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Giovanni 12
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
Giovanni 12
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
L'unzione di Betania
12 Sei giorni prima della Pasqua, Gesù andò a Betània, dove si trovava Lazzaro, che egli aveva risuscitato dai morti. 2 Equi gli fecero una cena: Marta serviva e Lazzaro era uno dei commensali. 3 Maria allora, presa una libbra di olio profumato di vero nardo, assai prezioso, cosparse i piedi di Gesù e li asciugò con i suoi capelli, e tutta la casa si riempì del profumo dell'unguento. 4 Allora Giuda Iscariota, uno dei suoi discepoli, che doveva poi tradirlo, disse: 5 «Perché quest'olio profumato non si è venduto per trecento denari per poi darli ai poveri?». 6 Questo egli disse non perché gl'importasse dei poveri, ma perché era ladro e, siccome teneva la cassa, prendeva quello che vi mettevano dentro. 7 Gesù allora disse: «Lasciala fare, perché lo conservi per il giorno della mia sepoltura. 8 I poveri infatti li avete sempre con voi, ma non sempre avete me».
9 Intanto la gran folla di Giudei venne a sapere che Gesù si trovava là, e accorse non solo per Gesù, ma anche per vedere Lazzaro che egli aveva risuscitato dai morti. 10 I sommi sacerdoti allora deliberarono di uccidere anche Lazzaro, 11 perché molti Giudei se ne andavano a causa di lui e credevano in Gesù.
Ingresso messianico di Gesù a Gerusalemme
12 Il giorno seguente, la gran folla che era venuta per la festa, udito che Gesù veniva a Gerusalemme, 13 prese dei rami di palme e uscì incontro a lui gridando:
Osanna!
Benedetto colui che viene nel nome del Signore,
il re d'Israele!
14 Gesù, trovato un asinello, vi montò sopra, come sta scritto:
15 Non temere, figlia di Sion!
Ecco, il tuo re viene,
seduto sopra un puledro d'asina.
16 Sul momento i suoi discepoli non compresero queste cose; ma quando Gesù fu glorificato, si ricordarono che questo era stato scritto di lui e questo gli avevano fatto. 17 Intanto la gente che era stata con lui quando chiamò Lazzaro fuori dal sepolcro e lo risuscitò dai morti, gli rendeva testimonianza. 18 Anche per questo la folla gli andò incontro, perché aveva udito che aveva compiuto quel segno. 19 I farisei allora dissero tra di loro: «Vedete che non concludete nulla? Ecco che il mondo gli è andato dietro!».
Gesù annunzia la sua glorificazione attraverso la morte
20 Tra quelli che erano saliti per il culto durante la festa, c'erano anche alcuni Greci. 21 Questi si avvicinarono a Filippo, che era di Betsàida di Galilea, e gli chiesero: «Signore, vogliamo vedere Gesù». 22 Filippo andò a dirlo ad Andrea, e poi Andrea e Filippo andarono a dirlo a Gesù. 23 Gesù rispose: «E' giunta l'ora che sia glorificato il Figlio dell'uomo. 24 In verità, in verità vi dico: se il chicco di grano caduto in terra non muore, rimane solo; se invece muore, produce molto frutto. 25 Chi ama la sua vita la perde e chi odia la sua vita in questo mondo la conserverà per la vita eterna. 26 Se uno mi vuol servire mi segua, e dove sono io, là sarà anche il mio servo. Se uno mi serve, il Padre lo onorerà. 27 Ora l'anima mia è turbata; e che devo dire? Padre, salvami da quest'ora? Ma per questo sono giunto a quest'ora! 28 Padre, glorifica il tuo nome». Venne allora una voce dal cielo: «L'ho glorificato e di nuovo lo glorificherò!».
29 La folla che era presente e aveva udito diceva che era stato un tuono. Altri dicevano: «Un angelo gli ha parlato». 30 Rispose Gesù: «Questa voce non è venuta per me, ma per voi. 31 Ora è il giudizio di questo mondo; ora il principe di questo mondo sarà gettato fuori. 32 Io, quando sarò elevato da terra, attirerò tutti a me». 33 Questo diceva per indicare di qual morte doveva morire. 34 Allora la folla gli rispose: «Noi abbiamo appreso dalla Legge che il Cristo rimane in eterno; come dunque tu dici che il Figlio dell'uomo deve essere elevato? Chi è questo Figlio dell'uomo?». 35 Gesù allora disse loro: «Ancora per poco tempo la luce è con voi. Camminate mentre avete la luce, perché non vi sorprendano le tenebre; chi cammina nelle tenebre non sa dove va. 36 Mentre avete la luce credete nella luce, per diventare figli della luce».
Gesù disse queste cose, poi se ne andò e si nascose da loro.
Conclusione: l'incredulità dei giudei
37 Sebbene avesse compiuto tanti segni davanti a loro, non credevano in lui; 38 perché si adempisse la parola detta dal profeta Isaia:
Signore, chi ha creduto alla nostra parola?
E il braccio del Signore a chi è stato rivelato?
39 E non potevano credere, per il fatto che Isaia aveva detto ancora:
40 Ha reso ciechi i loro occhi
e ha indurito il loro cuore,
perché non vedano con gli occhi
e non comprendano con il cuore, e si convertano
e io li guarisca!
41 Questo disse Isaia quando vide la sua gloria e parlò di lui. 42 Tuttavia, anche tra i capi, molti credettero in lui, ma non lo riconoscevano apertamente a causa dei farisei, per non essere espulsi dalla sinagoga; 43 amavano infatti la gloria degli uomini più della gloria di Dio.
44 Gesù allora gridò a gran voce: «Chi crede in me, non crede in me, ma in colui che mi ha mandato; 45 chi vede me, vede colui che mi ha mandato. 46 Io come luce sono venuto nel mondo, perché chiunque crede in me non rimanga nelle tenebre. 47 Se qualcuno ascolta le mie parole e non le osserva, io non lo condanno; perché non sono venuto per condannare il mondo, ma per salvare il mondo. 48 Chi mi respinge e non accoglie le mie parole, ha chi lo condanna: la parola che ho annunziato lo condannerà nell'ultimo giorno. 49 Perché io non ho parlato da me, ma il Padre che mi ha mandato, egli stesso mi ha ordinato che cosa devo dire e annunziare. 50 E io so che il suo comandamento è vita eterna. Le cose dunque che io dico, le dico come il Padre le ha dette a me».
John 12
English Standard Version
John 12
English Standard Version
Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany
12 Six days before (A)the Passover, (B)Jesus therefore came to Bethany, (C)where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. (D)Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 (E)Mary therefore took a pound[a] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and (F)given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and (G)having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it[c] for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
The Plot to Kill Lazarus
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus[d] was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, (H)whom he had raised from the dead. 10 (I)So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because (J)on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
The Triumphal Entry
12 The next day (K)the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of (L)palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, (M)“Hosanna! Blessed is (N)he who comes in the name of the Lord, even (O)the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15 (P)“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!”
16 (Q)His disciples did not understand these things at first, but (R)when Jesus was glorified, then (S)they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 (T)The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him (U)was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, (V)“You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, (W)the world has gone after him.”
Some Greeks Seek Jesus
20 Now (X)among those who went up to worship at the feast were some (Y)Greeks. 21 So these came to (Z)Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told (AA)Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, (AB)“The hour has come (AC)for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, (AD)unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 (AE)Whoever loves his life loses it, and (AF)whoever (AG)hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must (AH)follow me; and (AI)where I am, there will my servant be also. (AJ)If anyone serves me, (AK)the Father will honor him.
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27 (AL)“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, (AM)save me from (AN)this hour’? But (AO)for this purpose I have come to (AP)this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then (AQ)a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, (AR)“An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, (AS)“This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 (AT)Now is the judgment of this world; now will (AU)the ruler of this world (AV)be cast out. 32 And I, (AW)when I am lifted up from the earth, (AX)will draw (AY)all people to myself.” 33 He said this (AZ)to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that (BA)the Christ remains forever. How can you say that (BB)the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, (BC)“The light is among you (BD)for a little while longer. (BE)Walk while you have the light, lest darkness (BF)overtake you. (BG)The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become (BH)sons of light.”
The Unbelief of the People
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 (BI)so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
(BJ)“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they (BK)could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 (BL)“He has blinded their eyes
and (BM)hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because (BN)he saw his glory and (BO)spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, (BP)many even of the authorities believed in him, but (BQ)for fear of the Pharisees they did not (BR)confess it, so that they would not be (BS)put out of the synagogue; 43 (BT)for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Jesus Came to Save the World
44 And Jesus cried out and said, (BU)“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but (BV)in him who sent me. 45 And (BW)whoever (BX)sees me sees him who sent me. 46 (BY)I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone (BZ)hears my words and does not keep them, (CA)I do not judge him; for (CB)I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 (CC)The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; (CD)the word that I have spoken will judge him (CE)on the last day. 49 For (CF)I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father (CG)who sent me has himself given me (CH)a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
John 12
New International Version
John 12
New International Version
Jesus Anointed at Bethany(A)
12 Six days before the Passover,(B) Jesus came to Bethany,(C) where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,(D) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume;(E) she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.(F) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,(G) objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag,(H) he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.(I) 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c](J) but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.(K) 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him(L) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.(M)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(N)
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches(O) and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna![d]”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”(Q)
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this.(S) Only after Jesus was glorified(T) did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him(U) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign,(V) went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”(W)
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks(X) among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida(Y) in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour(Z) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.(AA) 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,(AB) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it(AC) for eternal life.(AD) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.(AE) My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled,(AF) and what shall I say? ‘Father,(AG) save me from this hour’?(AH) No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven,(AI) “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit,(AJ) not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world;(AK) now the prince of this world(AL) will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth,(AM) will draw all people to myself.”(AN) 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.(AO)
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law(AP) that the Messiah will remain forever,(AQ) so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man(AR) must be lifted up’?(AS) Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light(AT) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,(AU) before darkness overtakes you.(AV) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”(AW) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.(AX)
Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews
37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs(AY) in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”[i](BA)
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory(BB) and spoke about him.(BC)
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.(BD) But because of the Pharisees(BE) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;(BF) 43 for they loved human praise(BG) more than praise from God.(BH)
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.(BI) 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.(BJ) 46 I have come into the world as a light,(BK) so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.(BL) 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them(BM) at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me(BN) to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life.(BO) So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”(BP)
Footnotes
- John 12:3 Or about 0.5 liter
- John 12:5 Greek three hundred denarii
- John 12:8 See Deut. 15:11.
- John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
- John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
- John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
- John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
- John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
- John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.