Bible Studies & Catechesis

12:9-11 “A great many of the Jews knew that He was there” – The first part of this passage describes the reaction of both the crowd and the leaders to Jesus’ return to Bethany and marks the transition to His entry into Jerusalem. “Many” refer back to 11:55ff who had come for the Passover and were looking for Jesus.

11:45-46 “Many…believed in Him” – The raising of Lazarus had an abrupt ending, with no word about Lazarus, no reaction from Martha, or even a note from Mary, or Thomas. But this fits John’s style with everything about Jesus’ identity in the signs, the revelation that He is the Christ, the Son of God.

24-26 “I know that he will rise again” – Martha is only able to see the great future resurrection. She has been consoled by this knowledge since Lazarus’ death.

Chapters 11 & 12 Prelude to the Passion Narrative – These two chapters are a transition from Jesus’ confrontation with “the Jews” and the narrative of His suffering and death (13:1ff). Jesus and the disciples are near Jerusalem but across the Jordan, only interrupted in by the raising of Lazarus in Bethany.

10:22-23 Final Dialogues with “the Jews” – Jesus is still near or in Jerusalem. Jesus confronts “the Jews” at the center of their Jewish life.

10:1-21 “I am the Good Shepherd” – Together with Mt 18:12-14 and Lk 15:4-7, John 10 is the most beloved depiction of Jesus as the good shepherd and the door of the sheep. From the beginning of Christian art, Jesus is depicted as savior using the image of a shepherd carrying sheep on his shoulders.