This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Parallel translations
- WEB But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
- BSB He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.
- NKJV This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
- NASB Now He was saying this to indicate what kind of death He was going to die.
- NLT He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
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
John explains that 'lifted up' indicates the kind of death Jesus would die. The phrase points to crucifixion.
Overview
John clarifies that Jesus' words about being lifted up foretell his death by crucifixion. The expression unites the ideas of being raised on the cross and exalted in glory. This editorial note keeps the reader's focus on the cross as the appointed means of salvation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- John 18:32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
- John 21:19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
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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 12:33 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
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