Bible Study Notes 3/31/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Post Advent / Spring Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem:

Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 15

 31  March  2026

John 13:21-38; NLT: The final Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples was different than any He had shared before. It was at the end of the Passover that Jesus introduced several acts, which became perpetual reminders (memorials) of His death, burial, and Resurrection. The repass meal of bread and the cup of wine, respectively symbolizing the sinless body and blood He would offer as an atonement for the sins of humans. All who would come to receive Him – would repeat this meal until He returns. The unusual washing of the feet of the Twelve by Jesus, their Teacher, was a symbol of humility. The new commandment to love each other unconditionally would serve as the sign of a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ. Even the rebuke of two of the disciples, Judas and Simon Peter, pointed out the need for healing beyond our human failures. These events marked Jesus’ march toward destiny with and over death and the grave.

Verses & Explanations for John 13:21-38, NLT

Observe         Interpret     Apply

(Verse 21): The Sorrow of Jesus for Human Failure.

²¹ Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and He exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

(Verses 22-25): Naive and Sinful Human Behavior.

²² The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom He could mean.  ²³  The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at table. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s He talking about?”   ²⁵ So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

(Verses 26-27): The Lord’s Justice Confronts Wrong.

²⁶ Jesus responded, “It is the one whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when He had dipped it He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.”

(Verses 28-30): The Cloud in Human Discernment.

²⁸ None of the others knew what Jesus meant. ²⁹ Since Judas was their treasurer some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor.”  ³⁰  So Judas left at once, going out into the night. 

(Verse 31-33): Jesus’ Earthly Mission is Near Completion.

³¹ As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter His glory, and God will be glorified because of Him. ³² And since God receives glory because of the Son, He will give His own glory to the Son, and He will do so at once.  ³³ Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where  I am going.

(Verses 34-35): The New Commandment to Love

³⁴  So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

(Verses 36-38): Peter’s Claim and Jesus’ Prediction.

³⁶ Simon Peter asked, Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”  ³⁷  “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”  ³⁸  Jesus answered, “Die for me?  I tell you the truth Peter – before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times you ever knew me.”

Further Scripture Reading

⁹ “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.”  Psalm 41:9, NLT

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105