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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 12:30 mean?

Explanation

John 12:30 records Jesus’s response to an auditory event described in the previous verses (27-29), where a voice from heaven spoke.

Many in the crowd had heard this voice and thought it to be thunder, while others believed an angel had spoken to Jesus. Jesus clarifies that the voice was not for his own benefit but for the sake of the people around Him.

The verse underscores the divine affirmation of Jesus’s ministry and the purpose of such supernatural events, to strengthen the faith of those witnessing them and to show that Jesus's actions were aligned with divine will.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 12:30 occurs in the context of Jesus’s ministry in Jerusalem before the Passover, shortly after the triumphal entry where He was welcomed as a king.

This is one of the several instances in the Gospels where a voice from heaven speaks about or to Jesus, marking significant moments in His ministry.

The historical context includes Jewish expectations of the Messiah and the various signs that would accompany the Messiah's arrival.

The public nature of this event emphasized to the Jewish people that Jesus's ministry was sanctioned by God.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse is rich with implications.

It implies the belief in a personal God who intervenes in human history.

For Trinitarians, it exhibits another instance of the interaction between the Father and the Son, affirming Christ's identity and mission.

Non-Trinitarians might view the verse as emphasizing God’s endorsement of Jesus as His chosen servant.

Furthermore, it highlights the concept of "signs" in John's Gospel, miraculous events intended to reveal divine truth and evoke belief.

Practical Applications

John 12:30 can serve as a reminder that divine signs or experiences in one's life may not be solely for the individual’s benefit but can also be for the benefit of others, meant to inspire faith or provide confirmation of God's will.

It encourages believers to look beyond personal experiences to see how God might be using them to influence or encourage others.

Cross-References

John 12:28 - "Father, glorify thy name.

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

John 11:42 - "And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."
Matthew 3:17 - "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
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."

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text is "δι’ εμέ" (di’ eme), translated as "because of me," indicating that the voice was not for Jesus's own sake.

The word "υμῶν" (hymin) means "for your sakes," directed toward the people. Analyzing the language nuances helps to clarify that the miraculous sign was meant for the audience's benefiting their understanding or strengthening their faith.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient myths and religions, the gods speak from the heavens, either to affirm a leader or to provide omens.

What sets this event apart in Christian thought is that it is not an omen but a direct affirmation of Jesus's identity and mission from God.

This divine endorsement model appears less frequently in ancient myths, where the gods often have more ambiguous interactions with humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the interpretation of audible phenomena like voices or thunder is typically understood in terms of natural causes.

However, religious experiences are often considered beyond the realm of empirical science.

Modern studies in psychology and sociology examine the impact of such experiences on faith and social dynamics, acknowledging that such events hold significance within a community or an individual’s narrative, regardless of their empirical basis.

Commentaries

Biblical commentaries offer various interpretations of John 12:30.

Many agree that the audible voice was a divine sign, with the purpose of validating Jesus’s words and bolstering the faith of the bystanders.

Some commentaries may focus on the Trinitarian implications of the Father speaking to the Son, while others may emphasize the inclusive nature of this sign, being directed toward the benefit of all present.

Commentators also often explore the connections with Old Testament theophanies, manifestations of God, drawing parallels between God's voice in the Hebrew Scriptures and the voice heard at this moment in Jesus's ministry.

John 12

John 12

What does John 12:30 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 12:30 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?