They were blind (Jn 12:40-12:40)

“He has blinded

Their eyes.

He has hardened

Their hearts.

Thus,

They may not see

With their eyes!

They do not understand

With their hearts!

They will not convert

Until I heal them!”

Τετύφλωκεν αὐτῶν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ ἐπώρωσεν αὐτῶν τὴν καρδίαν, ἵνα μὴ ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ νοήσωσιν τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ στραφῶσιν, καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς.

Then John uniquely inserted the statement of Isaiah, chapter 6:10, that Yahweh has blinded (Τετύφλωκεν) their eyes (αὐτῶν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς).  John was the only canonical gospel writer to use this Greek word Τετύφλωκεν that means to blind, to make blind, physically or mentally.  He has hardened (καὶ ἐπώρωσεν) their hearts (αὐτῶν τὴν καρδίαν).  Thus, they may not see (ἵνα μὴ ἴδωσιν) with their eyes (τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς).  They do not understand (καὶ νοήσωσιν) with their hearts (τῇ καρδίᾳ).  They will not convert or turn (καὶ στραφῶσιν) until he would heal them (καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς).  Isaiah got his marching orders from Yahweh.  He was to tell the people that they were listening without comprehending.  They were looking without understanding.  Their hearts or minds were dull.  Their eyes and ears were closed.  He wanted them not to look with their own eyes.  He wanted them to not listen with their own ears, since they would not begin to comprehend.  Isaiah turned and converted, since he had been healed of his sins.  This is somewhat echoed in the words of Jesus among the later Christian evangelists, particularly here with the very words of Isaiah in John.  Are you blind to the word of God?