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John 12

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

What does John 12:29 mean?

Explanation

John 12:29 records a moment when a crowd of people responds diversely to an auditory experience related to Jesus.

According to this verse, some in the crowd believed what they heard was thunder, while others thought an angel had spoken to Jesus.

This phenomenon occurs immediately after Jesus asks God to glorify His name, to which a voice from heaven responds, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." The varied interpretations of the crowd highlight the differing levels of perception and belief among the individuals present.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written in a context where early Christian communities were grappling with the nature and identity of Jesus Christ.

John's gospel, often viewed as more theologically reflective, aimed to present Jesus as the divine Word of God, reinforcing His miraculous nature and divine mission.

During the time of Jesus' ministry, the Jewish society was accustomed to attributing great natural phenomena to acts of God or angelic interventions, which frames the crowd's response as reflective of contemporary Jewish beliefs.

Theological Insights

This verse brings to light several theological insights.

From a Christian perspective, the occurrence might be seen as an affirmation of Jesus' divine sonship and connection with the Father, suggesting that Jesus' mission is divinely endorsed.

The reactions of the crowd symbolize the varied receptions of Jesus' message and mission within the broader context of salvation history.

Some interpret the voice as a natural phenomenon (thunder) due to disbelief or lack of spiritual awareness, while others recognize a supernatural event (angelic voice).

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the passage serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and open-mindedness in the face of divine or spiritual experiences.

Individuals may respond differently to the same event, and this diversity of interpretation encourages believers to strive for greater understanding and discernment in their spiritual lives.

It highlights the need to listen attentively for divine guidance rather than dismissing it as a mere natural occurrence.

Cross-References

Matthew 17:5: "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
Acts 9:7: "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man."
Exodus 19:16: "And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word translated as "thundered" is "βροντή" (brontē), referring to a loud rumbling or roaring sound.

The term for "angel" is "ἄγγελος" (angelos), meaning messenger or envoy, often of divine origin. The use of these terms emphasizes the dichotomy between a naturalistic explanation and a supernatural one.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The interpretation of natural phenomena as divine communication was not unique to Jewish culture and can be found in various other ancient religions.

For example, in ancient Greek mythology, thunder was often associated with the voice of Zeus, the king of the gods.

The use of thunder as a divine sign also appears in many other ancient cultures and religious traditions, reflecting a widespread belief in the intersection of the divine with the natural world.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, thunder is understood as the sound produced by the rapid expansion of air along the path of a lightning bolt.

While the scientific explanation for thunder would dismiss the possibility of it being a divine or angelic message, the subjective nature of human experience and perception can create meaningful interpretations that transcend physical explanations for those who hold religious beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentators have interpreted John 12:29 in various ways.

Some see the voice as a literal divine intervention meant to strengthen Jesus' resolve and assure Him of the Father's presence. Others interpret the reactions as indicative of the spiritual blindness and deafness of those who could not discern the voice of God.

Some commentators suggest that the differing responses also reflect the diverse levels of spiritual maturity and understanding within the crowd, a theme that is common in other parts of the Gospels where Jesus' words and miracles are misunderstood or challenged.

John 12

John 12

What does John 12:29 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 12:29 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?