John 5:47
What does John 5:47 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:47 means
“But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” Jesus ends with a sobering question. Disbelief in Moses’ writings—what they claim to honor—makes belief in Jesus’ spoken revelation even less likely. The issue is not the sufficiency of evidence but the posture of the heart toward God’s word. Scripture rightly received leads to Christ; Scripture resisted blocks faith in Him. The contrast between “writings” and “words” underscores continuity and escalation: the written witness prepares for the living Voice. Their unbelief is self-condemning, and the invitation implicit is to repent, receive Moses truly, and so receive the One he wrote about—Jesus, the Son sent by the Father.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If you have no belief in his writings, how will you have belief in my words?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but if his writings ye believe not, how shall ye believe my sayings?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if ye do not believe his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Context
Concluding the appeal to Moses (verses 45–46), Jesus drives home the logic: refusal of Moses’ writings undermines any claim to receive Jesus’ words. With this, the discourse ends where it began—on the question of authority and testimony. The chapter’s movement from a Sabbath healing to charges of divine equality (verses 17–18), through claims of life-giving and judgment (verses 19–29), to multiple witnesses (verses 31–47), reaches a judicial close. The hearers are left with a clear choice: honor the Son as the Father, receive life by believing His word, or persist in unbelief that even their beloved Scriptures already expose and condemn.
v.46For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.
v.47This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 16:29
But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
- Luke 16:31
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.
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.