King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, November 03, 2025
Chapters: John 12, Matthew 22
Message: Matthew/John: The Greatest Commandment
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we learn of the plot to kill Jesus and even Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. We also learn what the greatest commandment is and what happens to those who choose to live by the Law and not by grace through their faith in Christ.
[Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.]
We have been learning of the days that would lead up to Christ’s crucifixion, while He was preparing not only Himself for what was about to take place, but the disciples as well. John, also gives the account of Jesus being in Bethany six days before He would be crucified. He was staying with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, when all of a sudden, Mary takes this costly bottle of perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet.
[John 12:1-6 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 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. 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? 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.]
Judas, could care less about the poor, and since he was a thief, he would have likely stolen it given the chance. This was not some just some expensive bottle of perfume that she just happened to have, it was saved for her wedding day, something that would no longer take place. It was custom for those who died to be embalmed with spices and perfumes, by Mary doing this she was preparing Jesus for His death. How she knew that He was going to die soon was not a mystery really, everyone knew that the Pharisees had a bounty out for His head. Now, here is where the plot to capture Jesus begins and responses to Judas.
[John 12:7-13 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. 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. 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. 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.]
These people were losing their minds because they were losing their control of the people. They were willing to do anything to keep more people from walking away from their restrictive, man made, religion, even if they had to kill every person that Jesus impacted. However, they really had no idea just how many people had been impacted by Jesus, not only from those He did healed, but those who witnessed what He had done. In fact, most of the believers had not seen one miracle that He had done, they heard it and believed right away. John, also records of the day when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on donkey and gets the warmest welcome He had ever gotten. And it was not just Jews who shouted and praised Him that day, Greeks were there too.
[John 12:16-21 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. 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. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.]
The Pharisees were beside themselves, no matter what they tried to do to get the people to stop believing in Him the more they did believe. You see, they can kill us, but they cannot stop us from believing, and I mean those who truly believe, not the believers in the moment. Once we believe in Him, there is nothing to fear as the second our souls leave our bodies we are in the presence of Jesus, [2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.]
You give someone the opportunity to see what Jesus has done for you in the moment and you may get a few bites, but give someone the opportunity to see what your faith in Jesus will do for you and you will become a walking billboard drawing people to Jesus for living by faith and not by sight. Well, at this point, Jesus, had spoken three times about His death, burial, and resurrection, but none of them understood what He was talking about. Philip, brings the people to Jesus and He clarifies what was about to happen to Him.
[John 12:23-28 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. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 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. 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. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.]
In other words, Jesus, is saying, “Look, this is why I came here, it is my cross to bear, and what I was predestined for. And although my soul is troubled nothing is going to change that fact so all I can do is ask my Father to glorify me.” Then God Himself, hearing and watching all this, just spoke out to Him. God, was referring to Jesus’ immaculate birth in the flesh and He death and resurrection. And of course, the people heard the sound, but had not idea what it was.
[John 12:29-35 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 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. 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. 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? 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.]
This is a reminder that we all have hours of sorrow appointed us, things that we will endure through our faith alone in Christ, and it too will used to glorify God not only in getting us through them, but showing the world the hope that is in us. No one wants to endure pain, but as long as we hold on to that last thread of hope in God, we can do all things, [1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.]
Do you see the mistake here? They spoke only what they heard, not actually what was written from the Scriptures. They are reading the opinion of the one who interpreted what they read from the Bible. Jesus, knew who He was and what was about to go down rather quickly, but the people had no clue, even His disciples could not discern all that was being said at the time. God, spoke in order to convince them that He is the Messiah they had been waiting for, but sadly, many did not believe.
[John 12:36-40 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. 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 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? 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.]
John, is referring to this passage, [Isaiah 53:1-3 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. And this one, Isaiah 6:9-10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.]
There is so much written in the Old Testament about Christ that it is near impossible for anyone to not know, and yet so many are blind to that fact. However, there were a few Pharisees and Jews who were believers, but because they did not want to be kicked our of the congregation they kept their faith hidden. John, goes on to give the account of why they did not openly profess their faith, [John 12:42-46 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because 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. 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.]
I will say this, there is a time and place to profess our faith in Christ, while we are to never deny Him, the most important thing to remember is that we believe in and have receive Him as our Saviour while we are here in our flesh, hence the light. Once our soul leaves our flesh, it will either come into the Light of Christ or be cast into utter darkness forever. And here is the thing, Jesus, does not force anyone to believe in Him, but that is to their own peril, which Jesus goes on to explain.
[John 12:47-50 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. 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.]
Although Jesus is not judging them now, there is one who will, and declares that those who deny Him shall be damned, and is condemned already, [John 3:18-20 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.]
In other words, since they claimed to live by the law of Moses, they were going to be judged according to that Law. Those who chose to be under the Law of whatever book they claim to be holy, over grace through Christ are going to be judged according to that law, [James 2:10-13 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.]
This is why salvation has never been about ones works, and always about their faith in God, even if it were possible to obey six hundred and twelve of the six hundred and thirteen commandments that are written in the Law of Moses, breaking one would be as those all were broken. Obedience, always comes through faith, not faith through obedience, [Romans 2:12-15 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)]
Now, Matthew, picks up the next day after Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, and would go to the temple in Jerusalem, preaching and teaching from the Scriptures as well as helping those who came to Him. He has been speaking parables about what the Kingdom of God/heaven is and this time relates it to a wedding.
[Matthew 22:1-6 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.]
In other words, those who rejected the invitation went about their way, living their lives with no concern for their soul, the Messiah, His doctrines, or the Gospel. Then there was a remnant that not only rejected the invitation, they became offended by it, and abused those who invited them, and even killed some of them. However, the king would not stand for it, he not only destroyed those who killed the messengers, he sent his servants out to invite more people.
[Matthew 22:7-11 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:]
The moral of the story, the Holy Spirit is the garment that we need to put on in order to get to heaven. It does not matter how good or bad our moral character is, because we are sinners we all fall short of getting to heaven on our own. However, God, sent His Son to save those who accept His invitation. One can ignore, reject, or even kill the messenger, but that does not change the fact that without Him there is no salvation, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
It was not just the Pharisee’s giving Jesus a hard time, the Sadducee’s decided to chime in, and see if they could catch Jesus into say something that went against the Scriptures, this was fitting since they did not even believe in resurrection. They asked him who a woman would be a wife to after the resurrection if she married seven brothers over time due to death.
[Matthew 22:23-28 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.]
Once we get to heaven, the marriages that we made with those on earth become void because we are now of the bride of Christ. This does not mean that we will not see our loved ones or know who they are, we will know everyone we loved, cared for, and even come across over the years and of course, we will be like the angels, which Jesus explains.
[Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.]
God declared to Moses that He was the God of the living, those whom had died long before Jesus came. This shows that they were then in a state of being, capable of enjoying His favor, proving that the doctrine of the resurrection is clearly taught in the Old Testament as well as the New, [Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.]
God, does not want to see anyone end up in hell, nor does He send them there, but they put themselves there when they refuse to believe. It is not harsh or cruel, it is getting people to realize that they are sinners and cannot come to Him on their own. Jesus, already silenced Herod’s men, and the Sadducees, here come the Pharisees again.
[Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.]
These two commandments are the first ten commandments written in a nutshell, loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind means that we fear God and put no other god, religion, or belief over the truth. Jesus said it this way, [John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.]
Well, before these fools could even come up with another question, Jesus, counteracted their question with a question, [Matthew 22:41-46 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.]
Why could they not answer Him? They could not deny what was written in the Scriptures. Jesus, was referencing this Psalm, [Psalms 110:1-7 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.]
In other words, not only will Christ reign superior to all the kings of the earth, all his enemies will be crushed, some already have while others such as Satan, the angels who followed him that are in chains, the Antichrist, false prophet, and all who denied Him will be among them, [Revelation 21:6-8 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save us. Through His immaculate birth, sinless death, burial, and resurrection, we have a way to be saved from hell, and not only that, live in heaven with You and be resurrected when He returns. Now, we know that the only way to receive eternal life is to admit that we cannot be saved without personally receiving Christ as our Saviour. Lord, open the hearts of the those whom have not accepted and received Your Son to hear the truth. Give me your mercy, grace, Holy Spirit power and discernment to answer any questions, but stay away from foolish questions. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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