At this time Christ's work bore the appearance of cruel defeat. He had been victor in the controversy with the priests and Pharisees, but it was evident that He would never be received by them as the Messiah. The final separation had come. To His disciples the case seemed hopeless. But Christ was approaching the consummation of His work. The great event which concerned not only the Jewish nation, but the whole world, was about to take place. When Christ heard the eager request, "We would see Jesus," echoing the hungering cry of the world, His countenance lighted up, and He said, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." In the request of the Greeks He saw an earnest of the results of His great sacrifice.

På dette tidspunkt så det ud til, at Kristi gerning havde lidt et grusomt nederlag. Han var gået sejrrig ud af striden med præsterne og farisæerne, men det var øjensynligt, at han aldrig af dem ville blive anerkendt som Messias. Den endelige adskillelse var nu kommet. For hans disciple syntes det hele at se håbløst ud. Men Kristus nærmede sig fuldendelsen af sit værk. Den store begivenhed, som ikke alene angik det jødiske folk, men hele verden, skulle til at finde sted. Da Kristus hørte den ivrige anmodning: "Vi vil gerne se Jesus!" som et ekko af råbet fra en hungrende verden, blev hans udtryk gladere og han sagde: "Timen er kommet, da Menneskesønnen skal herliggøres." I grækernes henvendelse skimtede han høsten af følgerne af sit store offer.