John 12:38

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443} the saying {G3056} of Esaias {G2268} the prophet {G4396} might be fulfilled {G4137}, which {G3739} he spake {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, who {G5101} hath believed {G4100} our {G2257} report {G189}? and {G2532} to whom {G5101} hath the arm {G1023} of the Lord {G2962} been revealed {G601}?

Complete Jewish Bible

in order that what Yesha‘yahu the prophet had said might be fulfilled,

“Adonai, who has believed our report?
To whom has the arm of Adonai been revealed?”

Berean Standard Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

that 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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 12:38 serves as a pivotal interpretive key in John's Gospel, explaining the widespread unbelief among the Jewish people despite Jesus' miraculous signs and teachings. By quoting Isaiah 53:1, John asserts that this rejection was not an unforeseen failure but the sovereign fulfillment of ancient prophecy, highlighting humanity's resistance to divine revelation and God's powerful, yet often unrecognized, redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 12:38 appears at a crucial turning point in John's narrative. Chapters 11 and 12 describe Jesus' final public ministry before his passion, culminating in the triumphant resurrection of Lazarus ([John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus")) and his triumphal entry into Jerusalem ([John 12:12-19](/john/12-12-19 "John 12:12-19 - The Triumphal Entry")). Despite these undeniable demonstrations of divine power and messianic claims, the Jewish religious leaders and many among the populace remained stubbornly resistant to believing in Jesus. John introduces the quotation from Isaiah 53:1 in [John 12:38](/john/12-38 "John 12:38 - Prophecy of Unbelief") as a theological explanation for this pervasive unbelief, framing it not as a surprise, but as the fulfillment of God's prophetic word concerning the Messiah's reception. This passage bridges Jesus' public ministry with his private teachings to his disciples in the following chapters, emphasizing the tragic reality of human rejection in the face of divine truth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The first-century Jewish context was marked by intense messianic expectation, often intertwined with hopes for political liberation from Roman rule. While many sought a conquering king, Jesus presented himself as a suffering servant, challenging their preconceived notions of the Messiah. The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, held significant power and influence, and their rejection of Jesus was deeply rooted in their interpretation of the Law, their fear of Roman reprisal, and their desire to maintain their authority ([John 11:47-48](/john/11-47-48 "John 11:47-48 - The Sanhedrin's Plot")). The "report" of the prophet Isaiah would have been familiar to many, as Isaiah was a foundational prophetic book. However, the specific prophecy of the Suffering Servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") was often overlooked or reinterpreted by many in favor of prophecies emphasizing the Messiah's glory and triumph. John's quotation directly confronts this selective understanding, highlighting the tragic irony that God's powerful "arm" was indeed revealed, but not recognized by those who expected it in a different form.

* **Key Themes:** The quotation in [John 12:38](/john/12-38 "John 12:38 - Prophecy of Unbelief") underscores several critical themes within John's Gospel and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, asserting that Jesus' life, ministry, and even the rejection he faced, were not random occurrences but precisely aligned with God's pre-ordained plan revealed in the Old Testament. This validates Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and God's sovereignty over history. Another central theme is the **Problem of Unbelief**, which is a recurring motif in John's Gospel. Despite Jesus' signs and words, many chose not to believe, demonstrating humanity's capacity to resist divine light ([John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Loved Darkness")). This unbelief is often linked to a preference for human glory over divine glory ([John 12:43](/john/12-43 "John 12:43 - Loving the Praise of Men")). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Power** through the metaphor of "the arm of the Lord." This refers to God's active, saving power, which was supremely manifested in Jesus Christ, yet tragically unrecognized by many. The passage implicitly raises the question of true spiritual perception versus spiritual blindness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **report (Greek, _akoḗ_):** This word, derived from the verb "to hear," refers to hearing (the act), the sense of hearing, or the thing heard, such as a message, rumor, or report. In the context of Isaiah 53:1 and John 12:38, it signifies the message or proclamation about the Suffering Servant. The question "who has believed our report?" implies that the message about God's redemptive work through the Messiah was proclaimed, but largely met with skepticism and rejection. It underscores the concept of a revealed truth that was not received.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** This verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," implying credit, trust, or commitment. In the New Testament, particularly in John's Gospel, it carries the profound theological weight of entrusting one's spiritual well-being to Christ. The rhetorical question "who hath believed...?" highlights the scarcity of genuine faith in response to the "report" of God's saving work, emphasizing the human failure to respond appropriately to divine revelation.
* **arm (Greek, _brachíōn_):** Properly meaning "the arm," this word is used figuratively to denote strength, power, or active intervention. In biblical idiom, "the arm of the Lord" is a powerful metaphor for God's mighty acts of deliverance, salvation, and judgment. It represents God's visible, effective power at work in the world. In Isaiah 53:1, it points to the Suffering Servant as the embodiment of God's redemptive power. The question "to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?" laments that God's ultimate manifestation of power in Christ was not recognized or accepted by the very people it was meant to save.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake,"**: This introductory clause explicitly states John's theological purpose in quoting Isaiah 53:1. It emphasizes the concept of prophetic fulfillment, asserting that the events unfolding in Jesus' ministry—specifically the widespread unbelief—were not accidental but were part of God's pre-ordained plan, foretold centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah. This serves to validate Jesus' messianic identity and God's sovereignty over history.
* **"Lord, who hath believed our report?"**: This is the first rhetorical question from Isaiah 53:1. It expresses a lament over the scarcity of belief in the message (the "report") concerning God's redemptive work through His chosen servant. In John's context, "our report" refers to the testimony about Jesus, including his miracles, teachings, and claims to divinity. The question underscores the tragic reality that despite overwhelming evidence, few truly embraced the truth about who Jesus was and what he came to do.
* **"and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?"**: This second rhetorical question from Isaiah 53:1 is parallel to the first and intensifies its meaning. The "arm of the Lord" is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's saving power and active intervention. In the context of Jesus, it refers to God's ultimate revelation of His power through the person and work of Christ, particularly His miracles, resurrection, and atoning sacrifice. The question laments that this supreme manifestation of God's power was not recognized or accepted by most, implying a spiritual blindness that prevented them from perceiving God's redemptive hand at work in Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
John 12:38 powerfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Quotation/Allusion**, as John directly quotes [Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - The Suffering Servant Prophecy"). This serves to establish a direct link between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, underscoring the divine plan. The verse also utilizes **Rhetorical Question** ("who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?"). These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express lament, emphasize a point (the pervasive unbelief), and highlight the tragic reality of human spiritual blindness. Furthermore, the phrase "the arm of the Lord" is a potent **Metaphor**, representing God's saving power and active intervention. The use of this metaphor in the context of widespread unbelief creates a profound sense of **Irony**: God's ultimate power was being revealed in Jesus, yet it was precisely this revelation that many failed to perceive or believe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:38 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It asserts that even the rejection of the Messiah was not outside of God's foreknowledge and plan, yet it does not diminish human culpability for unbelief. The passage highlights the tension between God's sovereign will and human freedom, suggesting that while God's plan unfolds, human beings remain accountable for their response to His revelation. The "arm of the Lord" being revealed in Christ signifies that God's power is not always manifested in ways humans expect (e.g., political triumph), but often in humility, suffering, and self-sacrifice, which requires spiritual discernment to recognize. This verse thus serves as a somber reminder of the cost of spiritual blindness and the necessity of faith to perceive God's work.

* [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Romans 10:16 - Not All Obeyed the Gospel"): "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Directly quotes the same passage from Isaiah, reinforcing the theme of unbelief in response to the gospel message.)
* [Isaiah 52:10](/isaiah/52-10 "Isaiah 52:10 - The Lord Has Bared His Holy Arm"): "The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." (Provides broader context for the "arm of the Lord" as God's saving power, contrasting with the unbelief in John 12:38.)
* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light"): "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (Connects human unbelief to a moral choice, aligning with the "report" being rejected.)

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 12:38 offers a sobering reflection on the nature of belief and unbelief, challenging us to consider our own hearts in the face of God's revelation. It reminds us that even with overwhelming evidence, human beings can choose to harden their hearts and resist the truth. This verse urges us to examine whether we are truly open to God's "report" about Jesus, not just intellectually, but with a willingness to entrust our lives to Him. The "arm of the Lord" is still being revealed today through His Word, His Spirit, and His ongoing work in the world and in our lives. Are we recognizing His power, His presence, and His call? Are we allowing our preconceived notions, desires for worldly approval, or comfort zones to blind us to the profound truth of who Jesus is and what He has done? This passage calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility and receptivity, actively seeking to perceive and respond to God's saving power, rather than allowing spiritual blindness to lead us astray.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be resisting God's "report" or revelation in my own life, perhaps due to preconceived notions or personal preferences?**
* **How do I recognize and respond to "the arm of the Lord" (God's active power and salvation) at work in the world and in my personal circumstances today?**
* **What are the potential consequences of persistent unbelief, both for individuals and communities, as illustrated by this passage?**

### FAQ

**Does John 12:38 imply that God predestined people to unbelief, removing their responsibility?**

Answer: John 12:38, by quoting Isaiah 53:1, highlights God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan, indicating that the widespread unbelief was not a surprise to God but part of His prophetic unfolding. However, it does not remove human responsibility. The Bible consistently presents unbelief as a culpable choice, often stemming from a preference for darkness over light ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")) or the praise of men over the praise of God ([John 12:43](/john/12-43 "John 12:43 - Loving the Praise of Men")). While God's plan is immutable, human beings are still held accountable for their response to His revelation. The prophecy explains *why* the unbelief occurred in God's larger narrative, not that individuals were forced into it.

**What is the significance of "the arm of the Lord" in this verse?**

Answer: "The arm of the Lord" is a powerful Old Testament metaphor for God's active, saving power and intervention. It signifies His strength, His ability to deliver, and His mighty acts of salvation. In the context of Isaiah 53, it refers to the Suffering Servant (Jesus) as the embodiment of God's redemptive power. In John 12:38, the rhetorical question "to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?" laments that despite Jesus' miracles and teachings—which were clear demonstrations of God's power—many failed to recognize or believe in this divine manifestation. It underscores a tragic spiritual blindness to God's ultimate revelation of Himself in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 12:38, in quoting Isaiah 53:1, profoundly points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the Suffering Servant prophecy, even in the very act of His rejection. The "report" that few believed was the gospel message about Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Messiah, confirmed by His signs and teachings. The "arm of the Lord" was supremely revealed in Christ—not in a display of earthly might, but in His humble incarnation, His miraculous works, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection. This revelation of God's saving power was tragically missed by many, yet it was precisely through this "unbelieved report" and "unrecognized arm" that God accomplished the salvation of the world. Jesus, as the suffering servant of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), bore the sins of many ([Isaiah 53:12](/isaiah/53-12 "Isaiah 53:12 - He Bore the Sin of Many")), and His sacrifice became the means by which God's arm was truly revealed to those who would believe. His death and resurrection, though a stumbling block to some ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified, a Stumbling Block")), became the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of God for Salvation")). Thus, the very prophecy lamenting unbelief foreshadowed the means by which God's ultimate saving power would be made manifest in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:1

¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Romans 10:16

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Romans 10:20

But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

1 Corinthians 1:24

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 32:20

And for this [cause] Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.