Study Desk

"Nor do you understand that it is expedient and politically advantageous for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish."

Now he did not say this [simply] on his own initiative; but being the high priest that year, he [was unknowingly used by God and] prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,

and not only for the nation, but also for the purpose of gathering together into one body the children of God who have been scattered abroad.

For that reason Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but left there and went to the district that borders on the uninhabited wilderness, to a town called Ephraim; and He stayed there with the disciples.

So they were looking for Jesus as they stood in the temple [area], and saying among themselves, "What do you think? Will He not come to the feast at all?"

So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

"Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?"

Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it.

So Jesus said, "Let her alone, so that she may keep [the rest of] it for the day of My burial.

For this reason the crowd went to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this [miraculous] sign.

And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted.

"The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal.

"Now My soul is troubled and deeply distressed; what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]'? But it is for this [very] purpose that I have come to this hour [this time and place].

Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.

Therefore they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,

Nevertheless, even many of the leading men believed in Him [as Savior and Messiah], but because of the Pharisees they would not confess it, for fear that [if they acknowledged Him openly] they would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated);

for they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God.

"If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but to save the world.

"For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak.

Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).