John 12:24-26
New English Translation
24 I tell you the solemn truth,[a] unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone.[b] But if it dies, it produces[c] much grain.[d] 25 The one who loves his life[e] destroys[f] it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards[g] it for eternal life. 26 If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow[h] me, and where I am, my servant will be too.[i] If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
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- John 12:24 tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”
- John 12:24 tn Or “it remains only a single kernel.”
- John 12:24 tn Or “bears.”
- John 12:24 tn Grk “much fruit.”
- John 12:25 tn Or “soul.”
- John 12:25 tn Or “loses.” Although the traditional English translation of ἀπολλύει (apolluei) in John 12:25 is “loses,” the contrast with φυλάξει (phulaxei, “keeps” or “guards”) in the second half of the verse favors the meaning “destroy” here.
- John 12:25 tn Or “keeps.”
- John 12:26 tn As a third person imperative in Greek, ἀκολουθείτω (akoloutheitō) is usually translated “let him follow me.” This could be understood by the modern English reader as merely permissive, however (“he may follow me if he wishes”). In this context there is no permissive sense, but rather a command, so the translation “he must follow me” is preferred.
- John 12:26 tn Grk “where I am, there my servant will be too.”
John 12:24-26
Lexham English Bible
24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and[a] dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world preserves it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
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- John 12:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“falls”) has been translated as a finite verb
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