John Chapter 3
3:1. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews (member of the Sanhedrin), and a master of Israel (a rabbi, v.
10).
3:2. By night: Probably he feared criticism. John refers several times to "fear of Jews" (see 7:13; 9:22; 12:42, 43;
19:38). Nicodemus accepted Jesus as a teacher and a rabbi from God who worked miracles, but Jesus was not
impressed with the depth of Nicodemus' s belief or understanding. Many unbelievers still agree that Jesus was "a
great man."
3:3. Verily, verily (lit., amen, amen") occurs only in John's gospel, and then always for emphasis. Born again may
be translated either "again" or "from above." Perhaps both ideas should be combined here, to indicate the
repetition of an act from another source. John might have said "again" had he wished to indicate repetition of an
act from the same source. Only John used this expression in the Gospels. This concept of the New Birth includes
these implications: (1) It undercuts Jewish dependence on being sons of Abraham (cf. 8:39). (2) It reveals that
there must be a work of God "from above," since the Jews considered children (new births) to be God's blessing.
(3) It teaches the necessity of a new beginning.
3:5. Born of water implies natural, physical birth, since Spirit refers to supernatural spiritual birth.
3:13. Son of man was a messianic title. See Daniel 7:13 for the Old Testament source.
3:14. Serpent: Nicodemus was a follower of Moses. Numbers 21 tells of the Jewish murmuring, the fiery serpents,
the brass serpent, and the healing of the people who looked in faith (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21, showing that Jesus was
made "sin for us").
3:18. This verse answers the question. "Why do people go to hell?" It is because they do not believe in Jesus.
3:22-24. Here are the concurrent ministries of Jesus and John. Sometimes the other gospels may leave the
impression that John's ministry ended when Jesus' began. Although it did decrease, it continued for a season (cf.
Acts 19:1-7).
3:23. Much water suggests that John's baptism was probably by immersion.
3:34. God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him: Some manuscripts read: "He gives the Spirit without
measure," which would then refer to the sending of the Holy Spirit (cf. 7:37-39; Acts 1:5; 11:15, 16).
John Chapter 4
4:4. Go through Samaria: The circuitous route taken by strict Jews from Jerusalem to Galilee was toward Jericho,
across the Jordan River to the east side, north through Perea (bypassing the hated Samaritans), and finally
recrossing the Jordan into Galilee. See verse 9 below.
4:5. Sychar was the Old Testament Shechem (Gen. 33:18-20).
4:9. The Samaritans had intermarried with Gentiles during the Assyrian captivity (2 Kin. 17:24-41). They
acknowledged only the Pentateuch as Scripture, and around 400 B.C. built a temple on Mount Gerizim.
4:10. The living water refers to the Holy Spirit (cf. 7:38, 39).
4:20. This mountain means Gerizim. See the note on verse 9.
4:24. The original stresses the idea of God's nature or being as spiritual (cf. 5:37).
4:25. Messiah: Compare to Deuteronomy 18:15-22.
4:35. Fields. . .white already to harvest: Jesus may have pointed to the multitudes who came from Sychar to see
Him because of the testimony of the woman.
4:39-42. At first they believed because of the woman's testimony. But to people of this culture, this was not
adequate. They would have to hear for themselves. Jesus' acceptance of the woman in her new role shows that
He did not share this condescending attitude toward women.
4:54. This was only the second miracle worked in Galilee. Evidently Jesus had performed others in Judea. See
2:23; 3:2.
John Chapter 5
5:1. Jerusalem: Previously Jesus had dealt primarily with individuals. Now He confronts the Jewish leaders. John
5:1-10:42 reveals the rising controversy and the opposition that finally resulted in His crucifixion. A feast was
taking place in Jerusalem, but which one is not clearly stated (see Introduction). There were three major Jewish
feasts: Passover (in the spring), Pentecost (50 days later), and the feast of Tabernacles ( in the fall).
5:2. Bethesda means "House of Mercy."
5:5. Thirty and eight years indicates that the man had been infirm since before Jesus was born. We are not told
his condition, but it kept him from walking. Perhaps it was the result of sin (cf. v. 14).
5:9-18. Sabbath: Two charges are brought against Jesus for healing on the "wrong" day of the week (vv. 9b, 10
16). The Pharisees had added many oral traditions to the written law. First, no burden-bearing was allowed.
People could not even carry a needle in their clothing, write anything, or put out a lamp. Certainly they could not
carry their own beds. Second, no medical practices were permitted on the Sabbath, except to prevent death.
5:17, 18. Jesus' response is considered blasphemy. He spoke of His Father. The Jews realize that He is equating
Himself with God.
5:17. I work: Jesus manifested power in two capacities that are prerogatives of deity:judgement (vv. 22, 27,
30),and resurrection (vv. 21, 25, 26, 28, 29). Jesus was submissive to the Father, but not subordinate to Him (vv.
19, 30).
5:31-47. Jesus said there were six possible witnesses to His person (already evident in John): (1) He did not yet
claim His own witness (vv. 31, 32). Contrast this with His later claim in 8:14. (2) John the Baptist was a witness (vv.
33-35). (3) His works or miracles are a witness (v. 36). (4) The Father witnessed to His sonship (vv. 37, 38). (5)
The Scriptures bear witness to Him (vv. 39, 40). (6) Moses wrote of Him (vv. 45-47).
John Chapter 6
6:1. Tiberias: John is the only gospel writer to call this sea "Tiberias." Following the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D.
70), the Sea of Galilee was renamed Tiberias, after Tiberias Caesar (Luke 3:1), who ruled A.D. 14-37.
6:2-14. The feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish is the only miracle included in all four of the
Gospels (Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17). John's is the only gospel to mention Philip, Andrew, and
the lad.
6:4. This is the third Passover during Jesus' ministry. See 2:13; 5:1.
6:7. Two hundred pennyworth: Two hundred denarii was two hundred days' wages. The denarius ("penny") was
the average days' wage of a working man.
6:15-24. The Jews attempted to make Jesus a King (v. 15). Hunger was common and a Messiah who could multiply
food was the one most people were ready to follow. Jesus departed to a mountain. Other gospels add to pray.
6:19. The disciples took a boat from Tiberias to Capernaum. During the night Jesus came to them walking on the
sea. Only Matthew (14:25-31) tells of Peter's walking on the water on the occasion.
6:27. Meat which endureth: See the water that satisfies in 4:14; 6:28, 29.
6:28. The works of meant to believe on Jesus (Heb. 11:6; Rom. 14:23b).
6:35. I am the bread of life means the bread that gives life. The life of which He speaks is spiritual and eternal.
6:38. I came down from heaven is another indication of Jesus' deity (cf. 3:13).
6:53. Blood: The Jews were forbidden to drink blood (Lev. 7:26, 27). This was a "hard saying" (v. 60) because
they missed His point (cf. Lev. 17:11). Jesus came to bring and sustain spiritual life, yet they were still thinking of
physical life (cf. v. 63).
6:64. Betray refers primarily to Judas, who has not yet been named in the gospel, but will be in verses 70, 71.
6:67. Here is the first mention of the twelve in John's gospel (cf. Mark 3:Luke 6). Only five of them have been
named thus far: John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael (vv. 68, 69). Perhaps this is John's account of the
confession of Simon Peter at Caesarea Phillipi (cf. Matt. 16:16).
6:70. Devil (Gr. diabolos, "adversary" or "devil") means "slanderer." Compare this with 13:27, "Satan entered into
him."
6:71. This is the first occasion in John where Peter and Judas appear in contrast (cf. vv. 68, 69). See also
chapters 13 and 18.