John 12:12
The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
The next day
This phrase situates the events within a specific timeline, emphasizing the continuity of the narrative. In the context of the Gospel of John, this "next day" follows the anointing of Jesus by Mary in Bethany. The timing is significant as it leads into the events of the Passion Week. The phrase underscores the unfolding of divine providence, as each day brings Jesus closer to His crucifixion and ultimate victory over sin and death.

the great crowd
The Greek word for "crowd" here is "ὄχλος" (ochlos), which often refers to a large, diverse group of people. This crowd is described as "great," indicating not only its size but also its significance. Historically, this crowd would have been composed of Jewish pilgrims who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Their presence fulfills the prophetic anticipation of the Messiah's public recognition and foreshadows the universal call of the Gospel.

that had come to the feast
The "feast" refers to the Passover, one of the most important Jewish festivals, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage. This context is crucial, as it highlights the symbolic nature of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Just as the Passover lamb was sacrificed for the deliverance of God's people, Jesus is entering Jerusalem to become the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring salvation to all who believe.

heard that Jesus was coming
The verb "heard" (Greek: ἀκούω, akouo) implies that the news of Jesus' approach was spreading rapidly among the people. This hearing is not just physical but carries a deeper spiritual significance. It suggests an awakening or realization among the people about Jesus' identity and mission. The anticipation of His coming stirs the hearts of the crowd, reflecting the messianic expectations prevalent at the time.

to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, holds profound theological and historical significance. It is the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is laden with messianic symbolism, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies such as Zechariah 9:9, which speaks of a king coming to Zion. This journey to Jerusalem marks the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and sets the stage for His sacrificial death and resurrection, which would redefine the spiritual landscape for all humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
Central figure in the passage, entering Jerusalem as the Messiah. His entry fulfills Old Testament prophecies and signifies His role as the Savior.

2. The Great Crowd
A large group of people gathered for the Passover feast, representing the Jewish nation and their anticipation of the Messiah.

3. The Feast
Refers to the Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing salvation and deliverance.

4. Jerusalem
The holy city, central to Jewish worship and prophecy, where significant events in Jesus' ministry and the fulfillment of His mission occur.

5. The Next Day
Indicates the timing of the event, following Jesus' anointing at Bethany, setting the stage for His triumphal entry.
Teaching Points
Expectation of the Messiah
The crowd's gathering and excitement reflect the Jewish expectation of a Messiah. Believers today should live with the same anticipation for Christ's return.

Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem fulfills specific Old Testament prophecies, affirming the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises.

Significance of the Passover
Understanding the Passover's symbolism helps believers appreciate Jesus' role as the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin.

Public Declaration of Faith
Just as the crowd publicly acknowledged Jesus, believers are called to openly declare their faith in Christ.

The Role of Jerusalem
Recognizing Jerusalem's significance in biblical history and prophecy encourages believers to understand God's unfolding plan for His people.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the anticipation of the Messiah in John 12:12 reflect in your own life as you await Christ's return?

2. In what ways does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem strengthen your faith in the reliability of Scripture?

3. How can the symbolism of the Passover deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and its impact on your life?

4. What are some practical ways you can publicly declare your faith in Jesus, following the example of the crowd in Jerusalem?

5. How does understanding the historical and prophetic significance of Jerusalem enhance your perspective on current events and God's plan for the future?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Zechariah 9:9
This prophecy foretells the coming of a king to Jerusalem, humble and riding on a donkey, which is fulfilled in the events following John 12:12.

Psalm 118:25-26
These verses are part of the Hallel, sung during Passover, and are echoed by the crowd's cries of "Hosanna" as Jesus enters Jerusalem.

Exodus 12
The original Passover event, which the feast commemorates, foreshadows Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb.
A New Kind of KingAlexander MaclarenJohn 12:12
A Motive for Care of the Poor and DepravedW. Arnot, D. D.John 12:1-16
Alabaster Box and Money BoxP. Schaff, D. D.John 12:1-16
Bethany and its FeastH. Bonar, D. D.John 12:1-16
Christ Absent and PresentJ. Ker, D. D.John 12:1-16
Christ and UtilitarianismJ. R. S. Harrington.John 12:1-16
Jesus HonouredMonday Club SermonsJohn 12:1-16
Judas and the BagF. H. Dunwell, B. A.John 12:1-16
Judas and the DisciplesF. Godet, D. D.John 12:1-16
Mary and JudasBp. Westcott.John 12:1-16
Mary's Offering: Criticised and VindicatedD. Davies.John 12:1-16
Mary's Passionate Love AcceptedG. Dawson, M. A.John 12:1-16
Motive for Great GiftsM. Henry.John 12:1-16
Power of PerfumesH. O. Mackey.John 12:1-16
Prodigality PraiseworthyH. O. Trumbull, D. D.John 12:1-16
The Arrival of the Passover CaravanHepworth Dixon.John 12:1-16
The Church and the PoorArchdeacon Farrar.John 12:1-16
The Claims of PovertyClerical WorldJohn 12:1-16
The Fragrance of True PietyH. W. Beecher.John 12:1-16
The Lasting Perfume of Pious DeedsJohn 12:1-16
The Philosophy of BeneficenceJohn 12:1-16
The Poor Represent ChristJ. Krummacher.John 12:1-16
The Recognition of a Noble ActJ. Duthie.John 12:1-16
The Self-Sacrificing Woman and the Covetous ApostleJ. P. Lange, D. D.John 12:1-16
The Supper At BethanyBp. Ryle.John 12:1-16
The True ChurchD. Thomas, D. D.John 12:1-16
Utility not the Highest TestSir J. Herschell.John 12:1-16
The Triumphal EntryD. Young John 12:12-15
Jesus ComingJohn 12:12-16
The Coming of JesusS. S. TimesJohn 12:12-16
The Entrance into JerusalemG. Calthrop, M. A.John 12:12-16
The King Comes to His CapitalT. Whitelaw, D. D.John 12:12-16
The Triumphal Entry of Christ into JerusalemDean Stanley.John 12:12-16
Three Classes in Relation to ChristD. Thomas, D. D.John 12:12-16
Two Royal ProgressesE. H. Chapin, D. D.John 12:12-16
Welcoming the Monarch's ApproachS. S. TimesJohn 12:12-16
People
Andrew, Esaias, Isaiah, Jesus, Judas, Lazarus, Martha, Mary, Philip, Simon
Places
Bethany, Bethsaida, Galilee, Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Crowd, Feast, Festival, Hearing, Jerusalem, Large, Morrow, Multitude, News
Dictionary of Bible Themes
John 12:12

     5976   visiting

John 12:12-13

     4416   branch

John 12:12-15

     2069   Christ, pre-eminence
     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     2312   Christ, as king

Library
Easter Day
Chester Cathedral. 1870. St John xii. 24, 25. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." This is our Lord's own parable. In it He tells us that His death, His resurrection, His ascension, is a mystery which we may believe, not only because the Bible tells us of it, but because
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

December 28 Evening
We would see Jesus.--JOHN 12:21. O Lord, we have waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.--I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.--Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 8 Evening
Christ the firstfruits.--I COR. 15:23. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.--If the firstfruit be holy the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.--Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.--If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.--The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall change our vile
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 22 Evening
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.--MATT. 26:39. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.--He . . . became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.--In the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 8 Morning
It pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief.--ISA. 53:10. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.--Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. Being found in
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 29 Morning
Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.--PROV. 27:1. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.--Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

June 12. "We Would See Jesus" (John xii. 21).
"We would see Jesus" (John xii. 21). Glory to Him for all the things laid up for us in the days to come. Glory to Him for all the visions of service in the future; the opportunities of doing good that are far away as well as close at hand. Our Saviour was able to despise the cross for the joy that was before Him. Let us look up to Him, and rise up to Him till we get on high and are able to look out from the mount of vision over all the land of far distances. There shall not a single thing come to
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 19. "We Would See Jesus" (John xii. 21).
"We would see Jesus" (John xii. 21). When any great blessing is awaiting us, the devil is sure to try and make it so disagreeable to us that we shall miss it. It is a good thing to know him as a liar, and remember, when he is trying to prejudice us strongly against any cause, that very likely the greatest blessing of our life lies there. Spurgeon once said that the best evidence that God was on our side is the devil's growl, and we are generally pretty safe in following a thing according to Satan's
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 8. "Except a Corn of Wheat Fall into the Ground and Die" (John xii. 24).
"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die" (John xii. 24). Death and resurrection are the central ideas of nature and Christianity. We see them in the transformation of the chrysalis, in the buried seed bursting into the bud and blossom of the spring, in the transformation of the winding sheet of winter to the many tinted robes of spring. We see it all through the Bible in the symbol of circumcision, with its significance of death and life, in the passage of the Red Sea and the Jordan
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

April 14. "I if I be Lifted up from the Earth Will Draw all Men unto Me" (John xii. 32).
"I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto Me" (John xii. 32). A true and pure Christian life attracts the world. There are hundreds of men and women who find no inducements whatever in the lives of ordinary Christians to interest them in practical religion, but who are won at once by a true and victorious example. We believe that more men of the world step at a bound right into a life of entire consecration than into the intermediate state which is usually presented to them at the
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

After Christ: with Christ
'If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be.'--John xii. 26. Our Lord was strangely moved by the apparently trivial incident of certain Greeks desiring to see Him. He recognised and hailed in them the first-fruits of the Gentiles. The Eastern sages at His cradle, and these representatives of Western culture within a few hours of the Cross, were alike prophets. So, in His answer to their request, our Lord passes beyond the immediate bearing of the request,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Universal Magnet
'I, if I be lifted up ... will draw all men unto Me.'--JOHN xii. 32. 'Never man spake like this Man,' said the wondering Temple officials who were sent to apprehend Jesus. There are many aspects of our Lord's teaching in which it strikes one as unique; but perhaps none is more singular than the boundless boldness of His assertions of His importance to the world. Just think of such sayings as these: 'I am the Light of the world'; 'I am the Bread of Life'; 'I am the Door'; 'A greater than Solomon is
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Son of Man
'... Who is this Son of Man?'--JOHN xii. 34. I have thought that a useful sermon may be devoted to the consideration of the remarkable name which our Lord gives to Himself--'the Son of Man.' And I have selected this instance of its occurrence, rather than any other, because it brings out a point which is too frequently overlooked, viz. that the name was an entirely strange and enigmatical one to the people who heard it. This question of utter bewilderment distinctly shows us that, and negatives,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Love's Prodigality Censured and vindicated
'Then Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A New Kind of King
'On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Parting Warning
'Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light.'--JOHN xii. 35,36 (R.V.). These are the last words of our Lord's public ministry. He afterwards spoke only to His followers in the sweet seclusion of the sympathetic home at Bethany, and amid the sanctities of the upper
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Praise of Men.
"They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."--John xii. 43. This is spoken of the chief rulers of the Jews, who, though they believed in Christ's Divine mission, were afraid to confess Him, lest they should incur temporal loss and shame from the Pharisees. The censure passed by St. John on these persons is too often applicable to Christians at the present day; perhaps, indeed, there is no one among us who has not at some time or other fallen under it. We love the good opinion
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Saviour Lifted Up, and the Look of Faith.
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."-John iii. 14, 15. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (This he said, signifying what death he should die.)"-John xii. 32, 33. IN order to make this subject plain, I will read the passage referred to-Num. xxi. 6-9. "And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much
Charles G. Finney—Sermons on Gospel Themes

On the Words of the Gospel, John xii. 44, "He that Believeth on Me, Believeth not on Me, but on Him that Sent Me. " against A
1. What is it, Brethren, which we have heard the Lord saying, "He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me"? [4174] It is good for us to believe on Christ, especially seeing that He hath also Himself expressly said this which ye have now heard, that is, that "He had come a Light into the world, and whosoever believeth on Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." [4175] Good then it is to believe on Christ; and a great evil it is not to believe on
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Christ Lifted Up
We have three things to notice. Christ crucified, Christ's glory. He calls it a lifting him up. Christ crucified, the minister's theme. It is the minister's business to lift Christ up in the gospel. Christ crucified, the heart's attraction. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." His own glory--the minister's theme--the heart's attraction. I. I begin then: CHRIST'S CRUCIFIXION IS CHRIST'S GLORY. He uses the word "lifted up" to express the manner of his death. "I, if I be lifted up, will
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
Her rejection of the Lord Jesus is the more amazing because Isaiah gave so clear an account of the Messiah, and so clearly pictured Jesus of Nazareth. Descriptions of him could not have been more explicit than were the prophecies of Isaiah. It would be very easy to construct an entire life of Christ out of the book of Isaiah, beginning with "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel," and ending with "he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death."
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885

Sermon for St. Stephen's Day
Of three grades of those who learn to die unto themselves, like corn of wheat, that they may bring forth fruit; or of those who are beginners, those who are advancing, and those who are perfect in a Divine life. John xii. 24.--"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." BY the corn of wheat we understand our Lord Jesus Christ, who by His death has brought forth much fruit for all men, if they are but willing not only to reign
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence that Many Pretending to be Original...
Our first proposition was, That there is satisfactory evidence that many pretending to be original witnesses of the Christian miracles, passed their lives in labours, dangers, and sufferings, voluntarily undertaken and undergone in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their belief of the truth of those accounts; and that they also submitted, from the same motives, to new rules of conduct. Our second proposition, and which now remains to be treated of, is,
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

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