John 12:29

29 Therefore the people that stood, and heard, said, that thunder was made; other men said, an angel 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 my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but therefore [but for that thing] I came into this hour;

28 Father, clarify thy name. And a voice came from heaven, and said [saying], And I have clarified, and again I shall clarify.

29 Therefore the people that stood, and heard, said, that thunder was made; other men said, an angel spake to him.

30 Jesus answered, and said, This voice came not for me, but for you.

31 Now is the doom of the world, now the prince of this world shall be cast out.