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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_12:20-26
20Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. 23And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."
Joh_12:20 "some Greeks" This was used in the sense of Gentiles, not specifically ethnic Greeks.
▣ "among those who were going up to worship at the feast" The present tense implies they were in the habit of going to the Feast. They were either (1) God-fearers or (2) proselytes of the Gate. The first were regular worshipers at the synagogue and the second had officially become converts to the Jewish faith.
Joh_12:21 "and began to ask him" This is imperfect tense which means (1) they asked over and over again or (2) they began to ask. They wanted a private interview with Jesus. Apparently this was the last tick on the prophetic clock before Jesus' death (cf. Joh_12:23).
Joh_12:22 Phillip (lover of horses) and Andrew (manly) are the only two Apostles to have Greek names. Perhaps this allowed these Greeks (i.e., Gentiles) to feel as if they could approach them.
Joh_12:23 "The hour has come" This is perfect tense. John often used the term "the hour" to refer to the crucifixion and resurrection as the climatic events of Jesus' mission (cf. Joh_12:27; Joh_13:1; Joh_13:32; Joh_17:1). Jesus stated that He had come to the lost sheep of Israel (cf. Mat_15:24). Now His message was reaching Gentiles!
▣ "the Son of Man" This is an Aramaic phrase that simply meant "human being" (cf. Psa_8:4; Eze_2:1). However, it is used in Dan_7:13 with the added connotation of Deity. This is Jesus' self-designated title that combines His two natures, human and divine (cf. 1Jn_4:1-3).
▣ "to be glorified" Jesus' death is always referred to as "His glory." The term "glory" is used several times in this context (cf. Joh_12:28 [twice]; 32, and 33). It is often used to designate Jesus' death and resurrection (cf. Joh_13:1; Joh_13:32; Joh_17:1). See note at Joh_1:14.
Joh_12:24 "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies" This is phenomenological language or descriptive language, things as they appear to the five senses. One seed can produce many seeds (cf. Joh_15:2; Joh_15:4-5; Joh_15:8; Joh_15:16; 1Co_15:36). His death brought many to true life (cf. Mar_10:45).
▣ "if" There is a series of third class conditional sentences in this context which means potential action (cf. Joh_12:24; Joh_12:26; Joh_12:32; Joh_12:47).
Joh_12:25 "He who loves his life loses it" This is a play on the Greek term psychç, which refers to the essence of a human's personality or life force (cf Mat_10:39; Mat_16:24-25; Mar_8:34-35; Luk_9:23-24). Once someone trusts Christ, he is given new life. This new life is a gift from God for service, not for personal use. Believers are stewards of this new life. We are freed from slavery to sin to become servants of God (cf. Rom_6:1 to Rom_7:6).
The false shepherds of chapter 10 tried to "save" their lives by running. But Jesus lays down His life, so too, must believers do the same (cf. 2Co_5:12-15; Gal_2:20).
▣ "loses it" This is a present active indicative. The term (see Special Topic at Joh_10:10) means "to destroy," another word with two connotations. This is the opposite of "eternal life." If one does not have faith in Christ, this is the only alternative. This destruction is not annihilation, but the loss of a personal relationship with God (which is the essence of Hell).
▣ "hates" This is a Hebrew idiom of comparison. God must be priority (cf. Jacob's wives, Gen_29:30-31; Deu_21:15; Esau and Jacob, Mal_1:2-3; Romans 10-13; one's family, Luk_14:26).
▣ "life" This is the Greek term zoç. It is used consistently in John to refer to (1) spiritual life; (2) eternal life; (3) new age life; and (4) resurrection life. True life is a freedom from the tyranny of "self," which is the essence of the Fall.
Joh_12:26 "If" This is a third class conditional sentence which means potential action.
▣ "he must follow me" This is a present active imperative which speaks of an ongoing relationship (cf. John 15). This is the neglected biblical issue of perseverance (see hyperlink at Joh_8:31). This issue is often confused by the theological tension between a Sovereign God and human volition. However, it is best to see salvation as a covenental experience. God always initiates (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65) and sets the agenda, but He also demands that mankind respond to His offer in repentance and faith (cf. Mar_1:15; Act_20:21), both as an initial decision and a lifelong discipleship. Perseverance is evidence that we know Him (cf. Mat_10:22; Mat_13:20-21; Gal_6:9; 1Jn_2:19; Rev_2:7; Rev_2:11; Rev_2:17; Rev_2:26; Rev_3:5; Rev_3:12; Rev_3:21).
Christian doctrine, being Bible-based, often comes in paradoxical, tension-filled pairs. Eastern literature is characterized by this figurative, contrasting thought patterns. Often modern western readers force the paradoxes into either/or choices when they are meant to be both/and truths.
To illustrate my comments, I have included a section from my Bible Interpretation Seminar entitled Biblical Paradoxes:
Biblical Paradoxes
1. This insight has been the most helpful to me personally as one who loves and trusts the Bible as God's Word. In trying to take the Bible seriously it became obvious that different texts reveal truth in selected, not systematic ways. One inspired text cannot cancel or depreciate another inspired text! Truth comes in knowing all Scripture (all Scripture, not just some, is inspired, cf. 2Ti_3:16-17), not quoting a single passage (proof-texting)!
2. Most biblical truths (eastern literature) are presented in dialectical or paradoxical pairs (remember the NT authors, except Luke, are Hebrew thinkers, writing in common Greek). Wisdom Literature and Poetic Literature present truth in parallel lines. The antithetical parallelism functions like the paradox. This synthetic parallelism functions like parallel passages. Somehow both are equally true! These paradoxes are painful to our cherished, simplistic traditions!
a. predestination versus human free will
b. security of the believer versus the need for perseverance
c. original sin versus volitional sin
d. Jesus as God versus Jesus as man
e. Jesus as equal with the Father versus Jesus as subservient to the Father
f. Bible as God's Word versus human authorship
g. sinlessness (perfectionism, cf. Romans 6) versus sinning less
h. initial instantaneous justification and sanctification versus progressive sanctification
i. justification by faith (Romans 4) versus justification confirmed by works (cf. Jas_2:14-26)
j. Christian freedom (cf. Rom_14:1-23; 1Co_8:1-13; 1Co_10:23-33) versus Christian responsibility (cf. Gal_5:16-21; Eph_4:1)
k. God's transcendence versus His immanence
l. God as ultimately unknowable versus knowable in Scripture and Christm.Paul's many metaphors for salvation
(1) adoption
(2) sanctification
(3) justification
(4) redemption
(5) glorification
(6) predestination
(7) reconciliation
m. the kingdom of God as present versus future consummation
n. repentance as a gift of God versus repentance as a mandated response for salvation (cf. Mar_1:15; Act_20:21)
o. the OT is permanent versus the OT has passed away and is null and void (cf. Mat_5:17-19 vs. Mat_5:21-48; Romans 7 vs. Galatians 3)
p. believers are servants/slaves or children/heirs"
▣ "where I am, there shall My servant also be" This theme is repeated in Joh_14:3; Joh_17:24; 2Co_5:8; Php_1:23; 1Th_4:17! Christianity is primarily a personal relationship with God! The goal is relational: His presence, His fellowship!
We were created for fellowship with God (cf. Gen_1:26-27). Salvation is the restoration of the broken fellowship of the Garden of Eden. John emphasizes that this fellowship is restored now!