We have come to a very difficult passage. How can we understand his next words? “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” (John 12:40).
Jesus is quoting Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 6:10. The nation of Israel had known the truth for centuries and had refused to obey it. So the light they did have was removed and their nation was eventually taken captive.
So those who continually refuse the light that has been given them will eventually lose even that light (Luke 8:16-18).
