Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that their inability to believe wasn't a lack of seeing miracles, but a spiritual blindness and hardened heart described by Isaiah. This points to a crucial truth: persistent rejection of God's truth can lead to a state where one cannot believe, not due to a lack of evidence, but a spiritual inability forged by their own choices.
Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just spoken about the coming judgment and his own glorification, warning people to walk in the light while they have it. Despite the many signs he performed, the Jewish leaders and many others still refused to believe in him, a rejection that the Gospel writer points to as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy. This inability to believe stemmed from their deliberate rejection, which led to a divine hardening mentioned in Isaiah.
Jesus performed countless miracles, yet many still refused to believe. Why is that? Was it just bad luck, or something deeper?
John uses the prophecy of Isaiah not to excuse the Jewish leaders' unbelief, but to reveal God's righteous judgment upon their persistent rebellion.
A Pattern of Rejection
Jesus had just spoken about judgment and the consequences of rejecting the light (John 12:31-36). The people's inability to believe wasn't a sudden accident; it was the culmination of their wilful rejection of God's truth and power, evidenced by countless miracles.
The Prophet's Forewarning
John quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 to show that this hardening was foretold. God, in His justice, allowed their hardened hearts and blinded eyes to become the very reason they couldn't grasp the truth. It's a sobering reminder that persistent defiance can lead to a state where belief becomes impossible, not because God is unfair, but because He upholds His justice against those who spurn Him.
'I Will Not' Becomes 'I Cannot'
The scholars here highlight a crucial point: their 'could not' stemmed from a prior 'would not.' Their persistent refusal to believe, their 'obstinate wickedness,' led to a divine judgment of being given over to blindness. It wasn't that God arbitrarily took away their ability, but that their persistent choice against Him resulted in an inability to accept Him.
Ask a follow-up
Why did God choose to reveal Himself to some but not others? This prophecy sheds light on the selective nature of divine revelation.
The prophecy Isaiah quotes isn't just about judgment; it reveals a deeper truth about how God interacts with humanity regarding belief.
The Unveiling of God's Arm
Isaiah's question, 'To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' points to the fact that belief comes from God's active revelation, not human effort or universal illumination. The 'arm of the Lord' signifies His power and saving work.
A Sovereign Choice
While God desires all to be saved, the prophecy indicates that He sovereignly chooses who truly sees and believes. This isn't a random lottery, but a reflection of His perfect knowledge and timing. The text implies that not everyone is granted the specific grace to understand and turn, even when confronted with clear evidence.
The Purpose of Blinding
When God 'blinds their eyes and hardens their heart,' it's often a consequence of their prior rejection. It's a judicial act, ensuring that their hardened state prevents them from experiencing the healing that comes from conversion. The ultimate goal of God’s word is healing and salvation, but this is reserved for those to whom His arm is revealed.
Understand the original words
typhloō · Greek Verb
The process of God rendering someone unable to perceive spiritual truth as a judgment for persistent rebellion and rejection of His revelation. It involves a judicial withdrawal of spiritual capacity.
pōroō · Greek Verb
A state of moral and spiritual insensitivity or obstinacy where a person resists God’s influence. It represents a persistent rebellion that leads to a settled condition of unbelief.
kardia · Greek Noun
The central seat of human reason, will, and affection. Biblically, it is the control center of the person, determining one’s moral choices and spiritual orientation.
epistrephō · Greek Verb
To repent or change direction, specifically to turn away from sin and toward God. It signifies a radical transformation of life and alignment with God’s will.
iaomai · Greek Verb
God’s act of restoration, deliverance, and forgiveness. It signifies the removal of spiritual brokenness caused by sin and the reconciliation of a person to God.
The persistent unbelief Jesus encountered wasn't a surprise to God; it was a fulfillment of prophecy stretching back centuries, indicating a divinely ordained judgment on those who repeatedly rejected His word and signs.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Call
Isaiah receives his call from God, prophesying a future of judgment and eventual restoration for Israel, including a significant portion of the people who will not believe.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem. While the city is miraculously spared, the event reflects ongoing national spiritual blindness and disobedience.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, the Temple is destroyed, and many Judeans are exiled. This event serves as a consequence of prolonged unbelief and disobedience to God's prophets.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus performs numerous miracles and teaches extensively throughout Judea and Galilee, yet many of the Jewish leaders and populace reject Him.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Rejection and Crucifixion
Despite overwhelming signs, the majority of the Jewish leadership and people reject Jesus, leading to His crucifixion. This fulfills Isaiah's prophecy of the servant being despised.
c. 45-65 AD
Apostolic Ministry and Writings
The apostles preach the Gospel, encountering both belief and persistent unbelief, echoing the themes from Isaiah's prophecy and Jesus' own ministry.
This is the primary passage John is quoting, explaining the spiritual blindness that prevents belief even when confronted with divine signs.
Matthew 13:14-15Jesus Himself quotes this same passage from Isaiah to explain why He speaks in parables, highlighting the people's inability to 'see' and 'hear' due to their hardened hearts.
Romans 11:8Paul directly references Isaiah's prophecy to explain the Israelites' spiritual dullness and continued unbelief, drawing a parallel to the situation John describes.
John 5:39-40Jesus tells the Pharisees that they do not have His word abiding in them, and therefore they do not seek Him, showing a similar theme of willful rejection leading to an inability to believe.
Acts 28:26-27Quoting Isaiah, Paul explains why many Jews did not believe the message of the Gospel, underscoring the concept of God allowing spiritual blindness as a judgment for persistent rejection.
calvinJohn 12:37-41: "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:"
- And though he had done so many signs in their presence, they believed not in him: 38. That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who hath believed our report? [28] and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39. Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah saith again, 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, lest they should s…
henryJohn 12:37-43: "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:"
12:37-43 Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to have some knowledge of them. To be converted, and truly turned from sin to Christ, as their Happiness and Portion. God will heal them, will justify and sanctify them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify their corruptions, which are as lurking diseas…
The verse highlights that their inability to believe wasn't a lack of seeing miracles, but a spiritual blindness and hardened heart described by Isaiah. This points to a crucial truth: persistent rejection of God's truth can lead to a state where one cannot believe, not due to a lack of evidence, but a spiritual inability forged by their own choices.
Jesus has just spoken about the coming judgment and his own glorification, warning people to walk in the light while they have it. Despite the many signs he performed, the Jewish leaders and many others still refused to believe in him, a rejection that the Gospel writer points to as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy. This inability to believe stemmed from their deliberate rejection, which led to a divine hardening mentioned in Isaiah.
Jesus has just spoken about the coming judgment and his own glorification, warning people to walk in the light while they have it. Despite the many signs he performed, the Jewish leaders and many others still refused to believe in him, a rejection that the Gospel writer points to as a fulfillment of ancient prophecy. This inability to believe stemmed from their deliberate rejection, which led to a divine hardening mentioned in Isaiah.
"Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”" — The verse highlights that their inability to believe wasn't a lack of seeing miracles, but a spiritual blindness and hardened heart described by Isaiah. This points to a crucial truth: persistent rej…
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Last reviewed October 2026