Six days before Passover, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly nard, prompting Judas' hypocritical objection about the poor and Jesus' defense that she has prepared Him for burial. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a young donkey fulfills Zechariah's prophecy, with crowds waving palm branches and shouting 'Hosanna,' while Greeks seeking Jesus prompt His discourse on the grain of wheat dying to bear fruit and the hour of His glorification through death. The Father's voice from heaven glorifying His name, Jesus' announcement that now the ruler of this world will be cast out and He will draw all people to Himself when lifted up, and the crowd's confusion about a suffering Messiah mark the close of His public ministry.
Read John Chapter 12 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Jesus Christ
The eternal Word and Son of God
John
Beloved disciple and eyewitness author
Nicodemus
Pharisee who came to Jesus by night
Lazarus
Raised by Jesus
Martha
Sister of Mary and Lazarus
Mary of Bethany
Sister of Martha and Lazarus
Judas Iscariot
The Betrayer of Jesus
Philip
Apostle from Bethsaida
Andrew
Brother of Peter
Places in This Chapter
Bethany
View on MapBethany was a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about 3 kilometers from Jerusalem. It was the home of Jesus' close friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead here, one of his most significant miracles. Jesus often stayed in Bethany during his visits to Jerusalem, and it was from here that he ascended to heaven.
Position in Book
PrologueChapters 1:1-18
The Word became flesh, dwelling among us.
Book of SignsChapters 1:19-12:50
Seven miraculous signs revealing Jesus' glory.
Book of GloryChapters 13-17
Passion NarrativeChapters 18-19
ResurrectionChapters 20-21