Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



And all the people [in the synagogue] were so amazed they began asking one another, "What is this, some new teaching? And it is spoken with such authority He even orders evil spirits, and they obey him." Verse ConceptsAmazingExorcismsevil, victory overDemons, Delivered FromNewnessAmazement, Of Jesus ChristAmazement, Of Christ's MiraclesChrist's DominionAuthority Of ChristWhat Is This?Christ's Ordersdoctrine

The men [on board the boat] marveled, saying, "What kind of a man is this, that even the wind and waves obey Him?" Verse ConceptsAmazingConfusionPower Of Christ, ShownAmazement, Of Christ's MiraclesChrist's DominionMarvellingWhat Manner?The Sea StilledweatherGod Controls Storms


And all the people [in the synagogue] were so amazed they began asking one another, "What is this, some new teaching? And it is spoken with such authority He even orders evil spirits, and they obey him." Verse ConceptsAmazingExorcismsevil, victory overDemons, Delivered FromNewnessAmazement, Of Jesus ChristAmazement, Of Christ's MiraclesChrist's DominionAuthority Of ChristWhat Is This?Christ's Ordersdoctrine

The men [on board the boat] marveled, saying, "What kind of a man is this, that even the wind and waves obey Him?" Verse ConceptsAmazingConfusionPower Of Christ, ShownAmazement, Of Christ's MiraclesChrist's DominionMarvellingWhat Manner?The Sea StilledweatherGod Controls Storms


And all the people [in the synagogue] were so amazed they began asking one another, "What is this, some new teaching? And it is spoken with such authority He even orders evil spirits, and they obey him." Verse ConceptsAmazingExorcismsevil, victory overDemons, Delivered FromNewnessAmazement, Of Jesus ChristAmazement, Of Christ's MiraclesChrist's DominionAuthority Of ChristWhat Is This?Christ's Ordersdoctrine

The men [on board the boat] marveled, saying, "What kind of a man is this, that even the wind and waves obey Him?" Verse ConceptsAmazingConfusionPower Of Christ, ShownAmazement, Of Christ's MiraclesChrist's DominionMarvellingWhat Manner?The Sea StilledweatherGod Controls Storms


When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there struck Him [in the face], saying, "Is that any way to talk to the head priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have said anything wrong, tell me what it was. But if [I spoke] properly, why did you hit me?"

After saying these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the time has come; honor your Son so that your Son may honor you. Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, "all those things"] you have given Him. And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent. read more.
I am honoring you [while] on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, honor me in your presence with the honor I had with you before the world was [created]. I have revealed your name [i.e., your power and character] to the men you gave me out of the world [i.e., the apostles]. They belonged to you, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you gave me came from you, because I have given them the message you gave me, and they accepted it. They [also] knew for certain that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I am praying for them [i.e., the apostles]; I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you gave me, who belong to you. And everything I have belongs to you, and what you have belongs to me; and I am honored through these men. And [now] I am coming to you, for I will not be in the world any longer, yet these men are [still] in the world. Holy Father, protect them by [the power of] your name which you have given me. May these men be one, as we are. I protected them while I was with them by [the power of] your name which you gave me. [See verse 11]. I guarded them so that not one of them was lost except the "son of destruction" [i.e., Judas]. [This was] so that the Scripture would be fulfilled [Psa. 41:9 ?]. But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things [while still] in the world, so that they [i.e., the apostles] may have my joy within them in all its fullness. I have given them your word, and the world hated them because they do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.


For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]. The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22].

So, they said to Him, "Who are you?" Jesus answered, "Why am I even speaking to you at all? [Note: The Greek words of this difficult passage are not real clear] I have many things to say about you and [many] judgments to pass on you. However, God, who sent me, is truthful and I am telling the world [only] the things I have heard from Him." The people [who heard this] did not understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. read more.
So, Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of man [i.e., to crucify Him], then you will know that I am [the Messiah] and that I do not do anything on my own authority, but I speak [only] those things that the Father has taught me. And God, who sent me, is with me; He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to Him."

Then Jesus spoke out in a loud voice, "The person who believes in me, does not [only] believe in me, but [also] in Him who sent me [i.e., God]. And the person who sees me, sees Him who sent me [also]. I have come into the world to be a light [to it], so that whoever believes in me would not have to remain in [spiritual] darkness. read more.
And if any person hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him [now], for I did not come into the world to judge it, but to save it. The person who rejects me and does not accept my message has One who [will] judge him. The message that I have spoken will judge him on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. For I did not speak from myself [i.e., on my own authority], but the Father Himself, who sent me, has ordered me what to say and speak. And I know that [obeying] His commandments [leads to] never ending life. So, the things which I say are what the Father has told me [to say]."

[Jesus continued], "I am the real vine, and my Father is the owner of the vineyard. He will cut off [See verse 6] every branch [i.e., follower of Christ] who is in [fellowship with] me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit. You people are already 'clean' [i.e., have been pruned of undesirable traits] because of [obedience to] the teaching I have given you. read more.
Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains united to the vine, so neither can you people [bear fruit] unless you remain united to me. "I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me. If a person does not remain united to me, he will be thrown out as a [fruitless] branch and dried up. People gather up such branches and throw them into the fire to be burned [as fuel ?]. If you remain in [fellowship with] me and my teaching remains in your hearts, [you can] ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by your bearing much fruit and [thus] showing that you are my disciples. "Just as the Father has loved me, [so] I have also loved you. You should continue to receive [or, respond to] my love. [Note: The next verse tells how this can be done]. If you obey my commandments, [then] you will continue receiving my love; just as I have obeyed my Father's commandments and [so] continue receiving His love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete. My commandment [to you] is this: You should love one another just as I have loved you. No one has [any] greater love than to give up his life for his friends. You people are my friends if you do what I command you to. I do not call you slaves anymore, for a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I heard from my Father.

[Then] Jesus' disciples said [to Him], "Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language. Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you [questions]. This makes us believe that you came from God." Jesus replied to them, "Do you believe [in me] now? read more.
Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me [all] alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world."

[Dear] Theophilus, in my former letter [i.e., the Gospel of Luke] I wrote to you concerning what all Jesus did and taught since the beginning [of His ministry], up until the day He returned to heaven. [Just before that time] He had given [certain] instructions to His [specially] selected apostles through [the direction of] the Holy Spirit. Now, following His death on the cross [and resurrection], Jesus appeared alive [to His apostles] for forty days, and demonstrated by many convincing proofs [that He had been raised bodily from the dead]. [During that time] He also spoke to them about the [coming] kingdom of God.

In his preaching John said, "One who is more powerful than I am will follow my ministry. I am not [even] worthy to stoop down and loosen the straps of His sandals [i.e., to serve as His slave]. I am immersing you in water, but He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit."

John gave testimony about Jesus, shouting out, "This person is the one about whom I said, 'He who will come after me ranks above me because He existed before me.'" Verse ConceptsHeraldJohn The BaptistWitnesses, To Jesus ChristWitnessing, Importance OfPreexistence Of ChristThe Existence Of ChristGreatness Of ChristChrist Going BeforeContemporary Witness To ChristSaid To Be The Christ

"I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows my [ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses His winnowing shovel [Note: This was a process whereby grain was tossed into the air so that the wind could blow the husks away, leaving only good grain on the ground] is in His hand and He will completely clear off His threshing floor [by removing all of the husks]. And He will gather His wheat into the barn, but will burn up the husks with a fire that will never go out."

John answered [their concerns] by saying to all of them, "I am [the one] immersing you in water, but One who is more powerful than I will follow my [ministry]. I am not [even] worthy to loosen the straps of His sandals. He will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment of hell. See Matt. 3:10-12]. His separating shovel is in His hand and He will completely clear off His threshing floor [i.e., by removing all of the husks]. And He will gather the wheat into His barn, but will burn up the husks with a fire that will never go out."

So, John answered them, saying, "I am immersing people in water, but there is Someone among you whom you do not recognize. He is the One who will follow my ministry; [and] I do not deserve to untie his sandal lace." These things happened in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River where John was immersing people. [Note: This was a different Bethany from the one just outside of Jerusalem]. read more.
On the next day John [the Immerser] saw Jesus approaching him and said, "Look, [there is] the Lamb of God; He [will] take away the sin of the people of the world. He is the One about whom I said, 'A man will come after me who ranks above me, for He existed before me.' And I would not have recognized Him, but I came immersing people in water so that He would become known to the Israelites." So, John gave his testimony, saying, "I have seen the Holy Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained on Him. And I did not recognize Him, but He [i.e., God], who sent me to immerse in water, said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descending and remaining is the same One who [will] immerse people in the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and given testimony that this person is the Son of God." Then on the following day John was standing [there] again with two of his disciples. And when he saw Jesus walking by, he said, "Look, [there is] the Lamb of God!"

John [the Immerser] was also immersing people in Aenon, near Salem [Note: These locations are thought to have been in northeastern Judea, near the Jordan River], because there was a lot of water there; so people were coming to be immersed. Now John had not yet been thrown into prison. [About then] a dispute arose between John's disciples and a Jew over ceremonial cleansing. read more.
These disciples went to John and said to him, "Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him." [Note: Actually, it was Jesus' disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2]. John replied to them, "A person cannot receive anything, unless it has been given to him from [God in] heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one] but [rather] that I was sent [by God] ahead of Him.' The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him [take his vows], is very happy when he hears him speak. So, [now] my joy is complete [i.e. over hearing about Jesus' ministry]. He [i.e., Jesus] must increase [in importance and influence], while I must decrease." The One who comes from above [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]; but the one who is out of the earth [i.e., of human origin] is [merely] an earthly [being] and he speaks in earthly [ways]. [But] the One who comes from heaven [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]. He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. The person who has accepted Jesus' testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful. For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]. The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22]. The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life [i.e., will not experience never ending life], but [instead], God's wrath remains on him.

[But] there is Someone else [i.e., God] who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony He gives about me is true. "You people have sent to John [the Immerser, for information. See 1:19] and he has given true testimony [about me].

Many people came to Him and were saying, "It is true that John did not perform any [miraculous] signs, but everything he said about this man was true." Verse ConceptsTruthJohn The BaptistSpeaking TruthNo SignsMiracles

As John was completing his ministry he said [to the great crowds], 'Who do you people think I am? [No], I am not the Messiah. But look, Someone is coming [to Israel] after [I complete] my mission whose sandal straps I am not even worthy to unfasten.' Verse ConceptsSandalsShoesWho Is John The Baptist?Undoing Fastenings


And when he saw Jesus walking by, he said, "Look, [there is] the Lamb of God!" Verse ConceptsLambsAtonement, By Christ AloneWatching Christ

Many people came to Him and were saying, "It is true that John did not perform any [miraculous] signs, but everything he said about this man was true." Verse ConceptsTruthJohn The BaptistSpeaking TruthNo SignsMiracles

You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one] but [rather] that I was sent [by God] ahead of Him.' The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him [take his vows], is very happy when he hears him speak. So, [now] my joy is complete [i.e. over hearing about Jesus' ministry]. He [i.e., Jesus] must increase [in importance and influence], while I must decrease." read more.
The One who comes from above [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]; but the one who is out of the earth [i.e., of human origin] is [merely] an earthly [being] and he speaks in earthly [ways]. [But] the One who comes from heaven [i.e., Jesus] ranks over all [others]. He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. The person who has accepted Jesus' testimony has confirmed this [fact], that God is truthful. For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]. The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hands [See Eph. 1:20-22]. The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life [i.e., will not experience never ending life], but [instead], God's wrath remains on him.

"You people have sent to John [the Immerser, for information. See 1:19] and he has given true testimony [about me].


After saying these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the time has come; honor your Son so that your Son may honor you. Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, "all those things"] you have given Him. And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent. read more.
I am honoring you [while] on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, honor me in your presence with the honor I had with you before the world was [created]. I have revealed your name [i.e., your power and character] to the men you gave me out of the world [i.e., the apostles]. They belonged to you, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you gave me came from you, because I have given them the message you gave me, and they accepted it. They [also] knew for certain that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I am praying for them [i.e., the apostles]; I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you gave me, who belong to you. And everything I have belongs to you, and what you have belongs to me; and I am honored through these men. And [now] I am coming to you, for I will not be in the world any longer, yet these men are [still] in the world. Holy Father, protect them by [the power of] your name which you have given me. May these men be one, as we are. I protected them while I was with them by [the power of] your name which you gave me. [See verse 11]. I guarded them so that not one of them was lost except the "son of destruction" [i.e., Judas]. [This was] so that the Scripture would be fulfilled [Psa. 41:9 ?]. But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things [while still] in the world, so that they [i.e., the apostles] may have my joy within them in all its fullness. I have given them your word, and the world hated them because they do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. I am not praying that you should take them out of the world, but that you should protect them from the evil one [i.e., the devil]. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Set them apart [i.e., for your service] through the truth; your word is truth. Just as you have sent me into the world, so I have sent [i.e., will send] them into the world. And for their sakes I dedicate myself [to you] so that they themselves also may be truly dedicated [to you]. "I am not praying for these [apostles] only, but also for [all of] those who believe in me through their message. [I pray] that all of them may be one, just as you, Father, are [one] in [fellowship with] me, and I [am one] in [fellowship with] you, so that they also may be [one] in [fellowship with] us in order that the world may [see it and] believe that you sent me. And I have given them [i.e., all believers] the honor which you gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one: I in them, and you in me, so that they may be completely one. [This is] so the world will know that you sent me and that you love them just as you love me. "Father, I want those you gave me [i.e., the apostles, see verse 6] to be with me where I am [going], so they will see my splendor [i.e., in heaven], which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, the world does not know you but I know you, and these men know that you sent me. And I declared your name to them and I will continue to declare it, so that the love you have for me will be in them [also], and that I [will be] in them."

Jesus answered him, "If a person loves me, he will obey my teaching, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him [i.e., in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit]. The person who does not love me will not obey my teaching. And the message you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father, who sent me. "I have told you these things while I am still with you. read more.
But the Helper, that is, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [i.e., by my authority] will teach you everything. And He will remind you of everything that I [have] said to you. I leave you with peace; I give you my peace. I am not giving you peace like the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be upset or afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away and I am returning to you.' If you [really] loved me, you would have been happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. Now I have told you this, even before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe [in me]. I will not speak with you very much anymore because the ruler of the world [i.e., Satan] is coming, and he has no control over me. But, in order for the world to know that I love the Father, I am [always] doing what the Father commands me to. Let us get up, and leave here." [i.e., leave the room where they had eaten the Passover meal. See 13:1 with 18:1].

For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him everything that He Himself does; and He will show Him [even] greater deeds [i.e., more extensive in scope] than these [i.e., than merely healing a crippled man], so that you people will be amazed. Verse ConceptsGod, Love OfIntimacyMoses, Significance OfLove Towards ChristAmazement, Of Jesus ChristInteraction Of Father And SonLove Between Father And SonGod's Things RevealedThe Father's Activity Regarding Christ

So, Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep [i.e., to enter the corral]. All those who came before me were thieves and robbers and the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; if anyone enters [the corral] through me, he will be saved [i.e., from condemnation], and will find pasture [i.e., will receive spiritual nurturing]. read more.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest. "I am the good shepherd; and a good shepherd [is willing] to die for the sheep. The person who is [only] a hired hand, and not the shepherd, [and] who does not own the sheep [himself], sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. So, the wolf attacks the flock and scatters [the sheep]. [The reason] he runs away is because he is a hired hand and does not [really] care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep [intimately], and they know me [that way], just like the Father knows me [intimately] and I know the Father [that way]. And I [am about to] give up my life for the sheep. I have other sheep [also] which are not [presently] in this corral; I must lead them, too. They will hear my voice and become one flock [i.e., with the others], having one shepherd. [Note: This probably refers to believing Gentiles becoming God's people, along with the Jews]. The Father loves me because I [am about to] give up my life, so that I can take it back again.

[Jesus continued], "I am the real vine, and my Father is the owner of the vineyard. He will cut off [See verse 6] every branch [i.e., follower of Christ] who is in [fellowship with] me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit. You people are already 'clean' [i.e., have been pruned of undesirable traits] because of [obedience to] the teaching I have given you. read more.
Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains united to the vine, so neither can you people [bear fruit] unless you remain united to me. "I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me. If a person does not remain united to me, he will be thrown out as a [fruitless] branch and dried up. People gather up such branches and throw them into the fire to be burned [as fuel ?]. If you remain in [fellowship with] me and my teaching remains in your hearts, [you can] ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by your bearing much fruit and [thus] showing that you are my disciples. "Just as the Father has loved me, [so] I have also loved you. You should continue to receive [or, respond to] my love. [Note: The next verse tells how this can be done].