Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:49

"For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." — John 12:49 (ASV)

For I have not spoken of myself.—Compare John 5:30; John 7:16–17; John 7:28–29; John 8:26; John 8:28; John 8:38. The word “for” connects this by way of reason with the condemnatory power of His word.

The Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment.—Compare Note on John 10:18. The reference is to the commission of His Messianic life.

What I should say, and what I should speak.—It is clear that our Lord intends a distinction here between “saying” and “speaking.” We have had the same distinction in John 8:43.

That which He should say was the matter of the revelation which He made; that which He should speak was rather the method in which He made it. He claims for all the authority and commission of the Father.

Every truth uttered by Him, and every work and word by which it was uttered, was ordained by the Father’s will. He was Himself the Word of God. Every tone and accent in which that Word spoke was divine.