John 12:34 - The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44 (but see also Isaiah 53:8) How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?”
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What does "John 12:34" mean?
This verse from John 12:34 captures a moment of confusion and disagreement between Jesus and the crowd listening to him. Let's break it down:
"The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever.”"
This shows the crowd's understanding of the Messiah (Christ) based on their interpretation of the Old Testament (the "law"). They believed the Messiah would establish a lasting kingdom, an earthly reign that would never end.
They cite the idea that the Messiah remains forever. The Old Testament, while speaking of the Messiah's everlasting dominion, does not explicitly state the Messiah will never die.
They point to Isaiah 9:7 ("Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end…") and Daniel 2:44 ("…his kingdom shall not be destroyed…"), which speak to the enduring nature of his kingdom, not necessarily the Messiah's physical lifespan.
"Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44 (but see also Isaiah 53:8)"
This is where the crowd attempts to justify their point by citing the Old Testament.
Isaiah 9:7: This verse refers to the establishment of a lasting kingdom of peace and justice. The crowd uses it to support their belief in an everlasting Messiah.
Daniel 2:44: This verse speaks of a kingdom established by God that will never be destroyed, reinforcing the idea of a perpetual reign.
Isaiah 53:8: This verse is a subtle counterpoint. It describes the suffering servant, who is "cut off from the land of the living." The gospel author is suggesting that if they had truly understood the prophets, they would have understood the need for the Messiah to suffer and die.
"How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’"
Jesus had been speaking about his impending death, using the phrase "lifted up" (John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32-33) to refer to his crucifixion and subsequent glorification.
The crowd finds this contradictory to their understanding of the Messiah. If the Messiah is supposed to remain forever, how can Jesus say he must be "lifted up" (i.e., crucified and die)?
"Who is this Son of Man?”"
This question reveals their confusion and skepticism. "Son of Man" was a title Jesus often used for himself. It carried both human and divine connotations, linking him to humanity and the Messianic figure described in Daniel 7:13-14, who would receive dominion and glory.
The crowd's question isn't just about the meaning of the phrase "Son of Man," but also about Jesus's identity. They're questioning whether he can truly be the Messiah if he's talking about suffering and death.
In Summary:
This verse illustrates a fundamental conflict between Jesus's message and the prevailing Messianic expectations of the time. The crowd expected a conquering king who would establish an eternal earthly kingdom. Jesus, on the other hand, spoke of suffering, sacrifice, and a spiritual kingdom. They couldn't reconcile his words about being "lifted up" (dying) with their understanding of the Messiah's eternal reign, leading them to question his identity as the "Son of Man."
The verse highlights:
Misunderstanding of Scripture: The crowd selectively interpreted the Old Testament to fit their preconceptions.
The Suffering Servant: The reference to Isaiah 53:8 subtly points to the aspect of the Messiah as the suffering servant, something the crowd overlooked.
The Nature of the Messiah: The verse challenges the reader to reconsider the nature of the Messiah – was he solely a conquering king, or also a suffering servant who would bring salvation through his death and resurrection?
Jesus's Identity: The question "Who is this Son of Man?" is a key question throughout the Gospel of John, and this verse reinforces the mystery and the need for faith to understand Jesus's true identity.
John 12:34 - The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44 (but see also Isaiah 53:8) How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?”
What does "John 12:34" mean?
This verse from John 12:34 captures a moment of confusion and disagreement between Jesus and the crowd listening to him. Let's break it down:
"The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever.”"
This shows the crowd's understanding of the Messiah (Christ) based on their interpretation of the Old Testament (the "law"). They believed the Messiah would establish a lasting kingdom, an earthly reign that would never end.
They cite the idea that the Messiah remains forever. The Old Testament, while speaking of the Messiah's everlasting dominion, does not explicitly state the Messiah will never die.
They point to Isaiah 9:7 ("Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end…") and Daniel 2:44 ("…his kingdom shall not be destroyed…"), which speak to the enduring nature of his kingdom, not necessarily the Messiah's physical lifespan.
"Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 2:44 (but see also Isaiah 53:8)"
This is where the crowd attempts to justify their point by citing the Old Testament.
Isaiah 9:7: This verse refers to the establishment of a lasting kingdom of peace and justice. The crowd uses it to support their belief in an everlasting Messiah.
Daniel 2:44: This verse speaks of a kingdom established by God that will never be destroyed, reinforcing the idea of a perpetual reign.
Isaiah 53:8: This verse is a subtle counterpoint. It describes the suffering servant, who is "cut off from the land of the living." The gospel author is suggesting that if they had truly understood the prophets, they would have understood the need for the Messiah to suffer and die.
"How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’"
Jesus had been speaking about his impending death, using the phrase "lifted up" (John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32-33) to refer to his crucifixion and subsequent glorification.
The crowd finds this contradictory to their understanding of the Messiah. If the Messiah is supposed to remain forever, how can Jesus say he must be "lifted up" (i.e., crucified and die)?
"Who is this Son of Man?”"
This question reveals their confusion and skepticism. "Son of Man" was a title Jesus often used for himself. It carried both human and divine connotations, linking him to humanity and the Messianic figure described in Daniel 7:13-14, who would receive dominion and glory.
The crowd's question isn't just about the meaning of the phrase "Son of Man," but also about Jesus's identity. They're questioning whether he can truly be the Messiah if he's talking about suffering and death.
In Summary:
This verse illustrates a fundamental conflict between Jesus's message and the prevailing Messianic expectations of the time. The crowd expected a conquering king who would establish an eternal earthly kingdom. Jesus, on the other hand, spoke of suffering, sacrifice, and a spiritual kingdom. They couldn't reconcile his words about being "lifted up" (dying) with their understanding of the Messiah's eternal reign, leading them to question his identity as the "Son of Man."
The verse highlights:
Misunderstanding of Scripture: The crowd selectively interpreted the Old Testament to fit their preconceptions.
The Suffering Servant: The reference to Isaiah 53:8 subtly points to the aspect of the Messiah as the suffering servant, something the crowd overlooked.
The Nature of the Messiah: The verse challenges the reader to reconsider the nature of the Messiah – was he solely a conquering king, or also a suffering servant who would bring salvation through his death and resurrection?
Jesus's Identity: The question "Who is this Son of Man?" is a key question throughout the Gospel of John, and this verse reinforces the mystery and the need for faith to understand Jesus's true identity.