THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 4

 

Jesus goes to Galilee, The Woman of Samaria, Samaritans, Healing of an official’s son.

A gentle reminder, or two: I encourage you to please, do not read these verses with a contemporary eye. In other words, it is very important to understand that these events were spoken and written in the culture of that day. So, it is not completely helpful to attempt to understand them through a contemporary lens. Secondly, as I have said before, my commentaries are not meant to be comprehensive in language nuances, politics, social customs or mores, religious traditions, habits and rituals, and so forth, although I may touch on them from time to time. My commentary breaks are for our application. Please ask yourself, when there is so much God could have recorded in His Word, why He would emphasize what seems to be incidental events? Is it for our casual reading or for our temporary interests? It is because we are to learn from them so we can fix our mind on the Ways and Methods of God and to do them – inculcate them into our mind, heart and soul. It is part of the process preparing us for the sanctifying work God is doing in our lives. Do the Works He has prepared for us, ahead of time, to walk in, and as preparation for an eternity with Him.

Now, I encourage you to gird up the loins of your mind for action!

Jesus Goes to Galilee

John 4:1, So then, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that He was making and baptizing more disciples than John, verse 2, (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing; rather, His disciples were), verse 3, He left Judea and went away again to Galilee. Verse 4. And He had to pass through Samaria. Verse 5. So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; verse 6, and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, tired from His journey, was just sitting by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

(Commentary Break): Jesus is headed back to Galilee, which by the way can be translated as ‘circle of Gentiles’, which is no coincidence, but a harbinger of things to come, and has been referred to at times as Jesus’ hometown.

It is also no coincidence that He would pass through Samaria and to Jacob’s well. Jesus will be speaking their language and not just linguistics or in the words of their known language. He will begin the conversation speaking to this woman in the context of her culture, history, belief systems and of her religious attitudes. This exactly how He speaks to us. Learn from this. The stage is set. (Commentary Break).

The Woman of Samaria

Verse 7. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” Verse 8. For His disciples had gone away to the city to buy food. Verse 9. So the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, though You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink, though I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Verse 10. Jesus replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Subscribe Here —->

(Commentary Break): Again, notice that Jesus begins the conversation speaking to this woman in the context of her culture, history, belief systems and of her religious attitudes.

The woman replies to let Jesus know that she is aware of the rules of her society and religious beliefs. But, once she responds in the context of the cultural norms, she is hooked like a fish and her mind is now prepped to hear. And it is at this point that Jesus turns the dialog from the ‘natural’ to the ‘spiritual’. “

First, Jesus dispels here supposed knowledge, saying, “If you knew”, because she does not know. And we do not know as Jesus knows. Then Jesus utters these four prophetic words of God’s Plan, Purpose, Method and Way: “The Gift of God”. One could shorten John 3:16-18 to these four words, and John 1:1 into the 6 words, “He would have given you living water”. Jesus has presented the Gospel Message to a ready, willing and listening world, in just 10 words! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. She said to Him, “Sir, You have no bucket and the well is deep; where then do You get this living water? Verse 12. You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons and his cattle?” Verse 13. Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; verse 14, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”

(Commentary Break): The woman weakly deflects Jesus’ remarks to her saying something about a ‘deep well’, but return quickly to the matter of living water! Then her challenge to Jesus is, in actuality, a plea for clarification. It as if she wants to believe. And Jesus does not leave her wondering. Dispatching of former beliefs in her legacy, Jesus returns her to “water springing up to eternal life.” Please remember, this woman represents EVERY MAN, WOMAN BOY AND GIRL and how Jesus is calling to them. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 15. The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw water.”

(Commentary Break): Now, like so many of us today, she still mixes her newfound salvation with the ways of the world. She is asking for what she can get to make her life easier, neglecting the fact that Jesus is offering a way to permanently quench all the thirsts of her life, not just in a physical sense, but in a spiritual and eternal sense.

There a major denominations and movements that offer these same things. It is called “syncretism”. It is like ‘having your cake and eating it too’. They make offers of both fame, success, power and riches in this natural world and eternal life with God. But Jesus is clear. You cannot serve two masters – the natural world (mammon) and God – you will come to hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Please dear friend, do not fall for the foolishness of this world. If you or I find wealth or success, remember if you can, it is from God and you may enjoy the fruits of wealth, but it is to be used in service to Him. Wealth is fleeting. Learn to live without it, first; then perhaps you can learn to live with it. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 16. He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” Verse 17. The woman answered and said to Him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; verse 18, for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this which you have said is true.” Verse 19. The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Verse 20. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship.”

(Commentary Break): Now Jesus pulls the covers back, so to speak. He reveals what is hidden, as He always does. And please remember the same is true in your life and in my life. There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed by the Lord. You can choose to deny it or accept it and repent. This woman admits the truth, in part, then continues to deflect, challenging Jesus about where one must worship.

Please dear friend. Look to see yourselves here. We confess our sins but continue to argue with God about how or where we must worship Him? Such foolishness! True repentance requires true surrender. We must crucify our flesh in order to hear and to follow Jesus. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 21. Jesus said to her, “Believe Me, woman, that a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. Verse 22. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. Verse 23. But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. Verse 24. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

(Commentary Break): Now Jesus reveals the truth and she is almost ready to hear. It would be wise for us to memorize this method and these words of Jesus as we encounter our ‘woman (or man) at the well’.  (End Commentary Break).

Verse 25. The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Verse 26. Jesus said to her, “I am He, the One speaking to you.”

(Commentary Break): She has heard from the Living Water, the Christ, the Messiah and now she recalls. And Jesus drives the ‘final nail home’. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 27. And at this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What are You seeking?” or, “Why are You speaking with her?”

(Commentary Break): I could say too much, here, about how we followers of Christ Jesus, will still challenge His Methods and Ways when they do not fit our idea of righteousness. In this case, the disciples question goes unanswered. They are left to figure this out own their own or at another time. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 28. So the woman left her waterpot and went into the city, and *said to the people, verse 29, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is He?” Verse 30. They left the city and were coming to Him.

(Commentary Break): Has this woman at the well now become a disciple, witnessing to others about the Christ? And, how about you? (End Commentary Break).

Verse 31. Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat something.” Verse 32. But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Verse 33. So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Verse 34. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. Verse 35. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest. Verse 36. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps may rejoice together. Verse 37. For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ Verse 38. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have come into their labor.”

(Commentary Break): Having opened this woman’s eyes, Jesus now teaches His disciples deeper truths contrasting ‘earthly matters’ such as sowing, reaping, food, hunger, sowing, reaping and harvesting. This is meant for ALL of Jesus’ disciples for all the ages. This is for me and for you: “Your food is to do the will of Him who sent Jesus, and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving spiritual wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the one of us who sows and the one of us who reaps NOW, in this day and time, may rejoice together. Jesus sent you and me to reap that for which we have not labored; others have labored, and you and I have come into their labor.” THUS SAYS THE LORD TO US! (End Commentary Break).

The Samaritans

Verse 39. Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” Verse 40. So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Verse 41. Many more believed because of His word; verse 42, and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One truly is the Savior of the world.”

(Commentary Break): Please read and hear verses 39 through 42 again. And Jesus told them, “Behold, the sower went out to sow. And some seed fell on good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.” The ones who have ears, let them hear. (End Commentary Break):

Verse 43. And after the two days, He departed from there for Galilee. Verse 44. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. Verse 45. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, only because they had seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.

(Commentary Break): It is true that a prophet has no honor in his own country, as it is true that Jesus could not do many miracles in His hometown, Nazareth of Galilee. (see Matthew 13:53-58). This should serve as a caution and a warning to us about familiarity as Christians and the dangers of becoming lethargic and routine in our faith. We must not mistake God’s mercy, goodness, grace and abundance for us as license as so many do. (End Commentary Break).

Healing an Official’s Son

Verse 46. Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee, where He had made the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. Verse 47. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and began asking Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Verse 48. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” Verse 49. The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Verse 50. Jesus said to him, “Go; your son is alive.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went home. Verse 51. And as he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was alive. Verse 52. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” Verse 53. So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son is alive”; and he himself believed, and his entire household. Verse 54. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come from Judea into Galilee.

(Commentary Break): Time and again Jesus observed and commented about people’s lack of faith. Even His own disciples were recalcitrant in their belief at times. Still, Jesus gave freely, out of mercy, withholding nothing so that many would believe. (End Commentary Break).

Matthew 4:23-25 gives us an overview of “Jesus going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.

And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

The Book of John gives us a closeup view of Jesus’ ministry and Him doing the Work of His Father. And because very little is left undisclosed, this is an excellent book for our training in becoming His disciple. Jesus’ attitude, motives and methods are clear. The Works of the Last Days have begun. Now,  He says we are to join Him in doing the Father’s work.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

NEXT: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 5, Part 1, The Healing at Bethesda – Jesus’ Equality With God.

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 3, The New Birth, John the Baptist’s Last Testimony.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

THE BOOK OF JOHN – Chapter 3

 

The New Birth, John the Baptist’s Last Testimony

Chapter 3 moves away from an introduction of Jesus and His first miracle to a serious introduction of Jesus’ mission, plan, purpose and method. This chapter contains some of the most amazing revelations of the foundational principles of Christianity, heaven, salvation, and judgement. Each and every one of us as Christians, should not attempt to move any farther in our faith nor stake our claim a Christians (‘Christianos’, a follower of Christ), until we have completed and mastered these fundamentals.

The New Birth

John 3:1, Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; verse 2, this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Verse 3. Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(Commentary Break): Here is an irony. Nicodemus is a ‘ruler of the Jews’ a ‘teacher of Israel’ and his name, Nicodemus translates as ‘conqueror’, yet he skulks around in the dark as a coward or as a thief in order to talk with Jesus. To his credit, Nicodemus address Jesus as “Rabbi”, (‘my great one, my honorable sir’), humbling himself before Jesus.

Then, without further introduction, Jesus responds by pointing out Nicodemus’ one greatest need, “unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Without this, Nicodemus cannot see nor understand heavenly matters, true nature of God and at this point his life is fatally flawed and condemned to destruction.

But just knowing about this encounter or just knowing about these principles does no good unless they are acted upon. This is the lesson for us to learn, “can you see the kingdom of God?”  (End Commentary Break).

Verse 4. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Verse 5. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Verse 6. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Verse 7. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ Verse 8. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”

Verse 9. Nicodemus responded and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

(Commentary Break): Again, to his credit, Nicodemus humbles himself and admits he does not understand what Jesus has said. His answer sounds foolish, even mocking, but in reality this is the depth of the blindness and ignorance of a great teacher and ruler of Israel.

Jesus patiently explains this principal using a metaphor, comparing the movement of the Spirit of God to the wind.

Once again, let’s please be careful not to read this just as a narrative about Jesus and Nicodemus. This is meant for you and me to see and understand. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 10. Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Verse 11. Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you people do not accept our testimony. Verse 12. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

(Commentary Break): These verses 10 through 15 may be some of the most insightful and important fundamental teachings of Jesus. Let’s break it down into its component parts, then reassemble them into a practical and powerful application.

(1). Jesus uses the first person personal pronoun (I) in verses 11 and 12 to contrast and compare what he teaches about heavenly things versus earthly things. Then He shifts to a collective pronoun (we), “we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen” then Jesus refers to “you people do not accept our testimony”, referring to the elite ruling religious class in Israel.

But who are the “We” Jesus identifies with? It is the Trinity? It cannot be the Holy Spirit because He has not yet been sent. Is it Jesus and the Father? This is a possibility. Or, is it Jesus and His disciples? This is possible because of their testimony.

This is important because “this phrase encapsulates the importance of speaking truth based on genuine, firsthand knowledge-especially knowledge of spiritual matters. In Scripture, “speaking what we know” is not limited to objective or intellectual information but encompasses personal experience (1 John 1:1), communal testimony (Acts 4:20), and divinely revealed truth (2 Timothy 3:16).

Across biblical narratives, believers are urged to boldly share truth they have come to know: God’s power, character, and redemptive works. The question can also be applied more broadly to any believer who is called to testify about spiritual realities. This entry will explore the concept through multiple lenses, highlighting why it is vital to speak from genuine knowledge, how that knowledge is shaped by Scripture and personal experience, and how archaeological, historical, and experiential evidence further affirms it.” (see Biblehub.com).

Although the disciples have only seen a small portion of what is yet to come their firsthand testimony based on their faith in Jesus is all that is required. The same is true for you and for me. We may not have seen it all or know it all, and seminary degree might indicate we have ‘book learning’ but do people identify you as having spent time with Jesus?

Jesus continues, asking “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” This too is important for us to remember because this truth of the Christ is only revealed to those whom the Holy Spirit draws. Ours is to testify, His is to do the Work of the Father. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 13. No one has ascended into heaven, except He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. Verse 14. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, verse 15. so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.

(Commentary Break): Jesus speaks a profound Truth. A reality. There is only One Who is, when He is lifted up, will draw all men unto Himself. What a lesson for Nicodemus around A.D. 30, and what a lesson in truth for us in the twenty-first century! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. Verse 17. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. Verse 18. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Verse 19. And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. Verse 20. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. Verse 21. But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.”

(Commentary Break): Verses 16 through 21 encapsulate the truth of the Gospel message, the effects of the Gospel which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, the consequences for those who do not believe and the rewards of those who do believe. This is the prophetic truth of the great divide: light and darkness, truth and lies, salvation and destruction, heaven and hell, eternal life in the presence of God or eternal death in darkness and fire.

Only the Chosen will understand, but to everyone else, it is folly. Pray for wisdom and pray for the lost. (End Commentary Break).

John the Baptist’s Last Testimony

Verse 22. After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea; and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. Verse 23. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and being baptized, verse 24, for John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Verse 25. Then a matter of dispute developed on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. Verse 26. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all the people are coming to Him.” Verse 27. John replied, “A person can receive not even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

(Commentary Break): “A person can receive not even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” If there are things such as “predestination”, or “foreknowledge”, verse 27 would make that case. But personally, I gravitate to 1 Peter 1:1-5 when he says, “To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”.  

Corporately, as the Church, this gives us insights and discernment. If a pastor is unable or unwilling to teach and preach the Word of God according to the Word of God, instead of using personal illustrations and examples or contemporary examples including stories, books, movies and songs to make his points about the Word of God, you can then know, “That person cannot and has not received even one thing from heaven” and someone needs to be gone. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 28. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ Verse 29. He who has the bride is the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. Verse 30. He must increase, but I must decrease.

(Commentary Break): John has set the example for all who follow after him when he says, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ (Additionally, Jesus warns that in the Last Days, many will come IN HIS NAME saying, “I am the Christ”, and they would mislead many people. Whether they are foolish enough to use His Name, or they are using the authority of His Name, do not believe them! (see Matthew 24:4-6). Jesus goes on to inform us that “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them (also), and they follow Me.” (see John 10:27). This is our example to follow. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 31. “He who comes from above is above all; the one who is only from the earth is of the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. Verse 32. What He has seen and heard, of this He testifies; and no one accepts His testimony. Verse 33. The one who has accepted His testimony has certified that God is true. Verse 34. For He whom God sent speaks the words of God; for He does not give the Spirit sparingly. Verse 35. The Father loves the Son and has entrusted all things to His hand. Verse 36. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (End chapter 3).

Here for us are the foundations, taught through simple contrasts and distinctions:

Earthly things versus Heavenly things.

Born of water versus Born of the Spirit.

 He who descended from heaven is the One who ascended to heaven.

Jesus came to save, not to judge.

If you believe you are not judged; if you do not believe you are already judged.

Light versus Darkness.

Eternal Life versus The Wrath of God.

Being a religious person, an educated church leader, a pastor, teacher, or a theologian does not make you able to see the kingdom of God. You must be born again to bear that fruit.

“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? (see Matthew 7:16).

“And, if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.” (see Hebrews 6:8).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 4, Jesus goes to Galilee, The Woman of Samaria, Samaritans, Healing of an official’s son.

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 2, The Miracle at Cana, The First Passover – Cleansing the Temple.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

THE BOOK OF JOHN – Chapter 2

The Miracle at Cana, The First Passover, Cleansing the Temple

I will reiterate that although I offer remarks as a “Commentary Break”, this is not meant to be a comprehensive commentary. (I would, however, recommend BibleHub.com Pulpit commentary for a comprehensive and in depth commentary).

This is a commentary on the application of what we read and those things we come to understand. It is not enough to know about the Bible or to know about Jesus. We must know His Words and know Him personally, and still that is not sufficient. It is what we do with what we know that makes the difference. And that is what this is about.

Miracle at Cana

John 2:1, On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Verse 2, and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. Verse 3. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Verse 4. And Jesus said to her, “What business do you have with Me, woman? My hour has not yet come.”

(Commentary Break): It is interesting that this chapter and verse begins with the phrase “on the third day”.  The “third day” is often associated with divine intervention and new beginnings in Scripture. God brings transformation in our lives at unexpected times. (This phrase may also indicate a specific time frame, likely referring to the third day after Jesus called Philip and Nathanael as disciples. The “third day”, in addition to symbolizing divine intervention, can also symbolize completeness, as seen in the resurrection of Jesus on the third day.)

We know from these verses that both Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus and His disciples were present. Then, when the wine ran out, Mary calls on Jesus. His response, at first, sounds like a harsh rebuke. The text reads, “what business do you have with me woman” could be translated as “what business is serving the wine have to do with Me”? And finally, addressing his mother as “woman” sounds distant or disrespectful, but In the cultural context of the time, addressing someone as “woman” was not disrespectful. It was a common and polite form of address, similar to “ma’am” today. Jesus uses this term elsewhere, such as when speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:21) and to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection (John 20:15). This indicates a respectful yet formal tone.

Finally, He is reminding Her that although He can solve this problem, “His time to be revealed as the miracle working Messiah” had not yet arrived.

 As we go about our daily lives, we must be aware that God is directing our lives and the circumstances of our lives – and not the other way around. Our requests and prayers to Jesus are not so much to get God to understand our immediate needs – He has known since before time began. But our prayers and requests should bring us to understand His methods, purposes and plans for us and for our lives.

“Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find, Knock and the door shall be opened to you…how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him”? (Matthew 7:7-11).

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you”. (Matthew 6:33). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 5. His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.”

(Commentary Break): Such confidence as Mary expresses in verse five is reflective of her relationship with her Son. An attribute all of us should strive to attain. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 6. Now there were six stone water pots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. Verse 7. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. Verse 8. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” And they took it to him. Verse 9. Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the groom, verse 10, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the guests are drunk, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Verse 11. This beginning of His signs, Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Verse 12. After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother, and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

(Commentary Break): These verses speak for themselves as they reveal the magnitude of this miracle. This should encourage and inform each of us that Jesus never slights in or on His works. We can be absolutely certain that when we ask anything according to His Will, he hears us. And if we know He hears us in whatever we ask, we can know that we will have the requests which we have asked Him! (see 1 John 5:14-15). Count on it! (End Commentary Break).

First Passover—Cleansing the Temple

Verse 13. The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Verse 14. And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Verse 15. And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; verse 16, and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!” Verse 17. His disciples remembered that it was written: “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

(Commentary Break): I am saddened – I am aghast, as you should also be –  to see so many churches that have come to resemble a marketplace or an entertainment center. You can buy ‘favors’, charms and false holy relics, prayer hankies, invest in ‘church bonds’, use an ATM and buy any one of scores of items of religious clothing, jewelry, books, or concert tickets IN THE SANCTUARY, or for the more ‘discriminating’, in the Church lobby. Do you not know the shame and the curse you are bringing on yourselves? Jesus warned that you must repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!! (End Commentary Break).

Verse 18. The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?”

(Commentary Break): Verse 18 is perfectly representative of the arrogance of so many pastors and church leaders today when they are confronted with their rebellious, self-centered attitudes. They will invariably say, “Who gives you authority over us?” (End Commentary Break).

Verse 19. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Verse 20. The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?” Verse 21. But He was speaking about the temple of His body. Verse 22. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

(Commentary Break): Jesus prophecies to them, and their ears are dead to His Words. These church authorities, although steeped in the Torah, only understand the words of this world. They are ignorant to the Word of God. (It would be wise at this point to be reminded that Jesus spoke these same words to His disciples in Matthew 24, which are pregnant with prophetic warnings.) (End Commentary Break).

Verse 23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name as they observed His signs which He was doing. Verse 24. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew all people, verse 25, and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in mankind.

(Commentary Break): What a fitting end to this chapter and fitting advice to us, as believers. Many may believe IN HIS NAME because they observed His signs. But Jesus was not entrusting HIMSELF to them.

Many may pursue God for what they can get from Him, so they say that they believe IN HIM, but they show by their speech and behaviors that they DO NOT BELIEVE HIM. Don’t entrust yourself to these kinds, especially those within the church. “Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates]. He says to you, “Eat and drink,” but his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost]. The “morsel of his compliments and advice” which you have eaten you will vomit up, And you will have wasted the compliments.” (see Proverbs 23:6-8) (End Commentary Break).

This was the beginning of the signs and the miracles of  Jesus, which revealed His glory; and the scriptures say that because of these signs His disciples believed in Him. But let’s not forget that just before His ascension to heaven, the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. (And He sent them out as His disciples and Apostles, anyway.)

It was only when they were faced with the greatest of trials that they not only believed in Him, but it was revealed that they believed Him. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various  trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 3, The New Birth, John the Baptist’s Last Testimony.

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 1, part 3, verses 19 – 51, Jesus’ Public Ministry; the First Converts.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 1, part 3

(verses 19 – 51)

Jesus’ Public Ministry

This Book and this chapter are not meant to be just a narration of the life and ministry of John the Baptist nor of Jesus’ Himself. It is meant to be an example and a pattern for our lives. It gives us a deeper understanding of the lives of Jesus, His disciples for application to our lives.

Please, as you read and listen to these verses, meditate on them as if you are there, participating. Absorb every word, action and thought. Then, go and do as He has done and what He has taught.

John 1:19. This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” Verse 20. And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” Verse 21. And so they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Verse 22. Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” Verse 23. He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE THE WAY OF THE LORD STRAIGHT,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Commentary Break: (It is striking how John (the author) refers to John the Baptist in this narration. It is also striking that he uses the phraseology “he confessed and did not deny” as both a first-hand witness and the interrogated. Here is the interrogation and his confession:

(#1). I am not the Christ (assuming he has been asked if he claims to be the One).

(#2). “Are you Elijah?” John’s answer is a simple and straight forward “I am not”.

 And, considering that Elijah did not die, but was taken to heaven in a whirlwind as he rode in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11), then, arguing for a reincarnation (or a resurrection) of Elijah would miss the point. If anything, the prophecy of the Elijah “to come” would have been viewed as Elijah’s physical return to earth from heaven. The Bible is quite clear that John the Baptist is called “Elijah” because he came in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), not because he was Elijah in a literal sense. John the Baptist is the New Testament forerunner who points the way to the arrival of the Lord, just as Elijah filled that role in the Old Testament (and might again in the future—see Revelation 11).

 (#3). Next, they asked, “are you the prophet?”, to which John replies with a definitive, “no”. (This question either seems redundant, shows that the priests and Levites were ignorant or denying that Jesus and the prophet could be the same or more likely were pressing him on his answer as is shown when they say, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” To which John answers by quoting Isaiah 40:3-5, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE THE WAY OF THE LORD STRAIGHT,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

NOTE: This is the quintessential pattern for our testifying to Christ. John does not claim to be anything more than a messenger sent by God, in the pattern and likeness of Isaiah.

 Likewise, we are sent by God as his witnesses: “You shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the remotest part of the earth (see Acts 1:8).

 We are not to make claims beyond those of John the Baptist  nor claims beyond the scope and authority conferred by Christ Jesus, whether as an overzealous and overly ambitious Christian or as do so many cults. (see Christian cults).

 We are to “go, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all – and only – those things He has commanded”. (see Matthew 28:18-20). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 24. And the messengers had been sent from the Pharisees. Verse 25. They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” Verse 26. John answered them, saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. Verse 27. It is He who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy even to untie the strap of His sandal.” Verse 28. These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people.

(Commentary Break: And these messengers asked, “Why then” now becomes the question. “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

A Jewish man called “Yochanan”, (John from the Hebrew language), was baptizing people in the Jordan River in first century Israel, including his cousin who would later become world famous: “Yeshua of Nazareth”,  (Jesus of Nazareth). Many Jewish people responded to the call of this Jewish man to immerse themselves in the river as a sign of repentance, and a desire to get right with God. Some of the Pharisees were also among them. Did Yochanan, (John), invent baptism at this time? Or was it part of Jewish tradition and practice before that? No he did not invent baptism, and yes it was part of Jewish tradition.

And the Hebrew word for an immersion pool built for this purpose, “mikveh”, also points us in the right direction in understanding deeper meaning in the practice. The Jewish laws which had been passed down orally from generation to generation had several things to say about the need for ritual washing, and the most desirable places to do it, and “living waters” (as found in natural lakes and rivers) which were considered to be the best possible situation. (see OneForIsrael.com).

Although the Jews held a misconception of John’s mission to baptize, there is unmistakable symbolism for the coming and prophesied Messiah. The Jews saw a need for ceremonial and ritual cleansing, but John is taking this matter to an entirely new level. Although John is baptizing for repentance and a ritual cleansing of sin, he is introducing One who will obliterate and replace the old understanding of ritual cleansing and baptism with a transformational Spiritual Truth – a Spiritual Baptism which is only possible by the grace of God through a newfound faith in Jesus, alone.

 Let’s be clear. Salvation comes by way of God’s grace and one’s from faith in Christ, alone. Baptism does not save, but it is God’s Sign and Seal, “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God. (see Colossians 2:8-15).

This is a radical transformation of our standing before God for all eternity. It is important that we not only the nature of this covenant of this Baptism, but we understand its gravity and, with Whom we are making an irrevocable contract. Imagine the potential consequence of willingly receiving such gift as the salvation of your soul only to turn back on your promise?

 (Dare I say, remember Judas? He was called by the name of Christ, and turned his back his promise. The Bible clearly indicates that Judas was not saved. Jesus Himself said of Judas, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). Here is a clear picture of the sovereignty of God and the will of man working together. God had, from ages past, determined that Christ would be betrayed by Judas, die on the cross for our sins, and be resurrected. This is what Jesus meant when He said He would “go just as it is written about him.” Nothing would stop the plan of God to provide salvation for mankind. (see GotQuestions.Org). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 29. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Verse 30. This is He in behalf of whom I said, ‘After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’ Verse 31. And I did not recognize Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” Verse 32. And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. Verse 33. And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ Verse 34. And I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

(Commentary Break): Once again John keeps his testimony brief, to the point and focused on Jesus. This is our pattern for witnessing and testifying to the Christ. God reveals Himself only to those whom He knows, and they will hear His voice and they will follow Him. (End Commentary Break).

Jesus’ Public Ministry; First Converts

Verse 35. Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, Verse 36. and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Verse 37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Verse 38. And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you seeking?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” Verse 39. He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day; it was about the tenth hour. Verse 40. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Verse 41. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). Verse 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Verse 43. The next day He decided to go to Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” Verse 44. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Verse 45. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, and the prophets also wrote: Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!” Verse 46. Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good be from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Verse 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!” Verse 48. Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Verse 49. Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel!” Verse 50. Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Verse 51. And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

First, it is Jesus Who calls us by name and it is His Spirit Who leads us to follow Him. No amount of convincing speech will do any more or any less. We give our testimony, as John, and that is sufficient.

Secondly, Jesus has seen us, even before we were aware of Him.

Finally, we should all pray that we too could see “the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man”. None-the-less, those of us who are called, will see Him. Rest in that.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 2, The Miracle at Cana, The First Passover – Cleansing the Temple.

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN – CHAPTER 1, part 2, (Verses 6 – 18), The Witness of John the Baptist.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

THE BOOK OF JOHN – CHAPTER 1, part 2

(Verses 6 – 18)

The Witness of John the Baptist

As mysterious as they seem, the first five verses of the book of John, established the origin the nature, the identification, the effect, the purpose and the creative power of The Word. The Word which was with God and is God. And, although John is a first-hand witness to these things, the first five verses come only by way of inspiration and revelation from God. What John has said, and you are reading, transcends the human capacity to fully understand. It is accepted by faith, and it is validated by the results which follow.

The Witness John the Baptist

John 1:6, A man came, one sent from God, and his name was John. Verse 7. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. Verse 8. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

(Commentary Break): John is the forerunner and a model for all disciples who come after him regarding how we should identify ourselves as witnesses to the Light so that all might believe through us. We should never assume to be equal to that Light, but only to testify about the Light.

These matters are not just for our information. They are our model. (Information that is not applied is just idle information, good for very little.) When this Gospel Message is applied, it is the power of God unto salvation. Handle it accurately and with great care. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 9. This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. Verse 10. He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. Verse 11. He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. Verse 12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe and trust in His name, verse 13, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

(Commentary Break): John, once again in these foregoing verses, is the conduit of the prophetic Voice of God. God, through John, is speaking of the mysteries and oracles of God. “He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him”. Try as you might to imagine that The Word with God is God, was already in the world and the world came into being! And yet the world did not know Him? To the unregenerate and untrained mind, this must sound like complete foolishness or a madman’s prose. Yet this is Truth. It is The Prophetic Truth of God that continues to live and reverberate throughout time. It is The Word and Breath of God, and all who receive Him, He gives them the right to become the children of God. (Let that ring in your ears; Meditate on it. Let it sink deep into your mind, soul and heart.)

(Subscribe Here —>)

Finally, The Word, God’s creative Voice, Jesus, came into His own creation, and His created ones did not know Him. How could that have been? It was and is God’s Plan. God had planned from the beginning to perfect His creation into His image and likeness, giving His created a free-will in which they could choose life and life more abundant, now; and later, have eternal life with Him. Some will choose to reject Him and thus will never know Him. Those will perish in great darkness and eternal fire. Those who choose Him will know Him and will have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of life and will live eternally in the House of The Lord. (End Commentary Break).

The Word Made Flesh

Verse 14. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Verse 15.

(Commentary Break): Again, John utters prophetic mysteries that have been manifested and have appeared in the physical world. The Word (Logos) became flesh (sarx). (“logos” is a multifaceted Greek word that encompasses a range of meanings including “word,” “speech,” “reason,” “doctrine,” and “account.” In the New Testament, “logos” is used to denote the spoken or written word, the message of the Gospel, and, most profoundly, as a title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His role as the divine Word of God incarnate. Theologically, “logos” signifies the communication of God’s will and truth to humanity.

The Apostle John, in his Gospel, appropriates this term to articulate the preexistence and divinity of Christ, presenting Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God.

God in the flesh, with all the flaws and passion of the flesh, yet without sin. The greatest of all miracles, before our eyes. Yet, some will reject Him and upon them will rest the wrath of a Just God. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 15. John testified about Him and called out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who is coming after me has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’” Verse 16. For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. Verse 17. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. Verse 18. No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him.

(Commentary Break): Rather than judgment, condemnation or wrath, Jesus had come to bring “grace upon grace”, the unmerited favor and kindness of God towards humanity compounded and poured out to you. It encompasses the idea of divine assistance given to humans for their salvation, transformation and sanctification.

This grace is deepened and transformed to express the profound and unconditional love of God towards humanity, which is not based on human merit but on God’s own character and purpose.

And now His overwhelming grace is compounded once again, this time with truth. The implication of these words are so staggering that the words themselves cannot do justice to their reality.

“NO EYE HAS SEEN AND NO EAR HAS HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).  (End Commentary Break).

(End Chapter 1, part 2, verses 6 through 18.)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 1, part 3, verses 19 – 51, Jesus’ Public Ministry; the First Converts.

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN – CHAPTER 1, part 1, verses 1 – 5, The Witness of John the Baptist.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

 

THE BOOK OF JOHN – CHAPTER 1, part 1

(Verses 1 – 5)

The Witness John the Baptist

Beyond what is stated in the overview of this book, this commentary is meant to seek out the deeper spiritual significance and the application of that significance. Through this study we are to embrace Jesus as the eternal Word and center our life around His teachings; recognize Jesus as the Creator and honor Him; allow the light of Christ to illuminate areas of darkness in our life, leading to the transformation of our minds, proving that which is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

Prayerfully, our meditation on and study of this book will aid us in a transformation of our mind and our life which will be reflective of and the embodiment of Christ’s love and humility in our interactions with others; we will become a witness like John the Baptist, sharing the truth of Jesus with those around us, living in the grace and truth of Jesus, and extending that same grace to others while standing firm in His truth.

John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Commentary Break): How is it possible that John can authoritatively speak the words found in John 1:1? How can he possibly know this to be true?

It is because the divine Word comes from the inner being of God, as He breathed it out. 2 Timothy 3:16 speaks to the product, and 2 Peter 1:21 speaks to the process.

“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” A more exact rendering of the Greek form of the second clause would be, “but by the Holy Spirit being carried or led, men spoke from God.” In other words, the Holy Spirit was the divine Agent who carried or led or conducted the authors of Scripture so that what they were writing was God-breathed Scripture.

Secondly, Genesis 1 also tells us that it is the work of God, speaking of Himself in the plural, caused all things to come into existence.

Without going into linguistic details, John 1:1 makes one of the most astounding statements about God found in the Bible. The pre-existent God joined to His Creative Word, proclaiming the mystery of His deity. Thoughts that cause us to stand amazed, but too high for our own understanding. Such is the Almighty God. Our God. Omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere present). The attributes of God’s supreme nature and His complete control over creation, knowledge of all things, and presence in every location. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 2. He was in the beginning with God. Verse 3. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.

(Commentary Break): Again we are told that The Word was, in the beginning, with God (written in the aorist tense, which is without regard for linear time – the past, present and future are considered as one, continuous). Furthermore, He, The Word, created all things, past, present and future. Never be confused or deceived into thinking that science can explain these things, or that evolution is the creator. That leads only to confusion and despair. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 4. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. Verse 5. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

(Commentary Break): We know from Genesis 2:7, that “The LORD God formed the man of the dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living person”. These words from the Hebrew language read as such (scripture in red, a literal translation is purple):

“Then the LORD Jehovah, the Self-Existent, Eternal God, formed, fashion, and framed, as maker and potter, with purpose, through the squeezing into shape the man, a ruddy a human being, into an individual or the species, mankind, a hypocrite, a common sort, a low man, of mean and of low degree, a person, of dust, ashes, earth, mortar, powder and rubbish from the ground soil, from its general redness, as husbandry-land, and breathed breath, giving up part of Himself, causing Himself to lose life, as seething, and snuffing into nostrils, and the face, by rapid breathing, in passion, ire, and anger, the breath, by an angry puff of vital breath, of divine inspiration and intellect, blasts of breaths of inspiration, soul and spirit, of life, hence, raw flesh came alive, with the appetites of a wild beast, lively; and the man, ruddy a human being, an individual of the species, mankind, became a breathing creature a living person, alive, living, hence, raw flesh.”

Recap of what we see:

1. 1. 1. God, has always existed and He is eternal.
      2. He is the creator of life.
      3. He creates with purpose and on purpose.
      4. This creation has all the imagery of childbirth: ruddy, squeezed, passionate, violent, painful, raw and costly.
      5. A being of passion with a wild nature and base appetites is created. Mankind is created with flaws, destined to fail, condemned to death and separation from God.

 (also see “Then Came Mankind”). (End Commentary Break).

John the Baptist is one of the most significant and well-known figures in the Bible. While John was known as “the Baptist,” he was in fact the first prophet called by God since Malachi, some 400 years earlier. John’s coming was foretold over 700 years previously by another prophet: “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken'” (Isaiah 40:3–5). This passage illustrates God’s master plan in action, as God selected John to be His special ambassador to proclaim His own coming. (from GotQuestions.Org).

John spells out the profound meaning of what Jesus had said and done. John’s book tells of the Eternal Word, Who became flesh and dwelt with humanity. The Gospel of John clearly spells out the basics of the Christian faith. Jesus proves who he is, diagnoses humanity’s problems, and bluntly describes what is necessary for conversion to everlasting life. (In a colloquial way of saying it, Jesus is saying, “Hey, everyone, listen to Me. The end of all things is coming. God the Father is coming to reclaim His land and His children, and then He will destroy this heaven and this earth and everything and everyone in them. He has sent me to save you. I know the way out of this mess you’ve gotten yourself into. Follow Me and be saved!” And if you follow this thread of the truth, you and I have also been called and sent to spread this Word, as His disciples – in the steps of Jesus and John the Baptist.)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 1, part 2 – The Testimony of John the Baptist,

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).