John 12:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."

NIV: The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

NASB: So the crowd who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, 'An angel has spoken to Him!'

CSB: The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."

NLT: When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.

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

NKJV: Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

The response to Jesus' comment about God's glorification provides insight into how, and why, some people fail to see evidence of God which others find obvious. A voice from heaven speaks audible words (John 12:28). This is the exact communication some modern skeptics claim would compel them to believe in God. However, the core reason for disbelief is not a lack of evidence. Evidence is easily available without miracles (Romans 1:18–20; Psalm 19:1). Evidence is accessible in accounts of the miraculous and in Scripture (John 5:39–40). But evidence can always be dismissed by those who don't want to believe (John 7:17). Miracles can be ignored (Luke 16:31). Signs can be misread, even on purpose.

Those who claim this sound was only thunder seem to be in that latter category. They literally hear the voice of God—and dismiss it as something mindless, natural, and meaningless. That's an appropriate parallel to modern-day skepticism, where mounting evidence of God's influence in nature is brushed aside. Whether it's a lack of spirituality (1 Corinthians 2:14) or outright stubbornness (1 Timothy 4:2), the result is the same.

Others have a less-skeptical interpretation, which is to assume the voice they heard was that of an angel. Both, however, find themselves in a moment of decision. As Jesus will explain, these events serve as "signs" that ought to lead people to faith (John 12:30–36). Those who reject God will have no excuse for their disbelief. Later verses in this same passage make this idea very clear (John 12:37–40).

John 12:27–43 represents the end of Jesus' public ministry in the gospel of John. After being approached by non-Jewish people who believed in God, Jesus seems agitated as He anticipates His impending death. A voice from heaven affirms His mission, but to most people it simply sounds like noise or thunder. What Jesus means as a reference to crucifixion is misinterpreted by many as a prediction that He'll be exalted: to be ''lifted up.'' The people struggle to understand His message, and Jesus will leave them after warning that their time is short. This confirms Old Testament prophecies and reiterates how far some people will go in order to defy evidence of God.

Jesus is treated to an honorary dinner at the home of Lazarus, whom He has recently raised from death. At this dinner, Lazarus' sister, Mary, anoints Jesus with expensive oil. Jesus then enters Jerusalem to great fanfare, stoking fears that His popularity will attract the anger of the Roman Empire. That anger even inspires a murder plot against Lazarus. After being approached by non-Jewish seekers, Jesus offers a final plea for people to understand His ministry. In effect, these are the last public words spoken by Jesus in the gospel of John.

In the prior chapter, Jesus spectacularly raised Lazarus from death in front of a crowd of witnesses. This inspired local religious leaders to commit to having Him killed. Here, after a celebratory dinner where Jesus is anointed with oil, He will fulfill prophecy by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, celebrated with shouts of ''Hosanna'' and a massive crowd. This leads to a group of curious non-Jews approaching Him. Christ then offers a final plea for belief in Him and His message. After this, His ministry will turn to preparing the disciples for His impending death and resurrection. The next several chapters of the gospel of John are almost entirely made up of his teachings to these men.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.