John 12:39-40 NLT,NIV,ESV

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37-43

37-43 Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to have some knowledge of them. To be converted, and truly turned from sin to Christ, as their Happiness and Portion. God will heal them, will justify and sanctify them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the world in smothering convictions, from regard to the applause or censure of... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - John 12:1-99

John 12 FOR THE THIRD time in this Gospel a Passover feast is mentioned. In Leviticus 23.0 , it is spoken of as one of the “feasts of the Lord,” but in John’s Gospel it is always a feast of the Jews, in keeping with the fact that Jesus is regarded as refused by His people from the outset, and consequently they and their feasts are disowned by God. The religious leaders were now about to crown their infamy by using the Passover as an occasion for encompassing the death of the Son of God. Their... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - John 12:37-41

The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: v. 37. But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him, v. 38. that the saying of Esaias the Prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? v. 39. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, v. 40. He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - John 12:37-50

V bANTITHESIS BETWEEN SELF-HARDENING ISRAEL AND THE WORLD, THAT BOTH STANDS IN NEED OF SALVATION AND IS READY TO RECEIVE IT,—OR THE WITHDRAWAL OF CHRIST AND THE EVANGELIST’S REVIEW OF HIS OFFICIAL LABORS(John 12:37-50.)37But though he had done so many miracles [had wrought so many, or, so great signs]45 before them, yet they believed not on [in] him: 38That the saying of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, ‘Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - John 12:30-41

Belief May Become Impossible John 12:30-41 The question of the Greeks led our Lord’s thoughts to His death. He saw, too, the baptism of suffering through which His followers must pass. From all this that troubled Him, He fled to the Father, asking only that all should converge to His glory. That request was immediately answered in the affirmative. Thus He was led to give this amazing interpretation of the events which were taking place, as viewed from the standpoint of heaven. The age, not... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - John 12:1-50

The shadows of the Passion were now falling across the path of the Christ. In what happened at the supper we have a vivid contrast. Mary and Judas arrest our attention. She, discovering the sorrows of His heart, pressed closely to Him, and sacramentally expressed her love. Judas, blinded in self-interest, criticized her action, and so revealed himself as utterly opposed to the very spirit of the Lord Himself. From Bethany Jesus passed to Jerusalem, where a stupendous outburst of welcome... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:39-41

‘Therefore they could not believe, for Isaiah again said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and turn for me to heal them”. Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke of him.’ When does God blind men’s eyes and harden men’s hearts? It is when they have first closed their own eyes and deliberately hardened their own hearts. Compare the example of Pharaoh in Exodus. He first hardened his own heart, and... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37-43

John 12:37-: . Failure in Judæ a.— The many signs have failed to convince. The author explains this by the prediction in Isaiah 53:1, the “ arm of the Lord” being interpreted of Messiah. And the ultimate cause is also dealt with in Isaiah 6:9 ff. The rule of God’ s working is that there comes a time when those who will not obey lose the power of doing so. The situation is similar to that foretold in the story of Isaiah’ s call. It was the Word of God, now incarnate in Jesus Christ, that... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - John 12:39

Some will have, they could not believe, to be the same with, they did not; as, Mark 6:5, it is said Christ could not do mighty works at Nazareth; or the same with, they would not, as Genesis 19:22; but this seemeth a hard interpretation of ουκ ηδυναντο. It is most certain, that in all there is a natural impotency and disability to believe; but this text seemeth to speak of a further degree of impossibility than that, occasioned through their wilful obstinacy, and God’s judicial hardening of... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - John 12:40

We have this text (than which there is not one more terrible in the whole book of God) no less than six times quoted in the New Testament, and in all places quoted and given as a reason for the Jews unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 13:14,Matthew 13:15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:26,Acts 28:27; Romans 11:8. It is not quoted alike in all places, but for substance the same. The original from whence these quotations are, is Isaiah 6:9,Isaiah 6:10. By comparing the texts we shall find... read more

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37-43

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - John 12:1-99

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - John 12:37-41

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - John 12:37-50

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - John 12:30-41

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - John 12:1-50

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:39-41

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37-43

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - John 12:39

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - John 12:40

Group of Brands