John 12:29

29 Then sayd the people yt stode by and hearde: it thoundreth. Other sayde an angell spake to him.

John 12:29 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:29

The people therefore that stood by and heard [it]
Some more confusedly, who were farthest off; others more distinctly, who were nearer: the first of these,

said that it thundered;
as it used to do when "Bath Kol" was heard, which, as the Jews say ^F1,

``is a voice that comes out of heaven proceeding from the midst of another voice,''

as thunder; wherefore some took this for thunder, and others for the voice of an angel out of the thunder:

others said, an angel spoke to him;
these being nearer, perceived it was an articulate voice, which expressed certain distinct words, which they thought were delivered by an angel; for the Jews had a mighty notion of the discourse and conversation of angels with men, which their doctors pretended to understand; particularly R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, a Rabbi, who was living at this time, had learned their speech, and was well versed in it ^F2.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 Piske Tosephot in T. Bab. Sanhedrin, art. 30.
F2 T. Bab. Succa, fol. 28. 1. & Bava Bathra, fol. 134. 1.

John 12:29 In-Context

27 Now is my soule troubled and what shall I saye? Father delyver me from this houre: but therfore came I vnto this houre

28 Father glorify thy name. Then came ther a voyce fro heaven: I have glorified it and will glorify it agayne.

29 Then sayd the people yt stode by and hearde: it thoundreth. Other sayde an angell spake to him.

30 Iesus answered and sayde: this voyce cam not because of me but for youre sakes.

31 Now is the iudgement of this worlde: now shall ye prince of this worlde be cast out.