Question 1

Why did Mary anoint Jesus’ feet with very costly ointment?

Accepted Answer

Mary’s act comes from deep love and faith. She uses expensive ointment on Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair, which shows both generosity and humility. Jesus explains that this anointing looks ahead to His burial, since His death is very near. Her act is not wasteful, but a fitting way to honor Him at this unique moment. The sweet smell filling the house pictures how wholehearted devotion to Christ affects others. Her example contrasts with Judas, who spoke about the poor but in truth cared about money, not worship.

Question 2

Why did Jesus say, “The poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always”?

Accepted Answer

Jesus is not saying that caring for the poor is unimportant. Scripture expects God’s people to help the needy. Here He is pointing out that His time with them in the flesh is short. Mary’s action fits this special time, just before His death and burial. There would be many chances later to give to the poor, but only this small window to honor Him in this way. Jesus defends Mary so they will see that true love for Him sometimes means costly, personal worship, not just what sounds outwardly practical.

Question 3

What does “except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die” mean?

Accepted Answer

Jesus uses a simple picture from farming. A grain of wheat, if it stays in someone’s hand, remains alone. But if it falls into the earth and is buried, it seems to die, yet from it comes a plant with much more grain. He is talking first about His own death. If He did not die, there would be no great harvest of new life. By dying, He brings many into eternal life. He then applies this to His followers: those who cling to this life lose it, but those who let go for His sake keep it forever.

Question 4

Why is Jesus’ soul troubled, yet He still accepts “this hour”?

Accepted Answer

Jesus speaks honestly about His deep distress as He approaches the cross. He feels the weight of suffering and the curse of sin He is about to bear. He could pray, “Father, save me from this hour,” yet He knows this is exactly why He came. So He chooses to say, “Father, glorify thy name.” The voice from heaven answers, showing the Father accepts His obedience. This teaches that Jesus faced real anguish, yet put His Father’s will and glory first, going forward willingly so that many could be saved.

Question 5

What does it mean that “now shall the prince of this world be cast out”?

Accepted Answer

The “prince of this world” is the devil, who has great influence over a fallen world. Jesus says that through His coming death and being “lifted up,” judgment is taking place. At the cross, the devil’s claim and power over people are broken in a new way. His rule is shaken, and he is cast down from his seeming hold. This does not mean evil disappears right away, but that its ruler is defeated. From then on, Jesus draws people from every group to Himself and builds His kingdom in the midst of former darkness.

Question 6

Why does Jesus say, “Walk while ye have the light” and “believe in the light”?

Accepted Answer

Jesus calls Himself the light who is with them only “a little while” longer. To “walk while ye have the light” means to respond to Him while there is still opportunity. If they refuse Him, darkness will come and they will not know where they are going. To “believe in the light” is to trust in Him so that they become “children of light,” sharing in His life and clarity. The warning is serious: God’s mercy is rich, but if it is pushed away, people sink further into confusion and hardness of heart.

Question 7

Why did many not believe in Jesus even after so many miracles?

Accepted Answer

The passage says plainly that though Jesus did many signs, they still did not believe. It ties this to words from Isaiah about people not receiving God’s report and about God blinding eyes and hardening hearts. Their unbelief shows both their own stubbornness and God’s judgment, allowing them to go further into hardness after long rejection. Faith is not something people produce by nature; it is God’s gift. When light is resisted again and again, the heart can become so hardened that it no longer truly listens.

Question 8

Who are the “certain Greeks” who wanted to see Jesus, and why does that matter?

Accepted Answer

The “certain Greeks” are non‑Jewish worshipers who came up to the feast. They approach Philip and Andrew and say, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” Their desire to see Him shows that His fame has spread beyond Israel. When Jesus hears of this, He speaks about His “hour” having come and about being lifted up and drawing all to Himself. Their coming is like a sign that His death will not only affect one nation, but will reach out to people from many groups, just as He said He would.

Question 9

Why does this passage say some rulers believed in Jesus but did not confess Him?

Accepted Answer

The text explains that some among the chief rulers did believe in Jesus inwardly, but they kept quiet because they feared being put out of the synagogue. It says they loved the praise of people more than the praise of God. This shows how strong the pull of human approval can be, even when someone is convinced of the truth. It also warns that silent belief, held back by fear of losing status or comfort, falls short of open loyalty to Christ. The passage gently exposes this divided heart.

Question 10

What does this passage teach about Jesus as light and judge of the world?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says He has come as a light into the world so that whoever believes in Him will not stay in darkness. He also says that if someone hears His words and does not believe, He is not now judging that person, because He came to save the world. But there will be judgment: the very word He has spoken will judge on the last day. He speaks only what the Father commanded, and that commandment is life everlasting. So trusting His words brings life, and rejecting them leaves a person to face that word in judgment.

John 12:1

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Mary Anoints Jesus

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

The Triumphal Entry

Jesus Predicts His Death

Belief and Unbelief

Mary Anoints Jesus

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John 12:1

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

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Mary Anoints Jesus

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

The Triumphal Entry

Jesus Predicts His Death

Belief and Unbelief

Mary Anoints Jesus

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