Does John 12:25 Teach That We Must Hate Our Lives?

What Is the Context of John 12?

At the end of John 11, the religious leaders are determined to kill Jesus. Caiaphas, the high priest, has concluded that Jesus must die in order to save the entire nation from Rome. If Jesus continues stirring people up, then it is assumed that Rome will try to squelch the movement and the entire nation could be lost. (Which ironically did happen from 66-70AD).

What Does This Verse Mean?

What “hates his life” means is defined by the context. It’s similar to what Jesus said in Luke 14:26 in reference to “hating” your family. It’s comparative language. It means to value life less than you value your allegiance to Jesus.

What Does It Mean to Love and Hate Your Life?

When we come to answer questions like this, it is important to consider the whole counsel of God and each verse within its own context. Let’s pretend for a moment that we made “you should hate your own life” as the governing verse for all of Scripture. And when we say “hate” we mean things like loath, detest, abhor, abominate, despise, etc. To hate your life would be to treat it with contempt. To not hold any value or esteem of your life. To hate your very existence.

Why Will Those Who Hate Their Life Have Eternal Life?

I watched a video a few years ago which perfectly illustrates this principle. There was a dog, one of those lovably dumb dogs, with a giant stick in his mouth. Though probably three times bigger than the dog itself, this stick was going to be his new toy. He joyously pranced along carrying this fallen tree in his teeth but was put to a stop when he encountered the family gate. He couldn’t get through the door and keep his stick at the same time.

Conclusion

always

Otto Michel, “Μισέω,” ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 690–691.