Bible Strands
John 12:30
In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the crowd that just heard the divine voice and debated whether it thundered or came from an angel. He speaks immediately after the voice sounds and before pronouncing judgment on the world.
The words — The Greek οὐ δι᾽ ἐμέ (ou di' eme) literally renders "not because of Me," establishing the voice’s purpose as external to Jesus rather than self-serving.
The thread — This pattern appears in John 11:42, where Jesus prays for the crowd’s belief, and John 11:15, where his gladness serves their faith. Paul echoes the other-centered structure in 2 Corinthians 8:9, noting Christ’s poverty for others’ enrichment.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize that divine communication and redemptive acts are directed outward toward human need rather than divine self-interest. The text demands an acknowledgment that faith responds to God’s other-oriented purpose.
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
Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Cross-references
- John 11:42 I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”
- John 11:15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- John 5:34 Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved.