John 5:44
What does John 5:44 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:44 means
“How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?” The craving for peer approval makes faith impossible. True belief requires seeking God’s honor above all. This verse identifies pride and fear of man as spiritual cripplers. When the heart’s compass is set to human applause, it cannot correctly navigate to Christ. Jesus points to a moral incapacity rooted in misplaced desire. The remedy is repentance—a reorientation toward the only God’s glory. Until then, even abundant testimony will not persuade. Faith is not just seeing evidence; it is loving the right glory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?
KJV
King James Version · 1611How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949How is it possible for you to have faith while you take honour one from another and have no desire for the honour which comes from the only God?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862how are ye able--ye--to believe, glory from one another receiving, and the glory that <FI>is<Fi> from God alone ye seek not?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752How can you believe, who receive glory one from another: and the glory which is from God alone, you do not seek?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and seek not the glory which [comes] fromGod alone?
Context
Following the contrast between rejecting Jesus and receiving self-promoters (verse 43), Jesus asks how belief can exist in those seeking mutual glory instead of God’s. This penetrates to the core obstacle to faith and explains why previous witnesses—John, works, the Father, Scriptures—were not received. The final section (verses 45–47) now turns to Moses, the authority they claim. By appealing to Moses as their accuser, Jesus shows that their unbelief contradicts their own foundations. The flow moves from exposure of motive to legal indictment from the very figure they trust, bringing the argument to a solemn close.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
- Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
- Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- Romans 2:29
but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
- 2 Chronicles 6:8
But Jehovah said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart:
- John 8:43
Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
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