John 12:19

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
οὖν
therefore
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
Φαρισαῖοι
The Pharisees
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
#4
εἶπον
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#5
πρὸς
among
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#6
ἑαυτούς
themselves
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#7
Θεωρεῖτε
Perceive ye
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
#8
ὅτι
how
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#9
οὐκ
nothing
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#10
ὠφελεῖτε
ye prevail
to be useful, i.e., to benefit
#11
οὐδέν·
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#12
ἴδε
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
κόσμος
the world
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
#15
ὀπίσω
after
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
#16
αὐτοῦ
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
#17
ἀπῆλθεν
is gone
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to John. The concept of divine revelation reflects the essential nature of God revealed through Christ. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to theological biography emphasizing Jesus' divine identity, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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