John 12:33

33 (Now he said this to indicate by what sort of death he was going to die.)

John 12:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:33

This he said
These are the words of the evangelist, interpreting the design of Christ in the above words, thereby

signifying what death he should die;
the phrase of being lifted up from the earth, not only signified his death, but the kind, or manner of it, that it should be by crucifixion; a person crucified being stretched forth upon a cross, and that erected, was lifted up between earth and heaven.

John 12:33 In-Context

31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out!

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all [people] to myself."

33 (Now he said this to indicate by what sort of death he was going to die.)

34 Then the crowd replied to him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains {forever}! And how do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"

35 So Jesus said to them, "Yet a little time the light is with you! Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness does not overtake you! And the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.