John 12:40

³⁸ That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

⁴¹ These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

⁴² 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:

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
KJV: He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
WEB: “He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.”
ASV: He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them.
DARBY: He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they may not see with their eyes, and understand with their heart and be converted, and I should heal them.
BLB: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn, and I will heal them.”

ÅB: Han har blindet deres øyne og forherdet deres hjerte, for at de ikke skal se med øynene og forstå med hjertet og omvende seg, så jeg kunne lege dem.
OTB: "Han blendet deres øyne
og forherdet deres hjerter,
så de ikke kan se med sine øyne,
eller forstå med sine hjerter,
eller vende om —og jeg ville helbrede dem."
B1930: Han har blindet deres øine og forherdet deres hjerte, forat de ikke skal se med øinene og forstå med hjertet og omvende sig, så jeg kunde læge dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 6:10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Read in context
Matthew 13:13–15
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Read in context
Luke 8:10
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Read in context
Mark 4:12
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Read in context
Isaiah 57:18–19
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
Read in context
Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Read in context
Joshua 11:20
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Read in context
Hosea 6:1
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Read in context