John 12
Christian Standard Bible
The Anointing at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany(A) where Lazarus[a] was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead.(B) 2 So(C) they gave a dinner for him there; Martha(D) was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair.(E) So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot(F) (who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii[b](G) and given to the poor?” 6 He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief.(H) He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.
7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial.(I) 8 For you always have the poor with you,(J) but you do not always have me.”
The Decision to Kill Lazarus
9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead.(K) 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them[c] and believing in Jesus.
The Triumphal Entry
12 The(L) next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches(M) and went out to meet him. They kept shouting:
14 Jesus found a young donkey(Q) and sat on it, just as it is written:
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him(T) and that they had done these things to him.
17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb(U) and raised him from the dead, continued to testify.[f] 18 This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!” (V)
Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion
20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip,(W) who was from Bethsaida(X) in Galilee,(Y) and requested of him, “Sir,(Z) we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew;(AA) then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man(AB) to be glorified. 24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat(AC) falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.(AD) 25 The one who loves his life will lose it,(AE) and the one who hates(AF) his life(AG) in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant(AH) also will be.(AI) If anyone serves me, the Father will honor(AJ) him.
27 “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me(AK) from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.”[g](AL)
Then a voice(AM) came from heaven: (AN) “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”(AO)
29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you.(AP) 31 Now is the judgment of this world.(AQ) Now the ruler of this world(AR) will be cast out.(AS) 32 As for me, if I am lifted up[h] from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”(AT) 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.(AU)
34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever.(AV) So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man(AW) must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer.(AX) Walk while you have the light(AY) so that darkness doesn’t overtake you.(AZ) The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.(BA) 36 While you have the light,(BB) believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.(BC)
Isaiah’s Prophecies Fulfilled
37 Even though he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill(BD) the word of Isaiah(BE) the prophet, who said:[i]
39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:
40 He has blinded(BH) their eyes
and hardened their hearts,(BI)
so that they would not see with their eyes
or understand with their hearts,
and turn,(BJ)
and I would heal them.[k](BK)
41 Isaiah said these things because[l] he saw his glory(BL) and spoke about him.
42 Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers,(BM) but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise(BN) more than praise from God.(BO)
A Summary of Jesus’s Mission
44 Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me(BP) believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 And the one who sees me sees him(BQ) who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep(BR) them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world(BS) but to save the world.(BT) 48 The one who rejects me(BU) and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: [m] The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.(BV) 49 For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father(BW) himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said. 50 I know that his command is eternal life.(BX) So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”(BY)
Footnotes
- 12:1 Other mss read Lazarus who died
- 12:5 A denarius = one day’s wage
- 12:11 Lit going away
- 12:13 Ps 118:25–26
- 12:15 Zch 9:9
- 12:17 Other mss read Meanwhile the crowd, which had been with him, continued to testify that he had called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead.
- 12:28 Other mss read your Son
- 12:32 Or exalted, also in v. 34
- 12:38 Lit which he said
- 12:38 Is 53:1
- 12:40 Is 6:10
- 12:41 Other mss read when
- 12:48 Lit has the one judging him
John 12
New Matthew Bible
Mary anoints Christ’s feet. Judas murmurs. Christ defends her, and rides into Jerusalem.
12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, and whom Jesus raised from death. 2 There they made him a supper, and Martha served. Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of oyntment called nard, perfect and precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oyntment.
4 Then one of his disciples, named Judas Iscariot (Simon’s son, who afterward betrayed him), said, 5 Why was this oyntment not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor? 6 He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and kept the bag, and carried that which was given. 7 Then Jesus said, Let her alone. She kept it for the day of my burial. 8 The poor you will always have with you, but me you will not always have.
9 A great many of the Jews learned that he was there, and they went to Bethany, not for Jesus’ sake only, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from death. 10 The high priests therefore held a council, how they could put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on his account many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus.
12 On the next day, many people who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went and met him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel! 14 And Jesus got a young donkey and sat on it, according to that which was written: 15 Fear not, daughter of Zion. Behold, your king comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.
16 These things his disciples did not understand at the first. But when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that such things were written of him, and that people had done such things to him.
17 The people that had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from death were speaking about it. 18 Therefore the crowd met him, because they heard that he had done such a miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, See how we are accomplishing nothing? Look, the world is going away after him.
20 There were among them certain Greeks who came to pray at the feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida, a village in Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would like to see Jesus. 22 Philip went and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come that the Son of man must be glorified. 24 Truly truly I say to you, unless the wheat seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. If it dies, it brings forth much fruit. 25 He who loves his life will destroy it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it unto life eternal. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also shall my servant be. And if anyone serves me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, deliver me from this hour? But for this cause I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.
Then there came a voice from heaven: I have glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 Then the people that stood by and heard said, It thundered! Others said an angel spoke to him.
30 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 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples unto me.
33 This Jesus said signifying what death he would die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ endures forever, so how do you say then that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is that Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have light, lest the darkness come on you. He who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 While you have light, believe on the light, so that you may be the children of the light.
These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and hid himself from them. 37 And though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they did not believe on him, 38 so that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, what he spoke: Lord, who believes our message? 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 hearts, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their hearts and be reformed, and I would heal them. 41 Such things Isaiah said when he saw his glory and spoke of him.
42 Nevertheless, among the chief rulers many believed on him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not acknowledge it, lest they should be excommunicated. 43 For they loved the praise that is given by men more than the praise that comes of God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, He who believes on me, believes not on me, but on him who sent me. 45 And he who sees me, sees him who sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, so that whoever believes on me will not remain in darkness. 47 And if a person hears my words and does not believe, I do not judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who refuses me, and does not receive my words, has one that judges him. The words that I have spoken, they will judge him in 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 this commandment is life everlasting. Whatever I speak, therefore, just as the Father has said to me, so I speak.
John 12
Tree of Life Version
Miriam Anoints the Messiah
12 Six days before Passover, Yeshua came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Yeshua had raised from the dead. 2 So they prepared a dinner there for Yeshua. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Miriam took a pound[a] of very expensive oil of pure nard and anointed Yeshua’s feet, and she wiped His feet dry with her hair. Now the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 But Judah from Kriot, one of His disciples, the one who was about to betray Him, said, 5 “Why wasn’t this oil sold for three hundred denarii[b] and the money given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. Since he had the moneybox, he used to steal from what was put in it.
7 Therefore Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! She set it aside for the day of My burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.”
9 Now a large crowd of Judeans knew He was there and came, not only for Yeshua but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 So the ruling kohanim made plans to kill Lazarus also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jewish people were going and putting their trust in Yeshua.
Israel’s King Has Come
12 The next day, the huge crowd that had come up for the feast heard that Yeshua was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting,
“‘Hoshia-na! Baruch ha-ba b’shem Adonai!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’[c]
The King of Israel!”
14 Finding a young donkey, Yeshua sat on it, as it is written,
15 “Fear not, Daughter of Zion!
Look! Your King is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt.”[d]
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. But when Yeshua was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that the crowd had done these things for Him.
17 So the crowd, which had been with Yeshua when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, kept on telling everyone about it. 18 It was also for this reason that the crowd came out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to each other, “You see that you can’t do anything. Look, the whole world has taken off after Him!”
Fallen Seed Produces a Harvest
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast. 21 These came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in the Galilee. “Sir,” they said, “we want to see Yeshua.” 22 Philip comes and tells Andrew; Andrew and Philip come and tell Yeshua.
23 Yeshua answers them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified! 24 Amen, amen I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it forever. 26 If any man serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there also will My servant be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
27 “Now My soul is troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But it was for this reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!”
Then a voice came out of heaven, “I have glorified it, and again I will glorify it!”
29 Therefore the crowd that was standing there and heard it was saying that it had thundered. Others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Yeshua responded, “This voice hasn’t come for My sake, but for yours. 31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the prince of this world will be driven out! 32 And as I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to Myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death He was about to die.
34 The crowd answered Him, “We’ve heard from Scripture[e] that the Messiah remains forever. How can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
Choose Either the Light or the Darkness
35 Therefore Yeshua said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Yeshua spoke these things, then left and hid Himself from them.
37 But even though He had performed so many signs before them, they weren’t trusting in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said,
“Adonai, who has believed our report?
To whom has the arm of Adonai been revealed?”[f]
39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah also said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they might not see with their eyes
nor understand with their hearts and turn back,
and I would heal them.”[g]
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
42 Nevertheless many, even among the leaders, put their trust in Him. But because of the Pharisees, they were not confessing Yeshua,[h] so they would not be thrown out of the synagogue; [i] 43 for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.
44 Yeshua cried out, “Whoever puts trust in Me believes not in Me but in the One who sent Me! 45 And whoever beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me. 46 As light I have come into the world, so that everyone who trusts in Me should not remain in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears My words but doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I came to save the world, not to judge the world. 48 The one who rejects Me and doesn’t receive My words has a judge; the word I spoke will judge him on the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is life everlasting. Therefore what I say, I say just as the Father has told Me.”
Footnotes
- John 12:3 a Roman pound, about 12 ounces.
- John 12:5 One denarius was the daily wage for a laborer.
- John 12:13 Ps. 118:25a, 26a.
- John 12:15 Zech. 9:9.
- John 12:34 Lit. Law, here applied to the Torah, Prophets, and Writings; cf. Isa. 9:6(7); Dan. 7:14.
- John 12:38 Is. 53:1(LXX).
- John 12:40 cf. Is. 6:10.
- John 12:42 cf. Jn. 9:22.
- John 12:43 Lit. from the synagogue, i.e. excommunicated, cut off from all community, banned; cf. Mt. 18:17.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.