Bible Strands
John 12:16
At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the disciples' initial failure to comprehend Jesus' actions during His entry into Jerusalem. This observation follows the fulfillment of the donkey prophecy in the preceding verse and precedes the crowd's testimony regarding Lazarus.
The words — The demonstrative ταῦτα (tauta) literally means "these things" and points to the prophetic events of the entry and crucifixion. The verb ἔγνωσαν (egnōsan) translates as "knew" or "understood," marking the precise moment their delayed comprehension gave way to recognition.
The thread — This sequence of post-event memory appears in John 2:22, where the disciples recall Jesus' words only after His resurrection. John 14:26 identifies the Holy Spirit as the agent who teaches and reminds them of these truths, a ministry John 7:39 notes had not yet begun.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept that scriptural understanding frequently follows historical fulfillment rather than preceding it. It demands a disciplined return to the written record to align present interpretation with past events.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
Cross-references
- John 2:22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
- John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
- John 7:39 He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
- John 12:23 But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
- Acts 2:36 Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
- Luke 9:45 But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
- Luke 18:34 But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying.
- Luke 24:6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee:
- Luke 24:25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
- Luke 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.