John 5:40
What does John 5:40 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:40 means
“And ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.” The problem is not lack of information but willful refusal. Life is offered personally in Jesus, yet they choose to remain at a distance. This blunt statement cuts through excuses: salvation is relational, coming to Him. Their resistance exposes a heart condition—pride, fear, or love of human approval—that Jesus will soon name. He does not deny the value of Scripture; He insists on its goal. Life is not in texts abstractly, but in the Christ to whom they point. The door stands open; unbelief is a refusal to enter.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And still you have no desire to come to me so that you may have life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and ye do not will to come unto me, that ye may have life;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you will not come to me that you may have life.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and ye will not come to me that ye might have life.
Context
Following the claim that the Scriptures testify of Him (verse 39), Jesus names the refusal at the core: they will not come to Him for life. This transitions from theological critique to moral diagnosis, preparing for verses 41–44, where He exposes their craving for human glory and lack of God’s love. The argument is tightening: witness abounds, Scripture points, but will resists. The final section (verses 45–47) will bring Moses into the courtroom, revealing that their very hope turns into accusation because they fail to believe what Moses wrote concerning Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 81:11
But my people hearkened not to my voice; And Israel would none of me.
- John 5:44
How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?
- John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
- John 12:37
But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him:
- John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;
- John 8:45
But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore John 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 5.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Deity of Christ
The Bible consistently reveals Jesus Christ as truly God, possessing divine attributes, titles, and authority.
Topic
Bible Verses About Eternal Life
Eternal life, a gift from God, is knowing Him and Jesus Christ, and living forever in His presence.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.