John 12
New Living Translation
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate[a] with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar[b] of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages.[c] It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 When all the people[d] heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them[e] and believed in Jesus.
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God![f]
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”[g]
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.[h]
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey’s colt.”[i]
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others[j] about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone[k] has gone after him!”
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man[l] to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture[m] that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”
35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
The Unbelief of the People
37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
“Lord, who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?”[n]
39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,
40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and have me heal them.”[o]
41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
Footnotes
- 12:2 Or who reclined.
- 12:3 Greek took 1 litra [327 grams].
- 12:5 Greek worth 300 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.
- 12:9 Greek Jewish people; also in 12:11.
- 12:11 Or had deserted their traditions; Greek reads had deserted.
- 12:13a Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise adapted from a Hebrew expression that means “save now.”
- 12:13b Ps 118:25-26; Zeph 3:15.
- 12:15a Greek daughter of Zion.
- 12:15b Zech 9:9.
- 12:17 Greek were testifying.
- 12:19 Greek the world.
- 12:23 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
- 12:34 Greek from the law.
- 12:38 Isa 53:1.
- 12:40 Isa 6:10.
John 12
King James Version
12 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he 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 the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
9 Much people of the Jews therefore 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 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming 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, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples 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 when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake 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 men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 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 rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same 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: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
John 12
Young's Literal Translation
12 Jesus, therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where was Lazarus, who had died, whom he raised out of the dead;
2 they made, therefore, to him a supper there, and Martha was ministering, and Lazarus was one of those reclining together (at meat) with him;
3 Mary, therefore, having taken a pound of ointment of spikenard, of great price, anointed the feet of Jesus and did wipe with her hair his feet, and the house was filled from the fragrance of the ointment.
4 Therefore saith one of his disciples -- Judas Iscariot, of Simon, who is about to deliver him up --
5 `Wherefore was not this ointment sold for three hundred denaries, and given to the poor?'
6 and he said this, not because he was caring for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and what things were put in he was carrying.
7 Jesus, therefore, said, `Suffer her; for the day of my embalming she hath kept it,
8 for the poor ye have always with yourselves, and me ye have not always.'
9 A great multitude, therefore, of the Jews knew that he is there, and they came, not because of Jesus only, but that Lazarus also they may see, whom he raised out of the dead;
10 and the chief priests took counsel, that also Lazarus they may kill,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus.
12 On the morrow, a great multitude that came to the feast, having heard that Jesus doth come to Jerusalem,
13 took the branches of the palms, and went forth to meet him, and were crying, `Hosanna, blessed [is] he who is coming in the name of the Lord -- the king of Israel;'
14 and Jesus having found a young ass did sit upon it, according as it is written,
15 `Fear not, daughter of Sion, lo, thy king doth come, sitting on an ass' colt.'
16 And these things his disciples did not know at the first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were having been written about him, and these things they did to him.
17 The multitude, therefore, who are with him, were testifying that he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and did raise him out of the dead;
18 because of this also did the multitude meet him, because they heard of his having done this sign,
19 the Pharisees, therefore, said among themselves, `Ye see that ye do not gain anything, lo, the world did go after him.'
20 And there were certain Greeks out of those coming up that they may worship in the feast,
21 these then came near to Philip, who [is] from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, `Sir, we wish to see Jesus;'
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus responded to them, saying, `The hour hath come that the Son of Man may be glorified;
24 verily, verily, I say to you, if the grain of the wheat, having fallen to the earth, may not die, itself remaineth alone; and if it may die, it doth bear much fruit;
25 he who is loving his life shall lose it, and he who is hating his life in this world -- to life age-during shall keep it;
26 if any one may minister to me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also my ministrant shall be; and if any one may minister to me -- honour him will the Father.
27 `Now hath my soul been troubled, and what? shall I say -- Father, save me from this hour? -- but because of this I came to this hour;
28 Father, glorify Thy name.' There came, therefore, a voice out of the heaven, `I both glorified, and again I will glorify [it];'
29 the multitude, therefore, having stood and heard, were saying that there hath been thunder; others said, `A messenger hath spoken to him.'
30 Jesus answered and said, `Not because of me hath this voice come, but because of you;
31 now is a judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast forth;
32 and I, if I may be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.'
33 And this he said signifying by what death he was about to die;
34 the multitude answered him, `We heard out of the law that the Christ doth remain -- to the age; and how dost thou say, That it behoveth the Son of Man to be lifted up? who is this -- the Son of Man?'
35 Jesus, therefore, said to them, `Yet a little time is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; and he who is walking in the darkness hath not known where he goeth;
36 while ye have the light, believe in the light, that sons of light ye may become.' These things spake Jesus, and having gone away, he was hid from them,
37 yet he having done so many signs before them, they were not believing in him,
38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he said, `Lord, who gave credence to our report? and the arm of the Lord -- to whom was it revealed?'
39 Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said,
40 `He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn back, and I might heal them;'
41 these things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 Still, however, also out of the rulers did many believe in him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing, that they might not be put out of the synagogue,
43 for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.
44 And Jesus cried and said, `He who is believing in me, doth not believe in me, but in Him who sent me;
45 and he who is beholding me, doth behold Him who sent me;
46 I a light to the world have come, that every one who is believing in me -- in the darkness may not remain;
47 and if any one may hear my sayings, and not believe, I -- I do not judge him, for I came not that I might judge the world, but that I might save the world.
48 `He who is rejecting me, and not receiving my sayings, hath one who is judging him, the word that I spake, that will judge him in the last day,
49 because I spake not from myself, but the Father who sent me, He did give me a command, what I may say, and what I may speak,
50 and I have known that His command is life age-during; what, therefore, I speak, according as the Father hath said to me, so I speak.'
John 12
New American Standard Bible
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. 2 So they made Him a dinner there, and (D)Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 (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. 4 But (G)Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who intended to [b]betray Him, *said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred [c]denarii and the proceeds given to poor people?” 6 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. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it [e]for (J)the day of My burial. 8 (K)For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
9 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 donkey’s 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
- John 12:3 I.e., a Roman pound, about 12 oz. or 340 gm
- John 12:4 Or hand Him over
- John 12:5 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
- John 12:6 Lit pilfer
- John 12:7 Or in view of
- John 12:17 Lit crowd
- John 12:18 Lit crowd
- John 12:18 I.e., confirming miracle
- John 12:19 I.e., as one group to another
- John 12:25 Lit soul
- John 12:25 Lit soul
- John 12:25 Or for
- John 12:26 Or is serving
- John 12:26 Or is serving
- John 12:34 I.e., Messiah
- John 12:37 I.e., confirming miracles
- John 12:40 Lit be turned; i.e., turn about
- John 12:43 Or honor
- John 12:43 Or honor
- John 12:47 Lit words
- John 12:48 Or receive
- John 12:48 Lit words
- John 12:49 Lit from Myself
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
