John 12:39

John 12:39 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
• New International Version (NIV)For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

Context of John 12:39

37Although Jesus had performed so many miraculous signs before them, they still refused to believe in him, 38so that the word of Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled. He said, “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said, 40“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and turn to me, and I would heal them.” 41Isaiah said these things because he saw Christ’s glory, and spoke about him.

John 12:39 word by word

διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἠδύναντο πιστεύειν, ὅτι πάλιν εἶπεν Ἠσαΐας·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thereforeδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• they couldδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• notοὐou · noG3756
• believeπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• thatοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• EsaiasἩσαΐαςHēsaias · IsaiahG2268
• saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• againπάλινpalin · againG3825

Cross-references for John 12:39

• John 5:44How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?
• John 6:44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
• John 10:38But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”
• Isaiah 44:18They do not comprehend or understand, for their eyes are blind and cannot see; their minds do not discern.
• 2 Peter 2:14Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children!
• Isaiah 6:9He said, “Go and tell these people: ‘Listen continually, but don’t understand! Look continually, but don’t perceive!’

Commentaries on John 12:39

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 39Therefore 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 39They 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 37-43Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 39-40they were unable to believe: John quotes Isaiah 6:10 to explain Israel's lack of belief (see Matthew 13:13–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Acts 28:26–27). When God's revelation comes, we must believe. If we refuse, the light disappears (John 12:35–36). When God’s light departs, the darkness closes over unbelieving hearts. This means that continued rejection leads to deeper spiritual blindness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 37-4137-41. It is the manner of this Evangelist alone to record his own reflections on the scenes he describes; but here, having arrived at what was virtually the close of our Lord's public ministry, he casts an affecting glance over the fruitlessness of His whole ministry on the bulk of the now doomed people. though he had done so many miracles--The word used suggests their nature as well as number.Read the comment

Topics related to John 12:39

• Blindness
• Jesus, the Christ
• Unbelief

In the dictionaries

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Commentaries on John 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings