And I
This phrase emphasizes the personal role of Jesus Christ in the divine plan of salvation. The Greek word for "I" is "ἐγώ" (egō), which is used emphatically here to highlight Jesus' unique authority and identity as the Son of God. In the context of the Gospel of John, Jesus frequently uses "I" statements to reveal His divine nature and mission, such as in the "I am" statements that echo God's self-revelation in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14).

when I am lifted up
The phrase "lifted up" comes from the Greek word "ὑψόω" (hypsoō), which can mean both a physical lifting and an exaltation. Historically, this refers to Jesus' crucifixion, where He was literally lifted up on the cross. However, it also signifies His glorification and the fulfillment of His redemptive work. In the broader scriptural context, this dual meaning reflects the paradox of the cross: a moment of apparent defeat that becomes the ultimate victory over sin and death.

from the earth
This phrase underscores the physical reality of Jesus' crucifixion. The earth, in biblical symbolism, often represents the realm of human existence and sin. Jesus being lifted "from the earth" signifies His separation from the world of sin and His role as the bridge between humanity and God. It also foreshadows His resurrection and ascension, where He transcends earthly limitations.

will draw
The Greek word "ἑλκύω" (helkyō) means to attract or pull towards oneself. This indicates the powerful, irresistible nature of Christ's love and sacrifice. Historically, the crucifixion has been a central point of attraction for believers throughout the ages, drawing people from all walks of life to the message of the Gospel. Theologically, it speaks to the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing individuals to faith in Christ.

all men
The phrase "all men" (Greek: "πάντας" - pantas) reflects the universal scope of Jesus' redemptive work. It emphasizes that the offer of salvation through Christ is available to every person, regardless of race, gender, or social status. This inclusivity is a recurring theme in the New Testament, highlighting the breaking down of barriers and the formation of a new, united people of God.

to Myself
The phrase "to Myself" indicates the personal relationship that Jesus offers to each believer. The Greek "ἐμαυτόν" (emauton) emphasizes the intimate connection between Christ and those who come to Him. This reflects the heart of the Gospel message: that through Jesus' sacrifice, individuals are not only saved from sin but are also brought into a personal, transformative relationship with Him. In the broader biblical narrative, this points to the ultimate reconciliation and unity of all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

(32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth.--The pronoun is strongly emphatic. "And I," in opposition to the prince of this world; the conqueror in opposition to the vanquished foe. The conditional form, "If I be lifted up," answers to the "troubled soul" of John 12:27. He knows that it will be so, but He leaves the future to declare its own truths. Comp. the phrases, "If it be possible," "If this may not pass away from Me" (Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42), and Note on John 14:3. The words "lifted up" have occurred before in John 3:14; John 8:28; but the context here shows that they include the thought of the ascension into heaven. It is from the heavenly throne that the Messiah will rule over His spiritual kingdom. . . . Verses 32, 33. - And I, if I be lifted out of (or, from) the earth, will draw all (men) to myself. Now this he spake, signifying by what death he was about to die. Ὑψωθῶ has been by Meyer, as well as many of the Fathers, referred to the Lord's resurrection and ascension. The ἐκ τῆς γῆς would certainly be in favor of it, and be a possible rendering if we hold (with Westcott and others) that resurrection and uplifting from the earth involve and presuppose a previous death, or that John always speaks of Christ's death as itself a glorious thing, as itself the commencement of the supreme glory of the Son of man. On the other hand - though this idea is reiterated by the opponents of the Fourth Gospel - there is nothing in the New Testament which makes the cross of Christ in itself a symbol of the exaltation of Jesus. Moreover, the next verse compels a closer reference to "the way in which he was about to die" - a mode of departure admirably expressed by the term "uplifting." The language of Jesus to Nicodemus, in which the same word occurs in describing the lifting up of the Son of man after the fashion in which the serpent was uplifted in the wilderness, confirms this interpretation of the evangelist, which we have no claim to traverse (cf. also John 18:32; John 21:19). Christ declared that the attraction of the cross would be mightier than all the fascination of the prince of this world. The word ἐλκύσω, "I will draw," is applied elsewhere (John 6:44) to the Father's work of grace, which preveniently prepares men to come to Christ. In these words we learn that the attraction of the cross of Christ will prove to be the mightiest and most sovereign motive ever brought to bear on the human will, and, when wielded by the Holy Spirit as a revelation of the matchless love of God, will involve the most sweeping judicial sentence that can be pronounced upon the world and its prince. In John 16:11 the belief or the conviction that the prince of this world has been already condemned (κέκριται) is one of the great results of the mission of the Comforter.

Parallel Commentaries ...


And I,
κἀγὼ (kagō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

when
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

I am lifted up
ὑψωθῶ (hypsōthō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5312: (a) I raise on high, lift up, (b) I exalt, set on high. From hupsos; to elevate.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth,
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

will draw
ἑλκύσω (helkysō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1670: To drag, draw, pull, persuade, unsheathe. Or helko hel'-ko; probably akin to haireomai; to drag.

all [men]
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Myself.”
ἐμαυτόν (emauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1683: Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.


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NT Gospels: John 12:32 And I if I am lifted up (Jhn Jo Jn)