The Grain of Wheat
"We want to see Jesus"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
In Jerusalem before Passover, some Greeks asked Philip, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." Jesus said the hour had come, and that unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains a single seed, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Though his soul was troubled, he prayed, "Father, glorify Your name!" A voice answered from heaven, and Jesus said that when he is lifted up from the earth, he will draw everyone to himself.
Where it is in the Bible: John 12:20-36
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. It is a few days before he dies.
- Some Greeks: Visitors who are not Jewish. They have come to worship at the feast.
- Philip and Andrew: Two of Jesus's twelve disciples.
- The crowd: People in Jerusalem for the Passover feast.
Setting
- Jerusalem, during the days before Passover.
When
- Holy Week, about 2,000 years ago, a few days before Jesus was crucified.
Before the Story
Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Many people believed in him (11:43-45).
Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds waved palm branches and shouted, "Hosanna!" (12:12-13).
The leaders were worried. "Look how the whole world has gone after Him!" they said (12:19).
Here's what you know: All through John's Gospel, Jesus has said, "My hour has not yet come." Now it has.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "We want to see Jesus" | 12:20-22 | Greeks come looking for Jesus |
| 2. A grain of wheat | 12:23-26 | Jesus says the hour has come |
| 3. A voice from heaven | 12:27-30 | Jesus prays, and God answers |
| 4. Lifted up | 12:31-36 | Jesus says he will draw everyone to himself |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4"We Want to See Jesus"
Some Greeks had come to Jerusalem to worship at the feast.
They came to Philip and asked, "Sir, we want to see Jesus" (12:21).
Philip told Andrew. Then both of them went and told Jesus.
Scene 2 of 4A Grain of Wheat
Jesus answered, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" (12:23).
"The hour" was the time of his death and rising. Glorified means shown in all his greatness.
Then he gave a picture.
"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (12:24).
This is a comparison. Jesus is the seed. His death would bring life to many.
Jesus said whoever holds on tight to their life will lose it. Whoever follows him will be where he is.
Scene 3 of 4A Voice From Heaven
"Now My soul is troubled" (12:27), Jesus said.
He knew what was coming. Should he ask the Father to save him from it?
"No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!" (12:27-28).
Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again" (12:28).
Some in the crowd said it was thunder. Others said an angel had spoken.
Jesus said the voice was for them, not for him.
Scene 4 of 4Lifted Up
"Now the prince of this world will be cast out" (12:31). The prince of this world is the devil.
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself" (12:32).
John explains: Jesus said this to show how he would die. He would be lifted up on a cross.
The crowd was confused. Jesus told them the Light would be with them only a little longer. "While you have the Light, believe in the Light" (12:36).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Sir, we want to see Jesus" (12:21) | People from outside Israel were coming to Jesus. |
| "The hour has come" (12:23) | The time of Jesus's death and rising had arrived. |
| "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies" (12:24) | Jesus's death would bring life to many. |
| "Now My soul is troubled" (12:27) | Jesus felt real fear about his death. |
| "It is for this purpose that I have come" (12:27) | Jesus chose to go to the cross. |
| "Will draw everyone to Myself" (12:32) | The cross is how Jesus brings people from every nation to himself. |
Back Then
Greeks often meant non-Jewish people. Some of them worshiped Israel's God and came to the feasts.
Philip had a Greek name. He was from Bethsaida, a town with many Greek-speaking people. That may be why the Greeks came to him.
Wheat was the main food. Farmers knew a seed had to be buried before it could grow into a plant with many grains.
Literal Reader Alert
"Whoever hates his life." Should I hate my life? No. This is a way of saying that following Jesus matters more than anything else. God loves your life. If you are having thoughts of not wanting to live, please tell a trusted adult right away.
Was Jesus scared? He said his soul was troubled. Jesus felt real feelings. He was afraid, and he went anyway, because he loved us.
Did the Greeks get to see Jesus? John doesn't say. But Jesus's answer means that through the cross, people from every nation would come to him.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The Greeks | Eager | They wanted to see Jesus (12:21) |
| Jesus | Troubled | He knew he was going to die (12:27) |
| The crowd | Confused | They didn't understand what he meant (12:34) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you want from Jesus? Tap one.
To see him
Like the Greeks. He draws everyone to himself, including you.
Courage
Jesus was troubled and went anyway. He can help you face hard things.
New life
A seed has to be planted to grow. Jesus brings life out of death.
I'm troubled too
Jesus said, "My soul is troubled." He knows how you feel.
You Might Have Heard
"Jesus's death was a tragedy that went wrong."
What's true: Jesus's death was terrible, and it was unjust.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus knew it was coming and said, "It is for this purpose that I have come to this hour" (12:27). Like a seed planted in the ground, his death would bring a great harvest of life.
Where Jesus is: In Jerusalem, troubled and determined, on the way to the cross where he would be lifted up for everyone.
Good News
A seed has to be buried before it grows. Jesus was buried, and he rose.
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself" (12:32).
The cross wasn't the end. It was how Jesus would gather people from every nation, including you.
Jesus is the grain of wheat that died and bore much fruit. Lifted up on the cross, he draws everyone to himself.
Big Idea
Like a grain of wheat, Jesus died to bring life to many. Lifted up on the cross, he draws everyone to himself.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that God shows himself most clearly in the cross, where we would least expect it. He called this the "theology of the cross": God's glory is hidden in Jesus's suffering for us.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads John 12:20-33 on the Fifth Sunday in Lent.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.
How did that feel?
You finished The Grain of Wheat.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fifth Sunday in Lent Year BGospel, John 12:20–33
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Grain of Wheat, explained in plain words. Greeks come asking for Jesus. He says his hour has come. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-grain-of-wheat/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church