John 12:50

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

And {G2532} I know {G1492} that {G3754} his {G846} commandment {G1785} is {G2076} life {G2222} everlasting {G166}: whatsoever {G3739} I {G1473} speak {G2980} therefore {G3767}, even as {G2531} the Father {G3962} said {G2046} unto me {G3427}, so {G3779} I speak {G2980}.

And I know that his command is eternal life. So what I say is simply what the Father has told me to say.”

And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”

And I know that his commandment is life eternal; the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.

Commentary

John 12:50 (KJV) presents a profound declaration from Jesus Christ concerning the origin and eternal significance of His words, serving as a powerful summary of His divine mission and authority.

Context

This verse concludes Jesus' final public discourse recorded in the Gospel of John before His crucifixion. Following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the anointing at Bethany, Jesus has spoken about His impending "glorification" through death (John 12:23) and the necessity of belief in Him as the Light (John 12:35-36). He emphasizes that those who reject Him are rejecting the Father who sent Him. In John 12:50, Jesus affirms that His message is not His own invention but a direct revelation from God the Father, carrying the promise of everlasting life.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Unity: Jesus explicitly states, "whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." This highlights His perfect unity with God the Father and His absolute faithfulness in delivering God's message. Jesus is not speaking on His own accord but is the perfect embodiment and spokesman for the Father's will and words, underscoring His divine authority.
  • The Nature of God's Commandment: The core of the verse is the assertion, "his commandment is life everlasting." This reveals that the Father's directive, as communicated through Jesus, is not merely a set of rules but the very pathway to eternal life. It is a life-giving command, emphasizing the salvific purpose of God's revelation through Christ.
  • Jesus as the Embodiment of God's Word: This verse reinforces the concept of Jesus as the incarnate Word, the full and final revelation of God to humanity. Every teaching, every command, and every truth spoken by Jesus originates directly from the Father, ensuring its divine origin and absolute truthfulness.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "commandment" (Greek: entolē) here refers to the specific instruction or directive given by the Father to Jesus. It implies not just a general precept but a particular divine mandate that Jesus is tasked with proclaiming and fulfilling.
  • "Life everlasting" (Greek: zōē aiōnios) is a recurring theme in John's Gospel. It denotes more than mere endless existence; it signifies a quality of life—spiritual, abundant, and eternal—that is rooted in a relationship with God through Christ. This life begins the moment one believes and extends into eternity, a gift secured by God's command and Christ's obedience. See John 3:16 for a foundational statement on this promise.

Practical Application

John 12:50 offers profound reassurance and guidance for believers today:

  • Trust in Jesus' Words: This verse affirms that when we listen to and obey Jesus, we are directly hearing and obeying God Himself. His words are not arbitrary but carry the very essence of divine truth and the promise of eternal salvation. We can have full confidence in His teachings.
  • The Urgency of Belief: Recognizing that the Father's command, delivered through Jesus, is "life everlasting," there is an inherent call to respond to Jesus' message with faith and obedience. Our ultimate destiny is tied to how we receive His words.
  • The Source of True Life: The verse reminds us that true, abundant, and lasting life is found not in worldly pursuits or human philosophies, but in aligning with God's will and accepting His provision through Christ. It encourages us to seek and embrace the divine directives that lead to genuine, eternal existence.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

  • John 6:68

    Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

  • John 6:63

    It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • 1 John 2:25

    And this is the promise that he hath promised us, [even] eternal life.

  • 1 John 5:11

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • 1 John 5:13

    These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
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