Although he had performed so many signs in their presence they did not believe in him, 38 in order that the word which Isaiah the prophet spoke might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed our preaching, to whom has the might of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said: 40 “He blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with their eyes and understand with their heart and be converted, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. 42 Nevertheless, many, even among the authorities, believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not acknowledge it openly in order not to be expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they preferred human praise to the glory of God.
The evangelist explained the unbelief of the Israelites by using words from Isaiah the Prophet “Make the heart of this people sluggish, dull their ears and close their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and their heart understand, and they turn and be healed (Is. 6:10).” Isaiah saw the glory of Jesus and prophesied about him (v. 40). Even though many of the Jewish authorities did not believe in Jesus, those who believed in him were afraid to do so publicly because they did not want to lose the esteem of their colleagues or to be expelled from the Synagogue. Nicodemus (Jn. 3:1-2) and Joseph of Arimathea (Jn. 19:38) were examples of Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus.
Almighty God, grant us insight to know your will and the wisdom to follow it with all our hearts. May we be strengthened by the Holy Spirit so we may never be afraid to confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord or believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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