A Study Of John 12:37-50
A study of John 12:37-50 reveals why people reject Jesus, the power of social pressure, and Jesus as Savior and God’s Word as judge.
A study of John 12:37-50 reveals why people reject Jesus.
He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them. (ESV, John 12:40)
This statement is taken from Isaiah 6:10. A prophetic word spoken around 700 years earlier. And it’s hard for us to understand why the people rejected him other than it fulfilled prophecy. Clearly, the crowds were amazed by Jesus’ authoritative teaching and divine miracles. Not to mention he was sinless. But still, many did not believe in him and most of the Jewish religious leaders wanted to kill him. So he hid himself in order to carefully guard his public appearances until the right moment for his crucifixion arrived.
Today, many people claim nonbelief in Jesus based on intellectual reasoning. Their cognitive claim is the Bible is full of myths, legends, and contradictions that don’t fool intelligent people. However, both Isaiah and John identify the real problem as a hardened heart.
What is a hardened heart?
The Greek word for “hardened” is pōrŏō, which literally means to make hard like stone, petrify, render stupid, and make calloused. It originally referred to hard stone, thickened skin, and a callus over tissue.
In scripture it means spiritually desensitized, morally dull, and stubborn towards God. The conscience grows calloused, spiritual perception dull, and resistant to truth. Hearts grow hardened through persistent sin and unbelief. And then God judicially hardens them more in divine judgment. Furthermore, a hardened heart represents spiritual blindness as the Apostle Paul points out.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (ESV, 1 Corinthain 2:14)
The difference between intellectual acknowledgment and belief is apple to oranges. The first takes place in your head and the second in your heart. The first is an admission. The second a commitment.
A study of John 12:37-50 reveals the power of social pressure.
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (ESV, John 12:42-43)
Up to now in John’s Gospel, it appears Jesus was universally hated and rejected by the religious leaders. He challenged their hypocrasy, debated their theology, and invoked their jealousy. But here, John says many religious leaders did believe in him. Unfortunately, they did not openly declare their faith because of potential consequences. They might be put out of the synagogue.
The difference between the Jewish temple and synagogue?
In the Old Testament, God appointed the temple as the one central place of sacrificial worship for Israel. And during the Roman period it was located in Jerusalem. The temple hosted sacrifices, the priesthood, major feast observances, and visibly represented the Mosaic covenant. It was also home to the holy of holies where the High Priest entered alone once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices. Its importance in Judaism explains why the Jews frequently traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate religious feasts and important celebrations.
Synagogues likely developed during or after the Babylonian exile when many Jews lived far from Jerusalem. They helped preserve Jewish identity and were well established throughout the Roman empire. They were not divinely instituted like the temple and could not offer sacrifices, but became local gatherings for scripture reading, teaching, prayer, and functioned both religiously and socially. To be banned from it was both religious and social ostracism. John points this out in chapter nine when the religious leaders question the parents of the blind man that Jesus healed.
His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, was to be put out of the synagogue. (ESV, John 9:22)
Believers silenced by fear
The hatred of the religious leaders as a whole toward Jesus was so intense, even those in this priviledged position feared banishment from the synagogue for confessing their faith in Jesus. And it stopped them from publicly declaring their faith. It reminds us of the human need for belonging and acceptance. That social rejection is a powerful form of influence. And the compromises we’ll make to fit in.
A study of John 12:37-50 reveals Jesus as Savior and God’s Word as Judge.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (ESV, John 12:47-48)
Jesus closes out his public ministry with a final reminder. He did not come to judge the world but to save it. At first this looks like good news. Like the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 7:53–8:11. In his final word to her, Jesus expresses grace with a gentle warning.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (ESV, John 8:11)
Unlike the religious leaders who brought the woman to him, Jesus does not condemn her. But offers her grace. Amazing considering he was the only perfect human with the right to condemn her. However, he follows with “go and sin no more.” In other words, sin will eternally separate you from God. And he draws her attention to it because she can experience forgiveness and eternal life through him.
And here Jesus also presents an opportunity and warning. His mission is not one of condemnation but salvation. And the words he spoke to them were from the father. Words that invite listeners to believe in and follow him for eternal life. But those who reject him are condemned by those words.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
A Family Friendly Funny Book
Family Stew is a warm, laugh-out-loud collection of stories on life in a middle-class, suburban Christian family. With a storyteller’s heart and a comedian’s timing, Tudor captures the messiness, chaos, and joy experienced when faith, parenting, and daily routines collide.
Click Here to view on Amazon
