John 12 9

John 12:9 kjv

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

John 12:9 nkjv

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

John 12:9 niv

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.

John 12:9 esv

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

John 12:9 nlt

When all the people heard of Jesus' arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.

John 12 verses

John 12 9 Meaning

This verse describes the significant gathering of a large number of Jewish people in Bethany. They came not only out of interest in Jesus Himself but specifically to witness Lazarus, whom Jesus had recently resurrected from the dead. This demonstrates the profound public impact of Jesus's miraculous power, especially His authority over death, drawing widespread attention as He approached His final week in Jerusalem.

John 12 9 Context

John 12:9 occurs immediately after the anointing of Jesus at Bethany and six days before the Passover. This event, particularly the presence of Lazarus whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead in the previous chapter (John 11), was generating immense public attention. Jesus was at the height of His public ministry's fame in the days leading up to His passion, and the miracle of Lazarus's resurrection served as the catalyst drawing a large influx of people. This context highlights the direct connection between Jesus's powerful signs and the crowds' response, which in turn provoked further alarm among the religious leaders who feared losing their influence.

John 12 9 Word analysis

• When the large crowd (πολύς ὄχλος, polys ochlos):

  • πολύς (polys): "large," "many." Denotes a significant, numerous quantity, not just a small gathering. This implies widespread dissemination of news about Jesus and Lazarus.
  • ὄχλος (ochlos): "crowd," "multitude." Refers to the common people, often those who followed Jesus during His ministry. Its size underscores the impact of Jesus's recent miracle.

• of the Jews (ἐκ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ek tōn Ioudaiōn):

  • "of the Jews" specifies the primary ethnic and religious group present. In John's Gospel, "the Jews" can sometimes refer specifically to the hostile religious authorities, but here, "the large crowd of the Jews" more clearly indicates the general populace. It highlights the direct interest of those in proximity to Jerusalem and the Jewish community.

• learned that (ἔγνωσαν, egnōsan):

  • "learned," "came to know," "perceived." This indicates that news had spread extensively through various means—eyewitness accounts, word-of-mouth—reaching many. It wasn't an accidental discovery; information circulated widely.

• Jesus was there (ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκεῖ ἦν, ho Iēsous ekei ēn):

  • "Jesus was there" in Bethany. This pinpointing of Jesus's location was crucial for the crowd's specific journey to that village. It signifies that people actively sought Him out rather than merely encountering Him incidentally.

• they came (ἦλθον, ēlthon):

  • "came," "went." This implies an intentional act of journeying. People were sufficiently motivated to travel to Bethany to see what was happening, showing genuine interest or curiosity.

• not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus (οὐ διὰ τὸν Ἰησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἵνα τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν, ou dia ton Iēsoun monon, alla kai hina ton Lazarov idōsin):

  • "not only on account of Jesus": A crucial phrase revealing the mixed motivations of the crowd. While Jesus was the central figure and the source of the miracle, the crowd's interest was multifaceted. Some came for Him directly, for His teaching or person.
  • "but also to see Lazarus": This highlights the immediate, tangible evidence of Jesus's power. Lazarus was a living testament to a supernatural event, serving as a powerful magnet. People sought physical proof of the miracle. This secondary motivation, while perhaps superficial for some, nevertheless drew them into Jesus's proximity.
  • "to see" (ἴδωσιν, idōsin): Emphasizes visual confirmation. They wanted to witness the "resurrected man" for themselves.

• whom he had raised from the dead (ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν, hon ēgeiren ek nekrōn):

  • ἤγειρεν (ēgeiren): "raised," "woke up." Emphasizes Jesus's action as the cause of Lazarus's life. This points directly to Jesus's divine power and authority over death.
  • ἐκ νεκρῶν (ek nekrōn): "from among the dead." This confirms the nature of the miracle as a true resurrection, not merely a revival from a coma. It underscores the impossibility of the feat by human power alone and places it squarely in the realm of the miraculous.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there": Signifies widespread dissemination of information and active pursuit by many Jewish people who perceived the significance of Jesus's presence.
  • "they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus": Unveils the dual motivation of the crowds. While Jesus drew them, the "living miracle" of Lazarus provided additional, compelling incentive. This underscores both spiritual curiosity and a desire for sensational proof.
  • "whom he had raised from the dead": Reiterates the astonishing nature of the event that served as the primary magnet. It grounds the verse in the context of divine power and the conquest of death, performed by Jesus.

John 12 9 Bonus section

The active seeking of both Jesus and Lazarus by the crowd foreshadows the jubilant crowd that would welcome Jesus into Jerusalem shortly thereafter (John 12:12-13). It showcases the volatile nature of popular opinion, which could quickly shift from enthusiastic praise to shouts for crucifixion within a week. The visibility of Lazarus, living and present, served as undeniable evidence, making it impossible for the religious leaders to ignore Jesus's messianic claims based on His power. This verse emphasizes the literal, physical reality of Lazarus's resurrection; he was not a ghost or an illusion but a person visible to the multitudes, directly contradicting any attempts to dismiss Jesus's miracle as mere deception.

John 12 9 Commentary

John 12:9 serves as a vivid illustration of the escalating public awareness surrounding Jesus, especially in the wake of Lazarus's resurrection. The "large crowd" represents the general populace, driven by a combination of interest in Jesus's person and His astounding power demonstrated through raising Lazarus. This dual motivation highlights how God can draw people through miraculous signs, even if their initial interest is centered on the spectacle rather than profound faith. Lazarus became a living testimony, validating Jesus's claims and solidifying His growing influence among the people. This increased popular appeal, directly resulting from Jesus's visible authority over death, was a critical factor leading to the religious leaders' heightened fear and their subsequent plot against both Jesus and Lazarus. The scene subtly underscores the very public nature of Jesus's work, which could not be dismissed or hidden by His adversaries.