John 12:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Father {G3962}, glorify {G1392} thy {G4675} name {G3686}. Then {G3767} came there {G2064} a voice {G5456} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, saying, I have {G1392} both {G2532} glorified {G1392} it, and {G2532} will glorify {G1392} it again {G3825}.

Complete Jewish Bible

‘Father, glorify your name!’” At this a bat-kol came out of heaven, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!”

Berean Standard Bible

Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

American Standard Version

Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This captures a profound moment in Jesus' final week before His crucifixion, where He prays for the Father's name to be glorified, immediately receiving an audible, divine affirmation from heaven. This celestial voice confirms that God has already glorified His name through Jesus' earthly ministry and will continue to do so through the Son's impending suffering, death, and ultimate exaltation, underscoring the divine purpose behind Christ's redemptive mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated within a significant discourse in [John's Gospel](/john/12 "John 12 - The Anointing at Bethany and Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem") that immediately precedes Jesus' passion. Following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the anointing at Bethany, Jesus speaks to a crowd, including some Greeks who wish to see Him. He uses the metaphor of a [grain of wheat falling into the ground to die](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat") to explain the necessity and fruitfulness of His impending death. This teaching leads to a moment of deep spiritual anguish, where Jesus confesses His "troubled soul" in [John 12:27](/john/12-27 "John 12:27 - Jesus' Troubled Soul"). Despite the natural human desire to avoid suffering, He resolves to embrace the Father's will, leading directly to the prayer for glorification in [John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus' Prayer and the Father's Voice"). The subsequent verses reveal the crowd's confusion about the voice, and Jesus' explanation that the voice came for their benefit, not His own.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' public ministry is drawing to a close, and the Passover festival is imminent, drawing vast numbers of pilgrims to Jerusalem. This setting intensifies the spiritual and political atmosphere. The Jewish people, under Roman occupation, eagerly awaited a Messiah, often envisioning a conquering king who would restore Israel's earthly kingdom. Jesus' teaching about His death as a means of glory, rather than a display of immediate earthly power, challenged these expectations. The concept of a "voice from heaven" (Hebrew: *bat kol*), while not as authoritative as direct prophecy, was recognized in intertestamental Judaism as a means by which God communicated, particularly after the cessation of prophetic revelation. This divine affirmation would have been understood by some as a significant, albeit perplexing, sign of divine involvement, even if its meaning was not immediately clear to all present.
* **Key Themes:** [John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus' Prayer and the Father's Voice") powerfully highlights several core themes woven throughout [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John"). Central is the theme of **Divine Glory**, particularly how God's glory is revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ, culminating in His death and resurrection. Jesus' prayer emphasizes His absolute **Submission to the Father's Will**, even in the face of immense suffering, demonstrating His perfect obedience and singular focus on God's honor. The Father's audible response underscores **Divine Affirmation and Sovereignty**, confirming Jesus' identity as the Son and the divine orchestration of His mission. This event also foreshadows the **Exaltation of Christ** through His suffering, revealing that true glory is achieved not through worldly triumph but through sacrificial love and obedience, aligning with the broader narrative of Jesus' journey to the cross as the ultimate act of glorification, as seen in passages like [John 13:31-32](/john/13-31-32 "John 13:31-32 - The Son of Man Glorified").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** From G3962, this term signifies a "father" literally or figuratively, near or more remote. Here, it denotes the intimate, unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father, emphasizing Jesus' divine sonship and the profound personal connection that undergirds His prayer. It highlights the source of Jesus' mission and the ultimate recipient of His obedience and sacrifice.
* **glorify (Greek, _doxázō'_):** From G1392, meaning to render or esteem glorious, to praise, honor, or magnify. In this context, Jesus' prayer is not for God to *become* glorious, but to *reveal* His inherent glory through Jesus' actions. The Father's response confirms that He has already manifested His glory through Jesus' earthly ministry and will do so again, specifically through the cross and resurrection, which are the ultimate revelation of God's character, power, and redemptive love.
* **voice (Greek, _phōnḗ'_):** From G5456, referring to a tone, sound, or address. This term emphasizes the audible, unmistakable nature of God's communication from heaven. It signifies a direct divine intervention, a clear and authoritative pronouncement that validates Jesus' prayer and mission, serving as a public declaration of divine approval.
* **heaven (Greek, _ouranós'_):** From G3772, referring to the sky, and by extension, heaven as the abode of God. The origin of the voice "from heaven" underscores its divine source and supreme authority. It signifies that the affirmation comes directly from God's dwelling place, lending ultimate weight and truth to the message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Father, glorify thy name."**: This is Jesus' direct, intimate address to God the Father. It is a prayer born out of deep spiritual anguish, yet it reveals Jesus' ultimate priority: the honor and revelation of God's character and nature. Jesus is not praying for personal comfort or escape from suffering, but that His impending passion and death would serve as the ultimate means by which God's glory—His power, holiness, love, and redemptive purpose—would be fully displayed to the world. It is a prayer of complete submission and selfless devotion.
* **"Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying],"**: This clause describes the immediate, supernatural response to Jesus' prayer. The "voice from heaven" signifies a direct, audible communication from God the Father, a rare and profound event in the Gospels (cf. Jesus' baptism and transfiguration). The use of "then" (οὖν, G3767) emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the divine reply, highlighting God's attentiveness and active involvement in Jesus' mission. This voice serves as an undeniable, public affirmation of Jesus' identity and the divine approval of His path.
* **"I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again."**: This is God the Father's direct declaration. The first part, "I have both glorified [it]," refers to the glory already revealed through Jesus' earthly ministry—His miracles, teachings, and perfect life, which consistently pointed to the Father. The second part, "and will glorify [it] again," points to the future, specifically to Jesus' impending crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. These events, though involving suffering, would be the ultimate revelation of God's glory, demonstrating His power over sin and death, and His redemptive love for humanity. This statement confirms that Jesus' entire journey, including His suffering, is part of God's sovereign plan to magnify His name.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God to humankind, here presented as an audible voice. This direct divine intervention elevates the significance of Jesus' prayer and the Father's response, underscoring the supernatural nature of the event and God's active presence. The **Dialogue** between Jesus and the Father, though brief, highlights the unique and intimate relationship between the Son and the Father, central to Johannine theology. The Father's response also contains a form of **Prophecy** or **Foreshadowing**, as the declaration "will glorify it again" explicitly points to future events—Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension—as the ultimate means of God's glorification. The use of **Repetition** in the word "glorify" (doxázō) emphasizes its centrality to the exchange, reinforcing the theme of God's honor and the divine purpose behind Jesus' mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:28 stands as a profound theological anchor, revealing the core purpose of Jesus' earthly ministry: the glorification of God the Father. This exchange underscores the unity and shared purpose within the Trinity, as the Son's obedience and suffering become the very means by which the Father's majesty is most fully unveiled. It challenges human notions of glory, demonstrating that God's glory is supremely revealed not in earthly power or triumph, but in sacrificial love, obedience unto death, and the subsequent victory over sin and death. This divine affirmation of Jesus' path, even towards suffering, provides assurance that God is sovereignly at work, fulfilling His redemptive plan through Christ.

* [John 17:1](/john/17-1 "John 17:1 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer for Glorification")
* [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")
* [Hebrews 5:7-9](/hebrews/5-7-9 "Hebrews 5:7-9 - Christ's Obedience and Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus' Prayer and the Father's Voice") offers a profound model for our own lives, especially when facing trials or difficult decisions. Jesus, despite His "troubled soul," did not pray for an escape from suffering but for the Father's name to be glorified through it. This challenges us to shift our perspective from personal comfort or worldly success to the ultimate purpose of glorifying God in all circumstances. It reminds us that God's plan often involves paths we might naturally shrink from, yet these very paths can become the most potent arenas for His glory to be displayed. When we prioritize God's glory, we align ourselves with His divine purposes, trusting that He is at work, even when the way is hard, and that His affirmation, though perhaps not audible, is always present for those who walk in obedience. We are called to live lives that, like Christ's, point beyond ourselves to the magnificent character and redemptive power of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most tempted to seek my own comfort or glory rather than God's?**
* **How does Jesus' prayer in [John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus' Prayer and the Father's Voice") challenge my understanding of what it means to truly glorify God?**
* **Can I identify a past or current difficult situation where God's glory was or could be revealed through my obedience or suffering?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that, like Jesus', prioritizes God's name and will above all else?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "voice from heaven" in John 12:28?**

Answer: The "voice from heaven" in [John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus' Prayer and the Father's Voice") is highly significant as it represents a direct, audible communication from God the Father Himself. This is one of only three such instances recorded in the Gospels (the others being at Jesus' baptism in [Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Voice at Jesus' Baptism") and the Transfiguration in [Matthew 17:5](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - The Voice at the Transfiguration")). Its significance lies in its powerful divine affirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son and the divine approval of His mission, particularly His impending suffering and death. It serves as a public validation of Jesus' prayer and a confirmation that His path, though leading to the cross, is part of God's sovereign plan to display His glory.

**How has God "glorified" His name through Jesus, and how will He "glorify it again"?**

Answer: God has "glorified" His name through Jesus' earthly ministry by revealing His character, power, and redemptive purpose through Jesus' teachings, miracles, and perfect life of obedience. Every act of Jesus, from healing the sick to raising the dead, pointed to the Father's glory and power. The Father "will glorify it again" through Jesus' impending crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The cross, though seemingly a defeat, is the ultimate display of God's love ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")) and justice, where sin is atoned for. The resurrection demonstrates God's power over death and sin ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")), and the ascension signifies Jesus' exaltation to the Father's right hand ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Jesus Exalted to God's Right Hand")), completing the process by which God's name is supremely magnified through His Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus' Prayer and the Father's Voice") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality that Jesus' entire life, death, and resurrection were orchestrated by God the Father to bring Him ultimate glory. Jesus' prayer, "Father, glorify thy name," is not a request for a future event, but an alignment with the Father's eternal purpose, a purpose fully realized in the Son. The Father's immediate response, "I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again," unequivocally confirms that the cross, far from being a defeat, is the pinnacle of God's self-revelation. Through Jesus' suffering and death, God's perfect love, righteousness, and power to overcome sin and death are most brilliantly displayed. This glorification culminates in Jesus' resurrection, where He is declared the Son of God in power ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")), and His ascension, where He is exalted to the Father's right hand, receiving "the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, the Father's glory is inextricably linked to the Son's sacrificial obedience, making Christ the ultimate means by which God's name is magnified throughout all creation and for all eternity.

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.

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.

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Revelation 5:14

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

John 11:44

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.