What did Jesus mean by the grain of wheat illustration?
Jesus meant that unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He applied this to His own death, burial, and resurrection, showing that His death would produce much fruit rather than being a solitary end.
Les explains that Jesus used a common, everyday example. If a kernel of wheat is left in a granary, it will never reproduce. It must be planted, which literally means burying it. Through moisture, sunshine, and all the activity in nature, that kernel dies and rots. But out of that death comes a new green shoot, then a stem, and maybe a hundred kernels. Jesus applied this simple illustration directly to His own death, burial, and resurrection. The context shows Gentiles wanted to talk with Him, but Jesus said the hour had come that the Son of Man should be glorified, speaking of His impending death, burial, and resurrection.
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
More Questions
What did Jesus mean when He said a kernel of wheat must fall into the ground and die in John 12:24?
In John 12:24, Jesus' illustration of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying was about His own death, burial, and resurrection; He had to die, and through that death He would come forth in resurrection power and impart that life to those who believe.
What does Jesus mean by 'except a kernel of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone'?
Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone — death is the condition for bringing forth much fruit or grain.
In John 12:24, what did the kernel of wheat dying refer to?
In John 12:24, Jesus's illustration of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying referred to His coming death, burial, and resurrection.
What does the kernel of wheat that dies mean in John 12:24?
In John 12:24, Jesus' illustration of a kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying refers to His own death, burial, and resurrection.