Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 12:50

"And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak." — John 12:50 (ASV)

Judgment on unbelief is not arbitrary but inevitable. The message of Christ will become the condemnation in the last days of any who refuse it, since nobody who refused it can plead ignorance. Jesus’ emphasis, however, is positive. His mission was intended to evoke belief and to rescue humans from darkness. The Father’s sovereign purpose is to lift people out of helplessness and death and give them eternal life. Because Jesus speaks the message the Father commanded him to speak, he is the Word of God.

At this point John closes the account of Jesus’ public ministry of teaching.

Subsequently he taught only the disciples and prepared them for the final act of his life.