Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 12:16
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.
16. understood not ] A mark of candour (see on Joh 11:12): comp. Joh 2:22 (where see note) and Joh 20:9. Would a Christian of the second century have invented this dulness of apprehension in Apostles? After Pentecost, however, much that had passed unnoticed or had been obscure before was brought to their remembrance and made clear (Joh 14:26). Note ‘these things’ thrice repeated; Joh 12:14-15 shew that the placing Him on the young ass is primarily meant.
was glorified ] Comp. Joh 7:39 and Joh 11:4, where see notes.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Joh 12:16-18
These things understood not His disciples at first
1.
Men may be in the midst of great mercies and actings, and may not only be witnesses of the Lords working and the works of others, but even actors themselves in that which for the time they do little or nothing understand; for these things understood not the disciples at the first. Men have much brutish ignorance fed with inadvertency and may be little expecting the things that God is doing in such a time or case (Gen_16:13; Gen_28:16), and therefore do not discern them.
2. When the Lords people are ignorant and under a cloud, He useth not to take advantage of them, but can guide them as right as may be, so that a back-look thereunto when they get light will be sweet unto them; for in all this they act as rightly as if they had understood, and afterward they find that what was written of Him they had done unto Him (Psa 73:22-24).
3. However, the Lord for a time suffer His people to lie under clouds, and ignorant of what He or they are doing, yet in due time He will clear them in so far as is needful; for afterward they remembered (Joh 13:7).
4. The treasures of knowledge hid up in Christ were not fully opened up till Christ was glorified; for when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they, etc. Hereby is kept a due proportion betwixt the head and his members, that he shall be first exalted before they get their full allowance. And hereby also Christ being exalted giveth evidence that He remembers His people (Joh 7:39; Act 2:33; Eph 4:8).
5. Confession of infirmity and ignorance is a sweet fruit of the Spirit poured out; and the more one have received they will be the more sensible of, and ready to acknowledge their frailties; for John, the beloved disciple, being now enlightened, is most forward to record that they understood not these things at the first.
6. When the Spirit of God is most amply poured out, He will still lead men to the Scriptures to discern of Christ and compare their own actings by it; for so was it in the disciples best days, they remembered that these things were written of Him and that they had done these things to Him. It is an evidence of Christs being exalted at the right hand of the Father for the good of His people when He brings Scriptures to their minds, makes them clear to them, and clears their practice there, for, when Jesus was glorified, this was a comfortable evidence of it, they remembered these things. (G. Hutcheson.)
Prophecy
I. GOD DOES FORETELL IN HIS WORD MANY EVENTS BEFORE THEY COME TO PASS. This appears from the text and from the whole history of His conduct from the first prediction of Genesis to the last in Revelation. Witness the fulfilled promises concerning the Jews, heathen nations, Christ, His Church, etc.
II. GOD ALWAYS BRINGS TO PASS THE EVENTS WHICH HE FORETELLS. This will appear if we consider
1. That we have no evidence that. He has ever failed to bring to pass any event that He has foretold. Though the disciples did not know at first that Zechariahs prophecy had been fulfilled, they knew it afterwards.
2. God never foretold any events but such as
(1) He was willing to bring to pass. He never could be under any compulsion to foretell.
(2) His own glory requires to be brought to pass.
(3) He is able to bring to pass. God can do anything that power can do and that does not involve a contradiction. His opponents He can break in pieces.
III. GOD HAS GOOD REASONS FOR FORETELLING EVENTS BEFORE THEY COME TO PASS.
1. To convince men that He is concerned in bringing them about.
2. To demonstrate the truth of His bringing to pass other events not predicted. Predicted events stand inseparably related to unpredicted. The Messianic prophecies are connected with other events which took place in every part of the world. Improvement: It appears from the design of prophecy, that the Bible predictions
1. Are the last He will ever give (Rev 22:18-19).
2. Will answer their end though not understood till fulfilled.
3. Being disbelieved does not destroy their evidence or importance.
4. Are an infallible evidence of the truth of the Bible. (N. Emmons, D. D.)
The continuous fulfilment of Scripture
There was much written as in sympathetic ink, invisible for a season, yet ready to flash out in lines and characters of light whenever the appointed hour had arrived. Or to use another figure, Holy Scripture progressively unfolding what it contains may be likened to some magnificent landscape on which the sun is gradually rising, and even as it rises is bringing out one headland into light and prominence, and then another; anon kindling the glory smitten summit of some far mountain, and presently lighting up the recesses of some near valley which had hitherto abided in gloom, and so travelling on till nothing remains in shadow, but the whole prospect stands out in the clearness and splendour of the brightest noon. The Church informed and quickened by the Spirit of God, more and more discovers what in Scripture is given her. She has always possessed what she now possesses, only not always with the same distinctness of consciousness. He has not added to her wealth, but she has become more and more aware of that wealth; her dowry has remained always the same, but that dowry was so rich and rare that only little by little she has counted over and taken stock and inventory of her jewels. She has consolidated her doctrine compelled thereto by the provocation of her enemies, or induced to it by a growing sense of her own needs. She has brought together utterances of Holy Writ, and those which apart were comparatively barren, when thus married, have been fruitful to her. And yet all this she possessed implicitly though not explicitly–even as the shut hand is as perfect a hand as the open, or as our dominion in that huge island of the Pacific is as truly ours, and that region as vast in extent now as it will be when every mountain and valley, rivulet and bay, have been explored, and the flag of England has waved over all. (Archbishop Trench.)
The people therefore bare record
The popular testimony to the resurrection of Lazarus
1. It is the part of all such as have been witnesses to Christs working on themselves or others to publish the same to His praise; for the people that was with Him when He called Lazarus, etc., bare record.
2. As it is at all times a sin to smother the praises of Christ. So, in particular, in days of solemnity, it is our sin not to join and bring in what we know to make up the song, for they bring in that particular to make up the triumph.
3. In a day of Christs power, and when He is to get glory to Himself, He can furnish means and make them effectual to bring it to pass, for He makes that miracle an occasion to bring about this triumph.
4. It may encourage men to publish the praise of Christs working as they know of it, that God may make their weak endeavours effectual to work upon very many, for the testimony of some drew out this great confluence to Christ.
5. It is the duty of them who hear anything of Christs commendation to go and seek Him, and do homage to Him, for, for this cause, the people also met Him, for that they had heard that He had done this miracle. (G. Hutcheson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 16. Then remembered they, &c.] After the ascension of Christ, the disciples saw the meaning of many prophecies which referred to Christ, and applied them to him, which they had not fully comprehended before. Indeed it is only in the light of the new covenant, that the old is to be fully understood.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The evangelist, amongst others, confesseth his own ignorance also. The disciples saw the thing done, Christ riding into the city upon the foal of an ass, the people strewing of boughs, and throwing their clothes in the way; but to what purpose these things were done, or what fulfilling of prophecies was in this thing, that they understood not, so long as Christ was alive: their eyes were upon the Messiah a temporal prince, that should come in great state and majesty, so as they were wholly blinded from seeing any thing of the truth and faithfulness of God fulfilled in this little triumph of their Lords. But after that Christ had died, and was risen again from the dead, and ascended up to heaven, so declaring himself with power to be the Son of God; then they began to remember these things, so as to confirm their faith in him as the true Messiah, whom God had sent into the world. The word of the Lord which we hear, and the works of God which we see, though oft times they do not profit us, nor are improved by us at the present, yet afterward become of use and profit to us: it is therefore good to hear, and see, and observe Gods words and works, and to lay them up in our hearts, as it is said Mary pondered the sayings of the angel; expecting fruit afterwards of what at present we see no fruit and effect.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. when Jesus was glorified, thenremembered they that these things were written of him, &c.TheSpirit, descending on them from the glorified Saviour at Pentecost,opened their eyes suddenly to the true sense of the Old Testament,brought vividly to their recollection this and other Messianicpredictions, and to their unspeakable astonishment showed them thatthey, and all the actors in these scenes, had been unconsciouslyfulfilling those predictions.
Joh12:20-36. SOME GREEKSDESIRE TO SEEJESUSTHEDISCOURSE AND SCENETHEREUPON.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
These things understood not his disciples at the first,…. Or “at that time”, as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; or “on that day”, as the Ethiopic version; they did not then know the sense of that prophecy, nor that the things which were now doing were a fulfilling of it:
but when Jesus was glorified; was raised front the dead, and ascended to heaven, and was set down at the right hand of God, crowned with glory and honour; and when having received the promise of the Father, the Holy Ghost, and his gifts, he poured them forth in a very plenteous and extraordinary manner upon them; whereby their minds were greatly illuminated, and they had a very distinct knowledge of the Scriptures of the Old Testament; and saw clearly how they severally had their accomplishment in Christ:
then remembered they that these things were written of him; in the prophecies of the Old Testament;
and [that] they had done these things unto him; both the disciples and the multitude, or that these things were done to him; such as bringing the ass to him, laying their clothes on it, and setting him upon it, attending him with shoutings and hosannas to the city of Jerusalem, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Understood not ( ). Second aorist active indicative of . Another comment by John concerning the failure of the disciples to know what was happening (cf. John 2:22; John 7:39).
At the first ( ). Adverbial accusative, as in John 10:40; John 19:39.
Was glorified (). First aorist passive indicative of , to glorify, used of his death already in 7:39 and by Jesus himself of his death, resurrection, and ascension in John 12:23; John 13:31.
Then remembered they ( ). First aorist passive indicative of . It was easier to understand then and they had the Holy Spirit to help them (16:13-15).
Were written of him ( ‘ ). Periphrastic past perfect passive of with neuter plural participle agreeing with (these things) and singular verb, though the plural could have been used. Note the threefold repetition of in this verse, “clumsy” Bernard calls it, but making for clarity. The use of ‘ for “of him” rather than is unusual, but occurs in Rev 10:11; Rev 22:16.
They had done (). First aorist active indicative of , simply, “they did.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “These things understood not his disciples at the first: (tauta ouk egnosan autou hoi mathetai to proton) “His disciples did not understand the significance of this dramatic episode at that time, Luk 18:33-34; Joh 2:22.
2) “But when Jesus was glorified,” (all’ hote edoksasthe lesous) “But when Jesus had been glorified,” after He was raised from the dead, the Holy Spirit caused them to recall all things He had said to them, Joh 13:7; Joh 14:26.
3) “Then remembered they,” (tote emnesthesan) “At that time they remembered,” the disciples recalled the event, in the light of the prophecy of Zec 9:9. And it confirmed them in their faith, Luk 24:44-45; Joh 7:39.
4) “That these things were written of him,” (hoti tauta hen ep’ auto gegrammena) “That these things were having been written about him,” as certified by Mat 21:1-7; Mar 11:1-10; Luk 19:18-28; and by John, this Gospel writer.
5) “And that they had done these things unto him.” (kai tauta epioesan auto) “And that they did these things to him,” that the masses of the Jewish people who had come to Jerusalem from afar on this occasion praised His entrance into the city of Jerusalem, as definitively foretold by both the Psalmist and Zechariah and cast “Psalms of victory,” before Him in the way, Psa 118:25-26; Zec 9:9.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
16. These things his disciples did not understand at first. As the seed does not spring up as soon as it is thrown into the earth, so the result of the works of God is not immediately seen. The Apostles are the servants of God to fulfill the prophecy, but they do not understand what they are doing. They hear the shout of the multitude, which was no confused noise, but a distinct salutation of Christ as King; but they do not perceive what is the object of it, or what it means. To them, therefore, it is an unmeaning exhibition, until the Lord, after his glorious resurrection, opens their eyes.
When it is said, that they at length remembered that these things had been written concerning him, the Evangelist points out the cause of such gross ignorance, by which their knowledge was preceded. It was because they had not the Scripture at that time as their guide and instructor, to direct their minds to just and accurate views; for we are blind, unless the word of God go before,, our steps, and it is not even enough that the word of God shine on us, if the Spirit do not also enlighten our eyes, which otherwise would be blind amidst the clearest light. This grace Christ bestowed on his disciples after his resurrection, because the full time, when the Spirit should bestow his riches in great abundance, was not come, until he was received into the heavenly glory, as we have seen under Joh 7:39 (17)
Taught by this example, let us learn to form our judgment of every thing that relates to Christ, not by our own carnal feelings, but by the Scripture. Besides, let us remember that it is a special favor of the Holy Spirit to instruct us in a gradual manner, that we may not be stupid in considering the works of God.
That these things had been written concerning him, and that they had done these things to him. I interpret that clause in this manner: “ Then, for the first time, did it occur to the disciples that Christ did not do these things rashly, and that those men were not employed in idle amusement; but that the whole of this transaction had been regulated by the providence of God, because those things which had been written must necessarily be fulfilled;” so that the words may be thus arranged: “They did these things to him, as they had been written concerning him.”
(17) See Vol. 1, p. 310.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(16) These things understood not his disciples at the first . . .Comp. Notes on Joh. 2:22; Joh. 20:9. It is a touch peculiar to St. John, and exactly in his manner. He remembers the difference between the spiritual receptivity, before and after Pentecost, in the Apostolic band itself. He remembers how the Old Testament Scriptures became filled with a new life and meaning, as the Spirit brought to the memory their words, and the words of Him of whom they told.
When Jesus was glorified.Comp. Note on Joh. 7:39.
They had done these things unto Him.The narrative implies, these, the incidents which the others state. The phrase these things occurs three times, referring emphatically to the correspondence between the prophecy and the actual incidents.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Understood not his disciples at the first Of the triumphal entry John gives but slight description; but the language of this verse indicates that he fully realized its significance, and shows that his record is brief because he knows that the detail by the other Evangelists is full. While the miracle, the triumph, and the cross are passing in rapid succession before their eyes, they are confused in their perceptions. But when all are past and rise up as one whole before them, when they see the accordance of prophecy and event, as taught by the voice of the risen Jesus (Luk 24:25-35) and by the refreshing power of the quickening Spirit, (Joh 14:26,) they comprehend the entire symmetrical plan. Then they understand the CHRIST, and thenceforward are competent to herald him forth to the world.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus was glorified they then remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him’.
Even the disciples did not get the point about His action immediately, an important fact to note. Only Jesus really knew what He was doing. For we must remember that they were used to such welcomes by the crowds at Passover time and they were still not fully clear as to Who and What Jesus was even though they recognised His Messiahship, a Messiahship that He had warned them would tinged with suffering (Mar 8:28-31). But once Jesus was glorified (crucified, and raised to God’s right hand) they would remember what had happened. Later, the Holy Spirit drew their attention to the Scriptures, to what ‘was written about Him’, and they realised the significance of the event. They recognised that there Jesus had made His claim to be the coming King and unconsciously the crowd had welcomed their triumphant king.
John constantly draws attention to these unconscious prophecies. First Caiaphas (Joh 11:49-51), then Mary (Joh 12:1-9) and now the crowds. God was at work in men’s subconscious, emphasising the importance of what was taking place before men’s eyes.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 12:16. These things understood not his disciples Though the disciples believed him to be the Messiah, yet there were many occurrences of his life, which they understood not at the time when they happened, to be foretold of the Messiah; but which, after his ascension, they found exactly to quadrate with, and to be accomplishments of those predictions.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 12:16 . Observation by John. Comp. Joh 2:22 , Joh 20:9 . But this which here took place, namely, that Jesus mounted a young ass which He had obtained, His disciples at first (when it took place) did not understand , so far, namely, as the connection of the matter with the prediction of the prophet remained still hidden from them; when, however, Jesus was glorified, they remembered (under the illumination of the Spirit, Joh 7:39 , Joh 14:26 ) that this , this riding on the young ass, did not accidentally occur, but that it was written of Him, and that they (the disciples) did this , nothing other than this which had been written of Him, to Him , on the occasion of that entrance, in bringing, namely, the ass to Him, whereby they became the instruments of the fulfilment of prophecy. In this there is the echo from John’s recollection of the way and manner of the as known from the Synoptics. To take generally: they (indef.) did , and to refer it to Joh 12:13 (De Wette, Ewald, and older commentators), is incorrect, since the first two can only point to Joh 12:14-15 .
On see Bernhardy, p. 249. Winer, p. 367 [E. T. p. 491].
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
16 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.
Ver. 16. These things understood not, &c. ] They only beheld it as a pretty pageant. They had read it often, in the prophet, and now saw it acted; yet were never the wiser, for the present. Read, or hear, though thou understandest not; God may drop in divine light when thou least lookest for it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
16. ] Important, as shewing that this, and probably other prophetic citations under similar circumstances, were the effect of the light poured into the minds of the Apostles by the Holy Spirit after the Ascension.
] So sch. Eum. 343, : Soph. Trach. 997, ; Plato, Euthyd. 278 A, .
viz. the going out to meet Him, strewing clothes and branches in the way, and shouting ‘Hosanna’ before Him: also perhaps, the setting Him on the ass, implied in the concise narrative. Notice the thrice-repeated , each time signifying ‘ this which was written by the Prophet ,’ ‘ the above citation .’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 12:16 . The significance of “His action was not at that time perceived by the disciples: , but when Jesus had been glorified, then they remembered that this had been written concerning Him and that the people had made this demonstration in His favour,
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
understood = perceived. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
glorified. Greek. doxazo. One of the characteristic words in John (see p. 1511).
were written = had been written. Compare Joh 2:17; Joh 5:39.
of = about. Greek. epi. App-104.
had done = did.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
16.] Important, as shewing that this, and probably other prophetic citations under similar circumstances, were the effect of the light poured into the minds of the Apostles by the Holy Spirit after the Ascension.
] So sch. Eum. 343, : Soph. Trach. 997, ; Plato, Euthyd. 278 A, .
-viz. the going out to meet Him, strewing clothes and branches in the way, and shouting Hosanna before Him: also perhaps, the setting Him on the ass, implied in the concise narrative. Notice the thrice-repeated , each time signifying this which was written by the Prophet, the above citation.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 12:16. , these things) This His entry, of so momentous importance, and His prediction.- , understood not) The reason of the Divine proceedings and words is generally hidden from us at the beginning. Therefore accordingly we ought to believe and obey, and commit ourselves to the Divine governance [guidance]: ch. Joh 13:7, What I do (washing their feet) thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter; Joh 12:36, [Jesus to Simon] Whither I go thou canst not follow Me now, but thou shalt follow Me afterwards; Joh 16:4, These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you in the beginning; Joh 2:22, When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them (Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up), and they believed. The whole work of faith is to embrace those things which we do not yet comprehend, but which hereafter we shall perceive.- , at the first) During the time of their discipleship, before that the Lord was glorified.-, was glorified) by His resurrection and ascension. For there were many things which at a subsequent time they understood.-, then) That afterwards in a remarkable degree confirmed their faith.-, , these things, and these things) A sweet repetition, expressing the consonance between the prophecy and the event. At , and, understand , that, as in ch. Joh 20:18, -, , (sc. ) . For the force of the verb, they remembered, falls more properly on that they had done, than upon that these things were written.-, had done) namely, both the disciples themselves, and the people: Joh 12:12.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 12:16
Joh 12:16
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.-His disciples did not at this time understand that these things had been foretold of the Messiah by the prophets, but after he ascended to his Father, they remembered these things had been written concerning Christ and that they had been done as foretold.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
understood: Luk 9:45, Luk 18:34, Luk 24:25, Luk 24:45
when: Joh 12:23, Joh 7:39, Joh 13:31, Joh 13:32, Joh 17:5, Mar 16:19, Act 2:33, Act 2:36, Act 3:13, Heb 8:1, Heb 12:2
then: Joh 2:22, Joh 14:26, Joh 16:4, Luk 24:6-8
Reciprocal: Dan 12:8 – but Mat 21:10 – all Mar 9:10 – what Luk 19:34 – General Luk 24:8 – General Joh 13:7 – What Joh 16:17 – said
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6
The word glorify has several shades of meaning, and the one to apply in any given place must be determined by the context. In verse 23 it is stated that the hour is come (is at hand or very near), when the Son of man was to be glorified. This denotes that as yet He had not been glorified in the sense the word is used in this passage. Furthermore, Joh 7:39 says the reason the Holy Ghost was .not yet given, was because Jesus was not yet glorified, and Joh 16:7-13 shows that the Holy Ghost was not to be given until Jesus had gone to his Father. All of these truths give us the meaning of glorified in this verse to be the eternal form of Jesus in Heaven; the form referred to in 1Jn 3:2. After that great circumstance of the glorification of Jesus, the disciples recalled the many things He had said to them, and the meaning of them became clear to their understanding.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 12:16. These things understood not his disciples at the first. What was it that the disciples did not understand at the time? The true application of the prophecy of Zechariah now pointed out? Certainly not. It was the events themselves now occurring that were dark to them. They were not seen in their true light as a magnifying, as a prefigurative glorifying, of a suffering Messiah,were not seen to contain within them the great mystery of exaltation through and in the midst of suffering. For similar want of appreciation by the disciples of what was passing before them, comp. chap. Joh 2:22, and note there.
But when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they did these things unto him. The ignorance of the disciples was corrected by experience. What they did not understand now, they understood when the resurrection and ascension had taken place. The light of that glorification shed light alike upon the sufferings and the partial glorifications of Jesus that had gone before.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Ver. 16. Now the disciples did not understand these things at the moment; but when Jesus had been glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him and that they had done these things to him.
It was only afterwards, when after the ascension, and when enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they retraced the earthly life of their Master, that they discerned the meaning of this event and recognized in it the fulfillment of a prophecy. In the light of the heavenly elevation of Jesus, they understood this fact which had prefigured it (these things). There is, therefore, no reason to turn aside from the natural sense of , was glorified, and to refer this term, as Reuss does, to the death of Jesus, as the transition to His exaltation. What a charlatan the pseudo-John of Baur, who, by means of this want of understanding invented by him, would give himself the appearance of having himself been one of these disciples whom the ascension had enlightened! We are surprised at the expression that they had done these things to him; for, in the scene related by John, the apostles had done nothing to Jesus. So many take in the sense in which it is found in Joh 12:2 : They (indefinite) had done to him, and assign as subject to this verb the multitude (Joh 12:12-13).
But the subject of they had done cannot be different from that of they understood and they remembered. John wished to set forth precisely the fact that the disciples understood afterwards what they had done themselves in the fulfillment of a prophecy of which no one of them dreamed. The co- operation of the disciples, indicated by John, is described in detail in Luk 19:29-36 and the paral lels. We find here a new proof of the abridged character of his narrative and his thoroughly conscious relation to the narrative of the Synoptics. We see from the words: they had done these things to him, how arbitrary is the idea of Keim, according to which John’s narrative tends to make the disciples and Jesus passive in this scene, and this because the author wished to give utterance to his repugnance to the idea of the Jewish Messiah!
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
Verse 16
Understood not; that is, did not perceive them to be in fulfilment of prophecy.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Jesus’ disciples did not realize all the implications of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem at this time. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension they did (cf. Joh 2:17; Joh 2:22). Obviously they and the crowd realized that Jesus was the Messiah, as they conceived of the Messiah. However they did not understand the nature of His messiahship, the necessity of His death, or the plan for His kingdom then. For example, they may have not understand the significance of His riding a donkey’s colt rather than a war-horse. John’s statement here helps the reader understand the difference between the disciples’ understanding and comments before the Cross and their conduct and teaching after that event.
"The Passion and the Resurrection were keys in unlocking the mystery of Jesus’ person." [Note: Tenney, "John," p. 127.]