John 18:32 Meaning and Explanation
“That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The demand for a Roman execution fulfills Jesus' own word signifying what kind of death he would die.
What Does John 18:32 Mean?
John points the reader back: Jesus had said, I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me — this he said, signifying what death he should die (John 12:32-33; see 3:14; 8:28). Lifted up means crucified: a Roman death on a cross, not a stoning.
Once more the words of Jesus carry the weight of prophecy: even the manner of his dying obeys his own announcement. The cross was chosen, not merely suffered — and chosen with its meaning in view, like the serpent lifted in the wilderness so that all who look may live (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15). Lifted up, he draws; from that height he is drawing still.
John 18:32 in the Original Language
semaino (σημαίνω), 'signify' -- to show by a sign; John uses it of Jesus indicating beforehand the manner of his death.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 18:32
What does John 18:32 mean?
The demand for a Roman execution fulfills Jesus' own word signifying what kind of death he would die.