John 12:38

“That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, etc.] For though this was not the end of these men in disbelieving Christ, that the words of Isaiah might be fulfilled, yet hereby they were eventually fulfilled; and though the predictions of the prophet had no such influence on the wills of these men, as to lay upon them a coactive necessity, or force them to do, or to answer to the things foretold; yet they were to have, and had an infallible event or completion, otherwise the foreknowledge of God, and the authority of the prophetic writings, could not be maintained: which he spake in (<235301>Isaiah 53:1); Lord, who hath believed our report? which words the prophet delivered by…”

“That the saying of Esaias . . . might be fulfilled--This unbelief did not at all set aside the purposes of God, but, on the contrary, fulfilled them.”

“The saying - The word of Isaiah, or that which Isaiah predicted. This occurs in Isaiah 53:1. Might be fulfilled - That the same effect should occur which occurred in the time of Isaiah. This does not mean that the Pharisees rejected Christ in order that the prophecy of Isaiah should be fulfilled, but that by their rejection of him the same thing had occurred which took place in the time of Isaiah. His message was despised by the nation, and he himself put to death. And it was also true - by the same causes, by the same nation that the same gospel message was rejected by the Jews in the time of Christ. The same language of the prophet would express both events, and no doubt it was intended by…”

“The arm of the Lord - The power of God manifested by Christ, in his preaching, miracles, and work of redemption. Isa 53:1. John 12:39”

“That: Joh 15:25, Joh 17:12, Joh 19:24, Joh 19:36, Joh 19:37; Mat 27:35; Act 13:27-29 Esaias: Ch2 32:20, Isaiah, Mat 15:7; Act 8:28-30; Rom 10:20 who: Isa 53:1; Rom 10:16 the arm: Psa 44:3; Isa 40:10, Isa 40:11, Isa 51:5, Isa 51:9; Co1 1:24 revealed: Mat 16:17; Co2 3:14-18, Co2 4:3-6; Gal 1:16; Eph 1:17-20 John 12:39”