John 12:38

Their stubbornness and refusal to believe was similar to the stubbornness of the people that the prophet Isaiah wrote about long ago: Lord, ◄hardly anyone has believed our message!/who has believed our message?► [RHQ] Most people refused to accept it, even though you showed them your power!

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

That the saying of Esaias 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?

In Context

37Although he had done many miracles while people were watching, most of them refused to believe that he is ◄ the Messiah/from God►.

39That was the reason why they were unable to believe. It was like Isaiah wrote somewhere else that God said:

Read all of John 12

Cross References

Psalms 44:3It was not by using their own swords that they conquered the people that lived in that land, and it was not by their own power that they were victorious; it was only by your power [MTY, DOU] that they did those things; and they were sure that you were with them, and that showed that you were pleased with them.

Isaiah 51:5I will soon/quickly rescue you [DOU]; by my power [MTY] I will bring you back from being exiled in Babylonia [DOU]. The people who live on islands in the ocean will wait for me to help them, confidently expecting for me to use my power [MTY].

Isaiah 53:1◄Who will believe what we will tell them about God’s servant?/Hardly anyone will believe what we will tell them about God’s servant.► [RHQ] ◄Who will see what Yahweh does by his great power?/Very few people will see what Yahweh does by his great power.► [MTY, RHQ]

Matthew 16:17Then Jesus said to him, “Simon, son of Jonah, God is pleased with you. What you just said was not [SYN] revealed to you by any human. Instead, it was my Father who lives in heaven who revealed this to you.

John 15:25But this has happened in order that these words that have been written in their Scriptures might be fulfilled {to fulfill this that ◄someone/the Psalmist► wrote in their Scriptures}: ‘They hated me for no reason.’

John 19:24So they said to each other, “Let’s not tear it. Instead, let’s decide ◄ by throwing lots/ by gambling► who will get it.” So that is what the soldiers did. As a result, these words were fulfilled {they fulfilled these words} that the Psalmist had written in Scripture, They divided most of my clothes among themselves. They cast lots for one piece of my clothing.

Matthew Henry on John 12:38-42

The Unbelief of the People. 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias 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? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study John 12:38