BibleWord.ai› Bible› John› Chapter 12› Verse 49

John 12:49

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 12:49 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
John 12:49 — American Standard Version

Context — John 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.
47And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.
← John 12:48John 12:50 →
← Full Chapter 12 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I have not spoken of myself, etc.] As man, or as separate from his Father; his doctrine was not human, but divine, and therefore a rejection of it cannot escape notice at the future judgment: but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak; Christ, as man, had his mission, and commission, and his instructions from his Father to preach the Gospel unto men; he was anointed for it by the Holy Ghost; he was enjoined the preaching of it by his Father, and the several doctrines he published were delivered him by him; (see <430828>John 8:28 17:8).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of myself - John 7:16-18. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:49-50 The greatest error is for people to see the light and reject it, thinking it has no connection with the Father who sent the light.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Joh 3:11, Joh 3:32, Joh 5:30, Joh 6:38-40, Joh 8:26, Joh 8:42, Joh 14:10, Joh 15:15, Joh 17:8; Deu 18:18; Rev 1:1 John 12:50”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read John 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification