What does John 12:25 Mean?

Study Notes

world
kosmos = world-system.

John 14:17 ; John 14:19 ; John 14:22 ; John 14:27 ; John 14:30 ; John 7:7 .

Kosmos, Summary: In the sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the "order," "arrangement," under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. Matthew 4:8 ; Matthew 4:9 ; John 12:31 ; John 14:30 ; John 18:36 ; Ephesians 2:2 ; Ephesians 6:12 ; 1 John 2:15-17 . This world- system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles.

Verse Meaning

Jesus now applied the principle in the illustration for His followers. This was a principle that He had taught them on at least three separate occasions previously (cf. Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:36; Luke 14:26). Obviously it was very important. [source][source]

[source]

Anyone who selfishly lives for himself or herself loses his or her life in the sense that he or she wastes it. Nothing really good comes from it. Conversely anyone who hates his or her life in the sense of disregarding one"s own desires to pursue the welfare of another will gain something for that sacrifice. He or she will gain true life for self and blessing for the other person. Jesus contrasted the worthlessness of what one sacrifices now with the value of what one gains by describing the sacrifice as something temporal and the gain as something eternal. [source][source]

[source]

"People whose priorities are right have such an attitude of love for the things of God that all interest in the affairs of this life appear by comparison as hatred." ^[1] [source]

Obviously Jesus did not mean that we gain justification by living sacrificial lives. The Bible describes eternal life in some places as a gift (e.g, John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:40) and in other places as a reward (e.g, Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; Romans 2:7; Romans 6:22; Galatians 6:8). It is the life of God, but we can experience that life to a greater or lesser degree depending on our obedience to God (cf. John 10:10; John 17:3). ^[2] [source]

On one level Jesus was talking about how eternal life comes to people: through the sacrifice of the Son of Man ( John 12:24). On another level He was speaking of how to gain the most from life now: by living sacrificially rather than selfishly ( John 12:25). The general principle is a paradox. Death leads to life. [source][source]

[source]

Over the centuries the church has observed that the blood of Christian martyrs has indeed been the seed of the church. Their literal deaths have led to the salvation of many other people. Even more disciples have discovered that any sacrifice for Jesus yields blessings for others and for them that far exceed the sacrifice. [source][source]

[source]

Context Summary

These were genuine Greeks. The East came to the manger-bed; the West to the Cross. These men came to Philip probably because of his Greek name. The inarticulate cry of the human heart, whether East or West, is for Christ.

The application of these representatives of Western civilization reminded our Lord of His glorious enthronement as the Savior and Lord of mankind; but He realized that the dreams of the prophets could be fulfilled, and the demand of the world met, only through His death and resurrection. There was no other way to the glory than Calvary and the grave. If His love for men was to bear much fruit, He must fall into the ground and die. Death is the only way to Saviorship. Death is the only cure of loneliness, and the necessary price of fruitfulness.

All through life we must be prepared to erect altars on which to sacrifice all that hinders our highest service to our fellows. The soul that dares to live in this way finds streams flowing from every smitten rock, and honey in the carcass of every slain lion. Day out of night, spring out of winter, flowers out of frost, joy out of sorrow, fruitfulness out of pruning, Olivet out of Gethsemane, life out of death. But through it all, our aim must be that the Father may be glorified. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 12

¹  Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet
⁹  The people flock to see Lazarus
¹⁰  The chief priests consult to kill him
¹²  Jesus rides into Jerusalem
²⁰  Greeks desire to see Jesus
²³  He foretells his death
³⁷  The people are generally blinded;
⁴²  yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;
⁴⁴  therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith