John 12:47

47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

John 12:47 in Other Translations

47 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.

47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.

47 "If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn't take it seriously, I don't reject him. I didn't come to reject the world;

47 If anyone hears My words and doesn't keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

John 12:47 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:47

And if any man hear my words and believe not
Men may hear the Gospel of Christ, and not understand it; and they may understand it literally and grammatically, though not spiritually and experimentally, and not believe it; not so much as give credit or an assent to the truth of it, but reject and deny it; for though faith comes by hearing to some, it does not come to all: some receive no profit by hearing it, because it is not mixed with faith by them. The Alexandrian copy, and all the Oriental versions, and also Nonnus, read the last clause thus, "and keep [them] not"; or does not observe them, is negligent of them, and shows no regard, and yields not the obedience of faith to them; the sense is the same.

I judge him not;
I do not accuse him to the Father, nor do I condemn him, nor shall I take vengeance on him for so doing; meaning, that he should do none of these things now, though hereafter he will be a swift witness against him, and will convict and condemn him, and pass sentence on him, and execute it:

for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Christ, at his first coming, came not under the character of a judge, but a Saviour; wherefore suitable to his character, and the end of his coming, he would not accuse, condemn, or judge any man, even the greatest unbelievers in him, and despisers of him, but would leave them to another day, when righteous judgment shall take place.

John 12:47 In-Context

45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.

46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.

Cross References

• 1. S John 3:17