jesus had been laying. These two angels were probably
Michael and Gabriel. (Daniel 9:21, 10:21, 12:1, Luke 1:19, 26). The supreme
importance of the Lord's resurrection in the Divine counsels demanded the
presence of the highest angels. The two angels sat at either end of the rock-cut
ledge, as the cherubim at either end of the mercy-seat (Exodus 25:19). They
sit in the empty tomb who stand in the presence of God (Luke 1:19, Revelation
8:2).
Joh 20:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto
them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid
him. The two angels asked Mary why she was crying? She
answered the angels, "Because they have taken away my Lord and I don't know
where they put Him." At this point, Mary did not realize that Jesus has risen
form the dead. She thinks that someone has taken the body of Jesus.
Joh 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus
standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Mary turns to leave the tomb and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but
she didn't recognize Him. Why? (Luke 24:16). God kept them from recognizing Him.
(Divine intervention).
Joh 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest
thou? She, supposing him to be the
gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou
hast laid him, and I will take him away. Then Jesus says to Mary, "Dear
woman, why are you crying?" Who are you looking for? Mary thought He was the
gardener. She say to Him, "If you have taken Him away, please tell me where you
have put Him and I will go and get Him."
Joh 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him,
Rabboni; which is to say, Master. "Mary." Jesus said. Now
she recognizes Him. (John 10:3-4). She knows who He is as soon as Jesus called her name. She cried
out, "Rabboni!" (Chaldee origin meaning Lord or Teacher).
Joh 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to
my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father,
and your Father; and
to
my God, and your God. Spend
no more time with Me now, "I haven't yet ascended to the Father." But go find My
brothers and tell them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God
and your God." i.e. Jesus is asking Mary to let Him finish His earthly mission,
go back to heaven, so the Father can send the Holy Spirit for us all. (John
16:7). If He didn't, the "Holy Spirit" would not come as promised. (John
14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26). Christ would be a type of first-fruits (Leviticus
23:10-11), from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23), fulfilling the type by
presenting Himself before the Father.
Joh 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the
Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Mary found the disciples and told them what she had seen and that the Lord had
spoken to her. How did they respond? Mark gives the best description. (Mark
16:9-11). They did not believe. The Gospel of Mark tells us that later in
the day Jesus appeared to two other disciples, and they told the others but they
did not believe them either. (Mark 16:12-13). As Christians we need to believe,
even if we did not see with our own eyes. That is what faith is all about. (John
3:16, 20:31, Hebrews 11:6).
"It is impossible to
please God without faith." If you want to come to God, you must believe that
He exists, and He will reward those who seek Him. Seek the kingdom of God and He
will add to you daily. (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31). The King and His Dominion.
Take action and seek the truth of His Word and make
Him first in your life, and He will always take care of you.
Joh 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the
week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of
the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them,
Peace
be
unto you. That Sunday
evening the eleven disciples were having a meeting and dinner behind locked
doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus appeared
and was standing among them. "Peace be with you He said." (Jesus
"Stepped
into the midst," right through the closed door). How did Jesus do this? He was
in His Spirit body in a different dimension. You could say that He was able to
"materialize and de-materialize" at will. Did you ever watch Star Trek when they
went through the transporter. (Beam me up Scotty)! Just jesting, but you get the
picture. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus rebukes them for not believing the others
that said they saw Him. (Mark 16:14). The Gospel of Luke records that Jesus
actually sat down with the disciples and ate some broiled fish and honeycomb.
(Luke 24:36-43).
Joh 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and
his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Jesus showed the disciples proof that it was Him, by showing them the wounds in
His hands and side. (Luke 24:39-41). They still stood there in disbelief, but
they were filled with joy and wonder.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them
again, Peace be
unto you: as
my
Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Again (the second time), Jesus says, "Peace be with you." "Just as the
Father has sent Me, I am sending you." Was this more than just a greeting? Jesus
says for the second time, "Peace be with you." (John 20:19, 21).
True peace with God has finally been provided "now" for the
disciples as well as all of us. (Romans 5:1).
When we are right with God because of our faith in Him, we will
then have peace with God. (Peace of mind). This is because of what Jesus Christ
our Lord has done for us. (Hebrews 13:20).
It was God who brought Jesus back
from the dead, "the great Shepherd of the sheep," who shed His blood of the
everlasting covenant. (Matthew 26:28). I am sending you: Jesus was sent
by the Father and was on His own. Now He is going to send out the disciples
(the sent ones), but
they are going to have the help of the "Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19-20).
We make disciples by sharing the Word with others. The awesome thing is that we
don't do it alone. Christ is with us, and He has given us power through the Holy
Spirit. (Acts 1:8). You will all receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
to you and you will teach my Word throughout the world.
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them,
and saith unto them, Receive ye the
Holy Ghost: Then Jesus "breathed on them" and said,
"Receive the Holy Spirit." Breathed on: Only here in the new testament
and one time in the old testament (Genesis 2:7), was the word "naphah" to
breath, or "blow with force" is used. The same Lord Who, as Yahveh Elohim, breathed
into Adam's nostrils the "breath of life," so that he became a living soul. Here
Jesus
breathes upon the apostles that they may receive Divine Power.
Joh 20:23 Whose
soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;
and
whose soever
sins
ye retain, they are retained.
Some churches believe that this verse gives the priests the authority, or special
ability to forgive people's sins. This is not so! i.e. It is not that the
disciples are granting forgiveness, but that they are simply "proclaiming" the
forgiveness that a person already has, or doesn't have. (Acts 10:43, 13:38-39).
Forgiveness of sins only comes from God. Here the apostles were not given power
to forgive sins, but the authority to proclaim what God has or hasn't done.
(If
a person confesses their sins to God, you can confidently tell them, "God has
forgiven them"). We need to confess our sins to God, and God only. (1 John 1:9).
If we confess our sins, we can count on God to wash away all our sins because
Christ became that one time sacrifice for our sins. "Never confess your sin to
any man."
Joh 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them
when Jesus came. Here comes doubting Thomas. He wasn't
present when Christ first appeared to the disciples.
Joh 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord.
But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails,
and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side,
I will not believe. The disciples told Thomas that they
have seen the Lord, but He wanted more proof. He would not believe unless he
seen and felt the wounds in Jesus.
Joh 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas
with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst,
and said, Peace be
unto you. Eight days later
the disciples were gathered again, but this time Thomas was with them. Suddenly,
as before, Jesus was standing among them. Once again He says, "Peace be with
you."
Joh 20:27 Then saith he to
Thomas, Reach hither thy finger,
and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust
it
into my side: and be not faithless, but
believing. Jesus says to Thomas; put your finger into My
wound and look at My hands. "Don't be faithless any longer; Believe."
Now Thomas was a believer by the hand of God.
Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Now finally Thomas is declaring who Jesus is. Jesus was God.
(John 1:1). The disbelief of the apostle is the means of furnishing us with a
full and satisfactory demonstration of the resurrection of our Lord. Throughout
the divine dispensations every doctrine and ever important truth is gradually
revealed; and here we have a conspicuous instance of the progressive system. An
angel first declares the glorious event; the empty sepulcher confirms the
women's report. Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene showed that he was alive;
that to the disciples at Emmaus proved that it was at the least the spirit of
Christ; that to the eleven showed the reality of his body; and the conviction
given to Thomas proved it the self-same body that had been crucified.
Incredulity itself is satisfied; and the convinced apostle exclaims, in the joy
of his heart, "My Lord and my God."
Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou
hast believed: blessed
are
they that have not seen, and yet
have believed. Jesus tells
Thomas, "You believe because you have seen Me." (Implying that Thomas never
really put his finger in the wound of Jesus, but all he actually needed was to
see Him). "Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me." (2 Corinthians
5:7, Hebrews 11:1). This blessing refers to us today. We only have the
scriptures, and we as Christians are believers. (Romans 10:17).
Faith comes from
hearing the Good News about Christ. (Luke 11:28). Blessed are they that hear the
Word of God and keep it. (Meditate on it and remember what you have
learned).
Have the people actually heard the Good News? (Romans 10:18). You
can bet on it: The message of Jesus Christ has gone throughout the world.
(Especially now in the end times with radio, television, cell phones and
computers). Take this ministry for example; with the help of the Lord, we reach
thousands of people each day in over 50 countries around the world. "Praise God."
Joh 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his
disciples, which are not written in this book: The
disciples witnessed Jesus do many other miracles that were not recorded in the
book of John. Even the four Gospels combined record Jesus performing only 35
miracles. Scholars believe that these four Gospels only record about 50 days of
Jesus' ministry. Jesus' total ministry was around 3.5 years. Can you imagine all
the teachings of Jesus Christ that we have never head about. (John 21:25).
His
teachings would be endless.
Joh 20:31 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.
These things are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him, you will have life by the
power of His name. "Eternal life." (1 John 5:10-13). You either believe Jesus
Christ is the Son of God or you don't. Through the Word of God (His record).
God has given us eternal life through Christ. Written to you so that you know
that you have eternal life through Christ. Why? So you can share it with others.
You plant the seed and let the Heavenly Father make it grow. "Your choice."
Eternal life through Christ, or death through Satan. Yes, once again, the devil holds the
power of death! (Hebrews 2:14). But, Satan's power was broken by the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ. Stay in Christ and you never need to fear death.
John 21
Joh 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at
the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the sea of Tiberias (also know as the sea of Galilee). (Matthew 26:32, 28:7, 28:16, Mark 16:7).
Jesus not only presented Himself, but revealed His power and glory. (John 2:11).
The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus appeared many more times. (Acts 1:3).
During the 40 days after His crucifixion, Christ appeared to the apostles from
time to time to prove to them He was alive. His message... He talked to them about the Kingdom
of God.
Joh 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and
Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of
his disciples. Seven of the remaining eleven disciples
were there.
Joh 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We
also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and
that night they caught nothing. Simon Peter said to the
others that he was going fishing. The other disciples joined him on the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
Joh 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the
disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Now it was dawn and
Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples didn't know it was Jesus.
Joh 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them,
Children, have ye any meat? They
answered him, No. Jesus calls out to them, "have you caught any fish?" No
they replied.
Joh 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the
ship, and ye shall find. They cast
therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Then Jesus calls out to them, "cast your net to the right side of the boat, and
you will catch some fish." Usually when you cast a net from a boat, you face the
back (stern), of the boat, throwing the net with your strong arm. Peter and his
friends were left handed fishermen because they were casting to the left (port),
side of the boat. When they listened to Jesus and cast their nets to the right
(starboard), side of the boat, they caught so many fish that they could not draw
in the nets. Message... Always lean to the right.
Joh 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the
Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his
fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the
sea. John says to Peter, "It's the Lord." When Peter hears
this, he puts on his coat (must of been sun bathing), jumps into the water and headed towards shore.
Joh 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not
far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
The other disciples stayed in the boat and pulled the load net of fish to the
shore. (They were only about a hundred yards from the shore).
Joh 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals
there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. When the
disciples got to shore, Jesus already had breakfast ready for them. A little
fish and a little bread. (Enough to sustain them if necessary).
Joh 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now
caught. Bring some of the fish you caught Jesus says to
the disciples. Now they will have a feast.
Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes,
an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the
net broken. Peter went aboard and dragged the net to
shore. There were 153 large fish and the net had never torn. (The net holding
more than usual). Was there a significance to the number 153? The Bible tells us
explicitly that there were 153 fish in the net. Many scholars believe that may
have had a very special significance for the apostles. Firstly, in that time,
there were only 153 known species of fish. Jesus had already called the
disciples 'fishers of men' (Mark 1:17), but they focused initially exclusively
on Israel. The number 153 represented every possible known people group in the
world at that time. i.e., the whole world.
Joh 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come
and
dine.
And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the
Lord. Jesus calls them over for some breakfast. (No need to ask who He
was). Now they knew that He was the Lord.
Joh 21:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish
likewise. Jesus serves them the bread and fish.
Joh 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his
disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. This was
the "third time" Jesus appeared before the disciples. The first two times were
in (John 20:19, 20:26).
Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,
Simon,
son
of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my
lambs. After they had breakfast, Jesus asked Peter, "Simon,
son of John, do you love Me more than these?" (Referring to the other
disciples). Yes Lord Peter replied, "You know I love you." "Then feed My
lambs," Jesus told him. (Referring to new believers). "Teach the new students
truth in the Word."
Joh 21:16 He saith to him again
the second time, Simon,
son
of Jonas, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my
sheep. Jesus repeats the question to Peter. Peter repeats
the same answer. Now Jesus changes it up a little and tells Peter to "take care
of My sheep." (Referring to more mature believers). i.e. take care of the flock
(congregation), which is the job of the shepherd. (Acts 20:28). Make sure you
feed the people the truth of the Word as the Holy Spirit will hold you
responsible. (Those who teach traditions of men and false doctrine will answer
to God). Judgment begins at the pulpit. Keep in mind that our Lord Jesus is the
great Shepherd. (Hebrews 13:20).
Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the
third time, Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time,
Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou
knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him,
Feed my sheep. Now Jesus
asked Peter the question the third time. "Simon son of John, do you love Me?"
This might be translated: "Are you sure you love Me Peter." He said, "Lord, You
know everything. You know that I love You." Jesus said again, "Then feed My
sheep." Why was Peter grieved? Well, it is not hard to make the connection
between Jesus asking Peter three times about his love for Him, and the three
times Peter denied Jesus when He was on trial. (Luke 22:56-62). This bothered
Peter when he denied Christ, now I think it may have bothered Peter when Jesus
asked him three time about his love for Him. Notice that Jesus didn't give up on
Peter (like three strikes and your out), but I think Jesus was trying to restore
His faith. Just as we are to help others restore their faith when they become
lost and confused.
(Galatians 6:1). If another Christian brother or sister is overcome by some sin,
you as Christians should help them back onto the right path when possible. The
next time it could be you who is in the wrong and you may need help getting back
on the right path. For the deeper student and teachers of the Word: Jesus fed
the disciples breakfast which would be like you as a teacher feeding the
congregation. The Word being the food that Christ brings to you. Then the
disciples added to the breakfast meal the fish that they caught. This is like
when you prepare a sermon, you bring your added input to the Word that Jesus had
given you. Then you feed the congregation the whole package to the best of your
ability, so that all will understand the subject you are teaching. As teachers,
always do your homework and follow the teachings of Christ. "Teach the lambs
(the new Christian), teach the sheep (the learned Christian), and teach the
teachers (the mature Christians), how to teach both the lambs and the
sheep."
Joh 21:18 Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and
walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch
forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry
thee
whither thou wouldest not.
Here comes another truth, "When you were young, you were able to do as you
liked; dress as yourself, and went where you wanted to go. But, when your old,
others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." (Referring to
Peter being a middle aged man, and that the time is coming, when Peter would lay
down his life for Jesus). But, others would arise and take the place of Peter to
carry on the Word of God.
Joh 21:19 This spake he,
signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he
saith unto him, Follow me.
Jesus told Peter this to let him know what kind of death he would glorify God.
(Jesus had just restored Peter by letting him openly confess his love for
Jesus). Kind of like to offset the denials he had done earlier. First Peter
denies Christ, but in the future Peter will lay down his life for Christ. Jesus
tells Peter to "Follow Me." (Matthew 10:38). Christ taught this Word and we are
to do the same. In times of Christ they picked up a cross because they were
going to be nailed to it. Christ wants this type of commitment from us. He wants
us to be so dedicated to Him that we will not change from His doctrine.
Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved
following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is
he that betrayeth thee? Peter turned around and saw John
(the disciple Jesus loved), who during the last supper asked Jesus, "Lord, who
will betray You." (John 13:23-26).
Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this
man do? Peter asked Jesus,
"What about
John?" (Peter wanted to know if John would die along with him).
Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what
is that to thee? follow thou me.
Jesus replies, "If I want John to remain alive until I return, what is that to
you? As for you, follow Me." Was Peter thinking that this was a little unfair?
(That he would die and John would not).
Joh 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple
should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will
that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
The rumor started among the believers that the disciple John would not die.
However, that is not what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to
remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" Sometimes as Christians and
teachers of the Word we think that we have been treated a little unfair. Many of
us look up to our Pastor (believe everything they say), and want to be like him
or her. We all have our purpose in the ministry (many member body of Christ),
and there comes a time when we need to take our eye's off our Pastor and follow
Jesus. We need to work on improving ourselves so we can be the best servant to
God that we can be as an individual, not like someone else. "Keep your eyes on
Jesus." (Hebrews 12:1-2).
We are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of
faith. Strip away the sin that may slow us down so that we can run the race set
before us by God with endurance. "We are to endure till the end." (Hebrews 6:15,
Matthew 10:22, 24:13).
Endure till the end
by keeping your eyes on Jesus, the one who endured the cross, is now sitting
at the right hand of God.
Joh 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote
these things: and we know that his testimony is true. This
is the disciple (John), who testifies to these events and has recorded them in
this book. We also know that his account of these things are accurate.
Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if
they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that should be written. Amen.
There are so many things that Jesus had done that were not recorded. If they
were all written down, the whole world could not contain the books that would be
written. Thus completes the book of John (the disciple whom Jesus loved).
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