- 1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
- 2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
- 3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
- 4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
- 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
- 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
- 7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
- 8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
- 9Much 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.
- 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
- 11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
- 12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
- 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- 14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
- 15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
- 16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
- 17The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
- 18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
- 19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
- 20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
- 21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
- 22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
- 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
- 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
- 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
- 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
- 27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
- 28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
- 29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
- 30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
- 31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
- 32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
- 33This he said, signifying what death he should die.
- 34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
- 35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
- 36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
- 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
- 38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
- 39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
- 40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
- 41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
- 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
- 43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
- 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
- 45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
- 46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
- 47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
- 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
- 49For 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.
- 50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
KING JAMES VERSION
JOHN 12
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
John 12 — The King Comes to His Hour gathers the chapter’s central movement as Jesus’s identity, authority, mercy, and saving mission are revealed.
About this illustration
The illustration centers jesus rides a young donkey toward Jerusalem as crowds spread palms and garments. Other events and teachings remain in the chapter text rather than being crowded into one scene.
Scripture basis: John 12:1–50King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th Century
Papyrus P2: John 12:12–15 in a Greek–Coptic Witness
Papyrus P2 is a tiny sixth-century leaf in Florence carrying John 12:12-15 in Greek and portions of Luke 7 in Sahidic Coptic, a rare material trace of bilingual Egyptian Gospel reading.
John 12:12–15 · Luke 7:22–26 · Luke 7:50
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th–7th Century
Papyrus P128: John 9:3–4; John 12:12–13; John 12:16–18 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P128 is a sixth- or seventh-century Greek papyrus lectionary fragment from the Monastery of Epiphanius at Thebes, preserving excerpts from John 9 and 12 and now cataloged separately from P44.
John 9:3–4 · John 12:12–13 · John 12:16–18
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEBurial
Rock-cut tomb of uncertain date; documented Christian veneration from the early 4th century and churches from the late 4th century onward
Bethany's Tomb of Lazarus and the Lazarium Complex
At al-Eizariya, a rock-cut tomb, Byzantine churches, mosaics, and early pilgrim testimony preserve a continuous landscape of Christian remembrance associated with Lazarus of Bethany.
John 11:1–44 · John 12:1–8 · Mark 11:1
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Fifth-century Gospel undertext; later overwritten parchment
Codex Guelferbytanus B (GA 026)
Codex Guelferbytanus B (GA 026) is a distinct physical witness to the material transmission and reception of Scripture, identified by its own shelfmark, date, contents, and custodial history.
John 12:1–11 · Luke 6:1–11
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Fifth century AD
Uncial 0217: John’s Bethany Anointing Narrative
Uncial 0217: John’s Bethany Anointing Narrative is the independently registered Greek New Testament witness GA 0217, controlled by its manuscript number, present shelfmark, physical form, and surviving biblical contents.
John 11:57 · John 12:1–7
Prophecy Events
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
30
Zechariah 9:9The King Comes Riding on a Donkey
Zechariah announces Zion’s righteous and humble king arriving on a donkey.
Kingdomtriumphal entrydonkeyZionking
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
28
Isaiah 6:9–10Israel’s Hardening during Messiah’s Ministry
Isaiah is commissioned to preach amid persistent hearing without understanding and seeing without perception.
JudgmenthardeningunbeliefIsaiahministry
Sermons
The Great Deception
In “The Great Deception,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about Christian faithfulness. Drawing especially from 2 Timothy 3, John 3, Isaiah 7:14, Psalm 22, the teaching emphasizes that belief must be joined to an obedient life. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that doctrine and conduct must be tested by Scripture.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Are you Dead Yet
In “Are You Dead Yet?” Pastor Nancy calls believers to die to self through humility, obedience, and practical service. Beginning with Galatians 2:20 and Christ’s self-emptying example in Philippians 2, she contrasts the hunger for recognition with the mind of Jesus, who lowered himself, accepted suffering, and put others first. Paul’s testimony, James’ command to humble oneself, and Jesus’ warnings against self-exaltation reinforce the central question: has the old self truly yielded to Christ?
Doctrine and DiscernmentChristian Living
View sermon Knowledge vs. Wisdom
In “Knowledge vs. Wisdom,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the authority of Scripture, faith, Satanic opposition. Drawing especially from Proverbs 29:18, John 12, Revelation 19, Luke 10:9, the teaching emphasizes that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises.
Spiritual WarfareScripture AloneChristian Living
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons