39"You diligently search the Scriptures — the writings — because you think you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me. [5:40] And yet you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. [5:41] I do not receive glory from men, [5:42] but I know you — that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. [5:43] I have come in the name of my Father, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, that one you will receive. [5:44] How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? [5:45] Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses — in whom you have hoped. [5:46] For if you believed Moses, you would believe me — for he wrote about me. [5:47] But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"
JHN 5:39-47
The Witness of Scripture
In the world it was spoken into
In this passage, Jesus addresses Jewish leaders who prided themselves on their meticulous study of the Scriptures, a central practice in Second-Temple Judaism. The term '' (Scriptures) would have been understood as the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, which were seen as the authoritative revelation of God. The verb '' (you search) implies a deep, investigative engagement with these texts, a hallmark of Jewish scribal and Pharisaic tradition. However, Jesus critiques their approach, accusing them of missing the Scriptures' true witness to Him. The '' (glory) they seek is human honor, a key value in the honor-shame culture of the Mediterranean world, rather than the divine approval that comes through faith in Him. Jesus contrasts their rejection of Him with their willingness to accept others who come in their own name, highlighting their misplaced priorities. This critique would have resonated with a Jewish audience deeply invested in Scripture but often divided over its interpretation and the identity of the Messiah.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
JHN 5:39
- KJV
- Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
- BSB
- You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
- Koinōnos
- You diligently search the Scriptures — the writings — because you think you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me.
JHN 5:40
- KJV
- And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
- BSB
- yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.
- Koinōnos
- And yet you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
JHN 5:41
- KJV
- I receive not honour from men.
- BSB
- I do not accept glory from men,
- Koinōnos
- I do not receive glory from men,
JHN 5:42
- KJV
- But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
- BSB
- but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you.
- Koinōnos
- but I know you — that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.
JHN 5:43
- KJV
- I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
- BSB
- I have come in My Fatherʼs name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him.
- Koinōnos
- I have come in the name of my Father, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, that one you will receive.
JHN 5:44
- KJV
- How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
- BSB
- How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
- Koinōnos
- How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
JHN 5:45
- KJV
- Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
- BSB
- Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have put your hope.
- Koinōnos
- Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses — in whom you have hoped.
JHN 5:46
- KJV
- For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
- BSB
- If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.
- Koinōnos
- For if you believed Moses, you would believe me — for he wrote about me.
JHN 5:47
- KJV
- But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
- BSB
- But since you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
- Koinōnos
- But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
JHN 5:39
- You diligently search:The word translated 'You diligently search' implies a careful, thorough investigation, like tracking an animal or searching for hidden treasure, not a casual reading.
- Scriptures,:The term used here for 'Scriptures' literally means 'writings' or 'documents,' emphasizing their nature as authoritative written texts.
JHN 5:40
- you are willing:The word translated 'you are willing' indicates a conscious choice or desire, suggesting an active decision not to come to Jesus, rather than a mere inability.
JHN 5:44
- glory:The word translated 'glory' refers to reputation, honor, or renown, often implying public recognition and esteem, not just an inner feeling.