Devine Scripture

John 12:47

What does John 12:47 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:47 means

Jesus clarifies His saving mission: the one who hears His sayings yet does not keep them is not presently judged by Him. He did not come to judge the world but to save it. This does not minimize disobedience; it magnifies the grace of His first coming. He stands as a rescuer offering life. Still, neutrality is impossible. To hear and disregard is to spurn rescue. The verse distinguishes between the present offer of salvation and the future judgment to come, urging hearers to receive His words while mercy is extended.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if any man gives ear to my words and does not keep them, I am not his judge: I did not come to be judge of the world but to give salvation to the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and 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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if any man hear my words and keep them not, I do not judge him for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and if any one hear my words and do not keep [them], I judge him not, for I am not come that I might judge the world, but that I might save the world.

Context

Having presented Himself as light, Jesus explains the purpose and timing of His mission. Next, He will warn that rejection has consequences: His word will judge on the last day. Then He will ground this authority in the fact that His speech is not self-directed but commanded by the Father. The final verse will declare that the Father’s command is eternal life and that Jesus speaks exactly as the Father has told Him.

v.46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.

v.47This passage

v.48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 18:10

    See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

  • John 8:15

    Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

  • John 5:45

    Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope.

  • 2 Peter 3:15

    And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;

  • Matthew 20:28

    even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

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