Devine Scripture

John 12:50

What does John 12:50 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:50 means

Jesus concludes with assurance: the Father’s command is eternal life. The content and outcome of what He speaks are life itself. Therefore, He speaks exactly as the Father has said. This seals the unity of purpose and message between Father and Son and invites hearers to receive His words as the way into life that never ends. It is a fitting end to His public appeal: salvation is not found in speculation or tradition but in the obedient words of the One sent by the Father, words that carry God’s own life to those who believe.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I have knowledge that his order is eternal life: so that the things which I say, I say them even as the Father says them to me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I have known that His command is life age-during; what, therefore, I speak, according as the Father hath said to me, so I speak.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting. The things therefore that I speak, even as the Father said unto me, so do I speak.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and I know that his commandment is life eternal. What therefore I speak, as the Father has said to me, so I speak.

Context

This final verse wraps up Jesus’ public proclamation by anchoring it in the Father’s authority and saving purpose. Having summarized belief, revelation, light, salvation, judgment, and divine commission, the chapter closes. The narrative will now turn to the upper room, where Jesus focuses on His disciples, washes their feet, predicts betrayal, and gives new commands—events that flow directly from the glory-through-death trajectory announced here.

v.49For 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.

v.50This passage

Cross references

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

  • John 20:31

    but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • 1 Timothy 1:16

    howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.

  • John 6:68

    Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

  • 1 John 5:11

    And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

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