John 12:33

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

{G1161} This {G5124} he said {G3004}, signifying {G4591} what {G4169} death {G2288} he should {G3195} die {G599}.

He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die.

He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die.

John 12:33 serves as a crucial interpretive statement by the Apostle John, clarifying the profound meaning behind Jesus' preceding words. It directly tells the reader that Jesus' reference to being "lifted up" was a clear prophecy concerning the specific, gruesome method of His death: crucifixion.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' statement in John 12:32: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." The evangelist John here clarifies the meaning of Jesus' seemingly ambiguous phrase "lifted up." While "lifted up" could imply exaltation or honor, in this context, John explicitly tells us it refers to the manner of His death. This discourse occurs during Jesus' final public ministry in Jerusalem, shortly before His passion, prompted by certain Greeks seeking to see Him (see John 12:20), which led Jesus to speak of the necessity of a grain of wheat dying to bear much fruit.

Key Themes

  • Prophecy of the Cross: This verse serves as a direct interpretation by John, confirming that Jesus' "lifting up" was a prophecy of His crucifixion. It underscores the divine foreknowledge of Christ's atoning death, emphasizing that His death was not an accident but part of God's sovereign plan.
  • Crucifixion as Glorification: Paradoxically, the cross, an instrument of shame and execution in Roman society, is presented as the means of Christ's ultimate glorification and victory over sin and death. This theme is echoed elsewhere in John's Gospel, where Jesus refers to His death as His "hour" of glory (e.g., John 13:31).
  • Universal Atonement: The act of being "lifted up" would not only signify His death but also enable Him to "draw all men unto me" (John 12:32), pointing to the universal scope of His redemptive work and the power of the cross to bring salvation to all who believe.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word sēmainōn (σημαίνων), translated "signifying," means "indicating," "making known," or "pointing to." John uses this word to provide divine insight into Jesus' veiled prophecy, leaving no doubt about its meaning for the reader. The phrase "lifted up" (Greek: hypsōthō) is intentionally ambiguous in Jesus' original statement, carrying connotations of both physical elevation (on the cross) and spiritual exaltation (to glory). John's commentary removes this ambiguity, focusing on the method of death. Jesus used this same phrase in John 3:14 when speaking to Nicodemus, further foreshadowing His crucifixion.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers that the crucifixion was not an accident or a defeat, but a pre-ordained, central event in God's plan for salvation. It calls us to reflect deeply on the nature of Christ's sacrifice—a death that, though agonizing, was also the means of His glorification and the ultimate expression of God's profound love for humanity (see John 3:16). The power of the cross continues to draw people from all walks of life to Jesus, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life to those who believe in Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 18:32

    That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

  • John 21:19

    This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

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