John 3:22-36 John the Baptist's Proclamation

According to John 3:22-36 Verses 22-30 Verses 31-36

After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— for John had not yet been thrown into prison. Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 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 are coming to Him.” John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. “He must increase, but I must decrease.

“He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. “What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. “He who has received His testimony (he, or, He) has set his seal to this, that God is true. “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Commentary

Verses 22-30

22. After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—24. for John had not yet been thrown into prison. Remember this portion of John is commonly accepted as chronological, both Jesus and John are baptizing. This is immediately after Jesus nighttime encounter with Nicodemus which inserts this chronological event that is absent in the other gospel accounts. The land of Judea is the region west of the northern portion of the Dead Sea. Samaria, which will be our location in chapter 4, is immediately to its north with Galilee beyond and immediately westward to the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is having a time that would be considered as a righteous blend of relaxation (spending time with them) and ministry (baptizing). Why do you think the author of this gospel, John, felt that he had to make the comment in verse 24? I believe that he wanted to make sure that the life and self awareness proclamation was known. John wanted to make sure that the Baptizer's perspective of Jesus was known. The Baptizer's life was as important as his death. 25. Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. There was a discussion with a Jew about purification? The discussion might have surface in light of water baptism and its role in spiritual cleansing. Also the discussion is the issue as John the Baptist's ministry relates to the ministry of Jesus. If Jews are discussing 'purification,' it is imperative that we understand more concerning 'purification.' This is not the first occurrence of this word in John's gospel. It was previously used in its accusative form in 2:6 referring to the purifying of the water pots at the wedding in Cana (See also Hebrews 3:1). The Greek word καθαρισμοῦ means cleansing or purification. It is in the Singular Masculine Genitive of Comparison (denoting the person or thing being compared when used with comparative adjectives, adverbs or verbs expressing the idea of comparison) or Genitive of Source (expressing the idea of source). If our Genitive is one of Comparison, then the discussion relates to the Baptism of John compared to the baptism of Jesus, etc. If it is taken as a genitive of source then the discussion regards the source of purification: i.e. God, Jesus, John the Baptist, the water, the Spirit, etc. The genitive word here comes from the root word katharizo meaning a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation -- cleansing, + purge, purification(-fying). The purification did not concern economic or political except where a ceremonially or morally clean lifestyle would affect one state of affairs. Be sure to recall that this issue arose out of a conversation with a Jew. There are four occurrences of this verb in the Singular Masculine Genitive construction besides John 3:25. Each translates this verb as 'purification' or 'cleansing.'

Mark 1:44 καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὅρα μηδενὶ μηδὲν εἴπῃς, ἀλλὰ ὕπαγε σεαυτὸν δεῖξον τῷ ἱερεῖ καὶ προσένεγκε περὶ τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ σου ἃ προσέταξεν Μωϋσῆς, εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς.
and said to him, "See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

Luke 2:22 Καὶ ὅτε ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ αὐτῶν κατὰ τὸν νόμον Μωϋσέως, ἀνήγαγον αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα παραστῆσαι τῷ κυρίῳ,
When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.

Luke 5:14 καὶ αὐτὸς παρήγγειλεν αὐτῷ μηδενὶ εἰπεῖν, ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν δεῖξον σεαυτὸν τῷ ἱερεῖ καὶ προσένεγκε περὶ τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ σου καθὼς προσέταξεν Μωϋσῆς εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς.
He commanded him to tell no one, "But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

2 Peter 1:9 ᾧ γὰρ μὴ πάρεστιν ταῦτα τυφλός ἐστιν μυωπάζων, λήθην λαβὼν τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ τῶν πάλαι αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν.
For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

The “argument (in John 3:25) centered on the relative merits of the baptism of John and Jesus.” A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament, Zerwick, Rome, 1993, p. 293.

The Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, translates Exodus 26: 35-37using καθαρισμοῦ regarding the purifying for the altar.

Exodus 29:35-37 “ 35 Thus you shall do to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you; you shall ordain them through seven days. 36“Each day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement, and you shall purify the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to consecrate it. 37 "For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it; then the altar shall be most holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy.”

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 are coming to Him.” From verse 26 tot he end of the chapter John the Baptist is educating his disciples regarding the struggle they had as they conversed with a Jew concerning purification or cleansing. If purification is believed to directly impact the political and moral aspects of life, then you will follow the thought patterns of such falsities. I believe that John's and later Jesus' disciples would confuse the kingdoms of this world (political and economic) and the kingdom of God (ceremonial, spiritual and moral). Therefore, this is a classic expression of John's disciples for Jesus crowding in on their business as they did not fully understand purification. John answers his disciple's confusion with thoughts on greatness. John will address that for his disciples, but Jesus' disciples, will struggle with that issue until the night of His betrayal.

27. John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28. “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ Here is John's answer to his disciples. Only gifts from heaven matter. All leadership charisma, all influence, all authority, all prestige, all genuine honor comes as a gift, not as a reward based on merit, from heaven. Then, John, with words that will ring through eternity, proclaims 'I am not the Christ.' I will say it again, this man knew who he was and he knew who he wasn't! He was a forerunner, a servant of HIM.

29. “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30. “He must increase, but I must decrease. I am continuously amazed that the Bible couches many of its teachings in family terms. Here in verse 29 and 30 John uses the wedding ceremony to communicate his subservient role to Jesus. Think with me for a moment. Do you ladies remember the name of your husband's best man in your wedding? This should be the easiest to answer. Next, do you remember the names of the best men in the wedding of your siblings? Do you remember the name of best men in the weddings of your children? I hope, by now, that you are seeing how the 'friend of the bridegroom' decreases while the bridegroom increases. "Increase" αὐξάνειν Present Active Infinitive from αὐξάνω meaning: grow up, increase in power, strengthen ; exalt by one's deeds, glorify, extol, honor; of an orator, amplify, exaggerate; also, to sacrifice (Little-Scott-Jones Lexicon). "Decrease" ἐλαττοῦσθαι from ἐλαττόω meaning: make less or smaller, diminish, reduce in amount, in early writers, lower, degrade; cut down, shorten, detract from, reduce the power of (Little-Scott-Jones).Again, John the Baptist knew who he was, his place and his role in the scope of the Big Picture, the epic, eternity, etc. And, most importantly, John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, Jesus' place, and Jesus' role in the scope of the Big Picture.

Verses31-36

31. “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. Honestly, my best shot at understanding and commenting on Scripture pales in comparison to Scripture commenting on Scripture. The passage below from the Letter to the Colossians was written by Paul who was religious Jewish renegade ransomed by Jesus Christ. Here is portion of his communication to the Gentiles in Colossae.
Colossians 1: 15-20 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

32. “What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.33. “He who has received His testimony (he, or, He) has set his seal to this, that God is true. First notice the utter rejection of Jesus and His message. Even His closets disciples did not fully comprehend His purpose and His passion. John the Baptist was probalby the first to grasp who Jesus was and who he was in the big picture of Jesus' passion. Next lets look at the setting of one's seal. The word translated in the New American Standard Bible as "seal" is the Greek word ἐσφράγισεν in the third person aorist active indicative singular form from the root sphragis meaning: to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest -- (set a, set to) seal up, stop. Metaphorical meaning in John 3:33- “set a seal of approval upon, confirm,” also in Romans 15:28 – “assure them of it.” The Greek word ἐσφράγισεν is also used in John 6:27 (Don't work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.), Revelation 20:3 (ἐσφράγισεν 'and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time').

If one receives or believes or trust in His message then they confirm or approve of it. But to what are those that receive laying claim? To this: ὁ θεὸς ἀληθής ἐστιν. If ever learn any Greek, you should know this expression: "God is true." 34. “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. This is a verse anticipating the often mentioned subject of the Gospel of John, the coming or giving of the Holy Spirit. Noted the unreserved measure of the One whose chief end is to point us to Jesus. The Book of Acts is the historical account of the early Church written through the eyes of Luke the physician.

Acts 1:4-5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

35. “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. This is respite of the previous thought in verse 31. However, John the Baptist feels the need to repeat this, as does Paul in Colossians. ALL THINGS ARE GIVEN INTO JESUS' HAND. 36. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” This phrase from the mouth of John the Baptist echoes the most well know yet least believed phrase of John 3:16. However, John includes the use of the Greek words δὲ and ἀλλ’. δὲ in the first part is commonly translated 'but, and .' The semicolon does us no favors in demarcating that this is a separate contrasting thought. The best translation for δὲ is 'and' signifying a continuing thought. The Greek ἀλλ’ introducing the wrath of God is a strong contrast to the preceding life issues with the Son. This is one of the most significant words in any language and is true in Greek. It is a word of contrast and draws a strong line of distinction between what precedes and follows it. The contrast serves to heighten the thought that the Son is God (John 1), He is to be obeyed (John 2), He must be believed in for He is Life and Blessing which is the absence of the wrath of God. He has the authority of God. Reject Jesus and reject God and thereby have wrath abiding on you. 'Abiding' (μένει from μένω meaning to stay, abide, remain) is the same word used by John later in his gospel to describe a disciples relationship with Jesus.

SUMMARY

Following Jesus will cost you something, but, NOT following Jesus will cost you more. Following Jesus yields Life Eternal. Not following Jesus will bring on the wrath of God. Note that God does not force life or wrath on you. To some degree the choice is yours, choose you this day. You choose whether to have life or wrath based on whether you choose to follow Jesus or not. Life is all about HIM.

The issue of cleansing and purification are essential in this section of the Gospel of John. Those issues are also essential to you. On what basis do you consider yourself clean? Who do you exalt when conversing about cleansing, assuming you have talked about cleansing? Do you exalt a friend, family member, preacher, boss, a prayer, a religion, a church, a president, a nation, political party, a car, a dress, a necklace, a charm pendant, or even yourself? To the degree we exalt any of those things as the basis of our purification, we are just like John's disciples and need to corrected. It is all about HIM, the Christ, Jesus.

John the Baptist is a godly example of the balance of our ministry efforts and the total subservience to the ministry of Jesus. It is all about Him. In that, we are to know our place, our purpose and our passion. Our place is to be a servant to the Bridegroom, that is Jesus. We are to usher Him in or to support Him in His pursuit of His Bride, the Church. Then we are to work, not for our kingdom, but for the Kingdom of God. Nothing we pursue should rise above Him and His Kingdom. This passion for Him is superior to every earthly passion, even the desire to increase in significance. It is all about HIM.

Let us know if we can be of any further assistance: FLSMinistries@bellsouth.net

John 3:1-21 A Private Nightime Conversation

According to John
(ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ)
Chapter One:
In Beginning...
Follow Jesus
Chapter Two:
Obey Jesus
Expel Twisted and Diluted Worship

John 3:1-21 (two paragraphs)
Verses 1-15 and Verses 16-22

1. Now there was a man of the Pharisees , named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2. this man came to Jesus by 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.” 3. Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10. Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Verse 1-15
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, Pharisee (Φαρισαίων)- means "separatists," from parash, "to separate"-those who carefully kept themselves from any legal contamination, distinguishing themselves by their care in such matters from the common people, the `am ha'arets, who had fewer scruples. Like the Puritans in England during the 17th century, and the Presbyterians in Scotland during the same period, the Pharisees, although primarily a religious party, became ere long energetically political. They were a closely organized society, all the members of which called each other chabherim, "neighbors"; this added to the power they had through their influence with the people. named Nicodemus, The Pharisee of our story has a name. His name is Nicodemus. Nicodemus will play a vital role in John's account. He will prove to be the basis for John's access to the temple courts later. John and Nicodemus' acquaintance, perhaps friendship is probably the basis for John communicating this night time conversation while the other three gospel writers omit it. a ruler of the Jews; ruler - ἄρχων Present participle of archo; a first (in rank or power) -- chief (ruler), magistrate, prince, ruler. this man came to Jesus by 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.” Nicodemus was a ranking Pharisee official. He had political and religious position and clout. But his position and clout presently afforded him no advantage in the dark of night, when he is one on one with I AM. The inclusion of Nicodemus with all of the other Pharisees (first person plural, “we”) gives us insight into the insecurity first hinted by him coming to Jesus at night. He did not have the confidence to stand alone. Nicodemus correctly identifies Jesus as a teacher from God, but he fails to grasp that Jesus is so much more than a teacher. He is the Teacher and yet so much more. Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Carefully note the priority of being born again as the necessity of even seeing the kingdom of God. What is the kingdom of God? We will answer this question as we roll through John. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Note Nicodemus' confusion with the literal being born from your mother's womb. In this section there is somewhat a confused debate on the meaning of the aspect of being born again as it includes the water. Some say this literally refers to the amniotic fluid of the mother’s womb. Other, based on the later account of John the Baptist and Jesus in Acts believe Jesus is referring to the water baptism of John the Baptist. Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Be it known that the Father is the main proactive agent in the necessary second birth. Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” As Jesus further offer an explanation to Nicodemus, we see the benefits progressing from 'seeing' the kingdom of God to 'entering' the kingdom of God. HUGE DISTINCTION! The words for Spirit and spirit are from the same root of the Greek word πνεῦμα . Our concordances give room for misinterpretation here with their insertion of "Ghost" and "ghost" for possible translations. The first century Greeks and the recipients of John's gospel knew this word to mean either 'blast, wind; breathed air, breath; divine inspiration; spiritual or immaterial being, angel." The Spirit of God is not a Ghost of God. The Holy Spirit is not a holy ghost. He is a part of the trinity and His Name is paramount. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be? Nicodemus, a ruler, a teacher of the law, a political man of clout and position does not begin to grasp the meaning of this. Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. Jesus first clarifies that Nicodemus, a religious and political ruler of Israel should be able to understand the teachings. For Nicodemus declared Jesus to be a teacher from God. Jesus then prioritizes His personal agenda on earth. He will speak, but He will not be understood. He tells us of the relation between His incarnation (John 1:14) and His ascension (John 21) all for the purpose of us having eternal life in Him through belief. The word 'believes' is from πιστεύω meaning "to trust" or "to entrust." The essence of 'belief' exists but in a subservient mode relating to 'trust." This Greek word is also commonly translated as 'faith.' I like to translate the last portion of verse 15 as "so that whoever trusting in Him will have eternal life."

Verses 16-21
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. This is probably the most well known verse of the Bible. Yet, it is often the most least believed in verse of the Bible. Notice Jesus' emphasis is on salvation rather than judgment. A good friend of mine reminded me recently that you will become that which you worship. If you believe that God is mad then you will likely become a mad person. If you believe that God is angry then you will tend to be an angry person. Here we have Jesus focusing on salvation, not judgment. If you believe that God is primarily concerned with judging you then you will primarily be judgmental. He is concerned with you and your eternal destiny. “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Men love the darkness. Or, at least they love to see how much they can get away with in the darkness. Truth is, the Light is painful and hurts the eyes when they are use to the dark. When you are use to the darkness you learn to fear the light. Likewise, when you are use to the light, you will tend to try to stay away from the darkness. The Light will expose all the deeds done in the darkness. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” Notice here that the truth is related to the Light; implying that the lie is related to the darkness. Live a life of truth or live a life of lies. Your choice. The term "wrought" is the Greek word ἐργάζομαι meaning: 'work, do, perform.' This a foundational verse pointing to who is the primary parting in salvation: God.

Conclusion
Are you, like Nicodemus, only to come to Jesus under the cover of darkness? When speaking of spiritual terms, do you hide yourself in the shadows of your peers? Do you fraternize yourself with the deeds that are contrary to the Light of Jesus? He is extremely focused on your salvation but your deeds will judge you. Trust HIM and you will know life that is true with no more lies or deception. He is TRUTH and LIGHT and LIFE. Trust HIM.

Let us know how we can help you with your desire to walk in the Light. We can be reached at FLSMinistries@bellsouth.net.

John 2:12-25 Expelling Twisted Worship

According to John

Chapter 2, Verses 12-25

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.

13. The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16. and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17. His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.” 18. The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” 19. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20. The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” He was speaking of the temple of His body. 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.

23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25. and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

Commentary

Most harmonized or paralleled gospel accounts, putting all four gospels in chronological order, have John 1:19 through 4:42 uninterrupted with other events from Matthew, Mark or Luke.

Verse 12

(As we have verse designations in our translations, the original manuscripts did not contain chapter or verse designations, verse 12 is a paragraph in itself.)

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

"Where is Capernaum? : Located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum is a little over 2 miles from the Jordan river. The village was very close to the Via Maris, an important trade route between Syria and Egypt, and evidently levied taxes on caravans passing through. It was 85 miles from Capernaum to Jerusalem. Jerusalem stands on the crest of the Judean hills at an elevation of 2,577 feet above sea-level, 13 miles west of the Dead Sea, 32 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, and roughly 80 miles south of the Sea of Galilee.

Why is Capernaum important? : Capernaum is important for the study of the New Testament because of its central role in Jesus’ ministry around Galilee. Various miracles, healings, and preaching are described by all four gospel authors as taking place there. Matthew even goes so far as to call Capernaum Jesus’ “own city.” Despite this, Jesus is described as cursing the town because of their rejection of him.

The town is mentioned in the New Testament: in the Luke’s Gospel it was reported to have been the home of the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as the tax collector Matthew. In Matthew 4:13 the town was reported to have been the home of Jesus himself. According to Luke 4:31-44, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum on the sabbath days. In Capernaum also, Jesus allegedly healed a man who had the spirit of an unclean devil and healed a fever in Simon Peter's mother-in-law. According to Matthew 8:5-13, it is also the place where a Roman Centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant.

Verses 13-22

Verse 13

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Passover is the most important festival event on the Jewish calendar. It marks Israel's deliverance from Egyptian captivity by the direction and provision of YHWH and the leadership of Moses (Exodus 12). Capernaum was 85 miles from Jerusalem. Jerusalem stands on the crest of the Judean hills at an elevation of 2,577 feet above sea-level, 13 miles west of the Dead Sea, 32 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, and roughly 80 miles south of the Sea of Galilee. Whenever Jerusalem is the object of one's destination or perspective, it is always "up". Up does not a determining northward direction. Jerusalem may be north, south, east or west of your position but you will always go up to Jerusalem. This is due to its elevation especially when considering its close proximity to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem being some 2500 feet above sea level.

Verses 14-17

14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME."

Jesus found two issues in the Temple that stirred His zeal. The challenge here is directly applicable to the modern Church. How do we complicate or over simplify worship of I AM, the Almighty God, YHWH, the ἐγώ εἰμι?

The two issues are animals for sacrifice and moneylenders. The oxen and sheep were animals of the fields. In the Jewish sacrificial system, with no lessening of this Passover occurrence, these animals were to be raised by the families and then presented as a sacrifice. Sheep were the most important sacrificial animal with the ram or the young male often being specified. It was intended for families to raise these animals and bring them to be sacrificed. Passover, however, posed a problem for the worshipers. Some having traveled great distances to Jerusalem for the Passover, Jesus, Himself traveling over 85 miles, found it difficult perhaps even dangerous to bring these blemish-less animals on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Ultimately, we have the solution provided by the money changers. The money changers changed money. The exchanged currency so that the pilgrims could purchase the sacrificial ox or sheep that they did not bring themselves. This is worship done easy with the only price being that of potential extortion by the money changers. This is twisted worship. The only thing that the pilgrim needed was to make the trip to the worship center (Jerusalem) and bring money. For everything else will be provided for you. There was no investment on the pilgrim's part. They did not raise the ox or the sheep, they did not make the journey which may have necessitated a trust in God (see Psalm 121, A Song of Assents) and they ended up sacrificing that which they did not know. The issues of the sheep, the oxen and the money changers is that Jesus "drove them out." Why do you think that Jesus only gave a somewhat reserved verbal correction to those selling the doves? A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons was an offering sufficient for the poor, specifically for the poor woman that just gave birth (Leviticus 12:8). Therefore, you have the Law's allowance for the poor (mother) but with the overriding command to not make the temple, His Father's House, a place of business. as compared to those who should have brought their own sheep and oxen but did not. They, through a decisive act of their will, relied on the temple sales and the money changers to make their worship easy and less personal.

Worship is always personal and costly. It is simple but not easy. Jesus' zeal was manifested by the easy way in which this Passover was being observed in the Temple. What does He say about our worship, your worship, and my worship of HIM?

Verses 18-22

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

It amazes me that every time someone does or says something bold in contradiction to the norm, correct some deviate behavior, or speak the truth in a mislead company of folks, the issue of authority always rises to the top. The Jews, as we will see, had a foundation questioning of Jesus' authority. Of course, anyone that would upset their nice little religious money making enterprise would definitely be questioned. It is all about authority, control and money. John, this gospel's author, will address 'authority' throughout this gospel account.

19. Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 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.

What is the authoritative answer to the question regarding authority for the Christian? ...the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It appears by verse 19 that Jesus is foretelling of raising Himself from the dead. He may not desire to instruct about the role of the Father or the Holy Spirit in the resurrection. Irregardless, the life He lived that is characterized by a supreme example of righteousness, would make Him perfectly capable of deserving of resurrection. His righteousness was perfectly accepted before His Father. Therefore, His perfectly righteous condition warranted His resurrection. His resurrection was in His control due to His perfectly righteous standing before His Father. We will learn more of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit relationships as we move through John.

The world, family and work associates may not know of that which you speak, but they will eventually either remember to the point of belief or they will remember when they are forced to bow at the sound of His NAME.

Verses 23-25

23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25. and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

It was at this Passover that John tells us that many believed in His name. Their belief came as a result of the signs He did which include His zeal at the temple. When He did the act of over turning that which sets itself against worship, many believed in His name. Worship here can be described as anything that sets itself against a total dependency on God for His protection, His provision and His revelation. Worship is all about HIM.

"But Jesus..." It is amazing that Jesus exhibits a reserved control of His destiny. John will soon tell us to whom He yields. Jesus knows man. If anyone knows you, it is Jesus. Does that bother you? Or, is that comfort to you? Irregardless, creation cannot hide anything from the Creator (see John Chapter One). Man cannot hide anything from Jesus.

Conclusion:

How is your worship? Do you find it easy to pawn off the expense of your religiosity to those who are so-called professionals? Consider your worship experience, even of the Great I AM, are you a spectator or participant? To the degree that you are a spectator by not personally investing or personally participating, your worship is twisted and you will be ultimately driven out of His presence. It has the form of godliness but not the heart of righteousness. Only righteous will stand before and please God. Our righteousness is in Christ for He alone is our Righteousness. Finally, what does the "almightiness" of our God do to you? His is mighty to save. Turn to Him, for in Him is peace.

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