What does John 12:20-26 mean?

"20 Now there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip 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. 24 Verily, 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. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If 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." - John 12:20-26

"20 Now there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip 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. 24 Verily, 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. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If 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." - John 12:20-26

John 12:20-26 from the King James Version of the Bible reads:

"And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, 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. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If 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."

This passage comes right after the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where he was hailed as the King of Israel. Here, Jesus is speaking to a group of Greeks who have come to worship at the feast, expressing a desire to see Jesus. This request signifies the growing influence and spreading of the message of Jesus beyond the Jewish community and to the Gentiles.

In his response, Jesus speaks of his impending death and resurrection, likening it to a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground and die in order to bring forth much fruit. This is a foreshadowing of his own death and resurrection, and the impact it will have on bringing forth an abundant harvest of believers and followers.

The themes present in this passage are the glorification of Jesus through his death and resurrection, the call to discipleship, and the cost of following Jesus. Jesus speaks of the necessity of his death in order for him to be glorified and for his message to spread and bear fruit. This serves as a reminder to believers that sometimes sacrifice and suffering are necessary in order to fulfill God's purposes and bring about His glory.

Furthermore, Jesus also speaks about the cost of discipleship, saying that those who love their own lives will lose it, but those who are willing to give up their lives for his sake will gain eternal life. This speaks to the selflessness and dedication required of those who choose to follow Jesus, as well as the promise of eternal life for those who are willing to make such sacrifices.

The symbolism of the grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying is a powerful image of death and resurrection, with the death of the seed leading to new life and abundant fruit. This is a reflection of the redemptive work of Jesus, as his death on the cross leads to the resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in him.

In conclusion, John 12:20-26 is a profound and deeply symbolic passage that points to the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, the call to discipleship, and the promise of eternal life for those who are willing to follow and serve him. It serves as a reminder of the central message of the gospel and the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice for all who believe in him.

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John 12:20-26 Artwork

John 12:20-26 - "20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."

John 12:20-26 - "20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."

"20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." - John 12:20-26

"20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." - John 12:20-26

John 20:11-12

John 20:11-12

John 12:20 - "¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:"

John 12:20 - "¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:"

John 20:12 - "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."

John 20:12 - "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."

John 20:26 - "¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you."

John 20:26 - "¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you."

John 12:26 - "If 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."

John 12:26 - "If 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."

"¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:" - John 12:20

"¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:" - John 12:20

John 15:26 NLT

John 15:26 NLT

John 19:26-27

John 19:26-27

John 1:26 - "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;"

John 1:26 - "John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;"

John 20:21

John 20:21

John 20:27

John 20:27

John 20:14

John 20:14

John 20:27

John 20:27

"And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain." - John 20:12

"And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain." - John 20:12

Genisis 26:12

Genisis 26:12

John 20:11-13

John 20:11-13

John 12:26-27 - "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour."

John 12:26-27 - "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour."

John 20:30-31

John 20:30-31

John 6:12

John 6:12

John 8:12

John 8:12

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

John 11:26 - "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

John 11:26 - "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Luke 20:4 - "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?"

Luke 20:4 - "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?"

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26

Luke 12:25-26