Bible Strands
John 12:17
Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes a crowd that witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the tomb. This eyewitness group continues to spread the report as Jesus approaches Jerusalem.
The words — Ἐμαρτὺρει (emartyrei) translates literally as "was bearing witness" or "continued to testify." The particle οὖν (oun) functions as a connective marker, linking this ongoing testimony to the preceding narrative sequence.
The thread — The text's focus on eyewitness testimony runs parallel to the crowd gathering to see Lazarus in John 12:9 and reflects the New Testament's broader emphasis on reliable witness in 1 John 5:9 and Revelation 1:2.
Why it lands — The passage states that witnessed miracles generate public testimony, which directly influences subsequent crowd behavior. Readers must acknowledge how documented events drive narrative momentum rather than assuming spiritual meaning apart from the reported action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
Cross-references
- 1 John 5:9 Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
- Revelation 1:2 who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- John 12:9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
- John 19:35 The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
- Acts 1:22 beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
- Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
- Psalms 145:6 They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness.
- John 1:19 And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
- John 1:32 Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
- John 1:34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”