Looking for something a little more in-depth than your average study Bible? The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary is a single-volume resource that walks you through the entire Bible. We pulled this excerpt from the Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary to give a small taste of the information it offers. Mostly, being an ILLUSTRATED Bible Commentary, this resource is filled with charts, images, and graphics. So, keep reading, and discover more about Jesus’ Farewell in John 13-17.
THE FAREWELL DISCOURSE
Jesus’ Farewell: John 13:31–17:26
In the upper room, Jesus now turns to his faithful followers and instructs them at some length. The discourse runs from 13:31 to 16:33 without narrative interruption. Then, it concludes with Jesus’s prayer (17:1–26), which precedes the arrest (18:1–11). The literary form of this section is called the “farewell speech” and was well known in Judaism at this time. For example, look to the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. It is an inter-testamental, extra-canonical work that records the final words of Israel’s patriarchs. The Assumption of Moses (first century AD) does the same for Israel’s prophet-leader in Transjordan.
Each Jewish farewell speech shows similar elements that are found in Jesus’s farewell:
- There is a plea for obedience to the law. Thus in 13:34 and 15:12 Jesus speaks of his new commandment of love.
- Often writings are left behind (cf. Assumption of Moses 10:11; 4 Ezra), and in the Fourth Gospel itself we have the chronicle of Jesus’s life now deposited for his followers.
- Spirit-filled representatives carry on the work, just as Joshua obtained the Spirit that rested on Moses (Assumption of Moses 10–12). Here Jesus promises the Spirit of truth (14:17), who anoints the disciples and particularly the beloved disciple for his work.
- Finally, the anxiety of those left behind is relieved. So Jesus speaks of comfort, terming the Spirit “the Comforter” or “Paraclete” (Greek paraklētos; NIV “Advocate”; 14:16, 26; 15:26).
It is evident then that Jesus recognizes the importance of this evening and is making his formal farewell.
He addresses his disciples’ worries in light of his imminent death and departure. But above all he holds out a promise and hope centered on the coming of the Holy Spirit—one who will guide, teach, encourage, empower, and mediate to the believer the comforting presence of Christ.
BAKER ILLUSTRATED BIBLE COMMENTARY
This excerpt is from the Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Below you’ll find screenshots of the commentary open in the Olive Tree Bible App.
First, take a look at the content! We hyperlinked all the verse references for your convenience. Tapping on them will open the Bible text in a pop-up window. Also, you can tap on the image to expand it.
The commentary says that this is a photo of a large compound with many rooms, surrounded by a common courtyard. When Jesus says “My Father’s house has many rooms” his listener’s most likely thought of a home like this one, in Capernaum. Isn’t it neat to see the context Jesus was speaking out of?
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