3) is introduced by “after these things.” John uses this phrase several times in his Gospel (cf. 3:22; 2:12; 5:1; 6:1 and 7:1). The meaning is not that what follows took place immediately after what preceded. John selected, and was guided by the Spirit to select those things in Jesus’ life on earth which were in keeping with his purpose. That purpose is clearly stated as “that you may believe that Jsus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (20:30–31).
While Jesus and His disciples stayed on for a while in Judaea and baptized repentant Jews, John the Baptist was ministering near Salem (vv. 22–23). This was very likely a Samaritan town near the Jordan River. Jews there were responding to John’s message about Jesus and were being baptized by him. Some time later, perhaps soon after this, he was thrown into prison (v. 24).
John the Baptist was a truly humble man, a humble servant of the Lord. He fulfilled his calling by announcing Jesus the Messiah’s coming and by preparing for His coming. After his work was finished, he stepped back so attention would be on Jesus, not on himself. John was blessed to have witnessed the Holy Spirit represented by a dove descend on Jesus at His baptism. He also heard the voice of God the Father say, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased” (Mark 1:11).
It appears that some of John’s disciples disputed over some “purification” issue (3:25). This was no doubt the same custom referred to at the wedding in Cana (2:6). The dispute may even have been over John evangelizing and baptizing Samaritans who were treated like dogs by many Jews at that time.
Some Jews came to John calling him “Rabbi” with a question (v. 26). It centered over the fact that Jesus was getting more attention and having more converts than the John the Baptist was having. The language used here suggests there was some bitterness in the hearts of these people. Perhaps they feared they were losing some popularity and hold on the people because John the Baptist’s disciples were many and they were following Jesus.
Without any hesitation, John responded to these disciples of his with much the same as he had given them before. His answer to their perceived problem was, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (v. 30).
It seems that John the apostle gives a summary with further explanation in verses 31 to 36 of what John the Baptist said about Jesus. In other words, John the Baptist’s words appear to conclude with verse 30. What follows in verses 31 to 36 seems to be the words of John the apostle. In these verses he gives profound statements about Jesus the Savior of sinners. Jesus is “From above” (v. 31). His origin is eternal (vv. 31–35). He did not begin to exist in Bethlehem’s barn and manger. Jesus bears witness of God. He gave a divine testimony. Everything that Jesus says is from God. Those who receive what He says are at the same time accepting what God says. They are hearing from heaven! Jesus has received His authority from God. He has the Holy Spirit. He is filled or controlled by the Spirit.
This chapter which gives us the portrait of Jesus as the Savior of sinners concludes with the same emphasis given earlier in verses 16 to 18. In both passages those who believe, who receive Jesus as their Substitute for sin, are given eternal life. Those who do not receive Him will perish” (v. 16) and will experience “the wrath of God” (v. 36). The “eternal life” God gives to believing sinners does not begin at death. It commences the instant the new birth takes place. Those who will experience “the wrath of God” (v. 36) or eternal condemnation will do so because they have not accepted God’s love in Christ.
Personal Application
Personal applications from this portrait of Jesus include our need to be forgiven by God, to be born again. Regardless how good or religious we may be, we need to be born from above just as Nicodemus did. He was a good religious man too. Surely, no one wants to experience God’s wrath. Yet that is what will happen to all who do not accept Jesus the Savior of sinners as their own Savior.
Jesus did not tell Nicodemus to add more good works to things he was already doing. The only way he or anyone else can avoid eternal condemnation is to be born again, born from above.
Study Questions
1. What do you think attracted Nicodemus to Jesus the Savior of sinners?
2. Do you have any idea why Nicodemus chose to come to Jesus at night?
3. How was Jesus able to know what was on Nicodemus’ mind before he even asked?
4. What is the key verse in this chapter? Can you quote it?
5. Can you think of ways you can present the gospel message of this chapter to someone today or tomorrow?
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Meeting People’s Needs
Portrait 5
John 4
Caring, concern, and compassion for others is in short supply these days sometimes even among Christians. When it comes right down to it, many of us are a pretty selfish and self-centered lot. And to behave that way is really an animalistic trait.
Have you ever seen any hungry animal share its food with other animals at the trough? I have not but then maybe there are some rare exceptions. I know animals often eat out of the same dish or trough but I mean do they ever leave any intentionally for others? I do not think so. Do they ever find food and enlist others to share it with them? No!
Recently there have been some happy and welcome exceptions to our normally selfish and self-centered living. For instance, when the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001 against the United States occurred, there was a widespread response of help regardless of race, color, or creed. After the Tsunami disaster in 2004 many countries gave millions of dollars for relief efforts. More recently, the Katrina hurricane tragedy in New Orleans and neighboring states in August, 2005 brought rescue efforts of all kinds from all across the United States to help the trapped and needy.
Throughout His life on earth Jesus was constantly seeking out people with needs and then meeting those needs for them. This portrait of Jesus is especially prominent in John 4. Here we see how He met the needs of a sinner, some saints, and a seeker.
But before we meet these people and watch Jesus and see how He met their needs, let’s observe where He and John the Baptist were and how He came upon the first needy soul. In the first four verses of John 4 we are told how Jesus became quite popular after John the Baptist introduced Him as the Lamb of God. People who had been following John left him and began following Jesus (v. 1). His disciples were baptizing more people who had believed than John the Baptist baptized. Jesus and His disciples left Judea and headed north to Galilee (v. 3). When traveling between Galilee and Jerusalem Jews usually avoided going through Samaria. Why? Because the people who lived there, the Samaritans, were usually hated and despised because they were not full-blooded Jews.
Jesus, however, “had to pass through Samaria” (v. 4) enroute to Galilee. He “had to”? Samaria was avoided like the plague by going the long way around it. Why then did Jesus “need” to go through Samaria? Was it because He was in a hurry? Was He fleeing from someone? No, it was because He had an important message for the people of the city. They needed to know of God’s love for them. Jesus did not come to earth to minister only to Jews. He came to seek and save the lost—all of them—regardless of color, race, gender, or creed. Later in the story Jesus reminded His disciples that His food was “to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (v. 34). This is the key verse for this portrait of Jesus.
A Woman of the World, vv. 5–26
While enroute to Samaria,
