Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 7:39

"But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet [given]; because Jesus was not yet glorified." — John 7:39 (ASV)

John’s statement shows that the passion of Christ was the important aspect of Jesus’ revelation about the Holy Spirit, for it divided the era of law from that of the Spirit (1:17). The prophecy of Ezekiel (36:26–27) concurs with this.

This is the first use of “glorified” (GK 1519) in John, a distinctly Johannine verb, occurring twenty-three times. Often it refers to establishing status or enhancing a reputation (8:54; 12:28; 13:32; 14:13; 15:8; 16:14; 17:1, 4, 5, 10; 21:19). In this particular context it refers to Jesus’ death, which, despite all appearances, would be the entrance to glory for him (7:39; 11:4; 12:16, 23; 13:31; cf. Php 2:8–9).