John 12:47 kjv
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 12:47 nkjv
And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
John 12:47 niv
"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.
John 12:47 esv
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
John 12:47 nlt
I will not judge those who hear me but don't obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.
John 12 47 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 3:17 | For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. | Fulfillment of mission |
| Luke 19:10 | For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. | Statement of purpose |
| 1 Timothy 1:15 | Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. | Affirmation of purpose |
| Matthew 18:11 | For the Son of Man came to save what was lost. | Parallemic parallel |
| John 8:15 | You judge by earthly standards; I do not judge by earthly standards. | Contrast in judgment |
| John 9:39 | Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who can see will become blind." | Clarification of purpose |
| Isaiah 49:6 | "It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the protected ones of Israel; I will also make you a light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Old Testament prophecy |
| Acts 10:42 | He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. | Apostles' preaching |
| Acts 13:47 | For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’" | Missionary commission |
| John 1:29 | The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” | Identification as Savior |
| John 5:22 | Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son. | Jesus' authority |
| John 5:30 | By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me. | Dependence on Father's will |
| John 1:11 | He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. | Rejection by own people |
| John 5:45 | But do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. | Absence of accusation |
| John 8:28 | Then Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." | Result of His coming |
| John 8:31, 32 | To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” | Condition for freedom |
| John 10:10 | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. | Contrasting purpose |
| 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 | All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. | Ministry of reconciliation |
| Romans 5:10 | For if, while we were still enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life? | Reconciliation through death |
| 1 Peter 2:24 | He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. | Healing through suffering |
| Hebrews 12:2 | fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. | Focus on Christ's sacrifice |
| Ephesians 1:7 | In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace | Redemption and forgiveness |
John 12 verses
John 12 47 Meaning
Jesus declares that He came into the world not to judge, but to save. His purpose was redemptive, not condemnatory. He came to offer salvation to humanity.
John 12 47 Context
In John chapter 12, Jesus is on the cusp of His passion week. He has just been anointed by Mary, triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and has engaged in various teachings and confrontations. This verse specifically follows Jesus' interaction with the Greeks who wished to see Him and His response regarding His imminent "hour" and glorification through death. The immediate context sets the stage for Jesus' crucifixion, which is the ultimate act of salvation He came to accomplish. This verse functions as a concluding statement from Jesus concerning His primary purpose for being sent by the Father.
John 12 47 Word analysis
- Εγω (Egō): I. A pronoun emphasizing personal agency and divine identity. It asserts His distinct mission.
- ηλθον (ēlthon): came. Aorist tense of ἐρχομαι (erchomai), signifying the historical event of His coming into the world.
- εις (eis): into. Preposition indicating entrance or destination.
- τον (ton): the. Definite article.
- κοσμον (kosmon): world. Refers to the entirety of humanity and the created order, not just the physical earth. It denotes the realm where His mission unfolds.
- ουχ (ouch): not. Negation.
- ινα (hina): that, in order that. Subordinating conjunction introducing the purpose clause.
- κριvω (krinō): judge. Present tense, indicating an ongoing action or a habitual practice. The purpose clause states what He did not come to do.
- αλλα (alla): but. Conjunction indicating a contrast and introducing the true purpose.
- ινα (hina): that, in order that. Again, introducing the primary purpose.
- σωσω (sōsō): save. Future tense, active voice of σωζω (sōzō). This verb carries the comprehensive meaning of rescue, deliverance, and preservation. It points to spiritual salvation from sin and death.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "εγω ηλθον εις τον κοσμον" (Egō ēlthon eis ton kosmon): "I came into the world." This is a clear declaration of Jesus' Incarnation and His divinely appointed mission into the realm of humanity. It underscores that His presence in the world was not accidental but purposeful.
- "ουχ ινα κρινω τον κοσμον" (ouch hina krinō ton kosmon): "not that I judge the world." This directly addresses potential misinterpretations of His authority and role. He came with an intention different from bringing immediate judicial condemnation upon the entire world system.
- "αλλα ινα σωσω τον κοσμον" (alla hina sōsō ton kosmon): "but that I might save the world." This is the definitive statement of His purpose. The "world" here refers to the lost humanity, the subjects of God's creation needing salvation. The saving action is the core of His mission.
John 12 47 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of "judge" (κριvω - krinō) and "save" (σωζω - sōzō) is significant. While Jesus is indeed the ultimate judge (Acts 10:42), His coming was first and foremost to offer reconciliation and deliverance from the judgment deserved due to sin. The ultimate judgment will occur, but His first coming was marked by grace and the provision of salvation. The "world" (κοσμον - kosmon) is a key Johannine theme, representing humanity estranged from God, which Jesus came to redeem. His identity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) directly aligns with this salvific purpose.
John 12 47 Commentary
This verse is a pivotal statement clarifying Jesus' primary objective for His earthly ministry. While He possesses the authority to judge (John 5:22), His initial purpose was not judicial condemnation. Instead, He entered the world to provide salvation for all who believe. His life, death, and resurrection are the means by which this salvation is accomplished. The saving power is directed toward the "world," encompassing all of humanity, irrespective of their background or past deeds, if they turn to Him in faith.
- Practical application: Understand that God's ultimate desire is not to condemn but to restore. His invitation is for all to receive His saving grace. Embrace Jesus' saving work for your life.