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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 12:34 mean?

Explanation

John 12:34 presents a moment of dialogue between Jesus and the crowd.

They are responding to Jesus' teaching about His impending death (referred to as being "lifted up").

The crowd's question reveals a misunderstanding or confusion regarding the nature of the Messiah and his kingdom.

They understood from Scripture that the Messiah would abide forever, suggesting an eternal reign.

However, Jesus talked about His death, which seemed contradictory.

The term "Son of Man" is one Jesus often used for Himself, which originates in Daniel 7:13-14, and denotes a heavenly figure with everlasting dominion.

In this verse, the crowd is essentially asking Jesus to clarify His identity and reconcile the apparent discrepancy between an eternal Messiah and His talk of a temporary earthly existence followed by being "lifted up," a likely allusion to His crucifixion.

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Historical Context

John 12:34 occurs during the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.

It is shortly after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, occurring in the context of the Jewish festival of Passover when Jerusalem would be filled with pilgrims.

The Jewish expectation of the Messiah at this time was largely political and nationalistic; they anticipated a leader who would deliver Israel from Roman oppression and establish an eternal kingdom.

The concept of the Messiah suffering and dying was foreign to them, as their interpretation of Scriptures like Psalm 110 and Isaiah 9 emphasized the triumphant and eternal rule of the anointed one.

Theological Insights

This verse opens several points of theological discussion across different Christian traditions:

Messiah's Nature: The crowd's question touches on the dual nature of the Messiah as both suffering servant and triumphant king.

Christian theology generally holds that Jesus fulfills both of these roles, but not in the way the first-century Jews expected.

Son of Man: Jesus’ use of the title "Son of Man" refers to His role as representative of humanity and as the divine figure prophesied in Daniel.
Jesus' Death and Resurrection: The query about the Messiah abiding forever serves to juxtapose with Christian belief that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He does indeed abide forever, not just politically or temporally, but spiritually and eternally.
Nature of the Kingdom: The misunderstanding of the crowd points to the deeper theological issue regarding the nature of Jesus’ kingdom, which is spiritual rather than earthly and physical.

Practical Applications

The dialogue in John 12:34 encourages believers in the following ways:

Embracing Paradox: The temporary suffering and eternal kingship of Jesus present a paradox that challenges believers to embrace mystery within their faith.
Understanding Scripture: It emphasizes the importance of thorough and contextual Scripture study to avoid misconceptions.
Following Jesus: The example of Jesus, who speaks openly about his suffering and death, can encourage believers to be honest about the difficulties of life while maintaining hope in eternal promises.

Cross-References

Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV): "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven..."
Isaiah 9:7 (KJV): "Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end..."
Psalm 110:4 (KJV): "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 7:24-25 (KJV): "But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

Language Study

The key phrase "Son of Man" ("υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου" in Greek) connotes a human being but, within the context of Jesus and Daniel's visions, takes on messianic significance.

The term "lifted up" (ὑψωθῇ) has a dual meaning: physical elevation (as on a cross) and exaltation in glory.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient myths often depicted heroes or gods dying and rising as part of cyclical processes of renewal, like the stories of Osiris or the Phoenix.

In contrast, Jesus' death and asserted resurrection are presented as unique, one-time events with eternal significance. Comparatively, in Judaism, the Messiah would be a permanent, earthly ruler; Christianity reinterprets this with a spiritual and eternal kingdom through Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

The discussion in John 12:34 does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives, as its primary themes are theological and eschatological. Science does not comment on the religious concept of an eternal kingdom or Christ's spiritual abidance.

However, the historical existence of Jesus and the practice of crucifixion are well-documented in historical scholarship.

Commentaries

Commentaries by biblical scholars generally affirm that John 12:34 displays a common first-century Jewish misunderstanding of the Messiah's role as suffering servant and conquering king.

They often discuss the "lifting up" as a Johannine theme pointing to Jesus’ crucifixion and exaltation, stressing that John's Gospel specifically aims to reveal Jesus’ identity as the divine Son of God who reigns eternally, even through the paradox of death.

John 12

John 12

What does John 12:34 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 12:34 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?