SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:39
Por esto no podían creer, porque otra vez dijo Isaías:
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 12:39
Verse 39. Therefore they could not believe] Why? Because they did not believe the report of the prophets concerning Christ; therefore they credited not the miracles which he wrought as a proof that he was the person foretold by the prophets, and promised to their fathers. Having thus resisted the report of the prophets, and the evidence of Christ's own miracles, God gave them up to the darkness and hardness of their own hearts, so that they continued to reject every overture of Divine mercy; and God refused to heal their national wound, but, on the contrary, commissioned the Romans against them, so that their political existence was totally destroyed. The prophecy of Isaiah was neither the cause nor the motive of their unbelief: it was a simple prediction, which imposed no necessity on them to resist the offers of mercy. They might have believed, notwithstanding the prediction, for such kinds of prophecies always include a tacit condition; they may believe, if they properly use the light and power which God has given them. Such prophecies also are of a general application-they will always suit somebody, for in every age persons will be found who resist the grace and Spirit of God like these disobedient Jews. However, it appears that this prediction belonged especially to these rejecters and crucifiers of Christ; and if the prophecy was infallible in its execution, with respect to them, it was not because of the prediction that they continued in unbelief, but because of their own voluntary obstinacy; and God foreseeing this, foretold it by the prophet. Should I say that, they could not believe, means, they would not believe, I should perhaps offend a generation of his children; and yet I am pretty certain the words should be so understood. However, that I may put myself under cover from all suspicion of perverting the meaning of a text which seems to some to be spoken in favour of that awful doctrine of unconditional reprobation, the very father of it shall interpret the text for me. Thus then saith St. AUGUSTIN: Quare autem non POTERANT, si a me quaeratur, cito respondeo; Quia NOLEBANT: MALAM quippe eorum VOLUNTATEM praevidit Deus, et per prophetam praenunciavit. "If I be asked why they COULD not believe? I immediately answer, Because THEY WOULD NOT. And God, having foreseen their BAD WILL, foretold it by the prophet." Aug. Tract. 53, in Joan.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 39. Therefore they could not believe , etc.] God had determined to leave them to the blindness and hardness of their hearts, and to deny them his grace, which only could cure them of it, and enable them to believe: he had foretold this in prophecy, and they were manifestly the persons spoken of; and therefore considering the decrees of God, the predictions of the prophet, and the hardness of their hearts, they were left unto, it was morally impossible they should believe, because that Esaias said again , in ( Isaiah 6:9,10).
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
δια 1223 PREP τουτο 5124 D-ASN ουκ 3756 PRT-N ηδυναντο 1410 5711 V-INI-3P-ATT πιστευειν 4100 5721 V-PAN οτι 3754 CONJ παλιν 3825 ADV ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S ησαιας 2268 N-NSM
