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BibleStudyIt John 12

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Jesus at Bethany

12 Six days before the Passover festival, Jesus went to Bethany, the village where Lazarus lived. He was the man who had been dead, but Jesus had raised him. 2 Some friends prepared a special meal there for Jesus. Martha gave out the food, and Lazarus sat among the visitors, with Jesus. 3 Then Mary brought a pound of very expensive oil that had a very nice smell. They used nard to make it. She poured it over Jesus' feet and then she made his feet dry again with her hair. The nice smell of the oil filled the whole house.

4 Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, was there. He was the man who would sell Jesus to Jesus' enemies. 5 Judas said, ‘We could have sold this oil for 300 coins. That is as much money as someone would get for a year's work. Then we could have given that money to poor people.’ 6 He did not say this because he really wanted to help the poor people. No, he said it because he wanted the money himself. He kept the bag of money and sometimes he took money from it for himself. 7 But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop her! She has kept this oil safe until now. She wanted it for the day when they will bury my dead body. 8 You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me with you.’

9 By this time, a large crowd of Jews had heard the news that Jesus was at Bethany. So they came there to see him. They came also to see Lazarus, because Jesus had made him alive again. 10 So the leaders of the priests decided to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus too. 11 They wanted to do that because many Jews now refused to obey them. Instead, these Jews believed in Jesus because of what he had done for Lazarus.

Jesus goes into Jerusalem

12 The next day, a large crowd of people were in Jerusalem for the festival. They heard the news that Jesus was on the way there. 13 So they took branches from palm trees and they went out to meet Jesus. They were shouting, ‘We praise God! May the Lord God bless the king who comes with his authority. May he bless the king of Israel!’ 14 Jesus found a young donkey, and he sat on it. This happened in the way that was written in the Bible long ago:

15 ‘Do not be afraid, you people in Zion.
Look! Your king is coming.
He is riding on a young donkey.’ [ a ]

16 Jesus' disciples did not understand all this at that time. They understood only after Jesus had returned to God in heaven. Then they remembered that someone had written these things about him in the Bible. And they remembered that these things had now really happened to him. 17 The crowd that had been with Jesus before at Bethany continued to tell people about Lazarus. They said, ‘Jesus told Lazarus that he should come out of the hole in the rock. He made Lazarus alive again after he had died and his body had been put in there.’ 18 That is why many people came to meet Jesus. They had heard that he had done this miracle. 19 So the Pharisees said to each other, ‘This is not what we wanted. [ b ] Look! All the people in the world have left us to go with him!’

Jesus says that he will soon die

20 There were some Greek people among the people at the festival. They also had come to worship God. 21 These Greek people came to Philip, who was from a town in Galilee called Bethsaida. They said to him, ‘Please sir, we want to meet Jesus.’ 22 Philip went and he told Andrew this. Then Philip and Andrew went to Jesus and they told him.

23 Jesus said to them, ‘God will show how great the Son of Man is. It is now time for that to happen. 24 I tell you this: A seed of wheat continues to be only a single seed unless it falls into the ground. It must fall into the ground and then it must die. If it dies like that, it will grow to give a lot of seeds.

25 Anyone who loves his own life will lose it. But anyone who hates his life in this world will have true life for ever with God. 26 Anyone who wants to be my servant must follow me. Then he will be with me, where I am. My Father will praise anyone who is my servant. 27 Now I have trouble in my mind. What will I say? I might say, “Father, save me from this time of trouble!” But this difficult time is the purpose for which I came to the world. 28 So I will say, “Father, show how great and how good you are.” ’

Then a voice spoke from heaven and said, ‘I have shown how great and how good I am. And I will do it again.’ 29 The crowd of people who were standing there heard the sound of this voice. They said that it was like the noise of thunder in a storm. But other people said, ‘An angel spoke to him!’

30 Jesus said, ‘When this voice spoke, it was not so that it could help me. No, it spoke so that it could help you. 31 It is time now for God to judge the people in this world. Now he will throw out the ruler of this world. 32 But when people lift me up from the ground, then I will bring everyone to myself.’ 33 Jesus said this to show in what way he would soon die. [ c ]

34 The crowd said, ‘The Bible tells us that the Messiah will continue for ever. So why do you say, “People must lift up the Son of Man”? Who is this Son of Man?’ 35 Jesus answered, ‘The light will be with you for only a short time longer. So continue to walk while you still have the light. Do that, so that the dark will not come over you. Anyone who walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 While you still have the light with you, believe in that light. So then you will become children of light.’ When Jesus had said this, he went away. He hid himself from them. [ d ]

Many people still do not believe in Jesus

37 Jesus had done many miracles that the people themselves had seen. But even then, they still did not believe in him. 38 This showed that the prophet Isaiah had spoken true words when he said: [ e ]

‘Lord, has anyone believed our message?
You have shown how powerful you are,
but nobody has really understood.’

39 Isaiah spoke also about why the people could not believe. [ f ] 40 He said:

‘God has made their eyes unable to see.
He has closed their minds.
So they cannot see with their eyes,
and they cannot understand with their minds.
They will not turn to me, so that I can make them well.’

41 Long ago, Isaiah saw the great glory of Christ. That is why he said these things. He was speaking about Jesus.

42 But even at that time, many of the Jewish leaders did believe in Jesus. But they were afraid of the Pharisees. So they did not tell people that they believed. They were afraid that the Pharisees would send them away from their meeting places. 43 The Pharisees wanted other people to praise them, more than they wanted God to praise them.

Jesus' message warns people

44 Jesus said in a loud voice, ‘Anyone who believes in me does not believe only in me. That person believes also in the one who sent me. 45 Anyone who looks at me does not see only me. They see also him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world to be a light for people. Everyone who believes in me will not remain in the dark. That is why I came. 47 Not everyone who hears my words will obey them. I will not judge anyone who is like that. I did not come to judge the people in the world. I came to save them. 48 But there is something that will judge people who refuse to believe in me. Those are people who do not accept my message. The message that I have spoken will itself judge people like that on the last day. 49 The words that I have spoken did not come from me myself. They came from the Father, who sent me. He told me what message I must speak. He told me the words I must say. 50 The message that the Father has given me causes people to have life for ever. I know that. So I speak only those things that the Father has said to me.’

Footnotes

  1. 12:15 See Zechariah 9:9 . Zechariah the prophet told Israel's people that their king would ride on a donkey. Jesus was showing the people that he was that king.
  2. 12:19 Jesus was not the kind of king that the Pharisees wanted. They wanted a leader who would send all the Romans away. They did not want a man who would help them to know God.
  3. 12:33 Jesus said that people would ‘lift him up’. He meant that they would lift him up on a cross of wood to die. The Romans were the rulers of Israel and of other countries when Jesus lived on the earth. They often punished people in this way.
  4. 12:36 ‘light’ means a place where God is there to help people understand the truth. ‘dark’ means a place where people hide from God and he is not there to help them.
  5. 12:38 See Isaiah 53:1 .
  6. 12:39 See Isaiah 6:10 .

Jesus in Bethany With His Friends ( A )

12 Six days before the Passover festival, Jesus went to Bethany. That is where Lazarus lived, the man Jesus raised from death. 2 There they had a dinner for Jesus. Martha served the food, and Lazarus was one of the people eating with Jesus. 3 Mary brought in a pint [ a ] of expensive perfume made of pure nard. She poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet. Then she wiped his feet with her hair. And the sweet smell from the perfume filled the whole house.

4 Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ followers, was there—the one who would later hand Jesus over to his enemies. Judas said, 5 “That perfume was worth a full year’s pay. [ b ] It should have been sold, and the money should have been given to the poor people.” 6 But Judas did not really care about the poor. He said this because he was a thief. He was the one who kept the moneybag for the group of followers. And he often stole money from the bag.

7 Jesus answered, “Don’t stop her. It was right for her to save this perfume for today—the day for me to be prepared for burial. 8 You will always have those who are poor with you. [ c ] But you will not always have me.”

The Plot Against Lazarus

9 Many of the Jews heard that Jesus was in Bethany, so they went there to see him. They also went there to see Lazarus, the one Jesus raised from death. 10 So the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus too. 11 Because of him, many Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus. That is why they wanted to kill Lazarus too.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem Like a King ( B )

12 The next day the people in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was coming there. These were the crowds of people who had come to the Passover festival. 13 They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Jesus. They shouted,

“‘Praise [ d ] Him!’
‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ( C )

God bless the King of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, as the Scriptures say,

15 “Do not be afraid, people of Zion [ e ] !
Look! Your king is coming.
He is riding on a young donkey.” ( D )

16 The followers of Jesus did not understand at that time what was happening. But after he was raised to glory, they understood that this was written about him. Then they remembered that they had done these things for him.

17 There were many people with Jesus when he raised Lazarus from death and told him to come out of the tomb. Now they were telling others about what Jesus did. 18 That’s why so many people went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign he did. 19 So the Pharisees said to each other, “Look! Our plan is not working. The people are all following him!”

Jesus Talks About Life and Death

20 There were some Greeks there too. These were some of the people who went to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover festival. 21 They went to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew. Then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 Jesus said to them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to receive his glory. 24 It is a fact that a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die before it can grow and produce much more wheat. If it never dies, it will never be more than a single seed. 25 Whoever loves the life they have now will lose it. But whoever is willing to give up their life in this world will keep it. They will have eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. My servants must be with me everywhere I am. My Father will give honor to anyone who serves me.

Jesus Talks About His Death

27 “Now I am very troubled. What should I say? Should I say, ‘Father save me from this time of suffering’? No, I came to this time so that I could suffer. 28 Father, do what will bring you glory!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have already brought glory to myself. I will do it again.”

29 The people standing there heard the voice. They said it was thunder.

But others said, “An angel spoke to him!”

30 Jesus said, “That voice was for you and not for me. 31 Now is the time for the world to be judged. Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out. 32 I will be lifted up [ f ] from the earth. When that happens, I will draw all people to myself.” 33 Jesus said this to show how he would die.

34 The people said, “But our law says that the Messiah will live forever. So why do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus said, “The light [ g ] will be with you for only a short time more. So walk while you have the light. Then the darkness will not catch you. People who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. 36 So put your trust in the light while you still have it. Then you will be children of light.” When Jesus finished saying these things, he went away to a place where the people could not find him.

Some Jews Refuse to Believe in Jesus

37 The people saw all these miraculous signs Jesus did, but they still did not believe in him. 38 This was to give full meaning to what Isaiah the prophet said:

“Lord, who believed what we told them?
Who has seen the Lord’s power?” ( E )

39 This is why the people could not believe. Because Isaiah also said,

40 “God made the people blind.
He closed their minds.
He did this so that they would not see with their eyes
and understand with their minds.
He did it so that they would not turn
and be healed.” ( F )

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ divine greatness. So he spoke about him.

42 But many people believed in Jesus. Even many of the Jewish leaders believed in him, but they were afraid of the Pharisees, so they did not say openly that they believed. They were afraid they would be ordered to stay out of the synagogue. 43 They loved praise from people more than praise from God.

Jesus’ Teaching Will Judge People

44 Then Jesus said loudly, “Everyone who believes in me is really believing in the one who sent me. 45 Everyone who sees me is really seeing the one who sent me. 46 I came into this world as a light. I came so that everyone who believes in me will not stay in darkness.

47 “I did not come into the world to judge people. I came to save the people in the world. So I am not the one who judges those who hear my teaching and do not obey. 48 But there is a judge for all those who refuse to believe in me and do not accept what I say. The message I have spoken will judge them on the last day. 49 That is because what I taught was not from myself. The Father who sent me told me what to say and what to teach. 50 And I know that whatever he says to do will bring eternal life. So the things I say are exactly what the Father told me to say.”

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 pint Literally, “ litra ,” a Roman pound, equal to 327 grams (11.5 ounces).
  2. John 12:5 a full year’s pay Literally, “300 denarii.” One Roman denarius, a silver coin, was the average pay for one day’s work.
  3. John 12:8 You will … with you See Deut. 15:11.
  4. John 12:13 Praise Literally, “Hosanna,” a Hebrew word used in praying to God for help. Here, it was probably a shout of celebration used in praising God or his Messiah.
  5. John 12:15 people of Zion Literally, “daughter of Zion,” meaning the city of Jerusalem. See “ Zion ” in the Word List.
  6. John 12:32 lifted up Meaning to be nailed to a cross and “lifted up” on it to die. It may also have a second meaning: to be “lifted up” from death to heaven. Also in verse 34.
  7. John 12:35 light This means Christ, as in Jn. 1:5-9. Also, it is a symbol of goodness and truth, qualities associated with Christ and his kingdom.

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

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

3 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.

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

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

6 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.

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

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

9 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.

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

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

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

13 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.

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

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

16 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24 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.

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

26 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.

27 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.

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

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

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

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

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

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34 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?

35 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.

36 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.

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

38 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?

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

40 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.

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

42 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:

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

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

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

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

47 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.

48 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.

49 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.

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

Mary Anoints Jesus

12 ( A ) Therefore, six days before ( B ) the Passover, Jesus came to ( C ) Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a dinner there, and ( D ) Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 ( E ) Mary then took a [ a ] pound of very expensive ( F ) perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But ( G ) Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who intended to [ b ] betray Him, *said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred [ c ] denarii and the proceeds given to poor people ?” 6 Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he ( H ) kept the money box, he used to [ d ] steal from ( I ) what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it [ e ] for ( J ) the day of My burial. 8 ( K ) For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

9 The ( L ) large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not on account of Jesus only, but so that they might also see Lazarus, ( M ) whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because ( N ) on account of him ( O ) many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

12 On the next day, when ( P ) the large crowd that had come to ( Q ) the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began shouting, “ ( R ) Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord , indeed, the ( S ) King of Israel!” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15 ( T ) Do not fear, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey s colt .” 16 ( U ) These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus ( V ) was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things for Him. 17 So ( W ) the [ f ] people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him . 18 ( X ) For this reason also the [ g ] people went to meet Him, ( Y ) because they heard that He had performed this [ h ] sign. 19 So the Pharisees said [ i ] to one another, “You see that you are not accomplishing anything; look, the world has gone after Him!”

Greeks Seek Jesus

20 Now there were some ( Z ) Greeks among those who were going up to worship at ( AA ) the feast; 21 these people then came to ( AB ) Philip, who was from ( AC ) Bethsaida of Galilee, and were making a request of him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip *came and *told ( AD ) Andrew; then Andrew and Philip *came and *told Jesus. 23 But Jesus *answered them by saying, ( AE ) The hour has come for the Son of Man to ( AF ) be glorified. 24 Truly, truly I say to you, ( AG ) unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 ( AH ) The one who loves his [ j ] life loses it, and the one who ( AI ) hates his [ k ] life in this world will keep it [ l ] to eternal life. 26 If anyone [ m ] serves Me, he must follow Me; and ( AJ ) where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone [ n ] serves Me, the Father will ( AK ) honor him.

Jesus Foretells His Death

27 ( AL ) Now My soul has become troubled; and what am I to say? ‘ ( AM ) Father, save Me from ( AN ) this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 ( AO ) Father, glorify Your name.” Then a ( AP ) voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it , and will glorify it again.” 29 So the crowd who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “ ( AQ ) An angel has spoken to Him!” 30 Jesus responded and said, ( AR ) This voice has not come for My sake, but for yours. 31 ( AS ) Now judgment is upon this world; now ( AT ) the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I ( AU ) am lifted up from the earth, will ( AV ) draw all people to Myself.” 33 Now He was saying this ( AW ) to indicate what kind of death He was going to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard from ( AX ) the Law that ( AY ) the [ o ] Christ is to remain forever; and how is it that You say, ‘The ( AZ ) Son of Man must be ( BA ) lifted up’ ? Who is this ( BB ) Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, ( BC ) For a little while longer ( BD ) the Light is among you. ( BE ) Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also, the one who ( BF ) walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, ( BG ) believe in the Light, so that you may become ( BH ) sons of Light.”

These things Jesus proclaimed, and He went away and ( BI ) hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many [ p ] signs in their sight, they still were not believing in Him. 38 This happened so that the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke would be fulfilled: “ ( BJ ) Lord, who has believed our report ? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed ?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 ( BK ) He has blinded their eyes and He ( BL ) hardened their heart, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and [ q ] be converted, and so I will not heal them .” 41 These things Isaiah said because ( BM ) he saw His glory, and ( BN ) he spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless ( BO ) many, even of ( BP ) the rulers, believed in Him, but ( BQ ) because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him , so that they would not be ( BR ) excommunicated from the synagogue; 43 ( BS ) for they loved the [ r ] approval of people rather than the [ s ] approval of God.

44 Now Jesus cried out and said, ( BT ) The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him who sent Me. 45 And ( BU ) the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 ( BV ) I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My [ t ] teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for ( BW ) I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 ( BX ) The one who rejects Me and does not [ u ] accept My [ v ] teachings has one who judges him: ( BY ) the word which I spoke. That will judge him on ( BZ ) the last day. 49 ( CA ) For I did not speak [ w ] on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me ( CB ) has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that ( CC ) His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak ( CD ) just as the Father has told Me.”

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 I.e., a Roman pound, about 12 oz. or 340 gm
  2. John 12:4 Or hand Him over
  3. John 12:5 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
  4. John 12:6 Lit pilfer
  5. John 12:7 Or in view of
  6. John 12:17 Lit crowd
  7. John 12:18 Lit crowd
  8. John 12:18 I.e., confirming miracle
  9. John 12:19 I.e., as one group to another
  10. John 12:25 Lit soul
  11. John 12:25 Lit soul
  12. John 12:25 Or for
  13. John 12:26 Or is serving
  14. John 12:26 Or is serving
  15. John 12:34 I.e., Messiah
  16. John 12:37 I.e., confirming miracles
  17. John 12:40 Lit be turned ; i.e., turn about
  18. John 12:43 Or honor
  19. John 12:43 Or honor
  20. John 12:47 Lit words
  21. John 12:48 Or receive
  22. John 12:48 Lit words
  23. John 12:49 Lit from Myself

Jesus Anointed at Bethany ( A )

12 Six days before the Passover, ( B ) Jesus came to Bethany, ( C ) where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, ( D ) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint [ a ] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; ( E ) she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. ( F ) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, ( G ) objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. [ b ] 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, ( H ) he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ( I ) 8 You will always have the poor among you, [ c ] ( J ) but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ( K ) 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him ( L ) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. ( M )

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King ( N )

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches ( O ) and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna! [ d ]

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [ e ] ( P )

“Blessed is the king of Israel!” ( Q )

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.” [ f ] ( R )

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. ( S ) Only after Jesus was glorified ( T ) did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him ( U ) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, ( V ) went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” ( W )

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks ( X ) among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida ( Y ) in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour ( Z ) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ( AA ) 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, ( AB ) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it ( AC ) for eternal life. ( AD ) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. ( AE ) My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, ( AF ) and what shall I say? ‘Father, ( AG ) save me from this hour’? ( AH ) No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, ( AI ) “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, ( AJ ) not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; ( AK ) now the prince of this world ( AL ) will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up [ g ] from the earth, ( AM ) will draw all people to myself.” ( AN ) 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. ( AO )

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law ( AP ) that the Messiah will remain forever, ( AQ ) so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man ( AR ) must be lifted up’ ? ( AS ) Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light ( AT ) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, ( AU ) before darkness overtakes you. ( AV ) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” ( AW ) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. ( AX )

Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs ( AY ) in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” [ h ] ( AZ )

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.” [ i ] ( BA )

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory ( BB ) and spoke about him. ( BC )

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. ( BD ) But because of the Pharisees ( BE ) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; ( BF ) 43 for they loved human praise ( BG ) more than praise from God. ( BH )

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ( BI ) 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. ( BJ ) 46 I have come into the world as a light, ( BK ) so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ( BL ) 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them ( BM ) at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me ( BN ) to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. ( BO ) So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” ( BP )

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 Or about 0.5 liter
  2. John 12:5 Greek three hundred denarii
  3. John 12:8 See Deut. 15:11.
  4. John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
  5. John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
  6. John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
  7. John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted .
  8. John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
  9. John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10