John 12
1599 Geneva Bible
12 2 As Christ is at supper with Lazarus, 3 Mary anointeth his feet. 5 Judas findeth fault with her. 7 Christ defendeth her. 10 The Priests would put Lazarus to death. 12 As Christ cometh to Jerusalem. 18 The people meet him. 22 The Greeks desire to see him. 42 The chief rulers that believe in him, but for fear do not confess him, 44 he exhorteth to faith.
1 Then (A)Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who died, whom he had 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 Jesus’ feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the savor of the ointment.
4 Then said one of his disciples, even Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him:
5 [a]Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 Now he said thus, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and (B)had the bag, and bore that which was given.
7 [b]Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying she kept it.
8 For the poor always ye have with you, but me ye shall not have always.
9 [c]Then much people 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 The high Priests therefore consulted, that they might put Lazarus to death also,
11 because that for his sake many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus.
12 ¶ (C)On the morrow a great multitude that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus should come 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 found a young ass, and sat thereon, as it is written,
15 (D)Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh sitting on an ass’s colt.
16 But his disciples understood not these things 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, bare witness that he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead.
18 Therefore met him the people also, because they heard that he had done this miracle.
19 [d]And the Pharisees said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world goeth after him.
20 ¶ Now there were certain Greeks among them that [e]came up to worship at the feast.
21 And they came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see that Jesus.
22 Philip came and told Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man must be glorified.
24 [f]Verily, verily I say unto you, Except the wheat corn fall into the ground and [g]die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 (E)He that loveth his life, shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 (F)If any man serve me, let him follow me: for where I am, there shall my servant be: and if any man serve me, him will my father honor.
27 [h]Now is my soul troubled: and what shall I say? Father, save me from this [i]hour: but therefore came I unto this hour.
28 Father, [j]glorify thy Name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 Then said the people that stood by, and heard, that it was a thunder: others said, An Angel spake to him.
30 [k]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 (G)And I, if I were [l]lift up from the earth, will draw [m]all men unto me.
33 Now this said he, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the (H)Law, that that Christ bideth forever: and how sayest thou, that that Son of man must be lift up? Who is that Son of man?
35 [n]Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is (I)the light with you: walk while ye have that light, lest the darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in the dark, knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have that light, believe in that light, that ye may be the [o]children of the light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and hid himself from them.
37 ¶ [p]And though he had done so many miracles before them, yet believed they not on him,
38 That the saying of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled, that he said, (J)Lord, who believed our report? and to whom is the [q]arm of the Lord revealed?
39 Therefore could they not believe, because that Isaiah saith again,
40 (K)He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Isaiah when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 [r]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 (L)For they loved the praise of men, more than the praise of God.
44 [s]And Jesus cried, and said, He that believeth in me, believeth [t]not in me, but in him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me.
46 I (M)am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me, should not abide in darkness.
47 (N)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 refuseth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: (O)the word that I have spoken, it 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: the things therefore that I speak, I speak them so as the Father said unto me.
Footnotes
- John 12:5 An horrible example in Judas of a mind blinded with covetousness, and yet pretending godliness.
- John 12:7 This Extraordinary anointing, which was for a sign, is so allowed of God, that he witnesseth how he will not be worshipped with outward pomp, or costly service, but with alms.
- John 12:9 When the light of the Gospel showeth itself, some are found to be curious, and others (which left ought) to be open enemies: others in a rage honor him, whom they will straightway fall from: and very few do so reverently receive him as they ought: Notwithstanding Christ beginneth his spiritual kingdom in the midst of his enemies.
- John 12:19 Even they which go about to oppress Christ, are made instruments of his glory.
- John 12:20 After the solemn custom: the Greeks were first so called by the name of the country of Greece, where they dwelt: but afterward, all that were not of the Jew’s religion, but worshipped false gods, and were also called Heathens, were called by this name.
- John 12:24 The death of Christ is as it were a sowing, which seemeth to be a dying to the corn, but indeed is the cause of a far greater harvest: and such as is the condition of the head, so shall it be of the members.
- John 12:24 A wheat corn dieth when it is changed by virtue of the ground, and becometh a root of a fruitful blade.
- John 12:27 Whilst Christ went about to suffer all the punishment which is due to our sins, and whilst his divinity did not yet show his might and power so far as this satisfaction might thoroughly wrought, now when he is stricken with the great fear of the curse of God, he crieth out and prayeth , and desireth to be released: yet notwithstanding he preferreth the will and glory of his Father before all things, whose obedience the Father alloweth even from heaven.
- John 12:27 To wit, of death that is now at hand.
- John 12:28 So then the Father’s glory is Christ’s glory.
- John 12:30 Christ foretelleth to the deaf, the manner of his death, the overcoming of the devil and the world, and in conclusion his triumph.
- John 12:32 Christ used a word, which hath a double meaning: for it signifieth either to lift up, or to rid out of the way, for his meaning was to put them in mind of his death, but the Jews seem to take it another way.
- John 12:32 Chrysostom and Theophylact refer this word, All, to all nations: that is, not to the Jews only.
- John 12:35 Unmeasurable is the mercy of God, but an horrible judgment followed, if it be contemned.
- John 12:36 That is, partakers of light.
- John 12:37 Faith is not of nature, but of grace.
- John 12:38 The arm of the Lord, is the Gospel, which is the power of God to salvation to all that believe: And therefore the arm of the Lord is not revealed to them, whose hearts the Lord hath not opened.
- John 12:42 Such as believe, are not only few in number, if they be compared with the unbelievers, but also the most of those few (yea and that especially the chiefest) do fear men more than God.
- John 12:44 The sum of the Gospel, and therefore of salvation, which Christ witnessed in the midst of Jerusalem, by his crying out, is this: to rest upon Christ through faith, as the only Savior appointed and given us of the Father.
- John 12:44 This word Not, doth not take any whit of this from Christ which is here spoken of, but is in way of correction rather, as if he said, He that believeth in me, doth not so much believe in me, as in him that sent me. So is it in Mark 9:37.
John 12
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Mary Anoints Jesus
12 [a]Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Laz′arus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Laz′arus was one of those at table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly ointment 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 ointment. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. 8 The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
The Plot to Kill Lazarus
9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Laz′arus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Laz′arus also to death, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
12 The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on an ass’s colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Laz′arus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see that you can do nothing; look, the world has gone after him.”
Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Beth-sa′ida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip and they told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out; 32 and I, when I am lifted up[c] from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
The Unbelief of the People
When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him; 38 it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed our report,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For Isaiah again said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart,
lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart,
and turn for me to heal them.”
41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Summary of Jesus’ Teaching
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And he who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me 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 bidden me.”
Footnotes
- 12.1 Here begins the last week of Jesus’ public life. This is described in great detail, as was the first week in chapter 1.
- John 12:5 The denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer
- 12.32 lifted up: i.e., on the cross; but the words also contain a reference to his going up into heaven. The two mysteries are inseparable.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.