John 12
Good News Translation
Jesus Is Anointed at Bethany(A)
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he had raised from death. 2 They prepared a dinner for him there, which Martha helped serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus. 3 (B)Then Mary took a whole pint of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The sweet smell of the perfume filled the whole house. 4 One of Jesus' disciples, Judas Iscariot—the one who was going to betray him—said, 5 “Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins[a] and the money given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it.
7 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial. 8 (C)You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me.”
The Plot against Lazarus
9 A large number of people heard that Jesus was in Bethany, so they went there, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from death. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too, 11 because on his account many Jews were rejecting them and believing in Jesus.
The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem(D)
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the Passover Festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 (E)So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the scripture says,
15 (F)“Do not be afraid, city of Zion!
Here comes your king,
riding on a young donkey.”
16 His disciples did not understand this at the time; but when Jesus had been raised to glory, they remembered that the scripture said this about him and that they had done this for him.
17 The people who had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from death had reported what had happened. 18 That was why the crowd met him—because they heard that he had performed this miracle. 19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, we are not succeeding at all! Look, the whole world is following him!”
Some Greeks Seek Jesus
20 Some Greeks were among those who had gone to Jerusalem to worship during the festival. 21 They went to Philip (he was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and said, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”
22 Philip went and told Andrew, and the two of them went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has now come for the Son of Man to receive great glory. 24 I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains. 25 (G)Those who love their own life will lose it; those who hate their own life in this world will keep it for life eternal. 26 Whoever wants to serve me must follow me, so that my servant will be with me where I am. And my Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 “Now my heart is troubled—and what shall I say? Shall I say, ‘Father, do not let this hour come upon me’? But that is why I came—so that I might go through this hour of suffering. 28 Father, bring glory to your name!”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, “I have brought glory to it, and I will do so again.”
29 The crowd standing there heard the voice, and some of them said it was thunder, while others said, “An angel spoke to him!”
30 But Jesus said to them, “It was not for my sake that this voice spoke, but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged; now the ruler of this world will be overthrown. 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (33 In saying this he indicated the kind of death he was going to suffer.)
34 (H)The crowd answered, “Our Law tells us that the Messiah will live forever. How, then, can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Jesus answered, “The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Believe in the light, then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light.”
The Unbelief of the People
After Jesus said this, he went off and hid himself from them. 37 Even though he had performed all these miracles in their presence, they did not believe in him, 38 (I)so that what the prophet Isaiah had said might come true:
“Lord, who believed the message we told?
To whom did the Lord reveal his power?”
39 And so they were not able to believe, because Isaiah also said,
40 (J)“God has blinded their eyes
and closed their minds,
so that their eyes would not see,
and their minds would not understand,
and they would not turn to me, says God,
for me to heal them.”
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
42 Even then, many Jewish authorities believed in Jesus; but because of the Pharisees they did not talk about it openly, so as not to be expelled from the synagogue. 43 They loved human approval rather than the approval of God.
Judgment by Jesus' Words
44 Jesus said in a loud voice, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in him who sent me. 45 Whoever sees me sees also him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. 47 If people hear my message and do not obey it, I will not judge them. I came, not to judge the world, but to save it. 48 Those who reject me and do not accept my message have one who will judge them. The words I have spoken will be their judge on the last day! 49 This is true, because I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has commanded me what I must say and speak. 50 And I know that his command brings eternal life. What I say, then, is what the Father has told me to say.”
Footnotes
- John 12:5 See 6.7.
John 12
Revised Geneva Translation
12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was; who had died and whom He had raised from the dead.
2 There they made Him a supper, and Martha served. But Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of ointment of Spikenard (very costly) and anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
4 Then one of His disciples who would betray him, Judas Iscariot (son of Simon) said,
5 “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denari and given to the poor?”
6 Now, he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and held that which was given.
7 Then Jesus said, “Let her alone. She kept it for the day of My burying.
8 “For the poor you have with you always. But Me you shall not have always.”
9 Then many of the Jews 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 Therefore, the chief priests consulted, so that they might put Lazarus to death also,
11 because many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus because of him.
12 The next day, a great multitude who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus would come to Jerusalem,
13 took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel Who comes in the Name of the Lord!”
14 And Jesus found a young donkey, and sat on it, as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at the first. But when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him. And that they had done these things to Him.
17 Therefore, the people who were with Him bore witness that He called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead.
18 Thus, the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this miracle.
19 And the Pharisees said among themselves, “Do you see how nothing is better? Behold, the world goes after Him.”
20 Now, there were certain Greeks among them who came up to worship at the Feast.
21 And they came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew. And then Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man must be glorified.
24 “Truly, truly I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit.
25 “The one who loves his life, shall lose it. And the one who hates his life in this world, shall keep it to life eternal.
26 “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me. For where I am, there My servant shall be. And if anyone serves Me, My Father will honor him.
27 Now My soul is troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But, for this I came to this hour.
28 “Father, glorify Your Name.” Then, there came a Voice from Heaven, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Then, the people who stood by and heard it said that it was thunder. Others said an angel spoke to Him.
30 Jesus answered, and said, “This Voice did not come 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 am lifted up from the Earth, will draw all to Myself.
33 Now He said this to signify what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ abides forever. So how can You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is the Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “The Light is with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light, lest the darkness come upon you. For one who walks in the dark, does not know where he goes.
36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may be the children of the Light.” These things Jesus spoke. And having departed, He hid Himself from them.
37 And though He had done so many miracles before them, they did not believe in Him,
38 so that the saying of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled, that said, ‘Lord, who believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?’
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah says again,
40 ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I heal them.’
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His Glory and spoke of Him.
42 Nevertheless, even among the chief rulers, many believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him, lest they should be cast out of the synagogue.
43 For they loved the praise of man more than the praise of God.
44 And Jesus cried, and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me!
45 “And whoever sees Me, sees Him who sent Me!
46 “I have come, a Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not stay in darkness.
47 “And if anyone hears My words, and does not believe, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 “Whoever refuses Me, and does not receive My words, has One Who judges him - the Word that I have spoken. It shall judge him on the last day.
49 “For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father Who 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. Therefore, the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father said to Me.”
John 12
Lexham English Bible
Jesus Is Anointed at Bethany
12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a dinner there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of the ones reclining at table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound[a] of ointment of very valuable genuine nard and[b] anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him) said, 5 “Why[c] was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 (Now he said this not because he was concerned[d] about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.)[e] 7 So Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my preparation for burial. 8 For you have the poor with you always, but you do not always have me.”
The Decision to Kill Lazarus
9 Now a large crowd[f] of Jews found out that he was there, and they came, not only because of Jesus, but so that they could see Lazarus also, whom he raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going and believing in Jesus.
The Triumphal Entry
12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they[g] heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, and began crying out,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,[h]
even the king of Israel!”
14 So Jesus found a young donkey and[i] sat on it, just as it is written,
15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion!
Behold, your king is coming,
seated on the foal of a donkey!”[j]
16 (His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and they did these things to him.) 17 So the crowd who was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead were continuing to testify. 18 Because of this also the crowd went to meet him, for they had heard that he had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing! Behold, the world has gone after him.”
Greeks Seeking Jesus
20 Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up in order to worship at the feast. 21 So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and began asking him saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man will be glorified. 24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and[k] 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.
Jesus Predicts His Death
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour’? But for this reason I have come to this hour! 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have both glorified it,[l] and I will glorify it[m] again.” 29 Now the crowd that stood there and heard it[n] said it had thundered.[o] Others were saying, “An angel has spoken to him!” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not happened for my sake, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out! 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 (Now he said this to indicate by what sort of death he was going to die.)
34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever![p] And how do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “Yet a little time the light is with you! Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness does not overtake you! And the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said these things, and then he went away and[q] was hidden from them.
The People Still Refuse to Believe
37 But as many signs as he had performed before them, they did not believe in him, 38 in order that the word of the prophet Isaiah would be fulfilled, who said,
“Lord, who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[r]
39 For this reason they were not able to believe, because again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
lest they see with their[s] eyes
and understand with their[t] hearts
and turn, and I heal them.”[u]
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory, and he spoke about him.
42 Yet despite that, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it,[v] so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they loved the praise of men more than praise from God.
Jesus’ Final Public Appeal
44 But Jesus cried out and said, “The one who believes in me does not believe in me, but in the one who sent me, 45 and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, in order that everyone who believes in me will not remain in the darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,[w] I will not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has one who judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken from myself, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me[x] what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So the things that I say, just as the Father said to me, thus I say.”
Footnotes
- John 12:3 The Greek term refers to a Roman pound, 327.45 grams (approximately 12 ounces)
- John 12:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
- John 12:5 Literally “because of what”
- John 12:6 Literally “it was a concern to him”
- John 12:6 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- John 12:9 Some manuscripts have “the large crowd”
- John 12:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- John 12:13 A quotation from Ps 118:25–26
- John 12:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“found”) has been translated as a finite verb
- John 12:15 A quotation from Zech 9:9
- John 12:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“falls”) has been translated as a finite verb
- John 12:28 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- John 12:28 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- John 12:29 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- John 12:29 Literally “thunder had happened”
- John 12:34 Literally “for the age”; probably an allusion to Ps 89:35–37 (in common usage “law” could refer to the entire Old Testament)
- John 12:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went away”) has been translated as a finite verb
- John 12:38 A quotation from Isa 53:1
- John 12:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- John 12:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- John 12:40 A quotation from Isa 6:10
- John 12:42 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- John 12:47 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- John 12:49 Literally “has given me commandment”
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