John 12:48 - Belief and Unbelief

There is a judge for the one who rejects Me
This phrase emphasizes the certainty of divine judgment. In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus often speaks of His unity with the Father, indicating that rejecting Him is equivalent to rejecting God (John 5:23). The concept of judgment is rooted in the Old Testament, where God is portrayed as the ultimate judge (Psalm 75:7). The rejection of Jesus is not merely a personal decision but a spiritual one with eternal consequences. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes accountability before God (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

and does not receive My words:
Receiving Jesus' words is synonymous with accepting His teachings and authority. In the cultural context of the first century, a rabbi's words were considered binding and authoritative. Jesus' words are not just teachings but are life-giving (John 6:63). The refusal to accept His words is a rejection of the truth He embodies (John 14:6). This phrase also connects to the parable of the sower, where the seed (the word of God) falls on different types of soil, representing the varied responses to Jesus' message (Matthew 13:18-23).

The word that I have spoken will judge him
Here, Jesus underscores the power and authority of His spoken word. In the biblical tradition, God's word is active and powerful (Isaiah 55:11). Jesus' words are not merely informative but transformative and carry the weight of divine authority. This echoes the idea that the Scriptures themselves bear witness to Jesus and will be the standard by which people are judged (John 5:39). The emphasis on "the word" highlights the importance of Scripture in the life of believers and its role in judgment.

on the last day.
The "last day" refers to the eschatological end times, a common theme in both the Old and New Testaments. This is the day of final judgment, as prophesied in Daniel 12:2 and reiterated in the New Testament (Revelation 20:11-15). The concept of a final day of reckoning is central to Christian eschatology, where all individuals will be held accountable for their response to Jesus Christ. This phrase serves as a reminder of the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the consequences of rejecting His message. He is central to the Christian faith as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity.

2. The Audience
Jesus is speaking to a mixed group, including His disciples and the general public, some of whom are skeptical or outright reject His teachings.

3. The Last Day
This refers to the eschatological event when final judgment will occur. It is a significant concept in Christian theology, emphasizing accountability and the culmination of God's plan.

4. The Word
The teachings and message of Jesus, which are rooted in divine authority and truth. In Greek, "logos" is used, indicating not just spoken words but the divine reason and plan.

5. Judgment
The act of divine evaluation and decision-making regarding human actions and beliefs, particularly concerning acceptance or rejection of Jesus' message.

Teaching Points

The Authority of Jesus' Words
Jesus' words carry divine authority and are not merely suggestions but commands that demand a response.

The Reality of Judgment
There is a future judgment where our response to Jesus' words will be evaluated. This should motivate us to take His teachings seriously.

The Importance of Acceptance
Accepting Jesus' words is crucial for salvation. Rejection leads to judgment, emphasizing the need for faith and obedience.

Living by the Word
Believers are called to live according to Jesus' teachings, allowing His words to guide their actions and decisions.

Eternal Consequences
Our response to Jesus has eternal implications, underscoring the importance of making a conscious decision to follow Him.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from John 12Did Jesus come to judge the world?What is the meaning of Judgment Day?When Jesus says in John 16:16 that his followers 'will see' him after 'a little while,' why has the second coming not happened given nearly two thousand years have passed?What is the concept of Blind Faith?

(48) He that rejecteth me . . .--The word rendered "rejecteth" (more exactly nullifieth) occurs only here in St. John. (Comp. Luke 7:30, "The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves"; and John 10:16, "He that despiseth you despiseth Me.)

Hath one that judgeth him.--Comp. John 3:18; John 5:45 et seq.; John 8:50; and also Hebrews 4:12. . . .

Verse 48. - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings (ῤήματα), hath one that judgeth him - perhaps, that which judgeth him - the word (λόγος) which I spake, that will judge him at the last day. There is no more awful utterance than this (romp. 1 John 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:10, where the irresistible power of a searching inviolable Law is vindicated). How strange that some critics should, with a view to disparage the authenticity of the Gospel, make it appear that there is no reference in it to judgment to come, or to the last day, and should deliberately ignore this feature of the Johannine Gospel! Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

There is
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a judge
κρίνοντα (krinonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

[for]
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

the [one who]
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rejects
ἀθετῶν (athetōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 114: From a compound of a and a derivative of tithemi; to set aside, i.e. to disesteem, neutralize or violate.

Me
ἐμὲ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

does not receive
λαμβάνων (lambanōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

words:
ῥήματά (rhēmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4487: From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.

The
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

that
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I have spoken
ἐλάλησα (elalēsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

will judge
κρινεῖ (krinei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

on
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

last
ἐσχάτῃ (eschatē)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

day.
ἡμέρᾳ (hēmera)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

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