John 12:41

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

These things {G5023} said {G2036} Esaias {G2268}, when {G3753} he saw {G1492} his {G846} glory {G1391}, and {G2532} spake {G2980} of {G4012} him {G846}.

(Yesha‘yahu said these things because he saw the Sh’khinah of Yeshua and spoke about him.)

Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him.

These things said Isaiah, because he saw his glory; and he spake of him.

John 12:41 is a profound theological statement by the Apostle John, directly connecting the Old Testament prophet Isaiah's vision with the person of Jesus Christ. It serves as a pivotal verse for understanding the deity of Jesus.

Context

This verse immediately follows John's explanation of why many people, despite witnessing Jesus' numerous miracles and teachings, still refused to believe in Him (John 12:37). John attributes this unbelief to the fulfillment of prophecies from the book of Isaiah, specifically quoting Isaiah 53:1 regarding the lack of belief, and Isaiah 6:9-10 concerning hardened hearts and spiritually blind eyes. Verse 41 then provides the theological basis for John's application of these prophecies: the "Lord" (Yahweh) whom Isaiah saw in his temple vision is none other than Jesus Christ.

Key Themes

  • The Deity of Christ: This is arguably the most significant theme. John unequivocally states that the "glory" Isaiah saw in his dramatic call vision (Isaiah 6:1-5) was the glory of Jesus. This identifies Jesus with the pre-existent God of Israel, affirming His divine nature and equality with the Father.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The verse highlights the seamless continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and their culmination in Jesus. The Old Testament is not merely a collection of stories but a divine preparation for the coming of Christ.
  • Divine Sovereignty Amidst Unbelief: While human choice plays a role, this verse, in its context, also subtly speaks to God's sovereign plan, even in the face of human rejection and spiritual blindness, which was foretold.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Esaias" is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Isaiah. The phrase "his glory" refers to the Greek word doxa, which in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) is frequently used to translate the Hebrew kabod, signifying the manifest presence and splendor of God, often associated with the Shekinah glory that filled the tabernacle and temple. John's assertion means that the divine brilliance Isaiah witnessed was, in essence, the glory of Christ, underscoring His eternal existence and divine identity.

Practical Application

John 12:41 deepens our understanding of who Jesus truly is. It challenges us to recognize Him not merely as a great teacher or prophet, but as the eternal God, the very Lord of Hosts whom Isaiah saw. For believers, it reinforces the truth of Christ's divinity, providing a strong foundation for faith and worship. For those grappling with belief, it presents a powerful statement about Jesus' identity, drawing a direct line from ancient prophecy to His earthly ministry. It reminds us that all of Scripture ultimately points to Jesus, revealing His glory and calling us to believe in Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 6:1

    ¶ In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

  • Isaiah 6:5

    ¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

  • 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.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

  • John 1:18

    No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

  • John 5:39

    Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
← Back