John 12:39

KJV

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G5124}{G1223} they could {G1410} not {G3756} believe {G4100}, because {G3754} that Esaias {G2268} said {G2036} again {G3825},

Complete Jewish Bible

The reason they could not believe was — as Yesha‘yahu said elsewhere —

Berean Standard Bible

For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:

American Standard Version

For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 12:39 serves as a crucial explanatory bridge in the Gospel, directly linking the observed widespread unbelief in Jesus' ministry to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It prepares the reader for a subsequent citation from Isaiah, illuminating why, despite overwhelming evidence in the form of miracles and profound teachings, many remained spiritually unreceptive and ultimately failed to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. This verse underscores the divine foreknowledge embedded within God's redemptive plan, even in the face of human resistance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at a pivotal moment in John's Gospel, marking the conclusion of Jesus' public ministry and teachings before His passion week. The preceding verses, [John 12:37-38](/john/12-37-38 "John 12:37-38 - Unbelief and Prophecy") explicitly state, "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 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?" John 12:39 then acts as an interpretive link, introducing a second prophetic quotation in [John 12:40](/john/12-40 "John 12:40 - Isaiah's Prophecy of Hardened Hearts"), which further explains the nature of this unbelief as a divinely foreseen spiritual hardening. The evangelist John meticulously demonstrates that the rejection of Jesus by many was not a failure of God's plan, but rather its precise fulfillment, confirming the divine authority of Jesus' mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Jesus' earthly ministry, first-century Judea was under Roman occupation, a period marked by fervent messianic expectations among the Jewish people. Many anticipated a political deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's national sovereignty. Jesus, however, presented a kingdom that was "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), challenging their preconceived notions. The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, held significant power and influence, and their resistance to Jesus stemmed from a combination of theological disagreements, fear of losing their authority, and a misunderstanding of the true nature of the Messiah. The cultural emphasis on tradition and established religious structures often blinded individuals to the new revelation presented in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** John 12:39 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel. Firstly, **Prophetic Fulfillment** is paramount, as John consistently presents Jesus' life and ministry as the culmination of Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating God's sovereign plan unfolding through history. Secondly, the theme of **Human Unbelief and Spiritual Blindness** is central; the verse highlights that the inability to believe was not merely intellectual but a profound spiritual condition, a hardening of the heart that resisted the divine light, as further elaborated in [John 12:40](/john/12-40 "John 12:40 - The Prophecy of Spiritual Blindness"). This spiritual blindness is a recurring motif in John, contrasting with the light that Jesus brings ([John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness")). Lastly, the tension between **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility** is evident. While the verse states "they could not believe" due to prophecy, it doesn't negate human culpability but rather illustrates how God's sovereign plan incorporates and uses human choices, including unbelief, to achieve His ultimate redemptive purposes. The prophecies describe what *would* happen as a consequence of their persistent rejection, rather than a forced outcome.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **could (Greek, _dýnamai'_):** This word signifies the ability or possibility to do something. In this context, when combined with the negative "not," it denotes an inability or impossibility. It's not merely a lack of willingness but a deeper, inherent incapacity, often understood as a spiritual rather than purely physical or intellectual inability.
* **not (Greek, _ou'_):** This is the absolute negative adverb in Greek, indicating a definite and objective negation. When paired with "could," it emphasizes the impossibility of belief for those described, underscoring a complete lack of capacity to embrace the truth.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** To have faith, to trust, to credit, or to entrust oneself to a person or thing. In the New Testament, it often refers to placing one's spiritual well-being and trust in Christ. The inability to "believe" here signifies a profound spiritual resistance to accepting Jesus' identity and claims.
* **Esaias (Greek, _Hēsaḯas'_):** The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name "Isaiah," referring to the Old Testament prophet whose writings are extensively quoted in the New Testament to demonstrate the fulfillment of messianic and redemptive prophecies. His prophetic words are presented as the divine explanation for the prevailing unbelief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore they could not believe,"**: This clause establishes a causal link, indicating that the preceding events (Jesus' miracles and teachings, and the general unbelief mentioned in [John 12:37](/john/12-37 "John 12:37 - Unbelief Despite Miracles")) led to a state where belief was impossible for many. This "could not" implies a spiritual inability, a consequence of their hardened hearts and persistent rejection of the truth, rather than a lack of opportunity or evidence. It sets the stage for the prophetic explanation.
* **"because that Esaias said again,"**: This phrase introduces the prophetic explanation for the inability to believe. The evangelist John attributes this spiritual incapacity directly to the foretelling of the prophet Isaiah. The word "again" (Greek: _pálin_) indicates that this is a second quotation from Isaiah, following the one in [John 12:38](/john/12-38 "John 12:38 - Isaiah 53:1 Fulfilled"), reinforcing the idea that this unbelief was not unforeseen but divinely ordained in the prophetic word. It points forward to the specific prophecy cited in [John 12:40](/john/12-40 "John 12:40 - The Prophecy of Spiritual Blindness").

#### Literary Devices
John 12:39 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Prophetic Fulfillment** is the overarching device, as the verse explicitly links contemporary unbelief to ancient prophecy, thereby validating Jesus' identity and mission as divinely ordained. This creates a sense of **Divine Sovereignty**, where God's plan unfolds precisely as foretold, even through human resistance. The phrase "they could not believe" also hints at **Irony**; despite Jesus' clear signs and teachings, those who should have been most receptive were instead blinded. This is further developed in the subsequent verse, which quotes Isaiah's prophecy of **Spiritual Blindness** and **Hardening of Hearts**. The use of "Esaias said again" serves as a **Transitional Device**, smoothly introducing the second, more explicit prophecy from Isaiah that explains the judicial hardening of those who rejected the light.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:39 powerfully articulates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a recurring theological theme throughout Scripture. The "could not believe" is not a statement that God arbitrarily prevented belief, but rather that the persistent, willful rejection of God's truth by many had led to a judicial hardening, a spiritual inability to perceive and respond to the light. This hardening was foreseen and foretold by God through His prophets, underscoring that even human sin and unbelief are woven into the fabric of God's overarching redemptive plan. It highlights the profound consequences of rejecting divine revelation, leading to a state where spiritual perception is dulled, and the capacity for saving faith is lost.

* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Hearts Hardened, Eyes Blinded")
* [Romans 11:7-8](/romans/11-7-8 "Romans 11:7-8 - Israel's Partial Hardening")
* [2 Corinthians 4:3-4](/2_corinthians/4-3-4 "2 Corinthians 4:3-4 - The God of This World Blinds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 12:39 serves as a sobering mirror, inviting us to critically examine the posture of our own hearts towards God's truth. It warns against the insidious process of spiritual hardening, which can occur when we repeatedly resist or ignore the clear revelation of God, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or the testimony of Christ. This verse challenges us to cultivate humility and a genuine openness to divine revelation, recognizing that pride, preconceived notions, or worldly attachments can blind us to the truth, even when it is clearly presented. It underscores that true belief is not merely intellectual assent but a profound spiritual reception and surrender to Christ. For believers, it offers reassurance that even widespread rejection of the Gospel does not thwart God's ultimate purposes, but rather fulfills His prophetic word, reminding us of His sovereign control over history and salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's truth or allowing preconceived notions to blind me to His will?**
* **How does the concept of spiritual hardening, as described in this verse, challenge my understanding of human responsibility and divine sovereignty?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive and humble heart towards God's Word and the promptings of His Spirit?**

### FAQ
**Does John 12:39 mean that God forces people not to believe?**

Answer: No, John 12:39 does not imply that God forces individuals into unbelief against their will. Rather, it indicates that the unbelief observed was a fulfillment of prophecy, meaning it was foreseen and foretold by God through Isaiah. The "could not believe" (Greek: _ouk ēdynanto pisteuein_) describes a spiritual inability that arises as a consequence of persistent, willful rejection of God's truth and light. It is a judicial hardening, where God allows those who continually resist Him to become further entrenched in their unbelief. This aligns with other passages, such as [Romans 1:24-28](/romans/1-24-28 "Romans 1:24-28 - God Gives Them Over"), where God "gives them over" to their own desires and the consequences of their choices. The prophecy describes the outcome of their chosen path, not a divine compulsion to disbelieve.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 12:39, by highlighting the prophetic fulfillment of unbelief, ultimately points to the profound Christ-centered nature of God's redemptive plan. The very rejection of Jesus by many, which might seem like a failure, is revealed as part of God's sovereign design, foretold centuries earlier by Isaiah. This underscores that Christ's mission was not derailed by human sin but rather encompassed it, leading to the cross where He would accomplish salvation for all who believe. The "blindness" and "hardening" described in the prophecy allowed for the inclusion of the Gentiles, as Paul explains in [Romans 11:11-12](/romans/11-11-12 "Romans 11:11-12 - Israel's Stumbling Leads to Gentile Salvation"). Thus, even in the face of widespread unbelief, Christ remains the central figure, fulfilling prophecy not only in His life and teachings but also in the very response (or lack thereof) to His ministry. His crucifixion, a direct result of this unbelief, became the means by which He drew all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Lifted Up")). The prophetic word, even concerning unbelief, serves to magnify the divine wisdom and power of God, bringing glory to His Son, Jesus, who is the light of the world, even for those who choose darkness ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")).

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

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

Isaiah 6:9

¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

2 Peter 2:14

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

John 10:38

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.

John 6:44

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.

Isaiah 44:18

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.