What Does John 12:38 Mean in the King James?
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Lord’s arm is revealed as an uncovering, yet revelation does not force trust.
THE MEANING
The Lord’s strength is uncovered, yet the report can remain untrusted. The question stands now: what is heard and seen may still not be received as trust.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Once God’s strength is revealed, everyone must recognize and trust it.
THE ROOT
ἀπεκαλύφθη
apekalýphthē
GROWS FROM
καλυπ-
The Greek stem καλυπ- (kalyp-, cover) names covering; with ἀπο- (apo-, away) in ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalýptō, uncover or reveal), it names the removal of a cover.
The English “revealed” can sound like new information being displayed, while the Greek wording pictures uncovering: what is seen comes into view as a covering is removed. The Lord’s arm is disclosed without being forced into recognition.
ALSO GROWS
kalýptō: To cover or conceal.
καλύπτω
It names the covering that gives “revealed” its underlying image of uncovering.
apokalýptō: To uncover or reveal.
ἀποκαλύπτω
It is the verb family of the word in this verse, with ἀπο- (apo-, away) turning covering into uncovering.
apokálypsis: An unveiling or revelation.
ἀποκάλυψις
It belongs to the same word family; the stem’s πτ shifts to ψ in this noun form.
ἐπίστευσεν
epísteusen
GROWS FROM
πιστ-
The Greek stem πιστ- (pist-, trust or reliance) gathers words for trusting and being trustworthy.
The English “believed” can sound like inward opinion, while this word belongs to a family of trust and trustworthiness. The question is whether the report becomes something the hearer places weight on, not merely whether it reaches the ear.
ALSO GROWS
pístis: Trust or reliance.
πίστις
It shares the πιστ- stem and makes explicit the trust carried by “believed.”
pistós: Trustworthy or firm.
πιστός
It shares the same stem and links the act of trusting with the quality that can be trusted.
THE PATTERN
Hearing a divine report and witnessing divine work do not mechanically produce trust.
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.He came unto his own, and his own received him not.THE THREAD
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?Romans repeats the question from John, including the same Greek form ἐπίστευσεν (epísteusen, believed), from the πιστ- (pist-, trust) family. The report can be heard while trust remains a distinct response.
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