John 12:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} them {G846}, saying {G3004}, The hour {G5610} is come {G2064}, that {G2443} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} should be glorified {G1392}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua gave them this answer: “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 12:23, Jesus declares that "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." This pivotal statement marks a profound turning point in His earthly ministry, signaling the imminent commencement of His passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. It reveals that His ultimate glorification, far from being a worldly triumph, would be achieved through the path of suffering and self-sacrifice, thereby fulfilling His divine mission to bring salvation to all humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration immediately follows a significant event: the arrival of certain Greeks in Jerusalem who expressed a desire to see Jesus ([John 12:20-22](/john/12-20-22 "John 12:20-22 - Greeks Seek Jesus")). Their request, conveyed through Philip and Andrew, serves as a catalyst for Jesus' pronouncement. Up until this point in John's Gospel, Jesus had repeatedly stated that His "hour" had not yet come (e.g., [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus' First Miracle"), [John 7:6](/john/7-6 "John 7:6 - Jesus' Brothers Urge Him to Go to the Feast"), [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Attempts to Arrest Jesus"), [John 8:20](/john/8-20 "John 8:20 - Jesus Teaches in the Temple")). The seeking of Gentiles for Jesus signifies that the scope of His redemptive work was broadening beyond Israel, indicating that the divinely appointed time for His ultimate sacrifice and universal impact was at hand. This moment occurs directly after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem ([John 12:12-19](/john/12-12-19 "John 12:12-19 - The Triumphal Entry")), where He was publicly hailed as King, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Passion Week.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover feast, a time when Jews from across the Roman Empire and beyond would gather to commemorate the Exodus and the lamb's sacrifice. The presence of "certain Greeks" (likely Gentile proselytes or God-fearers) at this Jewish feast is highly significant. In Jewish thought, the Messiah's reign would eventually extend to the Gentiles, but the immediate focus was often on Israel's restoration. The fact that Gentiles are now actively seeking Jesus underscores the universal scope of His mission, foreshadowing the inclusion of all nations into God's kingdom. Culturally, the concept of glory was often associated with power, victory, and earthly dominion. Jesus' redefinition of glory as achieved through suffering and death would have been counter-cultural and challenging to His Jewish audience, who largely anticipated a conquering Messiah.

* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several crucial themes prevalent in John's Gospel. The most prominent is **The Arrival of "The Hour,"** which signifies the divinely appointed, climactic moment of Jesus' passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. This "hour" is not merely a chronological time but a theological concept representing the culmination of God's redemptive plan. Another key theme is **Glorification Through Sacrifice.** In John, Jesus' glorification is paradoxically linked to His crucifixion. His death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension to the Father are not simply acts of suffering but the ultimate revelation of God's love, power, and glory. It is through this act of self-giving that His divine nature is most fully displayed and His mission accomplished, as further elaborated in [John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat"). Finally, Jesus' consistent self-designation as **"The Son of Man"** (Greek: _ho huios tou anthrōpou_) emphasizes both His true humanity and His unique divine authority, drawing from the prophetic vision in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Comes"). In this context, it highlights His role as the divinely appointed Messiah who must undergo suffering to achieve universal salvation and ultimate glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hour (Greek, _hṓra'_):** (G5610) This term, common in John's Gospel, refers to a specific, divinely appointed moment. Here, it denotes the long-anticipated culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, encompassing His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. It is not merely a temporal measurement but a theological marker for the decisive moment of God's redemptive plan.
* **come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** (G2064) This verb signifies arrival or coming. Its use in the perfect tense ("is come") emphasizes that the "hour" has definitively arrived and its effects are now present. It conveys a sense of divine inevitability and the fulfillment of prophecy, indicating that the preordained time has finally dawned.
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** (G1392) Derived from _dóxa_ (glory), this verb means to honor, magnify, or cause to have glory. In the context of John's Gospel, Jesus' glorification is uniquely tied to His crucifixion and resurrection. It signifies the revelation of His inherent divine nature and power, not despite His suffering, but precisely through it. This glorification is the ultimate display of God's redemptive purpose and Jesus' identity as the Son.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answered them, saying":** This phrase indicates that Jesus' declaration is a direct response to the request of the Greeks, mediated by Philip and Andrew. His answer is not a simple reply to their desire to "see" Him, but a profound theological statement about the significance of their arrival and the broader implications for His mission, signaling a shift in focus from His earthly ministry to His impending passion.
* **"The hour is come":** This is a momentous declaration. For much of John's Gospel, Jesus had stated that His "hour" had not yet arrived. Now, with the presence of Gentiles seeking Him, Jesus proclaims that the divinely appointed time for the climax of His redemptive work has finally dawned. This "hour" encompasses His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, which together constitute His ultimate glorification.
* **"that the Son of man should be glorified":** This clause reveals the purpose and nature of the "hour." Jesus' glorification is not a worldly coronation but a revelation of His divine nature and redemptive power through His suffering and death. The title "Son of Man" (a messianic title with roots in [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - The Son of Man Comes with Clouds")) emphasizes both His humanity and His unique authority as the one appointed by God to accomplish salvation. His glorification, therefore, is achieved through His obedient sacrifice, which brings about salvation for all who believe.

#### Literary Devices
John 12:23 employs several potent literary devices. **Paradox** is central, as Jesus speaks of being "glorified" in the context of His impending suffering and death. For the disciples and the Jewish audience, glory was typically associated with triumph and power, not with crucifixion. Jesus redefines glory as achieved through humility, obedience, and self-sacrifice, a concept that would have been counter-intuitive. The verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, clearly pointing to the events of the passion week—the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—as the means by which Jesus' divine glory will be fully revealed. The phrase "The hour is come" acts as a **Theological Marker**, signifying a pivotal moment in the divine timeline, a concept that has been building throughout John's Gospel. Finally, the use of the title **"Son of Man"** carries rich **Symbolism**, connecting Jesus to the prophetic figure in [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man"), who receives everlasting dominion and glory, but whose path to that glory, as Jesus reveals, involves suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:23 profoundly articulates the theological truth that true glory in God's kingdom is often achieved through the path of suffering and self-sacrifice, rather than worldly power or acclaim. It reveals God's sovereign timing in the unfolding of His redemptive plan, where the arrival of Gentiles signals the universal scope of Christ's mission and the culmination of centuries of prophetic anticipation. Jesus' glorification through the cross underscores the depth of divine love and the unique nature of His Messiahship, where victory over sin and death is secured not by force, but by sacrificial obedience. This redefines glory, aligning it with God's character and His ultimate purpose for humanity.

* [John 13:31-32](/john/13-31-32 "John 13:31-32 - The Son of Man Glorified"): "Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him."
* [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"): "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."
* [Hebrews 2:9-10](/hebrews/2-9-10 "Hebrews 2:9-10 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor"): "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 12:23 offers profound lessons for believers today, challenging our conventional understanding of glory and success. It teaches us that true spiritual glory, in the context of God's kingdom, often comes through humility, obedience, and self-sacrificial service, mirroring Christ's own path. Just as Jesus' glorification was achieved through His suffering on the cross, so too are believers called to a life of self-denial and surrender, understanding that following Christ involves taking up our cross daily ([Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross")). This verse also reminds us of the universal scope of the Gospel, signified by the Greeks seeking Jesus. It affirms that Christ's salvation is for all people, everywhere, and challenges us to participate in His global mission, extending the invitation of the Gospel to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Our willingness to "die" to self, to embrace hardship for the sake of Christ, and to serve others, becomes the means by which God's glory is revealed in and through our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' redefinition of "glory" in this verse challenge my own understanding of success or fulfillment?**
* **In what ways am I called to embrace "the hour" of self-sacrifice or humility in my own life for the sake of God's greater purposes?**
* **How does the arrival of the Greeks in this passage inspire my commitment to the global mission of the Church?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "the hour" in John's Gospel?**

Answer: In John's Gospel, "the hour" (Greek: _hṓra_) is a crucial theological concept that refers to the divinely appointed, climactic moment of Jesus' passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. Prior to [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come"), Jesus frequently states that His hour "had not yet come" (e.g., [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus' First Miracle"), [John 7:6](/john/7-6 "John 7:6 - Jesus' Brothers Urge Him to Go to the Feast"), [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Attempts to Arrest Jesus"), [John 8:20](/john/8-20 "John 8:20 - Jesus Teaches in the Temple")). This indicates that He was operating according to God's precise timetable, not human will or timing. The declaration in [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come") signifies that this long-awaited, decisive moment has finally arrived, marking the beginning of the final phase of His redemptive work on earth, leading directly to His ultimate sacrifice and glorification. It underscores God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His eternal plan.

**Why is Jesus' glorification linked to His suffering and death in John's Gospel?**

Answer: In John's Gospel, Jesus' glorification is paradoxically and intimately linked to His suffering and death on the cross. This is a central theme, contrasting sharply with worldly notions of glory. For Jesus, the cross is not merely an instrument of shame and suffering, but the very means by which His divine nature, power, and love are most fully revealed. His death is the ultimate act of obedience and self-sacrifice, through which He conquers sin and death, and opens the way for salvation for all humanity. Therefore, His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension are seen as a unified act of glorification, demonstrating God's ultimate triumph and the fulfillment of His redemptive purpose. This concept is further elaborated in passages like [John 13:31-32](/john/13-31-32 "John 13:31-32 - The Son of Man Glorified") and [John 17:1-5](/john/17-1-5 "John 17:1-5 - Jesus Prays for Himself"), where Jesus explicitly prays for His glorification in connection with His impending sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 12:23 stands as a profound Christ-centered declaration, revealing the very heart of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' pronouncement, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified," encapsulates the ultimate purpose of His incarnation. This "hour" is the culmination of all Old Testament prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant and the triumphant Messiah. It is through His voluntary submission to the cross that Jesus, the divine Son of Man, achieves ultimate victory over sin, death, and the devil. This glorification is not a worldly coronation, but the revelation of His inherent divine glory through His sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, which secures salvation for all who believe. As [Luke 24:26](/luke/24-26 "Luke 24:26 - Christ Must Suffer and Enter His Glory") affirms, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" This verse in John foreshadows the ultimate exaltation of Christ, who, "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")). His glorification through suffering is the foundation of the New Covenant, making possible the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of His universal kingdom, fulfilling the prophecies of a Messiah whose suffering would lead to glory for all nations ([1 Peter 1:11](/1_peter/1-11 "1 Peter 1:11 - Prophecies of Christ's Sufferings and Glories")).

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

John 13:31

¶ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

John 13:32

If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

John 17:1

¶ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Isaiah 60:9

¶ Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 55:5

Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Mark 14:41

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.