Lenten Season · Year B
Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 14, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)
The principle that the “whole world has gone after” Jesus (v. 19) finds immediate illustration in some Greeks who were among the worshipers at the festival (v. 20). Their request to see Jesus was directed at Philip (cf. 1:43–44), ceremoniously passed along by him to Andrew, and by the two of them to Jesus (vv. 21–22). These two disciples have been seen together twice before: first as Jesus’ agents in initially gathering a group of followers (1:35–45), and later as the two whose faith Jesus tested before the feeding of the five thousand (6:5–9). Again they are a team, this time in presenting to their Teacher the longings of the Gentile world and receiving from him the revelation, indirect though it may be, of how the Gentile world soon will see him.
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Commentary
Commentary on John 12:20-33 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on the Greeks who come seeking Jesus and the grain of wheat that must die, the RCL Lent 5B Gospel.
John 12:20-33 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary reading the passage as Jesus inviting the seekers to see him lifted up on the cross.
John 12 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter, including the hour of glorification.
The Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre walks through the Mass readings and shows how the fruitful death of Christ inaugurates the new covenant.
John 12:20 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries (Barnes, Gill, Meyer and more) gathered verse by verse.
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B (Sunday Connection) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic reflection and discussion questions on serving others and giving glory to God.
Background & Word Study
Gospel of John (Enter the Bible course) Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary introduction to the authorship, structure and theology of John's Gospel.
Overview: Gospel of John BibleProject
Animated walk-through of how John's Gospel is designed and where the lifting-up motif fits.
John 12:20 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Word-by-word Greek text with parsing for close study of the passage's key verbs.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
What does the grain of wheat teach?
As Greeks seek him, Jesus speaks of the grain that must die to bear fruit, and of his own lifting up on the cross that will draw all people to himself.
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