How to use a study Bible without letting notes replace Scripture: A Step-by-Step Guide
Short answer: John 5:39-40 reveals Jesus' frustration with those who search the Scriptures but refuse to believe in Him. They think the written word alone gives eternal life, but He says they will not come to Him, missing the full revelation of God's plan. This passage shows that Scripture points to Christ, and only through Him can true life be found.
The Context of Jesus' Critique
John 5:39-40 comes after a dramatic scene in which Jesus heals a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. The miracle occurs on the Sabbath, leading to conflict with Jewish leaders who accuse Him of breaking the law (John 5:16). This sets the stage for Jesus' deeper teaching about His identity and purpose. He explains that His works testify to His divine mission (John 5:36), and He challenges those who read Scripture but fail to recognize its true meaning. The healing miracle is not just an act of compassion, it also serves as a sign pointing toward Christ's authority over life, death, and the Sabbath.
Jesus' statement about the Scriptures comes in response to His opponents who may have believed that reading the Old Testament was sufficient for eternal life. However, Jesus clarifies that Scripture itself points to Him (John 5:39). This context is crucial because it shows that the Jewish leaders are not just rejecting Jesus, they are failing to see how their own traditions and writings about God's plan have already been fulfilled in His coming. They may believe they know the truth of Scripture, but without recognizing Christ as its fulfillment, they remain blind.
The healing at Bethesda (John 5:2-9) is a turning point that leads Jesus to make these teachings. The man who was healed had no one to help him into the pool when the water was stirred up (John 5:7), and now he has been made whole by someone who does not rely on human intervention. This miracle highlights Jesus' power over sickness, time, and even the Sabbath laws that His opponents so strictly enforce. It also demonstrates how God's work is often done in ways unexpected to those who are focused only on their own traditions.
Jesus' teaching about the Scriptures must be understood within this narrative of healing and resistance. He is not simply dismissing the Old Testament; rather, he is showing its true purpose. The Jews may have searched Scripture for years, but they have missed how it points forward to His coming (John 5:39). This context helps us see that Jesus' words about their failure are not just a critique, they are an invitation to recognize Him as the one whom God has sent and who reveals the full meaning of Scripture.
The Claim That Scripture Testifies About Christ
John 5:39 says, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me." This verse is central to understanding Jesus' message. He does not reject the Old Testament but insists it points directly to Him as its fulfillment. The Jewish leaders may believe they know God's will through Scripture, but they fail to see how their own writings point to Christ. Their search for life in the Scriptures is incomplete because they are looking only at the letter and missing the living Word who has come to them.
Jesus' claim that the Scriptures testify about Him is not a new idea, it echoes the Old Testament's own prophetic vision of a coming Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 53, Psalm 22). However, Jesus is saying that His presence reveals what those writings have always pointed toward. The Jewish leaders may be familiar with the words of Scripture but lack the faith to recognize Christ as their fulfillment. Their failure shows how important it is not just to read Scripture but also to believe in its ultimate meaning, which is found in Him.
This verse highlights a key theological truth: that all of God's revelation culminates in Jesus. He is not merely an add-on or a later development; rather, He is the one whom Scripture has been pointing toward from the beginning. This is why Jesus says, "These are they which testify about me." The entire Old Testament, with its laws and prophecies, finds its completion in His coming (Luke 24:25-27). Those who read Scripture without seeing Christ's role will remain spiritually blind.
Jesus' statement challenges anyone who reads the Bible but refuses to believe that He is the one whom God has sent. The Jewish leaders may have searched Scripture for years, but they have not recognized its full meaning because they are looking for a Messiah in their own terms rather than as Jesus reveals Him. This shows how important it is not only to read and study Scripture but also to open our hearts to what it truly points us toward: the living God who has come in human form.
The Rejection of Christ Despite Scriptural Knowledge
John 5:40 says, "Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life." This verse is a direct challenge to those who know the Scriptures but reject Jesus. It shows that even with access to God's Word, some people choose not to believe in Him and thus miss out on eternal life. Jesus does not accuse them of ignorance; He accuses them of willful refusal to accept His message. Their rejection is not due to a lack of knowledge, but rather their unwillingness to receive what Scripture has pointed toward.
This verse highlights the danger of reading Scripture without believing in Christ as its fulfillment. The Jewish leaders may have studied the Law and the Prophets extensively, yet they fail to see that Jesus is the one who brings God's promises to completion (John 5:39). Their rejection of Him shows a deeper issue: they do not believe that He is the Son of God or that His coming is part of God's plan. This is why Jesus says, "You will not come to me," implying that their refusal is intentional.
Jesus' words in John 5:40 reveal a truth about spiritual blindness, some people may know the Bible well but still miss its ultimate message because they are unwilling to believe in Christ. Their knowledge does not lead them toward life; instead, it becomes an excuse for continued unbelief (John 12:37-41). This is why Jesus says that their search of Scripture is incomplete unless they come to Him. They have the words but lack the living Word who gives true life.
This verse underscores a key theme in John's Gospel: belief in Christ is essential for eternal life (John 3:16; 20:31). Knowing the Bible without believing in Jesus as its fulfillment leads only to spiritual stagnation. The Jewish leaders may have studied Scripture, but they failed to see how it points toward Him and His redemptive work. Their rejection of Christ is not a result of ignorance but of unbelief, a choice that keeps them from receiving the fullness of God's revelation.
The Role of Scripture in Pointing Toward Christ
John 5:39-40 shows that Scripture is not an end in itself, but a means to point toward Jesus. The Jewish leaders may have searched the Scriptures for years, believing they contain eternal life (John 5:39), yet they fail to see how their own writings about God's plan have been fulfilled in Him. This passage highlights a key theological principle: that all of Scripture ultimately points to Christ as its center and climax. He is not an addition or a later development; rather, He is the one whom the Old Testament has always foretold.
Jesus' teaching here aligns with other parts of John's Gospel where he emphasizes that the Bible was written about Him (John 5:39). For example, in John 12:38-41, Jesus quotes Isaiah to show that people have rejected His coming even though they knew Scripture. This reinforces the idea that knowing God's Word without believing in Christ is incomplete and insufficient for eternal life. The Jewish leaders may have had access to the Bible but missed its true meaning because they were looking for a Messiah who fit their expectations rather than one sent by God.
This passage also shows how Jesus uses Scripture as a foundation for His own claims about Himself. He does not reject the Old Testament; instead, he shows that it supports His mission and identity. This is why He says that those who read Scripture but do not believe in Him are missing its full meaning (John 5:39). The Bible was never intended to be studied without believing in the one whom God has sent. Jesus' teaching here reveals how important it is for believers today to see Christ as the center of all Scripture.
Jesus' words about the Scriptures pointing toward Him have implications for how we approach the Bible today. They remind us that reading Scripture is not just an intellectual exercise, it is a spiritual journey aimed at leading us to believe in Jesus. Just as the Jewish leaders may have studied the Old Testament but missed its true meaning, many people today may read the Bible without seeing Christ as its fulfillment. This passage challenges us to see how every part of God's Word points forward to His Son and His redemptive work.
Jesus' Rejection of Human Glory
John 5:41 says, "I don't receive glory from men." This verse is important because it reveals Jesus' attitude toward human approval. He does not seek the praise or recognition that people offer him; instead, his focus remains on doing God's will and bringing eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 5:24-27). His refusal of human glory highlights a key aspect of His identity, he is not merely a teacher or prophet but the Son of God whose mission comes from heaven. This teaching is important because it shows that true faith does not depend on what people say about Jesus, but rather on recognizing Him as the one sent by God.
Jesus' rejection of human glory contrasts with how many religious leaders in His time sought to gain recognition for their teachings and actions (John 7:46; 12:42-43). He does not rely on people's approval or admiration, even though they may have studied Scripture and believed they knew the truth. This shows that faith is not about human validation but about believing in Jesus as God's Son who has come to save the world (John 3:16). His words in John 5:41 are a challenge to those who look for glory from others rather than seeking a relationship with Him.
This verse also underscores a key theme in John's Gospel, that belief in Christ is essential for salvation. Jesus does not depend on people's praise or approval; instead, He focuses on doing the will of His Father and giving life to those who believe (John 5:24-27). This shows that faith must be rooted in God's revelation rather than human admiration. Many religious leaders may have sought recognition for their teachings, but Jesus remains focused solely on fulfilling His mission and bringing eternal life to all who come to Him.
Jesus' refusal of human glory has implications for how we live our lives today. It challenges us not to seek approval from others or to focus only on what people think about us, rather, it calls us to believe in Jesus as the one whom God sent (John 5:39). His teaching reminds us that true faith is not about being admired but about following Him and trusting in His word. This passage shows that our relationship with Christ must be based on believing in who He is rather than seeking human recognition or approval.
The Importance of Believing the Truth About Jesus
John 5:42-47 reveals Jesus' deep understanding of those who reject Him. He says, "But I know you, that you don't have God's love in yourselves." This statement shows his awareness of their unbelief and lack of genuine spiritual motivation. The Jewish leaders may claim to believe in the Old Testament, but they fail to see how it points toward Jesus as its fulfillment. Their rejection is not due to a lack of knowledge about Scripture, but rather because they do not have God's love within them (John 5:42). This passage highlights the danger of knowing God's Word without truly believing in Christ.
Jesus' words in John 5:43-46 show his concern for those who are more interested in human approval than in following God. He says that if another came with their own name, they would receive him, but not Him, because He has come in His Father's name (John 5:43). This highlights a key spiritual issue: people often seek out leaders or teachers who validate them rather than those whom God has sent to reveal the truth. The Jewish leaders may have studied Scripture extensively but failed to recognize that Jesus is its fulfillment because their hearts were not aligned with God's will.
Jesus also refers to Moses as one who accuses them, saying, "There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope" (John 5:45). This shows that the Old Testament itself testifies about Jesus. The Jewish leaders may have placed their hope in Moses and his writings, but they missed how those same writings point toward Christ as their fulfillment. Their failure to believe in Jesus despite knowing Scripture highlights a deeper spiritual issue, their hearts are not open to God's revelation.
This passage challenges us to examine our own relationship with the Bible and our willingness to believe in Jesus. The Jewish leaders may have had access to Scripture, but they missed its true meaning because their hearts were closed to the truth about Christ (John 5:47). This reminds us that knowing God's Word is not enough; we must also be willing to believe in Him as its fulfillment. Only those who receive Jesus as the one sent by God will find eternal life, while those who reject him, despite having access to Scripture, remain separated from God.
For more on this passage, see John 5 Bible Study: Meaning, Context, and Key Themes.
For more on this passage, see John 6 Bible Study: Meaning, Context, and Key Themes.
For more on this passage, see John 7 Bible Study: Meaning, Context, and Key Themes.
For more on this passage, see John 2 Bible Study: Meaning, Context, and Key Themes.
Biblical fidelity check
John 5:39-40 must be read carefully because it speaks directly about the relationship between Scripture and belief in Jesus. Some may misinterpret these verses as a rejection of the Old Testament, but Jesus clearly affirms that the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39). He does not dismiss them; rather, he shows that they were written to point toward his coming and mission. This is a key interpretive challenge: readers must understand that Jesus' critique of those who search Scripture without believing in him is not an attack on the Bible itself but an invitation to recognize its ultimate fulfillment in Him. The central truth remains that Scripture leads us to Christ, and only through belief in Him can true life be found.
Frequently asked questions
What does John 5:39 mean when it says the Scriptures testify about Jesus?
John 5:39 shows that Jesus is claiming the Old Testament points directly to Him. The Jewish leaders may have searched Scripture for years, believing they had eternal life in its words (John 5:39), but Jesus clarifies that these writings are actually testifying about His coming and mission. This verse emphasizes that all of God's revelation culminates in Christ, who is the one whom Scripture has always pointed toward.
Why does John 5:40 say people will not come to Jesus even though they search Scripture?
John 5:40 shows that knowing Scripture alone is not enough. The Jewish leaders may have studied the Bible extensively, but their rejection of Jesus reveals a deeper issue, unbelief in His identity and mission. Their failure to believe in Him despite having access to Scripture highlights the danger of reading God's Word without recognizing its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
What does John 5:41 mean when it says Jesus doesn't receive glory from men?
John 5:41 shows that Jesus is not motivated by human approval. He does not seek recognition or praise from people, because His mission comes directly from God (John 5:30). This verse emphasizes the importance of believing in Christ as God's Son rather than seeking human validation for our faith.
