Definition: Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from John 12:30. It's a really profound statement about Jesus and his sacrifice. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is saying that he didn’t choose to do this (the sacrifice) for us. He wasn’t making it up specifically for you or me. It was chosen by God, and it's a gift of love. Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “This voice…” : This refers to the voice of God – the divine source of everything. “…came not because of me…” : Think of it like this: He didn't choose to do this thing for himself . It wasn’t a conscious decision made by him. “…but for your sakes.” : This is the key part! “Sakes” means "for the benefit of" or "for your sake." It signifies that it's being done because of you and others who believe in him. It’s a way of saying, "This sacrifice is important because you and I are precious to God.” What does this all mean practically? It emphasizes our significance: Jesus wants us to understand that we are special – that God loves us so much that he wants to give his life for us. It’s a sacrificial gift: It's a selfless act of love and compassion, offered as a demonstration of God’s care for humanity. It’s about salvation: The sacrifice is a way to offer salvation – to be freed from sin and death, and to have eternal life with God. In short, the verse says that Jesus's sacrifice isn’t about him alone; it's a gift for us, because we are precious to God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from John 12? Give you some context on why this passage is important in the Bible?