Johannes 12:47

47 Und wer meine Worte hört, und glaubt nicht, den werde ich nicht richten; denn ich bin nicht gekommen, daß ich die Welt richte, sondern daß ich die Welt selig mache.

Johannes 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.

Johannes 12:47 In-Context

45 Und wer mich sieht, der sieht den, der mich gesandt hat.
46 Ich bin gekommen in die Welt ein Licht, auf daß, wer an mich glaubt, nicht in der Finsternis bleibe.
47 Und wer meine Worte hört, und glaubt nicht, den werde ich nicht richten; denn ich bin nicht gekommen, daß ich die Welt richte, sondern daß ich die Welt selig mache.
48 Wer mich verachtet und nimmt meine Worte nicht auf, der hat schon seinen Richter; das Wort, welches ich geredet habe, das wird ihn richten am Jüngsten Tage.
49 Denn ich habe nicht von mir selber geredet; sondern der Vater, der mich gesandt hat, der hat mir ein Gebot gegeben, was ich tun und reden soll.
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