4. Jesus and Unbelieving Jews (12:37-49)
The key word in this section is believe; it is used eight times. First, John explained the unbelief of the people. They would not believe (John 12:37-38, with a quotation from Isa. 53:1); they could not believe (John 12:39); and they should not believe (John 12:40-41, with a quotation from Isa. 6:9-10).
In spite of all the clear evidence that was presented to them, the Jews would not believe. The “arm of the Lord” had been revealed to them in great power, yet they closed their eyes to the truth. They had heard the message (“report”) and seen the miracles and yet would not believe.
When a person starts to resist the light, something begins to change within him, and he comes to the place where he cannot believe. There is “judicial blindness” that God permits to come over the eyes of people who do not take the truth seriously. (The quotation of Isa. 6:9-10 is found in a number of places in the New Testament. See Matt. 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:25-27; Rom. 11:8.) It is a serious thing to treat God’s truth lightly, for a person could well miss his opportunity to be saved. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa. 55:6).
There were those who would not believe, and there were those who would not openly confess Christ even though they had believed (John 12:42-43). Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea belonged to this group initially but eventually came out openly in their confession of Christ (John 19:38ff.). In the early church, there were numbers of Pharisees (Acts 15:5) and even priests (Acts 6:7). It was the old struggle between the glory of God and the praise of people (John 12:25-26). It was a costly thing to be excommunicated (John 9:22), and these “secret believers” wanted the best of both worlds. Note John 5:44 in this regard.
In John 12:44-50 we have our Lord’s last message before He “hid himself” from the people. Again, the emphasis was on faith. A number of the basic themes in John’s gospel run through this message: God sent the Son; to see the Son means to see the Father; Jesus is the Light of the World; His words are the very words of God; faith in Him brings salvation; to reject Him is to face eternal judgment. In fact, the very Word that He spoke will judge those who have rejected it and Him!
It is an awesome thought that the unbeliever will face at the judgment every bit of Scripture he has ever read or heard. The very Word that he rejects becomes his judge! Why? Because the written Word points to the Living Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:14).
Many people reject the truth simply because of the fear of people (John 12:42-43). Among those who will be in hell are “the fearful” (Rev. 21:8). Better to fear God and go to heaven than to fear people and go to hell!
The word judge is repeated four times in the closing words of this message, and a solemn word it is. Jesus did not come to judge; He came to save (John 3:18; 8:15). But if the sinner will not trust the Savior, the Savior must become the Judge. The sinner is actually passing judgment on himself or herself, not on the Lord!
As you have studied these twelve chapters of the gospel of John, you have seen Jesus Christ in His life, His ministry, His miracles, His message, and His desire to save lost sinners.
You have considered the evidence. Have you come to the conviction that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God, the Savior of the world?
Have you trusted Him and received everlasting life?
“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:36 nkjv).
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- When has God seemed to act out of character or done something you weren’t expecting Him to do? How did you feel?
- Read verses 1-11. If you had been at this dinner, would you have been more likely to be Martha (the worker), Mary (the extravagant worshipper), Lazarus (the living evidence of Jesus’ power), or Judas (the traitor). Explain.
- Why do you think Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with her perfume?
- Do you think Mary knew that Jesus’ burial was going to be soon (v. 7)? Why or why not?
- How do you think Mary’s gift made Jesus feel?
- Does verse 8 mean that money should be spent on worship rather than on the poor? Explain how you understand this verse.
- Read verses 12-19. What was the crowd expecting Jesus to do when He rode into Jerusalem?
- Read verses 20-36. What did Jesus mean by what He said in verses 24-25?
- In what ways did Jesus not do what was expected of Him?
- Read verses 37-50. What did Jesus teach about faith in this last speech before hiding Himself from the people?
- How can you respond when God acts in ways contrary to what you would choose or expect?