the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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Contemporary English Version
John 12:34
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The people said, "But our law says that the Messiah will live forever. So why do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this ‘Son of Man'?"
The people answered him: We have hearde of ye lawe yt Christ bydeth ever: and how sayest thou then that the sonne of man must be lifte vp? who is yt sonne of ma?
The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Messiah remains forever. How do you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up?' Who is this Son of Man?"
Then the crowd answered him, "We have learnedheard">[fn] from the law that the Christ[fn] remains forever. So how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"Psalm 89:36-37; 110:4; Isaiah 9:7; 53:8; Ezekiel 37:25; Daniel 2:44; Micah 4:7;">[xr]
The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how is it that You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
The crowd said, "We have heard from the law that the Christ will live forever. So why do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this ‘Son of Man'?"
The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abides forever: and how do you say, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
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?
So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up?' Who is this Son of Man?"
We have heard out of the law, that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?
The crowd answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ remains for ever. In what sense do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is that Son of Man?"
And the puple answeride to hym, We han herd of the lawe, that Crist dwellith with outen ende; and hou seist thou, It bihoueth mannys sone to be arerid?
The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
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?"
At this the crowd answered Him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; how then can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
Then the people in answer said to him, The law says that the Christ will have life without end: how say you then that it is necessary for the Son of man to be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
The crowd answered, "We have learned from the Torah that the Messiah remains forever. How is it that you say the Son of Man has to be ‘lifted up'? Who is this ‘Son of Man'?"
The crowd answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abides for ever; and how sayest thou that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who *is* this, the Son of man?
The people said to him, We have heard from the law that the Meshicha for ever abideth: how sayest thou that the Son of man is to be lifted up ? Who is this Son of man ?
The multitude said to him: We have heard from the law, that the Messiah abideth for ever: [fn] how sayest thou, that the Son of man is to be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
The people answered him, We haue heard out of the Law, that Christ abideth for euer: and how sayest thou, The Sonne of man must bee lift vp? Who is this Sonne of man?
The crowd responded, "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?"
The people said to Him, "The Law of Moses says that the Christ is to live forever. Why do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
The people answered him, We haue heard out of the Law, that that Christ bideth for euer: and howe sayest thou, that that Sonne of man must be lift vp? Who is that Sonne of man?
The people said to him, We have heard from the law that the Christ shall remain forever; how do you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
The multitude, therefore, answered him - We, have heard, out of the law, that, the Christ, abideth evermore; How then dost, thou, say, - It behoveth the Son of Man to be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?
The multitude 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?
The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?"
The people aunswered him: We haue hearde out of the lawe, that Christe bydeth euer: and howe sayest thou, the sonne of man must be lyft vp? Who is that sonne of man?
The crowd answered, "Our Law tells us that the Messiah will live forever. How, then, can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man
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?
Then the crowd replied to him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever! And how do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
The crowd answered Him, We heard out of the Law that The Christ remains to the age. And how do You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?
the multitude answered him, `We heard out of the law that the Christ doth remain -- to the age; and how dost thou say, That it behoveth the Son of Man to be lifted up? who is this -- the Son of Man?'
Then answered him the people: We haue herde in the lawe, that Christ endureth for euer: and how sayest thou then, that the sonne of man must be lift vp? Who is this sonne of man?
Upon which the people said to him, we have learnt from the law, that the Messiah is to live for ever: why do you say then, the son of man must be lift up? who is this son of man?
Voices from the crowd answered, "We heard from God's Law that the Messiah lasts forever. How can it be necessary, as you put it, that the Son of Man ‘be lifted up'? Who is this ‘Son of Man'?"
Then the crowd responded, "We have heard from the law that the Christ will remain forever. How can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
People started shouting questions at him, saying, "We read the Good Book. The Top Hand, the Messiah, is supposed to live forever. Why do you say now that you will die and be lifted up, but still be faster and win? Who is this 'Top Hand'?"
The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how do You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
the law: John 10:34, John 15:25, Romans 3:19, Romans 5:18
Christ: 2 Samuel 7:13, Psalms 72:7, Psalms 72:17-19, Psalms 89:36, Psalms 89:37, Psalms 110:4, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 53:8, Ezekiel 37:24, Ezekiel 37:25, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:27, Micah 4:7
who: John 3:14-16, John 5:25-27, John 8:53-58, Matthew 16:13, Matthew 21:10, Matthew 22:42-45
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 7:16 - General Isaiah 40:8 - the word Daniel 7:13 - one like Mark 8:38 - the Son Mark 9:10 - what Luke 1:32 - give Luke 9:45 - General Luke 23:33 - they crucified John 7:36 - manner Galatians 4:21 - the law Hebrews 7:24 - he continueth
Gill's Notes on the Bible
The people answered him,.... Not the Greeks, but the Jews, and these not such as were friends to Christ, but cavillers at him:
we have heard out of the law; not the five books of Moses, but the Prophets, and Hagiographa; even all the books of the Old Testament are called the law; :-;
that Christ abideth for ever; referring to those places which speak of the perpetuity of his priesthood and the everlasting duration of his kingdom, Psalms 110:4, in which last text express mention is made of the son of man, and that and the first may be more especially respected; from whence it appears, that these passages were understood of the Messiah by the ancient Jews: they knew he was designed in Psalms 110:4. He is David's Lord that was bid to sit at the right hand of Jehovah, after he was raised from the dead, and had ascended on high; whose Gospel went forth with power, and whose people, by it, were made willing to submit to him, to his righteousness, and the sceptre of his kingdom; and who also is a priest for ever; and which is appealed to as a proof of the nature, kind, and duration of Christ's priesthood, Hebrews 5:6; and so it may be observed it is expressly applied to him by Jewish writers: in Zechariah 4:14 it is said "these are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth"; of which this interpretation is given f.
"These are Aaron and the Messiah; and it would not be known which of them is (most) beloved, but that he says,
Psalms 110:4, "the Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, thou art a priest for ever"; from whence it is manifest that the Messiah is more beloved than Aaron the righteous priest.''
And so another of them g, speaking of Melchizedek, says,
"this is that which is written Psalms 110:4, "the Lord hath sworn", c. who is this? this is he that is just, and having salvation, the King Messiah, as it is said, Zechariah 9:9.''
So the 45th Psalm is understood by them of the Messiah the King, in
Psalms 45:1, is by Ben Melech, said to be the King Messiah; Psalms 45:2 is thus paraphrased by the Targum,
"thy beauty, O King Messiah, is more excellent than the children of men.''
And Aben Ezra observes, that this Psalm is either concerning David, or the Messiah his son, whose name is David, Ezekiel 37:25 h; and the passage in Psalms 72:17 is frequently interpreted of the Messiah and his name, and is brought as a proof of the antiquity of it i; and
Psalms 89:36 is also applied to him; and as for Daniel 7:13, that is by many, both ancient and modern Jews, explained of the Messiah k and since then they understood these passages of him, it is easy to observe from whence they took this notion that the Messiah should abide for ever; but then they should have observed out of the same law, or Holy Scriptures, that the Messiah was to be stricken and cut off, was to be brought to the dust of death, and to pour out his soul unto death; all which is consistent with his abiding for ever, in his person and office; for though according to the said writings, he was to die and be buried, yet he was not to see corruption; he was to rise again, ascend on high, sit at the right hand of God, and rule till all his enemies became his footstool; his sufferings were to be in the way, and in order to his entrance into the glory that should always abide. The Jews have entertained a notion that Messiah the son of David shall not die, and they lay down this as a rule, that if anyone sets up for a Messiah, and does not prosper, but is slain, it is a plain case he is not the Messiah; so all the wise men at first thought that Ben Coziba was the Messiah, but when he was slain it was known to them that he was not l. And upon this principle these Jews confront the Messiahship of Jesus, saying,
and how sayest thou, the son of man must be lifted up? for it seems Christ used the phrase the son of man in his discourse, though John has not recorded it; he attending to his sense, and not to his express words. The Jews rightly understood him, that by the son of man he meant the Messiah, and by his being lifted up, his death; but they did not understand, how the Messiah could die, and yet abide for ever; and therefore since he intended himself by the son of man, they concluded he talked very inconsistent with the Scriptures, and with the character he assumed, and ask very pertly,
who is this son of man? is there any other son of man besides the Messiah? and can the son of man, that is the Messiah, be lifted up, or die, who is to abide for ever? and if thou art to be lifted up, or die, thou art not the Messiah or Daniel's son of man, whose kingdom is everlasting: but how come the Jews themselves to say, that the days of the Messiah, according to some, are but forty years, according to others seventy, according to others, three hundred and sixty five m? yea, they say, he shall be as other men, marry, have children, and then die n. And how comes it to pass that Messiah ben Joseph shall be slain o? the truth of the matter is this, they having lost the true sense of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and observing some that seem to differ, and which they know not how to reconcile, have fancied two Messiahs, the one that will be much distressed and be overcome and be slain; the other, who will be potent and victorious.
f Abot R. Nathan, c. 34. g R. Moses Hadarsan in Galatin. de cath. ver. l. 10. c. 6. h Vid. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 49. 2. i T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 54. 1. Nedarim, fol. 39. 2. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 1, 2. Echa Rabbati, fol. 50. 2. Pirke Eliezer, c. 32. k Zohar in Gen. fol. 85. 4. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 13. fol. 209. 4. Jarchi & Sandiah Gaon in Dan. vii. 13. & R. Jeshua in Aben Ezra in ib. l Maimon Hilchot Melacim, c. 11. sect. 3, 4. Vid. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 98. fol. 86. 2. m T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 99. 1. n Maimon. in Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 11. sect. 1. o T. Bab. Succa, fol. 52. 1.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
We have heard out of the law - Out of the Old Testament; or rather we have been so taught by those who have interpreted the law to us.
That Christ - That the Messiah.
Abideth for ever - Will remain forever, or will live forever. The doctrine of many of them certainly was that the Messiah would not die; that he would reign as a prince forever over the people. This opinion was founded on such passages of Scripture as these: Psalms 110:4, âThou art a priest forever;â Daniel 2:44; Daniel 8:13-14. In the interpretation of these passages they had overlooked such places as Isaiah 53:1-12; nor did they understand how the fact that he would reign for ever could be reconciled with the idea of his death. To us, who understand that his reign does not refer to a temporal, an earthly kingdom, it is easy.
How sayest thou ... - We have understood by the title âthe Son of manâ the same as the Messiah, and that he is to reign forever. How can he be put to death?
Who is this Son of man? - âThe Son of man we understand to be the Messiah spoken of by Daniel, who is to reign forever. To him, therefore, you cannot refer when you say that he must be lifted up, or must die. Who is it - what other Son of man is referred to but the Messiah?â Either ignorantly or willfully, they supposed he referred to some one else than the Messiah.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 34. We have heard out of the law — That is, out of the sacred writings. The words here are quoted from Psalms 110:4; but the Jews called every part of the sacred writings by the name, The Law, in opposition to the words or sayings of the scribes. John 10:34; John 10:34.
That Christ abideth for ever — There was no part of the law nor of the Scripture that said the Messiah should not die; but there are several passages that say as expressly as they can that Christ must die, and die for the sin of the world too. See especially Isaiah 53:1, c. Daniel 9:24; Daniel 9:27. But as there were several passages that spoke of the perpetuity of his reign, as Isaiah 9:7; Ezekiel 37:25; Daniel 7:14, they probably confounded the one with the other, and thus drew the conclusion, The Messiah cannot die; for the Scripture hath said, his throne, kingdom, and reign shall be eternal. The prophets, as well as the evangelists and apostles, speak sometimes of the Divine, sometimes of the human nature of Christ: when they speak of the former, they show forth its glory, excellence, omnipotence, omniscience, and eternity; when they speak of the latter, they show forth its humiliations, afflictions, sufferings, and death. And those who do not make the proper distinction between the two natures of Christ, the human and the Divine, will ever make blunders as well as the Jews. It is only on the ground of two natures in Christ that the Scriptures which speak of him, either in the Old or New Testament, can be possibly understood. No position in the Gospel is plainer than this, God was manifest in the flesh.
