Devine Scripture

John 12:32

What does John 12:32 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:32 means

Jesus promises that when He is lifted up from the earth—a reference to crucifixion—He will draw all people to Himself. The attraction is universal in scope, breaking the bounds of nation and class, as already hinted by the Greeks’ arrival. The cross is the magnet of grace; there the love and justice of God meet, and there hearts are won. “All” does not mean every individual without exception comes, but that the invitation and drawing extend to all kinds. This lifting up also anticipates His exaltation. The path to gather the nations runs through His being raised on the cross.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will make all men come to me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I, if I may be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and I, if I be lifted up out of the earth, will draw all to me.

Context

Jesus elaborates the effect of His death right after announcing the world’s judgment and the prince’s defeat. John immediately clarifies in the next verse that “lifted up” signals crucifixion. The crowd then raises an objection based on their understanding of Scripture about the Messiah’s permanence, asking who this Son of man is. Jesus will not argue exegetical details but will warn them to walk in the light while they have it and to believe in the light to become sons of light.

v.31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

v.32This passage

v.33But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 8:28

    Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.

  • Hosea 11:4

    I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.

  • Song of Solomon 1:4

    Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.

  • John 6:44

    No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.

  • John 1:7

    The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.

  • Isaiah 49:6

    yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

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