Category: The New Testament Simplified

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Tiberias Sea. This is how it happened.

Simon Peter and Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathaniel from Cana, Galilee, and Zebedee’s sons were also with two other disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’re coming with you,” they replied.

They went out in the boat but didn’t catch anything during the night.

Early the next morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples didn’t know it was him.

“Children, do you have any fish to eat?” Jesus asked.

“No,” they replied.

“Throw the net to the right of the boat, and you’ll catch some.”

They cast the net and couldn’t pull it back in due to the size of the catch.

The disciple that Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

Simon Peter, who had been naked, tied his coat around him and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples dragged the catch of fish behind the boat and came back to the shore.

When they got to the land, they saw a charcoal fire with a fish and bread on top.

Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

Simon Peter pulled the net to the land, full of 153 large fish. Even though there were so many, the net hadn’t ripped.

“Come and eat breakfast,” Jesus said.

The disciples weren’t brave enough to ask who he was, knowing it was the Lord. Jesus handed the fish and bread around.

This was the third time Jesus had shown himself to the disciples after he had come back to life.

After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, John’s son, do you love me more than the others?”

“Yes, Lord. You know I love you,” Simon replied.

“Feed my lambs,” Jesusa said.

Jesus asked Simon again, “Simon, John’s son, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

“Guide my sheep.”

Jesus asked Simon a third time, “Simon, John’s son, do you love me?”

Peter felt hurt, having been asked a third time if he loved Jesus. “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. “I’m honestly telling you that when you were younger you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will raise a hand, and someone else will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

Jesus said this to describe how Peter would glorify God through death.

“Follow me,” Jesus said.

Peter turned and saw the disciple that Jesus loved following them. This was the same one who had leaned on Jesus at the dinner and said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

“If I want him to stay alive until I return, how does that concern you?” Jesus asked. “You follow me.”

This rumour that the disciple wouldn’t die spread around the brothers, but Jesus didn’t say he wouldn’t die, but only, “If I want him to stay until I return, how does that concern you?”

This is the disciple who is telling you what happened and written the events down. We know what he says is true. Jesus did many other things. The world couldn’t contain all the books if it was all written down in them.

John Chapter 21 Summary

Jesus appears to his disciples for the third time after coming back to life. The disciples are by the Tiberias Sea, and Peter and several disciples decide to go fishing, but they catch nothing through the night. In the morning, a man on the shore tells them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They do and catch a huge number of fish. The loved disciple recognises the man as Jesus, who invites them to eat and serves them bread and fish. After breakfast, Jesus speaks with Peter and asks him three times if he loves him. Each time Peter answers yes, and Jesus tells him to take care of his followers—his “sheep.” Peter asks about the loved disciple’s future, but Jesus reminds him to focus on his own calling.

John Chapter 21 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to appear to the disciples while they were fishing?
Answer: Jesus met the disciples in their everyday activity, reminding us that he comes to us in ordinary moments. It also a reminded of them being called “fishers of men.”

2. What can we learn from Peter’s eagerness to meet Jesus on the shore?
Answer: Peter’s excitement shows a heart full of love. His response encourages us to come to Jesus with joy and passion, especially after moments of weakness.

3. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him?
Answer: This mirrors Peter’s three times when he said he didn’t know Jesus before he was killed. Jesus was gently showing Peter that failure doesn’t stop someone from following and serving him.

4. How does Jesus’ command to “feed my sheep” apply to Christians today?
Answer: It reminds us to care for others, especially those who are growing in faith. Loving Jesus means serving others—offering guidance and support, and spiritual nourishment.

5. What does Jesus’ reply about the beloved disciple teach us about comparison?
Answer: Jesus tells Peter not to worry about others’ paths but to focus on following him. It’s a lesson in trust and obedience—we each have a personal journey with God that requires our full attention.

John Chapter 21 Explained

John 21 begins with the disciples returning to fishing, possibly being unsure about what to do next with their lives. They catch nothing until Jesus, still unrecognised, instructs them to throw their net on the right side of the boat, and they catch a lot of fish. The wonderous catch is similar to earlier stories and shows Jesus’ power.

When they realise it’s Jesus, Peter leaps into the water to reach him first. This shows Peter’s love and perhaps his longing to be right with Jesus after denying knowing him three times. The charcoal fire, a subtle detail, mirrors the one where Peter had previously denied Jesus. Now, around a fire again, Peter finds forgiveness.

Jesus doesn’t just forgive Peter—he gives him responsibility. By asking Peter three times if he loves him, Jesus allows Peter to confirm his commitment. Each response comes with a command: feed or care for Jesus’ sheep. This makes it clear that loving Jesus means caring for his people. It’s not just emotional love but requires active service.

Jesus then tells Peter about his future—a life of sacrifice, even death, that will glorify God. This shows the trust Jesus has in Peter. Despite Peter’s past mistakes, Jesus still calls him to lead. It’s a powerful message that failure doesn’t stop us from belonging and contributing to God’s kingdom.

Peter’s question about the beloved disciple’s future leads to a gentle correction from Jesus. He reminds Peter to stay focused on his own calling. This is a meaningful lesson: we are each responsible for following Jesus personally, not for comparing our journey with someone else’s.

The chapter ends by confirming what’s written in this book is true. It reminds us that Jesus did so much more than what was written in the bible.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring John 21

If you’d like to read John xx in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 21 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 21 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 21 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on the Sabbath, while it was still dark. She saw the stone had been removed from the tomb.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple that Jesus loved.

“They’ve taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him,” Mary said.

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb. The other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first. He bent down and saw the linen cloth lying there but didn’t go into the tomb.

Simon Peter arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the cloth lying there and the cloth that had been on his head. It wasn’t with the other cloth but folded separately in its own place. The other disciple who had arrived at the tomb first entered the tomb, saw and believed. This was because they didn’t already know it said in the scriptures that he needed to rise from the dead.

The disciples returned to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb and cried. Still crying, she bent down to look into the tomb and saw two white angels. One was sitting at the head and the other at the feet of where Jesus’s body had been.

“Why are you crying, ma’am?” They asked.

“They’ve taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they’ve put him,” she replied.

She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was him.

“Why are you crying, ma’am?” Jesus asked. “Who are you looking for?”

Mary thought he was the gardener. “Sir, if you’ve taken him away, tell me where you’ve put him and I’ll take him.”

“Mary,” Jesus said.

She turned back to him and said, “Teacher!”

“Don’t hold me, because I haven’t gone up to the Father yet,” Jesus said. “Go tell my brothers that I am going up to my Father who is your Father, and my God who is your God.”

Mary Magdalene found the disciples.

“I’ve seen the Lord!” she said and explained what he had said to her.

In the evening on that first day of the week, the disciples had their doors locked, afraid of the Jews.

Jesus arrived and stood amongst them.

“Peace to you,” he said.

He showed them his hands and his side. The disciples celebrated, seeing the Lord.

“Peace to you,” Jesus repeated. “I’m sending you just like the Father has sent me.”

He breathed on them and said, “Take the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s guilt, they are forgiven. If you keep anyone’s guilt, they are not forgiven.”

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, also known as Didymus, was not there when Jesus arrived.

The other disciples said to him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
Thomas replied, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands and put my finger through them and put my hand into his side, I don’t believe it.”

Eight days later, the disciples, including Thomas, were inside. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus arrived and stood amongst them and said, “Peace to you.”

He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe it!”

“My Lord and my God,” Thomas replied.

“Do you believe now that you see me?” Jesus asked. “Those who have not seen me and still believe are fortunate.”

Jesus performed other miracles, which aren’t written in this book, while he was with the disciples, but these miracles have been written so that you will believe that Jesus is Christ, God’s son. By believing in him, you have life in him.

John Chapter 20 Summary

Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’s tomb in the morning and finds the stone rolled away. She tells Simon Peter and the beloved disciple who both come to the empty tomb, and return home confused. Mary stays and cries. She sees two angels and then Jesus, but she doesn’t recognise him at first. When Jesus calls her by name, she realises who he is. That evening, Jesus appears to his disciples in a locked room. He shows them his wounds and gives them the Holy Spirit, telling them to forgive others. Thomas wasn’t there and didn’t believe the other disciples. Eight days later, Jesus appears again and invites Thomas to touch his wounds. Thomas believes and calls Jesus “My Lord and my God”.

John Chapter 20 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Mary Magdalene’s reaction to the empty tomb show us how to respond in sadness and confusion as Christians?
Answer: Mary’s sadness didn’t stop her from looking for Jesus. Even in confusion, she stayed near his tomb and cried. As Christians, we can learn to stay close to God, even when we don’t understand what’s happening. Jesus met her in that place of pain.

2. What does Jesus’s appearance to the disciples in a locked room teach us about fear and faith?
Answer: The disciples were hiding in fear, but Jesus came to them with peace and comfort. This shows that Christ meets us in our fear and brings peace. Even when we feel closed off, he can reach us.

3. Why is it important that Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the disciples after coming back to life?
Answer: Jesus gave the Holy Spirit as a gift to prepare the disciples for their mission. For Christians today, the Spirit gives us strength, guidance, and the ability to live out our faith and forgive others as Christ has forgiven us.

4. What can we learn from Thomas’s doubts about Jesus’s resurrection?
Answer: Thomas doubted, but Jesus didn’t reject him—instead, he met Thomas where he was and gave him what he needed to believe. This teaches us that it’s okay to have questions. God welcomes honesty and wants us to come to true belief through trust.

5. How does believing in Jesus give us life, as the chapter concludes?
Answer: Believing in Jesus connects us to God, brings forgiveness, and offers life that doesn’t end. It means living with hope, peace, and a purpose. Faith in Jesus isn’t just for the next life, but also changes how we live today.

John Chapter 20 Explained

John Chapter 20 opens early in the morning on the first day of the week with Mary Magdalene going to the tomb. Her commitment and love are clear—she was the first to arrive and the last to leave. When she found the stone rolled away and Jesus’s body missing, she was heartbroken and confused. Her reaction is deeply human—sadness, confusion, and seeking answers.

The turning point comes when Jesus appears to Mary. At first, she doesn’t recognise him. But when he says her name, she knows immediately it’s him. This shows the personal nature of Jesus’s relationship with his followers. He knows us by name and calls us personally. He sends her to tell the others—a powerful reminder that women were the first witnesses of the resurrection.

Later that same day, Jesus appears to the disciples, even though the doors were locked. This shows his risen body is no longer limited by physical limits. He speaks peace over them—a peace they desperately needed. Then he gives them the Holy Spirit and commands them to continue his mission. This is a moment of purpose. The Spirit is key to their new life and mission.

The story of Thomas follows, who wanted to see proof that Jesus was alive. Jesus met him in his doubt and invited him to believe. Thomas saying, “My Lord and my God,” is one of the clearest confessions of Jesus’s power in the New Testament. Jesus then blesses those who believe without seeing—a message for all future believers.

The chapter ends with a reminder of the purpose of John’s Gospel: to help people believe in Jesus and find life in him. This life is more than just survival—it’s a new way of living, full of meaning, peace, and connection to God.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring John 20

If you’d like to read John 20 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 20 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 20 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 20 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Jesus looked up to the sky and said, “Father, the time has arrived! Praise your Son so that your Son can praise you, just like you have given him power over people so he would give them never-ending life. This is what never-ending life is; them knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ who you sent. I have praised you on earth by finishing the work you gave me, and now, Father, praise me next to you with the praise I had next to you before the world existed. I’ve told your name to the people who you gave me from the world. They were yours and you’ve given them to me, and they have followed your message. They now understand that everything you gave me is from you because I gave them the words you gave me. They heard the message and honestly know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. I am asking for them. I’m not asking for the world, but for the people you have given me, because they’re yours, and everything I have is yours. Everything you have is mine, and I have been made great in them.

I’m not in the world anymore and they are. I’m coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me so they can be united just like we are. I kept them in your name which you gave me, when I was with them and I kept them safe. None of them died except for the son of destruction so the writings would come true.

I’m coming to you now and saying this in the world so they can have my joy finished in themselves. I’ve given them your teachings and the world has hated them because they are not about the world, just like I’m not about the world. I’m not asking you to remove them from the world but to protect them from the evil one. They don’t belong to the world, just like I don’t belong to the world.

Dedicate them to the truth. Your word is truth. I’ve sent your message into the world just like you sent me into the world. I dedicate myself to them so they can also be dedicated to the truth. I don’t ask just for these people, but also for the people who believe in me through their message so that they are all united just like you, Father, are in me and I’m in you, so they can also be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.

I have given them the greatness you have given so that they can be united just like we are. I’m in them and you’re in me so that they can be completely united, so the world will know you sent me, and you love them just like you love me.

Father, I want the ones you have given me to be where I am so they can see the amazingness you have given me because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, even though the world doesn’t know you, I know you and these people have learned that you sent me. I’ve taught them your name and will make it famous so that the love you give me can be for them, and I can be in them.

John Chapter 17 Summary

John 17 is Jesus’s prayer to God just before he is arrested. He asks God to lift him higher, so that he can lift God higher in return. Jesus speaks about the never-ending life he gives and explains that He has completed the work God gave Him to do on earth. Jesus then prays for his disciples, saying they belong to God and have accepted his message. He asks God to protect them, to keep them united, and to keep them safe from evil. Lastly, Jesus prays for all future believers who will come to faith through the disciples’ teaching. He asks that all believers be united as one, just like he and God are. He wants all believers to be with him, sharing in the love of God.

John Chapter 17 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Jesus pray for his disciples instead of the world?
Answer: Jesus prays for his disciples because they have accepted God’s message and are committed to following Him. He knows the world does not yet understand the truth, but his followers are living it out. This shows the value God places on those who choose to believe and obey Him.

2. What does it mean to “not belong to the world”?
Answer: As Christians, we live in the world but our values, goals, and identity come from God, not from worldly things. We follow Jesus’s ways, which often go against what the world teaches. It’s a call to live differently, with love, faith, and truth at the centre.

3. How can we be “united” just like Jesus and God are united?
Answer: Being united like Jesus and God means sharing a deep love, purpose, and commitment to each other. For believers, it means supporting one another, living in peace, and working together to share God’s love. Unity helps the world see God is living and working in us.

4. Why is God’s truth important for Christian living?
Answer: Jesus says that God’s message is true and asks for his followers to be dedicated to it. Knowing the truth helps Christians make right choices, stay strong in their faith, and understand God’s plan. It shapes how we live, love, and serve others.

5. How does Jesus’ prayer show his love for us?
Answer: Jesus prays not only for his disciples but for everyone who will believe in him later – including us today. He wants us to be close to him, to experience God’s love, and to share in his glory. This prayer is full of care, hope, and deep love.

John Chapter 17 Explained

John 17 is a deeply personal prayer from Jesus to God , spoken just before his arrest and death. The prayer begins with Jesus asking to be praised (some translations have ‘glorified’) so he can also lift up and praise the Father. He speaks of the power God has given him to offer eternal life – which he describes not just as life after death, but as truly knowing God and Jesus. This shows us that eternal life begins with a relationship now, not just a future promise.

Jesus then discusses his mission: He has completed the work God gave Him, shared God’s message, and revealed who God is to his disciples. He prays for their protection and unity. He understands that his followers will face hatred from the world, just as he did. But rather than asking for them to be taken out of the world, he asks God to protect them within it. This shows that Christian living is about being in the world but not shaped by it.

He also prays for their unity. Jesus wants his followers to have the perfect unity of love between him and God. This unity is not just for our sake, but so that the world will believe in Jesus through our example.

Jesus’ prayer moves beyond his immediate disciples and includes all future believers – everyone who will believe in him through their message. That includes us today. He asks for us to be with him, to experience the love and glory God has given Him, and to be part of that eternal relationship. It’s an incredibly loving and hopeful prayer that stretches through time.

At the end of the prayer, Jesus talks about making God’s name known, which means helping others understand who God truly is. He ends by expressing his desire for God’s love to live in all believers, and for himself to be in them. It’s a powerful reminder that Jesus wants to be close to us, and that we’re part of a relationship that started before the world began.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring John 17

If you’d like to read John 17 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 17 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 17 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 17 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Jesus said, “I’m the real vine and my Father is the farmer. He removes any branch in me that doesn’t grow fruit. He cuts back any branch that does grow fruit so that it can grow more fruit. You’re already pure because of what I’ve taught you. Stay in me, and I’ll stay in you. Just like a branch can’t grow fruit if it’s not on the vine, you won’t either unless you stay in me. I’m the vine and you’re the branches. Whoever stays in me and I in them will grow a lot of fruit. Separate from me, you can’t do anything. If anyone doesn’t stay in me, they are thrown out like a branch. The branches dry out, are collected and thrown into the fire where they burn. If you stay in me and my lessons stay in you, ask for whatever you want and it will happen for you. My Father is praised when you grow a lot of fruit and show that you are my disciples. I love you just like the Father loves me. Stay in my love. If you follow my commands, you will stay in my love. This is just like how I have followed my Father’s commands and stayed in his love. I’ve told you all this so my joy can be in you and you can have complete joy.

“I command you to love each other just like I love you. There is no greater love than if someone dies for his friends. You’re my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you slaves anymore because the slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. But I call you friends because I’ve told you what I’ve heard from my Father.

“You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and selected you to go and grow fruit. Your fruit should stay so that whatever you ask for from the Father, in my name, he’ll give it to you. I command you to love each other.

“If the world hates you, you know it hated me before you. If you were all about the world, the world would love itself, but because you aren’t all about the world because I chose you from the world, the world hates you.

“Remember what I taught you: A slave isn’t greater than their master. If they went after me,  they’ll also go after you. If they followed my message, they will also follow your message. They will do all this because of me because they don’t know my sender. If I hadn’t come and talked to them, they wouldn’t have been guilty, but now they don’t have a real excuse for their guilt. Whoever hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done the things that I did around them, that no one else could do, they would not be guilty, but now they’ve seen and hate me and my Father so that the message in their law would happen when it said ‘They hated me with no reason’.

When the representative called the Spirit of truth comes, who I’ll send from the Father, that will confirm me. You also will confirm who I am because you’ve been with me from the start.”

John Chapter 15 Summary

Jesus describes himself as the true vine, with God as the gardener. He explains that believers are the branches and must stay connected to him to grow fruit. Those who don’t grow fruit are removed, while those who do are cut back to become even more fruitful. He asks his disciples to keep following him, as a branch cannot grow fruit unless it is connected to the vine.

Jesus also commands his disciples to love one each other, even be willing to die for each other. He calls them friends, not servants, because he’s shared everything he learned from God. Jesus warns them that the world will hate them. Those who reject him also reject God. However, he promises that the Holy Spirit will come to support them.

John Chapter 15 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What does it mean to “keep following Jesus,” and how can we do this in daily life?
Answer: Following Jesus means staying in communications with him through prayer, reading the Bible, obeying what he taught, and trusting him. In daily life, we can do this by loving others and trusing in the Holy Spirit to help us grow spiritually.

2. Why does God cut back those who grow fruit, and how can we respond to his pruning?
Answer: God cuts us back—removes unhealthy habits, difficulties, or distractions—so that we can grow spiritually and grow more good habits and decisions in our life. We should respond with trusting him when it does seem he is cutting us back.

3. How can we show love to others as Jesus commanded?
Answer: We show love by forgiving, serving, and putting others’ needs before our own. Loving like Jesus means being patient, kind, and willing to go without things we want for others.

4. Why does Jesus say the world will hate his followers, and how should we respond?
Answer: The world hates Jesus’ followers because they do not belong to the world; they follow Jesus instead. We should respond with faithfulness, kindness, and courage, remembering that Jesus faced rejection too.

5. How does the Holy Spirit help us tell others about Jesus?
Answer: The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, strength, and the right words to share the message of Jesus. He helps us grow in faith and gives us confidence to speak about Jesus to others.

John Chapter 15 Explained

John 15 uses the imagery of a vine and branches to explain that believers must stay connected to Jesus to grow spiritually and bear fruit. Jesus begins by saying that he is the true vine and God is the gardener. This means that all spiritual life comes through Jesus. If a branch (believer) does not produce fruit (good works, spiritual growth), it is removed. However, even the fruitful branches are cut back—meaning God allows challenges or discipline to help believers grow stronger in faith.

Jesus then stresses the importance of staying in him. Just as a branch cannot survive if it is cut off from the vine, believers cannot grow spiritually if they are disconnected from Jesus. Staying in him means following his teachings, praying, and allowing his teachings to guide our lives. When we do this, we grow fruit—meaning we grow in love, patience, kindness, and other godly qualities.

Jesus also gives a command to love one another as he has loved us. He explains that true love involves sacrifice, even being willing to die for a friend. This foreshadows his own death on the cross. He calls his followers “friends” rather than “slaves” because he has shared his teachings and mission with them. This shows that believers have a close, personal relationship with Him.

However, Jesus warns that following him will bring enemies. The world rejected him, so it will also reject his followers. This is because the world does not understand or accept God’s truth. He reminds them that if they were part of the world, the world would love them. But since he has chosen them out of the world, they will face hatred. This warning encourages believers to remain strong, knowing that their struggles are part of following Christ.

Finally, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, will come to help them. The Spirit will give the disciples the power to share the gospel. This is a reminder that believers are not alone—the Holy Spirit guides, strengthens, and helps them talk to others about Jesus.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring John 15

If you’d like to read John xx in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 15 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 15 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 15 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Jesus said, “Don’t have troubled hearts. Believe in God and believe in me. My Father’s house has many rooms. I would have told you if it didn’t because I’m leaving to get a place ready for you. If I go and get a place ready for you, I’ll return and bring you with me so that you can be where I am, and so you’ll know the way to where I’m going.”

Thomas replied, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

“I’m the way, the truth and the life,” Jesus said. “People can only come to the Father through me. If you’d known me, you would have also known my Father. You now know him and have seen him.”

“Lord, show us the Father,” Phillip said. “That would be enough for us.”

“I’ve been with you for a long time and you still don’t know me, Phillip?” Jesus asked. “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say ‘show us the Father’? Don’t you believe I’m in the Father and the Father is in me? I’m not speaking words from myself, but the Father living in me does his work. Believe me; I’m in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you don’t, believe me because of the things I’ve done. I’m honestly telling you that whoever believes in me will also do the things that I do, and they will do even greater things because I’m leaving to the Father. I will do anything you ask for in my name so that the Father is glorified in the Son. I will do anything you ask in my name.

“If you love me, you’ll follow my commands and I’ll ask the Father, and he’ll give you another representative so that he can always be with you. The representative is the Spirit of truth, who the world can’t accept because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him because he lives with you and will be in you. I won’t leave you abandoned and will come to you.

“The world will soon no longer see me, but you’ll see me because I am alive. You’ll also be alive. On that day, you’ll know I’m in the Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you. Whoever has my commands and follows them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I’ll love them and show myself to them.”

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, “Lord, why are you going to show yourself to us and not the world?”

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, they’ll keep my word and my Father will love him and we’ll come to him and live with him. Whoever doesn’t love me doesn’t follow what I teach, and the words you hear are not mine but the Father’s words, who sent me. I’ve taught these things while living with you, but the representative, the Holy Spirit who the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything I said to you. I leave you peace. I give you my peace. I give it to you not like the world gives it. Don’t let your hearts be disturbed, and don’t be afraid. You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m leaving and will return to you.’ If you loved me, you would celebrate my leaving to the Father because the Father is greater than me. I’ve told you it now before it happens so that when it happens, you can believe me. I won’t tell you much more because the world’s ruler is coming and he doesn’t have anything in me. I’m doing this so that the world knows I love the Father, and because the Father told me to. Get up and let’s go.”

John Chapter 14 Summary

Jesus comforts his disciples, telling them to trust in him and God. He promises them that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house and will return and bring them to be with him. Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father, and Jesus explains that anyone who has seen him has seen the Father because he and the Father are one. He promises that whoever believes in him will do even greater works than he did. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, who will be with them forever. Jesus further promises them that He will not leave them alone. He encourages them to keep his commands as a sign of their love for him. He gives them his peace, telling them not to be afraid.

John Chapter 14 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What does Jesus mean when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”?
Answer: Jesus is saying that he is the only way to God. He is the truth that reveals God to us, and the life that gives us hope. This teaches Christians that faith in Jesus is essential for being saved and that we should live according to his teachings.

2. How can we apply Jesus’ promise of peace in our daily lives?
Answer: Jesus offers a peace that is different from what the world gives. This means we can trust him even in difficult times. As Christians, we should rely on him instead of worrying, praying for his guidance and trusting in his plan.

3. What does it mean to love Jesus and keep His commands?
Answer: Loving Jesus means more than just feelings; it requires us to do things. Keeping his commands means following his teachings, living with kindness, honesty, and love, and obeying God in our lives.

4. How does the Holy Spirit help believers today?
Answer: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a helper, teacher, and guide. Today, the Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s word, gives us strength to face challenges, convicts us when we do wrong, and helps us live lives with Christ as the main focus.

5. Why is it important to believe in Jesus’ return?
Answer: Jesus promises to return and take his followers to be with Him. This gives Christians hope and encouragement, reminding us to live faithfully and be prepared for his coming.

John Chapter 14 Explained

Jesus comforts his disciples. They are worried because he has told them that he will be leaving soon. Jesus explains that He is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house, the new heavens and earth, where there is plenty of room for all who believe. He promises to return and take them to be with him. This gives hope to all Christians, reminding us that heaven is real and that Jesus will come back for us.

When Thomas asks how they can know the way, Jesus makes a powerful statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He says that no one can reach God except through Him. This means getting saved can only happen through Jesus, not through good works or any other belief. This truth remains central to Christianity today.

Philip asks to see the Father, and Jesus responds that if they have seen him, they have already seen the Father. Jesus is fully God and reveals the nature of God to us. He encourages them to believe in him because of the miracles he has performed, which prove that he is from God. He also tells them that those who believe in him will do even greater works. This does not mean greater miracles than Jesus, but that through the power of the Holy Spirit, his followers will spread the the good news of Jesus across the world.

Jesus then promises the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will be with them forever, guiding and teaching them. The world cannot understand the Holy Spirit, but believers will recognise its presence. This is a great comfort for Christians today—Jesus has not left us alone. The Holy Spirit helps give us wisdom, strength, and comfort.

Jesus also talks about love and obedience. He says that those who love him will keep his commandments. This means that real belief in Jesus is shown through obedience to his teachings. He further promises his peace, saying it is different from worldly peace. This peace is not based on circumstances but on trust in him. Even in difficult times, we can have peace knowing that Jesus is in control.

Towards the end of the chapter, Jesus reminds them that he is leaving but will return. He tells them not to be afraid, as everything is happening according to God’s plan. He speaks about the “ruler of this world,” referring to Satan, but promises them that Satan has no power over him. Jesus is fully in control and is doing everything out of love for the Father.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring John 14

If you’d like to read John 14 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 14 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 14 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 14 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Six days before the Passover festival, Jesus went to Bethany where Lazarus was. He was the one who Jesus had brought back to life. They made Jesus dinner. Martha served the food and Lazarus sat at the table with him. Mary brought a bottle of very expensive oil and poured it on Jesus’ feet before wiping it with her hair. The house was filled with the oil’s fragrance.

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples and the one who would betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold for three hundred coins and given to the poor?”

He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and stole money from it.

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone so that she can have it ready for my burial day because you will always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me.”

A large crowd of Jews found out Jesus was there and arrived, not just to see Jesus, but also so they could see Lazarus, who had been brought back to life.

The chief priests decided to also kill Lazarus because many Jews were going and believing in Jesus because of Lazarus.

The next day, the large crowd who had come to the festival heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. They gathered palm tree branches and went out to meet him, yelling, “Save us! The one coming in the Lord’s name is blessed; Israel’s king!”

Jesus found a young donkey and rode it, just like it was written: ‘Don’t be afraid, Zion’s daughter. Look, your king comes riding on a young donkey.’

Jesus’s disciples didn’t initially understand this. When Jesus was praised, however, they remembered this had been written about him, and they did these things to him.

The crowd, who were with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and brought him back to life, continued talking about him. The crowds went to meet Jesus because they had heard he had performed this miracle.

The Pharisees discussed together, “Look, you’re not getting anything done. Look, the world is following him.”

There were some Greeks who had also travelled to worship at the festival. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida, Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”

Philip told Andrew, and the two of them went and told Jesus.

Jesus told them, “The time has come when the Son of Man will be glorified. I’m honestly telling you that unless a wheat seed falls to the earth and dies, it stays alone. But if it dies, it creates a lot of fruit. Whoever loves their life loses it, and whoever hates their life in this world keeps it for life that never ends. If anyone serves me, they need to follow me. My servant will also be wherever I am. The Father will honour anyone who serves me. I am feeling troubled, and what do I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? I have come to this time for this. Father, praise your name.”

A voice said from the skies, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

The crowd heard what the voice said. It sounded like thunder. Some people said, “An angel spoke to him!”

Jesus replied, “That voice didn’t happen for me, but for you. This world’s judgement is happening now. This world’s king will be thrown out, and when I am lifted from the earth, I will gather everyone to me.”

Jesus said this to communicate how he was going to die. The crowd replied, “We heard from the law that the Christ will remain forever. Why are you saying the Son of Man must be lifted? Who is the Son of Man?”

Jesus said, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t catch you. Whoever is walking in darkness doesn’t know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light so that you can become children of light.” After Jesus said this, he left and hid from them.

Even though he did many miracles in front of them, they still didn’t believe in him. This completed the prophet Isaiah’s writings that said, ‘Lord, who believes our message? Who has the Lord’s arms been shown to?’

Because of this, they couldn’t believe the message. Again, Isaiah said, ‘He has blinded their eyes and desensitised their hearts. They don’t see with eyes and understand with their hearts and change, so I can’t heal them.’

Isaiah said this because he saw and spoke about Jesus’s glory.

Many rulers, however, believed in Jesus, but they didn’t tell anyone because of the Pharisees, who would kick them out of the temple. They loved men’s praise more than God’s.

Jesus yelled out, “Whoever believes in me doesn’t believe in me, but my sender, and the one who sees me sees my sender. I’ve come into the world as a light so that everyone who believes in me won’t stay in darkness. If anyone hears my messages and doesn’t follow them, I will not judge them. This is because I haven’t come to judge the world but save it. Whoever rejects me and doesn’t accept my message has a judge. My message that I’ve said will judge him on the last day because I don’t speak my own words, but the Father who sent me has told me what I should tell and say. I know that his command is eternal life, so I say exactly what the Father said.”

John Chapter 12 Summary

Six days before the Passover festival, Jesus visits Bethany, where Lazarus—whom he had raised from the dead—lives. Mary pours expensive oil on Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair, symbolising worship and preparation for his death and burial. Judas Iscariot criticises Mary and pretends to be concerned about the poor even though he actually just wants to steal the money. Jesus defends Mary. A crowd of people comes to see Jesus and Lazarus, which leads the chief priests to wanting to kill Lazarus as many Jews believe in Jesus because of Lazarus’ miracle. The next day, Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, which matched a prophecy about Israel’s king arriving in a modest way. Crowds wave palm branches and shout praise to Jesus. Word continues to spread about Lazarus’ miracle, bringing more people to Jesus, which further frustrates the Pharisees.

Jesus talks about his coming death, comparing it to a seed that must die for fruit to grow. He teaches his followers to serve him and focus on eternal life rather than worldly life. God’s voice confirms Jesus’s mission, but many people still doubt. Some rulers believe in Jesus but don’t tell anyone because they are afraid of public rejection. Jesus says he is the light of the world sent by the Father to save humanity, and warns of judgement for anyone who rejects his message.

John Chapter 12 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. Why do you think Mary’s act of pouring expensive oil on Jesus’s feet was so important? How can we show similar devotion to Jesus in our lives?
Answer: Mary’s act showed humility, love, and recognition of Jesus’s worth. We can honour Jesus by worshipping him with all our hearts in whatever we do, serving others, and giving generously of our resources to those in need.

2. Why do you think Judas criticised Mary’s actions, and how can we guard our hearts against similar attitudes?
Answer: Judas criticised her out of greed. To avoid this, we should focus on serving Jesus sincerely and not letting selfish motives influence or guide our actions.

3. What does Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem teach us about leadership? How can we follow his example in our own lives?
Answer: Jesus entered as a humble servant-king, not a worldly ruler. We can follow his example by leading with humility, serving others, and trusting God’s plan, rather than aiming to lead others with power.

4. Jesus said, “Whoever loves their life loses it.” What does this mean for us as Christians? How can we prioritise eternal life over worldly wants?
Answer: This means living for Christ rather than clinging to worldly comforts. We can prioritise eternal life by looking and learning about what God wants us to do, value his kingdom more than ours, and give our plans to him.

5. How can we walk in the light as Jesus instructed? What does it mean to be a ‘child of light’?
Answer: Walking in the light means living by Jesus’ teachings, showing his character in what we say and do, and sharing his love. Being a child of light involves trusting him and ‘shining’ his truth to others.

John Chapter 12 Explained

This chapter begins with a scene in Bethany, where Mary pours expensive oil on Jesus’s feet, illustrating Jesus’s coming death and burial. Her act of worship shows love and understanding of who Jesus is. Judas’s objection shows his corruption and greed, contrasted against Mary’s selflessness. Jesus states that Mary’s actions are good and appropriate. This teaches us about the value of costly worship and prioritising Jesus above anything else.

Jesus then rides a donkey into Jerusalem. This was written about in Zechariah 9:9 and shows Jesus is all about humility and peace rather than earthly power. The crowd celebrates him as King, waving palm branches and shouting, “Save us!” However, their understanding of him as their king is limited to thinking he will save them from their worldly bullies, the Romans, not the spiritual salvation he brings. Even the disciples don’t fully understand the significance of this event until much later, reminding us that God’s plans are often clearer in hindsight.

Jesus’s teaching about the grain of wheat dying is an illustration of how his death is necessary to save humanity. He invites his followers to serve him, promising them eternal life. This challenges us to think about our priorities in life and welcome the cost of following Jesus. Jesus predicts his death will be on a cross and acknowledges the inner struggle he faces, though he still will do what his Father’s wants him to do, displaying perfect obedience.

God confirms Jesus’s mission, but many still refuse to believe. John connects this unbelief to Isaiah’s prophecies, which said that that spiritual blindness prevents people from recognising Jesus’ glory. This warns us of the dangers of hardening our hearts against God’s truth.

Some rulers believe in Jesus but worry about being publicly rejected, choosing human approval over God’s approval. This highlights the cost of discipleship and the importance of prioritising believing over fear. Jesus’ final public teaching discusses his identity as the light of the world. He explains that his mission is to save people rather than judging them, but warns that rejecting his message will lead to judgement. His teachings remind us of the timeliness of accepting him as Saviour and living as children that reflect his light to those around is.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring John 12

If you’d like to read John 12 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try John 12 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try John 12 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try John 12 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore John in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: John
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of John (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)