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John 12

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

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?

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

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

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

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

What does John 12:40 mean?

Explanation

This verse, found in the Gospel of John, expresses a theme of spiritual blindness and unbelief.

The phrase "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart" suggests that there is a deliberate divine action preventing people from believing in Jesus.

However, it's important to understand this not as an arbitrary act of God but as a response to consistent and willful unbelief.

The result of this blinding and hardening is that they do not "see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted," which means they are unable to recognize the truth of Jesus' teachings, experience a change of heart, or turn towards God for healing.

The "blinded...eyes" and "hardened...heart" are metaphorical, referring to spiritual rather than physical blindness and insensitivity.

The deeper meaning relates to the condition of being unreceptive to the transformative message of Jesus, leading to a state where one cannot find spiritual healing or salvation, as indicated by the last part of the verse, "and I should heal them."

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Historical Context

The verse is situated in the context of John's account of Jesus' ministry and is a direct quotation from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10).

By quoting Isaiah, John is drawing a parallel between the people of Isaiah's time and the people of his own time, suggesting that just as in the past, there are those in the present who are witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing his teachings yet still refuse to believe.

This reference to prophecy fulfillment is a common theme in the Gospels, which often seek to establish Jesus as the anticipated Messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is contentious as it touches upon the issue of predestination versus free will.

One view is that God has predetermined certain individuals to disbelief and consequently judgment for His purposes, while another view insists that this hardening is a result of continual and willful rejection of God's messages.

The latter view argues that God's judgment is just and is a judicial hardening in response to human resistance.

Additionally, some theologians discuss this verse in the framework of the problem of evil and suffering, exploring why God would allow, or even cause, individuals to remain in unbelief.

Practical Applications

The message in John 12:40 can serve as a warning against spiritual complacency and perpetual disbelief.

It can be interpreted as a call to self-examination, urging individuals to remain open to truth and to the possibility of transformation through faith.

For believers, it is a stimulus to share faith with compassion and patience, knowing that spiritual blindness can only be overcome through divine intervention.

Cross-References

Isaiah 6:9-10: "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not."
Matthew 13:14-15: "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:"
Romans 11:8: "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."
2 Corinthians 4:4: "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."

Language Study

The language study of this verse would focus on the Greek words used in the original text.

Notably:

"Blinded" (τυφλώσῃ) which conveys not just physical blindness but moral or spiritual darkness.
"Heart" (καρδίαν) refers to the inner self or the seat of thought and emotion, not merely the physical organ.
"Converted" (ἐπιστραφῶσιν) suggests a turning around or return, implying a change in direction or allegiance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient myths, blindness often symbolized a lack of knowledge or awareness.

In Greek mythology, for instance, Tiresias is struck blind but gains the gift of prophecy.

In religious traditions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, spiritual blindness can refer to the inability to perceive ultimate reality or truth.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology can shed light on the concept of "blinded...eyes" and "hardened...heart" through confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance.

These concepts describe the human tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs and the discomfort experienced when one's beliefs are challenged, which may lead to a metaphorical 'hardening' against new ideas.

commentaries

Different biblical commentators have offered varying insights into John 12:40:

Matthew Henry sees it as an assertion of the justice of God in the face of willful rejection of truth.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the idea of "judicial blindness," a form of divine penalty for persistent unbelief.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges links the hardening of the heart to Pharaoh's heart in Exodus, implying that just as Pharaoh's opposition brought out God's purposes, so does the unbelief in Jesus' time serve a higher divine purpose.

John 12

John 12

What does John 12:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 12:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?