Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Isaiah's prophetic words about disbelief stemmed from a direct vision of divine glory, implying that this encounter wasn't just a glimpse of God, but specifically the glory of Christ, whom John identifies as Jehovah. This reframes the prophet's experience from a general spiritual encounter to a Christ-centered vision that undergirds his message about those who wouldn't believe in Jesus.
Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just spoken about how his coming would lead to judgment, causing some to believe and others to disbelieve. The Evangelist John then quotes Isaiah, explaining that the prophet's words about blindness and hardened hearts were a divine response to seeing God's glory, specifically the glory of the pre-incarnate Christ. This passage ties Isaiah's prophecy directly to the disbelief Jesus is experiencing, showing it was foretold in Scripture.
When Isaiah stood in God's presence, he saw glory. But was it just God the Father, or something more? John the Evangelist has a profound answer.
This verse is key to understanding the divine nature of Jesus. John explains that the magnificent vision of God's glory described by Isaiah in chapter 6 of his prophecy wasn't just a vision of God the Father. Instead, John clarifies that Isaiah saw Christ's glory.
A Glimpse of the Pre-Incarnate Lord
When Isaiah encountered the Lord on His throne, surrounded by seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy!" (Isaiah 6:3), he was seeing a manifestation of God's presence. However, John, writing with the full revelation of Jesus Christ, identifies this 'glory' as belonging to the Son. This points to the pre-incarnate Christ – the eternal Logos, who was with God and was God, as John states earlier in his Gospel (John 1:1).
Why It Matters
For John, connecting Isaiah's vision to Jesus is not accidental. It's a deliberate move to declare Jesus' divinity. The name 'Yahweh' (Lord) that Isaiah uses for the King on the throne is the covenant name of God, unique and incommunicable. By saying Isaiah saw His (Christ's) glory, John asserts that Jesus is Yahweh. This makes the blindness and hardening mentioned earlier in Isaiah a judgment not just on disbelief in God, but on rejection of the divine Son.
Did God's foreknowledge people to disbelieve? This verse helps untangle God's sovereignty and human responsibility.
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John quotes Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 6:9-10, also quoted in John 12:40) about people being blinded and hardened, not to say God caused their unbelief. Instead, he's showing how the rejection Jesus faced was foretold.
God's Justice and Human Rejection
As Calvin points out, the prophecy didn't necessitate their unbelief. People rejected Jesus despite His many miracles. Isaiah's words reveal God's justice in responding to persistent wickedness. When people stubbornly refuse God's truth, His word, which is meant to save, can become a stumbling block and a judgment, leading to further spiritual blindness. It's a consequence, not a cause.
The Purpose of Revelation
Isaiah's vision of Christ's glory and his subsequent message were meant to reveal truth. But because many hearts were already hardened by their own rebellion, the very revelation that should have led to healing instead confirmed their blindness. This highlights that faith isn't merely an intellectual assent; it requires God's illuminating grace, which He sovereignly grants.
Understand the original words
doxa · Greek Noun
A divine attribute representing the visible manifestation, splendor, and weight of God's presence, nature, and majesty. In the context of the New Testament, it is frequently used to identify the divinity of Christ.
John connects Isaiah's prophetic vision of God's glory (Isaiah 6) to Jesus, asserting that Isaiah saw the pre-incarnate Christ. This highlights Jesus' divine identity and explains the persistent disbelief of many Israelites, who, as Isaiah prophesied, were spiritually blinded by their own hardened hearts due to their rejection of God's messengers and the Messiah himself.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Vision of God's Glory
The prophet Isaiah experiences a profound vision of God's majesty and holiness in the Temple. This transformative encounter leads him to recognize his own unworthiness and God's call to prophesy, particularly concerning the nation's sin and future judgment and restoration.
c. 732 BC
Prophecy of Judgment on Israel and Judah
Isaiah delivers prophecies of impending judgment upon Israel and Judah due to their disobedience and idolatry. This includes foretelling the Assyrian invasions and exiles, highlighting God's sovereignty even in judgment.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army under Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem. While the city is spared miraculously, this event underscores the vulnerability of Judah and the dire consequences of failing to trust in God.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem is conquered by the Babylonians, its Temple destroyed, and much of the population is exiled. This marks a significant period of national suffering and reflection on God's covenant.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus's Decree and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the restoration period.
c. 4th - 1st Century BC
Intertestamental Period
A period of relative silence from prophecy, marked by foreign domination (Persian, Greek, Roman) and growing expectation for a Messiah who would restore Israel.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Rejection
Jesus begins his public ministry, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. Despite his signs, many Jewish leaders and the populace reject him as the Messiah, fulfilling prophecy.
This is the original vision John refers to, where Isaiah saw God's glory and was commissioned, providing the foundational context for John's interpretation.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, and that 'we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.' This connects directly to the idea that the glory Isaiah saw was indeed the glory of Jesus.
Romans 10:16Paul quotes Isaiah's words about who has believed the report, directly linking the prophet's message to the proclamation of the Gospel and the issue of belief.
Isaiah 53:1This verse, part of the suffering servant passage, is closely related to Isaiah's prophetic commission and the theme of a rejected Messiah, which John is applying to Jesus.
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 Isaiah's prophetic words about disbelief stemmed from a direct vision of divine glory, implying that this encounter wasn't just a glimpse of God, but specifically the glory of Christ, whom John identifies as Jehovah. This reframes the prophet's experience from a general spiritual encounter to a Christ-centered vision that undergirds his message about those who wouldn't believe in Jesus.
Jesus has just spoken about how his coming would lead to judgment, causing some to believe and others to disbelieve. The Evangelist John then quotes Isaiah, explaining that the prophet's words about blindness and hardened hearts were a divine response to seeing God's glory, specifically the glory of the pre-incarnate Christ. This passage ties Isaiah's prophecy directly to the disbelief Jesus is experiencing, showing it was foretold in Scripture.
Jesus has just spoken about how his coming would lead to judgment, causing some to believe and others to disbelieve. The Evangelist John then quotes Isaiah, explaining that the prophet's words about blindness and hardened hearts were a divine response to seeing God's glory, specifically the glory of the pre-incarnate Christ. This passage ties Isaiah's prophecy directly to the disbelief Jesus is experiencing, showing it was foretold in Scripture.
"Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him." — The verse highlights that Isaiah's prophetic words about disbelief stemmed from a direct vision of divine glory, implying that this encounter wasn't just a glimpse of God, but specifically the glory…
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Last reviewed October 2026