In this lesson, we explore John 1:35-42, where we witness the moment when two of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus.

This passage holds profound spiritual insight, revealed through the exploration of two significant Greek words: horao (ὁράω) and zeteo (ζητέω).

Horao, often translated as "behold," extends beyond physical sight. It speaks of perceiving, knowing, and seeing with spiritual eyes—experiencing a moment of spiritual clarity that transcends the physical realm.

When John the Baptist says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” he invites us to perceive and understand Jesus’ identity not just with our eyes but with our spirit, to know He is the promised Lamb of God.

Zeteo, translated as "to seek," embodies a profound spiritual yearning. It characterizes a seeker driven by an earnest desire to uncover truth and find meaning. This is not mere curiosity or a casual pursuit but a pursuit marked by spiritual hunger.

This passage represents the initial enlightenment for any follower of Jesus—the moment of recognition and the beginning of the faith journey.

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/seeing-seeking-the-first-step-of-discipleship

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Notes on John 1:35-42: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/notes-on-john-135-42

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:19-28:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-119-28

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:29-34

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-129-34

YouTube: https://youtu.be/BWrRWxHq9g8

Previous Lessons Mentioned in the Video:

John Week 2 - The Mystical Path to God: https://youtu.be/1Ljo17HH-Is

When John the Baptist recounts the baptism of Jesus, he emphasizes two key details: the Spirit descending upon Jesus and the Spirit remaining on Him.

But why are these details repeated? What message is being conveyed?

In this lesson, we uncover the profound meaning behind these words by diving into a Rabbinic Midrash on Genesis 1:2.

This midrash reflects on the Spirit hovering over the chaotic waters of creation and draws connections to the Messianic prophecies in the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 11:2, 42:1, and 61:1—three prophetic passages about the Spirit resting on the Messiah—shaped how the rabbis understood Genesis 1:2 as referring to the “Spirit of King Messiah.”

Jesus himself quotes from Isaiah 61 to describe His mission, and John the Baptist alludes to Isaiah 42 when he proclaims Jesus as the “Chosen One of God.”

So, when Jesus steps into the waters of baptism and the Spirit descends and remains on Him, it signals much more than a ritual moment—it reveals Jesus as the King Messiah, bringing God's reign back to Israel and the world.

Join us as we explore the deep connections between Genesis, Isaiah, and the Gospel of John.

Understanding the ancient practice of Midrash opens up new layers of meaning in Scripture and helps us see how John's account of Jesus' baptism points to His identity and mission as Messiah.

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/baptism-midrash-and-the-spirit

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:19-28:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-119-28

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:29-34

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-129-34

YouTube: https://youtu.be/uLfdy3MkhXM

Previous Lessons Mentioned in the Video:

Gematria, Jesus, and the Lamb of God - https://youtu.be/3Mc01kc5i58

Genesis and the Renewal of Time: https://youtu.be/ANWXquFzNiQ

Genesis and the Renewal of Time Lesson Handout (PDF) - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/genesis-cycle-of-renewal

Genesis Rabbah 2:4 - https://www.sefaria.org/Bereshit_Rabbah.2.4?lang=en

Who exactly did John the Baptist claim to be, and why did he respond cryptically to the religious leaders questioning him?

In this video, we explore John's reference to Isaiah 40:3, where he declares himself as "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."

However, John does more than just quote the verse—he alters it, applying an alternate reading, a method commonly practiced by first-century Rabbis.

In ancient Jewish hermeneutics, the lack of punctuation in the original Hebrew text allowed multiple interpretations.

Rabbis would intentionally explore different readings of the same verse to uncover deeper meanings in Scripture.

Understanding this practice reveals what John was truly saying about his identity: he is the forerunner, the one preparing the way for the King Messiah’s arrival and the restoration of God's reign in Jerusalem.

We'll also explore the fascinating connection between John the Baptist and the Essene sect behind the Dead Sea Scrolls, who similarly went into the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord.

Could John’s ministry have been influenced by the teachings and practices of the Essenes?

Join us as we dive deep into the cultural, theological, and historical significance of John’s words and discover the powerful message he was declaring.

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-the-baptist-jewish-hermeneutics

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:19-28:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-119-28

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:29-34

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-129-34

Explore Jesus' Parables: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaBz_NhYH3Hfxwgh1v-CbTccuZS-SWjR

Good News: https://youtu.be/zfkfoXW1DPU

YouTube: https://youtu.be/1kDaGrRnPEY

References:

The Jewish Gospel of John - Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg https://amzn.to/3BO402d

In this lesson from the Gospel of John, we examine the theme of testimony, a central concept throughout John's writing.

John's gospel is not merely a historical record but a testimony for his community in Ephesus and, by extension, a testimony for us today.

In our modern world, many of us are consumed with logic, reason, and apologetics to defend the existence of God.

Yet, the Bible doesn't call us to prove God's existence scientifically. Instead, we are called to testify.

Like the Scriptures offer testimony to God's actions in history, we provide testimony to how God has worked in our own lives.

Proof speaks to the intellect, but testimony speaks to the soul.

The Gospel of John highlights this contrast: "I was blind, but now I see." This simple yet profound line isn't a logical argument—it's a testimony of transformation.

John's gospel, more than the other three, emphasizes the importance of testimony, especially in a world that no longer regards the Bible as relevant or God as real.

When faced with a world that argues away proofs, what remains is the power of personal testimony.

Testimony speaks to the heart in a way that intellectual arguments never will.

Join us as we explore this essential theme and learn how to engage a skeptical world with the simplicity and power of our own stories of transformation.

--------------------------------------------

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/testimony-vs-proof-how-the-gospel-of-john-speaks-to-the-soul

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:19-28:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-119-28

Download a PDF of my notes on John 1:29-34

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/my-notes-on-john-129-34

Sea of Galilee Series - Part 3 on Mark 5:1: https://youtu.be/bq3z-10xxPA

Sea of Galilee Series - Part 4 on Mark 5:1-20 the demon possessed man:

https://youtu.be/5VhrvCU9MqE

YouTube: https://youtu.be/hetofsuZAfU

References:

John A. Sanford - Mystical Christianity

https://amzn.to/3WnPd4T

This lesson delves into the profound meaning behind Luke 22:44, where Jesus' sweat is compared to "great drops of blood."

A common misunderstanding of this verse suggests that Jesus was literally sweating blood, but a closer look reveals something different.

The verse vividly compares two bodily fluids—sweat and blood—not to suggest they were the same but to emphasize the intensity of Jesus' suffering and the volume of His sweat.

But why would Luke include this striking detail in his Gospel when the other Evangelists did not?

Join us as we uncover this passage's more profound theological significance and what Luke intended this detail to mean.

We'll dive into the first-century theological ideas surrounding the First Adam and the Last Adam and how Jesus, the Last Adam, reversed the curse of the first Adam's disobedience.

Discover how the term "sweat," used only twice in the entire Bible—in Genesis 3 with Adam and in Luke 22:44 with Jesus—serves as an ancient idiom for anxiety.

Jesus' triumph, in the fullness of His humanity, over anxiety at the Gethsemane signifies the breaking of humanity's curse, paving the way for redemption.

Don't miss this insightful lesson, which connects the dots between Genesis and the Gospels, shedding light on Christ's redemptive work and His ultimate obedience to God's will.

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Class Handout - No Handout for this Lesson

Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/did-jesus-really-sweat-blood

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tv0HJi2tOPg

Is There a Garden of Gethsemane? - https://youtu.be/6w6hXp79Jck

Gezerah Shava & the Greatest Commandment: https://youtu.be/tgql4_1Qwko

References:

Daniel Fleming - "By the Sweat of Your Brow" - https://www.academia.edu/31549387/Fleming_Daniel_E_By_the_Sweat_of_Your_Brow_Adam_Anat_Athirat_and_Ashurbanipal_in_Ugarit_and_the_Bible_G_J_Brooke_A_H_W_Curtis_and_J_F_Healey_eds_Ugaritisch_Biblische_Literatur_11_Neukirchen_Vluyn_Neukirchener_1994_Pages_93_100

Join us in today's lesson as we delve into the rich cultural background of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 17:20, where He declares that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

This well-known saying gains profound significance when we explore its origins in first-century Judaism.

In this lesson, we discover that several plants in the mustard family grow in Israel, including a variant often regarded as a "weed" with seeds no larger than pepper flakes.

Remarkably, this plant can thrive in even the most unforgiving environments, sometimes causing stones to crack as its roots take hold.

In Rabbinic writings, the mustard seed symbolized something incredibly small, yet its ability to "move" stones became a powerful metaphor for the unexpected strength found in small things.

Jesus harnesses this imagery to teach us that even the smallest measure of faith can unlock God's power, making the miraculous possible. Don't miss this captivating exploration of faith, mustard seeds, and mountains!

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Class Handout - No Handout for this Lesson

Blog Post: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/mountains-and-mustard-seeds

YouTube: https://youtu.be/PFxPtcieUG8

Parable of the Mustard Seed

References:

Brad Young - Jesus, the Jewish Theologian - https://amzn.to/3yUr91I

In this lesson, we delve into the profound significance of John 1:14, a verse that stands at the heart of Christian belief.

"The Word (Logos) became flesh (Sarx) and dwelt (tabernacled) among us."

But what does this truly mean? How can the eternal Logos, the Word of God, take on the form of temporary flesh?

Join us as we explore this paradox and consider what John means by using the Greek term ‘Sarx’ for flesh. What are the implications of this statement?

Finally, we'll uncover the rich imagery of the Tabernacle from the book of Exodus, understanding how John portrays God's presence as now dwelling—'tabernacling'—among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

This exploration not only deepens our understanding of scripture but also enriches our faith journey.

Join us in this insightful study of one of Christianity's most essential truths.

--------------------------------------

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

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Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/the-word-became-flesh

YouTube: https://youtu.be/rEhyI1X5RiQ

Hebrew Word for 'Good News' - Basar -

https://youtu.be/yjamiXfkkow

Exodus Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaBz_NhYH3F424Ak91PV9hamPetSpEpU

Jesus Birthday during the Feast of Tabernacles?

https://youtu.be/QQxbIAvHj38

References:

Jewish Annotated New Testament: https://amzn.to/46lwX0J

John A. Sanford - Mystical Christianity

https://amzn.to/3WnPd4T

This week's lesson delves into the fascinating concept of the "Heavenly Man," a profound aspect of the mystery of the Logos.

The phrase “Heavenly Man” is found in the writings of Philo of Alexandria and is later used by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:44-49).

Genesis 1:26 tells us that humanity – the first Adam – is made in the image of God. Yet God has no image. How is this possible?

The Jewish mystics resolve enigma through the notion of the "Heavenly Man"—a divine archetype that serves as the original template for humanity.

Through this lens, the Logos, or the "Word," becomes more than an abstract principle; it is intimately connected to the image we were initially created to reflect.

Join us to discover how we are called to transform into the image of this Heavenly Man, with Jesus Christ as our ultimate model. Jesus embodies the "telos," the end goal of our spiritual journey and transformation.

This video offers a deeper understanding of how the Logos relates to our identity and purpose, encouraging us to strive towards becoming more like Christ.

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/logos-and-the-heavenly-man

YouTube: https://youtu.be/yJUQ-anha1Y

Previous Lessons On the Heavenly Man:

Heavenly Man Part 1 - https://youtu.be/i2LLf1738xI

Heavenly Man Blog Post with Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/heavenly-man-1-cor-1549

Heavenly Man Part 2 - https://youtu.be/HuZnAZfG3Fo

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/heavenly-man-part-2

References:

Louis Ginzberg - Adam Kadmon

https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/761-adam-kadmon

Daniel Boyarin - Logos, A Jewish Word - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/daniel_boyarin_logos_a_jewish_word_john.pdf

PDF - Marian Hillar - From Logos to Trinity - https://www.adventistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Marian_Hillar_From_Logos_to_Trinity__The_Evolution....pdf

Today's lesson delves into the fascinating connection between John's use of "the Word" and the Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible, known as Targum.

Scholars have long interpreted the Gospel of John through a Greek philosophical lens due to its Greek composition and the term "Logos" used for Jesus. However, recent scholarship has shed light on the profoundly Jewish nature of John's Gospel, revealing a rich background tied to the Aramaic term "Memra," meaning "word."

In this lesson, titled "The Gospel of the Memra," we explore the Targum's significant role in shaping Jewish thought during the time of Jesus.

The Targum, the Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible, were crucial for many Jews returning from Aramaic-speaking Babylon who no longer understood Hebrew. These translations, often accompanied by interpretative additions, frequently mentioned "the Memra of the Lord" at critical moments when God interacted with creation.

We will examine what a Targum is and provide examples showing how the Targum expresses the same truths found in John's Gospel.

In first-century Judaism, the "Memra of the Lord" was understood as the agent through whom God created, revealed, and healed. This understanding allowed John to begin his Gospel with the profound declaration, "In the beginning was the Word."

Join us as we uncover the rich Jewish context behind the Gospel of John, enhancing our understanding of how first-century Jews perceived Jesus as the embodiment of the divine "Memra."

This exploration offers a deeper insight into the religious thinking within first-century Judaism and enriches our comprehension of John's profound theological message.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on our latest teachings!

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/gospel-of-the-memra

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ovj_k2RvZ2E

References:

John Ronning - The Jewish Targums and John's Logos Theology

https://amzn.to/460HnTj

Michael B. Shepherd - Targums, the New Testament, and Biblical Theology of the Messiah

https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1297&context=biblical_and_ministry_studies_publications

Daniel Boyarin - Logos, A Jewish Word - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/daniel_boyarin_logos_a_jewish_word_john.pdf

PDF - Marian Hillar - From Logos to Trinity - https://www.adventistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Marian_Hillar_From_Logos_to_Trinity__The_Evolution....pdf

As we continue our journey to understand the concept of the Logos from John 1:1, we turn our attention to Philo, a first-century Jewish philosopher from Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria was a significant city, and Philo was a distinguished scholar, philosopher, and statesman. In his doctrine of God, Philo extensively writes about the Logos – the emanation of God's mind that extends into finite creation.

Join us today as we explore some of Philo’s writings and compare them with the Prologue of John’s Gospel. Scholars have found many similar characteristics in both Philo’s description of the Logos and John’s Prologue, indicating that these thoughts about the Logos were well-developed and circulating throughout first-century Jewish thought.

Don't miss this enlightening lesson as we delve deeper into the historical and philosophical context of John's Gospel and its profound connection to Philo's teachings.

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Support Fig Tree Ministries:

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Fig Tree Amazon Portal:

https://amzn.to/3USMelI

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/exploring-philo-and-the-prologue-of-johns-gospel

Philo Quotes: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_philo_logos_quotes.pdf

Daniel Boyarin - Logos, A Jewish Word - https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/daniel_boyarin_logos_a_jewish_word_john.pdf

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

References:

C.D. Yonge, The Works of Philo: Complete and Unabridged - https://amzn.to/4ckUe4R

Ronald Williamson, Jews in the Hellenistic World: Philo https://amzn.to/4cLjKQR

PDF - Marian Hillar - From Logos to Trinity - https://www.adventistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Marian_Hillar_From_Logos_to_Trinity__The_Evolution....pdf