John 12:39-40 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:37-43

6. The reflections of the evangelist . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:39-40

In these verses, however, a deeper difficulty still is involved. The διὰ τοῦτο ... ὅτι leave us no option (see John 7:21 , John 7:22 ) but to translate: For from this reason they were unable to believe (see other illustrations of the usage, John 5:18 ; John 8:47 ; John 10:17 ). There was a moral impossibility inherited by them through ages of rebellion and insensibility to Divine grace, and through their misuse of Divine revelation. The issue of it was, "'they could not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:40

There are several illustrations in this verse that the diction of the evangelist differs from that which he uses when recording the words of Christ. Thus ὅμως μέντοι is peculiar to John himself, and thus is an ἅπαξ λεγόμενον ; but μέντοι occurs five times in the style of John himself (see John 4:27 ; John 7:13 ; John 12:42 ; John 20:5 ; John 21:4 ), not once by our Lord. ὁμολογεῖν again is used four times by the evangelist, and seven times in the Epistles and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:39

They could not believe - See Mark 6:5; “He could there do no mighty works,” etc. The works can and could are often used in the Bible to denote the existence of such obstacles as to make a result certain, or as affirming that while one thing exists another thing cannot follow. Thus, John 5:44; “How can ye believe which receive honor one of another.” That is, while this propensity to seek for honor exists, it will effectually prevent your believing. Thus Genesis 37:4 it is said of the brethren of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:40

He hath blinded their eyes - The expression in Isaiah is, “Go, make the heart of this people fat, and shut their eyes.” That is, go and proclaim truth to them truth that will result in blinding their eyes. Go and proclaim the law and the will of God, and the effect will be, owing to the hardness of their heart, that their eyes will be blinded and their hearts hardened. As God knew that this would be the result - as it was to be the effect of the message, his commanding Isaiah to go and proclaim... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 12:37-41

John 12:37-41. Though he had done so many miracles before them So that they could not but see them; yet they believed not on him That is, in general they did not; being hardened in their infidelity. That the saying of Esaias might Or rather, So that the saying of Esaias was, fulfilled, as Dr. Doddridge renders the clause, observing, “It is apparent that the accomplishment of this prophecy could not be the end they proposed to themselves in their unbelief; and consequently that the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 12:27-50

137. Final message to the Jews (John 12:27-50)Jesus trembled as he thought of the suffering that awaited him, but he was determined to finish the work he had come to do. He prayed that through his death he would glorify his Father, and his Father responded in a voice from heaven that the prayer would be answered (John 12:27-29). As the startled onlookers were wondering what they had heard, Jesus told them that the time for Satan’s defeat was approaching. Through Jesus’ crucifixion, people of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 12:39

Therefore = On account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .) this: i.e. the unbelief of John 12:37 . could not = were not able to. believe . App-160 . Judicial blindness follows persistent unbelief. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 12:40

He hath blinded , &c. Quoted from Isaiah 6:9 , Isaiah 6:10 . See notes there. This was the second occasion of this prophecy being quoted, the first being in Matthew 18:14 (compare Mark 4:12 .Luke 8:10; Luke 8:10 ), when the Lord explained why He spoke to the people in parables; the other two being Acts 28:26 , Acts 28:27 and Romans 11:8 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 12:39

For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah had said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them.They could not believe ... This accounts for the sad remark of Jesus (John 12:35). It was already too late. The people had closed their eyes, stopped their ears, and hardened their hearts. They had shut their eyes to every sign, greeted every spiritual message... read more