The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

JOHN 12:34KJV
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John 12:34 (KJV)

What does John 12:34 mean?

John 12:34 shows the crowd questioning Jesus after He speaks about being "lifted up," which they understand as a reference to dying. The people are confused because they have learned from their Scriptures that the Christ (Messiah) will remain forever, so they ask how Jesus can say the "Son of man" must be lifted up and who this "Son of man" really is.

In this scene, the people are responding directly to Jesus, who has just spoken about His coming death. The crowd refers to their understanding of the "law" (the Hebrew Scriptures) that the Messiah would live forever, so Jesus’ talk of being "lifted up" (a phrase often understood as crucifixion) does not fit their expectations. Their questions reveal both confusion about Jesus’ identity and a struggle to reconcile His words with their beliefs about the Messiah.

The Greek behind John 12:34

  • νόμος (nomos, "law"): This word refers broadly to the Jewish Scriptures, not just legal commands. The crowd is appealing to their whole tradition, not just a specific rule.
  • μένει (menei, "abideth"): The Greek here means to remain or stay, emphasizing the expectation that the Messiah would have an unending reign.
  • ὑψωθῆναι (hypsōthēnai, "be lifted up"): This word can mean to be physically lifted or exalted, but in John’s Gospel, it is often a way of talking about Jesus’ crucifixion. The crowd may not fully grasp this double meaning.
  • υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (huios tou anthrōpou, "Son of man"): This phrase is a title Jesus uses for Himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13, but the crowd is unsure how it connects to their idea of the Messiah.

Why John 12:34 matters

  • John 12:34 highlights the gap between the crowd’s expectations of a triumphant, everlasting Messiah and Jesus’ teaching about His suffering and death.
  • The verse shows how Jesus’ use of "Son of man" and talk of being "lifted up" challenged common interpretations of Scripture and forced listeners to rethink who the Messiah could be.
  • This moment sets up the tension in the following verses, where Jesus continues to explain His mission, and it helps the reader see why many struggled to understand or accept Him.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G5312 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
  • Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  • Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

“how” Greek G4459 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

“ever” Greek G165 · used in 102 verses

  • Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
  • Hebrews 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

“must” Greek G1163 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.