Christian Belief System

Christian Belief System (known as Holy week), John 12:20-26 offers the reader a cohesive argument to the wider purpose of the fourth Gospel. John 12:20-26 also offers the reader an interesting passage to interpret, both for the content itself and within the wider context of the book's purpose in general.

Occurring on the third day (Tuesday) of Holy week this passage seems to occur as a theological centre to the events of that day. As far as the NIV is concerned, the day's events seem to transpire thusly:

Jesus teaches the lesson of the “fig tree” withering up overnight and the power of prayer “moving mountains”

He enters the Temple and teaches extensively:

on the “Two sons and the Vineyard”;

on the “Marriage Feast”; on “Caesar’s coin - image”;

on the “Resurrection”;

on the “Great Commandment”;

on the “Widow’s Mite”;

on some “Greeks” wanting to see Jesus (John 12:20-36);

on Jerusalem’s coming destruction;

on the “Last Days”;

and five major parables:

1) the “Good Man” of the house,

2) the “Wise and Evil Servant”,

3) the “Ten Virgins”,

4) the “Talents”,

5) and the “Sheep and the Goats.”

As we can tell by the list offered, the earlier statement of a Theological centre may seem a bit of an overstatement. Granted, it seems to be close to the literal centre of the list of events, but does that necessarily grant it any prevalence. However, the message that is alluded to through these verses offers us an image of the example of the theology of John's Gospel, even if it's core message occurs elsewhere within the Synoptics: Mark 8:35; Matt 10:39; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33.

Now we are not told why these Greeks wanted to see Jesus, though it is not surprising that they did, for the whole city was talking...

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...r Him at the cross. And as the horror of having God turn His back on Him comes to mind, our Lord is “greatly distressed.” Leading to a key passage within the scripture and the Gospel of John's third direct intervention by God.

Works used

Barton, John, and John Muddiman, The Oxford Bible Commentary (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2001)

Cook, F. C, The Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981)

Gaebelein, Frank E, J. D Douglas, and Dick Polcyn, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: With the New International Version of the Holy Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1976)

Guthrie, Donald, J. A Motyer, and Davidson, The New Bible Commentary, Revised (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1970)

Mays, James Luther, Publishers Harper & Row, and Society of Biblical Literature, Harper’s Bible Commentary (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988)