In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).
While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves.
This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love.
We'll cover:
- The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18
- How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16
- The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God
- How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most
- The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey
- And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day
This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures.
🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context.
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Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22
Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf
Targum Comparison:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf
Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below.
Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6
All content for Fig Tree Ministries Podcast is the property of Scott Broberg and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).
While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves.
This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love.
We'll cover:
- The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18
- How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16
- The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God
- How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most
- The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey
- And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day
This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures.
🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context.
---------------------------------------------------------
www.figtreeteaching.com
Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026
Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries
Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22
Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf
Targum Comparison:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf
Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below.
Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6
#190 - Destroy This Temple and I will Raise It Up - Gospel of John (pt. 27b)
Fig Tree Ministries Podcast
30 minutes 44 seconds
5 months ago
#190 - Destroy This Temple and I will Raise It Up - Gospel of John (pt. 27b)
In the second half of our study of John chapter 2, we explore the Jewish expectation of a rebuilt Temple—one that would surpass even the glory of Solomon’s Temple.
Throughout the Second Temple period, Jewish writings imagined different scenarios:
Some believed God Himself would rebuild it.
Others expected the Messiah to oversee its construction.
We’ll walk through these ancient texts and discover how they shaped the hopes of Jesus’ generation. Then, we’ll unpack the shocking claim Jesus made: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
In mystical Jewish thought, the “Original Adam” or “Heavenly Man” was seen as the cosmic body—the universe itself functioning as the Temple of God. The Apostle Paul draws from this imagery when he says we are members of one body and calls Jesus the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).
If the universe is God’s Temple, and Jesus is its cornerstone, then His statement is far more than a metaphor—it’s a revelation of how heaven and earth meet in Him.
Join us as we explore:
- Jewish visions of the future Temple
- The connection between the Temple and the Body of Christ
- How Jesus fulfills—and redefines—centuries of expectation
-----------------------------------------------------
www.figtreeteaching.com
Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries
Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI
YouTube: https://youtu.be/hwIr6LZSJvk
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/destroy-this-temple-and-i-will-raise-it-up
Soreg Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/the-dividing-wall-of-hostility
Article - "Destroy This Temple" - The Messianic Promise of Rebuilding
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_article_background_to_john_2_18_19.pdf
Jewish Annotated Apocrypha: https://amzn.to/45xBz3R
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: https://amzn.to/40YrnzW
After: A Doctor Explores Near-Death Experiences:
https://amzn.to/4m8HEe1
Fig Tree Ministries Podcast
In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).
While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves.
This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love.
We'll cover:
- The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18
- How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16
- The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God
- How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most
- The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey
- And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day
This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures.
🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context.
---------------------------------------------------------
www.figtreeteaching.com
Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026
Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries
Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22
Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf
Targum Comparison:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf
Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below.
Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6