John 12

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:5-6

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Sinful motive often hides itself under the mask of reverence for another virtue. In Mark's Gospel the same price was put upon the pound of pure nard as that which is mentioned here—about f10 of our money. Christ had given emphatic advice about generosity to the poor, and even during this very week ( John 13:29 ) it is clear that his words were not forgotten, and in his great discourse, probably also delivered... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:7

The two readings of the text must here be compared with one another and with the synoptic narrative. The T.R. reads, Let her alone: £ unto the day of the preparation for my burial she has carefully guarded this precious perfume . This is, in one sense, that very day, and she has found out the solemn fact in a way in which the disciples had as yet failed to do. With this agrees the language of the synoptists," Why trouble ye the woman? she hath wrought a good work on me;… she hath... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:8

This verse is omitted in D, but abundantly attested here. It occurs almost verbatim in Matthew and Mark, and cannot be set aside on the authority of this one eccentric manuscript. For the poor ye have always with you (cf. Deuteronomy 15:11 ). You will always have opportunity of doing to them, as to representatives of me, what is in your heart of compassion (cf. Matthew 25:40-45 ). But me , as an object of personal, tangible regard and visible attention, deserving thus and ever the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:9

(1) On much people of the Jews . The article ( ὁ ), which the best texts introduce before ὄχλος πολὺς , gives to these words an almost technical force. The huge multitude of the Jews —the surging crowd of ever-gathering pilgrims blended with the "common people," the bulk of the population of Jerusalem and its neighborhood ( John 11:55 , John 11:56 )— therefore —because, i.e., of the rumors of the feast, the news of the royal consecration and sacred anointing, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:9-11

2. The effects of the great sign . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:9-11

Jesus and his enemies. Note here— I. THE ATTRACTION OF JESUS . "Much people of the Jews," etc. 1. He was attractive in his work . In the sick he had healed, the blind to whom he had given sight, and the dead he had restored to life, especially in his last miracle on Lazarus. In this he manifested: 2. His work was attractive in him . Lazarus restored to life was his immediate and undeniable work, and Lazarus was attractive, and the people came, "not for Jesus'... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:10-11

(2) On the chief priests . The chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. They deliberated to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus. It was not enough that one man should die; another and another must follow if their plan is to succeed. And now the hour had come ( John 2:4 ; John 7:30 ), but not until our Lord once more warned the disciples with intense significance and explicitness of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:12-13

The next day (on the morrow) must be the day after the feast. We have seen that that feast probably took place on the evening of the sabbath. The events that happened are far more abundantly described in Matthew, Mark, and Luke—the excitement in Jerusalem, the method in which the triumph was carried through, the mode adopted to secure "the young ass," the weeping ever Jerusalem from the summit of the hill; none of these circumstances are inconsistent with this account. Brief, however, as our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:12-15

The triumphal entry. I. WHAT PRECEDED THIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY . All the Galilsean and other ministries outside of Jerusalem must have contributed to this enthusiastic demonstration. It is often taken as an illustration of popular fickleness that the multitude said "Hosanna!" one day, and the next day, "Crucify him!" But it is very doubtful if the component elements of the multitude were the same. Those who cried "Hosanna!" were people who had seen Jesus do wonderful works in their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:12-19

3. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem . Christ ' s challenge of the authorities, and its results . On the precise order of events it is difficult to speak with absolute decision. The main difference between the synoptists and John is in the break at Bethany of the journey from Jericho to Jerusalem, to introduce a feast, which is related afterwards by the synoptists, though not limited by them to any later chronological position. It should be observed, moreover, that the synoptic... read more

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