John 12 19

John 12:19 kjv

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

John 12:19 nkjv

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!"

John 12:19 niv

So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

John 12:19 esv

So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him."

John 12:19 nlt

Then the Pharisees said to each other, "There's nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!"

John 12 verses

John 12 19 Meaning

The Pharisees, witnessing the Passover crowds acclaim Jesus as king, expressed their confusion and dismay. They remarked to one another, acknowledging that "the whole world has gone after him." This statement highlights the undeniable popular appeal and growing influence of Jesus, even as the religious elite remained unconvinced and troubled by it.

John 12 19 Context

This verse appears in John chapter 12, a pivotal moment during Jesus' final week before his crucifixion. Just days after raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, paralleling an Old Testament depiction of a king’s arrival. A great crowd greets him with shouts of praise, waving palm branches and laying down cloaks—a recognition of his kingship. The Pharisees, observing this fervent popular support, voice their alarm and disbelief. Their statement reflects not only their frustration at Jesus’ growing influence but also their deeper concern about Roman intervention and the perceived threat to their own authority and the stability of the nation.

John 12 19 Word Analysis

• kai (καί): A conjunction, meaning "and" or "also." Here, it connects the observation to the preceding events.

• oi de Pharisaioi (οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι): "But the Pharisees." "De" (δὲ) is a disjunctive particle, marking a contrast or transition. It signals a shift to the perspective of the religious opposition.

• akousantes (ἀκούσαντες): "having heard" (aorist participle from ἀκούω, akouō). They heard the clamor of the crowd.

• einai (εἶναι): "that it is" or "to be" (infinitive from εἰμί, eimi).

• hautos (οὗτος): "this." Referring to the acclaim of the crowd.

• koinos (κοινός): "common" or "public."

• kosmos (κόσμος): "world" or "world-system." Here, it refers to the vast multitude present in Jerusalem, or more broadly, the society and its people.

• echein (ἔχειν): "to have" or "to hold."

• analambanw (ἀναλαμβάνω): This Greek word signifies "to take up," "to lead away," or "to win over." The emphasis is on how people are being captivated or influenced.

• kai (καί): "and."

• eipon (εἶπον): "said" (aorist indicative from λέγω, legō). The imperfect or aorist often marks a summary statement.

• eis Allous (εἰς ἄλλους): "to others."

• ou (οὐ): "not."

• blepeis (βλέπεις): "you see" or "do you not see?" (present indicative active second person singular from βλέπω, blepō). It expresses observation or understanding.

• ti (τί): "what."

• pleon (πλέον): "more."

• kerman (κέρμα): "profit" or "gain."

• oi de Pharisaioi akousantes]: The Pharisees are presented as distinct from the responding crowd, observing rather than participating.

• einai hauton koinon kosmon: The observation "the whole world has gone after him" conveys the magnitude of Jesus’ public endorsement, viewed with dismay by the Pharisees.

• blepeis ou pleon kerman blepei: The implied meaning of "Do you not see that we gain nothing?" or "See, you yourself are doing no good" suggests a calculated concern. The Pharisees' opposition is framed around perceived negative consequences for themselves and their position.

John 12 19 Bonus Section

The Pharisees’ anxiety reflects a pattern seen throughout Scripture, where leaders often prioritize their own status and the existing order over recognizing God’s work. Their failure to "see" the significance of Jesus' popularity echoes the blindness of some Israelites in the Old Testament, who failed to recognize God’s signs. This can be observed in situations where progress or revival is met with suspicion or opposition from those who feel threatened. The contrast is stark: the people see a king; the Pharisees see a problem that threatens their dominion. This situation underscores the importance of genuine spiritual perception over worldly considerations.

John 12 19 Commentary

The Pharisees’ statement, "the whole world has gone after him," is a candid admission of Jesus' pervasive influence, though delivered with an undertone of exasperation. It demonstrates how popular opinion, when aligned with spiritual truth, can challenge established religious hierarchies. Their underlying concern—that this movement would provoke Roman authorities, leading to their own loss of power and position—is a crucial element. This verse encapsulates the growing tension between authentic faith evidenced by the crowds and the entrenched religious establishment resistant to a truth they do not grasp. It highlights the need for spiritual discernment versus political expediency.