And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses "hour" not just for a moment, but for a significant turning point. This "hour" is coming not just for his suffering, but so that he can be glorified, indicating his death is the very means to his ultimate honor.
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to worship approach Philip, asking to see Jesus. This request prompts Jesus to declare that the time for the Son of Man to be glorified has arrived. He then elaborates on this by comparing his impending death to a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying, which is necessary for bearing much fruit, hinting at the future conversion of Gentiles.
Jesus speaks of 'the hour' with a sense of destiny. What makes this specific time so significant, and how is it linked to glory?
Jesus declares, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.' This isn't just any moment; it's a divinely appointed time. The original Greek here suggests that this hour is not merely arriving, but that it has come for a specific purpose: glorification. This glory isn't about earthly fame or power, but about fulfilling God's redemptive plan. It’s the moment where Jesus’ full identity and mission would be revealed through His ultimate act of love and obedience. Even though this hour would involve suffering and death, it was precisely through these events that Jesus would be most profoundly honored by the Father and reveal the true nature of God's kingdom.
Jesus connects His glorification to dying like a seed. How can death lead to glory and fruitfulness?
Jesus immediately follows the declaration of His glorification with a powerful analogy: 'Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.' This reveals a central paradox of the Christian faith. Jesus’ glory isn't found in avoiding suffering, but in embracing it. His death is the necessary path to bearing fruit – the salvation of humanity. This sacrifice is the ultimate act of love that unlocks redemption and brings forth a spiritual harvest. It’s a stark contrast to worldly notions of glory, which often equate it with power and preservation. For Jesus, true glory and fruitfulness come through self-giving and sacrifice.
Ask a follow-up
The presence of Greeks seeking Jesus signals something new. How does this event point to the global impact of His glorification?
The arrival of these Greeks, who wanted to 'see Jesus,' is a pivotal moment. It’s not just about fulfilling a prophecy; it signifies the beginning of the Gentiles' access to God's salvation through Christ. Jesus’ statement about being glorified is intimately tied to this broader invitation. His 'glorification' involves breaking down the barriers between Jew and Gentile, extending His saving work to all nations. The presence of these seekers is a sign that the 'hour' of His glory is not just for a select few, but for a worldwide harvest. It foreshadows the expansion of the Gospel, where His sacrifice becomes the bridge for all people to come to God and experience His honor.
Understand the original words
hōra · Greek Noun
The set time appointed by God for the fulfillment of His redemptive plan, particularly regarding the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
The Messianic title used by Jesus to describe Himself as the heavenly figure who suffers, dies, and is raised to authority, highlighting His humanity and divine appointment.
doxazō · Greek Verb
To manifest or reveal the divine majesty, honor, and nature of God; in the context of Christ, it specifically refers to His redemptive suffering and subsequent exaltation.
The arrival of these Greeks signals a pivotal moment, not just for Jesus' immediate ministry, but for the future of his message – the glorious spread of the Gospel to all nations, a fulfillment of God's plan that hinges on Jesus' sacrificial death.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a time of heightened religious and nationalistic fervor. His recent raising of Lazarus has caused a stir, leading some to believe he is the Messiah, while others, particularly the religious authorities, are plotting his death.
c. 30-33 AD
Greeks Seek Jesus
A group of Greeks, who have come to Jerusalem to worship, express a desire to see Jesus. This is a significant moment, as it represents the first recorded instance of Gentiles seeking out Jesus directly.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
In response to the Greeks' request and the surrounding events, Jesus declares that the 'hour has come' for the Son of Man to be glorified. He uses the analogy of a grain of wheat dying to produce abundant fruit, foreshadowing his own impending death and resurrection.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus Speaks of His Servants Following Him
Jesus continues, stating that those who serve him must follow him, even unto death, promising that his Father will honor them. This emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the ultimate reward that awaits true followers.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus Prays for His Glorification
Immediately following this discourse, Jesus prays to the Father, asking Him to glorify His name. This prayer reveals his awareness of his approaching suffering and his submission to the Father's will.
c. 30-33 AD
The Voice from Heaven
A voice from heaven declares that God has glorified His name and will glorify it again, affirming Jesus' divine mission and the significance of the events unfolding.
Jesus directly prays to the Father about His coming hour of glorification, linking His death and exaltation with this verse.
Philippians 2:5-11This passage describes Jesus' humility and subsequent exaltation, mirroring the 'glorification' Jesus speaks of, which comes through suffering.
Hebrews 12:2It highlights Jesus' focus on the joy set before Him, which was the cross and subsequent glory, reinforcing the idea that His 'hour' was about achieving a divine purpose through hardship.
1 Peter 1:11This verse speaks of the 'Spirit of Christ' testifying beforehand about the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow, directly connecting the suffering and glorification mentioned in John 12:23.
vincentJohn 12:23: "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified."
Answered (ἀπεκρίνατο)The best texts read ἀποκρίνεται, answereth.The hour is come, that (ἐλήλυθεν ἡ ὥρα ἵνα)This is not equivalent to "the hour is come in which." The hour is used absolutely: the critical hour is come in order that the Son, etc.
henryJohn 12:20-26: "And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:"
12:20-26 In attendance upon holy ordinances, particularly the gospel passover, the great desire of our souls should be to see Jesus; to see him as ours, to keep up communion with him, and derive grace from him. The calling of the Gentiles magnified the Redeemer. A corn of wheat yields no increase unless it is cast into the ground. Thus Christ might have possessed his heavenly glory alone, without bec…
Jesus uses "hour" not just for a moment, but for a significant turning point. This "hour" is coming not just for his suffering, but so that he can be glorified, indicating his death is the very means to his ultimate honor.
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to worship approach Philip, asking to see Jesus. This request prompts Jesus to declare that the time for the Son of Man to be glorified has arrived. He then elaborates on this by comparing his impending death to a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying, which is necessary for bearing much fruit, hinting at the future conversion of Gentiles.
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to worship approach Philip, asking to see Jesus. This request prompts Jesus to declare that the time for the Son of Man to be glorified has arrived. He then elaborates on this by comparing his impending death to a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying, which is necessary for bearing much fruit, hinting at the future conversion of Gentiles.
"And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." — Jesus uses "hour" not just for a moment, but for a significant turning point. This "hour" is coming not just for his suffering, but so that he can be glorified, indicating his death is the very m…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026