John 12:16

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ταῦτα
G5023
These things
these things
#2
δὲ
G1161
but, and, etc
#3
οὐκ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#4
ἔγνωσαν
G1097
understood
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
#5
οἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
μαθηταὶ
G3101
disciples
a learner, i.e., pupil
#7
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#8
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
πρῶτον
G4413
foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
#10
ἀλλ'
G235
but
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#11
ὅτε
G3753
when
at which (thing) too, i.e., when
#12
ἐδοξάσθη
G1392
was glorified
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
#13
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#15
τότε
G5119
then
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
#16
ἐμνήσθησαν
G3415
remembered they
to bear in mind, i.e., recollect; by implication, to reward or punish
#17
ὅτι
G3754
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#18
ταῦτα
G5023
These things
these things
#19
ἦν
G2258
were
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#20
ἐπ'
G1909
of
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#21
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
γεγραμμένα
G1125
written
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
#23
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#24
ταῦτα
G5023
These things
these things
#25
ἐποίησαν
G4160
that they had done
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#26
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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