John 12:23 – “Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.'”

Extended Explanation

This verse is a major turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus often said, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4, John 7:30). But now, He finally declares, “The hour has come.” This means the time for His mission—to die on the cross, rise again, and return to the Father—had arrived.

The phrase “Son of Man” refers to Jesus as the Messiah. It connects to Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man receives an everlasting kingdom from God. But before Jesus could reign in glory, He had to suffer and die for the sins of the world.

The word “glorified” in this verse does not mean human praise or honor—it refers to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and return to the Father. The cross, though painful and humiliating, would actually be His greatest moment of glory because it would accomplish salvation for all who believe.

Historical Context

Jesus spoke these words right after Philip and Andrew brought some Greeks (Gentiles) who wanted to see Him (John 12:20-22). This was significant. Up until this point, Jesus’ ministry had been mostly focused on Israel. But now, Gentiles were seeking Him, showing that His mission was reaching the whole world.

The timing was also crucial—Jesus was only days away from His crucifixion. The religious leaders had already plotted to kill Him (John 11:53), and the Passover festival was near. Jesus knew that He was about to fulfill His purpose as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), dying as a sacrifice for sin.

The phrase “the hour has come” also signals that everything in history had been leading to this moment. God had planned from the beginning that Jesus would die for sinners, be raised to life, and offer salvation to all people (Acts 2:23).

Theological Implications

1. Jesus’ Death Was God’s Plan – The cross was not an accident; it was the reason Jesus came (John 3:16, Acts 2:23).
2. True Glory Comes Through Obedience to God – In the world, glory comes from power and status. But Jesus’ glory came through humility, sacrifice, and obedience (Philippians 2:6-8).
3. Jesus’ Mission is for All People – The fact that Gentiles were now seeking Jesus confirmed that His salvation was not just for Israel, but for the whole world (John 12:32).
4. God’s Timing is Perfect – Jesus often said, “My hour has not yet come”, but when the right time arrived, He was ready. God’s plans always unfold at the right time (Galatians 4:4).

Literary Analysis

John 12:23 is a climactic moment in John’s Gospel. Up until now, Jesus had been preparing His disciples for what was coming. But now, He openly declares that His time has arrived.

• The contrast between suffering and glory is powerful. The world sees the cross as shameful, but Jesus calls it glorious because it fulfills God’s plan.
• Symbolism – In John’s Gospel, “light” and “glory” are closely connected (John 1:14). The cross, though dark and painful, would be the moment when Jesus’ true light shines the brightest.
• Repetition of “hour” – This phrase appears throughout John’s Gospel, showing that Jesus was moving toward this exact moment in God’s plan.

This verse also sets up Jesus’ next statement (John 12:24), where He uses the illustration of a seed—just as a seed must die to bear fruit, Jesus must die to bring eternal life to many.

Biblical Cross-References

1. John 2:4 – Jesus tells His mother, “My hour has not yet come.”
2. John 7:30 – The religious leaders tried to seize Jesus, but His hour had not yet come.
3. John 12:32 – Jesus says, “When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself.”
4. John 17:1 – Jesus prays, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son.”
5. Daniel 7:13-14 – The Son of Man receives an everlasting kingdom.
6. Acts 2:23 – Jesus was handed over to die by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge.
7. Philippians 2:6-8 – Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross, and God exalted Him.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. God’s Plan Always Has a Purpose – Jesus knew that His suffering would bring salvation. When we go through difficulties, we can trust that God is working for a greater purpose (Romans 8:28).
2. True Greatness Comes Through Serving and Sacrifice – The world chases power and status, but Jesus showed that real glory comes through obedience and humility (Matthew 23:11-12).
3. We Must Be Willing to Follow Jesus’ Example – If Jesus was willing to suffer for God’s glory, we must be willing to deny ourselves and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
4. Jesus is the Source of True Life – Because He was willing to die, we can have eternal life. Our hope is in His resurrection and victory over death (John 11:25-26).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is fully displayed in Jesus’ willingness to be “glorified” through suffering. The world sees love as comfort and ease, but real love sacrifices for the good of others.

Jesus did not avoid the cross—He embraced it out of love for us. This proves that God’s love is not just words, but action (Romans 5:8). His plan was always to rescue us, and Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will to make that happen.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the Son of Man – He fulfills Daniel’s prophecy of the one who would receive all authority and glory (Daniel 7:13-14).
2. Jesus’ Glory Comes Through the Cross – Unlike worldly kings, His victory came through sacrifice, not conquest (Philippians 2:8-9).
3. Jesus’ Mission is Now Complete – The fact that His hour had come means that the time had arrived for Him to fulfill His ultimate purpose—to die and rise again.
4. Jesus Draws All People to Himself – The arrival of the Gentiles signaled that His salvation was for the entire world, not just Israel (John 12:32).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why does Jesus refer to His death as being glorified? How is His suffering connected to glory?
2. Why did Jesus say, “The hour has come”, when He had previously said, “My hour has not yet come”?
3. How does Jesus’ willingness to suffer challenge our own understanding of greatness and success?
4. What does this verse teach us about trusting in God’s timing?
5. How does Jesus’ mission to save all people affect how we share the gospel today?