Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 12:28-29

"Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, [saying], I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An angel hath spoken to him." — John 12:28-29 (ASV)

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him.

This was one of the three occasions on which testimony was openly borne to Christ by his Father; first at his baptism, then at his transfiguration, and now here at the rehearsal of his great sacrifice.

We learn, from this narrative, that the voice of God is not understood by everybody. Some of those who stood by said that it thundered, and others said that an angel spoke to him. It is necessary that you should be a child of God if you are to know your Father's voice. Though God is speaking, at this moment in the clearest tones, none will recognize his voice, or understand his words, but those who are taught by his Holy Spirit.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, an angel spake to him.

This was the third time that mysterious voice had been heard: first, at his baptism; second, on the Mount of Transfiguration; and now, a few days before he died upon the cross.

The voice of God had been heard on a much earlier occasion—at Sinai; and then it was attended with thunder, as it was here. Those who had not ears to understand the voice of God only perceived the loudness of its thunder peals; but there were others, like John himself, who understood what the Lord said: I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Ah! They did not understand the voice of God, or the cause of the voice speaking to them. If the men of the world in our Saviour's day did not understand the Father's voice to the Only Begotten, do not expect that the men of the world today will understand the divine voice in your heart.

They will think that you are in error, and that God has not spoken to you; it has only thundered. They will be ready to invent all kinds of stories of angels, and I do not know what, so as to get rid of the voice of God to you. But you know it; if you are God's children, you know his voice, and you also know what he means when he speaks.

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered:

They only heard the sound, and it was like thunder in their ears.