How does John 12:23 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?

◄ Link John 12:23 to OT Messiah prophecies. ►

The Moment Jesus Points Back to Ancient Promises

John 12:23: “But Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’”

Key Old Testament Threads Tied Together in John 12:23

• Daniel 7:13-14 – “One like a son of man… was given dominion and glory and kingship.”

– Title “Son of Man” + promise of glory and universal reign.

• Isaiah 52:13 – “My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.”

– The Servant’s exaltation foretold.

• Isaiah 53:10-12 – Suffering first, then “He will see His offspring… the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.”

– Glory follows sacrificial death.

• Psalm 22 (esp. vv. 22, 27-28) – From agony to worldwide praise: “All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.”

• Psalm 110:1 – “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool.”

– Enthronement language echoed in “glorified.”

• Genesis 3:15 – The promised Seed’s victory after being “struck.”

– Jesus’ “hour” signals the heel-strike that crushes the serpent.

How the Pieces Fit

1. Title usage:

– Jesus adopts Daniel’s “Son of Man,” affirming Himself as that prophesied royal figure.

2. Timing:

– “The hour has come” links to the predetermined moment hinted at in prophecies of an appointed day of salvation (Isaiah 49:8).

3. Pathway to glory:

– Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 forecast suffering preceding exaltation; John 12 immediately heads into the cross narrative.

4. Scope of glory:

– Daniel 7, Psalm 22, and Psalm 110 promise global, everlasting dominion; Jesus declares that hour has begun.

5. Victory over evil:

– Genesis 3:15’s crushing victory aligns with Christ’s imminent triumph over sin and Satan at the cross (cf. Colossians 2:15).

Connected New Testament Echoes

• John 12:24-32 — Jesus describes the grain of wheat dying to bear much fruit and predicts drawing “all men” to Himself, mirroring Isaiah 53:10-12.

• Philippians 2:8-11 — Humiliation then exaltation, echoing Isaiah 52-53 and Daniel 7.

• Hebrews 2:9-10 — “Crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death,” tying back to Psalm 8 and Isaiah 53.

Why John 12:23 Matters in Light of the Prophets

• It declares the fulfillment moment; centuries of promises converge on Jesus’ impending death and resurrection.

• It affirms that the Messiah’s glory is not detached from suffering but achieved through it, exactly as foretold.

• It anchors our confidence that every ancient word about the Messiah is trustworthy and literally coming to pass in Christ.