John 12 - King James Version Bible Commentary

Jn 12:1-2. Six days before the passover. Although there is debate concerning which day Christ entered Bethany, most commentators conclude that it was Saturday evening. According to Matthew 26 and Mark 14, the supper took place at the house of Simon the Leper. Martha, true to her personality, was serving (Lk 10:40). Perhaps this was a meal designed to thank the Lord for what He had done for Lazarus and Simon.

Jn 12:3. A pound of ointment of spikenard. Mary took twelve ounces (the weight of a Roman pound) of this perfume and anointed the feet of Jesus. This perfume was extracted from the root of the nard plant which is grown in India. It was a costly import. This was an act of love and devotion to the Lord. Nothing is wasted if it is given to the Lord.

Jn 12:4-5. Contrasted to the generosity of Mary is the selfishness of Judas. He had estimated the ointment to be worth three hundred pence or the amount of wages a person would receive for three hundred days’ work.

Jn 12:6-7. Judas was not concerned for the poor. He had been stealing (he was a thief) from the treasury (the bag.) If the perfume had been sold, he could have stolen some of the three hundred pennies. Christ rebuked Judas. Mary, anticipating the death of her Saviour, anointed the body of Christ. In doing this prior to His death, she was expressing her complete love and devotion.

Jn 12:8. What Mary did was more important than feeding the poor; however, Jesus implied that Christians must minister to the poor, since the poor always ye have with you.

Jn 12:9-11. Lazarus had become a phenomenon since Christ had raised him. However, the religious leaders wanted to kill Lazarus, because many had believed on Christ after observing what He had done for Lazarus.

Jn 12:12-13. On the next day. On Sunday, many of the people who had come to the feast took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him. It should be noted that those who sought to honor the Lord were pilgrims, not the residents of Jerusalem. Hosanna. The Greek is a transliteration of Hebrew meaning “Save, I beseech thee” (cf. Ps 118:25). They proclaim Christ as the King of Israel, and the One who comes in the name of the Lord (Ps 118:25-26). These people were expecting Christ to establish David’s kingdom.

Jn 12:14-15. John now moves from the public scene to the private scene where Christ mounts a donkey. This action was in fulfillment of prophecy (Zech 9:9). The donkey was used in the Old Testament by kings who were bringing peace, while the horse was used when the kings rode into battle. Daughter of Zion. This symbolically represents Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Jerusalem should stop being afraid because their own King was coming.

Jn 12:16. The disciples understood these things after the ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, who called these things to their remembrance (Lk 7:39; Lk 14:26).

Jn 12:17-19. The raising of Lazarus had caused great excitement in Jerusalem. Many who proclaimed Him as the King of Israel did so because of the miracle He performed in raising Lazarus. The Pharisees responded to this excitement by concluding that the world (everyone) is gone after him.

Jn 12:20-21. The attention is now turned from the Jews to the Greeks. Some Greek proselytes had come to worship at the feast. The Greeks approached Philip and asked for an interview with Christ.

Jn 12:22. Philip consulted with Andrew, and they both approached Jesus. Why did Philip consult Andrew? Probably because he was wondering whether Jesus would consent to a Gentile interview since His mission was to Israel.

Jn 12:23. Jesus did not talk directly to the Greeks. He conveyed His message through Andrew and Philip. The hour. This does not refer to a sixty-minute period, but to the general time period when the Son of man should be glorified. This glorification is explained in the next verse.

Jn 12:24. Seeds which are not sown are alone. The seeds which are sown, die, and in so doing bring forth a harvest. Christ used this to illustrate His death, which will produce a rich spiritual harvest.

Jn 12:25-26. This principle of death producing life is applicable to the disciple as well as the Master (Mt 10:37-39; Mk 8:34-38). The reward for following Christ is honor with the Father.

Jn 12:27. The awful agony of approaching death grips Christ’s emotions. Save me. This does not imply disobedience or weakness on the part of Christ. “A man may shrink from an experience which he, nevertheless, wants to undergo; e.g., an operation. So it is also with Christ” (Hendriksen, p. 200).

Jn 12:28. Christ’s ultimate desire is to glorify His Father’s name. The Father answers from heaven that His Name has been glorified (through the obedient ministry of His Son), and it will be glorified again (through the death, burial and resurrection of the Son).

Jn 12:29. The people heard but did not understand. They assumed that an angel had spoken to Him.

Jn 12:30-31. The voice was also for the people so that they would recognize Christ as God. Christ is referring to His judgment of sin through His death, and His defeat of Satan (I Cor 15:54-57).

Jn 12:32-33. Christ would draw all men (including the Greeks) to Himself through the cross (be lifted up). Christ would die on a cross lifted up.

Jn 12:34. The Jews were expecting Christ to reign forever. They were puzzled that He was talking about death. Their Messiah would not die.

Jn 12:35-36. Christ answered their question with a solemn warning that if they did not receive the Light, darkness would come upon them. The Light would soon be removed.

Jn 12:37-38. In spite of all the miracles, they believed not on him. This rejection of Christ had been prophesied by Isaiah. They rejected what they heard (our report) and what they saw (the arm of the Lord in powerful miracles).

Jn 12:39-41. Could not believe. God does not prevent people from being converted. In His judgment, as a result of man’s unbelief, God sometimes hardens the heart.

Jn 12:42-43. Many leaders believed on him but were unwilling to confess Him for fear of the Pharisees.

Jn 12:44-45. The series of statements that conclude this chapter are Christ’s final public messages to Israel. Knowing Christ means knowing the Father. Seeing Christ means seeing the Father.

Jn 12:46. See notes on Lk 8:12.

Jn 12:47-48. Christ’s purpose is not to judge, but to save. Those who rejected the words of Christ would be judged by those words in the last day.

Jn 12:49-50. The Father gave Christ to speak, and His words are life everlasting.

III. THE PRIVATE MINISTRY OF CHRIST A. Christ as the Servant.John 13:1-38

The setting for chapters Jn 13 through Jn 17 is given in Jn 12:36: and did hide himself from them. During this time prior to His death, Christ limits His ministry to His disciples.