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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 12:44 mean?

Explanation

The verse, [Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.] (John 12:44 KJV), captures a profound statement made by Jesus.

The immediate literal meaning is that Jesus is pointing beyond himself to God the Father as the ultimate object of faith.

The act of believing in Jesus is simultaneously an act of believing in the one who commissioned him.

There is an implied unity between Jesus and God - to trust in Jesus is to trust in God, and this reflects the deeper theological claim of Jesus' divine authority and representation of God.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

John 12:44 is part of a narrative set in Jerusalem around the time of the Passover, shortly before Jesus' crucifixion.

This period in Jesus' ministry is one of heightened tension and confrontation with the religious leaders of the day.

Jesus' statements were often controversial, challenging the established religious and social order.

His claims to a unique relationship with God, and the assertion that belief in him was tantamount to belief in God, was radical in the monotheistic Jewish context.

Theological Insights

From a Trinitarian Christian viewpoint, this verse can be seen as an affirmation of Jesus' divinity and unity with God the Father - a cornerstone of Christian doctrine regarding the Trinity.

Believing in Jesus, thus, is not separate from belief in God.

Non-Trinitarian perspectives, such as those held by Unitarians, might focus on the aspect of Jesus as a messenger or agent of God rather than equating him with God.

Additionally, Jesus’ use of “cried out” denotes the urgency and importance of his message, highlighting the salvific importance of belief in him as the sent one of God.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire personal reflection on the nature of faith and the interconnectedness of belief in Jesus with belief in God.

It requires believers to recognize and honor the source of Jesus' authority and teachings.

In daily practice, this can guide Christians to seek a deeper understanding and relationship with both Jesus and God, encouraging them to look beyond any one figure and to the broader divine mission and purpose.

Cross-References

[John 14:9](KJV): Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
[John 10:30](KJV): I and my Father are one.
[John 5:24](KJV): Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Language Study

In the original Greek, key phrases are significant:

"cried" (ἔκραξεν) indicating a loud declaration or proclamation.
"believeth on" (πιστεύων εἰς) suggests a directional faith – towards or into, implying a movement of trust and reliance.
"he that sent me" (ὁ πέμψας με) denotes the one who commissioned or appointed, underscoring Jesus' sent status.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural context of the ancient Mediterranean world, the idea of a divine emissary was not unknown - figures in various mythologies often acted as messengers or embodiments of divine authority.

However, the Jewish monotheistic understanding of God was unique, and the blending of this concept with Jesus' claims to divine authority marks a significant divergence from other cultural myths.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly engage with scientific concepts, the discussion of belief and faith intersects with psychological and neurological studies on belief systems and their effects on human behavior.

Studies in this field explore how convictions and spiritual beliefs can shape perception and influence emotional well-being.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians have examined this verse:

Matthew Henry comments on the importance of recognizing Jesus as the one sent by God, thus making faith in him essential to salvation.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes the public and urgent nature of this proclamation by Jesus, emphasizing the significance of Jesus' role as the revealer of God.
The Expositor's Greek Testament suggests that Jesus' cry is a plea for belief, stressing that belief in Jesus is effectively belief in God because of their indissoluble unity.

John 12

John 12

What does John 12:44 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 12:44 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?