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. So they gave a dinner for him there. (D)Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. (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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and (F)given to the poor?” 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. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it[c] for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

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.”

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

13 Now (CI)before (CJ)the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that (CK)his hour had come (CL)to depart out of this world to the Father, (CM)having loved (CN)his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when (CO)the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing (CP)that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that (CQ)he had come from God and (CR)was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, (CS)tied it around his waist. Then he (CT)poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (CU)Jesus answered him, “What I am doing (CV)you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” (CW)Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, (CX)“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, (CY)except for his feet,[e] but is completely clean. And (CZ)you[f] are clean, (DA)but not every one of you.” 11 (DB)For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and (DC)put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, (DD)“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 (DE)You call me (DF)Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, (DG)you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, (DH)that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, (DI)a servant[g] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, (DJ)blessed are you if you do them. 18 (DK)I am not speaking of all of you; I know (DL)whom I have chosen. But (DM)the Scripture will be fulfilled,[h] (DN)‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 (DO)I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, (DP)whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

One of You Will Betray Me

21 After saying these things, (DQ)Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, (DR)“Truly, truly, I say to you, (DS)one of you will betray me.” 22 (DT)The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 (DU)One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table (DV)at Jesus' side,[i] 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus[j] of whom he was speaking. 25 (DW)So that disciple, (DX)leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, (DY)“It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread (DZ)when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, (EA)he gave it to Judas, (EB)the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, (EC)Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, (ED)“What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, (EE)because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need (EF)for the feast,” or that he should (EG)give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. (EH)And it was night.

A New Commandment

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, (EI)“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and (EJ)God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, (EK)God will also glorify him in himself, and (EL)glorify him at once. 33 Little children, (EM)yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just (EN)as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 (EO)A new commandment (EP)I give to you, (EQ)that you love one another: (ER)just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 (ES)By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” (ET)Jesus answered him, “Where I am going (EU)you cannot follow me now, (EV)but you will follow afterward.” 37 (EW)Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, (EX)the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 Greek litra; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams
  2. John 12:5 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
  3. John 12:7 Or Leave her alone; she intended to keep it
  4. John 12:9 Greek he
  5. John 13:10 Some manuscripts omit except for his feet
  6. John 13:10 The Greek words for you in this verse are plural
  7. John 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
  8. John 13:18 Greek But in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled
  9. John 13:23 Greek in the bosom of Jesus
  10. John 13:24 Greek lacks Jesus

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. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,(D) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,(G) objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b] 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.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.(I) You will always have the poor among you,[c](J) but you will not always have me.”

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 he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e](P)

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”(Q)

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”[f](R)

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:

“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[h](AZ)

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)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 It was just before the Passover Festival.(BQ) Jesus knew that the hour had come(BR) for him to leave this world and go to the Father.(BS) Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.(BT) Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,(BU) and that he had come from God(BV) and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.(BW) After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,(BX) drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”(BY)

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean,(BZ) though not every one of you.”(CA) 11 For he knew who was going to betray him,(CB) and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’(CC) and ‘Lord,’(CD) and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.(CE) 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(CF) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,(CG) nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.(CH)

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

18 “I am not referring to all of you;(CI) I know those I have chosen.(CJ) But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture:(CK) ‘He who shared my bread(CL) has turned[j](CM) against me.’[k](CN)

19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe(CO) that I am who I am.(CP) 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”(CQ)

21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit(CR) and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”(CS)

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved,(CT) was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”(CU)

26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas,(CV) the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.(CW)

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money,(CX) some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival,(CY) or to give something to the poor.(CZ) 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.(DA)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(DB)

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man(DC) is glorified(DD) and God is glorified in him.(DE) 32 If God is glorified in him,[l] God will glorify the Son in himself,(DF) and will glorify him at once.

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.(DG)

34 “A new command(DH) I give you: Love one another.(DI) As I have loved you, so you must love one another.(DJ) 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”(DK)

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”(DL)

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now,(DM) but you will follow later.”(DN)

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!(DO)

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 Or about 0.5 liter
  2. John 12:5 Greek three hundred denarii
  3. John 12:8 See Deut. 15:11.
  4. John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
  5. John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
  6. John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
  7. John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  8. John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
  9. John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10
  10. John 13:18 Greek has lifted up his heel
  11. John 13:18 Psalm 41:9
  12. John 13:32 Many early manuscripts do not have If God is glorified in him.