Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Understood not (ouk egnwsan). Second aorist active indicative of ginwskw. 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 (to prwton). Adverbial accusative, as in John 10:40; John 19:39.
Was glorified (edocasqh). First aorist passive indicative of docazw, to glorify, used of his death already in John 7:39 and by Jesus himself of his death, resurrection, and ascension in John 12:23; John 13:31.
Then remembered they (tote emnhsqhsan). First aorist passive indicative of mimnhskw. It was easier to understand then and they had the Holy Spirit to help them (John 16:13-15).
Were written of him (hn ep autw gegrammena). Periphrastic past perfect passive of grafw with neuter plural participle agreeing with tauta (these things) and singular verb, though the plural hsan could have been used. Note the threefold repetition of tauta in this verse, "clumsy" Bernard calls it, but making for clarity. The use of ep autw for "of him" rather than peri autou is unusual, but occurs in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 22:16.
They had done (epoihsan). First aorist active indicative of poiew, simply, "they did."
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 12:16:
John 7:39
John 10:40
John 11:4
John 12:2
John 12:23
John 12:28
John 13:31
Acts 11:16
Hebrews 9:10
Revelation 10:11
Revelation 22:16
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