The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

JOHN 12:17KJV
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John 12:17 (KJV)

What does John 12:17 mean?

John 12:17 says that the people who were with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead were telling others about what they had witnessed. This verse highlights that eyewitnesses to Lazarus’s resurrection were spreading the news of this miracle.

John 12:17 is set just after Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead, an event that drew a large crowd and stirred excitement among the people. The verse points out that those who saw this miracle firsthand (“the people that was with him”) continued to share their testimony, which helped fuel the growing attention around Jesus as He entered Jerusalem.

The Greek behind John 12:17

  • "bare record" (ἐμαρτύρει, emartyrei): This Greek word means "to bear witness" or "to testify." It emphasizes that the people were not just talking casually, but were giving a formal, public testimony about what they had seen.
  • "called" (ἐφώνησεν, ephōnēsen): This word means "to call out" or "to summon." It underlines that Jesus’s act was deliberate and authoritative when He called Lazarus out of the grave.
  • "grave" (μνημείου, mnēmeiou): This word refers specifically to a tomb or burial place, making it clear that Lazarus was truly dead and buried, not just sick or asleep.

Why John 12:17 matters

  • John 12:17 clarifies that the spread of Jesus’s fame was directly tied to eyewitness testimony about a specific miracle, not just rumors or secondhand stories.
  • The verse connects the excitement of the crowds in Jerusalem to a real event—the raising of Lazarus—which helps explain why so many people were eager to see Jesus.
  • This verse shows the importance of witnesses in the Gospel of John, as their testimony supports the truth of Jesus’s actions and identity.

Where else these words appear

“Lazarus” Greek G2976 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
  • John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
  • John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

“called” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • John 4:16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

“grave” Greek G3419 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

“record” Greek G3140 · used in 75 verses

  • Matthew 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
  • John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
  • Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.