Devine Scripture

John 12:19

What does John 12:19 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:19 means

The Pharisees, watching the crowds swell, speak in frustration among themselves. Their opposition appears ineffective: their schemes have not dimmed Jesus’ appeal. In exasperation they declare that the world has gone after Him—a hyperbole that, in God’s providence, hints at the truth that people beyond Israel will seek Jesus. Their words reveal both their impotence and their fear. The verse captures a turning point where human efforts to suppress the light fail, and it prepares the reader for the next scene in which non-Jews will indeed come looking for Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Behold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Behold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then the Pharisees said one to another, You see, you are unable to do anything: the world has gone after him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the Pharisees, therefore, said among themselves, `Ye see that ye do not gain anything, lo, the world did go after him.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves: Do you see that we prevail nothing? Behold, the whole world is gone after him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The Pharisees therefore said to one another, Ye see that ye profit nothing: behold, the world is gone after him.

Context

This comment comes right after the account of the masses drawn by the Lazarus sign. The Pharisees’ despairing statement provides narrative irony. Immediately, John introduces Greeks who have come to worship and who request an audience with Jesus. Their approach prompts Jesus to announce that His hour has come and to teach about glory through death. Thus, the Pharisees’ words become a doorway into the broader horizon of the gospel’s reach.

v.18For this cause also the multitude went and met him, for that they heard that he had done this sign.

v.19This passage

v.20Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 21:15

    But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation,

  • Acts 17:6

    And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

  • 1 John 2:2

    and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

  • John 17:21

    that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.

  • John 3:26

    And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

  • Psalms 49:1

    Hear this, all ye peoples; Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

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