Updated 3-1-24. I'm always seeking to improve this version. Have a suggestion? Text Jim (530) 364-0333

The Good News of Jesus, by the Apostle John

John 1   

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. 2 He existed in the beginning with GOD. 3 Through him everything came into existence, and apart from him not even one thing that exists came into existence. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of humanity. 5 And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness couldn't overcome it.

1:1 In the Beginning GOD THE WORD spoke the Universe into existence, "through Him everything came into existence." John 1:3 ("WORD" in Greek "LOGOS" means "Expression of thought.") And we're told in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “GOD who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shone His Light in our hearts to give us the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.“ Because "Christ... is the exact likeness of the unseen God" (2 Corinthians 4:4) So even though, "No one has ever seen God [in His natural state]; the only born Son... fully expresses Him." (John 1:18)

Why is Jesus called "The only born Son"? Because THE LOGOS became "The Son of God" when Christ was birthed into the Earth as "The Son of Man," and "THE WORD became flesh." (John 1:14) That's why the Father says of His earthly Son, "You are My Son, [because] today I have given birth to you." (Acts 13:33) Before that Christ existed with GOD in a Spiritual form as THE LOGOS, but when "the LOGOS became flesh" GOD became a man, and walked among us, so that we could KNOW HIM as HE TRULY IS. And that's why Jesus said, "Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, that he might testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. 8 He himself was not that Light, but he was sent to testify about the Light: 9 The true Light, which enlightens every person coming into the world. 

1:7 In verse 7 "the Light" and "him" are one and the same, and refer to Jesus not to John. See 1 Peter 1:21

10 He was in the world, and the world was created by him, yet the world didn't know him. 11 He came to his own, yet his own didn't receive him. 12 But to as many as received him, to them he gave the right and privilege to  become God's Children, even to those who believe and trust in his name: 13 These weren’t born of a special blood-line, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the WORD became flesh, and pitched his tent among us. And we gazed upon his glory,  glory like that of the only Son born of the Father, full of gracious favor and truth.

1. John1:14 This is a literal translation of "eskaynoesen en haymin," but what does it mean?  It is a metaphor with multiple meanings: "eskaynoesen" means "to pitch or erect a tent or tabernacle to dwell in" which sometime in Scripture is used as a metaphor for the "human body" (see John 2:19-22 & 2 Peter 2:13-14, this verse may also refer to Hebrews 10:5), and "en haymin" can be translated as either "in us" or "among us" or may actually mean both; because Jesus once dwelt "among us," but He now dwells "in us."

2. The Greek word ‘khar'-ece’ is traditionally translated as Grace: but literally means, "Cheerfully favor" (and forgiveness); and contrary to religious tradition this word doesn't focus on the "unworthiness" of the receiver but on the "cheerfulness" of the given ~ because it brings God "Great joy to favor and forgive us!" See Luke 15:5-7 & 15:11-32 (So whenever you see "gracious favor" in this translation remember that it literally means "cheerful favor!")

15 John testified about him, and cried out saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me surpasses me, because he was before me.’ ” 16 And from his fullness we all have received gracious favor upon gracious favor. 17 The Law was given through Moses, but gracious favor and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only born Son who is in the Father's bosom, He fully expresses Him. (See Deuteronomy 18:18-19)

The Testimony of John the Baptizer

19 Now this was John's testimony, when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed, and didn't deny, but acknowledged, “I'm not the Anointed.”

21 So they asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 So they said to him, “Then who are you? Answer us, so that we may give your answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 He said, “I'm a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make the way of the LORD straight!’ Just as the prophet Isaiah said.” (Isaiah 40:3)

24 Now those who had been sent were from the Pharisees. 25 So they asked him, and said, “Then why are you baptizing? if you're not the Anointed, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 John answered them by saying, “I baptize in water, but someone stands among you, whom you do not know. 27 He's the one who comes after me, who surpasses me, because he was  before me. The strap of whose sandal I'm not worthy to untie.”

28 These things happened in Bethabara across the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Jesus the Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Look, it's God’s Lamb, who takes away the world’s sin.”

1:29 The Old English word "sin" and the Greek word "ham-ar-tee´-ah",  were both archery terms that meant, "to-miss-the-mark"; or to (unknowingly) "make a mistake", or (knowingly) "do wrong."

30 This is the one of whom I said, ‘A man comes after me who    surpasses me, because he was  before me.’ 31 But since I didn’t know him, I came baptizing in  water, so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 And John testified, saying, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven, like a dove, and he     remained on him. 33 Yet I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize in water told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down, and remaining on him, he's the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen, and I testify that he is God's Son!”

The First Disciples

35 Again, the next day John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 And as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Look, it's God’s Lamb!”

37 And the two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turning, saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?”

And they said to him, “Rabbi,” (which means, “Teacher,”) “where are you staying?”

39 He told them, “Come, and see.”

They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day, because it was about the tenth hour, about 4 pm.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John said, and who had followed him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and told him, “We've found the Messiah!” (Which means, Christ, the Anointed.). 42 Then he led him to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, he said, “You’re Simon, the son of Jonah. You’re to be called Cephas” (Peter, which means, a Stone.)

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathaniel

43 The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found   Philip and told him, “Follow me."

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathaniel and told him, “We've found him about whom Moses in the law and the prophets wrote! Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 But Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philip told him, “Come and see!”

47 Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him, and said concerning him, “Look, here's a true Israelite! One in whom there’s no deception.”

48 Nathaniel said to him, “Where do you know me from?”

Jesus answered him, “Before  Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathaniel answered him, and said, “Rabbi, You are God's Son! You're the King of Israel!”

50 Jesus answered him, and said, “Do you believe because I told you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree’? You'll see greater things than these.” 51 Then he told him, ¹“Indeed, indeed, I tell you, After this you'll see heaven opened, and God's ²messengers going up and going down on the Son of Man.”

1. Hebrew "Amen! Amen!" is a (double) "affirmation of truth": Amen! Indeed! Definitely! or Truly! Literally, "So it is!" or "So be it!"

2. Traditionally "angeloi" is translated as “angels.” But it literally means “messengers,” and in the New Testament it is used both to refer to [human] messengers and [heavenly] messengers. So translators just take a guess at which is being referred to according to the  context; but sometimes they have been wrong (as they are in first 3 chapters of the Book of Revelation; because Jesus wouldn't need John to write letters to 7 angels: so no doubt the 7 messengers, are the pastors of the 7 Churches). So normally, I just translate "angeloi" literally, as "messengers" and let the Holy Spirit reveal to the reader which He is referring to.

John 2

The Wedding at Cana

1 Then on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and Jesus' mother was there. 2 And Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 Now when the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no wine.”

4 Jesus told her, “Lady, of what concern is that to you and to me? My hour hasn't come yet.”

5 His mother told the waiters, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water pots sitting there, according to the Jewish custom of purification, each containing about 20 or 30 gallons. 7 Jesus told them, “Fill the water pots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. [Literally, 2 or 3 metretae.]

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the headwaiter.”

And they took it. 9 But when the headwaiter tasted the water (that had became wine), since he didn't know where it had come from (though the waiters who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom. 10 And he told him, “Everyone always sets out the good wine first, then when the guests are  intoxicated, they serve the inferior wine. But you've kept the good wine until now.” [Literally, Every human.]

11 This was the first of his signs, which Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee: And he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he, and his mother, and his brothers and sisters, and his disciples went down to Capernaum; but they didn't stay there very many days.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

13 Now it was nearly time for the Jewish Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And in the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And having made a whip out of small ropes, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen. And he poured out the money-changers' coins and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the doves,  “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a house for merchandise!” 17 And his disciples remembered that it's written, “The fiery zeal  of your house has consumed me.” (Psalm 69:9)

18 Then the Jewish leaders answered, and said to him, “What sign will you show us, to justify the things you've done?”

19 Jesus answered, and told them, “Destroy this dwelling place, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Therefore the Jewish leaders said, “It's taken 46 years to build this temple. And will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But the dwelling place he was speaking about was his own body. 22 Therefore when he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this: and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had spoken.

Jesus Knows The Heart Of Everyone

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem, during the Passover, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he performed. 24 Yet Jesus didn't  entrust himself to them, because he knew the hearts of everyone. 25 And he didn't need for anyone to testify according to human motives, because he himself knew what was inside a person.

John 3

Everyone Must Be Reborn

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader among the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; because no one would be able to perform these signs which you perform, unless God were with him.”

3 Jesus answered, and told him, “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Unless someone is born from above, they cannot see God's Kingdom.”

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person be born when they're old: because they can't  enter into their mother's womb a second time, and be born again?”

5 Jesus answered, “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, they cannot enter into God's  Kingdom. 6 That which is born of the flesh, is flesh. And that which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit. 7 Don't be astonished that I told you, each of you must be born from above. 8 The wind blows wherever it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it came from, nor where it's going. It's that way with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus answered him, and said, “How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered, and told him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t know these things? 11 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, We speak of that which we know and testify of that which we have seen; yet none of you accepts our testimony. 12 If I've told you about earthly things, and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up into heaven, except he who came down from heaven, even the Son of Man who is in heaven.

14 Yet just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so too the Son of Man must be lifted up. 15 So that everyone who trusts in him will not perish, but have   eternal life. 16 Because God loved the world so much, that he gave his only born Son, so that whoever trusts in him wouldn’t perish, but have eternal life. 17 Because God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him, therefore: 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned; but whoever doesn't believe, already stands condemned, because they didn't believe in the name of God's only born Son. 19 And this is the verdict: the true Light came into the world, yet the people loved the darkness more than the Light, because their deeds were evil.’ 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and they won’t come to the Light, lest their deeds should be exposed.

21 But the one practices the truth comes into the Light, that it may be  clearly seen that what they have done was done in God.”

Jesus and John the Baptizer

22 After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judah, and he remained there with them, while they baptized. 23 Now John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was a plenty of water there, and many were coming to be baptized. 24 (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.) 25 Now John's disciples happened to be having a discussion with some Jews regarding purification: 26 And they came to John, and told him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, the one you've testified about: Look, he's baptizing, and everyone is going to him!”

 27 John answered and said, "A person isn’t able to receive anything, unless it's been given to them from heaven. 28 You yourselves testify of me, that I said, ‘I'm not the Anointed,’ but ‘I've been sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bridegroom is the one who has the bride. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and hears him, cheerfully rejoices because of the bridegroom's voice. So this causes me to be filled with joy! 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. [Literally, nothing]

He Who Came From Heaven

31 He who came from above, is above everything else. He who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks about earthly things. He who came from heaven is above everything else. 32 And what he's seen and heard, that he testifies about; yet no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted his testimony, can verify that God is true! 34 For the one whom God has sent, speaks what God says, because God doesn't give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and he's  given everything into his hand. 36 The one who believes and trusts in the Son has eternal life. But the one who doesn't believe and trust the Son will not see life, instead God's anger will remain on them.” [Literally, has set their seal.]

John 4

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t    baptize, but his disciples), 3 he left Judah and went back into Galilee again.

4 But it was essential for him to go through Samaria:

John 4:4 Jesus "needed to" go through Samaria, not because there was no other route for Him to travel, because He could have taken the route the Orthodox Jews took to avoid the Samaritans. But Jesus "needed to" go there because He was “Seeking worshippers who would worship in Spirit and in Truth.” (See verses 23-24 & 17-18) And He found such a woman at Jacob’s Well; and Jesus didn’t condemn her for the mistakes she had made in her life; instead Jesus complimented her for "speaking the truth." (See verses 17-18)

5 So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's artesian well was there. And since Jesus was tired from his journey, he was setting on the well.

7 It was about the sixth hour, about noon, when a woman of  Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples          had gone into the city to buy provisions.)

9 Therefore the woman of  Samaria said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews don't associate with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered, and told her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

11 The woman said to him, “Sir, You don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you have this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as did his sons, and his livestock also?” [Literally, Lord]

13 Jesus answered her, and said, “Everyone who drinks of this   water will thirst again. 14 But if anyone drinks of the water which I will give them, will never thirst; even throughout eternity. Rather, the water which I will give them will become a fountain of water within them, springing up into eternal life.” [Literally, into the (perpetual) age.]

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me some of this water. So that I won't thirst, nor come here to draw.”

16 Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband, then come back here.”

17 The woman answered, and said, “I don't have a husband.”

Jesus told her, “You have spoken beautifully, ‘I don't have a husband.' 18 For you’ve had five husbands, and the one you have now isn’t your husband.  This you have spoken truthfully.”

1:17 When we speak truthfully, God sees it as a thing of beauty! See true and truth in verses 23-24, and Jesus found such a worshipper in this woman!

19 The woman told him, “Sir, I perceive that you’re a prophet! 20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, yet you Jews say, the place where people should worship is in Jerusalem?”

21 Jesus told her, “Lady, believe me, an hour is coming when you'll worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You don’t know the one whom you worship, but we know the one whom we worship, because salvation comes from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and now is here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for Father is also seeks those who will worship him in this way. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman told him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, who is called the Anointed. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Jesus told her, “I am! The one who speaks to you.”

 See Important Note on why Jesus referred to Himself as "I AM" at John 8:58

27 And just then his disciples  arrived, and they were astonished that he was talking with a woman. Yet no one said, “What do you seek?” or “Why are you talking to her?”

28 Then the woman left her water pot, and went into the city, and told the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I  ever did! Could this be the  Anointed?” 30 They hurried out of the city, and came to him.

31 But in the meantime his disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat!” 32 But he told them, “I have food to eat which you cannot see.” 33 So the      disciples were saying to one another, “Did anyone bring him something to eat?”

34 Jesus told them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. 35 You should stop saying, ‘There’s still four more months, then the harvest will come.’ Look, I tell you, Lift up your eyes and see the fields, because they’re already white and ready to harvest. 36 And the one who is harvesting, is even now receiving their pay and gathering in fruit for eternal life. So both the sower and the harvester, are rejoicing together! 37 For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another harvests.’ 38 I'm sending you to harvest that which you haven’t worked hard for: others have done the hard work, and you’ve entered into their labors.”

39 Now many of the Samaritans of that city believed in him, because of the statement of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them. And he stayed there two days.

41 Then many more believed because of his own word. 42 Then they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you've said, for we’ve heard him for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Anointed! The Savior of the world!”

 Jesus Heals a Royal Official’s Son

43 But after the two days, he left there and went into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified, “A prophet has no honor in his own father's land.” 45 But when he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen everything that he did in Jerusalem during the feast; for they too had gone to the feast.

46 Therefore Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where he’d made the water into wine. Now there was a certain royal official, whose son was sick in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judah into Galilee, he went to him, pleading with him to come down and heal his son,    because he was at the point of death.

48 Therefore Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you’ll never believe.”

49 The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little child dies.”

50 Jesus told him, “Go home, your son lives.”

And the man believed the word which Jesus spoke to him, and he went away. 51 And while he was still going down, his servants met him and reported, saying, “Your child lives!” 52 Therefore he asked them the hour when he had gotten better. And they told him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, about 1 pm, the fever left him.”

53 Therefore, the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus had told him, “Your son lives.” So he and his whole household believed. 54 This again was the second sign, which Jesus performed after he had came out of Judah into Galilee.

John 5

Jesus Heals a Man at the Pool

1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there's a swimming pool in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate, in Hebrew it’s called Bethesda, it had five stone column porches. 3 In these were laying a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed, waiting for the stirring of the water. 4 For from time to time, a messenger would step down into the pool and stir up the water; then whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water, became completely healthy, having been healed of whatever disease had held them captive. 5 Now a certain man was there who had been very weak for 38 years. 6 Jesus seeing him lying there, and knowing that he had already been there a long time, said to him, “Do you want to become healthy?”

7 The weak man answered him, “Sir, I don't have anyone to toss me in the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I'm still  coming, another steps down before me.”

8 Jesus told him, “Get up! Pick up your mattress, and walk!” 9 And instantly the man became completely healthy, and picked up his mattress, and walked.

But that day was a Day of Rest. 10 Therefore, the Jewish leaders told the man who had been healed, “It's the Day of Rest, it's not lawful for you to carry that mattress!”

11 He answered them, “The one who made me well, he's the one who told me, ‘Pick up your mattress, and walk!’”

12 So they asked him, “Whose the man that told you, ‘Pick up your mattress, and walk!’?”

13 But the man who had been healed didn't know who he was, for Jesus had moved out of sight, a crowd being in that place.

14 After these things Jesus found him in the temple, and told him, “See, you've become completely healthy. No longer sin, or perhaps something worse will happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him healthy.

16 And because of this, the Jewish leaders persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him; because he had done these things on a Day of Rest. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father's still working; so I'm working too.” 18 And because of this, the Jewish leaders sought all the more to kill him; because not only had he loosened the restrictions on the Day of Rest, but he'd also called God his own Father―making himself equal with God!

The Authority of the Son

19 Therefore Jesus answered them, “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, The Son isn't able to do anything of himself, unless it's something that he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does the same things in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son and he shows him everything that he's doing. And he'll even show him greater works than these, that you may be astounded! 21 For just as the   Father raises the dead and gives them life; so too the Son gives life to whomever he wants to. 22 For the Father judges no one, rather he's given all judgment to the Son:  23 So that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the  Father. Whoever doesn't honor the Son, doesn't honor the Father who sent him!

24 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Whoever listens to my word, and trusts in him who sent me, has eternal life. And they'll never enter into judgment; rather they've already passed from death into life. 25 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, An hour is coming, and now is here, when the dead will hear the voice of God's Son, and those who listen intently will live. 26 Because just as the Father has life in himself, so too he has also granted to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he's also given him authority to execute judgment, since he is a son of man.

28 Don't be astonished by this; for an hour is coming when everyone who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and come out. 29 Those who have done good, will rise to life. And those who have done evil, will stand up to be   condemned. 30 I'm not able to do anything by myself: as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I'm not seeking my own will, but the will of the Father who sent me. [Literally, nothing.]

31 If I were to testify about myself, my testimony wouldn't be considered true. 32 There's another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.

33 You've sent to John, and he's testified to the truth. 34 But the testimony which I’ve received isn't from a human source, but I say these things so that you might be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and for an hour you willingly jumped for joy in his light.

36 But the testimony I have is greater than John's: for the works which the Father has given to me to accomplish, the very works which I do, these testify about me―that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father himself, who sent me, has also testified about me. Yet you’ve never listened to his voice, nor seen his form at anytime. 38 And his word doesn't  reside within you, because you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; yet these are the very ones which testify about me. 40 Yet you're not willing to come to me, that you may have life.

41 I don't receive honor from  people. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 For I've come in my Father’s name, yet you do not  receive me. If another comes in their own name, you’ll receive them. 44 How can you believe? You who receive honor from one another, but do not seek the honor that comes from the only true God?

45 Don't think that I’ll accuse you before the Father: there's another who accuses you; even Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t   believe his writings, how are you going to believe my sayings?”

John 6

Jesus Feeds 5,000

1 After these things Jesus went away, and crossed over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a great multitude followed him, because they'd seen his signs, which he had performed for those who were sick.

3 But Jesus went up on the mountain, and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the  Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.

5 Then when Jesus lifted his eyes and saw a great multitude coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where will we buy bread, for these people to eat?” 6 But he said this to test him, for he himself knew what he intended to do.

7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii wouldn't buy enough bread for each of them to receive even a little.” [A denarii was equal to a day's wages.] 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, told him, 9 “There's a boy here who has 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish; but what are they among so many?”

10 But Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” [Literally, recline.]

Now there was a plenty of grass in that place; so the men sat down, about 5,000 in number. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to his disciples, and his disciples distributed them to those who were setting down, and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

12 And when they were full, he told his disciples, “Gather up the abundance of leftover pieces that remain, so that nothing will be wasted.” 13 So they gathered up the abundance of leftover  pieces from the 5 barley loaves which the people had eaten, and filled 12 baskets.

14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which Jesus performed, they said, “Truly this is the prophet who was to come into the world!” 15 But since   Jesus knew that they intended to come and take him, that they might make him King, he again went up into the mountain, by himself alone.

Walking on the Water

16 And when evening had come, his disciples went down to the sea. 17 And they stepped into a boat, and were crossing over the sea to Capernaum. And it had now     become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 Then the waves of the sea arose because a ¹strong wind was blowing. 19 And when they had rowed about ²three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

1. Literally, big. 2. Literally, 30 stades (Roman Stadium laps).

20 But he told them, “I am! Don't be afraid.” 21 Then they eagerly received him into the boat, and instantly the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Jesus is the Bread of Life

22 The following day the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, having seen that there weren't any other boat there (except the one which his disciples had gotten into) and knowing that Jesus hadn't boarded the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone 23 (Though other boats had now come there from Tiberias, near to the place where they had eaten the bread, after the Lord had given thanks); 24 Therefore, when the multitude saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, searching for Jesus.

25 And when they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”

26 Jesus answered them, and said, “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, You're not seeking me because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Don't work for food which will spoil, but for the food which will endure unto eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. Because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him."

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered, and told them, “This is the work of God, that you believe and trust in the one whom he has sent.”

30 Then they said to him, “What sign will you perform, so that we may see it and believe and trust in you? What work will you do? 31 Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness, as it's written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” (Exodus 16:4 & Psalm 78:24-25)

32 Therefore Jesus told them,  “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Moses didn't give you the bread of    heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread of heaven. 33 Because the bread of God is the one who comes down from   heaven and gives life to the world."

34 Then they said to him, “Lord, always give us this bread!”

35 But Jesus told them, “I AM the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes and trusts in me will never thirst at any time. 36 But I tell you, although you have seen me; still you don’t believe. 37 Everyone whom the Father has given to me, will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never throw out. 38 Because I haven’t come down from heaven, to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of the Father who sent me: that I should not even lose one of all those whom he has given to me. But should raise them up again on the last day. 40 This also is the will of him who sent me: that everyone who looks to the Son and believes and trusts in him, should have eternal life. And I will raise them up on the last day.”

41 Therefore the Jews began grumbling under their breath concerning him, because he said, “I AM the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 And they were saying, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? So how can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

43 Therefore Jesus answered, and told them, “Stop grumbling among  yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them. And I will raise them up on the last day. 45 It's written in the Prophets, ‘And they’ll all be taught by God.’ (Isaiah 54:13)

Therefore whoever has listened and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He’s seen the Father. 47 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Whoever believes and trusts and in me has eternal life. 

48 I AM the Bread of Life. 49 Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 The bread that came down from heaven, is that which anyone may eat of, and not die. 51 I AM the Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, they will live throughout eternity. And also my flesh is the bread, which I will give for the life of the world.”

52 Therefore the Jews began   disputing among themselves,  saying, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?”

53 Therefore Jesus told them, “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54 Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life. And I will raise them up on the last day. 55 Because my flesh truly is food, and my blood truly is drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so too whoever feeds on me, will live because of me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven. It's not like the manna which our fathers ate, and died. Whoever eats this bread will live throughout eternity.” 59 He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

Words of Eternal Life

60 Now when they heard this, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard saying. Who can stand to listen to it?"

61 But Jesus knowing within  himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Are you snared by this? 62 What if you were to see the Son of Man going up to where he was before? 63 It's the Spirit which gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words which I speak to you, are spirit and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (Because Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was that would betray him.) 65 Therefore he said, “That's why I told you that no one can come to me, unless it's been granted to them by my Father.”

66 From that time many of his disciples went away, and no longer walked with him.

67 Therefore Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 And we are convinced and know that you are the Anointed, the Son of the living God.”

70 Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose the twelve of you? Yet one of you is a devil.” 71 But he was speaking of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, because he was the one who would betray him, being one of the twelve.

John 7

Jesus’ Unbelieving  Brothers

1 After these things Jesus was walking around in Galilee,  because he didn't want to walk around in Judah, because the Jewish leaders were seeking to kill him. 2 Now it was almost time for the Jewish Feast of Tents. 3 So his brothers told him, “You should leave here, and go into Judah; so that your disciples may also see the works that you're doing. 4  Because no one does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to speak out publicly. If you’re  doing these things? Show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his own brothers didn’t believe in him.

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time hasn't come yet, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify concerning it, that its deeds are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I'm not going up to this feast yet, because my time hasn’t fully come yet.” 9 And   having said these things to them, he remained in Galilee.

Jesus at the Feast of Tents

10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, but not publicly, but as it were in secret. 11 Therefore the Jewish leaders were searching for him at the feast, and were saying, “Where is he?”

12 And there was a lot of whispering and grumbling among the multitude concerning him. For some were saying, “He's a good man.” But others were     saying, “No, quite the contrary, he's deceiving the people.” 13 However no one spoke openly about him, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.

14 But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. 15 And the Jewish leaders were astonished, saying, “How does this man know the Scriptures, never having been taught?”

16 Jesus answered, and told them, “My teaching isn’t my own, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone wants to do his will, they'll know concerning the teaching, whether it's from God or whether I've   spoken of myself. 18 Whoever speaks about themselves, seeks their own glory. But whoever seeks the glory of the one who sent them is true, and there’s no unrighteousness in them. 19 Didn't Moses give you the law? Yet none of you practices the law. Why are you seeking to kill me?”

20 The multitude answered and said, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”

21 Jesus told them, “I performed one work among you, and you all  were amazed. 22 The reason Moses gave you circumcision wasn't because it was from Moses; but because it was from the forefathers, and so you'll circumcise a man on the Day of Rest; 23 If a man can receive circumcision on the Day of Rest, so that the Law of Moses won't be left undone, are you angry with me for making a person completely healthy on the Day of Rest? 24 Don't judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Is He the Anointed?

25 Then some of those from Jerusalem said, “Isn't this the one whom they’re seeking to kill? 26 But look, he's speaking out boldly,, yet they saying nothing to him. Perhaps our leaders really realize that he is indeed the Anointed?” 27 “However, we know where he is from; but when the Anointed comes, no one will know where he is from.”

28 Therefore as he taught in the temple, Jesus cried out saying, “You both know me, and you know where I am from; yet I haven't come of my own accord, but he who sent me is true, whom you do not know. 29 But I know him,  because I am from him, and he sent me.”

30 Therefore they sought to seize him, yet no one laid a hand on him, because his hour hadn’t come yet. 31 However, many of the people believed in him, and said, “When the Anointed comes, will he do more signs than these which this man has done?”

Officials Sent to Arrest Jesus

32 The Pharisees heard the multitude whispering such things about him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to seize him.

33 Therefore Jesus told them, “I'll be with you for a little while   longer, then I'm going to him who sent me. 34 You'll search for me, but you won't find me. And where I AM, you're not able to come.”

35 Therefore the Jewish leaders said among themselves, “Where does he intend to go that we won't find him? Does he intend to go to those scattered among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does this saying mean, ‘You'll search for me, but you won't find me. And where I am, you're not able to come?”

Rivers of Living Water

37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink! 38 Whoever believes and trusts in me, as the Scripture has said,   ‘Out of their inner most being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 But this he spoke concerning the Holy Spirit, which those who believe and trust in him were going to receive; for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. [Literally, belly.]

Division Among the People

40 Therefore when the multitude heard this saying, many of them said, “Truly this is the Prophet!”

41 Others were saying, “This is the Anointed!”

But others said, “Will the Anointed come out of Galilee? 42 Doesn't the Scripture say that the Anointed comes from the seed of David, and from the town of Bethlehem where David was?” 43 And so there was a division among the multitude because of him. 44 And some of them wanted to seize him, but no one laid hands on him.

The Unbelief of The Religious-leaders

45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why didn't you bring him?”

46 The officers answered, “No  human being has ever spoken like this man.”

47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the leaders or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this multitude is accursed because they don’t know the law!”

50 Nicodemus (who came to Jesus at night), being one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law condemn a person before it hears them and knows what they are doing?”

52 They answered him, and said, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and see, because no prophet has risen out of Galilee.”

53 Then everyone went to his own house. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

John 8

A Woman Caught in Adultery

1 Then at sunrise Jesus came again into the temple, 2 And all the people came to him, and    having sat down, he taught them. 3 But the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to him, whom they had seized in the very act of committing adultery, and having stood her in their midst, 4 they said to him, “Teacher, we seized this woman in the very act of  committing adultery. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such as her. So what do you say?” 6 Now they said this to test him, that they might have an accusation to bring against him. [Or, 'tempt' or 'entice'.]

But Jesus stooping down, began to write on the ground with his finger. 7 But since they continued asking him, having stood up he told them, “The one among you, who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

8 And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.

9 But having heard this, and being convicted by their own conscience, they began going out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last; And Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing in the midst. 10 And having stood up, Jesus saw no one except the woman, and he said to her, "Lady, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"

11 And she said, “No one, Lord.”

Then Jesus told her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”

Jesus the Light of the World

12 Then Jesus again spoke to the people, saying, “I AM the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life.”

13 Therefore the Pharisees told him, “You're testifying about yourself, your testimony isn't true!” [Literally, un-concealed truth.]

14 Jesus answered, and told them, "Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true; because I know where I came from and where I am going: but you don’t know where I came from, nor where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. 16 Yet if I judge, my judgment is true; because I’m not alone in it, but I and my Father who sent me agree. 17 And it's also written in your law that the testimony of two people is true: 18 I AM one who   testifies concerning myself, and the Father who sent me also    testifies about me.”  

19 Therefore they said to him, “Where Is your father?”

Therefore he told them, “You neither know me nor my Father. If you had known me, you would have also known my Father.” 20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

Where I’m Going You’re Not Able to Come

21 Therefore Jesus again told them, “I’m going away, and you will search for me, and you’ll die in your sins. Where I’m going you're not able to come.”

22 Therefore the Jewish leaders said, “Will he kill himself? Because he says, ‘Where I’m going you're not able to come’?”

23 Then he told them, “You're from below. I'm from above. You're of this world's system. I'm not of this world's system. 24 That's why I told you, that you’ll die in your sins; because if you don’t believe that I AM, you’ll die in your sins."

8:23 Literally, “the order” or “the system.” The Greek reads, “tou (of the) kosmou (order/system).” ‘Kosmos' literally means, an orderly arrangement of things. So whenever you see “world, world system, or world’s system” in this translation, know that the Greek word is “kosmos" meaning: The World “Order" or The World’s “System.”

25 Therefore they said to him, “Who are you?”

And Jesus told them, “The one who is from the beginning, which I also told you. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you; but he who sent me is true. And I declare to the world the things which I have heard from him.”

27 They didn't understand that he was speaking to them of the Father. 28 Therefore Jesus told them, “When you’ve lifted up the Son of Man; then you’ll know that I AM. And that I have done nothing of myself; rather I speak these things just as my Father has taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, because I always do the things which please him.” 30 As he spoke these words, many believed in him.

The Truth Will Set You Free

31 Therefore Jesus told the Jews who had believed in him, “If you remain in my word, then you truly are my disciples. 32 And you'll know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 The Jews answered him, “We're Abraham's seed, and we've never been enslaved to  anyone. So how can you say, ‘You’ll be set free’?"

34 Jesus answered them, "Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Everyone who practices sin is the slave of sin. 35 But a slave won't remain in the household forever; but the Son will remain there forever. 36 Therefore if the Son sets you free, you’ll be truly free. 37 I know that you're Abraham’s seed; but now you’re seeking to kill me, because my word cannot enter into you. 38 I speak of the things which I’ve seen with my Father; and you do the things which you’ve seen with your father."  [Literally, into the age.]

Your Father is the Devil

39 They answered him, and said, “Abraham is our father!”

Jesus told them, “If you were Abraham's children, then you'd do the same deeds Abraham did. 40 But now instead you’re seeking to kill me: a man who has told you the truth; which I heard from God. Abraham didn't do this. 41 You're doing the deeds of your father.”

Therefore they told him, “We weren't born of prostitution! We have one Father, God!”

42 Therefore Jesus told them, “If God were your Father; you would love me: because I came from God, and now I am here: for I didn't come of my own accord, rather he sent me.

43 Why don't you understand what I'm saying? It's because you're not able to hear my word. 44 You're of your father the devil; and you want to do the things your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he cannot stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; because he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 But you do not believe me; because I speak the truth. 46 Which of you can convict me of sin? But if I speak the truth, why won’t you believe me? 47 Whoever is of God, listens to what God says. Therefore you do not listen, because you are not God’s Children.”

The Pre-existence of Christ

48 Therefore the Jewish leaders answered, and told him, “Didn't we rightly say, ‘You're a Samaritan, and have a demon!’?”

49 Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon. But I honor my Father; and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I'm not seeking my own glory. There’s another who seeks it, and who judges. 51 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, If anyone keeps my word, they'll never see death throughout eternity.”

52 Therefore the Jewish leaders told him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham and the prophets died, yet you say, ‘If  anyone keeps my word, they'll never taste death.’ 53 Surely, you're not greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets who died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It's my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he’s your God. 55 Yet you don’t know him; but I know him. If I were to say, I didn’t know him, then I’d be a liar like you. But I know him, and keep focused on his word. 56 Your father Abraham jumped for joy to see my day, and he saw it, and was filled with joy.”

8:55 The Root Word “teros” literally means: "to guard by keeping the eye on something."

57 Therefore the Jewish leaders said to him, “You're not even 50 years old! And have you seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus told them, "Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Before Abraham existed, I AM."

59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at him: but Jesus concealed himself, and went out of the temple, going right through the midst of them, and so passed by them.

8:59 “I AM” in Greek “Egō eimi” This terminology was rarely used in Greek literature, but Jesus used it often when referring to Himself! “Eimi" is in the present indicative tense, and both word are only used together when making an “emphatic statement.” Why did Jesus always make this 'emphatic statement' about himself? He makes the reason clear in verse 59, "Jesus told the Jewish leaders, 'Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Before Abraham existed, Egō eimi! (I AM!)' Therefore they picked up stones to throw at him..." They were going to stone Him, because they realized, He had just declared Himself to be GOD! For when the Jews translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek (around the 3rd Century B.C.), they chose this phrase “Egō eimi” "I AM!" to translate the Hebrew name for God "YHVH," which means, “I AM FOR I AM!" ~ So when Jesus emphatically declared "Before Abraham existed, Egō eimi!" ~ He was declaring Himself to be GOD!

John 9

The Healing of a Man Born Blind

1 Now as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, that this man should be born blind, this man or his parents?”

3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. 4 But while it is day I must do the works of him who sent me, that God’s works may be revealed in him. 5 The night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

See Important Note at the end of this Chapter.

6 After saying these things, he spat on the ground, and made mud from the saliva, and he smeared the mud on the blind man's eyes. 7 Then he told him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” (Which means, Sent.) So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.

8 Therefore his neighbors and those who had previously seen him when he was blind, were   saying, “Isn't this the man who  sat and begged?” 9 Some said, “That's him.”

But others said, “He looks like him.”

But he kept saying, “I am he.”

10 So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”

11 He answered and said, “The man whom they call Jesus, made mud, and smeared it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went, and washed, and I received sight.”

12 So they asked him, “Where is he?”

He said, “I don't know.”

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

13 They brought the man who had previously been blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Day of Rest when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. And he told them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”

16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This man isn't from God, because he doesn't observe the Day of Rest.”

Others were saying, “How could a man who is a sinner do such signs?” So there was division among them.

17 They again addressed the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he opened your eyes?”

He said, “He's a prophet!”

18 Therefore the Jewish leaders didn't believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? So how does he see now?”

20 His parents answered, and told them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind. 21 But we don’t know how he sees now? Nor do we know who opened his eyes? He’s of age, ask him. He can speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders; for the Jewish leaders had already agreed that if anyone confessed that he was the Anointed, they'd be thrown out of the synagogue. 23 Because of this threat his parents said, “He’s of age, ask him.”

24 Therefore they again called the man who had been blind, and told him, “Give God the glory! We know that this man is a sinner.”

25 Then he answered and said, “Whether he's a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

26 Therefore they again said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered them, “I already told you. Weren't you listening? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”

28 Then they ridiculed him, and said, “You're his disciple! But we're Moses’ disciples! 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this fellow we don’t know where he’s from?”

30 The man answered, “Well, this is an astonishing thing! He opened my eyes, yet you don't know where he’s from? 31 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners. But if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, he hears him. 32 Since the beginning of this age, it's never been heard of anyone opening the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man wasn't from God, he could do nothing.”

34 They answered, and told him, “You were completely born in sin! And are you going to teach us?” And they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in God's Son?”

36 He answered and said, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?”

37 Then Jesus told him, “You have both seen him, and he’s the one whose speaking with you.”

38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshipped him.

39 Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment: that those who do not see, may see; and that those who do see, may become blind.”

40 And some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and they said to him, “Are we also blind?”

41 Jesus told them, “If you were blind, perhaps you would have no sin. But now since you say, ‘We see’, your sin remains.” [Or, not have missed-the-mark.]

9:3-5: Sadly, because the King James translators miss-placed their punctuation marks in these verses, many Christians believe God sometimes makes people sick for His Glory; because the KJV reads, "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents[:] but that the works of God should be made manifest in him[.] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day[:] the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (Which makes it sound like God made this man blind, so God could show His power when Jesus healed him.) But the ancient Greek Manuscripts DO NOT have ANY punctuation marks! Punctuation marks were added by religious copyists some time after the 5th Century, to make the Scriptures appear to agree with their religious dogmas. (So the punctuation marks in our Bibles are not part of God's Inspired Word!) But if you simple move the punctuation marks in the KJV, then the text would agree with the rest of Scripture, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents[.] But that the works of God should be made manifest in him[,] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day[.] The night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." HEALING brings Glory to God, NOT SICKNESS! (Psalm 103:2-3) Therefore, "GOD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing EVERYONE who was oppressed by the devil; because GOD was with Him." (Acts 10:38) That's why Jesus also said, “Shouldn't this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these 18 years! Be released from this bondage on the Day of Rest?" (Luke 13:16) Therefore, “When they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing... they Glorified the God of Israel!” (Matthew 15:31) Back to Verse

John 10

The Good Shepherd And His Sheep

1 “Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Anyone who doesn't enter into the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who    enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 And the gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen intently to his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes ahead of them. And the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 But they'll never follow a stranger; instead they'll run away from them, because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus spoke this allegory to them, but they didn't understand the things which he was telling them.

 Jesus is the Good Shepherd

7 Therefore Jesus again told them, "Indeed, indeed, I tell you, I AM the Sheep's Gate. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers; but the sheep didn't   listen to them. 9 I AM the Gate: if anyone enters in through me, they will be safe and secure, and they’ll go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief (the devil) doesn't come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: but I came so that they might have life, and have it even more abundantly.

11 I AM the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. 12 But the hired hand, who isn't the shepherd, and doesn't own the sheep, seeing the wolf coming he abandons the sheep and runs away. And the wolf snatches them, and scatters the sheep. 13 But the hired hand ran away, because he is a hired hand and doesn't care about the sheep.

14 I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know those who are mine, and those who are mine know me; 15 Just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I also have other sheep which aren't of this fold; I must also bring them, and they’ll hear my voice. And there'll be one flock, and One Shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own free-will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.”

19 Therefore there was again a division among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane! Why are you listening to him?”

21 Others were saying, “These aren't the sayings of someone who has a demon. Is a demon able open the eyes of the blind?”

The Jewish Leaders Reject Jesus

22 Now the Feast of Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s Porch. 24 Therefore the Jewish leaders surrounded him, and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you're the Anointed, boldly tell us so!”

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, yet you didn't believe. The works which I do in my Fathers name, these testify about me. 26 But you didn’t believe, because you're not my sheep; just as I told you: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 And I give them eternal life; and throughout eternity they will never perish, nor can anyone snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One.”

31 Therefore the Jewish leaders again took up stones that they might stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I've shown you many good deeds from my Father; for which of those works are you going to stone me?”

33 The Jewish leaders answered him, saying, “We're not going to stone you for a good deed, but for blasphemy; and because you, being a human being, make yourself out to be God!”

34 Jesus answered them, “Isn't it written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods.’ (Psalm 82:6) 35 If he called them ‘gods’, to whom God's Word came, (and the Scripture cannot be undone or altered), 36 Do you say of him, whom the   Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You're blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am God's Son’? 37 If I'm not doing the works of my Father, don't believe me. 38 But if I am doing them, even if you don't believe me, be persuaded by the works themselves, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him.” 39 Then they again tried to seize him, but he escaped out of their hand.

 Many Put Their Faith In Jesus

40 Then he again went back across the Jordan, to the place where John was baptizing at first, and he remained there. 41 And many came to him, and said, “Indeed, John perform no sign; but everything that John said about this man was true!” 42 And many believed in him there.

John 11

The Death of Lazarus

1 Now a certain man was very weak, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Now Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with myrrh and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was very weak. 3 So the sisters sent word to him, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is very weak.”

4 But when Jesus heard this, he said, “This sickness will not end in death; instead it will bring glory to God, because God's Son will be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he remained where he was two more days. 7 Then after this, he told the disciples, “Let's go into Judah again.” [See Notes at the end of this chapter.]

8 His disciples told him, “Rabbi, the Jewish leaders were just seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”

9 Jesus answered, “Aren't there 12 hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daylight, they won't stumble because they see by the light of the world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, they’ll stumble because they have no light in themselves.” 11 After saying these things, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has   fallen asleep; but I'm going there that I may wake him up.”

12 Therefore his disciples said, “Lord, if he's fallen asleep, he'll recover.” 13 However Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he was speaking of taking rest in sleep. [Literally, be saved.]

14 Therefore Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 But I'm glad for your sake that I wasn't there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let's go to him.”

16 Therefore Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s also go; that we may die with him.”

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

17 Therefore when Jesus arrived, he found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had come with the women who were around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. [Literally, 15 (Roman) Stadium laps.]

20 Therefore when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him. But Mary was still sitting in the house. 21 Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died. 22 But I know that even now, whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

25 Jesus told her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes and trusts in me, will continue to live even if they die. 26 And everyone who lives and believes and trusts in me will never die throughout eternity. Do you believe this?”

27 She told him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Anointed, God's Son, who was to come into the world.”

Jesus Weeps

28 And having said these things, she went away and secretly called her sister Mary, saying, “The Teacher has come and he's calling for you.” 29 When she heard this, she quickly got up and came to him. 30 Now Jesus hadn't yet come into the town, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 Therefore when the Jews who were in the house with Mary, comforting her, saw her quickly get up and go out, they followed her, saying, “She's going to the tomb to weep there.”

32 Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was, seeing him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died.”

33 Therefore when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had came with her weeping, he became angry in the Spirit and was deeply troubled. [See Note at the end of the chapter.]

34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?”

They told him, “Lord, come and see.”

35 Jesus wept.

36 Therefore the Jews said, “See how he loved him.”

37 But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have done something so that this man wouldn't have died?"

Lazarus Brought Back to Life

38 Therefore coming to the tomb, Jesus again became angry within himself, it was a cave and a large stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone!” [See Note at the end of the chapter]

Martha, the sister of the dead man, told him, “Lord, by now there's a stench, because it’s been four days."

40 Jesus told her, “Didn't I tell you, that if you will trust and believe, you’ll see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I also know that you always hear me; but I’m saying this, because of the people who stand around me, that they may believe that you have sent me.”

43 And when he had said this, he called out with a loud voice,    “Lazarus, come out!” 44 He who had been dead came out, his hands and feet were bound with grave cloths, and a cloth was tied around his face. [See Note at the end of the chapter.]

Jesus told them, “Untie him, and let him go."

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, when they saw what Jesus had done, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees called a council together, and said, “What are we going to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him continue on like this, everyone will believe in him; and the Romans will come and take away both our position and the nation.”

49 But one of them, Caiaphas,  being high priest that year, told them, “You know nothing at all! 50 Nor have you considered that it's advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, rather than for the whole nation to perish.”

51 But he didn't say from his own mind, but rather being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation; 52 but not only for that nation, but that God's children who had been scattered abroad might also be gather together into one people. 53 So from that day onward they plotted to put him to death.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the inhabitants of Judah, but went away from there into a region near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim; and he stayed there with his disciples.

 55 Now it was nearly time for the Jewish Passover. And many were going up to Jerusalem from the country-side before the Passover, that they might purify themselves. 56 And they were searching for Jesus, and they spoke with one another as they stood in the temple, “Do you think that he might not come to the feast?” 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given an order: that if anyone knew where he was, they were to report it; that they might seize him.

11:4 Sadly, from this verse, some Christians get the idea that God is glorified through their sickness. But that is not what this verse and the Scriptures teach: God would be glorified through this sickness, because Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead! For as another Scripture says, "When the multitude saw [a paralytic healed], they marveled, and Glorified God, who had given such power to men." (Matthew 9:8) That’s why Jesus told His disciples, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead. cast out demons." (Matthew 10:8) "Because all of the promises of God in him are, “Yes!” And in him, “So be it!" that God may be Glorified through us!" (2 Corinthians 1:20) The only reason miracles don't happen very often today, is because of our lack of faith that they will: because Jesus and His promises haven't changed. (See Hebrews 13:8, Luke 11:37, Matthew 17:20 & 21:21, Luke 17:6, Mark 11:22-24, James 5:17, 5:15, 1:6-8, James 2:23, Romans 4:16-22, Hebrews 11:6, John 15:7-8. So Romans 3:3-4!) Back to Verse

11:5-6 Many people are perplexed by these verses, because they assume, "If Jesus loved them, wouldn't he have left right away?" But from verse 17, we learn that when Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb 4 days, and from verse 6 we learn Jesus  remained 2 days where he was; so this means it was a 2 day journey to were Lazarus was: so Lazarus was already dead when the messengers arrived to tell Jesus Lazarus was sick. Therefore, since Lazarus was already dead, and since Mary and Martha had already gone through 2 days of mourning: He waited two more days, for as He said, "I'm glad for your sake that I wasn't there, that you may believe." Back to Verse

11:33 & 38 Most translations translate the Greek word "em-brim-ah´-om-ahee" here as "was deeply moved" or "groaned", but the word literally means, "to snort in anger (like a warhorse)." This same word is used again in verse 38. So why did Jesus "snort in anger like a warhorse"? First of all, we know that Jesus was not angry with the people; because when he saw them weeping, "Jesus wept" too! (verse 35) Therefore, I believe Jesus was angry because the devil is the one who brings death and "The last enemy to be destroyed will be death." (1 Corinthians 15:26) Therefore Jesus was angry, because as He said, "The thief (the devil) doesn't come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: but I came so that they might have life, and have it even more abundantly!" (John 10:10) Back to Verse

11:44 Many think that the Jews wrapped their dead like a mummy, like the Egyptians had in earlier times: but this verse (and Archaeology) shows that was NOT the case; for this verse says, only Lazarus' hands and feet were bound, and a cloth was tied around his face (to keep his jaw closed). And the Jews wrapped their dead in a single linen sheet with spices: this was the simple Burial Custom of the Jews; for NO corpse has even been found in Israel whose body was wrapped like a mummy. (See John 19:40 & Mystery of the Shroud @ tlwbible.com/shroud.htm)   Back to Verse

John 12

The Anointing at Bethany

1 Then six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 Therefore they prepared a dinner for him there, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the dinner table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very expensive ointment, pure nard, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

4 Therefore one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who was going to betray him, said, 5 “Why wasn't this ointment sold for 300 denarii (300 days wages) and given to the poor?” 6 (But he didn't say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief and he had the money bag, and he use to take whatever was put in it.)

7 Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She's kept this for the day of my burial. 8 For you'll always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me.”

Plot To Kill Lazarus

9 Now a great multitude of Jews came there because they knew that he was there; but they didn't come only because of Jesus, but also that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 Now the chief priests were also plotting to kill Lazarus, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem

12 The next day when the great multitude that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, and they were shouting,

“Hosanna!” (“Save us!”) “‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” (Psalm 118:25-26) 

14 Then Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it's written, 15 “Don't be afraid, O Daughter of Zion! Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!” (Zechariah 9:9)

16 But his disciples didn't understand these things at first, but when Jesus had been glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him, and that they had done these things to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, were testifying about it. 18 And so for this reason the multitude also met him, because they had heard that he had done this sign. 19 Therefore the Pharisees said among themselves, “Can't you see that you're accomplishing nothing? Look, the whole world has gone after him!”

Some Greeks Seek Jesus

20 And there were some Greeks among those coming up to worship at the feast. 21 Therefore they came to Philip (who was from Bethsaida of Galilee) and were making a request of him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 

23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24  Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it will produce much fruit. 25 Whoever loves their life will lose it, but whoever hates their life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 If anyone wants to serve me, let them follow me. And where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor them.

The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up

27 Now my soul is troubled. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have glorified it. And I will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the multitude, who stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others were saying, "A heavenly messenger has spoken to him.”

30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice didn't come for my sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now this world's system is judged. Now the ruler of the world's system will be thrown out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw  everyone to myself.” 33 But he said this, to signify by what kind of death he intended to die.

34 The multitude answered him, “We've heard from the law that the Anointed will remain throughout eternity. So why do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Therefore Jesus told them, “The light will be with you a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you. But the one who walks in darkness, doesn't know where they are going. 36 While you have the light, believe and trust in the light, that you may become Sons of Light.” Jesus spoke these things, and having gone away, he was concealed from them.

The Unbelief of the Jews

37 But although he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him. 38 Therefore the saying which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled,

“LORD, who has believed our report? And to whom has the Arm of the LORD been revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1)

39 This is why they couldn't    believe, because Isaiah also said,

40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart; so that they should not see with the eyes and understand with the heart and be converted, that I might not heal them.” (Isaiah 6:10)

41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke about him.

42 Yet indeed many among the chief leaders also believed in him; but because of the Pharisees they didn't confess it openly, that they might not be thrown out of the synagogue; 43 Because they loved the praise of people more than the glory of God.

44 But Jesus called out, and said, “Whoever believes and trusts in me, doesn't believe and trust in me, but in him who sent me; 45 And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in me should not remain in the darkness.

47 And if anyone hears my words, and doesn't believe, I do not judge them: for I didn’t come to judge the world, but that I might save the world. 48 Whoever rejects me, and doesn't receive my words, has one which judges them, the word which I have spoken: That same word will judge them on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken from myself; rather the Father who sent me, he himself gave me instructions as to what I was to say and what I was to speak. 50 And I Know that His Commandment is Eternal Life. Therefore whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father told me.”

12:48-50 Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecy which God had revealed to Moses, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything that I command Him. It will happen, that whoever will not listen to My Words which He will speak in My Name, I will require it of them." (Deuteronomy 18:18-19) SO JESUS IS GOD'S FINAL WORD ON EVERYTHING! As Jesus told His disciples in Luke 15:15, "everything that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you." "And I Know that His Commandment is Eternal Life." What is the Father's Commandment that brings Eternal Life? “This is His Commandment: that we trust in the name of His Son Jesus Christ; and Love one another, just as He commanded us.” (1 John 3:23) This is the "...Testimony which God has given concerning his Son. ...that God has given us Eternal Life, and this Life is in His Son." (1 John 5:10-11)

John 13

Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet

1 Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knowing that his hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 And as dinner was taking place, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. 3   Jesus knowing that the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4 Got up from dinner and having laid aside his outer garments, he took a towel and ¹tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel which ²was wrapped around him. [1. Literally, girded himself. 2. Literally, he was girded with.]

6 Therefore he came to Simon  Peter, but Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

7 Jesus answered, and told him, “You won't understand what I’m doing right now; but you will understand later.”

8 Peter told him, “Even throughout eternity, you'll never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I don't wash you, you'll have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet; but also my hands and head!”

10 Jesus told him, “Someone who has been washed, has no need to be washed, other than the feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean; but not all of you...” 11 For he knew who would betray him, because of this he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 Therefore after he had washed their feet, and taken his robes, he sat down again, and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘The Teacher’ and ‘The Lord,’ and you speak beautifully well, for I AM. 14 Therefore if I, The Teacher and The Lord, have washed your feet, you also must wash one another’s feet. 15 Because I have given you an example; that you should do just as I have done for you. 16 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, A servant isn't greater than their master, nor is a representative greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you'll be supremely blessed if you do them. [Or, apostle.]

18 I'm not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.’ (Psalm 41:9)

19 Now I'm telling you before it happens: so that when it happens, you may believe that I AM. 20 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, Whoever receives whomever I send, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me.”

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

21 When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in Spirit, and testified and said, "Indeed, indeed, I tell you, One of you will betray me.”

22 Therefore his disciples looked around at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. 23 Now one of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was leaning against his chest. 24 Therefore Simon  Peter motioned to him to ask him of whom he spoke.

25 Leaning back against Jesus’ chest, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It's the one to whom I will give a piece of bread after I have dipped it.” When he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son. 27 And after receiving the piece of bread, Satan entered into him.

Therefore Jesus told him, “What you're going to do, do quickly.” 28 But none of those reclining at the table knew why he had spoken this to him. 29 For some thought that since Judas had the moneybag, Jesus had told him, ‘Buy what we need for the feast,' or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Therefore having received the piece of bread, he immediately went out; and it was night.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will  also glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.

33 Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me; but as I told the Jews, so now I also tell you, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’

An Important Note On Love:

In the verses that follow, I have placed "love" in bold font; so that the reader can see just how important “having love" is to God! Because as 1 John 4:8 says, "Whoever doesn't love doesn't know God, because GOD IS LOVE!"

Why did God give the 'Jews' the 'Ten Commandments' in the wilderness? First Timothy 1:5 gives us the answer to that question, "The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, and from a good conscience, and from sincere faith." Because all God has always wanted was for people to love and trust in Him, and to love one another. But God had a problem, the Children of Israel didn't want to hear His voice (Exodus 20:19), instead they asked Moses for a law that they thought they could keep, to keep God off their backs. So God gave the 'Jews' the 'Ten Commandments' so that at least they would stop wronging one another and have a form of godliness, until He could send His Son to reveal His Law of Love. That's why God told Moses, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My Words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything that I command Him. It will happen, that whoever will not listen to My words which He will speak in My name, I will require it of them." (Deuteronomy 18:18-19)

 So when Jesus came He gave us a New and Better Covenant and a New and Higher Commandment; an Eternal Law not just for 'the Jew', but for 'All Mankind!' (See Jeremiah 31:31-36 Eternal!) GOD'S ONE COMMANDMENT: “This is His Commandment: that we trust in the name of His Son Jesus Christ; and LOVE each other just as He commanded us.” (1 John 3:23). Just as Jesus said, "I'm giving you A New Commandment: Love each other! You're love each other, just as I have loved you." (John 13:34) So NOW even for the 'Jew' there is only ONE LAW ~ THE LAW OF CHRIST! (And anything that is NOT FROM LOVE is a Violation of this Law! See 1 Corinthians 13) So NOW we have GOD'S LAW written on our Hearts, not on Tablets of Stone. (See Jeremiah 31:33 & 2 Corinthians 3:3-11) This Should Be Our Anthem: “And They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” tlwbible.com/love.mp4

The Law of Christ

34 A New Commandment I give to you: that you're to genuinely Love each other, just as I have genuinely Loved you. So too you are to genuinely Love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you have genuine Love for each other.” [Jesus  continues teaching on Love in John 15:9-17 & Paul in Romans 13:8-10]

 

Peter's Denial Foretold

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”

 

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you're not able to follow me now; but you will follow me later.”

 

37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can't I follow you now? I'll lay down my life for you.”

 

38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Indeed, indeed, I tell you, The rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.”

 

John 14

 

Jesus is the Only Way To the Father

1 “Don't let your heart become troubled. You believe and trust in God, believe and trust in me also. 2 In my Fathers house there are many dwelling places. And if it weren’t so, I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will return to   receive you to myself, that where I AM, there you may be also. 4 And you know where I am going, and you know the Way.”

 

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going? So how can we know the way?”

 

6 Jesus told him, “I AM the Way. The Truth. And the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also: from now on you do know him and have seen him.” (See 2 Corinthians 4:6 & John 1:18)

 

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father,  and that will be enough for us.”

 

9 Jesus told him, “Philip, Have I been with you all this time, and still you don't know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don't you believe that I’m in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I’ve spoken to you I don’t speak on my own; the Father who dwells in me does the works. 11 Believe me: I’m in the Father and the Father is in me! Or at least, believe me because of the works themselves.

 

12 Indeed, indeed, I tell you,  Whoever believes in me, will also do the works that I do. And they’ll do even greater works than these, because I'm going to my Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do! That the   Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in my name, I will do it!

 

How to Show Jesus that You Love Him!

15 ¹If you love me, ²keep focused on ³my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another ⁴Companion; who will remain with you throughout eternity. 17 The Spirit of Truth, whom the world isn't able to receive, because it doesn't see him, nor does it know him. But you will know him because he will remain with you, and he will dwell inside of you. 18 I’m not leaving you as orphans, I will come to you.  19 But soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live also. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps focused on them, they're the one who loves me. And whoever loves me, will be loved by my Father; and I will love them, and will reveal myself to them.”

Note on John 14:1-2

1. LOVE is The Motivating Force Behind True Christianity! "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10) "For while we were still without strength, at just the right time Christ died for ungodly people. For rarely is anyone willing to die for a righteous person: though perhaps for a good person someone might even dare to die. But God demonstrated his own love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8) "What should we say concerning these things? "If God is for us, who can be against us?" He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32) As Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in the heavens, give good things to those who ask him?" (Matthew 7:11) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning." (James 1:17) From "the living God, who richly and freely gives us all things to enjoy." (1 Timothy 6:17) Therefore, "We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) And that's all He asks, that we Love Him and Love others as He Loves us! For "This Commandment we received from him: that the one who loves God, must love their brother and sister also." (1 John 4:21) Therefore, "Beloved, if God so loved us: we're also obligated to love one another." (1 John 4:11) So "Beloved, let's love one another: because love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. The one who doesn't love doesn't know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)

2. Literally, “to guard by keeping the eye on something.”

3. "My commandments" here, are "These things" in John 15:17, “These things I command you: you're to love each other.” (He says, "These things" because love is demonstrated in many different ways).

4. Or "Compadre" The Greek word "par-ak'-lay-ton" literally means, “one called along side” and is the exact same word used to refer to Jesus in 1 John 2:1, where I translate it as "intercessor", "My little children, I'm writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an intercessor with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One." (This word is only used 5 times in the New Testament, and everywhere else it refers to the Holy Spirit.) So why is it used to refer to Jesus in 1 John 2:1?  Hebrews 4:14-16 gives us the answer to that question, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, who has passed into the heavens, Jesus, God's Son, let's hold on tightly to our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses; but he was tested and tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin. Therefore let's come boldly before the throne of his gracious favor, that we may obtain compassion, and find gracious favor to help in time of need." (Remember: "gracious favor" literally means "cheerful favor.") So rather then Jesus being our "Defense Attorney before the Father" as some claim "par-ak'-lay-ton" means in 1 John 2:1, Jesus simply asks the Father to Help us. (See John 17:11, Romans 8:31-34, & 1 Timothy 2:5) So Jesus Ministry before the Father is very similar to that of the Holy Spirit for they are both "par-ak'-lay-tos" our Intercessor, Helper, Companion, Comrade, and Closest Friend.

22 Judas, (not Iscariot,) said to him, “Lord, what's happened? That you're going to reveal yourself to us, but not to the world?”

 

23 Jesus answered, and told him, “If anyone loves me, they'll keep focused on my word; and my Father will love them, and we will come to them, and will make our home inside of them. 24 The one who doesn’t keep focused on my words, doesn’t love me; and the word which you’ve heard isn't my own, but the Father’s who sent me.

 

 25 I’ve spoken these things to you, while I’m still with you; 26 But the Companion, the Holy  Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and he'll bring to your  remembrance everything that I have spoken to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. So don't let your heart to become troubled, don’t be afraid or timid. 

 

 28 You've heard me tell you, 'I'm going away and I'll return to you.' If you loved me, you’d be happy because I said, ‘I'm going to the Father.’ Because my Father is greater than I am. 29 And I’ve told you now, before it happens, so that when it happens you'll believe. 30 I'll no longer speak much with you, because the chief ruler of this world's system is coming, and he has nothing in me. 31 I do just as the Father has instructed me; so that the world may know that I love the Father. So get up, and follow me out of here.”

 

John 15

 

Jesus is the True Vine
1 "I AM the True Vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit he lifts up. And every branch that is bearing fruit, he cleanses, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You’re already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will also remain in you. Just as a branch is not able bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you, unless you remain in me.  

[Click here to see ‘An Important Note’ at the end of this chapter.]

5 I AM the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in them, the same will bear much fruit. But apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If     anyone doesn't remain in me, they'll be tossed aside like a broken branch, and they'll dry up, and they'll be gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you desire, and it will done for you! 8 My Father is glorified by this that, you bear much fruit and become my true disciples.

 

9 I also love you, just as much as the Father loves me. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep focused on my commandments, you will remain in my love; just as I have kept focused on my Fathers commandments, and remain in his love. 11 I have spoken these things to you that my joy may  remain in you, and that your joy might be completely full.

 

The Law of Christ

12 This is My Commandment: Love each other, just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this; that someone should lay down their own life for their friends. 14 You are my friends, if you do what I have commanded you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, because a servant doesn't know what their Master is doing. But I call you friends, because everything that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 16 You didn't choose me, but I chose you; and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain. So that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 These things I command you: you're to love each other.”

John 15:15 fulfills the prophecy God revealed to Moses, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My Words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything that I command Him. It will happen, that whoever will not listen to My words which He will speak in My name, I will require it of them." (Deuteronomy 18:18-19)
 

The World Will Hate You!

18 If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world's system, the world would have affection for you, as its own. But because you're not of the world's system, but I have chosen you out of the world's system, that's why the world hates you. 20 Remember the word which I spoke to you, ‘A  servant isn't greater than his  Master.' If they have persecuted me, they’ll also persecute you. If they have kept focused on my word, they’ll also keep focused on yours. 21 But they’ll do all of these things to you because you bare my name; because they haven't know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t have missed the mark, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me, hates my Father also. 24 If I had not performed the works among them, which no one else has done, they would not have missed the mark. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 Yet this fulfills the word which was written in their law, ‘They hated me for no reason.’ (Psalm 35:19 & 69:4)

 

26 But when the Companion comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, he will testify about me. 27 And you also will testify about me,  because you have been with me from the beginning.”

Note on John 15:3 In New Testament Times there wasn't an abundance of wood in Israel (because after the 7 years of famine in the time of Elijah most of the trees had died; plus the invading armies (mentioned in the Old Testament) had a practice of cutting down every green tree, to make the land desolate. So because there wasn't an abundance of wood; and rope and wire were costly (because they had to be made by hand), so farmers let their grape vines trail out on the ground like melons. Then after the Spring rains they’d go through their vineyard, and lift up the vines that were beginning to bud from the mud, and gently cleanse them with water, so that the mud would not hinder them from bearing fruit.

But as the centuries pasted,  people became ignorant of this; and so the devil was able to  introduce a lie into our Bibles, even in the King James: for the KJV reads in verse 3, "Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth..." And most other translations read, "Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes…." But the word      translated as "purgeth" and as "prunes" is "kath-ah'-ee-ro", and literally means, "cleanses," and these versions correctly translate "kath-ah'-ee-ro" as "clean" in the last half of verse 3.

But Jesus was using a beautiful illustration, to show how God “cleanses” His people with the Water of His Word, as He says in verse 3, "You are ALREADY CLEAN because BECAUSE OF THE WORD which I have spoken to you." Paul also uses this same illustration in Ephesians 5:25-26, "Christ also loved the congregation, and gave himself for her; that he might make her pure and holy, having cleansed her with the  washing of water by the Word." ~ So God DOESN’T PRUNE His people, rather HE GENTLY WASHES US with the PURE WATER OF HIS WORD. Back to Verse

 

John 16

1 "I have spoken these things to you, so that you wouldn't be caught in a snare. 2 They will throw you out of their assemblies. Indeed, an hour is coming, when everyone who kills you will think that they’re rendering a service to God. 3 And they’ll do these things to you, because they have neither know the Father, nor me. 4 But I’ve told you these things, so that when that hour comes, you’ll remember that I told you these things. But I didn't tell these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

The Work of the Spirit

5 But now I'm returning to him who sent me. Yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I’ve told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it's beneficial for you that I go away: because if I don't go away, the Companion won't come to you; but if I go away, I'll send him to you. 8 And when he comes, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they haven't believed in me. 10 Of  righteousness, because I’m going to my Father, and you'll no longer see me. 11 And of judgment, because the chief ruler of this world's system has been judged.

Note on John 15:8 THE SIN the Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers of, is their sin of not trusting in Jesus. So this is the sin we should make unbelievers aware of, because since Jesus IS GOD FLESH, to REJECT HIM after hearing how HE DIED to Save you, is THE ULTIMATE REJECTION GOD! "Because God loved the world so much, that he gave his only born Son [on the cross], so that whoever trusts in him wouldn’t perish, but have eternal life. Because God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him, [therefore]: Whoever believes in him will not be condemned; but whoever doesn't believe, already [stands] condemned, because they didn't believe in the name of God's only born Son. And this is the verdict: the [true] Light came into the world, yet the people loved the darkness more than the Light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:16-19) This is THE ONE SIN that will NEVER BE FORGIVEN. (See John 3:36, Mark 3:28-29, Hebrews 2:3 & 10:29, Acts 4:12, 1 John 3:23, 2 Peter 2:21, John 9:41, & John 15:22-25)

12 I still have many things to tell you, but you're not able to bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of Truth has come, he will guide you into all truth: for he will not speak from himself, rather whatever he hears that he will speak. And he will declare to you the things to come. 14 He will  glorify me, because he will take from that which is mine and explain it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. That's why I said that he will take from that which is mine and explain it to you.

16 In a little while you will no longer see me. And then after a little while you will see me,   because I'm going to the Father.”

17 Therefore his disciples said to one another, “What is this he’s telling us, ‘In a little while you will no longer see me. And then after a little while you will see me,' and ‘because I'm going to the Father’?” 18 So they said, “Why does he say, ‘In a little while’? We don't understand what he’s saying.”

19 Since Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him about this, he said to them, “Are you questioning among yourselves about why I said, ‘In a little while you will no longer see me. And then after a little while you will see me’?

20 Indeed, indeed, I tell you, That you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; yet you will be sad, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has come. But as soon as the child is born, she no longer remembers the intense pressure, because of her joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So indeed you also have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and then your heart will rejoice, and no one will be able to take your joy from you. 23 And in that day you won't need to ask me for anything.    Indeed, indeed, I tell you,  Whatever you ask the Father, in my name, he will give it to you! 24 Up until now you haven't asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive it, that your joy may be full!

I Have Overcome the World

25 I have spoken these things to you in allegories. But the time is coming when I'll no longer speak to you in allegories, but I'll speak plainly to you about the Father. 26 In that day you'll ask in my name, and I won't tell you, ‘I'll ask the Father for you.’ 27 Because the Father himself loves you,    because you love me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the  Father, and I came into the world. Now I’m leaving the world and returning to the Father.”

29 His disciples told him, “See, now you’re speaking plainly, and not speaking in an allegory. 30 Now we know that you know all things, and we have no need for anyone to ask you anything. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and now has come, when each of you will be scattered everyone to his own concerns, and you'll leave me alone. Yet I’m not alone; because the Father is with me. 

33 I’ve told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world's system you’ll have times of intense pressure. But be courageous! Because I’ve overcome the world.”

John 17

1 Jesus spoke these words, and then he lifted his eyes toward heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you: 2 Even as you have given him authority over all flesh; so that he could give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

3 And this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. 

6 I have revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world's system. They were yours, and you have given them to me. And they have kept focused on your word. 7 Now they know that all of the things that you have given to me are from you. 8 Because I have given them the words which you gave me. And they have received them. Indeed they also know that I came forth from you, and they believe that you send me.

'Important Note' on John 17:6 Jesus says, "I have revealed your name." But the name Jesus revealed to us wasn't "Yahovah" or "I am for I am," but "Father." (Since God NOW desires to be known as FATHER, how His  Old Testament name was pronounced really isn't important. And that's why none of the   apostles tried to teach the ethnic Christians the Hebrew name for God, but rather referred to GOD as "Father, Son, and Holy   Spirit." So should we.)

9 I pray for them. I'm not praying for the world system, but for those whom you have given to me. Because they are yours. 10 For all of mine are yours, and all of yours are mine. And I have been glorified in them. 11 But I am no longer going to be in this world's system, yet these are still in the world's system, and I’m returning to you. Holy Father in your name, watch over those whom you have given to me; that they may be one, just as we are one. 12 While I was with them in the world's system, I watched over them in your name. Those whom you have given to me, I have watched over, and none of them was lost, except the son of utter destruction: That the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I'm returning to you, and I have    spoken these things while I’m still in the world, that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves. 14 I've given them your word; and the world system has hated them, because they're not of the world's system, just as I’m not of the world's system. 15 I'm not asking you to take them out of the world's system; but rather that you would watch over and protect them from the evil one. 16 They're not of the world's system, just as I'm not of the world's system. 17 Purify them and make them holy, through your truth. Your word is truth. 18 And just as you sent me into the world, I'm also sending them into the world. 19 And for their sake I purify myself, that they may also be made pure and holy in the truth.

20 I'm not only praying for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. 21 That they may all be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. That they may also be one in us: so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 And the  glory which you gave to me, I have given to them. That they may be one, just as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. So that they may be become completely one in us. So that the world may also know that you have sent me: and that you have loved them, just as you have loved me.

Note on John 17:23 This is an awesome and amazing truth: if you are in Christ, the Father loves you just as much as He loves Jesus!

24 Father, I also desire that those whom you have given to me may be with me where I am. That they may see my glory, the glory which you have given to me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, though the world hasn’t known you, yet I know you. And these know that you have sent me. 26 And I have declared your name to them, and will continue to declare it: so that the love you have for me, may be in them, and I in them.”
 

John 18

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

1 When Jesus had spoken these things, he went out with his disciples and crossed over the Kidron Brook. Where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 Therefore Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4 Therefore Jesus, knowing everything that was coming upon him, went forward and said to them, “Who do you seek?”

5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth!”

Jesus told them, “I AM.” (And   Judas, who was betraying him,  also stood with them.)  6 Now as soon as he told them, “I AM,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 So he asked them again, “Who do you seek?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 Jesus answered, “I told you, ‘I AM.’ So if you're seeking me, let these go.” 9 That the word which he had spoken might be fulfilled, “I have lost none of those whom you have given to me.

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priests servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 

11 Therefore Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath! Shouldn't I drink the cup which my Father has given to me?”

12 Therefore the detachment of troops, the captain, and the servants of the Jewish elders took Jesus and bound him. 13 And they led him away to Annas first,    because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish elders, that it was advantageous for one man to die for the people.

15 And Simon Peter, and another disciple followed Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and he went into the high priest's courtyard with Jesus. 16 But Peter stood outside, by the door. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the door-keeper, and brought Peter in.

17 Therefore the servant girl (the door-keeper), said to Peter, “You're not also one of this man's disciples, are you?”

He said, “I am not.”

18 Now the servants and officers who stood there had made a fire of coals, because it was cold, and they were warming themselves. And Peter also stood with them and warmed himself.

19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus concerning his disciples and concerning his teaching.

20 Jesus answered him, “I’ve   spoken out publicly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. And I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21 Why are you questioning me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them. They know what I have said.”

22 And when he had said this, one of the servants who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that!?”

23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of that evil. But if I have spoken well: Why did you strike me?”

24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 But Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “Aren't you also one of his disciples?”

He denied him, and said, “I am not!”

26 One of the high priests servants, being a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn't I see you in the garden with him?”

27 Then Peter denied him again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

28 Therefore they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor's court room. And it was very early in the morning. But they themselves didn’t go into the  governor's court room, because they didn't want to defile themselves and not be able to eat the Passover.

29 Therefore Pilate came out to them, and said, “What accusation are you bring against this man?”

30 They answered, and told him, “If he wasn’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”

31 Therefore Pilate told them, “Then you take him, and judge him according to your law!”

Then the Jewish elders told him, “It's against the law for us to put anyone to death.” 32 That the saying which Jesus had spoken, to indicate by what kind of death he intended to die, might be fulfilled.

33 Therefore Pilate again entered into the governor's court room, and called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered him, “Are you yourself asking this, or did others tell you this about me?”

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom isn't of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would have fought, so I would not have been handed over to the Jewish authorities. But my kingdom is not from here.”

37 Therefore Pilate said to him, “Then you are a King.”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a King. I was born for this purpose, and for this purpose I came into the world: that I might testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he again went out to the Jewish elders and told them, “I find no offense in him!

Jesus is Sentenced to Die

39 But it's your custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover: Therefore, do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?”

40 Then they all shouted out again and again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

John 19

1 Therefore Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him, 3 And they said, “Be of good cheer, O King of the Jews!” as they slapped him with their hands.  

4 Then Pilate again went out and told them, “Look, I'm bringing him out to you, that you may know that I have found no offense in him.” 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate told them, “Behold the man!”

6 Therefore when the chief priests and officers saw him, they shouted out, saying, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate told them, “You take him and crucify him; for I have found no offense in him!”

7 The Jewish elders answered him, “We have a law. And according to our law, he must die! Because he made himself out to be  God's Son!”

8 Now when Pilate heard that  saying, he was much more afraid, 9 And he again went into the   governor's court room, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Therefore Pilate said to him, “Aren't you going to speak to me? Don't you know that I have the authority to crucify you, and the authority to release you?”

11 Jesus answered, “You wouldn't have any authority over me, unless it had been given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

12 From then on, Pilate sought to release him. But the Jewish elders shouted out, saying, “If you let this man go, you're no friend of Caesar! Because whoever makes himself a king, speaks against Caesar!”

13 Therefore when Pilate heard that statement, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat, in a place that is called the Stone Mosaic, but in Hebrew,  Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day for the Passover, and it was about noon, the sixth hour of the day. And he told the Jewish elders, “Behold, your King!”

15 But they shouted out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king except Caesar!” 16 So he then handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion 

Then they took Jesus and led him away. 17 And he went out, carrying his cross, to a place called the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and two others with him, one on each side of him, and Jesus in the middle. 19 Now Pilate also wrote a notice and posted it on the cross, and it read:

 JESUS of NAZARETH
      KING of the JEWS       

Note on John 19:19 In Hebrew the acrostic of these 4 words spells out “YHVH” the Hebrew name for GOD. Apparently this is what caused the Jewish Elders to be so upset, that they asked Pilate to change the wording on his sign. (See verse 21)

Yah’shua―Jesus
Hahazarie―of Nazareth
Vemelekh―King
Hahudim―of the Jews
 

20 Therefore many of the Jews were reading this notice, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin.

21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews told Pilate, “Don't write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but instead, ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written!”

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his clothes and divided them in four shares, to each soldier a share; and also his tunic. Now the tunic was seamless, woven from the top to the bottom as one piece. 24 Therefore they said among themselves, “Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see whose it will be.” This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which states, “They divided my clothes among them, and they cast lots for my garment.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. (Psalm 22:18)

25 Now beside Jesus' cross stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 So when   Jesus saw his mother, and the  disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Lady, look, there's your son.” 27 Then he told his disciple, “Look, there's your mother.” And from that hour that disciple took her into his own care.

28 After this, Jesus, seeing that everything was now fulfilled, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.” 29 Now a pitcher full of sour wine was setting there, and they filled a sponge with sour wine, and put it on hyssop branch, and put it to his mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “Mission accomplished.” And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

31 Now since it was the Preparation Day, the Jewish elders asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and their bodies taken away; so that their bodies wouldn't remain on the cross on the Day of Rest (because that Day of Rest was a big day). 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other man who was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they didn't break his legs. 34 However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water gushed out. 35 And he who saw it, has given his testimony, and his testimony is true. Because he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you might believe. 36 For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture states, “They will look on him whom they had pierced." (Psalm 34:20 & Zechariah 12:10)

38 Now after these things, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, out of fear of the Jewish authorities, asked Pilate to let him take Jesus' body away. And Pilate gave his permission. So he came and took Jesus' body away. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first had come to Jesus at night, also came and he brought about 100 pound mixture of myrrh and aloes-wood along with him. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths, with the spices, according to Jewish burial custom.

Note on John 19:40 For more on this: please read my article "Shroud of Turin Controversy" @ tlwbible.com/shroud.htm

41 Now there was a garden in   the place where he had been crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So since it was the Jewish Preparation Day, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
 

John 20

1 Now very early on the first day of the days of Rest, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb, and she saw that the stone had been lifted from the tomb. 2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They've taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him.”

3 So Peter and the other disciple rushed out, and as they were   going to the tomb, 4 they both ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. 5 And stooping down to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying stretched out, however he did not enter. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went  into the tomb. And he saw the  linen cloths lying stretched out, 7 but the handkerchief which had been around his head wasn't lying with the linen cloths, but was twisted up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed. 9 Because until that moment they hadn't  understood the Scripture, which states, that he must raise again from the dead. 10 Then his disciples returned to their own homes.

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb crying, but as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb, 12 and she saw two messengers in radiant white sitting where Jesus' body had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.

13 And they said to her, “Lady, why are you crying?”

She told them, “Because they've taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they have laid him.”

14 And when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn't know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Lady, why are you crying? Whom do you seek?”

She supposing him to be the    gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him,    “Rabboni!” (which is to say, “My Teacher!”)

17 Jesus told her, “Don't hold on to me, because I haven't yet gone up to my Father. But go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, I'm going up to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told his disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had told her these things.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 Now when it was evening on the first day of the days of Rest, the doors having been securely shut where the disciples had  gathered together (because of fear of the Jewish authorities),  Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So his disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord.

21 Therefore Jesus told them again, “Peace be with you. Just as my Father sent me, I’m also sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you pardon the sins of anyone, they are pardoned of them. If you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas, one of the 12, who is called the Twin, wasn't with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We've seen the Lord!”

But he told them, “Unless I see the nail prints in his hands, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I won't believe.”

26 Then after eight days, when his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were securely shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he told Thomas, “Bring your finger here, and see my hands. And bring your hand here and thrust it into my side. And don't be unbelieving, but believe.”

28 Then Thomas answered him, and said, “My Lord, and my God.”

29 Jesus told him, “Thomas, you believe because you’ve seen me. Supremely blessed and happy are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”

30 Indeed Jesus also did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which aren’t written in this book. 31 But these things are written, that you may be persuaded that Jesus is the Anointed, God's Son! And that by believing and trusting in him, you may have life in his name.

 

John 21

Jesus Appears to Seven of His Disciple

1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and this is how he revealed himself.

2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two of his others disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter told them, “I'm  going fishing!”

They told him, “We'll also come with you!” So they immediately went out and got into a boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 But as the day dawned, Jesus stood on the shore. Yet his disciples didn't know that it was Jesus. 5 Therefore Jesus asked them, “Children, do you have anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

6 Then he told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you'll find some fish.” So they    cast it, but then they weren’t able to pull it in, because of the abundance of fish. 7 Then the  disciple whom Jesus loved told Peter, “It's the Lord!” So when  Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (because he was naked), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the small boat, dragging the net with the fish, because they weren't far from shore, only about 100 yards away. 9 Now as soon as they came ashore, they saw a fire of coals there with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to shore. It was full of 153 large fish. And although there were so many, yet the net wasn't torn. 12  Jesus told them, “Come, eat breakfast.” But none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?" Because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus came and took some bread and gave it to them, and likewise of the fish.  

14 This was now the third time that Jesus revealed himself to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.

15 Then when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon   Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah: do you love me more than these?”

He told him, “Yes Lord, you know that I'm fond of you.”

He told him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again he said to him a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah: do you love me?”

He told him, “Yes Lord, you know that I'm fond of you.”

He told him, “Shepherd my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon, son of Jonah: are you fond of me?” Peter was saddened because the third time he said to him, “Are you fond of me?”

And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I'm fond of you.”

Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.”

18 "Indeed, indeed, I tell you, When you were younger: you bound your own belt around you, and walked wherever you wanted to go. But when you’re old: you will stretch out your hands and someone else will bind you, and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 He spoke this to indicate by what kind of death he was to glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he told him, “Follow me.”

20 When Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on Jesus' chest during   dinner and who had asked, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus told him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what’s that  to you? You're to follow me.”

23 Therefore this saying spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple wouldn't die. Yet Jesus hadn't tell him that he wouldn't die, but just, “If I want him to remain until I come, what’s that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and who wrote these things. And we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there were also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written down one by one, I suppose that even the world itself couldn’t contain the books that would be written.

Amen! (Indeed!)