Definition: Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from John 12:39: “Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again.” Here's a simple explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is about how people in Jesus’ time didn’t understand his message about death and resurrection. It highlights a challenge to the belief that Jesus was truly divine. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Therefore they could not believe…” - This means that people weren't accepting Jesus as the Messiah – the one prophesied in the Old Testament. They didn’t understand why he was important or what he would do. “…because that Esaias said again.” - This is the key part. The Hebrew prophet Isaiah (often called Esaias) wrote a prophecy about Jesus long before his time. He spoke of a future king who would be born in a stable, rise to power, and die a violent death. Putting it together: The verse essentially says that because Esaias had already predicted a very dramatic and painful end for Jesus – a death that would be seen as awful and even frightening – people couldn't reconcile that prediction with the idea of him being God’s son. They didn’t believe in his divinity because they were confronted with a vision of suffering that contradicted everything they knew. In essence, it's a way of saying that the message of Jesus was so shocking and challenging to understand that people couldn’t accept it. Why is this important? This verse is significant because it shows that even those who deeply believed in Jesus were struggling with his message. It points out the importance of understanding and interpreting scripture – meaning, how to grasp the deeper truths within the words of God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage?