John 12:23 reveals the shocking secret he whispered—what changed everything

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:37:04 +0000

John 12:23: The Shocking Secret Jesus Whispered That Changed Everything In the Gospel of John, verse 12:23 stands out as a pivotal moment in Jesus’ tripartite journey through Galilee toward Jerusalem—a moment often overlooked but rich with profound theological meaning. When asked by His disciples, “Who is this?” Jesus declares, “I have told you I must go to Jerusalem and suffer and be put to death and rise again”—a statement so shocking, so loaded with unwavering truth, that it fundamentally altered the course of His ministry and Catholic understanding of His identity. ### What Exactly Did Jesus Whisper in John 12:23? While the exact words “I have told you I must go…” are not verbatim in John 12:23, the verse encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ foreknowledge and purpose: He spoke plainly and poetically about His inevitable suffering, death, and resurrection. This moment reveals Jesus’ shocking clarity and radical commitment to the plan God the Father had set in motion—long before it became public knowledge.