Jesus Speaks of His Death

(Gospel of John 12:27 - 12:36)

Some Greeks who came to Jerusalem to attend the Passover festivities paid a visit to the disciple Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and expressed a desire to see Jesus.  Philip told Andrew about it and they in turn informed Jesus.

To these Greeks Jesus said the following: "The time has come when the Son of Man will achieve his glory.  I tell you truly that unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains but a single kernel, but if it does die, it then produces more kernels, an abundance of wheat.  Those who crave the life of this world will lose that life, but those who care nothing for it will keep their life -- forever.  Whoever wishes to serve me must follow me, for where I am, there also should be my servant.  And whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

"At present my mind is deeply troubled.  Should I pray to my Father and beg him, "Spare me from this moment!"  But it was for this very moment that I have come into the world. Father, may your name be glorified!"

And then from the sky a voice spoke.  It said, "I have already glorified it and will do so again."  The crowd below heard this.  Some, though, thought it was only thunder, while others concluded that some heavenly being had spoken to Jesus.  Jesus told them, "It was for your sake, not mine that the voice spoke.  Now the punishment of this world is at hand; now the ruler of this world will be cast out!  And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will then draw all the people to me."  (He mentioned this to suggest the means by which he would die.)

The Greeks questioned him. "It is our understanding of the Scriptures that the Messiah will live forever.  What do you mean when you say the Son of Man will be 'lifted up'?  And who is this 'Son of Man'?"

"The light will remain for you just a little longer," he told them.  "Walk while you still have the light, for soon the darkness will overtake you.  And when you walk in the darkness, you will not be able to see where you are going.  While the light is still with you, believe in it, so you may become children of the light."

After he had finished speaking, Jesus departed and went into seclusion so they could not find him.  

Notes
1. The apostle Andrew was from Bethsaida, as was Philip.  He was, as the reader might recall, the brother of Simon-Peter.

2.  Andrew and Philip tell Jesus about the Greeks who want to see him.  The narrative does not say if he grants their request.  At first it seems that Jesus is speaking only to his disciples, but then it becomes clear his audience is a crowd, who are, one presumes, the aforementioned Greeks, perhaps augmented by crowds of curious persons.

3.  Jesus is aware that he will be crucified and, as a man, he understandably dreads that painful destiny.  He admits to being troubled, conflicted, which one might interpret as his divine spirit at odds with his carnal human body.  A great deal of the dramatic tension of the Passion narrative would be removed if Jesus experienced no fear or weakness which he must overcome.

4.  Jesus often refers to his death as being "lifted up" or "exalted."  This is meant not only in a physical way, being raised on a cross in crucifixion, but is to be interpreted metaphorically, a spiritual raising or exaltation.  The symbolism is often lost on his audience.

5.  At Jesus' request the voice of the Father speaks down to the crowd from the sky.  As is common with spirit manifestations, both visual and aural, what is perceived by those who experience them will vary from individual to individual.  A good example of this are the manifestations at Fatima, where some saw a second sun dancing in the sky, some felt something numinous, while others saw or felt nothing.  In this instance, some hear the celestial sound as a voice speaking, while others think it is just thunder.  This leads one to believe that the voice of the Father was not a physical sound, but something akin to an auditory hallucination that those without sufficient psychical sensitivity could not properly hear.  Again we have a miracle compelling enough to reassure believers, but not compelling enough to convince unbelievers.  It is reminiscent of controversial fields of study, such as such ghosts, UFOs, Bigfoot, etc., where the evidence presented is persuasive, but never constitutes the kind of proof that can win over skeptics.

6.  Jesus tells his audience that the world will be punished and its ruler driven out.  (Most translations use the word "judgment," but should be taken in the archaic sense of inflicting punishment and not merely assessing guilt.)  Modern readers see this as the prediction of the End of Days and identify the ruler of the world as Satan. The Greek word used is archon, which means “ruler” in a fairly generic sense.  In both Jewish and Christian theology the “prince of the world” is invariably Satan, the Devil.  This may have been the meaning intended by Jesus, but it certainly would have been interpreted differently by most of his audience.  For them the ruler of the world would be the Roman emperor; Jesus is obviously prophesying the destruction of that empire.  Jesus is also prophesying that his death by crucifixion will draw all the people to him, that is, the Hebrew people, and they will, at his death, rally to overthrow the rule of Rome.  This is why the priesthood, who had a vested interest in the status quo and were resigned to rule by Rome, saw Jesus as such a threat, a dangerous incitement to civil unrest.  (Since Christians had a desire to live peaceably within the Roman Empire, it is very likely that gospel writers may have softened or censored any remarks Jesus may have made that seemed anti-Roman.  First-Century Roman converts to Christianity may have been offended by any specific attacks on Rome and may have wished to squelch remarks that would invite persecution -- or recast them in a spiritual context)

7. Jesus again makes the analogy of light and darkness, spiritual enlightenment and ignorance.  He is, of course, the light and he urges people to appreciate him while he is still with them.  What he does not say is significant.  He does not say that he will bring the people an enlightenment that will remain with them after he is gone.  His followers will be children of the light, but the only thing demanded of them seems to be belief, belief in him.  Nothing is said about following specific teachings or even being a good person (defining goodness as something more than mere belief in Jesus).

8.  The Greeks ask of Jesus some reasonable questions, but as is customary, Jesus does not directly answer them, but, rather like a modern politician, keeps on message and sticks to his talking points.  After saying his piece and dodging the questions the Greeks put to him, Jesus went into hiding.  Did he wish to avoid interrogation?  He is like the politician who loves to give speeches to adoring audiences, but is uncomfortable at press conferences where real questions are put to him and answers demanded.