John 12:19

19. THE DISCOMFITURE OF THE PHARISEES

19. θεωρεῖτε. Either (indic.) Ye behold, or Behold ye? or (imper.) Behold. The first seems best: comp. John 5:39; John 14:1; John 15:18; 1 John 2:27-29. ‘Ye see what a mistake we have made; we ought to have adopted the plan of Caiaphas long ago.’

ἴδε ὁ κόσμος. The exaggerated expression of their chagrin, which in this Divine epic is brought into strong contrast with the triumph of Jesus. Comp. a similar exaggeration from a similar cause John 3:26; ‘all men come to Him.’ For ἴδε see on John 1:29. Ἀπῆλθεν, is gone away, implies that Jesus’ gain is the Pharisees’ loss. The words are perhaps recorded as another unconscious prophecy (John 11:50; John 7:35). After this confession of helplessness the Pharisees appear no more alone; the reckless hierarchy help them on to the catastrophe.