Charles Ellicott Commentary 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." — John 12:16 (ASV)

These things understood not his disciples at the first . . .—Compare Notes on John 2:22; John 20:9. It is a touch peculiar to St. John, and exactly in his manner. He remembers the difference between 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 memory their words, and the words of Him of whom they told.

When Jesus was glorified.—Compare Note on John 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.