Lesson 50
John 12:20-33
[20] And 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.
[27] 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. [28] Father,
glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying,
I have both glorified it, and will glorify it
again. [29] The people
therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it
thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
[30] Jesus answered and said, This
voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
[31] Now is the judgment of this
world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
[32] And I, if I be lifted up from
the earth, will draw all men unto me.
[33] This he said, signifying what
death he should die.
Background Information
North
American readers may find the phrase “a corn of wheat” in John 12:24 a bit
confusing. Keep in mind that the Bible used in these lessons was translated into
English in 1611. Corn was a general word for grain at that time. When the
Europeans came to America, they found a new grain, which is also called
maize. North Americans came to refer to
maize
as
corn
and eventually used the word
corn
only for
maize.
Hence, Jesus is talking about an individual wheat seed or
grain.
The “prince of this world” in John 12:31 is the devil.
In John 12:32, Jesus speaks of being lifted up from the earth. This is a reference to being hung up on a cross at His coming crucifixion.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 10:24-25
Mark 8:34-38
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Timothy 3:16
Questions
What did Jesus have to do if He were to complete the job the Father gave
Him?
Jesus compared Himself with a grain seed. What did that grain have to do if
it were to bring a harvest?
In Mark 8:34, what are those who believe in Jesus to do?
According to Matthew 10:24-25, what kind of treatment can those who serve
Jesus expect from those who don’t?
Eternal life is a free gift. Still, once we have it, the world will try to
make us pay for it through suffering. What words from these verses and the
related Scriptures indicate that this suffering is worthwhile?
John 12:31-32 tell us two of the results of Jesus’ coming death. What are
they?
In verse 28, God speaks from Heaven. a. What two explanations did people
give for this Heavenly voice in verse 29? b. Which was closer to the truth?
For what cause (reason) did Jesus say He had come into this world?
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