John 12:39
John 12:39 in Multiple Translations
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,
For this reason they were unable to have belief, because Isaiah said again,
They were not able to trust him, and as a result they fulfilled what Isaiah also said:
Therefore could they not beleeue, because that Esaias saith againe,
Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said,
For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again:
Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,
Therefore they could not believe, because Isaias said again:
That was the reason why they were unable to believe. It was like Isaiah wrote somewhere else that God said:
And Isaiah told us why only a few people believed God’s message.
Berean Amplified Bible — John 12:39
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John 12:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — John 12:39
Study Notes — John 12:39
- Context
- Cross References
- John 12:39 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on John 12:39
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 12:39
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 12:39
- Trapp's Commentary on John 12:39
- Ellicott's Commentary on John 12:39
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 12:39
- Cambridge Bible on John 12:39
- Barnes' Notes on John 12:39
- Whedon's Commentary on John 12:39
- Sermons on John 12:39
Context — Belief and Unbelief
39For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:
40“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.” 41Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 10:38 | But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.” |
| 2 | John 5:44 | How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? |
| 3 | 2 Peter 2:14 | Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed. |
| 4 | Isaiah 6:9–10 | 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. ” |
| 5 | John 6:44 | “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. |
| 6 | Isaiah 44:18–20 | They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” |
John 12:39 Summary
This verse explains that the people were unable to believe in Jesus because of their own spiritual hardness. It's not that God forced them not to believe, but rather their own refusal to believe led to a further hardening of their hearts, as seen in Isaiah 6:9-10 and Romans 1:24-25. This is a sobering reminder of the importance of responding to God's message while we still can, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:2. We must be careful not to harden our own hearts, but instead remain soft and receptive to God's word, as encouraged in Hebrews 3:7-8 and Matthew 13:14-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the people unable to believe in Jesus?
The people were unable to believe in Jesus because of their own spiritual hardness, as Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 6:9-10, and as Jesus explained in Matthew 13:14-15, quoting the same passage from Isaiah.
Is this verse saying that God forces people not to believe?
No, this verse is not saying that God forces people not to believe, but rather that their own hardness of heart and refusal to believe leads to a further hardening, as seen in Romans 1:24-25 and 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
What is the significance of Isaiah being quoted again in this verse?
The significance of Isaiah being quoted again in this verse is to emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus, as seen in John 12:38 and Luke 24:27, and to highlight the theme of spiritual blindness and hardness of heart that runs throughout the Bible, including Isaiah 6:9-10 and Matthew 13:14-15.
How does this verse relate to the idea of free will and faith?
This verse relates to the idea of free will and faith by suggesting that while people have the ability to choose, their choices can also lead to a hardening of their hearts, making it more difficult for them to believe, as seen in Hebrews 3:7-8 and 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be hardening my own heart to God's message, and how can I soften it?
- How can I balance the idea of God's sovereignty with human responsibility in matters of faith, as seen in this verse and others like Ephesians 2:8-9 and Philippians 2:12-13?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of the spiritual battle for people's hearts and minds, and how can I pray for those who seem hardened to the gospel, as in Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Timothy 2:25-26?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of responding to God's message while I still can, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:2 and Hebrews 3:7-8?
Gill's Exposition on John 12:39
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 12:39
Matthew Poole's Commentary on John 12:39
Trapp's Commentary on John 12:39
Ellicott's Commentary on John 12:39
Adam Clarke's Commentary on John 12:39
Cambridge Bible on John 12:39
Barnes' Notes on John 12:39
Whedon's Commentary on John 12:39
Sermons on John 12:39
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Two Final Calls by Mike Gilchrist | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a personal story about his friend Shorty who passed away at a young age. The speaker emphasizes the importance of getting right with God and wa |
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Countless Treasures! by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the countless treasures found in the Bible, highlighting how the Scriptures are often heard without interest or understanding by many, leading to danger |
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Gospel of John (Study 22 of 24, Chap 10 Cont, 11 Start) by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of understanding and embracing the truth that once we belong to God, our minds are no longer tormented or controlled by the d |
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Holy Spirit, Church and Nations - Part 4 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the transformation that occurred in the early apostles after they received the Holy Spirit. The church's mission and influence in the world w |
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Hunger for God (Alternative) by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the powerful work of Brother Bakht Singh, who had led many souls to God without any publicity or gimmicks. Brother Bakht Singh was a man of |
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Thomas Hooker & the Doctrine of Conversion by Ian Murray | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the variety of ways in which God deals with sinners. He emphasizes that conversion and assurance of salvation do not always happen instantane |
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The Kind of Person God Can Use by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes that God seeks individuals who are humble, weak, and willing to be used for His purposes in a world filled with pride and self-reliance. He highlights the |






