Devine Scripture

John 12:9

What does John 12:9 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:9 means

News travels fast. Many of the Jews learn Jesus is in Bethany and come, drawn by a double attraction: the miracle-worker and the miracle’s beneficiary. Curiosity and faith mingle in the crowd. Lazarus’s presence makes the invisible claim of Jesus’ authority visible and undeniable. People want to see with their own eyes what they have heard. This verse shows how God often uses transformed lives as living testimonies that draw others to consider Jesus. It also hints that public excitement, though sincere for many, will provoke a dangerous backlash from those threatened by this evidence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then a great number of the Jews had news that he was there: and they came, not only because of Jesus, but so that they might see Lazarus who had been dead and to whom he had given life.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

A great multitude, therefore, of the Jews knew that he is there, and they came, not because of Jesus only, but that Lazarus also they may see, whom he raised out of the dead;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

A great multitude therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

A great crowd therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not because of Jesus only, but also that they might see Lazarus whom he raised from among [the] dead.

Context

After the intimate defense of Mary’s act, the scene broadens to the crowds who are aware of Jesus and eager to see Lazarus. This sets a context for the leaders’ hardening and scheming in the next verses. The swelling interest explains the enthusiasm that will greet Jesus in Jerusalem, and it intensifies the authorities’ fear of losing influence. The narrative is gathering momentum, moving from a village meal to a city-wide acclaim, with mounting tension alongside growing belief.

v.8For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.

v.9This passage

v.10But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Cross references

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

  • Acts 4:14

    And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

  • John 11:43

    And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

  • Acts 3:10

    and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

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