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In this lesson:
Jesus explains why He must be crucified. Jesus is the light (12:35-36). Study Tip: Don't forget to read the margin notes in blue and to click on the links. |
The apostle Philip.
By French painter and illustrator Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902) |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 12:20-36
Jesus predicts His crucifixion 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. 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? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. |
Margin notes:
"Certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast." (12:20) - These visitors came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. Many Bible scholars believe this was on Tuesday of Passion Week. If so, Jesus had three days to live. "The same came therefore to Philip." (12:21) - The Greek visitors probably approached Philip while at the Temple worshiping. "Desired him." (12:21) - Means, "asked him." "The hour is come." (12:23) - Means the time of the crucifixion and resurrection has arrived. "Verily." (12:24) - "Truly." "Corn of wheat." (12:24) - "Grain of wheat." "It abideth alone." (12:24) - Means, "It remains alone." "He that loveth his life shall lose it." (12:25) - Those who love life in this world will lose their eternal life. This is an important message reinforced from Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24 and 17:33. This is Jesus' second most quoted phrase in the Bible. His most quoted is "follow me." "If any man serve me, let him follow me." (12:26) - Anyone can follow Jesus, Jew, or Gentile. "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." (12:26) - This teaching is repeated in John 14:3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17. "Now is my soul troubled." (12:27) - Troubled because Jesus felt the all to human dread of His pending beating, scouring, and crucifixion. "For this cause came I unto this hour." (12:27) - "This is why I came." "The prince of this world." (12:31) - The prince of this world is Satan. Satan is the lord of evil and the enemy of God and all humanity. Jesus described Satan as "a murderer from the beginning." He lives "not in the truth, because there is no truth in him," "He is a liar" (John 8:44). Satan is a real figure, a fallen angel who constantly works against mankind's best interest. "If I be lifted up." (12:32) - "When I am lifted up (on the cross)." "This he said, signifying what death he should die." (12:33) - Being the Son of God, Jesus knew how He would die, and when (12:23; 12:35). "We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever." (12:34) - The law refers to the Mosaic Law of The Old Testament. Jesus "is the end of the law" (Romans 10:4), and shall abide (live) forever (Daniel 7:14). "Yet a little while is the light with you." (12:35) - The "light" in verses 12:35-36 refers to Jesus. "These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them." (12:36) - From this point on, Jesus ceases His public ministry to concentrate on teaching His disciples. |
New Living Translation
John 12:20-36
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration
21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, "Sir, we want to meet Jesus."
22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I came!
28 Father, bring glory to your name."
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again."
29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, "The voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."
33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
34 The crowd responded, "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?"
35 Jesus replied, "My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.
36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light."
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration
21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, "Sir, we want to meet Jesus."
22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I came!
28 Father, bring glory to your name."
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again."
29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, "The voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."
33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
34 The crowd responded, "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?"
35 Jesus replied, "My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.
36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light."
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." (12:23)
"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (12:26)
"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (12:26)
Today's Question:
1. What does wheat falling to the ground mean? (12:24)
Make God a part of your life by studying His word each day. Your Bible has more to teach than these lessons can cover.
1. What does wheat falling to the ground mean? (12:24)
Make God a part of your life by studying His word each day. Your Bible has more to teach than these lessons can cover.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The wheat seed falling to the ground is a metaphor for Jesus' death. Unless grain is thrown to the ground and planted, it can't produce a harvest. In the same way, if Jesus wasn't crucified, there would be no salvation. Because our Lord paid the price for our sins when He died on the cross, the door to eternal life is open to all.
Application thought for the day:
Are you satisfied with your life? Do you need more fulfillment than our short time on earth offers (12:25)?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke