The Anointing at Bethany

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany(A) where Lazarus[a] was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead.(B) So(C) they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha(D) was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil—pure and expensive nard—anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair.(E) So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot(F) (who was about to betray Him), said, “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii[b](G) and given to the poor?” He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief.(H) He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial.(I) For you always have the poor with you,(J) but you do not always have Me.”

The Decision to Kill Lazarus

Then a large crowd of the Jews learned He was there. They came not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus the one He had raised from the dead.(K) 10 Therefore the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus also 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them[c] and believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

12 The(L) next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches(M) and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna!(N) He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One(O)[d]—the King of Israel!”(P)

14 Jesus found a young donkey(Q) and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Fear no more,(R) Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.(S)[e]

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him(T) and that they had done these things to Him. 17 Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb(U) and raised him from the dead, continued to testify.[f] 18 This is also why the crowd met Him, because they heard He had done this sign.

19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look—the world has gone after Him!”(V)

Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip,(W) who was from Bethsaida(X) in Galilee,(Y) and requested of him, “Sir,(Z) we want to see Jesus.”

22 Philip went and told Andrew;(AA) then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man(AB) to be glorified.

24 “I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat(AC) falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.[g](AD) 25 The one who loves his life will lose it,(AE) and the one who hates(AF) his life(AG) in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant(AH) also will be.(AI) If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor(AJ) him.

27 “Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me(AK) from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!”[h](AL)

Then a voice(AM) came from heaven:(AN) “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!”(AO)

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him.

30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for Me, but for you.(AP) 31 Now is the judgment of this world.(AQ) Now the ruler of this world(AR) will be cast out.(AS) 32 As for Me, if I am lifted up[i] from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.”(AT) 33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.(AU)

34 Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from the scripture that the Messiah will remain forever.(AV) So how can You say, ‘The Son of Man(AW) must be lifted up’?[j] Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer.(AX) Walk while you have the light(AY) so that darkness doesn’t overtake you.(AZ) The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.(BA) 36 While you have the light,(BB) believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.(BC)

Isaiah’s Prophecies Fulfilled

37 Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. 38 But this was to fulfill(BD) the word of Isaiah(BE) the prophet, who said:[k]

Lord, who has believed our message?
And who has the arm(BF) of the Lord
been revealed to?(BG)[l]

39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:

40 He has blinded(BH) their eyes
and hardened their hearts,(BI)
so that they would not see with their eyes
or understand with their hearts,
and be converted,(BJ)
and I would heal them.(BK)[m]

41 Isaiah said these things because[n] he saw His glory(BL) and spoke about Him.

42 Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers,(BM) but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men(BN) more than praise from God.[o](BO)

A Summary of Jesus’ Mission

44 Then Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in Me(BP) believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 And the one who sees Me sees Him(BQ) who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My words and doesn’t keep(BR) them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world(BS) but to save the world.(BT) 48 The one who rejects Me(BU) and doesn’t accept My sayings has this as his judge:[p] The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.(BV) 49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father(BW) Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. 50 I know that His command is eternal life.(BX) So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”(BY)

Footnotes

  1. John 12:1 Other mss read Lazarus who died
  2. John 12:5 This amount was about a year’s wages for a common worker.
  3. John 12:11 Lit going away
  4. John 12:13 Ps 118:25-26
  5. John 12:15 Zch 9:9
  6. John 12:17 Other mss read Meanwhile the crowd, which had been with Him, continued to testify that He had called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead.
  7. John 12:24 Lit produces much fruit
  8. John 12:28 Other mss read Your Son
  9. John 12:32 Or exalted
  10. John 12:34 Or exalted
  11. John 12:38 Lit which he said
  12. John 12:38 Is 53:1
  13. John 12:40 Is 6:10
  14. John 12:41 Other mss read when
  15. John 12:43 Lit loved glory of men more than glory of God; v. 41; Jn 5:41
  16. John 12:48 Lit has the one judging him

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(A)

12 Six days before the Passover,(B) Jesus came to Bethany,(C) where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,(D) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume;(E) she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.(F) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,(G) objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b] He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag,(H) he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.(I) You will always have the poor among you,[c](J) but you will not always have me.”

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.(K) 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him(L) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.(M)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(N)

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches(O) and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna![d]

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e](P)

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”(Q)

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”[f](R)

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this.(S) Only after Jesus was glorified(T) did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him(U) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign,(V) went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”(W)

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks(X) among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida(Y) in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour(Z) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.(AA) 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,(AB) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it(AC) for eternal life.(AD) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.(AE) My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled,(AF) and what shall I say? ‘Father,(AG) save me from this hour’?(AH) No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven,(AI) “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit,(AJ) not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world;(AK) now the prince of this world(AL) will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth,(AM) will draw all people to myself.”(AN) 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.(AO)

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law(AP) that the Messiah will remain forever,(AQ) so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man(AR) must be lifted up’?(AS) Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light(AT) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,(AU) before darkness overtakes you.(AV) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”(AW) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.(AX)

Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs(AY) in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[h](AZ)

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
    nor understand with their hearts,
    nor turn—and I would heal them.”[i](BA)

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory(BB) and spoke about him.(BC)

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.(BD) But because of the Pharisees(BE) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;(BF) 43 for they loved human praise(BG) more than praise from God.(BH)

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.(BI) 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.(BJ) 46 I have come into the world as a light,(BK) so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47 “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.(BL) 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them(BM) at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me(BN) to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life.(BO) So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”(BP)

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 Or about 0.5 liter
  2. John 12:5 Greek three hundred denarii
  3. John 12:8 See Deut. 15:11.
  4. John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
  5. John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
  6. John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
  7. John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  8. John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
  9. John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10