Why couldn't the Jews understand Jesus despite having the Scriptures and the priesthood?
They could not comprehend because they were wrapped in unbelief, despite having the Scriptures, the Word of God, and the priesthood. Jesus said they did not hear God's words because they were not of God. Their reliance on physical genealogy as children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could not make them God's children.
Les explains that these Jews were relying on their genealogy—being children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even though they had that unique opportunity—the Scriptures, the Word of God, and the priesthood—they were wrapped in unbelief and could not comprehend. Jesus told them, “He that is of God heareth God’s words; you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.” Les then connects this to Romans, verse 16: it is not of him that willeth, nor by genealogy, nationality, or race, so no one can claim to be a child of God merely on that basis.