Prophet Isaiah

Prophet Isaiah's prophecy

Prophet Isaiah
JOHN 12 BIBLE STUDY
John 12:31-36 Ruler Of This World

John 12:37-43 Prophet Isaiah

John 12:44-50 He Who Believes In Me
JOHN 12:37-41  37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

Whose eyes and hearts had God "blinded" and "hardened," and why?
John 12:38-41 refers to a time in the Old Testament when God announced to prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:10) His decision to punish Israel's continued rebellion and disobedience by sending them into exile. Until His decision is carried out, He "blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (John 12:40).

JOHN 12:42-43  42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Who are the "rulers" and "Pharisees" (John 12:42)?
"Rulers" were members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, which included many Pharisees.

What had the Sanhedrin recently decided to do after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?
Kill Jesus (John 11:53, see Lazarus, Come Forth!).

To what extent did the believing rulers love "the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43)?
Enough to kill God. Think about this for a second. These men "believed" (John 12:42) that Jesus is the Messiah. Yet they loved the praise of men and feared being "put out of the synagogue" (John 9:22, see Opened Your Eyes) so much that they gave their silent consent to His murder.

How much easier is it for people who hold worldly power and position today to "confess" (John 12:42) Jesus?
If it means losing that power and position, not much easier.

What words did Jesus have for such people?
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:25-26)