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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 12:33 mean?

Explanation

The verse John 12:33, from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, refers to a statement made by Jesus Christ indicating the manner of death He was going to experience.

The context leading up to this verse shows Jesus speaking to a crowd about His impending death, which He often did in a metaphorical or symbolic manner.

The phrase "signifying what death he should die" implies that Jesus was using the preceding statement as a way to prophesy that He would be crucified.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus' crucifixion is portrayed not merely as a tragic end but as His glorification and as a necessary step in the salvation of humanity.

His death is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for sin and as the pivotal event for the redemption of believers.

This particular verse underscores the specific type of death, death on a cross, which held a deeper significance in the spiritual narrative of Christianity.

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Historical Context

At the time of this verse's authorship, crucifixion was used by the Roman Empire as a form of execution for slaves, criminals, and perceived enemies of the state.

It was designed to be a public spectacle that would deter others from committing similar offenses, and it was considered one of the most brutal and shameful ways to die.

The Gospel of John was written at a time when the early Christian church was emerging and facing persecution.

The author of John presented Jesus in such a way that the readers could understand the events leading up to and including the crucifixion as part of a divine plan.

This perspective helped early Christians to interpret the suffering and death of Jesus as having a purposeful and redemptive significance rather than being a defeat.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives may interpret this verse and the concept of Jesus' death variously:

Traditional Christian Theology sees Jesus' death as a prophesied and necessary act for the atonement of humanity's sins.

Jesus' foreknowledge of His death is seen as evidence of His divinity, and the specificity of the prophecy reinforces the authenticity of the Gospel narrative.

Liberation Theology might view Jesus' death as a symbol of His solidarity with the oppressed and a call to social action.

These theologians might emphasize the political implications of Jesus' execution by the Roman state.

Feminist Theology could interpret Jesus' anticipation of His own death as a critique of the violence and the patriarchal structures of the society at that time, offering a message of radical inclusion and peace.

Practical Applications

The teaching that Jesus foresaw and accepted His death can be applied in daily life through:

Facing difficult situations with courage and seeing the potential for good that can come from personal sacrifice.
Understanding suffering in life as having the potential for transformation and redemption.
Encouraging a stance of non-violence and forgiveness, following the example of Jesus.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:21: "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
Mark 8:31: "And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."
Luke 18:31-33: "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word used for "signifying" is "σημαίνων" (semainon), which means to give a sign or to indicate.

The word "death" in Greek is "θάνατον" (thanaton), referring to the physical act of dying or the manner of death.

By stating that Jesus was 'signifying' His death, the author of John indicates that Jesus' words were not only prophetic but also symbolic, loaded with deeper meaning about the nature of His mission and the salvation it presented.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions and mythologies, there are figures that undergo death and, in some cases, resurrection as part of their heroic narratives.

For instance, the concept of a dying-and-rising god is seen in figures like Osiris in Egyptian mythology, who dies and is resurrected, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the afterlife.

However, the Christian narrative of Jesus' death and resurrection is distinctive for its historical anchoring and its connection to a specific claim about the redemption of humanity from sin.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding does not directly intersect with the theological interpretations of Jesus' death.

However, the historical practice of crucifixion has been studied from medical and archaeological perspectives, providing insight into the physical realities and suffering associated with it.

Crucifixion is acknowledged by historians and scholars to have been a historical method of execution, giving credence to the accounts of Jesus' death as grounded in historical fact.

Commentaries

Commentaries on John 12:33 offer a range of interpretations:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary highlights that Christ refers to His impending death as being "lifted up from the earth" as an elevation of honor, in contrast with the disgrace normally associated with crucifixion.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible suggests this reference to crucifixion is Jesus preparing His followers for the surprise and scandal of the cross, which would be a stumbling block to many.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary often discusses the Johannine themes of glory and sacrifice, noting that Jesus' references to His death always have an undertone of triumphant fulfillment of His mission.

These interpretations reflect on Jesus' foreknowledge of His crucifixion as a key aspect of His ministry and an important element of Christian soteriology.

John 12

John 12

What does John 12:33 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 12:33 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?