The incidents and saying in chapter 12 are transitional: vs 1-19, which relate to the coming passion, the anointing of Jesus for burial and the entry into Jerusalem; and vss 36-50 which summarize the proclamation of Jesus in his earthy ministry. The bridge between them is vss 20-36, in which is again set forth the death-resurrection theme, and the glorification of Jesus thereby that brings judgment and light to the whole world. Jesus entry into Jerusalem is narrated in much the same way as in the Synoptics. However, John uses the story as a link between the sign of Lazarus’ raising from the dead and the glorification of Jesus and his true kingship as revealed in the impending death and resurrection. The decisive hour has come. Not only the Judean crowd now look to the revelation of the King of Israel but the Greeks from the wider world appear seeking Jesus, brought to him by that peculiar pair of Johannine disciples, Philip and Andrew. While the world of Jews and Greeks watches, Jesus in agony makes his final decision of obedience unto death, in servanthood and sonship. Public ministry ends in this chapter and from this point on his teaching is confined entirely to the inner circle of his disciples. John dates the last supper before the feast of the Passover and includes the foot washing. The foot washing is a profound statement about the intimate relationship of Jesus with the disciples and the nature of his ministry of servanthood. John’s farewell discourse is lengthy and is a tradition peculiar to this evangelist.
The incidents and saying in chapter 12 are transitional: vs 1-19, which relate to the coming passion, the anointing of Jesus for burial and the entry into Jerusalem; and vss 36-50 which summarize the proclamation of Jesus in his earthy ministry. The bridge between them is vss 20-36, in which is again set forth the death-resurrection theme, and the glorification of Jesus thereby that brings judgment and light to the whole world. Jesus entry into Jerusalem is narrated in much the same way as in the Synoptics. However, John uses the story as a link between the sign of Lazarus’ raising from the dead and the glorification of Jesus and his true kingship as revealed in the impending death and resurrection. The decisive hour has come. Not only the Judean crowd now look to the revelation of the King of Israel but the Greeks from the wider world appear seeking Jesus, brought to him by that peculiar pair of Johannine disciples, Philip and Andrew. While the world of Jews and Greeks watches, Jesus in agony makes his final decision of obedience unto death, in servanthood and sonship. Public ministry ends in this chapter and from this point on his teaching is confined entirely to the inner circle of his disciples. John dates the last supper before the feast of the Passover and includes the foot washing. The foot washing is a profound statement about the intimate relationship of Jesus with the disciples and the nature of his ministry of servanthood. John’s farewell discourse is lengthy and is a tradition peculiar to this evangelist.
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