John 12:24

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:24

The oracle is introduced with a solemn ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν : Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except the corn (or, grain ) of wheat, having fallen to the ground, die, it abideth by itself alone: but if it die, it beareth much fruit. The simple illustration of life through death, life triumphing over death. "Even nature protests against the Hellenic fear of death" (Lange). As long as the corn of wheat is scrupulously kept from decomposition and death in the granary, the hidden... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:24

Death and fruitfulness. The principle here stated, and applied by Christ to himself, is one ordained by the Creator of the moral universe. The only true enrich-merit is through giving, the only true gain is through loss, the only true victory is through suffering-and humiliation, the only true life is through death. The earth yields a harvest when the grain is entrusted to its keeping, even when the Egyptian husbandman casts his bread upon the waters. And the Son of God saw clearly that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:24

The fruitfulness of the dying Jesus. These words come very abruptly into the narrative. But looking carefully into all the circumstances, the fitness of the words is soon seen. If these Greeks had come earlier, and come into Galilee in the thick of the Galilaean ministry, Jesus would have said, "Let them come and welcome. They shall see the works of the Christ in great abundance." But they have come just too late. Jesus has done his last great work in the body according to the flesh—he has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:24-25

Mors janua vitro. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone," etc. These words belong to the day of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem—the day of palms. Amidst the general enthusiasm, certain Greeks, who had come up to worship at the feast, asked the Apostle Philip to obtain for them a private interview with Jesus. Philip consulted with Andrew, and the two together laid the request before their Master. Our Lord was deeply... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:24

Verily, verily - An expression denoting the great importance of what he was about to say. We cannot but admire the wisdom by which he introduces the subject of his death. They had seen his triumph. They supposed that he was about to establish his kingdom. He told them that the time had come in which he was to be glorified, but not in the manner in which they expected. It was to be by his death. But as they would not at once see how this could be, as it would appear to dash their hopes, he takes... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 12:23-26

John 12:23-26. Jesus answered, saying This phraseology intimates the suitableness of the following discourse to this particular occasion; by attending to which, many of the beauties of it will be discovered. Our Lord might, perhaps, enlarge on some of these hints; and if his hearers took a due notice of them, and made a proper report on their return home, it might prepare the way for the apostles, when they came, by their preaching, more fully to unfold and illustrate these important... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 12:20-26

BETRAYAL, TRIAL AND CRUCIFIXION136. The seed must die (John 12:20-26)Among the crowds that went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival were some Greeks. They had joined themselves to the synagogue communities where they lived, and now they wanted to see Jesus (John 12:20-22).When the Lord heard of the Greeks’ request, his response was to announce that the climax of his mission had arrived and he was now about to lay down his life. He apparently saw these Greeks as the firstfruits of a great... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 12:24

Verily, verily . The seventeenth occurance of this double amen. See note on John 1:51 . Except = If not. Greek. ean ( App-118 ). a corn of wheat = the seed-corn of the wheat. The Greek word kokkos occurs seven times: in Matthew 13:31 ; Matthew 17:20 . Mark 4:31 .Luke 13:19 ; Luke 17:6 (of mustard seed); here; and 1 Corinthians 15:37 . into . Greek. eis. App-104 . ground . Greek. ge. App-129 . abideth . Greek. meno, one of the characteristic words in this Gospel. See p. 1511. if.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 12:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.Three applications of this metaphor are: (1) in nature, the death of seeds is necessary to their production of fruit; (2) Jesus consented to die as a means of winning the world to himself; and (3) for all who would be saved, the process is... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 12:23-24

John 12:23-24. And Jesus answered them,— If we suppose that our Lord spoke these words as the Greeks were introduced to him, the following discourse will discover many a latent beauty. Our Lord might enlarge perhaps on some of the hints in this discourse; and if his hearers took a due notice of them, and made a proper report on their return home, it might prepare the way for the apostles, when they came, by their preaching, more fully to unfold and illustrate these important doctrines. Our Lord... read more

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