John 12:12-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:12-19

This story of Christ's riding in triumph to Jerusalem is recorded by all the evangelists, as worthy of special remark; and in it we may observe, I. The respect that was paid to our Lord Jesus by the common people, John 12:12, 13, where we are told, 1. Who they were that paid him this respect: much people, ochlos polys?a great crowd of those that came up to the feast; not the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but the country people that came from remote parts to worship at the feast; the nearer the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:20-26

Honour is here paid to Christ by certain Greeks that enquired or him with respect. We are not told what day of Christ's last week this was, probably not the same day he rode into Jerusalem (for that day was taken up in public work), but a day or two after. I. We are told who they were that paid this honour to our Lord Jesus: Certain Greeks among the people who came up to worship at the feast, John 12:20. Some think they were Jews of the dispersion, some of the twelve tribes that were scattered... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:12-19

12:12-19 On the next day the great crowd that was coming to the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. They kept up a shout: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, he who is the King of Israel!" Jesus found a young ass and sat on it, as it stands written: "Fear not, daughter of Zion. Look! Your King is coming sitting upon an ass' colt." At first the disciples did not realize the significance of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:12-19

(iii) In such a situation it was obviously impossible for Jesus to speak to the crowd. His voice could not have reached that vast assembly of people. So he did something that all could see; he came riding upon an ass' colt. Now that was two things. First, it was a deliberate claim to be the Messiah. It was a dramatic enactment of the words of Zechariah the prophet ( Zechariah 9:9 ). John does not quote accurately because obviously he is quoting from memory. Zechariah had said: "Rejoice... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:20-22

12:20-22 There were some Greeks among those whose practice it was to come up to the feast. Now these came to Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request to him. "Sir," they said, "we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. None of the other gospels tells of this incident, but it is very fitting to find it in the Fourth. The Fourth Gospel was the one written to present the truth of Christianity in a way that the Greeks... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:23-26

12:23-26 Jesus answered them: "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. This is the truth I tell you--unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains all by itself alone; but, if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life is losing it; and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone will serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will my servants also be." Hardly any passage in the New Testament would... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:23-26

What was this amazing paradox which Jesus was teaching? He was saying three things, which are all variations of one central truth and all at the heart of the Christian faith and life. (i) He was saying that only by death comes life. The grain of wheat was ineffective and unfruitful so long as it was preserved, as it were, in safety and security. It was when it was thrown into the cold ground, and buried there as if in a tomb, that it bore fruit. It was by the death of the martyrs that the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:12

On the next day, much people that were come to the feast ,.... Of the passover; and they were much people indeed, that came yearly to this feast, from all parts of the nation; for all the males in Israel, were obliged to appear at this time; and though the women were not obliged, yet multitudes of them came, and the fame of Jesus might bring the more; add to which, that there was now a general expectation of the Messiah's coming, which brought the Jews from all parts of the world, to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:13

Took branches of palm trees ,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "and young shoots from Jerusalem"; these grew in great plenty, on one part of the Mount of Olives, that next to Bethany, from whence that town had its name; for it signifies the house of dates, the fruit of the palm tree; See Gill on Matthew 21:17 . And as that tree was a sign of joy and victory, they carried branches of it in their hands, as they met the King Messiah, who was about to make his public entrance into Jerusalem, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:14

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass ,.... Which he sent his disciples for, to a neighbouring village, and they brought to him: sat thereon, as it is written ; in Zechariah 9:9 though some part of the words seems to be taken out of Isaiah 62:11 ; See Gill on Matthew 21:5 ; and so Nonnus paraphrases it here, "that it might be fulfilled which Esaias said". read more

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