John 12 50

John 12:50 kjv

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 12:50 nkjv

And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

John 12:50 niv

I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."

John 12:50 esv

And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

John 12:50 nlt

And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say."

John 12 verses

John 12 50 Meaning

John 12:50 conveys Jesus' absolute certainty about the divine origin and life-giving power of His message. He states that the Father's "command" is fundamentally "eternal life," meaning the instruction from God Himself bestows spiritual, unending life. Therefore, everything Jesus speaks is a direct and faithful transmission of what the Father has commanded Him to say, highlighting His role as the perfect revelator of divine truth and the unique source of this life.

John 12 50 Context

John 12 marks the end of Jesus' public ministry. This verse concludes a final public address (John 12:44-50) where Jesus summarizes the core tenets of His identity and mission just before retreating from public view. The preceding verses emphasize that belief in Jesus is belief in God who sent Him (v. 44-45), and that Jesus came to save, not to judge (v. 46-47). Crucially, Jesus reiterates that He speaks not of His own accord, but as the Father commanded Him (v. 49). This repeated emphasis is vital as Jesus confronted a significant segment of the Jewish leadership who rejected His claims, largely because they did not believe He represented God accurately, perceiving Him to be speaking his own words. His affirmation that the Father's "command is eternal life" directly addresses their understanding of Torah and divine instruction, presenting His words as the very means to true, spiritual life, far exceeding mere legalistic observance. This was a clear polemic against their limited interpretation of divine revelation.

John 12 50 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting this profound statement to Jesus' preceding declaration about speaking only what the Father tells Him. It implies continuity and consequence.
• I (ἐγὼ - Egō): An emphatic personal pronoun. Jesus highlights His personal, experiential knowledge and authority in delivering this statement. It signifies His unique relationship and insight into the Father's will.
• know (οἶδα - Oida): Denotes certain, absolute knowledge based on personal acquaintance and divine insight, distinct from ginoskō (to know through experience or learning). This is innate, perfect understanding from a divine perspective.
• that (ὅτι - Hoti): Introduces the content of what Jesus knows.
• His (αὐτοῦ - Autou): Refers unambiguously to God the Father, underscoring the divine origin of the command.
• command (ἐντολὴ - Entolē): More than a mere suggestion or instruction; it's an authoritative injunction, a decree or imperative that carries divine weight and necessitates obedience. It reflects a fundamental will or statute. In a Jewish context, "command" immediately brings to mind the Mosaic Law (Torah). Jesus presents His words, rooted in the Father, as the ultimate embodiment of such divine command, leading to life.
• is (ἐστιν - Estin): The verb "to be" signifies a present, eternal, and inherent reality. It's not "will be" or "can be," but "is."
• eternal (αἰώνιος - Aiōnios): This Greek term speaks to quality and character rather than solely indefinite duration. It describes a quality of life that is of God, pertaining to the age to come, imbued with divine character and possessing unending blessedness. It is divine life, not merely an extended temporal existence.
• life (ζωὴ - Zōē): Refers to spiritual life, a divine existence and quality of being, not simply biological life (bios) or temporal vitality (psychē). It is the life of God Himself, accessible through Christ. The Father's command, when received and obeyed, confers this very life.
• Therefore (οὖν - Oun): Indicates a logical consequence or deduction based on the preceding statement.
• what (ἃ - Ha): Referring to the specific words, teachings, or messages Jesus imparts.
• I say (λέγω - Legō): Present tense, signifying continuous verbal communication.
• I say (λέγω - Legō): Repetition for emphasis, affirming the complete identity of His words with the Father's.
• as (καθὼς - Kathōs): Denotes manner, showing that Jesus speaks precisely and in the same way the Father has instructed.
• the Father (ὁ πατὴρ - Ho Patēr): Clearly identifies the source of the divine command.
• has said (εἴρηκεν - Eirēken): A perfect tense verb, indicating an action completed in the past with continuing effects into the present. The Father's instructions given to Jesus remain authoritative and in effect through Jesus' present teaching.
• to Me (ἐμοὶ - Emoi): The recipient of the Father's command, confirming Jesus' role as the faithful and authoritative messenger.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I know that His command": Emphasizes Jesus' unparalleled, intimate knowledge of the Father's directives, presenting them not as His own conjecture, but as absolute truth revealed from the ultimate authority.
• "is eternal life": This phrase equates the Father's divine injunction directly with the impartation of spiritual, unending life. It highlights that the core purpose and effect of God's command is to bring believers into a relationship with Him that yields divine, abundant, and eternal existence.
• "Therefore what I say, I say as the Father has said to Me": This powerful concluding statement seals Jesus' prophetic and revelatory role. It is a profound declaration of perfect obedience and absolute faithfulness to His divine commission, asserting that His every word is a direct echo of the Father's, offering the very "eternal life" of which He just spoke. It underscores His unique mediation between God and humanity.

John 12 50 Bonus section

This verse subtly touches upon the "divine speech" concept common in ancient Near Eastern prophecy, where prophets preface their message with "Thus says the Lord." Jesus' "what I say, I say as the Father has said to Me" takes this prophetic tradition to its absolute apex, positioning Him not just as a prophet delivering messages, but as the Son embodying and perfectly echoing the Father's very words. His direct relationship with the Father ensures flawless transmission, establishing the unparalleled authority and saving power of His revelation. The implications extend to the nature of divine inspiration and the incarnation itself: the Son, fully human, fully divine, fully articulates the Father's will and brings about His ultimate intention, which is eternal life for humanity. It sets a high standard for how believers should receive and value the teachings of Christ: not as mere ethical guidelines, but as the very words of eternal life from God.

John 12 50 Commentary

John 12:50 acts as a final, decisive declaration by Jesus about the origin, nature, and effect of His words. It's not just a statement about His source, but a profound theological truth regarding God's commandments. By asserting "His command is eternal life," Jesus clarifies that divine instruction, when received through Him, is not a burdensome law but a direct conduit to true spiritual vitality that transcends temporal existence. This underscores the transformative power of God's Word delivered by the Son.

Furthermore, Jesus' insistence that He speaks only "as the Father has said to Me" emphasizes His perfect subordination and complete unity with the Father. He is the ultimate, authentic prophet whose message is flawlessly aligned with divine will, making rejection of His words equivalent to rejecting God's direct voice and, consequently, the offer of eternal life. This verse serves as a crucial appeal for obedience and belief, framing them as the only path to the highest form of life. It challenges those who questioned His authority by presenting His message as the authoritative and salvific utterance of God Himself.

Examples:

1. Old Testament fulfillment: Similar to Moses receiving God's commands on Sinai for the life of Israel (Ex 20), Jesus delivers the new covenant commands directly from the Father for spiritual life.
2. Modern application: Trusting Jesus' words as direct commands from God ensures that one is aligning their life not with human wisdom but with the very source of life.
3. Contrast with legalism: This verse clarifies that following Jesus' words leads to life, distinguishing it from a works-based legalism that may seek to obey rules without grasping the life-giving nature of divine command.