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John 12:19

ESV So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
NIV So the Pharisees said to one another, 'See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!'
NASB So the Pharisees said to one another, 'You see that you are not accomplishing anything; look, the world has gone after Him!'
CSB Then the Pharisees said to one another, "You see? You've accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him! "
NLT Then the Pharisees said to each other, 'There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!'
KJV The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

What does John 12:19 mean?

Opposition to Jesus from local religious leaders was mostly spiritual, or social. Jesus was contradicting their traditions (Matthew 15:1–2) and making them look foolish in front of the people they intended to lead (Mark 12:34). In looking for a way to be rid of Jesus, those same leaders noted that the people were referring to Him as the Messiah (John 7:31). That inspired fear that the Roman Empire, in control of Judea, would see that as a rebellion and respond with deadly force. So, out of both fear and hatred, they held up Jesus' political threat as justification to have Him killed (John 11:53).

One can only imagine the horror the religious leaders felt to see Jesus entering Jerusalem while crowds shout hosanna—a kingly blessing—and wave palm branches (John 12:12–13). Not only did it mean that more and more people were approving of His teachings, it was exactly the kind of display they feared would anger their Roman overlords.
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