John 12 gathers the anointing at Bethany, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the request of Greek visitors, and Jesus' teaching about the grain of wheat, the lifted-up Son, belief, and judgment into a chapter that announces his hour has arrived.
The chapter opens with a meal in Bethany where Mary anoints Jesus and Jesus interprets the act in relation to his burial. Lazarus' presence draws attention, and the authorities' concern expands. The next scene presents Jesus entering Jerusalem as a crowd receives him with royal language while the disciples only understand the scriptural significance later.
When Greeks seek Jesus, he responds by saying that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. From there the chapter interprets glory through death, fruitfulness, service, judgment, and being lifted up. John closes the public ministry by reflecting on widespread unbelief and recording Jesus' final public appeal about belief, light, and the Father's commandment.
The anointing is interpreted in relation to Jesus' burial, while Lazarus' presence continues to attract attention and opposition.
The crowd receives Jesus with royal expectations, and the narrator notes that the disciples understand the scriptural connections after Jesus is glorified.
The arrival of Greek seekers leads Jesus to speak of the grain of wheat, service, the troubled soul, judgment, and being lifted up.
The narrator reflects on unbelief despite signs, while Jesus' closing appeal joins belief in him with belief in the Father who sent him.
The chapter declares that the hour has arrived but immediately interprets glory through the image of a seed dying in order to bear much fruit.
The entry into Jerusalem brings royal acclamation, yet the narrator says the disciples only grasp the scriptural significance after Jesus' glorification.
Jesus' final public teaching urges response to the light while it is present, echoing imagery that has run through the Gospel from the prologue onward.
The Gospel explicitly cites the royal entry image of a king coming on a donkey.
The language of the Son of Man being lifted up reaches a climactic public explanation in John 12.