Plot to Kill Jesus (John 11:45-57)
Plot to Kill Jesus (John 11:45-57)
John 11:45-57 illustrates how human opposition to Jesus ultimately serves God's salvific purpose. The passage highlights Jesus' sacrificial death, the gathering of believers, and the blindness of those who reject him. After Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, many Jews believe in him (ἐπίστευσαν...
Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany (John 12:1-11)
Six days before Passover, Jesus arrives in Bethany, where Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, is living. A dinner is given in his honor. Martha, ever faithful in her role of service (διακονέει [diakoneō]), tends to the needs of those present. Meanwhile, Mary performs a profound and symbolic...
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-19)
This passage describes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. A large crowd gathers to welcome him, waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel!” Jesus enters the city riding on a young donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from...
Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29)
The short narrative of John 20:24-29 is commonly known under the title “Doubting Thomas.” Generally, it is the Gospel of John (John 11:16; 14:5) which mostly deal with the character of Thomas and especially in the case of this narration where he becomes the model of a doubting man endlessly....
Continuing the Testimony of the Acts of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:1-3)
Acts 1:1-3 provides an introduction to the book of Acts and sets the stage for the narrative that follows. In Acts 1:1-3, Luke addresses his writing to Theophilus, who is likely a patron or a person of high social status. He explains that his earlier work, the Gospel of Luke, was about all that...