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Summary

John 12:1–8 – Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

What happens:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus visits Bethany at the home of Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead. Martha serves, and Mary takes a pint of expensive perfume, anoints Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. Judas Iscariot objects to the waste, but Jesus defends her, saying she has prepared him for burial and that her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed.

What it means:
Extravagant worship honors Jesus’ impending sacrifice. Mary’s costly devotion foreshadows his death and secures her place in the story of redemption, showing that true love values Christ above all else.


John 12:9–11 – Plot Against Jesus

What happens:
The crowd comes to see both Jesus and Lazarus, prompting the chief priests to plot Lazarus’ death too, because many Jews believe on Jesus on account of Lazarus’ resurrection.

What it means:
Signs that reveal Jesus’ power also intensify opposition. God’s work in raising Lazarus magnifies belief but provokes hostile leaders to harden their hearts against the Savior.


John 12:12–19 – Triumphal Entry

What happens:
The next day, large crowds who had come for the festival hear Jesus is coming to Jerusalem. They take palm branches, go out to meet him, shout “Hosanna!” and proclaim him King of Israel. Jesus finds a young donkey and rides in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy. The disciples recall his raising of Lazarus.

What it means:
The crowd’s acclaim recognizes Jesus as Messiah, yet they misunderstand the nature of his kingdom. Prophetic fulfillment underscores his humble kingship and the paradox of a suffering Savior.


John 12:20–26 – Greeks Seek Jesus

What happens:
Some Greeks who had come to worship at the festival ask Philip to see Jesus. Philip and Andrew tell Jesus, who speaks of his impending death: a grain of wheat must die to bear much fruit. He promises that those who love their life will lose it, and those who serve him will be honored by the Father.

What it means:
Jesus anticipates the global reach of his mission. His death is the seed that yields abundant harvest, calling followers to sacrificial service that leads to true life and honor in God’s kingdom.


John 12:27–36 – Jesus Predicts His Death and Calls to Believe

What happens:
Jesus expresses anguish at his hour but submits to the Father’s glory. A voice from heaven affirms him. He declares that judgment has come into the world and that he will draw all people to himself when lifted up. Despite the crowd’s misunderstanding of the voice, Jesus urges them to believe the light while they have it, or darkness will overtake them.

What it means:
Jesus embraces the cross as the moment of divine glorification and judgment. His lifted-up work draws all into either life or condemnation, making belief in him urgent before the light fades.


John 12:37–43 – Unbelief Among the People

What happens:
Despite seeing many signs, most people do not believe in Jesus, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of hardened hearts and veiled eyes. Even leaders who believe fear Pharisaical judgment and do not confess faith openly, so they are not expelled from the synagogue.

What it means:
Persistent unbelief, even in the face of evidence, reflects spiritual blindness and pride. Fear of human approval silences true confession, leaving hearts untouched by God’s saving light.


John 12:44–50 – Jesus, the Light of the World

What happens:
Jesus calls out that those who believe in him believe not only in him but in the Father. He states that he came as light into the world so that everyone who believes in him will not remain in darkness. He emphasizes that he speaks the Father’s words and that his judgment is just, for he seeks not his own will but the Father’s who sent him.

What it means:
Belief in Jesus is union with the Father and transition from darkness to light. Jesus’ teaching carries divine authority and offers life; rejecting it brings judgment since it rejects God’s redemptive purpose.


Application

  • Offer Jesus your highest devotion, trusting that extravagant love honors his sacrifice
  • Recognize that divine signs may provoke opposition, yet they call us to deeper faith
  • Welcome Jesus as humble King, even when expectations of power differ from his gentle rule
  • Embrace sacrificial service, knowing your loss in Christ yields abundant spiritual fruit
  • Believe in Jesus’ light while you have the opportunity, lest darkness claim your heart
  • Confess Christ boldly, overcoming fear of human judgment to stand in the Father’s approval

Bible

1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3Then 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.

4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

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

6This 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.

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

8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

9Much 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.

10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13Took 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.

14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

16These 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.

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

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

19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up 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 Jesus.

22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

24Verily, 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.

25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

26If 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.

27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

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

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

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

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

33This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34The 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?

35Then 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.

36While 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.

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

38That 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?

39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40He 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.

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

42Nevertheless 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:

43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth 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 whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47And 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.

48He 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.

49For 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.

50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

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