John Chapter 12

The Gospel of John Chapter 12 tells the story of the Mary anointing Jesus feet followed by the prophetic triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where the story seemingly finishes.

Identify the Who, What, When, Where, Why?

• Who - Jesus, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, the disciples
• What - A dinner
• When - Six days before Passover
• Where - In Bethany
• Why - In honor of Jesus

Compare the attitudes and motivation of Mary and Judas in this passage:

Mary:
Attitude: Gratitude, worship
Motivation: Love and grateful for raising Lazarus

Judas:
Attitude: Indignation, objection
Motivation: Greed

What was Mary accused of?

Mary was accused of wastefulness.

Why did the Jewish People take branches to Jesus? Shout to Jesus, "Hosanna!"? Quote the Psalm 118: 25-26?

• The palm branch is symbolic of victory and triumph.
• The word Hosanna means – Save Now.
• They were proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and King of Israel.

In the context of Zechariah 9:1-10:1, where Jesus’ triumphal entry is prophesied, why might the Jewish leadership have also welcomed him as king? 

Because they might have mistakenly thought he would have freed them from Roman dominion.

What did the Pharisees expect to happen when Jesus was seen publicly after he raised Lazarus from the dead? 

That they would be able to arrest him - See John Chapter 11 verse 57.

What was Jesus saying in his reply in Chapter 12 verses 23 and 24? 

That he was going to die and that his death was necessary for the lives of many.

In Chapter 12 verse 25 it states “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” How do we love or hate our lives in this world and how is it related to eternal life? 

When we value worldly things more than the spiritual things of life we love our earthly life and will not realize spiritual life because the love of earthly things is not compatible. We must forsake earthly pleasures to gain spiritual life.

Why was Jesus’ heart troubled?

Because he knew he was going to die an agonizing death.

How had God already glorified His name, and how would He glorify it again?

He had glorified it already by:

• Healing the man born blind : John 9:3 - "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
• Raising Lazarus from the dead: John 11:4 - When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."  John 11:40 - Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

He would glorify it again by:

• By Jesus’ victory over death