John 12:49 Commentary and Bible Study

Always, he tells them, I have spoken to you of the Father, and he had. He had spoken continually through this Gospel of life everlasting. ‘For God so loved the world,’ John 3.16, ‘that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ He mentions it again in chapter six, in chapter eight, in chapter ten, in chapter eleven, here earlier on in chapter twelve. He is constantly talking about everlasting life. How can they have failed to listen? To think he is talking about Messiah lasting for ever on earth, at that time. In all that he had said to them, he had said nothing that did not conform to the Father’s plan. Every word he spoke was in accordance with the commandment he had received and he was conscious always that his entire life was according to the divine plan. When they heard Christ speak, they heard the words of the Father also, therefore they were without excuse for their unbelief. ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience’ (Hebrews 5:8). He could not turn from his Father’s commandment for a moment because it was the pathway to life both for himself and for his people.