Jesus is still in Perea when He receives word that His friend, Lazarus is extremely sick. Yet, He remains where He is for another two days before He departs for Bethany in Judea.
Two Days Later Still in Perea
Jesus remains in Perea for another two days after hearing that Lazarus is sick.
After the two days, He tells the disciples that they must go to Judea, which stirs them up. Their reply is that the Jews have tried to kill Him in Judea. Why would He want to return there if His life was in danger? Jesus then tells them that Lazarus is asleep. They misunderstand and reply that if he is asleep then that is good for him since he has been sick. Jesus then helps them to understand that Lazarus has died. He explains further that this sickness that Lazarus has had was not one that
would cause him to die, but because it was for them to believe, he died.
Regardless, Jesus says, they will go to Judea so that He might raise Lazarus from the dead. Thomas then says that they should with Him and die with Him there.
Of course, he has no idea what the next weeks will bring to them. There is yet still much to come.
Outside Bethany in Judea Four Days After the Death of Lazarus (John 11:17-53)
John 11:17-53 17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31The 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. 32Then 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. 33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35Jesus wept. 36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37And 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? 38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39Jesus 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. 40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest
believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41Then 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. 42And 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. 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.44And 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.45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Jesus arrives outside of the town of Bethany and finds that Lazarus has been dead for about four days. Martha hears that Jesus has come, goes out of the town to meet Him. She appears to mildly rebuke Jesus by saying if He would have been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus asks her if she believes that Lazarus would rise again, and she replies that yes, he would in the day of resurrection.
Jesus tells her that He is the Resurrection and the Life. He continues: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Martha’s reply is that she believes.
She leaves Jesus and goes to get Mary, her sister. She tells Mary secretly that Jesus is asking for her. There are many Jews present that are probably professional mourners, which was quite common in that time and part of the world. (There are still professional mourners today, but not much in our country and time.) These Jews follow Mary, thinking she is going to the grave to continue mourning there. Instead, she goes to where Jesus is and meets with Him. She falls at His feet worshipping Him. She says almost the same thing as Martha did when she met Him: “Lord, if You would have been here, my brother would not have died.”
Jesus becomes quite troubled when He sees Mary crying. We are not given any indication as to why Jesus became troubled, unless it was to see the professional
mourners carrying on with their routine. That is what it was, just a routine for them. They really did not care for the sisters or what had befallen them. They were paid to just do a job and nothing more.
Then comes the shortest verse in the Bible. Jesus wept. The mourners thought that Jesus was also mourning for Lazarus, but this was not the case. Jesus asks to be shown to the grave where Lazarus is buried. The Jews begin to question. Could not this Man Who could heal the blind have caused this man not to die. When Jesus sensed this, He again was troubled. Jesus tells them to remove the stone that covers the doorway. The grave was a cave, as it many times was in that time.
Martha protests because he had been dead for four days and now, he would have begun to stink.
Verses 41, 42: 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.
Jesus then called for Lazarus to come forth from the grave. Someone said one time that Jesus had to be specific and call only for Lazarus, otherwise all the dead would have risen. I do not know if that is true or not, but Jesus was specific in calling only Lazarus from the grave. When he came out of the cave, Jesus tells the Jews to unwrap him from the burial clothes. Many of the Jews that come as professional mourners, believed on Him. That was the purpose of Jesus remaining in Perea until Lazarus had died.
However, there were some that did not believe and went to tell the Pharisees what had happened. The Chief Priests and the Pharisees went into council when they heard what Jesus had done. They consented together that Jesus had to die. Thus, they began to see when they could take Him and put Him to death.
According to John 11:54, Jesus leaves Bethany and goes to Ephraim.
Unknown But Probably in Perea Again
(Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12)
Matthew 19:3-12 3The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God
hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Mark 10:2-12 2And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 10And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
[NOTE: It seems that Matthew’s and Mark’s account may not be in connection with the original timeline that we are following. Thus, it is difficult to know exactly when Jesus would go somewhere or when He would do things. What follows is what MAY have happened after He left Ephraim and returned to Perea. He definitely goes from Perea down to Jericho when He begins His last journey to Jerusalem. Therefore, this is the path that we will follow in our narration.]
Although we cannot know for certain, it seems that Jesus has left Ephraim and returned to the region of Perea. It appears that many have followed Him. He is challenged by the Pharisees concerning divorce and what He thinks about it. They were asking not because they wanted to know, but because they were trying to entrap Him. Jesus gives them the correct doctrine concerning divorce.
(Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)
Matthew 19:13-15 13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Mark 10:13-16 13And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Luke 18:15-17 15And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Some children were brought to Him for Him to bless them, but some of the disciples turned them away. Jesus rebuked them and said to not forbid children to come to Him. Luke says the children were infants. No doubt the parents were the ones to bring the children to Jesus. What an example to set for us today. Our children should be dedicated to the Lord. That obligates us to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Matthew writes that just after Jesus blesses the children, He departs there. We are not told where He is going nor exactly from where He departs.
(Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23)
Matthew 19:16-22 16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21Jesus said unto him,
If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:17-22 17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Luke 18:18-23 18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
A rich young man comes running to Jesus and after he bows down before Him, asks Him what he can do to inherit eternal life. Jesus relates basically, the Ten Commandments to him, to which he replies that he has kept them from his youth up. Jesus then tells him that he needs to sell whatever he has, give it to the poor, and then come and follow Him. The man goes away sorrowful because he was quite wealthy. Jesus no doubt asked him all the questions that he did to prove that he loved his riches more than he did trying to follow the Lord.
(Matthew 19:23-26; Mark 10:23-27; Luke 18:24-27)
Matthew 19:23-26 23Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26But Jesus beheld them,
and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Mark 10:23-27 23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Luke 18:24-27 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Jesus uses this occasion to teach the disciples just how difficult it is for a person that is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus illustrates this principle by stating it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved because of their trust in their riches. The eye of the needle is a small gate that was only opened when the large gates were closed for the night. If a merchant came after the gates were closed, he had to either stay outside the walls all night—
which was not always safe—or go through the small gate set in the large gate. A man would have no problem to get through this small door, but to get his camel through was another matter. He would have to unload his camel, carry the load into the inside and then the camel would have to crawl through the small door on its knees.
The Eye of the
Needle
(Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30)
Matthew 19:27-30 27Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Mark 10:28-31 28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no
man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Luke 18:28-30 28Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Upon hearing Jesus’ explanation of having wealth and the difficulty in being saved because of it, Peter asks Jesus this question: Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. Jesus answers his question by replying that anyone who leaves behind family, lands, wealth, etc., shall receive a hundred-fold in the world to come eternal life.
Jesus concludes by saying that many that are first will be last and the last first.
(Matthew 20:1-16)
Matthew 20:1-16 1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye
evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Matthew is the only one of the gospel writers that records the parable that Jesus wrote to explain His last statement of the first will be last and the last first. The parable is concerning the householder who hires, at different times of the day, men to work in his vineyard.
Conclusion to Chapter 8
Jesus starts on His last journey to Jerusalem where in just days He will be crucified.
