John 12:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The people {G3793} therefore {G3767} that was {G5607} with {G3326} him {G846} when {G3753} he called {G5455} Lazarus {G2976} out of {G1537} his grave {G3419}, and {G2532} raised {G1453} him {G846} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, bare record {G3140}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The group that had been with him when he called El‘azar out of the tomb and raised him from the dead had been telling about it.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, many people continued to testify that they had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead.

American Standard Version

The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, bare witness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 12:17 provides a crucial explanation for the large crowds that greeted Jesus upon His entry into Jerusalem, directly linking their fervent reception to the widely witnessed miracle of Lazarus's resurrection. It underscores the powerful impact of eyewitness testimony concerning Christ's authority over life and death, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Passion Week and highlighting the public's burgeoning recognition of Jesus as a figure of immense significance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as described in [John 12:12-16](/john/12-12-16 "John 12:12-16 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry"). The preceding narrative in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus") details the astonishing resurrection of Lazarus, a pivotal event that profoundly impacted both Jesus' followers and His adversaries. The crowd mentioned in [John 12:17](/john/12-17 "John 12:17 - The Crowd's Testimony") is explicitly identified as those who were present during this miracle, establishing a direct causal link between their witnessing of Lazarus's raising and their enthusiastic welcome of Jesus. This verse serves as an explanatory bridge, clarifying *why* such a large multitude gathered and celebrated Jesus, emphasizing the undeniable evidence of His divine power. It also sets up the subsequent discussion among the Pharisees, who lament that "the whole world has gone after him" ([John 12:19](/john/12-19 "John 12:19 - The Pharisees' Frustration")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is just outside Jerusalem, specifically Bethany, where Lazarus lived, and then on the road leading into the city. The timing is crucial: it is shortly before Passover, a major pilgrimage festival that drew vast numbers of Jews to Jerusalem from all over the Roman world. This influx of people created a highly charged atmosphere, ripe for messianic expectation and political fervor. The miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, performed publicly and undeniably, would have spread like wildfire among these pilgrims. Jewish culture placed a high value on eyewitness testimony for validating claims and events, especially those of a miraculous nature. The fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days ([John 11:39](/john/11-39 "John 11:39 - Lazarus in the Tomb")) was significant, as it was widely believed that the soul departed the body after three days, thus precluding any natural resuscitation. This made the miracle even more irrefutable and astounding to the Jewish populace, directly challenging the dominion of death.
* **Key Themes:** John 12:17 contributes significantly to several major themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the **authority and identity of Jesus as the Son of God**, particularly His power over life and death, supremely demonstrated in the raising of Lazarus. This miracle serves as a tangible sign, confirming Jesus' declaration in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), "I am the resurrection and the life." Another key theme is the **importance of eyewitness testimony** in establishing truth and fostering belief. The crowd's "record" or testimony is presented as a powerful, organic form of evangelism, validating Jesus' claims and drawing others to Him. This contrasts sharply with the unbelief and plotting of the religious authorities, who, despite the overwhelming evidence, sought to kill both Jesus and Lazarus ([John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin's Plot") and [John 12:10-11](/john/12-10-11 "John 12:10-11 - Plot to Kill Lazarus")). The verse also highlights the **growing public recognition of Jesus**, which, while celebratory for the crowds, intensified the opposition from the Jewish leaders, ultimately leading to the Passion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Greek, _phōnéō'_):** This word (G5455) means "to emit a sound," "to address in words or by name," or "to call." In the context of Lazarus, it highlights Jesus' authoritative command. It wasn't a plea or a request, but a powerful, life-giving summons that penetrated the grave and brought the dead to life. This emphasizes Jesus' inherent authority over death, as the very sound of His voice carries creative and restorative power, echoing the divine word that brought creation into being.
* **raised (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This term (G1453) signifies "to waken," "to rouse," or "to lift up." It is used here to describe the act of bringing Lazarus back from the state of death. The choice of this verb underscores the active, powerful intervention of Jesus. It's not a passive reanimation but a dynamic, purposeful act of raising someone from a state of non-existence or profound inactivity. This verb is also frequently used to describe Jesus' own resurrection, creating a thematic link between Lazarus's raising and Christ's ultimate victory over the grave.
* **bare record (Greek, _martyréō'_):** This verb (G3140) means "to be a witness," "to testify," or "to give evidence." It implies a formal, authoritative declaration, not mere gossip. The people who "bare record" were not simply recounting a story; they were actively affirming the truth of what they had seen, serving as living, credible witnesses to a profound divine act. This concept of bearing witness is central to John's Gospel, where the testimony of various individuals (John the Baptist, the Samaritan woman, the disciples) validates Jesus' identity and mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The people therefore that was with him":** This clause identifies the specific group of individuals whose testimony is central to the verse. They are not just any crowd, but those who had direct, personal experience with Jesus during the miraculous event. The "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) indicates a logical consequence, linking their presence at the miracle to their subsequent action of bearing witness.
* **"when he called Lazarus out of his grave":** This specifies the precise event that these people witnessed. The emphasis is on Jesus' direct action—His "calling" (G5455, _phōnéō_)—and the dramatic location, "out of his grave" (G1537, _ek_ G3419, _mnēmeîon_). This highlights the public and undeniable nature of the miracle, as Lazarus emerged from a tomb, a place of certain death.
* **"and raised him from the dead":** This phrase further elaborates on the miracle, emphasizing the outcome of Jesus' call. Lazarus was not merely revived from a coma but "raised" (G1453, _egeírō_) "from the dead" (G1537, _ek_ G3498, _nekrós_), signifying a complete reversal of death's dominion. This clause underscores the magnitude of the event, confirming Jesus' power over the ultimate human enemy.
* **"bare record":** This final clause describes the active response of the eyewitnesses. To "bare record" (G3140, _martyréō_) means to testify or give evidence. It implies a deliberate and public declaration of what they had seen, serving as living proof of Jesus' divine power. Their testimony was not passive observation but an active proclamation that fueled the public's excitement and recognition of Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in John 12:17 is **Eyewitness Testimony**. The narrative explicitly highlights the presence of those who "was with him" during the raising of Lazarus, emphasizing their direct observation of the miracle. This device functions to establish the veracity and irrefutability of the event, lending credibility to Jesus' divine power. The phrase "bare record" underscores the active role of these witnesses in disseminating the truth, functioning as a form of **Narrative Emphasis** on the power of personal witness. The verse also employs **Cause and Effect**, directly linking the witnessed miracle to the crowd's subsequent actions and the widespread public attention Jesus received, thereby explaining the fervor of the Triumphal Entry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:17 profoundly illustrates the power of divine action witnessed by humanity and the subsequent human response of testimony. The resurrection of Lazarus was not merely a display of power, but a sign pointing to Jesus' identity as the Lord of life, the one who holds dominion over death itself. This event, and the public's "bearing record" of it, served as a crucial catalyst in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, drawing vast numbers to Jesus just before His crucifixion. It underscores the biblical principle that God often works through visible signs and human witnesses to reveal His truth and invite belief. The widespread testimony created a groundswell of public opinion that the religious authorities could not ignore, forcing their hand in the events leading to the cross.

* [John 1:7](/john/1-7 "John 1:7 - John the Baptist's Purpose")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")
* [1 John 1:1-3](/1_john/1-1-3 "1 John 1:1-3 - Eyewitnesses of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 12:17 offers a powerful reminder of the enduring significance of personal testimony in the Christian faith. Just as the crowd who witnessed Lazarus's resurrection became living advertisements for Christ's power, so too are believers called to share their own experiences of God's transforming work. Our testimonies are not merely stories; they are powerful, Spirit-anointed declarations of what we have seen, heard, and experienced of Jesus Christ. They are tangible evidence of His living presence and active power in the world today. This verse challenges us to consider: Are we actively "bearing record" of the miracles, big and small, that God has performed in our lives? Is our witness compelling enough to draw others to inquire about the source of our hope? The truth of the Gospel is not abstract doctrine alone, but a living reality grounded in the historical acts of Jesus and His ongoing work through His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "miracles" (large or small, personal or observed) have you witnessed in your life that demonstrate God's power?**
* **How does the testimony of others impact your faith or understanding of God?**
* **In what ways can you more effectively "bare record" of Jesus' work in your life to those around you?**
* **What might be holding you back from sharing your personal testimony more openly?**

### FAQ
**Why was the resurrection of Lazarus so significant compared to other miracles Jesus performed?**

Answer: The resurrection of Lazarus was uniquely significant for several reasons. Firstly, it was performed after Lazarus had been dead for four days ([John 11:39](/john/11-39 "John 11:39 - Lazarus in the Tomb")), a period culturally understood to signify irreversible death, thus eliminating any possibility of a natural explanation or a mere coma. Secondly, it was a highly public miracle, witnessed by many Jews who had come to mourn with Mary and Martha ([John 11:19](/john/11-19 "John 11:19 - Mourners with Mary and Martha")). This widespread witnessing led directly to the public testimony mentioned in [John 12:17](/john/12-17 "John 12:17 - The Crowd's Testimony") and fueled the fervor of the Triumphal Entry. The miracle solidified Jesus' claim as "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")) in a dramatic, undeniable way, forcing the religious authorities to confront His growing influence and ultimately leading to their decision to put Him to death ([John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin's Plot")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The resurrection of Lazarus, and the crowd's subsequent testimony in [John 12:17](/john/12-17 "John 12:17 - The Crowd's Testimony"), serves as a powerful **foreshadowing** and **demonstration** of Christ's ultimate victory over death, culminating in His own resurrection. While Lazarus was raised to mortal life and would eventually die again, Jesus' resurrection was a unique, eternal triumph, securing victory over sin and death for all who believe. The "record" borne by the crowd about Lazarus points forward to the far greater "record" that the apostles would bear about Jesus' own resurrection, which became the cornerstone of the early Christian message ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus")). Jesus' call to Lazarus, "Lazarus, come forth!" ([John 11:43](/john/11-43 "John 11:43 - Jesus Calls Lazarus")), echoes the future call that will raise all believers from their graves at the last day, for "the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth" ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Resurrection of Life and Condemnation")). Thus, Lazarus's resurrection is a tangible sign of Jesus' divine power as the Giver of life, a power fully realized and eternally secured through His death and glorious resurrection, offering hope and new life to all who trust in Him ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 5:9

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1 John 5:12

He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Revelation 1:2

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

John 12:9

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.

John 19:35

And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

Acts 1:22

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 5:32

And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.