John Explained: A Bible Study

Who was John the Baptist, and why did he baptize?

In John 1:19-34, John the Baptist points away from himself and toward Jesus: “Behold! The Lamb of God.” In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains John’s one great mission — to prepare the way for the Messiah.

When the religious leaders ask John who he is, he refuses every title, calling himself only “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Dr. Holt explains ...

Why was Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding?

In John 2:1-12, Jesus performs His first miracle — turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows why this quiet “sign” points all the way to the cross.

When the wine runs out — a deep embarrassment in that culture — Mary brings the problem to Jesus. He tells her, “My hour has not yet come,” a phrase that in Jo...

What does it mean to be “born again”?

In John 3:1-17, a respected religious leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and hears words that puzzle him: “You must be born again.” In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains the new birth — and why we cannot do without it.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, yet Jesus tells even him that he must be “born again.” Dr. Holt explains tha...

What is the “living water” Jesus offers?

In John 4:1-26, Jesus crosses deep social barriers to meet a Samaritan woman at a well — and offers her “living water.” In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus seeks and satisfies thirsty souls.

Jews and Samaritans despised one another, and this woman came alone at midday, an outcast even among her own people. Yet Jesus speaks with her, asks her for a drink, ...

Can doing good ever break the Sabbath?

In John 5:1-18, Jesus heals a man who had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years — and the religious leaders are furious, because He did it on the Sabbath. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt contrasts Christ’s mercy with man-made rules.

At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus seeks out a long-suffering man and heals him with a word: “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Instead of rejo...

Did the crowd want Jesus, or just His bread?

In John 6:1-15, Jesus feeds thousands from a boy’s small lunch of five loaves and two fish. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows that the miracle is a sign — and a test of what the crowd really wanted.

A huge crowd has followed Jesus for His healing miracles. He tests Philip — “Where shall we buy bread?” — then takes a boy’s five barley loaves and tw...

Why did so many walk away from Jesus?

In John 6:60-71, a large crowd that had eagerly followed Jesus suddenly turns and leaves. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt examines the hard teaching that thinned the crowd down to a faithful few.

The people loved Jesus’ miracles, but when His teaching grew hard, many grumbled and walked away. Dr. Holt distinguishes “followers,” who came for what they could get, from true “dis...

How can a holy God forgive the guilty?

In John 8:1-11, religious leaders drag a guilty woman before Jesus and demand she be stoned — hoping to trap Him. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus answers, and how the gospel solves an impossible problem.

Dr. Holt frames the scene around a “divine dilemma”: God is just and must punish sin, yet how can a just Judge forgive the guilty? The leaders think they have corn...

What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd?

In John 10:1-21, Jesus calls Himself “the good shepherd” who lays down His life for the sheep. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks one of the most beloved pictures of Christ — spoken, surprisingly, in the middle of conflict.

Jesus is not speaking in a peaceful pasture but to hostile religious leaders who had just thrown out a man He healed. Against their failure, Jesus presents H...

Why does God wait when we’re hurting?

In John 11:1-27, Jesus deliberately waits two more days before going to His dying friend Lazarus — and arrives after Lazarus is already in the tomb. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt asks why God sometimes waits when we are hurting.

Jesus loved Lazarus, yet He let him die — not from neglect, but for a greater purpose and a greater glory. When Martha meets Jesus, she trusts that God a...

Why do people really come to Jesus?

In John 12:1-11, two people sit at the same table with very different hearts: Mary, who pours out her treasure on Jesus, and Judas, who only wants to use Him. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt examines the motives behind our worship.

Days before the cross, Mary anoints Jesus with a jar of costly perfume — worth nearly a year’s wages — and wipes His feet with her hair. It is extravagant...

What does “Hosanna” really mean?

In John 12:12-19, crowds wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna!” as Jesus enters Jerusalem. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what they were really asking for — and how they misunderstood their King.

“Hosanna” means “save us now.” The crowds wanted a king to free them from Rome, so they greeted Jesus like a conquering hero. But Jesus rides in o...

When God spoke aloud, why did some hear only thunder?

In John 12:27-36, the voice of God the Father booms from heaven — yet the crowd dismisses it as thunder. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explores why people explain away even the clearest signs from God.

As the cross draws near, Jesus prays, “Father, glorify Your name,” and the Father answers audibly from heaven. Some in the crowd say it merely thundered; others thi...

Why did Jesus wash His disciples’ feet?

In John 13:1-17, the Lord of all kneels down to wash the dirty feet of His disciples. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains the stunning humility — and the deeper meaning — of that act.

Foot-washing was the lowest job in that culture, reserved for the lowliest servant. Yet Jesus, the Teacher and Lord, takes the towel and basin Himself. When Peter protests, Jesus answers, &ldqu...

Where do you turn when your heart is troubled?

In John 14:1-6, with the cross just hours away, Jesus comforts His fearful disciples. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt opens some of the most reassuring words in all of Scripture.

The disciples are shaken — Jesus has spoken of leaving, of a betrayer, and of Peter’s coming denial. Into that fear Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled.” He promises a prepared place...

Who is the Holy Spirit?

In John 14:15-26, Jesus promises His followers “another Helper” who will be with them forever. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains who the Holy Spirit is and what He does in every believer.

The Holy Spirit, Dr. Holt explains, is not a vague force but a Person — Helper, Comforter, and Counselor — who comes to live permanently within God’s people. This is a greater privilege than ...

What does it mean to “abide” in Christ?

In John 15:1-8, Jesus calls Himself the true vine and His followers the branches. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what it means to “abide” in Christ — and why it is a matter of life and death.

A branch cut off from the vine cannot live or bear fruit; it withers. In the same way, Dr. Holt explains, believers are completely dependent on Christ. To “abide&...

Can anyone stay neutral about Jesus?

No one is truly neutral about Jesus. In John 15:18-27, Jesus warns His followers that the world will hate them as it hated Him. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains why there is no spiritual middle ground.

Jesus tells His disciples that because they belong to Him, they no longer belong to the world — and the world will treat them as it treated their Master. Dr. Holt takes apart the popular ...

How can we have peace in a hard world?

In John 16:25-33, on the night before His death, Jesus promises His followers peace — even as He warns them that trouble is coming. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows where lasting peace is found.

Jesus tells His disciples plainly that they will soon be scattered and will abandon Him. Yet He does not leave them in despair. “In the world you will have tribulation,” He says, &ldq...