INTRO TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, Sarah Barry
JESUS' COMMAND LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE
Passage: John 12:37~50  
Key verse: 50
Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews
37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs(A) in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”[b](C)
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory(D) and spoke about him.(E)
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.(F) But because of the Pharisees(G) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;(H) 43 for they loved human praise(I) more than praise from God.(J)
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.(K) 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.(L) 46 I have come into the world as a light,(M) so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.(N) 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them(O) at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me(P) to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life.(Q) So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”(R)
Footnotes
- John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
- John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10
Cross references
- John 12:37 : S Jn 2:11
- John 12:38 : Isa 53:1; Ro 10:16
- John 12:40 : Isa 6:10; S Mt 13:13, 15
- John 12:41 : Isa 6:1-4
- John 12:41 : Lk 24:27
- John 12:42 : ver 11; Jn 7:48
- John 12:42 : S Jn 7:13
- John 12:42 : Jn 9:22
- John 12:43 : 1Sa 15:30
- John 12:43 : S Ro 2:29
- John 12:44 : S Mt 10:40; Jn 5:24
- John 12:45 : S Jn 14:9
- John 12:46 : S Jn 1:4
- John 12:47 : S Jn 3:17
- John 12:48 : Jn 5:45
- John 12:49 : Jn 14:31
- John 12:50 : S Mt 25:46
- John 12:50 : S Jn 14:24
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Unbelievers and secret believers (37-43)
Though Jesus performed many miracles, revealing his identity as the Messiah, people refused to believe in him. This fulfilled Isaiah 53:1 - those to whom God's arm was revealed, were also those who did not believe. Their eyes were blinded and their hearts hardened to Christ. Many Jewish leaders believed in Jesus, but they would not openly say so. They were afraid of the social ramifications. They loved praise from men more than praise from God.
2. See God through Christ (44-50)
When we believe in Jesus, we also believe in God the Father who sent him. We see God through Christ. Jesus does not want to leave us in spiritual darkness. Jesus did not speak on his own but only what his Father told him to say. Jesus' word leads to eternal life when we accept them. Those who hear Jesus' words but do not keep them are not immediately judged. God the Father will judge them on the last day.
Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. Thank you for your word that leads to eternal life. Help me to share your life-giving word with someone today.
One Word: Jesus' word leads to eternal life