John 12:31–36

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

At first glance, their questions don’t make sense. This conversation began when Jesus said, back in verse 23, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”

Now He says, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” He doesn’t specifically say, “The Son of Man must be lifted up.” So what do they mean when they ask, “How can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

This all tracks back to what Jesus said earlier.

Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. — John 8:28

Note two points of historical context. In the language of the day, “the Son of Man” is a messianic title, and “lifted up” doesn’t mean exalted; it means executed. Their methods of execution are hanging and crucifixion. They both involve lifting people up.

But being “lifted up” is the last thing anyone can imagine happening to the messiah.

So, they’re wondering if Jesus means someone else by “Son of Man.”

Jesus ends up being lifted up in more ways than one: first in crucifixion, then in resurrection, then in ascension—exalted to the right hand of God the Father. Now we lift Him up in praise and prayer. One of the messianic references to the son of man ties this all together.

Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand,
Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself.
Then we will not turn back from You;
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.

Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved! — Psalm 80:17–19

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.