Mary Anoints Jesus

12 (A)Therefore, six days before (B)the Passover, Jesus came to (C)Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a dinner there, and (D)Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. (E)Mary then took a [a]pound of very expensive (F)perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But (G)Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who intended to [b]betray Him, *said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred [c]denarii and the proceeds given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he (H)kept the money box, he used to [d]steal from (I)what was put into it. Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it [e]for (J)the day of My burial. (K)For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

The (L)large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not on account of Jesus only, but so that they might also see Lazarus, (M)whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because (N)on account of him (O)many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

12 On the next day, when (P)the large crowd that had come to (Q)the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began shouting, “(R)Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, indeed, the (S)King of Israel!” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15 (T)Do not fear, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkeys colt.” 16 (U)These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus (V)was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things for Him. 17 So (W)the [f]people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18 (X)For this reason also the [g]people went to meet Him, (Y)because they heard that He had performed this [h]sign. 19 So the Pharisees said [i]to one another, “You see that you are not accomplishing anything; look, the world has gone after Him!”

Greeks Seek Jesus

20 Now there were some (Z)Greeks among those who were going up to worship at (AA)the feast; 21 these people then came to (AB)Philip, who was from (AC)Bethsaida of Galilee, and were making a request of him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip *came and *told (AD)Andrew; then Andrew and Philip *came and *told Jesus. 23 But Jesus *answered them by saying, (AE)The hour has come for the Son of Man to (AF)be glorified. 24 Truly, truly I say to you, (AG)unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 (AH)The one who loves his [j]life loses it, and the one who (AI)hates his [k]life in this world will keep it [l]to eternal life. 26 If anyone [m]serves Me, he must follow Me; and (AJ)where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone [n]serves Me, the Father will (AK)honor him.

Jesus Foretells His Death

27 (AL)Now My soul has become troubled; and what am I to say? ‘(AM)Father, save Me from (AN)this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 (AO)Father, glorify Your name.” Then a (AP)voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 So the crowd who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “(AQ)An angel has spoken to Him!” 30 Jesus responded and said, (AR)This voice has not come for My sake, but for yours. 31 (AS)Now judgment is upon this world; now (AT)the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I (AU)am lifted up from the earth, will (AV)draw all people to Myself.” 33 Now He was saying this (AW)to indicate what kind of death He was going to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard from (AX)the Law that (AY)the [o]Christ is to remain forever; and how is it that You say, ‘The (AZ)Son of Man must be (BA)lifted up’? Who is this (BB)Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, (BC)For a little while longer (BD)the Light is among you. (BE)Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also, the one who (BF)walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, (BG)believe in the Light, so that you may become (BH)sons of Light.”

These things Jesus proclaimed, and He went away and (BI)hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many [p]signs in their sight, they still were not believing in Him. 38 This happened so that the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke would be fulfilled: “(BJ)Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 (BK)He has blinded their eyes and He (BL)hardened their heart, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and [q]be converted, and so I will not heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said because (BM)he saw His glory, and (BN)he spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless (BO)many, even of (BP)the rulers, believed in Him, but (BQ)because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be (BR)excommunicated from the synagogue; 43 (BS)for they loved the [r]approval of people rather than the [s]approval of God.

44 Now Jesus cried out and said, (BT)The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him who sent Me. 45 And (BU)the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 (BV)I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My [t]teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for (BW)I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 (BX)The one who rejects Me and does not [u]accept My [v]teachings has one who judges him: (BY)the word which I spoke. That will judge him on (BZ)the last day. 49 (CA)For I did not speak [w]on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me (CB)has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that (CC)His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak (CD)just as the Father has told Me.”

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 I.e., a Roman pound, about 12 oz. or 340 gm
  2. John 12:4 Or hand Him over
  3. John 12:5 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
  4. John 12:6 Lit pilfer
  5. John 12:7 Or in view of
  6. John 12:17 Lit crowd
  7. John 12:18 Lit crowd
  8. John 12:18 I.e., confirming miracle
  9. John 12:19 I.e., as one group to another
  10. John 12:25 Lit soul
  11. John 12:25 Lit soul
  12. John 12:25 Or for
  13. John 12:26 Or is serving
  14. John 12:26 Or is serving
  15. John 12:34 I.e., Messiah
  16. John 12:37 I.e., confirming miracles
  17. John 12:40 Lit be turned; i.e., turn about
  18. John 12:43 Or honor
  19. John 12:43 Or honor
  20. John 12:47 Lit words
  21. John 12:48 Or receive
  22. John 12:48 Lit words
  23. John 12:49 Lit from Myself

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)

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

The Anointing at Bethany(A)

12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, (B)where Lazarus was [a]who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. (C)There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then (D)Mary took a pound of very costly oil of (E)spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

But one of His disciples, (F)Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for [b]three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and (G)had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

But Jesus said, “Let her alone; [c]she has kept this for the day of My burial. For (H)the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, (I)whom He had raised from the dead. 10 (J)But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 (K)because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry(L)

12 (M)The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna!
(N)‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”

14 (O)Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:

15 “Fear(P) 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; (R)but when Jesus was glorified, (S)then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. 18 (T)For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, (U)“You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

The Fruitful Grain of Wheat

20 Now there (V)were certain Greeks among those (W)who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, (X)who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23 But Jesus answered them, saying, (Y)“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, (Z)unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [d]grain. 25 (AA)He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him (AB)follow Me; and (AC)where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross

27 (AD)“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? (AE)But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”

(AF)Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

30 Jesus answered and said, (AG)“This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now (AH)the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, (AI)if I am [e]lifted up from the earth, will draw (AJ)all peoples to Myself.” 33 (AK)This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

34 The people answered Him, (AL)“We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer (AM)the light is with you. (AN)Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; (AO)he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become (AP)sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and (AQ)was hidden from them.

Who Has Believed Our Report?

37 But although He had done so many (AR)signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

(AS)“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

40 “He(AT) has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
(AU)Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”

41 (AV)These things Isaiah said [f]when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

Walk in the Light

42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but (AW)because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 (AX)for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44 Then Jesus cried out and said, (AY)“He who believes in Me, (AZ)believes not in Me (BA)but in Him who sent Me. 45 And (BB)he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 (BC)I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not [g]believe, (BD)I do not judge him; for (BE)I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 (BF)He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—(BG)the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For (BH)I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, (BI)what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I (BJ)speak.”

Footnotes

  1. John 12:1 NU omits who had been dead
  2. John 12:5 About one year’s wages for a worker
  3. John 12:7 NU that she may keep
  4. John 12:24 Lit. fruit
  5. John 12:32 Crucified
  6. John 12:41 NU because
  7. John 12:47 NU keep them