Chapter 20

Probably at Bethany on Tuesday evening (beginning of Jewish Wednesday). The Rulers in Jerusalem plot His death

At Bethany (Tuesday evening, Jewish Wednesday)

1Or,a flask.

2Gr.pistic nard, pistic being perhaps a local name. Some take it to meangenuine;others,liquid.

3The word in the Greek denotes a coin worth about seventeen cents.

4Or,box.

5Or,carried what was put therein.

6Or,Let her alone:it wasthat she might keep it.

aThis anointing has nothing in common with that given by Luke (§ 59), except the fact of a woman anointing the Saviour's feet, and the name Simon, which was common. The former was in Galilee, this is at Bethany near Jerusalem. There the host despised the woman who anointed, here her brother is one of the guests, and her sister an active attendant. There the woman was "a sinner," a notoriously bad woman, here it is the devout Mary who "sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word" months before (§ 104). There the host thought strange that Jesus allowed her to touch him, here the disciples complain of the waste. There the Saviour gave assurance of forgiveness, here of perpetual and world-wide honor. Especially notice that here the woman who anoints is anticipating his speedy death and burial, of which at the former time he had never distinctly spoken. In view of all these differences it is absurd to represent the two anointings as the same, and outrageous on such slender ground to cast reproach on Mary of Bethany.

Tuesday Night in Jerusalem

1Gr.the one of the twelve.

2Or,without tumult.

Jerusalem, Thursdayaafternoon. (A Day of Preparation)

1Or,Teacher.

aWednesday (A Day of Rest) was apparently spent with the disciples in retirement in Bethany. Thursday was spent wholly with the disciples till the arrest in Gethsemane after midnight.

Jerusalem, Thursday evening after sunset (beginning of Jewish Friday)

1Many authorities, some ancient, omitdisciples.

2Gr.greater.

3Gr.reclineth.

4Or,I appoint unto you, even as my Father appointed unto me a kingdom, that ye may eat and drink etc.

aSome regard certain expressions in the Gospel of John as showing that Jesus did not eat the Paschal meal, thus hopelessly contradicting the other Gospels. But no one of John's expressions shows what is supposed, and one of them really indicates the contrary. Seenoteat end of volume. Matthew, Mark, and Luke clearly show that he did eat the regular Passover meal.

Evening before the Crucifixion (our Thursday, Jewish Friday)

John 13:1-20

1Now beforeathe feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them1unto the end.2And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon'sson,to betray him,3Jesus,knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God,4riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments; and he took a towel, and girded himself.5Then he poureth water into the bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.6So he cometh to Simon Peter. He saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.10Jesus saith to him, He that is bathed needeth not2save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.11For he knew him that should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and3sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?13Ye call me,4Master, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.14If I then, the Lord and the4Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.15For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.16Verily, verily, I say unto you, A5servant is not greater than his lord; neither6one that is sent greater than he that sent him.17If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them.18I speak not of you all: I know whom I7have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth8my bread lifted up his heel against me [see Ps. 41:9].19From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that9I amhe.20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

1Or,to the uttermost.

2Some ancient authorities omitsave,andhis feet.

3Gr.reclined.

4Or,Teacher.

5Gr.bondservant.

6Gr.an apostle.

7Or,chose.

8Many ancient authorities readhis bread with me.

9Or,I am.

aIt is needlessly inferred that John by this expression means that it was a full day before the passover meal. In fact, the words in verse 2 "during supper" rather imply that "before passover" was just before the meal began.

Thursday evening (Jewish Friday)

1Gr.for him if that man.

2Gr.reclined.

3Or,box.

1Or,was.

2Or,even as I loved you, that ye also may love one another.

3Gr.caused to stumble.

4Or,obtained you by asking.

5Or,and he that hath no sword, let him sell his cloke, and buy one.

6Gr.end.

Jerusalem. Evening before the Crucifixion

1Or,a loaf.

2Some ancient authorities readthe cup.

3Or,the testament.

4Many ancient authorities insertnew.

5Some ancient authorities omitwhich is given for you ... which is poured out for you.

6Or,testament.

7Many ancient authorities readis broken for you.

aLuke here (see§ 144) departs from the order of Mark (and Matthew) and mentions the institution of the supper earlier in the evening. It seems best to follow the chronology of Mark, who places it after the departure of Judas.

bThese are two parallel reports of the institution of the supper. Mark is followed by Matthew and 1 Corinthians (aboutA.D.56) by Luke (not earlier thanA.D.58).

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