AD 33 · Life of Christ

Many remain unbelieving despite Jesus' signs

Although Jesus had performed many signs, many still did not believe, fulfilling Isaiah's words. Some leaders believed secretly but feared public exclusion, and Jesus declared that His word brings light and will judge those who reject it (John 12:37-50).

synchronism dating
📖 John 12:37–39

37Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. 38This 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?” 39For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:

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Connections

Explicit fulfillment

Isaiah's words about unbelief

John says that continued unbelief despite Jesus' signs fulfilled Isaiah's words, then quotes Isaiah's description of eyes that do not see and hearts that do not understand.

Isaiah 53:1

Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Isaiah 6:9–10

And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

John 12:38 quotes Isaiah 53:1 and expressly says that Isaiah's word was fulfilled; John 12:39-40 then quotes Isaiah 6:10 while explaining the people's unbelief.

Read Isaiah 53:1 (BSB) →Read Isaiah 6:9–10 (BSB) →
Sources: AiG: Timeline of the Bible (chart PDF, 2005)
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