“Glorified” Meaning

Did the disciples know why Jesus rode in on a baby donkey?
At the time, no: "His disciples did not understand these things at first" (John 12:16).

When did they understand?
After "Jesus was glorified" (John 12:16).

What is the precise meaning of "Jesus was glorified"?
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus said to God the Father, "... I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was" (John 17:4-5). Therefore, Jesus being glorified includes His sacrificial death on the cross to pay the death penalty due for our sins, His resurrection from the dead to prove His deity, His ascension to heaven, and being "crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:9) again on His throne "at the right hand of" (Hebrews 12:2) God the Father.

Did Jesus being glorified automatically make the disciples understand?
No, after Jesus was glorified as above, He sent His Holy Spirit to them - "... He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:39, see Rivers of Living Water) - as He had promised to them ("Helper" refers to the Holy Spirit): "If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you" (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit came on the Pentecost (see Acts 2) and enabled them to understand, as they had been told - "... when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13, see Spirit of Truth) - and link what Jesus and the crowd had done five days before the Passover to the things that "were written about Him" (John 12:16) in Zechariah 9:9-10 (see Hosanna).

What should the apostles have remembered and what should Christian leaders remember today about how Jesus positioned Himself when He was welcomed by an adoring crowd?
Everything Jesus did, from the way He was born to how He died to how He entered Jerusalem, was "lowly" (Zechariah 9:9) - with humility.

Why?
Perhaps to ensure that what is preached about Him later will be based purely on the content of what He did and said, not 'showmanship,' and this should be food for thought for many pulpits today.

Did "the people who were with Jesus when He called Lazarus out of his tomb" (John 12:17) witness about Jesus only once?
No, they "continued to bear witness" (John 12:17).

Until when?
If the Pharisees' assessment is correct, until pretty much the whole city had heard about Jesus.

Were the people bearing witness about Jesus born-again Christians?
If so, they wouldn't have called for His death just five days later.

If non-Christians continued to bear witness about what Jesus did for someone else, what should Christians do about what He did for them?

Do you?