Devine Scripture

John 12:39

What does John 12:39 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:39 means

John intensifies the analysis: for this reason they could not believe, because Isaiah also said that God blinded their eyes and hardened their heart. This is sobering. Persistent rejection leads to divine judgment in which resistance becomes settled incapacity. Human responsibility and divine sovereignty meet: people refuse the light, and God gives them over. The statement is not meant to erase culpability but to explain the depth of the tragedy and to show that Scripture anticipated it. It warns that unbelief is not a neutral stance; continued refusal has hardening effects that only grace can undo.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason they were unable to have belief, because Isaiah said again,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaias said again:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

On this account they could not believe, because Esaias said again,

Context

Having cited Isaiah’s lament, John moves to Isaiah’s commission language that speaks of blinding and hardening. The next verse will quote the exact phrasing about eyes, hearts, and the lack of turning and healing. Then John will add that Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory, directly linking the prophetic vision of the Lord to the person of Christ in this narrative.

v.38that the word of Isaiah 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.39This passage

v.40He 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 44:18

    They know not, neither do they consider: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

  • Isaiah 6:9

    And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

  • John 6:44

    No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.

  • 2 Peter 2:14

    having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing;

  • John 5:44

    How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?

  • John 10:38

    But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

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