What does Jesus mean when he says, "Now is my soul troubled"?

When Jesus says, “Now is my soul troubled,” he is showing real human fear and distress as he faces his coming suffering and death. He knows he is about to bear the weight of sin and the judgment that should fall on others, and this deeply shakes him. At the same time, he does not turn away from his mission. He quickly adds that this is exactly why he came to this hour. This helps us see that his obedience was not easy or painless, but a willing choice to suffer for others out of love and to honor the Father.

Why does Jesus pray "Father, save me from this hour" and then "Father, glorify thy name"?

In this prayer we see both Jesus’ natural shrinking from suffering and his deep desire to honor the Father. “Father, save me from this hour” shows the real fear and weight he feels as he faces the cross. Yet he corrects himself and says, in effect, that he came for this very purpose. By saying, “Father, glorify thy name,” he chooses the Father’s glory over his own safety. This shows that it is not wrong to bring our fears to God, but our prayers should finally rest in God’s will and honor, even when it is costly.

What is the meaning of "now is the judgment of this world" and "the prince of this world"?

When Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world,” he is saying that his death on the cross is a turning point. At the cross, the world’s rejection of him is exposed, and God’s way of saving people is set out clearly. “The prince of this world” refers to the devil, who has held people in darkness and rebellion. Jesus says this prince “shall be cast out,” meaning that through his death the devil’s hold is broken and his rule is judged. The cross is both salvation for those who believe and judgment on the world’s unbelief and on its evil ruler.

What does Jesus mean by "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me"?

“Lifted up from the earth” points to Jesus being lifted up on the cross in death. The passage itself explains that he said this to show what kind of death he would die. Through this lifting up, he says he will “draw all men” to himself. This does not mean every person without exception is saved, but that people from every group and nation, not just one people, will be drawn to him. His death has a pulling power, bringing those who believe out of darkness into fellowship with him, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

Why do the people ask, "Who is this Son of man" and struggle with the idea of him dying?

The people say they have heard that the Christ remains forever, so they cannot understand how the “Son of man” could be lifted up to die. They had heard promises about an everlasting king but had not grasped that this king would first suffer. When Jesus speaks of being lifted up, they cannot fit this with their idea of a Messiah who only rules and never suffers. Their question, “Who is this Son of man?” shows their confusion about his identity and the kind of salvation he brings, which includes both suffering and glory.

What does it mean to "walk while ye have the light" and become "children of light"?

Here Jesus calls himself the light and urges people to respond to him while he is with them. “Walk while ye have the light” means live, act, and respond while you still have the chance to see clearly through him. If they turn away, darkness will overtake them and they will not know where they are going. To “believe in the light” is to trust in Jesus, and becoming “children of light” means belonging to that light, sharing in his life and truth. It is a warning not to delay and an invitation to step out of spiritual darkness into clear sight and guidance.

Why does the passage say they "could not believe" and mention blinded eyes and hardened hearts?

The passage explains the people’s unbelief by using the words of an old prophecy about eyes being blinded and hearts hardened. This shows that their rejection of Jesus was not just a surprise but had been spoken of beforehand. It teaches that when people keep resisting God’s light, they do not stay neutral. Their hearts can grow harder, and seeing the truth becomes more difficult. Saying they “could not believe” points to this serious hardening, where God gives them over to what they have chosen, so that they neither see clearly, nor understand, nor turn and be healed.

Why did some rulers believe in Jesus but refuse to confess him openly?

The passage says that many among the chief rulers did believe in Jesus, but they did not confess him because they were afraid of the Pharisees. They did not want to be put out of the synagogue. It then explains that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Their secret belief was held back by fear of losing their place, honor, and acceptance. This shows how strong the pull of human approval can be, and how it can choke honest confession if a person values what others think more than what God thinks.

What does Jesus mean when he says he came not to judge the world but to save it, yet his word will judge on the last day?

Jesus explains that his present coming is aimed at saving, not at carrying out final judgment. His purpose in speaking is to bring people out of darkness, not to condemn them now. Yet he also says that the person who rejects him and does not receive his words already has something that will judge him: the very word Jesus has spoken. On the last day, that word will stand as the standard, showing clearly how a person responded to the light they were given. So his message is both an open door to salvation and the measure by which refusal will one day be exposed.

What does this passage teach about the link between Jesus’ words and the Father’s will?

Jesus makes it clear that he is not speaking on his own. The Father who sent him gave him a command about what to say and how to say it. He says that this command is life everlasting. This means his teaching is not just good advice or his private opinion, but the very message of God that leads to eternal life. When he speaks, he speaks exactly as the Father has told him. To receive his words is to receive the Father’s will and offer of life. To reject his words is to turn away from the Father who sent him.

John.12.27

John 12:27

KJV Jesus

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Jesus Predicts His Death

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

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?

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

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.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Cross References

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