John 12:48
What does John 12:48 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:48 means
Rejection of Jesus and His teaching does not remove accountability; it ensures judgment. The standard will be the very word He has spoken. Jesus’ message is not opinion but God’s truth, and it will rise in the last day as the measure of each person’s response. This warning dignifies His words with ultimate authority. It also answers those who might presume upon delay: mercy now does not mean no reckoning later. The path of salvation is clear in His speech; to refuse it is to choose a verdict against oneself when the final day arrives.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who puts me on one side and does not take my words to heart, is not without a judge: the word which I have said will be his judge on the last day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`He who is rejecting me, and not receiving my sayings, hath one who is judging him, the word that I spake, that will judge him in the last day,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that despiseth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that rejects me and does not receive my words, has him who judges him: the word which I have spoken, that shall judge him in the last day.
Context
After stating that He came to save, Jesus soberly notes that there is a judge for those who reject Him—His word at the last day. He now explains why His word bears such weight: He speaks only what the Father commanded. The closing verse will assert that this command is eternal life and that Jesus’ teaching perfectly reflects the Father’s will, sealing the unity of message and authority between the Son and the One who sent Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 3:23
And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
- Hebrews 2:3
how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;
- Hebrews 10:29
of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
- Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
- Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes?
- Luke 9:26
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
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