So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The crowd's question, "Who is this Son of Man?" isn't just confusion; it's a bold challenge born from their deeply held beliefs. They're saying, "You claim to be the Messiah, but you're talking about dying. We know from Scripture the Messiah lives forever, so who is this 'Son of Man' you're describing that doesn't fit?"
So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just spoken about being "lifted up" and drawing all people to himself, implying his death and glorification. The crowd, hearing this, becomes confused because their understanding of the Messiah, based on Old Testament prophecies, is of a forever-reigning king, not someone who dies. They challenge Jesus, asking how he can claim to be the "Son of Man" (a title they associate with the eternal Messiah) if he's going to be "lifted up."
Why did the crowd immediately think of an eternal reign when Jesus spoke of being 'lifted up'? Their understanding of the Old Testament was strong, but incomplete.
The crowd's reaction highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of the Messiah's purpose.
A Literal Kingdom
They focused on Old Testament passages that spoke of the Messiah's eternal reign and dominion, such as Psalm 110:4 and Daniel 7:14. For them, "the Law" (meaning the whole of their sacred writings) promised a Messiah who would reign forever, a king who would bring an unending earthly kingdom.
Ignoring the Suffering Servant
What they missed, or deliberately ignored, were the prophecies about the Messiah's suffering and death. Passages like Isaiah 53 clearly foretold a Messiah who would be wounded for their transgressions and die for their sins. This crucial aspect of the Messiah's mission didn't fit their picture of an invincible, eternal king.
Jesus uses the title 'Son of Man,' a name associated with divine authority and eternal reign. Why, then, does the crowd question 'Who is this Son of Man?' when He speaks of death?
The title 'Son of Man' was deeply Messianic, pointing to both humanity and divine authority, but the crowd's interpretation created a paradox.
The Danielic Connection
When Jesus called Himself the 'Son of Man,' He was likely referencing Daniel 7. This vision describes a figure who comes with the clouds of heaven and is given everlasting dominion – a powerful, eternal king. The crowd understood this title and its implications.
Ask a follow-up
The Seeming Contradiction
However, Jesus also stated He must be 'lifted up' (referring to His crucifixion). This directly contradicted their understanding of the eternal reign promised to the Danielic 'Son of Man.' Their confusion led them to question if Jesus, who spoke of dying, could possibly be the same 'Son of Man' who was destined to reign forever. They saw two conflicting figures: the eternal King they expected, and the suffering figure Jesus described.
Jesus' response isn't a direct theological debate, but a solemn warning. What does 'the light' represent, and why is its brief presence so critical?
Jesus shifts the focus from their intellectual quibbles to a matter of life and spiritual destiny.
The Present Light
Jesus identifies Himself as 'the light' (referencing His earlier statement in John 8:12 and 12:36). This light represents His presence, His teaching, His divine truth, and the opportunity for salvation. It's a limited-time offer, a window of grace.
The Consequence of Rejection
He warns that if they don't 'walk while they have the light,' spiritual darkness (ignorance, blindness, and separation from God) will overtake them. This isn't just a loss of knowledge; it's a state of spiritual death, where one loses all sense of direction and understanding of God's ways. Their carnal interpretations and rejection of Him lead them further into this perilous darkness.
The Call to Believe
Jesus urges them to 'believe in the light' so they can become 'children of light.' This is the only path to true understanding and eternal life, a stark contrast to the wandering and destruction that awaits those who reject His illuminating presence.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun/Adjective
The Anointed One, the promised Davidic King and Savior of Israel who was expected to fulfill Old Testament prophecies and establish God's reign on earth.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title derived from Daniel 7:13-14, referring to the heavenly, eternal figure who receives authority from God to rule over all nations.
The crowd's confusion stems from a deeply ingrained, carnal expectation of the Messiah as an eternal king, a misunderstanding of Old Testament prophecies that foretold both the Messiah's suffering and his everlasting reign.
c. 200 BC - 100 BC
Daniel's Visions of a Messiah
The prophet Daniel receives visions describing a 'Son of Man' who receives an everlasting kingdom, influencing Jewish expectations of a conquering, eternal messianic ruler.
Early 1st century AD
Popular Messianic Expectations
Widespread belief among Jews that the Messiah would be an earthly king who would restore Israel, rule forever, and overthrow oppressors like Rome, based on interpretations of Old Testament prophecies.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem acclaimed as a king, fueling the crowd's hope for immediate political liberation and a messianic reign.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Speaks of Being 'Lifted Up'
Jesus explains to Nicodemus (John 3:14) that he, the Son of Man, must be lifted up from the earth, referring to his future crucifixion.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Declares His Glory is Near
Jesus states that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified, signifying the approach of his passion and subsequent exaltation.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crowd Questions Jesus' Messianic Claims
Upon hearing Jesus speak of being 'lifted up' and the implications for the Son of Man, the crowd, clinging to traditional interpretations of an eternal Messiah, becomes confused and challenges his identity.
This verse, often interpreted as Messianic, speaks of a priesthood that 'abides forever,' directly contributing to the Jewish expectation of an eternal Messiah that fuels the crowd's confusion in John 12:34.
Daniel 7:13-14These verses describe a 'Son of Man' receiving an 'everlasting dominion' that will not pass away, reinforcing the people's belief that the Messiah, the Son of Man, should reign eternally and not be 'lifted up'.
Isaiah 53:8This passage directly prophesies that the 'servant' (understood by many Christians as the Messiah) 'was taken from prison and from judgment,' pointing to a suffering and death that contrasts with the eternal reign the people expected.
John 3:14Jesus' earlier statement to Nicodemus, 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,' is alluded to here, showing Jesus has consistently spoken of his impending 'lifting up,' which the people still fail to comprehend.
barnesJohn 12:34: "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?"
We have heard out of the law - Out of the Old Testament; or rather we have been so taught by those who have interpreted the law to us. That Christ - That the Messiah. Abideth for ever - Will remain forever, or will live forever. The doctrine of many of them certainly was that the Messiah would not die; that he would reig…
bensonJohn 12:34: "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 12:34-36 . The people answered — Understanding the phrase as implying some violent death shortly to come upon him; We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth for ever — On hearing Jesus affirm that he was to be lifted up, or taken off by a violent death, they told him that it was inconsistent with the charact…
The crowd's question, "Who is this Son of Man?" isn't just confusion; it's a bold challenge born from their deeply held beliefs. They're saying, "You claim to be the Messiah, but you're talking about dying. We know from Scripture the Messiah lives forever, so who is this 'Son of Man' you're describing that doesn't fit?"
Jesus has just spoken about being "lifted up" and drawing all people to himself, implying his death and glorification. The crowd, hearing this, becomes confused because their understanding of the Messiah, based on Old Testament prophecies, is of a forever-reigning king, not someone who dies. They challenge Jesus, asking how he can claim to be the "Son of Man" (a title they associate with the eternal Messiah) if he's going to be "lifted up."
Jesus has just spoken about being "lifted up" and drawing all people to himself, implying his death and glorification. The crowd, hearing this, becomes confused because their understanding of the Messiah, based on Old Testament prophecies, is of a forever-reigning king, not someone who dies. They challenge Jesus, asking how he can claim to be the "Son of Man" (a title they associate with the eternal Messiah) if he's going to be "lifted up."
"So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”" — The crowd's question, "Who is this Son of Man?" isn't just confusion; it's a bold challenge born from their deeply held beliefs. They're saying, "You claim to be the Messiah, but you're talking about…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026