Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus answered, “This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes.
- KJV Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
- BSB In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.
- NKJV Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
- NASB Jesus responded and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for yours.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus says the voice came for the crowd's benefit, not his own. The Father's word aims to strengthen their faith.
Overview
Jesus explains that the heavenly voice was given for the onlookers, to confirm his divine mission. He himself needs no such reassurance, secure in the Father's love. The statement underscores God's gracious provision of evidence to encourage belief in Jesus.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- John 11:42I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”
- 2 Cor 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
- John 11:15I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
- John 5:34But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 12:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.