John 12 34

John 12:34 kjv

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

John 12:34 nkjv

The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

John 12:34 niv

The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"

John 12:34 esv

So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"

John 12:34 nlt

The crowd responded, "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?"

John 12 verses

John 12 34 Meaning

The crowd's response to Jesus’ statement signifies their misunderstanding of His ultimate purpose and kingship. They interpret "king" in a purely temporal, political sense, expecting liberation from Roman rule, not spiritual salvation and sacrifice. Jesus clarifies that His kingdom is not of this world, thus refuting their earthly expectations.

John 12 34 Context

This statement occurs at the end of Jesus’ public ministry, during the Passover week in Jerusalem. Many people have come to celebrate and have witnessed Jesus’ miracles, including the raising of Lazarus. They are buzzing with anticipation, with some associating Him with the Messiah. This particular conversation happens in the temple courts where Jesus has been teaching. The context is one of escalating political and religious tension, as the Jewish leaders are actively plotting against Jesus. The crowd, having heard from "the Law" (referring to the Old Testament Scriptures), specifically the Psalms and prophecies concerning the Messiah, holds firm expectations of a Davidic King who would overthrow Roman oppression and establish an earthly kingdom that would endure forever.

John 12 34 Word Analysis

• "Then" (εἶτα - eita): Indicates a subsequent action or statement.
• "the crowd" (ὁ ὄχλος - ho ochlos): Refers to the multitude of people present, a diverse group.
• "answered" (ἀπεκρίθη - apekrithe): Responded to Jesus’ previous statements about His coming hour and glorification.
• "him" (αὐτῷ - autō): To Jesus.
• "We" (ἡμεῖς - hēmeis): The collective "we" of the crowd, speaking with a unified voice of their shared understanding.
• "have heard" (ἠκούσαμεν - ēkousamen): Indicates they have received information or teachings.
• "from the Law" (ἐκ τοῦ νόμου - ek tou nomou): Referring to the Old Testament, specifically passages understood to speak of the Messiah. The "Law" here broadly represents the authoritative Scripture for the Jews.
• "that" (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the content of what they have heard from the Law.
• "the Christ" (ὁ Χριστὸς - ho Christos): The Anointed One, the Messiah. This is the Greek term for the Hebrew "Mashiach." They expect a royal, conquering figure.
• "remains" (μένει - menei): Continues to exist, abides perpetually.
• "forever" (εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα - eis ton aiōna): Into the age, for eternity. This speaks to their expectation of an unending earthly kingdom.
• "How" (πῶς - pōs): Asks the manner or reason.
• "can you say" (δύνασαι λέγειν - dynasai legein): You are able to say. Challenges Jesus’ statement based on their understanding.
• "that" (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the statement being questioned.
• "the Son of Man" (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου - ho huios tou anthropou): A title Jesus frequently used for Himself, referring to His humanity but also to the divine figure in Daniel 7. The crowd understands it in connection to an earthly king, not the suffering servant.
• "must be" (δεῖ - dei): It is necessary, it is required.
• "lifted up" (ὑψωθῇ - hypsōthē): To be elevated, exalted. While Jesus uses this term to refer to His crucifixion (and subsequent exaltation), the crowd interprets it physically or metaphorically within an earthly context of power.
• "Who" (τὶς - tis): What or who. They are questioning the identity and purpose of this "Son of Man" who speaks of being "lifted up."
• "is" (ἐστιν - estin): To be.
• "this" (οὗτος - houtos): This specific one.
• "Son of Man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου - huios tou anthropou): Repetition of the title, emphasizing their confusion.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The Christ remains forever": This phrase captures the core of their misunderstanding. The Old Testament indeed speaks of a Messiah who would reign eternally. However, they incorrectly applied this eternity to an unbroken earthly dominion, failing to grasp the sacrificial nature of His reign, which leads to eternal life through His death and resurrection. This belief was widespread, drawing from passages like Psalm 110:4, "The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'" (Though they might have focused more on the kingly aspect).
• "How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up?": This question directly confronts Jesus’ earlier statement (John 12:23, 32). The word "lifted up" (ὑψωθῇ) carries the double meaning of being crucified and then exalted. For Jesus, this means His sacrificial death is the very means of His glorification and universal drawing. For the crowd, "lifted up" would only suggest earthly exaltation to power or visible elevation to triumph. Their confusion stems from a perceived contradiction between an enduring king and a concept of "lifting up" that seemed like defeat or demotion to their political mindset.

John 12 34 Bonus Section

The "Law" here is not limited to the Pentateuch but likely encompasses the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures in general usage by Jewish people, especially in understanding messianic prophecies. Their expectation aligns with fervent hopes for a leader like David who would restore Israel's glory. This expectation, while partly fulfilled in Christ, needed a profound reinterpretation to understand His messiahship not as military triumph but as spiritual conquest over sin and death. The disciples themselves struggled with this understanding for a long time, even after the resurrection, as seen in Acts 1:6.

John 12 34 Commentary

The crowd’s reaction reveals a superficial understanding of the Messiah. They latch onto promises of eternal kingship from the Law but cannot reconcile it with Jesus’ intimations of suffering and a mysterious "lifting up." Their perspective is rigidly terrestrial, focusing on national liberation rather than spiritual redemption. Jesus’ teachings challenge these earthly assumptions, pointing to a kingdom and exaltation that transcend worldly power structures. His crucifixion, what they interpret as a downfall, is in reality His ultimate ascension and victory, which He Himself prophesies here as the means of His glorification and of drawing all people to Himself. The Son of Man, as foretold in Daniel, is indeed given an everlasting kingdom, but its inauguration comes through suffering and death, not political revolution.