Category Archives: John

Passing through Samaritan territory, Jesus did what Jews don’t normally do. He took time to start a conversation with a marginalized woman which started when He sat at a well asking her for water. She, surprised, asked, “How is it … Continue reading →

We are continuing the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at a well. But the claims Jesus makes of Himself are not what she expects. When Jesus, tired by His journey from Judah midway to Galilee, asks for a … Continue reading →

In many places, racial, religious, and cultural differences divide us from one another. Jesus transcends these boundaries, bringing salvation to all peoples. In John 4, we see Jesus breaking through boundaries. John 4:1-3 gives the reason why Jesus is on … Continue reading →

There are times when people seem to be depending on you or praising you more than they ought, and you need to direct them to trust in Someone greater than yourself. Unfortunately, sometimes we’ll be full of ourselves when we … Continue reading →

In John 3:17 we see the contrast between the “saved” and the “condemned.” Condemnation implies that judgment has been passed upon us by the Judge, and we are all guilty of breaking God’s laws. If we are saved, we who … Continue reading →

In John 3, we have an interesting interplay of words here. The term “born again” is introduced, and as the chapter continues, it is expanded on with new words, such as Spirit (as opposed to flesh), everlasting life (as opposed … Continue reading →

Nicodemus, a respected Jewish teacher, meets with Jesus and starts of with a positive address to Him, though he saw Him only as a “teacher from God” (3:1-2). (Jesus is possibly referring to this title in 3:12-13, that He was … Continue reading →

When Jesus visited Jerusalem on a Passover, He found something in the temple that did not belong there. “And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business” (John 2:14). … Continue reading →

Jesus performed various signs, or miracles, at a certain Passover, and many believed in Jesus as a result, v. 23. But that wasn’t enough for Jesus to return their trust, v. 24. This response should interest us. What is Jesus … Continue reading →

When the Jews asked for a sign that showed He had authority to drive out the moneymakers, Jesus pointed to the temple of His body. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:18-19). Why … Continue reading →

When Jesus came to Jerusalem one Passover, He found that the temple caretakers had lost their vision. What was to be a place for worshipers to pray on holy ground, became an opportunity for the caretakers to prey on the … Continue reading →

At a wedding at Cana in Galilee, Jesus miraculously turned water into wine. But John inserts a significant piece of detail that I’ve often overlooked: “Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification … Continue reading →

The Bible reveals the state of our hearts. We may come to the Scriptures initially skeptical of Jesus, as Nathaniel did in v. 46 (“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”). But when the Lord reveals His grace, He turns … Continue reading →

“The two disciples heard him [the baptizer] speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:37). John’s goal was to turn people to Jesus, not to build up a large following of his own. His job was to be the voice in … Continue reading →

The Pharisees were doing their job when they investigated this man in unusual garb who preached an unusual message. They were expecting a Prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15, Acts 3:20-23), Elijah the prophet (Malachi 4:5), and the Chosen One (Isaiah … Continue reading →

“John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me” ‘ ” (John 1:15). John the baptizer testified of the … Continue reading →

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). John opened this first chapter with the Word, the one who is God and also Creator. He was with God in the beginning, showing that He, being divine, was … Continue reading →