John 12

Chapter Summary

John 12 begins with the story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, an act seen as a preparation for His burial by Jesus Himself (John 12:1-8). The chapter then transitions to the triumphal entry, where Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and being hailed as the King of Israel (John 12:9-19). The Pharisees, in contrast, worry about their loss of power and plot against Jesus. The chapter also includes a dialogue between Jesus and some Greeks who wish to see Him, leading to a discourse on the nature of His mission and the cost of following Him (John 12:20-36). Finally, John reflects on the unbelief of the Jews despite the many signs Jesus performed, citing Isaiah to explain their inability to believe (John 12:37-50).

Context for the Chapter

John 12 is situated near the end of Jesus' public ministry, just before the events leading to His crucifixion. It follows the raising of Lazarus and precedes the Last Supper and Jesus' arrest. This chapter serves as a bridge, connecting the signs and teachings of Jesus with the events of His passion, highlighting the escalating conflict with the Pharisees and the anticipation of Jesus' sacrifice.

Heart Application

This chapter calls believers to reflect on their response to Jesus, considering whether they, like Mary, are willing to give their all to Him, even in the face of criticism or adversity. It also reminds us of the universal call of the gospel and our role in spreading this message to all people, drawing them to the crucified and risen Christ.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

John 12 tells us about Jesus being prepared for His death by a woman named Mary, who anointed Him with expensive perfume. Jesus then entered Jerusalem in a way that showed He was the King, but many people did not believe in Him. Jesus said that when He would be lifted up on the cross, He would draw all people to Himself, meaning He would give His life to save the world. This chapter helps us understand the importance of believing in Jesus and following Him, even when it's hard.

Voices from the Church

“The true believer, like Mary, will not be deterred by the opinions of others in their devotion to Christ, for they see in Him a treasure worth more than all the world's riches”

— Charles Spurgeon

“In being lifted up, Christ not only drew all men to Himself but also gave us an example of the humility and obedience we must follow if we are to be His disciples”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. The Anointing at Bethany (John 12:1-11) — Mary anoints Jesus with perfume, preparing Him for His burial, and Jesus defends her actions as a beautiful expression of devotion
2. The Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-19) — Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy, and the crowd hails Him as the King of Israel
3. Jesus and the Greeks (John 12:20-26) — Some Greeks wish to see Jesus, leading to a discourse on His mission and the cost of following Him, emphasizing the universal call of the gospel
4. The Unbelief of the Jews (John 12:37-50) — Despite Jesus' many signs, the Jews do not believe in Him, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about their blindness
5. Conclusion (John 12:44-50) — John concludes the chapter by highlighting Jesus' role as the Light of the world and the judgment that comes from rejecting Him

Core Doctrines

The Atonement

This chapter teaches that Jesus' death on the cross is the central event of human history, providing atonement for sin and drawing all people to Himself

Faith and Unbelief

The contrast between belief and unbelief is highlighted, with faith being the appropriate response to Jesus' teachings and signs

The Universal Call of the Gospel

Jesus' statement about being lifted up and drawing all people to Himself emphasizes the inclusive nature of the gospel message

The Humanity and Divinity of Christ

Jesus' actions and teachings in this chapter demonstrate both His humanity (in His interactions and emotions) and His divinity (in His knowledge of His mission and power to draw all to Himself)

Lessons from John 12

1. The Value of Sacrificial Love — Mary's act of anointing Jesus teaches us about the value of sacrificial love and devotion to Christ
2. The Importance of Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in response to Jesus' teachings and signs, contrasting belief with unbelief
3. The Universal Nature of the Gospel — Jesus' mission is to draw all people to Himself, indicating the universal and inclusive nature of the gospel message
4. The Cost of Following Jesus — Following Jesus may require sacrifice and facing opposition, as seen in Jesus' own experience and teachings
5. The Judgment of Unbelief — Rejecting Jesus leads to judgment, as those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God

Themes from John 12

1. Faith and Unbelief — The chapter explores the contrast between those who believe in Jesus and those who do not, highlighting the importance of faith
2. The Mission of Jesus — Jesus' mission to draw all people to Himself is a central theme, emphasizing the universal call of the gospel
3. Sacrificial Love — The acts of Mary and Jesus Himself illustrate the theme of sacrificial love, demonstrating what it means to love and follow Jesus
4. Prophecy and Fulfillment — The chapter shows how Jesus' actions fulfill Old Testament prophecies, validating His mission and teachings
5. Judgment and Salvation — The consequences of belief and unbelief are outlined, with belief leading to salvation and unbelief to judgment

Questions for Meditation

1. What does the anointing of Jesus by Mary signify, and how does Jesus respond to this act?
2. How does Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfill prophecy, and what does it signify about His mission?
3. What does Jesus mean by being 'lifted up,' and how does this relate to His mission to draw all people to Himself?
4. Why do the Jews fail to believe in Jesus despite the many signs He has performed, according to John 12:37-41?
5. How does this chapter challenge or encourage you in your faith, particularly in terms of your response to Jesus and your role in spreading the gospel?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on John 12

	Sermon	Description
	A Grain of Wheat by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ. He tells a story about an artist who becomes so engrossed in his work that he is
	Brokenness Study #1 - the Principle by Charles Stanley	The video is a sermon on the topic of brokenness and the principle behind it. The speaker refers to John chapter 12, where Jesus talks about the concept of a grain of wheat falling
	Sin in the Camp by Duncan Campbell	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing both the goodness and severity of God. He points out that while the goodness of God is often preached and celeb
	Normal Christian Life Ch 6-7 by Watchman Nee	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of true commitment to God. He explains that when we offer ourselves to God, He takes it seriously and begins to break and tran
	Poor, Blind, Beggarly Believer by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on a simple illustration used by Jesus in John 12:23-24. Jesus speaks of the hour of his glorification and uses the analogy of a grain of wheat
	Believe in the Light Lest Darkness Come Upon You by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the supernatural power of God. He highlights the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and the 4,
	Testimony by Corrie Ten Boom	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of visiting Russia and speaking to Christians there. He emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel and the joy of spea
	Brokenness Study #6 - After Brokenness What Then? by Charles Stanley	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of brokenness and its significance in a person's life. He explains that humans have a body, soul, and spirit, and that before bein
	Church Triumphant by Richard Wurmbrand	In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of being imprisoned for three years and being trapped underground. He describes the silence and solitude of the prison, where the
	A Golden Prayer by C.H. Spurgeon	The sermon transcript discusses the inner conflicts and troubles of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the complexity of Jesus' person and the need to approach the topic with caution and

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on John 12

Matthew Henry's commentary on John 12 reflects on the significance of Mary's anointing of Jesus, seeing it as an act of love and faith that prepares Jesus for His burial. He notes the triumphal entry as a fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrating Jesus' kingship. Henry emphasizes the universal call of the gospel, as Jesus will draw all people to Himself when He is lifted up. He also comments on the unbelief of the Jews, attributing it to their blindness and hardness of heart, as prophesied by Isaiah. Throughout, Henry draws practical lessons, encouraging believers to follow Jesus fully, despite the cost, and to proclaim the gospel to all nations, knowing that Jesus' death and resurrection are the foundation of salvation. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?