John 5:44

How can ye believe? (pw dunasqe umei pisteusai;). Emphasis on "ye" (umei), ye being what ye are. They were not true Jews ( Romans 2:29 ; Esther 9:28 ) who cared for the glory of God, but they prefer the praise of men ( Matthew 6:1 ; Matthew 23:5 ) like the Pharisees who feared to confess Christ ( John 12:43 ). From the only God (para tou monou qeou). B and W omit qeou which is certainly meant even if not genuine here. See John 17:3 ; Romans 16:27 ; 1 Timothy 6:15 .