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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 12:39 For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/12-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_12_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 12:39 - Belief and Unbelief" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/12-39.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/12-39.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 39</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/12-38.htm" title="John 12:38">◄</a> John 12:39 <a href="/john/12-40.htm" title="John 12:40">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Because of this, they were not able to believe, for again Isaiah said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The people could not have faith in Jesus, because Isaiah had also said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So the people couldn't believe because, as Isaiah also said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And so they were not able to believe, because Isaiah also said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />This is why they could not believe: Isaiah also said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For this cause they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason they were unable to believe--because Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Because of this, they were not able to believe, for again Isaiah said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe, for Esaias said again,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Therefore they could not believe, because Isaias said again: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Because of this, they were not able to believe, for Isaiah said again:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For this reason, they could not believe, because Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Therefore they were not able to believe, because again Isaiah had said:<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Wherefore were they not able to believe, because Isaiah again said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason they could not believe, because Isaiah had said again;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />therefore they could not believe, according to what Esaias said in another place, "he hath blinded their eyes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For this reason they were unable to believe--because Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />On this account they could not believe, because Isaiah said again,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><i>And</i> therefore they could not believe; for Esaias <i>had</i> also said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/12-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=4672" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Belief and Unbelief</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">38</span>This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” <span class="reftext">39</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: Dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">For this reason</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: ēdynanto (V-IIM/P-3P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">they were unable</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: pisteuein (V-PNA) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">to believe.</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3825.htm" title="3825: palin (Adv) -- Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.">again,</a> <a href="/greek/2268.htm" title="2268: Ēsaias (N-NMS) -- Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.">Isaiah</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">says:</a> </span> <span class="reftext">40</span>“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a></span><br />In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-25.htm">Acts 28:25-27</a></span><br />They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: / ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Mark 4:12</a></span><br />so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a></span><br />He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14-15</a></span><br />But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-18.htm">Romans 9:18</a></span><br />Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-8</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-4.htm">Deuteronomy 29:4</a></span><br />Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></span><br />For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,</p><p class="hdg">they.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/5-44.htm">John 5:44</a></b></br> How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that <i>cometh</i> from God only?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/6-44.htm">John 6:44</a></b></br> No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/10-38.htm">John 10:38</a></b></br> But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father <i>is</i> in me, and I in him.</p><p class="hdg">because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9,10</a></b></br> And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-37.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/12-30.htm">Account</a> <a href="/john/12-38.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/john/12-37.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/john/12-27.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/john/11-37.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/mark/1-38.htm">Elsewhere</a> <a href="/john/12-38.htm">Esaias</a> <a href="/john/12-38.htm">Isaiah</a> <a href="/john/12-27.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/12-19.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/13-33.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/12-42.htm">Account</a> <a href="/john/12-42.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/john/12-42.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/john/14-8.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/acts/21-34.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/acts/13-35.htm">Elsewhere</a> <a href="/john/12-41.htm">Esaias</a> <a href="/john/12-41.htm">Isaiah</a> <a href="/john/13-11.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/john/16-12.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">John 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-9.htm">The people flock to see Lazarus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-10.htm">The chief priests consult to kill him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-12.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-20.htm">Greeks desire to see Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-23.htm">He foretells his death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">The people are generally blinded;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-42.htm">yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-44.htm">therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For this reason they were unable to believe.</b><br>This phrase highlights the concept of spiritual blindness and hardening of hearts, a theme prevalent in the Gospel of John. The inability to believe is not due to a lack of evidence or opportunity but is a fulfillment of divine prophecy and judgment. This echoes the hardening of Pharaoh's heart in Exodus, where God allows individuals to persist in their unbelief as a form of judgment. Theologically, this raises questions about free will and divine sovereignty, suggesting that persistent rejection of God can lead to a state where belief becomes impossible. This is consistent with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of responding to God's revelation while it is available.<p><b>For again, Isaiah says:</b><br>This phrase introduces a quotation from the prophet Isaiah, specifically <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Isaiah 6:10</a>, which is frequently referenced in the New Testament to explain the unbelief of the Jewish people. Isaiah's ministry occurred during a time of national apostasy in Israel, and his message was one of judgment and hope. The use of Isaiah here underscores the continuity of God's plan throughout the Old and New Testaments. It also highlights the prophetic nature of Isaiah's writings, which not only addressed his contemporary audience but also pointed forward to the time of Christ. This connection between Isaiah and the Gospel of John emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' ministry and the persistent unbelief of many despite the clear signs and teachings He provided.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>Central figure in the Gospel of John, whose teachings and miracles are being recounted. In this chapter, He is addressing the unbelief of the people despite His signs.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>An Old Testament prophet whose writings are quoted by John to explain the unbelief of the people. Isaiah's prophecies often pointed to the coming Messiah and the spiritual blindness of the people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_people.htm">The Jewish People</a></b><br>The primary audience of Jesus' ministry and the ones who are struggling with unbelief despite witnessing His miracles.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events are taking place, significant as the center of Jewish religious life and prophecy fulfillment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a></b><br>Religious leaders who are often in opposition to Jesus and are part of the group that struggles with belief.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_blindness.htm">Understanding Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>Recognize that spiritual blindness is a condition that can prevent people from seeing the truth of the Gospel. It is both a result of personal choice and divine judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophecy.htm">The Role of Prophecy</a></b><br>Appreciate the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament, which underscores the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>Acknowledge God's sovereignty in salvation, understanding that belief is a gift from God and that He can harden hearts as part of His divine plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_unbelief.htm">Responding to Unbelief</a></b><br>As believers, we should respond to the unbelief around us with prayer, patience, and persistent sharing of the Gospel, trusting God to open hearts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Regularly examine our own hearts for areas of unbelief or hardness, asking God to soften our hearts and increase our faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_children_to_die.htm">Why does God allow children to die?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'children_of_wrath'.htm">What is the significance of Jesus' scars in heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_satan_an_individual_being.htm">Is Satan an individual being?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_one_be_saved_after_the_beast's_mark.htm">Is salvation possible after taking the Mark of the Beast?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) <span class= "bld">Therefore they could not believe, because.</span>--The words refer to those which have gone before, not to those which follow, and then by an addition give the reason more fully. "It was on account of the divine will expressed in Isaiah's prophecy." "It was therefore, namely, because Isaiah said again."<p>The words, "they could not believe," must be taken in their plain meaning as expressing impossibility. The Apostle is looking back upon the national rejection of Christ, and seeks a reason for it. He remembers how our Lord Himself had explained His method of teaching by parables, and has based it upon this prophecy of Isaiah (<a href="/matthew/13-14.htm" title="And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:">Matthew 13:14</a>). The principle was that which has been repeated in His last public words (<a href="/context/john/12-35.htm" title="Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.">John 12:35-36</a>); that power used is increased, and power neglected destroys itself. Here, then, in these prophetic words was the reason they could not believe. Wilful rejection had been followed by rejection which was no longer within the power of the will. With this statement of St. John's should be compared our Lord's words on the same subject in <a href="/john/5-40.htm" title="And you will not come to me, that you might have life.">John 5:40</a>; <a href="/john/6-37.htm" title="All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.">John 6:37</a>, Notes, and St. Paul's arguments in Romans 9-11.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 39, 40.</span> - In these verses, however, a deeper difficulty still is involved. The <span class="greek">διὰ</span> <span class="greek">τοῦτο</span>... <span class="greek">ὅτι</span> leave us no option (see <a href="/john/7-21.htm">John 7:21, 22</a>) but to translate: <span class="cmt_word">For from this reason they were unable to believe</span> (see other illustrations of the usage, <a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a>; <a href="/john/8-47.htm">John 8:47</a>; <a href="/john/10-17.htm">John 10:17</a>). There was a moral impossibility inherited by them through ages of rebellion and insensibility to Divine grace, and through their misuse of Divine revelation. The issue of it was, "'they could not believe." <span class="cmt_word">Because Isaiah said again</span>; <span class="accented">i.e. in another place</span>; illustrative of this great Messianic oracle and the reception it would meet with from the nation as a whole. In the passage which follows we have a translation which does not directly correspond with either the Hebrew or the LXX. of <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9, 10</a>. The prophet is bidden by the Lord to punish the people for their obduracy by blinding their eyes and hardening their heart, and even arresting the conversion and healing of the covenant people. This same solemn passage is quoted in four other places in the New Testament. Perhaps <a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a> is hardly to be regarded as a citation; a small portion only of the passage is introduced from the prophet without reference to him, and this is inverted in order. In <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14, 15</a> there is the nearer approach to the LXX., which, however, transforms the <span class="hebrew">שִׁמְעוּ שָׁמוםע</span>, "to hear, hear ye," into <span class="greek">ἀκοῇ</span> <span class="greek">ἀκούσετε</span>, "by hearing ye shall hear;" and similarly with the other clauses, - the imperative of God's command to the prophet being resolved into the future of most certain accomplishment, and in place of "Lest they understand with their heart, and convert, and he [God] heal them," LXX. reads, "Lest... should convert, and I [who give you the command to deliver such a message, notwithstanding its results upon them] heal them." This St. Matthew has followed. <a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Mark 4:12</a> has given a different representation again, and, while omitting a considerable portion of the passage, passes to the climax, which is put thus: "Lest they should be converted, and their sin should be forgiven them," showing that the evangelist, looking to the Hebrew rather than to the LXX., has resolved its meaning into a clearly related paraphrase. In <a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26, 27</a> the passage almost verbally follows the LXX. Here in the remarks of St. John the whole passage seems independent of the LXX., and to have resolved the Hebrew "imperative," addressed to the prophet, into an awful assurance of Divine agency in the matter. Instead of "shut their eyes," Hebrew imperative, or LXX. "their eyes they closed," <span class="greek">ἐκάμμυσαν</span>, LXX., he says, <span class="greek">τετύφλωκεν</span>, <span class="cmt_word">He hath blinded their eyes</span>; and so with the other terms: <span class="cmt_word">He hardened</span> <span class="cmt_word">their heart; in order that they should not</span> (lest they should) <span class="cmt_word">see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and should turn, and I should heal them.</span> In <span class="greek">ἰάσωμαι</span> the evangelist, returning to the first person, draws a distinction between the retributive activity of the pre-existent Christ of the earlier revelation and the historical Savior. There is no slip or negligence. Godet and Hengstenberg go a long way in making God the Author of the sin and rejection, and the cause of the impossibility of their repentance and healing. That which in all the several quotations of this passage we learn from Isaiah's oracle is that the unforced and willful rejection of the Divine Word is visited by condign withdrawment of the faculty to receive even more accessible and apprehensible truth. This is the great law of Divine operation in the nature of all moral beings. This law is described as a distinctly foreseen event, and by LXX. as an apprehensible and even conspicuous fact, and it is quoted by St. John as the direct consequence of the Divine activity. He does not mean to say that, because Isaiah foretold this as a Divine reprobation, they, whether they would or not as individuals, were fated to die the death of blindness, but they could not believe, because, on the principle involved in Isaiah's predictions, the Divine government had fulfilled itself, had acted upon its universal law, and in consequence of vows and acts of willful disobedience, they had thus fallen into the curse that belongs to a neglect of the Divine. "They could not believe." Thus even now disinclination to God and to righteousness leads to moral incapacity. Sin is punished by its natural consequences: unbelief is punished by unsusceptibility to clearest evidence; prejudice by blindness; rejection of Divine love by inability to see it at its best. How is this natural evolution brought about? Surely by laws of God. What are these laws but God's ways of acting with all moral agents whatever? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/12-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For this reason</span><br /><span class="grk">Διὰ</span> <span class="translit">(Dia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they were unable</span><br /><span class="grk">ἠδύναντο</span> <span class="translit">(ēdynanto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to believe.</span><br /><span class="grk">πιστεύειν</span> <span class="translit">(pisteuein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">again,</span><br /><span class="grk">πάλιν</span> <span class="translit">(palin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3825.htm">Strong's 3825: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Isaiah</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἠσαΐας</span> <span class="translit">(Ēsaias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2268.htm">Strong's 2268: </a> </span><span class="str2">Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says:</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπεν</span> <span class="translit">(eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/12-39.htm">NT Gospels: John 12:39 For this cause they couldn't believe (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/12-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 12:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 12:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/12-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 12:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 12:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>