John 11-12

1
John 11-12

• Jesus Rejected by the World

2
Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel

• Ch. 1 Introduction Prologue and Witness of John
• Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs")
• Theme Through signs and discourses, Jesus
  reveals himself as the Son of God, sent to save
  the world, but is rejected by the world.
• Ch. 2-4 Images of New Salvation
• Ch. 5-10 Growing hostility
• Ch. 11-12 Final rejection
• Raising Lazarus (ch. 11) Climactic sign.
• Withdrawal from public ministry (ch. 12).
• Ch. 13-20 Jesus Before the Disciples ("Book of
  Passion/Glory")
• Ch. 21 Appendix Appearance in Galilee

3
John 11-12Jesus Rejected by the World

• Final rejection of Jesus is ironically set
  against background of the greatest sign.
• 111-57 Seventh Sign the Raising of Lazarus
• The death of Lazarus (v. 1-16).
• Lazarus, Mary, and Martha
• Lazarus (lit., whom God helps)
• Described as the one whom Jesus loves (v. 3
  cf. Beloved Disciple).
• Is there connection to Parable of Rich Man and
  Lazarus (Lk. 1619-31)?
• Mary and Martha appear as sisters also in Lk.
  1038-42.
• Only in John do they have a brother Lazarus.
• In Jn. 123, Mary anoints Jesus feet in Lk.
  737-38, it is an unnamed prostitute.

4

• 111-57 Seventh Sign Raising of Lazarus cont.
• The death of Lazarus (v. 1-16) cont.
• Emphasis is on the reality of Lazarus death.
• After learning of Lazarus illness, Jesus delays
  return for two days.
• By the time he arrives, Lazarus has been dead
  four days.
• Jewish tradition soul hovers near body for 3
  days, then departs.
• Establishes reality, finality of his death
  Lazarus really is dead not a premature burial.
• Announcement that Lazarus has fallen asleep
  makes same point.
• Sleep was common euphemism for death.
• Disciples misunderstand think Lazarus is
  literally sleeping.
• Jesus spells it out for them Lazarus is dead
  (v. 14).
• Jesus return to raise Lazarus means his own
  death.
• Disciples recognize the danger (v. 8, 16).
• Story foreshadows death and resurrection of Jesus.

5

• 111-57 Seventh Sign Raising of Lazarus cont.
• Jesus and Martha (v. 17-27).
• Setting Bethany, two miles from Jerusalem.
• Lazarus in tomb 4 days week of mourning in
  progress.
• Martha leaves others in the house and goes out to
  meet Jesus alone.
• Conversation revolves around future and
  realized eschatology.
• Martha articulates the traditional future
  eschatology (v. 21-24).
• Martha Lord, if you had been here, my brother
  would not have died.
• Jesus Your brother will rise again.
• Martha I know he will rise again in the
  resurrection on the last day (v. 24).
• Belief in final resurrection was held by many
  Jews (Pharisees) as well as early Christians
  (Paul).
• Jesus assures her of realized eschatology (v.
  25-27).
• I am the resurrection and the life (v. 25).
• Fifth I am with a predicate.
• The final resurrection expected at the last day
  is already present in Jesus.
• Those who believe in mewill never die (v.
  25-26).
• Eternal life is not only a future hope but a
  present reality.
• Decisive is whether one believes in Jesus (v.
  26-27).
• Interprets the sign before it is done depicts
  Jesus as source of resurrection and eternal life.

6

• 111-57 Seventh Sign Raising of Lazarus cont.
• 3. Jesus and Mary (v. 28-37).
• Weep together and go to the tomb.
• Jesus was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply
  moved (v. 33).
• embrimaomai (v. 33, 38) to sternly warn scold
  be deeply moved expresses intense emotion,
  indignation, or anger.
• tarasso (v. 33) to be agitated, stirred up,
  troubled.
• What kind of emotion is Jesus experiencing?
• Anger at the power of death or at the lack of
  faith.
• Indignation at the weeping and wailing of the
  mourners.
• Grief for his friend, in sympathy with his
  friends, or over the human situation of sin and
  death.

7

• 111-57 Seventh Sign Raising of Lazarus cont.
• 4. Jesus and Lazarus (v. 38-44).
• Four days in tomb already decomposing reality
  of death.
• If you believe you will see the glory of God.
  (Faith first, then miracle.)
• Miracle is simply told
• Jesus thanks God for having heard his prayer.
• Summons Lazarus to come out.
• Lazarus emerges still wearing the burial
  wrappings.
• Significance
• Foreshadows Jesus resurrection echoes of empty
  tomb.
• Depicts Jesus as one who gives eternal life to
  all who believe in him.
• Response of the Jews (v. 45-53).
• Many saw the sign and believed.
• Sanhedrin decides Jesus must be stopped to
  prevent Roman reprisal.
• Caiaphas It is better to have one man die for
  the people than to have the whole nation
  destroyed (v. 50).
• Ironically, truer than Caiaphas realized Jesus
  did die for the people (and Rome still came and
  destroyed the Temple and the nation).
• Raising of Lazarus precipitates decision to
  execute Jesus.
• Jesus withdrawal (v. 54-57).
• Hiding out on the edge of the wilderness.

8

• 121-50 Conclusion of the Public Ministry
• The anointing in Bethany (v. 1-8).
• Mary anoints Jesus feet and wipes them with her
  hair.
• Seems to be conflation of
• Mk. 143 unnamed woman in Bethany anoints
  Jesus head.
• Lk. 738 unnamed harlot in Galilee wets his
  feet with tears, wipes with hair, and anoints his
  feet (cf. Lk. 1038-42).
• Anointing was associated with royalty and burial
  customs.
• As in Mk., Jn. interprets with reference to
  Jesus death.
• A plot against Lazarus (v. 9-11).
• Raising of Lazarus was making Jesus popular.
• Chief priests plan to kill him again (ironic
  humor?).
• The triumphal entry into Jerusalem (v. 12-19).
• Contrary to Synoptics, Jn. places after the
  anointing.
• Jn.s order allows Jesus to enter as a king
  already anointed for his burial.
• Only Jn. mentions palm branches symbol of
  Jewish nationalism.
• Zech. 99-10 promises reign of universal dominion
  and peace.
• Disciples understood only after he was
  glorified (v. 16).

9

• 121-50 Conclusion of the Public Ministry
  cont.
• The request of the Greeks (v. 20-26).
• Greek God-fearers request audience with Jesus.
• Coming of Greeks signals that the end has come.
• The hour has come for the Son of Man to be
  glorified.
• Hour of glorification time of his death.
• Cross establishes time for all to come.
• Saying about grain of wheat having to die to bear
  fruit (cf. 1 Cor. 1536-37).
• Saying about loving life and losing it (cf. Mk.
  838).

10

• 121-50 Conclusion of the Public Ministry
  cont.
• Jesus commitment to die for the world (v.
  27-36a).
• Roughly corresponds to Gethsemane prayer in
  Synoptics.
• Johannine Jesus does not agonize over his fate
  does not pray, Remove this cup from me (Mk.
  1436), but Glorify your name.
• Voice from heaven (I have glorified it) signals
  time of Jesus death is at hand.
• Jesus death brings judgment and salvation.
• Now is the judgment of this worldruler of this
  world will be driven out (v. 31).
• World of sin is judged by Jesus death.
• Supports Christus Victor theory of atonement
  (victory over powers of evil).
• When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to
  myself (v. 32).
• Third of the lifted up sayings.
• Supports moral influence theory of atonement
  (magnetic power of Gods love).
• Whether Jesus death is judgment or salvation
  depends on the response of faith.
• Time for deciding is limited.
• The light is with you a little longerWhile you
  have the light, believe in the light, so that you
  may become children of light (v. 35-36).

11

• 121-50 Conclusion of the Public Ministry
  cont.
• 6. The worlds decision to reject Jesus (v.
  37b-43).
• Jesus withdraws from public ministry and hides.
• In spite of the many signs, the world does not
  believe.
• Lack of belief fulfills Isaiah 531 and 610 (cf.
  Mk. 411-12).
• Deterministic they could not believe because
  God blinded their eyes and hardened their
  hearts (v. 39-40).
• Many of the authorities believed but would not
  confess (v. 42).
• Afraid the Pharisees would put them out of
  synagogue.
• Secret believers.
• Final summary of the public ministry (v. 44-50).
• Final speech of Jesus sums up key themes of
  public ministry.
• Jesus mission has been to reveal the One who
  sent him.
• He came as light not to judge but to save the
  world.
• Whoever does not receive his words is judged by
  them.
• Emphasis here is on freedom to accept or reject
  Jesus.