New International Reader's Version

John 12:14-29 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

14. Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it. This is just as it is written in Scripture. It says,

15. "City of Zion, do not be afraid. See, your king is coming. He is sitting on a donkey's colt." (Zechariah 9:9)

16. At first, Jesus' disciples did not understand all this. They realized it only after he had received glory. Then they realized that these things had been written about him. They realized that the people had done these things to him.

17. A crowd had been with Jesus when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead. So they continued to tell everyone about what had happened.

18. Many people went out to meet him. They had heard that he had done this miraculous sign.

19. So the Pharisees said to one another, "This isn't getting us anywhere. Look how the whole world is following him!"

20. There were some Greeks among the people who went up to worship during the Feast.

21. They came to ask Philip for a favor. Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."

22. Philip went to tell Andrew. Then Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23. Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to receive glory.

24. What I'm about to tell you is true. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only one seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

25. "Anyone who loves his life will lose it. But anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it and have eternal life.

26. Anyone who serves me must follow me. And where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27. "My heart is troubled. What should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No. This is the very reason I came to this hour.

28. Father, bring glory to your name!" Then a voice came from heaven. It said, "I have brought glory to my name. I will bring glory to it again."

29. The crowd there heard the voice. Some said it was thunder. Others said an angel had spoken to Jesus.