John 12 - KJV Foundation Study Bible

12:1 six days before the passover. If the crucifixion took place on a Friday, this dinner occurred during the evening of the previous Saturday. Verse 12 seems to support this conclusion because the Jerusalem entry took place on Sunday.

12:3 ointment . . . very costly. Judas Iscariot said that this perfume cost 300 denarii (pence, v. 5). One denarius was a laborer’s wage for one day. Thus, the perfume cost approximately a year’s wages. anointed the feet. Mary also anointed Jesus’ head. The custom of that time was to anoint the heads of guests. Anointing Jesus’ head was an act of honor; anointing His feet was a display of devotion.

12:10–11 the chief priests consulted . . . put Lazarus also to death. The chief priests were mostly Sadducees. They had an additional reason to kill Lazarus. He was a living refutation of their doctrine that there was no resurrection (11:57; Acts 23:8). Yet this was not a meeting of the Jewish council, nor was it a formal sentence of death. The ultimate motivation for wanting to kill Lazarus was that because of him many were believing in Jesus.

12:13–15 the King of Israel. Until this point, Jesus had discouraged expressions of support from the people (6:15; 7:1–8). Here, He allowed public enthusiasm. He entered Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey. This act fulfilled prophecy (Zech. 9:9) and as such was a symbolic proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah.

12:20 to worship at the feast. This verse indicates that these Greeks were Jewish proselytes. By recording this incident, perhaps John was hinting that the salvation rejected by many of the Jews was already passing to the Gentiles.

12:24 Except a corn . . . die. When a seed dies, it produces fruit. Life comes by death. This principle is not only true in nature, but it is also true spiritually. Jesus was speaking first and foremost of Himself. He is the grain of wheat. His death would produce much fruit and would result in many living for God.

12:27 Now is my soul troubled. Jesus’ agony over His impending death was not confined to Gethsemane, where He prayed for the cup to pass from Him (Matt. 26:39). He felt the agony and expressed it almost a week before Gethsemane.

12:35–36 while ye have the light. Instead of answering the people’s questions (v. 34), Jesus gave them a warning. Jesus is the light. He wanted the people to believe and abide in Him (v. 46).

12:42–43 Nevertheless. This word marks a stark contrast between these believers and the unbelief spoken of in verses 37–41. These men were genuine believers. Their problem was that they feared the opinions of their fellow leaders. Such believers will be ashamed at Christ’s return (1 John 2:28).

12:47 I judge him not. Christ will judge, but at His first coming He did not come to judge but to save (3:17).