Community Group Discussion Guide

John 12:1-19 – Weekend of March 24 & 25

I. Starter Question:

What is a natural reaction when people give us praise? This Passion week, how does the pull of the world distract us from the significance of this week,

reorienting our hearts to what matters most, the kingdom of God?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Background & Context: In his prologue (vs 1-18) John tells us much about who Jesus is. He is the Word who was with God in the beginning. The Word Himself was God. All things were created through Him. Life was in Him, and this life was the light of man. His light shines through the darkness and the darkness did not even comprehend it. The great tragedy is that the Word became flesh, came into the world He created, to His own people, and they did not know Him or receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John wrote his gospel so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in His name (John 20:31).

John 12:1–19 (ESV)

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany 12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of

him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming,

sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

Teaching Points and Questions for Discussion: 1. This passage takes place in Jesus’ fourth year of public ministry. See #78-79 on the timeline

above.

2. Compare here the hearts of Mary & Judas in verses 3-5. Mary took ointment that cost a year’s wages and dumped it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Judas apparently wanted it for himself (v. 6). Judas would later betray Jesus for a mere 30 pieces of silver (the priced owed for a slave who was gored by an ox – Exodus 21:32).

a. What does this passage teach us about giving? b. What does it teach us about treasuring the things of this world?

3. In verses 9-11, we read that many had come out to see not just Jesus, but also Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. Poor Lazarus had just recently fallen ill, died, was raised to life, and now the chief priests wanted to kill him again. John tells us in verse 11 that on account of Lazarus, many were going off and believing in Jesus. The phrasing in the Greek assures us that they had entered into a personal relationship with Jesus through what He had done with Lazarus.

a. Can people come to Christ today through our lives? In what ways?4. In verse 12, “the next day” refers to Palm Sunday, exactly 5 days before Jesus would be

crucified.5. The praises shouted by the crowd in verse 13 are interesting. They said, “Hosanna! Blessed

is He that comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”a. “Hosanna!” is a quote of two Hebrew words of Psalm 118:25. The Hebrew reads

“hoshiah na” and translates as “save now”. The Greek word in John 12:13 is a transliteration (hosanna). He did not choose to translate it as “save now” like the Septuagint did. This is significant, because he records exactly what the crowd was shouting in the Hebrew (Aramaic dialect) language. They were not concerned with quoting Scripture or fulfilling prophecy. They were concerned with seeing their King and crying out to Him for salvation.

b. “Hosanna” was the only word quoted from Psalm 118:25, but the next phrase comes from a direct quote of the Septuagint of Psalm 118:26.

c. The phrase “even the King of Israel,” is not in the Old Testament passage.d. What does this picture tell us about who Jesus is? e. What do you think this passage tell us about who they thought Jesus was and what

He was going to do?6. Verse 15 is a paraphrase of Zechariah 9:9. John leaves out the part of Jesus being humble

and having salvation. Why did Jesus ride into town on a young donkey versus a more noble war horse or ride in a chariot?

7. Verse 16 says the disciples did not understand these things at the time, but did after Jesus was glorified. Why did they not understand this until after Jesus was glorified?

8. The Pharisees make an ironic comment in verse 19 when they say, “the world has gone after Him.” What did they mean by this comment? Is this a true statement?

9. Jesus is King, but what is king-like about this account of the Triumphal Entry? Jesus did not set up His kingdom when He came 2,000 years ago, so what does His kingdom really look like?

III. Responding in Prayer:

Pray for your brothers and sisters in your Community Group that you all would follow the example of our King and walk in humility, and the example of the crowd and cry out for His salvation daily.

Pray for yourself that, like Mary, you would not treasure the things of this world, but look towards Jesus for your true fulfillment in this life.

Pray for our church and the elders and deacons that our leaders would humbly follow hard after Jesus and lead faithfully during this time between lead pastors. Pray also for Heath Thomas for perseverance and faithfulness to the Word in this season while he fills the pulpit each week.