John 12:36-40 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37

Yet they believed not on him - Though the miracles were wrought for this very purpose, that they might believe in Christ, and escape the coming wrath, and every evidence given that Jesus was the Messiah, yet they did not believe; but they were blinded by their passions, and obstinately hardened their hearts against the truth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:38

That the saying of Esaias - Or, Thus the word of Isaiah was fulfilled. So I think ἱνα (commonly rendered that) should be translated. For it certainly does not mean the end the Pharisees had in view by not believing; nor the end which the prophet had in view in predicting the incredulity of the Jews; but simply, such a thing was spoken by the prophet, concerning the Jews of his own time, and it had its literal fulfillment in those of our Lord's time. Our report - The testimony of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:39

Therefore they could not believe - Why? Because they did not believe the report of the prophets concerning Christ; therefore they credited not the miracles which he wrought as a proof that he was the person foretold by the prophets, and promised to their fathers. Having thus resisted the report of the prophets, and the evidence of Christ's own miracles, God gave them up to the darkness and hardness of their own hearts, so that they continued to reject every overture of Divine mercy; and God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:40

And I should heal them - This verse is taken from Isaiah 6:9 , and, perhaps, refers more to the judgments that should fall upon them as a nation, which God was determined should not be averted, than it does to their eternal state. To suppose that the text meant that God was unwilling that they should turn unto him, lest he should be obliged to save them, is an insupportable blasphemy. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:36

Verse 36 36.Believe in the light. He exhorts them to retain by faith the possession of the light, for he gives the appellation,children of light, to those who, like true heirs, enjoy it to the end. These things spoke Jesus. We might have wondered why he withdrew himself from them, when they were so eager to receive him; but from the other Evangelists it may easily be inferred that what is here said relates to adversaries, who burned with envy on account of the godly zeal of good and sincere... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37

Verse 37 37.And though he had done so many signs. That no man may be disturbed or perplexed at seeing that Christ was despised by the Jews, the Evangelist removes this offense, by showing that he was supported by clear and undoubted testimonies, which proved that credit was due to him and to his doctrine; but that the blind did not behold the glory and power of God, which were openly displayed in his miracles. First, therefore, we ought to believe that it was not owing to Christ that the Jews... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:38

Verse 38 38.That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. John does not mean that the prediction laid a necessity on the Jews; for Isaiah (Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:16) uttered nothing but what the Lord revealed to him from the secret treasures of his purpose. Indeed, it must have happened, though the prophet had not spoken of it; but as men would not have known what should take place, if God had not testified by the mouth of the prophet, the Evangelist places before our eyes in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:39

Verse 39 39.Therefore they could not believe. This is somewhat more harsh; because, if the words be taken in their natural meaning, the way was shut up against the Jews, and the power of believing was taken from them, because the prediction of the prophet adjudged them to blindness, before they determined what choice they should make. I reply, there is no absurdity in this, if nothing could happen different from what God had foreseen. But it ought to be observed, that the mere foreknowledge of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:40

Verse 40 40.He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart. The passage is taken from Isaiah 6:9, where the Lord forewarns the prophet, that the labor which he spends in instructing will lead to no other result than to make the people worse. First then he says, Go, and tell this people, Hearing, hear and do not hear; as if he had said, “I send thee to speak to the deaf.” He afterwards adds, Harden the heart of this people, &c;. By these words he means, that he intends to make his word... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:1-50

III. CONSUMMATION OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY . read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:40

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:36

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:37

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:38

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:39

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:40

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:1-50

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