Keraia
John 12

John 12:34

Jesus Predicts His Death · John 12:20–36
Read John 12

Translations

Modern
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?”
Traditional
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?
Literal
Then the crowd answered Him, “We heard from the Law that the Christ remains to the age, and how do You say that it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
Latin
Respondit ei turba: Nos audivimus ex lege, quia Christus manet in æternum: et quomodo tu dicis: Oportet exaltari Filium hominis? quis est iste Filius hominis?

Interlinear

Greek
English
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?”

Notes

John 12:34

  • Many people in the time of Jesus believed that the Messiah would live forever and defeat his enemies. They expected a strong and victorious ruler.

    Because of this belief, the words Jesus spoke confused them.

  • Who is this Son of Man?: The Jews did not understand what sort of Messiah planned to die.

John 12:32–34

when I am lifted up from the earth (see 3:14; 8:28): The crowd did not understand what Jesus meant. The Greek verb can also mean "be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Or, it can refer to honor (Luke 10:15). In John's Gospel, the cross was not a place of shame for Jesus, but where his true glory was shown.

John 12:1–50

  • In this part of John’s Gospel, two stories move forward at the same time.

    First, more and more people begin to praise Jesus. Their excitement reaches a high point when crowds welcome him into Jerusalem with shouts of joy (12:12–13).

    Second, the religious authorities become more determined to arrest Jesus and put him to death. As public support grows, their opposition grows as well.

  • John's Gospel describes three events that happened only days before Passover (12:1–11, 12–19, 20–36). Then he explains why most of the people refused to believe and describes the final public message spoken by Jesus (12:37–50).

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Exaltation of Christ John, Gospel of Son of Man

Topics

Jesus, the Christ: Death of Jesus, the Christ: Humanity of Jesus, the Christ: Received Law: Prophecies In, of the Messiah