Category

John 15:9-17 Gifts of the Redeemer! Bible Background: In John’s gospel, this is part of Jesus ‘Farewell Discourse’, a long section on Jesus’ last night with his disciples. He’s sharing very personally with them. He’s praying for them. And... Read More →

John 14:23-29 = Farewell, Promise, Peace Bible Background: 1. We’re stepping back into the lengthy ‘farewell discourse’ in John’s Gospel, which is fit into the Last Supper scene in John. Chapter 14 begins with: “Do not let your hearts be... Read More →

John 21:15f Jesus, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple Bible Background: 1. This is that final appearance of the risen Jesus in John’s Gospel, having ‘breakfast on the beach’ with 7 disciples. Part of why this story with Peter seems to be here, is to... Read More →

John 21:1-14 The Risen Jesus and the Disciples, Scene 3 Bible Background: 1. Matthew and Luke give us relatively brief appearances of the risen Christ, limited to that first Easter day. Mark gives us none! John gives several reports that spread out over many days. And like all of... Read More →

John 20=Risen Jesus + Thomas + Us Bible Background: John records the risen Jesus making multiple, very personal, and very convincing appearances. Tradition refers to “Doubting Thomas”, but pay attention to the rest of his story! His nickname implies, wrongly, that... Read More →

John 12 = Entry into Jerusalem Bible Background: 1. We skipped over this in reading through John, so it would ‘fit’ the calendar today. We know John’s storyline is a bit different than in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Digging Deeper: 1. Recall that in John, the... Read More →

John 19:1-6a = Jesus Is Condemned to Die Bible Background: Jesus was brought to Pilate (in chapter 18, we read last week), and Pilate knows Jesus is innocent, and tries to release him again. But Pilate also has to appease the crowd. So the verdict is: Jesus is innocent, Pilate is... Read More →

John 18:28-40 Jesus and Pilate Bible Background: In John’s Gospel, all the opponents of Jesus are responsible for the death of Jesus. It falls to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, to issue the actual death penalty. Pilate was governor of that region from 26-36 CE, and... Read More →

John 18 = Jesus Arrested and Peter Caves In Bible Background: We have skipped over John 14–17, where Jesus continues teaching his disciples on what they’ll need to know for when he is no longer with them. Jesus also promises to send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit-who... Read More →

John 13 = Jesus’ Washes the Disciples’ Feet Bible Background: John 13 begins the long ‘farewell discourse’ in John’s Gospel, that all takes place on the last night of Jesus’ life. Remember, John does things differently than Matthew/Mark/Luke.... Read More →