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John 12
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
John 12
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
In Bethany At a Dinner For Jesus And Lazarus, Mary Anoints Jesus
12 Therefore Jesus, six days before the Passover [Feast], came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one whom Jesus raised from the dead. 2 So they made a dinner for Him there. And Martha was serving. And Lazarus was one of the ones reclining-back [to eat] with Him. 3 Then Mary, having taken a pound of very-valuable genuine[a] nard perfume, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled from the aroma of the perfume. 4 But Judas the Iscariot— one of His disciples, the one going to hand Him over— says, 5 “For what reason was this perfume not sold for three-hundred denarii[b] and given to poor ones?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief. And having the money-box, he was carrying[c] the things being put there. 7 So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. It was[d] in order that she might keep it for the day of My preparation-for-burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me”. 9 Then the large crowd[e] of the Jews came-to-know that He was there. And they came— not because of Jesus only, but in order that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 And the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus also, 11 because many of the Jews were going-away and were believing in Jesus because of him.
Jesus The King Enters Jerusalem On a Donkey, As Predicted By Zechariah
12 On the next day the large crowd[f]— the one having come to the Feast— having heard[g] that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of palm-trees and came out to meet Him. And they were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the One coming in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel”. 14 And Jesus, having found a young-donkey, sat on it, just as it has been written [in Zech 9:9]: 15 “Do not be fearing, daughter of Zion. Behold— your King is coming, sitting on a colt of a donkey”. 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. But when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written for[h] Him, and that they did these things to Him. 17 Then the crowd[i] was testifying— the one being with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead. 18 For this reason also the crowd[j] met Him— because they heard that He had done this sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to themselves, “You see that you are profiting nothing! Look— the world went after Him!”
Jesus Says The Hour For Which He Came Has Come. A Seed Must Die To Bear Fruit
20 Now some of the ones going up in order that they might worship at the Feast were Greeks[k]. 21 So these ones came to Philip, the one from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus”. 22 Philip comes and tells Andrew. Andrew and Philip come, and they tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus responds to them, saying, “The hour has come for[l] the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless the seed of wheat having fallen to the earth dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 The one loving his life loses it, and the one hating his life in this world will keep[m] it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him be following Me. And where I am, there also My servant will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 27 Now My soul has been troubled. And what should I say— ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this reason I came to this hour! 28 Father, glorify Your name!”
Now Is The Judgment of This World. If I Am Lifted Up, I Will Draw All People To Myself
Then a voice came from heaven: “I both glorified it, and will again glorify it”. 29 Then the crowd, the one standing there and having heard, was saying that thunder had taken place. Others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him”. 30 Jesus responded and said, “This voice has taken place not for My sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be cast out! 32 And if I am lifted-up[n] from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself ”. 33 Now He was saying this signifying by what-kind-of death He was going to die.
Believe In The Light While You Have The Light, That You May Become Sons of Light
34 Then the crowd responded to Him, “We heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How indeed do You say that ‘The Son of Man must be lifted-up[o]’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “The Light is among you for a short time longer. Be walking while you have the Light, in order that darkness may not overtake you. Indeed the one walking in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, be believing in the Light, in order that you may become sons of Light”. Jesus spoke these things, and having gone away, was hidden from them.
Isaiah Is Fulfilled: God Blinded Their Eyes And Hardened Their Hearts
37 Now He having done so-many[p] signs in front of them[q]— they were not believing in Him, 38 in order that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled which he spoke [in Isa 53:1]: “Lord, who believed our report? And to whom was the arm of the Lord revealed?” 39 For this reason[r] they were not able to believe: because again Isaiah said [in Isa 6:10] 40 “He has blinded their eyes, and He hardened their heart, in order that they might not see with their eyes, and comprehend in their heart, and be turned, and I shall heal them”. 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him. 42 Yet indeed, even many of the rulers believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees, they were not confessing it in order that they might not become put-out-of-the-synagogue. 43 For they loved the glory of people more[s] than the glory of God.
I Came To Save The World, And I Spoke The Father’s Words. My Words Are Eternal Life
44 And[t] Jesus cried-out and said “The one believing in Me is not believing in Me, but in the One having sent Me. 45 And the one seeing Me is seeing the One having sent Me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that everyone believing in Me should not remain in the darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come in order that I might judge the world, but in order that I might save the world. 48 The one rejecting Me and not receiving My words has that which judges him— the word which I spoke, that will judge him at the last day. 49 Because I did not speak out of Myself, but the Father having sent Me— He has given Me a commandment as to what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is eternal life. Therefore the things which I speak— just as the Father has told Me, so I speak”.
Footnotes
- John 12:3 See Mk 14:3.
- John 12:5 One denarius was one day’s wage for a laborer.
- John 12:6 Or, pilfering.
- John 12:7 Or, alone. She had it. This implies she had it for this purpose, and poured it all out on this occasion. Or, alone, in order that. This implies she did not pour it all out, and was to keep the remainder until after the death of Jesus.
- John 12:9 That is, the crowd that was at the funeral, 11:19, 45; the friends of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus; the ‘Lazarus crowd’.
- John 12:12 That is, the crowd of those who had come to the Passover; the crowd of 11:55-56; the ‘Feast crowd’.
- John 12:12 How did they hear? Probably from the Lazarus crowd.
- John 12:16 That is, as something destined for Him to fulfill.
- John 12:17 That is, the Lazarus crowd.
- John 12:18 That is, the Feast crowd.
- John 12:20 That is, Gentiles who were Jewish proselytes or God-fearers.
- John 12:23 That is, having this as its purpose in the plan of God.
- John 12:25 Or, preserve.
- John 12:32 See 18:32. Or, exalted, as in 3:14; 8:28; and next in v 34.
- John 12:34 If the Messiah remains as King on earth forever, how can He be exalted to heaven? Are You talking about someone other than the Messiah? Jesus doesn’t answer because they cannot now understand that by ‘lifted-up’ He means ‘crucified’. He exhorts them to act on what they know.
- John 12:37 Or, such-great.
- John 12:37 That is, Israel.
- John 12:39 That is, the fulfillment of prophecy.
- John 12:43 Or, rather.
- John 12:44 John does not give the occasion for these words, but chooses to close Christ’s public ministry with them.
John 12
New International Version
John 12
New International Version
Jesus Anointed at Bethany(A)
12 Six days before the Passover,(B) Jesus came to Bethany,(C) where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,(D) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume;(E) she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.(F) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,(G) objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag,(H) he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.(I) 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c](J) but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.(K) 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him(L) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.(M)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(N)
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches(O) and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna![d]”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”(Q)
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this.(S) Only after Jesus was glorified(T) did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
17 Now the crowd that was with him(U) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign,(V) went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”(W)
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Now there were some Greeks(X) among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida(Y) in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour(Z) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.(AA) 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,(AB) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it(AC) for eternal life.(AD) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.(AE) My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled,(AF) and what shall I say? ‘Father,(AG) save me from this hour’?(AH) No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven,(AI) “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit,(AJ) not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world;(AK) now the prince of this world(AL) will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth,(AM) will draw all people to myself.”(AN) 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.(AO)
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law(AP) that the Messiah will remain forever,(AQ) so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man(AR) must be lifted up’?(AS) Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light(AT) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,(AU) before darkness overtakes you.(AV) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”(AW) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.(AX)
Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews
37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs(AY) in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”[i](BA)
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory(BB) and spoke about him.(BC)
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.(BD) But because of the Pharisees(BE) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;(BF) 43 for they loved human praise(BG) more than praise from God.(BH)
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.(BI) 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.(BJ) 46 I have come into the world as a light,(BK) so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.(BL) 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them(BM) at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me(BN) to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life.(BO) So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”(BP)
Footnotes
- John 12:3 Or about 0.5 liter
- John 12:5 Greek three hundred denarii
- John 12:8 See Deut. 15:11.
- John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
- John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
- John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
- John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
- John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
- John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10
Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) 
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.