John 12:12-27 – The Hour Is Come

Read John 12:12-27

1) Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at the Passover feast is one of a handful of events in his life described in all four Gospels. In comparing the accounts given in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, what details do the other Gospel writers provide that John does not?

a) Matthew 21:1-11:

b) Mark 11:1-11:

c) Luke 19:28-44:

2) What does each gospel writer seem to emphasize in his account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem this final time?

a) Matthew

b) Mark

c) Luke

d) John

3) The words of the people in John 12:13 are taken from Psalm 118:25-26. What does the word Hosanna mean? What were they expecting from Jesus as they joyfully welcomed him that day?

4) In the accounts of the other gospel writers, later in the week, Jesus himself refers to Psalm 118 again, but this time to verses 22-23. (See Matthew 21:33-46) What insights do these verses give into the “triumphal” entry.

5) John and the other gospel writers also quote from Zechariah 9:9. Read Zechariah 9:9-12. How does the “kingdom” pictured in these verses compare to the kingdom the Jews were expecting?

6) Apparently, even the disciples were slow to understand everything they were involved in. When did they finally understand the nature of the kingdom they were part of? (See Acts chapters 1 and 2)

7) According to John 12:19 how did the Pharisees see themselves in relation to Jesus?

8 ) From John 12:20-21, what do we know about the Greeks who asked to see Jesus?

9) What was Jesus’ state of mind upon learning of the Greeks’ desire to see Him? (See John 12:23-27)

10) Once again, Jesus’ response to the request in these verses appears to bear no relationship to the actual request. What was it about the request of the Greeks that let Jesus know his hour had come? How does Jesus’ answer relate to their request?

11) Were the disciples prepared at this time to be like the kernel of wheat Jesus talked about? What incident(s) from the gospels support your answer?

12) The only way a kernel of wheat can produce additional kernels is if it is planted in the ground and disappears as a kernel. How does this analogy apply to Jesus’ command to them (and to us) in Matthew 28:18-20? (See Isaiah 53:10, John 3:30, Philippians 2:17)

13) While Jesus is referring primarily to his own soon death, what principles from verses 23-27 can we apply to our lives today? Describe your life if these principles were the guiding operators in your life.