John 12:34
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?
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 34
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλος
The people
G3793
ὄχλος
The people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
4 of 34
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 34
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
the law
G3551
νόμου
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
9 of 34
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 34
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μένει
abideth
G3306
μένει
abideth
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
13 of 34
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰῶνα
ever
G165
αἰῶνα
ever
Strong's:
G165
Word #:
16 of 34
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
18 of 34
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
λέγεις
sayest
G3004
λέγεις
sayest
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 34
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
21 of 34
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
δεῖ
must
G1163
δεῖ
must
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
22 of 34
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
Son
G5207
υἱὸς
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
25 of 34
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
28 of 34
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
30 of 34
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
Son
G5207
υἱὸς
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
32 of 34
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Daniel 7:14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.Psalms 110:4The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.Daniel 7:27And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.Daniel 2:44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.2 Samuel 7:13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.Romans 5:18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.John 10:34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?Micah 4:7And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
Historical Context
Jewish messianic expectation emphasized victorious eternal reign, often overlooking suffering servant passages. The crowd's question reflects this theological blind spot, requiring Jesus to clarify His two comings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does partial biblical knowledge create theological confusion?
- What does the crowd's question teach about the necessity of understanding Christ's two advents?
- In what areas might your incomplete understanding of Scripture create false dilemmas?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The crowd objects based on their understanding of Messianic permanence from Scripture (Ps 89:36; Is 9:7; Dan 7:14). They reason: if Christ abides forever, how can He die? Their question reveals incomplete understanding—they recognize 'Son of Man' as messianic title but miss suffering servant prophecies (Is 53). Their either/or thinking can't accommodate both eternal reign and atoning death. This demonstrates how partial knowledge creates confusion. They need both first advent (suffering) and second advent (reigning) to resolve the paradox.