John 12:29
What does John 12:29 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:29 means
The same heavenly voice is heard differently by the crowd. Some perceive only a natural sound, like thunder; others sense a supernatural message and attribute it to an angel. The mixed responses reveal varying levels of spiritual perception in the audience. The sign is clear enough to point beyond Jesus’ private feelings, yet not all are prepared to receive it as the Father’s testimony. This verse shows that even direct divine communication can be filtered by the hearer’s heart and expectations, foreshadowing the continued divide between those who believe and those who remain in darkness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An angel hath spoken to him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An angel hath spoken to him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Hearing the sound, a number of people who were there said that it was thunder: others said, An angel was talking to him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the multitude, therefore, having stood and heard, were saying that there hath been thunder; others said, `A messenger hath spoken to him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The multitude therefore that stood and heard said that it thundered. Others said: An angel spoke to him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The crowd therefore, which stood [there] and heard [it], said that it had thundered. Others said, An angel has spoken to him.
Context
After the Father’s audible affirmation, John notes the crowd’s differing interpretations. Jesus will immediately clarify that the voice came for their sakes, not for His, and will proclaim the judgment of the world and the expulsion of its ruler. He will also speak of being lifted up and drawing all to Himself, which John will explain as indicating the kind of death He would die. The crowd will then question how this fits with their expectations of a Messiah who remains forever.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 8:5
And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
- Revelation 18:1
After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
- Exodus 19:16
And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of a trumpet exceeding loud; and all the people that were in the camp trembled.
- Job 37:2
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
- Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
- Job 40:9
Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
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