Bible Study

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. 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. Some say it merely thundered. Jesus says His death will judge the world, defeat its evil ruler, and draw people to Himself.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did some hear God's voice as only thunder? Because a hard heart can explain away even a clear sign. People often want proof, then dismiss it when it is given.

2. What did Jesus mean by being "lifted up"? He was speaking of the cross. His death would draw people from every nation to Himself.

3. What did the Father's voice confirm? That Jesus was walking the path God had set, and that His death would glorify God and rescue His people.

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." — John 12:32 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What does "Hosanna" really mean?

In John 12:12-19, crowds wave palm branches and shout "Hosanna!" as Jesus enters Jerusalem. 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, but Jesus rides in on a humble donkey, as Zechariah foretold — a King who came first to save His people from sin. Within days many in that crowd would call for His death.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does "Hosanna" mean? It means "save us now." The crowds were crying for rescue — but mostly from Rome, not from their sin.

2. Why did Jesus ride a donkey? To fulfill prophecy and to show what kind of King He is: humble and approachable, not a warlord.

3. Why did the crowd's cheers turn to anger? Because Jesus was not the political deliverer they wanted. When He did not meet their expectations, many turned against Him.

"Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" — John 12:13 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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. Dr. Toby Holt examines the motives behind our worship. Days before the cross, Mary anoints Jesus with perfume worth nearly a year's wages and wipes His feet with her hair — humble, extravagant love. Judas objects that the money should go to the poor, but he is a thief who cares only for himself.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Mary anoint Jesus? Out of deep love and worship, giving Him her most costly treasure to prepare Him for burial.

2. What was wrong with Judas's objection? He sounded generous but was a thief who cared nothing for the poor. His heart wanted gain, not Christ.

3. What does this teach about our motives? It asks why we really come to Jesus — to use Him for our own ends, or to love and worship Him for who He is.

"Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial." — John 12:7 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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 — arriving after Lazarus is in the tomb. Dr. Toby Holt asks why God sometimes waits when we are hurting.

Jesus loved Lazarus, yet let him die — not from neglect, but for a greater glory. Martha trusts God even as she grieves, and Jesus responds with a staggering claim: "I am the resurrection and the life." Our comfort in suffering is the presence and promises of God.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Jesus wait while Lazarus died? Not from neglect, but for a greater purpose — to display God's glory and deepen His people's faith.

2. Where is God when His people are hurting? Right there with them. Jesus wept at the grave even though He knew what He was about to do.

3. How does God bring good out of grief? He weaves even death and loss into His good purposes, as the raising of Lazarus would soon show.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." — John 11:25 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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 — spoken, surprisingly, in the middle of conflict. Dr. Toby Holt unpacks this beloved picture of Christ. Jesus speaks not in a peaceful pasture but to hostile leaders who had thrown out a man He healed. Against their failure, He is the true Shepherd who feeds and protects His flock and willingly dies for the sheep. He also speaks of "other sheep" — the Gentiles He would gather.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does a shepherd do? A shepherd both feeds and protects the flock. Jesus does both perfectly, unlike the failed leaders of Israel.

2. Who are the "other sheep" not of this fold? The Gentiles — people of every nation whom Jesus would also gather into one flock under one Shepherd.

3. What does it mean to be Jesus' sheep? It means knowing His voice and following Him, and being kept safe by a Shepherd who laid down His life for you.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." — John 10:11 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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. Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus answers, and how the gospel solves an impossible problem.

God is just and must punish sin, yet how can a just Judge forgive the guilty? The leaders think they have cornered Jesus, but He says, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone first." One by one they leave. He tells her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." The dilemma is answered at the cross.

Questions this study answers:

1. What was the trap set for Jesus? Either answer seemed to doom Him — condemning her broke Roman law, freeing her seemed to ignore God's law. Jesus escaped both without compromising truth.

2. What is the "divine dilemma"? God is perfectly just and cannot ignore sin, yet He desires to forgive sinners. How He does both is the heart of the gospel.

3. How can a holy God forgive the guilty? Justice is not waived but satisfied — at the cross, where Jesus bears the punishment so sinners can go free.

"Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." — John 8:11 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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. Dr. Toby Holt examines the hard teaching that thinned the crowd to a faithful few.

The people loved Jesus' miracles, but when His teaching grew hard, many grumbled and left. What drove them off was His teaching that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them — salvation is God's gracious work. When Jesus asks the Twelve if they will leave too, Peter answers for them.

Questions this study answers:

1. What first drew the crowds to Jesus? Mostly His miracles and the benefits they hoped to gain — not His teaching or His person.

2. Why did so many walk away? Because Jesus' teaching was hard to accept, especially that salvation is God's gracious work and not something we achieve.

3. Why did the Twelve stay? Because, as Peter said, there is no one else to go to. Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." — John 6:68 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Did the crowd want Jesus, or just His bread?

In John 6:1-15, Jesus feeds thousands from a boy's lunch of five loaves and two fish. Dr. Toby Holt shows the miracle is a sign — and a test of what the crowd really wanted. Jesus tests Philip, then takes the loaves and fish, gives thanks, and feeds everyone with twelve baskets to spare — the giving of thanks pointing ahead to the Lord's Supper. When the crowd tries to make Him king by force, He withdraws.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the people follow Jesus? Mainly to see His miracles and receive His benefits, not yet to know Him as Lord.

2. What did the miracle point to? It was a sign that Jesus is the true Bread of Life, foreshadowing the supper He would give His people.

3. Why did Jesus withdraw when they tried to crown Him? Because they wanted a king to meet their physical needs, not the Savior who came to give Himself. They wanted the bread, not the Baker.

"This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." — John 6:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Can doing good ever break the Sabbath? In John 5:1-18, Jesus heals a man unable to walk for thirty-eight years — and the leaders are furious, because He did it on the Sabbath. Dr. Toby Holt contrasts Christ's mercy with man-made rules.

At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals the man with a word: "Rise, take up your bed and walk." The leaders object that carrying a mat breaks the Sabbath — one of dozens of extra rules. The deeper offense: Jesus calls God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why were the leaders angry about the healing? Because Jesus healed on the Sabbath and told the man to carry his mat, breaking their man-made rules — though not God's law.

2. Is it ever right to "work" on the Sabbath? Yes. Works of mercy and necessity — like caring for the sick — have always been lawful. Jesus showed mercy, not lawlessness.

3. Why did this healing stir such opposition? Because Jesus called God His own Father, claiming equality with God — a claim that drives the conflict through the rest of John.

"Rise, take up your bed and walk." — John 5:8 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

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." Dr. Toby Holt shows how Jesus seeks and satisfies thirsty souls.

Jews and Samaritans despised each other, and this woman came alone at midday, an outcast. Yet Jesus asks her for a drink and offers water that ends all thirst, gently exposes her past, and reveals Himself as the Messiah.

Questions this study answers:

1. Who were the Samaritans? A despised, mixed people whom the Jews avoided. That Jesus would speak with a Samaritan — and a woman — was shocking.

2. What is the "living water"? It is the eternal life and satisfaction Jesus gives, which truly quenches the thirst of the soul that no earthly thing can.

3. Why is this story so encouraging? Because Jesus sought out an outcast and offered her everything. No one is beyond the reach of His grace. "whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst… a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." — John 4:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.