Class Notes for Sunday, March 6

John Chapters 12-13

Jim led the class.

The Final Path to Jerusalem

As chapter 11 ends, John signals a chronological shift. Passover has arrived. We have seen Jesus’ pattern of going to Jerusalem for each of the major feasts. This sets the stage for a new major conflict between Jesus and "the Jews" – in this case Jesus’ passion. Tensions builds as the Jews question: "Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?" (11:56) This question comes in light of the arrest warrant issued by the Sanhedrin.

The Anointing in Bethany (12:1-8)

Six days before Passover Jesus comes to Bethany for a dinner with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with nard and dries his feet with her hair.

(Nard is a flowering plant that grows in the Himalayas. The rhizomes can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic, amber-colored essential oil. It is used as a perfume, an incense, a sedative and an herbal medicine. It was known in ancient times and was part of the Ayurvedic herbal tradition of India. It was obtained as a luxury in ancient Egypt, the Near East, and Rome, where it was the main ingredient of the perfume nardinium.)

Judas objects, saying the money that the perfume cost could have been given to the poor. In reality, Judas objects because he had been stealing from the disciples’ common purse, which he kept, and he apparently saw it as money that he could have stolen.

Jesus tells Judas to leave Mary alone, that she had bought the perfume to anoint Jesus body on the day of his burial.

The Triumphal Entry (12:9-19)

The crowd learned Jesus was in Bethany and had come not only to see him but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Many were believing in Jesus because of the Lazarus sign. The chief priests also planned to put Lazarus to death as well as Jesus. Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time on a young donkey, the crowd welcoming him with cries of "Hosanna!" and waving palm branches. The image hints at a "royal" reception, with explicit messianic overtones.

The crowd* adds, at the end of the citation from Psalms 118:26, the interpretation, "the king of Israel", implying that the crowd is seen interpreting the psalm literally as a royal psalm.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a young donkey, fulfilling prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) about how the messianic king will enter Jerusalem.

The crown waves palm branches as Jesus enters. The branches were normally part of the processions at tabernacles but also were used as an indication of Jewish nationalism. Moreover, the waving of palm branches must have been a planned and intentional act, since palm branches must have been brought up from Jericho.

*There are 2 "distinct" crowds, one that accompanies Jesus from Bethany (witnessing because of the Lazarus sign) and one in Jerusalem that has heard the witness about the sign of Lazarus. The Pharisees complain (prophetically) that "the world has gone after Jesus".

Jesus Sayings Before the Passion (12:20-36)

John inserts this episode in which some Greeks in Jerusalem for Passover seek Jesus. They ask Philip, who told Andrew, and the two go to Jesus. The Greeks probably are Jews (Greek-speaking, of course).

Jesus responds that the passion is upon them – "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified".

John frequently uses the word "hour" to speak of the crucifixion of Jesus.

§ vv. 5:25-26 – "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live"

§ vv. 7:39 – "Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not come". Also 8:20.

John also uses the term "glorified to refer to the passion.

"Glorified" is also an important theological word. For Jesus, his death and resurrection will allow his glory as the Son of God to become manifest, and through it, God will be given the glory. Glorification of Jesus is always glorification of God.

A Summary Assessment (12:37-50)

The final or last supper is described by John as it is by the other Gospel writers. However, there are some differences in John.

John depicts the final supper as not being on the night of the Passover feast, hence the absence of eucharistic language.

The foot washing ritual is the central focus of Jesus’ action toward his disciples. Jesus is demonstrating how they are to act toward one another (and how all Christians should act toward one another) – the appropriate servant posture.

Peter, previously in John a minor character, becomes more prominent, serving as a contrast to Jesus

Predictions of Betrayal and Denial

Judas is prominent in John portrayal of Jesus and narrative details make Judas a striking figure. Judas’ betrayal, which Jesus points to during the supper, implies something more (and something far more sinister) than simply a temporal opponent to Jesus. Peter becomes more important as a contrast to Jesus.

The depiction of Satan’s role in Judas betrayal

Twice in the last supper account John says that Satan "entered into" Judas.

13:2 – "The devil had already entered into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot to betray him"

During the supper, in 13:26-27 – "after her had received the bread Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do’"

Other references—6:70-71: "Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil". He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him."

Peter demonstrates his brash and sorely human personality. When Jesus says that where he is going that cannot come (meaning death by crucifixion and then heaven), Peter rashly asserts that he is willing to lay down his life for Jesus. But, as in all the Gospels, Jesus predicts that Peter will instead deny him three times. Peter’s intentions again exceed his ability or knowledge.

Wrap-up

Even as Jesus is urging the disciples to love and serve, one of them turns his back completely on the truth, which another makes rash statements that betray a weakness of character. Even among the closest followers of Jesus, who believed at the beginning of the story (2:11) and did not depart from him, are those who are close to disbelief. Betrayal and denial are never far, even for those who have witnessed the signs, heard the Word, and participated in the service.