John 12:34
What does John 12:34 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:34 means
The crowd voices a theological dilemma: they have learned from the law that the Christ remains forever. How then can Jesus speak of the Son of man being lifted up? Are these the same figure? Their expectations of a perpetual, triumphant Messiah seem at odds with talk of death. They struggle to reconcile Scripture with Jesus’ words. This question reveals both a measure of biblical knowledge and a category mistake—they have not yet grasped that the path to eternal kingship runs through suffering. They ask who this Son of man is, showing confusion about Jesus’ self-designation and mission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
KJV
King James Version · 1611The 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the people in answer said to him, The law says that the Christ will have life without end: how say you then that it is necessary for the Son of man to be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the 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?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The multitude 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?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The crowd answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abides for ever; and how sayest thou that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this, the Son of man?
Context
After Jesus speaks of being lifted up, John notes the crowd’s objection. Rather than expound titles or correct all misunderstandings, Jesus will turn to a practical, urgent exhortation: the light is among them only a little while; they must walk in it to avoid darkness. He will call them to believe in the light to become sons of light, and then He will withdraw, marking a transition from public signs to a focus on the disciples.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 5:18
So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.
- Matthew 16:13
Now when Jesus came into the parts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is?
- Psalms 110:4
Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
- John 5:25
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.
- Psalms 89:36
His seed shall endure for ever, And his throne as the sun before me.
- Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
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