John 12:34

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

The people {G3793} answered {G611} him {G846}, We {G2249} have heard {G191} out of {G1537} the law {G3551} that {G3754} Christ {G5547} abideth {G3306} for {G1519} ever {G165}: and {G2532} how {G4459} sayest {G3004} thou {G4771},{G3754} The Son {G5207} of man {G444} must {G1163} be lifted up {G5312}? who {G5101} is {G2076} this {G3778} Son {G5207} of man {G444}?

The crowd answered, “We have learned from the Torah that the Messiah remains forever. How is it that you say the Son of Man has to be ‘lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Commentary on John 12:34 (KJV)

In this verse, the crowd responds to Jesus' statement about the "Son of man" being "lifted up" (referencing his impending crucifixion and subsequent exaltation). Their reaction reveals a common expectation among the Jewish people of the time regarding the Messiah.

Historical and Cultural Context

Jesus is speaking publicly in Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion. The people are referencing their understanding of the Old Testament scriptures ("the law"), which they believed taught that the Messiah would reign forever. This expectation stemmed from passages like Psalm 110, Isaiah 9:7, and Daniel 7:14, which describe the Messiah's eternal kingdom and dominion. Jesus' talk of the "Son of man" being "lifted up"—a phrase they may have interpreted as being killed or removed—conflicted sharply with their vision of a permanently present, victorious Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Misunderstanding of the Messiah: The crowd held a limited view of the Messiah, focusing primarily on his eternal reign and political triumph, while largely missing or ignoring the prophecies regarding his suffering and death (e.g., Isaiah 53).
  • Confusion over "Son of Man": While Jesus frequently used this title for himself, the crowd here questions if the "Son of man" he speaks of is the same eternal figure they expect as the Messiah. The title "Son of Man" has roots in Daniel 7:13-14, where he is given eternal dominion, yet Jesus also applied it to his suffering.
  • The Paradox of Christ's Work: The verse highlights the tension between the Messiah's role as the suffering servant who is "lifted up" on the cross and his identity as the eternal King who "abides forever." Both aspects are crucial parts of God's plan, but the crowd struggled to reconcile them.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "out of the law" refers broadly to the Old Testament scriptures, not just the Mosaic Law. The word "abideth" (Greek: menō) means to remain, dwell, or continue, emphasizing the crowd's expectation of a Messiah who would perpetually be present and reigning.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that understanding God's plan requires embracing the full scope of scripture, not just the parts that fit our preconceived notions. We must look at both Christ's suffering and his glory, his death and his resurrection, his humility and his eternal reign, to grasp the complete truth of who he is and what he accomplished.

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.

  • Ezekiel 37:24

    And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

  • Ezekiel 37:25

    And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • Daniel 7:14

    And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

  • Psalms 110:4

    The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

  • John 3:14

    And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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