How can we reconcile Jesus' teachings with the crowd's confusion in John 12:34? Setting the Scene: John 12:34 in Context “ ‘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?’ ” (John 12:34) Why the Crowd Was Confused • They focused on OT promises of a never-ending Davidic kingdom (2 Samuel 7:13; Psalm 89:4; Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14). • They equated “remain forever” with an immediate, unbroken earthly reign. • They missed or downplayed passages predicting a suffering Messiah (Isaiah 53:3-5; Psalm 22:16-18; Zechariah 12:10). • They assumed “lifted up” meant honor, not crucifixion (cf. John 3:14; 12:32-33). What Jesus Had Already Taught • He would be “lifted up” like the serpent in the wilderness (John 3:14-15). • He would “lay down His life” and “take it up again” (John 10:17-18). • His kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36). • Resurrection would follow death, guaranteeing eternal reign (John 2:19-22; 11:25-26). How Scripture Holds Both Truths Together • Suffering Servant and Eternal King are two phases of one Messiah: – Suffering: Isaiah 53; Psalm 22. – Glory: Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13-14. • Hebrews 2:9 ties them: “We see Jesus… crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death.” • Luke 24:26: “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” Reconciling the Seemingly Opposite Ideas • The cross is the doorway to the crown—Messiah’s death secures redemption, resurrection secures His everlasting rule. • “Lifted up” (Greek hypsōthēnai) carries a double meaning: physically raised on a cross and exalted to heavenly glory (Philippians 2:8-11). • Jesus does “remain forever” precisely because He conquers death (Revelation 1:18). • The crowd’s incomplete reading of Scripture led to confusion; Jesus’ full revelation resolves the tension. • Literal fulfillment: He literally died, literally rose, and will literally reign forever—no Scripture set aside. Key Takeaways for Us Today • Hold all of Scripture together; don’t isolate favorite passages. • Expect God’s plans to unfold in stages—suffering may precede glory. • Trust that apparent contradictions vanish when the whole biblical witness is considered. • Jesus’ crucifixion and eternal kingship are not competing truths but complementary parts of God’s perfect, literal plan. |
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