John12

John chapter 12 details Jesus' final public ministry before the Passover. Mary anoints Jesus' feet, an act Jesus interprets as preparation for His burial, while Judas objects. Jesus then makes a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, acclaimed by crowds, which further incites the chief priests to plot against Him and Lazarus. He teaches about His impending death as a glorification, likening it to a seed dying to bear fruit, and urges belief in Him as the light of the world, despite widespread unbelief.

Listen to this chapter

The Anointing at Bethany

¶ Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

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.

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

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.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

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.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

¶ On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

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.

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

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.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Greeks Seek Jesus; The Hour Has Come

¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

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.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

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.

¶ 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.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

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?

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.

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.

Summary of Israel's Unbelief

¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

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?

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

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.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

¶ 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:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus' Final Public Testimony

¶ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

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.

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.

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.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Study Notes for John 12

Verse 1

Six days before the Passover (the day of the crucifixion), Jesus arrived in Bethany, marking the beginning of the crucial Passion Week. Lazarus’ presence highlights the miracle that fueled the public’s excitement (v. 9).

Verse 3

Mary’s action is one of profound devotion and extravagant worship. Spikenard was a rare and expensive perfume, representing a gift possibly worth a year’s wages (300 denarii).

Verse 4

John immediately identifies Judas Iscariot as the betrayer, setting the stage for the conflict between genuine devotion (Mary) and self-serving hypocrisy (Judas).

Verse 6

This parenthetical note exposes Judas’s true motive: he was not concerned with the poor but used his position as treasurer ('had the bag') to steal funds.

Verse 7

Jesus defends Mary by interpreting her act prophetically. The anointing was a preparation for his burial, a final act of ministry before his passion.

Verse 8

This statement emphasizes the unique and fleeting opportunity to minister to the Messiah himself, contrasting it with the perpetual duty of caring for the poor.

Verse 10

The chief priests’ plot expands from killing Jesus to murdering Lazarus as well. Lazarus was living proof of Jesus’ divine power, and his existence threatened their authority.

Verse 12

This event, known as Palm Sunday, marks Jesus’ public presentation of himself as the Messiah-King to Jerusalem, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Verse 13

The crowd’s cry of 'Hosanna' (meaning 'Save now!') coupled with palm branches signifies both adoration and political expectation of a conquering king who would liberate Israel.

Verse 15

By riding on a donkey’s colt, Jesus intentionally fulfilled Zechariah 9:9, presenting himself not as a warrior king on a warhorse, but as a humble King of Peace.

Verse 16

The disciples’ lack of understanding highlights that they could only grasp the full theological significance of Jesus’ actions retrospectively, after the Resurrection and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 19

The Pharisees’ lament reveals their recognition of Jesus’ overwhelming popularity and their failure to suppress the movement. 'The world' is hyperbole reflecting their panic.

Verse 20

The Greeks (likely Gentile proselytes or God-fearers) seeking Jesus symbolizes the expansion of the Gospel beyond the Jewish people, anticipating the worldwide reach of Christ’s mission.

Verse 23

Jesus recognizes the arrival of the Gentiles as the sign that 'the hour'—the time of his death and subsequent resurrection and exaltation (glorification)—has arrived.

Verse 24

The 'grain of wheat' analogy is central to Jesus’ teaching: death is necessary for life. Jesus must die (fall into the ground) in order to produce spiritual fruit (salvation) for many.

Verse 25

A core principle of discipleship: true eternal life requires self-denial and the willingness to sacrifice earthly ambition and identity for the sake of following Christ.

Verse 27

Jesus expresses deep human anguish (similar to Gethsemane) but affirms that the purpose of his incarnation was precisely to face this suffering, demonstrating obedience to the Father’s will.

Verse 28

The Father’s audible voice serves to confirm the divine approval of Jesus’ mission and assure the crowd that the events to follow are part of God’s plan.

Verse 31

The 'judgment of this world' refers to the decisive spiritual victory achieved through the cross, resulting in the overthrow of Satan, 'the prince of this world.'

Verse 32

'Lifted up' refers primarily to the crucifixion, but also carries the meaning of exaltation. Through his sacrificial death, Jesus draws people of all nations (all men) to himself.

Verse 34

The people struggle to reconcile the idea of a dying Son of Man with traditional Messianic prophecies which taught that the Christ would reign forever (e.g., Psalm 89).

Verse 35

Jesus urges urgency: He is the 'Light' and they must believe in him now, before the opportunity passes and the darkness of judgment and unbelief overtakes them.

Verse 37

John pauses the narrative to reflect theologically on the mystery of why so many Jews rejected Jesus despite the overwhelming evidence of his miracles.

Verse 38

This quote from Isaiah 53:1 frames the rejection of Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture, emphasizing that unbelief was foreseen by God.

Verse 40

Citing Isaiah 6:10, John explains that the inability to believe was a judicial hardening—God allowed them to persist in their self-chosen blindness so that prophecy might be accomplished.

Verse 41

This verse is a powerful assertion of Christ's divinity, clarifying that the 'glory' Isaiah saw in the temple vision (Is 6) was the pre-incarnate glory of Jesus.

Verse 42

Many rulers believed privately, but fear of social exclusion and excommunication ('put out of the synagogue') prevented them from publicly confessing Christ.

Verse 43

This verse offers a sharp condemnation of those who prioritize human approval and status over obedience and loyalty to God.

Verse 44

These are Jesus’ final public words in John’s Gospel, summarizing his unity with the Father and reiterating the core truth of his mission.

Verse 47

Jesus clarifies that his first coming was focused on salvation, not condemnation, reserving the final judgment for the last day.

Verse 48

Those who reject Jesus are judged by the very word they rejected. The truth Jesus spoke serves as the unavoidable standard of accountability.

Verse 50

Jesus affirms the absolute authority of his teaching: his words are not his own, but the Father’s commandment, which is the path to eternal life.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

John12

The Anointing at Bethany

The Triumphal Entry

Greeks Seek Jesus; The Hour Has Come

Summary of Israel's Unbelief

Jesus' Final Public Testimony

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options