John 19-21 Flashcards
(6 cards)
John 19 — The Suffering King
What does Jesus’ suffering in John 19 reveal about His love, strength, and the example He set for us?
John 19 (Summary of the Passion and Crucifixion)
This chapter records the brutal climax of Jesus’ earthly suffering: He is flogged, crowned with thorns driven into His skull, spat on, mocked, beaten, and finally crucified. He is pierced again with a spear after His death. All of this fulfilled prophecy, but it was also deeply personal—Jesus did it for you, so that you would not have to suffer eternal separation from God.
Analysis:
There is no single verse that can fully capture the depth of agony and sacrifice in John 19. Jesus’ body and soul were torn apart—but not for His sake, for yours. Every slap, thorn, nail, and insult was absorbed so you could be saved from a greater torment—eternal death. The magnitude of His suffering is both overwhelming and purposeful. He bore it all not only to fulfill Scripture, but out of pure, incomprehensible love for you.
Despite the injustice, Jesus never retaliated. His silence in the face of mockery is a powerful example for you—when you’re mistreated or misunderstood, remember how your Savior responded: with restraint, purpose, and dignity. His strength was not just physical; it was mental, emotional, and spiritual endurance on a divine level.
This chapter also shows why Jesus is the strongest man to ever live. He carried the unbearable weight of humanity’s sin—something no one else could do—and overcame it. That’s not just history; it’s motivation. When you face challenges, hardships, or suffering, Jesus is the reason you keep going. He is the answer to “How are you still standing?”
But this isn’t just about admiration—it’s also a call to action. Jesus did all this for you, so what are you willing to do for Him? What will you sacrifice or endure now, trusting that God’s greater purpose lies ahead—just as Jesus trusted the Father even when no one else saw the resurrection coming?
His suffering also teaches you how to approach your own trials—exams, competitions, high-pressure moments. It’s normal to feel nervous, but unnatural not to have confidence, because Jesus is with you in every moment. He has already endured the worst, and in doing so, showed you how to persevere with faith, humility, and strength.
John 20:24–29
📌 Why is Thomas called “Doubting Thomas” and what does that mean for your faith?
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Analysis:
This passage captures a transformative moment in the story of faith and doubt. Thomas, one of the Twelve, was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after His resurrection. His reaction to their testimony reveals the core of human skepticism: a need for tangible proof. His statement, demanding to see and touch Jesus’ wounds, reflects a heart closed off by rationality and fear.
Many believers today mirror Thomas. When life’s uncertainties—exams, sports, relationships—arise, it’s easy to slip into a mindset where we demand evidence of God’s activity. Like Thomas, we subconsciously set the terms on which God must prove Himself.
Jesus’ response is not condemnation but compassion. He returns specifically for Thomas, invites him to touch His wounds, and commands him to “stop doubting and believe.” This moment shows that Jesus meets us in our doubt but also challenges us to move beyond it. Thomas’ confession, “My Lord and my God,” is profound—not only an affirmation of Jesus’ identity, but also a surrender. It is recognition that Jesus is not just a teacher or miracle worker, but the divine Lord Himself.
The key takeaway is Jesus’ declaration in verse 29: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That is a direct blessing over people like you—who, despite not having seen Jesus physically, still place your trust in Him. Your life, your blessings, your very breath are evidence of Jesus’ divinity. When you remember this, doubt diminishes. Like Thomas, let your reaction be worship—acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and your God. He has shown you enough. Now it’s your turn to stop doubting and believe.
John 20:30–31
📌 Why do we still believe in Jesus even though we don’t know everything He did?
Passage:
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Analysis:
This passage frames the purpose of the Gospel of John—and in a broader sense, the entire Bible. It tells us something profound: we don’t know everything Jesus did, and yet we’re invited to believe based on what has been revealed. The miracles, teachings, and resurrection recorded in Scripture are just a portion of Jesus’ divine activity. He existed and acted beyond the written word.
This passage challenges the reader to embrace faith in the unseen. You’re told clearly: the signs written in the Gospels are enough for belief, but they are not all there is. Faith isn’t only built on exhaustive evidence, but on trust—trust in the character and promises of Jesus.
You are reminded that Jesus’ power extends beyond the narratives recorded by His disciples. His love is infinite, His power uncontainable, and His work in your life continues today. Even when the Bible is silent on specific events, Jesus is not inactive. The miracles in your own life—healing, provision, peace—are living evidence of His ongoing presence.
Ultimately, this passage is a call to action: believe in who Jesus is, and by believing, have life in His name. That “life” is not just physical existence, but spiritual fullness—a relationship with the living God. The disciples wrote down enough for faith to begin; now it’s your responsibility to carry that faith forward into everyday life, trusting not only what has been written, but what Jesus continues to do in your story.
John 21:1–14
📌 What does the miraculous catch of fish reveal about recognizing Jesus?
Passage:
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Analysis:
This passage is both a miracle story and a spiritual metaphor. The disciples have returned to fishing—perhaps out of necessity or routine—after the resurrection. Their night-long failure to catch anything symbolizes human effort without divine direction. But when Jesus enters the scene, everything changes.
Though initially unrecognized, Jesus gives a simple instruction: cast the net on the right side. Obedience leads to abundance. The miraculous catch isn’t just about fish—it reveals that divine provision comes through trust, and that success often follows surrender to Jesus’ guidance.
John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord—not by His face, but by the result of His action. This shows us that sometimes we recognize Jesus not by visible form but by the unmistakable impact of His presence. When the impossible becomes possible, that’s the fingerprint of Jesus.
Peter’s reaction—diving into the water—is spontaneous worship. It’s an example of how we should respond when we sense Christ near: with urgency, intimacy, and reverence. The detail about 153 fish and the unbroken net reminds us that Jesus’ provision is not only abundant but sustained and purposeful.
This passage teaches you to attribute the miraculous to Jesus. That moment of breakthrough in your life—the confidence you suddenly gained, the help during exams, the peace in stress—was not random. It was Christ moving. Next time something incredible happens, don’t just thank your own strength. Acknowledge, like John and Peter did, “It is the Lord.”
John 21:15–17
📌 What is Jesus teaching Peter—and us—about love and responsibility?
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
Analysis:
This is one of the most intimate and powerful exchanges between Jesus and Peter. After Peter’s earlier threefold denial during Jesus’ trial, Jesus offers him a threefold opportunity for restoration. Each question gently peels back the layers of Peter’s heart.
The first question is specific and piercing: “Do you love me more than these?” “These” could refer to the fishing nets and career Peter once returned to, or to the other disciples—testing the depth of his love. For you, “these” can be anything—academic ambition, relationships, sports, social media—anything that risks taking precedence over your devotion to Christ.
Jesus is not just asking for emotion but for action based on love. Each affirmation by Peter is followed by a command: Feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. Jesus ties love directly to responsibility. If you truly love Christ, you’ll live like Him, serve others, and look after those in need. Love must be proven through care.
When Peter is “hurt” the third time, it’s not just repetition—it’s conviction. Jesus is uncovering deep layers of guilt and giving Peter space to replace his old denials with renewed commitment. In the same way, Jesus calls you to acknowledge your love for Him—not just in words, but through action: caring for others, serving humbly, living righteously.
This exchange teaches that true love for Jesus demands transformation. Just as Jesus restored Peter, He restores you. But with restoration comes responsibility. Your love for Jesus must lead you to live like Him—healing, helping, feeding, and guiding others.
John 21:25
📌 How big is the true story of Jesus?
Passage:
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Analysis:
This final verse in John’s Gospel is a poetic and powerful way of declaring the limitlessness of Jesus. It affirms that the recorded miracles and teachings are just the tip of the iceberg. Jesus’ life was so full, so impactful, that not even the world could contain the records of all He did.
This echoes John 20:30–31 but goes further: it implies that Jesus continues to act even beyond history and time. His work didn’t end at the resurrection. His love and power are ongoing, and we experience them in personal, tangible ways—often beyond what words could fully capture.
It invites you to expand your view of Jesus. He is not confined to the pages of Scripture. He is alive, moving, working through your daily experiences. The unrecorded miracles include the things in your life today: your breath, your peace, your survival, your transformation.
Jesus didn’t just do “enough”—He did infinitely more. And He did it out of love. That includes everything written and unwritten, visible and invisible. That’s the Jesus you serve—limitless in action, infinite in compassion.
Because of this, you are not only a reader of the Gospel but a living chapter of it. Your life is one of the many “books” that could be written about what Jesus continues to do.
