John 12:38

“…of the Jews, who believed the report of the prophets, or to whom was that arm of the Lord revealed, which is this very Christ who was announced by them, seeing that by their own hands they perpetrated those crimes against Christ, the commission of which had been predicted by the prophets whom they possessed?” — editor's note: John xii. 37, 38; Rom. x. 16.

“And finally he appends the statement, which appears also in Matthew and Mark, on the subject of the destined overthrow of the temple.” — editor's note: [Many harmonists insert at this point the events narrated in John xii. 20–50. Augustin does not express an opinion in regard to this passage.—R.]

“There, too, he reports the remarkable words which were spoken again on the subject of the light which enlightens and makes men the children of light.” — editor's note: John xii. 20–50.

“Ver.” — the author cites it

“These things said Isaiah when he saw His glory, and spake of Him.”” — editor's note: S. John xii. 36–41.

And thusb the Evangelist tacitly explains it, when he adds, But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him.

He means the miracles related above. It was no small wickedness to disbelieve against such miracles as those.

But why then did Christ come? Did He not know that they would not believe in Him? Yes: the Prophets had prohibited this very unbelief, and He came that it might be made manifest, to their confusion and condemnation;…

Who, i. e. so very few believed.

It is evident here that the arm of the Lord is the Son of God Himself. Not that the Father has a human fleshly form; He is called the arm of the Lord, because all things were made by Him. If a man had power of such a…

That the saying of Esaias might be fulfilled: that here is expressive not of the cause, but of the event. They did not disbelieve because Esaias said they would; but because they would disbelieve, Esaias said they would.

But what follows involved a deeper question: Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor…

This is a common form of speech among ourselves. I cannot love such a man, meaning by this necessity only a vehement will. The Evangelist says could not, to shew that it was impossible that the Prophet should lie,…

But the Prophet, you say, mentions another cause, not their will; viz. that God had blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart. But I answer, that they well deserved this. For God hardens and blinds a man, by…

For He does not leave us, except we wish Him, as He saith in Hosea, Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hos. 4:6) Whereby it is plain that we begin to forsake first, and…

And be converted, and I should heal them. Is not to be understood here, from the beginning of the sentence—that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor be converted; conversion…

His glory means the vision of Him sitting on His lofty throne: I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? (Is. 6:1)

Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the…

As their faith grew, their love of human praise grew still more, and outstripped it.

Cross-reference given by the World English Bible's translators.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in John Chrysostom on John 12:37–43 (6) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

Cited together in On the Holy Spirit III.22.

John 12:38 takes up the words of Isaiah 53:1 (8 words in common).