John 12

1 Six [before the festival, prior to] days before the Passover [the Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ escape from slavery], Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] came to Bethany [a village near Jerusalem], the hometown [the place of origin, residence] of Lazarus [a friend of Jesus, raised from the dead], whom He had raised [brought back to life, resurrected] from the dead [a state of physical or spiritual death]. word study 2 So they hosted [made, prepared] a dinner [supper, evening meal] for Jesus [the Messiah, the Christ] there [in that place, at their home]. Martha [the sister of Lazarus, a faithful servant] served [ministered, attended to their needs], and Lazarus [the one raised from the dead, a close friend] was among those [one of the guests, a participant] reclining [lying down, seated] at the table [for a meal, in fellowship] with Him [together, in companionship]. word study 3 Then Mary [the sister of Martha and Lazarus] took about a pint [a pound, a significant amount] of expensive [very costly, highly valued] perfume [ointment, fragrant oil], made of pure [genuine, unadulterated] nard [a fragrant plant, spikenard], and she anointed [poured oil on, honored] Jesus’ feet [a symbol of humility, a sign of respect] and wiped them with her hair [a gesture of love, a sign of devotion]. And the house [the home, the gathering place] was filled with the fragrance [the aroma, the sweet smell] of the perfume [the ointment, the anointing oil]. word study 4 But [then, at that time] one [a single, unique individual] of His disciples [learners, followers], Judas [the man from Kerioth Town] Iscariot [from Kerioth, a person who betrayed Jesus], who was going [about, intending] to betray [deliver, surrender] Him, asked [said, spoke up], word study 5 “Why wasn’t this [perfumed oil] perfume [ointment, fragrant oil] sold [traded, disposed of as merchandise] for three hundred [a large quantity, many days’ wages] denarii [Roman coins, a day’s wage] and the money [financial resources, wealth] given [bestowed, granted] to the poor [needy, impoverished, those who crouch and cower]?” word study 6 Judas did not say this because he cared [was concerned, had compassion] about the poor [needy, impoverished people], but because he was a thief [one who steals, a dishonest person]. As keeper [steward, manager] of the money bag [treasury, purse], he used to take [steal, misappropriate] from what was put into it [the funds, the donations]. word study 7 “Leave [release, let go of] her alone,” Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] replied. “She has kept [watched over, preserved] this perfume [oil, fragrant anointing] in preparation [for a specific purpose, with intention] for the day [a 24-hour period, a period of time] of My [belonging to Me, I] burial [the act of burying, preparing for interment]. word study 8 The poor [needy, impoverished] you will always [at all times, constantly] have with you [among you, in your midst], but you will not always [forever, continually] have Me [I, the Messiah, with you].” word study 9 Meanwhile [at that time, then] a large [great, multitude] crowd [assembly, group] of Jews [people from Judah, Israelites] learned [knew, were aware] that Jesus [the Messiah, Savior] was there [in that place, present]. And they came [approached, gathered] not only [solely, exclusively] because of Him [for His sake, on His account], but also [in addition, furthermore] to see [behold, witness] Lazarus [the one raised from the dead], whom [the one who] He had raised [brought back to life, resurrected] from the dead [the state of death, the grave]. word study 10 So the [high-ranking] chief priests [top Jewish leaders] made plans [took counsel, consulted] to kill [destroy, take the life of] Lazarus [the friend of Jesus, the one raised from the dead] as well [also], word study 11 for on account of him [because of his influence, due to his presence] many of the Jews [people from Judah, Israelites] were deserting [leaving, going away] them and believing [trusting, having faith] in Jesus [the Savior, God’s salvation]. word study 12 The next day [following day, on the morrow] the great crowd [large multitude, many people] that had come to the feast [festival, special celebration] heard that Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] was coming [to come, approaching] to Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine]. word study 13 They took [cut off, gathered] palm branches [from palm trees] and went out [came forth, exited] to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna [oh save, a cry of praise]!” “Blessed [praised, honored] is He who comes [arrives, is coming] in the name [authority, character] of the Lord [God, the supreme ruler]!” “Blessed [praised, honored] is the King [sovereign ruler, monarch] of Israel [God’s chosen people, the descendants of Jacob]!” word study 14 Finding [discovering, coming upon] a young donkey [onaion, a juvenile ass], Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] sat [took his seat, was seated] on it [the donkey], as [just as, in the same manner] it is written [to be recorded or inscribed]: word study 15 “Do not be afraid [fear not, have no fear], O Daughter [descendant, female child] of Zion [the Church, heavenly Jerusalem]. See [behold, look], your King [sovereign ruler, Messiah] is coming [approaching, on His way], seated [sitting, riding] on the colt [young donkey, foal] of a donkey [ass, beast of burden].” word study 16 At first [initially, at the beginning] His disciples [followers, learners] did not understand [comprehend, grasp] these things [events, teachings], but after Jesus [the Messiah, the Savior] was glorified [honored, exalted] they remembered [recalled, brought to mind] what had been done [accomplished, fulfilled] to Him, and they realized [understood, acknowledged] that these very things [events, prophecies] had also been written [recorded, prophesied] about Him [concerning His life, mission]. word study 17 Meanwhile, many people [a large crowd, the multitude] continued to testify [to bear witness, to give evidence] that they had been with Jesus [as His followers, in His presence] when He called [summoned, commanded] Lazarus [the one Jesus loved, a friend] from the tomb [the grave, a place of burial] and raised him from the dead [gave him life again, resurrected him]. word study 18 That is also why [for this reason, because of this] the crowd [large group, multitude] went out to meet Him, because they heard [had come to understand, learned] that He had performed [done, accomplished] this sign [miracle, indication of divine power]. word study 19 Then the Pharisees [a Jewish sect that followed strict religious rules] said to one another, “You can see [perceive, discern] that this is doing you [bringing] no good [no benefit, nothing]. Look [behold, take notice] how the whole [entire, all-encompassing] world [the cosmos, humanity] has gone [followed, departed] after [behind, in pursuit of] Him [the Messiah, Jesus]!” word study 20 Now there were some [certain, specific] Greeks [Greek people, Gentiles] among [out from, from the midst of] those who went up [to ascend, to climb] to worship [to show respect, to honor] at the [special, annual] feast [festival, celebration]. word study 21 They came [approached, drew near] to Philip, who was from [originally of, a native of] Bethsaida [the fishing-house, a town] in Galilee [a region of ministry], and requested [asked, desired] of him, “Sir [Lord, Master], we want [desire, wish] to see [perceive, behold] Jesus [the Savior, God’s salvation].” word study 22 Philip [the apostle, a disciple of Jesus] relayed this appeal [a request, an urgent message] to Andrew [the brother of Simon Peter, a key figure], and both of them [together, in unity] went and told [shared, communicated] Jesus [the Christ, the Savior]. word study 23 But Jesus [the Son of God, the Messiah] replied, “The hour [a specific time, a moment of destiny] has come [arrived, is now present] for the Son of Man [the human, a human being] to be glorified [praised, honored, given glory]. word study 24 Truly, truly, I tell you [with absolute certainty, I assure you], unless a kernel of wheat [a grain of wheat, a seed] falls to the ground [into the earth, to the soil] and dies [stops living, perishes], it remains only a seed [alone, by itself]; but if it dies [gives up its life, succumbs], it bears [produces, yields] much fruit [a large harvest, abundant results]. word study 25 Whoever loves [has a strong affection for, is deeply attached to] his life [soul, the seat of emotions and desires] will lose [destroy, forfeit] it, but whoever hates [detests, loves less] his life [soul, the breath of life] in this world [the earthly realm, the system of things] will keep [guard, preserve] it for eternal [lasting forever, timeless] life [existence, spiritual vitality]. word study 26 If anyone [wishes to, desires to] serves [attends to, ministers to] Me, he must [is required to, ought to] follow [accompany, walk with] Me; and where [in whatever place, wherever] I am, My servant [one who attends to others, a minister] will be as well [also, too]. If anyone [any person, one who] serves [ministers to, attends to] Me, the Father [the supreme Parent, God] will honor [show respect to, value] him. word study 27 Now [at this present moment, in this current situation] My [personal, inner] soul [the seat of emotions and desires] is troubled [deeply disturbed, stirred up], and what shall I say [what words can I express?]? ‘Father [the male parent, the One who cares for me], save [deliver, rescue] Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose [this reason, this cause] that I have come [arrived, been sent] to this hour [this appointed time, this moment of destiny]. word study 28 Father [the heavenly Parent], glorify [give praise and honor to] Your name [Your character and authority]!” Then a voice [sound, noise] came from [out of] heaven [the sky and God’s home]: “I have glorified [given glory to] it, and I will glorify [give praise and honor to again] it again [once more].” word study 29 The crowd [large group of people, multitude] standing there heard it and said that it had [seemed to them, appeared as if it] thundered [a loud rumbling noise]. Others said that an angel [heavenly messenger] had spoken to Him [in a direct and personal way]. word study 30 In response [as an answer], Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] said, “This [specific, particular] voice [sound, noise] was not [completely not] for My [personal, own] benefit [sake, advantage], but [in contrast] yours. word study 31 Now [at this present time, currently] judgment [divine verdict, decision from God] is upon this world [the earthly realm, human society]; now [in this current era, at this moment] the prince [ruler, leader, Satan] of this world [the earthly realm, human society] will be cast out [expelled, thrown out, removed from power]. word study 32 And I [including myself], when I am lifted up [exalted, elevated] from the earth [the world, soil], will draw [attract, persuade] everyone [all men, all people] to Myself [to me, unto myself].” word study 33 He said [to indicate, signifying] this [referring to a specific statement] to indicate [show, point out] the kind [what sort or manner] of death [physical or spiritual] He was going [about to] to die [to stop living or pass away]. word study 34 The crowd [a large group of people, multitude] replied, “We have heard [understood and learned] from the Law [the teachings of Moses, God’s instructions] that the Christ [the anointed Messiah, Savior] will remain [stay, abide] forever [for all eternity, to the age]. So how [in what way, by what means] can you say [declare, proclaim] that the Son of Man [the human one, Jesus in His humanity] must be lifted up [exalted, elevated, crucified]? Who [what kind of person, what sort of man] is this Son of Man [the Messiah]?” word study 35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while [a short time, yet a little] longer, the Light [the divine illumination] will be among you. Walk [live, follow] while you have the Light, so that darkness [spiritual ignorance] will not overtake [seize, grasp] you. The one who walks [lives, follows] in the darkness [lack of understanding] does not know [perceive, see] where he is going [his destination]. word study 36 While you have [possess, hold onto] the Light [spiritual illumination], believe [trust, have faith] in the Light, so that you may become [be, come into being] sons [children, heirs] of light [reflecting God’s nature].” After Jesus [God’s salvation] had spoken these things, He went away [departed, withdrew] and was hidden [concealed, veiled] from them. word study 37 Although Jesus [the Messiah, Christ] had performed [done, made, accomplished] so many [numerous, abundant] signs [miracles, wonders] in their presence [before them, in their sight], they still [yet, nevertheless] did not [absolutely not] believe [trust, have faith] in Him [toward Jesus, into a relationship with Him]. word study 38 This was to fulfill [make complete, bring to pass] the word [Logos, divine message] of Isaiah [a prophet of God] the prophet: “Lord [Master and God], who has believed [trusted, had faith in] our message [report, preaching]? And to whom has the arm [symbol of power and strength] of the Lord [God, the Almighty] been revealed [unveiled, made known]?” word study 39 For this reason [because of this cause, as a result] they were unable [lacked the power or ability] to believe [to trust in, have faith]. For [since, because] again [once more, another time], Isaiah [the prophet, a messenger of God] says [declares, speaks]: word study 40 “He has blinded [made spiritually insensitive, closed] their eyes and hardened [made stubborn, unresponsive] their hearts, so that they cannot see [perceive, understand] with their eyes, and understand [comprehend, discern] with their hearts, and turn [repent, convert], and I would heal [restore, make whole] them.” word study 41 Isaiah [the prophet, a messenger of God] said these things [wrote these words, prophesied] because he saw [perceived, had a vision of] Jesus’ [the Messiah, the Christ] glory [honor, divine splendor] and spoke [uttered, proclaimed] about [concerning, regarding] Him [the Lord, the Savior]. word study 42 Nevertheless [in spite of this], many of the leaders [chief rulers, high-ranking officials] believed in Him [trusted in, had faith in]; but because of the Pharisees [a Jewish sect, strict religious group] they did not confess [acknowledge, profess openly] Him, for fear that they would be put out [excommunicated, expelled] of the synagogue [Jewish place of worship, assembly]. word study 43 For [as a reason, explaining why] they loved [had a strong affection for, cherished] praise [glory, honor, admiration] from men [human beings, people] more [to a greater degree, rather] than [in comparison to] praise [glory, approval, recognition] from God [the one true deity, Creator]. word study 44 Then Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] cried out [with a loud voice, shouted], “Whoever believes [has faith, trusts] in Me does not believe [have faith, trust] in Me alone [by Himself, independently], but in the One [the Father, God] who sent [appointed, commissioned] Me. word study 45 And [also, in addition] whoever [any person who, he that] sees [beholds, gazes at, perceives] Me [I, the Messiah, the Son of God] sees [discerns, acknowledges, experiences] the One [Him, the Father] who [that, which] sent [dispatched, commissioned] Me [I, the Son, the emissary]. word study 46 I [as the divine Light] have come into the world [of humanity] as a light [shining in the darkness], so that no one [any person] who believes [has faith, trusts] in Me [as the Savior] should remain [stay, abide] in darkness [spiritual ignorance, separation from God]. word study 47 As for anyone who hears [listens to and considers] My words [declarations, teachings] and does not keep [obey, put into practice] them, I do not judge [condemn, punish] him. For I have not come [arrived, been sent] to judge [evaluate, criticize] the world [mankind, humanity], but to save [rescue, deliver] the world [from sin and its consequences]. word study 48 There is a judge [one who condemns, the ultimate authority] for the one who rejects [sets aside, disregards] Me and does not receive [accept, take to heart] My words [declarations, utterances]: The word [Logos, the divine Expression] that I have spoken [uttered, proclaimed] will judge [condemn, evaluate] him on the last [final, ultimate] day [the day of reckoning, the end of time]. word study 49 I [as the Son of God] have not spoken on My own [from myself, without authority], but the Father [the heavenly Father, my Sender] who sent Me [appointed and commissioned Me] has commanded [given Me a divine instruction, entrusted Me with] Me what to say [to proclaim, to declare] and how to say it [in what manner, with what words]. word study 50 And I know [have spiritual awareness] that His command leads to [results in, brings about] eternal [lasting forever, age-during] life [spiritual existence, union with God]. So I speak [utter words, proclaim] exactly [precisely, as instructed] what the Father [God, my heavenly Parent] has told [instructed, commanded] Me to say [to utter, to proclaim].” word study