John Chapter 12

Updated: September 14, 2025

Jesus Anointed by Mary

(Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9)

1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9Much 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. 10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

(Zechariah 9:9-13; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40)

12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 17The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

The Unbelief of the People

37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Some Believe in Jesus

42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Mary Anoints Jesus
(Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50)

1 Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3 Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4 Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, 5 “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it. 7 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9 A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned 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. 10 But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry
(Zechariah 9:9–13; Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–40)

12 On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, 15 “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” 16 His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. 17 The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it. 18 For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast. 21 These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But for this cause I came to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. 34 The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.

Belief and Unbelief

37 But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.

42 Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 He who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. 47 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. 49 For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”

Mary Anoints Jesus
(Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50)

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint a of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii b and the money given to the poor?” 6 Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial. 8 The poor you will always have with you, c but you will not always have Me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry
(Zechariah 9:9–13; Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–40)

12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting:

“Hosanna!” d

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” e

“Blessed is the King of Israel!”

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

15 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion.

See, your King is coming,

seated on the colt of a donkey.” f

16 At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.

17 Meanwhile, many people continued to testify that they had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead. 18 That is also why the crowd went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.

19 Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!”

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip relayed this appeal to Andrew, and both of them went and told Jesus.

23 But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

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

30 In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours. 31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

34 The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.”

After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.

Belief and Unbelief

37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did 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?” g

39 For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:

40 “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their hearts,

so that they cannot see with their eyes,

and understand with their hearts,

and turn,

and I would heal them.” h

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. 45 And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

49 I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”

Jesus Anointed by Mary

(Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9)

1Jesus, therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where was Lazarus, who had died, whom he raised out of the dead; 2they made, therefore, to him a supper there, and Martha was ministering, and Lazarus was one of those reclining together (at meat) with him; 3Mary, therefore, having taken a pound of ointment of spikenard, of great price, anointed the feet of Jesus and did wipe with her hair his feet, and the house was filled from the fragrance of the ointment. 4Therefore saith one of his disciples -- Judas Iscariot, of Simon, who is about to deliver him up -- 5'Wherefore was not this ointment sold for three hundred denaries, and given to the poor?' 6and he said this, not because he was caring for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and what things were put in he was carrying. 7Jesus, therefore, said, 'Suffer her; for the day of my embalming she hath kept it, 8for the poor ye have always with yourselves, and me ye have not always.'

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9A great multitude, therefore, of the Jews knew that he is there, and they came, not because of Jesus only, but that Lazarus also they may see, whom he raised out of the dead; 10and the chief priests took counsel, that also Lazarus they may kill, 11because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry

(Zechariah 9:9-13; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40)

12On the morrow, a great multitude that came to the feast, having heard that Jesus doth come to Jerusalem, 13took the branches of the palms, and went forth to meet him, and were crying, 'Hosanna, blessed is he who is coming in the name of the Lord -- the king of Israel;' 14and Jesus having found a young ass did sit upon it, according as it is written, 15'Fear not, daughter of Sion, lo, thy king doth come, sitting on an ass' colt.' 16And these things his disciples did not know at the first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were having been written about him, and these things they did to him. 17The multitude, therefore, who are with him, were testifying that he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and did raise him out of the dead; 18because of this also did the multitude meet him, because they heard of his having done this sign, 19the Pharisees, therefore, said among themselves, 'Ye see that ye do not gain anything, lo, the world did go after him.'

Jesus Predicts His Death

20And there were certain Greeks out of those coming up that they may worship in the feast, 21these then came near to Philip, who is from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus;' 22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23And Jesus responded to them, saying, 'The hour hath come that the Son of Man may be glorified; 24verily, verily, I say to you, if the grain of the wheat, having fallen to the earth, may not die, itself remaineth alone; and if it may die, it doth bear much fruit; 25he who is loving his life shall lose it, and he who is hating his life in this world -- to life age-during shall keep it; 26if any one may minister to me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also my ministrant shall be; and if any one may minister to me -- honour him will the Father.

27'Now hath my soul been troubled, and what? shall I say -- Father, save me from this hour? -- but because of this I came to this hour; 28Father, glorify Thy name.' There came, therefore, a voice out of the heaven, 'I both glorified, and again I will glorify it;' 29the multitude, therefore, having stood and heard, were saying that there hath been thunder; others said, 'A messenger hath spoken to him.' 30Jesus answered and said, 'Not because of me hath this voice come, but because of you; 31now is a judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast forth; 32and I, if I may be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.' 33And this he said signifying by what death he was about to die; 34the multitude answered him, 'We heard out of the law that the Christ doth remain -- to the age; and how dost thou say, That it behoveth the Son of Man to be lifted up? who is this -- the Son of Man?' 35Jesus, therefore, said to them, 'Yet a little time is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; and he who is walking in the darkness hath not known where he goeth; 36while ye have the light, believe in the light, that sons of light ye may become.' These things spake Jesus, and having gone away, he was hid from them,

The Unbelief of the People

37yet he having done so many signs before them, they were not believing in him, 38that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he said, 'Lord, who gave credence to our report? and the arm of the Lord -- to whom was it revealed?' 39Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said, 40'He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn back, and I might heal them;' 41these things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Some Believe in Jesus

42Still, however, also out of the rulers did many believe in him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing, that they might not be put out of the synagogue, 43for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

44And Jesus cried and said, 'He who is believing in me, doth not believe in me, but in Him who sent me; 45and he who is beholding me, doth behold Him who sent me; 46I a light to the world have come, that every one who is believing in me -- in the darkness may not remain; 47and if any one may hear my sayings, and not believe, I -- I do not judge him, for I came not that I might judge the world, but that I might save the world. 48'He who is rejecting me, and not receiving my sayings, hath one who is judging him, the word that I spake, that will judge him in the last day, 49because I spake not from myself, but the Father who sent me, He did give me a command, what I may say, and what I may speak, 50and I have known that His command is life age-during; what, therefore, I speak, according as the Father hath said to me, so I speak.'

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

¹ Six days before Passover, Jesus returned to Bethany, the village where He had raised Lazarus from the dead, an act that was still sending shockwaves through the community. ² There, they prepared a special dinner in Jesus' honor. Martha served with her characteristic devotion, while Lazarus, living proof of Jesus' power, sat among the guests at the table. ³ Then, in an act of extravagant worship, Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of extremely expensive perfume, made from pure nard, and poured it on Jesus' feet. As she wiped His feet with her hair, the house filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

⁴ But Judas from Kerioth, who would soon betray Jesus, objected strongly. ⁵ "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages!" ⁶ Judas didn't say this because he cared about the poor. As keeper of the disciples' money bag, he regularly stole from their communal funds. ⁷ But Jesus defended Mary: "Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of My burial, her act carries prophetic significance you don't yet understand. ⁸ The poor will always be with you, but you won't always have Me."

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

⁹ Meanwhile, crowds of Judeans discovered Jesus was in Bethany. They came not only to see Him, but also Lazarus, the living testimony of His resurrection power. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too. ¹¹ Because of Lazarus, many Judeans were turning to Jesus and believing in Him, and the religious leaders saw their influence slipping away.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

¹² The next day, the massive crowd that had come for Passover heard Jesus was approaching Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches, symbols of victory and nationalism, and went out to meet Him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of יהוה (Yahweh!) Blessed is the King of Israel!"

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, fulfilling this prophecy of His majestic humility:

¹⁵ "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt."

¹⁶ His disciples didn't understand these things at first. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize these events fulfilled prophecy and carried deeper meaning. ¹⁷ Meanwhile, those who had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb continued spreading the news. ¹⁸ That's why so many people went out to meet Him, as they had heard about this miraculous sign. ¹⁹ And the Pharisees, in desperate frustration, said to each other, "Look! This is getting us nowhere. The whole world is following Him!"

Jesus Predicts His Death

²⁰ Among those who came to worship at Passover were some Hellenists (Greeks), representing the wider world's spiritual hunger. ²¹ They approached Philip, who was from the Hellenized town of Bethsaida in Galilee, with an urgent request: "Sir, we want to see Jesus." ²² Philip told Andrew about the request, and together they told Jesus.

²³ Jesus responded, seeing in their request a sign of His approaching glorification: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ I tell you the absolute truth: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for everlasting life. ²⁶ Anyone who wants to serve Me must follow Me. Where I am, My servant will also be. My Father will honor all who serve Me.

²⁷ But now My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? No, this very purpose brought Me to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify Your name!" Then a voice thundered from Heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." ²⁹ The crowd heard it but was divided; some thought it was thunder, others said an angel had spoken to Him.

³⁰ Jesus explained, "This voice was for your benefit, not Mine. ³¹ Now judgment is coming to this world, and the ruler of this world will be cast out. ³² When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Myself." ³³ He said this to indicate how He would die. ³⁴ The crowd protested, "The Law tells us the Messiah will live forever. How can You say the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"

³⁵ Jesus responded, "The Light will be among you only a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light, or darkness will overtake you. Those walking in darkness cannot see where they're going. ³⁶ Put your trust in the Light while you have it, so you may become children of the Light." After saying this, Jesus left and was hidden from them.

Belief and Unbelief Among the People

³⁷ Despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had performed, most still didn't believe in Him. ³⁸ This fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy:

"Lord, who has believed our message?
To whom has יהוה (Yahweh) revealed His powerful arm?"

³⁹ They were unable to believe, because as Isaiah also said:

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 to Me for healing."

⁴¹ Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about Him - a prophetic vision across centuries. ⁴² Many leaders actually believed in Jesus, but wouldn't admit it publicly for fear of the Pharisees, and excommunication. ⁴³ They loved human praise more than God's praise.

Jesus’ Final Public Teaching

⁴⁴ Jesus then proclaimed with passion, "When you believe in Me, you're not just believing in Me, but in the One who sent Me! ⁴⁵ When you see Me, you're seeing the One who sent Me! ⁴⁶ I have come as Light into the world, so no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness. ⁴⁷ If anyone hears My words but doesn't believe them, I don't judge them. I came to save the world, not to judge it. ⁴⁸ But all who reject Me and My message will be judged on the Last Day by the truth I have spoken.

⁴⁹ I don't speak on My own authority. The Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. ⁵⁰ And I know His commands lead to everlasting life. So I say whatever the Father tells Me to say, exactly as He tells Me."

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The F.O.G Commentary

When Love Costs Everything: The Anointing That Changed History

What’s John Chapter 12 About?

It’s the week that would change everything – Jesus enters Jerusalem knowing full well what’s coming, while his followers wrestle between costly devotion and calculated betrayal. This chapter captures the beautiful tension between extravagant love and the very real cost of following Jesus.

The Full Context

John 12 opens just six days before Passover, with Jesus making what amounts to his final public appearance before the cross. The religious leaders are actively plotting his death (they’ve already decided – see John 11:53), and Jesus knows his “hour” has finally come. This isn’t just another dinner party or teaching moment – this is the climactic build-up to everything the Gospel of John has been pointing toward.

The chapter unfolds in three distinct scenes that John carefully arranges to show us different responses to Jesus: the extravagant worship at Bethany, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the theological reflection on what it all means. Each scene builds tension as we watch people grapple with who Jesus really is and what following him will cost. John’s writing here is masterful – he’s showing us that the cross isn’t just something that happened to Jesus, but the inevitable result of a world that can’t handle this much love and truth in one person.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The opening scene at Bethany gives us one of the most emotionally charged moments in all of Scripture. When Mary takes that pound of nardos pistikos – genuine spikenard – and pours it on Jesus’ feet, she’s doing something that would have made everyone in the room catch their breath.

This wasn’t just expensive perfume. Spikenard came from the Himalayas, transported across thousands of miles of dangerous trade routes. A Roman libra (pound) of the pure stuff could cost 300 denarii – nearly a year’s wages for a working man. Mary is literally pouring out a small fortune.

But here’s what gets me: the Greek verb John uses for “wiped” (ekmasso) appears only here in the New Testament. It’s an intensive form that means to wipe completely clean, to wipe dry. Mary doesn’t just dab at Jesus’ feet – she dries them completely with her own hair. In a culture where a woman’s hair was her glory, meant to be seen only by her husband, this is breathtakingly intimate and humble.

Grammar Geeks

When Judas objects to Mary’s “waste,” John uses the word apoleia – the same word he’ll use later for Judas himself as the “son of destruction.” It’s John’s subtle way of showing us that what looks like waste to some is actually worship to others.

The contrast with Judas couldn’t be sharper. While Mary gives extravagantly, Judas calculates coldly. John tells us plainly – something he rarely does – that Judas didn’t really care about the poor. He was a thief (kleptes) who had been skimming from the money box. The same hands that would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver are now criticizing genuine worship.

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What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

When Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, every Jewish person in that crowd would have immediately thought of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.”

But here’s the thing – they expected their Messiah to come as a conquering warrior king. Instead, Jesus deliberately chooses the symbol of peace and humility. A war horse would have sent one message; a donkey sends another entirely.

The Greek word for the palm branches is baion – these weren’t decorative palm fronds, but the large, fan-like branches used specifically for celebration and victory processions. When the crowd shouts Hosanna (“Save us now!”), they’re using the same cry that echoed through the streets during the Maccabean victories 200 years earlier.

Did You Know?

The timing of Jesus’ entry wasn’t coincidental. During Passover week, Jerusalem’s population swelled from about 50,000 to over 200,000 pilgrims. The Roman garrison was on high alert for any sign of messianic uprising – which made Jesus’ public procession incredibly dangerous.

The crowd’s enthusiasm is real, but John shows us they don’t yet understand what kind of kingdom Jesus is bringing. They want political liberation; Jesus is offering something far more radical and costly.

But Wait… Why Did They Miss It?

Here’s something that puzzles me every time I read this passage: John 12:37-40 tells us that despite all the signs Jesus had performed, they still didn’t believe. John quotes Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:10 to explain this spiritual blindness.

But why? Why would people who witnessed literal miracles – the feeding of thousands, the healing of the blind, even Lazarus walking out of his tomb – why would they still reject Jesus?

John gives us a clue in verse 43: “They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” The Greek word for glory here is doxa, which means not just praise, but reputation, status, the approval of others.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Even many of the rulers believed in Jesus, but they wouldn’t confess it publicly because they were afraid of being kicked out of the synagogue. Think about that: they’d rather have human approval than eternal life. It’s simultaneously incomprehensible and completely understandable.

This is the tragedy of John 12 – people choosing the temporary approval of others over the eternal approval of God. It’s the same choice we face every day.

Wrestling with the Text

The most challenging part of this chapter for me is Jesus’ words in verses 24-26: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Jesus isn’t just talking about his own death here – he’s laying out the fundamental principle of Christian discipleship. Death before life. Losing before finding. Giving up before receiving.

The Greek word for “hates” in verse 25 (misei) doesn’t mean emotional hatred, but rather loving something less in comparison to something greater. It’s about priorities, not emotions. Jesus is saying that following him requires us to love our own lives less than we love him.

This isn’t self-hatred – it’s self-sacrifice. There’s a profound difference.

“The grain of wheat that refuses to die remains alone, but the one that surrenders its life becomes a harvest.”

When Jesus says “Now is my soul troubled” in verse 27, he uses the same word (tarasso) that he used when he wept at Lazarus’ tomb. This isn’t the calm, detached Jesus of popular imagination – this is a man facing the horror of the cross and feeling the full weight of it.

Yet he doesn’t ask to be saved from this hour. Instead, he asks that the Father’s name be glorified. Even in his anguish, Jesus chooses obedience over comfort.

How This Changes Everything

What strikes me most about John 12 is how it shows us that following Jesus isn’t a calculation – it’s a surrender. Mary doesn’t do a cost-benefit analysis before pouring out that perfume. The crowd doesn’t weigh pros and cons before shouting “Hosanna!” Even Jesus, facing the cross, chooses love over self-preservation.

But the chapter also shows us the alternative: Judas calculating the “waste” of worship, the rulers choosing reputation over relationship with God, even Jesus’ own disciples not fully understanding what’s happening until later.

The question John 12 leaves us with is this: What kind of response will we have to Jesus? Will we pour out our lives in extravagant worship like Mary? Will we let the fear of what others think keep us from following like the believing rulers? Or will we, like Judas, reduce everything to a transaction?

The hour Jesus spoke of throughout John’s Gospel has finally come. The light is about to be lifted up on the cross, and as Jesus himself says in verse 32: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

The cross wasn’t Plan B. It was always the plan. And it changes everything about how we understand love, sacrifice, and what it means to truly live.

Key Takeaway

True worship isn’t measured by its practicality but by its extravagance – just as God’s love for us wasn’t practical, but poured out without reservation.

John Chapter 12

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God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.