HarperCollins Study Bible

by Harold W. Attridge

  12.1 Passover. See note on 2.13. Bethany. See note on 11.1. Lazarus…raised from the dead. See 11.1–44.

  12.2–3 Martha, Mary. See 11.1.

  12.3 The Roman pound was about 12 ounces, or 340 grams. Nard, a perfumed ointment imported from the Himalayas; see Song 1.12; 4.13–14.

  12.4 Judas Iscariot. See 13.2, 26–30; 18.2–5.

  12.6 Common purse, actually a box in which Jesus and his disciples kept their shared funds.

  12.7 This anointing of Jesus may foreshadow his impending death. Jewish burial customs included anointing the body with perfumed oil (see Lk 23.56).

  12.9–11 Lazarus is also endangered because Jesus gave him life; see 11.45–53.

  12.9 Crowd. See note on 2.13.

  12.11 Deserting, or simply “going.”

  12.12–19 The triumphal entry. See Mt 21.1–11; Mk 11.1–10; Lk 19.28–40.

  12.12 Crowd. See note on 2.13.

  12.13 Only John mentions branches of palm. The words of the crowd come from Ps 118.25–26, and both palm branches and this psalm were used at the Festival of Booths (see note on 7.2). Hosanna, Hebrew, “Save us, we beseech you!”

  12.15 Zech 9.9.

  12.16 Did not understand…at first. See also 2.17, 22; 20.9. John acknowledges that Christian ideas about Jesus developed after his resurrection (see also 14.25–26; 16.12–13). Glorified. See note on 12.23.

  12.17–18 See 11.45–46;12.9–11. Cf. the response to the feeding miracle in 6.26.

  12.19 The world has gone after him. Cf. 11.48.

  12.20–36 Jesus’ last public dialogue in John, focused on his impending death.

  12.20 Greeks, perhaps symbolic of the future mission of Christianity to the Gentiles (see 7.35–36), to take place after Jesus has been glorified (see vv. 23, 32).

  12.22 Philip. See note on 1.43. Andrew. See notes on 1.40; 1.43.

  12.23 The hour when Jesus is to be glorified is the hour of his death, resurrection, and ascension (see v. 32), which also glorifies God’s name (v. 28) and provides a model for his followers (v. 26). See v. 16; see also 7.39; 13.1, 31–32; 17.1, 4–5; notes on 4.23; 7.30;16.25.

  12.24 Cf. 1 Cor 15.36–38.

  12.25 See Mt 10.39; Mk 8.35; Lk 17.33.

  12.26 Whoever serves…follow me. See also 13.14–16; 15.18–16.4. Cf. Mk 8.34. There will my servant be also. See also 14.3; 17.24.

  12.27 In the other Gospels, similar words are spoken in the garden of Gethsemane just before Jesus’ arrest (e.g., Mk 14.33–36).

  12.30 Jesus also explains why things are said in 5.34;11.42.

  12.31 Ruler of this world, i.e., the devil; see 14.30;16.11.

  12.32 Lifted up from the earth, both Jesus’ crucifixion (v. 33) and his resurrection and ascension; see 3.14; 8.28 (cf. Isa 52.13). Draw all people. Cf. 6.44; 12.20.

  12.34 Law. See note on 10.24. The Messiah remains forever. See Pss 89.3–4, 19–21, 28–29, 35–37; 110.4; Isa 9.6–7; Ezek 37.24–25; Dan 7.13–14.

  12.35 Light, darkness. See 3.19–21; 8.12; 9.4–5; 11.9–10; 12.46.

  12.36b Hid. See also 7.10; 8.59; 11.54.

  12.37–43 A reflection on the response to Jesus at the close of his public work. For a similar reflection, see 3.31–36.

  12.37 On signs and believing, see note on 2.11.

  12.38 The quotation is from Isa 53.1 (see also Rom 10.16).

  12.40 The quotation is from Isa 6.10 (see also Mt 13.15; Mk 4.12).

  12.41 Saw his glory may refer to Isa 6.1–4 (see also Jn 8.56–58).

  12.42–43 See Introduction. Nicodemus may be an example of such fearful believers; see notes on 3.1–21; 7.48–52; 19.38; 19.39. Put out of the synagogue. See notes on 9.22; 16.2. Human glory. See 5.41–44.

  12.44–50 This somewhat detached speech serves to summarize and conclude all that Jesus has said in his public work. Hence it has many similarities to sayings earlier in John.

  12.44–45 See 5.23; 13.20; 14.7–9; see also Mt 10.40; Mk 9.37; Lk 10.16.

  12.46 See 8.12; see also 3.19–21; 9.4–5; 11.9–10; 12.35–36.

  12.47–48 On Jesus and judgment, see 3.17–18; 5.24, 30, 45; 8.15–16, 50; 9.39.

  12.49–50 See 3.31–34; 5.19, 30; 7.16–17, 28–29; 8.26–28, 38–42.

  John 13

  Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

  1Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table,a took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,b but is entirely clean. And youc are clean, though not all of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

  12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servantsd are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my breade has lifted his heel against me.’ 19I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.f 20Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

  Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

  21After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”g So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.h 27After he received the piece of bread,i Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival” or, that he should give something to the poor. 30So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

  The New Commandment

  31When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him,j God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

  Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

  36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, whe
re are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

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  a Gk from supper

  b Other ancient authorities lack except for the feet

  c The Greek word for you here is plural

  d Gk slaves

  e Other ancient authorities read ate bread with me

  f Gk I am

  g Gk dipped it

  h Other ancient authorities read Judas Iscariot son of Simon; others, Judas son of Simon from Karyot (Kerioth)

  i Gk After the piece of bread

  j Other ancient authorities lack If God has been glorified in him

  13.1–17.26 The story of the Last Supper in John is unlike that in any of the other Gospels. In them this supper is the Jewish Passover meal (Mt 26.17–19; Mk 14.12–16; Lk 22.7–13); in John the Passover was to be eaten on the following evening, after Jesus’ crucifixion (13.1; 18.28; 19.14). Jesus’ final words to the disciples in chs. 13–16 are also unique to John. A few sayings have parallels in the other Gospels, but not at the Last Supper. The lengthy prayer in ch. 17 has no equivalent in the other Gospels. Most scholars conclude that these “farewell discourses,” like the rest of John, reflect the understanding of Jesus developed in the Christian community for which John was written (see note on 14.25–26). The discourses also fit the category of “last words” or “testament,” words of consolation and admonition spoken by a leader before dying (see also Gen 48–49; Deut 33; Josh 23–24; Acts 20.17–38; Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs).

  13.1–5 The story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is found in no other Gospel.

  13.1 An introduction to the final chapters of John. Passover. See notes on 2.13; 6.4. Jesus knew. See 18.4; 19.28. On Jesus’ hour, see 17.1; notes on 7.30;12.23. He loved them to the end. See v. 34; 15.12–13.

  13.2 See vv. 26–30; Lk 22.3–4.

  13.3 He had come…to God. See 16.28.

  13.4–5 To offer guests water to wash their feet after a journey in sandals on dusty roads (Lk7.44) was ordinary hospitality. A host was not expected to wash his guests’ feet for them, but a slave might be assigned this task, or disciples might wash their teacher’s feet.

  13.6–11 This dialogue may transform the foot washing into a symbol of baptism. Or the foot washing may represent Jesus’ death for the disciples, so that Peter’s objection is similar to that in Mk 8.31–33.

  13.7 See v. 36; see also 2.22; 12.16.

  13.10 Bathed, possibly the Jewish ritual of purification (cf. 2.6); if this were done at home one would be clean and need only foot washing upon arriving for dinner. You are clean. See 15.3.

  13.10–11 Not all of you. See vv. 18, 21–30; see also 6.64, 70–71; 17.12.

  13.12–20 These verses both interpret the foot washing and introduce themes treated later in chs. 13–17.

  13.14–15 It is not known whether the Christian community for which this Gospel was written practiced foot washing in the literal sense. If so, they probably also understood the action and this text as symbolizing humble service in love toward one another; see v. 34; 15.12–13.

  13.15 Do as I have done. See also 14.12; 17.18; 20.21.

  13.16 See 15.20; see also Mt 10.24–25. Messengers, or “apostles.”

  13.17 Cf. Jas 1.22–25.

  13.18 I am not speaking of all of you. See note on 13.10–11. Scripture, i.e., Ps 41.9. Ate my bread. See v. 26.

  13.19 See 14.29; 16.4, 33. I am he. See note on 8.24.

  13.20 See also Mt 10.40 (Lk 10.16); Mk 9.37 (Lk9.48). Similar relationships are spoken of in v. 34;14.20; 15.9–12, 21, 23; 17.18; 20.21.

  13.21–30 John’s story of Jesus’ final meal does not contain the institution of the Lord’s Supper; cf. Mt 26.20–29; Lk 22.14–23. For Johannine reflection on the Eucharist, see 6.52–59.

  13.23 The one whom Jesus loved. This beloved disciple is also mentioned in 19.26–27; 20.1–10; 21.7, 20–24. He may be referred to in 19.35 as well (and, although less likely, in 1.35–40; 18.15–16). He may symbolize the Christian community for which John was written or embody characteristics of an ideal follower of Jesus. See also Introduction. Reclining. On special occasions, meals were eaten while lying on couches around a low central table. Diners lay on their left sides; the disciple reclining next to Jesus would thus be to Jesus’ right.

  13.25 While reclining next to Jesus, lit. “while leaning on Jesus’ chest” see note on 13.23.

  13.26 See v. 18.

  13.27 Satan entered into him. Cf. v. 2.

  13.29 Common purse. See note on 12.6.

  13.30 Night. See 3.2; 9.4; 11.10; 12.35–36.

  13.31–38 The beginning of John’s “farewell discourses” (see note on 13.1–17.26) about Jesus’ death and departure and their meaning for the disciples.

  13.31–32 Glorified. See note on 12.23. The hour (see note on 7.30) is truly under way.

  13.33 As I said to the Jews. See 7.34; 8.21.

  13.34–35 A new commandment. Cf. Mk 12.28–34, which quotes Lev 19.18. Cf. also Rom 13.9. In contrast to Mt 5.43–48; Lk 6.27–36, the love commandment in John is restricted to one another, i.e., the community of Jesus’ disciples. As I have loved you. See v. 1;15.12–13.

  13.36–37 Precisely because they cannot in fact lay down their lives like Jesus (cf. 10.11–18; 15.13), the disciples cannot follow where he is going now. Afterward. See also v. 7.

  13.38 The denial predicted here (cf. Mk 14.27–31; Lk 22.31–34) takes place in 18.15–18, 25–27.

  John 14

  Jesus the Way to the Father

  1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believea in God, believe also in me.2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?b 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.”c 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will knowd my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

  8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask mee for anything, I will do it.

  The Promise of the Holy Spirit

  15“If you love me, you will keepf my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,g to be with you forever. 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be inh you.

  18“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to h
im, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

  25“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate,i the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

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  a Or You believe

  b Or If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you

  c Other ancient authorities read Where I am going you know, and the way you know

  d Other ancient authorities read If you had known me, you would have known

  e Other ancient authorities lack me

  f Other ancient authorities read me, keep

  g Or Helper

  h Or among

  i Or Helper

  14.1–3 Following the disturbing message in 13.36–38, these verses are comforting, for they introduce the subject of Jesus’ return, which is then taken up and interpreted in several ways in the rest of ch. 14. Some scholars see these different conceptions as the work of different writers or editors. In any case, they render the actual second coming of Jesus, so important elsewhere in the NT, less significant in John.