Devine Scripture

John 5:38

What does John 5:38 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:38 means

“And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not.” Jesus diagnoses the root problem: God’s word has not taken up residence in their hearts. The clearest proof is their rejection of the One whom God sent. Scripture within does not merely inform; it transforms and leads to Christ. Their study has not become submission. This is a piercing critique of religious expertise without faith. The test of whether God’s word abides is simple: do you receive His Sent One? By tying their unbelief to the absence of the indwelling word, Jesus shows that true knowledge of God is inseparable from embracing Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you have not kept his word in your hearts, because you have not faith in him whom he has sent.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and His word ye have not remaining in you, because whom He sent, him ye do not believe.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him you believe not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and ye have not his word abiding in you; for whom he hath sent, him ye do not believe.

Context

Following the charge that they have neither heard God’s voice nor seen His form (verse 37), Jesus adds that God’s word does not dwell in them, as evidenced by their rejection of the Sent One. This prepares directly for verse 39, where He addresses their practice of searching the Scriptures. He will show that Scripture itself points to Him, yet they refuse to come for life (verse 40). The discourse is now confronting the leaders at the core of their identity: their reliance on Scripture and reputation for knowledge. Jesus redirects Scripture’s purpose toward Himself, intensifying the call to believe and exposing the tragedy of unbelief.

v.37And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.

v.38This passage

v.39Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 7:1

    My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee.

  • Deuteronomy 6:6

    And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;

  • John 1:11

    He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

  • John 3:17

    For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

  • 1 John 2:14

    I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.

  • Isaiah 53:1

    Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?

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