John 12:38

12:38 so that the word ¹  of Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled. He said, ²  “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord ³  been revealed?” ⁴ 

John 12:40

12:40 “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart, ⁵ 

so that they would not see with their eyes

and understand with their heart, ⁶ 

and turn to me, ⁷  and I would heal them.” ⁸ 

John 12:49

12:49 For I have not spoken from my own authority, ⁹  but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me ¹⁰  what I should say and what I should speak.

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¹ tn Or “message.”

² tn Grk “who said.”

³ tn “The arm of the Lord” is an idiom for “God’s great power” (as exemplified through Jesus’ miraculous signs). This response of unbelief is interpreted by the author as a fulfillment of the prophetic words of Isaiah (Isa 53:1). The phrase ὁ βραχίων κυρίου (Jo braciwn kuriou) is a figurative reference to God’s activity and power which has been revealed in the sign-miracles which Jesus has performed (compare the previous verse).

⁴ sn A quotation from Isa 53:1.

⁵ tn Or “closed their mind.”

⁶ tn Or “their mind.”

⁷ tn One could also translate στραφῶσιν (strafwsin) as “repent” or “change their ways,” but both of these terms would be subject to misinterpretation by the modern English reader. The idea is one of turning back to God, however. The words “to me” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

⁸ sn A quotation from Isa 6:10.

⁹ tn Grk “I have not spoken from myself.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “has given me commandment.”