约翰福音 12
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
马利亚用香膏膏主(A)
12 逾越节前六天，耶稣到了伯大尼，就是拉撒路所住的地方；耶稣曾经使这拉撒路从死人中复活。 2 有人在那里为耶稣预备了筵席。马大在那里侍候，拉撒路也和一些人与耶稣一同吃饭。 3 马利亚拿了半公斤珍贵纯正的哪哒香膏，抹耶稣的脚，又用自己的头发去擦；屋里就满了香膏的香气。 4 耶稣的一个门徒，就是那要出卖他的加略人犹大，说： 5 “为甚么不把这香膏卖三百银币，赒济穷人呢？” 6 他说这话，并不是因为他关怀穷人，而是因为他是个贼，又带着钱囊，常取其中所存的。 7 耶稣就说：“由她吧，这香膏是她留下来为我安葬的日子用的。 8 你们常常有穷人跟你们在一起，却不常有我。”
9 有一大群犹太人知道耶稣在那里，就都来了，然而他们不单是为了耶稣的缘故，也是要看看耶稣使他从死人中复活的拉撒路。 10 于是祭司长想把拉撒路也杀掉， 11 因为有许多犹太人为了拉撒路的缘故，离开他们，信了耶稣。
骑驴进耶路撒冷(B)
12 第二天，有一大群上来过节的人，听见耶稣要来耶路撒冷， 13 就拿着棕树枝出去迎接他，欢呼说：
“和散那，
奉主名来的以色列王，
是应当称颂的！”
14 耶稣找到一头小驴，就骑在上面，正如经上所记的：
15 “锡安的居民哪，不要惧怕；
看哪，你的王来了，
他骑着小驴来了。”
16 门徒起初不明白这些事，可是到耶稣得了荣耀以后，他们才想起这些话是指着他说的，并且人们果然向他这样行了。 17 那些和耶稣在一起，看见他叫拉撒路从坟墓出来，又使他从死人中复活的群众，都为这事作见证。 18 群众因为听见他行了这神迹，就去迎接他。 19 于是法利赛人彼此说：“你们看，你们都是徒劳无功，世人都去跟随他了！”
主被举起来就吸引万人
20 上去过节作礼拜的人中，有些是希腊人。 21 他们来到加利利的伯赛大人腓力那里，请求他，说：“先生，我们想见耶稣。” 22 腓力去告诉安得烈，安得烈就和腓力去告诉耶稣。 23 耶稣对他们说：“人子得荣耀的时候到了！ 24 我实实在在告诉你们，一粒麦子若不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；如果死了，就结出许多果实来。 25 爱惜自己生命的，就丧掉生命；在这世上恨恶自己生命的，必会保全生命到永远。 26 如果有人服事我，就应当跟从我；我在哪里，服事我的人也会在哪里；如果有人服事我，我父必尊重他。
27 “我现在心里烦乱，我应该说甚么呢？说‘父啊，救我脱离这时刻’吗？然而我正是为了这个缘故来的，要面对这时刻。 28 父啊，愿你荣耀你的名！”当时有声音从天上来，说：“我已经荣耀了我的名，还要再荣耀。” 29 站在旁边的群众听见了，就说：“打雷了。”另外有人说：“有天使对他说话。” 30 耶稣说：“这声音不是为了我，而是为了你们发出的。 31 现在是这世界受审判的时候了，现在这世界的王要被赶出去。 32 我若从地上被举起来，就要吸引万人归向我。” 33 他说这话，是指着自己将要怎样死说的。 34 于是群众对他说：“我们从律法上知道基督是永远常存的，你怎么说‘人子必须被举起来’呢？这人子是谁呢？” 35 耶稣说：“光在你们中间的时间不多了。你们应当趁着有光的时候行走，免得黑暗追上你们。在黑暗中行走的人，不知道往哪里去。 36 你们应当趁着有光的时候信从这光，使你们成为光明的儿女。”
主的道要审判不信的人
耶稣说完了这些话，就离开他们隐藏起来。 37 耶稣在他们面前行了许多神迹，但是他们仍然不信他。 38 这是要应验以赛亚先知所说的话：
“主啊，我们所传的，有谁信呢？
主的膀臂向谁显露呢？”
39 他们不能相信，因为以赛亚又说：
40 “ 神使他们瞎了眼，硬了心，
免得他们眼睛看见，
心里明白而回转过来；
我就医好他们。”
41 以赛亚说这些话，是因为看见了他的荣耀，就指着他说的。 42 虽然这样，官长当中也有许多人信了耶稣。但是因为法利赛人的缘故，他们不敢公开承认，免得被赶出会堂； 43 因为他们爱来自人的荣耀，过于爱来自 神的荣耀。
44 耶稣大声说：“信我的，不单是信我，也是信那差我来的。 45 看见我的，就是看见那差我来的。 46 我是光，我到世上来，叫所有信我的不住在黑暗里。 47 人若听见我的话却不遵守的，我不审判他，因为我来不是要审判世人，而是要拯救世人。 48 弃绝我又不接受我的话的人，自有审判他的。我所讲的道在末日要定他的罪； 49 因为我没有凭着自己说话，而是差我来的父给了我命令，要我说甚么，讲甚么。 50 我知道他的命令就是永生。所以，我所讲的，正是父吩咐我要我讲的。”
Johannes 12
Swedish New Living Bible (Nya Levande Bibeln)
En kvinna smörjer Jesus med dyrbar olja
12 Sex dagar innan påskfirandet började kom Jesus åter till Betania där Lasaros bodde, mannen som han hade uppväckt från döden.
2 Då ordnade man med en fest för honom. Marta serverade, och Lasaros satt tillsammans med Jesus vid bordet.
3 Då tog Maria en flaska dyrbar olja, som var gjord av nardus, och smorde Jesu fötter med den och torkade dem med sitt hår. Och huset fylldes av en underbar doft.
4 Men Judas Iskariot, den av lärjungarna som senare förrådde honom sa:
5 Den där oljan var värd en förmögenhet. Man borde ha sålt den och gett pengarna till de fattiga.
6 Det var egentligen inte de fattiga han brydde sig om, men han hade hand om lärjungarnas kassa och brukade ofta ta pengar ur den för egen räkning.
7 Jesus svarade: Kritisera henne inte. Hon gjorde det som en förberedelse för min begravning.
8 Ni kan alltid hjälpa de fattiga, men jag ska inte vara kvar hos er länge till.
9 När folket i Jerusalem fick höra att han var där kom de för att se honom och Lasaros, mannen som hade återvänt till livet.
10 Då bestämde sig översteprästerna för att också döda Lasaros,
11 för fler och fler judar började tro på Jesus som sin Messias på grund av det som hade hänt med Lasaros.
Jesus rider in i Jerusalem på en åsna
12 Dagen efter spreds nyheten över hela stan att Jesus var på väg till Jerusalem. Och en stor skara påskfirare
13 tog palmblad och gick ut på vägen för att möta honom och ropade: Gud välsigne Israels kung! Var hälsad, du som kommer i Guds namn!
14 Jesus red på en ung åsna och uppfyllde därmed profetorden som säger:
15 Var inte rädd för din kung, du Israels folk, för han ska komma till dig i ödmjukhet, ridande på ett åsneföl.
16 Hans lärjungar fattade inte då att detta var en uppfyllelse av profetian. Men när Jesus återvänt till sin härlighet i himlen gick det upp för dem att många av Skriftens profetior hade gått i uppfyllelse.
17 Och alla de människor som sett hur Jesus uppväckte Lasaros berättade vitt och brett om det.
18 Den främsta orsaken till att så många gick ut för att möta honom var just att de hade hört om detta fantastiska under.
19 Då sa fariseerna till varandra: Ingenting hjälper! Hela världen följer ju efter honom!
Jesus förklarar varför han måste dö
20 Några greker, som kommit till Jerusalem för att vara med om påskfirandet,
21 besökte Filippos, han som var från Betsaida och sa: Herre, vi skulle vilja träffa Jesus.
22 Filippos talade om det för Andreas, och de gick tillsammans till Jesus för att berätta det för honom.
23-24 Jesus svarade att tiden var inne att han skulle återvända till sin härlighet i himlen, och han tillade: Jag måste dö precis som vetekornet faller i jorden och dör. Om jag inte dör kommer jag att förbli ensam som ett enda sädeskorn. Men min död kommer att skapa många nya vetekorn, en rik skörd av nya liv.
25 Den som älskar sitt liv mer än något annat ska förlora det, men den som utan förbehåll ger det till Gud ska vinna det och få evigt liv.
26 Men om dessa greker vill bli lärjungar till mig, så säg till dem att de ska komma och följa mig, för mina tjänare måste vara där jag är. Och om de följer mig ska Fadern ära dem.
27 Nu känner jag stor ångest. Men jag kan ju inte be: 'Far, rädda mig från det som ligger framför mig'? Nej, det är ju därför jag har kommit.
28 Far, låt ditt namn bli upphöjt och ärat!Då hördes en röst från himlen som sa: Jag har redan låtit det ske, och genom din död ska jag låta det ske igen.
29 När folket hörde rösten trodde några av dem att det var åskan, medan andra menade att en ängel hade talat till honom.
30 Sedan sa Jesus till dem: Rösten hördes för er skull, inte för min.
31 Tiden för världens dom är nu inne. Det är dags för Satan, världens furste, att bli utkastad.
32 Och när jag har lyfts upp på korset ska jag dra alla till mig.
33 Han sa detta för att göra klart för dem hur han skulle dö.
34 Dö, undrade folket. Vi trodde att Messias skulle leva i evighet och aldrig dö. Varför säger du att han ska dö? Vilken Messias talar du egentligen om?
35 Jesus svarade: Mitt ljus ska lysa för er ännu en liten tid. Vandra i det medan ni kan, och gå dit ni vill gå innan mörkret kommer för då är det för sent att hitta vägen.
36 Använd er av ljuset medan det finns. Då kommer ni att bli ljusbärare. Sedan Jesus hade sagt detta gick han bort och gömde sig för dem.
Det är många som inte tror på Jesus som Messias
37 Men trots alla under han hade gjort trodde de flesta inte att han var Messias.
38 Det var precis vad profeten Jesaja hade förutsagt: Herre, vem ska tro oss? Vem ska acceptera Guds mäktiga under som bevis?
39 De kunde helt enkelt inte tro för Jesaja har också sagt:
40 Gud har förblindat deras ögon och förhärdat deras hjärtan, så att de varken kan se eller förstå eller vända sig till mig så att jag kan bota dem.
41 Jesaja kunde säga detta om Jesus för han hade nämligen i förväg fått se Messias härlighet.
42 Många av de judiska ledarna trodde ändå att han var Messias, men vågade inte bekänna det för någon, eftersom de var rädda att fariseerna skulle utesluta dem ur synagogan.
43 För dem betydde det mer att vara accepterad av människor än av Gud.
Jesus sammanfattar sitt budskap
44 Jesus ropade till folket: Om ni tror på mig så tror ni också på Gud.
45 För när ni ser mig så ser ni den som har sänt mig.
46 Jag har kommit som ett ljus för att lysa i denna mörka värld, så att alla som tror på mig inte längre ska behöva vandra i mörkret.
47 Om någon hör mig och inte lyder mig så dömer inte jag honom, för jag har kommit för att frälsa världen, inte för att döma den.
48 Men alla de som säger nej till mig och inte lyssnar till mig kommer att dömas på domens dag av de ord som jag har talat.
49 För detta är inte mina egna tankar, utan jag har sagt er vad Fadern vill att jag ska säga er.
50 Jag vet att hans ord leder till evigt liv, och vad han ber mig säga, det säger jag.
約翰福音 12
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
香膏抹腳
12 逾越節前六天，耶穌來到伯大尼，就是祂叫拉撒路從死裡復活的村子。 2 村裡有人為耶穌預備了晚飯，拉撒路也與耶穌同席，瑪大在旁邊伺候。 3 瑪麗亞拿出一瓶[a]珍貴的純哪噠香膏來抹耶穌的腳，又用自己的頭髮去擦，屋裡頓時充滿了香氣。
4 有一個門徒，就是將要出賣耶穌的加略人猶大說： 5 「為什麼不把香膏賣三百個銀幣[b]去賙濟窮人呢？」 6 他這樣說不是因為他真的關心窮人，其實他是個賊，常常藉管錢的機會中飽私囊。
7 耶穌說：「由她吧！她這是為我安葬作預備。 8 因為你們身邊總會有窮人，可是你們身邊不會總有我。」
9 有許多猶太人知道耶穌在那裡，就來看祂，不單是為了看耶穌，也想看看從死裡復活的拉撒路。 10 於是，祭司長計劃連拉撒路也殺掉， 11 因為有許多猶太人因為拉撒路的緣故離開他們，去信了耶穌。
光榮進聖城
12 第二天，很多上來過節的人聽見耶穌快到耶路撒冷了， 13 就拿著棕樹枝出去迎接祂，並且高聲歡呼：
「和散那[c]！
奉主名來的以色列王當受稱頌！」
14 那時，耶穌找到一頭驢駒，就騎上牠，正如聖經記載：
15 「錫安的居民啊，不要害怕！
你的君王騎著驢駒來了。」
16 起初門徒不明白這些事，後來耶穌得了榮耀，他們才想起聖經上這些有關耶穌的記載果然在祂身上應驗了。 17 那些親眼看見耶穌叫拉撒路復活、走出墳墓的人不斷傳揚這件事。 18 許多聽過耶穌行這神蹟的人都去迎接祂。 19 法利賽人彼此議論說：「我們真是枉費心思！你看，整個世界都跟著祂跑了。」
耶穌預言自己的死
20 有幾個希臘人也上耶路撒冷過節。 21 他們找到了加利利的伯賽大人腓力，請求說：「先生，我們想見見耶穌。」 22 腓力把這件事告訴安得烈，二人去轉告耶穌。
23 耶穌說：「人子得榮耀的時候到了。 24 我實實在在地告訴你們，一粒麥子如果不落在地裡死了，仍是一粒，如果死了，就會結出許多麥粒來。 25 愛惜自己生命的，必會失掉生命；憎惡自己今世生命的，才能保住生命，直到永生。 26 誰要事奉我，就要跟從我。我在哪裡，事奉我的人也要在哪裡。我父必尊重事奉我的人。
27 「我現在心裡憂傷，說什麼才好呢？求父救我離開這個時刻嗎？然而，我原是為這個時刻來的。 28 父啊！願你使自己的名得榮耀！」
當時天上有聲音說：「我已使自己的名得了榮耀，並且還要得榮耀。」
29 站在那裡的人群中有人聽見就說：「打雷了！」也有人說：「是天使在跟祂說話。」
30 耶穌說：「這聲音不是為我發出的，是為你們發出的。 31 現在是這世界受審判的時候，世界的王[d]要被趕出去了。 32 至於我，當我從地上被舉起來時，必吸引萬人歸向我。」 33 耶穌這句話指的是祂會怎樣死。
34 眾人問：「我們從律法書上知道，基督是永遠長存的，你怎麼說『人子要被舉起來』呢？這人子是誰呢？」
35 耶穌對他們說：「光在你們中間照耀的時候不多了，你們要趁著有光的時候走路，免得黑暗來臨後，走在黑暗裡的人不知道要往哪裡去。 36 所以你們當趁著有光的時候信從光，好成為光明的兒女。」
耶穌說完後，便離開他們，隱藏起來。
猶太人不信祂
37 耶穌雖然在他們面前行了許多神蹟，他們還是不信祂。 38 這是要應驗以賽亞先知的話：
「主啊，誰相信我們所傳的呢？主的能力[e]向誰顯現呢？」
39 接著，以賽亞又說出他們不能信的緣故：
40 「主使他們眼瞎、心硬，
免得他們眼睛看見，
心裡明白，回心轉意，
就得到我的醫治。」
41 以賽亞看見了祂的榮耀，所以才這樣說。 42 雖然這樣，仍有很多猶太的官員信了耶穌，只是在法利賽人面前不敢公開承認，因為害怕會被趕出會堂。 43 因為他們愛從世人而來的榮耀，勝過愛從上帝而來的榮耀。
耶穌的道要審判人
44 耶穌高聲說：「信我的，其實不只是信我，而是信差我來的那位。 45 人看見了我，就是看見了差我來的那位。 46 我來是要作世界的光，好叫信我的人脫離黑暗。 47 聽了我的話卻不遵守的人，我不審判他，因為我來不是要審判世人，而是要拯救世人。 48 棄絕我、不接受我話的人將受到審判，我講過的道在末日要審判他， 49 因為我不是憑自己講的，我說什麼、講什麼都是差我來的父吩咐的。 50 我知道祂的命令能帶來永生。所以祂怎麼告訴我，我就怎麼說。」
John 12
King James Version
12 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 12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 12
The Anointing at Bethany.(A) 1 [a]Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.(B) 2 They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.(C) 3 Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus[b] and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.(D) 4 Then Judas the Iscariot, one [of] his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, 5 “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages[c] and given to the poor?” 6 He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions.(E) 7 So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial.[d] 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”(F)
9 [The] large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.(G) 10 And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, 11 because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.(H)
The Entry into Jerusalem.[e] 12 (I)On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches[f] and went out to meet him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
[even] the king of Israel.”(J)
14 Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:
16 His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this[h] for him.(L) 17 [i]So the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from death continued to testify. 18 This was [also] why the crowd went to meet him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the whole world[j] has gone after him.”(M)
The Coming of Jesus’ Hour.[k] 20 Now there were some Greeks[l] among those who had come up to worship at the feast.(N) 21 [m]They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”(O) 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.(P) 23 [n]Jesus answered them,(Q) “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 [o]Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat;(R) but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life[p] loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.(S) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.(T)
27 “I am troubled[q] now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.(U) 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”(V) 29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”(W) 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.(X) 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world[r] will be driven out.(Y) 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”(Z) 33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever.[s] Then how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”(AA) 35 Jesus said to them, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going.(AB) 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.”(AC)
Unbelief and Belief Among the Jews. After he had said this, Jesus left and hid from them. 37 [t](AD)Although he had performed so many signs in their presence they did not believe in him, 38 [u]in order that the word which Isaiah the prophet spoke might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed our preaching,
to whom has the might of the Lord been revealed?”(AE)
39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said:
40 “He blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
so that they might not see with their eyes
and understand with their heart and be converted,
and I would heal them.”(AF)
41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory[v] and spoke about him.(AG) 42 Nevertheless, many, even among the authorities, believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it openly in order not to be expelled from the synagogue.(AH) 43 For they preferred human praise to the glory of God.(AI)
Recapitulation. 44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me,(AJ) 45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.(AK) 46 I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.(AL) 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.(AM) 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day,(AN) 49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.(AO) 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Footnotes
- 12:1–8 This is probably the same scene of anointing found in Mk 14:3–9 (see note there) and Mt 26:6–13. The anointing by a penitent woman in Lk 7:36–38 is different. Details from these various episodes have become interchanged.
- 12:3 The feet of Jesus: so Mk 14:3; but in Mt 26:6, Mary anoints Jesus’ head as a sign of regal, messianic anointing.
- 12:5 Days’ wages: literally, “denarii.” A denarius is a day’s wage in Mt 20:2; see note on Jn 6:7.
- 12:7 Jesus’ response reflects the rabbinical discussion of what was the greatest act of mercy, almsgiving or burying the dead. Those who favored proper burial of the dead thought it an essential condition for sharing in the resurrection.
- 12:12–19 In John, the entry into Jerusalem follows the anointing whereas in the synoptics it precedes. In John, the crowd, not the disciples, are responsible for the triumphal procession.
- 12:13 Palm branches: used to welcome great conquerors; cf. 1 Mc 13:51; 2 Mc 10:7. They may be related to the lûlāb, the twig bundles used at the feast of Tabernacles. Hosanna: see Ps 118:25–26. The Hebrew word means: “(O Lord), grant salvation.” He who comes in the name of the Lord: referred in Ps 118:26 to a pilgrim entering the temple gates, but here a title for Jesus (see notes on Mt 11:3 and Jn 6:14; 11:27). The king of Israel: perhaps from Zep 3:14–15, in connection with the next quotation from Zec 9:9.
- 12:15 Daughter Zion: Jerusalem. Ass’s colt: symbol of peace, as opposed to the war horse.
- 12:16 They had done this: the antecedent of they is ambiguous.
- 12:17–18 There seem to be two different crowds in these verses. There are some good witnesses to the text that have another reading for Jn 12:17: “Then the crowd that was with him began to testify that he had called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead.”
- 12:19 The whole world: the sense is that everyone is following Jesus, but John has an ironic play on world; he alludes to the universality of salvation (Jn 3:17; 4:42).
- 12:20–36 This announcement of glorification by death is an illustration of “the whole world” (Jn 12:19) going after him.
- 12:20 Greeks: not used here in a nationalistic sense. These are probably Gentile proselytes to Judaism; cf. Jn 7:35.
- 12:21–22 Philip…Andrew: the approach is made through disciples who have distinctly Greek names, suggesting that access to Jesus was mediated to the Greek world through his disciples. Philip and Andrew were from Bethsaida (Jn 1:44); Galileans were mostly bilingual. See: here seems to mean “have an interview with.”
- 12:23 Jesus’ response suggests that only after the crucifixion could the gospel encompass both Jew and Gentile.
- 12:24 This verse implies that through his death Jesus will be accessible to all. It remains just a grain of wheat: this saying is found in the synoptic triple and double traditions (Mk 8:35; Mt 16:25; Lk 9:24; Mt 10:39; Lk 17:33). John adds the phrases (Jn 12:25) in this world and for eternal life.
- 12:25 His life: the Greek word psychē refers to a person’s natural life. It does not mean “soul,” for Hebrew anthropology did not postulate body/soul dualism in the way that is familiar to us.
- 12:27 I am troubled: perhaps an allusion to the Gethsemane agony scene of the synoptics.
- 12:31 Ruler of this world: Satan.
- 12:34 There is no passage in the Old Testament that states precisely that the Messiah remains forever. Perhaps the closest is Ps 89:37.
- 12:37–50 These verses, on unbelief of the Jews, provide an epilogue to the Book of Signs.
- 12:38–41 John gives a historical explanation of the disbelief of the Jewish people, not a psychological one. The Old Testament had to be fulfilled; the disbelief that met Isaiah’s message was a foreshadowing of the disbelief that Jesus encountered. In Jn 12:42 and also in Jn 3:20 we see that there is no negation of freedom.
- 12:41 His glory: Isaiah saw the glory of Yahweh enthroned in the heavenly temple, but in John the antecedent of his is Jesus.
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