John 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 

2Ch 32:20; Ps 44:3; Isa 40:10,11; Isa 51:5,9; Isa 53:1; Mt 15:7; Mt 16:17; Mt 27:35; Joh 15:25; Joh 17:12; Joh 19:24,36,37; Ac 8:28-30; Ac 13:27-29; Ro 10:16; Ro 10:20; 1Co 1:24; 2Co 3:14-18; 2Co 4:3-6; Ga 1:16; Eph 1:17-20

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.