committed adultery in his heart, and that God gave him a conscience so that he would know right from wrong. His conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
That's why it is essential to draw out an admission of guilt before you mention Judgment Day or the existence of hell.
2. He may say that he's guilty, but that he will go to heaven. This is usually because he thinks that God is "good," and that He will, therefore, overlook sin in his case. Point out that if a judge in a criminal case has a guilty murderer standing before him, the judge, if he is a good man, can't just let him go. He must ensure that the guilty man is punished. If God is good, He must (by nature) punish murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, adulterers, fornicators, and those who have lived in rebellion to the inner light that God has given to every man.
3 . He may admit that he is guilty and therefore going to hell. Ask him if that concerns him. Speak to him about how much
he values his eyes and how much more therefore he should value the salvation of his soul. (For the biblical description of hell, see Revelation 1:18 comment.) If possible, take the person through the linked verses in this Bible, beginning at the Matthew 5:21,22 comment.
Fourth: Jesus revealed Himself to her (v.26). Once the Law has humbled the person, he is ready for grace. Remember, the Bible says that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The gospel is for the humble (see Luke 4:18 comment). Only the sick need a physician, and only those who will admit that they have the disease of sin will truly embrace the cure of the gospel.
Learn how to present the work of the cross —that God sent His Son to suffer and die in our place. Tell the sinner of the love of God in Christ; that Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death. Take him back to civil law and say, "It's as simple as this: We broke God's Law, and Jesus paid our fine. If you
will repent and trust in the Savior, God will forgive your sins and dismiss your case." Ask him if he understands what you have told him. If he is willing to confess and forsake his sins, and trust the Savior with his eternal salvation, have him pray and ask God to forgive him. Then pray for him. Get him a Bible. Instruct him to read it daily and obey what he reads, and encourage him to get into a Bible-believing, Christ-preaching church.
6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said to her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away to the city to buy meat.)
9 Then said the woman of Samaria to him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said to her, If you
knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.
11 The woman said to him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water?
12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
1 3 Jesus answered and said to her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15 The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come here to draw.
16 Jesus said to her, Go, call your husband, and come here.
17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have well said, I have no husband:
"When your will is God's will, you will have your will."
CHARLES SPURGEON 18 For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that you said truly.
19 The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour comes, and now is, when
the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
25 The woman said to him, I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus said to her, I that speak to you am he.
27 And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What do you seek? or, Why do you talk with her?
28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men,
29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30 Then they went out of the city, and came to him.
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32 But he said to them, I have meat to eat that you know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, has any man brought him anything to eat?
34 Jesus said to them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
35 Do you not say, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.
37 And herein is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and you are entered into their labours. 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman,
which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40 So when the Samaritans were come to him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.
43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went to the feast.
46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47 When he heard that Jesus was come out
of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
48 Then said Jesus to him, Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
49 The nobleman said to him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
50 Jesus said to him, Go your way; your son lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and he went his way.
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Your son lives.
52 Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said to him, Your son lives: and himself believed, and his whole house.
54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea
into Galilee.
4:14 Salvation is possible for every person. See John 6:51.
4:34 The "meat" that nourished the Savior was to carry out the work of evangelism—to seek and to save that which was lost.
4:36 "I would think it a greater happiness to gain one soul to Christ than mountains of silver and gold to myself." Matthew Henry
4:37,38 The measure of success. Don't be tempted to measure evangelistic "success" by the number of "decisions" obtained. We tend to rejoice over decisions, when heaven reserves its rejoicing for repentance—"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents" (Luke 15:10). It is easy to get "decisions for Jesus" using the modern method of well-chosen words and psychological manipulation. Rather, see success as having the opportunity to sow the seed of God's Word into the hearts of your hearers. If you faithfully sow, someone else will reap. If you have the privilege of
reaping, then someone has faithfully sown before you. One sows, another reaps, but it is God who gives the increase. See 1 Corinthians 3:6,7.
CHAPTER 5
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that
he had been now a long time in that case, he said to him, Will you be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me.
8 Jesus said to him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said to him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said to me, Take up your bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said to you, Take up your bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed did not know who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17 But Jesus answered them, My Father works hitherto, and I work.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Then answered Jesus and said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that you
may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens whom he will.
22 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:
23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.
2 4 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.
25 Verily, verily, I say to you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation.
30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.
31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32 There is another that bears witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true.
33 You sent to John, and he bare witness to the truth.
34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that you might be saved.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Halloween can be an incredible opportunity
for sharing the Gospel. See 1 Timothy 4:1
comment. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which has sent
me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
41 I receive not honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you.
43 I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.
44 How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust.
46 For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?
*** For the Bible's inspiration, see 2
Timothy 3:16 comment.
*** 5:14 We once lay as feeble, fragile, and frail folk, helpless and hopeless, pathetically paralyzed by the devil—"taken captive to do his will" until Jesus spoke a word to us. We were on a deathbed of sin with no one able to help us, but we heard the voice of the Word of God saying: "Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light" (Ephesians 5:14).
Now a thankful heart for the unspeakable gift makes us want to be always in the presence of God. Unlike the healed man, however, we need not go to the temple to thank the Father, for He now abides in the heart of the believer. The work of Calvary has made the believer the temple of the Living
God. See 2 Corinthians 6:16.
5:17 Jesus' claims. Jesus was either God in human form, or a crackpot. There is no middle ground. In verses 17–29 He said:
• Whatever He saw the Father do, He did. • God showed Jesus everything He did and He had even greater things to show Him, which would cause the people to be astonished.
• Just as God raised the dead and gave life to them, so Jesus gives life to whomever He would.
• God Himself had appointed Jesus of Nazareth as the Judge of all mankind.
• Humanity should honor Jesus as much as they honor the Father.
• Those who didn't honor Jesus didn't honor God.
• All who heard His words and trusted in the Father escape the wrath of the Law.
• All who trusted Him passed from death to life.
• The hour would come when everyone in
their graves would hear the voice of Jesus and be raised from the dead.
• As God is the source of all life, so He has given Jesus life in Himself.
5:28 Jesus' unique words: Jesus is saying that His voice will raise billions who have died. Psalm 29:3–9 describes the powerful voice of God. See John 6:38 comment.
5:28,29 Judgment Day: For verses that warn of its reality, see Acts 17:31.
5:39,40 To see why sinners need to come to Jesus to have life, see John 3:7 comment and Ephesians 4:18 "Questions & Objections."
CHAPTER 6
After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come to him, he said to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9 There is a lad here, which has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he
had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said to his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
16 And when even was now come, his disciples went down to the sea,
17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the ship: and they were afraid.
20 But he said to them, It is I; be not afraid. 21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land where they went.
22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias near to the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum,
seeking for Jesus.
25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when did you come here?
26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
2 7 Labour not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they to him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
30 They said therefore to him, What sign do you show then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from
heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which came down from heaven, and gives life to the world.
34 Then said they to him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
3 5 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said to you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
3 7 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which has
sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he says, I came down from heaven?
43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to me.
46 Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes on me has everlasting life.
"I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man..." (See what Napoleon had to say about Jesus in John 7:46.)
48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which came down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life
in you.
54 Whoso eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said to them, Does this offend you?
62 What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I to you, that no man can come to me, except it were given to him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus to the twelve, Will you also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
6:14 Messianic prophecy fulfilled: "The LORD your God will raise up to you a Prophet from your midst, of your brethren, like unto me; to him you shall hearken" (Deuteronomy 18:15). See John 19:29 comment.
6:28,29 Most religions teach that certain works are required in order to be saved. Here God tells us the only "work" He considers: "believe on him whom he has sent."
6:38 Jesus' unique words: Jesus said that He "came down" from heaven, that He was pre-existent. He says elsewhere: "I am from above ... I am not of this world" (8:23), and "I proceeded forth and came from God" (8:42). For more on His pre-existence, see John 17:5. See also John 6:47 comment.
6:45 Taught by God. "Read and read again, and do not despair of help to understand the will and mind of God though
you think they are fast locked up from you. Neither trouble your heads though you have not commentaries and exposition. Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men. Also, what is from men is uncertain, and is often lost and tumbled over by men; but what is from God is fixed as a nail in a sure place. There is nothing that so abides with us as what we receive from God; and the reason why the Christians in this day are at such a loss as to some things is that they are contented with what comes from men's mouths, without searching and kneeling before God to know of Him the truth of things. Things we receive at God's hands come to us as truths from the minting house, though old in themselves, yet new to us. Old truths are always new to us if they come with the smell of heaven upon them." John Bunyan
6:47 Jesus' unique words: He was saying that He had the authority to grant everlasting life to all who trust in Him. See John 6:53,54
comment.
6:51 Salvation is possible for every person. See John 7:37.
6:53,54 Jesus' unique words: These are the words of a madman ... or God in human form. He was not advocating cannibalism, but was speaking in a spiritual sense. Just as we need to eat and drink in order to live, so we must "eat" the Bread of Life (John 6:48,51) and "drink" His "blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:20) in order to have spiritual life. Unless we trust in Christ, relying on Him daily for our life-sustaining nourishment, we have no life in us and remain dead in our sins. (See Ephesians 2:1 comment.) See also John 8:51 comment. 6:65 "The impulse to pursue God originates with God." A.W. Tozer
6:68 The uniqueness of Jesus. "This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on
things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times." Philip Schaff, The Person of Christ
CHAPTER 7
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore said to him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see the works that you do.
4 For there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.
5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6 Then Jesus said to them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready.
7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8 Go up to this feast: I go not up yet to this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
9 When he had said these words to them, he abode still in Galilee.
10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he
deceives the people.
13 Howbeit no man spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you go about to kill me?
20 The people answered and said, You have a devil: who goes about to kill you?
21 Jesus answered and said to them, I have done one work, and you all marvel.
22 Moses therefore gave to you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and you on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
The Ten Commandments
You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make to yourself any graven image.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet. (EXODUS 20:1–17) 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26 But, lo, he speaks boldly, and they say nothing to him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ comes, no man knows whence he is.
28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, You both know me, and you know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom you know not.
29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he has sent me.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man
laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?
32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
33 Then said Jesus to them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go to him that sent me.
34 You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, there you cannot come.
35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Where will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36 What manner of saying is this that he said, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, there you cannot come?
37 In the last day, that great day of the
feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.
3 8 He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Has not the scripture said, That Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
USING THE LAW IN
EVANGELISM
8:4,5 The wrath of the Law brought this woman to the feet of the Savior. That's the function of the Law: to condemn. Some may say that we shouldn't condemn anyone, when all the Law does is reveal to the sinner that he is "condemned already" (John 3:18). The Law shows him his danger and therefore his desperate need for the Savior. See Galatians 3:19 comment. 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why have you not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
49 But this people who knows not the law
are cursed.
50 Nicodemus said to them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does?
52 They answered and said to him, are you also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee arises no prophet.
53 And every man went to his own house. 7:17 In reference to creation, respected Bible teacher Derek Prince said, "I am simple-minded enough to believe that it happened the way the Bible described it. I have been a professor at Britain's largest university [Cambridge] for nine years. I hold various degrees and academic distinctions, and I feel in many ways I am quite sophisticated intellectually, but I don't feel in any way intellectually inferior when I say that I believe the Bible record of creation. Prior to believing the Bible I have studied many other attempts to explain man's origin and found them all unsatisfying and in many cases
self-contradictory. I turned to study the Bible as a professional philosopher—not as a believer—and I commented to myself, 'At least it can't be any sillier than some of the other things I've heard,' and to my astonishment, I discovered it had the answer."
7:37 Salvation is possible for every person. See Acts 2:21.
7:46 The uniqueness of Jesus. "I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him." Napoleon Bonaparte (quoted in Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell)
7:52 This showed their ignorance of Scripture (see Isaiah 9:1,2), and of the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
CHAPTER 8
Jesus went to the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They said to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what do you say?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote
on the ground.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS
8:9 "You are trying to make me feel guilty by quoting the Ten Commandments."
Ask the person which one of the Ten Commandments makes him feel guilty. Simply state, "The Bible says, 'You shall not steal.' If you feel guilty when you hear that, why do you think that is? Could it be because you are guilty?" God gave us our conscience so we would know when we break His Law; the guilt we feel when we do something wrong tells us that we need to repent. (See also Romans 2:15 comment.)
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and
saw none but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those your accusers? has no man condemned you?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bear record of yourself; your record is not true.
14 Jesus answered and said to them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell whence I come, and where I go.
15 You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.
19 Then said they to him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.
20 These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS
8:11 "Jesus didn't condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery, but condemned those who judged her. Therefore you shouldn't judge others."
The Christian is not "judging others" but simply telling the world of God's judgment—
that God (not the Christian) has judged all the world as being guilty before Him (Romans 3:19,23). Jesus was able to offer that woman forgiveness for her sin, because He was on His way to die on the cross for her. She acknowledged Him as "Lord," but He still told her, "Go, and sin no more." If she didn't repent, she would perish.
21 Then said Jesus again to them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he says, Where I go, you cannot come.
23 And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they to him, Who are thou? And Jesus said to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man:
how do you say, You shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
37 I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We are not born of
fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.
46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?
47 He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.
48 Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges.
51 Verily, verily, I say to you, If a man keeps my saying, he shall never see death.
52 Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keeps my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom do you make yourself?
THE FUNCTION OF THE
LAW
9:7 When we apply the tablets of the Law to the eyes of sinners, it causes them to have reason to go to the cleansing pool of the gospel. This man would not have had a reason to go to the pool, until he perceived
that he was unclean. That's the function of the Law—to convince a man he is unclean (Romans 7:13). Charles Spurgeon said, "No man will ever put on the robe of Christ's righteousness till he is stripped of his fig leaves, nor will he wash in the fount of mercy till he perceives his filthiness. Therefore, my brethren, we must not cease to declare the Law, its demands, its threatenings, and the sinner's multiplied breaches of it."
54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God:
55 Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I
say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
8:6 It is likely that Jesus wrote the Ten Commandments on the ground. They had been talking about the Law, and each of the men were convicted by their conscience (v.9), which is the effect of the Law (Romans 2:15). The Law was written in stone (uncompromising), this was written in sand (removable)— besides, what else does God write with His finger? See Exodus 31:18.
8:10–12 What a fearful thing it is when we face God's Law. The very stones call for our blood. The Law cries out for justice; it has no mercy. It demands, "The soul that sins shall die!" But the Judge who rules can, at His own discretion, administer the spirit of the Law, and its spirit says that mercy rejoices over judgment—God is rich in mercy to all who call upon Him.
The letter kills, but the Spirit brings life. God is not willing that the wrath of the Law fall upon guilty sinners, because He would rather acquit the criminal from the courtroom ... and He can do so because of Calvary.
A. N. Martin said, "The moment God's Law ceases to be the most powerful factor in influencing the moral sensitivity of any individual or nation, there will be indifference to Divine wrath, and when indifference comes in it always brings in its train indifference to salvation."
8:44 Names of the enemy. The devil is called the god and prince of this world, and the ruler of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 6:12). He seeks to hinder the work of God and suppress God's Word (Matthew 13:38,39; 1 Thessalonians 2:18). He is a liar, the father of lies, and a murderer (John 8:44). The devil is your adversary and a devourer (1 Peter 5:8). He is the promoter of pride (Genesis 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:6), the stimulator of lust
(Ephesians 2:2,3), and the tempter (Luke 4:1– 13). 8:51 Jesus' unique words: Anyone who obeys Him would not die. This is not advocating works as a means of salvation, but obedience as a sign of our salvation. We keep His word because we love Him (John 14:23). See 1 John 2:17 and John 8:58 comment.
8:58 Jesus' unique words: Jesus was affirming that He was God manifest in the flesh. He is the Great "I AM"—the Eternal One who revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). See John 11:25 comment.
8:58 Was Jesus God in human form? If I give you a small slice of cheese from a large block (the taste being constant throughout the whole block), and you spit out the cheese saying you hate the taste, then you reject the whole block. Jesus was God manifest in human form. If the Jews rejected Him, they rejected the Father also—he who is of God hears God's words. John later stated in his
epistle, "Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: (but) he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also" (1 John 2:23). See John 10:30.
CHAPTER 9
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he
anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7 And said to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
10 Therefore said they to him, How were your eyes opened?
11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
12 Then said they to him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that beforetime was blind.
14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus
made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keeps not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17 They said to the blind man again, What do you say of him, that he has opened your eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind? how then does he now see?
20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21 But by what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
22 These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said to him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to you? how opened he your eyes?
27 He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not hear: wherefore would you hear it again? will you also be his disciples?
28 Then they reviled him, and said, You are his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
29 We know that God spoke to Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30 The man answered and said to them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that you know not from whence he is, and yet he has opened mine eyes.
31 Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34 They answered and said to him, You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us? And they cast him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God?
36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said to him, You have both seen him, and it is he that talks with you.
38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said to him, Are we blind also?
41 Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.
9:4 John Wesley was asked what he would do with his life if he knew that he would die at midnight the next day. His answer was something like this: "I would just carry on with what I am doing. I will arise at 5:00a.m. for prayer, then take a house meeting at 6.00a.m. At 12 noon, I will be preaching at an
open-air. At 3:00p.m. I have another meeting in another town. At 6:00p.m. I have a house meeting; at 10:00p.m. I have a prayer meeting and at 12:00 midnight, I would go to be with my Lord."
If we knew we were to die at 12 o'clock tomorrow night, would we have to step up our evangelistic efforts, or could we in all good conscience carry on just as we are? "The evangelistic harvest is always urgent. The destiny of men and of nations is always being decided. Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear the full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities." Billy Graham
9:25 This is the testimony of the newly saved. There are many questions for which they have no answers. But one thing they do know: "Whereas I was blind, now I see." It
has been well said that the man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument.
CHAPTER 10
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
4 And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spoke Jesus to them: but they understood not what things they were
which he spoke to them.
7 Then said Jesus to them again, Verily, verily, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.
13 The hireling flees, because he is an
hireling, and cares not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad; why do you hear him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of
him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
The Bible is unique and proves itself to be
supernatural in origin. See Psalm 119:105
comment. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said to him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?
35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Do you say of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted to him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there. 10:36 The Deity of Jesus From Christ Before the Manger by Ron Rhodes
A strong argument for the deity of Christ is the fact that many of the names, titles, and attributes ascribed to Yahweh are also ascribed to Jesus Christ.
10:2 True believers are likened to sheep, which: know the voice of their shepherd; are easily led (they submit without resistance); flock together (in unity); need a shepherd (or they stray); were a type of Israel (Matthew 10:6); imitate one another; are productive (wool, leather, meat, and milk); were a sign of God's blessing (see Deuteronomy 7:13); will be divided from the "goats" at the Judgment; were offered in sacrifice.
10:9 A Hebrew servant who was given his freedom had the option to stay with a master he loved. If he chose to give up his freedom, his master took him to the doorpost and pierced his ear with an awl, "and he shall serve him forever" (Exodus 21:5,6). In the same way, the sinner, upon conversion, is given freedom from sin and becomes a servant of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 7:22), to serve Him forever. He presents his body as a living sacrifice. His ear is forever open to the Door of the Savior (John 10:9).
10:10 "Evangelism is about experiencing God. If you choose to be obedient, He will take you on a journey so exciting that your life will never be the same." Bill Fay, Share Jesus Without Fear
"Evangelism is the cure to the disease of church boredom." Todd P. McCollum
"I can tell you that there is no greater joy than leading someone to faith in Jesus Christ. Even if they reject your message, it still feels great to obey Christ. Yet regardless of how we feel, we need to remember this is what He has commanded." D. James Kennedy
10:11 Hundreds of years earlier, David had written that the Lord was his shepherd, and now that Shepherd had become flesh. Here is a continuance of the most famous of psalms, Psalm 23. This was the "Great Shepherd" Himself (Hebrews 13:20), the One who takes away the "want" of the covetous human heart. He was the path of righteousness, who brought light to the valley of the shadow of death. Here was the Bread
of Life, placed by God on a table in the presence of our enemies. Heaven's cup "ran over," and brought the Father's goodness and mercy to us, so that we might dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
10:16 The Mormons misrepresent this verse. It is an obvious reference to the Gentiles. See John 11:52; Romans 15:9–12; Ephesians 2:11–18.
10:27 See 2 Timothy 2:19 comment. 10:30 Was Jesus God in human form? See John 10:38.
10:38 Was Jesus God in human form? See John 14:10.
CHAPTER 11
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with
her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
"Preach Christ or nothing: don't dispute or discuss except with your eye on the cross."
CHARLES SPURGEON 7 Then after that said he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again.
8 His disciples said to him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone you; and you go there again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve
hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus to them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go to him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever you will ask of God, God will give it you.
23 Jesus said to her, Your brother shall rise again.
24 Martha said to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
27 She said to him, Yea, Lord: I believe
that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came to him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes to the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,