John 12
John 12 is part of “Book of Signs: Public Ministry” (1:19–12:50) in the outline of John.
John 12 summary
It was a melancholy account which we had in the close of the foregoing chapter of the dishonour done to our Lord Jesus, when the scribes and Pharisees proclaimed him a traitor to their church, and put upon him all the marks of ignominy they could: but the story of this chapter balances that, by giving us an account of the honour done to the Redeemer, notwithstanding all that reproach thrown upon him. Thus the one was set over against the other. Let us see what honours were heaped on the head of the Lord Jesus, even in the depths of his humiliation. I.
Read the full introduction
It was a melancholy account which we had in the close of the foregoing chapter of the dishonour done to our Lord Jesus, when the scribes and Pharisees proclaimed him a traitor to their church, and put upon him all the marks of ignominy they could: but the story of this chapter balances that, by giving us an account of the honour done to the Redeemer, notwithstanding all that reproach thrown upon him. Thus the one was set over against the other. Let us see what honours were heaped on the head of the Lord Jesus, even in the depths of his humiliation. I. Mary did him honour, by anointing his feet at the supper in Bethany (Joh 12:1-11). II. The common people did him honour, with their acclamations of joy, when he rode in triumph into Jerusalem (Joh 12:12-19). III. The Greeks did him honour, by enquiring after him with a longing desire to see him (Joh 12:20-26). IV. God the Father did him honour, by a voice from heaven, bearing testimony to him (Joh 12:27-36). V. He had honour done him by the Old Testament prophets, who foretold the infidelity of those that heard the report of him (Joh 12:37-41). VI. He had honour done him by some of the chief rulers, whose consciences witnessed for him, though they had not courage to own it (Joh 12:42, Joh 12:43. VII. He claimed honour to himself, by asserting his divine mission, and the account he gave of his errand into the world (Joh 12:44-50).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John 12 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany
1Then Iesus, sixe dayes before the Passeouer, came to Bethania, where Lazarus was, who died, whom he had raised from the dead. 2There they made him a supper, and Martha serued: but Lazarus was one of them that sate at the table with him. 3Then tooke Mary a pound of oyntment of Spikenarde very costly, and anoynted Iesus feete, and wiped his feete with her heare, and the house was filled with the sauour of the oyntment. 4Then said one of his disciples, euen Iudas Iscariot Simons sonne, which should betray him: 5Why was not this oyntment sold for three hundreth pence, and giuen to the poore? 6Nowe he said this, not that he cared for the poore, but because hee was a theefe, and had the bagge, and bare that which was giuen. 7Then said Iesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying she kept it. 8For the poore alwayes yee haue with you, but me ye shall not haue alwayes.
The Plot to Kill Lazarus
9Then much people of the Iewes knewe that hee was there: and they came, not for Iesus sake onely, but that they might see Lazarus also, whome he had raysed from the dead. 10The hie Priestes therefore consulted, that they might put Lazarus to death also, 11Because that for his sake many of the Iewes went away, and beleeued in Iesus.
The Triumphal Entry
12On the morowe a great multitude that were come to the feast, when they heard that Iesus should come to Hierusalem, 13Tooke branches of palme trees, and went foorth to meete him, and cried, Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel that commeth in the Name of the Lord. 14And Iesus found a yong asse, and sate thereon, as it is written, 15Feare not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King commeth sitting on an asses colte. 16But his disciples vnderstoode not these thinges at the first: but when Iesus was glorified, then remembred they, that these thinges were written of him, and that they had done these things vnto him. 17The people therefore that was with him, bare witnesse that hee called Lazarus out of the graue, and raised him from the dead. 18Therefore mette him the people also, because they heard that he had done this miracle. 19And the Pharises said among themselues, Perceiue ye howe ye preuaile nothing? Beholde, the worlde goeth after him.
Greeks Seek Jesus
20Nowe there were certaine Greekes among them that came vp to worship at the feast. 21And they came to Philippe, which was of Bethsaida in Galile, and desired him, saying, Syr, we would see that Iesus. 22Philippe came and tolde Andrew: and againe Andrew and Philippe tolde Iesus. 23And Iesus answered them, saying, The houre is come, that the Sonne of man must bee glorified. 24Verely, verely I say vnto you, Except the wheate corne fall into the grounde and die, it bideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth foorth much fruite. 25He that loueth his life, shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keepe it vnto life eternall. 26If any man serue me, let him follow me: for where I am, there shall also my seruant be: and if any man serue me, him will my Father honour.
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27Now is my soule troubled: and what shall I say? Father, saue me from this houre: but therefore came I vnto this houre. 28Father, glorifie thy Name. Then came there a voyce from heauen, saying, I haue both glorified it, and will glorifie it againe. 29Then saide the people that stoode by, and heard, that it was a thunder: other said, An Angel spake to him. 30Iesus answered, and said, This voyce came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31Now is the iudgement of this world: nowe shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32And I, if I were lift vp from the earth, will drawe all men vnto me. 33Nowe this sayd he, signifying what death he should die. 34The people answered him, We haue heard out of the Law, that that Christ bideth for euer: and howe sayest thou, that that Sonne of man must be lift vp? Who is that Sonne of man? 35Then Iesus sayd vnto them, Yet a litle while is the light with you: walke while ye haue that light, lest the darkenes come vpon you: for hee that walketh in the darke, knoweth not whither he goeth. 36While ye haue that light, beleeue in that light, that ye may be the children of the light. These things spake Iesus, and departed, and hid himselfe from them.
The Unbelief of the People
37And though he had done so many miracles before them, yet beleeued they not on him, 38That the saying of Esaias the Prophete might be fulfilled, that he sayd, Lord, who beleeued our report? and to whome is the arme of the Lord reueiled? 39Therefore could they not beleeue, because that Esaias saith againe, 40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they shoulde not see with their eyes, nor vnderstand with their heart, and should be conuerted, and I should heale them. 41These things sayd Esaias when he sawe his glory, and spake of him. 42Neuertheles, euen among the chiefe rulers, many beleeued in him: but because of the Pharises they did not confesse him, least they should be cast out of the Synagogue. 43For they loued the prayse of men, more then the prayse of God. 44And Iesus cryed, and sayd, He that beleeueth in me, beleeueth not in me, but in him that sent me. 45And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me. 46I am come a light into the world, that whosoeuer beleeueth in me, should not abide in darkenes. 47And if any man heare my wordes, and beleeue not, I iudge him not: for I came not to iudge the world, but to saue the world. 48He that refuseth me, and receiueth not my wordes, hath one that iudgeth him: the worde that I haue spoken, it shall iudge him in the last day. 49For I haue not spoken of my selfe: but the Father which sent me, hee gaue me a commandement what I should say, and what I should speake. 50And I knowe that his commandement is life euerlasting: the thinges therefore that I speake, I speake them so as the Father sayde vnto me.