John 11:1--13:38

¹ tn Grk “from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”

² tn Or “perfume,” “ointment.”

³ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. It is a bit surprising that the author here identifies Mary as the one who anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair, since this event is not mentioned until later, in 12:3" context="true">12:3. Many see this “proleptic” reference as an indication that the author expected his readers to be familiar with the story already, and go on to assume that in general the author in writing the Fourth Gospel assumed his readers were familiar with the other three gospels. Whether the author assumed actual familiarity with the synoptic gospels or not, it is probable that he did assume some familiarity with Mary’s anointing activity.

⁴ tn The phrase “a message” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from context.

⁵ tn Grk “to him, saying”; the referent (Jesus) is specified in the translation for clarity.

⁶ tn Grk “This sickness is not to death.”

sn Jesus plainly stated the purpose of Lazarus’ sickness in the plan of God: The end of the matter would not be death, but the glorification of the Son. Johannine double-meanings abound here: Even though death would not be the end of the matter, Lazarus is going to die; and ultimately his death and resurrection would lead to the death and resurrection of the Son of God (11:45-53" context="true">11:45-53). Furthermore, the glorification of the Son is not praise that comes to him for the miracle, but his death, resurrection, and return to the Father which the miracle precipitates (note the response of the Jewish authorities in 11:47-53" context="true">11:47-53).

⁷ tn Or “to God’s praise.”

⁸ sn So that the Son of God may be glorified through it. These statements are highly ironic: For Lazarus, the sickness did not end in his death, because he was restored to life. But for Jesus himself, the miraculous sign he performed led to his own death, because it confirmed the authorities in their plan to kill Jesus (11:47-53" context="true">11:47-53). In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ death is consistently portrayed as his ‘glorification’ through which he accomplishes his return to the Father.

⁹ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. It was necessary for the author to reaffirm Jesus’ love for Martha and her sister and Lazarus here because Jesus’ actions in the following verse appear to be contradictory.

¹⁰ tn Grk “that he”; the referent (Lazarus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹¹ sn The village of Bethany, where Lazarus was, lies in Judea, less than 2 mi (3 km) from Jerusalem (see 11:18" context="true">11:18).

¹² tn Grk “The disciples said to him.”

¹³ tn Or “the Jewish authorities”; Grk “the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory, the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers to the Jewish leaders. See the previous references and the notes on the phrase “Jewish people” in v. 11:19" context="true">19, and “Jewish religious leaders” in vv. 11:24,31,33" context="true">24, 31, 33.

¹⁴ tn Grk “seeking.”

¹⁵ tn Grk “And are.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

¹⁶ tn Grk “Jesus answered.”

¹⁷ tn Or “he does not trip.”

¹⁸ sn What is the light of this world? On one level, of course, it refers to the sun, but the reader of John’s Gospel would recall 8:12" context="true">8:12 and understand Jesus’ symbolic reference to himself as the light of the world. There is only a limited time left (Are there not twelve hours in a day?) until the Light will be withdrawn (until Jesus returns to the Father) and the one who walks around in the dark will trip and fall (compare the departure of Judas by night in 13:30" context="true">13:30).

¹⁹ tn Grk “in the night.”

²⁰ tn Or “he trips.”

²¹ tn Grk “He said these things, and after this he said to them.”

²² tn The verb κοιμάω (koimaw) literally means “sleep,” but it is often used in the Bible as a euphemism for death when speaking of believers. This metaphorical usage by its very nature emphasizes the hope of resurrection: Believers will one day “wake up” out of death. Here the term refers to death, but “asleep” was used in the translation to emphasize the metaphorical, rhetorical usage of the term, especially in light of the disciples’ confusion over what Jesus actually meant (see v. 11:13" context="true">13).

²³ tn Grk “Then the disciples said to him.”

²⁴ tn Or “speaking about.”

²⁵ tn Grk “these.”

²⁶ tn Grk “the sleep of slumber”; this is a redundant expression to emphasize physical sleep as opposed to death.

sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

²⁷ tn Grk “and I rejoice.”

²⁸ sn So that you may believe. Why does Jesus make this statement? It seems necessary to understand the disciples’ belief here in a developmental sense, because there are numerous references to the disciples’ faith previous to this in John’s Gospel, notably 2:11" context="true">2:11. Their concept of who Jesus really was is continually being expanded and challenged; they are undergoing spiritual growth; the climax is reached in the confession of Thomas in 20:28">John 20:28.

²⁹ sn Didymus means “the twin” in Greek.

³⁰ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

³¹ sn One gets the impression from Thomas’ statement “Let us go too, so that we may die with him” that he was something of a pessimist resigned to his fate. And yet his dedicated loyalty to Jesus and his determination to accompany him at all costs was truly commendable. Nor is the contrast between this statement and the confession of Thomas in 20:28" context="true">20:28, which forms the climax of the entire Fourth Gospel, to be overlooked; certainly Thomas’ concept of who Jesus is has changed drastically between 11:16;20:28" context="true">11:16 and 20:28.

³² tn Grk “Then when.”

³³ tn Grk “came.”

³⁴ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Lazarus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³⁵ tn Grk “he had already had four days in the tomb” (an idiom).

sn There is no description of the journey itself. The author simply states that when Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days already. He had died some time before this but probably not very long (cf. Ananias and Sapphira in 5:6,10">Acts 5:6,10 who were buried immediately after they died, as was the common practice of the time). There is some later evidence (early 3rd century) of a rabbinic belief that the soul hovered near the body of the deceased for three days, hoping to be able to return to the body. But on the fourth day it saw the beginning of decomposition and finally departed (Leviticus Rabbah 18.1). If this belief is as old as the 1st century, it might suggest the significance of the four days: After this time, resurrection would be a first-order miracle, an unequivocal demonstration of the power of God. It is not certain if the tradition is this early, but it is suggestive. Certainly the author does not appear to attach any symbolic significance to the four days in the narrative.

³⁶ tn Or “three kilometers”; Grk “fifteen stades” (a stade as a unit of linear measure is about 607 feet or 187 meters).

³⁷ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

³⁸ tn Or “many of the Judeans” (cf. BDAG 479 s.v. ᾿Ιουδαῖος 2.e); Grk “many of the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the residents of Jerusalem and the surrounding area in general (those who had been friends or relatives of Lazarus or his sisters would mainly be in view) since the Jewish religious authorities (“the chief priests and the Pharisees”) are specifically mentioned as a separate group in 11:46-47">John 11:46-47. See also the note on the phrase “the Jewish leaders” in v. 11:8" context="true">8.

³⁹ tn Or “to comfort them” or “to offer them sympathy.”

⁴⁰ tn Grk “to comfort them concerning their brother”; the words “loss of” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

⁴¹ sn Notice the difference in the response of the two sisters: Martha went out to meet Jesus, while Mary remains sitting in the house. It is similar to the incident in 10:38-42">Luke 10:38-42. Here again one finds Martha occupied with the responsibilities of hospitality; she is the one who greets Jesus.

⁴² tn Grk “Then Martha.” Here οὖν (oun) has not been translated for stylistic reasons.

⁴³ tn Or “give.”

⁴⁴ sn The statement “whatever you ask from God, God will grant you” by Martha presents something of a dilemma, because she seems to be suggesting here (implicitly at least) the possibility of a resurrection for her brother. However, Martha’s statement in 11:39" context="true">11:39 makes it clear that she had no idea that a resurrection was still possible. How then are her words in 11:22" context="true">11:22 to be understood? It seems best to take them as a confession of Martha’s continuing faith in Jesus even though he was not there in time to help her brother. She means, in effect, “Even though you weren’t here in time to help, I still believe that God grants your requests.”

⁴⁵ tn Grk “Jesus said to her.”

⁴⁶ tn Or “Your brother will rise again.”

sn Jesus’ remark to Martha that Lazarus would come back to life again is another example of the misunderstood statement. Martha apparently took it as a customary statement of consolation and joined Jesus in professing belief in the general resurrection of the body at the end of the age. However, as Jesus went on to point out in 11:25-26" context="true">11:25-26, Martha’s general understanding of the resurrection at the last day was inadequate for the present situation, for the gift of life that conquers death was a present reality to Jesus. This is consistent with the author’s perspective on eternal life in the Fourth Gospel: It is not only a future reality, but something to be experienced in the present as well. It is also consistent with the so-called “realized eschatology” of the Fourth Gospel.

⁴⁷ tn Grk “Martha said to him.”

⁴⁸ tn Or “will rise again.”

⁴⁹ tn That is, will come to life.

⁵⁰ tn Grk “will never die forever.”

⁵¹ tn Grk “She said to him.”

⁵² tn The perfect tense in Greek is often used to emphasize the results or present state of a past action. Such is the case here. To emphasize this nuance the perfect tense verb πεπίστευκα (pepisteuka) has been translated as a present tense. This is in keeping with the present context, where Jesus asks of her present state of belief in v. 11:26" context="true">26, and the theology of the Gospel as a whole, which emphasizes the continuing effects and present reality of faith. For discussion on this use of the perfect tense, see ExSyn 574-76 and B. M. Fanning, Verbal Aspect, 291-97.

⁵³ tn Or “the Messiah” (Both Greek “Christ” and Hebrew and Aramaic “Messiah” mean “one who has been anointed”).

sn See the note on Christ in 1:20" context="true">1:20.

⁵⁴ tn Or “the Son of God, the one who comes into the world.”

⁵⁵ tn Grk “she”; the referent (Martha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁵⁶ tn Or “in secret” (as opposed to publicly, so that the other mourners did not hear).

⁵⁷ tn Grk “is calling you.”

⁵⁸ tn Grk “she”; the referent (Mary) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁵⁹ tn Or “the Judeans”; Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the friends, acquaintances, and relatives of Lazarus or his sisters who had come to mourn, since the Jewish religious authorities are specifically mentioned as a separate group in 11:46-47">John 11:46-47. See also the notes on the phrase “the Jewish leaders” in v. 11:8" context="true">8 and “the Jewish people of the region” in v. 11:19" context="true">19.

⁶⁰ tn Grk “her”; the referent (Mary) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁶¹ tn Grk “Mary”; the proper name (Mary) has been replaced with the pronoun (her) in keeping with conventional English style, to avoid repetition.

⁶² tn Or “to mourn” (referring to the loud wailing or crying typical of public mourning in that culture).

⁶³ tn Or “the Judeans”; Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the friends, acquaintances, and relatives of Lazarus or his sisters who had come to mourn, since the Jewish religious authorities are specifically mentioned as a separate group in 11:46-47">John 11:46-47. See also the notes on the phrase “the Jewish leaders” in v. 11:8" context="true">8, “the Jewish people of the region” in v. 11:19" context="true">19, and the word “people” in v. 11:31" context="true">31.

⁶⁴ tn Or (perhaps) “he was deeply indignant.” The verb ἐνεβριμήσατο (enebrimhsato), which is repeated in 11:38">John 11:38, indicates a strong display of emotion, somewhat difficult to translate – “shuddered, moved with the deepest emotions.” In the LXX, the verb and its cognates are used to describe a display of indignation (11:30">Dan 11:30, for example – see also 14:5">Mark 14:5). Jesus displayed this reaction to the afflicted in 1:43">Mark 1:43, 9:30">Matt 9:30. Was he angry at the afflicted? No, but he was angry because he found himself face-to-face with the manifestations of Satan’s kingdom of evil. Here, the realm of Satan was represented by death.

⁶⁵ tn Or “greatly troubled.” The verb ταράσσω (tarassw) also occurs in similar contexts to those of ἐνεβριμήσατο (enebrimhsato). John uses it in 14:1,27" context="true">14:1 and 27 to describe the reaction of the disciples to the imminent death of Jesus, and in 13:21" context="true">13:21 the verb describes how Jesus reacted to the thought of being betrayed by Judas, into whose heart Satan had entered.

⁶⁶ tn Grk “And he said.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

⁶⁷ tn Or “Where have you placed him?”

⁶⁸ tn Grk “They said to him.” The indirect object αὐτῷ (autw) has not been translated here for stylistic reasons.

⁶⁹ sn Jesus wept. The Greek word used here for Jesus’ weeping (ἐδάκρυσεν, edakrusen) is different from the one used to describe the weeping of Mary and the Jews in v. 11:33" context="true">33 which indicated loud wailing and cries of lament. This word simply means “to shed tears” and has more the idea of quiet grief. But why did Jesus do this? Not out of grief for Lazarus, since he was about to be raised to life again. L. Morris (John [NICNT], 558) thinks it was grief over the misconception of those round about. But it seems that in the context the weeping is triggered by the thought of Lazarus in the tomb: This was not personal grief over the loss of a friend (since Lazarus was about to be restored to life) but grief over the effects of sin, death, and the realm of Satan. It was a natural complement to the previous emotional expression of anger (11:33" context="true">11:33). It is also possible that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus because he knew there was also a tomb for himself ahead.

⁷⁰ tn Or “the Judeans”; Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the friends, acquaintances, and relatives of Lazarus or his sisters who had come to mourn, since the Jewish religious authorities are specifically mentioned as a separate group in 11:46-47">John 11:46-47. See also the notes on the phrase “the Jewish leaders” in v. 11:8" context="true">8 and “the Jewish people of the region” in v. 11:19" context="true">19, as well as the notes on the word “people” in vv. 11:31,33" context="true">31, 33.

⁷¹ tn Grk “who opened the eyes of the blind man” (“opening the eyes” is an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

⁷² tn Grk “this one”; the second half of 11:37" context="true">11:37 reads Grk “Could not this one who opened the eyes of the blind have done something to keep this one from dying?” In the Greek text the repetition of “this one” in 11:37" context="true">11:37b referring to two different persons (first Jesus, second Lazarus) could confuse a modern reader. Thus the first reference, to Jesus, has been translated as “he” to refer back to the beginning of v. 11:37" context="true">37, where the reference to “the man who caused the blind man to see” is clearly a reference to Jesus. The second reference, to Lazarus, has been specified (“Lazarus”) in the translation for clarity.

⁷³ tn Or (perhaps) “Jesus was deeply indignant.”

⁷⁴ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

⁷⁵ tn Or “Remove the stone.”

⁷⁶ tn Grk “the sister of the one who had died.”

⁷⁷ tn Grk “already he stinks.”

⁷⁸ tn Or “been there” (in the tomb – see 11:17">John 11:17).

⁷⁹ sn He has been buried four days. Although all the details of the miracle itself are not given, those details which are mentioned are important. The statement made by Martha is extremely significant for understanding what actually took place. There is no doubt that Lazarus had really died, because the decomposition of his body had already begun to take place, since he had been dead for four days.

⁸⁰ tn Grk “Jesus said to her.”

⁸¹ tn Or “they removed.”

⁸² tn Grk “lifted up his eyes above.”

⁸³ tn Or “that you have heard me.”

⁸⁴ tn Grk “that you always hear me.”

⁸⁵ tn The word “this” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.

⁸⁶ tn Grk “And when.”

⁸⁷ sn The purpose of the loud voice was probably to ensure that all in the crowd could hear (compare the purpose of the prayer of thanksgiving in vv. 11:41-42" context="true">41-42).

⁸⁸ sn Many have wondered how Lazarus got out of the tomb if his hands and feet were still tied up with strips of cloth. The author does not tell, and with a miracle of this magnitude, this is not an important fact to know. If Lazarus’ decomposing body was brought back to life by the power of God, then it could certainly have been moved out of the tomb by that same power. Others have suggested that the legs were bound separately, which would remove the difficulty, but the account gives no indication of this. What may be of more significance for the author is the comparison which this picture naturally evokes with the resurrection of Jesus, where the graveclothes stayed in the tomb neatly folded (20:6-7" context="true">20:6-7). Jesus, unlike Lazarus, would never need graveclothes again.

⁸⁹ tn Grk “and his face tied around with cloth.”

⁹⁰ tn Grk “Loose him.”

⁹¹ tn Or “the Judeans”; Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the friends, acquaintances, and relatives of Lazarus or his sisters who had come to mourn, since the Jewish religious authorities are specifically mentioned as a separate group in 11:46-47">John 11:46-47. See also the notes on the phrase “the Jewish leaders” in v. 11:8" context="true">8 and “the Jewish people of the region” in v. 11:19" context="true">19, as well as the notes on the word “people” in vv. 11:31,33" context="true">31, 33 and the phrase “people who had come to mourn” in v. 11:36" context="true">36.

⁹² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁹³ sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24" context="true">1:24.

⁹⁴ tn Grk “told them.”

⁹⁵ tn The phrase “chief priests and Pharisees” is a comprehensive name for the groups represented in the ruling council (the Sanhedrin) as in 7:45;18:3">John 7:45; 18:3; 5:22,26">Acts 5:22, 26.

⁹⁶ tn Or “Sanhedrin” (the Sanhedrin was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews). The συνέδριον (sunedrion) which they gathered was probably an informal meeting rather than the official Sanhedrin. This is the only occurrence of the word συνέδριον in the Gospel of John, and the only anarthrous singular use in the NT. There are other plural anarthrous uses which have the general meaning “councils.” The fact that Caiaphas in 11:49" context="true">11:49 is referred to as “one of them” supports the unofficial nature of the meeting; in the official Sanhedrin he, being high priest that year, would have presided over the assembly. Thus it appears that an informal council was called to discuss what to do about Jesus and his activities.

⁹⁷ tn Grk “If we let him do thus.”

⁹⁸ tn Or “holy place”; Grk “our place” (a reference to the temple in Jerusalem).

⁹⁹ tn Grk “said to them.” The indirect object αὐτοῖς (autois) has not been translated for stylistic reasons.

¹⁰⁰ tn Or “you are not considering.”

¹⁰¹ tn Although it is possible to argue that ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") should be translated “person” here since it is not necessarily masculinity that is in view in Caiaphas’ statement, “man” was retained in the translation because in 11:47" context="true">11:47 “this man” (οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, outo" Jo anqrwpo") has as its referent a specific individual, Jesus, and it was felt this connection should be maintained.

¹⁰² sn In his own mind Caiaphas was no doubt giving voice to a common-sense statement of political expediency. Yet he was unconsciously echoing a saying of Jesus himself (cf. 10:45">Mark 10:45). Caiaphas was right; the death of Jesus would save the nation from destruction. Yet Caiaphas could not suspect that Jesus would die, not in place of the political nation Israel, but on behalf of the true people of God; and he would save them, not from physical destruction, but from eternal destruction (cf. 3:16-17" context="true">3:16-17). The understanding of Caiaphas’ words in a sense that Caiaphas could not possibly have imagined at the time he uttered them serves as a clear example of the way in which the author understood that words and actions could be invested retrospectively with a meaning not consciously intended or understood by those present at the time.

¹⁰³ tn Grk “say this from himself.”

¹⁰⁴ tn The word “Jewish” is not in the Greek text, but is clearly implied by the context (so also NIV; TEV “the Jewish people”).

¹⁰⁵ tn See the note on the word “nation” in the previous verse.

¹⁰⁶ sn The author in his comment expands the prophecy to include the Gentiles (not for the Jewish nation only), a confirmation that the Fourth Gospel was directed, at least partly, to a Gentile audience. There are echoes of Pauline concepts here (particularly 2:11-22">Eph 2:11-22) in the stress on the unity of Jew and Gentile.

¹⁰⁷ tn Grk “that he might gather together.”

¹⁰⁸ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

¹⁰⁹ tn Grk “walked.”

¹¹⁰ tn Or “openly.”

¹¹¹ tn Grk “among the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the residents of Judea in general, who would be likely to report Jesus to the religious authorities. The vicinity around Jerusalem was no longer safe for Jesus and his disciples. On the translation “Judeans” cf. BDAG 479 s.v. ᾿Ιουδαῖος 2.e. See also the references in vv. 11:8,19,31,33,36,45" context="true">8, 19, 31, 33, 36, and 45.

¹¹² tn There is no certain identification of the location to which Jesus withdrew in response to the decision of the Jewish authorities. Many have suggested the present town of Et-Taiyibeh, identified with ancient Ophrah (18:23">Josh 18:23) or Ephron (15:9">Josh 15:9). If so, this would be 12-15 mi (19-24 km) northeast of Jerusalem.

¹¹³ tn Grk “the Passover of the Jews.” This is the final Passover of Jesus’ ministry. The author is now on the eve of the week of the Passion. Some time prior to the feast itself, Jerusalem would be crowded with pilgrims from the surrounding districts (ἐκ τῆς χώρας, ek th" cwra") who had come to purify themselves ceremonially before the feast.

¹¹⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

¹¹⁵ tn Or “to purify themselves” (to undergo or carry out ceremonial cleansing before participating in the Passover celebration).

¹¹⁶ tn Grk “they were seeking Jesus.”

¹¹⁷ tn Grk “in the temple.”

¹¹⁸ tn The phrase “chief priests and Pharisees” is a comprehensive name for the groups represented in the ruling council (the Sanhedrin) as in 7:45;18:3">John 7:45; 18:3; 5:22,26">Acts 5:22, 26.

¹¹⁹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹²⁰ tn Or “could seize.”

¹²¹ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

¹²² tn Grk “whom Jesus,” but a repetition of the proper name (Jesus) here would be redundant in the English clause structure, so the pronoun (“he”) is substituted in the translation.

¹²³ tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity and to conform with contemporary English style.

¹²⁴ tn Grk “And Martha.” The connective καί (kai, “and”) has been omitted in the translation because it would produce a run-on sentence in English.

¹²⁵ tn Grk “reclining at the table.”

sn 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.

¹²⁶ tn Or “half a liter”; Grk “a pound” (that is, a Roman pound, about 325 grams or 12 ounces).

¹²⁷ tn Μύρον (muron) was usually made of myrrh (from which the English word is derived) but here it is used in the sense of ointment or perfumed oil (L&N 6.205). The adjective πιστικῆς (pistikh") is difficult with regard to its exact meaning; some have taken it to derive from πίστις (pistis) and relate to the purity of the oil of nard. More probably it is something like a brand name, “pistic nard,” the exact significance of which has not been discovered.

sn Nard or spikenard is a fragrant oil from the root and spike of the nard plant of northern India. This aromatic oil, if made of something like nard, would have been extremely expensive, costing up to a year’s pay for an average laborer.

¹²⁸ tn Grk “And she.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

¹²⁹ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. With a note characteristic of someone who was there and remembered, the author adds that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfumed oil. In the later rabbinic literature, Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7.1.1 states “The fragrance of good oil is diffused from the bedroom to the dining hall, but a good name is diffused from one end of the world to the other.” If such a saying was known in the 1st century, this might be the author’s way of indicating that Mary’s act of devotion would be spoken of throughout the entire world (compare the comment in 14:9">Mark 14:9).

¹³⁰ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

¹³¹ tn Grk “three hundred denarii.” The denarius was a silver coin worth a standard day’s wage, so the value exceeded what a laborer could earn in a year (taking into account Sabbaths and feast days when no work was done).

¹³² tn The words “the money” are not in the Greek text, but are implied (as the proceeds from the sale of the perfumed oil).

¹³³ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹³⁴ tn Grk “a thief, and having the money box.” Dividing the single Greek sentence improves the English style.

¹³⁵ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. This is one of the indications in the gospels that Judas was of bad character before the betrayal of Jesus. John states that he was a thief and had responsibility for the finances of the group. More than being simply a derogatory note about Judas’ character, the inclusion of the note at this particular point in the narrative may be intended to link the frustrated greed of Judas here with his subsequent decision to betray Jesus for money. The parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark seem to indicate that after this incident Judas went away immediately and made his deal with the Jewish authorities to deliver up Jesus. Losing out on one source of sordid gain, he immediately went out and set up another.

¹³⁶ tn Grk “Leave her alone, that for the day of my burial she may keep it.” The construction with ἵνα (Jina) is somewhat ambiguous. The simplest way to read it would be, “Leave her alone, that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” This would imply that Mary was going to use the perfumed oil on that day, while vv. 12:3,5" context="true">3 and 5 seem to indicate clearly that she had already used it up. Some understand the statement as elliptical: “Leave her alone; (she did this) in order to keep it for the day of my burial.” Another alternative would be an imperatival use of ἵνα with the meaning: “Leave her alone; let her keep it.” The reading of the Byzantine text, which omits the ἵνα and substitutes a perfect tense τετήρηκεν (tethrhken), while not likely to be original, probably comes close to the meaning of the text, and that has been followed in this translation.

¹³⁷ tc A few isolated witnesses omit v. 12:8" context="true">8 (D sy^s), part of v. 12:8" context="true">8 (Ì⁷⁵), or vv. 12:7-8" context="true">7-8 ({0250}). The latter two omissions are surely due to errors of sight, while the former can be attributed to D’s sometimes erratic behavior. The verse is secure in light of the overwhelming evidence on its behalf.

tn In the Greek text of this clause, “me” is in emphatic position (the first word in the clause). To convey some impression of the emphasis, an exclamation point is used in the translation.

¹³⁸ tn Grk “of the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory (“Judeans”; cf. BDAG 479 s.v. ᾿Ιουδαῖος 2.e), the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers to the residents of Jerusalem and the surrounding area who by this time had heard about the resurrection of Lazarus and were curious to see him.

¹³⁹ tn Grk “knew.”

¹⁴⁰ tn Grk “he”; normal English clause structure specifies the referent first and substitutes the pronoun in subsequent references to the same individual, so the referent (Jesus) has been specified here.

¹⁴¹ tn Grk “Jesus”; normal English clause structure specifies the referent first and substitutes the pronoun in subsequent references to the same individual, so the pronoun (“him”) has been substituted here.

¹⁴² sn According to 11:53">John 11:53 the Jewish leadership had already planned to kill Jesus. This plot against Lazarus apparently never got beyond the planning stage, however, since no further mention is made of it by the author.

¹⁴³ tn Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the residents of Jerusalem who had heard about the resurrection of Lazarus and as a result were embracing Jesus as Messiah. See also the note on the phrase “Judeans” in v. 12:9" context="true">9.

map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

¹⁴⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

¹⁴⁵ sn The Mosaic law stated (23:40">Lev 23:40) that branches of palm trees were to be used to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles. Later on they came to be used to celebrate other feasts as well (1 Macc. 13:51, 2 Macc. 10:7).

¹⁴⁶ tn Grk “And they were shouting.” An ingressive force for the imperfect tense (“they began to shout” or “they started shouting”) is natural in this sequence of events. The conjunction καί (kai, “and”) is left untranslated to improve the English style.

¹⁴⁷ tn The expression ῾Ωσαννά (Jwsanna, literally in Hebrew, “O Lord, save”) in the quotation from 118:25-26">Ps 118:25-26 was probably by this time a familiar liturgical expression of praise, on the order of “Hail to the king,” although both the underlying Aramaic and Hebrew expressions meant “O Lord, save us.” As in 11:9">Mark 11:9 the introductory ὡσαννά is followed by the words of 118:25">Ps 118:25, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου (euloghmeno" Jo ercomeno" en onomati kuriou), although in the Fourth Gospel the author adds for good measure καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ (kai Jo basileu" tou Israhl). In words familiar to every Jew, the author is indicating that at this point every messianic expectation is now at the point of realization. It is clear from the words of the psalm shouted by the crowd that Jesus is being proclaimed as messianic king. See E. Lohse, TDNT 9:682-84.

sn Hosanna is an Aramaic expression that literally means, “help, I pray,” or “save, I pray.” By Jesus’ time it had become a strictly liturgical formula of praise, however, and was used as an exclamation of praise to God.

¹⁴⁸ sn A quotation from 118:25-26">Ps 118:25-26.

¹⁴⁹ tn Grk “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” The words “Blessed is” are not repeated in the Greek text, but are repeated in the translation to avoid the awkwardness in English of the ascensive καί (kai).

¹⁵⁰ sn The author does not repeat the detailed accounts of the finding of the donkey recorded in the synoptic gospels. He does, however, see the event as a fulfillment of scripture, which he indicates by quoting 9:9">Zech 9:9.

¹⁵¹ tn Grk “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion” (the phrase “daughter of Zion” is an idiom for the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “people of Zion”). The idiom “daughter of Zion” has been translated as “people of Zion” because the original idiom, while firmly embedded in the Christian tradition, is not understandable to most modern English readers.

¹⁵² sn A quotation from 9:9">Zech 9:9.

¹⁵³ tn Or “did not understand these things at first”; Grk “formerly.”

¹⁵⁴ sn When Jesus was glorified, that is, glorified through his resurrection, exaltation, and return to the Father. Jesus’ glorification is consistently portrayed this way in the Gospel of John.

¹⁵⁵ tn Grk “and that they had done these things,” though the referent is probably indefinite and not referring to the disciples; as such, the best rendering is as a passive (see ExSyn 402-3; R. E. Brown, John [AB], 1:458).

¹⁵⁶ sn The comment His disciples did not understand these things when they first happened (a parenthetical note by the author) informs the reader that Jesus’ disciples did not at first associate the prophecy from Zechariah with the events as they happened. This came with the later (postresurrection) insight which the Holy Spirit would provide after Jesus’ resurrection and return to the Father. Note the similarity with 2:22">John 2:22, which follows another allusion to a prophecy in Zechariah (14:21" context="true">14:21).

¹⁵⁷ tn The word “it” is not included in the Greek text. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.

¹⁵⁸ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹⁵⁹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24" context="true">1:24.

¹⁶⁰ sn These Greeks (῞Ελληνές τινες, {ellhne" tine") who had come up to worship at the feast were probably “God-fearers” rather than proselytes in the strict sense. Had they been true proselytes, they would probably not have been referred to as Greeks any longer. Many came to worship at the major Jewish festivals without being proselytes to Judaism, for example, the Ethiopian eunuch in 8:27">Acts 8:27, who could not have been a proselyte if he were physically a eunuch.

¹⁶¹ sn These Greeks approached Philip, although it is not clear why they did so. Perhaps they identified with his Greek name (although a number of Jews from border areas had Hellenistic names at this period). By see it is clear they meant “speak with,” since anyone could “see” Jesus moving through the crowd. The author does not mention what they wanted to speak with Jesus about.

¹⁶² tn Grk “and were asking him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.

¹⁶³ tn Grk “Andrew and Philip”; because a repetition of the proper names would be redundant in contemporary English style, the phrase “they both” has been substituted in the translation.

¹⁶⁴ tn Grk “Jesus answered them, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.

¹⁶⁵ tn Grk “the hour.”

¹⁶⁶ sn Jesus’ reply, the time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified, is a bit puzzling. As far as the author’s account is concerned, Jesus totally ignores these Greeks and makes no further reference to them whatsoever. It appears that his words are addressed to Andrew and Philip, but in fact they must have had a wider audience, including possibly the Greeks who had wished to see him in the first place. The words the time has come recall all the previous references to “the hour” throughout the Fourth Gospel (see the note on time in 2:4" context="true">2:4). There is no doubt, in light of the following verse, that Jesus refers to his death here. On his pathway to glorification lies the cross, and it is just ahead.

¹⁶⁷ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

¹⁶⁸ tn Or “it remains only a single kernel.”

¹⁶⁹ tn Or “bears.”

¹⁷⁰ tn Grk “much fruit.”

¹⁷¹ tn Or “soul.”

¹⁷² tn Or “loses.” Although the traditional English translation of ἀπολλύει (apolluei) in 12:25">John 12:25 is “loses,” the contrast with φυλάξει (fulaxei, “keeps” or “guards”) in the second half of the verse favors the meaning “destroy” here.

¹⁷³ tn Or “keeps.”

¹⁷⁴ tn As a third person imperative in Greek, ἀκολουθείτω (akolouqeitw) is usually translated “let him follow me.” This could be understood by the modern English reader as merely permissive, however (“he may follow me if he wishes”). In this context there is no permissive sense, but rather a command, so the translation “he must follow me” is preferred.

¹⁷⁵ tn Grk “where I am, there my servant will be too.”

¹⁷⁶ tn Or “save me.”

¹⁷⁷ tn Or “this occasion.”

sn Father, deliver me from this hour. It is now clear that Jesus’ hour has come – the hour of his return to the Father through crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension (see 12:23" context="true">12:23). This will be reiterated in 13:1;17:1" context="true">13:1 and 17:1. Jesus states (employing words similar to those of 6:4">Ps 6:4) that his soul is troubled. What shall his response to his imminent death be? A prayer to the Father to deliver him from that hour? No, because it is on account of this very hour that Jesus has come. His sacrificial death has always remained the primary purpose of his mission into the world. Now, faced with the completion of that mission, shall he ask the Father to spare him from it? The expected answer is no.

¹⁷⁸ tn Or “this occasion.”

¹⁷⁹ tn Or “from the sky” (see note on 1:32" context="true">1:32).

¹⁸⁰ tn “It” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

¹⁸¹ tn “It” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

¹⁸² tn “The voice” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

¹⁸³ tn Grk “Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” The direct discourse in the second half of v. 12:29" context="true">29 was converted to indirect discourse in the translation to maintain the parallelism with the first half of the verse, which is better in keeping with English style.

¹⁸⁴ tn Grk “Jesus answered and said.”

¹⁸⁵ tn Or “for my sake.”

¹⁸⁶ sn The ruler of this world is a reference to Satan.

¹⁸⁷ tn Or “will be thrown out.” This translation regards the future passive ἐκβληθήσεται (ekblhqhsetai) as referring to an event future to the time of speaking.

sn The phrase driven out must refer to Satan’s loss of authority over this world. This must be in principle rather than in immediate fact, since 5:19">1 John 5:19 states that the whole world (still) lies in the power of the evil one (a reference to Satan). In an absolute sense the reference is proleptic. The coming of Jesus’ hour (his crucifixion, death, resurrection, and exaltation to the Father) marks the end of Satan’s domain and brings about his defeat, even though that defeat has not been ultimately worked out in history yet and awaits the consummation of the age.

¹⁸⁸ tn Grk “all.” The word “people” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for stylistic reasons and for clarity (cf. KJV “all men”).

¹⁸⁹ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

¹⁹⁰ tn Grk “Then the crowd answered him.”

¹⁹¹ tn Or “the Messiah” (Both Greek “Christ” and Hebrew and Aramaic “Messiah” mean “one who has been anointed”).

sn See the note on Christ in 1:20" context="true">1:20.

¹⁹² tn Probably an allusion to 89:35-37">Ps 89:35-37. It is difficult to pinpoint the passage in the Mosaic law to which the crowd refers. The ones most often suggested are 89:36-37">Ps 89:36-37, 110:4">Ps 110:4, 9:7">Isa 9:7, 37:25">Ezek 37:25, and 7:14">Dan 7:14. None of these passages are in the Pentateuch per se, but “law” could in common usage refer to the entire OT (compare Jesus’ use in 10:34">John 10:34). Of the passages mentioned, 89:36-37">Ps 89:36-37 is the most likely candidate. This verse speaks of David’s “seed” remaining forever. Later in the same psalm, v. 51 speaks of the “anointed” (Messiah), and the psalm was interpreted messianically in both the NT (13:22">Acts 13:22, 1:5;3:14">Rev 1:5, 3:14) and in the rabbinic literature (Genesis Rabbah 97).

¹⁹³ tn Grk “And how”; the conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has been left untranslated here for improved English style.

¹⁹⁴ tn Grk “Then Jesus said to them.”

¹⁹⁵ tn Grk “Yet a little while the light is with you.”

¹⁹⁶ sn The warning Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you operates on at least two different levels: (1) To the Jewish people in Jerusalem to whom Jesus spoke, the warning was a reminder that there was only a little time left for them to accept him as their Messiah. (2) To those later individuals to whom the Fourth Gospel was written, and to every person since, the words of Jesus are also a warning: There is a finite, limited time in which each individual has opportunity to respond to the Light of the world (i.e., Jesus); after that comes darkness. One’s response to the Light decisively determines one’s judgment for eternity.

¹⁹⁷ tn The idiom “sons of light” means essentially “people characterized by light,” that is, “people of God.”

sn The expression sons of light refers to men and women to whom the truth of God has been revealed and who are therefore living according to that truth, thus, “people of God.”

¹⁹⁸ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹⁹⁹ tn Or “done.”

²⁰⁰ tn Or “message.”

²⁰¹ tn Grk “who said.”

²⁰² tn “The arm of the Lord” is an idiom for “God’s great power” (as exemplified through Jesus’ miraculous signs). This response of unbelief is interpreted by the author as a fulfillment of the prophetic words of Isaiah (53:1">Isa 53:1). The phrase ὁ βραχίων κυρίου (Jo braciwn kuriou) is a figurative reference to God’s activity and power which has been revealed in the sign-miracles which Jesus has performed (compare the previous verse).

²⁰³ sn A quotation from 53:1">Isa 53:1.

²⁰⁴ sn The author explicitly states here that Jesus’ Jewish opponents could not believe, and quotes 6:10">Isa 6:10 to show that God had in fact blinded their eyes and hardened their heart. This OT passage was used elsewhere in the NT to explain Jewish unbelief: Paul’s final words in Acts (28:26-27" context="true">28:26-27) are a quotation of this same passage, which he uses to explain why the Jewish people have not accepted the gospel he has preached. A similar passage (29:10">Isa 29:10) is quoted in a similar context in 11:8">Rom 11:8.

²⁰⁵ tn Or “closed their mind.”

²⁰⁶ tn Or “their mind.”

²⁰⁷ tn One could also translate στραφῶσιν (strafwsin) as “repent” or “change their ways,” but both of these terms would be subject to misinterpretation by the modern English reader. The idea is one of turning back to God, however. The words “to me” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

²⁰⁸ sn A quotation from 6:10">Isa 6:10.

²⁰⁹ tn Grk “his”; the referent (Christ) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The referent supplied here is “Christ” rather than “Jesus” because it involves what Isaiah saw. It is clear that the author presents Isaiah as having seen the preincarnate glory of Christ, which was the very revelation of the Father (see 1:18">John 1:18; 14:9">John 14:9).

sn Because he saw Christ’s glory. The glory which Isaiah saw in 6:3">Isa 6:3 was the glory of Yahweh (typically rendered as “Lord” in the OT). Here John speaks of the prophet seeing the glory of Christ since in the next clause and spoke about him, “him” can hardly refer to Yahweh, but must refer to Christ. On the basis of statements like 1:14" context="true">1:14 in the prologue, the author probably put no great distinction between the two. Since the author presents Jesus as fully God (cf. 1:1">John 1:1), it presents no problem to him to take words originally spoken by Isaiah of Yahweh himself and apply them to Jesus.

²¹⁰ sn The term rulers here denotes members of the Sanhedrin, the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews. Note the same word (“ruler”) is used to describe Nicodemus in 3:1" context="true">3:1.

²¹¹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24" context="true">1:24.

²¹² tn The words “Jesus to be the Christ” are not in the Greek text, but are implied (see 9:22" context="true">9:22). As is often the case in Greek, the direct object is omitted for the verb ὡμολόγουν (Jwmologoun). Some translators supply an ambiguous “it,” or derive the implied direct object from the previous clause “believed in him” so that the rulers would not confess “their faith” or “their belief.” However, when one compares 9:22">John 9:22, which has many verbal parallels to this verse, it seems clear that the content of the confession would have been “Jesus is the Christ (i.e., Messiah).”

sn See the note on Christ in 1:20" context="true">1:20.

²¹³ tn Or “be expelled from.”

²¹⁴ sn Compare 9:22">John 9:22. See the note on synagogue in 6:59" context="true">6:59.

²¹⁵ tn Grk “the glory.”

²¹⁶ tn Grk “the glory.”

²¹⁷ tn Grk “shouted out and said.”

²¹⁸ sn The one who sent me refers to God.

²¹⁹ sn Cf. 1:18;14:9">John 1:18 and 14:9.

²²⁰ tn Grk “And if anyone”; the conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has been left untranslated here for improved English style.

²²¹ tn Or “guard them,” “keep them.”

²²² sn Cf. 3:17">John 3:17.

²²³ tn Or “does not receive.”

²²⁴ tn Grk “has one who judges him.”

²²⁵ tn Or “message.”

²²⁶ tn Grk “I have not spoken from myself.”

²²⁷ tn Grk “has given me commandment.”

²²⁸ tn Or “his commandment results in eternal life.”

²²⁹ tn Grk “The things I speak, just as the Father has spoken to me, thus I speak.”

²³⁰ tn Grk “his hour.”

²³¹ tn Grk “that he should depart.” The ἵνα (Jina) clause in Koine Greek frequently encroached on the simple infinitive (for the sake of greater clarity).

²³² tn Or “he now loved them completely,” or “he now loved them to the uttermost” (see 19:30">John 19:30). All of 13:1">John 13:1 is a single sentence in Greek, although in English this would be unacceptably awkward. At the end of the verse the idiom εἰς τέλος (eis telos) was translated literally as “to the end” and the modern equivalents given in the note above, because there is an important lexical link between this passage and 19:30">John 19:30, τετέλεσται (tetelestai, “It is ended”).

sn The full extent of Jesus’ love for his disciples is not merely seen in his humble service to them in washing their feet (the most common interpretation of the passage). The full extent of his love for them is demonstrated in his sacrificial death for them on the cross. The footwashing episode which follows then becomes a prophetic act, or acting out beforehand, of his upcoming death on their behalf. The message for the disciples was that they were to love one another not just in humble, self-effacing service, but were to be willing to die for one another. At least one of them got this message eventually, though none understood it at the time (see 3:16">1 John 3:16).

²³³ tn Or “Supper.” To avoid possible confusion because of different regional English usage regarding the distinction between “dinner” and “supper” as an evening meal, the translation simply refers to “the evening meal.”

²³⁴ sn At this point the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. C. K. Barrett (St. John, 365) thought this was a reference to the idea entering the devil’s own heart, but this does not seem likely. It is more probable that Judas’ heart is meant, since the use of the Greek article (rather than a possessive pronoun) is a typical idiom when a part of one’s own body is indicated. Judas’ name is withheld until the end of the sentence for dramatic effect (emphasis). This action must be read in light of 13:27" context="true">13:27, and appears to refer to a preliminary idea or plan.

²³⁵ tn Or “that he should hand over.”

²³⁶ tn Grk “betray him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²³⁷ tn Grk “Because he knew”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²³⁸ tn Grk “had given all things into his hands.”

²³⁹ tn Grk “and removed”; the conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has been left untranslated here for improved English style.

²⁴⁰ tn The plural τὰ ἱμάτια (ta Jimatia) is probably a reference to more than one garment (cf. 19:23-24">John 19:23-24). If so, this would indicate that Jesus stripped to a loincloth, like a slave. The translation “outer clothes” is used to indicate that Jesus was not completely naked, since complete nudity would have been extremely offensive to Jewish sensibilities in this historical context.

²⁴¹ tn Grk “taking a towel he girded himself.” Jesus would have wrapped the towel (λέντιον, lention) around his waist (διέζωσεν ἑαυτόν, diezwsen Jeauton) for use in wiping the disciples’ feet. The term λέντιον is a Latin loanword (linteum) which is also found in the rabbinic literature (see BDAG 592 s.v.). It would have been a long piece of linen cloth, long enough for Jesus to have wrapped it about his waist and still used the free end to wipe the disciples’ feet.

²⁴² tn Grk “with the towel with which he was girded.”

²⁴³ tn Grk “He”; the referent (Peter) is specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁴⁴ tn Grk “do you wash” or “are you washing.”

²⁴⁵ tn Grk “answered and said to him.”

²⁴⁶ tn Grk “You do not know.”

²⁴⁷ tn Grk “you will know.”

²⁴⁸ tn Grk “You will never wash my feet forever.” The negation is emphatic in Greek but somewhat awkward in English. Emphasis is conveyed in the translation by the use of an exclamation point.

²⁴⁹ tn Grk “Jesus answered him.”

²⁵⁰ tn Or “you have no part in me.”

²⁵¹ tn The word “wash” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Here it is supplied to improve the English style by making Peter’s utterance a complete sentence.

²⁵² tn Grk “Jesus said to him.”

²⁵³ tn Grk “has no need except to wash his feet.”

²⁵⁴ tn Or “entirely.”

²⁵⁵ sn The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet. A common understanding is that the “bath” Jesus referred to is the initial cleansing from sin, which necessitates only “lesser, partial” cleansings from sins after conversion. This makes a fine illustration from a homiletic standpoint, but is it the meaning of the passage? This seems highly doubtful. Jesus stated that the disciples were completely clean except for Judas (vv. 13:10" context="true">10b, 11). What they needed was to have their feet washed by Jesus. In the broader context of the Fourth Gospel, the significance of the foot-washing seems to point not just to an example of humble service (as most understand it), but something more – Jesus’ self-sacrificial death on the cross. If this is correct, then the foot-washing which they needed to undergo represented their acceptance of this act of self-sacrifice on the part of their master. This makes Peter’s initial abhorrence of the act of humiliation by his master all the more significant in context; it also explains Jesus’ seemingly harsh reply to Peter (above, v. 13:8" context="true">8; compare 16:21-23">Matt 16:21-23 where Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan”).

²⁵⁶ tn The word “disciples” is supplied in English to clarify the plural Greek pronoun and verb. Peter is not the only one Jesus is addressing here.

²⁵⁷ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁵⁸ tn Grk “Not all of you are.”

²⁵⁹ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

²⁶⁰ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁶¹ tn Grk “he reclined at the table.” The phrase reflects the normal 1st century Near Eastern practice of eating a meal in a semi-reclining position.

²⁶² tn Grk “Do you know.”

²⁶³ tn Or “rightly.”

²⁶⁴ tn Grk “and I am these things.”

²⁶⁵ sn I have given you an example. Jesus tells his disciples after he has finished washing their feet that what he has done is to set an example for them. In the previous verse he told them they were to wash one another’s feet. What is the point of the example? If it is simply an act of humble service, as most interpret the significance, then Jesus is really telling his disciples to serve one another in humility rather than seeking preeminence over one another. If, however, the example is one of self-sacrifice up to the point of death, then Jesus is telling them to lay down their lives for one another (cf. 15:13" context="true">15:13).

²⁶⁶ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

²⁶⁷ tn See the note on the word “slaves” in 4:51" context="true">4:51.

²⁶⁸ tn Or “nor is the apostle” (“apostle” means “one who is sent” in Greek).

²⁶⁹ tn Grk “If you know.”

²⁷⁰ tn Grk “But so that the scripture may be fulfilled.”

²⁷¹ tn Or “The one who shares my food.”

²⁷² tn Or “has become my enemy”; Grk “has lifted up his heel against me.” The phrase “to lift up one’s heel against someone” reads literally in the Hebrew of Ps 41 “has made his heel great against me.” There have been numerous interpretations of this phrase, but most likely it is an idiom meaning “has given me a great fall,” “has taken cruel advantage of me,” or “has walked out on me.” Whatever the exact meaning of the idiom, it clearly speaks of betrayal by a close associate. See E. F. F. Bishop, “‘He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me’ – Jn xiii.18 (Ps xli.9),” ExpTim 70 (1958-59): 331-33.

sn A quotation from 41:9">Ps 41:9.

²⁷³ tn Or (perhaps) “I am certainly telling you this.” According to BDF §12.3 ἀπ᾿ ἄρτι (ap’ arti) should be read as ἀπαρτί (aparti), meaning “exactly, certainly.”

²⁷⁴ tn Grk “so that you may believe.”

²⁷⁵ tn Grk “that I am.” R. E. Brown (John [AB], 2:555) argues for a nonpredicated ἐγώ εἰμι (egw eimi) here, but this is far from certain.

²⁷⁶ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

²⁷⁷ tn Or “receives,” and so throughout this verse.

²⁷⁸ sn The one who sent me refers to God.

²⁷⁹ tn Or “greatly troubled.”

²⁸⁰ tn Grk “and testified and said.”

²⁸¹ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

²⁸² tn Or “will hand me over.”

²⁸³ tn Grk “uncertain,” “at a loss.” Here two terms, “worried and perplexed,” were used to convey the single idea of the Greek verb ἀπορέω (aporew).

²⁸⁴ sn Here for the first time the one Jesus loved, the ‘beloved disciple,’ is introduced. This individual also is mentioned in 19:26;20:2;21:7;21:20" context="true">19:26, 20:2, 21:7, and 21:20. Some have suggested that this disciple is to be identified with Lazarus, since the Fourth Gospel specifically states that Jesus loved him (11:3,5,36" context="true">11:3, 5, 36). From the terminology alone this is a possibility; the author is certainly capable of using language in this way to indicate connections. But there is nothing else to indicate that Lazarus was present at the last supper; 14:17">Mark 14:17 seems to indicate it was only the twelve who were with Jesus at this time, and there is no indication in the Fourth Gospel to the contrary. Nor does it appear that Lazarus ever stood so close to Jesus as the later references in chaps. 19, 20 and 21 seem to indicate. When this is coupled with the omission of all references to John son of Zebedee from the Fourth Gospel, it seems far more likely that the references to the beloved disciple should be understood as references to him.

²⁸⁵ tn Grk “was reclining.” This reflects the normal 1st century practice of eating a meal in a semi-reclining position.

²⁸⁶ tn Grk “was reclining in the bosom (or “lap”) of Jesus” (according to both L&N 17.25 and BDAG 65 s.v. ἀνάκειμαι 2 an idiom for taking the place of honor at a meal, but note the similar expression in 1:18">John 1:18). Whether this position or the position to the left of Jesus should be regarded as the position of second highest honor (next to the host, in this case Jesus, who was in the position of highest honor) is debated. F. Prat, “Les places d’honneur chez les Juifs contemporains du Christ” (RSR 15 [1925]: 512-22), who argued that the table arrangement was that of the Roman triclinium (a U-shaped table with Jesus and two other disciples at the bottom of the U), considered the position to the left of Jesus to be the one of second highest honor. Thus the present translation renders this “a position of honor” without specifying which one (since both of the two disciples to the right and to the left of Jesus would be in positions of honor). Other translations differ as to how they handle the phrase ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ (en tw kolpw tou Ihsou; “leaning on Jesus’ bosom,” KJV; “lying close to the breast of Jesus,” RSV; “reclining on Jesus’ breast,” NASB; “reclining next to him,” NIV, NRSV) but the symbolic significance of the beloved disciple’s position seems clear. He is close to Jesus and in an honored position. The phrase as an idiom for a place of honor at a feast is attested in the Epistles of Pliny (the Younger) 4.22.4, an approximate contemporary of Paul.

sn Note that the same expression translated in a place of honor here (Grk “in the bosom of”) is used to indicate Jesus’ relationship with the Father in 1:18" context="true">1:18.

²⁸⁷ sn It is not clear where Simon Peter was seated. If he were on Jesus’ other side, it is difficult to see why he would not have asked the question himself. It would also have been difficult to beckon to the beloved disciple, on Jesus’ right, from such a position. So apparently Peter was seated somewhere else. It is entirely possible that Judas was seated to Jesus’ left. 26:25">Matt 26:25 seems to indicate that Jesus could speak to him without being overheard by the rest of the group. Judas is evidently in a position where Jesus can hand him the morsel of food (13:26" context="true">13:26).

²⁸⁸ tn Grk “to this one”; the referent (the beloved disciple) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁸⁹ tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁹⁰ sn That is, who would betray him (v. 13:21" context="true">21).

²⁹¹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the disciple Jesus loved) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁹² tn Grk “Jesus answered.”

²⁹³ sn The piece of bread was a broken-off piece of bread (not merely a crumb).

²⁹⁴ tn Grk “after I have dipped it.” The words “in the dish” are not in the Greek text, but the presence of a bowl or dish is implied.

²⁹⁵ tn The words “in the dish” are not in the Greek text, but the presence of a bowl or dish is implied.

²⁹⁶ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁹⁷ tn Grk “into that one”; the pronoun “he” is more natural English style here.

sn This is the only time in the Fourth Gospel that Satan is mentioned by name. 22:3">Luke 22:3 uses the same terminology of Satan “entering into” Judas but indicates it happened before the last supper at the time Judas made his deal with the authorities. This is not necessarily irreconcilable with John’s account, however, because 13:2">John 13:2 makes it clear that Judas had already come under satanic influence prior to the meal itself. The statement here is probably meant to indicate that Judas at this point came under the influence of Satan even more completely and finally. It marks the end of a process which, as Luke indicates, had begun earlier.

²⁹⁸ tn Grk “Then Jesus said to him.”

²⁹⁹ tn Grk “reclining at the table.” The phrase reclining at the table reflects the normal practice in 1st century Near Eastern culture of eating a meal in a semi-reclining position.

³⁰⁰ tn Or “knew.”

³⁰¹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³⁰² tn Grk “to him”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³⁰³ tn Grk “telling him, ‘Buy whatever we need for the feast.’” The first clause is direct discourse and the second clause indirect discourse. For smoothness of English style, the first clause has been converted to indirect discourse to parallel the second (the meaning is left unchanged).

³⁰⁴ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

³⁰⁵ tn Grk “That one”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³⁰⁶ sn Now it was night is a parenthetical note by the author. The comment is more than just a time indicator, however. With the departure of Judas to set in motion the betrayal, arrest, trials, crucifixion, and death of Jesus, daytime is over and night has come (see 9:5;11:9-10;12:35-36">John 9:5; 11:9-10; 12:35-36). Judas had become one of those who walked by night and stumbled, because the light was not in him (11:10" context="true">11:10).

³⁰⁷ tn Grk “Then when.”

³⁰⁸ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³⁰⁹ tc A number of early mss (Ì⁶⁶ א* B C* D L W al as well as several versional witnesses) do not have the words “If God is glorified in him,” while the majority of mss have the clause (so א² A C² Θ Ψ Ë¹³ 33 Ï lat). Although the mss that omit the words are significantly better witnesses, the omission may have occurred because of an error of sight due to homoioteleuton (v. 13:31" context="true">31 ends in ἐν αὐτῷ [en autw, “in him”], as does this clause). Further, the typical step-parallelism found in John is retained if the clause is kept intact (TCGNT 205-6). At the same time, it is difficult to explain how such a wide variety of witnesses would have accidentally deleted this clause, and arguments for intentional deletion are not particularly convincing. NA²⁷ rightly places the words in brackets, indicating doubt as to their authenticity.

³¹⁰ tn Or “immediately.”

³¹¹ tn Or “You will seek me.”

³¹² tn Grk “the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory, the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers to the residents of Jerusalem in general, or to the Jewish religious leaders in particular, who had sent servants to attempt to arrest Jesus on that occasion (7:33-35">John 7:33-35). The last option is the one adopted in the translation above.

³¹³ sn See 7:33-34">John 7:33-34.

³¹⁴ tn The words “the same” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.

³¹⁵ tn The ἵνα (Jina) clause gives the content of the commandment. This is indicated by a dash in the translation.

³¹⁶ sn The idea that love is a commandment is interesting. In the OT the ten commandments have a setting in the covenant between God and Israel at Sinai; they were the stipulations that Israel had to observe if the nation were to be God’s chosen people. In speaking of love as the new commandment for those whom Jesus had chosen as his own (13:1;15:16">John 13:1, 15:16) and as a mark by which they could be distinguished from others (13:35" context="true">13:35), John shows that he is thinking of this scene in covenant terminology. But note that the disciples are to love “Just as I have loved you” (13:34" context="true">13:34). The love Jesus has for his followers cannot be duplicated by them in one sense, because it effects their salvation, since he lays down his life for them: It is an act of love that gives life to people. But in another sense, they can follow his example (recall to the end, 13:1; also 3:16;4:16">1 John 3:16, 4:16 and the interpretation of Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet). In this way Jesus’ disciples are to love one another: They are to follow his example of sacrificial service to one another, to death if necessary.

³¹⁷ tn Grk “All people,” although many modern translations have rendered πάντες (pantes) as “all men” (ASV, RSV, NASB, NIV). While the gender of the pronoun is masculine, it is collective and includes people of both genders.

³¹⁸ tn Grk “Jesus answered him.”

³¹⁹ tn Or “I will die willingly for you.”

³²⁰ tn Or “Will you die willingly for me?”

³²¹ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”