Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:19

"The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Behold how ye prevail nothing: lo, the world is gone after him." — John 12:19 (ASV)

Do you perceive how you prevail nothing?—The words may also be read, “Look how you profit nothing” (imperative); or, You perceive how you profit nothing (indicative). On the whole, this last is to be preferred. They blame each other for the failure of all their plans , and prepare themselves to accept the counsel of Caiaphas.

Behold, the world is gone after him.—They use terms that express the bitterness of their despair. They who had asked in scorn, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?” and who called “cursed” “this people who does not know the law” who followed Him (John 7:48–49), have heard Jews of Jerusalem express their belief in Him; and now, they see Him whom they are seeking to kill, borne as the Messiah at the head of a throng of pilgrims.

The words rendered “gone after him” imply that they had gone away from themselves, and rejected their authority; and had then gone after Him. (Compare to the note on John 12:11.)