AUV(i)
46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
47 So, the leading priests and the Pharisees assembled the Council [Note: This was the Jewish governing body called “the Sanhedrin”] and said, “What should we do, for this man is performing many [miraculous] signs?
48 If we allow him to go on [doing this], everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy our Temple and our nation [i.e., its people].”
49 But a certain member of the Sanhedrin, [named] Caiaphas, who was head priest that year, said to [the rest of] them, “You do not know what you are talking about.
50 And you are not taking into consideration that it would be profitable to you for one man to die for the people, so that the entire nation would not be destroyed.”
51 Now he did not say this on his own [i.e., he was not aware of the significance of his words], but since he was head priest that year, he was prophesying [i.e., predicting] that Jesus should die for the nation.
52 And not just [die] for the [Jewish] nation, but also that He would assemble together into one body the children of God who were scattered [throughout the world].
53 So, from that day onward, the Jewish authorities began plotting [how] to kill Jesus.
54 So, Jesus stopped traveling publicly among the Jews [in Judea], but left there and went to a district near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, where He remained with His disciples. [Note: Ephraim was a small town about 14 miles northeast of Jerusalem, near Samaria].
55 Now the Jewish Passover Festival was to be held soon and many people went up to Jerusalem from the countryside before the [actual] Festival in order to perform the ceremonial purification rituals.
56 So, they began looking for Jesus and saying among themselves, as they gathered in the Temple, “What do you think? He will not attend the Festival, will he?”
57 Now the leading priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he was to report it, so they could arrest Him.
12 1 So, six days before the Passover Festival [began], Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. He was the man Jesus [had] raised from the dead. 2 There Mary and Martha prepared a meal for Jesus. Martha served it while Lazarus was among those who reclined at the table with Him. [Note: See Matt. 23:6]. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of expensive, aromatic perfume; [it was] genuine nard [Note: This was a sweet-smelling herb] and poured [some of] it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The [whole] house was filled with the fragrant scent of the perfume. 4 But one of Jesus’ disciples named Judas Iscariot, who later turned Him over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities], said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for a large sum of money [Note: The amount here was equivalent to three hundred days of a farm laborer’s pay, or over $20,000 in 1994] and [then] the money given to poor people?” 6 Now he did not say this because he cared about poor people, but because he was in charge of the money bag, and being a thief, he used to steal from it. 7 So, Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep [the rest of] it for [use on] the day of my burial. 8 For you will always have poor people among you, but you will not always have me.” 9 When a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there [in Bethany], they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus also, 11 for because of him [i.e., his miraculous resurrection], many of the Jews rejected the priests’ leadership and believed in Jesus. 12 On the next day a large crowd that had come [to Jerusalem] for the Passover Festival heard that Jesus [also] was coming to Jerusalem. 13 [So], they took branches from palm trees and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna [Note: See Matt. 21:9 for the meaning of this word], may He, the King of Israel, be praised, for He comes in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written [Zech. 9:9], 15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion [i.e., people of Jerusalem]. Look, the King is coming [to you]; He [will be] riding on a donkey’s colt.” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but after Jesus received splendor [in heaven], then they remembered that these things had been written about Him [in Scripture] and that people had done such things to Him. 17 The crowd of people that was with Jesus [and saw Him] when He called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead, gave testimony [about all this]. 18 But the crowd that went out to meet Jesus [i.e., as He entered Jerusalem] did so because they had heard about Him performing this [miraculous] sign [i.e., of raising Lazarus]. 19 So, the Pharisees were saying among themselves, “Look, you men are getting nowhere [in this situation]. See, the [whole] world has gone after him.” 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those going up to Jerusalem to worship [God] at the [Passover] Festival [Note: These people were God-fearing Gentiles like Cornelius. See Acts 10]. 21 So, these people approached [the apostle] Philip, who was from Bethsaida, in Galilee with the request, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told [this to] Andrew [his brother]; [then] Andrew and Philip told [it to] Jesus. 23 Then Jesus said to [all of] them, “The time has come for the Son of man to be glorified [i.e., by His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension]. 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat drops into the soil and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, [then] it will produce many grains. 25 The person who loves his [earthly] life will [eventually] lose it [forever], but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life. 26 If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now my heart is distressed; and what shall I say [i.e., to God]? ‘Father, bring me safely through this time.’ But, this is the reason I came [to earth]; to [go through] such a time. 28 ‘Father, honor your name [in all this].’” Then a voice came out of heaven, saying, “I have honored it, and I will honor it again.” 29 The crowd that was standing around heard this [i.e., the sound of the Father’s voice], but said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel spoke to Him [i.e., Jesus].” 30 Jesus said to them, “This voice did not speak for my sake, but for yours. 31 Judgment is now coming to this world; the prince of this world [i.e., Satan] will now be driven out. 32 And if I am lifted up from the earth [i.e., on the cross], I will draw [i.e., attract] all people to me.” 33 Now He said this to indicate the kind of death He was about to experience [i.e., of being lifted up on a cross]. 34 Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from [the writings of] the law of Moses that the Christ will live forever; so how can you say, ‘The son of man must be lifted up [i.e., to die]?’ Who is this son of man?” 35 So, Jesus said to them, “The Light will be among you for only a little while [longer]. Walk around while you [still] have the Light [with you], before darkness surrounds you. For the person who walks around in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 [So], believe in the Light [i.e., Jesus is speaking of Himself] while you [still] have the Light [with you], so that you can become enlightened people.” After Jesus said these things, He left there and hid Himself from them. 37 But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him. 38 This was so that these words, which Isaiah the prophet had spoken, would be fulfilled [Isa. 53:1], “Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the Lord’s power been shown to?” 39 They were not able to believe because Isaiah also said [Isa. 6:10], 40 “God has blinded their eyes [of understanding] and closed their minds. If He had not done so, they would [be able to] see with their eyes and understand with their minds and turn [to God] so He could heal them [spiritually].” 41 Isaiah had said these things because he saw the [coming] glory of Jesus, and [so] was speaking about Him. 42 However, even many [Jewish] leaders believed in Him, but did not admit it, for fear of being expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they loved the honor they received from people more than the honor they [could] receive from God. 44 Then Jesus spoke out in a loud voice, “The person who believes in me, does not [only] believe in me, but [also] in Him who sent me [i.e., God]. 45 And the person who sees me, sees Him who sent me [also]. 46 I have come into the world to be a light [to it], so that whoever believes in me would not have to remain in [spiritual] darkness. 47 And if any person hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him [now], for I did not come into the world to judge it, but to save it. 48 The person who rejects me and does not accept my message has One who [will] judge him. The message that I have spoken will judge him on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. 49 For I did not speak from myself [i.e., on my own authority], but the Father Himself, who sent me, has ordered me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that [obeying] His commandments [leads to] never ending life. So, the things which I say are what the Father has told me [to say].”
13 1 Now it was before the Passover Festival [was to begin] and Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Those [living] in the world, whom He had loved, and who were His own [disciples], He continued to love [dearly] to the very end [i.e., of His life on earth]. 2 The devil had already filled the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, with the desire to turn Jesus over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities]. During the [Passover] meal, 3 Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, [also] knew that He had come from God and was [about] to return to God. 4 So, He got up from the dinner table, laid aside His [outer] clothing and took a towel and wrapped it around Himself. 5 Then He poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples feet and drying them with the towel around His waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet, [too]?” 7 Jesus answered him, “You do not understand what I am doing, but you will later on.” 8 Peter said to Him, “[No], you will never wash my feet.” Jesus replied to him, “If I do not wash you, you will not be able to participate with me [i.e., as a disciple].” 9 Simon Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, do not [just] wash my feet only, but my hands and head, too.” 10 Jesus replied to him, “The person who has already had a bath is completely clean and does not need to wash anything but his feet. And you disciples are [already] clean [i.e., spiritually], but not every one of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray Him; that is why He said, “Not every one of you is [spiritually] clean.” 12 So, after Jesus had washed His disciples’ feet and put His [outer] clothing back on, He reclined again [at the dinner table] and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right in doing so because that is who I am. 14 So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet also. 15 For I have set an example for you, so that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Truly, truly, I tell you, a slave is not greater [in importance] than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the person who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you will be happy if you practice them. 18 “I am not talking about all of you; for I know the ones I have chosen [i.e., which of the twelve apostles would be faithful]. But let the Scripture [Psa. 41:9] be fulfilled [that says], ‘The person who eats with me has [viciously] turned against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, [even] before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that I am [the Messiah]. 20 Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who welcomes whoever I send welcomes me; and the one who welcomes me, welcomes God, who sent me.” 21 After Jesus said this, He felt disturbed in His spirit and declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will turn me over [to the Jewish authorities].” 22 The disciples looked at one another, puzzled over who He was talking about. 23 One of Jesus’ disciples, [the one] He loved [Note: Probably this was the apostle John] was reclining at the dinner table close to Jesus. 24 So, Simon Peter motioned [to John] and said, “Ask Jesus which one [of us] He is talking about.” 25 So, John leaned over close to Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the person to whom I give a piece of bread after dipping it [in the sauce bowl].” So, when He had dipped the piece of bread, He took it [out] and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after [he ate] the piece of bread, Satan entered Judas’ heart. So, Jesus said to him, “Do what you are going to do, and do it quickly.” 28 Now, no one at the table knew why He had said this to him. 29 For some of them thought, since Judas was in charge of the [money] bag, that Jesus was telling him, “Buy whatever we need for the [Passover] meal,” or that he was [being told] to give [money] to poor people [from it]. 30 So, after eating the piece of bread, Judas went out immediately. And it was nighttime. 31 Then after Judas left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of man is [being] glorified [Note: Being “glorified” involved Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The first step of this had now begun]. And God is [being] glorified through the Son’s life. 32 And if God is [so] glorified through Him [now], God will [also] glorify the Son in Himself very soon. [Note: Possibly this was a reference to Jesus returning to the Father’s presence]. 33 “I will be with you, [my dear] children, for only a little while [longer]. You people will look for me, but I am now telling you what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You will not be able to go where I will be.’ 34 I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Also you should love one another in the same way that I have loved you. 35 If you love one another, then everyone will know by [observing] this that you are my disciples.” 36 Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You cannot follow me where I am going now, but you will [be able to] follow later.” 37 Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow you [there] even now? I am willing to die for you.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you [really] die for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny [knowing] me three times.”
14 1 [Jesus continued], “Do not allow your hearts to be upset. You should believe in God, and believe in me also. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for each one you [in them]. I would not have told you this if it were not so. 3 And if I go to prepare a place for each of you, I will return to take all you to [be with] me, so that you also will be where I am. 4 And you all know how to get where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how could we [possibly] know the way [to get there]?” 6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way [to God], and the truth [to believe], and the life [to live]. No one can go to the Father, except through [believing in] me. 7 If you have come to know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know Him, and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and it [will] be enough for us.” 9 Jesus replied to him, “Have I been with you men all this time, and [still] you do not know me, Philip? The person who has seen me, has [also] seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and the Father is in [fellowship with] me? The words which I say to you do not originate with me, but it is the Father, who lives in me, who does His work [in me]. 11 You should believe me [when I say] that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and the Father is in [fellowship with] me. Or else believe me for the sake of the deeds themselves that I perform. 12 Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes in me will perform the deeds that I do also; and he will perform even greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. [Note: The “greater deeds” are probably evangelizing the world]. 13 And I will do [for you] whatever you ask in my name [i.e., by my authority], so that the Father may be honored through the Son. 14 I will do anything [for you], if you ask [for it] in my name. 15 If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper [i.e., besides me], who will be with you forever. 17 He is the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth], whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him or know Him. [But] you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be within you. 18 I will not abandon you [Note: The Greek says, “leave you orphans”]; I will come [back] to you. 19 After a little while [longer] the world will not see me anymore, but you men will see me. Because I [will continue to] live, you will live also. 20 When that day comes [i.e., after His ascension ?], you will know that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and that you are in [fellowship with] me, and that I am in you [i.e., through the Holy Spirit]. 21 The person who knows [what] my commandments [are] and obeys them is the one who [truly] loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. 22 [Then] Judas (not the betrayer) [Note: This was the son of James, See Luke 6:16. He is also called Thaddaeus, See Matt. 10:3], said to Jesus, “Lord, what has happened [i.e., to your original plans to be seen by everyone when you came. See Luke 21:27], that you will reveal yourself to us apostles [only] and not to the [whole] world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If a person loves me, he will obey my teaching, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him [i.e., in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit]. 24 The person who does not love me will not obey my teaching. And the message you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father, who sent me. 25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, that is, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [i.e., by my authority] will teach you everything. And He will remind you of everything that I [have] said to you. 27 I leave you with peace; I give you my peace. I am not giving you peace like the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be upset or afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away and I am returning to you.’ If you [really] loved me, you would have been happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. 29 Now I have told you this, even before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe [in me]. 30 I will not speak with you very much anymore because the ruler of the world [i.e., Satan] is coming, and he has no control over me. 31 But, in order for the world to know that I love the Father, I am [always] doing what the Father commands me to. Let us get up, and leave here.” [i.e., leave the room where they had eaten the Passover meal. See 13:1 with 18:1].
15 1 [Jesus continued], “I am the real vine, and my Father is the owner of the vineyard. 2 He will cut off [See verse 6] every branch [i.e., follower of Christ] who is in [fellowship with] me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit. 3 You people are already ‘clean’ [i.e., have been pruned of undesirable traits] because of [obedience to] the teaching I have given you. 4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains united to the vine, so neither can you people [bear fruit] unless you remain united to me. 5 “I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me. 6 If a person does not remain united to me, he will be thrown out as a [fruitless] branch and dried up. People gather up such branches and throw them into the fire to be burned [as fuel ?]. 7 If you remain in [fellowship with] me and my teaching remains in your hearts, [you can] ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is honored by your bearing much fruit and [thus] showing that you are my disciples. 9 “Just as the Father has loved me, [so] I have also loved you. You should continue to receive [or, respond to] my love. [Note: The next verse tells how this can be done]. 10 If you obey my commandments, [then] you will continue receiving my love; just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and [so] continue receiving His love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment [to you] is this: You should love one another just as I have loved you. 13 No one has [any] greater love than to give up his life for his friends. 14 You people are my friends if you do what I command you to. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, for a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I heard from my Father. 16 You [apostles] did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear much fruit [i.e., through their evangelizing], and that your fruit should last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask Him for in my name [i.e. by my authority]. 17 I command you to do these things so that you will [demonstrate your] love for one another. [Note: Or this may mean that His command was to love one another, as in verse 12]. 18 “If the world hates you, then know that it has [already] hated me, [even] before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own people. But since you do not belong to the world, for I chose you out of it, that is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater [in importance] than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will [also] persecute you, too; if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 But they [i.e., the world] will do all these things to you for my name’s sake [i.e., because you are my disciples], for they do not know Him [i.e., God], who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The person who hates me, hates my Father also. 24 If I had not performed the [miraculous] deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 This all happened so the Scripture, written in their law [Psa. 35:19], would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’ 26 “But the Helper will come, that is, the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth]. He comes from the Father and I will send Him to you from the Father. [When He comes] He will give testimony about me. 27 And you will give testimony about me [also], because you men have been with me from the beginning [of my ministry].”
16 1 [Jesus continued], “I have told you these things so that you men would not fall away [i.e., from the faith]. 2 The Jewish authorities will expel you from their synagogues. In fact, the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is doing a service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me. 4 But I have told you these things so that, when the time comes [for people to do such things], you will remember that I had warned you. I did not tell you them at the beginning [of my ministry] because I was with you [i.e., to protect you from persecution]. 5 “But now I am going to Him who sent me; yet none of you is asking me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 And now that I have told you these things, your hearts are full of grief. 7 Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin [i.e., exposing it and producing guilt], regarding what is right [i.e., upholding godly standards], and regarding judgment [i.e., showing that sin condemns]. 9 [The world will be proven guilty] of sin for not believing in me. 10 [It will be shown] what is right because I am going [back] to the Father and you will not see me anymore. 11 [And it will be shown] judgment, because the ruler of this world [i.e., Satan. See 12:31] has been condemned [i.e., by Jesus’ death and resurrection]. 12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them at present. 13 However, when the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you [apostles] into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but will speak [only] what He hears [from the Father]. And He will tell you about the things that are to come. 14 He will honor me, for He will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has belongs to me. Therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. 16 After a little while [longer] you will not see me anymore. Then a little while [later] you will see me again.” 17 Then some of Jesus’ disciples said to one another, “What is this He is telling us: ‘After a little while [longer] you will not see me. Then, a little while [later] you will see me again,’ and ‘Because I am going [back] to the Father’?” [See verse 10]. 18 So, they [again] said, “What does He mean by saying, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus sensed that the disciples wanted to ask Him a question, so He said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves my saying ‘After a little while [longer] you will not see me. Then, a little while [later] you will see me again’? 20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn [i.e., over my suffering and death], but the world will be glad [about it]. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy [i.e., when learning of my resurrection]. 21 A woman has pain when giving birth because her time has come. But when the child is born, she does not remember the intense suffering because she is so happy over the child being born into the world. 22 So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy. 23 At that time [i.e., after my resurrection], you will not be asking me [for] anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you will ask the Father for anything [then], in my name [i.e., by my authority], He will give it to you. 24 Up until now you have not asked for anything in my name. [So now] ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be complete. 25 “I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. [However], the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 At that time you will ask Him [i.e., for things in prayer], in my name; I do not say that I will ask the Father for you, 27 for the Father Himself loves you [i.e., and will grant your requests without my persuasion], because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.” 29 [Then] Jesus’ disciples said [to Him], “Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you [questions]. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus replied to them, “Do you believe [in me] now? 32 Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me [all] alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”
12 1 So, six days before the Passover Festival [began], Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. He was the man Jesus [had] raised from the dead. 2 There Mary and Martha prepared a meal for Jesus. Martha served it while Lazarus was among those who reclined at the table with Him. [Note: See Matt. 23:6]. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of expensive, aromatic perfume; [it was] genuine nard [Note: This was a sweet-smelling herb] and poured [some of] it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The [whole] house was filled with the fragrant scent of the perfume. 4 But one of Jesus’ disciples named Judas Iscariot, who later turned Him over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities], said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for a large sum of money [Note: The amount here was equivalent to three hundred days of a farm laborer’s pay, or over $20,000 in 1994] and [then] the money given to poor people?” 6 Now he did not say this because he cared about poor people, but because he was in charge of the money bag, and being a thief, he used to steal from it. 7 So, Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep [the rest of] it for [use on] the day of my burial. 8 For you will always have poor people among you, but you will not always have me.” 9 When a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there [in Bethany], they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus also, 11 for because of him [i.e., his miraculous resurrection], many of the Jews rejected the priests’ leadership and believed in Jesus. 12 On the next day a large crowd that had come [to Jerusalem] for the Passover Festival heard that Jesus [also] was coming to Jerusalem. 13 [So], they took branches from palm trees and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna [Note: See Matt. 21:9 for the meaning of this word], may He, the King of Israel, be praised, for He comes in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written [Zech. 9:9], 15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion [i.e., people of Jerusalem]. Look, the King is coming [to you]; He [will be] riding on a donkey’s colt.” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but after Jesus received splendor [in heaven], then they remembered that these things had been written about Him [in Scripture] and that people had done such things to Him. 17 The crowd of people that was with Jesus [and saw Him] when He called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead, gave testimony [about all this]. 18 But the crowd that went out to meet Jesus [i.e., as He entered Jerusalem] did so because they had heard about Him performing this [miraculous] sign [i.e., of raising Lazarus]. 19 So, the Pharisees were saying among themselves, “Look, you men are getting nowhere [in this situation]. See, the [whole] world has gone after him.” 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those going up to Jerusalem to worship [God] at the [Passover] Festival [Note: These people were God-fearing Gentiles like Cornelius. See Acts 10]. 21 So, these people approached [the apostle] Philip, who was from Bethsaida, in Galilee with the request, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told [this to] Andrew [his brother]; [then] Andrew and Philip told [it to] Jesus. 23 Then Jesus said to [all of] them, “The time has come for the Son of man to be glorified [i.e., by His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension]. 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat drops into the soil and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, [then] it will produce many grains. 25 The person who loves his [earthly] life will [eventually] lose it [forever], but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life. 26 If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now my heart is distressed; and what shall I say [i.e., to God]? ‘Father, bring me safely through this time.’ But, this is the reason I came [to earth]; to [go through] such a time. 28 ‘Father, honor your name [in all this].’” Then a voice came out of heaven, saying, “I have honored it, and I will honor it again.” 29 The crowd that was standing around heard this [i.e., the sound of the Father’s voice], but said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel spoke to Him [i.e., Jesus].” 30 Jesus said to them, “This voice did not speak for my sake, but for yours. 31 Judgment is now coming to this world; the prince of this world [i.e., Satan] will now be driven out. 32 And if I am lifted up from the earth [i.e., on the cross], I will draw [i.e., attract] all people to me.” 33 Now He said this to indicate the kind of death He was about to experience [i.e., of being lifted up on a cross]. 34 Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from [the writings of] the law of Moses that the Christ will live forever; so how can you say, ‘The son of man must be lifted up [i.e., to die]?’ Who is this son of man?” 35 So, Jesus said to them, “The Light will be among you for only a little while [longer]. Walk around while you [still] have the Light [with you], before darkness surrounds you. For the person who walks around in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 [So], believe in the Light [i.e., Jesus is speaking of Himself] while you [still] have the Light [with you], so that you can become enlightened people.” After Jesus said these things, He left there and hid Himself from them. 37 But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him. 38 This was so that these words, which Isaiah the prophet had spoken, would be fulfilled [Isa. 53:1], “Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the Lord’s power been shown to?” 39 They were not able to believe because Isaiah also said [Isa. 6:10], 40 “God has blinded their eyes [of understanding] and closed their minds. If He had not done so, they would [be able to] see with their eyes and understand with their minds and turn [to God] so He could heal them [spiritually].” 41 Isaiah had said these things because he saw the [coming] glory of Jesus, and [so] was speaking about Him. 42 However, even many [Jewish] leaders believed in Him, but did not admit it, for fear of being expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they loved the honor they received from people more than the honor they [could] receive from God. 44 Then Jesus spoke out in a loud voice, “The person who believes in me, does not [only] believe in me, but [also] in Him who sent me [i.e., God]. 45 And the person who sees me, sees Him who sent me [also]. 46 I have come into the world to be a light [to it], so that whoever believes in me would not have to remain in [spiritual] darkness. 47 And if any person hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him [now], for I did not come into the world to judge it, but to save it. 48 The person who rejects me and does not accept my message has One who [will] judge him. The message that I have spoken will judge him on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. 49 For I did not speak from myself [i.e., on my own authority], but the Father Himself, who sent me, has ordered me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that [obeying] His commandments [leads to] never ending life. So, the things which I say are what the Father has told me [to say].”
13 1 Now it was before the Passover Festival [was to begin] and Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Those [living] in the world, whom He had loved, and who were His own [disciples], He continued to love [dearly] to the very end [i.e., of His life on earth]. 2 The devil had already filled the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, with the desire to turn Jesus over [i.e., to the Jewish authorities]. During the [Passover] meal, 3 Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, [also] knew that He had come from God and was [about] to return to God. 4 So, He got up from the dinner table, laid aside His [outer] clothing and took a towel and wrapped it around Himself. 5 Then He poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples feet and drying them with the towel around His waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet, [too]?” 7 Jesus answered him, “You do not understand what I am doing, but you will later on.” 8 Peter said to Him, “[No], you will never wash my feet.” Jesus replied to him, “If I do not wash you, you will not be able to participate with me [i.e., as a disciple].” 9 Simon Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, do not [just] wash my feet only, but my hands and head, too.” 10 Jesus replied to him, “The person who has already had a bath is completely clean and does not need to wash anything but his feet. And you disciples are [already] clean [i.e., spiritually], but not every one of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray Him; that is why He said, “Not every one of you is [spiritually] clean.” 12 So, after Jesus had washed His disciples’ feet and put His [outer] clothing back on, He reclined again [at the dinner table] and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right in doing so because that is who I am. 14 So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet also. 15 For I have set an example for you, so that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Truly, truly, I tell you, a slave is not greater [in importance] than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the person who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you will be happy if you practice them. 18 “I am not talking about all of you; for I know the ones I have chosen [i.e., which of the twelve apostles would be faithful]. But let the Scripture [Psa. 41:9] be fulfilled [that says], ‘The person who eats with me has [viciously] turned against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, [even] before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that I am [the Messiah]. 20 Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who welcomes whoever I send welcomes me; and the one who welcomes me, welcomes God, who sent me.” 21 After Jesus said this, He felt disturbed in His spirit and declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will turn me over [to the Jewish authorities].” 22 The disciples looked at one another, puzzled over who He was talking about. 23 One of Jesus’ disciples, [the one] He loved [Note: Probably this was the apostle John] was reclining at the dinner table close to Jesus. 24 So, Simon Peter motioned [to John] and said, “Ask Jesus which one [of us] He is talking about.” 25 So, John leaned over close to Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the person to whom I give a piece of bread after dipping it [in the sauce bowl].” So, when He had dipped the piece of bread, He took it [out] and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after [he ate] the piece of bread, Satan entered Judas’ heart. So, Jesus said to him, “Do what you are going to do, and do it quickly.” 28 Now, no one at the table knew why He had said this to him. 29 For some of them thought, since Judas was in charge of the [money] bag, that Jesus was telling him, “Buy whatever we need for the [Passover] meal,” or that he was [being told] to give [money] to poor people [from it]. 30 So, after eating the piece of bread, Judas went out immediately. And it was nighttime. 31 Then after Judas left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of man is [being] glorified [Note: Being “glorified” involved Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The first step of this had now begun]. And God is [being] glorified through the Son’s life. 32 And if God is [so] glorified through Him [now], God will [also] glorify the Son in Himself very soon. [Note: Possibly this was a reference to Jesus returning to the Father’s presence]. 33 “I will be with you, [my dear] children, for only a little while [longer]. You people will look for me, but I am now telling you what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You will not be able to go where I will be.’ 34 I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Also you should love one another in the same way that I have loved you. 35 If you love one another, then everyone will know by [observing] this that you are my disciples.” 36 Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You cannot follow me where I am going now, but you will [be able to] follow later.” 37 Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow you [there] even now? I am willing to die for you.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you [really] die for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny [knowing] me three times.”
14 1 [Jesus continued], “Do not allow your hearts to be upset. You should believe in God, and believe in me also. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for each one you [in them]. I would not have told you this if it were not so. 3 And if I go to prepare a place for each of you, I will return to take all you to [be with] me, so that you also will be where I am. 4 And you all know how to get where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how could we [possibly] know the way [to get there]?” 6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way [to God], and the truth [to believe], and the life [to live]. No one can go to the Father, except through [believing in] me. 7 If you have come to know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know Him, and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and it [will] be enough for us.” 9 Jesus replied to him, “Have I been with you men all this time, and [still] you do not know me, Philip? The person who has seen me, has [also] seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and the Father is in [fellowship with] me? The words which I say to you do not originate with me, but it is the Father, who lives in me, who does His work [in me]. 11 You should believe me [when I say] that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and the Father is in [fellowship with] me. Or else believe me for the sake of the deeds themselves that I perform. 12 Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes in me will perform the deeds that I do also; and he will perform even greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. [Note: The “greater deeds” are probably evangelizing the world]. 13 And I will do [for you] whatever you ask in my name [i.e., by my authority], so that the Father may be honored through the Son. 14 I will do anything [for you], if you ask [for it] in my name. 15 If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper [i.e., besides me], who will be with you forever. 17 He is the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth], whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him or know Him. [But] you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be within you. 18 I will not abandon you [Note: The Greek says, “leave you orphans”]; I will come [back] to you. 19 After a little while [longer] the world will not see me anymore, but you men will see me. Because I [will continue to] live, you will live also. 20 When that day comes [i.e., after His ascension ?], you will know that I am in [fellowship with] the Father, and that you are in [fellowship with] me, and that I am in you [i.e., through the Holy Spirit]. 21 The person who knows [what] my commandments [are] and obeys them is the one who [truly] loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. 22 [Then] Judas (not the betrayer) [Note: This was the son of James, See Luke 6:16. He is also called Thaddaeus, See Matt. 10:3], said to Jesus, “Lord, what has happened [i.e., to your original plans to be seen by everyone when you came. See Luke 21:27], that you will reveal yourself to us apostles [only] and not to the [whole] world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If a person loves me, he will obey my teaching, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him [i.e., in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit]. 24 The person who does not love me will not obey my teaching. And the message you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father, who sent me. 25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, that is, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [i.e., by my authority] will teach you everything. And He will remind you of everything that I [have] said to you. 27 I leave you with peace; I give you my peace. I am not giving you peace like the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be upset or afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away and I am returning to you.’ If you [really] loved me, you would have been happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. 29 Now I have told you this, even before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe [in me]. 30 I will not speak with you very much anymore because the ruler of the world [i.e., Satan] is coming, and he has no control over me. 31 But, in order for the world to know that I love the Father, I am [always] doing what the Father commands me to. Let us get up, and leave here.” [i.e., leave the room where they had eaten the Passover meal. See 13:1 with 18:1].
15 1 [Jesus continued], “I am the real vine, and my Father is the owner of the vineyard. 2 He will cut off [See verse 6] every branch [i.e., follower of Christ] who is in [fellowship with] me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit. 3 You people are already ‘clean’ [i.e., have been pruned of undesirable traits] because of [obedience to] the teaching I have given you. 4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains united to the vine, so neither can you people [bear fruit] unless you remain united to me. 5 “I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me. 6 If a person does not remain united to me, he will be thrown out as a [fruitless] branch and dried up. People gather up such branches and throw them into the fire to be burned [as fuel ?]. 7 If you remain in [fellowship with] me and my teaching remains in your hearts, [you can] ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is honored by your bearing much fruit and [thus] showing that you are my disciples. 9 “Just as the Father has loved me, [so] I have also loved you. You should continue to receive [or, respond to] my love. [Note: The next verse tells how this can be done]. 10 If you obey my commandments, [then] you will continue receiving my love; just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and [so] continue receiving His love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment [to you] is this: You should love one another just as I have loved you. 13 No one has [any] greater love than to give up his life for his friends. 14 You people are my friends if you do what I command you to. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, for a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I heard from my Father. 16 You [apostles] did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear much fruit [i.e., through their evangelizing], and that your fruit should last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask Him for in my name [i.e. by my authority]. 17 I command you to do these things so that you will [demonstrate your] love for one another. [Note: Or this may mean that His command was to love one another, as in verse 12]. 18 “If the world hates you, then know that it has [already] hated me, [even] before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own people. But since you do not belong to the world, for I chose you out of it, that is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater [in importance] than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will [also] persecute you, too; if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 But they [i.e., the world] will do all these things to you for my name’s sake [i.e., because you are my disciples], for they do not know Him [i.e., God], who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The person who hates me, hates my Father also. 24 If I had not performed the [miraculous] deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 This all happened so the Scripture, written in their law [Psa. 35:19], would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’ 26 “But the Helper will come, that is, the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth]. He comes from the Father and I will send Him to you from the Father. [When He comes] He will give testimony about me. 27 And you will give testimony about me [also], because you men have been with me from the beginning [of my ministry].”
16 1 [Jesus continued], “I have told you these things so that you men would not fall away [i.e., from the faith]. 2 The Jewish authorities will expel you from their synagogues. In fact, the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is doing a service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me. 4 But I have told you these things so that, when the time comes [for people to do such things], you will remember that I had warned you. I did not tell you them at the beginning [of my ministry] because I was with you [i.e., to protect you from persecution]. 5 “But now I am going to Him who sent me; yet none of you is asking me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 And now that I have told you these things, your hearts are full of grief. 7 Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin [i.e., exposing it and producing guilt], regarding what is right [i.e., upholding godly standards], and regarding judgment [i.e., showing that sin condemns]. 9 [The world will be proven guilty] of sin for not believing in me. 10 [It will be shown] what is right because I am going [back] to the Father and you will not see me anymore. 11 [And it will be shown] judgment, because the ruler of this world [i.e., Satan. See 12:31] has been condemned [i.e., by Jesus’ death and resurrection]. 12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them at present. 13 However, when the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you [apostles] into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but will speak [only] what He hears [from the Father]. And He will tell you about the things that are to come. 14 He will honor me, for He will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has belongs to me. Therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. 16 After a little while [longer] you will not see me anymore. Then a little while [later] you will see me again.” 17 Then some of Jesus’ disciples said to one another, “What is this He is telling us: ‘After a little while [longer] you will not see me. Then, a little while [later] you will see me again,’ and ‘Because I am going [back] to the Father’?” [See verse 10]. 18 So, they [again] said, “What does He mean by saying, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” 19 Jesus sensed that the disciples wanted to ask Him a question, so He said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves my saying ‘After a little while [longer] you will not see me. Then, a little while [later] you will see me again’? 20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn [i.e., over my suffering and death], but the world will be glad [about it]. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy [i.e., when learning of my resurrection]. 21 A woman has pain when giving birth because her time has come. But when the child is born, she does not remember the intense suffering because she is so happy over the child being born into the world. 22 So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy. 23 At that time [i.e., after my resurrection], you will not be asking me [for] anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you will ask the Father for anything [then], in my name [i.e., by my authority], He will give it to you. 24 Up until now you have not asked for anything in my name. [So now] ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be complete. 25 “I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. [However], the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 At that time you will ask Him [i.e., for things in prayer], in my name; I do not say that I will ask the Father for you, 27 for the Father Himself loves you [i.e., and will grant your requests without my persuasion], because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.” 29 [Then] Jesus’ disciples said [to Him], “Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you [questions]. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus replied to them, “Do you believe [in me] now? 32 Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me [all] alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”