John 12:34

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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’?”

Berean Standard Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
In John 12:34, the Jewish crowd challenges Jesus' statement about the "Son of Man" being "lifted up," expressing confusion because their understanding of the Law (Old Testament scriptures) taught that the Christ (Messiah) would "abide forever." This verse captures the profound tension between popular messianic expectations of an eternally reigning king and Jesus' prophetic declarations concerning his impending crucifixion and subsequent glorification, revealing the people's struggle to reconcile the suffering and triumphant aspects of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' declaration in [John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Foretells His Lifting Up") that "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." [John 12:33](/john/12-33 "John 12:33 - Indicating His Death") clarifies that Jesus was signifying "what death he should die." The crowd's response in [John 12:34](/john/12-34 "John 12:34 - The Crowd's Question about the Son of Man") indicates their direct reaction to this specific, unsettling prophecy. The broader context of [John 12](/john/12 "John 12 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry and Final Public Teaching") includes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the anointing at Bethany, and the Greeks seeking to see Jesus, all of which heighten the messianic fervor and anticipation among the people. The crowd's question here underscores their inability to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom and the necessity of his atoning death.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, during the Passover week, a time of heightened nationalistic and messianic expectation. Jewish people of this era held a strong belief, derived from various Old Testament prophecies, that the Messiah would be a conquering king who would establish an eternal earthly kingdom, freeing Israel from Roman oppression. Passages like [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - Eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek"), [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - Messiah's Eternal Kingdom"), and especially [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - Son of Man's Dominion") with its description of the "Son of Man" receiving "everlasting dominion," fueled this expectation of an enduring, victorious reign. The phrase "out of the law" (ἐκ τοῦ νόμου) refers broadly to the entire Old Testament scriptures, not just the Mosaic Law, reflecting their conviction that these prophecies were foundational to their understanding of the Messiah. Jesus' talk of being "lifted up" (which they likely interpreted as execution or removal) directly contradicted this deeply ingrained hope for an abiding, triumphant Messiah.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully highlights several critical themes within John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it exposes the **Misunderstanding of the Messiah's Mission**, as the crowd clung to a political and earthly vision of the Christ, failing to comprehend the redemptive necessity of his suffering and death, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Secondly, it underscores the **Paradox of Christ's Exaltation through Humiliation**, where Jesus' "lifting up" refers simultaneously to his crucifixion (a shameful death) and his subsequent glorification and ascension. This paradox is central to Christian theology, revealing that true exaltation comes through sacrificial service. Lastly, the crowd's question about "who is this Son of man?" points to the **Identity of Jesus** as the fulfillment of both the suffering servant prophecies and the eternal king prophecies, a truth they were not yet prepared to accept.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Law (Greek, _nómos'_):** From G3551, meaning "law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)." Here, it refers broadly to the Old Testament scriptures, the foundational texts from which the Jewish people derived their understanding of God's promises and the Messiah.
* **Abideth (Greek, _ménō'_):** From G3306, meaning "to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own." The crowd's use of this word emphasizes their expectation that the Messiah would be a permanent, enduring presence, ruling without end.
* **Lifted up (Greek, _hypsóō'_):** From G5312, meaning "to elevate (literally or figuratively):--exalt, lift up." This word is crucial for understanding the double meaning in John's Gospel, referring both to Jesus' physical elevation on the cross and his subsequent spiritual exaltation and glorification by God. The crowd likely understood only the former, seeing it as a contradiction to the Messiah's eternal reign.
* **Son of man (Greek, _huiós ánthrōpos'_):** Composed of G5207 (_huiós_), meaning "a 'son' (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship," and G444 (_ánthrōpos_), meaning "man-faced, i.e. a human being." This title, frequently used by Jesus for himself, connects him to the human experience while also alluding to the divine, authoritative figure in [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - Son of Man Coming with Clouds"). The crowd's question "who is this Son of man?" reveals their confusion over how this figure could be both the eternal Messiah and one who must suffer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever:"** The crowd, representing the general Jewish populace, responds to Jesus' previous statement about being "lifted up." Their immediate counter-argument is based on their interpretation of the Old Testament ("the law"), which they believe unequivocally teaches that the Messiah (Christ) will establish an eternal, unending kingdom, implying a perpetual physical presence and reign. This reflects a common, politically charged messianic expectation of the time.
* **"and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?"** The crowd directly challenges Jesus, highlighting the perceived contradiction between their understanding of the Messiah's eternal reign and Jesus' assertion that the "Son of man" (a title they associated with the Messiah from Daniel 7) "must be lifted up." The word "must" (G1163, _deî_) implies divine necessity, which further perplexes them, as they cannot reconcile a necessary suffering or death with an eternal reign.
* **"who is this Son of man?"** This final question encapsulates their profound confusion and skepticism. They recognize the title "Son of Man" but cannot reconcile Jesus' application of it to a suffering figure with their traditional understanding of the Messiah's enduring, glorious dominion. It reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and the true nature of his messianic mission, particularly the necessity of his atoning death.

#### Literary Devices
This verse masterfully employs **Irony** and **Paradox**. The crowd, believing they are upholding scriptural truth ("out of the law that Christ abideth for ever"), ironically misses the deeper, fuller truth of prophecy which includes the Messiah's suffering (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")). The central **Paradox** lies in Jesus' "lifting up," which simultaneously refers to the ignominy of crucifixion and the glory of his exaltation and ascension. The crowd perceives only the former, seeing it as a contradiction to the Messiah's eternal reign, thus failing to grasp the divine plan where humiliation precedes ultimate glorification. Furthermore, the scene presents a dramatic **Misunderstanding**, as the crowd's earthly, political expectations clash with Jesus' spiritual and redemptive mission, highlighting the chasm between human wisdom and divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:34 serves as a poignant illustration of humanity's frequent inability to grasp God's full redemptive plan, particularly when it deviates from preconceived notions of power and glory. The crowd's insistence on an eternally abiding Christ, while biblically rooted in prophecies of the Messiah's unending reign, overlooked the equally vital prophecies of his suffering and death. This tension between the suffering servant and the reigning king is a central theological paradox resolved only in Christ's complete work. His "lifting up" on the cross, far from negating his eternal reign, was the very means by which that reign would be established and extended to all who believe, fulfilling both aspects of messianic prophecy. This passage thus underscores the necessity of a holistic understanding of Scripture and God's sovereign will, embracing both the humility and the exaltation of Christ.

* [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Luke 24:25-27](/luke/24-25-27 "Luke 24:25-27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures to Disciples")
* [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The crowd's struggle in John 12:34 is a timeless mirror reflecting our own tendencies to selectively interpret God's word, often favoring what aligns with our desires or expectations. Just as they clung to prophecies of an eternal, victorious king while overlooking the suffering servant, we too can fall into the trap of emphasizing certain aspects of faith while neglecting others that might challenge our comfort or understanding. This verse calls us to a deeper, more comprehensive engagement with Scripture, recognizing that God's ways are often paradoxical and transcend human logic. True faith embraces the full counsel of God, acknowledging that Christ's glory is inextricably linked to his suffering, and that his eternal reign was secured through his sacrificial death. It reminds us that spiritual truth often unfolds in ways we do not anticipate, requiring humility and a willingness to surrender our preconceived notions to God's revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What preconceived notions or expectations do I sometimes bring to my reading of Scripture that might hinder my full understanding of God's truth?**
* **How do I reconcile the paradoxes of faith, such as Christ's suffering and his glory, or God's sovereignty and human free will?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's "lifting up" (His plan for my sanctification or service) because it involves a form of suffering or humility I wish to avoid?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Jewish people expect the Messiah to "abide forever" and how did Jesus' words contradict this?**

Answer: The Jewish people's expectation that the Messiah would "abide forever" stemmed from various Old Testament prophecies, particularly those in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - Son of Man's Dominion"), [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - Messiah's Eternal Kingdom"), and [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - Eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek"), which spoke of an everlasting kingdom and an eternal ruler. They interpreted this to mean a perpetually present, victorious earthly king who would deliver Israel from foreign oppression and establish a glorious, unending reign. Jesus' statement that the "Son of Man must be lifted up" (referring to his crucifixion, as clarified in [John 12:33](/john/12-33 "John 12:33 - Indicating His Death")) directly contradicted their understanding, as being "lifted up" in that context implied a violent, shameful death, which seemed incompatible with an eternal, triumphant reign. They could not reconcile the idea of a Messiah who would die with their expectation of one who would live and rule forever.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 12:34, with the crowd's confusion over the "Son of Man" being "lifted up" while also "abiding forever," powerfully foreshadows the full Christ-centered fulfillment found in the New Testament. Jesus' "lifting up" on the cross was not the end of his reign but the very means of its establishment and eternal nature. As [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation") explains, Christ's obedience "unto death, even the death of the cross," was precisely why God "highly exalted him." His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension (his ultimate "lifting up" to the Father's right hand) are the means by which he secured an eternal kingdom, fulfilling the prophecies of an abiding Messiah. The "Son of Man" who was lifted up on Calvary is the same Christ who now "ever liveth to make intercession" for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")) and whose "throne, O God, is for ever and ever" ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")). The paradox the crowd struggled with is resolved in the gospel: Christ's suffering was the necessary path to his eternal glory and the establishment of a kingdom that truly abides forever, not merely in earthly presence but in spiritual and cosmic dominion.

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

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.