John 12

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Six days before Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where his friend Lazarus, whom he had miraculously brought back to life, lived.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

At that place, they prepared a meal for him. Martha took on the role of the hostess, while Lazarus, among others, shared the table with him.

Then 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.

Mary, with deep reverence, used a precious spikenard ointment to gently anoint Jesus' feet. She humbly wiped them with her hair, filling the house with a rich, aromatic scent.

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,

One of his followers, Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was destined to betray him, spoke up.

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Why wasn't this expensive perfume sold and the money used to help the poor?

This 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.

He said this, not out of concern for the poor, but because he was a thief, holding the purse and stealing from it.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

Jesus spoke gently, "Leave her be. She saved this for the day of my burial."

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

You'll always find the needy among you, but I won't always be here with you.

Much 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.

Many Jewish people knew Jesus was there. They came not just for him, but also to see Lazarus, who Jesus had brought back to life.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

The high priests plotted, filled with malice, to also end Lazarus' life.

Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Because of his influence, numerous Jews turned away from their old beliefs and wholeheartedly embraced Jesus.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

The following day, a large crowd that had gathered for the feast buzzed with anticipation upon hearing that Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem.

Took 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.

They joyfully waved palm branches, eagerly welcoming him, shouting, "Hosanna! Praise to the Lord's chosen King of Israel!"

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

When Jesus discovered a young donkey, he gently seated himself on it, just as the scriptures had foretold.

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

Don't be scared, Zion's daughter. Look, your King is coming, humbly riding on a young donkey.

These 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.

At first, his disciples didn't grasp what was happening. But when Jesus was honored and exalted, they suddenly remembered the scriptures about him and realized they were part of his story.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

The crowd that was with him when he miraculously brought Lazarus back to life from his grave, they all witnessed and confirmed it.

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

People gathered around him, moved by the news of the miracle he had performed.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

The Pharisees, in frustration, said to each other, "Can't you see? Our efforts are in vain. Look, the whole world is following him."

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

A few Greeks, filled with reverence and awe, joined the crowd to partake in the sacred festival.

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

So, they approached Philip, a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, with a heartfelt request, "Sir, we long to meet Jesus."

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

Philip, filled with excitement, rushes to share the news with Andrew. Then, both brimming with anticipation, Andrew and Philip relay the message to Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Jesus responded, "The time has arrived for the Son of Man to be honored."

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.

Truly, I tell you, a single grain of wheat may seem insignificant. But if it's planted and allowed to die, it can grow and produce a bountiful harvest.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

If you cling too tightly to your life, you'll lose it. But if you're not overly attached to your life in this world, you'll preserve it for eternity.

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.

If you choose to dedicate your life to me, walk in my footsteps. Wherever I am, you'll be there too. If you serve me, you'll be honored by my Father.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

My heart is heavy with turmoil. What words can I speak? God, rescue me from this moment. Yet, I realize it's for this very moment that I am here.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Dad, make your name shine. Suddenly, a voice from the sky answered, "I've made it shine before, and I promise, I'll make it shine again."

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Those standing nearby, upon hearing it, thought it was a clap of thunder, while some believed an angel had whispered to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Jesus responded, "This voice wasn't for me, but for you."

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

The time has come for the world to face its reckoning; the ruler of this world will soon be dethroned.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

When I rise above the world, I will attract everyone towards me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

He spoke these words, hinting at the manner of his impending death.

The 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?

The crowd responded, "We've been taught that Christ is eternal. So why do you say the Messiah must be exalted? Who exactly is this Messiah?"

Then 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.

Jesus gently reminded them, "Enjoy the light while it's still with you. Make the most of it before darkness engulfs you. Because if you wander in the dark, you'll lose your way."

While 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.

While you're blessed with clarity, have faith in it, so you may become beacons of hope. After sharing these words, Jesus left, concealing himself from their sight.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

Despite performing countless miracles in their presence, they still refused to believe in him.

That 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?

So that Isaiah's prophecy might come true, he asked, "God, who has truly accepted our message? And who has seen your power?"

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

Thus, their disbelief persisted, as Isaiah had reiterated,

He 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.

He has clouded their vision and numbed their hearts, preventing them from truly seeing or understanding, from changing their ways, and from receiving my healing.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Isaiah spoke these words with awe and reverence, when he witnessed His magnificent glory and talked about Him.

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:

Even some of the top leaders believed in him. Yet, out of fear of the Pharisees and being expelled from the synagogue, they kept their faith hidden.

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

They craved human approval more than God's affirmation.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

With tears in His eyes, Jesus passionately declared, "If you trust in me, you're not just believing in me, but in the One who sent me."

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

Whoever truly sees me, also sees the one who sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

I've arrived as a beacon of hope in this world, so anyone who trusts in me will never have to live in fear or despair.

And 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.

If anyone hears my message but doesn't trust it, I won't condemn them. My purpose isn't to judge, but to rescue humanity.

He 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.

If you dismiss me and ignore my teachings, remember, my words will be your judge on the final day.

For 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.

I don't speak on my own. Instead, the Father who sent me guides me on what to say and how to say it.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

I understand that His instructions lead to eternal life. Thus, I only echo what the Father tells me.