John 12:49
What does John 12:49 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:49 means
Jesus insists that He does not speak on His own initiative. The Father who sent Him gave Him a command about what to say and how to say it. His words carry divine origin and precise obedience. This underscores both His humility and His authority: He is the faithful envoy who delivers exactly the Sender’s message. Therefore, to dismiss His teaching is to reject God’s command. The alignment between Father and Son assures hearers that what Jesus offers and warns is nothing less than heaven’s decree, entrusted to the Son who speaks truly and fully.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For I have not said it on my authority, but the Father who sent me gave me orders what to say and how to say it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because I spake not from myself, but the Father who sent me, He did give me a command, what I may say, and what I may speak,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I have not spoken of myself: but the Father who sent me, he gave me commandment what I should say and what I should speak.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For I have not spoken from myself, but the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what I should say and what I should speak;
Context
This explanation grounds the judicial weight of Jesus’ words in their divine source. It prepares for the final affirmation that the Father’s command is eternal life. The chapter will close by asserting that Jesus speaks just as the Father has said, summarizing His public ministry as the faithful disclosure of God’s life-giving will and setting the stage for the more intimate teaching that follows with His disciples.
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.
v.49This passage
v.50And I know that his commandment is life eternal; the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you.
- John 17:8
for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.
- John 5:30
I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
- John 3:32
What he hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness; and no man receiveth his witness.
- Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
- John 8:42
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.
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