John 12:27

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G3568} is {G5015} my {G3450} soul {G5590} troubled {G5015}; and {G2532} what {G5101} shall I say {G2036}? Father {G3962}, save {G4982} me {G3165} from {G1537} this {G5026} hour {G5610}: but {G235} for this {G5124} cause {G1223} came I {G2064} unto {G1519} this {G5026} hour {G5610}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Now I am in turmoil. What can I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I will say this:

Berean Standard Bible

Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 12:27 captures a deeply poignant moment in Jesus' final public ministry, just days before His crucifixion. It reveals His profound human anguish as His soul is "troubled" by the impending suffering and death, prompting a momentary question about seeking deliverance. Yet, immediately, He reaffirms His unwavering commitment to the divine purpose for which He came into the world, acknowledging that this very "hour" of sacrifice is the culmination of His mission. This verse powerfully illustrates the tension between His genuine humanity and His resolute submission to the Father's redemptive will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jesus' final public discourse in Jerusalem, immediately following His triumphal entry and the arrival of some Greeks who wish to see Him. Jesus responds to their request not by meeting them directly, but by declaring that "the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" [John 12:23](/john/12-23 "John 12:23 - The Hour Has Come"). He then uses the powerful analogy of a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying to produce much fruit, clearly foreshadowing His own death and resurrection [John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat Principle"). This sets the stage for the intense internal struggle expressed in [John 12:27](/john/12-27 "John 12:27 - Jesus' Troubled Soul"), as Jesus grapples with the immediate reality of the suffering necessary for that glorification. The Father's voice then responds, affirming His name's glorification and future glorification through Jesus [John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - The Father's Voice"). This entire section underscores the necessity and divine purpose of Jesus' impending death.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' statement occurs during the Passover week, a time of immense religious and nationalistic fervor in Jerusalem. The city would have been teeming with pilgrims, many of whom harbored messianic expectations, some political in nature. The Roman occupation was a constant backdrop, and the Jewish religious authorities were increasingly hostile towards Jesus, viewing Him as a threat to their power and stability. The concept of a suffering Messiah was largely antithetical to prevailing Jewish expectations of a conquering king, making Jesus' embrace of suffering, even with internal struggle, a radical act of obedience. His reference to "this hour" would have resonated with the Jewish understanding of divinely appointed times, though its specific meaning here points to a unique, redemptive event.

* **Key Themes:** [John 12:27](/john/12-27 "John 12:27 - Jesus' Troubled Soul") contributes significantly to several key themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Humanity and Divinity**, showcasing His genuine human emotions—trouble, anguish, and the natural desire to avoid pain—while simultaneously affirming His divine mission and unwavering commitment to the Father's will. This tension is crucial for understanding the incarnation. Another prominent theme is **The "Hour" of Glorification**, a recurring motif in John's Gospel that signifies the predetermined time of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, which He consistently views as His ultimate glorification [John 17:1](/john/17-1 "John 17:1 - Jesus' Prayer for Glorification"). This verse marks the definitive arrival of that long-anticipated "hour." Finally, the theme of **Submission to the Father's Will** is powerfully demonstrated. Despite His inner turmoil, Jesus' ultimate decision to embrace the cross highlights His perfect obedience, a central aspect of His relationship with the Father and His redemptive work [John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **troubled (Greek, _tarássō'_):** From G5015, meaning "to stir or agitate (roil water)." This word conveys a deep, internal disturbance, not merely a fleeting discomfort. It speaks of a profound emotional and spiritual turmoil, akin to water being violently stirred or muddied, indicating the intensity of Jesus' anguish as He contemplated the cross. This is a strong term, emphasizing the severity of His inner struggle.
* **hour (Greek, _hṓra'_):** From G5610, meaning "an 'hour' (literally or figuratively)." In John's Gospel, "the hour" is a significant theological term, consistently referring to the appointed, predetermined time of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and subsequent glorification. Its arrival signifies the culmination of His earthly ministry and the moment of ultimate divine revelation and redemption. Jesus had previously stated His hour had "not yet come" [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus' Response to Mary at Cana"); [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Attempts to Seize Jesus"), but here He explicitly acknowledges its arrival.
* **cause (Greek, _diá'_):** From G1223, a primary preposition denoting "the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)." In this context, "for this cause" (διὰ τοῦτο, _dia touto_) indicates the *reason* or *purpose* for which Jesus came. It signifies that His very incarnation and earthly ministry were directed towards this specific "hour" of suffering and glorification, making it the divinely ordained culmination of His mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now is my soul troubled;"**: This opening clause reveals Jesus' profound inner turmoil. The word "troubled" (tarássō) indicates a deep agitation, a roiling of the innermost being. This is not a feigned emotion but a genuine expression of human anguish in the face of immense suffering and death, highlighting Jesus' full humanity.
* **"and what shall I say?"**: This rhetorical question underscores the depth of His distress and the gravity of the situation. It's not a genuine request for advice, but an expression of the overwhelming nature of the impending events, as if the path forward is so stark that words fail Him. It reflects a moment of raw vulnerability.
* **"Father, save me from this hour:"**: This is a cry born of human instinct—a natural desire to avoid pain, suffering, and death. It echoes the later prayer in Gethsemane [Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane"), demonstrating that Jesus truly felt the weight of the cross and the temptation to shrink from it. It's a plea for deliverance, revealing His full identification with human weakness.
* **"but for this cause came I unto this hour."**: This powerful conjunction ("but") immediately shifts the tone from human anguish to divine resolve. Despite the troubled soul and the natural desire for escape, Jesus reaffirms His ultimate purpose. His entire mission, His incarnation, and His earthly life were precisely "for this cause"—to arrive at this "hour" of suffering and death, which would lead to glorification and the salvation of humanity. This statement demonstrates His unwavering obedience and commitment to the Father's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
John 12:27 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The verse functions as an **Internal Monologue**, allowing the reader direct access to Jesus' innermost thoughts and emotional struggle, making His humanity profoundly relatable. There is a stark **Antithesis** or **Paradox** presented: the natural human desire to avoid suffering ("Father, save me from this hour") is immediately juxtaposed with the divine, predetermined purpose for which He came ("but for this cause came I unto this hour"). This creates dramatic tension and highlights the unique nature of Christ's mission and obedience. The phrase "my soul troubled" employs a form of **Personification**, attributing a state of agitation to the soul itself, emphasizing the depth of His internal distress. Furthermore, the entire utterance serves as powerful **Foreshadowing** of the agony Jesus would experience in Gethsemane, reinforcing the authenticity of His struggle before the cross.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:27 provides a crucial theological window into the person of Christ, affirming both His complete humanity and His unwavering divine purpose. It demonstrates that Jesus truly experienced the full range of human emotions, including profound distress and the natural aversion to suffering, yet He never deviated from His Father's will. This internal struggle underscores the immense cost of redemption and the depth of His love. His submission to the "hour" reveals the sovereign plan of God, where suffering is not an accident but the divinely appointed means for glorification and the salvation of humanity. This moment of vulnerability, followed by resolute commitment, highlights the perfect obedience of the Son to the Father, a foundational truth for understanding the atonement.

* [Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")
* [Hebrews 5:7-8](/hebrews/5-7-8 "Hebrews 5:7-8 - Jesus' Prayers and Obedience")
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 12:27 offers profound lessons for believers navigating life's challenges. Jesus' raw honesty about His troubled soul normalizes our own experiences of fear, anxiety, and the desire to avoid difficult circumstances. It teaches us that even when facing overwhelming trials, it is permissible to express our deepest fears and desires to God, just as Jesus cried out to His Father. However, the verse also calls us to move beyond mere expression of distress to a place of profound submission and purpose. Like Jesus, we are invited to recognize that some difficult "hours" in our lives may be precisely "for this cause"—for a greater divine purpose, for our sanctification, or for God's glory to be revealed through our obedience. This requires a deep trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it leads through pain, reminding us that our ultimate purpose is to align with His will, knowing that He works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' admission of a "troubled soul" encourage you in your own moments of fear or anxiety?**
* **When have you experienced a "troubled soul" in the face of a difficult situation, and how did you respond?**
* **What "hour" or challenging circumstance in your life might God be using "for this cause"—to fulfill a greater purpose or reveal His glory?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it involves suffering or paths you would naturally seek to avoid?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus' soul troubled if He knew His divine purpose?**

Answer: Jesus' troubled soul in [John 12:27](/john/12-27 "John 12:27 - Jesus' Troubled Soul") is a profound testament to His full humanity. While He possessed divine foreknowledge of His purpose and ultimate victory, He also genuinely experienced human emotions, including fear, anguish, and the natural aversion to immense suffering and death. His knowledge of the cross did not diminish the reality of the pain, separation, and sin-bearing that awaited Him. This struggle highlights the authenticity of His sacrifice; He wasn't a robot going through motions, but a real man facing real agony, yet choosing obedience out of love for the Father and humanity. It underscores the depth of His empathy and the cost of our salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 12:27 is a pivotal moment revealing the heart of Christ's redemptive mission. Jesus' troubled soul and subsequent resolute commitment to "this hour" find their ultimate fulfillment in His sacrificial death on the cross. This "hour" was not merely a moment of suffering, but the divinely appointed time for the Son of Man to be "lifted up" [John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Lifted Up"), drawing all people to Himself. His willingness to embrace this hour, despite His human anguish, perfectly embodies the obedient Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His suffering and death, Jesus inaugurated the new covenant, offering eternal life to all who believe. His submission in [John 12:27](/john/12-27 "John 12:27 - Jesus' Troubled Soul") foreshadows His triumph over sin and death, culminating in His resurrection and ascension, where He was glorified and seated at the right hand of God [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation"). Thus, this moment of profound human struggle is precisely the pathway to His ultimate victory and our salvation.

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 12:23

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

John 13:21

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Isaiah 38:15

What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done [it]: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

Matthew 26:42

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Hebrews 2:14

¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Matthew 26:38

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.