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
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