John 12

JOHN CHAPTER 12

John 12:1-8

Where does six (or so) days before passover fit into Jesus timeline?

Where had he come to? (See John 12:2. Mark 14:3. Luke 7:37-39. Matthew 26:6-13)

There was a celebratory dinner - in whose honour? Do you think this had anything to do with Lazarus? (So… or therefore… implied?)

What roles did Mary and Martha play? (See references above and Luke 10:38-42)

Compare John 13:4-11 with John 12:3. What is the role of the foot washer?

Is there significance in that Mary wiped his feet with her hair. 

According to John 12:3 the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Relate this to 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.

Was Judas objection reasonable? (See Mark 14:4-5. Matthew 26:8-9.) Can you go too far in honouring Jesus? Do we go far enough? What were his real motives?

What was Jesus reaction? (John 12:7)

Does Mary give us examples to follow - see Luke 10:39 (she sat at Jesus feet and learned), John 11:32 (she fell at his feet in surrender), John 12:3 (she honoured Jesus).

What does John reveal about Judas in John 12:6? 

Who knew about this revelation? What did Judas do the next day? See Matthew 14-16.  BTW KJV calls him Simon’s son.

What was the ointment meant for? Was it all the more wasteful to use it on his feet? (John 12:7)

"By 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty," the then-prime minister told Labor's election campaign launch on June 23, 1987. Will there ever be such a day? (See John 12:8)

John 12:9-11

Is there irony in the plan to kill Lazarus as well? (See John 12:10) Was this wise? How might the gathered crowd react?

What was bothering the chief priests most? (See John 12:11)

John 12:12-19

Why were there crowds?

See Psalm 118:25-26. Zechariah 9:9. Psalm 118:25-26. 

See Matthew 21:5 and Zechariah 9:9.

Is Jesus King of Israel?

What’s the significance of the donkey?

Is it understandable that the crowd followed him? (See John 12:17-18)

Why did the Pharisees begin to despair? (See John 12:19. John 11:50.)

John 12:20-23

Is verse 19 illustrated by verse 20?  

Verse 21 - a great pulpit label!

John 12:23-36

What did he mean by John 12:23?

Explain the analogy in John 12:24-25. How does it apply to Jesus then to us. (See Luke 9:23-24. Romans 8:13. Colossians 3:5)

What’s the comfort in John 12:26?

Why was Jesus soul troubled (John 12:27-29) and how did he deal with this?

God’s voice was heard three times (in Luke 3:22, Luke 9:35, here). What does this tell us about Jesus?

Why did some people hear the voice, others got it wrong? (See John 12:30)

What kind of death was Jesus referring to (John 12:31-33)? Who gets the glory from this death who is the winner (See Colossians 2:13-15) and who is the loser?

Does Jesus draw all men to himself? (John 12:32. 1 Corinthians 1:18. Galatians 6:14)

There were several passages that spoke of the perpetuity of his reign, as Isa 9:7; Eze 37:25; Da 7:14. But see also Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. Was there wishful thinking here?

Why did Jesus tell them the light would go out? What was his message (John 12:35-36)? Is it too late for us?

John 12:37-50

John 12:37 suggests Jesus had done enough to convince people he was God. Why would they still not believe in him?  See Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah 6:10. 2 Corinthians 3:14-18. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6. What’s your situation?

Why were some believers hiding their belief? (See John 12:42-43) Is this understandable? Has it ever affected you?

Jesus meant to be heard (See John 12:44). Can you believe in Jesus only?

Who is looking over Jesus? (See John 12:45)

How much change does belief in Jesus bring about? (See John 12:46. Ephesians 2:1-2)

Jesus did not come to judge us (See John 12:47). What was his purpose? (See John 3:16-17)

What is the warning in John 12:48?

How much authority does Jesus teaching carry? (See John 12:49)

What’s the blessing in doing so? (See John 12:50)