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John 12:24
Verse
Context
Jesus Predicts His Death
23But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die - Our Lord compares himself to a grain of wheat; his death, to a grain sown and decomposed in the ground; his resurrection, to the blade which springs up from the dead grain; which grain, thus dying, brings forth an abundance of fruit. I must die to be glorified; and, unless I am glorified, I can not establish a glorious Church of Jews and Gentiles upon earth. In comparing himself thus to a grain of wheat, our Lord shows us: - 1. The cause of his death - the order of God, who had rated the redemption of the world at this price; as in nature he had attached the multiplication of the corn to the death or decomposition of the grain. 2. The end of his death - the redemption of a lost world; the justification, sanctification, and glorification of men: as the multiplication of the corn is the end for which the grain is sown and dies. 3. The mystery of his death, which we must credit without being able fully to comprehend, as we believe the dead grain multiplies itself, and we are nourished by that multiplication, without being able to comprehend how it is done. The greatest philosopher that ever existed could not tell how one grain became thirty, sixty, a hundred, or a thousand - how it vegetated in the earth - how earth, air, and water, its component parts, could assume such a form and consistence, emit such odours, or produce such tastes. Nor can the wisest man on earth tell how the bodies of animals are nourished by this produce of the ground; how wheat, for instance, is assimilated to the very nature of the bodies that receive it, and how it becomes flesh and blood, nerves, sinews, bones, etc. All we can say is, the thing is so; and it has pleased God that is should be so, and not otherwise. So there are many things in the person, death, and sacrifice of Christ, which we can neither explain nor comprehend. All we should say here is, It is by this means that the world was redeemed - through this sacrifice men are saved: it has pleased God that it should be so, and not otherwise. Some say: "Our Lord spoke this according to the philosophy of those days, which was by no means correct." But, I would ask, has ever a more correct philosophy on this point appeared? Is it not a physical truth that the whole body of the grain dies, is converted into fine earth, which forms the first nourishment of the embryo plant, and prepares it to receive a grosser support from the surrounding soil; and that nothing lives but the germ, which was included in this body, and which must die also, if it did not receive, from the death or putrefaction of the body of the grain, nourishment, so as to enable it to unfold itself? Though the body of our Lord died, there was still the germ, the quickening power of the Divinity, which re-animated that body, and stamped the atonement with infinite merit. Thus the merit was multiplied; and, through the death of that one person, the man Christ Jesus united to the eternal Word, salvation was procured for the whole world. Never was a simile more appropriate, nor an illustration more happy or successful.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit--The necessity of His death is here brightly expressed, and its proper operation and fruit--life springing forth out of death--imaged forth by a beautiful and deeply significant law of the vegetable kingdom. For a double reason, no doubt, this was uttered--to explain what he had said of His death, as the hour of His own glorification, and to sustain His own Spirit under the agitation which was mysteriously coming over it in the view of that death.
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that loveth his life shall lose it,.... The sense is, that whoever is so in love with this present temporal life, as to be anxiously careful of it, and takes all precautions to secure it; and rather than to expose it to any danger, chooses to deny the faith of Christ, and desert his cause and interest; as such an one shall not long enjoy this life, so he shall come short of an eternal one: and he that hateth his life in this world: on the other hand, whoever seems careless about it, and not to consult the safety of it, but is unconcerned about it; yea, as if he was throwing it away, as of no great moment and significancy, rather than do anything to preserve it, which would be scandalous to himself, and be dishonourable to his Lord and master; he shall keep it unto life eternal: he shall be preserved in his temporal life, in a remarkable manner, until he has done the will and work of God, notwithstanding all attempts upon it; and he shall appear to have that spiritual life, which is the beginning and pledge of, and which springs up unto, and issues in eternal life; and that he shall enjoy in the world to come. This Christ said to let his disciples and followers know, that they must suffer and die, as well as he, though not on the same account, and for the self-same reasons; and that their sufferings and death in his cause, and for his Gospel, would turn to their advantage.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
12:24 The central event of Jesus’ glorification (12:23) was the cross. As with a kernel . . . planted in the soil, Jesus’ death would bring abundant life.
John 12:24
Jesus Predicts His Death
23But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
A Grain of Wheat
By Major Ian Thomas41K52:26Death To SelfJHN 7:30JHN 8:20JHN 12:24JHN 13:1JHN 17:1ACT 1:8ROM 10:1In 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 unaware of the danger he is in. His assistant, realizing the danger, throws a bucket of paint to get his attention and save his life. The preacher uses this story to illustrate the choice between holding onto our own desires and surrendering to God's lordship. He emphasizes that the purpose of inviting others to come to Jesus is not just for forgiveness or to get to heaven, but to live a life fully surrendered to Christ, even if it means suffering or persecution. The preacher also highlights the righteousness of Christ and how he is the only one who lived a sinless life, making him the ultimate example of righteousness.
Brokenness Study #1 - the Principle
By Charles Stanley13K47:02BrokennessJHN 12:24The 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 into the earth and dying in order to bear much fruit. The speaker emphasizes that in life, we are constantly being shaped and molded by God, just like a potter with clay on a wheel. He explains that brokenness involves surrendering, yielding, and coming into submission to God's will, and it is a process that encompasses our body, soul, and spirit. The speaker encourages the audience to stay engaged with the series of messages on brokenness, as it will help them understand the purpose of suffering, pain, and trials in their lives.
Sin in the Camp
By Duncan Campbell11K1:03:28SinISA 59:2MAT 6:33JHN 12:24In 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 celebrated, the severity of God is often overlooked. The speaker believes that the early church was successful because they experienced supernatural manifestations of God's power. He also highlights the decline in moral values and the weakening of the moral law due to the neglect of the doctrines of heaven and hell. The speaker urges the audience to honestly and sincerely confront these truths and to seek a supernatural demonstration of God's power.
Normal Christian Life Ch 6-7
By Watchman Nee8.6K28:25JHN 12:24ROM 3:23ROM 6:12ROM 6:16ROM 6:19In 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 transform us. This process may involve challenges and difficulties, but it is necessary for us to be useful to both the world and God. The speaker also highlights the concept of consecration, where we recognize that our whole life and all our faculties belong to God. This includes presenting our bodies as instruments for His use. The sermon references biblical passages such as Luke 15 and John 12:24 to illustrate the purpose of God in bringing many sons to glory and the importance of redemption for attaining that glory.
Brokenness Study #6 - After Brokenness What Then?
By Charles Stanley7.6K50:42BrokennessMAT 6:33JHN 12:24ROM 6:14ROM 6:18In 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 being broken, there is a constant struggle and friction within oneself. The speaker emphasizes that surrendering and laying everything down before God is not a loss, but a victory. He then explores the aftermath of brokenness, stating that it gives individuals a new perspective on God's purpose for their lives. The sermon concludes with a reference to John 12:24, where Jesus explains that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it cannot bear much fruit.
Chasing the Dragon 2 of 2
By Jackie Pullinger6.6K41:59TestimonyMRK 16:17LUK 10:2JHN 4:35JHN 12:24ACT 3:61CO 14:22CO 4:17In this sermon, the speaker shares various stories and experiences related to the preaching of the word of God. One story is about Peter and John encountering a beggar who asks for money, but instead, they offer him healing in the name of Jesus. The speaker also mentions a procession where people walked and leapt in praise of God, causing businesses to stop and people to take notice. The sermon also touches on the impact of the word of God in prisons, where one young man's prayer led to his deliverance from drugs, prompting the speaker to visit other prisoners and share the message of Jesus. The sermon emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the unfairness of ministry, as Jesus calls believers to reap where they did not sow.
(Pdf Book) Beauty of Christ Through Brokenness
By K.P. Yohannan5.9K00:00EbooksBrokennessHumilityPSA 34:18PSA 51:17ISA 66:2MAT 5:8JHN 12:24GAL 2:20JAS 4:6K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of brokenness in the Christian life, illustrating that true humility and surrender to God are essential for reflecting Christ's image. He explains that God esteems the humble and contrite, and that unbrokenness leads to pride and self-centeredness, which can hinder our relationship with Him. Through personal anecdotes and biblical examples, Yohannan encourages believers to embrace their brokenness as a pathway to spiritual fullness and to allow God to work through their weaknesses. He highlights that brokenness is not a one-time event but a continuous process that leads to transformation and a deeper connection with God. Ultimately, the beauty of Christ is revealed through our willingness to be broken and to serve others selflessly.
(Exodus) Exodus 25:29-30
By J. Vernon McGee3.2K06:57EXO 25:23LEV 24:5MAT 22:1JHN 6:48JHN 12:24JHN 12:27JHN 12:31In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of the showbread in the Bible. The showbread was made of grain and symbolized Christ. The preacher draws parallels between the showbread and Jesus, highlighting how Jesus was ground in the mill of suffering and brought into the fire of suffering and judgment. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of feeding on Christ for spiritual growth and sustenance.
Dependence on God
By K.P. Yohannan2.9K46:19Dependence On GodDependenceSurrendering to ChristJHN 12:24ROM 4:20GAL 2:20K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the necessity of dependence on God, sharing personal experiences that illustrate the importance of surrendering our lives to Him. He reflects on the challenges of ministry and the need for genuine intimacy with God, encouraging believers to develop a habit of constant communication with the Lord. Yohannan highlights that true life comes from being crucified with Christ, allowing His life to flow through us rather than relying on our own strength. He urges the congregation to recognize that their lives are not their own and to embrace a lifestyle of prayer and obedience to God's will. Ultimately, he reassures that the journey of faith is a gradual process of transformation through reliance on God.
A Widow Who Becomes a Channel of God's Power
By Otto Koning2.8K1:08:30Faith and ProvisionPower Of GodSacrifice for the GospelPRO 11:25MAL 3:10MAT 6:33MAT 10:39LUK 6:38JHN 12:24ACT 20:352CO 9:7PHP 4:191TI 6:18Otto Koning shares a powerful testimony about a widow who, despite her poverty, becomes a channel of God's blessings by committing to give everything above her basic needs to support missionaries. Through her faith and prayers, she experiences miraculous provisions as businessmen in her community prosper due to her intercession, leading her to give even more to missions. Koning emphasizes the principle that those who lose their lives for Christ's sake will find true life, illustrating this through the widow's story and his own experiences in the mission field. He challenges listeners to consider their own willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel and to trust in God's provision.
Everyone Needs to Do Nursery (Compilation)
By Compilations2.6K10:22CompilationISA 1:18MAT 28:19LUK 10:19JHN 12:241CO 3:13EPH 5:21JAS 4:7In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his past actions and realizes that he had been serving with the wrong motives, attitude, relationship, and resources. He feels remorseful and believes that his life has been wasted. However, he experiences a moment of forgiveness and love from the Lord, who dries his tears. The speaker then has a vision of standing in line to present his life before the Lord, and he is given a package to carry. Ultimately, the sermon emphasizes the importance of serving God with the right heart and motives, and the need to turn away from wickedness and follow God's ways.
Dying to Self
By Bill McLeod2.4K54:15Death To SelfMAT 16:25MRK 8:35LUK 9:24JHN 12:24In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the concept of dying to oneself in order to find spiritual power and fulfill the larger cause of Jesus Christ. He references the verse John 12:24, where Jesus talks about a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying to bring forth much fruit. The preacher emphasizes that this message is not just about Jesus' own death on the cross, but also about the need for believers to die to their own ambitions, plans, and personalities. He uses the story of Joseph in the Old Testament as an example of someone who had to die to various aspects of his life in order to fulfill God's purpose. The sermon concludes with a call to seek guidance from God and pray for a revival where many are converted.
God's Dwelling Place
By George Warnock2.3K1:16:58Dwelling PlaceMAT 5:18JHN 12:24JHN 14:26ROM 7:61CO 2:9GAL 3:24HEB 8:13In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking the Lord earnestly and experiencing His visitation. The speaker shares a personal testimony of going through a difficult time and seeking the Lord's guidance. During this time, the speaker reflects on the verse about the kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying to produce fruit. The speaker desires to become like that kernel of wheat and produce fruit for the Lord. The sermon also encourages believers to wait upon the Lord and be open to His leading, allowing the Holy Spirit to have rightful lordship in their lives. The speaker highlights the need for a genuine expression of the Spirit of God and the importance of gathering together in a way that allows God to reveal His glory. The sermon concludes with a reminder of God's promises and the assurance that His word will accomplish its purpose. The speaker references various biblical elements such as the sanctuary, the rain from heaven, and the preparation of a place for believers in God's sanctuary.
Road to Reality - Words of Wisdom Acts 13 - Part 2
By K.P. Yohannan2.3K26:01WisdomPSA 73:25MAT 16:24LUK 9:23JHN 12:24ACT 13:2ROM 12:1REV 12:11In this sermon, Brother KP Johanna shares about the emotional experience of sending out missionaries to the mission field. He emphasizes the importance of committing one's life to worshiping the Lord and serving Him. He recounts the graduation ceremonies for Bible college students, where they are prayed for and sent out to serve the Lord. Brother KP also talks about his own upbringing in a small village and how his mother's dedication to the Lord influenced him to become a missionary. He encourages listeners to let the Lord direct their lives and consider their role in reaching people for Christ through missions.
The Spirit 02 - gen.22: Quench Not
By Alden Gannett2.0K42:17QuenchingJHN 12:24ROM 6:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking one step at a time in our spiritual journey. He encourages believers to continually depend on the Holy Spirit and not try to solve future problems in advance. The speaker highlights the active nature of walking, stating that it requires a personal decision to get up and move forward. He also discusses the law of the Spirit, which is life in Christ Jesus, and how it sets believers free from the law of sin and death. The speaker concludes by emphasizing that walking in the Spirit allows God's righteous requirements to be fulfilled in us.
(2 Corinthians) ch.4:3-4:11
By Zac Poonen2.0K44:29GEN 1:3JHN 12:242CO 3:52CO 4:52CO 4:10In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the ministry of the New Covenant and the importance of being adequate for this ministry. He emphasizes that it is God who makes us adequate, not our knowledge or gifts. The speaker highlights the need for preachers and Christians to go beyond imparting knowledge and instead bring people into a life of godliness, humility, and purity. He explains that the key to New Covenant ministry is dying to oneself, as Jesus said in John 12:24, and allowing the life of Jesus to flow through us. The speaker also discusses the veil that is over the gospel, which is veiled to those who are lost and blinded by the god of this world. He emphasizes that it is the life behind the knowledge and gifts that enables one to be a minister of the New Covenant.
Make a Difference
By Jim Cymbala1.9K26:15ServingZEC 4:6MAT 14:13MRK 6:30LUK 9:10LUK 15:11JHN 12:24In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with loaves and fishes, which is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. The speaker questions why this story is emphasized and why it was not used again in the history of the church to provide food for starving people. The speaker suggests that this story is a metaphor for how ministry works and emphasizes the importance of making a difference in people's lives. The sermon concludes with the idea that when God gives us a burden or opportunity, there will always be a problem, but we should welcome it and trust in God's provision.
The Israel of God - Part 2
By T. Austin-Sparks1.8K31:35IsraelGEN 15:5GEN 22:2ISA 53:10JHN 12:24ROM 9:6GAL 3:7HEB 11:13In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of faith in Christianity. He states that faith is the foundation, continuation, and confirmation of the Christian life. It is the key to salvation, spiritual progress, service, prayer, and the perfecting of believers. The speaker highlights Abraham as an example of someone with great faith, who believed in God's promises despite difficult circumstances. He mentions how God tested Abraham's faith by delaying the fulfillment of his promises, but ultimately rewarded him with the birth of his son.
More Than Food
By K.P. Yohannan1.8K44:51MAT 4:19MAT 9:37MAT 16:24MRK 16:15LUK 9:62JHN 4:35JHN 12:24In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of looking beyond our own worldly concerns and focusing on the eternal value of spreading the gospel. He uses the analogy of rice farmers eagerly gathering their harvest to illustrate the urgency of sharing the message of salvation. The preacher shares a personal experience of being consumed by the realization of the lost souls in the world, which caused him to lose his physical appetite. He also shares a testimony of missionaries who saw great success in their ministry with just a simple gospel tract. The sermon concludes with the reminder to evaluate all things in the light of eternity and to prioritize doing the will of God.
That They May Be One
By Stephen Kaung1.7K59:12UnityJHN 12:24JHN 13:34JHN 14:16JHN 15:10JHN 17:11JHN 17:21In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of unity among believers as a testimony to the world that God has sent Christ into the world. The speaker highlights that true unity is not achieved through outward compromise or negotiation, but through a genuine oneness that reflects the unity between God the Father and Jesus. The world recognizes the divisions among God's people and is not deceived by superficial unity. The sermon also touches on the concept of the fatherhood of God, which is only realized by those who believe in Jesus, and the authority given to believers to receive eternal life through Him.
Go by Jackie Pullinger
By Compilations1.7K06:33MAT 16:24MAT 28:19MRK 8:34JHN 10:17JHN 12:24ACT 1:8ROM 12:1JAS 1:27This sermon emphasizes the principle that the gospel brings life to the receiver and death to the giver, drawing parallels between Jesus' sacrifice and the call for believers to take up their cross and follow Him. It highlights the extraordinary love of God in sending His Son to die for humanity and the voluntary response required from believers to give up their lives in service. The urgency to reach the desperate and poor with the message of Jesus is underscored, urging Christians to go to the ends of the earth to share the gospel.
Quote - No Room at the Cross
By Leonard Ravenhill1.5K00:20Ravenhill QuoteSacrificeTransformationMAT 16:24LUK 9:23JHN 12:24ROM 12:1GAL 2:20Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes that merely approaching the cross is insufficient for true transformation; instead, one must fully embrace the cross by getting on it. He challenges the notion of seeking comfort at the cross without the willingness to sacrifice and change. The message calls for a deeper commitment to the Christian faith, urging believers to fully engage with the cross to experience genuine change in their lives.
Centrality of the Cross
By Dennis Kinlaw1.4K36:22Cross of ChristMAT 16:21MRK 8:35LUK 9:23JHN 3:14JHN 6:53JHN 10:11JHN 12:24In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of publicly declaring one's faith in Christ. They emphasize that becoming a Christian means a complete change in lifestyle and a willingness to be identified as a follower of Christ. The speaker also highlights the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission, as he willingly laid down his life for his sheep. They encourage the audience to consider their own commitment to Christ and to take up their cross, reminding them that the only regret they will have is if they fail to do so.
Enemies of World Evangelism
By George Verwer99551:55World EvangelismMAT 6:33MAT 28:19MRK 1:16MRK 2:14LUK 9:23JHN 12:24In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action and not making excuses when it comes to spreading the word of God. He refers to the story in Mark chapter 1 where Jesus calls Simon and Andrew to be his disciples. The speaker also discusses the significance of the Bible as the Word of God and encourages listeners to seek understanding and knowledge about its authority. He addresses the need for balance and avoiding extremism in our beliefs and interactions with others. Lastly, the speaker acknowledges the value of missionary work and the impact it can have on the world, urging listeners to trust in Jesus and commit to a life of prayer and sacrifice.
More and More
By G.W. North9351:05:53Christian LifeJHN 12:1JHN 12:24JHN 12:26JHN 15:1JHN 15:5JHN 15:8In this sermon, the preacher discusses the theme of love and how it was learned by the disciple John. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate teacher of love, but also highlights that Jesus uses people as a means to teach others. The preacher references the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet as an example of how Jesus demonstrated love through actions. The sermon encourages the audience to reflect on how they can learn to love like John did, by allowing Jesus to teach them through people and through their own actions.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die - Our Lord compares himself to a grain of wheat; his death, to a grain sown and decomposed in the ground; his resurrection, to the blade which springs up from the dead grain; which grain, thus dying, brings forth an abundance of fruit. I must die to be glorified; and, unless I am glorified, I can not establish a glorious Church of Jews and Gentiles upon earth. In comparing himself thus to a grain of wheat, our Lord shows us: - 1. The cause of his death - the order of God, who had rated the redemption of the world at this price; as in nature he had attached the multiplication of the corn to the death or decomposition of the grain. 2. The end of his death - the redemption of a lost world; the justification, sanctification, and glorification of men: as the multiplication of the corn is the end for which the grain is sown and dies. 3. The mystery of his death, which we must credit without being able fully to comprehend, as we believe the dead grain multiplies itself, and we are nourished by that multiplication, without being able to comprehend how it is done. The greatest philosopher that ever existed could not tell how one grain became thirty, sixty, a hundred, or a thousand - how it vegetated in the earth - how earth, air, and water, its component parts, could assume such a form and consistence, emit such odours, or produce such tastes. Nor can the wisest man on earth tell how the bodies of animals are nourished by this produce of the ground; how wheat, for instance, is assimilated to the very nature of the bodies that receive it, and how it becomes flesh and blood, nerves, sinews, bones, etc. All we can say is, the thing is so; and it has pleased God that is should be so, and not otherwise. So there are many things in the person, death, and sacrifice of Christ, which we can neither explain nor comprehend. All we should say here is, It is by this means that the world was redeemed - through this sacrifice men are saved: it has pleased God that it should be so, and not otherwise. Some say: "Our Lord spoke this according to the philosophy of those days, which was by no means correct." But, I would ask, has ever a more correct philosophy on this point appeared? Is it not a physical truth that the whole body of the grain dies, is converted into fine earth, which forms the first nourishment of the embryo plant, and prepares it to receive a grosser support from the surrounding soil; and that nothing lives but the germ, which was included in this body, and which must die also, if it did not receive, from the death or putrefaction of the body of the grain, nourishment, so as to enable it to unfold itself? Though the body of our Lord died, there was still the germ, the quickening power of the Divinity, which re-animated that body, and stamped the atonement with infinite merit. Thus the merit was multiplied; and, through the death of that one person, the man Christ Jesus united to the eternal Word, salvation was procured for the whole world. Never was a simile more appropriate, nor an illustration more happy or successful.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit--The necessity of His death is here brightly expressed, and its proper operation and fruit--life springing forth out of death--imaged forth by a beautiful and deeply significant law of the vegetable kingdom. For a double reason, no doubt, this was uttered--to explain what he had said of His death, as the hour of His own glorification, and to sustain His own Spirit under the agitation which was mysteriously coming over it in the view of that death.
John Gill Bible Commentary
He that loveth his life shall lose it,.... The sense is, that whoever is so in love with this present temporal life, as to be anxiously careful of it, and takes all precautions to secure it; and rather than to expose it to any danger, chooses to deny the faith of Christ, and desert his cause and interest; as such an one shall not long enjoy this life, so he shall come short of an eternal one: and he that hateth his life in this world: on the other hand, whoever seems careless about it, and not to consult the safety of it, but is unconcerned about it; yea, as if he was throwing it away, as of no great moment and significancy, rather than do anything to preserve it, which would be scandalous to himself, and be dishonourable to his Lord and master; he shall keep it unto life eternal: he shall be preserved in his temporal life, in a remarkable manner, until he has done the will and work of God, notwithstanding all attempts upon it; and he shall appear to have that spiritual life, which is the beginning and pledge of, and which springs up unto, and issues in eternal life; and that he shall enjoy in the world to come. This Christ said to let his disciples and followers know, that they must suffer and die, as well as he, though not on the same account, and for the self-same reasons; and that their sufferings and death in his cause, and for his Gospel, would turn to their advantage.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
12:24 The central event of Jesus’ glorification (12:23) was the cross. As with a kernel . . . planted in the soil, Jesus’ death would bring abundant life.