John 12:26 kjv
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.
John 12:26 nkjv
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
John 12:26 niv
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:26 esv
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:26 nlt
Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
John 12 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 12:25 | Whoever loves their life will lose it, whoever hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. | John 12:25 (Immediate context) |
| John 15:8 | This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. | John 15:8 (Fruit bearing) |
| John 13:34-35 | “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” | John 13:34-35 (Mark of discipleship) |
| Philippians 2:5 | In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. | Phil 2:5 (Christ's mindset) |
| Matthew 16:24 | Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." | Matt 16:24 (Denial & Cross) |
| Luke 9:23 | Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." | Luke 9:23 (Daily following) |
| Romans 12:1 | Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and ultimate worship. | Rom 12:1 (Living sacrifice) |
| 1 Corinthians 6:20 | For you have been bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. | 1 Cor 6:20 (Honoring God) |
| Galatians 5:13 | For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. | Gal 5:13 (Love and service) |
| Hebrews 3:1 | Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, | Heb 3:1 (Consider Jesus) |
| 1 Peter 2:16 | Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. | 1 Pet 2:16 (Freedom & Slavery) |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. | 1 Pet 4:10 (Serving others) |
| Revelation 14:4 | They are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. | Rev 14:4 (Following the Lamb) |
| Isaiah 49:23 | Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground, they will worship the feet of your daughters. And you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be put to shame. | Isa 49:23 (Future honor) |
| Proverbs 27:18 | Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever looks after their master will be honored. | Prov 27:18 (Master's honor) |
| John 17:24 | “Father, those you have given me I want to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. | John 17:24 (Unity with Christ) |
| John 12:26 | Whoever serves me, the Father honors. | John 12:26 (Verse repetition) |
| John 14:3 | And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. | John 14:3 (Being with Christ) |
| Matthew 25:40 | “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ | Matt 25:40 (Service to Christ) |
| Romans 8:17 | Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. | Rom 8:17 (Sharing glory) |
| 1 Samuel 2:30 | Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: “I promised that members of your family would minister before me always.” But the LORD now says: “Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be cursed.” | 1 Sam 2:30 (Honoring the Lord) |
John 12 verses
John 12 26 Meaning
If anyone serves me, they must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12 26 Context
This verse occurs as Jesus anticipates his crucifixion. He has just spoken about the seed of wheat needing to die to bear fruit (John 12:24), likening himself to that seed. Following this, he uses a metaphorical statement about his impending death attracting people to him (John 12:32). Within this broader discourse about his sacrificial death and its glorification, Jesus addresses the crowds, clarifying the necessary response for those who would follow him. The immediate context is Jesus’ awareness of his impending passion and the ensuing separation from his followers, coupled with his deep understanding of the Father's plan.
John 12 26 Word Analysis
- ἐάν τις (ean tis): "If anyone" - A conditional particle introduces the possibility and a third-person indefinite pronoun indicates any individual.
- μοι (moi): "me" - Dative case of the first-person singular pronoun, referring directly to Jesus.
- διακονῇ (diakonē): "serves" - From the Greek verb diakoneo, meaning to serve, minister, wait on, attend upon. It implies active participation and dedicated labor. This word often carried connotations of humble service.
- ἐμοὶ (emoi): "me" - Dative case of the first-person singular pronoun, reinforcing the direct recipient of the service.
- ἀκολουθῇ (akolouthē): "follow" - From the Greek verb akoloutheo, meaning to follow, accompany, go along with. It signifies adherence to a leader's path, principles, and life. It’s not merely physical following but also ideological and spiritual alignment.
- καὶ ὅπου (kai hopou): "and where" - A conjunction connecting the preceding statement with the consequence of presence. Hopou indicates place.
- εἰμί (eimi): "I am" - Present indicative of eimi, to be. It signifies the continuous state or presence of Jesus.
- ἐκεῖ (ekeı): "there" - An adverb of place, pointing to the location where Jesus is.
- καὶ ὁ ἐμὸς (kai ho emos): "also the one who is mine" - "And my" refers to the servant belonging to Jesus.
- δοῦλος (doulos): "servant" - The Greek word for slave or servant. It denotes a person in bondage or devoted servitude, emphasizing the servant’s total commitment and lack of personal autonomy.
- ἔσται (estai): "will be" - Future tense of eimi, to be. It indicates a future reality of companionship.
- ἐάν (ean): "If" - Another conditional particle, repeating the conditional structure for emphasis.
- τις (tis): "anyone" - Reinforces the universal applicability of the Father's honor.
- τιμήσει (timēsei): "will honor" - From the Greek verb timao, meaning to honor, to hold in honor, to prize. It signifies the high regard and value that the Father places upon such a servant. This honor is intrinsic, originating from God.
Words Grouped:
- "If anyone serves me, they must follow me": This is a statement of discipleship. Service and following are inseparable. True service to Jesus is demonstrated by adhering to His way of life.
- "and where I am, there my servant will also be": This links obedient service to fellowship with Christ. It speaks of future presence and communion with Jesus, implying participation in His resurrected state and ultimate glory.
- "My Father will honor the one who serves me": This is the divine affirmation and reward for such devoted service. The ultimate honor comes from God the Father, indicating divine approval and blessing for those who commit themselves to Christ's service.
John 12 26 Bonus Section
The concept of "honor" from the Father for those who serve Jesus echoes Old Testament principles where faithfulness to God was met with His favor and recognition. For instance, Hannah's prayer acknowledges, "The LORD sends death and brings the dead to life; he brings some down to the grave and raises them up. The LORD is the one who .,.. keeps his faithful love forever" (1 Sam 2:6). Also, Proverbs 27:18 states, "Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever looks after their master will be honored." This verse implies a divine endorsement of fidelity. Furthermore, Jesus’ teaching connects His glorification with His death and subsequent "drawing all people to himself" (John 12:32), indicating that those who follow Him are drawn into that same trajectory of divine vindication and shared glory. The idea of future presence is also prominent in Jesus’ promises in John 14:3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
John 12 26 Commentary
Jesus asserts a direct correlation between service and companionship with Him, and ultimately, with the Father's honor. Serving Jesus is not a casual undertaking; it demands an active, obedient "following" of Him. This following is comprehensive, encompassing imitation of His life, acceptance of His teachings, and commitment to His mission. The consequence of this faithful service is guaranteed presence with Jesus. Where Jesus is, there the servant will be. This implies intimate fellowship, participation in His life, and ultimately, sharing in His resurrected glory. The apex of this truth is the Father's recognition and honor bestowed upon those who serve His Son. This divine affirmation highlights that the true reward for faithful service is found in God’s approval and the profound blessing of abiding in His presence with Christ.