John 12:44-50
Chapter 12
44
Then Jesus cried out:
“Whoever believes in me, believes not only in me, but in him who sent me.
Openness to Salvation
45
And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me.
46
I have come into the world as light so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
47
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I am not the one to condemn him; for I have come, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.
48
The one who rejects me and does not accept my words already has a judge: the very words I have spoken will condemn him on the last day,
49
for I have not spoken on my own; the Father, who sent me, has instructed me what to say and how to speak.
50
I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father instructed me.”
Commentaries
End of Jesus’ Public Ministry.
Jesus will no longer speak in public. Before proceeding with his account, the evangelist reflects on the people’s rejection of the Savior.
Amazement and Surprise of the Evangelist (37-41). Jesus performed such incredible signs that they should have led the people in his town to believe. However, their response was negative: widespread rejection. This shocks the evangelist so much that he considers it beyond human ability, and to avoid our scandal, he wants us to see that it was already predicted in God’s plans: “Thus it was written.” Still, some believed, but they were afraid; fear kept them from openly confessing to Jesus.
Openness to Salvation (44-50). The evangelist does not aim to dispel doubt. He gathers many of Jesus’ words to help open readers’ eyes to the message of salvation. These serve as the culmination of his public ministry.