American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
John 12
1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Reference
2
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Reference
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 odor of the ointment.
Reference
6
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bore what was put therein.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 4:14
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 comes in the name of the Lord.
Reference
Blessing
Matthew 23:39
Kingdom
Revelation 15:3
John 1:49
Hosea 3:5
John 19:15
Zephaniah 3:15
Revelation 19:16
Isaiah 44:6
Parallel theme
Revelation 7:9
References Lord
Leviticus 23:40
14
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
Reference
Parallel theme
Zechariah 9:9
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 to him.
Reference
Glory
John 7:39
John 12:23
Acts 3:13
Parallel theme
John 14:26
Luke 24:45
Hebrews 8:1
Acts 2:33
References Jesus
John 2:22
Acts 2:36
Hebrews 12:2
17
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bore record.
Reference
18
For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 12:11
19
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive you how you prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Reference
21
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 2:2
22
Philip comes and tells 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.
Reference
24
Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it stays alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 72:16
25
He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.
Reference
Eternal Life
Matthew 19:29
Love
Revelation 12:11
Parallel theme
Matthew 10:39
Mark 8:35
Luke 17:33
Matthew 16:25
Luke 14:26
Acts 20:24
Ecclesiastes 2:17
Acts 21:13
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 honor.
Reference
27
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I to this hour.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 12:23
Isaiah 38:15
Matthew 26:42
John 13:21
Hebrews 2:14
Luke 22:44
Salvation
Hebrews 5:7
28
Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Reference
Glory
2 Peter 1:17
Ephesians 3:21
Parallel theme
Matthew 26:42
Matthew 17:5
Matthew 3:17
Ephesians 3:10
Ephesians 2:7
Mark 1:11
Mark 14:36
Mark 9:7
29
The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 14:2
30
Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 11:42
34
The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ stays for ever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 9:7
Daniel 7:14
Psalm 110:4
Daniel 7:27
Daniel 2:44
2 Samuel 7:13
Romans 5:18
Micah 4:7
Word
John 10:34
35
Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.
Reference
Light
John 12:46
Ephesians 5:8
John 8:12
John 11:10
Isaiah 2:5
John 12:36
Parallel theme
John 16:16
References Jesus
John 7:33
36
While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Reference
Faith
John 1:7
Light
Ephesians 5:8
1 Thessalonians 5:5
Luke 16:8
Isaiah 60:1
References Jesus
John 8:59
John 11:54
38
That the saying of Esaias 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?
Reference
Faith
Isaiah 53:1
Romans 10:16
Parallel theme
Romans 10:20
1 Corinthians 1:24
Psalm 44:3
Matthew 16:17
Galatians 1:16
Prophecy
2 Chronicles 32:20
40
He has 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.
Reference
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:
Reference
Faith
Proverbs 29:25
Parallel theme
Isaiah 51:7
John 9:22
John 7:13
Matthew 10:32
Isaiah 57:11
Isaiah 66:5
Acts 5:41
1 John 4:15
1 John 4:2
43
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 5:41
1 Thessalonians 2:6
2 Corinthians 10:18
Matthew 6:2
John 12:26
Luke 19:17
References God
John 5:44
Luke 16:15
John 8:54
Resurrection
1 Corinthians 4:5
44
Jesus cried and said, He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.
Reference
46
I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.
Reference
Darkness
Isaiah 42:7
Faith
Acts 26:18
Light
John 8:12
Psalm 36:9
John 9:5
John 3:19
Matthew 4:16
Ephesians 5:14
John 1:9
Luke 2:32
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.
Reference
48
He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Reference
Judgment
Romans 2:16
Parallel theme
Luke 10:16
John 11:24
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Hebrews 12:25
Hebrews 2:3
Isaiah 53:3
Mark 16:16
Matthew 25:31
Word
Matthew 21:42
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 8:26
John 5:30
John 3:11
John 8:42
John 3:32
John 15:15
Word
John 14:10
John 17:8
Deuteronomy 18:18
John 14:31
Summary of John 12
John 12 marks the beginning of the final stage of Jesus' earthly ministry and brings together love, worship, kingship, sacrifice, unbelief, and the coming crucifixion as Jesus moves toward His final Passover in Jerusalem.
Six days before Passover, Jesus returns to Bethany, where Lazarus is present after being raised from the dead.
During a dinner held in Jesus' honor, Martha serves while Lazarus sits with Him, and Mary takes an expensive perfume and anoints Jesus' feet before wiping them with her hair.
Her extravagant act demonstrates deep love and devotion, while Judas Iscariot objects to the apparent waste and argues that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.
John reveals, however, that Judas' concern is not genuine because he has been stealing from the disciples' common money.
Jesus defends Mary and explains that her action is connected with His approaching burial, making her act an unconscious preparation for His death.
Meanwhile, large crowds come to Bethany because they want to see both Jesus and Lazarus, whose resurrection has become widely known.
The chief priests become so concerned about the influence of this miracle that they begin planning not only Jesus' death but also Lazarus' death because his existence is causing many people to believe in Jesus.
The following day, Jesus enters Jerusalem to the enthusiastic welcome of a large crowd.
The people take palm branches, go out to meet Him, and praise Him as the King of Israel.
Jesus rides into the city on a donkey, presenting Himself not as a military conqueror but as the humble and peaceful king described in Scripture.
The disciples do not fully understand the significance of the event at first, but after Jesus is glorified, they recognize how the Scriptures had pointed toward it.
The Pharisees, meanwhile, become increasingly frustrated because Jesus' popularity continues to grow.
A significant development occurs when some Greeks who have come to Jerusalem for the festival ask Philip if they can see Jesus.
Their request leads Jesus to announce that His hour has come.
Jesus explains His coming death through the image of a grain of wheat: a seed must fall into the ground and die before it produces much fruit.
In the same way, Jesus' death will not represent defeat but will become the means through which His life-giving mission reaches many people.
He also teaches that anyone who truly wants to serve Him must be willing to follow His path, placing eternal life above the temporary security and priorities of this world.
Jesus openly acknowledges that His soul is troubled as His death approaches, yet He does not ask the Father to remove the coming suffering.
Instead, He asks that the Father's name be glorified.
A voice from heaven responds, confirming that God's name has already been glorified and will be glorified again.
Jesus explains that this heavenly confirmation has been given for the benefit of the people around Him.
He then declares that the decisive moment has arrived: the world will be judged, the ruler of this world will be cast out, and Jesus will be lifted up from the earth.
John explains that Jesus is referring to the manner of His coming death on the cross.
The crowd struggles with this because they expect the Messiah to remain forever, and they do not understand how the Son of Man can be both the promised Messiah and someone who will be lifted up in death.
Jesus therefore urges them to walk in the light while they still have the light, calling them to believe before darkness overtakes them.
Despite the many miraculous signs Jesus has performed, many people still refuse to believe.
John connects this unbelief with the words of Isaiah, who had described people seeing but remaining spiritually blind and hearing but refusing to understand.
Even some of the religious authorities privately believe in Jesus, but they refuse to acknowledge Him publicly because they fear being expelled from the synagogue and losing the approval of others.
John identifies the deeper problem clearly: they love human approval more than God's approval.
The chapter concludes with Jesus publicly explaining that believing in Him means believing in the Father who sent Him, seeing Him means seeing the One who sent Him, and receiving His words means receiving the message that leads to eternal life.
Jesus emphasizes that He has come as the Light of the World, not to condemn the world during His earthly mission but to save it.
Yet rejection of that light carries consequences because the very words Jesus speaks will ultimately serve as the basis for judgment.
John 12 therefore functions as a major transition in the Gospel.
The public ministry of Jesus is reaching its climax, the “hour” of His death has arrived, and the events surrounding His entry into Jerusalem, Mary's anointing, the arrival of the Greeks, and the growing opposition all point toward the cross.
The chapter's central message is that Jesus' death is not an unexpected defeat but the purposeful sacrifice through which He will be glorified, draw people from all nations to Himself, defeat the power of darkness, and open the way to eternal life for those who believe in Him.
Six days before Passover, Jesus returns to Bethany, where Lazarus is present after being raised from the dead.
During a dinner held in Jesus' honor, Martha serves while Lazarus sits with Him, and Mary takes an expensive perfume and anoints Jesus' feet before wiping them with her hair.
Her extravagant act demonstrates deep love and devotion, while Judas Iscariot objects to the apparent waste and argues that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.
John reveals, however, that Judas' concern is not genuine because he has been stealing from the disciples' common money.
Jesus defends Mary and explains that her action is connected with His approaching burial, making her act an unconscious preparation for His death.
Meanwhile, large crowds come to Bethany because they want to see both Jesus and Lazarus, whose resurrection has become widely known.
The chief priests become so concerned about the influence of this miracle that they begin planning not only Jesus' death but also Lazarus' death because his existence is causing many people to believe in Jesus.
The following day, Jesus enters Jerusalem to the enthusiastic welcome of a large crowd.
The people take palm branches, go out to meet Him, and praise Him as the King of Israel.
Jesus rides into the city on a donkey, presenting Himself not as a military conqueror but as the humble and peaceful king described in Scripture.
The disciples do not fully understand the significance of the event at first, but after Jesus is glorified, they recognize how the Scriptures had pointed toward it.
The Pharisees, meanwhile, become increasingly frustrated because Jesus' popularity continues to grow.
A significant development occurs when some Greeks who have come to Jerusalem for the festival ask Philip if they can see Jesus.
Their request leads Jesus to announce that His hour has come.
Jesus explains His coming death through the image of a grain of wheat: a seed must fall into the ground and die before it produces much fruit.
In the same way, Jesus' death will not represent defeat but will become the means through which His life-giving mission reaches many people.
He also teaches that anyone who truly wants to serve Him must be willing to follow His path, placing eternal life above the temporary security and priorities of this world.
Jesus openly acknowledges that His soul is troubled as His death approaches, yet He does not ask the Father to remove the coming suffering.
Instead, He asks that the Father's name be glorified.
A voice from heaven responds, confirming that God's name has already been glorified and will be glorified again.
Jesus explains that this heavenly confirmation has been given for the benefit of the people around Him.
He then declares that the decisive moment has arrived: the world will be judged, the ruler of this world will be cast out, and Jesus will be lifted up from the earth.
John explains that Jesus is referring to the manner of His coming death on the cross.
The crowd struggles with this because they expect the Messiah to remain forever, and they do not understand how the Son of Man can be both the promised Messiah and someone who will be lifted up in death.
Jesus therefore urges them to walk in the light while they still have the light, calling them to believe before darkness overtakes them.
Despite the many miraculous signs Jesus has performed, many people still refuse to believe.
John connects this unbelief with the words of Isaiah, who had described people seeing but remaining spiritually blind and hearing but refusing to understand.
Even some of the religious authorities privately believe in Jesus, but they refuse to acknowledge Him publicly because they fear being expelled from the synagogue and losing the approval of others.
John identifies the deeper problem clearly: they love human approval more than God's approval.
The chapter concludes with Jesus publicly explaining that believing in Him means believing in the Father who sent Him, seeing Him means seeing the One who sent Him, and receiving His words means receiving the message that leads to eternal life.
Jesus emphasizes that He has come as the Light of the World, not to condemn the world during His earthly mission but to save it.
Yet rejection of that light carries consequences because the very words Jesus speaks will ultimately serve as the basis for judgment.
John 12 therefore functions as a major transition in the Gospel.
The public ministry of Jesus is reaching its climax, the “hour” of His death has arrived, and the events surrounding His entry into Jerusalem, Mary's anointing, the arrival of the Greeks, and the growing opposition all point toward the cross.
The chapter's central message is that Jesus' death is not an unexpected defeat but the purposeful sacrifice through which He will be glorified, draw people from all nations to Himself, defeat the power of darkness, and open the way to eternal life for those who believe in Him.