1 THEN Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12 ¶ On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

1Then Iesus, sixe dayes before the Passouer, came to Bethanie, where Lazarus was, which had bene dead, whom hee raised from the dead.

2There they made him a supper, and Martha serued: but Lazarus was one of them þt sate at the table with him.

3Then tooke Mary a pound of ointment, of Spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Iesus, & wiped his feet with her haire: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4Then saith one of his disciples, Iudas Iscariot, Simons sonne, which should betray him,

5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and giuen to the poore?

6This he said, not that he cared for the poore: but because hee was a thiefe, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7Then said Iesus, Let her alone, against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8For the poore alwayes yee haue with you: but me ye haue not alwayes.

9Much people of the Iewes therefore knew that he was there: and they came, not for Iesus sake onely, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 But the chiefe Priests consulted, þt they might put Lazarus also to death,

11Because that by reason of him many of the Iewes went away and beleeued on Iesus.

12 On the next day, much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Iesus was comming to Hierusalem,

13Tooke branches of Palme trees, and went foorth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna, blessed is the king of Israel that cōmeth in the Name of the Lord.

14And Iesus, when he had found a yong asse, sate thereon, as it is written,

15Feare not, daughter of Sion, behold, thy King commeth, sitting on an asses colt.

16These things vnderstood not his disciples at the first: but when Iesus was glorified, then remēbred they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things vnto him.

17The people therefore that was with him, when he called Lazarus out of his graue, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that hee had done this miracle.

19The Pharisees therefore saide among themselues, Perceiue ye how yee preuaile nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him.

20 And there were certaine Greeks among them, that came vp to worship at the feast:

21The same came therefore to Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Iesus.

22Philip commeth and telleth Andrew: and againe Andrew and Philip told Iesus.

23 And Iesus answered them, saying, The houre is come, that the Sonne of man should be glorified.

24Uerely, verely, I say vnto you, Except a corne of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

25He that loueth his life, shall lose it: and hee that hateth his life in this world, shall keepe it vnto life eternall.

26If any man serue me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my seruant be: If any man serue me, him will my father honour.

27Now is my soule troubled, and what shall I say? Father, saue me from this houre, but for this cause came I vnto this houre.

28Father, glorifie thy Name. Then came there a voice from heauen, saying, I haue both glorified it, and wil glorifie it againe.

29The people therefore that stood by, and heard it, said, that it thundered: others said, An Angel spake to him.

30Iesus answered, and said, This voice came not because of mee, but for your sakes.

31Now is the iudgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32And I, if I be lifted vp from the earth, will draw all men vnto me.

33(This hee said, signifying what death he should die)

34The people answered him, We haue heard out of the Law, that Christ abideth for euer: and how sayest thou, The Sonne of man must bee lift vp? Who is this Sonne of man?

35Then Iesus said vnto them, Yet a little while is the light with you: walke while ye haue the light, lest darkdesse come vpon you: For he that walketh in darkenesse, knoweth not whither he goeth.

36While ye haue light, beleeue in the light, that ye may bee the children of light. These things spake Iesus, and departed, and did hide himselfe from them.

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they beleeued not on him:

38That the saying of Esaias the Prophet might be fulfilled, which hee spake, Lord, who hath beleeued our report? and to whom hath the arme of the Lord beene reuealed?

39Therefore they could not beleeue, because that Esaias said againe,

40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardned their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor vnderstand with their heart, and be conuerted, and I should heale them.

41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 Neuerthelesse, among the chiefe rulers also, many beleeued on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him, lest they should be put out of the Synagogue.

43For they loued the praise of men, more then the praise of God.

44 Iesus cried, and said, He that beleeueth on me, beleeueth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me.

46I am come a light into the world, that whosoeuer beleeueth on me, should not abide in darkenesse.

47And if any man heare my words, and beleeue not, I iudge him not; For I came not to iudge the world, but to saue the world.

48He that reiecteth me, and receiueth not my words, hath one that iudgeth him: þe word that I haue spoken, the same shall iudge him in the last day.

49For I haue not spoken of my selfe; but the Father which sent me, he gaue me a commaundement what I should say, and what I should speake.

50And I know that his commandement is life euerlasting: whatsoeuer I speake therefore, euen as the Father said vnto me, so I speake.

 

1 Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. 3 Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 Then Judas the Iscariot, one (of) his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, 5 "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?" 6 He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. 7 So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." 9 (The) large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, 11 because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him. 12 On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel." 14 Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: 15 "Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass's colt." 16 His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him. 17 So the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from death continued to testify. 18 This was (also) why the crowd went to meet him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the whole world has gone after him." 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 "I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." 33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. 34 So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. Then how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Jesus said to them, "The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light." After he had said this, Jesus left and hid from them. 37 Although he had performed so many signs in their presence they did not believe in him, 38 in order that the word which Isaiah the prophet spoke might be fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed our preaching, to whom has the might of the Lord been revealed?" 39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said: 40 "He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with their eyes and understand with their heart and be converted, and I would heal them." 41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. 42 Nevertheless, many, even among the authorities, believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it openly in order not to be expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they preferred human praise to the glory of God. 44 Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, 49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me." 

v 1,2. We find from the other gospels that Jesus went southeast from Ephraim and came to Bethany by way of Jericho, where He healed some blind men and  Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Him. This was the main road, so a huge crowd accompanied them. Herod’s winter palace was in Jericho, the city of palms,1,000’ below sea level. Jerusalem is about 15 mi. west, and in that short distance, it is several thousand feet above sea level. Jesus and his disciples probably arrived in Bethany,  the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus just after sunset Friday. That would be the beginning of Jewish Saturday, six days before the Passover. Mark 14:1-11 speaks of the feast in the home of Simon, so the supper starting in Jn. 12:2 may be the one in Simon's home after sunset Tuesday, two days before Passover.
v 3. This pint of pure nard was an expensive perfume from India, see notes on it and alabaster box, Matt. 26:6-13. Here she puts the ointment on his feet, so if this is not all one feast, other gospels say she later puts some on His head. If, as probable, this is all Simon’s Tuesday evening feast, she puts the rest on His head that same evening. See also Matt. 26 notes for further comment.
v 4,5. Judas objected to the waste of a years wages - a life savings. According to Mt. 26:8, the other disciples picked up on the criticism.
v 6. Afterward John found out that Judas’ motive was theft.
v 7,8. Thomas had said,”Let us go that we may die with Him”. but Mary seems to be the only one who realized His death. If Mary did not have insight, the Spirit may have moved her to this act of love without her realizing it was for Christ’s burial. There will always be occasions to help poor, but this was a one time situation. Mt. 26:8 is true, this is taught in all Biblical churches.
v 9-11. People flocked to the Passover and many believed because of Lazarus’ resurrection, so rulers decided to kill both him and Jesus. People who knew of Jesus were hoping to be fed, healed, and some to receive eternal life.
v 12,13. Many pilgrims from Galilee had seen His miracles, and thought this was the time to crown Him the Messiah King. See Mt. 21 notes.
v 14-19. Compare. Gospels: Jesus arrived at Bethphage approaching Jerusalem Sunday, and sent two disciples to procure a donkey and her colt. (Mark and Luke only mention the colt.) This was not per arranged, but He knew the owner would allow it for the Messiah. Several versions on Mk. 11:3 indicate that Jesus will soon send the colt back. Messiah would not come on a war horse, but a donkey as a sign of peace, as  some other kings had done. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zech. 9.9, but the disciples did not remember about this until after Jesus was glorified, Jn 12:16. The Pharisees were frustrated about how to deal with Jesus’ popularity. 
The disciples put coats on the colt and set Jesus on it, and the crowd made a carpet of coats and branches. They were probably mostly pilgrims from Galilee who were coming to the Passover and knew of Jesus and His miracles, but also some who had witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus bore witness. 
Among the songs they sang or shouted as they escorted Jesus was Ps. 18:25,26. People of Jerusalem did not know Him, but the pilgrims kept answering that this was Jesus, the prophet of Galilee. Their praise became so loud, Lk. 19:39,40,  that the Pharisees among them asked Jesus to rebuke them, but He said if He did even the stones would cry out. The Pharisees could do nothing because of the crowds, but though the world had gone after Him, Jn. 12:19, many did not believe.
v 20-22. The Greeks probably feared God like Cornelius, Acts 10:1, but they could enter only into the court of the Gentiles, so Jesus would have had to come out  It is only speculation that they were from Philip’s area. It is not recorded that Jesus saw them. Some like to point out that Gentiles from the East came to worship Jesus after His birth, and Gentiles from farther west came to worship Him before His death.
v 23-24. Jesus proceeded to make it clear that they would soon all have direct access to God. He compares a grain dying if it is to  bear, and His own death leading to glory and life for Himself and others.  
v 25,26. Likewise, a disciple was to hate his own life, that is have such commitment to Christ that he have no concern for his own life. All the Apostles were martyred.
v 27-29. Jesus was emotionally disturbed at the prospect of being made sin for the world, but He would not shrink from it, because that is why He came. In willing submission, He asked the Father to glorify His own name. God answered from heaven that He had glorified it and would again. Some thought this thunder, others an angel.
v 30,31. The voice was understood only by spiritually perceptive. The judgment on the world was Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin. Satan was driven out, that is his power over people was broken. Many still choose to follow him, and his judgment will not be until after the end of the age.
v 32,33. Contrary to the Jewish practice of stoning, Jesus foretold that he would be crucified. He would draw  all men indiscriminately, but many would reject Him.
v 34. People realized Jesus was predicting His death, but didn’t understand how that could be, because Dan. 7:13,14 spoke of the Son of Man’s everlasting dominion. Most people could not accept that Messiah would die, instead of attacking Rome.
v 35,36. The next statement of Jesus may have been dramatized by approaching darkness of the evening. Jesus was the Light of the world, and since his time was drawing near, they needed to believe Him then, to become sons of light. Like other places, this does not necessarily mean Jesus disappeared from them supernaturally. He hid His body from their attack and hid Himself from being their Light which they had rejected. “Sons of light” are not just enlightened, but characterize light continuously.
v 37,38. In spite of all the miracles, the Jews irrational unbelief fulfilled Isa. 53:1.
v 39-41. Isaiah spoke many things about the coming Messiah. Just as in Isaiah’s day, the majority of Jews could not believe because they refused to believe. The same sun that melts butter hardens clay, or Son made one thief blaspheme, the other repent.

V 41 Isaiah the Messianic Prophet that had his active ministry about 745-695 B.C.

v 42,43. In spite of national unbelief, many in high places believed on Jesus, but kept it secret so they would not be held in contempt and excommunicated. A type of “peer pressure”. Only God knows how many of them, like Nicodemus, truly believed.
v 44-46. We don’t know when or where Jesus was when He came back and boldly cried out that those who truly believed on Him actually believed on the Father who sent Him. His purpose was to lead people from darkness to light.
v 47-50. Jesus’ last exhortation, verses 44 to 50, is somewhat a summary of His ministry. He reiterates that He came to save the world, not to judge it. However if they reject Him and the words He has taught, they will eventually be judged by those same words. He has spoken just what the Father commanded Him to speak, and if His words were accepted, they could have everlasting life. This was His final public instruction, and from here on, it would be basically to His disciples. This closing speech reminds of Moses’ last instructions to Israel. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live”, Deut. 30:19.