God’s Word Translation
John 12:43
43They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them.
John 12:43 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
- New International Version (NIV)for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Context of John 12:43
41Isaiah said this because he had seen Jesus’ glory and had spoken about him. 42Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn’t admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them. 44Then Jesus said loudly, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me. 45Whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
Read all of John 12John 12:43 word by word
ἠγάπησαν γὰρ τὴν δόξαν τῶν ἀνθρώπων μᾶλλον ἤπερ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for John 12:43
- John 5:41“I don’t accept praise from humans.
- Matthew 6:2So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it with trumpet fanfare. This is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets in order to be praised by people. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward.
- Matthew 23:5“They do everything to attract people’s attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long.
- Luke 16:15So Jesus said to them, “You try to justify your actions in front of people. But God knows what’s in your hearts. What is important to humans is disgusting to God.
- Psalms 22:29All prosperous people on earth will eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust will kneel in front of him, even those who are barely alive.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else,
- John 12:26Those who serve me must follow me. My servants will be with me wherever I will be. If people serve me, the Father will honor them.
- John 8:54Jesus said, “If I bring glory to myself, my glory is nothing. My Father is the one who gives me glory, and you say that he is your God.
- 1 Samuel 2:30“Therefore, the Lord God of Israel declares: I certainly thought that your family and your father’s family would always live in my presence. “But now the Lord declares: I promise that I will honor those who honor me, and those who despise me will be considered insignificant.
- Luke 19:17“The king said to him, ‘Good job! You’re a good servant. You proved that you could be trusted with a little money. Take charge of ten cities.’
- Romans 2:7He will give everlasting life to those who search for glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good. But he will bring
- 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18It isn’t the person who makes his own recommendation who receives approval, but the person whom the Lord recommends.
- 1 Peter 1:7The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again.
- 1 Peter 3:4Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.
Commentaries on John 12:43
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 43They loved the praise of men - , the glory or honor that cometh from men. How common are these four obstacles of faith! says Quesnel: Too great a regard to men. Riches and temporal advantages. The fear of disgrace. The love of the praise of men. Abundance of persons persuade themselves that they love God more than the world, till some trying occasion fully convinces them of their mistake. It is a very great misfortune for a person not to know himself but…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 43The praise of men - The approval of human beings. It does not appear that they had a living, active faith, but that they were convinced in their understanding that he was the Messiah. They had that kind of faith which is so common among people - a speculative acknowledgment that religion is true, but an acknowledgment which leads to no self-denial, which shrinks from the active duties of piety, and fears man more than God. True faith is active. It…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 37-43Verses 37-43 Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to have some knowledge of them. To be converted, and truly turned from sin to Christ, as their Happiness and Portion. God will heal them, will justify and sanctify them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the world in smothering…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 42-43Many people did believe in Jesus. However, they were afraid to admit it in public. They feared the reaction of the religious leaders and the social consequences that might follow. To follow Jesus means more than private belief. It includes openly identifying with him and telling others about him, even when this may bring rejection (1:35–51; 4:1–42).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 42-4342-43. among the chief rulers also--rather, "even of the rulers"; such as Nicodemus and Joseph. because of the Pharisees--that is, the leaders of the sects; for they were of it themselves. put out of the synagogue--See Joh 9:22, 34.Read the comment
Topics related to John 12:43
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on John 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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