Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 12:38
Verse 38. That the saying of Esaias] Or, Thus the word of Isaiah was fulfilled. So I think ina (commonly rendered that) should be translated. For it certainly does not mean the end the Pharisees had in view by not believing; nor the end which the prophet had in view in predicting the incredulity of the Jews; but simply, such a thing was spoken by the prophet, concerning the Jews of his own time, and it had its literal fulfillment in those of our Lord's time.
Our report] The testimony of the prophets, concerning the person, office, sufferings, death, and sacrifice of the Messiah. See Isaiah liii. 1, &c.
The arm of the Lord] The power, strength, and miracles of Christ.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled , etc.] For though this was not the end of these men in disbelieving Christ, that the words of Isaiah might be fulfilled, yet hereby they were eventually fulfilled; and though the predictions of the prophet had no such influence on the wills of these men, as to lay upon them a coactive necessity, or force them to do, or to answer to the things foretold; yet they were to have, and had an infallible event or completion, otherwise the foreknowledge of God, and the authority of the prophetic writings, could not be maintained: which he spake in ( Isaiah 53:1); Lord, who hath believed our report ? which words the prophet delivered by way of complaint to God the Father; not so much with respect to his own time, and the men of it, as to the times of Christ, and his apostles, whom he represents; for the whole chapter is a prophecy of the Messiah, and suggests, that in those times there would be but few that would believe the report made in the ministry of the Gospel, concerning the Messiah, his person, office, and grace; though so true in itself, and so much confirmed by miracles, and mighty deeds; the reason of which, he intimates, would be his outward mean appearance in the world; and which, it is certain, was the true reason, God denying the influence of his powerful and special grace, as follows: and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed ? meaning either the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, and which was bid from the wise and prudent; or the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who is the power of God, by whom he made the heavens and the earth, and upholds them in their being, and by whom he has redeemed and saved his people; and who was not revealed neither to them in the ministry of the word, nor in them the hope of glory: or the Holy Spirit is meant, the finger of God, by whom these surprising miracles were done; and yet he did not exert himself in these persons, in the special operations of his grace; or the powerful and efficacious grace of God itself is designed, which was not put forth, and did not attend the report of the Gospel, and therefore it was not believed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 sanctif them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortif their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the world in smothering convictions, from regard to the applause or censur of men. Love of the praise of men, as a by-end in that which is good will make a man a hypocrite when religion is in fashion, and credit is to be got by it; and love of the praise of men, as a base principle is that which is evil, will make a man an apostate, when religion is in disgrace, and credit is to be lost for it.
Greek Textus Receptus
ινα 2443 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM λογος 3056 N-NSM ησαιου 2268 N-GSM του 3588 T-GSM προφητου 4396 N-GSM πληρωθη 4137 5686 V-APS-3S ον 3739 R-ASM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S κυριε 2962 N-VSM τις 5101 I-NSM επιστευσεν 4100 5656 V-AAI-3S τη 3588 T-DSF ακοη 189 N-DSF ημων 2257 P-1GP και 2532 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM βραχιων 1023 N-NSM κυριου 2962 N-GSM τινι 5101 I-DSM απεκαλυφθη 601 5681 V-API-3S
