John 12:28
What does John 12:28 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:28 means
Jesus’ prayer centers not on escape but on the Father’s honor: “Father, glorify your name.” A voice from heaven answers, affirming that the Father’s name has been glorified in Jesus’ ministry and will be glorified again—above all in the cross and resurrection. This rare public affirmation validates Jesus’ mission and points the crowd to God’s approval of His path. The Father’s response anchors the coming suffering in divine purpose. The Son seeks the Father’s glory; the Father pledges it. Salvation history turns on this mutual, public resolve to exalt God through the obedience of the Son.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Father, give glory to your name. Then there came a voice out of heaven, saying, I have given it glory, and I will give it glory again.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Father, glorify Thy name.' There came, therefore, a voice out of the heaven, `I both glorified, and again I will glorify <FI>it<Fi> ;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Father, glorify thy name. A voice therefore came from heaven: I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, I both have glorified and will glorify [it] again.
Context
From inner trouble, Jesus turns to prayer for the Father’s glory. Heaven answers audibly. The next verse will record the crowd’s divided perceptions—some hear thunder; others think an angel spoke. Jesus will then explain the voice’s purpose and announce the present judgment of the world and the casting out of its prince. This heavenly confirmation strengthens the weight of His following declarations about the cross’s cosmic significance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 3:10
to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
- 2 Peter 1:17
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:
- Mark 9:7
And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.
- John 18:11
Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
- Matthew 17:5
While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
- Matthew 3:17
and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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