John 12 · Verse 43

John 12:43

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:43, King James Version

John 12:43 in other translations

BSBFor they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
WEBfor they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
ASVfor they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God.
YLTfor they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.
DARBYfor they loved glory from men rather than glory from God.
BBEFor the praise of men was dearer to them than the approval of God.
WebsterFor they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

What does John 12:43 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 12:42-43

42-43. among the chief rulers also--rather, "even of the rulers"; such as Nicodemus and Joseph. because of the Pharisees--that is, the leaders of the sects; for they were of it themselves. put out of the synagogue--See Joh 9:22, 34.

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Barnes' Notes
Verse 43. The praise of men. The approbation of men. It does not appear that they had a living, active faith, but that they were convinced in their understanding that he was the Messiah. They had that kind of faith which is so common among men--a speculative acknowledgment that religion is true, but an acknowledgment which leads to no self-denial, which shrinks from the active duties of piety, and fears man more than God. True faith is active. It overcomes the fear of man; it prompts to self-denying duties, Heb 11:1. Nevertheless, it was no unimportant proof that Jesus was the Messiah, that any part of the great council of the Jews were even speculatively convinced of it: and it shows that the evidence could not have been slight when it overcame their prejudices and pride, and constrained them to admit that the lowly and poor man of Nazareth was the long- expected Messiah of their nation.

Did not confess him. Did not openly avow their belief that he was the Messiah. Two of them, however, did afterward evince their attachment to him. These were Joseph and Nicodemus, Jn 19:38,39. That Joseph was one of them appears from Mk 15:43, Lk 23:50,51.

(u) "For they loved the praise" Jn 5:44, Rom 2:29

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 43 They loved the praise of men - Δοξαν, the glory or honor that cometh from men. How common are these four obstacles of faith! says Quesnel: 1. Too great a regard to men. 2. Riches and temporal advantages. 3. The fear of disgrace. 4. The love of the praise of men. Abundance of persons persuade themselves that they love God more than the world, till some trying occasion fully convinces them of their mistake. It is a very great misfortune for a person not to know himself but by his falls; but it is the greatest of all not to rise again after he has fallen. This is generally occasioned by the love of the praise of men, because in their account it is more shameful to rise again than it was to fall at first.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 12:37-43

Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to have some knowledge of them. To be converted, and truly turned from sin to Christ, as their Happiness and Portion. God will heal them, will justify and sanctify them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the…

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John 12:43 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἠγάπησανēgapēsanthey lovedG25
γὰρgarforG1063
τὴνtēntheG3588
δόξανdoxangloryG1391
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
ἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnof menG444
μᾶλλονmallonmoreG3123
ἤπερēperthanG2260
τὴνtēntheG3588
δόξανdoxangloryG1391
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ.¶theouof God.G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 12:43

  • John 5:44

    How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

  • Matthew 23:5-7

    But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

  • John 5:41

    I receive not honour from men.

  • Luke 16:15

    And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:18

    For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:6

    Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

  • Luke 19:17

    And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

  • 1 Samuel 2:30

    Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

  • John 12:26

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

  • Matthew 6:2

    Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

  • 1 Peter 1:7-8

    That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

  • 1 Peter 3:4

    But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
they.
5:41,44; Mt 6:2; 23:5-7; Lu 16:15; Ps 22:29; 1Th 2:6
the praise of God.
26; 8:54; 1Sa 2:30; Lu 19:17; Ro 2:7; 1Co 4:5; 2Co 10:18
1Pe 1:7,8; 3:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • John 12:42

    Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

  • John 12:43

    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  • John 12:44

    Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

Read all of John 12

John 12:43 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque amaban más la gloria de los hombres que la gloria de Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car ils ont aimé la gloire des hommes plutôt que la gloire de Dieu.
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn sie liebten die Ehre bei den Menschen mehr als die Ehre bei Gott.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Dilexerunt enim gloriam hominum magis quam gloriam Dei.