A map of Jerusalem today.
An areal view with the temple mound . The pool of Siloam is between point A and B
Here the formerly blind man says “I am.” The context determines if it refers to the eternal “I am” or just means ” I am”.
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.”
The verses 7:53 to 8:11 are not in the earliest manuscripts, but have been added later, maybe as late as around 1100 A.D. The stylistic differences hint at not being written by the apostle John. They did however exist as a separate document from the first century, and were added to complete Jesus dialogue at the feast of Tabernacles. The verses could have been placed elsewhere, since they break up Jesus dialogue at the Temple. However, they were at some time accepted as inspired and are included in most manuscripts (Textus Receptus).
“Go and sin no more”, Jesus last words to the woman, after not condemning her for her past but looking to the future.
Technically it was Jesus’ half brothers, since Jesus was adopted by Joseph.
From Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. It was an absolute command, and had to be performed on the eighth day, even if that was a Sabbath.
Five thousand men, not counting women and children.
Twelve baskets left over after all were satisfied!
The Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) is about 8 miles wide at its widest point.
“I am, not fear ye”
Some comments on “eat of my flesh and drink of my blood.” Jesus explained that the Word was his flesh, but he didn’t explain what the blood meant. The disciples knew from Genesis 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Jesus was clearly pointing to the future complete atonement on the Cross, but this was before the Cross, so how were they to get it? It did not make sense until fifty days after his death, burial and resurrection when the Holy Spirit came “like a mighty wind”.
Then it became clear that His flesh symbolizes the word of God and his blood symbolizes His sacrifice on the cross and saving us from all our sin.
Richard Blanchard (1925-2004)
It would have been much easier to follow the Jordan River up to Galilee.
There are two possible routes, both cumbersome.
Nobody draws water in the middle of the day unless they have to.
Jesus spoke in Aramaic, which makes the statement “I am” even stronger. Jesus claimed he is God.
As opposed to the previous “I am” Jesus said “I am” at many other occasions. These are normal I ams, and does not in any way imply divinity or eternity.
The last word is “cosmos”. Jesus really is the savior of the universe.
Jesus did really say (translated from Aramaic to Greek) γεννηθη ανωθε “born from above,” not “born again“.
Again it is “from above,” not “again“.
“men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil,” as valid today as ever.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The water jars were big indeed!
Psalm 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
The gospel of Matthew mentions
Notice it states “three days and three nights”, in that order. In Jewish counting of days the new day starts at sundown.
Alone in the world the New World Translation (Jehova’s Witnesses) claims that “the word was a god”. But then again, JW do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as one person of the triune God.
Tekna – teachable ones, not just sons
Verse 16 is very interesting. The second half reads in Greek “και χαριν αντι χαριτος” which literally translates “and grace instead of grace” King James translation reads “and grace for grace, which lost a lot in the translation. The first “grace” is in the accusative, the second in the genitive. A better translation would be ” and proactive, dynamic grace instead of grace more like mercy. The Old Testament concept of grace is more like mercy, the New Testament concept of grace is best expressed in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Notice the world “sin” is singular.
There are many songs on “the Lamb of God”
Here is an example of the importance that the sin is in singular.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 