NOTES for Joh 12:19-36
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. |
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: |
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. |
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. |
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. |
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. |
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. |
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. |
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. |
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. |
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. |
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. |
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. |
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. |
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. |
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? |
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. |
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. |
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When the Greeks come to Jesus, they ask Philip for help. For some reason he goes to Andrew. It is hard to think the apostle was afraid to approach the Teacher himself. It is just as unlikely that Andrew was Christ's personal secretary, in charge of the Teacher's schedule. The matter is something quite different.
Something unusual is happening. For the first time, other peoples responding to Jesus' preaching are mentioned, even if they believe in the same God as the Jews. The community of Christ's disciples is encountering something new. And therefore Philip behaves very naturally: he does not hurry to act on his own. Jesus sent the apostles out to preach not one by one, but two by two (see Mark 6:7).
Who knows: perhaps Philip went to Andrew precisely because he was "paired" with him? Besides, Philip surely remembers how Christ said, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them" (Matt 18:20).
The Lord lays the foundation of the Church in this way: not scattered believers, but disciples coming to Him together. When we do not understand what to do, when we want to know God's will, we should not rely exclusively on how we ourselves hear it. God has given us His Church to help us: He has given us elders, He has given us brothers and sisters with whom we can turn to Him together. And so His word is fulfilled: "If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matt 18:19).
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Readings for 27 May 2025
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