John 12:38

John 12:38, in plain English

John turns to the prophet Isaiah to explain why so many rejected Jesus. Hundreds of years earlier, Isaiah had already predicted that people would not believe the message or recognize God's power.

Why it's here

This is both sobering and reassuring. The rejection of Jesus was not a failure of God's plan; it was part of it. Isaiah saw it coming, which means God was never caught off guard.

Who's speaking

John quotes the prophet Isaiah to explain the people's unbelief.

Where it sits in the story

Long before Jesus walked the earth, Isaiah asked the heartbreaking question: who would believe the message? Who would recognize God at work? John says the answer played out exactly as Isaiah predicted. Rejection was anticipated, but it did not derail God's plan.

The scholarly reading

John cites Isaiah 53:1 to explain Israel's unbelief as fulfillment of prophecy. The two questions address the failure to believe the 'message' (akoē) and to recognize God's saving power ('arm of the Lord').

Language and setting

Isaiah 53 is the fourth Servant Song, prophesying the suffering servant. John applies it directly to Jesus, connecting His rejection to the pattern of Israel's historical resistance to God's messengers.

Voice

John quotes the prophet Isaiah's words from Isaiah 53:1.

Significance

To make sense of the widespread rejection of Jesus, John reaches back to Isaiah's prophecy about the suffering servant. Isaiah had already foreseen that God's message and saving power would be met with disbelief. Jesus' rejection was not a surprise; it was prophesied centuries in advance.

36While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.”

37Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.

38This 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?”

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.”

Read all of John 12 — Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, the crowds wave palm branches, and Jesus announces that his hour has finally arrived.