John 12:17 is a fairly straightforward statement describing the effect of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Let's break it down:
"The multitude therefore that was with him..." This refers to the crowd of people who had been following Jesus. They were present when Jesus went to Bethany and resurrected Lazarus.
"...when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead..." This is the event that caused the buzz. Jesus performed a miraculous act by bringing Lazarus back to life after he had been dead for four days.
"...was testifying about it." This means the people who witnessed the raising of Lazarus were telling others about it. They were spreading the news and bearing witness to the power and authority of Jesus.
In essence, the verse is saying that the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection had a powerful impact on the crowd who witnessed it. They were so moved by what they saw that they couldn't help but share the story with others, effectively acting as witnesses to Jesus' divine power.
Significance:
Proof of Jesus' Divinity: The raising of Lazarus was seen as a profound display of Jesus' power over death, solidifying the belief that he was the Messiah or Son of God.
Fueling the Crowd: This miracle contributed to the growing excitement and anticipation surrounding Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, which is described in the following verses of John 12.
Increasing Opposition: However, the miracle also alarmed the religious authorities (Pharisees), who saw Jesus as a threat to their power and influence. It ultimately hastened their plot to have him killed (John 11:47-53).
So, John 12:17 highlights the immediate and powerful effect of Jesus' miracle on the eyewitnesses, who became his advocates and spread the word about his extraordinary power. It also provides context for understanding the escalating tensions and events leading up to Jesus' Passion.
John 12:17 is a fairly straightforward statement describing the effect of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Let's break it down:
"The multitude therefore that was with him..." This refers to the crowd of people who had been following Jesus. They were present when Jesus went to Bethany and resurrected Lazarus.
"...when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead..." This is the event that caused the buzz. Jesus performed a miraculous act by bringing Lazarus back to life after he had been dead for four days.
"...was testifying about it." This means the people who witnessed the raising of Lazarus were telling others about it. They were spreading the news and bearing witness to the power and authority of Jesus.
In essence, the verse is saying that the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection had a powerful impact on the crowd who witnessed it. They were so moved by what they saw that they couldn't help but share the story with others, effectively acting as witnesses to Jesus' divine power.
Significance:
Proof of Jesus' Divinity: The raising of Lazarus was seen as a profound display of Jesus' power over death, solidifying the belief that he was the Messiah or Son of God.
Fueling the Crowd: This miracle contributed to the growing excitement and anticipation surrounding Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, which is described in the following verses of John 12.
Increasing Opposition: However, the miracle also alarmed the religious authorities (Pharisees), who saw Jesus as a threat to their power and influence. It ultimately hastened their plot to have him killed (John 11:47-53).
So, John 12:17 highlights the immediate and powerful effect of Jesus' miracle on the eyewitnesses, who became his advocates and spread the word about his extraordinary power. It also provides context for understanding the escalating tensions and events leading up to Jesus' Passion.
