John introduced a new Greek name into the Biblical lexicon in chapter 14 of his gospel, finalized about 95 A.D., ‘Paraclete.’ The word has been translated many ways in different English versions of the Bible. Since “Paracletos’ is translated so many ways, let me set the scene in the upper room where John writes it (or its Aramaic equivalent) was used by Jesus to maybe help us understand what it meant in context.
The tension began at the Festival in Jerusalem the previous winter. John 10:24. (‘The Jews” is John’s shorthand for the Jewish leaders.)
Jesus answered them…
But Jesus eluded their grasp and crossed over the Jordan River and was staying there. John 10:39-40
After a couple of days, Jesus went to Bethany, over the objections of His disciples. “Rabbi, don’t you remember when we were just there that the Jews were trying to stone you?”
When they got to Bethany, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:45-53 Many of the Jews believed in Jesus because of this miracle, but some went back to Jerusalem and reported it to the Pharisees. The Jewish rulers were very, very worried that so many of the Jews would believe in Jesus, they would cause a riotous situation where the Romans would take over the government and the nation. Their leader’s suggestion was…
John 11:7-8 After a couple of days, Jesus announced they were going to Judea again. It was time for the Spring Passover Feast and Jesus said, as recorded in the other gospels, He “earnestly wanted to eat this Passover dinner with them.”
His disciples were alarmed and reminded Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were trying to stone you when we were just there, and You want to go there again?”
John 11:16 When it was clear Jesus was going to go back across the Jordan, Thomas said to his fellow disciples…
Then Jesus, despite the trepidations of His disciples, made a flashy entrance to Jerusalem to adoring crowds who had heard about the resurrection of Lazarus from those who had been there. John 12:13
The Jewish leaders realized they couldn’t arrest Jesus in public without causing the very riot they were seeking to avoid, so they were trying to find a time and place where they could catch Jesus in private.
John 12:27 Now Jesus’ thoughts turn toward what’s going to happen to Him soon…
Arrangements are made for the Passover supper in a rented upper room, but even there, at what should be a time of celebrating God’s deliverance of the nation of Israel from slavery to the Egyptians, there is tension.
John 13:21 Jesus said, “My soul is deeply troubled, one of you will betray Me!”
The disciples were at a loss as to which one of them He was speaking about. “Is it I? Is it I, Lord,” They were all asking.
Do you get the picture of what is going on this eve before the arrest, trials and crucifixion of Jesus? There is a lot of tension here: Jesus is struggling with His upcoming suffering and crucifixion, and even if His disciples don’t understand why He’s so troubled, they’re like children who become upset when their parents are upset, so they’re troubled too.
The disciples are also stressing about what the Jewish leaders are plotting and afraid they will be caught up in it. They could always leave Jesus, their Master these past 3 1/3 years, but to their credit, they were determined to be with Him to the end. It is in the middle of these tensions that Jesus introduces the Paraclete to them.
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