Bible Strands
John 12:47
As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples and the surrounding crowd in Jerusalem during the final week before His crucifixion, immediately after declaring He came as light to the world (John 12:46).
The words — The Greek term ῥημάτων (rhēmatōn) denotes specific declarations or utterances, while ἀκούσῃ (akousē) refers to the act of hearing.
The thread — The text links to John 12:48, which states that rejecting these words results in judgment by the word spoken on the last day, and to John 3:17, which notes God sent the Son not to condemn but to save.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that hearing Jesus' declarations without obedience does not trigger immediate judgment from Him, but leaves the matter to the final day. It directs attention to His primary mission of preservation rather than condemnation.
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
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Cross-references
- John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
- John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
- John 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
- 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
- 1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.
- Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope.
- Matthew 18:10 See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
- John 8:26 “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”