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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 12:33 He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/12-33.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/43_Jhn_12_33.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 12:33 - Jesus Predicts His Death" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/12-32.htm" title="John 12:32">◄</a> John 12:33 <a href="/john/12-34.htm" title="John 12:34">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He said this to indicate how he was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now He was saying this, signifying by what death He was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />This he said, signifying what death he should die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />This He said, signifying by what death He would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now He was saying this to indicate what kind of death He was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus was talking about the way he would be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />By saying this, he indicated how he was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />In saying this he indicated the kind of death he was going to suffer.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death he was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />(Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />(This he said, signifying what death he should die.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death He would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And this He said signifying by what death He was about to die;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now He was saying this, signifying by what death He was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And this he said signifying by what death he was about to die;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />This said he, signifying what death he was about to die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />(Now this he said, signifying what death he should die.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />(Now he said this, signifying what kind of death he would die.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He said this, to show by what kind of death he was to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />He said this that he might show by what death he would die.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />This he said, signifying what death he was about to die.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He spoke this, signifying by what death He was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And this he said, signifying by what death he should die.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />(this he said to signify what death he should die.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />He said this to indicate the kind of death He would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But this He said, signifying by what manner of death He was about to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />This He said, signifying what death He should die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/12-33.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=4605" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Jesus Predicts His Death</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">32</span>And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” <span class="reftext">33</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He said</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/4591.htm" title="4591: sēmainōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To signify, indicate, give a sign, make known. From sema; to indicate.">to indicate</a> <a href="/greek/4169.htm" title="4169: poiō (IPro-DMS) -- Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.">the kind of</a> <a href="/greek/2288.htm" title="2288: thanatō (N-DMS) -- Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.">death</a> <a href="/greek/3195.htm" title="3195: ēmellen (V-IIA-3S) -- A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.">He was going</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apothnēskein (V-PNA) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">to die.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">34</span>The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14</a></span><br />Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28</a></span><br />So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-32.htm">John 18:32</a></span><br />This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-28.htm">John 19:28-30</a></span><br />After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” / A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. / When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-36.htm">John 19:36-37</a></span><br />Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” / And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a></span><br />But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Numbers 21:8-9</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” / So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16-18</a></span><br />For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. / I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. / They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a></span><br />Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-18.htm">Matthew 20:18-19</a></span><br />“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death / and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-33.htm">Mark 10:33-34</a></span><br />“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles, / who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-31.htm">Luke 18:31-33</a></span><br />Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. / He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. / They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a></span><br />He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27-28</a></span><br />In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-6.htm">Romans 5:6-8</a></span><br />For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. / Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. / But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">This he said, signifying what death he should die.</p><p class="hdg">signifying.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/18-32.htm">John 18:32</a></b></br> That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/21-19.htm">John 21:19</a></b></br> This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/12-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/12-24.htm">Die</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-3.htm">Indicate</a> <a href="/john/4-23.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/john/11-33.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/matthew/24-1.htm">Pointing</a> <a href="/john/11-57.htm">Show</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-8.htm">Signifying</a> <a href="/luke/19-3.htm">Sort</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/18-14.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/18-14.htm">Die</a> <a href="/john/21-19.htm">Indicate</a> <a href="/john/16-25.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/john/18-32.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/john/18-32.htm">Pointing</a> <a href="/john/14-8.htm">Show</a> <a href="/john/18-32.htm">Signifying</a> <a href="/john/21-19.htm">Sort</a><div class="vheading2">John 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-9.htm">The people flock to see Lazarus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-10.htm">The chief priests consult to kill him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-12.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-20.htm">Greeks desire to see Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-23.htm">He foretells his death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">The people are generally blinded;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-42.htm">yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-44.htm">therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He said this</b><br>This phrase refers to Jesus speaking to His disciples and the crowd. It is important to note that Jesus often used His words to reveal deeper spiritual truths. In the context of <a href="/john/12.htm">John 12</a>, Jesus is addressing the crowd after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a significant event that fulfills Old Testament prophecy (<a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a>). His words are meant to prepare His followers for the events that are about to unfold.<p><b>to indicate</b><br>Jesus frequently used symbolic language and actions to convey His message. Here, He is providing a sign or a foreshadowing of what is to come. This is consistent with His teaching style, where He often used parables and metaphors to reveal truths about the Kingdom of God (<a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Matthew 13:34-35</a>).<p><b>the kind of death</b><br>The phrase points to the specific nature of Jesus' impending crucifixion. Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution reserved for the most serious criminals and was considered a curse under Jewish law (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-23.htm">Deuteronomy 21:23</a>). This form of death was both a fulfillment of prophecy (<a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16</a>) and a demonstration of the extent of Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's sins.<p><b>He was going to die</b><br>Jesus' death was not an accident or a result of unforeseen circumstances; it was a deliberate act of obedience to the Father's will (<a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Philippians 2:8</a>). His death was central to God's redemptive plan, as foretold by the prophets (<a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5-7</a>). The crucifixion was the means by which Jesus would atone for sin, offering salvation to all who believe (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking about His impending crucifixion. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, who came to save humanity through His sacrificial death.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>Present during Jesus' discourse, the crowd is a mix of believers, skeptics, and those curious about His teachings. Their understanding of Jesus' words is limited, and they often misinterpret His message.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events are taking place. It is significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location where Jesus will be crucified.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crucifixion.htm">The Crucifixion</a></b><br>The event Jesus is alluding to, where He will be lifted up on the cross, fulfilling His mission to atone for the sins of the world.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who are present and listening to His teachings. They are learning about the true nature of His mission and the cost of discipleship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_mission.htm">Understanding Jesus' Mission</a></b><br>Jesus' statement in <a href="/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33</a> clarifies that His death was not an accident but a divine plan. Believers should recognize the intentionality and purpose behind the crucifixion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_the_cross.htm">The Significance of the Cross</a></b><br>The cross is central to Christian faith. It symbolizes not only Jesus' suffering but also His victory over sin and death. Christians are called to embrace the cross in their own lives, understanding its power and significance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_fulfillment.htm">Prophetic Fulfillment</a></b><br>Jesus' death fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies, affirming the reliability of Scripture and God's sovereign plan. Believers can trust in God's promises and His control over history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a></b><br>Following Jesus involves understanding and accepting the cost of discipleship, which includes self-denial and bearing one's own cross. This passage challenges believers to consider their commitment to Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_suffering.htm">Hope in Suffering</a></b><br>Jesus' willingness to face the cross provides hope and encouragement for believers facing trials. His example teaches that suffering can have a redemptive purpose and lead to greater glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'earth_is_god's_footstool'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'If I be lifted up'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_suffer.htm">If God wants to protect His people, why does He allow the righteous to suffer at the hands of the wicked?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/in_what_year_did_jesus_die.htm">In what year did Jesus die?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_emphasize_'lifting_up'_in_john_12_32-33.htm">Why does John 12:32-33 emphasize 'lifting up' as a means of drawing people, considering the historical context of crucifixion practices and Jewish expectations of a Messiah?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(33) <span class= "bld">By what death he should die.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">by what manner of death .</span> . . (Comp. <a href="/john/18-32.htm" title="That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die.">John 18:32</a>.) The words are the Apostle's interpretation of the saying of our Lord. He remembers it as he has recorded it twice before (<a href="/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14</a>; <a href="/john/8-28.htm" title="Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.">John 8:28</a>), but he adds here words ("from the earth") which supply another thought, though the two thoughts are not inconsistent. The words bear the double sense, and looking back upon the fact of the Crucifixion, he sees in that a lifting up which was part of the great moral victory over the world, and in the very cross of shame he sees the throne of glory.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/12-33.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">He said</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔλεγεν</span> <span class="translit">(elegen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦτο</span> <span class="translit">(touto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to indicate</span><br /><span class="grk">σημαίνων</span> <span class="translit">(sēmainōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4591.htm">Strong's 4591: </a> </span><span class="str2">To signify, indicate, give a sign, make known. From sema; to indicate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the kind of</span><br /><span class="grk">ποίῳ</span> <span class="translit">(poiō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4169.htm">Strong's 4169: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">death</span><br /><span class="grk">θανάτῳ</span> <span class="translit">(thanatō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2288.htm">Strong's 2288: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He was going</span><br /><span class="grk">ἤμελλεν</span> <span class="translit">(ēmellen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3195.htm">Strong's 3195: </a> </span><span class="str2">A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to die.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποθνήσκειν</span> <span class="translit">(apothnēskein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/12-33.htm">John 12:33 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/12-33.htm">NT Gospels: John 12:33 But he said this signifying by what (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/12-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 12:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 12:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/12-34.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 12:34"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 12:34" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>