John 12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:43

The praise of men - The approval of human beings. It does not appear that they had a living, active faith, but that they were convinced in their understanding that he was the Messiah. They had that kind of faith which is so common among people - a speculative acknowledgment that religion is true, but an acknowledgment which leads to no self-denial, which shrinks from the active duties of piety, and fears man more than God. True faith is active. It overcomes the fear of man; it prompts to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:44

Jesus cried and said - John does not say where or when this was; it is probable, however, that it was a continuation of the discourse recorded in John 12:30-36. Jesus saw their unbelief, and proceeded to state the consequence of believing on him, and of rejecting him and his message.Believeth not on me - That is, not on me alone, or his faith does not terminate on me. Compare Matthew 10:20; Mark 9:37. It involves, also, belief in him that sent me. Jesus uniformly represents the union between... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:45

Seeth me ... - This verse is a strong confirmation of his equality with God. In no other way can it be true that he who saw Jesus saw him that sent him, unless he were the same in essence. Of no man could it be affirmed that he who saw him saw God. To say this of Paul or Isaiah would have been blasphemy. And yet Jesus uses this language familiarly and constantly. It shows that he had a consciousness that he was divine, and that it was the natural and proper way of speaking when speaking of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:46

A light into the world - John 8:12; John 1:9; John 3:19.Walk in darkness - In gross and dangerous errors. Darkness is put for error as well as for sin, John 3:19; 1 John 1:5. It is also used to denote the state when the comforts of religion are withdrawn from the soul, Isaiah 8:22; Joel 2:2; Isaiah 59:9; John 8:12. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:47

I judge him not ... - John 8:15. It was not his present purpose to condemn men. He would come to condemn the guilty at a future time. At present he came to save them. Hence he did not now even pronounce decisively on the condition of those who rejected him, but still gave them an opportunity to be saved. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:48

He that rejecteth me - Luke 10:16. The word “reject” means to despise, or to refuse to receive him.Hath one - That is, he needs not my voice to condemn him. He will carry his own condemnation with him, even should I be silent. His own conscience will condemn him. The words which I have spoken will be remembered and will condemn him, if there were nothing further. From this we learn:1.That a guilty conscience needs no accuser.2.That the words of Christ, and the messages of mercy which the sinner... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:49

Of myself - John 7:16-18. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:50

Is life everlasting - Is the cause or source of everlasting life. He that obeys the commandment of God shall obtain everlasting life; and this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his only-begotten Son, 1 John 3:22. We see here the reason of the earnestness and fidelity of the Lord Jesus. It was because he saw that eternal life depended on the faithful preaching of the message of God. He therefore proclaimed it in the face of all opposition, contempt, and persecution. And we see... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 12

A.M. 4037. A.D. 33. Here, (1,) Mary, the sister of Lazarus, to the great vexation of Judas, anoints Jesus’s feet, John 12:1-8 . (2,) The chief priests plot to murder both Christ and Lazarus, whom the people flocked to see, John 12:9-11 . (3,) Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, riding on an ass, John 12:12-19 . (4,) Upon occasion of some Greeks desiring to see him, he foretels his death; and its happy effects, in the conversion and salvation of multitudes, John 12:20-33 . (5,)... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 12:1-2

John 12:1-2. Six days before the passover Namely, on the sabbath; that which was called by the Jews, The great sabbath. This whole week was anciently termed, The great and holy week; Jesus came From Ephraim, whither he had retired with his disciples, to preserve his life for a time from the murderous designs of the Jewish rulers; to Bethany The village where he had lately (Calmet thinks about two months before) raised Lazarus from the dead. There they made him a supper In testimony... read more

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