John 12

In John 12, Jesus approaches the culmination of His earthly ministry. The chapter begins with Mary anointing Jesus’ feet, an act foreshadowing His death and burial. Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, fulfilling Messianic prophecies, but also signaling His coming sacrifice. As Jesus speaks to the people, He foretells His death and draws attention to the cost of following Him. The chapter ends with a call to believe in the light while it’s still available, underlining the urgency of accepting His message.

John 12:1-8 (NKJV)
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.
2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said,
5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii 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 money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Mary’s act of anointing Jesus was both an expression of love and a prophetic act, symbolizing His impending death. Judas, who would later betray Jesus, objected under the guise of concern for the poor. Jesus recognized Mary’s devotion and gently rebuked Judas, reminding everyone that He would not always be with them physically. This moment highlights the depth of Mary’s love and insight, as well as Jesus’ foreknowledge of His approaching sacrifice.

John 12:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

The raising of Lazarus drew significant attention, leading many to believe in Jesus. However, the chief priests saw Lazarus as a threat to their authority and sought to kill him as well. This reaction underscores the hardness of their hearts and their unwillingness to accept Jesus, even when confronted with miraculous evidence of His power.

John 12:12-15 (NKJV)
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, symbolizing peace rather than military conquest. The crowds greeted Him with shouts of “Hosanna,” a cry for salvation, acknowledging Him as the promised Messiah. This moment marks the public acknowledgment of Jesus as King, even as He prepared for the suffering He would endure for humanity.

John 12:16-19 (NKJV)
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

The disciples did not initially grasp the significance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, only understanding later in hindsight. The crowds were moved by the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection, which fueled their excitement and belief. Meanwhile, the Pharisees grew increasingly frustrated, fearing that Jesus’ popularity would undermine their authority, marking a pivotal moment of tension.

John 12:20-26 (NKJV)
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

The arrival of the Greeks seeking Jesus signifies the beginning of His impact beyond Israel. Jesus used the analogy of a grain of wheat to explain His impending death, suggesting that His sacrifice would bring forth abundant life for many. He challenged His followers to embrace self-denial, emphasizing that true discipleship requires a willingness to surrender one’s life for God’s purposes.

John 12:27-36 (NKJV)
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

In these verses, Jesus openly faces the emotional weight of His coming death, affirming that His sacrifice is central to God’s redemptive plan. The voice from heaven assures the crowd of God’s approval, emphasizing the significance of Jesus’ mission. Jesus speaks of His death as the “lifting up” that will draw all people, an invitation to believe in the light before darkness falls.

John 12:37-41 (NKJV)
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him,
38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

Despite witnessing numerous miracles, many people still did not believe in Jesus, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about spiritual blindness. Isaiah’s words highlight the tragic condition of those whose hearts are hardened, unable to recognize God’s work through Jesus. This passage underscores that belief in Jesus requires a receptive heart, which is ultimately a matter of individual openness to God’s revelation.

John 12:42-43 (NKJV)
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in 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.

Some of the Jewish leaders believed in Jesus but feared openly expressing their faith due to potential expulsion from the synagogue. Their desire for human approval overshadowed their conviction, reflecting the challenge of prioritizing God’s praise over societal acceptance. This moment highlights the tension between faith and fear of judgment, emphasizing the courage needed to truly follow Jesus.

John 12:44-50 (NKJV)
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

Jesus emphasizes His unity with the Father, explaining that belief in Him is belief in God. As the light of the world, He offers a way out of spiritual darkness. Although He does not judge those who reject Him, His words will serve as judgment on the final day. Jesus’ mission, directed by the Father, is to offer eternal life, stressing that His teachings are not self-derived but divinely mandated for salvation.