1 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.
John Chapter 12 of the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a rich and profound chapter that marks a significant turning point in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It begins with a scene of intimate fellowship and ends with a solemn warning about the implications of rejecting Jesus. The chapter is characterized by themes of sacrifice, faith, rejection, and divine glory and purpose.
The chapter opens with a dinner in Bethany, where Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, was reclining at the table with Him. Mary, Lazarus' sister, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. This act of extravagant love and devotion is contrasted with Judas Iscariot’s criticism of what he perceives as waste. He argues that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but John tells us that Judas did not care for the poor but was a thief.
Jesus defends Mary's action, stating that she has kept this perfume for the day of His burial, foreshadowing His impending death. He also reminds Judas and the others present that they will not always have Him with them, a statement that would soon prove prophetic.
The chapter then transitions to the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as the crowds shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!" This event fulfills the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 about the Messiah's humble entry into Jerusalem. The crowds that welcomed Jesus were those who had witnessed His miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead. However, the Pharisees, threatened by Jesus' popularity, plotted to kill not only Jesus but also Lazarus, as his resurrection was leading many Jews to believe in Jesus.
The narrative then introduces some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast and expressed their desire to see Jesus. Their request symbolizes the universal scope of Jesus' mission, extending beyond the Jews to the Gentiles. Jesus responds by foretelling His death, using the metaphor of a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground and die to produce many seeds. He teaches that those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Jesus' words challenge His followers to choose a life of self-sacrifice and service.
Jesus also expresses His troubled soul at the prospect of His impending death but affirms His commitment to fulfill God's purpose. He prays, "Father, glorify your name." In response, a voice from heaven affirms that God has glorified His name and will glorify it again. This divine endorsement confuses the crowd, some thinking it was thunder, others that an angel had spoken to Him. Jesus explains that the voice was for their benefit, not His, and predicts His victory over the ruler of this world.
Jesus then makes a final public appeal, urging the people to believe in Him and walk in the light to avoid darkness. He equates believing in Him with believing in God the Father, reinforcing His divine identity. Despite His miraculous signs, many Jews, including their leaders, did not believe in Him, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:1 and 6:10 about the rejection of the Messiah.
John concludes the chapter by summarizing Jesus' teaching. He states that Jesus did not speak on His own but as directed by God the Father, emphasizing the unity between the Father and the Son. By doing so, he reiterates that rejecting Jesus is rejecting God Himself.
In summary, John Chapter 12 presents a vivid portrayal of Jesus as the Messiah who is both loved and rejected. The chapter emphasizes the cost of discipleship, the universal scope of Jesus' mission, and the tragic consequences of unbelief. It underscores the urgency of faith in Jesus, who is the light of the world, and serves as a solemn warning to those who choose to reject Him. The chapter also affirms Jesus' divinity and His unity with God the Father, reinforcing the Christian belief in the Trinity.
Share this page