John 12:43
New International Version
for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

New Living Translation
For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

English Standard Version
for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Berean Standard Bible
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Berean Literal Bible
For they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

King James Bible
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

New King James Version
for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

New American Standard Bible
for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.

NASB 1995
for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

NASB 1977
for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
for they loved the glory of men rather than the glory of God.

Amplified Bible
for they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God.

Christian Standard Bible
For they loved human praise more than praise from God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

American Standard Version
for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God.

Contemporary English Version
And besides, the leaders liked praise from others more than they liked praise from God.

English Revised Version
for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.

Good News Translation
They loved human approval rather than the approval of God.

International Standard Version
For they loved the praise of human beings more than the praise of God.

Majority Standard Bible
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

NET Bible
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

New Heart English Bible
for they loved praise from people more than praise from God.

Webster's Bible Translation
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Weymouth New Testament
For they loved the glory that comes from men rather than the glory that comes from God.

World English Bible
for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

Berean Literal Bible
For they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

Young's Literal Translation
for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

Smith's Literal Translation
For they loved the honour of men more than the honour of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

New American Bible
For they preferred human praise to the glory of God.

New Revised Standard Version
for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For they loved the honor of men more than the glory of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

Godbey New Testament
for they loved the glory of the people more than the glory of God.

Haweis New Testament
for they loved honour from men, more than honour from God.

Mace New Testament
for they preferr'd their own reputation to the glory of God.

Weymouth New Testament
For they loved the glory that comes from men rather than the glory that comes from God.

Worrell New Testament
for they loved the glory of men, rather than the glory of God.

Worsley New Testament
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Belief and Unbelief
42Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. 43For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. 44Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me.…

Cross References
Matthew 23:5-7
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. / They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:4-6
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts. / As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! / Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.

Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Romans 2:29
No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Matthew 6:1-2
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 6:5
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

they.

John 5:41,44
I receive not honour from men…

Matthew 6:2
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 23:5-7
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, …

the praise of God.

John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

John 8:54
Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

1 Samuel 2:30
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

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Approval Dearer Glory God's Loved Praise Rather
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Approval Dearer Glory God's Loved Praise Rather
John 12
1. Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.
9. The people flock to see Lazarus.
10. The chief priests consult to kill him.
12. Jesus rides into Jerusalem.
20. Greeks desire to see Jesus.
23. He foretells his death.
37. The people are generally blinded;
42. yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;
44. therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.














for they loved
The Greek word used here is "ἠγάπησαν" (ēgapēsan), which is derived from "agapao," meaning to love in a social or moral sense. This word often implies a deep, committed love, suggesting that the individuals in question had a strong, perhaps misplaced, affection or preference. In the context of John 12:43, this love is directed towards something other than God, indicating a misalignment of priorities. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to prioritize worldly approval over divine approval, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture.

praise from men
The phrase "praise from men" is translated from the Greek "τὴν δόξαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων" (tēn doxan tōn anthrōpōn). "Doxa" means glory or honor, and in this context, it refers to the approval or commendation that comes from human beings. This phrase highlights the societal and cultural pressures that can lead individuals to seek validation from their peers rather than from God. In the historical context of the New Testament, religious leaders and individuals often sought public recognition and status, which could lead to compromising their faith and values.

more than
The Greek word "μᾶλλον" (mallon) is used here, meaning "more" or "rather." This comparative term indicates a preference or greater inclination towards one thing over another. In this verse, it underscores the choice being made between two sources of approval: human and divine. The use of "more than" suggests a conscious decision to prioritize one over the other, reflecting a common spiritual struggle.

praise from God
The phrase "praise from God" is translated from the Greek "τὴν δόξαν τοῦ Θεοῦ" (tēn doxan tou Theou). Here, "doxa" again refers to glory or honor, but this time it is associated with God. This phrase emphasizes the ultimate source of approval that believers should seek. In the biblical context, seeking God's praise involves living a life of faithfulness and obedience to His commandments. The contrast between human and divine praise serves as a reminder of the eternal significance of God's approval over temporary human accolades.

(43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.--For "praise" read in both instances glory. "The glory which comes from men more than the glory which came from God." Comp. Note on John 5:44, where the truth is put in the form of a question by our Lord. Here it explains the fact that there were men who believed, and yet did not publicly confess their faith. There our Lord's question goes deeper, and asserts that the seeking of the glory which comes from men is inconsistent with the existence of any true belief in God.

Verse 43. - The generalization is given as a reason, For they loved the glory (δόξα, very nearly in the original Greek use of the word," opinion," "good reputation") of men, very much more (ἤπερ, another New Testament, ἅπαξ λεγόμενον, occurring in the narrative portion of John, and a mode in which the negative force of the is heightened; see Meyer, Jelf, p. 779, and English edition of Wirier, p. 549) than the glory of God. The form of the expressions, "of God' and "of men," is different from the παρὰ τοῦ μόνου Θεοῦ and παρὰ ἀλλήλων of John 5:44, and the statement is apparently inconsistent with the declaration that those in such a state of mind "could not believe." Moulton suggests that the glory here thought of by the apostle was the "glory" of ver. 41 - the glory of the union of the Redeemer with his people, the glory of suffering and death. The reference to Isaiah 6. appears to be the true solution. The glory of God himself in his awful holiness was of less interest than the glory of the Sanhedrin and the approval of the world. Alas! this glory is nearer, more obvious and has more to do with tangible, sensuous, advantages, than the Divine approval.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

they loved
ἠγάπησαν (ēgapēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

praise
δόξαν (doxan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

from men
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

more
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.

than
ἤπερ (ēper)
Conjunction
Strong's 2260: Than. From e and per; than at all.

praise
δόξαν (doxan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

from God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Gospels: John 12:43 For they loved men's praise more than (Jhn Jo Jn)
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