John 12:38
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 12:38 in other translations
| BSB | 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?” |
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| WEB | that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” |
| ASV | 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? |
| YLT | that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he said, ‘Lord, who gave credence to our report? and the arm of the Lord--to whom was it revealed?' |
| DARBY | that the word of the prophet Esaias which he said might be fulfilled, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? |
| BBE | So that the words of the prophet Isaiah might come true, when he said, Lord, who has any belief in our preaching? and the arm of the Lord, to whom has it been unveiled? |
| Webster | That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? |
What does John 12:38 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 12:37-41
37-41. It is the manner of this Evangelist alone to record his own reflections on the scenes he describes; but here, having arrived at what was virtually the close of our Lord's public ministry, he casts an affecting glance over the fruitlessness of His whole ministry on the bulk of the now doomed people. though he had done so many miracles--The word used suggests their nature as well as number.
Barnes' Notes
Might be fulfilled. That the same effect should occur which occurred in the time of Isaiah. This does not mean that the Pharisees rejected Christ in order that the prophecy of Isaiah should be fulfilled, but that by their rejection of him the same thing had occurred which took place in the time of Isaiah. His message was despised by the nation, and he himself put to death. And it was also true--by the same causes, by the same nation--that the same gospel message was rejected by the Jews in the time of Christ. The same language of the prophet would express both events, and no doubt it was intended by the Holy Spirit to mark both events. In this Way it was completely fulfilled. Is 53:1.
Our report. Literally, by report is meant "what is heard." Our speech, our message. That is, few or none have received the message. The form of the question is an emphatic way of saying that it was rejected.
The arm of the Lord. The arm is a symbol of power, as it is the instrument by which we execute our purposes. It is put for the power of God, Isa 51:9, 52:10. Thus he is said to have brought out the children of Israel from Egypt with a high arm--that is, with great power. It hence means God's power in defending his people, in overcoming his enemies, and in saving the soul. In this place it clearly denotes the power displayed by the miracles of Christ.
Revealed. Made known, seen, understood. Though the power of God was displayed, yet the people did not see and understand it.
(q) "Lord, who hath believed our report" Isa 53:3
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 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 diseases. See the power of the…
John 12:38 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for John 12:38
- 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 4:3-6
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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 Corinthians 3:14-18
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. …
- Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
- Galatians 1:16
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
- Acts 8:28-30
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
- Acts 13:27-29
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
- 2 Chronicles 32:20
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
- Isaiah 51:5
My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
15:25; 17:12; 19:24,36,37; Mt 27:35; Ac 13:27-29
Esaias.
2Ch 32:20
Isaiah.
Mt 15:7; Ac 8:28-30; Ro 10:20
who.
Isa 53:1; Ro 10:16
the arm.
Ps 44:3; Isa 40:10,11; 51:5,9; 1Co 1:24
revealed.
Mt 16:17; 2Co 3:14-18; 4:3-6; Ga 1:16; Eph 1:17-20
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- John 12:37
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
- John 12:38
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
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
John 12:38 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Para que se cumpliese el dicho que dijo el profeta Isaías: ¿Señor, quién ha creído á nuestro dicho? ¿y el brazo del Señor, á quién es revelado? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | afin que la parole d’Ésaïe le prophète, qu’il prononça, fût accomplie: « ✶Seigneur, qui est-ce qui a cru à ce qu’il a entendu de nous, et à qui le bras du ✶Seigneur a-t-il été révélé? ». |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | auf daß das Wort des Propheten Jesajas erfüllt würde, welches er sprach: "Herr, wer hat unserer Verkündigung geglaubt, und wem ist der Arm des Herrn geoffenbart worden?" |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | ut sermo Isaiæ prophetæ impleretur, quem dixit: Domine, quis credidit auditui nostro? et brachium Domini cui revelatum est? |