John 10

 

Jesus tells a parable about sheep.
 

Truly, I tell you this.  If someone climbs over the fence to get into the sheep pen instead of going through the door, he is the same as someone who steals.
[1] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
 

The shepherd of the sheep is the one who goes in the door. When the door opens, the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by their names.  He leads them out. He gets his own sheep and walks ahead of them. They hear his name and follow him.
[2] But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
[3] To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
[4] And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.


They will not follow a stranger. They will run away from a stranger because they don't know his voice.
[5] And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
 

Jesus told them this parable but they didn't understand.
[6] This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.


Jesus said to them again, "Truly, I say to you that I am the door of the sheep pen. The people who came before Me are the thieves and robbers who steal. But the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. Anyone who comes in through Me will be saved. They will go out and eat in the green grass.
[7] Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
[8] All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
[9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
 

A thief just comes to kill and destroy. But I come so that people can have life and very joyful lives.
[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.


I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
[11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.


If someone is hired to watch the sheep but doesn't own the sheep, he won't protect them. He sees a wolf coming and runs away. He leaves the sheep alone, and the wolf gets the sheep. The wolf scatters the sheep.
[12] But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.


The hired man runs away because he doesn't own the sheep, and he doesn't care what happens to them.
[13] The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.


I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep. My sheep know Me.
[14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.


My Father knows Me. I know My Father the same way. I die for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not part of this group. I must bring them also. They will hear My voice and be one group with one shepherd.
[15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
[16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.


That is why My Father loves Me. I give My life so that I can take it again. No man takes My life from Me. But I give My life. I have the power to lay down My life, and I have the power to take My life back again.  This is what My Father told Me to do.
[17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
[18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.


The Jews argued with each other about what Jesus said. Many of them said He had a devil evil spirit, and that He was mentally unstable.  They asked why the others were listening to Him.
[19] There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
[20] And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Other Jews said, "These are not the word of a person with a devil evil spirit. Can a devil make a blind person see?"
[21] Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

 

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Jesus goes back to Jerusalem.


In the winter, Jesus was in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple on Solomon's porch.
[22] And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
[23] And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.


The Jews came around Him. They said, "How long are you going to make us doubt You? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
[24] Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.


Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you did not believe Me. The things I do in My Father's name tell you about Me. But you don't believe. That is because you are not one of My sheep. Like I told you, My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give life forever. They will never die. No man will steal them from Me. My Father gave them to Me.  He is greater than everyone. No man can steal them from My Father. My Father and I are one."
[25] Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
[26] But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
[30] I and my Father are one.


The Jews picked up rocks to throw at Him. Jesus said, "I have done many good things to show you that I am from My Father.  Which of those things are you going to kill me for?"
[31] Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
[32] Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?


The Jews answered, "We are not stoning you for good work. We are stoning you for blasphemy (talking bad against God). You are just a man, but you are making Yourself God.
[33] The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
 

Jesus answered them, "Your law says, 'You are gods,' doesn't it? God said that to people He sent His word to. Scripture cannot be broken. But you talk against the One the Father set as special and sent to the world. You talk against Me because I say I am the Son of God, don't you?"
[34] Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
[35] If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
[36] Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
 

Jesus continued, "If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe Me. But if I do the works of My Father, believe the works so that you will know and believe. You will believe that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father."
[37] If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
[38] But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.


Then, the Jews tried to arrest Him again, but He escaped.
[39] Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

 

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Jesus goes across the Jordan River.


Jesus went across the Jordan River to the place where John had started baptizing people. He stayed there.
[40] And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.


Many people came to Him. They said, "John didn't do any miracles. But everything John said about this man was true." Many people believed in Him there.
[41] And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
[42] And many believed on him there.
 

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John 11


Jesus makes Lazarus alive again.

In the area of Bethany, there was a man named Lazarus. This is the town where Mary and he sister, Martha lived. (This was not Jesus' mother, Mary. This was the woman named Mary who put special oil on Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. Lazarus, who was sick, was her brother.)
[1] Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
[2] (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

 

The sisters sent a message to Jesus. They said, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
[3] Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.


When Jesus head that, He said, "This sickness is not going to make death. It is for the glory of God so that the Son of God might be glorified."
[4] When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.


Jesus loved the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. When He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for 2 more days.  After 2 days, He said to His disciples, "Let's go to Judea again."
[5] Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
[6] When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
[7] Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.


His disciples said to Him, "Master, recently the Jews there wanted to throw rocks to kill You.  Do you want to go back there again?"
[8] His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?


Jesus answered, "Aren't there 12 hours in the day? If a man walks in the day, he won't trip and fall because he sees in the daylight. But if a man walks in the dark at night, he will trip and fall because there is no light."
[9] Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
[10] But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.


After He said these things, He said, "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping. I am going so that I can wake him up."
[11] These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.


His disciples said, "Lord, if he's sleeping, he will get better."
[12] Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.


The disciples thought Jesus meant Lazarus was resting and asleep. But Jesus was talking about Lazarus' death.
[13] Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.


Then Jesus said plainly, "Lazarus is dead. I am glad for you that I was not there. I say that because you will believe. But anyway, now let's go to him."
[14] Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
[15] And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.


The disciple named Thomas (or Didymus) said to the others, "Let's go with Him so that we can die with Him."
[16] Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.


When Jesus arrived, He learned that Lazarus had already been in the grave for 4 days.
[17] Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.


Bethany was only about 2 miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews from Bethany came to see Martha and Mary. They came to offer them sympathy because their brother had died.
[18] Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
[19] And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.


When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him.  But Mary stayed in the house.
[20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.


Martha said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, whatever you ask God to do, He will do it."
[21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
[22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.


Jesus said to her, "Your brother will live again."
[23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.


Martha said to Jesus, "I know that he will live again later in the last days when all the dead people are alive again."
[24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.


Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live even though he is dead. People who believe in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
[25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
[26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?


Martha said, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come to the world."
[27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.


After she said this, she went back to the house. She privately told her sister, Mary, "The Master is coming. He is calling for you." As soon as she heard that, she got up quickly and went to Jesus.
[28] And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
[29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.


Jesus hadn't gotten to the house yet. He was still in the same place where Martha had met Him.
[30] Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.


The Jews that had been with Mary in the house comforting her saw her leave quickly. They said that she was going to the grave to cry. They got up quickly and followed her.
[31] The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
 

When Mary got to Jesus and saw Him, she fell down at His feet.  She said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died."
[32] Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.


When Jesus saw Mary and the other Jews crying, He was upset. He groaned in the Spirit. He said, "Where have you laid Lazarus?" They said, "Lord, come and see."
[33] When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
[34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
 

Jesus cried. The Jews said, "Look how He loved Lazarus!"
[35] Jesus wept.
[36] Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!


Some of the Jews said, "This man made blind people see. Couldn't He have saved Lazarus?"
[37] And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?


Jesus went to the grave.  He was still upset inside.  The grave was in a cave with a big stone in front of it.
[38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.


Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Lazarus' sister, Martha, said to Jesus, "Lord, he has been dead for 4 days. By now, he smells very bad from decay."
[39] Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
 

Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
[40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?


Then, they moved the stone away from the cave.  Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, I thank You because You have heard Me. I know that You hear Me always. But for the people standing here with Me, I said that so they will believe that You have sent Me."
[41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
[42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.


When He said this, He yelled very loudly, "Lazarus, come out!"
[43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.


And Lazarus came out. His feet and hands were wrapped up in clothes for the grave. His face had cloth around it.  Jesus said to the people, "Take the clothes off him and let him go."
[44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Many of the Jews who had come to see Mary saw what Jesus did. Then, they believed in Him.
[45] Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

But some of the other Jews went and told the Pharisees what Jesus had done.
[46] But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.


The chief priests and Pharisees met together. They said, "What should we do about this man? He is doing many miracles. If we leave Him alone, everyone will believe in Him. Then, the Romans will come and take away our power and our country."
[47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
[48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.


The priest who was the leader for that year was named Caiaphas.  He said to them, "You don't know anything at all. You haven't stopped to think that it is better for one man to die for everyone than for the whole country to die."
[49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
[50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.


He wasn't talking about himself. Since he was the high priest that year, he said that Jesus should die to save the country. He said it wasn't just for the country, but that Jesus would bring together all of God's children who were living in other countries.
[51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
[52] And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.


From then on, the Jewish leaders plotted to kill Jesus.
[53] Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
 

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Jesus goes to the city of Ephraim.

That is why Jesus did not walk around with the Jews anymore.  He went to an area near the desert. He went to a city named Ephraim.  He stayed there with His disciples.
[54] Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
 

The Jewish passover was near.  Many Jews went from the country to Jerusalem for the passover. They went to make themselves clean.
[55] And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.


The Jews in Jerusalem talked to each other about Jesus. They stood in the temple and wondered if He would come to the feast.
[56] Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

The chief priests and the Pharisees had made a rule:  If anyone knew where Jesus was, they should report it so that they could arrest Him.
[57] Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
 

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John 12


Mary annoints Jesus with expensive oil.

Six days before the passover, Jesus came to Bethany. Bethany was where Lazarus lived and where Jesus made Lazarus alive again.
[1] Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

 

They made supper for Him. Martha served the supper. Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus.
[2] There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.


Mary took a pound of very expensive ointment named spikenard. She put it on Jesus' feet. Then she wiped His feet with her hair. The whole house smelled like the ointment.
[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.


One of the disciples named Judas Iscariot (his father was Simon and he would later betray Jesus) said, "Why wasn't this expensive ointment sold and the money given to poor people?"
[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?


Judas didn't say that because he was worried about poor people. He said it because he was a thief. He was the one who carried the money bag for the disciples. He stole money from the bag.
[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.


Then Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She kept this ointment for the day I am buried.  You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have Me."
[7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
[8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.



Many of the Jews knew that Jesus was there. They came to see Jesus, but also they wanted to see Lazarus. Lazarus was the man Jesus made alive again.
[9] Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.


Many people heard about Lazarus and that Jesus made him alive again.   Then, many Jews started to believe in Jesus. So, the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus.
[10] But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
[11] Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
 

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Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people wave palm branches at Him.


The next day, many people came to the feast. They head that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So, they took branches of palm trees. They went out to meet Jesus. They cried, "Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord."
[12] On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
[13] Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
 

Jesus found a young donkey. He sat on the donkey. This was the way it was in a scripture.  The scripture was Zechariah 9:9. That scripture said, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
[14] And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
[15] Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.


The disciples didn't understand this at first. But later after Jesus was alive again, they remembered this. They remember that the scripture said that the Messiah would ride on a young donkey.  They remembered that they had done these things for Him.
[16] These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.


Before, Jesus had made Lazarus alive again.  There were people with Jesus.  They saw Lazarus alive again. Then, they went and told other people  That is why many people came to see Jesus in Jerusalem. They heard about the miracle of Lazarus.
[17] The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
[18] For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.


The Pharisees were not happy. They talked to each other. They said, "Do you see that your plan has not worked? Everyone is following Him."
[19] The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
 

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Jesus tells His disciples that His time has come.


There were some Greek people who came to worship at the Passover feast.
[20] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:


Some of the Greek people came to Philip.  Philip was from the area of Bethsaida in Galilee. They wanted to see Jesus. Philip told Andrew, and then Philip and Andrew told Jesus.
[21] The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
[22] Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.


Jesus answered them. He said, "It is time for the Son of man to be glorified. I tell you truly that if a wheat seed is not in the dirt, it is a seed by itself.  But if it falls on the ground and dies, it makes a lot of new wheat."
[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.


Jesus continued, "Anyone who loves his life will lose his life.  Anyone who gives up his life in this world will keep his life forever.
[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.


If anyone serves Me. he should follow Me. My servants will be in the same place that I am. If anyone serves Me, My Father will honor him.
[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.


I am feeling very sad and troubled now. What should I say? Father, save Me from this time. But this is why I came at this time.
[27] Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.


Father, make Your name glorified."  Then, a voice came from heaven.  The voice said, "I have already glorified My name, and I will glorify My name again."
[28] Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.


There were people standing there. They heard the loud voice. They said, "An angel talked to Jesus."
[29] The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.


Jesus said, "This voice didn't come because of Me. It came for your sakes. God is judging the world now. The prince of this world (Satan) will be put out now." 
[30] Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
[31] Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Jesus said, "If I am lifted up from the earth, men will follow Me."   When He said this, He was talking about the way He would die.
[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
[33] This he said, signifying what death he should die.
 

The people answered Him, "In the Law, we have heard that Christ lives forever. How can you say that the Son of man must die? Who is the Son of man?"
[34] The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?


Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a short time. Walk while you have the light or you will be out in the dark.  When someone walks in the dark, he doesn't know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light so that you will be children of light." Jesus said these things, then He left and went to a secret place.
[35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
[36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.


Jesus had done many miracles, but the people still did not believe in Him.
[37] But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:


This fulfilled the scripture from the prophet Elijah. Elijah wrote, "Lord, who has believed what we said? Who has seen God's strength?"
[38] That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?


Here is why they didn't believe: Eljiah also said, "He has made them blind and made them stubborn and uncaring. They cannot see with their eyes or understand with their hearts.
[39] Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
[40] He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.


Elijah said these things because he saw God's glory, then talked about Him.
[41] These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.


Some of the leaders believed in Jesus. But they didn't say anything because of the Pharisees. They Pharisees would have put them out of the synagogue. They worried more about getting praise from men than about getting praise from God.
[42] Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but be
cause of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
[43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.


Jesus cried and said, "Anyone who believes in Me doesn't believe in Me, but He believes in the One who sent Me. Anyone who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I am a light that came into the world. Anyone who believes in Me will not live in darkness.  I won't judge anyone who hears My words and doesn't believe.  I didn't come to judge the world.  I came to save the world."
[44] Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
[45] And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
[46] I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
[47] And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.


Jesus continued, "Anyone who rejects Me and doesn't accept My words will be judged. They will be judged by the word that I have spoken. They will be judged in the last day. I have not talked about Myself.  I have talked about the Father who sent Me.  He gave Me a commandment about what to say. I know His commandment is living forever.  Whatever the Father tells Me to say, that is what I say.
[48] He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
[49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
[50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
 

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