John 12:19

Prevail. Gr. opheleo, used here in the sense, “to accomplish” (cf. ch. 6:63).

The world. Textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the reading “the whole world.” Either expression simply means “everybody.” The language is hyperbolic. It comes from men baffled and angry. Instead of finding the people willing to lay hands on Jesus and to deliver Him into their power, they find the multitudes surrounding Him with joyful acclamations and saluting Him as their king. Under the circumstances, any attempt to arrest Jesus would have raised a tumult. The leaders appealed to Jesus to quiet the multitudes, but without success (Luke 19:39, 40). All they could do was watch the procession and see their hated enemy enter Jerusalem in royal triumph. They probably felt somewhat like Haman leading Mordecai about on a royal horse (Esther 6:11). Not knowing what His purpose actually was, they no doubt imagined Jesus about to proclaim Himself king, abolish their power, and lead a revolt against Rome.