themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given direction, that if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

1

CHAP. XII.

THEN Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha

served but Lazarus was one of them who sat 3 at the table with him. Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled 4 with the odour of the ointment. Then saith

one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's 5 son, who should betray him, Why was not this

ointment sold for three hundred pence, and 6 given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor: but because he was a thief, and had the purse, and bare what was put 7 therein. Then Jesus said, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept 8 this. For the poor ye always have with 9 but me ye have not always. Now many of the Jews knew that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

you;

10

But the chief priests consulted that they might 11 put Lazarus also to death; because by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

12

On the next day, much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus 13 was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna; blessed is the King of Israel, 14 who cometh in the name of the Lord.*

And

Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat 15 thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of

Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an 16 ass's colt. These things his disciples understood not at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him, and that they had 17 done these things unto him. The people therefore who were with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the 18 dead, bare witness. For this cause also the people met him, for they heard that he had 19 done this miracle. Then the Pharisees said among themselves, Do ye perceive how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone

20

after him.

Now there were certain Greeks among them, 21 who came up to worship at this feast:

And

* The opinion of the Jews was, that Christ would assume kingly power; and coming in the name of the Lord, was deseriptive of the Messiah.

When Christ was raised from the dead.

Though Greeks, they were acquainted with the Jewish Scriptures, and believed in the one true God.

23

A

:

the same came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and besought him, saying, Sir, we 22 would see Jesus. Philip came and told Andrew and then Andrew and Philip told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glori24 fied. Verily, verily I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much 25 fruit.* He that loveth his life, shall lose it;† and he that hateth his life in this world, shall 26 keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also: if any man serve me, him 27 will the Father honor. Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this very cause I came 28 unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then there came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.§ 29 Then the people who stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered. Others said, An angel 30 spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not for my sake, but for your's.

Here is evidently reference to the death and resurrection of our Lord.

He who regardeth his life more than his duty. See Mat. 1. 39.

The idea of his sufferings seemed for a moment to alarm and appal our Savior; yet his firmness and resolution did not forsake him. See Luke xxii. 42.

The voice from heaven was at once a support to Christ, and a proof to the Jews that he was favored of God.

Here then was precisely what the Jews requested: a sigu from heaven. Yet they did not believe in Christ.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall 32 the prince of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw 33 all men unto me.* (This he said, signifying 34 what death he should die.) The people answered him, We have heard out of the law,† that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who 35 is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in dark36 ness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. Having said these things, Jesus departed, and retired from them.‡

37

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him. 38 That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm 39 of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they

could not believe, because Isaiah said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their

*Now is the time when the fate of the world will be decided. And though I am slain on the cross, yet I shall reign and triumph forever.

This was their own construction, except that it was predicted that the religion or reign of Christ should be perpetual. The law here is synonymous with the Jewish Scriptures.

Not from fear, but because he had not yet finished his instructions to his disciples.

§ The prophet predicted that they would disbelieve and reject the Messiah.

hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be 41 converted, and I should heal them.* These things said Isaiah when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42

Nevertheless many of the rulers believ ed on him: but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it, lest they should 43 be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44

Then Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not only on me, but on him 45 who sent me. And he who seeth me, seeth 46 him who sent me. I am come a light into the

world, that whosoever believeth on me should 47 not abide in darkness. And if any man hear

my words, and believe not, I judge him not now; for I came not to judge the world, but to 48 save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him the word which I have spoken, the same 49 shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should 50 say, and what I should speak. And I know

* See Mat. xiii. 15; Ezek. xiii. 2; Jerem. v. 2; Luke viii. 10.

The Pharisees had great influence. They pretended to have a high respect for the law, and to be more holy than others; and thus in matters of religion, their opinions and decisions were revered.

See chap. i. 14, 18; v. 37, 38; xiv. 9, 10.

That is, as he said in another place, "my doctrine in not mine, but his who sent me." See also chap. xiv. 10.