香膏抹腳

12 逾越節前六天,耶穌來到伯大尼,就是祂叫拉撒路從死裡復活的村子。 村裡有人為耶穌預備了晚飯,拉撒路也與耶穌同席,瑪大在旁邊伺候。 瑪麗亞拿出一瓶[a]珍貴的純哪噠香膏來抹耶穌的腳,又用自己的頭髮去擦,屋裡頓時充滿了香氣。

有一個門徒,就是將要出賣耶穌的加略人猶大說: 「為什麼不把香膏賣三百個銀幣[b]去賙濟窮人呢?」 他這樣說不是因為他真的關心窮人,其實他是個賊,常常藉管錢的機會中飽私囊。

耶穌說:「由她吧!她這是為我安葬作預備。 因為你們身邊總會有窮人,可是你們身邊不會總有我。」

有許多猶太人知道耶穌在那裡,就來看祂,不單是為了看耶穌,也想看看從死裡復活的拉撒路。 10 於是,祭司長計劃連拉撒路也殺掉, 11 因為有許多猶太人因為拉撒路的緣故離開他們,去信了耶穌。

光榮進聖城

12 第二天,很多上來過節的人聽見耶穌快到耶路撒冷了, 13 就拿著棕樹枝出去迎接祂,並且高聲歡呼:

「和散那[c]
奉主名來的以色列王當受稱頌!」

14 那時,耶穌找到一頭驢駒,就騎上牠,正如聖經記載:

15 「錫安的居民啊,不要害怕!
你的君王騎著驢駒來了。」

16 起初門徒不明白這些事,後來耶穌得了榮耀,他們才想起聖經上這些有關耶穌的記載果然在祂身上應驗了。 17 那些親眼看見耶穌叫拉撒路復活、走出墳墓的人不斷傳揚這件事。 18 許多聽過耶穌行這神蹟的人都去迎接祂。 19 法利賽人彼此議論說:「我們真是枉費心思!你看,整個世界都跟著祂跑了。」

耶穌預言自己的死

20 有幾個希臘人也上耶路撒冷過節。 21 他們找到了加利利的伯賽大人腓力,請求說:「先生,我們想見見耶穌。」 22 腓力把這件事告訴安得烈,二人去轉告耶穌。

23 耶穌說:「人子得榮耀的時候到了。 24 我實實在在地告訴你們,一粒麥子如果不落在地裡死了,仍是一粒,如果死了,就會結出許多麥粒來。 25 愛惜自己生命的,必會失掉生命;憎惡自己今世生命的,才能保住生命,直到永生。 26 誰要事奉我,就要跟從我。我在哪裡,事奉我的人也要在哪裡。我父必尊重事奉我的人。

27 「我現在心裡憂傷,說什麼才好呢?求父救我離開這個時刻嗎?然而,我原是為這個時刻來的。 28 父啊!願你使自己的名得榮耀!」

當時天上有聲音說:「我已使自己的名得了榮耀,並且還要得榮耀。」

29 站在那裡的人群中有人聽見就說:「打雷了!」也有人說:「是天使在跟祂說話。」

30 耶穌說:「這聲音不是為我發出的,是為你們發出的。 31 現在是這世界受審判的時候,世界的王[d]要被趕出去了。 32 至於我,當我從地上被舉起來時,必吸引萬人歸向我。」 33 耶穌這句話指的是祂會怎樣死。

34 眾人問:「我們從律法書上知道,基督是永遠長存的,你怎麼說『人子要被舉起來』呢?這人子是誰呢?」

35 耶穌對他們說:「光在你們中間照耀的時候不多了,你們要趁著有光的時候走路,免得黑暗來臨後,走在黑暗裡的人不知道要往哪裡去。 36 所以你們當趁著有光的時候信從光,好成為光明的兒女。」

耶穌說完後,便離開他們,隱藏起來。

猶太人不信祂

37 耶穌雖然在他們面前行了許多神蹟,他們還是不信祂。 38 這是要應驗以賽亞先知的話:

「主啊,誰相信我們所傳的呢?主的能力[e]向誰顯現呢?」
39 接著,以賽亞又說出他們不能信的緣故:
40 「主使他們眼瞎、心硬,
免得他們眼睛看見,
心裡明白,回心轉意,
就得到我的醫治。」

41 以賽亞看見了祂的榮耀,所以才這樣說。 42 雖然這樣,仍有很多猶太的官員信了耶穌,只是在法利賽人面前不敢公開承認,因為害怕會被趕出會堂。 43 因為他們愛從世人而來的榮耀,勝過愛從上帝而來的榮耀。

耶穌的道要審判人

44 耶穌高聲說:「信我的,其實不只是信我,而是信差我來的那位。 45 人看見了我,就是看見了差我來的那位。 46 我來是要作世界的光,好叫信我的人脫離黑暗。 47 聽了我的話卻不遵守的人,我不審判他,因為我來不是要審判世人,而是要拯救世人。 48 棄絕我、不接受我話的人將受到審判,我講過的道在末日要審判他, 49 因為我不是憑自己講的,我說什麼、講什麼都是差我來的父吩咐的。 50 我知道祂的命令能帶來永生。所以祂怎麼告訴我,我就怎麼說。」

Footnotes

  1. 12·3 一瓶」希臘文是「一羅馬磅」,約325克。
  2. 12·5 三百個銀幣」相當於當時一個人一年的工錢。
  3. 12·13 和散那」原意是「拯救我們」,此處有「讚美」的意思。
  4. 12·31 世界的王」指「魔鬼,又名撒旦」,參見路加福音10·18歌羅西書2·15約翰一書3·8
  5. 12·38 主的能力」希臘文是「主的臂膀」,參見以賽亞書53·1

12 Six days before the Passover feast, Jesus journeyed to the village of Bethany, to the home of Lazarus who had recently been raised from the dead, where they hosted Him for dinner. Martha was busy serving as the hostess, Lazarus reclined at the table with Him, and Mary took a pound of fine ointment, pure nard (which is both rare and expensive), and anointed Jesus’ feet with it; and then she wiped them with her hair. As the pleasant fragrance of this extravagant ointment filled the entire house, Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples (who was plotting to betray Jesus), began to speak.

Judas Iscariot: How could she pour out this vast amount of fine oil? Why didn’t she sell it? It is worth nearly a year’s wages;[a] the money could have been given to the poor.

This had nothing to do with Judas’s desire to help the poor. The truth is he served as the treasurer, and he helped himself to the money from the common pot at every opportunity.

Jesus: Leave her alone. She has observed this custom in anticipation of the day of My burial. The poor are ever present, but I will be leaving.

Word spread of Jesus’ presence, and a large crowd was gathering to see Jesus and the formerly deceased Lazarus, whom He had brought back from the dead. 10 The chief priests were secretly plotting Lazarus’s murder since, 11 because of him, many Jews were leaving their teachings and believing in Jesus.

12 The next day, a great crowd of people who had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem; 13 so they gathered branches of palm trees to wave as they celebrated His arrival.

Crowds (shouting): Hosanna!

    He who comes in the name of the Lord is truly blessed[b]
        and is King of all Israel.

14 Jesus found a young donkey, sat on it, and rode through the crowds mounted on this small beast. The Scriptures foretold of this day:

15     Daughter of Zion, do not be afraid.
        Watch! Your King is coming.
        You will find Him seated on the colt of a donkey.[c]

16 The disciples did not understand any of this at the time; these truths did not sink in until Jesus had been glorified. As they reflected on their memories of Jesus, they realized these things happened just as they were written. 17 Those who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus enthusiastically spoke of Jesus to all who would listen, 18 and that is why the crowd went out to meet Him. They had heard of the miraculous sign He had done.

His followers may suspect during their time with Jesus that He is more than a man, but it takes the power and glory of the resurrection to convince them completely that Jesus is divine. When they see Him, touch Him, and hear the sound of His voice thunder in their souls, the disciples know they are face-to-face with God’s immense glory, the unique Son of God. Reading and rereading the Scriptures in light of their experiences of Him, it becomes clear that Jesus’ life and story are the climax of God’s covenants with His people.

Pharisees (to one another): 19 Our efforts to squelch Him have not worked, but now is not the time for action. Look, the world is following after Him.

20 Among the crowds traveling to Jerusalem were Greeks seeking to follow God and worship at the great feast. 21-22 Some of them came to Philip with an important request.

Greek Pilgrims (to Philip): Sir, we are hoping to meet Jesus.

Philip, a disciple from the Galilean village of Bethsaida, told Andrew that these Greeks wanted to see Jesus. Together Andrew and Philip approached Jesus to inform Him about the request.

Jesus (to Philip and Andrew): 23 The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth: unless a grain of wheat is planted in the ground and dies, it remains a solitary seed. But when it is planted, it produces in death a great harvest. 25 The one who loves this life will lose it, and the one who despises it in this world will have life forevermore. 26 Anyone who serves Me must follow My path; anyone who serves Me will want to be where I am, and he will be honored by the Father. 27 My spirit is low and unsettled. How can I ask the Father to save Me from this hour? This hour is the purpose for which I have come into the world. But what I can say is this: 28 “Father, glorify Your name!”

Suddenly a voice echoed from the heavens.

The Father: I have glorified My name. And again I will bring glory in this hour that will resound throughout time.

29 The crowd of people surrounding Jesus were confused.

Some in the Crowd: It sounded like thunder.

Others: A heavenly messenger spoke to Him.

Jesus: 30 The voice you hear has not spoken for My benefit, but for yours. 31 Now judgment comes upon this world, and everything will change. The tyrant of this world, Satan, will be thrown out. 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, then all of humanity will be drawn to Me.

33 These words foreshadowed the nature of His death.

Crowd: 34 The law teaches that the Anointed is the One who will remain without end. How can You say it is essential that the Son of Man be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man You are talking about?

Jesus: 35 Light is among you, but very soon it will flicker out. Walk as you have the light, and then the darkness will not surround you. Those who walk in darkness don’t know where they are going. 36 While the light is with you, believe in the light; and you will be reborn as sons and daughters of the light.

After speaking these words, Jesus left the people to go to a place of seclusion. 37 Despite all the signs He performed, they still did not believe in Him. 38 Isaiah spoke of this reality, saying,

Lord, who could accept what we’ve been told?
    And who has seen the awesome power of the Lord revealed?[d]

39 This is the reason they are unable to believe. 40 Isaiah also said,

God has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts
So that their eyes cannot see properly
    and their hearts cannot understand
    and be persuaded
    by the truth to turn to Me
    and be reconciled by My healing hand.[e]

41 Isaiah could say this because he had seen the glory of the Lord with his own eyes and declared His beauty aloud. 42 Yet many leaders secretly believed in Him but would not declare their faith because the Pharisees continued their threats to expel all His followers from the synagogue; 43 here’s why: they loved to please men more than they desired to glorify God.

Jesus (crying out before the people): 44 Anyone who believes in Me is not placing his faith in Me, but in the One who sent Me here. 45 If one sees Me, he sees the One who sent Me. 46 I am here to bring light in this world, freeing everyone who believes in Me from the darkness that blinds him. 47 If anyone listening to My teachings chooses to ignore them, so be it: I have come to liberate the world, not to judge it. 48 However, those who reject Me and My teachings will be judged: in the last day, My words will be their judge 49 because I am not speaking of My own volition and from My own authority. The Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and speak. 50 I know His command is eternal life, so every word I utter originates in Him.

Footnotes

  1. 12:5 Literally, 300 denarii, Roman coins
  2. 12:13 Psalm 118:26
  3. 12:15 Zechariah 9:9
  4. 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
  5. 12:40 Isaiah 6:10

Jesus Is Anointed at Bethany

12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made him a dinner there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of the ones reclining at table with him. Then Mary took a pound[a] of ointment of very valuable genuine nard and[b] anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him) said, Why[c] was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (Now he said this not because he was concerned[d] about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.)[e] So Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my preparation for burial. For you have the poor with you always, but you do not always have me.”

The Decision to Kill Lazarus

Now a large crowd[f] of Jews found out that he was there, and they came, not only because of Jesus, but so that they could see Lazarus also, whom he raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going and believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they[g] heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, and began crying out,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,[h]
even the king of Israel!”

14 So Jesus found a young donkey and[i] sat on it, just as it is written,

15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion!
Behold, your king is coming,
seated on the foal of a donkey!”[j]

16 (His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and they did these things to him.) 17 So the crowd who was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead were continuing to testify. 18 Because of this also the crowd went to meet him, for they had heard that he had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing! Behold, the world has gone after him.”

Greeks Seeking Jesus

20 Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up in order to worship at the feast. 21 So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and began asking him saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man will be glorified. 24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and[k] dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world preserves it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour’? But for this reason I have come to this hour! 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have both glorified it,[l] and I will glorify it[m] again.” 29 Now the crowd that stood there and heard it[n] said it had thundered.[o] Others were saying, “An angel has spoken to him!” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not happened for my sake, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out! 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 (Now he said this to indicate by what sort of death he was going to die.)

34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever![p] And how do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “Yet a little time the light is with you! Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness does not overtake you! And the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said these things, and then he went away and[q] was hidden from them.

The People Still Refuse to Believe

37 But as many signs as he had performed before them, they did not believe in him, 38 in order that the word of the prophet Isaiah would be fulfilled, who said,

“Lord, who has believed our message?
    And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[r]

39 For this reason they were not able to believe, because again Isaiah said,

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
lest they see with their[s] eyes
    and understand with their[t] hearts
and turn, and I heal them.”[u]

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

42 Yet despite that, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it,[v] so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they loved the praise of men more than praise from God.

Jesus’ Final Public Appeal

44 But Jesus cried out and said, “The one who believes in me does not believe in me, but in the one who sent me, 45 and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, in order that everyone who believes in me will not remain in the darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,[w] I will not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has one who judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken from myself, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me[x] what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So the things that I say, just as the Father said to me, thus I say.”

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 The Greek term refers to a Roman pound, 327.45 grams (approximately 12 ounces)
  2. John 12:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  3. John 12:5 Literally “because of what”
  4. John 12:6 Literally “it was a concern to him”
  5. John 12:6 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. John 12:9 Some manuscripts have “the large crowd”
  7. John 12:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  8. John 12:13 A quotation from Ps 118:25–26
  9. John 12:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“found”) has been translated as a finite verb
  10. John 12:15 A quotation from Zech 9:9
  11. John 12:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“falls”) has been translated as a finite verb
  12. John 12:28 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  13. John 12:28 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. John 12:29 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  15. John 12:29 Literally “thunder had happened”
  16. John 12:34 Literally “for the age”; probably an allusion to Ps 89:35–37 (in common usage “law” could refer to the entire Old Testament)
  17. John 12:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went away”) has been translated as a finite verb
  18. John 12:38 A quotation from Isa 53:1
  19. John 12:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  20. John 12:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  21. John 12:40 A quotation from Isa 6:10
  22. John 12:42 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  23. John 12:47 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  24. John 12:49 Literally “has given me commandment”