RSV ~ John 12 Notes
Jn 12:1-8 | ISB Notes
The anointing of Jesus at Bethany is also narrated in Mt 26:6-13 and Mk 14:3-9. The episode is similar but distinct from the earlier anointing at the house of Simon the Pharisee in Lk 7:36-50.
Jn 12:1 | ISB Notes
Six days before the Passover: The chronology of the Fourth Gospel places this event on Saturday evening just before Holy Week. The following day is Palm Sunday (12:12).
Jn 12:3 | ISB Notes
pure nard: An imported spice from India.
anointed the feet: Matthew and Mark have her also anoint the âheadâ of Jesus (Mt 26:7; Mk 14:3).
the house was filled: The detail suggests John is testifying to what he himself smelled on the occasion.
It may be symbolic of what Jesus says explicitly in the Synoptic tradition: the spread of the fragrance throughout the house anticipates the news of this event spreading throughout the world (Mt 26:13; Mk 14:9).
Jn 12:5 | ISB Notes
three hundred denarii: Nearly an entire yearâs income for a laborer, since a single denarius was equivalent to a single dayâs wage (Mt 20:2). It is tragic that Judas complained about Maryâs extravagance when he himself betrayed Jesus for much lessâa mere âthirty pieces of silverâ (Mt 26:15).
Jn 12:6 | ISB Notes
not that he cared: Judas wants to pocket the proceeds of the sale for himself, not to give it away as alms for the needy.
the money box: Suggests that Judas was the treasurer in charge of the disciplesâ funds (13:29; Lk 8:3).
Jn 12:8 | ISB Notes
The poor: Jesus is not indifferent toward the poor. Elsewhere he promotes almsgiving in no uncertain terms (Mt 6:2-4; Lk 6:30; 12:33).
⢠The words of Jesus echo the words of Deut 15:11, which states that the unceasing presence of the poor offers countless opportunities to give generously to less fortunate neighbors. The disciples, too, will have plenty of chances to give alms, but only a brief time remains to be generous toward Jesus while he remains among them (CCC 2449).
Jn 12:12 | ISB Notes
The next day: Palm Sunday.
come to the feast: Three times a year the nation of Israel traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the great festivals of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Acts 2:5-11). Even Gentiles were known to make the pilgrimage from considerable distances (12:20; Acts 8:27).
Jn 12:13 | ISB Notes
branches of palm: Recalls how the Israelites waved bundles of palm branches for the feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:40; 2 Mac 10:6-7). Hosanna!: A Hebrew acclamation meaning âSave us!â (Ps 118:25). Blessed âŚ
name of the Lord: An excerpt from Ps 118:26, one of the Hallel Psalms (113-118) customarily sung at Israelâs great feasts. See note on Mk 11:8-10 and CCC 559.
Jn 12:15 | ISB Notes
Fear not, daughter of Zion: A reference to Zech 1 9:9.
⢠Zechariah depicts the royal procession of the Messiah into Jerusalem in a manner that recalls King Solomonâs coronation ceremony in 1 Kings 1:38-40. Though a victorious king and leader, he will be mounted on a humble donkey instead of a powerful war horse; indeed, the Messiah will banish the instruments of warfare and proclaim âpeaceâ to Israel and all nations (Zech 9:10). This text provides one of the clearest indications that the Messiah would not be a military general, poised to fight against Israelâs political oppressors, but a peaceful king who calls for an end to retaliation and bloodshed.
Jn 12:16 | ISB Notes
they remembered: The Holy Spirit inspired the memory of the apostles not only to recall the prophecies and events of the past, but to understand them in terms of the Fatherâs saving plan (2:22; 14:26).
Jn 12:19 | ISB Notes
the world has gone after him: A sweeping assessment of Jesusâ popularity. Since John 7, the evangelist has noted a steady stream of Jews believing in him despite opposition from the Jerusalem authorities (7:31; 8:30; 9:38; 10:42; 11:45).
Jn 12:20 | ISB Notes
some Greeks: Either Gentile converts to Judaism or âGod fearersâ who were attracted to Judaism but were not circumcised (Acts 13:26; 17:4). Their request for an audience with Jesus anticipates his prophecy that âall menâ will be drawn to him (Jn 12:32).
Jn 12:23 | ISB Notes
The hour has come: A decisive turning point in the Gospel narrative, when the awaited âhourâ of Jesus has finally arrived (2:4; 4:23; 5:25; 7:30; etc.). The inquiry of the Greeks sets this in motion, indicating that the forthcoming suffering of Jesus will secure blessings not only for Israel but for the whole world (1:29; 4:42; 1 Jn 2:2).
Jn 12:24 | ISB Notes
unless a grain of wheat: As a planted seed must decay before it sprouts new life, so Jesus must endure death to bring us eternal life. This principle also holds true for disciples, who must die to themselves to receive the fullness of life from God and be channels of life to others (12:25; 2 Cor 4:11-12).
Jn 12:28 | ISB Notes
a voice: Three times the Father speaks to Jesus from heaven: here, at his Baptism (Mt 3:17), and at his Transfiguration (Mt 17:5). These announcements were made audible for the sake of his followers (12:30).
Jn 12:31 | ISB Notes
ruler of this world: Satan, whose dominion over the world began with Adamâs rebellion in the garden (Gen 3:119).
cast out: Christ will defeat the devil when he mounts the Cross (Heb 2:14-15) and will destroy him when he comes again in glory (Rev 20:10) (CCC 550, 2853).
Jn 12:32 | ISB Notes
when I am lifted up: Refers primarily to the Crucifixion of Christ, as indicated in the next verse, but also hints at his Resurrection and Ascension (CCC 662). See note on Jn 3:14.
⢠The expression recalls the opening line of Isaiahâs fourth Servant Song, which runs from Is 52:13 to 53:12. The whole song is a prophetic depiction of the suffering of the Messiah, who will be exalted and lifted up in the sight of the nations, but only after he is cast down by his own people. Isaiah interprets the humiliation and death of this Servant as a redemptive sacrifice for sin.
draw all men to myself: Points to the worldwide acceptance of the gospel (Mt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
⢠As Isaiah envisioned the Davidic Messiah as an âensignâ posted for the ingathering of the ânationsâ and the âoutcasts of Israelâ (Is 11:10-12), so Jesus sees the world gathering around the âsignâ of the Cross (CCC 542).
Jn 12:34 | ISB Notes
the law: A reference to the entire OT (10:34; 15:25).
⢠Several passages indicate that the Messiah will reign forever as a priest and king (Ps 110:4; Ezek 37:25; Dan 7:14).
the Son of man: The royal figure of Dan 7:13.
See topical essay: Jesus, the Son of Man at Lk 17.
Jn 12:36 | ISB Notes
sons of light: i.e., followers of Jesus, who is the light (1:9; 8:12; 12:46). Paul echoes this teaching in Eph 5:8 and 1 Thess 5:5.
Jn 12:38 | ISB Notes
Lord, who has believed: A quotation from Is 53:1.
⢠Isaiah bemoans the unbelief of Israel, to whom the Messiah comes as a Savior but by whom he is rejected. This is an explicit citation from the same Servant Song to which Jesus made an implicit reference in 12:32.
Jn 12:40 | ISB Notes
He has blinded: A reference to Is 6:10.
⢠Isaiahâs mission to Israel in the eighth century B.C. parallels Jesusâ mission to Israel in the first century A.D. Both confront a rebellious generation whose unbelief calls down the covenant judgment of Yahweh; and, in both cases, God responds to unbelief by blinding and hardening the rebels, making them unresponsive to the warnings of the Prophets. See note on Mk 4:12.
Jn 12:41 | ISB Notes
saw his glory: Alludes to the context of Is 6:10 cited in the preceding verse.
⢠Isaiahâs prophetic mission began with a vision of Yahweh enthroned in glory, âhigh and lifted upâ (Is 6:1). It is possible that John is connecting this with Isaiahâs later vision of the messianic Servant, who is likewise âexalted and lifted upâ (Is 52:13) (CCC 712-13).
Jn 12:44 | ISB Notes
him who sent me: Because Jesus is the image of the Father (14:9) and speaks the words of the Father (8:28), our response to him is a measure of how we respond to the Father (1 Jn 2:23).