John 5:41
What does John 5:41 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:41 means
“I receive not glory from men.” Jesus distances Himself from human applause. His identity and mission do not depend on popular acclaim or the leaders’ approval. This clarifies His motive in speaking: He is not currying favor but seeking their salvation. The contrast with His opponents will soon be clear—they seek glory from one another (verse 44). By refusing human-centered validation, Jesus positions Himself as the faithful revealer of the Father’s will. The worth of the Son is intrinsic; honoring Him is right because of who He is, not because of human endorsement. This rebuke undercuts a key obstacle to their belief: fear of man.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I receive not glory from men.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I receive not honour from men.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I receive not glory from men.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I do not take honour from men;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862glory from man I do not receive,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I receive not glory from men.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I do not receive glory from men,
Context
After stating their refusal to come for life (verse 40), Jesus asserts that He does not seek human glory. This statement anticipates His exposure of their motives in verse 44 and explains the frankness of His rebukes. He speaks truthfully, unconcerned with human praise, in contrast to the leaders’ mutual admiration. Verse 42 will deepen the charge by saying they lack the love of God, and verse 43 will highlight their rejection of Him despite His coming in the Father’s name. The flow moves from evidences spurned to motives unmasked, setting the stage for the final appeal to Moses’ testimony (verses 45–47).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6
nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
- John 8:54
Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God;
- 2 Peter 1:17
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:
- John 6:15
Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.
- 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 7:18
He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
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